[Central Region - Capitol City]
The massive public screen in Victory Square showed Damian's armored form walking away.
Thousands of people stood packed together, staring upward at the broadcast.
When the reporter confirmed the kill, silence held for three heartbeats.
Then someone screamed.
"HE DID IT!"
The crowd exploded.
"DAMIAN VALCOR!"
"THE YOUNG MAN KILLED THE GIANT CHIEF!"
"WE AREN'T DEFENSELESS!"
People grabbed strangers, hugging them, cheering together as relief crashed through in waves.
An old man collapsed to his knees, his hands pressed together.
"Thank you... Thank you..."
His voice came out broken.
"My grandson was at Lufen... One of the survivors... Thank you, boy... Thank you..."
Near the edge of the crowd, a mother held her young daughter on her shoulders.
The girl's eyes were locked on the screen, watching Damian's damaged armor disappear into snow.
"Mama, who is he?"
The mother's voice came out thick with emotion.
