One year later.
The Iron Coast was no longer a city of metal; it was a living forest of glass and greenery. People lived in homes designed by Zhuo—structures that grew alongside the trees. Zeeshaan was the Master Engineer, ensuring that the technology and the nature lived in perfect balance.
They sat on the balcony of their new home, overlooking the valley that had once been a wasteland. Zeeshaan pulled the old watch from his pocket. It had stopped at the exact second they planted the tree in the city core.
"It's not ticking," Zhuo noticed, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Zeeshaan smiled, kissing her forehead. "We don't need to count the time anymore, Zhuo. We finally have a world that isn't running out of it."
The silver-leafed tree behind them glowed, casting a soft light over the city. The mystery was solved. The war was over. They were home.