A Glimpse of Life Part 1

The celebrations lasted for three days.

By the fourth morning, Helmarte had already begun settling back into its usual rhythm.

City workers removed the colorful banners from King's Avenue before sunrise, folding each one carefully before loading them onto waiting carts. In Grand Civic Square, carpenters dismantled the temporary viewing platforms piece by piece while sweepers cleared away the last scraps of paper and confetti left behind by the crowds.

By the time most citizens opened their doors, little remained of the ceremony beyond a few ribbons caught in tree branches and the lingering conversations of those who had attended.

Life moved on.

Ernest considered that one of the clearest signs that the reconstruction had succeeded.