Back at the camp, N.C.R. reinforcements lead by General Oliver marched to the front gate and began to heave the Legion's deceased into a pile. The inner gate was where the N.C.R. neatly laid out their fallen soldiers so that they can be sent back to their homes.
Field medics carried William and Lyannah out of the camp with stretchers; the two were barely alive. Cass, Veronica and Boone presented themselves to Oliver; he was distraught when he found out that Redfield and David were both killed in action.
A burst of lightning struck one of the higher points of the hills that surrounded the camp. Oliver pulled up his collars and put a cigarette in his mouth. "The price of this battle was too much; I'd rather lose the Dam a hundred times over if it meant I could keep General Redfield."
Cass lowered her head. "He knew what he signed up for, just like everyone else."
"Securing N.C.R.'s future is no easy task, for what it's worth, our administration sends their deepest gratitude and sympathies to the lot of you. Mostly, you, Mrs Wesker; your husband was one of the best soldiers we had in a long time. In his honour, the republic owes you a substantial favour."
Cass nodded, not thinking of anything to say to help ease her guilt.
"What'll happen now, sir?" Boone asked.
"The N.C.R. will clean up the mess the Legion made here and then we'll put our attention to the casualties. With Redfield gone, I'll have to double down on my effort to help the N.C.R. find its feet."
Boone held Cass is his arms; she was distraught. "Could take decades, Redfield was a living legend."
"There was no other way this could've ended; he died for the greater good - for the people." Oliver lit his cigarette.
From the dust behind Cass, Boone and Veronica was a figure. Redfield strode over to Oliver, still wearing his battle-worn armour and helmet. Other than the dried blood all over him, Redfield appeared as healthy as one could be. He walked quickly over to the Oliver and the small crowd at the inner gate.
Oliver's lit cigarette dropped from his open mouth. "Redfield?"
Cass, Boone and Veronica peered over their shoulders. "Sir," Boone exclaimed, "you're alive!"
"But how?" Oliver questioned.
"My death was greatly exaggerated, Oliver. Where is David?"
Oliver hesitated. "I'm sorry, Redfield. I'm afraid he's-"
"I know he's dead, damn it!" Redfield loosened his shoulders, sighing intensely. "I want to see his body."
Oliver looked over Redfield's shoulder, seeing two men walk in their direction from the left campsite. "Here he is now…"
Two rangers carried David on a stretcher; shifting quickly about and presenting his lifeless body to Redfield. After a deep sigh, Redfield held David's hand; it was hard for him to think of the right words to say.
Mouth agape, blood slowly running out of his open wounds, David's condition was just horrible. Redfield saw a lot of death before, but this gruesome sight tugged his heartstrings. David's face was frozen with cold fear, and his armour was barely salvageable.
"This young man was my son. I wasn't around the day he was born, nor I was around for his teen years, but I loved him, and his mother." Redfield nodded. "David was one of the finest men I ever worked with, a true soldier… now he's finally at rest with his mother." He took off his helmet.
"Redfield?" Oliver uttered, with concern.
"I want to see David with my own eyes."
Redfield exposed his face once again, to Oliver, Cass, Boone and Veronica. It was more than an honour to see the legend's face in person. Though his face hadn't aged a day over twenty, he looked very young, no wrinkles liver spots or any signs of old age. He didn't look like how he was made out to be - a grizzled veteran.
His jaw and chin were sharp, his hair was auburn and full thick, complementing his golden eyes. The new, younger Redfield was the picture of youth, despite his service years. A heartthrob came to mind, a dreamboat no less. It was hard to look away.
"Redfield, you're looking well..." Oliver admitted, with a smile.
"I don't feel any different." Redfield checked his reflection in his helmet's lens.
Redfield felt his nose and mouth; he wasn't amazed. Redfield's mind was clear on one thing, though, Sarkis' punishment left him as he was before his apotheosis - superhuman. Young. Fresh. Normal... Just like the final days of 1998.
Boone placed his hand on Redfield's shoulder. "Sir, are you okay? You seem strange."
Redfield shrugged Boone's hand from his shoulder. "I'm healthy, let's leave it at that." He noticed the four of them were staring at him. "Can we please move on? It's been a long day."
"Of course, Redfield."
"Call me Wesker, Zachariah Wesker."
Oliver picked up his cigarette and put it back in his mouth, not before rubbing the dirt off the butt. "Anything you say... Wesker."
Zaac stared down at David's lifeless face. "Send your mother my regards, my son." He sighed heavily and nearly began to sob. "I love you…"
"Anything I can do for you, Wesker?" Oliver asked.
Zaac placed his helmet on David's chest. "It's been a bad day, Oliver. Bring our wounded and casualties back to the Dam." The rangers went to take David's body away, but Zaac stopped them.
"Could you leave my son here, please? I need a moment alone."
"Anything for you... Wesker." Oliver lit his cigarette. "What do you want us to do with the legate?"
Zaac turned around; his face ran red with anger. "I want that fucking bastard burned at stake!"
"At once, Wesker." Oliver instructed the rangers to set David's body down at Zaac's feet; then they scurried off out of sight.
"Redfield?" Cass mumbled.
"Wesker," Zaac corrected, kneeling at David's body.
"Why the name change?"
Zaac shook his head. "Another time, Cass. Could you and the others make your way back to the Dam for debriefing please?"
Cass reached out for Zaac but retracted her hand. Boone and Veronica took her away. "Come on, Cass, let's go," Boone said, as all three of them left Zaac's sight.
"I failed you... you trusted me, and I failed you... I wasn't strong enough to stop any of this..." Zaac rubbed David's cheeks and brushed his hair; he was cold. "Rest in peace, my son; your pain and suffering is over." Zaac stood up, looking down at the only thing that gave his life meaning - the light shining in his darkness. "I'll see you on the other side, David…"