Martin stared at Alexandra's final message until the words began to blur.
Kumoe was alive. The Beastslayer was dead, and the zone had collapsed. Alexandra had given him their location, promised they were on their way back, and even remembered to demand an unreasonable meal for all three heads.
She had answered everything except the question he had not yet asked.
Was she all right too?
[Emperoar: Stop walking. I'm coming to you.]
He closed the window and ran.
The delayed emergency ping had reached him near one of the academy roads. The route toward the water-gathering tower began close by, yet it had never looked so long.
His armor dragged against every stride. Without slowing, Martin dismissed the heaviest pieces into his inventory, and the moment the weight vanished, he broke into a sprint.
"Martin?"
NukEncore called from behind him. He had passed her near the academy gate without even noticing.
"Where are you going?" she shouted, hurrying after him. "Wait!"
