The evacuation siren continued to echo through Climber Rift, its long, mechanical wail bouncing between the canyon walls and drowning out almost every other sound.
Kilian had already spent what felt like hours moving through the western settlement, forcing people out of their homes and keeping them on the marked evacuation route.
The narrow platforms had made everything painfully slow. Every staircase became a bottleneck, and every turn forced the civilians to squeeze past one another while snow continued to cover the wooden boards beneath their feet.
But they were finally getting out.
Kilian looked back one last time after reaching the lower route and saw the last group of civilians making their way forward. Some were carrying children.
Others were clutching bags they had stubbornly refused to leave behind despite his orders. Their faces were pale and frightened, but at least they were moving in the right direction.
Toward the gate.
