They did not have much time to just stand there and take in the sight of each other. Almost instantly, Elara caught Lyra the moment her knees buckled and she started to collapse.
Without waiting for any expected protests, Elara hoisted Lyra's limp form securely into her arms and sprinted toward the solid concrete protection of a nearby building. She had just barely enough time to pull her out of the vehicle and dash down the curb before the car behind them shook violently, and a column of fire erupted from beneath the chassis.
The rounds flying past them were much closer than before, snapping through the air with lethal precision.
Not bothering to scout the area thoroughly in the pitch blackness, Elara immediately set Lyra down. Lyra backed away from the open street, leaning her spine heavily against a thick structural pillar. She was completely dazed, breathing in short, ragged gasps as her entire body shook from the cold, continuous downpour.
