Elaina looked—
The air shattered around her.
Dust hung motionless in the air.
The ground cracked beneath her.
Buildings shook.
The sound of collapsed rubble felt distant.
Muffled.
Like she was underwater.
Her strings trembled.
Not from fear.
From pressure.
Elaina focused her eyes.
At the center of it all.
A man stood still.
His arm separated into fragments.
Fingers disconnected.
The forearm split apart.
Barbed wire threaded through them like veins.
Tightening.
Loosening.
Like something testing its own tension.
He watched her.
Studying.
...
Kane and Art wandered through the center district.
Clocks ticked at timed intervals.
Children played orderly games.
The air was slightly darkened.
Like a factory was near.
Kane watched the center tower.
It ticked.
The clock hands moved with time.
His chains rattled softly.
A crack shifted within.
Art was listening for the sound of running water.
She moved through the streets.
Stopping at a fountain.
She took the device out and placed it near the water.
The display changed.
35%
Art turned and noticed Kane looking at the tower.
She placed the device in her pocket.
"Wait here."
Art pointed toward a crowded clothes shop.
"I'm going to look in the shop over there."
Kane sat in front of the fountain.
His gaze stayed.
Art entered the store.
She moved through, observing the layout.
A clock's tick matched the tower's rhythm.
The men's suits were ordered.
Children's clothes spread out cleanly.
The women's dresses were all placed neatly.
Art took out the device, holding it close to the women's dresses.
It softly vibrated.
20%
She checked the men's and children's clothes as well.
20%
Art noticed two women picking out clothes.
Their light conversation was paced.
Exchanging words at set intervals.
"This dress is nice."
"How about this one?"
"Yes, I like it."
She walked close to them, and held the device in her hand.
The display changed.
40%
Art's eyebrows twitched.
Even the people...?
She exhaled and placed the device in her purse.
Art left the store and headed back to Kane.
Art stood before him.
"Kane, we're moving."
Kane's head turned.
His eyes unfocused.
Empty.
His lips moved.
"...Ok."
Art turned and headed towards the northern gate.
Kane followed.
They continued along the sidewalk.
Steam cars passed at equal speed.
Street lamps clicked on in unison.
Gears turning in sync.
Art stopped a distance away from the gate.
Its gears began to turn.
The bars began to lift.
Trucks moved past her.
Carrying void cell fluid.
She took the device and held it towards them.
70%
Art's eyes narrowed.
The vehicles continued through the gate.
Why would they send this much to the north?
Kane turned to the trucks.
His eyes on the fluid.
A crack slightly shifted.
...
Jean placed the last piece of scrap in her satchel.
The scrap rattled in her backpack.
Wind pushed metal across the rubble.
She looked towards the direction of Elaina and Grimm.
The air felt still.
I should regroup with them.
Jumping down from the scrap pile, she headed towards them.