𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 - 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘱𝘯

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘟𝘝𝘐𝘐

𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐂

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 (𝟏/𝟐)
___________

"No enemies in sight, let's head out!" Emma signals. The children line up in an orderly fashion. We've been cooped up for six long, grueling days, and now, we're finally stepping out into the world above, a world unknown yet full of promise.

As you step out from the tunnel, you walk forward, your eyes drinking in the sight of the open land sprawled out in front of you. It's almost like a desert. But not just sand and emptiness. A landscape with rocks of all sizes, with the occasional tree and bush standing defiantly against the barrenness.

"Keep heading southwards to arrive at your destination." Sonju instructs, his finger pointing towards the vast distance. There, somewhere within that seemingly endless expanse, lies our destination, B06-32.

"Sonju." His name rolls off your tongue, softly in the still air as you take a calculated step towards him. He turns around, one hand casually perched on his hip, the other holding his spear with an ease, the weapon casually slung over his shoulder. You lower your gaze and your head in a gesture of gratitude. "Thank you."

"Listen carefully," he instructs, his voice stern yet caring, "No matter what you do, never stray back into the forest or go near a body of water. Understood?" He warns.

You lift your head, your gaze meeting his. You nod, the movement firm and decisive. "Understood," you affirm.

A soft smile, almost imperceptible, tugs at the corners of his lip. "Stay safe." he says.

"Stay well please... all of you!" Mujika's voice rings out from behind you. One by one, everyone starts to say their goodbyes to Mujika and Sonju, and expressing their gratitude for everything they've done for us so far.

"We should start moving before the sun sets." You glance back at Ray, who gazes up at the sky and gives a nod of agreement.

"Yoooo! Ready, Emma?" He swivels around. Emma rushes over, casting a final look back and waving to Mujika and Sonju.

We press onward into the desolate landscape, the ground crunching with each step in the silence.

"Are we headed towards the right direction?" Gilda questions, her eyes scanning the horizon as she leans in closer to Nat.

"Yep!" Nat says with a confident nod, his gaze focused on the compass in his hand.

As we continue forward, the vast emptiness surrounding us becomes more apparent. Don lets out a sigh, his eyes wandering around the desolate space, searching for any signs of life. "There's seriously nothing here!" he exclaims, his voice filled with exasperation.

"Stop whining, I'm sure we'll get there in no time." You sigh.

-

As the last rays of the sun bid farewell to the day, you found yourselves stranded in the vast, uninhabited expanse. No where near B06-32. It seemed more like a distant dream than a possibility.

Your surroundings were a monotonous stretch of nothingness, the desolate landscape extending as far as your weary eyes could see. It was an endless sea of emptiness, a barren wasteland devoid of any sign of life.

The weariness of the day was beginning to take its toll on everyone. The once energetic strides had reduced to lethargic shuffles, each step heavier than the last.