First Stop

"Hmm? Did you ask him if everything is alright over there?" Gustav questioned.

"Yes... He said everything is fine, he's only a little tired... But still I don't like the way he sounded," Mara responded with a slightly crestfallen look.

"Relax... Don't overthink things. Maybe he's just really stressed lately," Gustav comforted her.

Mara brightened up as she felt Gustav's hand on her hair.

"Hnm," She nodded with a smile.

"By the way... How did you manage to get in touch with him? We're unable to contact the outside world from here if I'm not mistaken," Gustav said with a confused expression.

"Hehe, we're the Scientific Research department... Our case is different from you cadets," She responded with a light laugh.

"How unfair," Gustav sighed after exclaiming.

"Hahaha,"

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Within a particular part of the world, a city in ruins could be seen up ahead.