"Should be near here!" Astra called out to Belk, who ran close behind her inside the building. They sprinted past rows of doors lining the walls. Suddenly, the HUD embedded in her vision vanished without warning.
Astra stopped in her tracks, confusion flashing across her face.
"What the…" she muttered.
Belk skidded to a stop as well, eyes darting to Astra with unease.
"What? What happened?" he asked, breathless.
Celi? Hello?? she thought, trying to reconnect—nothing. Silence. She gritted her teeth.
"This wasn't supposed to happen…"
"What wasn't supposed to happen?!" Belk flailed his arms in frustration, watching as Astra suddenly bolted forward again, undeterred by the sudden breakdown.
He stood frozen, more confused than ever, the echo of footsteps rapidly closing in behind them.
"We found them! Over here!" voices shouted down the hall, the young scientist turning his head to see the Aelvarian Guards approaching him.
