The apothecary shop, one they restored with their sweat, was now in ruin.
Shattered glass lined the floor, and heavy wooden shelves lay splintered across the ground, crushing the few remaining alchemical tools they had left.
Alice, the pale ghost, moved nervously near the blown-out doorway, her eyes constantly scanning the ruined street outside for any lingering threats.
"Chris? Come in, Chris!" Kiara's voice crackled through the tiny speaker, distorted by heavy interference.
"Tell me you guys made it to the district safely."
Chris stared blankly at the ruined shop around him, his jaw clenched tight.
"We're alive," he replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
"But we're far from safe."
"We are still moving on foot," Kiara sighed, the sound of heavy boots hitting the ground echoing through her end of the line.
