The city alarm blared, its irregular cadence piercing the air. Elio's muscles tensed, his mind instantly switching to high alert. Ember, his salamander, bristled on his shoulder, sensing the sudden shift in mood.
"I'm sorry, Lila," Elio said, already backing away. "Duty calls. I promise we'll sort out your debt situation another day, alright?"
Lila nodded, words catching in her throat. She wanted to shout for him to stop, to listen, that she had something crucial to tell him. But she knew she couldn't. The city needed him more.
"Be careful," she managed, her voice thick with emotion.
Those words, spoken with such sincerity, only amplified Elio's guilt. But there was no time for that now.
"Thanks, I will," he said quickly. "Please, stay safe. Take shelter in the central building."
Elio gave her one last look, etching the image of Lila, brave and concerned, into his memory before turning and sprinting towards the wall.
