The ground quaked as the city’s alarm blared. Skyships descended, their sleek forms slicing through the air like blades. Anna sprinted, clutching the glowing artefact, its heat burning through her gloves. Behind her, mechanical sentinels closed in, their metallic limbs tearing through debris.
"Stop her!" a voice roared, amplified across the plaza.
Anna vaulted over a crumbling barricade, landing hard but rolling to her feet. The extraction point was just ahead—a shimmering portal flickering dangerously.
The artefact pulsed, brighter, hotter.
“Don’t let her escape!”
With a final burst of speed, she leapt into the portal, seconds before it imploded.
6/19/2026
Heavenly days, Tim! I have questions, questions, questions, aren't you thrilled? (However, it's your turn :) Am assuming she gave up her life; and if so, to save the mechanical sentinels? And were they after her or the artifact? an explosive artifact? or both? If it exploded as soon as she hit the portal, she wouldn't have had time to escape the blast. Unless she did. Rachelle will most probably understand your story, but I'm afraid I need more clues. It's fascinating, Tim, and I wish I could respond with what you'd like to hear. It's just very...oblique? to me. I don't know what to make of it. Katharine