"See you later, Omega-Xis," Layla says after school.
"If Lyra's merciful," I say, looking over at the direction from which I came 200 years ago.
Hopefully she'll understand. More than likely she's found a new human, but if she hasn't, I'll suggest that she come to Garden Wake.
"If you don't come back," Whitney says, "then I'll find you myself!"
"I'll come back," I say, "I just don't know when."
Layla nods, her face thoughtful.
We've been together for a few days, but already I feel a kinship with her.
"Actually," I say, "Layla, I need you to take the Andromeda Key until I come back."
"How?" Layla says, her face going from thoughtful to shocked.
I transfer the Key to Layla's Trans-Ring and say, "Like that. Keep it safe, okay?"
Layla and Whitney nod.
I find a suitable EM road and begin traveling.
Lyra's waves are rhythmically calling to me. Looks like she's still on the wave roads in Echo Ridge…if it's still called Echo Ridge.
After a few seconds, I see a white vehicle under me, with very familiar waves.
I stop.
Could it be?
I zoom down near the limo.
A human girl with long blonde hair is talking, but I don't enter the car because I can see who she's talking to clearly…
Crown.
I zoom back up to the wave roads before Crown could look.
I need to find Lyra, and fast. Who knows how many FM-ians Aquarius sent to get me?
I zoom for a few minutes before reaching the sea.
Another few minutes, and I'll be at Echo Ridge. Then I have to find Lyra.
No viruses on the wave roads. Looks like the enslaving is working.
After a few long minutes of nothing but the blue sea, I notice land.
Good. One of these roads should take me to Echo Ridge.
When I reach the land, I gasp.
All the roads are crowded, with Navis and viruses with collars.
Most of all, the shortcut's gone.
Looks like I have to make do with looking around until I find the place.