There’s enough ambient Nox for Chie to draw on, invisible pollution waiting to be transformed into magical power. The trapped soldier finds the debris—and everything else—become lighter as gravity begins to shift. Not much, but enough to get the job done. The man makes another desperate push, the force this time enough to shrug off the slab of metal pinning him down. His rifle is lost, but he rises unsteadily to his feet afterward. 

The man hardly has time to thank Chie before Selma arrives to sweep the smaller girl up. He’s soon stumbling after, letting the big girl lead the way. Their path will intersect with Crystal’s, back toward the enemy before they can loop back aground. 

The crack of gunfire still rebounds through the subway station, each shot from Rivka’s borrowed rifle lighting the dark space. So too do the rounds from captain Wei’s pistol, and those of the guards who are still armed. All of it together is enough to ward off further attack, the path made clear for those still caught behind. Soon Crystal and the others can wave their way to the stairwell, joining together with Wei and the small vanguard.

“Up, go!” Wei’s hand flags the small party up the stairwell, taking up the rear. The stairwell is long, and the lack of a working escalator means it’s a jog to the top. Once they clear the exit they’re greeted by a rush of cold air and a view of the darkened city streets, the road barely illuminated by flickering streetlights. 

Captain Wei and the soldiers join them shortly, just in time for the chunky, square-shaped military vehicle that pulls up in front of the subway entrance. After a quick shouted order the rear doors of the vehicle open, and Wei hustles the group inside. As soon as the doors shut the vehicle lurches to life, peeling off down the street.

There’s no pursuit from inside the yawning darkness of the subway exit. The masked figures do not emerge to give chase, and soon the structure is lost from sight.

“Take us to base.” Wei instructs the driver, her attention turning back to the prospective Ars Magi after. “Are any of you injured? You-“ She gestures toward Crystal. “Your arm. Come here.”

After some digging a first-aid kit is found. It’s not especially helpful, but some bandaging can be done. 

Wind buffets the car as it travels onward, navigating through the darkness. It seems, for the moment, the group has reached safety.