[color=f6989d][b]Sister Marta Rocha[/b][/color]

[b]Mekong River - 10/25/2022[/b]

[color=f6989d]"...If anyone can't walk, please help them move! Keep going and don't stop! I repeat-"[/color]

Marta stood at the rear of the large mass of escapees, herding them towards the ridge as best she could while hauling two prisoners of her own in one hand.

[color=f6989d]"Everyone, please listen! There's an evacuation spot over there by the ridge! Please move there in an orderly fashion-"[/color]

When the Descent had arrived, she had frozen in indecision - a rare moment of hesitation that she still cursed. She hadn't yet acquired the instinct, the habit of dealing with other Arms Masters on this level. The time to scold herself for this laxity was later - now, she was the only one in the position to lead the evacuation, and she was in her element. It matters not that the risk was even higher - she'd led enough evacuations that she sprung into action nigh immediately.

[color=f6989d]
"- prioritize the sick and the elderly! Don't rush, you might hurt yourself or others! Don't look behind you, but don't leave anyone behind!"[/color]

For all her concern over whether the dam would break, someone else did it anyway. The pyrotechnic spectacle that occurred, as well as Qingshe's timely intervention, both stalled the otherwise disastrous flood... but for how long? If there's anything she's learned since coming to this corner of the world, it was to expect the unexpected, and the lapping, churning waters grew higher and higher every second.

[color=f6989d]"If anyone can't walk please help them move! Keep going and don't stop! I repeat-"[/color]

She was already carrying a third person, a man who was too weak to move. With him over her back, the weight on her shoulders only increased, and her put-upon knees creaked and ached with every hurried step, every step taken back to lead one more person who had gotten lost in panic and confusion.

[color=f6989d]"Saint Michael Archangel, please just a few minutes more..."[/color]

She mutters under her voice as she goes.