Morning arrived quietly.
Kai had already left Asphyxia behind.
The city walls slowly disappeared over the horizon.
Ahead—
Only open roads.
Rolling plains.
And distant mountains.
Kai rested one foot on Noah and Eric's newest invention.
The small scooter rolled surprisingly smoothly.
"...Not bad."
The boosters behind the wheels hummed softly.
Not fast.
But much faster than walking.
Kai grinned.
"They actually made something useful."
For almost half the day—
Everything went perfectly.
Then—
Clunk.
The scooter slowed.
"...Hm?"
Clunk. Clunk.
The rear booster sputtered.
A tiny puff of smoke escaped.
"...Uh oh."
The wheels locked.
Kai stepped off just before the entire thing tilted sideways.
"..."
"...Well."
He crouched beside it.
Looked underneath.
Stared for several seconds.
"...I have no idea what I'm looking at."
He poked one gear.
Nothing.
Another.
Nothing.
Finally—
He sighed.
"It honestly did better than I expected."
He folded the scooter.
Wrapped it with cloth.
Then hid it inside his travel pack.
"...Noah's going to cry."
With no other option—
Kai continued on foot.
---
Hours later—
The road became quieter.
Not a single traveler had passed him all afternoon.