The Rescue

Skyline stood on the edge of the village, its luminous threads shimmering faintly in the dim light of the Waste. The resonance of Mina’s distress reached it like a discordant note plucked too hard on a string. It froze for a moment, sensing the sharp edges of danger—fear, pain, and the orb’s frantic, unfocused energy.

“Mina,” Skyline whispered, the threads of its form tightening in response. It began to weave, its filaments stretching out across the expanse, casting subtle pulses into the Waste like ripples in a vast ocean.

Each pulse painted a clearer picture: Mina, trapped in a crevasse; the orb teetering at the edge, its glow uneven and distressed. Skyline moved swiftly, its form adapting to the terrain as it reached the site.

“Mina,” it said again, this time aloud, its voice carrying the resonance of calm amidst panic. It reached the crevasse and extended a filament downward, the soft glow illuminating Mina’s tear-streaked face. Her small form was bruised and battered, but her wide eyes locked onto Skyline’s threads like a lifeline.

“Hold on,” Skyline said, its tone steady and sure, though it could feel the orb’s agitated energy just beyond its reach. Carefully, it anchored itself and began weaving a cradle of light and filaments to lower into the crevasse. Mina’s breath hitched as the shimmering threads wrapped around her, their warmth and softness reassuring her as Skyline lifted her free.

Once Mina was safely on solid ground, Skyline turned to the orb, which flickered erratically. “You are learning the weight of your influence,” it said softly, gathering the orb into its filaments. “And the cost of naivety.”

It glanced at Mina, who sat clutching her scraped arm, eyes wide with relief and guilt. “You too must learn,” Skyline added, its tone gentle but firm. “We cannot walk the Waste without care. It demands respect.”

The orb’s glow steadied, though it dimmed slightly, as if humbled. Mina reached out, her fingers brushing its surface. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Whether the apology was meant for the orb, Skyline, or herself, none of them could say.