Leona and Nyx quickly made their way to the village's modest office building.
In the corner sat a small magical device, a transmitter capable of sending and receiving short messages.
It was a precious resource, rarely used due to the scarce mana required to power it. But occasional messages from time to time were acceptable.
A small light flickered on one side of the apparatus, indicating a significant backlog of messages waiting to be read.
Both women paused, exchanging hesitant glances. Neither wanted to do this.
They already knew that whatever they were about to hear would be unpleasant at best and devastating at worst.
Nyx let out a helpless sigh.
"Well." She said, her voice tinged with resignation. "No point in delaying the inevitable."
She pressed her hands together, said a silent prayer to whatever gods might still be listening—hopefully not the Goddess of Fertility—and clicked the button to activate the device.
