"He's going to get himself killed!" Sam shouted. "Damus, wait!" Karion yelled, already sprinting after him."Are we seriously doing this?" Naia groaned."Stop running, you idiots!" Eren called out."Guys, the boundary markers are there for a reason!" Mia's voice cracked with panic.Everything happened too fast.One moment they were arguing about rotten fruit, and the next, Damus was bolting straight toward the glowing blue boundary markers, his lean figure already disappearing beyond them into the mist-shrouded wilderness.Karion tore after him, sand kicking up behind his heels. For someone who'd been ready to punch Damus moments earlier, he sure seemed determined not to let him die alone.Sam stood frozen for approximately two seconds before his brain caught up with reality. This was exactly what Adom had warned him about. "Stay in the city," he'd said. "Don't do anything stupid," he'd said. "Enjoy the room service and the soft beds," he'd said.But no. Here they were, chasing after two hotheads straight into the death trap known as the Highland interior."We need to stop them!" Sam finally managed, grabbing his pack and sprinting after the others.Zuni, who had been napping peacefully in Sam's discarded jacket, chittered in alarm and leapt onto his shoulder, then scrambled to the top of his head, tiny claws digging into his scalp for balance."Ow! Zuni, not the hair!"Eren and Naia exchanged a quick glance before they too were running, with Mia and Gus bringing up the rear."This is the worst idea ever!" Gus shouted, surprising himself with his own sudden athleticism as adrenaline kicked in.Sam pumped his legs harder, trying to catch up to Karion. Ahead, the boundary markers glowed with their eerie blue light, like silent sentinels warning: TURN BACK."Karion! Stop!" Sam yelled, his lungs burning. (...)