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[indent]As Laynea vanished into the dense forest, Aria exchanged glances with her companions. The feeling of being left to fend for themselves in this unfamiliar realm was unsettling. She couldn't help but wonder what they had gotten themselves into. Sayu's proposition to hand over the mana gems in exchange for guidance had seemed like a reasonable idea, a way to secure their passage into the city, but now it felt like an opportunity missed- at least for now. The moon sailor warrior glanced in the direction that their newfound guide had pointed, gulping at the idea of getting lost in these woods. 

[i]Hopefully, it really is a straight path to get out of here...[/i]

[quote]Sayu sighed, looking at the others. "I suppose we should take her advice…" [/quote]

"I don't think we have much of a choice," Aria replied," at least once we're in the city we can learn more about this place and how to get back home, hopefully."   

The girl paused then, her eyes widening in realization. 

"W-wait a second. If we need money to get into the city but need to be in the city to get money then how the hell do we get into the city!" Aria rambled, grabbing her head in frustration. Her mind whirred with frustration as the paradox of their situation sank in. She felt like a rat in a maze, trapped in an endless loop of impossibilities. It was maddening, the way the conundrum had them trapped in a seemingly unbreakable cycle.

"Do you think she'd be nice enough to...pay for us?" 

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