act11d0

What?

Have you ever seen hops? How does it work? You crush it up into beer?

Um, it's a fine plant... it has something to do with the beer foam. Um, I think it prolongs the antiseptic—

No. I don't really have to explain this, do I? I'm not that familiar with it.

Let's just say, it's very handy.

I see. Lucky.

Hops... foam... beer...

Hey, don't get lost thinking about beer. We're still enemies here.

We may never be able to bridge our differences.

Oh... sorry.

We are warriors. Sarkaz are warriors.

I have to say... it's hard to feel your warrior spirit from your words and actions.

We had no choice.

If we have any demands, any convictions, anything to protect, we can only fight.

There are other ways to solve problems.

Then... what of our fallen companions? If we stand peacefully, will the murderers open their homes and cities to us?

They won't.

We can only fight on... to help our fellow Infected.

'Our fellow Infected.'

Where are you going?

Kazdel.

Kazdel is not a good place.

We're not good guys, Rhodes Island.

Any real 'good place' is closed to us.

You have another choice, Mudrock.

No. Not now.

These Leithanians, these Sarkaz, they all have their own ideas.

The resentment is still there. Nothing has made it easier to trust each other. Only the will to live as one ever held them all together. That was the only bond.

How sad.

No, Rhodes Island Swallow. Maybe we'll see each other again someday... to fight for the Infected.

You're not the first one from Reunion to call me that.

Is that so...

After I leave here, we are, as before, enemies.

Otherwise, Leithanien will suspect you. And you won't have an explanation.

So... don't get too close to your enemy.

I came only to offer a bouquet. And I did. So... it's time to go.

Good luck.

If you have anything else to say, now is the time.

I don't.

I feel like I've been living a nightmare. And watching him walk away, it's like finally waking up.

It's... over.

I'm not very good at comforting people, but—

I know you're not the one who should be comforting me. Sorry.

We just have to let go of the grief. It's not a good thing. It's a compromise that lets us keep living.

How long did it take you to come to terms with it?

A long time. Long enough to lose even more.

What now?

We go back to Rhodes Island.

We... take Atro home.