act17mini

Kazdel, for Sarkaz, only!

What are you, then?

You're not a revenant, or a Gargoyle. You're just a broken Arts Creation... shouldn't you get out of Kazdel too?

Mudrock, look out!

The colossus begins to emit smoke from every crack and fissure. It seems to grow larger, raising a right fist that has almost grown to the size of the shack.

It is about to bring it down on the young Sarkaz.

The Djall's staff starts to glow. She looks into the colossus's eyes and resolutely recites a few words in Sarkaz. The red light in the construct's eyes grows dimmer with each word.

The shadows behind Nymph become increasingly sinister, as though ready to leap from the gravel at any moment.

An instant before the shadow pierces the ground, Mudrock grabs her hand and snaps her fingers.

Snap—

The Arts that hold the colossus together are dispelled, and the construct collapses into a pile of gravel and stone. The fist that it tried to bring down turns into a strong gust of wind.

Before the dust settles, the faint, yellow sunlight has wiped away the last vestige of the sinister shadow.

I can find my way from here.

It's okay, I'm going to Rhodes Island's branch office here to report on the revenant anyway. We're going the same way.

Is it safe to put it in that little box?

Totally safe! It's Lichcraft.

As for you and your friends... I know the guard on duty today. I can have him sneak you out of the city without drawing attention.

Why should we leave?

Just like that colossus, there are a lot of people here who won't tolerate an outsider living next door.

Your people need to eat and sleep, but that's not any easier to come by in the city.

Maybe I didn't bring them here just to eat and sleep.

In the past, not so long ago, there were more than just Sarkaz in this city.

People came from far away to teach, heal, build. They weren't here just to eat and sleep.

You mean Babel... but they left, and you know as well as I do why they left.

It was just a dream, like the kind you get when you're running a fever. I'm glad it was part of my childhood, but it wasn't always a good thing for Kazdel and the Sarkaz.

Kazdel is fragile... it can't handle anything like that happening again.

Are you speaking for yourself, or for all Sarkaz? Kazdel is not so fragile, from my point of view, and the Sarkaz have never been that fragile.

The bad can be avoided. The good will always be good.

There are things that Kazdel has to face. Kazdel is the last hope for some people, and they can't live in the settlement outside the city forever.

You're Sarkaz. Your friends aren't.

They trust me, like I trust Amiya.

Amiya... Rhodes Island. I've heard about your ideals. They're... attractive.

Now I'm even more curious. What is Rhodes Island like?

You can come with me to see Amiya. It's not far, just past that street.

She's in Kazdel?

Let me do this first, though. I said I would, and the one I promised... I'd rather not get on their bad side.

Nymph waves the box. The spinning rocks within make no sound.

Mudrock nods and walks toward the Furnace.

(Yawn) You done chatting?

Yeah. Where do we go next?

I would say the market on the east side, but they're long done for the day.

Why don't we call it quits too?

Hm... but I feel like I forgot something. What could it be?

Hm...?

Oh no! Bean Sprout's cart!

Isn't Nymph back yet?

I'm gonna get a bump bigger than Big Head's head if he comes back first!

What are you worried for? Nymph always comes through.

Look, over there—Nymph!

My cart! Thank goodness!

Isn't there someone to thank besides goodness?

Thank you! Thank you so much! The ghost didn't catch you, did it?

Stop scaring Cherie with that ghost and monster talk! Just some thugs up to no good. The Consultant taught them a lesson.

But the homes there are in disrepair, and the roads are really narrow. You should avoid the place.

Really? But they saw a bunch of people getting chased around by the monster from one end of the city wall to the other!

Maybe the ghost is after you, Nymph.

Maybe you should teach me a few more words today, just in case you can't come tomorrow.

...I'll be fine, don't worry.

She's got a special way of showing concern.

It's getting late. I should head back before the Broken Horns start getting ideas without me around.

Meeting that Mudrock gave me an idea. Do you think some of the fireworks might have fallen outside the city?

How about this, I'll touch base with smugglers outside tomorrow, and take a look around the Military Commission garrison while I'm at it.

Alright, I'll check out the east market. If you find anything, call me immediately. Don't put yourself in danger.

No problem. See you later!

*cough* *cough*

Hey, Big Head! What happened to your hand? It's all swollen.

Oh, er, big guy, here's your cart.

Just leave it over there.

Well, er, if there's nothing else, I'll be going.

Get lost, I'm too tired to deal with your crap right now.

Whew, I thought you were going to punch me. Did you not eat at all today, Big Head? Why the sullen look?

What did you just call me?

Why is the front of the cart dented? And the handle cracked?

Come here! Let me hear you loud and clear.

Please, no, help, mercy!

What is it, Ermi?

How's your progress after two days?

I've found lots of them! ...Well, okay, just two, actually... But don't you worry, I'll have it all wrapped up in no time! Why, what's the matter?

Nothing, really. The old man suddenly remembered this little mission of yours, so he's been pestering me about it.

We thought these fragments would be causing chaos all over Kazdel, but for the time being, things still seem normal as ever.

Nobody's knocking on the Military Commission's door about it, and we haven't detected any abnormalities either.

(*whispers*) All thanks to me being the first to run into them, haha...

Basically, feel free to keep going at your own pace.

Is that all?

Yep, that's all. Just remember, safety first. If you run into anything you can't handle, give me a call.

Sure, will do. Thanks, Ermi.

Ermi's thoughtful as ever, even while she works. I should probably pick up the pace.

So, whaddya want to eat?

Eh? Oh, sorry, let me have a look.

Uhh...

I'll try this one.

Is this a new recipe?

Just baked dough, same as always. Pretty sure I've seen you eat here before, too.

But the taste is different, no?

It's chewier than last time. Maybe even a little bit... sweet?

Really? Maybe my ingredients are better this time around.

More and more folks have been coming back lately, and I got ways to get quality stuff at a lower price. Dough gets nicer, that's a bonus.

Then, do you still need my help negotiating prices?

Nah, an old merc customer of mine put me in touch with a better supplier. They've got reasonable prices, and they're a friendly bunch. No need to trouble yourself any longer.

Happy to hear that! Does this mean one day, you could make white bread like they do in Victoria?