act17side

This... isn't possible.

If true, then this whole time, the Abyssal Hunters have been looking for something right under their noses.

What that possibility signifies is too vile to put into words.

From beginning to end, the Eye of Iberia has always born witness to the aftermath of calamity. But it is just a sinking eyeball, unable to speak.

...What does this mean?

It means Ægir's demise is accelerating.

It means that... if even cities at this distance are sending out distress signals, then the Stultifera Navis has been circling above their nest since the very beginning.

...The Hunters are all in danger.

I know what you're thinking, but we have only one ship and the two of us.

Saving the Stultifera was not realistic.

You may not mind a few Abyssal Hunters dying at sea, but what we would be strangling in its cradle is opportunity. For both Ægir and Iberia.

Dario died a warrior's death. Wouldn't you want to gain some valuable knowledge from the mouth of the surviving Inquisitor?

This is our last chance.

No. A powerless city, almost reduced to ruins. How many Ægir have already fallen to the ocean?

We must act cautiously, or we will be leaping into the flames.

Even so, this is our last chance.

If we wait until Ægir can no longer respond, until another Silence has fallen over Iberia, then indeed, the true enemy will appear.

But at that point, would it matter?

I understand you have your responsibilities. You don't want to take any risks until the Penal Battalion has full control over this place.

So I'll go alone.

...I know better than to underestimate the power of you and your pet, but it's a long trip. Are you sure you'll make it on your own?

The Hunters bleed a special kind of blood. Sea Terrors aren't necessarily that hostile towards ordinary ships.

I can only hope you didn't just make that up to assuage my fears.

That's not a lie I would have come up with anyway. Regardless, I can't leave the Hunters behind.

*sigh*...

You'd better bring back the Hunters and Irene, Kal'tsit.

I will.

Ah, um...

Is there anything I can do to help?

Mon3tr, survey our surroundings. If those Sea Terrors went back into hiding underwater, don't rile them up.

We need time, since the ship's taken some damage from the trip.

(Answers with a nod)

This ship...

The one the Hunters took was left by the Inquisition's spies.

Lord Carmen's original plan was to join up with the Penal Battalion at Gran Faro, establish a frontline headquarters, and push forward on a medium-sized naval vessel.

So, this lone boat, abandoned on the shores of Gran Faro, is our final hope.

I, I can help... I'll go take a look at the boat. I've never actually repaired a ship before, but I do have some tools with me.

Um, can you really head out to sea on something like this?

If you don't think so, then probably not— Wait!

Out of the way, Jordi!

Woah, huh?!

S-Sea Terrors?!

Waaaaah—

They were hiding in the shadow of the reef? Mon3tr!

(Screeches excitedly)

Jordi! Get off the boat!

I, I can't, something's pushing on it! The anchor's gone!

I'll try to steer it back—

Jump off! The Sea Terrors are swarming around it!

Mon3tr, go rescue him.

Wait, wait— Then we'd lose the boat then! I, I'll try to steer it back! Urgh!

Watch out behind you!

Save Jordi first.

(Cheers in response)

Whirlpools, changing currents, and the Sea Terrors are unusually active again... What's going on here?

(Stretches out claws)

You want me to grab on and fly back with you? But, then the boat will— Woah?!

(Screeches urgently)

I, I...

Jordi knows that if doesn't take this opportunity, then he'll drift into the endless ocean along with the ship.

There's no other choice. He has to return to the Eye of Iberia and hide inside the lighthouse.

Just like he hid in that little town for over a decade.

Just like he hid when Dario died.

Just like with Thiago.

He clings to the mast to avoid falling into the aberrant waves. Mon3tr is visibly dissatisfied, urging him on.

Sea Terrors leap from the water's surface from time to time, darting back and forth rapidly and kicking up plumes of water. The Eye of Iberia is already becoming smaller and smaller.

He sees words carved crookedly into the boat's mast:

'Gran Faro'

...I will go in Kal'tsit's place.

All I have to do is... find that ship, and bring everyone back, right? That doesn't sound too hard...

No...

Compared to losing the ship and waiting helplessly under the lighthouse... it's a gamble I have to take!

I can do this on my own!

As long as even one of our kin touches upon the ultimate answer to life, we will be able to re-weave the laws of the cosmos from beginning to end.

Before we are given our next Revelation, we shall find a way.

Even if Ishar'mla refuses to answer. Even if our kind will never know the divine Will.

We will still survive.

Shark.

Of course.

Hmm.

Our kin have conveyed their will. Nutrients are sufficient. No longer must we feed on each other.

I should return to the nest. You should come with me.

Running away so soon?

It barely took any damage, but the ship's in tatters.

You're still going on about that stuff, Amaia? Why don't just stay put and let me kill you like a good girl?

Our kind calls me back. They call for me to share my fruits with them.

I shall heed their call. When that is done, I shall heed your call. I shall seek you out, and you shall kill me.

Haha... Of course I can't let you leave. If I let you go, how many Seaborn just like you are going to end up all over the place?

Amaia sure knows how to make things hard for me. If only she were as simple and straightforward as Quintus.

What a shame I couldn't keep her around with that dance.

You talk too much, scum!

Ishar-mla. I've always wanted to meet you.

What happened? Why doesn't He speak anymore? Where is He?

Pah... It's like hacking at water. No resistance at all.

Are you Him? Is He you?

I have no idea what you're talking about. If you mean that big guy, He's already dead.

Death. Withering. He exists beyond these concepts. His voice, by no means signifies the end of life.

What do your kind call Him? The same as those cultists? Your 'god' has already withered and fallen into the abyss.

God?

No. This is what we call Him—