act17side

Just hold on... we're almost there.

It's too quiet.

But it still stinks.

Yes. The reef is coated in remnant nethersea brand. I can see traces of man-made objects too, rotted for the most part.

Gladiia paces slowly. She looks up at the tower, standing against the tenebrous sky.

The Eye of Iberia is directed towards the heavens, as if upon this finite soil, life cranes its neck, wanting to see the future.

The nations of the land have done all they can to reproduce Breogan's remaining legacy. These so-called lighthouses are an emulation of Ægir technology through and through.

What can this lighthouse be awaiting, sat in this void and empty sea?

Does it watch the ocean, or the land, I wonder.

Captain.

I know. Within is a Sea Terror nest. The lack of an immediate attack may merely be defensive, a guarding of the den.

It is about time they come.

(Ominous slithering sounds)

There's not... too many.

The sea. The coast is already out of sight.

Sentimental?

No... I just mean, we can't bleed here. It'll be extremely dangerous.

They can't pierce our skin. So long as you do not cease your dance, these numbers are insufficient to kill us.

(The lighthouse... It really is just like the statue in town.)

(Which means, those blueprints at home really were from my mother and father. For the Eye of Iberia...)

(My parents were once... in this very place.)

Jordi looks back towards the shore.

Each and every day, his mind went back to his view of that overcast shore. A lifeless gray, a hopeless crowd.

But, ah, look at this lighthouse, he thinks.

Uncle Thiago was right. They were all heroes. They were all meant to be legends.

...The Abyssal Hunters should be regrouping not far from here. They will be joining this battle too.

Don't forget what you experienced in Sal Viento. Their blood is highly unusual, and Kal'tsit hardly told us everything.

U-Understood. So they can't be trusted.

What did you see, beneath the Inquisition?

—Erk.

'Seaborn.'

You should still remember their twistedness, their vitality, their... serenity.

In Sal Viento, the Hunters did battle such a monster, and emerged victorious.

I... I know that.

You've seen the truth, so now you must reassess your past, and Iberia.

Tear apart the old, swimming through your head! Make your own judgments.

Y-Yes, sir!

—(Rough sounds of slithering over reef)—

They're ready for us. Withdrawn to defend their nest, waiting for the chance to strike. Here to drive out the invaders.

Jordi. Report?

R-Right! It's a miracle, really. These control panels outside are still responding, but I'm not sure what theory these things are based on...

I-I'm looking though! I have all those research notes from home with me in my bag!

...Be quick about it.

I know! It's this one... No, that's not it... Eek, when did this one get wet?

High Inquisitor! They're here!

The billows rage forth.

Their arrogance surges dozens of meter high, shattering one day after another, succumbing to the reef and the three moons.

One moon is bright. One moon is dark. These are the moons spoken of throughout time, hung in the sky.

The remaining moon comes from the intervals betwixt the waves, at the peaks of every crest.

The moonlight comes from the title he once believed in.

Tch... the further in we go, the more Sea Terrors there are.

It's getting dangerous...

Maestro... how do I become like them...?

Gkh...

Seaborn?!

(It's the same one we saw on the deck. The Hunter's attacks didn't do any damage?!)

(How will it come at me? With its limbs? Its fangs?)

(My handcannon... I need to create distance—)

Wait.

Wait a second! What's that on your belt?!

Why would you... could you be...?!

Graaaahhhh!!

Argh! *Cough*

(What strength! I barely managed to block it!)

...I...

Do you have something to say, monster?

I can't go down here... I won't!

I'm an Inquisitor of Iberia!

*Cough*...

It has taken too long to burn away the nethersea brand.

The situation's not looking good.

(Numerous slithering sounds)

(I can see what's going on down there from here.)

How many hours have passed? How much longer can he hang on?

I... if I... no, don't think about it, Jordi. Focus!

The Inquisition... Hurry...

Is that all?

Grr...

Listen to your friends wail. The flower of Sal Viento at least had its beauty, but what about you?

As my first dance lesson after waking up, I must say you're underwhelming.

Gkh!

It's getting away!

I'll go after it. You go find the little Iberian bird.

How are you feeling?

Better than ever. My memories are tumbling down like a waterfall from the heavens. It'll take a while for the full picture to emerge, though.

And some of my more recent memories are rather embarrassing.

I'll go. Your mind is still unstable.

Oh? Trying to steal my prey?

It'll try to escape to the sea.

Of course it will. But it wasn't running just because it couldn't win.

What did it find?

We don't have time—

*cough* I'll never get used to handcannons.

Hey, where are you—

Huh? The Abyssal Hunters?

Hello, Irene. I see you've brought us more prey.

Did you just call me Irene? Have you... have you regained your memories?

Not entirely, but I know I'm in a great mood right now.

This is not the time.

That's the one from the deck. It's fast enough to dodge the captain's lunge.