act18d3

I heard... sticky things, rubbing along the floor... so, so many... and the sound was right outside.

What... is that? It's not the work of any of us. I've never heard it before...

They're closing in.

Their numbers are growing.

What is causing it? The people of this place, or that woman and her companion?

Ten of them—

Twenty of them.

—Still growing, still advancing. Something is leading them to clamber ashore, and spill into the city.

And their course stems from—

The chapel.

Hm? They are very excited.

Are you sure you should be petting these things so?

Pay mind to the words you use. They are not 'things' of any sort. They are already a part of this expanse of ocean. They have become the heirs born of the sea, and are much purer than you are.

Ah... the news on the tide has already arrived. Tonight will be yet another special one.

They have surely smelt the scent. When bloodkin join them, they become so spirited, so agitated, that they even wish to emerge from the sea, and give their welcome on land.

It is very normal. We all love our own brothers and sisters.

Do you truly treat them as your own brothers?

Why not, I ask? At times of necessity, I am willing to address those of land, those who cannot help but still walk on two legs, as my brothers too.

If you did not hold the most dirtied, mixed blood within you, then one day, you may also possess this chance.

Oh? What a crying shame.

(He touches the seawater.)

Fascinating. This evening... they seem to be especially vigorous. Perhaps because so many old friends have come as guests to their home.

Are you not curious? Wondering just what is happening upon the surface.

...Loud.

So loud. I cannot sleep.

Stuff your head in your quilt.

I cannot hear.

I cannot see.

Ngh... So hungry...

So hungry.

So hungry.

Sheetmetal...

Ah!

Uwargh-wah-hh—

They're here.

What—What are these horrendous things?! Black... flowers? Or fish? Why do they move? How disgusting, eugh...

It couldn't be... That's not right, this doesn't make sense!

They're knocking on the windows! Are they... do they want to enter?!

W—We cannot let them!

Close the windows shut—

It's pointless. The windows here are all broken. Look at the top, it's full of cracks...

—They're reaching in!

Uwargh, it's still moving! Is this tiny chunk writhing on the floor trying to force its way to us?!

Even supposing it's one of those things... nothing gives it the right to be so difficult!

So very many... there's still so many outside.

Why can I not cut them down?!

My lamp... no, the lamp would be of no use against them.

I only have enough ammunition for one more round.

I—Inquisitor?!

Freeze! In a moment, I'll fire, and you two run for the interior. The ruins ought to be a little sturdier than these worn-out windows.

Your hand is trembling...

Holy scriptures... lend me strength.

I—I do not fear them!

I'll head out right away, kill as many as I can, and I should be able to hold a wave back. You must run with haste...

You, take her and hide inside.

What? What are you spouting?! Have you not seen? I can't cope with—this many! They're nigh coming in already. There's no difference between the inside and outside!

Remember, as far from doors and windows as possible.

You utterly don't listen to people when they tell you—

I'll go out. Draw them away.

What?!

Singer, you can't go outside either...

You're very strong, stronger than anyone I've seen before, but you're hurt! And these odd things—there's—there's so many of them!

Inquisitor, don't—don't leave either...

What if we all hide together? I—I know there's a cupboard in here, and the door still closes. It's in the back. If all three of us squeeze, we should hopefully...

I have to go out. Only this way, will you survive.

Hey! Ægir, even if you want to play the hero, this isn't your place to!

Listen well. This is genuinely nothing to do with you.

Because—they're here looking for me.

Skadi pushes open the door.

A long-lost scent following the sea breeze bores into the brain's tissue, creatures never of dry land pack densely into the streets.

They bubble up and down, spitting, contracting, imitating rot and growth in their actions, the shore of civilization falling to their sinister bodies.

Skadi takes another step onward.

The streets have calmed.

The wandering singer closes the bulky box and carries it on her back again.

Skadi begins to step forward.

She takes one step and then another. The pile of limbs and coagulated fluids beneath her feet instantly rot and weather away.

On her third step, as the hems of her dress flutter in the sea breeze, the tiny particles of crystal scattered all across the ground disperse into the air as well.

D-Did you see that just now?

I saw all of it.

How did she even do that?

She is a singer...

Inquisitor, this is nothing strange for her. That's something she's always been capable of.

Singer... what? You're still calling her by that name?

How else should I call her? You're the Inquisitor. You tell me.

I need to go outside.

Hey, wait!

What are you doing? So you think you can stop me too? I am an Inquisitor!

What is this... So slimy...

Phew... I-I got it! I landed a blow! That was close, Inquisitor.

Thank goodness you smashed this chair to pieces. It gave me a weapon when I needed one to smack this thing. It would've climbed on top of you otherwise!

Y-You...! All of you are out of your minds!

How could you not be scared, seeing these things?

I was. Just a little. They're not as scary as you, though.

You... How dare you compare me to these monsters?!

Fine, I won't argue with you. You haven't seen them before, and you have no idea what they are capable of. It's no wonder you are not scared.

Wait, the other inhabitants are coming outside. They... What are they doing?!

They're not scared at all either...

The problem...

I need to find where this problem lies...

The problem, as the Inquisitor sees it, is the most abnormal sight she sees unfolding before her eyes.