act23side

You weren't lying about planning to come back to Yumen.

Why are you here?

To get the sword back.

And to make sure you're safe.

Why are you hurt as well?

No time to talk about that. We need to get back to the city!

You were lucky to survive the jump down the sand sluice. Your injuries will take a long time to heal, though.

Here, hold on to me.

What is it?

I must be seeing things. There couldn't be anyone else out here at a time like this.

Let's go.

Yumen has come to a full stop, slightly off the expected location.

The Catastrophe has reached the eastern side of Yumen. Unable to hail Lord Wei at this time.

We're climbing.

Though the path may sever, let not thy spirit falter.

Spring chill presses armor, autumn frost dapples Yumen's barrier.

That long dream, laments ere and now.

Just look at Miss Ling.

The excitement is rubbing off on this rat.

They want to close the sand sluices.

They know how important it is right now... do the Shanhaizhong have people with engineering expertise?

(Sneers)

You can jump now, or I can throw your corpses down after I kill you.

Miss Qiu?

I heard Zuo Le came here, so I thought I would help out as well. Looks like I came at the right time.

You?

Shanhaizhong once sent an invitation to the river fort of Jiangqi, but we didn't get a response.

How ironic that you've chosen to take the side of the Yanese army.

You're well-informed.

Of course. We pay attention to those who walk our path.

Cut the crap.

Have you forgotten that you came to Yumen for revenge?

Good question. Unfortunately, I've already found the answer.

She raises her sword again.

This time, there is no need for her to pull back.

The man from Sargon swings at the Shanhaizhong member trying to attack the soldiers, forcing him back.

His Yanese is mediocre, but his attack is clean, powerful, pragmatic.

Nice!

So you weren't exaggerating back at the inn. You've got a couple of tricks up your sleeve.

No couple of trick, only one trick.

Grandmaster taught me when he came Sargon, but only one move...

They're still not backing off, even after losing so many. Are they not afraid to die?

What happen?

It's the sound of the storm impacting the Wind Aegis. Be careful.

This is a bigger Catastrophe than any Yumen has encountered before.

I don't even want to think about the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters who are taking the full brunt of it.

The Catastrophe is raging. They have their hands full dealing with it. Don't waste time here.

Take these ones out and retreat to the evacuation shelters on the west side.

Gotcha.

Where do you think you're going? We knew you were coming this way.

Round them up!

We'll leave the Catastrophe to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters. These wangbadan are ours!

The sky has broken. Gravel and rock beyond reckoning clash, roll and rub against each other in the maelstrom, screeching like metal on metal.

The storm bears down on the tower, then hits a wall of Arts.

Hold your ground!

Form up!

That's the secondary storm <i>after</i> it passes through the Wind Aegis?

Mr. Lin! What are you doing here?

Lending a hand.

We can handle this. You should go back.

To where? How am I supposed to get my afternoon nap when there's a commotion like this out here?

The Originium scrubbers in the inner city can stop the particles from spreading, but the impact of the storm itself must be met with Originium Arts.

One more warm body.

Lin steps forward.

He has already taken off his coat.

I've manipulated sand for decades. I might as well find a coffin to sleep in now, if I can't make myself useful at a time like this.

Or are my little tricks just a burden to the great Tianshis?

...Just be careful, sir.

Make way for Mr. Lin!

That's right.

Dad! I've been looking for you...

Perfect timing, Yühsia.

You're hurt!

Will that get in the way of anything?

Watch. You still have much to learn when it comes to Arts.

The storm converges again in mid-air and approaches once again. Dirt and rocks spin chaotically on the outer edge, while the air has been so compressed at the center that sparks are flying.

The heavens roar, then silence.

A wall of sand rises, filling every gap in the wall of Arts, pushing it slowly but steadily forward. One meter, three meters... ten meters.

Lin stands at the center of the casters, a great tree that budges for no storm.

I've never seen Arts like this before...

To achieve such stability over such a large area...

It's coming again!

Lin Yühsia has never seen the full extent of her father's Arts. It has never been needed for his enemies.

The shadow of Lungmen leads a regular life.

Taking 'walks' through the streets, enjoying a bowl of finball soup, visiting people, living and dead.

Most of the time, he is smiling, nonchalant. There are few things that make him bare his fangs.

He looks much smaller without his coat. Yühsia can see his arms begin to tremble, like thin branches that could be broken by a stiff wind at any time.

Help Mr. Lin down.

He has taken the brunt of four waves of Originium storms. He can take no more.

(Coughs blood)

Dad!

*pant*...

*pant*...

'I just hope this will be resolved quickly without delaying your trip to Victoria.'

'It's not your own choice if you haven't seen another path.'

Those are the kind of things that Dad always said.

Lin Yühsia did not want her father to set her path. Perhaps she has not made a decision yet.

But Dad is already old. He was not joking when he talked about retiring.

When the old fall, it is time for the young to take their place.

The logic is illogical, yet immovable.