act26side

So we're compromising?

What are we? What have all these years been for? What's the difference between us and them? We're just—

Raimund!

That's enough.

But—

No buts.

I know you don't like it, Raimund.

There's still time. If there's someone you want to see, go and see them.

Eating.

Ingestion of food for the organism's survival.

It is the basis of life, and the fundamental instinct of all animals.

Eat. Digest. Metabolize.

Activities for the sake of survival.

The most legitimate desire there is.

I wanted to try to persuade you, but now is not really the time.

You're weak. Too many things interfere with our thoughts, warp our judgment, preventing us from following the guidance of our faith.

You can no longer hear me, can you?

There is no answer.

The priest's voice mixes with a strange sound, echoing through the underground space.

The sound of eating.

The sound of ripping food apart and swallowing it.

Life that has lost its original form grows in the shadows.

It's almost winter. The sun has become a rare sight.

This building is like a remote island. It has held out long enough. It can no longer hold out.

See the gaps in the walls, where the draught comes through.

There is little fuel left. Many will suffer in the cold without winter supplies.

Of course, we're not entirely helpless.

There are a couple of small Originium veins nearby, aren't there?

Originium can be mined there for energy generation, as you have done for many years.

But it's dangerous. Everyone knows the risk of Oripathy infection.

Who would take such a risk if they had a choice? Oripathy is a death sentence on an island like this.

You left your homes and came here. You accepted the most dangerous jobs in order to find a place to call your new home.

You're an indispensable part of this abbey.

You still can't hear me, can you?

I must admit...

I feel a little sad.

Hello? Anyone? Any—

Whoa!

What's with all the broken glass?

Fortuna? Good timing.

Give me a hand with this window frame, will you? The wind broke the window. I'm trying to plug it up.

No problem!

Didn't we fix this a couple of days ago? I remember my teeth chattering in the cold while listening to Father Stefano's sermon.

Should I get some tape?

I'm afraid tape won't do. The pieces are all over the place, and I don't think I can put it back. Sorry...

Why apologize to me, Patruus Clément? It's not your fault.

What should we do? Find something to block it up. The wind's rather cold... should I find some unused fabric?

Don't waste it, save it for clothes. It's getting cold.

There should be some planks left from when Gerald took those old houses apart. I'll go look for them.

That will do it for the frame. Thanks, Fortuna.

What were you here for anyway?

Oh! I wanted to see if there's anything to eat because I missed lunch. It's all Fina's fault...

What's my fault?

Fina!

What are you doing here?

Listening to you talk behind my back.

I'm just telling it like it is! That wouldn't have taken so long if you didn't keep going on and on about it.

It's because you were dumb enough to get scammed!

I told you to be careful of Lemuen! She's been talking to everyone, pretending to care. Who knows what she's really after?

You've been absent-minded lately. Did she say something to you?

No! No one said anything to me! I'm not being absent-minded!

Yes, you are.

We're all Sankta, Tuna. You can't fool me.

So is Lemuen. You know she has no ill intentions. Why won't you trust her?

Why do you hate people from Laterano so much? We were Laterans too, weren't we?

Father Stefano says we can go back soon. Why did we lock up the Lateran emissaries?

Why don't we go back?

Because Raimund and the others can't go with us! Isn't that reason enough?

You want to leave them behind? Well, I don't!

That's not what I mean!

Then what <i>do</i> you mean?!

Enough!

The Abbot has his reasons. Say no more.

I'll find some planks to board up the window... you two calm down.

Can't you sense my thoughts, Fina?

I can, Tuna.

But I...

Never mind. I lost my cool. I know that wasn't what you meant.

I was wrong too.

You always have that gun with you. You got it from your dad, right? I thought it didn't work anymore.

It doesn't. Maybe it's a parts problem. And I don't know how to use a gun myself...

But I'm not carrying it to use it anyway.

I always thought it was a decorative accessory.

Partly.

Holding the gun like this is like praying.

That's what Dad said when he gave it to me. He said it was a Sankta practice.

I don't know about any practices like that.

My grandma's gun is in a canyon.

We can share, Fina.

I'll try to get it fixed, then we can use it together.

Now, let us pray.

The planks should be here somewhere...

Aha. There.

That should be enough. I could fix the outside windows too, if there are any leftover.

And fuel...

Not much fuel left. *sigh*

Hm?

Who goes there?!

...No one?

Am I seeing things?