act33side

Hand me the schedule.

I said, hand me the—

Huh? Hey, where did you go?

Hello? This is Squad 86! Anyone hear me? Anybody? What's going on? Somebody's—

You called?

Phew.

Three squads silenced. No alerts. The path is clear.

Combat personnel, follow these coordinates. Medics, take the injured and follow the markings I've left.

...There's something I need to confirm.

It's the Military Commission's frequency alright, but these were scouts, not the rogue mercenaries that attacked our positions.

Mission briefing 'Strawberry'. Just monitoring the retreat of the civilians... hah, Manfred even lied to them that there was a 'Royal Court high rank' here.

Well, I guess I'll leave the rest to Ascalon.

Babel.

Are you my death?

You led the attack on Babel positions. Who's orders are you following?

It's just doctors and Infected civilians—

The sword comes before she can finish her sentence.

Something feels out of place.

But Ascalon adjusts quickly. She has always been more familiar with the language of violence anyway.

The sleeve-blade is out of its sheath.

Ngh.

What are you—

Bomb... you're crazy.

Surrender. You have no chan—

...It's me. I'm done.

Sorry, couldn't take him alive. He blew himself up.

Something's not right.

He recognized me as Babel immediately, realized he was no match for me and quickly chose to blow himself up.

Abnormally decisive. Could be some experienced spy, or...

Wait.

I found a pouch. It's undamaged. I must have cut it off.

There's a Babel sleeve badge and a Military Commission medal inside.

It's not unusual for a mercenary working both sides of a war.

And a piece of paper. Possibly personal notes.

Most of it is illegible. The only thing I can make out is...

'...del. Home.'

Forget it. Not important.

Communications are out? Well, I guess the old stuff won't do it when a Catastrophe is so close.

Let's hope the other teams found a way out.

Don't just stand there.

Bring all the Infected who can't move over here.

What's the point? It's not like they'll be able to get away from the Catastrophe.

Just do it. It's not like you have anything to lose, is there?

And...? Some of them are comatose.

My condition isn't that far off from theirs. I'll end their suffering.

Originium particles will spread when they die. I'll take the brunt of it. Take your bow, keep your distance, and finish the job.

(Mumbles) Hell no.

Hey, stay away from the Infected. Julie will deal with them.

...Infected.

You're just leaving them here like firewood.

I'm not doing it because I want to.

Is there any hope for them?

No. Just death. They'll turn to dust in ten minutes or so.

They could have been saved.

Does living a little longer count as being saved?

Their conditions are too severe. If they don't die here, they'll die in some forgotten alleyway in Kazdel. I should have stayed in Sargon...

Here, give them these suppressants. It'll at least relieve their pain.

Where did you get these suppressants? No, who are you anyway? When did you get here?

Don't move!

Your ID code, now, or I'll—

Let the Doctor pass.

It's fine.

Everything will be fine.

You look familiar—

Y-Your Highness! How could you—

We're right in the middle of the Catastrophe! W-We're very grateful, but...

You shouldn't have come! It's too dangerous—

The white Sarkaz appears on the battlefield without a sound, as though she has come out of nowhere.

The crowd whispers amongst themselves. Is she truly the King of Babel, one of the living Six Heroes, the mother of Kazdel?

Theresa simply nods at confused and bewildered crowd.

She kneels by the side of the Infected.

Your... Highness...

I'm sorry I came late.

Too late to save your lives... I'm sorry I couldn't do enough...

Please... don't...

Theresa gently holds his hand in hers.

The other Infected, all the ones still conscious, those who have not fully given up on living, feel a little bit of gentle warmth.

I'm listening, my children.

I will remember how all of you lived and died... forgive me that I could not promise you more, but for your family, children, friends and comrades...

There will come a day when they will no longer live in fear.

Your lives should have been so much more.

Now, though, dream a warm dream... a dream that will come true.

Sleep, children of Kazdel. Sleep in the warm embrace of home.

Sleep.

Thank... you...

The Infected begin to glow with the colors of Originium.

Tiny stones eat away at flesh and blood, transforming their lives and desires into fleeting sparks.

Theresa holds their hands to the end.

Until shining dust rises towards the sky and is scattered by the wind, never to become stars upon the heavens.

So, you... er...

You can call me anything you like. Even 'evil spirit', if that's what you prefer.

I-I don't mean that! It's just, this is the first time we've spoken to each other alone.

You brought us many victories. I've had a hand in some. They also say you're an expert on Originium...

...'Expert'.

Yet it's the first time I've seen Infected die like this with my own two eyes.

You're lucky.

I never thought it would be so...

Does living a little longer count as being saved?

...Never mind.

It's time to go, Theresa.