act33side

Deathmongers—

Do not attempt to abandon your efforts, before her end is set...

Prove to me that her path still holds the chance to win a future—

'Prevent that day from turning true, before everything becomes irreversible...'

Prove to her the peace you strive for is still worth a response.

Though I regret to say this, my compatriots...

The call to repay this blood debt is already resonating throughout this great land—

'Kazdel's hatred should not continue to spread.'

Her death has been determined.

You have lost a Sarkaz King.

I have lost my only kin.

And I will not let these sacrifices be in vain.

My people—

Whether you've come for peace or vengeance—

I will hear your voices.

'Revenge. War. Survival. Future.'

You will see where the Sarkaz's true path lies.

The blood with which you stain the steps of Victoria will eventually return to where it belongs—

We must make this place a new beginning for us.

'I can still hear the Sarkaz voices even now, Kal'tsit...'

'The closer I get to the myriad souls, the clearer their voices become.'

'What I can glean from their shouts and cries is—'

Suffering will descend once more—

All of Terra will surrender—

Starting from this very spot.

The Sarkaz—

'The Sarkaz—'

—Will rise again.

'—Will ruin the land.'

We have to stop him, Kal'tsit.

But... that's not something Babel can do, as it is now.

You'll find a way.

Besides, you'll never be alone. With the Babel we built together—

'Our companions will help you.'

Your Highness—

Theresa...! Your Highness...! Your Highness!

'They wield a fierce determination.'

...Your Highness...

I'm back, Your Highness...

You would always welcome me back here when I returned.

But this time... you're not here.

Can you still hear me...?

Why couldn't you wait a little longer...?

...Damn it! Damn it all!

I'll make them pay... this I swear to you.

Every single one...

Even if it's... even if—

Master... Theresis—

Theresis...

He must face me... I... I have to find him!

All traitors... will suffer...

Your Highness Theresa... Theresis...

My... only two... I couldn't...

Clouds cover the setting sun, and Ascalon is shrouded in shadow.

She has lost her light, her faith, forever.

She struggled. She strived.

Only death remains for the one born in the storm.

'They are the most remarkable of all.'

...Logos.

...Yes.

We... I don't know... we should...

Let's retreat first.

Let's... return to Babel.

'They will never doubt our ideals, even for a second.'

...It's over.

Why...? Why I feel...

I too am baffled, King of the Nachzehrers.

I thought I was long accustomed to a King of Sarkaz's demise.

'Those—the ones left behind, you do not need to question their loyalty.'

...No way.

Who sent this *Sarkaz expletive* comm? Did the Military Commission intercept this? Are they screwing with us?!

I don't believe it... I... Shut the hell up! Scout!

The landship... should be this way!

Theresa... she couldn't have just... died like that!!

Winter of 898, The King of Sarkaz dies.

Yliš dies and Kazdel falls into ruin.

The explosion of the Soul Furnace sends dust flying all across Kazdel's territory for three whole days and nights...

Finally, it falls to the ground like black snowflakes.

Burying the bones of the invaders.

Along with the ruin once known as 'Kazdel'.

Kazdel... is no more.

But Kazdel has never been gone for good.

That's what I heard from the King of Sarkaz. He said Kazdel has met with ruin more than three thousand times, but it will always eventually be rebuilt anew.

Perhaps that was just a ploy by Yliš to deceive the people.

He's dead, Theresis.

But even if it were only a tale he spun while wasting away in the palace... I could, at the very least, sense a strand of longing from his stories.

A yearning for a stable life.

What happens after victory? Now, everyone will only begin wandering the land once more...

Our people will praise us as heroes, but we can only return to ruins devoid of life.

What can we even do now?

'Heroes'... Once this war is over, that title will be meaningless...

Indeed.

Also... I seem to have picked up the myriad souls whispering in my ear from a while ago...

Their voices are becoming even more distinct...

I don't know where the myriad souls hope to lead me...

What about you?

I hear the same.

I dismissed it as a delusion brought on by the euphoria of victory... but it seems to be more than that.

The myriad souls beckon us.

Then let's go, to wherever they beckon.