act33side

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.

Right.

But it's too late, even if we leave now. And the Military Commission has set a trap for us...

It'll be fine.

Let's go home.

The Military Commission's after-action report writes:

'The King of Babel and her most trusted men led her people out of the valley.

'With a single touch she parted wind, snow, and flames, gentle as a mother parts the bed curtains to put her child to sleep.

'Our casters and crossbowmen observed the procession, but none dared take the first shot, nor give the order to.'

The flowery report and Manfred's 'false intelligence' earned an admonition from the Commission, but no further discipline.

Doctor.

I heard about the operation. You...

Doctor?

There's something I want to ask, Kal'tsit.

Go ahead.

As a physician, is it saving a life when all you can do is stave off death for a little while?

Unless it goes contrary to the patient's wishes, the duty of a physician is to save lives.

That's what we've always worked to do.

Why do you ask?

Looking at Amiya and the people around us makes me feel that you shouldn't have to deal with this kind of suffering.

And I...

Doctor, Kal'tsit, there you are.

The intelligence meeting just ended. The unexpected Catastrophe has led to a stalemate, and some breathing room for us.

The two of you need to get some rest. Especially you, Doctor. You've hardly slept since you've been back, right?

I'm fine...

Theresa glances at Kal'tsit, who seems to sigh wordlessly with her eyes.

The King of Sarkaz senses guilt and restlessness. It is not an easy thing to accept, watching so many Infected turn to dust before one's eyes.

Doctor... do you think all this is your fault?

It is.

I won't run from my responsibility, and I won't wallow in self-pity... I just need time to accept the present.

I—

I don't know if Originium is supposed to hurt a newborn civilization like this.

<color=#000000>But Originium is the only way to protect all life and existence.</color>

You're tired, Doctor. I'm grateful that you have chosen to bear the burden of these emotions for the sake of this great land.

Your pain and struggle shows your kindness and ideals. I won't try to wipe them away, but we could share this burden, if you are willing...

Theresa wants to hold the Doctor's hand, perceive the Doctor's guilt- and anxiety-filled soul.

She wants to help the Doctor.

But a tiny speck of noise echoes ominously in the King's mind.

(The Doctor is rejecting me? Or is it...?)

Sorry, Theresa, but this is not something you need to take on.

No need to use Civilight Eterna on me. It takes a toll on you too. There are more important uses for it.

More important than helping someone who's given everything for us?

Hehe... thank you. I mean it.

You and Scout said we have some breathing room, right?

I'll make dinner for us, then. I learned it off Misery.

For our future challenges.

A piece of Originium crystal lies quietly on the test table, glowing orange-yellow under the light.

It looks pure, beautiful, harmless.

Priestess... What have we done...?

I'm afraid not. It's impossible.

Doctor... it hurts...

Thank... you...

The Doctor picks up the Originium crystal with one hand and stabs it into the other arm.

It leaves a bloody gash on the arm, but nothing else.

The pain grows distinct.

Yet it is not the pain of Originium infection.

The instruments show the same: There is no sign of assimilation of Originium and cell.

...Originium won't infect me.

Did we ever imagine that such pain would come?

What would you say about what's happening to this world?

(Unknown language) Originium.

(Unknown language) The last spark that we have passed on.

(Steady breathing)

It's working.

It's several times more effective than existing suppressants. Amiya's blood Originium crystal concentration has dropped significantly.

But...

It's just a prototype. I haven't found a way to mass-produce it on Terra yet.

Doctor!

I know you're experimenting on yourself... but you really don't look well.

Just some research on blood.

Originium doesn't infect me. We've had safety measures in place since it was just an energy project. Maybe this could be used to mitigate the symptoms of Oripathy.

And Theresa... she's not like you. Civilight Eterna is not some kind of powerful magic. She has simply created Originium Arts in its most fundamental form, through the accumulation of a long legacy.

With her help, we may be able to develop more advanced Oripathy medicine that can be mass produced...

I'm more concerned about you right now, Doctor.

I'm fine.

If Originium has transformed you into beings identical to us, then there will be a way to create a serum in place of my own...

No matter how complicated the present issues are, if Babel can develop an effective Oripathy medicine...

It will be more than just the Sarkaz that support us. It will be all of Terra.

Then, we can—

<color=#000000>Foster a future with Originium, one that is peaceful, happy, and eternal.</color>

No, listen to me.

Kal'tsit grabs the Doctor's arm.

It is a lot thinner than she remembers.

You have not relaxed for an instant, from Rim Billiton, to the Sarkaz civil war.

I chose to wake you up in order to point the way for this civilization, one that's surprised me at every turn.

I don't want you to waste away now.

You need to take care of yourself.

...Sorry.