act33side

Smugglers and vagrants cross through the dark underground, peeking out from the tunnels and drains at mines and factories, scuttling from one corner of the city to another.

The life the slave once knew.

The General gave me a fresh start. So what should I do from now on...?

He gazes at the furnace, burning and smoldering far away, teeming with indiscernible workers as they carry Originium, steel, dirt and stones into its hearth.

To Kazdel the nomad, its flames bring motion, while the molten metal that flows out adds new appendage to the city.

For a whole century, it's belched its incessant black smoke. None know whether it's ash or Originium dust. Some say it's the bitter anger and anguish as the revenants exhale their last breaths.

Witchcraft altars hang high in the sky, intermittently flashing their blinding rays. The slave has heard many different versions of their urban legend.

The most frightening version claims that the Royal Court's casters work day and night on the altars, watching everything and listening to every conversation in the city.

Maybe I can try my luck at the factories, too.

It doesn't matter what else... I've made it back alive.

It's been months since I left. I don't know how many of my friends are still alive...

The nomadic city of Kazdel, Kazdel

*Sarkaz swearing* What happened here?

Why are all the doors open and the furniture all smashed...

Pull-Top! You're back!

It's you! What are you doing here? Where'd you get that ornament?

Something big is happening. Royal Court nobles are being dragged out of their houses and killed by mercenaries appearing from nowhere, while the city guards do nothing!

A lot of us have been sneaking into the empty houses, and boy, have we dredged up some good stuff!

How are <i>you</i> still alive, though? Word got out you wanted to leave the city and find your own way, and after so long, we all assumed you died out there.

Heh. You won't believe my luck! First, I was left to die without food or water, then I was taken to the Scar Market... but guess what?

General Theresis saved my life, the General himself! Then, on the way home, I ran into this guy with a halo over his head, calling himself a Messenger, and he brought me all the way back to the city wall.

So, I've decided to change my name to Goodluck starting today. You guys can forget that lousy old name of mine.

Pft, a guy with a halo? A Sankta? And then the General? You sure learned how to lie, <i>Goodluck</i>.

Believe me or don't, but either way, today is a fresh new start for me! I'm gonna go be a miner—

I looted a Nachzehrer's house earlier and found some hot air balloons. Wanna launch me on one and put that luck of yours to good use?

I'm in!

Well, that was fast.

Man, it feels good to be home.

Goodluck glances around at the people swarming the street. This is the life he knows.

If he wants to survive, the city will always offer him a way.

Thank you, fate, and thank you, General.