act33side

Outside Rhodes Island of Babel, Kazdel

Babel is defenseless, as the Regent said.

Keep quiet. Stay alert.

Stick to the original route and find the King. A Route and B Route, stand by.

Their main force is not on the ship. They will need time to call for support.

Babel's guards still haven't noticed us.

His Highness was right. There is someone high up in the enemy's chain of command helping us.

All units, enter the ship. We settle this quickly. Avoid anything unexpected.

Ten minutes ago, Amiya was roused by a strange sound.

Babel is continually being maintained and renovated. It has already seen massive changes compared to when she first arrived at her new home.

'Maybe Closure is busy fixing things again?'

The Doctor left Amiya many picture books in her room, with illustrated stories she had never heard of before.

Her favorite is one that tells of someone who falls from the sky riding a fantastical vehicle, and the many adventures that come of it.

But she is not fond of the ending. The hero repairs the vehicle and has to return to the sky, saying goodbye to the children on the ground.

I really don't like all this noise. The Doctor still isn't here...

Theresa... I need to go find Theresa.

Hello, Mr. Downing! You dropped your pliers on the ground. Here!

Thank you, Amiya. Where are you going?

I'm going to the Speaker's Office to find Theresa. Oh, right. Have you seen the Doctor?

The Doctor? It's been a few days. That one ought to be in the Command Center overseeing the operation, I think?

I knew the Doctor must be busy with something... Okay. Bye-bye!

Don't run so fast, Amiya! There's still a lot of places being overhauled on the ship, so make sure you don't trip!

That girl really is—

Urgh...

This one's handled. Proceed.

Our men on the inside are already on standby at every ambush spot. We can begin a coordinated assault at any time.

If you see anyone, don't hesitate. Those left on the ship are no threat.

I brought my book, Theresa—

Huh? Why is the door shut?

Theresa, it's me! Are you in there?

Closure once taught me another way to open the door...

It's open!

Theresa—

What are you doing here, Amiya?

I heard some loud noises that sounded really close... I got a little scared.

We can go home soon.

You look tired...

Would you like to stay with me while I work?

Is this... a storybook?

I see. Well, as long as it's for you, I think I can take a short break. The Doctor and Dr. Kal'tsit won't mind.

Thank you, Theresa!

Alright, come sit over here. Once we finish this story, I'll take you to my homeland to play.

So, where did we leave off last time?

Stand back, Duq'arael.

You are covered in the blood of the mediocre.

Merely some heirs making ridiculous comments on the situation. Nobody should be making light of that pair of siblings' lives or deaths at this moment.

It is a grave disrespect.

Should you not be retreating and defending the inner city right now, Nezzsalem?

That has nothing to do with the war I am waiting for.

Theresis asked you to come and ensure her death?

Is this not you being contemptuous of those siblings yourself? The Regent would not stoop to such methods.

I am only here to witness the end of this war, and the beginning of another.

If the King of Sarkaz is struck down, I will bear the deathly pall of this moment. On behalf of the King, I will witness the victory I grasp from the abyss.

So, you still feel sorrow.

As do you.

The wreath of reeds slowly sinks into the riverbed. The gloomy mists have not dispersed for days.

Aefanyl... Are you still by her side?

For whom does the elegy ring out?

Why did you stop, Theresa? We just got to the important part of the story!

I thought I'd leave a little suspense for you, Amiya. Would you mind if I used another, more comfortable way to tell you this story?

But... Okay.

Watch out, Amiya.

A bubble! Huh? This is—

Black ripples continuously wash over the pure white room, as though Amiya has plunged into a pool filled with ink.

The black bubbles cut off all sound, just as they obscure Amiya's sight.

Beyond the bubbles, Theresa's figure becomes more and more indistinct.

Retreating further into the distance.

There...sa...?

Stay inside for now, Amiya. Sleep well.

You will be safe by my side.

*sigh*...

Theresa. Your Highness...

We will use our lives as proof of the future that the General pursues.

No, I was sighing about something else.

Honestly, there is no need to cover your face in front of me.

I still remember you from back when you accepted Yliš's orders before his chariot. Your heroism and valor in that battle moved me.

I remember most of your fellows as well.

You are all worthy of the title of 'brave warrior', in no way inferior to those heroes fighting in Kazdel this very moment.

We aren't covering our faces to hide our identities. We knew they would do nothing here.

We have cut off our horns, abandoned our names, even destroyed every inch of our skin that can be used to identify us. All so that after we use such wretched methods to kill the King of Sarkaz—

We will not be remembered by the Sarkaz. We can't be remembered.

Do it.

The rushing air engulfs the assassins' blades like a swamp, as they incessantly stab forwards.

Swoosh—

The trembling of the blades causes the air surrounding them to resonate. They press on. They continue to stab.

The ones holding the blades are buffeted and submerged by waves they cannot resist.

I remember your names.

I remember you. Luca.

You held back a Steam Knight on your own. You hid yourself within the steam to pull them out, and beheaded them before friend and foe.

The assassin's life fades away.

I remember you too. Liens.

Out of the countless Sarkaz with that name, you are the one who stood out most. After being taken captive by Spire Casters, you freed three of your compatriots from their camp and destroyed their Arts Circle.

Another death, and yet it cannot stop them from approaching Theresa.

And then you. Levin.

You took an arrow for Theresis, losing an arm in the process, but survived hell itself until you managed to retreat.

I do not wish for you all to die nameless and unknown.

At the very least... I will remember.

More and more corpses pile up by her side, while the room she has left to stand is whittled away, little by little.

She sighs, wiping the blood from her neck, accidentally smearing the dark red across her white dress.

We want to do something for the Sarkaz before we die. And so now we stand before you...