act37side

You know the condition of her infection better than I do, Eliseo. She doesn't have long.

You're welcome to refuse, of course. But I will still help Vina settle this matter. In my own way.

I know your story, Millscar. Or rather, Lady Allerdale Cumberland.

There's a lot of versions of it out there, but they all agree you really did fit with the title of 'Cumberland the Ever on High', once upon a time.

Fine, I'll get Diane out of here. I can take better care of her back in Columbia.

Happy?

You're a good man, Eliseo. She's lucky to have made a friend in you.

Get ready. You could be leaving at any time.

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Did you ever think you'd turn out this way?

Why ask just me?

Countless heroes lived through the war. From the most radiant of them to those that none remember. I too am curious as to how they will change in the face of reality.

Lying down amidst the meadow, the soldier senses a slight itch. The cold wind blows at the stalks of grass, and their tips tickle her face.

Is this what the land of the dead is like? She opens her eyes and sees someone most unexpected.

Huh—Wha—?!

You're awake.

You—

It's me, Eliseo. You shouldn't just go off on your own to do dangerous stuff without a word, Diane.

I-I remember standing atop the gallows...

You're dead, at least to those who witnessed the execution.

Before we left, I asked the people at Rhodes Island to give you the once-over. It's not looking too good.

A lot of your major organs have already begun to crystallize. In other words, Originium is replacing those organs.

So... I'm not dead? Am I lucky or unlucky?

I'm not sure if the Speaker knew about this beforehand...

So it was Vina who let me go? That's rather foolish of her.

To tell you the truth, I really don't get some of you people. *sigh* Sorry, Diane. I'm afraid you can't go back to Londinium.

Only now does she realize they are no longer in Londinium. She sees the tell-tale giant tracks laid down by the nomadic city not too far off in the distance.

Just ahead of them, Sarkaz children run around in the meadow, waving at her as they pass.

Most displaced Sarkaz have lost the light in their eyes to confusion. They can go anywhere, but nowhere can they call home.

I'll be taking you to Columbia, Diane. I might be able to do more for you there.

Alright then. Columbia, eh...?

I still remember saying that if I get the chance, I'd love to see the place you keep talking about.

How far are we from Columbia, Eliseo?

Well, still very far away. Let me get out my map—

Will I be able to make it there in my condition? Walking the whole way?

...I see. Could you promise me one thing, Eliseo?

I know what you're going to ask, Diane.

When the day comes, I'll bring you home. I'll bring you back to Londinium.

I'm rather curious myself as to how much the city would have changed by the time we return.

<i>The day we went back to the gym and got drunk, I had a dream.</i>

<i>In that dream, there was a tomb, all dressed up to the nines. Our names were carved onto the plaques inside it—</i>

<i>'Morgan', Kate Morrigan... 'Indra', Hannah Jackson</i>

<i>'Dagda', Isabelle Montague... 'Baird', Brigit Lucan</i>

<i>Outside the tomb, there was a blazing carriage, and atop it sat a golden lion. He was calling my name.</i>

<i>Vina Victoria.</i>

Mmfh... Vina...

...A blanket? Who put this blanket on me?

Urgh, my head hurts real bad. What time is it—

Morgan, didn't I tell you not to drink like a sodding wino all the time?

Hah, considering how wild Hannah and the rest can get, shouldn't you be looking after them?

Eh...? Vina? Vina!

Morgan nimbly launches herself out of the sofa, leaping over the short table to throw herself at Vina.

Vina, you came over!

I thought... I thought...

You thought what?

Why didn't you wake me, Hannah?!

Weren't you yapping and yowling yesterday about how she definitely wasn't coming?

Look at you. You turned out the most excited out of all of us.

No I'm not!

Stubborn prick.

Quiet down, Morgan. Dagda's still asleep.

(Mmph...)

The one resting her head atop Indra's lap twitches her ears, still lost within a lovely drunken dream.

Seems like Dagda drank the most out of you lot. I tidied up a lot of empty bottles.

She must've been in a real rotten mood, Vina.

Sorry.

I just hope I'm not too late.

Well of course you're not!

Wasn't what you said yesterday, Morgan.

(Shut it, Hannah!)

Welcome home, Vina!

I was really hoping to pop in earlier, but there's simply far too much to handle over at Parliament.

Then... How'd you...

I'm afraid I've given Horn another headache to deal with.

I suspect she'll only just have discovered I slipped away—

Then does that mean you need to head back?

I can't run away from my responsibilities.

But I owe you all an apology.

Vina, you don't need to—

Eh? Siege? Vina!

How long've I been asleep?!

Relax, Vina's only just arrived back.

That knife hanging on the wall—

It's hers. Cador brought it back.

Cador?!

<i>Vina never brought up having to head back the whole day, but we all knew—</i>

<i>That the Siege Vina, the boss of the Glasgow Gang, the ever-victorious king of the 'Slobberknocker', and (one of) my best friend(s) could leave us at any moment.</i>

<i>So I was loathe to lose a single moment where I could tell Vina about all the changes in Norport that she hadn't had the chance to see yet...</i>

<i>Cador, Mr. Lane, the video shop...</i>

<i>The reworked port, the rebuilt stores, a handful of old friends who rushed home after hearing the news...</i>

<i>Of course, who could forget the inexperienced little buggers who wanted to 'take over our gym'. After Vina beat them all to kingdom come with a smile on her face, they apologized by way of a few cartons of beer, and said they wanted to join us—</i>

<i>Seems like Norport's forgotten about us, but I don't think that's such a bad thing.</i>

<i>The war really was over.</i>

Do you still remember this place?

Why don't we get back to our little games, see who's fastest this time around?

Before Vina has even finished speaking, Indra has already begun to set off.

Hannah, you lousy cheat!

She didn't say nothing about a countdown. I'm still the champ here!

Hmph.

You've gotten slower ever since your injury, Hannah.