act39side

I found them! Over here! They're here!

Raise your shields! Form up! Don't let her get away!

...Tch.

All this, just for little ol' me? Besides, why do you think I'm trying to get away?

This is not the first time the Inquisition has tried to take Pascuala's life. But this is the last time she's running.

—Bring it on!

You wanna kill me? Go ahead and try!

But she is no warrior. It is all she can do to dodge the attacks of two warrior priests.

Soon, even that is becoming difficult.

Shield-wielding clerics block the way in front of her. Behind her is Teach, too weak to even stand.

*Cough*... What a shame...

What I wouldn't give to hear those guys squabbling again...

Guess that's too much to ask...

Hold on, hold on...

Have you seen Thorns? He was fighting Anastasio just a moment ago!

...It's just Anastasio over there now.

Stop, Elysium! You can't steer and use high-powered Arts at the same time!

Elysium!

I have to find him.

Sure, he's lived through way more lab explosions than he had any right to, but he's still flesh and blood. Even saltfins have to avoid those steam jets. If...

We have to find him!

At long last, you have ended his suffering and brought salvation to the souls of those he tried to drag into the abyss along with him.

Timidly, hesitantly, Anastasio presses the tip of the sword against his own throat.

...No. You are not yet worthy to die. Freeing one poor soul who failed to recognize his desires to the last is not enough to atone for your sins.

Reality lies before you, Anastasio. You have yet to eradicate the blight of desire plaguing this land. You are not worthy to...

Señor Alguacil! Are you alright?

...I am fine.

Regroup, slay the remaining bandits, and capture both ships.

I will take Juana myself.

Señor, you promised to pay the bandits...

They sought a reward from me like ravenous tuskbeasts, the saliva dribbling down their chins.

Did you truly think they could live honest lives in Aarón, after being paid for such work?

False kindness is but the worst cruelty.

...As you say, Señor Alguacil.

Anastasio can hear the soul-wrenching cries and wailing.

He knows he should board the ship, kill Juana, and end the struggle.

But he does not move.

He feels an emptiness, but does not know what is missing. It is as if Isidro had taken part of him with him.

He turns around to look at the vent Isidro had fallen into, but only the gushing steam answers him.

White steam bursts into red mist. Anastasio turns around to leave.

In the next instant, a flash of light cuts the steam open.

Isidro emerges from it. The Corazonix that had covered his entire body parts ways to reveal his golden eyes.

Anastasio sees something familiar in them. They are the eyes of one who thirsts to kill another, just like his own.

Many people have told me many things about Iberia and the ocean my entire life.

Some say the sea is Iberia's treasure, some its bane. Others say it is the final destination of the Iberians, their grave...

Some have told me it was people like me who destroyed Iberia. Others that its revival depends on people like me.

Some have advised me to stay away from the ocean and live a normal life. Others tell me I can never truly escape it, for it is my only home.

You've talked a lot about my desires.

I admit it. I want to go out to sea.

I want to see it for myself and conquer it.

Then, I will define what Iberia means to me.

As he says these words, Isidro's sword finds Anastasio's neck.

Anastasio feels both relief and fear at the blood flowing from it.

His deepest sins flow out of him along with his blood. He is pure again.

Yet he frantically tries to stop the bleeding.

He is pure again. Meaning he can live again. As long as he stops the bleeding...

But only the blood will atone him.

Anastasio realizes his own paradox.

He stops his motion and falls from the ship and into the gap between the bones.

I want to go out to sea. I WILL go out to sea.

No one can stop me.

Put down your weapons and let go of the wheel!

*Cough* Delay them, Leaf! Do whatever you have to! Buy as much time as you can!

Can you hang in there, Elysium?

*Cough* Yeah... for a little while...

Attack!

You...

You broke the ship again...

I JUST FIXED IT!!!

GET OUT!!!

Wow, Weedy...

Thorns!

You're okay!

Dios mío, I can't believe I can see you again!

D-Don't ever do that again! Did you break your arms? Hmm? Legs? Strange. Everything seems fine. Is your head screwed on straight? Well, I guess it was never really screwed on straight to begin with...

...How on Terra are Weedy and I supposed to write our post-action reports?!

Whatever, just take this bottle of seasickness medicine.

More stuff? How much have you given me on this trip? Besides, isn't it a little late for this?

Oh, this one's different. It's extra-strong. It'll come in handy.

Throw the old one overboard.

If the little one fidgets, tie her up.

We need to learn how she stole the compass right from under our noses, and whether she had someone on the inside working with her.

Don't move! I'll bandage your wounds now.

Not one step forward!

You bastards! Your leader promised a reward! Why are you attacking us?

It is also the Alguacil who has sentenced you to death.

Vete a la mierda! Everything you people say is finshit!

Your leader is dead! Everyone saw him fall from the ship!

We can still carry out his will.

How?! Surrender, and we all go back to town in one piece! Don't, and we all die here!

We just want to live normal lives! Would you rather die than trust us?

Fine then, just try us!

The surviving pirates raise their swords with their leader's cry.

Not one warrior priest dares step forward.

Out of the way, jóvenes. I'll have the helm.

I said I would take you all out of this reef.

No, I'll do it.

You're hurt. Besides, I have the compass.

...You do?

My arm is the compass. I'll explain later. Basically, I can predict when and where each and every jet of steam is going to gush out.