act39side

He's been giving me things from time to time since a while ago. I just stuffed everything into a bag.

He knew.

Even before I did.

Of course he knew. He's your best buddy, isn't he?

Fixed it!

We ready then? We can set sail?

Hey ho—

We're sailin'! We're sailin'!

Let's go, captain. It's time to set a course.

Isidro takes the spyglass from Juana.

Grains of salt stir upon the Flat like white waves, but he soon turns his eyes from that false sea to the sky on the horizon, to that one little streak of bright blue.

Standing on the bow by himself, he reaches out with his arm, and waits for the whirling light upon it to point the way.

He stands on the street, putting his palms together. The last speck of stardust has disappeared, and darkness takes over once again.

The fireworks is over? Is it time to go?

Let's go. Time to go home.

Hmph...

The onlookers disperse. The crowd that had gathered because of him have left him again.

Receiving no answer from him, Juana steps forward, with Teach following behind her on the front deck.

One by one, the sailors gather, trying to see what their new captain is seeing.

A crowd forms around Isidro. Those who have fallen behind have to strain their necks and force their way through.

What is it, captain? What do you see?

Have you found which way to go?

Which way is the sea? Are we sailing in the right direction?

Isidro does not answer. His entire attention is focused upon his arm.

Why's it spinning?

How long does this take? Where're we going?

Ah... where will we go from here?

Patience, patience. Our captain will tell us the answer.

Now...

Which way do we go?

At his question, the light on his arm converges, pointing towards the horizon, straight and firm.

He longs to sail towards the boundless ocean together with his friends. Thus, the Corazonix points out the direction for him.

Sailors cheer, rum is spilled—

Over yonder!

The sea!

All eyes are upon Isidro.

Give the order, captain.

The sailors already have ropes in hand. Juana's hand is on the helm, waiting for his command.

Isidro takes a deep breath and takes in the eager eyes gazing upon him, filled with hopes and expectations, burdens that he is no longer afraid to bear.

He feels the wind of the Salt Flat. His shoulders are light.

Ahoy, sailors!

Anchors aweigh, hoist the sails—

—We sail out to sea!

To sea—

Hey—Ho—!♪

Anchors aweigh, hoist the sails♪

High winds roar, our clothes a-tore♪

Rain drowns our drunken haze, and lights our hearts ablaze♪

Ready, ho! Sail forth! A thousand ships break port!♪

I will wrestle the waves! I will sail the winds! I will fence the lightning—

I want to find the treasures buried at the bottom of the sea! All that shiny gold!

You know... I've been thinking... we all came together because we want to go out to sea...

So would we split up again if we have different ideas?

You're thinking that far ahead, chaval?

Whatever the future holds, we're together now, and we're going out to sea!

So stop thinking too much and grab that rope!

Got some rum for you, Captain Isidro! Say something!

Isidro stands atop the bow. He can feel the air grow moist. It is an exciting feeling.

Into the distance.

...Mmph...

...Mmph... mmph...

What's that familiar sound?

...Mmph...

Mreep!

Nene?!

Nene! You're alive!

(Eagerly licks Juana's cheeks)

Aww...

Are you coming out to sea with us?

(Bounces around excitedly)

Oh, my sweet baby!

A trail of blood leads from the steam to the depths of the boundless Salt Flat.

A cold tongue tastes the blood in the mouth. Broken limbs keep crawling, driven by a powerful desire that lives on without its master.

A short distance away, an appendage breaks through the salt layer, wiggling towards a sunlight it has not seen for many years. Then, a second, a third...

It is another powerful desire without a master, compelling the light-emitting organ to reach for the sun, as though trying to gain the sun's light.

All he wants is to live on. All it wants is to live on.

By whatever means. In whatever form.

The broken parts of Man and Seaborn struggle, wiggle, hungrily devouring each other.

They will walk this land in perpetuity.