act39side

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.

We'll make it.

Excelente. Then we sail.

Where are you going, Señora Juana?

I can't very well let Javier and the others die here.

They've already raised their sails. Looks like they're leaving.

Everybody who can move, to your stations!

Is the Inquisition just going to watch?

Move your asses and help!

Follow La Conquista if you want to live!

We'll all make it out of Skeletal Reef in one piece!

Those on the salt ship breathe a sigh of relief when the last jet of steam can no longer reach them.

Some sit on the deck, some lie down, all exhausted.

Finally able to relax, Juana starts stomping around the deck.

Finding a spot that sounds hollow, she picks up a cutlass and pries open the planks, revealing a crate of rum.

Aha! Naturally, no one else would ever find MY rum.

We're not far from the sea, Javi!

It will be hard for the salt ship to turn back if it goes any further. Get some rest here. Isidro and I will draw a map of the reef's steam vents so you can sail your way back.

One moment.

What is it?

I don't wanna force anyone into a life they don't want... If anyone wants to go with you, I won't stop them.

Whoever wants to go out to sea with Señora Juana—this is your last chance!

If you do, get aboard La Conquista!

The rest are coming back to town with me!

Going out to sea? You're still thinking about that? With no supplies, and a skeleton crew?