act39side

That's normal. They don't stay in one place for too long.

One after the other, the saltfins drill into the salt, speeding off into the distance.

Their tracks lace and intertwine, leaving the salt surface looking like a cracked mirror.

They fascinate Isidro. He climbs up on a jagged rock, hoping to get a better look at the where the cracks are headed from a higher vantage point.

He stands at its peak, and to his surprise, he sees an immense gash barreling towards them, swallowing up any salt reefs or skeletons in its path.

He realizes the saltfins weren't leaving. They were fleeing.

(Runs around anxiously)

No... That's definitely not normal.

You see something?!

Move! Quickly!

In an instant, the ground splits into a gaping maw, threatening to devour the two as they sprint away.

Cesc stumbles as he tries to flee, the collapsing earth grabbing at his ankle. He screams in terror.

Isidro grabs hold of his arm, but he soon finds out he is powerless against nature's brute strength.

Just as the two are about to be swallowed whole, the collapse miraculously stops. The sailor's lower leg is wedged tight between the jagged earth, now nothing more than a bloody, mangled mess.

The hell's going on over there?!

The salt split open! I think someone fell in!

Go have a look then, quick!

I'll be going now.

Get back here, you capullo! Don't even think about running!

Hey... Don't leave me here by myself...

Mm... hmph...

Your crewmates will be over soon. You'll be fine.

Wh... Where are you going?

(Nips at Isidro's pants)

Not sure. Somewhere you can't find me.

...N—No... You can't go.

Bosun's... orders... I... have to keep an eye on you.

*Glub*—!

I haven't been here to see you for so long...

All is going according to plan.

Yes, we've taken a few risks, but they were worth it.

Soon we will set our sails once more, and return to the ocean's embrace.

Are you happy for me?

The sound of metal scraping against stone echoes out from the cave, followed by a slender Seaborn slowly slithering its way out, its form warped and twisted.

Each of its tentacles is wrapped around a weapon. As their points and edges drag across the stone walls, they keen and wail.

It slowly approaches the saltfin meat, and slowly eats away at it, its eyes fixed on Juana the entire time.

She meets its gaze, quietly waiting for the Seaborn's reply.

But in her heart, she knows that it is no more than a beast, a beast without a speck of intellect or humanity.

We will leave this place, this desert of salt. No matter the price.

Juana turns and exits the cave, leaving behind only the Seaborn, trashing around like a caged animal now that it has finished its meal.

Rocks fall from the ceiling until finally, it ceases its struggle for a way out, slowly calming down in the darkness.

Dios mio... What happened here? Did that boy do this?!

N—No, it was my fault... B—But he ran away...

Forget him! You lot come over and help pull him out.

AHHHH! MY LEG!

Bosun, his leg...

Speak up!

I—I don't think we can save it! We need to call the surgeon!

When's the last time we had a surgeon...

But only a surgeon'd know how to cut it off right! Else he'll bleed to death!

I don't wanna die here...

Save me, bosun! Save me!

Cesc... I...

I'm here. I know what to do.

Chaval...

He'll live. I guarantee it.

Good. Get over here.

Bite down on the hilt. Hard.

Grkh...

This'll sting a little. Just bear with it.

GKKHHH—!

Thorns!

How could they do you dirty like this on your own wanted poster? What's with that picture?

...Why are you so quick to concede that it's Thorns now? Weren't you just insisting it was all a mistaken identity?

What if those bandits forced him into it? Or maybe he was framed? He's not much of a talker. I can definitely see him putting his foot in his mouth while explaining himself.

If he is the upstanding young man you say he is, then surely he's dead by now, killed by either the bandits or by the dangers of the Salt Flat.

No... What exactly would they do to him?

They like to... No, you would be happier not knowing.

We've done all we can to keep them away from town, but they've still managed to abduct some of our best and brightest.

Their leader is a vile monster, able to corrupt the hearts of others.

Oh...

Time to start cooking... Hmm? Who touched my kitchen?

(Cautious sniff)

That smell... It's coming from the pot over there...

Stewed fin hearts? This is Señora Juana's specialty.

But they went bad ages ago. Better put that fire out.

During the Profound Silence, most of Aarón was submerged under the sea. Only this small part atop the hill avoided that grim fate, but it too shortly fell to chaos as the harvest failed.

The pirates sailed in before the seawater retreated. They claimed they would bring order to Aarón.

But in truth, they only wished to burn, kill and maim, forcing the townsfolk to surrender to their reign of terror.

Everything they saw was put to the torch...

Fire! HELP! FIRE! The pot blew up!

Mierda! Why's there a fire here?!

Javier, you dried-out piece of finshit! How many times do I have to tell you NOT to let this useless cockeyed bastard in the kitchen until he gets some glasses?!

Ohh... It was fin oil... Sorry, was all blurry to me!

Out of my sight, dumbass!

—Where the hell's Javier? Get over here and put out this fire already!

Quick, cover it with salt!

Ahh! My clothes! I <i>just</i> sewed up that finleather coat!

...Mmm... Roast finleather smells... pretty good...

Even if he is lucky enough to be alive, the bandits themselves live harsh lives in the wastes. Surely they wouldn't treat their captives well. He's most likely dying of hunger and thirst at this very moment.

Are you alright, Elysium?

I'm fine... Señor Calificador, please, continue.

Needless to say, we can only pray he does nothing to incur their wrath.

Their punishments are as barbaric as they are capricious. They'll slit open bellies or chop off hands and feet over the slightest offense...

To think they'd twist the law like that...

S—Slit open bellies or chop off hands and feet, you say...?

AHHH—HHHHH!

Hah... Hah...

Get some rum! Give him a swig!

Rus! Rus! How's my leg...?