Глава 8

You...!

I don't deny your efforts and sacrifice, Ch'en. You are one of the finest members I've ever seen in the department. But I have to warn you. You are not like them.

...No, I'm not working in Lungmen for the prestige. I am part of the L.G.D. I am part of Lungmen.

We poured our blood, sweat, and tears into this city, and its people are harsh, but it will come to accept everyone in the end.

It will. It's been improving.

Nine, even if we're Infected, we are still part of Lungmen!

Lungmen is a city for all people. That's how it should be. If it isn't right now, then we will make it so.

Have we not seen enough? There are lots of good, honest Infected here, don't you agree?

Then prove it to me.

You want to prove to me that we belong here. Then do it.

I will. I definitely will...

...Be quick about it. I may not have that much time left in me.

—I will.

If you run into situations like this, just let Wei know. He'll take care of it. Keep in touch. Feel free to call if something comes up.

Oh yeah, tell Hoshiguma I said to keep an eye on you... lest you do something stupid.

Feel free to forget what I just said, and I am sure you will, but make sure to tell her that before you do.

Stupid?

What's stupid?

Teach by example. What has that turned me into?

Sympathize with others. What has that ever helped me understand?

Never give up. What have I lost because of that?

Now that we finally get to meet again, what can I actually do anyway?

What I can do...

Wasn't that all decided years ago?

Madam Ch'en, wait for me. You've been very brave... being able to do all this.

But... it's still too soon to jump to conclusions. Let me take a look too, Madam Ch'en. I want to know what she's done. All of us need the truth.

You want to know what kind of a person Talulah has become...

...What I want to know... is who exactly is the person Reunion has been following.

It's as though she can already hear Ch'en's roar and Talulah's laughter.

She has finally come to understand the way Ch'en thinks.

'You know it's a trap, so why are you here?'

'I'm here because I have to figure out whether this is really a trap. That's the only way I can prove that you are beyond redemption!'

'And if I tell you it is?'

'In that case, it's not going to weigh us down the tiniest bit when we finally set you free from all this, whether I'm the one who does the honors or someone else. If you've got any regrets, save them for your own funeral!'

The pattern of one of the ten rings begins to emit a bright, vivid red glow.

'In that case, when do I need to do this?'

'When you think it's the right time.'

We need new weapons to take on new enemies.

We need firm principles to take on great evil.

In the past, Amiya would have found herself in a fluster, trying to remove herself from the ring's restraint... but not now.

...Cloud-splitting, they faced each other.

'As sword of stratus rent, once stood stand fast.'

The idea of running away probably hasn't ever crossed Ch'en's mind, has it?

Both Ch'en herself and Amiya would probably answer no when asked this question.

Ch'en has tried to run far away many times.

But she stopped herself.

Ch'en's memories and emotions, and each and every time she changed... All of it came from her determination.

To wield the Chi Xiao is to have a firm conviction. Ch'en has seen ups and downs through her journey and there were moments that she struggled with her own belief. Ch'en did not allow herself to stay depressed.

This can also be seen in her technique with the Chi Xiao.

Ch'en has made up her mind.

Amiya quietly tries to take this all to heart. Just as the memories she saw of Ch'en are slowly flowing into her heart, the warmth left on the scabbard is slowly fading away.

Amiya is being far calmer than she has ever been. She has made her decision.

She will take off the ring. She wants to see the truth.

A sea of flames begins to burn fiercely before her eyes.

This time, she isn't going to close her eyes—

She will bear witness to everything that has happened to these sisters.

And now, Ch'en is standing before Talulah.

The Chi Xiao holds steady in the air. The Draco's flames are extinguished the moment they graze the blade, as though it swallowed the blazing waves whole.

The two sisters, blood-related, are ready to settle their scores.