Глава 11

Bloody hell, these new lads are tough!

We'll charge together! Ready... set...

Grab me!

No! Stay back! Get away from the dead...

*cough* *cough* W-What's going on...?

A strange aura permeates the battlefield around the fallen soldiers.

Something seeps out from their skin, their eyes, their ears, their noses. It is not blood; it is nothing tangible.

Perhaps it is fear, the fear of what comes after death, an unsurmountable fear that is rapidly draining their lifeforce.

Get back!

Argh... *gasp*...

I can breathe again... thanks! You're from Rhodes Island... a doctor? Closure called you a doctor... right?

Everyone, get behind me.

This is... witchcraft?;The smell reminds me of the Wendigo altar.

All ancient Sarkaz witchcraft comes from the same place.

'Death.'

Wendigo, Nachzehrer, Vampire, Gargoyle, Lich, even the Banshees... death is the end for most living things, but the source of power for many Sarkaz.

Your sword stopped the corruption from spreading?

Life and death have always been two sides of the same coin.

But there's only so much time I can buy. We can't stop the armies of the Nachzehrer, even if it's only his vanguard here.

The ancient Sarkaz slithers on the battlefield, driving death and decay before him. I've only heard legends.

We must hurry.

I know.;......;Kal'tsit gave the signal to retreat.

(Urgent screech)

Recall the drones, Closure.

Sigh... guess there's no other way?

Transmitted data... 70%. It'll have to do.

Feist, go find Clovisia.

Alright, Doctor.

Everyone, follow me!

Rhodes Island, follow Mon3tr!;Rhodes Island, cover Corps' retreat!

Yes, Doctor.

And Amiya's group.;Inform Amiya, Ascalon and Logos.

No response.

Your call goes unanswered.

Something is not right. Amiya is not in the habit of ignoring you, even in the middle of fierce fighting.

PRTS does not show the status of operators, but you realize that she is in great danger.

Amiya?!

Argh...

The Nachzehrer arrived early.

Time to move.

Dr. Kal'tsit was quick enough. Delaying the Lich is all she can do.

The Nachzehrer army is far more organized than any other Sarkaz faction. They will move quickly.

Amiya?

Retreat?

No.

They cannot. The Vampire's blood shackles can be cut, the Nachzehrer's deadly corruption can be resisted, but there is no way to avert the dark cloud's gaze as long as they remain on this land.

There is no place untouched by the anguish and wrath of the Sarkaz.

Countless voices rush into her head.

She hears children who lost their parents to war sobbing as they walk amongst the ruins.

She hears the dull clunk of a young soldier's sword as it meets the head of an enemy for the first time.

She hears a Banshee, facing a deformed city, chanting incantations that he has just learned in the silver moonlight.

She hears a Vampire chuckle alone in a canyon, turning the enemies charging towards the Sarkaz settlement into a sea of blood.

She hears the dead souls in the sky, screaming towards the earth.

Why did we have to die?

Because we were Sarkaz?

Black lines surge uncontrollably from her eyes, ears and mouth, stretching and entwining.

For an instant, all the Sarkaz feel their hearts grasped by the black strings.

Don't be affected, Amiya.

What happened, Doctor? I thought... I thought I heard a sound...

*Muffled Sarkaz Tribal Language*

(The earth is filled with darkness.)

(Darkness gives birth to evil.)

(Evil brings pain.)

*Muffled Sarkaz Tribal Language*

What's Closure saying? I don't understand...

I don't... know...

I feel... dizzy... what's happening in... my head?

Is this Sarkaz witchcraft, Doctor?

But I don't feel anything... hey, look at the enemy...

Darkness... pain...

Share...

I've heard these words before.;I've heard a similar language before.

It's a kind of hypnotic suggestion.;It's unorthodox Arts.

Doctor, retreat with the Corps and the other operators immediately.

But Amiya...

Shining...;You're affected too?

A rampant power is eating away at the souls of all Sarkaz.

Not even a Confessarius can repel it... even if I can resist it for a while.

Rampant power?;Could it be...?

Only the sovereign of the Sarkaz can use the hope of her men as consolation, and punish traitors with their deepest fears.

Only the 'King of Sarkaz.'

I know what you're thinking, Doctor.

You're wondering which King is attacking all of the Sarkaz indiscriminately.

Amiya is in danger.

That's what I'm most worried about.;Whether Theresa is responsible for it or not.

The power of the King of Sarkaz...

How can an untrained vessel contain millennia of our racial memories?

I see... I see.

You cannot contain it.

The rings you wear on your hand came from Theresa.

You thought it would trap both the blessing and the curse, but you forgot that what was given, can be taken back.

You must have noticed, Ascalon.

His Highness is affecting Amiya.

We can't afford any delay. The Nachzehrer and Theresis may appear at any moment.

We must take Amiya away. By force, if necessary.

Amiya...

The rings do not crack or change color.

They are trembling because she is.

Cautus, you are not worthy of the crown that Theresa bestowed upon you.

Not because you are not Sarkaz, but because you have never tried to understand the nature of the Sarkaz.