Глава 13

Amidst the ruins, the red crystals on the war altars shine an eerie red in the rays of dawn, the metal skeleton reflecting an ominous light.

It seems to whisper: Gaze upon blood, gaze upon decay, gaze upon death.

This is what Mother had done for so long.

And this is the first time I've thought of her in days.

Welcome back, Delphine, Dagda.

The Sarkaz have deployed these weapons en masse?

I don't think so. I believe it was developed by the Military Commission in Victoria. The design is still very rough around the edges.

Delphine, you look reasonably well for someone who just woke up from being knocked unconscious.

Morgan has been taking care of you two with one hand.

Hannah!

Thanks, Morgan. And Hannah.

Sorry about the trouble.

It was a piece of cake.

Alright, everybody, listen. I want rid of those altars, and for that I need help.

I need bait. Someone to stay here and keep those things firing...

Sounds like a job for me.

I can do it too—

This is no time to be acting tough. I know better than anyone else here how terrifying those things are.

Your hand's still injured, Morgan. I'll be the one to work with Hannah.

I need someone else on standby to take over the attack if I don't succeed. Misery can only buy so much time for us.

I'll do it.

What about me, Vina?

Morgan... keep an eye on everyone.

Vina's plan is a simple one. Wait for the altars to fire, smash the core, cause a chain reaction.

All we need is an opportunity. And the opportunity has come.

They've taken aim.

The malice is sickening.

They could fire at any time.

Not exactly a great feeling to be in that thing's crosshairs.

Misery?

Whenever you're ready—

Do it.

Red.

The color on the deck flashes back before my eyes.

The demonic eye in the altar peers at me.

It is averted by a silver arc.

The dagger rips open the necks of a file of Sarkaz artillerymen, leaping back joyfully into Misery's hand.

Their hands slow for a moment as they reach for the core, continuing their movements from before they died under the pull of inertia.

A hammer falls from the sky, impacting lightly with the red wave.

Bang.

Vina is knocked back into the building like a comet.

No... Vina!

Half a second.

The altar activated faster than anyone expected.

*Cough*... *cough*...

The hammer embeds itself in the broken wall.

I can't see anything in the dust and smoke.

Watch out! They've replaced the artillerymen and are preparing to fire again!

The hammer is gone by the time I wipe the gravel from my eyes.

A figure climbs the outer wall swiftly, the hammer pulling her up like a pickaxe, the building trembling under every blow.

Dagda!

Dagda grabs the hand that stretches out from within the light.

Brick and stone crack and break under Vina's heels. She leaps into the sky.

The red wave has begun to build.

Everyone, take cover!

Get down, Morgan!

Hngh...

I look up in the storm.

She walks upon the rays of dawn, her golden hair burning.

She raises her hammer high, and it becomes one with the sun.

The wave is torn apart, rampant power streaking towards the core.

I lose my voice.

All that remains is the light that stabs at my eyes.

Vina! Vina!

The altars are still exploding! Look out!

She's fainted! Damn, the metal shards got into her chest! Someone help me out!

Bring her back! Don't let Originium dust into the wounds!

The Sarkaz are retreating!

Hannah! Look! Over there!

Battleships? Reinforcements? Really? Th-That's the standard of Duke Gododdin!

It's... it's over...

It's over! We bloody made it! We did!

Ben! Ben! Look, we're saved! Ben? Ben...

Those damnable devils are trying to run! After them!

I should add another entry to the scout's journal.

'We survived.

In memory of seven fallen heroes...

Abigail, of Norport, civilian. Alexandra, of Chetleigh, civilian.

Henderson, of Auchterigg, soldier. Bentley, of Lynncardine, soldier.

Unidentified body.

Unidentified body.

Unidentified... (illegible)'