Глава 14

The final battle... is able to begin.

The Feranmut's skeleton wriggles its body and once again dives straight into history.

The fragments of time are like bubbles in a muddled stream. After they break up, the remains are still vague and indistinct.

Amiya feels the rippling spacetime rushing past her. You look at her and see her eyelashes twitching. What exactly does she see?

Perhaps nothing more than reflections passing by, or fleeting hallucinations.

The distance between memories and history is always much longer than we expect.

Countless sceneries, both ancient and modern, sweep by under the Feranmut's frame.

Those who find themselves within are astonished by this advancement or regression of times, the disasters that unfold before them, and the happiness in their hands...

But when looking upon them from high above, perhaps these sights have never actually changed.

Then, the illusion grows much stranger and more twisted.

A seed is rapaciously absorbing nutrients. It writhes, whimpers, trying to tear away all fabricated representation.

This creation, far beyond human comprehension, waits silently. The slightest movement is enough to rend the continent and allow the crystals to proliferate.

No, this isn't right.

This isn't the Feranmut's power!

The sky... The entire sky is burning red!

The Lifebone is out of control. It's been pulled off its original course!

Are we under attack?

Prepare to meet the enemy!;Ready damage control!

Guard the entrances to all cabins! Watch for attacking aircraft!

We're preparing anti-boarding measures. All non-combatants, retreat to your shelters!

Mercs, fan out! Don't let any drooling morons onto the ship!

Any damage reports?

I'm checking, but—What's going on? This makes no sense!

The sensors I set up are all reading normal. The skeleton's not damaged at all!

I just got word from the observation post. They've spotted no enemies!

We're losing altitude! I can't control it!

What the *Sarkaz expletive* is happening?

Isn't this skeleton your best friend, Hoederer? Get it to chill out!

Hoederer, can you adjust the course at all? We mustn't land in the center of the battlefield!

I'm trying!

Buckle up, everybody. I don't want anyone getting flung out through the gaps in the bones!

I've sent out all my drones to try to pull the Feranmut's bones back and reduce the impact of the crash!

Don't get your hopes up, though!

Our descent isn't slowing. Going by the current speed...

We'll hit the ground very soon.

'The meaning of language shall grant us wings.'

'I command these words to lift this weight.'

It's working—

Keep chanting your incantations, Banshee. Hoederer, keep steering us north!

There's a valley there. We should fit right in!

I'm on it, but my link with the Feranmut is fading. I can't control it much longer!

Mon3tr.

(Excited howling)

Protect the Doctor. Prepare for impact.

(Joyful howling)

This isn't exactly comfy.;...;Its claws are digging into me!

Calm down, Doctor. You'll be fine.

Amiya, how are things going over—

All the wounded and civilians have been relocated. Feist and Rockrock are working on getting the transport secured.

Got it. Ines, my mercs have anything to say?

They're all here with me, working on getting some witchcraft going.

We'll need a little more time. We should be able to withstand half of the impact's force.

Tell Hoederer these bones won't shatter here.

The valley's in sight. Our angle's not quite there yet. We need to turn left by another twenty degrees!

Last chance for adjustments!

Twenty degrees, I'm certain of it!

All hands, brace for impact!

The rest comes down to luck!

Ten seconds to impact!

Five, four, three—

Two!

One!