Глава 14

Her eyes are still shut, her limbs lack strength, but her arms involuntarily open—

When the last light has been caged, the crown will fall on Qui'sartuštaj's head.

Liz...!

Shining, follow my light! Save her—

A sharp spear of light tears a path through the witchcraft barrier.

Shining arrives before Qui'sartuštaj.

Night descends like a cage, and the only light comes from her blade.

The soul glimmers on the tip of her sword.

...Liz.

I return the true memories I once took from you.

No fields, no woods, no streams... and no flower wreaths.

Only a girl huddled in a dark corner.

The entire room serves as her cage, and she cannot tell day from night.

Because she is merely a manufactured, empty shell.

With no consciousness, or knowledge of pain or fear. she reacts to no Arts inflicted on her at all.

Until—

In my obsession with exploring the soul... I left some... unnecessary vestiges in you when carving yours.

You're... awake.

You're starting to have emotions, and responding to them.

The experiment will continue, I have to...

Create some illusions. Fill up that newborn soul with memories fabricated by Arts.

To cover up the truest, scariest ones.

I think you should feel a little better, at least.

You will feel truly alive, as if you've experienced... a bit of warmth.

No.

Perhaps it was escapism.

As long as I lost myself in those wholly trusting eyes, I didn't have to confront the cruelty of what I'd done to her.

I'm sorry.

You should have remembered... Liz.

You must remember all that we promised each other.

A blue fowlbeast emerges from the darkness.

Gigantic grey-white eyes stare at Shining, and a tear slowly falls.

...Mm.

The girl in the air floats down.

Shining and Margaret hear Nightingale's voice simultaneously in the frozen time.

I remember, Shining.

You took me out of the darkest of rooms and we escaped... you accompanied me everywhere in search of medical help...

And then we met Nearl, and two became three.

We went many places, and saved many people.

You often sighed with knitted brows in the middle of the night... but once I opened my eyes, you shifted to the warmest tone I know and told me about the beautiful things I missed on our journey.

Nearl tried to teach me how to dance a few times. She'd hold me and spin... until I couldn't move anymore, and the two of you would help me, taking turns carrying me...

When I'm at your side...

It's as if... I really can fly.

The two of you have made me what I am now.

I am a member of the Followers... and a healer.

I'll protect you both too.

And fight alongside as well, to sever the gravest sins, to save... those shrouded in the eternal night.

This is what the three of us...

...Promised each other.

Nightingale lands on the ground.

Her staff and body emit an intense light.

A giant cage appears, and catches Qui'sartuštaj's body within.

Ugh—!

The soul was completely under my control, why is this cage—

I have a name.

I am Liz—and I am your enemy.

Qui'sartuštaj, I'm stopping you because... I don't agree with a single word you've said.

You...

Shining, Nearl...

Shining grips her sword tight.

Margaret tosses her swordstaff, and it hits right on target, the crown of thorns revolving in Qui'sartuštaj's hand.

The trio are in complete sync with their thoughts and actions.

Grab the flickering sliver of the soul, before day and night take control once more.

A long path of blood is the only crack before her eyes.

I've found it, the essence of your soul.

Qui'saršinnag... you...

What this body will become... I am unconcerned.

If blood does control my will, then Liz and Nearl will pass judgement on me, in my stead as I am now.

But I will <i>not</i> be your puppet.

I will not conquer or rule in your name.

Until death... I <i>will</i> be free.

Free? You speak of freedom?

Shall we give it a go?

Qui'saršinnag, we are not easily parted.

Try again... to leave my side. Try and see... how long you can run from me.

I will run no longer.

Rather, I will—grant you an eternal death.

Shining—Retreat!

The moonlight above the tree tumbles down the cliff, and the ground violently rumbles as if about to turn upside down.

The altar crumbles, and thick golden Originium liquid gushes out from the cracks.

A figure appears without anyone noticing. He does not move fast, but manages to appear just in time to block Qui'sartuštaj from the Followers.

We should leave....

...Your Highness.

Heh... So it's you.

Who's there—?!

Followers... is it?

In this era where valor is scarce, your radiance bedazzles.

We shall meet again.

Qalid'čoa and Qui'sartuštaj's figures blend into the remains of the altar.

The other Confessarii follow suit.

The crown of thorns shot out of Qui'sartuštaj's hand earlier suddenly spins, and turns into a pitch-black shadow that flies up toward the sky.

...The Shard.

In the eye of the storm... is that the 'Amnannam' mentioned over the comms?

Dr. Kal'tsit, the Doctor, and the others... will they make it?

Shining, you... uh, anything feel off?

I'm alright.

This blood curse is indeed complicated.

Wait, Liz... Liz?!

Liz...

...No.