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Your soul... why is it incomplete?!

Did you fracture your soul... when you resisted Qui'sartuštaj?!

Shining... Nearl...

I'm here.

I've always been here, Liz.

Yes...

I'm alright...

You two have protected me for so long... so it's my turn...

I want... the three of us... to be always...

Together.

Liz!

Come, Shining! We'll treat her together!

Shining?

It's futile.

Our Arts can't heal such a grievous wound on her soul in this environment.

Liz is unique, both her body and soul. Her birth was coincidental... no, I would rather call it a miracle.

Then we...

Will first leave this place, and then plan our next move.

What about Qui'sartuštaj? Do we just let him go?

His fate means nothing compared to Liz's safety—he means nothing now.

Let us return.

Yes, together.

...Leader.

(Furious roaring)

Qui'sartuštaj failed to cage the Black Crown.

The altar's power has weakened... I can work through its influence now—

The altar's upper layer is breaking apart. Amiya, focus your attacks on the Blood of Teekaz.

Right.

Hmm... Yes.

You...

The King of Sarkaz has already sentenced me to death.

But this is nothing new to me.

You're clearly... in pain.

You revere Qui'sartuštaj, but he left you behind like nothing. He treats you just like how you treat those Chimeras... exactly the same.

Don't waste your breath, <i>King of Sarkaz.</i>

My feelings are nothing special.

The Confessarii are of the Leader's blood. Though some are born more perfect than others... like Qui'saršinnag. Still others like myself were never in the running to be chosen at all.

But I've never envied her.

We only stand in the spot befitting us best.

We were supposed to be inseparable. We are all limbs... of the same one body.

There is no other group able to perform unprecedented miracles like we Confessarii can.

You sure are dedicated.;...How stubborn.

I am curious.

Is there nothing you're strongly attached to?

<i>Doctor...</i> Would you not make the same choice as I have, for your life's work, for those dear to you, and the ones who have fought by your side this whole time?

Whether it be under some control or influence... it does not matter.

To reach our origin, and create a completely new future.

That's all I want.

I can't... let you get close to the Blood of Teekaz.

Hah... Oh.

A black line pierces through Salus's body once again and strikes the altar's core at the same time.

The Blood of Teekaz stills.

I'm so close... ngh.

Amiya, stop her!

She's going to ignite—

It's fine, it's fine...

My body... is just like a monster's...

She stretches out her broken hand towards that drop of blood.

A curse known only to the Confessarii, inflicted upon the soul, upon all blood and flesh—

It will probably be a complete death this time.

Before the Leader, before Qui'saršinnag, and before all my family...

I'll take the first step... into the future I yearn for.

Salus smiles and throws herself onto the still heart.

The Blood of Teekaz boils.

A giant crimson vortex appears from the altar's core—

In that moment, Amiya feels as if she's being watched.

By Qui'sartuštaj, by the crowned without names, by the howling myriad souls... and the one she is most familiar with.

Theresa...?

Amnannam.

Salus used her own blood to complete the Confessarius ceremony.

Quick, get away from the altar!

The Sarkaz with short white hair is again alone in the Shard.

This is not quite the front, but the sounds of war pass through valley and walls, through crystalline storms and blood-drenched fields, and into his ears.

Originium guns bring a rain of death, the military casters recite incantations, the tanks run over tides of crystals, swords clash and break against each other until they sink into mud.

He has heard this din for centuries. It has never changed.

But this time, he has brought it to the one-time oppressors.

The Emperor of Ursus refused to meet our envoy. They continue to see Kazdel as an independent, hostile regime.

No response yet from the envoy to Sargon. The Leithanian Kurfürst that we reached out to is receptive to further communication...

The dukes clearly intend to attack, following the appearance of the golden light. Our lines are falling back...

The voice on the terminal continues to report the latest developments on each front to the orchestrator of the war.

Those who refuse to yield stand upon the scales of war, tipping them from side to side.

Theresis's back remains straight at all times. It has been a long time since he allowed himself the luxury of fatigue.

But the past does not go away so easy, be it lives taken or lives saved.

He has never forgotten the burden upon his shoulders, especially as it grows increasingly heavy.

Your Highness, news from the front... the Realmblade of Victoria has been activated. They have suppressed Amnannam. We are under pressure.

General Manfred was unable to retake Lifebone.

Who controls the skeleton now? Where was it last spotted?

A mercenary squad. Confessarius reports say that the core members of Rhodes Island are on it.

Rhodes Island... then that one must also be there.

Lifebone's next course of action is uncertain. It represents a threat to both the airship and the Shard.

It is no concern. Trust in Theresa.

If they dare approach the Shard...

My sword will render the judgment that I promised.

The sky of Londinium burns red. The ever-present dark clouds are no more. Supported by countless branches, the massive crystal looks like newly-borne fruit.

All is ready.

But now, and only now, he does not want to think about the future.

The airship's long orbiting and searching is coming to an end. The massive structure of witchcraft once again passes over above the Shard.

He knows this will be the last time.

The Sarkaz with the long white hair stands alone in the halls of the airship.

She finally averts her gaze from the Shard. She no longer sees the figure.