Глава 16

—Vetochki.

S-Serafina?

Y-You're going too? Where were you? I-I don't know, how to...

Th-They're all leaving! Leaving us to, go die!

It's alright, it's alright. I was just bandaging up Nikto, he cut himself on some broken mirror shards—

It's not important. I heard the last part of your exchange. You want to live. There's nothing wrong with that. You don't have to make yourself walk a path that you don't agree with, and I'm not going with them.

Y-You won't? You're not, leaving?

Yes, me and my team will continue to assist the wounded. Nikto is not leaving either, is he?

...Nikto?

The split crowd continues to move. Raidian could not see Nikto, so she begins scanning for a specific electrical signal with her Arts. It does not take her long.

He's in the rear. He won't leave—

I'm sorry, Gospozha Serafina.

Nikto—

I'm sorry, Vetochki.

I can't go back. You know that I came from Grypherburg. The mines were never my home.

Besides, it's not a sure thing that we'll die. Maybe things won't get so bad with me keeping an eye on the man.

We must make opportunity with our own hands, after all, right?

No. No, no, no!

Why... why?

Why must, it be, like this?

Why must we... always...

...part?

Go home, Vetochki. Don't catch a cold.

Go to bed, and mom and dad will be back when you wake up again.

Be a good girl who doesn't cry or complain, make your <i>babushka</i> happy... and you'll find a piece of chocolate on your pillow when you wake up!

...Strike...

Rights... no... response...

...Execution...

'Mama.'

'Papa.'

'Ditya.'

...'Babushka?'

(Hums)

One word! Just one word!

One word, and my soul will be healed!

(Hums)

I... I—

—I beg forgiveness... for the sin...

Of killing your child...

'I shall...'

'I shall meditate and share in your pain.'

'For you, for him. May we all repent our sins from the bottom of our hearts.'

'Thy blessings walk, on earth as it is in heaven.'

...Babushka?

Baby, baby♪

Close your eyes♪

Someone's outside the window♪

Knocking on the door♪

Baby, baby♪

Hold your breath♪

Someone's putting on a skin♪

Walking in♪

Here it comes♪

Here it comes♪

(Hums)

...Babushka...

(Hums)

Babushka... is someone, outside?

No one stops, no one waits.

They're... gone.

They cry, kiss your hand, say they didn't, want to be apart... but they're gone.

Everyone has their own path.

Must this be? But, why...

You know the reason, suffering soul.

Rankin... never taught me... how to, read that watch.

Second hand, clock...? I can hear, the bell.

As always.

Babushka... why is your hand so cold?

The fire is hot.

I'm cold... and it hurts...

But it's not... because of, fire.

I don't understand...

It's alright. Most people live their entire lives in obliviousness.

Until... they die?

Yes, until they die.

(Hums)

Babushka... what are you, singing about?

Love.

But I... hurt?

Because you love.

Love makes people hurt, makes them persevere, makes them docile.

Love makes people strong, makes them wealthy, makes them noble.

You love, and therefore you hurt. I love you, and therefore I share in your pain.

Vetochki says no more. She closes her eyes and curls up tightly, but no longer dares touch the hand that caresses her cheek as usual.

She had heard these words before, back when she did not need to find support for them amongst broken pieces. Now, though, she is no longer sure.

How can one be more wealthy and noble than kings and nobles if one lives in obliviousness?

How can one be stronger than the stick of authority if one is powerless?

The campfire is very near. It should have brought warmth, but Vetochki feels cold in her limbs, her innards, every part of her body—

Passing through the cold, withered hand.

'I shall meditate and share in your pain.'

'May we all...'

'...repent our sins from the bottom of our hearts.'

The voice is simply a repetition, an echo.

The echo points towards... doom.