ayer

Yup.

Tire tracks. They were here.

Not sure if they're leading into or away from the mine. And we can't tell what's inside from here.

Those rocks wouldn't trap him. He could destroy them easily.

But it's sealed shut, and there was an explosion...

If he's still alive, he would have followed them, trying to rescue the others.

If they're looking for new veins... there's only one way to find them. Inside.

But the area ahead is heavily polluted, with high risk of a secondary disaster. Going in by ourselves is a big risk.

They'll have to come back this way eventually, even with proper protection. We can wait here and ambush Cowell.

We keep going.

Can't you just accept the truth already?

What truth? I still haven't seen him with my own eyes.

Your turn. Leon can move through polluted areas unhindered. I'm sure you can manage too, being a Catastrophe Messenger yourself.

I... I'll do what I can.

Wind and sand everywhere. I can't see anything.

Maybe... perhaps... according to my observations...

Shut it!

Er...

Infected creature! Behind you!

Thanks...

This is a bad place to fight.

There's a house over there! We can take shelter.

Mm.

Whew... like I said, this is too much for the two of us.

Here comes the sandstorm again.

Yeah.

You're not a Catastrophe Messenger, are you?

No, I'm not.

I knew the facade wouldn't hold up ever since you mentioned that your employer was a real one. I'm actually surprised it took you so long to call me out on it.

Who are you then?

I'm Tamika. I'm a bodyguard, like you.

Do you still want to travel with me?

Doesn't matter to me.

We could both die here, though. I wouldn't get my revenge, and you wouldn't save your friend.

But like I said, you could stay, and I'll keep going. Could be one less corpse in our future.

No.

Why?

Why can't you accept that your friend is dead? Is it worth giving up your life just to see for yourself?

Do you remember what I told you about the Catastrophe warning? The one that was covered up?

The Catastrophe Messenger who sent the warning was my best friend... I was the one who got her the job.

Did you learn about Catastrophes from her?

Yeah. My protective gear belonged to her too.

Then how... Did Cowell kill a Catastrophe Messenger?

Cowell Mining blocked off communications when signs of Catastrophe appeared. The residents never got the warning.

She rushed back when she learned about it. The Catastrophe was very near by then, but she headed straight into the red zone to help with the evacuation.

I was one step too late, just in time to see a cloud of Originium dust swallow her whole...

Just thinking of what she saw in her last moments made my blood boil. I wanted to tear Cowell limb from limb with my bare hands.

Until I met you, someone else who'd lost someone important... Then I understood.

To be honest, I wanted to use you to get rid of Cowell. But I have to admit, you were right.

Revenge isn't worth it.

You're strong enough to survive here. There are many things you can do in place of your friend.

Not like me. I've come too far to turn back... Leave the rest to me.

You're overthinking it.

I would've come here, with or without you. I came because there's something I wanted to see.

I'm doing what I'm doing... because Leon isn't dead.

My employer isn't dead, so I still have a job to do, as a bodyguard.

How can you be so sure?

Leon is a jerk. Talks too much, gets into trouble. Gets <i>me</i> into trouble.

But he knows how to survive, better than anyone. I've lost count of the times we've worked together to get out of a tight spot.

He's the reason I'm having this conversation with you, rather than turning into a dried-out husk in the barrenlands.

I know him. Those words didn't sound like something he'd say. I need to see with my own eyes.

And... he promised me something he still hasn't done. I won't let him off the hook that easily.

Fine, assuming your friend's not dead, how are we gonna find him? Is he just gonna drop from the sky?

No, what you said made me remember...

Leon always drawled on about the properties of Catastrophes.

Tch. So many things floated to the surface when I heard he was dead.

Including these.

You just wait, Leon.

T-That's nuts!

Is that how you and your friend have been avoiding danger in Catastrophe zones?

It was Leon's idea. I had to make do with what's available. Is there a problem?

That's just climbing out the fire and into the frying pan... or is it the other way round? Whatever, doesn't matter. No wonder you were able to penetrate the disaster zone so quickly.

We're here.

Tire tracks... they've been here alright.

Someone's coming!

Cowell's muscles. Much tougher than the ones in the camp. Even you...

We'll need a plan, find a weak spot... Ayerscarpe?

Ayerscarpe?!

Argh—

Help!

R-Run away!

No—

I'm back. You said something?

...They're all down?

I think so.

I'm comfortable on the attack. Is there a problem?

...You've got to be kidding me.

Did you find you friend?

Not yet.

If he's really dead... maybe I'll become a Catastrophe Messenger.

You...

Wait, there's another room over there.

Who are you? Guards! Intruders!

Guards!

Shut up.

What do you want? I'm the owner of Cowell Mining! I own these mines! Is it money that you want? I can pay you!

Enough. Just answer my question.

Where's the Catastrophe Messenger you kidnapped?

He... he's inside the mines.

Still alive?