brigid

(charges forward)

*sighs* Where you off to now? I was only kidding, okay? Don't run off!

You—

Uh...

The rubble conceals the body buried deep beneath. It isn't until she gets closer that Brigid notices a hint of bright red on the gray surface, covered in dust and dirt.

The hint of red is actually a few locks of hair—a woman's hair.

...Evelyn?

(weak breathing)

She's still breathing... Hey, Evelyn! Wake up!

Evelyn!

*Cough* *Cough* Ugh...

You're Evelyn, aren't you? Why'd they leave you behind?

...Where's Nemos and the Dublinn soldiers? They were supposed to rescue you—

Ma'am...

...Rescue my daughter... Take her away from here...

I beg you...

Don't give up on her, and don't come back for me... Just take her!

...What?

I already... told you... before.

What did you tell me? I don't know. You'll need to say it again.

The nomad begins digging through the rubble with her tools. But working alone, her progress is too slow, and the woman's voice grows ever fainter.

These stones... I'm sure I'm... Infected...

Even if I survive... no one... will take me in...

...And my legs... I can't move them...

I'll just be a burden.

Hrrh...

No, no, no! You're wrong!

You've got it all wrong!

Ma'am, please... Keep your distance, please...

I... I—

'I'll rescue you.' 'I can still save you.' What should she tell her?

Any of those would be a lie. Brigid soon discovers that the rubble has already shifted from the previous rescue efforts. The broken bricks caught around the woman's waist are both supporting her and slowly killing her.

....'It's always faster working together.' And the fastest way was—

They split open the bricks above your head, removing the connection holding both sides together. All the broken bricks and rubble, all that weight, came tumblin' down right on top of you.

They did it because they knew you'd protect your child. They knew you'd hold out, at least until she was safely out of your arms.

Right?

Ironically, rescuing the child had directly led to abandoning the mother. Even had they come back for her, they would not have been able to free her.

But Nemos... How could she have let them do this?

I know they could've rescued both, if only they'd spent more time on it.

(wailing)

*cough* *cough cough* Don't waste your energy, ma'am.

...I—you—

Need anything else?

Yes. I heard them call you Wakewoman...

You mean Nemos? I'm not Nemos, or a wakewoman.

...I can't tell if you're real or not... but...

Can you wait... until I take my last breath... and...

...bury me properly... as a wakewoman...?

I...

Ngh... *cough*...

The woman can barely speak. Her chest heaves like torn bellows, rapidly but to no effect.

It is evident that her time is almost up.

*cough*

The woman furrows her brow, and her ashen face suddenly flushes red with pain.

Ugh...

The nomad stops her useless digging. She places her dirty palm on the woman's tense, wrinkled forehead.

...How's this? I've seen Nemos, er, the wakewoman do this before.

A gentle touch can take away the pain and soothe the sick. Comfort parents who've lost their kids.

But with the hands of a nomad...?

(nudges Brigid with snout)

Go cozy on up to her, big one. Maybe a wee bit of warmth will help.

...Wakewoman? Ava... did you take Ava with you? My daughter...

She's safe now. You can relax. Don't talk.

Ah—Ahh... thank you. Thank you so much.

*cough* *cough* You're still here. I want to...

What is it?

I want to see Na Saoirsí...

Na Saoirsí? Okay, I'll remember that.

Ugh... Argh!

It hurts... it hurts so much...! B—but... my legs are already numb... why——

Agh——*cough* *cough cough*!

Moo!

Don't talk anymore.

...Grkh...

Go to sleep, Evelyn.

*cough*...ahh...

The woman takes a final, heavy breath. Her torso, which is sticking up from the ground, goes limp. Brigid suddenly realizes the woman's body must have been crushed in half by the stones some time ago.

Moo!

(nudges Brigid hard with snout)

I know, buddy. We need to get her out of there. Can't let her end up in a tuskbeast's belly.

Come here. Lend me a hand, err... paw.

Let's take her to see Na Saoirsí.

The Dark Woods allow the nomad passage. One nomad and one burdenbeast, carrying the departed to the edge of the forest.

Further along, at the end of the road, stands the bright city of Na Saoirsí, built of bricks and stones.

*Huff*...

Sorry, Evelyn, I couldn't make a big enough bonfire. I can't return the fire to you like the wakemen do, like you wanted.

Also, I don't think you were infected? The Infected usually explode after death, but even after waiting for nightfall, nothing happened to you.

But even if were, you shouldn't have died like that.

On the way here, I thought about taking you to the ruins, to see the real wakemen, but you said you wanted to see Na Saoirsí.

So after giving it some thought, I took you here.

(soft wailing)

Look on the bright side? Maybe...

Maybe Ava's already back in Na Saoirsí with Nemos by now. And if I bury you here, you won't get in anyone's way, but you can still see them from here. Maybe even... hear them.

(brings some wildflowers and places them in front of the grave)

Thanks buddy, but could you get me some flowers like <i>these</i>—

Ah, forget, I'll get 'em myself. You stay here with Evelyn.

Brigid leaves the Dark Woods and ventures out into the open plains.

Here, the sound of the wind will no longer be disrupted by the rustling leaves. She will be able to clearly convey her words to her friend.

Wayward wakewoman, if you can still hear me...

The pledge you once made with your heart's flame, is it still in effect?