crow

I grew up in Bolívar, too. How come I'm the only one who has to leave this place, and not either of you?

Because—

I was part of the rebellion.

I'm not innocent.

You should never have been involved!

But I wasn't willing to just stand by and watch it all happen.

Besides... even if all I did was watch it happen... Does that really clear me of all involvement?

The more I think about that, the more confused I am—

But at the same time, I also understand you and Hermano better and better.

I think I want to do something, too.

I made this roast fowlbeast with Tío Tacito and everyone else.

Tacito...

That bastard... Even if the situation is bad, he shouldn't have asked you to do this!

I wanted to.

I know that things are really complicated.

I'm trying to understand them, but I still don't grasp them completely.

But there is one thing that I know.

You can't let the people who respect you and look up to you to die for no reason.

So... you don't want me to take this fowlbeast. Is that it?

...Mhm.

Next time, I'll make you something even tastier.

This is only the second time you've ever asked something of me.

You've grown up, Rafaela.

That's what you all say, but I don't think I'm much different from before.

I just want you to stay healthy and for Hermano to be more careful. It's that simple.

Ernesto came by a while back.

Yeah, I know.

He asked me if I remember what kind of flower his mother had clipped to her chest the first time we met.

I told him I don't.

I really don't.

That also means... I'm old.

It was a lilac.

What? How did you...?

You told me.

That day, she helped her inebriated father back to the tent, and in his haze, he started to talk.

As he continued, Papá began to cry.

He was remembering his wife.

The flower that she pinned to her chest when he first met her.

A lilac. A beautiful lilac.

Right, it was a lilac.

How could I forget...?

Gracias, mija.

Take this fowlbeast back with you.

Are you sure?

Rafaela, mija.

There are some things that I thought I'd only say to Ernesto. I never thought I'd have to say any of this to you, too.

Once you've decided to do something, don't be a coward.

And never let anyone influence your thinking.

...alright.

Papá?

What is it?

If you told me what you told Hermano, then... will you tell him the same thing you told me?

Promise me.

I promise you.

You ready?

Thirty of us. Not one less.

Say, do you think Rafaela will come with?

Don't be an idiot.

Who didn't want to drag her into this before?

Hah, you're right about that.

Nothing good could come out of following a bunch of men who are doomed to die who-knows-where tomorrow.

You want to die tomorrow?

If you ask me, I think today would do just fine.

Rafaela, you're back.

How's the Colonel?

He's the same as he ever was.

Wait... Why did you bring the fowlbeast back out?

It's his choice.

Impossible.

There's no way he's okay with dying in prison.

You brat... you tricked us.

You talked him out of it, didn't you?

Candela's lackeys have been watching you the whole time.

I don't want you to get yourselves killed.

You've always been so kind, mija.

But I told you. We don't really have a lot of opportunities left.

Out of the way.

...No.

I won't let you through.

The leader turns to his teammates behind him and nods to signal their impending attack.

This is a hideout of the remnants of Pancho's forces. Intelligence shows that they are planning to break Pancho out of prison.

Her orders are to kill every last one of them.

(Quietly) 3, 2, 1—

—Huh?

Candela's lackeys find themselves dumbfounded by what they see.

Inside the room, there are only a bunch of groaning soldiers on the ground and a girl standing in the middle.

She is holding a giant scythe. Its blade reflects a cold, awe-inspiring ray of light that lands on her face, revealing two dried up trails of tears.

What happened?

Señora, they've been like this the moment we entered.

Oh?

You're Ernesto's...

I'm an operator from Rhodes Island. Codename La Pluma.

A Rhodes Island operator... What are you doing here?

I happened across these guerrillas hiding a stash of weapons, so I dealt with them.

This is a Dossoles matter. You should have notified my subordinates as soon as you found them.

Sorry, Ms. Candela, but it was an emergency.

I'm sorry myself, that is not enough of a reason.

Before Candela can finish, her subordinates have already leveled their weapons on La Pluma.

Just then—

It's me.