ghost

I've been dying to report it to you, Captain. Skadi's changed massively. She keeps coming to my room, singing songs, telling stories.

The uptight little idiot, laying the tragedy of that entire disaster all on herself. All because she fought the Ægir's miserable destiny head-to-head?

I'm not.

Let's go, Skadi. She's spent too long not talking. She won't stop now.

Of course, I've got so much more I want to say. But I can let you have the first word, Skadi. When I can't open my eyes, or move my body, I can still hear your voice. You've asked me leagues of questions.

Some of them... are no longer important.

Some truths have already been revealed.

As for you... Specter, I have thought of asking you before. But I should not expose those emotions to you... at least, right now I shouldn't.

Not like it matters much. If you think of anything at all, talk to me, no holds barred, Skadi. But...

...I recommend you do it before the dark descends once more... the 'spirits' still have life...

Yes?

Specter, did you just...

Tch. Nothing major. Just a godawful old habit.

Really? If those ideas that maddened you are polluting your thoughts once again, then we have to hurry back immediately.

What use would hurrying back be? Medical systems on dry land do absolutely nothing for me. They keep me alive, and that's it.

...But...

Regardless, pick up the pace.

Shark, Skadi. Our time is not so plentiful.

Hahah. Skadi, is this what you're thinking? Three estranged, adrift old friends are back together again, but we get something so simple and perfunctory for it?

No. I only wanted to confirm the actual situation.

Hah, 'actual.' What's the point? Abyssal Hunters only communicate what they need to know with each other. This is how we have always been, fundamentally.

It's started up again... inside my head, within my spine, something's stirring outwards. It hurts...

It took so much to break out... and now I'm right back on the way to madness. Hahah, what else can I even do? In this hellish state, do I have anything worth doing?

Mm... right... what can I get done?

Fighting. Right, that's the one.

Sawing a thing or two apart is what I'm best at. Something I can do no matter my state.

Even if I fall into darkness once more, I can still rely on this... as proof of myself. I fight. So I am Specter, I am Shark, I am Laurentina. There'll be those who remember me.

Northern Iberia

If we go by Dame Kal'tsit's plans, our support should be right here, right now. Misery, was that the name?

But I don't see one single person who looks like Rhodes Island. How'd this happen?

Do you copy? Skadi, Specter, and Lady Gladiia.

We're here.

I'm with Misery's squad.

The fact that we made contact means we can't be far from each other. We're very sorry we didn't show up at the appointed position, but Rhodes Island's Iberia field team has run into some trouble.

Dame Kal'tsit isn't one to allow such error under her control.

Undoubtedly. This accident was beyond her plans. There was an ambush, and we can't confirm the Rhodes Island team's status... to borrow your words, it's one of those 'pains of dry land.'

Captain Misery says once it's sorted out, we'll rendezvous.

How long will it take?

Hmm... two hours, if we rush over. We're the closest to you.

We're going to sit here and wait? Unacceptable. Captain, why don't we just—

This is not an operation we have any choice in. I and Rhodes Island have not formally established cooperation yet.

Yeah, yeah... Skadi, what do you think? How would the Rhodes Island operator in you take it?

With... the lift of a finger.

Great minds think alike.

Your attitudes towards the people on dry land have come to resemble each other.

Then give it a go, Captain, join in the fun. We've all got the same objective, anyhow. If it gets us back to Rhodes Island sooner, what's the harm in helping a little along the way?

Also, how long has it been since we last fought together? That battle just now could hardly scratch the itch.

Even if... Fine, I can imagine facing off with land idiots won't take much effort. It probably wouldn't even leave the slightest wound.

You two. One only ever says what she has to, the other skirts and sidesteps and never wants to say what's weighing on her mind. You suffocate me, both of you.

Forget it, I'm making the call! Rhodes Island, heads up, we'll come and provide support. We'll clean up the battlefield faster that way.

From what Dame Kal'tsit told us, you three have been through a fierce battle. Are you going to go jump straight into a new one?

Hah, it's only a bit of a wake-up for us. She could never hold sway over our choices. And say what you like, our verdict's unanimous.

—I need to confirm, this is a sign you're willing to provide us assistance?

It'll only be the lift of a finger.

I have no interest in aiding any wave of landwalkers. I am even antipathic. However, nor will I have any guilt in destroying the other wave.

Our stance is very clear, Rhodes Islanders.

There's no time... Ah, the lure of the darkness, it encroaches step by step.

Oh, 'Sister,' heed my command, respond to my hope, scatter the true essence of my mind forth...

Hk—*cough*, *hack*... stop!

Specter? It's happening again, you're...

No... hah... hahah... don't you pity me.

I'm not... I'm just worried.

I know what you're afraid of... Skadi. The hourglass really is flowing far too fast... but I can still hold on.

But forget any of that... we're the survivors. We've got so much we can take our time with, talk about...

It's not the time to talk about any of that. And besides, we're Abyssal Hunters, Skadi. Sharing our experiences might be exciting, but it's not quite the point.

Just like before, Abyssal Hunters' communication—comes through song and battle. That's the most important thing.

Captain, you don't pay much mind in battle, do you?

Right. If you say you're fine, I will not ask further.

That's the ticket. Let's go. Let me fight sober once again... it's been long, this self-determined joy.

*cough*... hrgh—*cough*...

Are you alright there, Specter?

(Waves hand)

You're already... in terrible shape. Where are you going now?

Heheh... where am I headed... right. Before time's up, I still have to hand in that holiday assignment you arranged for me.

Me?

You had me receive those 'kindnesses' for the landwalkers' Christmas. Apart from a cut-and-bone-dry gift... don't tell me you weren't meaning for me to gain some other, extra sentiments?

I had no other motive... I just didn't want you to miss it.

Hah, the others don't know what you used to be like... but me and the Captain know who you really are.

You've changed too much, Skadi. Your heart... is much too soft—even a landwalker can warm it. That's why you tried to return the favor.

Then what about you? You were snatched away by the Church... and rescued by Rhodes Island, and now you've united with your colleagues once again. How do you look upon this dry land?

Me? Hm... Aside from revulsion, contempt and ridicule for those Church plankton worshipping the sea, I've never had much serious talk with the people of Rhodes Island.

You know, they have no idea how to take in what I say, and they'd never understand Ægir life. They wouldn't have the first clue about the simple tools we use every day.

Rhodes Island? In terms of living life... it's a pain, a pain in the ass!

I won't argue that.

But there are places where their hearts and ours might agree.

Yes... vast creation's master, in the darkness, spies on it all alike...

It seeks, it coaxes... it will herein once again descend... ugh...

Specter, can you... still walk?

(...I don't have much time.)

Forget it. Let's drop it, Skadi, we talked enough on the way back, and I've still got a few things I need to see through.

Also... those 'never met,' or those landwalkers I've only seen once. I guess I should meet them one last time, in the end.

If you need me to help, then.

Hah, don't bother. With two Abyssal Hunters walking side by side, how would those landbound asses not piss themselves in awe?

I'll leave the very last of my strength for the idiots of the land... however many I can meet... will be however many who can remember me. Ah, but what's the goddamned point?

In the end, it's like Dame Kal'tsit says. It's only 'cause I'm needed that I'm still here, alive.

Or maybe... hm.

Dame Kal'tsit mentioned it. How I had those 'new friends.'

Friends? The land people...? Hah.

In any case, if I don't meet them in person, greet them directly, then I'll never know peace.

Off I go.