shotst

*cough* *cough* *cough*—my throat... ghaagh—*cough* *cough* *cough*...

(The back of my hand's... bloody. Did I cut it?)

Uncle! Uncle, are you still alright? Un... cle... are you all...

Answer me! Agh—*cough* *cough*—answer me... *urk*.

Me... teor... come here...

Oh, Uncle! Go on, I'm listening!

We're—*cough* *cough*... all so sorry for you... but Lana... she asked you...

Uncle! Uncle!

How could this happen?

How is everything I do wrong? How is everything I do useless...?

How...

By all rights, her face should be scorched dry by the blistering air, yet Meteor feels wet droplets, rolling down.

(Rubs back of hand against cheek)

Ugh—dammit, I can't believe I'm remembering that at a time like this.

Ohhhh, my child...

(What's that noise? Is there someone crying?)

Ohhh, my child! You wretch, why save me? You should've left me to die, how could you not save our child?!

Darling, it's my fault, I couldn't save our girl... ohh, my precious baby, Daddy's so sorry... *sobbing*

Why are you still here? Get out of here, quick!

Go? How? We can't go a step more. Our whole lives are ruined here... ohhh...

Miss. My leg's hurt. I can't walk. Get my wife out of here, forget about me. Quick, move!

I'm not going—*sobbing*—We're together as a family, and we'll die as a family. Ohhh, my child.

What's happening? Is there still someone inside?

Yes—*sobbing*—my girl's still in there. We were in a rush, and I—I was only in time to rescue my wife, and I left—the disgrace I am, I left my child in there... *sobbing*

Okay, sir. Save your breath. Do you still remember which part of the house your child was in?

You won't be time—the fire's too big. Get my wife out of here. It's all hopeless.

(Grasps the man's collar) Where is she?!

In her bedroom—s—southmost part of the attic.

Got it. Look after your lady.

Watch out—

*cough* *cough*...

Darling? Darling, what's wrong? Someone, anyone! Save her!

(It's all burning too fast. My eyes hurt so much.)

Little girl, can you hear me? *cough* *cough* *cough*....

(South of the attic... oh, there!)

Agh, hot—*cough* *cough*.

(Can only kick it open.)

(I can't see anything clear. Dammit, all this thick smoke.)

Is anyone there? *cough* *cough*—

Save... help me...

(That voice came from the wardrobe!)

I've found you. Oh, thank goodness.

Daddy... mo...

She's losing consciousness already. Hold on, I'll take you away from here.

(Lifts up the girl)

Only when Meteor looks back does she realize the way she came has now been engulfed by the inferno.

The scarlet blaze trails along the walls, stairs and doorframe as it spreads, the searing licks roiling and twisting without end, attempting to charge for the two in the room, lapping at their clothes and skin.

(Agh, now what do I do?!)

Dammit—it's collapsing!

*cough* *cough* *cough*—*hiss*, *huff*—

(I think my back got struck. It hurts. Right, the child!)

(Phew... wonderful, she's alright. No, I need to think of a way to get out fast, I need to get up.)

Argh, it really does hurt.

H-Help... me...

I'll help you, I'll help you, I absolutely will.

(Looks all around)

(There's a gap there. I think I can climb through. It should be from when the wall fell in the collapse just now.)

(This hole is too small, I can't make it in. I can only get the child through first.)

Meteor, are you there?! *cough* *cough* *cough* Where are you?

Keira!!

Is that Keira?! I'm in here, I'm in here! South, there's a small hole here!

Meteor! Ah, I see you! How'll we get through a hole this small? What now? *whimper*

Don't cry, don't mind me for now. The child, get the child away!

Meteor!

Grab onto the child, careful of any splinters.

What about you then, Meteor?! I'll go find Fêng, you wait for me, hold on—

Listen, forget about me, you won't make it. Get the child away quick. Go.

Meteor, no, I can't do that, I'll find some way. We can definitely make it back together. Eargh—

Eek—no, it's too heavy, Keira, we can't push it apart!

We'll try again! Hold onto my hand, and don't let go, Meteor!

Quickly, go! Or else you'll be in danger too!

Damn it all, get the child out of here!!

Meteor!!!!

Meteor...

Lana... I've been waiting for so long...

(Shakes head)

I'm sorry.

Why?

I couldn't save you, and I couldn't save everyone. In the end... I couldn't protect a single thing...

No, you've already done so well. It's enough, now... it's enough.

Were you waiting for me to go with you?

No. I came to say goodbye.

Goodbye?

(Hugging) I'm leaving, Meteor. Don't come with me.

You're going, in the end?

Yes. Don't cry. You're the bravest little hunter. You've still got such a long road to walk, and still so many people who need you.

I miss you, so much. I really do.

I miss you too, but it's time now. Go on, let me go.

See you...

Meteor, you're awake. How do you feel?

Mi...

Making it out alive with injuries as serious as that, it's nothing short of a miracle.

...na.

You'd better not pull this next time, heading on missions without any regard for your own safety. Both me and Gianna were worried sick about you.

Pfffheh.

Agh! That hurts.

What are you laughing about?! You've got burns all over your back, your windpipe's burnt, you have a fracture in your spinal column... do you want me to keep tallying for you?

I thought... you'd be crying your... eyes out over me—*cough* *cough*!

What, is that the kind of person I am to you?

Oof... *huff*. Sorry, Mina, for causing you and all of the Medical such hassle.