level_act28side_08_beg

Hold on for ten more minutes. Blacksteel's convoy will be here soon.

That's not going to take us to the energy tower.

I'll stay behind... Y'all go on ahead.

How much time can you buy us?

How much time do you need?

At least... half an hour?

Woodrow draws his revolver from its holster and counts the bullets.

...An hour, maybe? You need time to set the explosives, too.

More than enough.

Woodrow...

Goodbye, Woodrow.

Hurry. Right, Jessica...

What is it, sir?

Thanks... Thanks for bringing it all the way here.

Woodrow fixes his hat and turns around to walk down the long street. Soon, his silhouette has disappeared into the night, leaving only a farewell ringing in the air.

Until we meet again, friends.

Sir, we've finished testing the propulsion equipment. The Engineering team is double checking the connection's structural integrity now.

Sir?

What's the ETA for our departure?

Everything should be ready by Wednesday.

Good... Very good.

P-Pardon me, but I have something to report.

I'll take my leave, then.

Alright...

What is it?

The team stationed on the plate has requested backup. They say a gang of robbers have blown open the bank's vault door and stolen all the reserve funds inside.

There are four of them... and they've all been identified. It's Mr. Bianchi and his friends, as well as...

As well as who?

As well as Miss Brynley.

...Huh.

Should we send anyone, considering that you just sent away all the security personnel stationed at the bank the other day...?

Let's prioritize preparing to tow the plate. No need to stop the work we have on hand. But... send out anyone we have to spare.

One more thing. Considering Miss Brynley's unique status, should we...?

Don't hurt her. We have to save face for the Brynleys, after all. As for Woody... I don't see us subduing him uninjured.

Forget it... Just make sure he stays alive. As for the rest, let the troops do as they see fit.

Alright, understood.

Right, which one's carrying the cash?

Still unclear.

No matter who it is, send Tila and have her keep a close eye.

H-Have you heard the news? Jessica...

We have to do something. The order from above is that, aside from Jessica and Woodrow, the teams can deal with everyone else as they see fit. That's all it says.

...Franka.

Tell everyone to prepare to deploy. We got the order to hunt them down, too.

And you're going to follow it?

...We can help them, or we could take them in. But either way it's a race against time.

We need to find them before anyone else does.

Helena, Leone, this is as far as I can take you.

I'm hearing sounds of transports that aren't from main street. Blacksteel probably sent additional men after us, just as we anticipated.

Are we going through with the plan?

Yeah, I'll stay outside to lure them away.

Godspeed... Leave this last leg of the journey to us.

Phew... Okay, Jessica...

Now you can only trust yourself.

Looks like Blacksteel will be dragging the plate off to the city in the next couple days. They have only a few guys guarding the door. Bet they have everyone else working on the connection.

Perfect... Won't be too hard to deal with, then.

How are those soldiers doing...?

Sleeping like babies. Might wake up with a sore neck though.

We need to hurry. If we want to blow up the power plant and seal off that passage completely, we need to set up the explosives there.

Look at those car lights... the Blacksteel people must be getting close to the mine.

Helena... you should go. I can take care of this by myself.

Leone...

Your job is more important.

We still haven't broken through their defenses?

Not a single car can get close to the central avenue.

How many robbers are there out on the street?

Just one... a Sankta.

Is the backup here yet?

Not yet.

Let's stop the car here... Have everyone still with us bring their gear. We'll go around the road and break through from there.

Ambush up ahead...

Going by the bullet marks... That's Blacksteel etched ammo. Good news, we found our princess.

...Give me the amplifier.

Ahem... Miss Brynley. Whatever your reasons are for participating in this robbery, we won't make this hard on you as long as you cooperate and turn yourself in.

(Whispers) Draw her attention. I'll send out a drone to track her.

Stay back. I'm not surrendering.

(Whispers) The bullet came from that diner over there.

(Whispers) Let's get in position. We'll attack as soon as we're ready.

Miss Brynley, you may not understand what's going to happen to you after this. You will be sent to prison, be abandoned by your friends and family, and society will look at you with disdain... Can you really bear all that?

Sir... With all due respect, I've worked with everyone at Blacksteel for a long time now. I'm not the naive rich girl I used to be.

I know better than anyone what the price of this is.

But I still have to do it...

There are some things you just do, no matter the price.

That guy up ahead... That him?

Sure, he looks like a normal old man, but you see those transports flipped upside down? He did that.

Like a wandering lost soul, the figure stands still in the middle of the road, under the flickering streetlights.

Kid... Is there something you can't say to my face?

He can hear us from this far away?

I've lived in far noisier places than this. I only survived this long thanks to my sharp ears.

A legendary mercenary like you must have a lot of awe-inspiring stories to tell.

A legendary mercenary... Now that's the first time anyone's described me like that.

There's a long corridor in Blacksteel where pictures of our founder and his war buddies are hung. I saw one with you and our boss in it. It's inconspicuous, but I noticed it.

What a shame... My stories ain't as legendary as you think. All I've been through is war.

That doesn't matter... Actually, I've wanted to fight the boss for quite a well, too. Still, he's the boss. I can't exactly pull a gun on him.

But if you and him are in the same picture, old man, I wonder what that says about your skills.

Rotten.

You mean so rotten you could throw a dozen of our teams for a loop and single-handedly keep us pinned down on this street?

I mean so rotten that everyone I ever wanted to save died a miserable death right in front of me. Everything I ever wanted to protect fell before my eyes.

Those I loved chose to leave me. Those I despised, I couldn't kill with my own hands.

I ain't no legend... I'm just an old failure of a beckbeast.

An old beckbeast guarding the only bones that he has left.

When he sees the old man's fingertip twitch, the mercenary keenly realizes that something terrible is about to go down.

He aims his weapon at the target as fast as he can, but a bullet pierces his shoulder first.

Ugh—!

Dammit, I can't even see what he's doing.

So how come I'm starting to think this is getting fun?

Stop approaching him, you madman!

Careful. Not a step closer, kid.

...I'm putting everything on the line for this.

So you came in here anyway.

Miss Brynley, bullets can ricochet indoors. I don't want to hurt you.

I don't want to hurt you, either. Please take everyone with you and leave.

I'm sorry, but this is the mission handed down to us. Not everyone's a princess like you, who can do whatever she pleases.

I'm so sorry about all this...

The girl's voice is coming from behind the booth seats. It is soft and with a hint of doubt. Just like the mercenary's first impression of her—sensitive and cowardly.

He carefully inches forward with his handgun drawn and held up next to his face.

This...

There is no one sitting in the booth. Just a sniper rifle on the table. The device on the trigger ensures it can be remotely controlled.

A communication device sits beside it. The girl's voice can be heard through its speakers.

...I really am sorry.

The target is not in the rear kitchen.

Second floor is clear.

Not outside, either.

She's not here...

Hurry and withdraw immediately. This is a feint—

If you know I do whatever I please... why did you expect me to act exactly how you anticipated?

No, don't withdraw yet!

A fiery beam of light crashes into the ground outside the window.

All units! Get down—

Before he can finish, there is a loud explosion.

A tire crashes through the window and, still smoking and on fire, makes a few loops on the ground before falling to the glass-strewn floor.

...All blown up. Without any transports, it'll take some time for them to make it to the power plant.

That's plenty.

Were there more of them?

Looks like I need to hurry.

According to the plan, you'll leave through this secret passage, and I'll set off the power plant. Once this place explodes, no one will find the passage.

Leone...

Do you have a map of the route?

Yeah.

This path is connected to the underground sewer system. The passages there are complicated and twisty. Only one will lead you outside the plate.

Jessica hid some transports and supplies near the exit. Avoid military stations on the way to the frontier... There's bound to be plenty of thugs and bandits, too.

Leone, how many times have we been over this already? As for the dangers of the road, Woodrow's talked my ear off about them already. Yes, it's dangerous, we all know that.

I'm just worried...

I don't like making promises, you know.

But I can promise you this: No matter what happens, I'll do everything to reach my destination. Even if I fall—

You won't.

You won't, Helena. Because I'll be right behind you. I'll take down every obstacle that slows you down.

That's my promise to you.

You just need to keep running straight ahead. Remember, keep going straight. Don't look back.

I will, Leone... Goodbye...

Now go. Hurry.

He looks on as the dark, narrow tunnel engulfs Helena's silhouette. Finally, he can't help but turn around to take a look at the plant's generator in the center of the room.

There is barely anyone left on the plate, but the fire in the furnace burns as strong as ever.

The flames are reflected in his eyes. Dancing, stirring, leaping.

Yet even that is unable to melt the frigid ice lying in their depths.

Now... It's just you and me.

You're late. The old Sankta's gone.

Where did he go...?

The mine.

You're wounded...

It's fine. He held back... Ugh... I almost had him. Dammit.

...One suggestion. If you girls run into him, try attacking his left shoulder.

What—

I appreciate the advice. Now if you'll excuse us.

Faster... I have to hurry...

Leone sets the explosives on the wall and lifts his hand to wipe all the sweat that's gathered on his brow, but the heat immediately causes his skin to sweat even more.

Hurry...

His lips start chapping. His saliva no longer serves to moisten his throat and mouth.

Faster...

He sticks another one onto the wall, then another, and another...

The light of the intense fire sweeps into the bottom of his eyes, seemingly tearing his soul in two. One half supports his body's movements so that he can keep working.

While the other half has left his body entirely and stands firm in front of the furnace, staring into the raging fire.

As he attaches another stick of dynamite to the wall, he notices someone walking toward him from the light of the fire.

Come with me, Leone. We'll head to the frontier. That's where our new home is.

Miles... Don't go. Where are you going?

Another stick of dynamite is set on the wall. Miles turns toward the furnace, and a small shadow emerges.

I'm planning to leave Davistown. I don't want to stay here anymore. I'm leaving, Dad.

Benny...

Don't leave me... You're the only child I have left... Don't leave me like Carl did!

Another stick of dynamite on the wall. The fire engulfs Benny, and twists into a tall, young man.

Good news, Dad. There's a mercenary company that thinks I'm pretty good. They say I'm a good fit for the gig... I'll be leaving in a few days.

No... Don't go. I won't let you.

You'll die on the battlefield, Carl!

Another stick of dynamite. The young man turns into a fireball and explodes in all directions.

No... Carl, come back!

The final stick of dynamite is set up on the wall.

A woman emerges from the fireball. He no longer remembers what she looked like, but he never once forgot her voice.

Mom...

Leone...

I have to go now. I'm sorry... I can't support you anymore...

Mom... Don't apologize. I'm doing well here.

Leone, sorry for leaving you all alone.

No, Mom. I have a family here... Everyone here is my family.

Goodbye, Leone.

Stay here, Mom...

Stay here... with me.

Leone, how are things going on your end?

The explosives are all in the place... Once they're set off, the plant will explode in no time. Then, after the energy tower comes crashing down, no one will ever find that passage again.

When are you leaving? I've lured the nearby mercenaries away, so I'm on my way there to pick you up.

No... Don't come.

Have you already left?

No, it's just... I don't want to go.

But...

Jessica, tell this to Sylvia for me.

No... I won't. If you have something to tell her, tell her yourself.

She's... She's a clever girl, and still so young. A nice girl. If she finds a good man in the frontier, she should let herself fall in love again.

I want her to be happy... God... why'd I have to treat her like that? If I'd known Carl was going to...

Carl...?

No... Forget what I said. Tell her... Tell her I'm glad she still remembers and loves Carl...

But he's gone... He's not here anymore...

The living... deserve a choice...

The living... shouldn't be bogged down by the dead...

You deserve a choice, too. You need to live, and leave this place. You'll get to start fresh in the future.

Don't do anything stupid, I'm begging you! Think about Woodrow and Helena. They'll be heartbroken!

And Benny! He just started school. He's got a bright future ahead of him. Don't you want to see what kind of man he'll become? Don't you want to see your son again?!

And Miles... He's still waiting for you...

But... she wants me to stay...

Who?

♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪

♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪

Listen to me, Jessica. I can't leave this place. Because... Because that woman left me here on a rainy spring day.

It was the perfect day for a seedling to take root and sprout. My... My roots have grown too deep. No one can pluck me out anymore.

Leone...

It's gonna be a big bang. Cover your ears. Don't be afraid, and don't be sad.

My life didn't begin the day I was born. It began the day I got here.

In the same way, my death won't be on the day my life comes to an end. It'll be the day I leave this place.

Leone, please...

Don't worry, Jessica. I won't die. Because I'll be here forever...

I'll live forever in her embrace...

No—!

A loud explosion rings out high up above, and its massive shockwave shoves Jessica to the ground.

She tries her hardest to get up and move her legs, to run forward, but she finds herself unable to budge. Her body has never felt so heavy before.

She lifts her head up to look into the distance. A thick cloud of smoke is gushing out of a giant fissure in the tower's body.

The rubble mercilessly pummels the ground alongside a shower of sparks, turning the nearby buildings into wreckage beyond recognition.

No...

A frigid wind blows toward her from afar, turning everything before her into nothing but a hazy blur, and leaving the corners of her eyes feeling awfully cold.

She reaches her fingers up toward the sky, as though she is trying to grasp something in the haze.

She blinks, and her vision starts to clear up. She sees a snowflake.

It's snowing.

Is that... the power plant? Hurry, Franka, drive faster!

You hear that, you stupid car?! Faster!

Did... Did it work?

Jessica... What's the situation there?

Leone... respond...

...I'm not getting a signal.

Dammit.

Helena stops in her tracks, and considers turning back to look.

The underground passage's structure, fragile to begin with, is unable to withstand the explosion on the surface. The fissures on the walls are rapidly spreading as far out as she can see.

Almost as if underlining the fact that she is walking a path of no return.

And so, in the end, she doesn't turn around. Instead, she keeps running.

She simply throws herself into the hidden tunnel, and towards the unknown up ahead.

...I really have gotten old.

Couldn't even dodge a little explosion like that...

That's... toward the energy tower.

Jessica...

Woodrow...

What's the situation at the energy tower? Has Helena entered the underground passage yet?

What happened?

Leone... said he was staying... He said he didn't want to leave...

I didn't see him come out...

I waited... Maybe I missed him...

Does Helena know?

I... I can't reach her...

Are you crying?

Am I? I think I am.

*sigh*... It's all over now. You'll be fine. Let's see... You're from Blacksteel, and a Brynley. They won't touch you.

Where are you going, Woodrow? Can... Can I come look for you?

I still got some stuff to take care of... Can't go bringing you with me.

...Will I ever see you again?

Maybe, Jessica... Maybe.

Woodrow leans on the wall. He feels dazed and dizzy, and the burn wound on his shoulder aches.

He takes out the bullet from his pocket. He can barely make it out under the faint moonlight, so all he does is rub its engraving.

(In Lateran) Forgiveness... Damned right.

May this bullet forgive what my heart cannot.