level_act39side_03_end

Watch out! Steam pillar.

So this is your brilliant plan? To have us all die here?

Sorry... I'll be more careful.

The test tube that Isidro throws bursts in mid-air, creating a golden mist.

The mist is soon dispersed by a faintly red jet of air.

Followed by a powerful burst of steam.

This will let us predict the steam bursts.

But I don't have too many left. We'll need to hurry.

Hmph...

Wreckage ahead, Javier. Watch out.

I could blow it up.

No need. I know what you can do, chaval.

Okay... this ship looks like it's been here for a while.

It's the first salt ship Juana ever built. She thought it could take us through Skeletal Reef and back to the sea.

She failed.

And lost almost everything.

You see any trace of the boss?

Yes. Not far now.

The ship continues sailing, past a row of towering bone spikes. The cracks running through the surface are filled with blood.

Saltfin blood. Don't let it get to you.

Isidro picks up a piece of salt that rolled down from the cliffs and throws it out.

He opens his palm, and finds it sticky with the blood from the salt.

There's blood everywhere. What kind of fight happened here?

Is the boss even alive?

We'll find out soon.

Past the bone pillars, a massive saltfin lies lifeless on the ground, its skull punctured by a helm wheel.

The master of the wheel lays still on its back, blood dripping down her feet.

Señora...

Juana... no...

They disembark and climb the beast's back. Javier touches the woman's arm. It is still warm, but that fact fills him with even more sorrow.

I'm sorry. We were too late.

*Cough* *Cough*... Yes, you were.

S-Señora?!

And there I was, hoping I wouldn't need to do all the work myself.

Are you okay, boss? You're covered in blood.

It's not mine. It put up a good fight, but I outlasted it.

You got anything to drink, Isidro?

Of course.

Juana takes the bottle, climbs down the saltfin's back, and sits down, leaning against it.

She takes a few swigs, and looks at the crowd that had gathered with a smile on her face.

Saltfin garum... What a shame. What I wouldn't do for some fine rum right about now.

Could you lend me a shoulder, Isidro? I have to admit I'm rather spent after all that.

Me?

I'll do it.

Let the boy do it. You folks need to start butchering this saltfin.

And take that wheel out for me, won't you, Javi?

Sí, señora.

Over here, boy.

A-Alright.

Now, now, you never rush a lady. Always let her finish her business.

Juana unhurriedly downs the liquid in the bottle, casually tossing the bottlecap into the air and catching it with her other hand. Isidro can only watch and wait.

There is movement in Juana's throat from time to time. She takes her time swallowing.

Or, rather, it takes great effort for her to swallow.

(Whisper) Why are you hiding your injury?

(Whisper) Just hold on to me, steady now...

(Whisper) Argh...

(Whisper) Listen, joven. I can't get hurt.

(Whisper) Fleet morale has been shaky enough already... I have to seem invincible.

(Whisper) You just gave them an entire month's worth of meals.

(Whisper) They'd take care of you.

(Whisper) I'm not worried about betrayal, but... if I go down, they'll think the situation is dire, and that's when they start panicking.

(Whisper) So, keep me steady... I don't want to fall on my face in front of everyone.

(Whisper) Argh...

(Whisper) Your ribs are cracked. I can't hold you too hard.

(Whisper) It's alright... I can take it.

Señor Calificador, there is a salt ship approaching from the southwest.

Hand me your scope.

Seems like they've had quite the catch. Just look at that thing they're dragging behind...

Would you like to see for yourself?

No need.

...I'll give the order to attack.

Silver raises the spyglass. Through the round lens, he sees a skull flag flapping in the wind.

In all his years on the Salt Flat, he had never looked forward to it so much.

How is it?

Enough for everyone, and then some.

Good. Then we'll have plenty of materials to repair the compass.

...I guess.

Señora... I...

Yes?

Leave the rest to me. You're tired; you need rest.

...I suppose you're right. I know I can count on you.

Need any help getting back to your quarters?

Just do your job. I'm exhausted, not crippled.

...Aye aye.

Got a question, chaval.

Yeah?

Is the boss hurt?

Why would you think that? There's nothing wrong with her.

Don't lie to me. Liars get lashes in this crew, you know.

Of course.

*Sigh*...

Are you worried?

Of course I am. She never shows weakness in front of the others. I hardly ever see her get injured... but for some reason she keeps getting new scars.

If she's hurt, I don't want her to hide it from us.

...She'll be fine.

Target in range!

Fire at will.

Argh—!

What was that?!

It's the Inquisition!

Where's my wheel?

They came for our quarry.

But you're... I'll go! Just wait inside!

And watch as the Inquisition takes what's mine? Never.

Juana!

Juana!!

Promise me you'll—

Look out!

What the—

Argh—!

Ambush! Take cover!

Mierda, it's the Inquisition!

What's going on?

Wish I knew. Someone must've leaked our hunting route.

Teach! Those finshits came for our catch!

Tell me something I don't know! What about the guards?

They were caught by surprised. We've got casualties.

Tell them to pull back!

What about the saltfin?

Is that meat more important than our lives?

Full speed ahead! Shake them!

I'm not part of your crew, though. I'll check on the saltfin.

Argh—

The guards around the saltfin have been neutralized. We cut the rope. They can't pull the meat with them.

And the remaining pirates?

Hiding inside the ship.

A shame... We could have taken the ship too if we had more men.

What of the Alguacil?

Went to pursue the ones who fled.

Tell him to return. We have the saltfin. No need to overextend ourselves.

Señor!

A massive helm wheel flies towards Silver. He jumps back in the nick of time and almost falls backwards.

A woman in black leaps down from the salt ship, catching the flying helm wheel in her hand.

Where do you think you're going with my catch, Inquisitor?

You... The corrupting Ægir.

Oh, it's you, joven. I thought you might grow up a little when you became calificador, but it seems you're no different from your treacherous predecessor, Silver.

Always looking to stab people in the back.

Did you expect to be treated kindly, sinner?

Was I being too nice? Would you prefer to continue this conversation with the sword?

Did you perhaps think that by killing the arbiter of justice you would become one?

I was wondering what got you bold enough to venture into the Salt Flat. You found a backer.

That woman is the leader of the pirates, Señor Alguacil!

Then you're the mastermind behind the theft of the compass... Tell me, do you cling to it even now?

And what loathsome desires has it drawn out from you?

(Damn it, my wounds... I can't dodge!)

Are you out of your mind? He almost hit you.

(Whisper) Silence, joven. Do you think I <i>wanted</i> to get hit?

We need to get back to the ship. That guy's too strong for us. We can't fight him like this.

Ah, we meet again.

Then you shall receive judgment together.

We need to go! They came prepared, while we're exhausted!

If you're not going to help, then stay out of my way!

Teach just gave the order to sail! You'll be left behind!

The ship needs to shake them! We can't wait for you!

You go back.

Juana tries to stand, but cannot find the strength.

The Alguacil and warrior priests approach. In the distance, Silver stands atop her catch with a smug expression.

Enough food to feed the fleet for a month. Important materials for repairing the compass.

She cannot afford to lose it, if she is to return to the ocean.

'Señora Juana! Come back!'

Juana hears Javier's voice calling to her from the ship's stern.

Grab Juana, chaval! We're throwing the ladder down!

Blood... your wounds have opened up!

What're you waiting for?! Get up here!

She must not pass out. Her crew needs her. There is a future she must lead her fleet into.

She made a promise to Cruz.

Don't let them get away!

Yes, sir!

Señora Juana!

Juana!

Señora Juana!

Shut... up...

She can withstand the pain and darkness back no longer. They overcome her.

Ugh...

Juana! You're awake.

I...

Don't worry, we're safe.

Argh... where's Teach?

She's busy elsewhere. I'm here by your side.

What about the boy... Where did he go? Did he run away...?

No, he brought you back.

Do you want to see him? I can go get him.

What is he doing?

...He's with Teach, treating the crew members who were injured in the attack.

Aaaahhh— argh—!

I'm sorry, this ointment hurts when it's applied, but the bleeding should stop soon.

Now shut up and stop whining!

Go on... argh... I can... take it...

How's it going on your end?

(Shakes head) Not much we can do...

Bury the dead in the salts as soon as we can.

Aye... Come with me, chaval. Cesc wants to see you.

Is he hurt?

Got shot in the liver. He's on his last legs... said he wanted to see you.

...Take me to him.

Isidro makes his way through the wounded, a bowl of hot soup in hand.

Amongst the many pale faces, he sees a familiar one, smiling at him with what little strength it has left.

He sits beside the wounded man and smiles back.

You're damn ugly when you smile... you know that?

Sounds like you're in good spirits.

Here, I brought you some soup. You'll feel better.

No... don't waste it.

Thanks for coming to see me... and for saving my hide back then.

I wanted to ask... why did you save me...?

I've thought I was going to die so many time over my journeys.

But every time, I was lucky enough to meet someone who cared. I know how it feels to be waiting for death.

It's not pleasant.

I... *cough* I never knew a damn thing about you... Tell me more...

You got... a home?

No, I don't.

A family?

Not any I grew up with. My parents left when I was very young.

...I see.

How 'bout you tell him where you learned your bag of tricks?

Sure...

Some different people took pity on me and taught me how to survive. Bits and pieces, here and there.

There was a teacher who taught me how to use a sword.

We lived together for a long time. I learned a lot from him.

Must've invested a lot in you.

Yeah. He raised me as his successor.

Why didn't... you stay... with him...

I couldn't live that way. He made me feel safe.

What's... wrong with that?

Nothing's worse than feeling safe. It makes you let your guard down. But nowhere is truly safe.

You know, amigo...

You don't have a home... don't like feeling safe, don't want to settle down... living side-by-side with danger...

You were... born to be a pirate...

Maybe I was.

Isidro says no more. The soup has long since become cold in the night wind of the Salt Flat.

He raises the bowl and takes a sip. It has been a month, and he is already used to its thick, salty flavor.