level_main_16-07_beg

At least eat something, Hawley.

Look, white bread. You don't see it much outside the cities.

*sigh*...

<p=1>Far North Tundra, Ursus</><p=2>Three days ago...</>

Huh?

They've started singing...

Nikto! Found you at last.

Come on, Nikto, oddball, city-dweller, professor and cynic. Let's dance. It's just the right kind of music.

Now's not the time for dancing.

The bonfire is going to draw attention in this darkness.

But we found a tractor and a bunch of supplies. Not much, but enough to get us further away from the blasted place. Isn't that worth celebrating?

Unchipped, out of the mines, beat the Patrol Units, and now we have a tractor and supplies. It's beyond my wildest dreams.

Where are Vetochki and Rankin?

You're always looking for them. It's not like you're bound to each other. It's okay to give them a little breathing room, you know.

I do happen to know where Rankin is, though. Beside that bonfire that you don't like. Want to join us?

Last question. Who's playing the accordion?

You'll find out, if you come with!

Nikto takes the gloveless hand offered to him. The palm is rough but warm, different from any other in those memories that he has intentionally forgotten.

They walk in the direction of the bonfire and music.

He...

I said he was here.

Yes, he is here.

Many times Nikto saw him clench his hands into fists, or swing a weapon.

Nikto could not imagine how those hands, knotted with scars and thick with veins, could operate something as delicate as an accordion.

He plays the accordion?

Yeah. What about it?

By the fireside, Rankin's callused fingers leap across the keyboard, as he gently pulls and presses the bellows.

Music fills the air.

See? I told you.

Come, don't just stand there. It's not like we get to relax every day!

I...

She catches him like a hunter catches prey. As he is brought into the crowd, his feet instinctively begin to step in rhythm.

Nikto was once an excellent dance partner. He tried to stop thinking about 'once' when he came to the mining district.

Get that frown off your brow and everything off your mind. Just dance, let your body move and rid yourself of all your troubles.

The crowd moves and sings to the beat, responding to the rhythm with every joint in their bodies.

It is the simplest, most primitive form of dance.

...Hah.

Nikto exhales and begins to move, bending his knees, kicking and spinning, every movement animated and rhythmic.

I knew it! You can dance!

See? I figured no one could deny the energy here.

Nikto does not answer, continuing to kick and turn mechanically, unemotionally.

Step forward and step back, jump and turn, until the next downbeat.

He takes the hands of his dance partner, and begins to lead the dance.

Wow—

No need to thank me.

No humility in you, is there? But...

It's clear that you're really good at dancing, even to an untrained eye. Your speed, and this 'magic' under your feet... it's almost like flying.

What do they call it? <i>Pas?</i> E-<i>Enchainement?</i>

Call it the pathetic instincts of an ornament.

What do you mean—

There is no explanation. Stepping energetically in time, Nikto pulls his partner towards him, then pushes her in the opposite direction.

Laughing, she runs into a young man without a partner, but eager to try, and so Nikto lets go and hands her over to her new partner.

By the time the dance has ended, Nikto is standing very near Rankin. Take one step back, and he would be sitting by Rankin's side.

But Nikto does not do so. Before he opens his mouth, he reminds himself: Do not press. Ask Rankin about the truth calmly, gently. Do not cause a commotion.

Do not interrupt this rare moment of joy.

I didn't know you played the accordion.

I didn't know you danced.

I guess we're not close enough to share everything.

But there is something you must tell me, if you really consider me a friend.

You went to see Hawley. Is he still not eating?

What did you expect?

We need to talk, Rankin...

Rankin sighs, brings the melody to a close, and hands the accordion to a nearby miner.

Nikto recognizes the face of Pavel, Bogina's brother. Is Bogina still running a fever? He does not know.

Pavel takes the accordion and begins to sing an unfamiliar song.

Lively, soaring, yet sad.

'Sweet soft fragile flower, lean against the oak tree...'

'Hang not your head, nor sway with the wind...'

(Hushed) Let's talk over there.

Rankin gets up, and they leave the crowd and commotion behind.

You didn't need to do that.

You could have done it yourself, like you usually did. I would have praised you for your kindness, if you had sent Hawley away on some sort of pretext when you did the deed.

But why did you make Hawley do it?

'Rankin the Noble.' 'Rankin the Hero.' Is it not enough that you've triumphed over the foe? Did you need to torture your own comrades like that?

Does it make you happy? Make your victory more glorious? Why did you—

Because I was angry.

Yes... I won't make excuses, pretend that I expected Hawley to let his son go. This was what I wanted. I'm happy about it.

Should I be calm? Should I be merciful? End his pain like you said? Why should I?

Did you think the people who were loaded into their containers did not beg for mercy? Beg for someone to end their pain?

You accuse me of being unkind. Who would accuse those beasts on their behalf?

I do not understand them. They look human and they speak the language of humans, but their deeds are more monstrous than any monster.

How could they prey upon their own kind like that, so calmly, so coldly?

This difference frightens me. It's as though... as though we never shared the same human dignity with them. If they're not the monsters... then it must be me who is the monster.

Rankin's words are clear, his tone impassive, as he gazes into the black night. Nikto wants to turn Rankin's head around and make him say it to Nikto's own face.

But he does nothing.

Silence.

But you were right. I didn't need to do that.

It's pointless...

You're torturing yourself, Rankin.

You shouldn't pretend to be as strong as you think you are, and you shouldn't demand that others be as strong.

It's not my place to accuse you. You carry the responsibility of everyone on your shoulders. You must become the hero. It's a remarkable thing.

But you can't pretend that the fear and hesitation in your heart don't exist... you're trying to hide from yourself.

The result is what happened today... you lost control. It's dangerous. You don't know what you might do, the next time your emotions get the better of you.

Thank you for the warning... I'll remember it.

Let's gather the others and put the bonfire out. It's time to go—how far until the next village?

...Let's wait a while longer.

They're happy. They haven't been so happy for a long time. We found a vehicle, and we're one step closer to the Kazimierzian border... let them enjoy themselves a little longer, and warm themselves up a bit.

You enjoyed yourself when you danced just now, didn't you?

What about Hawley? Do you still care about how he's feeling?

He won't eat anything, and he's not responding to people talking to him.

He'll come around.

You can keep thinking that way, if it makes you feel better.

Rankin turns around, takes a few steps towards the campfire, before stopping in his tracks. He turns back around and walks in the other direction, until he leaves behind the friend with whom he has developed differences, and the comrades still enjoying themselves.

He keeps walking until the scene of unfading crimson once again fills his thoughts.

What do I do, Rankin? I-I think my skull's crushed. There's blood everywhere—

Help me, Rankin! I don't want to die!

Rankin—

Sorry.

Accept it.

Accept pain as you accept mortal pleasures. Accept death as you accept the life that Ursus grants.

Therein lies salvation.

Yes, I accept.

Who are you? Who the hell are you?!

Our souls could have been saved! This isn't how it should have been! It was you, abomination, that set us adrift, never to find salvation!

It's your fault—your fault that we have nowhere to go—

Abandon all hope.

All of you...

You never had anywhere to go.

(Panting heavily)

*pant*... *pant*...

Nadia... why are you here? Is Vetochki not with you?

I came to find you... Rankin.

Why... is there something I can help with?

No... I would like to help you.

Oh...

You killed that thing. It became your revelation, to carry the burden of all.

I understand your pain... it is painful to carry the burden of the life and death of others, to carry the burden of duty... how could it not be?

I witnessed how your soul became torn and tattered. But I do not have the cure. I could not compliment your courage, for it was the source of your pain...

Thank you for your understanding.

But there is no need to pity me. I chose this duty for myself.

Besides... no, I never believed in revelations. I've always done what I thought was right.

Yes. You chose it yourself. Poor boy... no one can save you, except yourself...

I can only send you my sincere blessings, that one day... one day, you will find salvation from pain, and the peace that you desired...

The old woman puts a withered hand on Rankin's chest, and he feels his chest filled with warmth.

I—

Rankin touches his chest.

Was he too tired, or hallucinating?

He does not feel his heartbeat.

Since you asked, let's start with the crackdown in the mining district.

It began with people who had too much time on their hands, who discovered a new substance deep within an exhausted mine shaft.

Of course, we began to study it.

The Infected are one thing, but why can't we leave the mining district either?

There's nothing coming out of the mines. The miners are being shut inside their quarters, unable to go to work. Who knows if the Originium veins inside have really dried up?

Let's sit and wait. The Grand Duchess won't abandon us.

Wait? What's the point of waiting? They're not issuing our salaries, just supplies. Why not just let us leave, then? Not everyone's so carefree like you. I've got a mother to provide for.

We've got news! The mines haven't been exhausted!

What? Really?

Guess what we found at the bottom of the mine?

The Originium's grown back?

No! You don't have any imagination.

Imagination leads to futile hope, which leads to death. I don't want to die yet.

So, what exactly did you find?

Geologists from Bresk say that it's a geological fault, not exhaustion! Faults cause shifts in rock formation, resulting in Originium ore seemingly disappearing, when in fact it's been transformed.

Can you explain it in a way that a non-geologist could understand?

Meaning that the Originium ore is gone, but something new has appeared.

Look at this! Fresh out of the hole. I'm taking it to the lab for analysis. Here's your chance to help!

The excited researcher takes out a flask of black liquid, the surface of which is smooth as a mirror, and shakes it gently.

Are you sure? I'm no geologist, but I don't think faults turn rock from solid to liquid...

Are you sure they didn't make it up just so that we'll have something to do?

I went down myself, alright? The stuff's everywhere. It's like an underground river. The miners said the Originium ore was gone, but it's only been transformed into this stuff.

You have a chance to be a co-author on my paper! You should be more grateful!

Fine, fine I'll come. Like I don't know you just wanted to use my lab.

And what about it? Yours is the tidiest...

Indeed. How could a fault turn Originium ore from solid to liquid?

But there was no need for us to doubt the truth that was plain as day. After swift analysis and comparing the results, we confirmed that it was a substance the likes of which we've never seen before, and we named it 'Oka'.

Then, the Grand Duchess' orders came.

Go straight into human testing? Who ordered it, the director?

No, not even on the director's orders. We don't understand its nature, and we haven't even begun animal testing or energy testing. We're being too hasty. I'm going to find him—

There's no point talking to the director. The volunteer quota has already been filled, and Lakoda is moving forward with the tests.

Besides, this comes directly from the Grand Duchess. She wants results in two weeks.

Two weeks? That's not even enough to find out its half-life.

I don't like this. I—

If you don't like it, you can leave the Oka research.

I was in charge of extracting the active component of Oka, and I worked with Lakoda to develop the animal testing reagent. Of course I want to continue!

I just—I just don't think this is right, to go straight to human testing with zero idea about what might happen.

The sooner we get results, the sooner the Grand Duchess lets me go home. That's my only concern right now.

Like I told you, not everyone is as carefree as you are.

But—

I...

The human experiments began regardless. I was excluded and did not have access to the experiment data.

I wanted to figure out the nature of Oka and why it appeared in the mines. So...

The experiments on lab musbeasts showed no progress. At my wits' end, I even thought about experimenting on myself.

I never did, of course, because I learned that those so-called volunteers were not volunteers after all.

You need to get out of here, Ksenia.

Serafina? How did you get in here? I thought there were guards at the door. Are there new volunteers from the miners—

Listen to me, Ksenia. Those miners never volunteered!

Even the patients who were in our medical post were forcibly conscripted. Your colleague was such a smooth liar that I didn't detect she was lying at first, when she said they volunteered.

What?

All those 'volunteers' who participated in the experiments never volunteered! They never came back! Whatever's happening here goes against all scientific ethics.

You remember Vetochki? The bell toller, the one who stammers a little?

Good girl. She remembers everyone in the mining district, and she told Rankin, the foreman, as soon as she noticed that people had gone missing.

First, the Infected miners, then their non-Infected families...

Rankin went missing for a while too, reappearing with the bodies of a few miners who had gone missing.

<i>Gosudar-batyushka</i>... so when Lakoda said that the experiments were paused because of 'equipment theft'...

I don't know the details about your situation, but the miners have left their quarters and are coming to the lab. They want an explanation.

The miners are mostly Infected, and they have the strength of numbers. The guards can't stop them if they're determined to force the issue. There will be blood.

But... but I've never heard about any volunteers showing rejection symptoms, much less death—

Are you sure?

I... no, I'm not.

Do you have the experiment data?

No. I've been looking for the director all day to request access, but I haven't been able to find him.

I don't know what you're researching here. Ultimately, the worst that can happen to the Infected is to be incinerated.

If this place still retains the function of a hospital, as His Imperial Majesty hoped, you can check the incinerator or morgue.

After that, you can come to the medical team's camp if you want to come with me.

I didn't accept Serafina's invitation.

But she was right.

Clothing without owners was stacked haphazardly in the basement. The incinerator was still running. The last person keeping watch over the place had left, leaving behind bodies that had not yet disintegrated scattered like the clothes.

The volunteers who participated in the experiment died en masse in the span of just two weeks. The impact of Oka on the human body was beyond doubt.

<p=1>Central Far North Mining District Laboratory, Ursus</>

As was the case with the human experiments, I was excluded from the evacuation.

The lab was empty by the time I went to the basement, learned the truth, and put all the still-intact bodies in cold storage.

In fact, I can only guess that there was an evacuation. I don't know where they went—the director, Lakoda, or anyone else.

Thinking back on it, it was just like Chernobog, except this time I was the one in the lab.

You were too young at the time, and you were on the project as a student intern. You were not on the list of core staff.

H-How did you know?

Were you—

I understand.

We found 'Dominion' pollution in the mining district.

The Royal Guard was here. Not anymore.

Before you passed out, you said that Oka could kill a Royal Guard.;Then you said the miners killed a Royal Guard.

Which one is true? Or are they both true?

(Mutters) ...<i>Chyort.</i>

I don't think there's anything to talk about.

How does an ordinary person who was born and raised in Ursus describe the sudden collapse of the violence that had dominated her life for so long?

The Royal Guards are the stuff of nightmares to the children of Ursus. They watch your every word and action, so you are cautious and careful, so you are well-behaved and obedient.

They are invincible, undefeatable.

When you suddenly witness the death of one... it only means that something even more terrible has appeared.

The miners touched by Oka killed the Royal Guard.

No, no... I don't know anything about it. Forget I ever said anything.

I didn't see anything, and you didn't hear anything. Just leave.

I've told you everything you wanted to know, everything that I can tell you.

Even if all it does is accelerate the deaths of the Infected...;It would be an unimaginable disaster if it got out.

Leave aside the question of who killed the Royal Guard, or even if anyone killed him at all.;We don't know if the fleeing Infected miners came into contact with the substance.

If they did, and it is contagious, they would not have allowed the researchers to leave.

The changes brought about by Oka are not necessarily contagious. At least, based on the experiment data that I managed to find, they haven't begun comparative observation yet—

Do you still have a sample of Oka?

No... What would you intend to do with it?

It's not about what we intend to do. It's about what we can do.

We'll have to get our hands on a sample to find out.

But all the samples are... you're going into the mines?! Now?

It seems to be the only option.

Don't you want to find out what Oka really is?