level_main_16-14_beg

Cold night, long night.

The bare earth is covered in frost. Upon it are haphazard footsteps, stretching into the distance where the sun fades beneath the horizon.

Scattered black dots are moving slow, at the place where the earth meets the night sky.

Lake Neva... is frozen.

This year is bloody cold. It's not even winter yet... what are you laughing about?

I remember that in the winter of 31, Igor Velikiy defeated the army defending Grypherburg on Lake Neva, spelling the end of the Hippogryph Kingdom.

And what about it? You want to lead us in an assault on Deity Grypherburg?

No. Not yet, at least.

Hmph... it's another story that I'm thinking of.

Around the year 150, a famous playwright wrote a play about Igor Velikiy before he entered Grypherburg.

His intention was to celebrate the friendship between Igor and the Hippogryph noble Mikhail, who were comrades in the revolution overthrowing the Hippogryph Kingdom.

But it was lambasted throughout Ursus because it mentioned a 'compromise' between Igor and certain Hippogryph nobles, whereby Igor gave up some power in exchange for their support.

The Ursus refused to accept it. They considered it a slander against Igor Velikiy.

The playwright paid the price for a story that he claimed to be true to history.

It was only many years after his death, when the original agreement between Igor and the Hippogryph nobles was discovered, that people learned he had been telling the truth.

A fine story.

Are you trying to tell me that the legend that I worship is just a figment of human imagination?

I'm trying to tell you that even Igor knew the importance of flexibility.

We should stop here, Rankin.

Grypherburg is in the way, and its defenses are on a completely different level from the Far North.

What if they find us? It won't be the Patrol Units waiting for us, but the Armies of Ursus.

Winter will find us in the wilderness if we continue to take detours and fail to reach the border in time.

I would much rather deal with a patrol or two, than Ursine winter.

Do we really have to go to the Kazimierzian border, though? Find your legendary Reunion?

You know how far it is, never mind the enemies that we might encounter on the way. Look at our people, our food, even our clothes. Do we have enough to make it?

Let's say we actually make it to the border. What if it's not an Infected village that awaits us there, but another mine? What do we do then?

What other way is there? Where can we go?

There must be a way...

I know! We can go east! Nikolsk. It's an old city, almost abandoned now, and there are even fewer people in the surrounding villages.

We could go there, split up and hide in the villages... that's the only way for us to survive.

And live like slaves for the rest of our lives?

I gave you a choice, Nikto. I gave everyone a choice.

I thought everyone chose to come with me to live like men.

But you shouldn't wager everyone's lives on a castle in the sky—

I took a good look, Rankin.

The outpost ahead is manned. The searchlights are on... it hasn't been abandoned.

If we can't get through this way, do we have to...?

You hear that, Rankin?

Searchlights... how many searchlights did you see?

I... I don't really remember. Two... maybe three?

Think! How many exactly?

Two! Yes, I remember now. There were only lights on the east and west sides. It's two lights!

Two lights... so a garrison of a hundred or so. Maybe...

Rankin!

Look behind you, Rankin... this is all the people we have...

This is not a revolutionary army. They just want to live.

Are you going to send them into the mines from which there is no return, like the mine owners did?

Rankin looks at the crowd behind him and sees their expressions under the lamplight.

Pain, fatigue, helplessness, fear...

Perhaps Nikto is right. Their clothes are too thin and they cannot take it. But he feels no cold, for some reason.

No...

I won't throw away any lives. Even if sacrifice may be inevitable, I won't allow anyone to die without meaning.

We can't go back to a life of slavery...

Follow me. There's another way.

There's such a long mine tunnel underground?

What's going on, Rankin? How did you know where the mine tunnel was here?

Someone had an idea a few years back.

There are more than a thousand mines in the Far North, each with hundreds of workers, yet they are all disconnected from each other. What if we changed that?

We could connect the tunnels—no one knows the underground better than we do. We could weave a web beneath the frozen soil and link everyone, sharing information and helping each other in the hour of need.

Have you been preparing all these years? Were you planning for this day?

I'm no prophet. I simply began with a very basic idea—we should unite and help each other.

At the beginning, my influence extended only to a dozen mines in the area. I was powerless beyond that.

Later, I heard that other people were doing the same things in other places... it's a pleasant surprise to find that this tunnel looks relatively safe.

Where does it lead?

The Volgrad Mining District, southeast of Grypherburg, in the southernmost part of Ursus. If we can reach it through the tunnels, we'll be able to circumvent the capital's defenses.

But you better pray there's no army on our tail, or it'll be an easy opportunity to wipe us out all at once.

No such thing as a path without risk.

Wait... I smell alcohol.

Impossible. How could there be—

Get down!

A flash of cold light lunges out from the darkness, breaking the only lit lamp.

What the—

Get down! Don't move, and don't fire back!

<i>Blyat!</i> They found us!

Call for help!

Wait! Stop! We're friends!

Rankin stands and shouts at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing in the deepest reaches of the cavern.

You...

You're not the Patrol Units?

That's what we were about to ask... I suppose the answer is no.

Thank goodness! I thought they found our position.

Where did you come from?

The Central Mining District.

Central? I didn't know there were any survivors there!

We heard the guards started a massacre. We thought there wasn't anybody left alive.

I can see why there would be such rumors...

But they're not true. We're still alive. We defeated the Patrol Units and escaped. We haven't given up on our struggle.

That's the best news I've heard in a while!

One moment.

We're trying to get to the Volgrad Mining District, in the south, through these tunnels. Can we—

The south? It's no good. The tunnel leading to the south has collapsed. That's why we've been stuck here.

I see...

Again, Rankin! Again! Why is every path a dead end?

Wait... Rankin? THE Rankin?

My name's Rankin. I don't know anything about 'The' Rankin.

It's really you! Rankin from Central! You're real—you're alive!

I see my name has taken flight on its own...

We can talk about that later! Let me take you to the living area.

You folks look like you're in real bad shape. We have some food and water, not a lot, but we can spare some.

Living area? Are there a lot of you living here?

Yes...

A lot.

They follow the lone light of the lamp and walk into the tunnel. Gradually, they begin to see the light at the end, and hear the faint sound of talking.

They go around a corner to see a large number of people—there must be hundreds of them—living in a tiny space.

Some are wearing miner's outfits, others simple cotton clothes. There are elderly, and there are children... with simple living tools around them.

This is where they live.

You...

What's going on? Didn't you guys go on patrol? Why did you bring so many people back? Who are they?

Friends! Let me introduce this man here—Rankin!

Rankin! He's Rankin!

I've heard the name before! You were the one who had the idea of linking all the mining districts!

You're not as tall as the stories say, but I guess you're tall enough...

Did you fight the Kazimierzians? Do the Firewatch really exist?

They rush forward to see the figure of legend. There is reverence, there is joy, and there is a little bit of disappointment in seeing the real man behind the myth, but all culminate in an excited call for his name.

Rankin, Rankin.

Alright, that's enough. Our friends have run into some trouble and they need rest.

Get some bread from the storage room, Zoya. The big loaves.

...Why are you living here?

That's a long story...

The Neva Dam burst three years ago, flooding the nearby mines. The overseer refused to let us come out from underground, fearing that we might flee to a nearby city.

The mine eventually collapsed, splitting it in half. Half of us were drowned. We were the lucky half.

We thought all we could do was wait for death, until we found a passage below that led to another mine.

We got some food from there, but we didn't dare go above ground, so we stayed underground...

And you've been living here? How?

We helped deliver cargo for other mines. Some kind-hearted people shared food with us. Sometimes we stole from the Patrol Units... just like musbeasts, eh.

We continued to expand the passages, to the Ural in the east and Kras in the west, linking up a lot of mines and districts.

We've taken in refugees who fled the other mines. We've got maybe a thousand people who are somewhat fit to move.

There are children here...

Yes... she's two years-old, and she's never seen the sun...

<i>Blyat!</i>

No matter what, we're still alive! All thanks to you, Rankin!

We'd have been long dead if you didn't come up with your idea!

No... I did nothing. Don't thank me. You found your path of life on your own.

But it shouldn't have been like this. This shouldn't have been your life.

But... what could we do, Rankin?

Of course we don't want to live in this hole forever, but where else can we go?

...Come with me.

Where to?

South.

To the Kazimierzian border. We'll find the village that belongs to the Infected, land that we can live on.

We'll go together.

Calm down, Rankin.

Did you forget about the Lake Neva Outpost? Did you think you could sneak past them with so many people?

Then we'll take it by force.

You're out of your mind—

I know what I'm talking about, Nikto!

I'm confident.

The Lake Neva Outpost will have at most a hundred men, and no heavy weapons.

Three hundred. Give me three hundred pairs of hands that can hold a crossbow and a hoe, and we'll take the Lake Neva Outpost before they have a chance to send a distress signal.

By the time the regular supply delivery arrives weeks later, we'll be long gone, on the vast Barton Plains!

We'll only be one step away from the goal. Nothing can stop us.

No... you've gone mad.

I don't understand... why do you always force yourself into the riskiest option? Why do you—

Rankin ignores his objections and extends his hand to the crowd.

I see your vision, Rankin, and I'm willing to go with you to take the outpost.

But I can't make the others follow you. They'll have to decide their own fates.

The miner shakes Rankin's hand and goes to stand behind him.

All who are willing to go with Rankin to take the outpost, come forward.

Feet shuffle in the crowd, and several youths take their place behind Rankin.

Others remain hesitant, or find their own family hanging onto their shirts.

Whatever the others say, I'm with you, Rankin.

I don't know what that place for the Infected on the Kazimierzian border is like, but it can't be worse than here.

We trust you because you're Rankin. You're the hero that united us. No matter what end awaits us—

Rankin halts those words by raising a hand. He looks down, takes a deep breath, then looks up again at the crowd, his eyes resolute.

Have you ever seen spring in Ursus?

Silence.

I have, when I was a soldier with the border guard.

When the snow melts, green grass grows from the soil again, and the migratory fowlbeasts come back.

Sometimes, the sun is out all day, so bright it almost drives you mad, and you can only sleep by pulling your blanket over your head.

The sun, the grass, the fowlbeasts, the wind... none of those exist in the mines.

But it's not because we don't deserve it!

It's not too much to ask. These are things that you and I, your children, all of us, deserve as human beings!

Rankin's words echo in the dark mine, and in the hearts of all who are listening.

It will be dangerous. I won't lie to you, nor will I force anyone to join us.

But sacrifices are a part of any struggle. There will always be those who fall by the wayside, or leave of their own accord.

Whether they fell or left on their own, whether they were brave or timid, remember those who are around you, and remember that you once stood together and shared the same pain.

We will always be comrades.

Some may fall tonight, and some may live. Those who live will pave the path to tomorrow for the rest.

We shall raise a torch upon the outpost to remember the fallen, that survivors may remember, and the oppressor will see.

Before we leave, I want to tell you how I feel.

I hope you will join me and contribute your strength.

Only by taking this step can we go back to the surface, bathe in the sunlight, and become human again!

Rankin's chest rises and falls. He feels hot blood flow through his veins, and his strength return to him, and he raises his arms as he speaks.

More and more people come over to him, as they did when he first made his rallying cry in the mine shafts of the Central Mining District.

Brothers, sisters, remember the inhuman lives that we once led.

We were herded into the mines like beckbeasts, using our lives to dig for Originium to warm the bed of others. This is not the law; it is murder.

Yes, murder. They tried to shut our mouths, keep us captive until we die, stop us from thinking and make us numb, until we are no different from animals.

But we did not forget how to struggle. Deep underground, we connected the mines, and broke through our prison of death.

But that's not enough. We can't just keep running away. We must face our foe head-on.

Someone might ask, 'What do we do, Rankin?'

It's difficult, but it is also easy. The first thing to do is take the first step.

Tonight's battle will be the first step. More people will learn who we are, and all those who are oppressed like we are will know that they're not alone!

Do not fear. There's no need to fear. Those who are high above are not strong. We are strong!

We have nothing to lose except our lives... if they won't give us our right, then we'll fight for it with our lives!

Ask me. Ask me, 'What do we do?' 'What will become of us?'

History has shown us time and again that it doesn't forgive oppressors. If punishment has not yet come, it's only because it still needs time, and anger that will set everything on fire.

Igor Velikiy ripped the wings off the high-and-mighty Hippogryphs. If his descendants are doing the same things the Hippogryphs once did, then we will drag them down from their thrones!

Our weapons will once again force Deity Grypherburg's golden gates open. Our pickaxes will dig a hole in this land, and tear its ugly, greedy face to pieces!

All of Ursus will see us, fear us, recognize us.

Then, we will have a bright future.