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Found you.

Sarkaz Warrior

...

Sarkaz Warrior

Crazy... you're crazy, just like they said.

I'm glad you already know. Then you must also know what I do to those who won't tell me what I want to know.

Now talk. What are you people planning around Kazdel? What's behind this overly simple operation?

Don't act like I'm stupid just because I don't care about all the ins and outs of Theresis giving up Kazdel.

Sarkaz Warrior

You didn't break free of my witchcraft. How long do you think you can last?

Until you beg for death on your knees and spit out everything you know.

Sarkaz Warrior

Hah.

Sarkaz Warrior

Mercenary...

Sarkaz Warrior

You think you're the special one that gets to live... everyone does, until death finally comes for them.

Sarkaz Warrior

Death forgets no one. The myriad souls are waiting. You won't escape, and neither will she... it's all futile.

What about you?

Sarkaz Warrior

Me? I'm happy to embrace my death.

Sarkaz Warrior

Say goodbye to weakness, Sarkaz.

Sarkaz Warrior

A new era has dawned. It belongs to us.

Sarkaz Warrior

Even if there's no place for 'me' in 'us'.

...

Babel Squad Member

W! Your hand... medic! We need a medic over here!

Damn, he triggered the grenade.

With the Sarkaz's death, his Arts cease; the mire fades and the stench of decay dissipates. Yet, why does the wilderness around them remain so dark?

A sense of unease deepens.

The expression on the Sarkaz warriors as they died was one of devotion.

Why would such an expression appear on the faces of men like them?

Were you able to get in touch with HQ?

Babel Squad Member

Intra-squad communication has been partially restored.

Babel Squad Member

Heavy interference still prevents us from reaching headquarters, though. It's possible that Originium activity is spreading in the area.

Babel Squad Member

No need to worry, though. We haven't heard about any attacks on HQ. Plus, they have Her Highness and the Doctor there.

Babel Squad Member

We're one step away from winning this war.

...

Where's the vehicle? We're going back now.

Babel Squad Member

But we haven't received further instructions.

Babel Squad Member

We could upset the Doctor's plans if we move without orders—

Babel Squad Member

Wait, I'm getting a message... it's from Scout!

Babel Squad Member

Scout says...

Babel Squad Member

...

......

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Babel was merely a temporary refuge, no different from the countless others before it. Or so W had believed.

True, there was always clean food and water, the badly wounded were not just left to die, and there were a few interesting guys around.

But at the end of the day, it was all the same. Just a place to stay.

It was not the first time W had lost her home, before she joined up with Hoederer and Ines.

Sometimes, she would return to camp and find it in flames. Sometimes, she was the one who set it on fire.

It was what she was used to. No Sarkaz truly believes in peace and quiet. Destruction was the norm. Conflict was the spice of life.

But when she saw the collapsed columns, the blood stains in the corridors, and the doctors yelling instructions...

For the first time, she felt a profound sense of... collapse.

What happened—

Babel Member

Out of the way! Out of the way! Make way for the wounded!

Babel Member

Make room in the sickbay—

...

Babel Member

Out of the way!

Where's Her Highness?

Babel Member

No idea. All security systems have failed. Dr. Kal'tsit is—look out!

Hornless Assassin

...

Did you do this?

Hornless Assassin

Sarkaz.

Hornless Assassin

It's over.

Don't say that.

Hornless Assassin

Now I see.

Hornless Assassin

Her blood was no different from ours.

You—

Everything turns dark once more, like a curse that refuses to lift.

Darkness engulfs the light, consuming it completely. No one can escape the night.

Hornless Assassin

The war is over, along with its strife.

Hornless Assassin

Listen, Sarkaz. Victory belongs to—

Hornless Assassin

...Urk.

A blade penetrates the assassin's chest.

Ascalon

Babel didn't give you any orders, W. What are you doing here?

You want to talk to me about violating orders? Now?

Ascalon

...

Ascalon looks at her.

W had worked with Ascalon for a while now, but this was the first time she saw that look on her face, that look in her eyes. She did not even know that Ascalon was capable of such sorrow.

...Is what Scout said true?

Ascalon

You shouldn't have come back. Not now.

...

Where's Her Highness?

Ascalon

Sweep the ship, W.

Ascalon

Rhodes Island is not out of danger yet. Dr. Kal'tsit is busy dealing with emergencies. We're the only ones.

I'm asking you, where is Theresa?

Ascalon

Go to the mobility level. That's the most likely point of entry.

Are you bloody deaf?

You said she's dead. I want to see it with my own eyes.

Ascalon

Listen to me, Sarkaz mercenary W.

Ascalon

Fulfill your duty, unless you want Babel to fall, and all her effort to be for naught.

Ah...

Hah! You're worthless. All of you. Worthless.

Why did I ever trust you? Why did I ever believe that you could—

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Nothing's changed.

Nothing ever did.

All high and mighty, were they not, everyone on this ship?

Didn't they spend all their time talking about their dreams, all their lofty ideals?

Then why couldn't they even protect one person?

All the things they've said, the things that I thought could be...

I was the fool who believed.

I...

I saw it.

The blood and footprints in the Chairman's Room.

There was nothing else left.

It was like nothing was ever there.

The darkness was thick and sticky. It always is.

Theresa is dead.

And I didn't even get to see her one last time.

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Your Highness? What are you doing here...?

Theresa

...

The door's still—when did it get fixed?

Guess Closure's good for something after all.

The old hag too... Rhodes Island stayed together, barely, after you were gone. She did her best. So did the little bunny.

I... I did my part, too. I... I wanted to see you again. Ever since I got to Londinium, I've wondered when I could...

I never understood. Why did you always... always put yourself through so much...

Just like how I never understood why you cared so much about that broken door...

Theresa

Theresa is gone.

What?

Then who's standing right there? No... I must be dreaming. Why would Her Highness talk to me? Am I talking to myself?

Theresa

But the work of the Sarkaz is not done. I will give myself to our cause.

Theresa

For a future where all of us can sleep without fear.

I don't understand, but I believe you.

What about you, then...?

Theresa

...

Theresa turns around and pushes the door.

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It opens.

Theresa walks through the door, followed by countless silhouettes.

Their voices booming, their questions piercing.

'The Sarkaz will never be saved.'

'No one can escape suffering, for we had once suffered. No one can escape hatred, for we had once hated.'

'All the senseless deaths, all the shattered hopes... where is paradise? Where is peace?'

Theresa's steps are slow and heavy.

W opens her mouth. What should she say? What could she say?

She finally realizes that it was not a conversation she had just experienced, but an echo of Theresa.

But she could not resist asking the shadow.

How can I save you, Your Highness, if you're still alive?

Theresa

Keep going. You will go further than I ever have.

How will I know I've gone far enough?

If I killed you... will you be saved?

There is no answer.

Theresa does not turn back. Neither do the silhouettes.

Their footsteps are slow, but their direction remains unwavering.

Theresa walks further into the light, almost out of sight.

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Your Highness!

W finally lets out what she's been holding back.

Screw the myriad souls. Screw their sufferings.

I'll bring peace back to you. Maybe you've never had true peace... but—ack, screw it!

I'll... end it all.

For you, Your Highness.

Did she see Theresa stop for a brief moment? W isn't sure.

🔍

She shimmers and blends into the light.

Darkness returns once more.

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What was that?

Qalid'čoa

You heard the King's echo.

You're alive?!

Qalid'čoa appears behind W without her realizing. Neither the bombs nor the falling rocks left a mark on him.

He comes up beside W and gently closes the door.

Qalid'čoa

Her Highness has left.

How could you be so calm when I just blew up your home?!

Qalid'čoa

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If destruction is evitable, why despair when it comes.

You don't let things get to you, I'll give you that... Honestly, I'm starting to find you interesting.

Aren't you supposed to be really powerful? Didn't any of the Kings of Sarkaz try to send you to do something useful?

Qalid'čoa

The one I serve, Qui'sartuštaj, transcends history itself. He is a colossal titan in the vast river of time.

Qalid'čoa

I followed him in his wars. My sword, an instrument of death to his command. But my body, a failed vessel at extending his life.

Guess even the craziest among us have their loyalists.

Qalid'čoa

The experiment failed. Unable to fulfill my destined purpose, I banished myself to this realm.

Qalid'čoa

I am of no use, fit only to gather the remnants of bygone heroes and mourn the past.

Qalid'čoa

I have been waiting... for someone to open the door to the future.

Qalid'čoa

I thought Theresa would be the one to do so.

You...

The gaunt figure picks up the broken altar fragments on the ground and grinds them into fine dust.

He trails the powder down his cheeks with his fingers, creating two streaks that resemble tears.

Qalid'čoa

Her Highness Theresa is gone. You have picked up her last echo.

Qalid'čoa

The King of Sarkaz's old subject. Your presence here may not be a coincidence, young Sarkaz.

You know what? I think so too.

Got to leave a souvenir in the Confessarii's nest.

Qalid'čoa looks down to find several bombs at his feet.

Qalid'čoa

Why did you...?

You know what? Of all the old freaks I've met, you're one of the more interesting ones.

But I couldn't leave a Confessarius without leaving a present behind.

Qalid'čoa

What is your name, mercenary?

Find it on Theresis's tombstone.

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