Liberi Reader

Settings

Sets your selected Doctor name to be used in the text when appropriate.

px

May help improve readability

May help improve readability

🔍
The nomadic city of Kazdel, Kazdel
Odda
Let me through!
Sarkaz Royal Court Soldier
This area is off-limits.
Odda
What happened?
Sarkaz Royal Court Soldier
Are you with Babel?
Odda
N-No.
Sarkaz Royal Court Soldier
Then it's none of your business.
The wall of Royal Court soldiers prevents Odda from passing.
But he sees several familiar, crying faces in the scattering crowd.
Odda
Those students? Hm... I think I can take this alley here...
Odda
Excuse me, do you know what happened?
Indifferent Civilian
Someone beat another guy to death. He's dead, too. Are you trying to join the racket?
Angry Civilian
Babel again. What is Her Highness thinking?
Indifferent Civilian
Shut your trap. You owe everything you eat, everything you wear, and the roof over your head to Her Highness.
Cautious Civilian
Shh...
Odda
...
Angry Civilian
Well, it's simple enough alright! A teacher beat the father of his student to death!
Odda
A Teacher? How could...?
Angry Civilian
All the man did was scold him a little! And it was the teacher who was telling the kids all sorts of awful things!
Odda
That's not true...
Scornful Civilian
You're a Babel shill too? Kids these days...
Odda
...
Scornful Civilian
Hey, what are you doing?
Odda squeezes through the crowd and sees some familiar faces lying on the ground.
He finally finds the source of the commotion, the 'Teacher' lying in a cloud of dust.
Odda
Teacher! What's going on?
'Teacher'
I... I didn't mean to hurt... his father...
Odda
Hang in there! I'll find a doctor!
'Teacher'
No... over there... him...
Odda looks in the direction that the dying man is pointing, and sees an injured child crying by the lifeless body of his father.
Odda
...
🔍
Odda runs through the burning streets, carrying the injured child in his arms, and pieces together the whole picture from what he sees and hears.
It began when an agitated teacher accidentally killed an agitated father, before he was set upon by the angry crowd and fell in the dust of the streets.
The turmoil dragged everyone in: Civilians, Babel, mercenaries, even the Military Commission.
Like a chain reaction, clouds of dust were stirred up in various corners of the city.
It wasn't until artillery from an unknown source blasted through a wall of Babel's office building that the Royal Court troops finally quelled the riot.
It began with an accident and ended with a shell that caused more damage to Babel than anything in the past eighteen years, since the end of the war.
Odda
The kid is hurt and needs a doctor. Don't make me do this the hard way.
Dour Mercenary
Whose side are you on? Babel? The Military Commission?
Odda
Neither! I just need to get him to a doctor. Now get out of my way!
Weakened Child
My dad...
Odda
It's too late for him... I'm sorry.
Dour Mercenary
...
Dour Mercenary
Go. But don't trust outsiders so easily... Sarkaz. Not in this chaos.
Odda
Thank you...
Odda can feel the child's breathing grow weaker as he continues on his way.
Running through the streets, he seems to feel someone brush past his shoulder, but sees no one.
Odda
Was I imagining things?
Babel Member
Stop right there! Not one step closer. There are patients inside.
Odda
This kid needs medical attention, now!
Babel Member
But... oh... I didn't think there was anyone still willing to bring patients here.
Babel Member
Alright, I'll take it from here. I'll try to give you some extra medicine before we leave.
Odda
Leave?
Babel Member
Her Highness made the decision, but we all know what's happening. We're not welcome in Kazdel anymore.
Odda
Where are you going? Outside the city? Aren't you afraid of the dangers in the wastes?
Babel Member
...Yes, I am.
Babel Member
But if this city no longer welcomes us, then we respect its choice.
Odda
...
Odda
I want to join Babel. I can help care for the patients, or protect you.
Indifferent Royal Court Soldier
Is this the one who started the whole mess? Will he live?
Tired Royal Court Soldier
Don't think so. Lost too much blood.
Indifferent Royal Court Soldier
Then what are we even doing here?
Tired Royal Court Soldier
Just follow the General's orders and don't ask questions. Who'd have thought something so minor would need Their Highnesses' statement?
'Teacher'
Ugh...
Tired Royal Court Soldier
Is he trying to talk to us? There's nobody else around.
Indifferent Royal Court Soldier
Probably just seeing things before he dies. No Banshee would sing an elegy for such a sinner.
'Teacher'
It's... dangerous...
'Teacher'
Go...
Young Banshee
They can't see me. My Arts hide my presence.
'Teacher'
Who... are... you...?
Young Banshee
A student.
Young Banshee
I came from far away, following in the footsteps of my mother, to find answers in this wandering city, and her two rulers.
'Teacher'
Did you... find...?
Young Banshee
I'm afraid the city doesn't have the answers ready yet.
Young Banshee
But I found you. The ideas that you advocated were very interesting.
Young Banshee
I was with you when you taught those children in that basement, learning about the city and Babel.
Young Banshee
Of course, no one noticed... except Ascalon.
'Teacher'
The... boy...
Young Banshee
Has been brought to Babel where his injuries will be treated.
Young Banshee
Do you regret your end?
'Teacher'
No... the boy defended me...
'Teacher'
He understood... what I tried to change...
'Teacher'
I'm sorry... about his father...
Young Banshee
I sympathize. It was not your intention to cause this tragedy, but fate has played a cruel joke on you.
'Teacher'
I hear... crying...
Young Banshee
It is your elegy, calling your fading soul to the other side.
Young Banshee
Fear not, hesitate not. The myriad souls welcome you with open arms. Let my song take you beyond.
'Teacher'
Thank you...
The young Banshee's song soothes the mind of the dying man.
The gentle song echoes through the crowded streets of the city. Banshees respond to the song of their young kin, adding their voices to the harmony.
It is an elegy that commemorates the passing of an ordinary Sarkaz.
'You were talking about the future of Babel in the lesson, but you didn't get to the end. What were you going to say?'
'I believe... that Babel will die someday. I hope I'm wrong.'
🔍
Theresa
A song. Another Sarkaz has passed on in the turmoil.
Theresa
There is no longer any place for Babel here. I will lead them and leave this city.
Laqeramaline
Theresa... we love you, all of us...
Theresa
I know. But Babel has no choice.
Laqeramaline
But if you leave...
Theresa
My people have made their choice. Neither I nor Theresis can change it.
Theresa
We cannot abandon hope. But the best course of action, right now, is to avoid conflict.
Laqeramaline
...Hatred will swallow us like a flood.
Laqeramaline
You've always known... Theresa, our hero, our King.
Laqeramaline
Gentle requests and gradual changes will not sway the minds of the Sarkaz drawn here by Kazdel's rise.
Theresa
Laqeramaline, I...
Laqeramaline
Perhaps what I say will disappoint, even hurt you, Theresa.
Laqeramaline
Rim Billiton, Sargon, even Columbia... you have opened their doors, and allowed the Sarkaz to negotiate with some as equals.
Laqeramaline
Terra has seen more technological progress in fifty years than it has for millennia.
Theresa
...
Laqeramaline
...But we were too slow. Despite the incredible changes you've brought to Kazdel, they haven't been enough to bear the fruits of true transformation.
Laqeramaline
Even if I, too, believe that the fruits of spring are near.
Theresa
Is this the stance of the Banshee Court, Laqeramaline?
Laqeramaline
I'm just a mother who came to see her boy off, Theresa.
Laqeramaline
I respect his choice, and there will come a day when he will speak for our Royal Court.
Laqeramaline
But that day is not today.
Theresa
I know you love him... you haven't allowed yourself to age since he was born.
Laqeramaline
Aefanyl was a miracle to me, and to all Banshees.
Laqeramaline
The day he was born, I became loath to age with time.
Laqeramaline
I have preserved my appearance at the peak of my beauty... I wish to remain eternal in his memory.
Laqeramaline
My life is finite, of course. It's only the facade that never changes.
Laqeramaline
I know what Your Highness is thinking.
Laqeramaline
You never expected your dream to come true in this generation. You see yourself as the soil, and it's not the soil's due to witness the flowers bloom.
Laqeramaline
Even if the two of you have to give everything to nourish this soil...
Theresa
...
Laqeramaline
Humor my little self-indulgence, Your Highness.
Laqeramaline
Until he finds the answer he is seeking, allow him to travel between the two of you, to learn from both of you.
Laqeramaline
He will be the first sprout to emerge from the soil.
Laqeramaline
Bring Aefanyl. Take care of him. Protect him in my place.
Theresa
I will, Laqeramaline, my friend.
Laqeramaline
Thank you.
Laqeramaline
No matter where you go, no matter what fate awaits either of you, the Banshee Court will sing both your elegies, and announce to all...
Laqeramaline
This is my promise. It is the most ancient and powerful of witchcrafts, my final parting gift to you.
Theresa
Laqeramaline.
Theresa
Will we meet again?
Laqeramaline
I hope so.
Theresa
Until next time, then. I look forward to the day that I can hear you sing in the mists of the Convallis.
Laqeramaline
Farewell, Your Highness. I'm afraid I must stay here and go no further.
Laqeramaline
Aefanyl will be part of your procession, after all... and I'm not ready to say goodbye to him yet.
🔍
Two days later
Theresis
How long do you plan on standing there?
Theresis
You came a little too early, if it's Theresa you're looking for.
Ascalon
...
Theresis
I didn't think you would have the courage to come to me, Ascalon.
Ascalon
Why?
Theresis
Do you mean why wouldn't you have the courage to see me, or why I banished Babel?
Ascalon
...
Theresis
You've seen Manfred?
Ascalon
Yes.
Theresis
Did you do it?
Ascalon
Not all the way.
Theresis
Good.
Theresis
Now, remove yourself before you say something childish and naive. Not even Theresa would agree with you.
Theresis
Or you could choose to stay. You don't have to explain yourself. Afterall, you never formally joined Babel.
Ascalon
Her Highness needs someone to protect her.
Theresis
She is more powerful than you think.
Ascalon
And I agree with you even less, Master.
Theresis
I suppose I should take that as a no.
Ascalon
...
Theresis
You and Manfred are my best students, yet both of you have your fatal flaws.
Theresis
Your talents in combat are peerless. But what do you truly believe in?
Ascalon
Your Highness—
Theresis
Impatience.
Theresis
I said, what you truly believe in. Not me nor Theresa.
Ascalon
...
Theresis
You still don't know what you seek, do you?
Theresis
To protect? That's just empty, self-deceptive sentimentality. When you're unsure of your path, you merely project your motivations onto vague ideals.
Ascalon
I-I've thought about it carefully.
Theresis
Perhaps.
Theresis
Then follow Theresa and protect her, but don't blindly adopt her ways. Think for yourself. Manfred found his answer long before you did.
Theresis
The next time we see each other...
Theresis
...Nevermind.
Theresis
Go, Ascalon.
Theresis
There is nothing else for us to talk about now.
Ascalon falls to one knee, then turns to a mist that closes around Theresis.
The mist trembles and disperses, leaving behind only a stone knife in Theresis's hand.
He recalls the day that he snatched the blade from the child in the Catastrophe.
Theresa
You were too cold to her, Theresis.
Theresa
It's a time of parting. You could have shared your mind with her. She has never been adept at expressing emotion.
Theresis
As her teacher, you're better than me at reaching the teenager side of her.
Theresa
Do you really have no faith in her choice?
Theresis
She is welcome back at any time. Manfred remains too complacent in his training. He needs someone to challenge him, a goal to work towards.
Theresa
I'll tell her.
Theresis
I wish you would come back, too.
Theresa
I know.
Theresis
If we cannot resolve a minor conflict like this, the next one could escalate into a full-fledged civil war.
Theresis
If it comes to that, all we have dreamed of for a century will be for naught.
Theresis
If that day comes and if I have to... I'll kill you.
Theresa
...
Theresa
Babel is ready. We will leave with those who are willing to follow.
Theresis
You've always kept them close.
Theresa
Yes. Because they need me.
Theresis
I need you, too. Kazdel needs its King.
Theresa
...Theresis.
Theresa
Our people have made their choice. The best course of action, for now at least, is for Babel to back down.
Theresa
I will continue to call the nourishing rain upon Kazdel, change the city's circumstances, and wait for hatred to subside.
Theresa
But...
Theresa
If you become the greatest threat to the searching dreamers in this long and painstaking process, I will destroy you.
Theresis
So be it.
🔍
Mercenaries and Royal Court soldiers line the streets, holding back the restless crowd.
It was the King of Sarkaz who brought food and shelter.

It was also the King of Sarkaz who allowed oppression and hatred to fester.
The Babel procession stretches as far as the eye can see, past the barricades formed by lines of Royal Court soldiers, past the disdainful crowd.
Theresis walks toward the crowd and stands with them.
He has left Theresa's side for the first time in two centuries.
Theresa
We all know what we must face.
Theresis
I hope this will not be the last time we stand together.
Theresa
...Will that day be far?
Theresis
Not too far.
Theresa joins the silent procession. Their farewell to the city is soundless. Their path is one of hope.
Then, something occurs, enough to silence the restless onlookers and momentarily halt the procession.
The cursing and crying cease. Every eye turns to a single, poignant scene.
🔍
[ImageTween( xScaleFrom=1.2, yScaleFrom=1.2, xScaleTo=1, yScaleTo=1, duration=60)]
A mercenary steps out of the line to embrace his best friend in the procession.
No one can hear the whispers exchanged between the two friends by the ruins of Babel, but all are willing to wait and give them their moment of farewell.
A farewell between the people and their city, and between two peoples of the same blood.
A young Sarkaz, who has lost everyone he holds dear, walks in the procession without regret.
He remembers walking the same path, leaving the city in search of his parents with his older companion many years ago.
Odda
Dad, I believe that there has to be another way than war.
Odda
Mom, I know you believed in Babel because you hoped for a different way to live.
Odda
Goodbye, Mom, Dad.
Odda
Goodbye, home.
For Theresa's eyes only,
I have heard of what happened in Kazdel and share your sense of loss. The city holds special meaning to us all.
But Babel need not drift on the wastelands, for I have located the ship I previously mentioned in Rim Billiton.
The excavation went smoothly, and the ship's basic functions have been restored after two years of work.
It will carry the hopes of Babel into the future. Please wait for me, Theresa.
P.S.: I did find it on the ship.
A legacy that could bring upheaval to this land.
Given its importance, I feel it is crucial to discuss this matter with you in person.
With hope, Kal'tsit
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍
🔍