We should have something to look forward to in life.
It's a funny thing to say out loud. Isn't it granted, after all?
If we don't expect the slightest thing out of life, then why are we endowed with life, and born unto this world, anyway? It can't be just to suffer, can it?
You see, children don't think about such strange questions.
Oh, childhood, how carefree were your days. Only when we've left it behind, can we then appreciate its worth.
For our adolescence, and for our prime, the same thing goes. Filled with worries moment to moment—yet in time, you look back, and wonder to yourself what those little worries even meant.
Back then, we had strength we could never use up. We always wanted to do something or other—we always believed life would get better.
And so we were earnest. And so we strove to live.
How strange. Wasn't everything meant to get better?
It's hard to say at what point it happened, but it was like I'd lost the vigor to long for the future.
Narrower grew the spaces that could accommodate me. Thinner grew the air that could give me breath. Now my life was heavy, and I could see the end of it, and it... had hope no more.
As if a stone rolling down a mountain.
And you can see, and I can see, it's not ever going to stop. It'll just fall, and fall, and fall.
This part of the building has suffered repeated structural damage. It has a high degree of instability...
Clément
Urgh—!
Federico
Clément, come back.
Clément
No, Senior Federico... I need... to look one more time.
Federico
You previously stated that the flower you are looking for is not here.
Clément
I did, I just wanted to check... all the flowers are dead. And not one... not a single one... had the luck to be saved.
Clément
Ahh... ha... hah...
Federico
......
Federico
I am unable to analyze your behavior.
Federico
I am unable...
Clément
I planted these flowers myself... to stand for friendship and hope.
Clément
But they stopped caring about those things long ago. Nobody follows the flowering seasons anymore. They forgot the one thing above all they shouldn't forget.
Clément
Isn't it ridiculous? How some could suspect Raimund of the fire, just because he's a Sarkaz?
Clément
After living beside each other for so long. The harder the times, the closer we should come together... so His Excellency says. I want like nothing else to believe him... and by all rights, I should.
Clément
But the truth is placed before me, and I can't turn my head away.
Clément
Why do barriers never cease to be? Is mankind doomed never to understand one another?
Clément
The tiniest chaos is enough to shatter the order. The moment confusion envelops, people begin to hurt one another...
Clément
Enough... I've put up with it for long enough.
Clément staggers his way before the holy statue, scorched in the fire.
No second lucky flower is there. Only an old wooden tray, holding a few slices of driest bread.
A staff of life somewhat strange in scent. Into his mouth it goes, and he chews.
It is a faint brininess, with a flavor as astringent as the tides.
Clément
*cough*, *cough* *cough*—Disgusting...
Federico
Clément, put down that object.
Clément
Put it down? No...
Clément
*cough* *cough*...
Clément
Last night, I was intending to go to confession, but ended up overhearing the Abbot's plan...
Clément
It made me think—surely, at least Gerald and his people didn't need to take part? They were about to leave anyway, weren't they?
Clément
But why... did it all turn out this way?
Federico
......
Clément
I'll eat of this until it's gone.
Federico
You are not doing this to prolong your own life. Why are you still attempting to change?
Clément
I just want an answer.
Clément
I want to know... if there's any being in this forsaken world that can save us.
Federico knows—he must stop the man before him, right now.
But in fact, he stands there, rooted in place.
Just a few steps outside, Arturia begins to bow her cello, strings cutting through quietus's curtain. The sentiments within, Federico does not grasp, and never tries to grasp.
But for the very first time, the executor cannot help his own actions.
He begins to lose his understanding of himself.
Why?
Why did he not act the very moment he saw the other party?
Why, despite this feeble man consuming a thing that turns people to monsters, has nothing happened at all?
The song rises, key wrested up by one tone.
Between notes, the silence that disperses seems a mocking joke.
So what—this is it? What's the—*cough* *cough*—what's the point—without...?
Federico
Respiratory rate quickening. It is possible that the blunt force trauma has caused bleeding in your lower respiratory tract or lungs. If steps are not taken, it may lead to suffocation.
Federico
You require prompt medical treatment. Until then, I will perform first aid on you.
Clément covers his mouth with his hands, and tries to stifle the sound of his coughing as hard as he can.
But still the blood spills forth from his palms, with a discomforting viscosity, dripping down along the creases in his fingers.
He staggers backwards, and tumbles to the ground before the statue.
The graven image he burned almost seems now to accept him once more, murderer bereft of strength that he is. Its broken arms fall to either side, as if in gentle embrace.
Clément feels a wave of peculiar warmth.
Clément
Hah... hahah...
Clément
Look at me, aren't I entirely alright...?
Clément
So even this turned out to be false. The Abbot was made a fool of. There's no God out there...
Clément
*cough*...
Federico
What you ate originates from some kind of oceanic detritus. It is exceedingly probable to have induced mutation on the physiological level, but it has never had anything to do with the God you speak of.
Clément
Hah... ridiculous...
Federico
You are in terrible condition.
Federico
If you continue to worsen at your present rate, you will enter shock, and the risk of death will be enormous.
Clément
Really? That's just... not bad...
Federico
......
Federico
If you wish to leave any last will or testament, I am able to serve as your executor nominate.
Clément
Will...?
Clément
...No...
Clément
I don't have anything to leave...
Clément
Lateran... Our Paradise is a lie. Your faith is hollow.
Clément
Any friendship, faith, hope, future... it's all gone. No one can really be saved...
Still the lingering sound echoes, still I can feel it... A shake from the strings to my fingertips in the final moment, a last note so sharp it could tear skin.
Arturia
Yet at the outset, that melody was calm as a babbling brook.
Arturia
Someone otherwise so ordinary used his own life to prove one thing—that there is no such thing as a Savior. His unyielding mind triumphed over his own changing flesh.
Arturia
Such beautiful music... This is the spirit of Mankind, tenacious and free, of a timbre those lamentable sea creatures could never know.
Arturia
This song will bring his story to all.
Arturia
They will understand his feelings, exalt his determination, and sing praise of his courage.
