Have you seen Thorns? He was fighting Anastasio just a moment ago!
Weedy
...It's just Anastasio over there now.
Weedy
Stop, Elysium! You can't steer and use high-powered Arts at the same time!
Weedy
Elysium!
Elysium
I have to find him.
Elysium
Sure, he's lived through way more lab explosions than he had any right to, but he's still flesh and blood. Even saltfins have to avoid those steam jets. If...
Elysium
We have to find him!
Anastasio
At long last, you have ended his suffering and brought salvation to the souls of those he tried to drag into the abyss along with him.
Timidly, hesitantly, Anastasio presses the tip of the sword against his own throat.
Anastasio
...No. You are not yet worthy to die. Freeing one poor soul who failed to recognize his desires to the last is not enough to atone for your sins.
Anastasio
Reality lies before you, Anastasio. You have yet to eradicate the blight of desire plaguing this land. You are not worthy to...
Warrior Priest
......
Warrior Priest
Señor Alguacil! Are you alright?
Anastasio
...I am fine.
Anastasio
Regroup, slay the remaining bandits, and capture both ships.
Anastasio
I will take Juana myself.
Warrior Priest
Señor, you promised to pay the bandits...
Anastasio
They sought a reward from me like ravenous tuskbeasts, the saliva dribbling down their chins.
Anastasio
Did you truly think they could live honest lives in Aarón, after being paid for such work?
Anastasio
False kindness is but the worst cruelty.
Warrior Priest
...As you say, Señor Alguacil.
Anastasio can hear the soul-wrenching cries and wailing.
He knows he should board the ship, kill Juana, and end the struggle.
But he does not move.
He feels an emptiness, but does not know what is missing. It is as if Isidro had taken part of him with him.
He turns around to look at the vent Isidro had fallen into, but only the gushing steam answers him.
*Cough* Delay them, Leaf! Do whatever you have to! Buy as much time as you can!
Weedy
Can you hang in there, Elysium?
Elysium
*Cough* Yeah... for a little while...
Warrior Priest
Attack!
Weedy
You...
Weedy
You broke the ship again...
Weedy
I JUST FIXED IT!!!
Weedy
GET OUT!!!
Elysium
......
Elysium
Wow, Weedy...
Isidro
......
Elysium
Thorns!
Elysium
You're okay!
Elysium
Dios mío, I can't believe I can see you again!
Elysium
D-Don't ever do that again! Did you break your arms? Hmm? Legs? Strange. Everything seems fine. Is your head screwed on straight? Well, I guess it was never really screwed on straight to begin with...
Elysium
...How on Terra are Weedy and I supposed to write our post-action reports?!
Isidro
......
Elysium
Whatever, just take this bottle of seasickness medicine.
Isidro
More stuff? How much have you given me on this trip? Besides, isn't it a little late for this?
Elysium
Oh, this one's different. It's extra-strong. It'll come in handy.
Those on the salt ship breathe a sigh of relief when the last jet of steam can no longer reach them.
Some sit on the deck, some lie down, all exhausted.
Finally able to relax, Juana starts stomping around the deck.
Finding a spot that sounds hollow, she picks up a cutlass and pries open the planks, revealing a crate of rum.
Juana
Aha! Naturally, no one else would ever find MY rum.
Juana
We're not far from the sea, Javi!
Juana
It will be hard for the salt ship to turn back if it goes any further. Get some rest here. Isidro and I will draw a map of the reef's steam vents so you can sail your way back.
Javier
......
Javier
One moment.
Juana
What is it?
Javier
I don't wanna force anyone into a life they don't want... If anyone wants to go with you, I won't stop them.
Javier
Whoever wants to go out to sea with Señora Juana—this is your last chance!
Javier
If you do, get aboard La Conquista!
Javier
The rest are coming back to town with me!
Rus
Going out to sea? You're still thinking about that? With no supplies, and a skeleton crew?
Rus
What about food and water? Materials for repairs? Medicine? Weapons? This is loco!
Doubting Sailor
Why even bother at this point? She's out of her mind... sailing to their deaths...
Impulsive Sailor
Are they really going out to sea? Now?
Javier
......
Impulsive Sailor
Er, Javier? I...
Javier
Like I said, it's your choice. I won't say anything.
Javier
I don't want to live a life I don't want. So I won't force you to either.
Javier
Choose. The sun's about to set.
The crowd grows quiet and parts into two groups. A few follow Juana towards the edge of the deck, but turn around quickly.
Reluctant Sailor
Hey, hermano!
Reluctant Sailor
Listen, I've got a little package in my drawer. There's a pocketwatch inside, some money, and a letter. Can you take the letter to Abi in town?
Reluctant Sailor
If you do, the money's all yours. Just make sure she gets the letter, okay? Tell her to wait, because I'll be back with a big pile of coin.
Dizzy Sailor
You said... Ami?
Reluctant Sailor
Abi! The redhead!
Dizzy Sailor
Red Ami... gotcha..
Resolute Sailor
You're not coming? Don't you wanna see the sea?
Weary Sailor
I... I'm just too tired... My back's bad these days too. Can't even sleep in a hammock...
The two ships ride with the wind, sailing across the Salt Flat at a leisurely pace.
Pascuala
Take care of Teach.
Pascuala
She's not so young anymore, and might need to lie down for a few days, but she should be fine.
Elysium
You're not going with Señora Juana?
Pascuala
Nah, why the heck would I do that?
Pascuala
I'd rather have a good life, with a lot of money. Going out to sea sounds pretty rough if you ask me.
Elysium
But you had their back this whole time. I was sure...
Pascuala
Because Juana promised me a lot of money. A LOT of money!
Pascuala
Which will help me meet new people, and find ways to make even more money!
Elysium
...Wait!
Pascuala
Save your breath. I'm just a dirty little thief, after all.
Pascuala
You won't change my mind with a few words.
Elysium
......
Elysium
Okay. Good luck. I hope you find what you want and live a good life.
Pascuala
Thanks, Pelirrojito.
Pascuala pats the salt off herself and jumps on the rope net linking the two ships.
Pascuala
Hasta la vista, baby!
Pascuala
Maybe I'll be rich the next time we meet!
Weedy
Elysium!
Elysium
......
Weedy
Elysium?
Elysium
Hmm?
Elysium
Oh! What is it?
Weedy
I was talking to Señora Juana and Thorns. They want to go out to sea, but the ship has taken a beating.
Weedy
So I'm going to stay here a while and help with repairs. Getting to work with the frame of a genuine Golden Age battleship, plus a bionic transmission system designed by Señora Juana herself based on saltfin biology... It's fascinating.
Weedy
Besides, I want to see if my research will be of use on this ship.
Weedy
How about you report back to Rhodes Island first? I'll be back once I'm done here.
Elysium
Will you be okay by yourself?
Weedy
Well, we're short on food, water, and comfortable bedding. Plus the only way to bathe is to wipe yourself off with salt... But nothing a dedicated researcher can't handle.
Weedy
A small price to pay for the chance to study such a fascinating subject. Besides, I have Leaf with me.
Elysium
Alright, I hope you find what you're looking for here.
Weedy
I'll get on with my blueprints, then. See you at Rhodes Island!
Elysium
You too!
Juana
My goodness... Look at what they did to my ship...
Elysium
Don't say that! Weedy worked so hard to patch it up! You'll make me cry...
Juana
...You really don't know when to stop talking, do you?
Elysium
A truly handsome man has a way with words!
Elysium
Are you preparing to set sail, Señora Juana?
Juana
What's this now? Concerned for me?
Elysium
We've had brushes with death together, ate dried saltfin together, even slept under the same blanket. The least I could do is bid you farewell before you go.
Elysium
Buen camino, señora.
Elysium
If we meet again, I'd love to hear all the stories of your adventures on the high seas.
Walking around the deck, Elysium sees that Teach is finally beginning to regain consciousness.
Elysium
Are you awake, Señora Teach?
Elysium
I'm going back to town with Javier's group. I came to say goodbye.
Teach
Haha... thanks...
Elysium
You know, I've come to admire you a lot, señora... You remind me of my own captain.
Elysium
May safe winds take you out to sea, that you may find the battles against wind and wave that you seek.
Teach
Thanks, chaval...
Elysium
Oh, one more thing. Peludita asked me to give you these herbs. Works best when boiled, she said, but can also be chewed and swallowed directly if water is in short supply.
Elysium continues to stride the deck, until he has no more goodbyes left to say.
He walks up to the rope net linking the two ships, and sees a figure standing at the bow of La Conquista.
His old buddy.
Elysium
......
He waves at Isidro from a distance.
Elysium
Adios, amigo.
The salt ship sails off slowly. On the deck, all is quiet, as the crew watches the people they know gradually became smaller.
A few rush up to the edge, as though they had changed their minds and wanted to jump across to the other ship, but are forced to stop as the distance between them grows.
They each watch the other go further and further away.
Atop the mast, Juana lifts the hems of her dress, as if stepping atop the setting sun.
The fading light adorns her dress with a golden glow.
Wind lifts white grains of salt from the ground like blowing snow.
All eyes are fixated upon her dance, both on this ship and the other.
They look up in silence. The ships sail in opposite directions, with only a few eyes glancing at the sea of white salt before them, and the sunset growing closer or further.
Away they go, until the figures on the other ship have become as small as grains of salt.
