Secure Sanctuary

*Cough* This haze ... seems really dark and depressing. And what's that large thing way over there?

...A denstack.

Denstacks are structures that mark Bonekrusher territories. The other Landbreaker clans also know them well.

Bonekrusher chiefs also use these territorial furnaces as symbols of their power. They would burn everything they can't pillage and leave their brutal mark upon the land.

Denstacks can consume almost everything. Bonekrushers would use the haze to herald their invasion. Their rampage through the frontiers always leaves a trail of smoking ruins.

Ugh... This haze better not be poisonous... It's not, right?

It's aerosolized Blight materials released by the denstack. It messes with Originium devices. The Bonekrushers use it to hide their advances. It's part smokescreen, part weapon.

But haze this dense and concentrated ... it can definitely pose serious risks to the human body. Æther energy is already uncontrollable. Looks like the Bonekrushers are getting more aggressive with their tactics.

So what's the plan? Push through or find another way around?

We still don't know what's going on inside. I say we look for other options.

The Blight is a form of hazard caused by the Æther. Their relationship is like lava to a volcano.

What Wulfgard said is true. Blight is extremely destructive. It is also very hazardous to both people and Originium equipment.

Find 'em! Quick — 'fore he gets real mad!

*Grumble* Where the hell is that Perro? Where are those cursed fools?

......

They won't have the chance to.

Over there.

The enemy probably has more than one search party. I got a bad feeling about this.

Not an LB? Quick! After him!

Who's that...? I'll krush you!

This stink! I smell the Pack...

You know us? The Pack says hello.

Barking pets of the civilized... You are no Landbreaker.

Hmph. Then feel the fangs of the wolf.

Nef ... Nefarith ... she'll kkrruuush you all...!

Nefarith... I knew it.

A demented lunatic.

Nefarith is notorious for her willingness to commit all sorts of madness. She has broken every single Code of every Landbreaker clan.

So she is the one behind everything?

Careful, Endmin. There may be Landbreaker traps around here.

Better safe than sorry — I say we use incendiary weapons to burn this area clean.

W-WAIT! PLEASE! Please don't—

I-I'm right here!

I ... I was just walking by. I dunno anything ... and I certainly didn't hear anything...

So you've got the guts to stroll past the pipefaces, but when it's us, you run and hide?

'Cos ... 'cos this one looks like ... like one of 'em...

You got good eyes, boy.

There's no need to be afraid. He's not like the others. You'll be safe around him.

Do you live in this area? Have you heard anything about Endfield Industries?

Industries...? Factory people? You ... you're from the U-double-U? But you don't look like no wooster to me.

Relax. We're a trusted partner of the UWST.

That ... that means you're the good guys! Thank Talos...!

Calm down, Mr. Karja... How's your sister? And what happened here?

Those evil breakers nabbed most of our people... The rest of us had no choice but to hide.

My baby sis is real sick. B-but we ran out of the U-double-U medication...! There's a factory across the bridge. So I-I snuck out, tried to find my way over...

That path is too dangerous. You'll never make it across with your life.

I know! But ... Ginny... She can't wait no longer! I ... I can't see her ... can't see her... hnggghh...

YEAH! The Endmin's right! We gotta help these people!

Well, then, Mr. Karja, please lead the way. Let's see if we can help your sister and your people.

You'll help me?! Really? Th-that's awesome! Follow me! Our shelter is over there!

I'm taking the rear. Gotta make sure we are not followed.

The Bonekrushers were a mess constantly at war with themselves. But she managed to unite them all. This alone proves her power.

The sudden appearance of Nefarith is a mystery. But it is obvious that she has her own special skills ... and intellect.

My name's Karja — please, I'm begging you! You have to save my baby sis!

This is the place—

Karja! Why did you run off again? Your sister is sick and we got breakers crawling all over the place! Your place is by her side, dammit!

Soth... I mean, Mr. Soth...

Who are these people behind you? You grew some nerves Karja. You're now bringing every outsider you meet back to our place!

No, Mr. Soth. These are the good guys. They're here to help us! They even destroyed a band of breaker scum, I swear...!

They fought the breakers? And you brought them here? Boy! You're gonna lead the breakers to us and they'll take revenge on us!

Karja...? Is that you...?

Ginny! GINNY! I'm back! And I brought some extra hands!

...Mr. Soth, we're from Endfield Industries. Karja told us that you might need some help.

Endfield, you say? Hmph. I'm in charge of this place and I know you. Some of those UWST people mentioned your company. What is your purpose here?

Easy there, old man. We're really the good guys... Karja, that girl's your baby sis, right? Tell us about her illness.

She... We didn't know when the Oripathy got to her, and we're out of meds. I ... I don't know what to do...

How are you feeling? Can you tell me where it hurts?

Hi, miss ... I ...

Ginny ... she told me that the rocks on her body hurt and her belly's hurting too. The pain gets even worse when she tries to eat.

Her condition sounds really serious.

Hmm... surface crystal formations, visceral compression, and uncontrolled sparkling of the Arts... These are typical symptoms of Oripathy... But we still have time.

...How long has she been without medication?

Nearly two weeks ... uggh...

We usually get our meds from the woosters. But the raider scum started attacking our place. Those of us who survived escaped to this shelter. Unfortunately, we ran out of meds ... and Ginny's health turned for the worse.

Saving lives is our priority. I have a few doses of Oripathy suppressants. They should alleviate Ginny's symptoms.

Last night Ginny's temperature went feverish, and sparks were going off next to her. It ... it got me real scared...

Thank you! Thank you so much! I was worried sick about my sis... You Endfielders have been a blessing to us. We both owe you our lives...

It's alright, Karja. There is no permanent cure for Oripathy, but regular use of the suppressants will keep most symptoms under control.

How is it, Ginny? Feeling better?

My pain isn't as bad any more... Thank you, miss...

You should also thank your brother, Ginny. Karja risked his life to look for help outside.

Your body still needs rest. You should go get some sleep.

Okay... I actually do feel quite ... sleepy...

Unfortunately, yes... When mining and using Originium, Oripathy is one of the hazards we must face. Active Originium can infect and harm an improperly protected victim, usually through the bloodstream and the circulatory system.

We haven't found a way to completely cure Oripathy. However, at least we now have highly effective suppressants at affordable costs.

My history teacher told me that ... Oripathy positives were once ostracized in numerous places on Terra... Many social issues were also caused by Oripathy.

Indeed. Although Originium infection no longer leads to stigmatization or social problems today, Oripathy remains a common disease in Talos-II.

Don't stress over it, Endmin.

Even if you can't remember the past, know that both you and Originium have always been fighting for our survival on Talos-II. You can trust me on that.

Apologies ... I ... I didn't mean to be so harsh towards you Endfielders. Thank you for saving Ginny's life. I'll do whatever I can to help you out.

Can ... can you stay and protect us...? I know it's too much to ask, but...

We're on an important mission. We can't stop here.

But we can't just leave these people behind.

I understand. Now, Mr. Soth, is there an empty plot of land nearby that can accommodate everyone?

But it's now completely infested by the breakers. Those blighted scum ain't human... Don't risk your life for this!

There's no need to worry about us. Please lead the way.

Yeah! Time to make your place breaker-free!

When that Ankhor fell not too far from us, those breaker scum started showing up all over the Valley Fort. Them woosters didn't even have time to sound their alarms!

They must have planned this attack ahead of time.

They've taken over the entire Valley Fort. Ugh. I can't even imagine what happened to the crew mates inside that place.

The woosters built an auto meat-packing plant nearby. I used to work there.

Some time ago, the plant was suddenly destroyed by a Blight disaster. I left, spent a long while on the road, and finally reached the nearest wooster territory.

The state of hygiene and sanitation here won't help the sick get better. You'll also have trouble getting more food and water.

I know, but ... we don't have any other options. Everyone's exhausted. There's no way we can deal with that mob of breakers out there.

......

Endmin, I have a plan, but...

We don't have enough information about this attack. Deploying more Protocol facilities without this knowledge can increase the risk of our mission ... or even jeopardize the entire operation...

We would shoulder the risk.

Heading up through this cave tunnel will take us to a wooster container park. In fact, we actually wanted to pitch our camp there.

We got people from other places as well, there's... Ah, forget it. Everyone of us is the same now.