SN-3 Quiet Trail

Exactly as the reports say. Such a curious creature.

(Growls in warning)

Easy now, no need to get excited. Seems you understand human speech.

There are parasites living on these Sea Terrors, but I've never seen them on land before.

The Iberians call it the 'Nethersea Brand.'

An eerie glow has been occasionally seen off the coast of Iberia since the Profound Silence, the earliest known instance dating back to 17 years ago.

Our scientists believe it to be some sort of algal bloom.

So, have the Ægir also encountered these... unsettling things?

Seldom, but the Academy's garden has no shortage of luminescent ornamental plants.

So the Ægir do know what the word 'ornamental' means.

Nethersea brand. An apt name. It is the sea leaving its mark on the land.

At its heart, its spread is no different from the Sea Terrors we saw at Sal Viento.

Do you mean to say this phenomenon is but another form of their evolution?

I see the biologists of Iberia are lacking in many ways.

We've encountered some complications, but this is far from the worst-case scenario.

The Inquisition has noted an alarming increase in the variety of Sea Terrors.

Most notably at Coastline 3, where after a mere four or five days our enemies were unrecognizable.

As I said, the ocean encroaches upon the land in its own way.

Now, there's an operator from Rhodes Island I must rescue.

I'll accompany you.

No, it'll be more expedient for you to work with the Hunters to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible.

I'd assumed Iberia would treat her with more caution.

Indeed she should be, but for now we have a clearer enemy to deal with.

What will you do, consul of Ægir? Continue to bicker over your country's pride?

Ten minutes. I'll take care of everything and meet up with my Hunters.

Then, we can talk about how to reach that lighthouse.

I'll remain here then. Law has been absent from this chapel for far too long, but thankfully someone has been polishing it.

It will be the only light in this war. The Iberian Inquisition is here, even if it is I alone.

Hey, what's going on?

Thiago! Where were you?

The Church of the Deep's cultists appeared out of nowhere! And the town's covered in monsters!

Oh... and...

And what? Why did they attack the town?

Where's Amaia? Did the monsters harm you?

They... they...

They didn't harm anyone... they're just fighting... an Inquisitor.

—

No one told the Inquisition! I swear!

They showed up not long after we found the carcass in the square. It might've been their work in the first place, now that I think of it.

What's going on, Uncle? Oh, good afternoon there.

You look...

Jordi, come with me.

Uncle?

Quiet.

Th-Thiago, it wasn't us... we couldn't have contacted the Inquisition in such a short time, no matter how fast we were.

I know. We need to protect Jordi and explain things.

Maybe someone went to them earlier. A week ago, a month ago, who knows? Rumors of cultists have been spreading for a while now.

I-It wasn't me! Or my husband!

Could it be Juan? Maybe the Inquisition found him?

You...

You knew Juan was a member of the Church of the Deep? When did you find out?

Jordi! Go!

Uh... alright.

Thiago!

Oh... he's gone.

Never mind him. What about the town?

I-I don't know. The Inquisitor and the outsiders are fighting the monsters. There's nothing we can do about it.

Tsk... the Inquisitor will be coming for us once he's done.

Surely not... wait, what are you thinking?

The best-case scenario would be both sides taking each other out...

What?! You can't possibly be serious!

Think about it. Have we really lost that many people to Sea Terrors? Compared to how much damage the Inquisition has done over the years.

B-But...

When they come for you, can you prove that you're not a cultist?

What are we supposed to do then?

If the Inquisitor can really kill that many Sea Terrors, the only way to avoid suspicion would be to hand over someone even more suspicious.

For example, an Ægir linked to the Church of the Deep.

Gkh...

The others have pulled out. But Amaia is nowhere to be seen.

Both an Inquisitor, and the Abyssal Hunters. I've only heard them mentioned in passing by Amaia.

Here on land, though, they're not as troublesome as the Inquisitor.

Find Amaia. Take her, and delay the Abyssal Hunters.

Go. Our siblings have fallen. We are the last ones standing. The Inquisition must not be allowed to take any more of our comrades.

(Shifts head in agreement)

Jordi, hurry!

O-Okay...

(What's happened to the town... are those Sea Terrors too?)

It's the Inquisition.

......!

Maybe a High Inquisitor, seeing how he's come to uproot a Church hideout all by himself.

Sea Terrors and cultists have appeared in Gran Faro. There's no explaining this away.

Take this, lad, and the lamp your father left you. Keep them safe.

I—

You're not a child anymore, Jordi Fontanarossa. I've told you everything. This is your last chance to embrace a new life.

I... I always wanted to tell you the truth, convince you to leave, but I...

I know, Uncle. You're like a father to me. Gran Faro is our home. If I leave here... I won't have anything left.

It was going to happen, sooner or later. All the young folks want to leave; you're the exception.

I'll go with you. Sea Terrors are dangerous, but I know how to deal with them. This is our last chance to slip past the Inquisitors, though.

What's that sound?

...The door?

Uhh.... Huh?

You! Not even Sea Terrors eat people, but you people have no such qualms!

Say something! Pyotr! Manuel! I know it's you out there! Cowards!

What's going on?

They've blocked the door.

What? But why?

Because you're an Ægir.

They must've surrounded the place. We'll go up to the attic and leave through the roof.

Do I... know you?

Look at you, Laurentina... What happened to your nun's habit? You looked so good in it.

Ah, you found where you belonged, right? The Abyssal Hunters found you, and they want to bring you home?

Laurentina... my name is Laurentina.

The name of the vast creation's master.

What is this 'vast creation's master?'

The ocean, or its avatar.

Something's not right with your state of mind... You shouldn't be so— Oh, were you awake? When you killed Quintus, for instance?

Quin...tus?

You touched the sea, but did not immediately proceed to Ægir? I thought you people longed for home.

Or do you have somebody on land, gently guiding you?

Why did we have to reunite under such circumstances, Laurentina?

Your hands, are so cold.

There was a time when there were no secrets between us.

Now, though...

Specter!

When you remember my name, come and find me. If you still remember this conversation, that is.

If your mind is your own then, I will tell you the whole truth.

Farewell, Laurentina.

Ah...

......

Who was that?

I don't know... but she seems to know me?

She has no scent. She's not Seaborn, at least not like Quintus.

We don't have time for her.

Clean up the Sea Terrors, and we'll regroup with the Captain.

Hey, there aren't any Sea Terrors around here, are there?

Only dead ones. It's so quiet here... Did the Inquisition take care of them all?

All the better. Come, help me shut them inside. Somebody go fetch the Inquisitor!

A-Alright, it's blocked. But why are we doing this to Mayor Thiago when everything's such a mess right now?

Because we're all off to the gallows when things STOP being a mess, unless we do something about it. Go check out the chapel and get someone from the Inquisition.

Me? But what if there are still monsters...?

Huh? Is there someone on the roof?

Wha—?

It's Jordi and Thiago! Get them! Don't let them get away!

Run!

I, I know!

Get out of town, and don't let the Inquisitors or those bastards catch you!

Alright!

*pant* Keep running north... *pant*... There's a messenger station there that might still be in operation...

Alright!

I put some money in your bag... *pant*... get out of town, get out of the country!

A-Alright!

Jordi!

I'm listening!

Run! Don't look back! Keep running!

That's right... get out of here... never look back.

Don't let them out of town!

You were right, lad.

This is our home, and no amount of waiting or complaining will change that.

(Ægirian) Farewell, my child!

Thiago! Where's the Ægir!

Coward!

W-What the hell are you doing? You'll doom us all! We'll all be branded heretics by the Inquisition, just like the old days!

Are you more afraid of the Inquisition than the Sea Terrors? More afraid of your own people than monsters?

We already lost everything to the Inquisition once. Do you want that to happen again?

Pah... your fist is like rubber...

You—wait, what's that... they're still here?!

(Ominous slithering sounds)

I, I've got to get back to the chapel. The Inquisitors will protect me—

Take that, you coward!

Are, are you mad?! Don't you see the Sea Terrors?

What about the Sea Terrors?!

Did Sea Terrors eat Gran Faro? No, it was you people... you're worse than the Profound Silence.

You've slaughtered compassion with selfishness, whitewashed your own cowardice, and blamed the disaster on the Ægir!

No, the monsters, they're getting closer—screw it, nutjob, I don't have time for this!

Of course, you coward. When they took Marin, when they took the Ægir, you were right there under the banner of the Penal Battalion!

Murderer!

—

Don't think the rest of us are gonna humor you just because you fell in love with an Ægir way back when!

Come at me, coward! You'll get it from me!

(Sharp sound of breathing)

*pant*... *pant*...

Thiago...? Uncle Thiago?

*pant*... *pant*...

Uncle—?

*pant* Why...?

I... I have to go back...

(Ægirian) Stop right there, Ægir.

Uh, y-yes!

The last Ægir of Gran Faro. The last descendant of Breogan.

Breo... what?

The Sea Terrors would kill you, and the Inquisition would imprison you. Come with me. I need you.

A-Are you one of them? The ones commanding the monsters?

No! I seek a lost legend, one that caught the attention of even the Academy.

Yet his most important legacy is neither a lighthouse nor a ship, but his descendant.

You might be the final clue I'm seeking.

I... don't know what you're talking about.

That man, Thiago, is not your father. Who were your parents? Your grandparents?

My parents...

They... they went missing... in search of the Eye of Iberia.

As cruel as it is, your misfortune is what gives you the chance to become the salvation of Ægir.

Come with me. I'd prefer not to use force against kin.

I... This is all coming out of nowhere.

Come with me.

I...

Hmph.

What?! What's going on?

Quiet, bro. I'm saving your life.

Let's go.

A smoke bomb... I shouldn't have let you get away.

What's the point of running away with him? You know nothing, Liberi.

You're right, Ægir. There are many mysteries here.

......

Transgressor, you will answer my questions, or you will never leave this place.

I hope you're smart enough to recognize this fact.

Good, looks like we've shaken him off. It was the right choice to grab you when the Inquisitor drew near. They aren't fighting right now, are they?

......

Hello?

Oh, er, sorry... I need to go back to town.

Wouldn't recommend it. Most of the Sea Terrors are gone, but something doesn't feel right. And I can't get in touch with Dr. Kal'tsit.

Plus... you were planning to leave, weren't you?

I... no...

I heard that the Inquisitors came to town, and Uncle Thiago was worried I'd be taken away...

The Inquisition, huh...

What did that guy want with you, anyway?

......

Sorry, you don't have to talk if you don't want to.

I'll need a bit of time to decide whether to go back to town and find Dr. Kal'tsit, or get you out of here first.

I'll go with you.

You sure? Your uncle was so desperate to get you out.

If the Inquisition is coming, I doubt I'll be able to escape.

Is that duty worth giving up your life for?

Huh? What do you—?

So you're going back to Gran Faro just out of some vague sense of duty, without even a clear goal?

You've gotta be kidding me. If I were you, I'd leave this place, along with any townsfolk who don't want to get involved. And soon.

This isn't like running into a swarm of Originium Slugs while camping out in the woods. I hate to say it, but ordinary people can't do a thing here.

I just feel like there has to be something left for me to do.

I grew up here, listening to those legends, gazing at the coastline, reading my parents' notes... I don't want my farewell to be like this.

This place is my home.