Arknights story · Exodus from the Pale Sea
EP-5 Let the Light of the Past Die
The compass repairs do not go well. The sailors plan a mutiny. Thorns kills the sword-wielding Seaborn under Juana's direction and learns the sword technique that fights the wind and waves.
2 scenes, 411 lines
1. Before Operation
202 lines
Wow, this is way more dangerous than your experiments at Rhodes Island.
You used to blow up your lab like three or four times a day, at most. Now, you're doing it once every fifteen minutes.
That's not the kind of data I want...
Don't worry, I made detailed records of all your experiments so far. Clean the desk up, won't you, Peludita?
Sure thing!
What is she doing here?
I felt like I could use an assistant myself. Don't worry, she's clever and hardworking enough.
(And you're making me do all your work!)
...
Ahem. How about you go fetch some fin oil and Oriron from the warehouse?
On it!
We're not making much progress... The samples that I've managed to construct are well below the required standard.
Really? They look good though. Nice and shiny.
There's a reason Corazonix is so rare. Its incredible powers are supported by an extraordinarily complex structure.
Either I'm not doing this right, or my understanding of Corazonix is completely wrong.
I'm not ready to manipulate true Corazonix, not even close.
So why not make more samples until you're satisfied with them?
Our resources are limited, I can't use them all... If I fail, I at least want to leave some behind for them.
You've barely started and you're already thinking about your inevitable failure. Come on, have some faith in yourself.
We've worked together so many times. I have faith in you. So does Señora Juana, and, er... er...
...Who else was there again?
Well, that certain someone, at least...
And me.
Oh, hey there, Peludita. You're back already?
I, for one, am rooting for your success.
What's in it for you, Pascuala?
Don't forget I was the one who brought this compass here. If you screw this up, I'm screwed too.
So, don't send me away again when you run into trouble. I'll do what I can to help.
...Well, to start with, you could help by not selling me out this time.
Tch, believe what you want...
Ahem. Anyway, thanks for running that errand. I'm going to adjust the direction of the transmutation table. Could you sort out the ingredients?
Fine, fine.
(All you do is nag!)
Come in!
Sorry to interrupt. There's something I want to ask.
The transmission core on one of the salt ships just broke, and we couldn't find any material strong enough... I get that the boss gave you those materials for the compass, but we just need a little...
How much?
One hundred grams.
Pascuala will fetch it.
(Whisper) Are you kidding me? That's everything we've got!
Go.
But...
Just go. We don't need it for the experiments just yet.
Muchas gracias. Sorry for asking at a time like this. Señora Juana said the compass takes priority over everything else...
The future of the whole fleet is on you.
...
Isidro?
Please don't say that.
...Is it not going well?
I...
Don't you worry, señora. It's only been a few days! He's feeling stressed, that's all.
If you ask me, it's a good thing! Nothing like a little pressure to keep you sharp.
...
Word of advice, Isidro. Whatever happens in the lab, good or bad, don't tell a soul.
Resentment towards Juana has been growing for years due to her radical decisions. Many are watching closely, waiting for the slightest slip-up.
Waiting for their chance to take the leadership from her.
I didn't realize there would be so many complications when I agreed to repair the compass.
What about you, Señora Teach?
Are you one of the people watching?
Of course I'm watching you, chaval. But I don't give a sandfin's ass about the compass, I only care about Juana.
If you fail, it's up to me to keep her safe, and...
And what?
And keep you all from being torn to pieces by a horde of angry pirates.
This is a pirate ship, and don't you forget that.
Thorns...
Isidro does not answer. His expression is grave, and the shadows on his face hang like heavy curtains in the night.
Several pirates are still working under the dim lamplight. They look up at the pair with probing gazes as they walk by.
Isidro has never felt so intently that his every move is being watched.
If you're starting to have second thoughts, I've got your back.
(Whisper) I'm sure the two of us could slip out by ourselves, no problem.
...Sorry to drag you into this, Elysium.
Oh, spare me, I chose to come here.
I just wanted to help them find a way out. Maybe satisfy my own desires along the way...
But things are far more complicated than I thought. Far too many people have placed their hopes in me, in this compass.
Some of those hopes are even contradictory. Some want me to succeed, some want me to fail, others want me to do nothing at all.
I don't like it.
I feel you, amigo.
But that's how people are. Anything you do is inevitably going to affect someone else. Not saying you need to feel responsible, but it couldn't hurt to give it some thought.
The whole thing makes my head hurt... I'd much rather be working alone.
You haven't been alone for a long time now, buddy.
You really gave Teach all the sinew?
...Did Pascuala tell you?
Oh, you needn't worry about that. I certainly didn't order her to show up at your lab.
...
I realize you'd rather not be bothered. I just felt compelled to check on your progress.
Do you need more sinew?
Unless my eyes deceived me, that wasn't saltfin sinew... That was taken from Seaborn.
But I thought you wiped out the Seaborn on the Salt Flat.
Wait... are you going to kill it? But...
...Come with me.
Cruz would have done the same.
I told you Juana wouldn't listen.
I know...
I did it to keep her from learning about your conversation with the shipwrights. She was going to talk to them yesterday.
We simply talked about work. What's there to hide?
Teach may not have realized, but I have. It doesn't take that much sinew to fix a transmission core.
...So you knew all along?
What are your next plans?
The compass repairs will grind to a halt without enough materials.
Juana won't stop just because of a little material shortage. She'll go get more with the kid.
I heard it was taken from the sea monsters Captain Cruz killed... but there aren't any sea monsters around anymore.
No, there are... I've seen it.
So... the rumors were true?
Doesn't matter anymore. What matters is what we can do while she's gone.
*yawn*
No clue. He didn't come back last night.
You waited all night for him?
Not me, Nene. It laid down at the door and didn't budge all night.
(Shakes tail anxiously)
That's odd. I'll check out the lab. Go get some sleep.
Can't work without sleep. No point trying to play it tough; I'll wake you up if there's anything.
...
Did he really think I could fall asleep at a time like this? That guy's loco.
Um, excuse me? Are you looking for someone?
Is Pascuala here?
The sound of clashing swords echoes through the cave. Isidro slices a sharp arc in the air, cutting cleanly through the Seaborn's flesh.
Yet, the creature is relentless, its appendages flailing wildly. Blades embedded within its limbs streak across the air like shooting stars.
A fencer's rapier, a bladecaster's sword-wand, a knight's great sword, an assassin's dagger, a samurai's katana... one after another, they rush towards Isidro, threatening to overwhelm his vision.
Finally, there is a pirate's cutlass, screaming as it cuts through the air, as if battling the wind and waves, like in the legends.
Hmph...
Gugh...
I used to ask myself every day... why wasn't I the one who was devoured?
This was your burden to bear... so why leave it to me?
You were the one who should have sat in the captain's chair, and I should have been your helmswoman, drenched from head to toe by the ocean's spray.
Oh, how I've loathed you for this, Cruz.
The night wind of the Salt Flat carries the familiar smell of brine.
A single tear falls from the corner of Juana's eye, scattered by the wind before it hits the ground.
Your swordplay has already improved tremendously. I thought it would take more time.
I'm sorry...
For what? I'd have joined you in that cave, if I weren't recovering from my injuries.
...Were you crying?
What did I tell you about asking a lady a question she'd rather not answer?
...My apologies.
There's no need to feel bad. I was planning to ask you to kill hi—it eventually, once you were strong enough.
We just moved up the schedule. You must be incredibly talented with a blade to have accomplished it so soon.
It... had a sword with the name Cruz on it.
I thought you should have it.
I... still haven't delivered the killing blow.
You can still say goodbye, if you want.
...
Gracias.
The Seaborn writhes, its appendages twitching as swords scrape dully against one another.
But this sound soon fades, along with the Seaborn's feeble breathing. Juana knows that the last vestige of its life is slipping away.
With its last bit of strength, it lifts itself from the ground, using the swords impaling it as support.
I'm sorry for imprisoning you in this cave for so long.
Your suffering will end soon.
I'm glad I met that boy, so you could meet your end by the sword in an honorable duel.
Rather than being put down as a monster...
So many have failed... but he succeeded.
If he's willing to go out to sea with us, surely he would be your equal as captain.
Juana approaches the creature, places a hand upon its smooth face, and gazes into its clouded eyes.
It struggles as it senses her approach, but its once-strong appendages betray it, and it falls to the ground.
Juana holds its head and places it upon her knees.
The light-emitting organ on its forehead dims. Juana is reminded of that night many years ago, when she saw a tiny sailboat from beneath the surface.
On that boat stood a young man, gazing curiously into the water, lamp in hand.
May your soul be freed from the Salt Flat, and return to the ocean with the clouds and rain.
May we meet again on the boundless ocean.
Farewell, my love.
Juana feels a stinging pain in her chest. This is good. It is a sign that she still lives, and has not been numbed over the past century.
Deep in the ocean, in an Ægir city, the years pass like a single day.
Deep in the Salt Flat, in an Iberian settlement, life is bland as water.
It is only upon the waves, in strife and struggle, that her blood flows, that her heart beats.
It is only then that she feels hunger, the desire to take a bite out of tomorrow, and cough violently at its taste.
She will bite out the shape of the future, one mouthful at a time, and down it with bitter brine.
Let go of me, you piece of finshit!
Juana and Isidro will have you all killed when they see what you're doing to me!
Shut her up.
Finshit... mmph, nnf!
I've sent out word, Rus. The escort will be ready soon. You leave with the chica.
I'll look for the compass in the boss's room and catch up once I find it.
Er, I'm not quite sure I understand what's going on here. Is this a mutiny?
Could somebody explain things to me?
Do we hand him over too?
Aye.
Finally, some peace and quiet.
Mmpf...
(Pokes head out from under the table)
(C'mon... over here...)
She tries to signal it with her eyes, but Rus and Javier's footsteps send it back into hiding.
She grits her teeth and opens her eyes wide, trying to put on the fiercest look she can muster to scare it into coming out.
What? Salt got in your eyes?
Hmm?
Just leave her be.
Wish I could, but the way she's scrunching her face is an eyesore.
Mmph?!
Mmph—!!
Hmph, nothing...
Lemme take a look.
As Rus approaches, Pascuala struggles even harder against her fetters.
That is, until she catches a glimpse of Elysium slowly edging towards the table, and the saltfin beneath.
She stops struggling and keeps her gaze firmly on the duo in front of her, doing her utmost not to avert her eyes even a little bit.
Nene? What are you doing here?
Mmph!
What's this on your fin?
That's... Elysium's flag. Something must have happened back at the fleet.
Let's hurry!
2. After Operation
209 linesMmph... mmph!
Mmph—!
Give it up already, will you?
Don't blame me for handing you over to the Inquisition. We all have to look out for ourselves.
I'll take the cloth out of your mouths if you'll quiet down.
(Nods hesitantly)
I'll be quiet...
Yeah, if you know what's good for you.
But even if you hand us and the compass over, that doesn't mean things will end well for you. Ever thought about that?
Yeah...
The bodies of your dead crewmates are still decorating the flagpole outside of town. You sure you won't end up joining them?
...
No... Not here either...
Where is that blasted compass? The chaval puts it back here every night!
Is this what you're looking for, Javi?
...
You shouldn't have come back so soon, Juana.
On the contrary, I think I returned at precisely the right time.
Señora, I... I don't have a choice.
Put down the knife, Javi. I taught you how to use it. You don't stand a chance.
You're injured. Might not even be hard.
...
How did it come to this?
What dissatisfaction could possibly have driven you to point your blade at me?
I was never unhappy with you. I supported every decision you ever made, every idea you ever had.
When my mother left me, you took my hand and said we were family.
Ever since then, I've never been unhappy with you.
Then why?
It's for your good, Juana... for you...
Lies. I'm standing right here.
Tell me! How is it my for own good when you're pointing a blade at me?
The Juana I know wouldn't put the entire fleet in danger for her own selfish desires. She's a brave, wise leader we can trust.
You're not her. You're just a...
Spit it out!
Just a pathetic woman who refuses to face reality, drowning herself in the passions of the past!
I've told you time and again...
The ocean is not our past. It's our future.
That's what you want to believe. No one else in the fleet does. The old generation is dead. The stories they told should've died with them.
Give me the compass, Juana. Don't make me take it.
I'd like to see you try.
Don't you understand?
You really think I made the decision to hand it over to the Inquisition on my own?
A mutiny... So this is what was waiting for me.
What a surprise.
All I want is the compass. All they want is a peaceful future.
Give us what we want, and you can still be our leader. Nothing has to change.
Nothing will change? Don't tell me you actually believe that, Javi?
Stop fooling yourself. At the very least, I wouldn't trust you like before.
...
You're right.
Sorry to do this to you, boss, but the sea's no place to call home.
We just wanna leave the Flat and live a better life.
Put down your weapons, go back to your tents, and I'll pretend none of this happened.
We're out of options, mates.
We can't keep fooling ourselves.
...Sorry I'm late.
Mmph—! Let go of me!
The hell I will, you finshit eater. I still got the marks from the ropes!
You said nobody would know about this mutiny, Javier!
...Mierda!
I found Señor Rus 'lost' on the Salt Flat, so I brought him back.
...
What's this about, Javier?
Now now, I wouldn't make any wrong moves if I were you. Not if you still care about your friend here.
Shut up! This is none of your business, outsider!
What do you suggest we do then?
To fight them of course! Burn that blasted town to the ground and take back what's ours!
You're going against the boss over some finshit scheme to kneel before the Inquisition? Did you lose your spine like a gutted fin?
They just killed so many of us and took our supplies, and you can't wait to grovel to them, Javier?
I know Juana taught you better than that.
We're tired, wounded, and can barely muster up half a scrap of food. How're we supposed to fight?
Besides, those Inquisition capullos wouldn't even be after us if that dumb girl didn't bring the compass here.
Er, Señora Juana...?
...
So just give them the girl! What do you think you're doing, turning yourselves in along with her?
Teach...?
Enough, this isn't helping.
Yeah, why haven't we handed her over yet?
Urk!
Señores and señoras, if I may say something...
You shut your mouth!
Uh...
Cold sweat runs down Pascuala's back as the pirates point their cutlasses at her.
She gulps and tries to wipe her sweaty palms on her pants.
She knows there is only ever one way to get what she wants: fight for it with her own two hands.
Come on, guys, what are you doing to one little girl?
Pelirrojito, you—
So many adults in the room, and the best you can come up with is to hand over a child?
Enough already!
Hey, I'm speaking up for you!
I know! But I can speak for myself!
You folks wanna hand me over? Sure! Why not?
I get why you'd want to beat the finshit out of me, and I'm sure you get why I scammed you.
Violence and deception. That's how we survive. That's all we know.
But you know how they do things in town. Do you really think handing me and the compass over will help you even one bit?
But if you don't, the Inquisition bastards will keep hunting you, and that won't go so well for you either, no?
So what's your point? We're screwed either way?
One week.
Give us one week to fix up that compass!
...
Yes. I just need a little more time.
If he succeeds, the compass will guide us to the sea, where those finshits will never find us again!
If he doesn't, well, it won't be too late to hand me over and see how that goes!
Not like we could escape with the whole crew watching our every move. What difference could one week make?
In Iberia, you escape one barren hellhole only to end up in another.
Outside the country, your life isn't your own without cold hard cash! It belongs to whoever's paying you!
Señora Juana isn't taking you out to sea just to die. What do you think she's trying to do?
You should know better than me how smart she is. She'd have been way better off leaving your sorry asses behind ages ago.
She could've held your lives in her hands and made you work for pennies, but she didn't.
She just wanted you to be free.
That compass is your ticket to fame and fortune, just like your forefathers! How could you call yourselves pirates, when you've never even seen the sea?
Pascuala feels like her heart is about to leap from her chest. Her clothes are soaked with sweat.
The room is completely silent. She forces a smile and turns to look at Juana, Teach, Isidro, and Elysium behind her, who answer with approving eyes.
...
...
Uh... still letting all that sink in?
I got no problem waiting a week. But someone'll be watching you the whole time.
Fine by us.
Anyone else?
I object.
...
I said, I object!
You're letting a teenage girl make a fool of you like this? You think she knows the first thing about compasses or sailing?
I promise you, if we just get that compass and give it to the Inquisition, then—
I...
Sorry, Javier...
One sailor puts down his weapon, then another, then another. One by one, they walk out of the captain's quarters.
Only Javier and Juana are left, facing off.
I have a mission for you and Rus, Javier. You are not to return to the fleet until it's completed.
...
Go and pack up. You leave at nightfall.
(Whisper) Let's go, Javier...
One week later
How's it going?
We've almost reached the deadline...
...
If, and I mean, IF we fail...
How about you just don't fail!
Señora Juana gave you her full support. Think of everything she's done for this.
Exiling Javier and Rus, two of her most trusted crewmates...
She... she even killed her own...
...
*sigh*...
Stop sighing your heart out.
Today's the day. Aren't you anxious?
What's the use of worrying? Just think about what life would be like if that compass really paid off.
Aye... but what if he fails?
Man, they're really packed around the room. Not even a grain of salt could slip through.
I have a bad feeling about this...
C'mon, don't jinx us like that.
Still...
He's refused any help these last few days, holing himself up in his lab...
He wouldn't let us participate, not even today. Said the experiments require precise control, said that he didn't want to be disturbed.
But if I know anything about him, and I definitely do... he's doing this because he doesn't want to drag anyone else into it.
What do you mean?
Maybe he's preparing to fail.
But the repairs aren't done yet, are they?
That's just how Thorns is. He always expects the worst, and braces himself for it.
What was that?!
The layers of Arts energy field on the transmutation table collapse in an instant. The metallic substance that had gleamed with a shiny glow a moment ago is now a pile of charred mud.
Isidro pulled the probe back just in time to avoid damaging it, but the compass parts he had assembled now lie in pieces.
Isidro runs his fingers through the black mud, trying to figure out the reason for the failure.
But the mud holds no answers. All the clever ideas, the well-laid plans that he had put into it are nowhere to be found.
We're out of time...
Why did I think I could replicate it in such a short time?
I should have known better... master said it took even the most skilled alchemists decades to create Corazonix...
The rusted Corazonix lies still in his pocket, as though mocking his incompetence.
What happened?
She needed no answer. Broken parts litter the ground. The young man sits with his head hanging.
I'm sorry, Juana. I failed.
...
It's alright, Isidro. This was my own choice.
I'll face the consequences.
It's too risky.
You heard the news. The kid failed. The compass is destroyed.
All the more reason you shouldn't go.
The Inquisition's demands were the compass and blueprints for a salt ship. How're you supposed to parley when we got neither?
Nobody said anything about delivering them personally.
We just need to tell them where to pick them up themselves.
You look like someone who can be reasoned with.
If you mean the mate I sent to parley was too vulgar for you, no need to mince words.
No, what I mean is that you must understand that trust is the basis for all cooperation.
I wouldn't have come myself if I wasn't trustworthy.
And yet you've come empty-handed, asking me to go into the Salt Flat myself to retrieve the bargaining chips you're promising?
How am I to know you're not leading me into an ambush, with a hundred bandits armed to the teeth waiting for me?
Or maybe, I'm offering you more than just the compass and blueprints, but also the location of the pirate base and crewmen who already know how to sail a salt ship?
No, Javier! This was supposed to give us a safe future, not make us their slaves!
Still better than following Juana to a watery death without the compass.
Besides, if you can understand, they can too. They'll cooperate when the Inquisition shows up.
...What about Juana?
If I'm putting more chips on the table, then I need more in return.
Spare Juana.
...You will personally lead the way.
Negotiations are not over yet, Señor Alguacil.
Is that my concern?
...What are you thinking?
He clearly isn't here in good faith. This so-called base of theirs is most certainly a trap.
Let me say this again: We have neither the manpower nor the resources for another major campaign.
My men are in good shape. As for yours... I will ensure they are ready.
I do not doubt your ability, but even if you do defeat the bandits, we cannot afford any more casualties.
We will lack the manpower to build a ship, even if we acquire the blueprints. Aarón will remain trapped in the Salt Flat.
Your negotiations, your deals, none of this is my concern. I have gleaned the location of my enemies, and now I will act.
The ships the bandits have used in their sin shall be put to the torch, along with their blueprints.
As for the sinners... I will exterminate them.
Under whose authority?! The clerics you command grew up in Aarón. We've gone through countless hardships together.
Yet you fail to understand them... Nay, you have betrayed them.
So why do you assume they will listen to you?