Arknights story · Retracing Our Steps
OS-4 Conjoined Lives
Ratatos meets again with the Victorian ambassador and drops a hint about eliminating Arctosz. Joanna and Enya break the ice, but they are once again attacked by assassins.
2 scenes, 412 lines
1. Before Operation
189 linesArrggghhh! Didn't I tell you not to bother me today?
Who's—
...Sister.
What are you doing here...?
Don't just stand there, take a seat. What's the matter, can't sleep?
I thought I told Yucatan to keep a close eye on you—
No...
She shakes her head.
I told Yucatan not to come with me.
I wanted to talk to you, one-on-one.
...
Ratatos never thought she would see this expression on her sister, who is usually so cheerful and straightforward.
Alright. But only for a little bit. Then you go back to bed.
*sigh* Acting like a little girl, when you're supposed to be a mom already.
I heard Arctosz shouting in the drawing room today.
Damn, so he did disturb you?
I'll have his hairy head for this.
No, it's not that...
I heard what you were arguing about, and I know many bad things have been happening lately...
Please, Rata... if you do know something, tell me.
By Kjeragandr...
You shouldn't be worrying about these things right now, Sciurus.
You'll have plenty to worry about once you take my job.
But there's been trouble after trouble. Even I, shut up in my room, can tell that things are getting worse...
I see unhappy faces outside the window every day, not to mention we haven't heard anything back from Monch.
I have people searching for her... I'm sure she's fine. Hey, don't forget that she's one of the finest Browntail warriors!
I know...
It's you I'm really worried about, Rata.
...
I've never helped very much, but there was a time when I could at least stand by your side and give you my support...
But now, you're facing all this on your own... I wish you would talk to me more.
There's no need to carry everything on your shoulders. Yucatan and I have your back, no matter what.
You think too much, my silly little sister. Are you really in such a hurry to take over for me?
That's not what I—
I promise you, Sciurus.
I'll protect you, and Yucatan, and all of Clan Browntail.
If it's the last thing I do.
Kjeragandr be my witness.
...
Still don't believe me? But you've got to believe Kjeragandr, right?
There's no need to go that far...
Alright... then promise me you're going to bed now.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
You honor me with your invitation, Madam Browntail.
I take it your thinking has changed, then?
...Cut the crap.
Assassinating the members of Clan Silverash and Clan Paleroche, driving a rift between the three clans... is this how you intend to coerce me into working with you?
I thought Victorian politicians were smarter than that.
The man smiles nonchalantly.
I'm not sure how such a notion could have occurred to you, Madam Browntail.
Assassinating the leadership of another country on their own soil... it would be tantamount to a declaration of war... if it could be proven.
Are you sure you want to accuse Victoria of such crimes?
So this is why you people seem so smug about yourselves.
I'm not sure I understand your meaning.
But since you've deigned to meet with me today, I am very happy to listen—is there anything I can help you with?
Go on, act smug. Your crude little plot worked, huh? The relationship between the Paleroches and Browntails has broken down completely, and I've become the most suspicious one here.
As for Enciodes... he just spun his tale about all three clans wanting stability to hoodwink that fool Arctosz.
He knows full well that, in the present state of Kjerag, should the leader of any of the clans meet an 'accident', it would take little effort to demoralize the already-disheartened people.
If he learns of our meeting, he will not hesitate to join forces with the Paleroches to attack me, even if he knows full well I wouldn't promise you anything.
After all, what Kjerag needs right now is a culprit, one to place all the blame on.
In that event, it's entirely possible that Clan Browntail will be wiped off the map.
...I don't have much time left.
My sympathies, madam. I am in full agreement with your assessment of the situation.
Do you intend to turn things around, then?
...
Let's get straight to the point.
First, I want an absolute guarantee that you will prioritize the safety of Clan Browntail and the people of my domain, no matter what happens.
Of course. We have long sympathized with the ordinary folk who have become marginalized by Clan Silverash. It is one of our major goals for peaceful cooperation with Kjerag.
Ugh... say whatever you want.
Second, all the trade policies currently in place will remain so when Clan Browntail takes over from Karlan Trade, and Victoria must not withdraw any assistance currently offered to Kjerag.
Otherwise, we reserve the right to terminate our cooperation with immediate effect—not something you want to happen.
You need not worry, madam. We are more than eager to cooperate with Kjerag, and would never dream of undermining this partnership.
There will be much room for further cooperation, once you become the sole representative of your nation.
Good...
Taking over Karlan Trade isn't something that can be accomplished overnight. We need time to prepare... and the first order of business is to deal with Arctosz.
I know that man, and he will come looking for trouble if he finds out Clan Browntail has been working with Victoria.
In a sense, he is an even bigger problem than Enciodes...
That bloody fool!
Most regrettable...
The decision is yours, Madam Browntail. How should we... persuade Arctosz?
...
I will contact him again... for one final meeting.
Oh?
There is an old Browntail manor at the foot of the mountains in the southwest, an area that is virtually uninhabited.
I will send Arctosz a message, telling him to meet me there tomorrow, where I will explain the truth.
The time of the meeting is set at 7pm... fifteen hours from now.
I hope Victoria will demonstrate its good faith.
Of course. You will not be disappointed.
We look forward to your 'persuasion' of Clan Paleroche.
The mountain wind carries the snow, battering the hay-thatched roof.
A few dry leaves are blown into the air, landing on the braids of the girl sitting on the rooftop. She picks it out and rubs it in her fingers.
The Rift Cloudbeast pokes its head out from behind the girl's shoulders, rubbing against her red cheeks.
Rift Cloudbeast...
I'm just... clearing my head. You don't have to come out and be cold with me together.
The little white creature, which has endured many harsh days and nights with Joanna, purrs gently.
Thanks...
I... I don't know how to face the Saintess...
She's the vicar of Kjeragandr. I should love and honor her, but—
How could those things happen... Why must my family be punished...?
The girl sits quietly on the roof, Rift Cloudbeast in her arms, until the fine snowflakes cover her hair in white.
The door leading to the backyard is pushed open.
The visitor has added a few shallow footprints on the snow. Enya sees three scattered crossbows as she walks to her left, and picks up one to examine it.
It is smaller than the one that Joanna uses.
Enya casts her gaze in front, and there are three targets standing a short distance away, with a few bolts on them that have yet to be retrieved.
They started training at such a young age...
There is a name on the stock... does it belong to her siblings?
Enya's attention is drawn to a bunch of sculptures scattered haphazardly on the ground at the other end of the yard. Their visage is a familiar one.
Enya approaches the largest amongst them and holds it before her. The sculptor was obviously extremely skilled—Kjeragandr is smiling gently upon her.
This is...
just like the one we built at Lake Silberneherze.
I guess this is what they all think you look like.
There are other sculptures lying by her feet, and Enya picks up one of them.
This one is sleeker, the chisel marks on the face rougher, giving it a sense of harshness. Perhaps the sculptor had used too much force when sculpting the face, and chiseled off a little too much.
It's not right, is it? Doesn't look like Kjeragandr at all.
The face needs to be a little thinner, and the body...
Will you heed the plea of your humble handmaiden, Saintess?
Enya, pleeease—
See? It looks better when the face is rounder.
...
She carefully puts the two sculptures of different sizes back.
In this bare, unfamiliar backyard, Enya puts her hands together and prays toward the statue of Kjeragandr, as the elders of Vine-Bead Court often do.
She does not make any wish. She only hopes for a miracle.
...
The sun has set, but the huntress still sits in the yard.
She hurriedly gets up to bow when she sees Enya, but the latter lays a hand on her shoulder.
...Saintess.
No need for formalities. It's just us two.
I would prefer it if you could call me 'Enya'.
As you wish.
After greeting Enya, the girl looks aside and falls quiet again.
There were a lot of Kjeragandr sculptures in the backyard. Did you and your family make them yourselves?
(Nods in silence)
They look a little different. Is it because people interpret the image of Kjeragandr depicted in the old books differently?
...
My dad made the ones that looked like Her. I made the ones that don't...
Pfft—
I'm sorry! I just wanted to ask... why did you make all those sculptures?
My family is a branch of Clan Paleroche that went into the mountains on Kjeragandr's orders. We've been hunters ever since.
We believe all that lives in the mountains share Kjeragandr's soul, and we are all part of the eternal cycle of life within Her.
In gratitude for the blessings of Kjeragandr, every member of our family must learn to sculpt the image of Kjeragandr once we are old enough to hunt alone.
We also make leather jackets, bone sculptures and accessories with Her mark.
'Hear, blessed hunter.'
'Are the whispers of the wind and the grass not Her hymns? Are the creatures that walk and fly not She embodied?'
'The cycle of life and death is the cycle of water and ice; there is neither beginning nor end.'
'Speak of Kjeragandr's wisdom and love, and listen.'
'Rely not on signs and omens, but seek upon snow-covered peaks'... and then... and then—
'And become one with Her.'
Yes... this part feels different from the other parts of Kjeragandr. I always get stuck here.
The details of the scriptures are not what matters the most. What's important is to be constantly mindful that Kjeragandr watches and listens to our words and deeds.
You may not remember the complicated verses, but you're living, hunting, and sculpting in accordance with Her teachings.
Even as the Saintess... I may never have truly understood the meaning of this passage, if I hadn't met you.
You're one of the most pious faithful I've ever met. Kjeragandr will protect your family.
...
Really?
Yes. I'm Her... chosen Saintess, after all. She will appear when we need her most, no matter what hardship we face.
...
*sob*—
Tears roll down the young cheeks of the huntress who always puts on a strong front, falling and melting the snow by their feet.
Joanna? What's the matter? Can you tell me?
I, I—
Enya takes Joanna's trembling hands in hers.
When I first learned to hunt, I was bitten by an Infected beast... and I got Oripathy...
Dad hunted every day and made those sculptures after coming back from the hunt, so that he could sell them in town to buy medicine for me... and he did it for years...
A few days ago, dad's friend told me... he was at the station... the day the Catastrophe happened...
If I didn't—
*sob*... *sob*...
Joanna...
Why, Kjeragandr...?
The grieving girl drops to the ground, curled up in a fetal position.
Enya kneels by her side, trying to find words of consolation, but for all the scriptures she has memorized, none have an answer. After a brief hesitation, she begins patting the girl's back.
There is a lump in her throat. If even eternal Kjeragandr can fall silent, what could Her Saintess possibly do?
Are you listening, Kjarr...?
Sitting by the window, the Rift Cloudbeast suddenly growls with as much volume as it can muster, and darts back into Joanna's hood.
Joanna sniffles and wipes her tears with her palms.
Someone's coming. I'll get the door.
Young lady...
How do I get to the nearest town?
Are you lost? Do you see those lights? Follow the trail down the mountain, and follow the lights whenever you come to a crossroads—
It's getting dark... and my eyesight is poor...
I'll walk with you—
No... I can't leave right now.
You could spend the night here, and head down once the sun rises.
No, no, I shouldn't trouble you. I'll find the path down the mountain...
What is it?
Just an old man who got lost.
You're quite far from town. Do people pass by here often?
No. My family are the only ones who live here. We don't see many passersby. In fact, you were the first...
...
—Look out!
2. After Operation
223 linesBack already, Gulo? You still have the gauze on your head.
I told you to think before you act! You get back to the hospital right now and stay in bed.
Master... I heard that you're going to meet with Ratatos again, at the Browntails' invitation.
You can't go...
What, you think I'm afraid of her?
That witch says she's going to tell me the truth. I'm eager to see what she spews from that mouth of hers.
But master... the meeting is on Browntail turf. This is clearly a trap.
Hmph, you think I don't know?
A Paleroche never runs from a fight!
Just because it's her turf doesn't mean a Paleroche is helpless there!
You know what? Seeing that gauze on your head is making me doubly-mad!
I don't care how mad you are, master! I'm sitting right here at the door and not budging an inch until you change your mind!
And what does any of that have to do with you?
It's my own fault I got hurt and couldn't protect you. All I can do is stop you from putting yourself in danger.
Uh... I'm not angry at you! I'm angry at those bloody Browntails.
Don't worry, I'll settle the score for you. I'll show them nobody messes with Clan Paleroche.
Get out of the way, brother.
Master...
Warriors, take General Gulo back to his room.
Several warriors help Gulo up and help him walk back to his room.
Hmph.
I'm not afraid of them. But I won't go unprepared.
Fy faen. Prepare a few more cars, boys.
Dinner is ready, Madam Sciurus.
What about the matriarch? Will she not join us?
Matriarch Ratatos just left. She says not to worry about her.
I remember the matriarch saying she had a meeting with Clan Paleroche today. But it's so early...
Did she go alone?
We're not sure...
Something doesn't feel right, Yucatan.
Go after her.
Alright...
One moment, please, Madam Sciurus and Master Yucatan...
What is it this time?
The matriarch left orders before she left...
We are not to allow the two of you to leave home tonight.
Under any circumstances.
...
Saintess! Get down!
Drat... Who are these people?
How dare they attempt to murder the Saintess on Kjerag soil?!
Maybe they're not from Kjerag...
They're dangerous...
Don't worry, Saintess! I'll protect you with my life!
They won't get in so easily... Don't underestimate the hunters of Kjerag!
The young huntress locks and loads her heavy crossbow, barely taking any time to aim it through the broken window before pulling the trigger.
It is immediately followed by multiple screams.
Hit.
Careful, there are a lot of them!
We can't just stay here. We need to get out...
What do we do—
Calm down. Listen to me...
...
Lying prone on the snow, the attacker gestures to those behind him to remain hidden. They learned their lesson the hard way.
They slowly close in on the house, on guard against the crossbow bolts that can be fired from the window at any time with uncanny accuracy.
They could see a shadow move behind the curtain, and the edges of the curtain sway...
The attacker raises his crossbow.
The poisoned bolt strikes the figure behind the curtain. He hears the sound of the body hitting the floor, then silence.
Hit. Not sure if she's down.
Units Two, Three and Four, hold position. Unit One, with me. Approach with care. The intel says there are two of them.
Several figures sneak up to the house, breaking in once they have determined no sound coming from inside.
What...? This... It's...
...A wooden sculpture?
A sculpture of Kjeragandr lies on the ground, a crossbow bolt sticking out of its head.
The assailants did not notice the delicate sound of machinery operating as they entered the room.
They hear the ringing of a bell, while their arms and legs go weak.
Five loaded crossbows and a massive net take aim at the invaders.
They fell for it! Just like you said!
You'd better repent for damaging a sculpture of Kjeragandr!
Now! Run!
Alpha, report.
The Paleroche convoy has cleared the third checkpoint.
Confirm target position—back seat of the lead car.
Shall we engage?
Affirmative.
Wait, there's a change in the situation!
The target's stopped moving. No direct line-of-sight. I can't see what's going on.
Browntail warriors? What are they doing here?
Stand by. I'm calling Number One.
What's the meaning of this?
Your matriarch told us to come to meet her, then sent you to stop us?
The location of the meeting is just ahead, Sir Arctosz. This will only take a minute of your time.
Please allow us to search your vehicles, in the interest of safety.
What a joke. You're afraid of a handful of boys when your people picked the location? You people are cowards.
The orders came from Matriarch Ratatos. We request your cooperation.
Hmph. Do what you want. I've got nothing to hide.
No issues. You may proceed now, Sir Arctosz.
Not so fast.
You searched us. Now, we search you.
Search every nook and cranny from here to the Browntail manor, the road and everything around it.
You find anybody suspicious, take them in!
Yes, sir!
Report on the target's location, Alpha.
Come in, Alpha.
Alpha, can you hear me? Report!
What's going on...?
Command, the target car has entered our surveillance zone and is approaching the final point of action. Should we move?
When did he... is there any movement from the target?
No, the target hasn't exited the vehicle. I can't see inside from here.
Stand by. Engage once you have visual on the target.
Bravo reporting.
We have visual on what we believe to be an armed Kjerag patrol.
Have you identified them?
Unclear, possibly Paleroche guards.
Charlie reporting! We've spotted Kjerag warriors too. They're searching nearby buildings.
Our position may be compromised. Should we make a move now?
Negative, stand by.
We've been compromised! Engaging!
They found us! We've been exposed, repeat, we've been exposed!
Permission for final action!
Bloody hell...
Affirmative—
The north winds blow, over the mountain road...
The tuskbeast hides, among the rocks he bides...
Take your bow, swing it low...
...By the little wood window.
Hit.
The forest is the domain of the hunter.
The young huntress takes Enya into the forest, the mysterious assailants in hot pursuit.
Their numbers are soon thinned by crossbow bolts that seem to come out of nowhere.
There's at least one more... where are you...?
The huntress knows that her last shot has revealed her position, while the enemy has withdrawn into the shadows.
She hides behind a large tree, zeroing in on one little sound.
Lock, load, loose—
Missed?!
The young huntress is pushed to the ground as her shot misses.
The attacker picks up a bolt from the ground and aims it at her throat.
But he never gets the chance to bring his raised hand down. It is frozen.
—!
A blurred silhouette appears from above the assailant, bringing the weight of a thousand mountains down upon his head.
The ground trembles, and the snow on the tree branches is scattered...
...Degenbrecher?
Degenbrecher catches the bolt flying towards her with one hand.
Who are you?! What do you want with the Saintess?!
Stop, Joanna! Degenbrecher is a friend.
Degenbrecher...?
Joanna hesitantly removes the bolt from her crossbow as she looks up and down at Degenbrecher.
I've heard your name before... they say you're a strong warrior.
But I've never seen... a man beaten into permafrost like that...
What are you doing here, Degenbrecher?
How did he know I was in danger...?
This is not the only attack in recent days.
There were attempts on the lives of the members of Clans Silverash and Paleroche, soon after you left the Vine-Bead Court. The three clans are on the brink of civil war.
How could this be...?
These people...
Only now do the trio have the time to take a long look at the assailants—late assailants, more precisely.
They are wearing Paleroche armor, and they are carrying standard-issue Kjerag weapons.
Clan Paleroche...?
That's impossible!
Clan Paleroche has always been loyal. They would never think of murdering the Saintess!
But there has to be an explanation for these people.
Th-They must be in disguise! Someone is trying to frame the Paleroches!
Let me see... There must be some gap in their disguise...
Yes! Look at this bolt!
Hmph! These people thought they could fool us wearing Paleroche clothes, but they got a very important thing wrong.
Look, the bolts they're carrying are two-fletched, but the ones used by Paleroche warriors are three-fletched, which are more suitable for battle than hunting.
Dad told me that our family was the best, most loyal warriors of the Paleroches before we split from the clan.
Our shooting skills were passed down from our ancestors, who used them in war, mostly against—
...against the Silverashes.
A logical explanation.
All ancient history now.
The wars between the three clans, Paleroche, Browntail, and Silverash, have long since come to an end, and your family became hunters under Kjeragandr's kind guidance.
Yes... by Kjeragandr...
It's not hard to guess who is impersonating Clan Paleroche.
The Victorians...
Degenbrecher pulls a bolt from one of the Victorian's necks and examines it.
Yes, my dad taught me when I was little. The craftsmanship has been passed down my family from one generation to the next.
From one generation to the next?
The cut of the fletching, the shape of the point, even the etching on the shaft, these are all unique to Ursus.
How's that possible? Dad said it's a mark of Kjeragandr's faithful.
I've seen arrows like these in the arenas of Kazimierz many times, used by those who claimed to master the most authentic Ursine martial arts.
A gimmick, no doubt, but the GCC also sponsors legitimate historians. I've read their papers and seen the artifacts they dug up.
But... but we're all indigenous to Kjerag. We used to be part of Clan Paleroche!
What does Ursus have to do with Kjerag?
...Enya?
'...Some brought flags, some brought drums, and some brought swords.'
'The three outsiders fought constantly, and their blood turned the rivers red, and She grieved.'
'She went to the place of battle and said—'
'Sheathe your weapons and let your hearts be joined, and I will bestow upon you the blessings of prosperity, and protect you from ill.'
'But the three were foolish, and continued to fight even after they heard Her words.'
'So She cracked the heavens and split the clouds, and She brought forth a miracle, and the fighting was stopped.'
'One of them wept: But how could we forget the hatred, the blood that was shed?'
'And She wept as well, and Her tears froze the enemy, becoming three eternally frozen peaks.'
...What was that?
A passage from the Kjeragandr that is often overlooked... now, I think I understand.
Joanna, I believe that your family... indeed, all of Clan Paleroche, originally came from Ursus.
You think so too?
Yes. But it's not just you. The Silverashes and Browntails came from elsewhere as well.
As the scriptures say, our three clans were outsiders who fought incessantly over resources, until Kjeragandr intervened.
The 'three frozen peaks' seem to refer literally to the three mountains surrounding Kjerag, but it in fact refers to the domains of the three clans, which She had demarcated.
'She will come again, if the swords are not laid down.'
Several years ago, She manifested through me, averting what would have been the first civil war between the three clans in centuries.
The hearts of the three clans must be joined in order to receive Her protection...
The first virtue that Kjeragandr taught us was... forgiveness...
We got them, master!
The tall guards bring over several prisoners, bound with ropes.
These guys were hiding in some abandoned houses, clearly up to no good. They had binoculars and communications equipment on them. Victorians, by the looks of it.
Ha. Just as I thought.
Ratatos is plotting with the Victorians to kill me. We'll take these men to her—
No, we'll do it in front of the Vine-Bead Court with all three clans present, and we'll see what she has to say for herself!
Who's there—
We caught the remaining Victorian spies, Sir Arctosz. We are glad to see that you are unharmed.
What? What do you mean?
Matriarch Ratatos's orders were to protect you, Sir Arctosz.
We had been following you, and stopped these men when they attempted to make a move against you.
The warriors put their bound prisoners down.
What in the name of Kjeragandr...?
...Where is Ratatos?
We do not know.
She said she would try to draw out the spies that Victoria has deployed around here. When they reveal themselves, we can—
The old Browntail manor explodes, its walls torn apart like cardboard.
Glass and wood fragments fly in all directions, as flames consume the traces of a once sumptuous history. The boiling smoke distorts the night air.
The Paleroche warriors stand transfixed, eyes wide. Behind the brown car, some warriors caught by the blast now stagger as they try to help each other up.
The echoes of the explosion gradually disperse, leaving the crackle of wood and distant sirens ever clearer in the night.
A charred jacket drifts down in front of Arctosz.
This is...
...
...Ratatos?
What the hell have you done?!