Arknights story · Episode 10: Shatterpoint
10-17 A Citadel and Its Walls
Atop the wall, Amiya and Manfred do battle, and Horn leads a group of Victorian soldiers to assist Amiya by stalling Manfred in his tracks.
2 scenes, 606 lines
1. Before Operation
218 linesSo you're here.
...Manfred?
It seems the Sanguinarch will be greatly disappointed. He detests dark, damp places the most, yet went into the rebels' subterranean nest to seize you personally.
He must surely have caught up to your friends by now. One wonders if the cries from underground will carry so far up this tower—
You wicked... wicked...
Wicked devil?
No, I don't admire his methods whatsoever. The rebels who died to my cannon fire are far luckier than the ones suffering his torment.
You're both just the same!
In your eyes, maybe so. Whenever you use 'devil' and such to refer to us all, it shows that fear and hatred have long clouded your eyes.
The Victorians regard the Sarkaz as a collective of barbarians reveling in slaughter.
Those who thought like that are now either kneeling before the throne, or are now pale skeletons dried upon the city walls.
You, and Theresis... the army you've led has devastated this city.
No matter how you claim you and the vampire are different, you're both invaders here, hands dripping with blood.
You seem to misunderstand, Cautus of Rhodes Island.
I'm not solely drawing lines between myself and the Prince of Blood—yes, in a certain respect, his predilections disgust me.
But I, like him, do not work the way all the kings of the Court do.
When they stand in front of you, they see Her Majesty's successor, and they may treat you with skepticism, curiosity or disgust for it.
Yes, Cautus. I simply see you—as a dangerous enemy.
—Did he just toss a grenade at us?
Hold onto the wall!
It's his Arts... he's using Arts energy to make shockwaves, he's trying to throw us off the city!
Ugh... can't stand straight—it's like every part of the ground's erupting...
The drones can't get near him! Any closer at all and they lose balance—
A—Amiya, are his Arts fusing with yours?
He's deliberately narrowed and sharpened his attack. He's breaking down the energy layers I form...
What?! You were able to resist a Draco's flames, though!
He's familiar with our combat style.
His Arts are targeted at Amiya.
......
I knew full well you'd come. You think I'd just sit here waiting for you?
There—There goes another one! It's not just the ground, it's, it's above us, wherever red flashes by, it explodes in midair—
Miss Amiya, can't... can't you use mental Arts?
Can you try and just cram his head with some kind of rubbish?
No.
He's too well-defended, and he's too calm. I can feel the edges of his emotions, but... but right now, his heart only thirsts for victory.
He's stalling for time.
Yes... his mind isn't set on this battle.
He's just waiting for the vampire and defense artillery to destroy the resistance!
Stalling for time? Decent conjecture.
Doctor, I've always been more intrigued by you than that Cautus who lucked into the power of the King.
You've faced graver circumstances than this on the battlefield—the choices you make always seem to be the ones more beneficial to the whole.
Please, tell me, what are you about to do next?
Will you expend all your efforts here to kill me and eliminate a long-term threat, or think of some other way to get around me and save those Victorians below?
Uwaaagh!
Mr. Balin, what's happening up ahead?
Partial collapse in the passageway! Three fighters couldn't escape in time—
......
Route around it! We're pressing on.
Remember, no matter who we lose on this journey, the rest of us cannot stop.
Up, quick, do you see that train?
The Sarkaz haven't found us yet, from the looks of it. Let's think of a way to blend in there, and grab the controls—
Sarkaz Crossbowman! They've ambushed us!
Rockrock, one step out and we'll get hit! Best we run back underground!
Going back's... riskier still.
The Commander says our only chance is to get the train moving before the Sarkaz destroy the space underground.
But Harmo...
Captain Harmo gave his life.
I'm in charge now.
Listen. We have to start the train immediately after we interrupt their shelling.
If I fall, then it's down to the next one—even if just one man's left in the end, we have to get him out of here!
I think this door's almost a lost cause, isn't it?
Commander, we'll hold them off!
Don't. You can't.
Ha, ha... you think we don't know that, Rhodes Islander?
Men of the 13th, with me!
Hey, you're running backwards! Don't be daft—
The—The door's down!
Shoot, shoot! Blow 'em up! Everyone go! We're taking that monster down with us!
Ugh... uaargh—!
He's... here.
The smoke clears, and a figure emerges from the end of the jet-black tunnel.
This monster brandishes no claws, has no twisted limbs, bears no sharp fangs nor keen incisors, nor grows any extraneous feelers.
He seems like nothing more than a young noble whose picture could be in the papers, one who'd speak frankly about Londinium's political and economical situation.
If only... the ground below his feet was not soaked in fresh blood.
What a terrible smell. Your men fight rather too dirty.
Monster...
Don't... Don't you think of getting near the commander...
M—My hand? Nothing even touched—agh!
Hah... now, this scent's much cozier.
I wouldn't mind... using the only thing of worth in your bodies to give the floor a wash.
The vampire airily lifts a finger, as if holding up a crystal chalice, or following the pulse of a piece of music.
The shadows leap up from beneath him, latching onto the soldiers' bodies, winding about their limbs.
What chilling screams follow are drowned entirely under the liquid that bursts forth.
The concentrated iron reek boring into nasal cavities. Bright red overflowing wherever one looks.
This is the instant the people stood at the tunnel's other end realize...
What chased them was no shadow at all. It was running blood, as thick as could be.
Is this... how Warfarin and Closure used to look?
That's the first thing that pops into your mind?!
Well, what the hell do you want me to think? It's better than being stark terrified, innit?
Run! Run like hell!
Where is the 'King of Sarkaz?'
What are you—
I come so far, go to all this trouble for an audience with her, and she cowers behind you frail little creatures, not even daring to meet me?
Agh—!
You mean that King whatever he said? You're sure that's Amiya? Isn't Amiya a Cautus?
Forget it, it's not important.
But Amiya's not here...
That's good.
Um, fair. Even she might not cope best with this monster of a thing.
Wonder if her and the Doctor've almost won... *sigh* What am I thinking? Even if they can shut the city artillery down, we're about to be torn to scraps here.
Vina, what's our plan?
So run, Vina.
Run into the darkness before you. Don't think.
These tunnels will take you anywhere you wish to go.
We can't keep this deadlock up anymore.
Doctor, step back.
I'm going to condense stronger energy. I have to defeat Manfred as quickly as possible.
No.
Doctor, please trust me. I've matured a lot since the last time I removed my inhibitors.
I knew I wouldn't let myself fall, just as we entered Londinium.
He's hoping you'll do this.
Ugh... his energy is densifying! It's like... like a net, from head, to toe... it's everywhere!
The air's... full of invisible Originium crystals! He's scattering them as beacons for his attacks!
No wonder! It's like invisible drones are throwing bombs all about!
Mr. Feist, you and Closure have to get away... if you get caught up, there'll be nowhere to hide!
You can use more strength than that, Cautus.
I'm forcing my Arts... against this energy flow...
Savor it. I formed this cage myself.
Am I less able to shake it... the more I struggle?
Cautus, you said my mind wasn't set on this battle with you. You were only half correct.
I'll deliver you bound before Her Majesty. The Sarkaz in Londinium... are loath to see an outblood flaunting her borrowed power from the King.
I can't, and I don't want to command them.
Of course you can't.
But they shouldn't be commanded by Theresis either.
When I stayed in Kazdel, I saw so many Sarkaz warriors. Plenty of them were mercenaries. After that, at Chernobog... I met them again.
Even when they were being exploited by Talulah, at least they knew who their enemy in each battle was, and knew they were giving up their lives for a future.
But now? You've trapped them inside a foreign city. Ever since the moment I came, I've sensed their frustration, their anxiety, their bewilderment...
You read my warriors' emotions?
The net's... tightening? Are you angry?
Cautus, has anyone ever told you you're too conceited? You're no more than an Infected. You've never experienced for yourself what truly constitutes a Sarkaz life.
You simply sit on the side and watch. What makes you think you can truly comprehend our pain, our resentment?!
It's true, I might not be able to comprehend.
But... the fire that blazes in your hearts, it's burned since the distant past into the present, from the first razing of Kazdel to today in Londinium, and even now, it's still within me.
It burns. It burns incomparably true, truer than any illusion that words or Arts could conjure.
Say your piece as you please, Infected.
I know how this power of yours originates.
Once a lie is spun, it will not be any less of a lie, no matter how convinced the liar is of it.
Sarkaz, Infected...
No matter how you identify each one of us, we're all just ordinary people wanting to live through the unjust circumstances we're put in.
But Theresis has brought everyone into a hopeless war—look at the Victorian dukes' armies outside the city.
All it takes is for them to point their lances the same way—it could be Kazdel, it could be Londinium, but all that awaits the Sarkaz then is ruin.
No matter what you're using to spur them on—bloodlines, authority, renown... it's those that are the total lies!
When did you reform your energy and make some scant space?
I was not wrong, Cautus.
—You are very dangerous.
Your power, your speech... It may be unable to shake our mightiest soldiers, but it certainly brings our enemies the delusion of hope. I don't want them struggling any further.
You have no choice but to stop here. I won't ever let you enter this city again—
But I will crush flat this cage of yours!
Cage? I'm not even sure it lives up to that.
Huh...?
Someone's altering the density of my Arts?
Wait, it's you again...
Doctor, am I a little late here?
Finding a route through Londinium's city walls, well... that's tough, even for me.
Lucky I found a few outstanding helpers.
Appreciated. Thank you, Misery.
Amiya, we're switching battlefields.
Closure, position drones.
Feist, zipline.
And now, we jump.
Minutes before...
He's not scared of us approaching him.
You think he's overpowered? He looks like he eats fights for breakfast. Maybe Theresis taught him a bunch of moves.
Can we seriously pound him into stopping the artillery like a good boy with just five minutes?
No, scratch that, no I in this we. At this point, you can't count me and Feist as part of your combat force. Throwing Logistics guys into this fray'd be a hell of a way to waste lives.
Amiya, you're all we've got...
Manfred is a powerful enemy.
But we've faced powerful enemies to come all this way... and we'll surely face more still.
Amiya, you keep all of Manfred's attention.
Closure, Feist, ready our retreat from the tower.
The one we're waiting for is almost here.
Reprising old tricks? Did you really think I'd let you all escape a second time?
A thread of energy comes rushing in, as if it's locked onto some position in the air.
You almost feel the point of that sword slice at the tip of your feet.
Until a shield comes down in front of you all.
Drop any thoughts of pursuing them, Sarkaz.
Your fight is right here.
......
White Wolf. I didn't imagine you would come face me again.
So this passage is bidirectional, what a surprise. You sent them away, and brought yourself in at the same time?
It wasn't me... It was us.
Behind Horn, a soldier stands up.
And then a second, and then a third.
And now over a dozen Victorian soldiers block the Sarkaz general's way.
All of them, camouflages dropped.
They wear a dizzying array of different uniforms, the majority scarred in the roiling flames of war, some covered in mud and cobweb, some splattered by the blood of their own comrades.
Their weapons are just as motley, some still holding regulation swords, some instead toting self-fashioned crossbows.
But their faces all bear an identical vigor.
This time, they stand firm or fall once and for all. They will never retreat.
A gaggle of leftover forces thinks they can beat me?
—
You aren't fit to fight me, even with a weapon.
Have you forgotten you owe your last escape from my grasp entirely to that Rhodes Island Sarkaz meddler?
You can stop checking all around, Sarkaz.
When you don't respect your opponent on the battlefield, you're the first to fall.
Your blabbering may well be more stubborn than your shield.
I wasn't planning to eliminate you, but I didn't know you would be so eager to hold your own funeral.
Here I thought you'd have some level of tactical prowess, White Wolf.
You bring a platoon of wounded men to resist me, and have your soldiers give up their lives one after another? Is this your so-called professional spirit?
Don't... forget where you're stood right now.
This is the city wall of Londinium.
Don't go assuming you've already conquered her, Sarkaz.
—See for yourself.
We're still right here.
2. After Operation
388 linesYou're already down to your last few men.
On any past battlefield, Victoria would've needed at least two or more Steam Knights in order to hold me off.
But look at yourselves now—
You're just a bunch of plain soldiers.
—Hold formation!
Those who still have energy in your shields! Stand together with me!
Snipers, sustain fire, pin him!
Yes, Captain!
I've said it before—no matter how strong he is, he's still just a flesh-and-blood Sarkaz Infected. His Arts have a limit!
You want to wait until I cast my body dry?
You'll never live to see me exhaust my strength.
Ugh!
Blake!
Horn, take my sword—
—Got it.
When they fall, they turn their gazes to you, still with hope.
I never thought I'd see such brilliance in Londinium again.
But how much longer can this fragile light persist?
Horn!
...Robben?
*pant*... *pant*... No cause for alarm... falling here... just returning... returning... back to Londinium's land.
You fired all of your remaining ammunition at once?
Well done. You've stopped me in my tracks for the first time.
But after this, you're out of tricks.
After you watch your comrades die one by one, will you lose the will to fight too, White Wolf?
......
Rita.
I can understand how disappointed you are in your father.
Yes, a soldier's blood flows through my body.
But just as Victoria invented steam trains, yet only decades later abandoned steam—
Modern Victoria has taken off the crown meant for people to lift their gazes at, and no longer needs soldiers like your great-grandmother or me to fight for her.
There'll come a day the White Wolf, together with the Lion Padishah he accompanied, will be no more than indistinct images left in the history books.
Your father's taken note of that. He's ground down his own sharp claws so the family isn't torn apart by the tides of the ages.
But you're different.
You grow in a changing Victoria.
Rita Skamandros, you won't need to fight a landtrotter's campaign in the name of the Aslan King.
But Victoria is still your home.
Sarkaz... So long as you occupy our cities, I will always have a reason to fight.
My desire to defeat you is shared with every Victorian.
Your shield is of little use now.
I still have a sword.
Your sword... heh, common as could be.
You want to battle me with a sword like this?
*huff*... Don't underestimate it, or me.
You're so fond of remembering... the Steam Knights...
When you take off the armor that Victoria forged them...
They turn out just to be—
Victorians!
We actually... got inside? Why has this wall turned so soft?
Not bad! For an instant back there, I thought I was gonna get my head painted over Londinium's walls!
It was Misery's Arts. He wouldn't see us hurt.
Right... Kal'tsit told me your brain was an important asset to Rhodes Island.
My hands don't come cheap either, c'mon!
After that, I'm never asking to hitchhike with you again... Blaze carrying me everywhere is a way smoother ride than your Arts!
Am I right or am I right, Doctor?
Your hands are always busy. That's gotta be something.
I wouldn't say the Blaze Express is THAT comfortable.
You'd better take a breather, Misery.
I agree. Misery, I saw it clearly... Manfred almost impaled you with that thrust.
That was just a desperation blow. He had no other move.
You successfully provoked his rage, and that made him overlook my approach. I didn't even think I could fool him twice.
I didn't at all intend to...
When he asked me that, I definitely felt his anger. That rage of his rushed at me like a heatwave.
If Manfred uses all his strength, anyone nearby would have trouble lasting for long. Best I... *cough* *cough* *cough*...
Misery, I know you want to help that Victorian officer, but using large-scale matter-transformation Arts several times in one day is too taxing on your body.
You elite operators... make plenty of promises to Dr. Kal'tsit, don't you?
Inject these emergency meds into yourself. The fight in Londinium's only just begun, and I don't want to see you off somewhere alone again, swallowing down all the blood you're practically throwing up.
Amiya, enemies inbound.
Amiya, cut them off!
Feist, tie up six ziplines to me.
Closure, let's plant the bombs.
Hm. Misery found us a weak point in Londinium's defense system... We need to see this control room destroyed.
Blistering speed—White Wolf, this was your true aim, wasn't it?
Fangs and claws as fierce as these, yet tamed by Victoria's noble etiquette... Was it really worth it?
Sarkaz, wasn't your present appearance once packaged in so-called culture?
I hear your people used to look very different.
You can try your hardest, but you still cannot kill me. So long as this city's defenses continue to churn—
No. Wait. White Wolf, you're only stalling me!
You—You and Rhodes Island are collaborating again.
Do you know who they are? Do you know what that Cautus leader...?
I only know—that they can stop you.
White Wolf, should you miraculously succeed today... you will witness a corner of Londinium's walls collapse, with your own eyes.
Is that what you want to see? From this moment on, the legend of Londinium everstanding may well no longer—
From this moment on?
The fact you can be stood here means... the idea that Londinium has never fallen is nothing more than a self-reassuring joke.
Damn you! If those dukes outside take note of this—
Are you aware? You're finally showing a hint of panic in your face.
That goes to show my decision was the correct one.
If this wall... only exists to smother the screams of the Victorians from within, then it's already lost its founding purpose.
You ought to let those dukes hear!
Hear... how our fellow citizens cry out under your slaughter!
How... How much longer until we can go outside?
Oh... it feels like this passage is about to collapse... are we all going to die here?
Don't look down, and don't look back.
If the fear gets too much, just stare at the way ahead.
The signal light's still on. This is our hope that our soldiers lit for us.
We wait for the light as it turns bright... and then we can catch sight of the sun in Londinium once again.
Their firepower's too strong—
Rockrock, we can't get any closer to the train.
......
The bombardment hasn't stopped... Can the people down below still hold out? How much time do we have left?
There's been no word from the commander's end...
Bloody hell, I can't get these things off me!
That's not it... You saw how fast they were a moment ago?
He's slowing them on purpose, like he's... just watching how long we can run for...
What kind of sicko is he?
Mmm... listen to the sound of your breaths, your pulses. Are you finally tired out?
...Battle?
You seem to have the wrong idea.
The 'King of Sarkaz' isn't here, so I'm left with no matching opponent at all.
Would you converse with a meatbeast about glory or honor? When you know full well that hunting them serves to do nothing but excite your senses, that their only ultimate service is as an entrée on your dinner table?
You treat us... as prey?
You may be a Sarkaz, but slaughtering like this out of pure personal taste is still far too barbaric.
Do not appraise me by your understanding of culture. It would be the most hideous kind of slander to me.
Try and resist me, before the filthy rubble pummels you into mincemeat here.
I will borrow your blood to record your feelings at death's door... all your fear, unwillingness, anger... Let them burst forth upon me to your heart's content!
Vina, get over here—
No.
Vina!
You're going to stand in front of all of us, and resist him?
Yes.
You're no match for him.
I know.
And you're not planning to turn and flee, even if you'll be shredded in an instant, have your flesh leave the dullest stain in this whole tunnel?
Only if... you can all run faster than I can.
Why?
Because...
There is no because. I just want to do this.
When the city above us falls towards us, I want to be the first to embrace it in that instant.
If that's so...
The signal light in the passage seems to glow brighter.
Are her eyes failing her? Why is there starlight in Londinium's underground? No... how long have they gone without seeing the stars behind the clouds, even on the surface?
Siege blinks.
She suddenly realizes that is no star.
It is a button.
The detritus that caked it has been shaken off, and now it is shining, and she has the exact fortune to know what it does.
She was first brought underneath the palace at three years of age.
Her mentor carried her upon his back, using a tremendous paw to guide her in pushing this button.
Londinium's subterranean sprawled about its own muscle and bone, exposing to the future liege its veins and arteries, filled with life.
Over twenty years later—
She has found it for the second time.
Bombs mounted at all nodes!
Doctor, I've got our retreat ready!
Move it, they're in here, stop them—
Urgh...
Amiya! Dammit, how are they coming so thick and fast... did Misery leave too late? Did they not stall Manfred?
No.
You won't have a chance to retreat unless I lock down these enemies!
Once you've successfully withdrawn, I'll blow up this control room straight away—
No.
Doctor, we can't wait any longer! Think of the Self-Salvation Corps' fighters, Victoria's soldiers, Lady Heidi and Siege's team...
And every single Victorian being bombarded right now! None of us can hold on anymore!
Amiya, take my hand.
Tell me—when to push the detonator.
Doctor...!
*cough* *cough*... These black lines are everywhere... I can't see anything!
Because I want to be.
I'm not... not the weak child I was anymore...
I won't drag you down anymore. I can withstand these Arts, and these flames.
I know.
You're so powerful now. Far more powerful than I am, probably.
But no matter how many opportunities you give me to choose...
No matter if we're confronted with a Draco's flames, or the fiery light of these explosions...
This is what I want to do.
Doctor...
Oof... caught you!
Wondered why you asked me for those six ziplines, Doctor. This is what it was for?
It'll be hard to move about, but... oh well, not as if you run fast ordinarily...
Fly, my drones!
How's that for a surprise, Doctor? In response to your demands, I've tinkered on my drones and finally developed—a people-towing glider function!
There's a cap on its long-term use, but at least it'll get us safely on the ground—
Now's the time to dial up the explosions.
The control room—!
How... How long ago did you tire out? You can't even brandish your sword now...
You really were doing nothing but... making a stand with all you had.
Anyone else with your wounds would be in a coma ten times over by now!
Now you realize? Slow, aren't you.
......
General, the explosion in the control room has affected the cannons. The batteries and the minor section of the wall structure here have all been severely damaged—
If we hang around here any longer, we'll fall!
Notify all hands, retreat!
What about this soldier?
I've defeated her already, but toppling her would require spending more effort still.
And it's not worth spending the time here any longer.
Ha... haha...
White Wolf of Victoria, you are a worthy opponent.
Should you live to descend this city wall—
Then next time we meet, by my sword... I will send you to a death befittingly heroic.
Next time...
Will there be a next time?
Londinium's wall is falling down.
And so she endlessly falls too.
Her blood flows out, and she almost loses the last speck of awareness she has.
But her body is as if a part of her sword and shield at this point, harder than steel, unbending unless shattered.
The weapon forged by Victoria still stands upon Londinium's wall.
So the soldier She tempered to fruition keeps her watch upon it too.
Until a corner of it crashes to its city's ground—
And she returns to the land that raised her.
...I'm flying up?
Horn, can you still move? Grab my hand, quick!
Yes, I'm not dead! I was lucky enough to grab onto the outside structure when I fell, and then Mr. Misery here saved me again!
Come, soldier. You haven't finished your fight yet.
You lot, honestly. You won't ever let me rest, will you?
Nope!
Horn, don't shut your eyes! Don't forget, your soldier is still here! You can't fall!
Robben, you've turned as noisy as... as a certain someone, now.
Oh, forget it... I've never been able to do anything about you lot.
Her vision becomes clear once again.
The city wall of Londinium is still there, and though its highest height is now adorned by the tiniest hole, it still seems as towering, as unyielding as ever.
What's that shaking?
Artillery finally do the underground structure in?
I've found a path we can walk.
Is this whole tunnel... moving up?
How? You'd think we'd know it could do that after living here for so long, right?
There are always some 'locals' who'll know more than others.
......
So you found a new course to flee down?
Ah... but of course, but of course.
This scent... is it that Feline, giving it off?
No... so-called royal families are no more than a lie, so called to consolidate power and coin, as laughable as this nation's culture.
Even if she is that runaway's cub, the smell of her blood would be no different to any other Feline.
So, this completely different scent...
Interesting.
Does Theresis know about this?
You'll have no chance to verify for yourself.
Oh?
I remember who you are. You're that... little disciple by Theresis's side. Even if your teacher was stood right here, he would be troubled to apprehend me.
He's no longer fit to be my teacher anymore.
Hm?
This odor of cursecraft... So you've come too, Banshee? I'd thought you were in that city right now, playing games with my entourage.
Trifling, unpracticed Artists. They weren't enough to hinder my step.
*sigh*... That makes things tricky.
This underpass on the verge of collapse is no fine place for the Royal Court to congregate.
Am I nothing in his eyes? Just because I didn't learn my skills from Theresis, or have any noble blood?
This long-winded old man's genuinely pissed me off. I'm going to gift him a hundred bombs as a farewell present. Any of you have any objections?
...Report.
Rhodes Island's people have jumped out from the control room. They had that Cautus, so we couldn't snipe them—
And the rebels in the underground tunnels?
Er, we detected an explosion from beneath... and the Sanguinarch hasn't returned yet.
Where is Hoederer?
He's severely wounded, and currently unconscious.
......
Assemble what workers remain, and have them inspect the city defense systems and report the damages. We must be prepared to activate more batteries... and even the main cannons.
Surround the remaining individuals at the station. The surviving rebels will be sure to pass through there.
The... The scouts are reporting, they've detected another group rapidly closing in on the station—
......
Manfred, don't blame yourself too much. You've already tried your hardest.
What are you doing here—
Rockrock, take a look at the city wall—
They're coming, they're all coming!
But the Sarkaz... they're all rushing this way!
Stop them! Kill every last one!
If we can just repel the Sarkaz, we can start up the train!
You're not getting away that easily!
Ugh—
How's the rebel army coming from that way too?
A team's broken through the Sarkaz forces' blockade from the north side!
Who... Who called them in?
Did some of the Messengers we sent to the city center survive? Did they get to ask for help?
You've done a fine job, my Sudean friends!
You can leave the next battle to us now! We're more on the professional end!
The way they work... they must have loads of experience...
Is... Is that Rhodes Island's operator?
—
Break them up!
Make a passage, ensure the Self-Salvation fighters withdraw from the underpass safely!
Snipers, take down those signalers—
It's—Miss Montague!
Montague?
That name rings a bell and a half! Some noble in the paper or something?
Don't get distracted!
No matter who they are, we're on the same side!
We can get through! Quick, lead everyone onto the train!
Oh, wow... Lady Heidi, we've made it...
Mm-hm, I told you. Our soldiers won't let us down.
They're her people.
Did our Messengers get in contact with her?
To be more precise, it was your Rhodes Island Messenger.
Dagda! Look, it's Dagda!
That tart...
Hm.
There among the crowd, Dagda sees them too.
She throws down the Sarkaz she's tussling with, and rushes through the passage made with no hesitation, arms reached out to her partners caked in grime.
I... I was so scared I'd be late.
Bastard, you... you stormed off just like that, remember? I didn't even get to beat you up!
Hm... you're still in time to do it now.
Ay, Vina, did you know she'd come back?
I knew.
I get you hid it from Indra. She'd never take help from nobles' mercenaries unless it was critical as this, end-of-the-line type.
Stop griping about me and let's get these idiots dealt with first!
I never stopped here!
Vina, I didn't finish... you could've at least given me a shout!
*sigh* You had me wondering if Dagda was off in some corner again even while we were being killed! I was all ready to take the Sarkaz down with me!
I'm sorry, Morgan...
This won't happen again. I swear.
Siege Group, fully assembled.
We just wait for the Doctor's lot to come back, and we can all get out of here together.
Everyone, we're back!
Amiya?
Fancy coming in from the sky, all of you...
We're touching down! Gangway, outta the way—
G—Grab the zipline! Don't crash into the train, it's our only means of escaping alive!
I've got the Doctor held, we're alright!
Safe landing!
We... We actually made it?
Rockrock—
Commander, is Rockrock alright? Everyone evacuated out?
We have more survivors than anticipated.
It's thanks to you, Feist, and everyone you brought in from Rhodes Island.
Hah... You see that, Old Bill?
I...
No, don't you faint on the job now! The battle's still not done!
If you can move, then come help me in the engine room!
There are still Sarkaz forces pursuing us.
Right, damned right.
Us, together.
Commander, the train's setting off—
All ready?
Amiya, we're getting on!
Alright!
Go!
......
Amiya?
Amiya, careful. The train's moving.
Amiya... what are you looking at?
The Cautus girl does not reply to you. Her body is still. Even her breathing seems to have stopped.
You can tell she's shocked. She's never let emotions as unveiled and intense show before the operators. This moment is incomparable.
At the same time, the Sarkaz chasing the train all come to a halt.
They all turn their heads, looking in the same direction.
A Sarkaz enters the ruins.
All smoke seems to part at her feet, all sounds of fire suspended about her.
Only wind remains, growing stronger and fiercer.
The ash laden on the ground is blown about, some sticking to her attire, some smudging her pale hair. She seems not to mind at all, only silently gazing into a point of the ruins.
It seems to have once been part of the defense artillery. A jet-black fowlbeast is there now, perched atop the still-warm cannon mouth.
Most likely disturbed by the train picking up in speed, it shakes off its wings.
As if somewhat in response, the pale-haired Sarkaz turns around.
She should have no sight of who is aboard the train, but her expression is as if she has recognized who is looking at her.
Her face is so warm, yet her eyes are so filled with sorrow. The sorrow is so much; perhaps not all of it comes from her, but comes from the one who stares at her too.
Amiya, are you alright?
The Cautus girl finally comes back to reality.
She still doesn't give you a response, and you're in no rush for her to give one.
In one ear, you hear the calls of fowlbeasts. You see a flock of them out of the window flapping through the air, rushing into the gale ahead of you.
The train takes you rapidly from the station.
The city wall, the war, and that pale-haired figure, all are left far, far behind you.
Rumble. Rumble. Rumble.
Is that the remnants of cannon fire lingering in your brain, the train bumping against the railway, or thunder in those gloomy clouds gathering not far away?
The center of Londinium is right before you.
And all of you are riding into this storm.