Arknights story · Episode 3: Stinging Shock
3-8 Dusk
The thoughts of the two sides are like parallel lines. Though they both run straight, they will never intersect. Even if Amiya recognizes 'Skullshatterer,' there is no path forward from here.
2 scenes, 140 lines
1. Before Operation
70 linesUgh! They're still fighting back!
Skullshatterer!
As long as we can push them back, victory will be ours!
Yes...
Right now... we have no choice but to fight.
These guys... are pretty tough!
Gaah-! Damn, that shield of yours...
Sh-she's the one from the L.G.D...!
It's not too late to put down your weapons and surrender...
Unless you want to die in vain right here.
You'd expect us to believe you?
Liar! Ursus... they've said the same thing before. But they executed those Infected, one by one...
I hid beneath the bodies of the slain, holding my breath, in order to survive.
...
There are no depths to which your kind won't stoop... in order to exterminate us.
Aren't you just trying to round us up so you can kill us faster?
Very well. You've made your choice then.
...
You're not getting through to them, big fella. They won't listen to reason.
They can't even distinguish between good and even, Lungmen and Ursus.
In that place... No, in many places...
Only hatred exists between those who are infected and those who are not.
It seems that because of that... all communication has broken down. Even though there's another path in front of our eyes.
Another path?
What... could we possibly do?
And what could you accomplish?
Don't waste any more time listening to their lies! Skullshatterer, let's get rid of them together!
Explosions?
He's planning to surround us from multiple directions!
Our flank will collapse if we can't seize the initiative... Prepare to counterattack!
Skullshatterer! I'll cover you! Just kill them, and the battle will be over!
Skullshatterer...!
I have to go back... with all of you...
I have to...!!
----------
I'm ready.
Act carefully. Don't show the enemy any signs of weakness.
I won't give them an opening!
Watch out, the enemy is charging forward!
Amiya! Stay away from the enemy...!
You know what you have to do, Amiya.
...
A-...
Amiya...?
Amiya... I guess this was our fate all along.
Amiya! What are you doing? Hurry...
I...
Madam Ch'en? I...
Madam Ch'en...
There is one thing I must tell you.
From now on, you'd better treat all Infected the same way... ...as your enemies.
...
2. After Operation
70 lines...
People always have a way of surpassing your expectations.
Even moreso when it comes to the Infected.
Power begets madness, and desire begets depravity.
They are cancers, eroding away at all that is good in the world.
...
I don't think this mask will have any particular significance for you.
I think...
If you want to keep it, I won't stop you.
Just know that one day, your room will be filled with masks like this.
All people must bear the consequences for the choices they make... Infected, or otherwise.
Listen, Amiya.
These people... Reunion, if they're willing to listen to you, then you can do everything in your power to help them.
But if they've decided to abandon the voices of reason and dedicate their lives to the pursuit of madness... You should not hesitate any longer.
...
She did no evil. Nor did we put an end to any evil here today.
This happened just because of a choice she made.
Nobody has the right to stop her, and nobody has the right to blame her.
But, I...
I don't know... I always felt that we had a duty to help those in need.
But, why... did it have to end like this...? Why did she have to bear this consequence alone...
Is what Rhodes Island is doing truly right?
...
When one is infected with Oripathy, her life is no longer her own.
Perhaps through the eyes of Rhodes Island, those who are on the wrong path can still be redeemed...
But for me, and the L.G.D., that is not the case. If necessary, we might have to...
...
I just want to break this never-ending cycle...
Even if it's only bit by bit...
But... if everything will just end up like this, then I can only...
I...
I don't now...
The Infected seem to be doomed to death, either by the hands of hostiles, or through their own making.
This tragedy will only continue to repeat, again and again.
In this vicious cycle of hatred, there is only one way for the Infected to regain hope, other than eliminating Oripathy itself.
...And that is to cast aside these chains of thorns and put an end to hatred itself.
Amiya...
Mercy comes at a cost that not all can afford.
Rhodes Island cannot become the L.G.D., nor can it do what the L.G.D. does.
Choosing the number of Infected that you're willing to accept, or choosing how many people to save through your benevolent methods... These are things that only Rhodes Island can do. Or rather...
These are things that only Rhodes Island is willing to do.
But, I cannot do these things...
And especially... not the L.G.D.
...
At least... you will also honor his memory, not just his comrades.
...If your room will be filled with masks, then so be it.
Remember, this is your business, and no one else's.
...
My little 'leader' of Rhodes Island...
If you've already steeled yourself to bear this burden...
Then make your decision, and accept the consequences.
...
L.G.D. will clear the scene before finishing up. Afterwards, I'll get in touch with that other doctor.
Doctor, let's go.
Tsk... Peoples' fates always have a strange way of intertwining.
They cross with each other, and they clash with each other. Even a grandmaster can be put in check by unexpected developments.
But in the end, all is still well.
For at least... I can look forward to what the future has in store for us. Heh.