Dilemma

Good hustle these past few days, everybody. Let's break a bit early today—we're still twenty-five klicks out from the objective. If we make good time tomorrow morning, I think we'll get there by the afternoon.

Thanks, Meteor. I thought we'd be gnawing on rations in the field. I didn't expect we'd get proper hot meals.

Yeah, never knew you were such a good cook.

So what's stewing today? It smells great, I caught a whiff of it while I was pegging the tents.

It's a hometown specialty.

A secret family recipe?

Nah, I lost my parents when I was very young. It was a village household by the mountains that helped me grow. They're all good and kind people.

This soup is something they taught me. It's simple to make, and good for cooking out in the wilds.

Ah... sorry I brought it up.

What's to be sorry for? It's alright.

Oh, it smells amazing. Can I ask for the recipe?

Of course. It's not complicated.

You need spinach roots and wild gingerflax I just took the chance to dig up, the striped scalecis we caught this afternoon, and I used some pickled jerky and salt I brought along to season, then let it stew for fifteen minutes. Then you're good to go.

So this is what everyone meant when they said we wouldn't regret going with you.

Hardly, I just know a few simple country dishes. I could never compare to a chef like Matterhorn.

Phew. Though, if I could, adding a pinch of staricitron seeds would've made it even better. There's a little spicy kick to them. Drinking some hot meat soup peppered with them can really brush the cold away on days like these.

Staricitron...? It rings a bell, I've heard of a rare tree with the same name. I think it's a wood that a lot of nobles love for furniture.

Ah, and I remember it's a species unique to Kazimierz.

*Sigh*...

Meteor, your home is in Kazimierz. If you've seen them before, why not tell us a little about them.

Right, we really want to know more about where you came from.

......

Meteor? Meteor, why are you so quiet?

Hm?! Ah, my home...

I've been away for so long. Just what were they like...

It's not coming to me straight away.

Aw, that's a shame—hey! What are you hitting me for?

Eat up, kiddo, or you won't grow any taller.

Do you see this, Meteor?!

Alright, alright, it's getting late. Pour another bowl. I brought some of Matterhorn's crackers too. You can all share them.

Wow, that's incredible! Thanks, Meteor.

Turn in as soon as you're done. I'm a little tired. I'll be going to sleep first.

Where am I? It's so dark.

Meteor, Meteor.

Who is it?

Come quick, Meteor. I've been waiting for you forever.

Who are you?

Meteor, come with me. There's going to be a moonshadow in the sky tonight. We can climb the staricitron tree and see the twin moons.

Lana? What are you doing here?

I've been waiting for you here all this time.

Listen. The wind passing through the damp leaves. It's been pushing me on.

Wind? There's no wind here, Lana. Come here, quick. Don't leave this place.

I'm going, Meteor. Quick, follow me...

Come back, Lana! Where are you going?

Come quick, Meteor. You know I'm waiting for you.

She's... gone.

Meteor! Meteor!

Um... Uncle, why are you here...?

No, never mind. That's right, have you seen Lana? She just came by, and I don't know where she ran off to.

You're mixed up. Lana's been sick for a month now. How's she going outside?

She's sick?! But just now, I swear she was... this is strange... um, how is she, then? Is she any better?

*Sigh* Not much to cheer for. Barely gets her porridge down her in the morning, and she sicks up half a bowl of pink.

How could that be! What about a doctor, then, Uncle? Has a doctor seen her?!

Meteor, it's... why I came to see you today. We've got no real options left now. This winter's gone on too long, autumn was too short. Not a thing left over.

Whole host of the village children are already beyond sickly. If we can't get any more medicine for Lana, she won't be able to make it through the winter.

I still have a bit of savings! I'll give you all of—

...Meteor, it's not enough... there's a man who passed by and said, he wants some staricitron wood. He gets the timber, he'll leave us some money and supplies. We can pull through the winter with those.

Does he have to have those staricitron trees? Countless generations of my family's looked after that forest.

What about other trees, will other trees do? I'm begging you. Just wait a little longer, and we might have some other way. We will...

No, Meteor, we... don't. We love them just as much as you do, but...

Help me, Meteor—*cough* *cough*—we've got no other way.

Meteor, save me!

Meteor—save an old girl!

Meteor, Meteor!

Ah—ahh, ahh! I'll save you all, I will—*huff* *huff*—*urk*—

Meteor, what's wrong? It was a nightmare, wasn't it? It's okay, it's okay, we're all here.

We are. Meteor, want some water? I'll pour you a cup.

Haagh—it's you. I thought...

The pressure of the rescue mission probably got too much. Here, Meteor, wipe that sweat off.

It's alright. Thank you both. My nerves must be taut, running all this way for days. I'm a little worn out.

Meteor, if you want to tell us anything, feel free. We'll help however we can.

It really is alright. We all still need to be on our way. Let's get our things packed and go. I'll be fine.

Meteor!

(Shaking head) Leave it, Keira. Don't ask.

Ah Fêng, how far are we from the objective?

Not far now. Less than three kilometers left—

Oh, crap. Meteor, look. In the direction of the objective.

That's intensely thick smoke. The report didn't mention anything about a fire.

Keira, go look for survivors in the neighboring villages, and band them together to put the fire out! Ah Fêng, get the medicals ready! People have to be hurt with a fire this big! Quick!

On it. Meteor, what about you?

I'll look closer to the scene, and see if I can find any other survivors!

You be careful, then, Meteor!

I will! Keep yourselves safe too!

(The fire's burning too intensely. I can't tell if there's still anyone inside.)

Is anyone there? If you can hear me, please answer me! Is anyone there!

Is anyone there? If you can hear me, please answer me! Is anyone there!

Is-Is that you, Meteor? Get away!

What's going on? Uncle, I just heard a massive explosion come from here, and I ran right over.

Run, quick! Don't come near. Those tree-felling Originium engines the knight-lord brought in exploded. There's Originium dust scattered all over here.

Uncle, just save your voice for now. I'll bind the wound for you. Who else is here?

No, no, you listen to me, Meteor. Get away, quick. You don't go, you won't make it. Those machines might explode again at any time. You... you'll catch ill! Quick, get away from here!

Uncle, I—I can't leave you all behind. Hang in there. I'll bring you out now.

Argh! My eyes—it hurts!

My leg! My leg's gone! Urgh—save me, save my soul!

(What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? Dammit, what should I be doing?!)

What are you still gazing off for? Get out of here. It's dangerous!

Huh—?

*cough* *cough* *cough*—my throat... ghaagh—*cough* *cough* *cough*...

(The back of my hand's... bloody. Did I cut it?)

Uncle! Uncle, are you still alright? Un... cle... are you all...

Answer me! Agh—*cough* *cough*—answer me... *urk*.

Me... teor... come here...

Oh, Uncle! Go on, I'm listening!

We're—*cough* *cough*... all so sorry for you... but Lana... she asked you...

Uncle! Uncle!

How could this happen?

How is everything I do wrong? How is everything I do useless...?

How...

(Rubs back of hand against cheek)

Ugh—dammit, I can't believe I'm remembering that at a time like this.

Ohhhh, my child...

(What's that noise? Is there someone crying?)

Ohhh, my child! You wretch, why save me? You should've left me to die, how could you not save our child?!

Darling, it's my fault, I couldn't save our girl... ohh, my precious baby, Daddy's so sorry... *sobbing*

Why are you still here? Get out of here, quick!

Go? How? We can't go a step more. Our whole lives are ruined here... ohhh...

Miss. My leg's hurt. I can't walk. Get my wife out of here, forget about me. Quick, move!

I'm not going—*sobbing*—We're together as a family, and we'll die as a family. Ohhh, my child.

What's happening? Is there still someone inside?

Yes—*sobbing*—my girl's still in there. We were in a rush, and I—I was only in time to rescue my wife, and I left—the disgrace I am, I left my child in there... *sobbing*

Okay, sir. Save your breath. Do you still remember which part of the house your child was in?

You won't be time—the fire's too big. Get my wife out of here. It's all hopeless.

(Grasps the man's collar) Where is she?!

In her bedroom—s—southmost part of the attic.

Got it. Look after your lady.

Watch out—

*cough* *cough*...

Darling? Darling, what's wrong? Someone, anyone! Save her!

(It's all burning too fast. My eyes hurt so much.)

Little girl, can you hear me? *cough* *cough* *cough*....

(South of the attic... oh, there!)

Agh, hot—*cough* *cough*.

(Can only kick it open.)

(I can't see anything clear. Dammit, all this thick smoke.)

Is anyone there? *cough* *cough*—

Save... help me...

(That voice came from the wardrobe!)

I've found you. Oh, thank goodness.

Daddy... mo...

She's losing consciousness already. Hold on, I'll take you away from here.

(Lifts up the girl)

(Agh, now what do I do?!)

Dammit—it's collapsing!

*cough* *cough* *cough*—*hiss*, *huff*—

(I think my back got struck. It hurts. Right, the child!)

(Phew... wonderful, she's alright. No, I need to think of a way to get out fast, I need to get up.)

Argh, it really does hurt.

H-Help... me...

I'll help you, I'll help you, I absolutely will.

(Looks all around)

(There's a gap there. I think I can climb through. It should be from when the wall fell in the collapse just now.)

(This hole is too small, I can't make it in. I can only get the child through first.)

Meteor, are you there?! *cough* *cough* *cough* Where are you?

Keira!!

Is that Keira?! I'm in here, I'm in here! South, there's a small hole here!

Meteor! Ah, I see you! How'll we get through a hole this small? What now? *whimper*

Don't cry, don't mind me for now. The child, get the child away!

Meteor!

Grab onto the child, careful of any splinters.

What about you then, Meteor?! I'll go find Fêng, you wait for me, hold on—

Listen, forget about me, you won't make it. Get the child away quick. Go.

Meteor, no, I can't do that, I'll find some way. We can definitely make it back together. Eargh—

Eek—no, it's too heavy, Keira, we can't push it apart!

We'll try again! Hold onto my hand, and don't let go, Meteor!

Quickly, go! Or else you'll be in danger too!

Damn it all, get the child out of here!!

Meteor!!!!

Meteor...

Lana... I've been waiting for so long...

(Shakes head)

I'm sorry.

Why?

I couldn't save you, and I couldn't save everyone. In the end... I couldn't protect a single thing...

No, you've already done so well. It's enough, now... it's enough.

Were you waiting for me to go with you?

No. I came to say goodbye.

Goodbye?

(Hugging) I'm leaving, Meteor. Don't come with me.

You're going, in the end?

Yes. Don't cry. You're the bravest little hunter. You've still got such a long road to walk, and still so many people who need you.

I miss you, so much. I really do.

I miss you too, but it's time now. Go on, let me go.

......

See you...

Meteor, you're awake. How do you feel?

Mi...

Making it out alive with injuries as serious as that, it's nothing short of a miracle.

...na.

You'd better not pull this next time, heading on missions without any regard for your own safety. Both me and Gianna were worried sick about you.

Pfffheh.

Agh! That hurts.

What are you laughing about?! You've got burns all over your back, your windpipe's burnt, you have a fracture in your spinal column... do you want me to keep tallying for you?

I thought... you'd be crying your... eyes out over me—*cough* *cough*!

What, is that the kind of person I am to you?

Oof... *huff*. Sorry, Mina, for causing you and all of the Medical such hassle.

What are you being guilty for? We're just doing our jobs.

Hfff—Well, I'm sorry, but I'm powerless to promise you that.

You—

Medical gave everything they had to pull you from the cold hands of death this time, but IF there's a next time, we'll all be powerless to promise anything.

I... couldn't just look on as it all happened. I... don't ever want to see people stuck in those circumstances again, truly.

Between a rock and a hard place.

Not one person should ever be forced to make such a choice, forced to part, forced through... loss.

I can't do it, it's just... I can't.

Meteor, are you still brooding on the past?

I knew it, I can't hide anything from you.

At the time, I believed if I just sacrificed the forest I always protected, I'd get to have Lana back, have everyone in the village living peacefully again.

But fate really was too voracious. What it wanted wasn't just my concession.

I gave it an inch, and it wanted a mile, until it stripped my pockets bare of anything left.

We've chatted about this before. Holding onto the past without letting go doesn't solve anything.

You're right. And it's not like I don't understand.

After Lana passed from illness, I took up her bow, and left the forest together with the other Oripathy sufferers.

In those days wandering, I spent ages in a muddle. I hated that noble who refused to shoulder any blame, and left with nothing but a pat on the buttocks.

And I hated myself, powerless to protect my loved ones, the things I cherished.

But when I first met you, you were nothing like that. What happened?

I suppose I saw more, and my outlook changed.

The people who once went with me walked, scattered, and I was left alone aimlessly drifting.

I only gradually came to realize, there's so many people across this land who've been through the same things I have, who all struggled painfully through such desperate dilemmas.

Having personally experienced that stress, how could I just stand and watch as others go through the same torture? That's why I'm willing and ready, regardless of the danger.

Because those smiles, lost then found again, make me feel like my heart is filled full once more.

Fine.

Seeing as... this is how you think, I don't have much more I can say. While you've been unconscious these past few days, Gianna's been watching your bedside the whole time. You remember to give her a proper thanks.

I've got matters to attend to, so I'll be heading off now. Rest up well.

Gianna, Meteor just woke up. When we see her in a moment, make sure you don't throw yourself on her.

I know, Keira. I folded Meteor a whole vase of roses, and on every single one I wrote a well wishing thing. If she has this, she'll get better real soon.

(Smiles and shakes head) This little rascal.

Meteor, I heard from Mina you were awake. How are you?

Meteor, you... you... waaahh—you're finally awake! I was so scared!

Gianna, don't cry. I'll be all better before you know it.

...Um, this vase is for you.

What's this?

Don't ask, Gianna spent ages folding it. While you were out, Mina caught the little mite awake at night over and over, just folding roses.

I'm sorry, Gianna, for making you worry.

I don't want you to be sorry. Can you promise me you won't get hurt anymore? I get really scared I won't see you again.

I won't, Gianna, I won't.

Waaahhhh, Meteooor!!!

Gianna, stop crying!