Her Shadow

You too, Moran. Originium-rich environments are—especially dangerous to Infected.

Noted. I'll watch out.

Is Caireann... asleep?

I think she's just fallen asleep, yes, it wasn't fainting. Her breathing's very calm, I can tell. Sleep will ease her pain, if only by a little.

But I still worry she might not make it, if we don't stop to take care of her injuries soon.

Mm.

Are... any of you disappointed?

Why would we be? Didn't you say so yourself? We've got to fight with Dublinn forces because they don't want a second 'Leader.'

But they've got grander goals. They won't keep making chase.

We're used to a life of running at this point. We can bear with it.

What about after, though? You still haven't told us what you're thinking for then.

......

I don't have a very good idea yet. I'm sorry.

Right. There might be fewer Originium crystals, deeper into the ruins. I want to take a look, and see if we can hide ourselves anywhere for the moment.

It's about time we all stopped for some rest.

But aren't there people over that way?

They seem like normal folk, but we should steer clear anyhow. You said yourself, it's strange there's people in a place like this. We need to be careful...

......

No need.

...You seem so afraid. What's the matter?

I'm fine. Please, don't worry about me.

(She's come here before...? Is she nearby?)

Hey. The one over there's walking kind of strange, isn't she?

Don't look.

Oh, lord—she's—

She probably died—some time ago.

Her body's—just being controlled by Arts. Like the Dublinn soldiers we saw before.

Why would they control a civilian?

I'm not sure yet.

—Come with me. I'll handle these dead.

It's very dim here. Follow the stone steps—watch out for any shards of raw crystal as you go down... Moran, are you sure you're okay carrying Caireann on your back?

I'm fine. As long as your flame's lit, I can see where I'm going.

Okay. We'll head in as deep as we can. Try not to be too loud.

—

It's...

How old is all this? Five hundred years? A thousand?

Shh... Don't wake Caireann up.

Sorry... I'm just a little shocked. No, bowled over, really.

Tell you the truth. We put on productions of different King Gaeil stories each year, we know we're descendants of the Kingdom of Tara, we know that's why we're called Tarans...

But no one used to believe it could all actually be true.

There was even a legend of a forge, which fused together the weapons of every Taran soldier, and overturned the fate of the dynasty...

A long, long time ago... I met a man from the city who was searching all over for a traveling bard.

He said to me, though many legends were made up by later generations, there must still be the traces of history left in those stories.

Reed, you must know plenty about that, don't you?

......

Are you not fond of this place? You've been quiet ever since we came in here.

Maybe.

When I was very young, I'd often read about the legends of Tara, until I drifted to sleep.

Be it the Victorian Royal Family's scribes, or those who wish to preserve Taran culture, they always write that it is the Draco's nature to fight.

Tara's history is full of—stories like these. The Draco's palaces, teeming with conspiracy and bloodshed.

I never longed for, or dreamed of this place. I'm... scared of it.

At least... I don't see any crystal clusters from the Catastrophe in here.

It should be safe to rest here.

Good, then. Here, Moran. Let me set Caireann down for you.

Let her sleep here, out of the wind.

There's cover here, and the walls are sturdy. We could light a fire at night, and no one outside would notice us.

Wait, why's Reed—

Let her take a look by herself.

......

It's... alive?

It's the sort of thing anyone could activate... Why do you find it so strange someone relit it?

Mm. She's been through here. It's not strange.

This was the palace of old. She was sure to come... and sure to mock it with laughter, no? That this... is all the legendary monarch—left us with.

Her flames burn here. That's why so many of the deceased here cannot rest in peace.

They were simply—vagabonds who lost their way, and died of thirst too close. Awakened by the flames of death, for no reason at all.

No... stay away.

You're scared of that flame, too, aren't you?

......

I can see how you want to put it out.

Yes. It will bring pain to too many people.

But if you truly intend on it, then I won't let you pass.

She lit the fire of Dublinn. You know the flame you reignite could never be the same.

She's done so many terrible things, told so many beautiful lies, but it was all necessary. She summoned thousands of Tarans to follow her lead, be they saints or criminals, nobles or thieves.

You could never do it.

No... I can.

I don't believe—that those sacrifices were all necessary, and I will never believe—that only her way will save the Tarans.

But she's been the Leader since the start, since so long ago, since that great fire in Oak Grove.

While you—never did reach your hand to anyone. Never pulled anyone up.

......

Mm. If I'd reached out to her, then perhaps, things would have been different.

To be truly saved, she should have learned—that there was so much more open to her... so much more—than the power of the malefactor, like the arsonist of that day.

Yet the fact is, you're so afraid, you even fear your own power, unable to do anything but let others control it.

That's why... they're all disappointed in you. Why you've disappointed even your sister.

...No. You're wrong. You speak of nothing but the past.

I am here now. I have held others' hands in mine.

I cannot say it was me that pulled them to their feet, but if they want to walk forward, then my fire will clear the path for them. Even if they lead me with them as they go.

If... If she could see all this, I know she wouldn't be disappointed.

You... found your companions by mere chance.

In front of them, you act like the capable fighter, the orator who brings all under your banner... You pretend to have your own power.

But in reality, you are simply mimicking her.

You are nothing, can be nothing, but her shadow. She sees any method through to its extreme, while in the face of her, you are far too hesitant and weak.

...I have no regrets.

I had always once thought she was in the right.

'We will throw ourselves into the fire, give even our own lives as fuel, to build the Tarans' ideal nation in the end...'

So I always spoke, by her side.

But once the fuel has burned away... will there be anyone left in her nation?

I've hesitated, rethought, run away...

I do not regret it.

My flight took me here. I've met people, seen things, she's never seen. The things I want to say cannot be what she does.

So I will not be afraid of the thought of her again.

I will never... be trapped within my own shadow!

But as you recognized this palace, were you not fearing?

I imagine you'd never be able to tell your 'companions' where you are bound, but the answer has long been readied in your heart.

If you won't become me, then how will you find your own place within Dublinn's dreams?

—Loughshinny... what do you want?

...Stop.

Walk no longer...

You are owed... your rest!

...I'm sorry, Sister. I'm sorry...

I—did not mean to ruin your Arts...

—You've done well, Loughshinny.

Truly, very well. Your firelight is such a dazzling one.

I always wondered. What it would take, for you to show your true strength? For you to draw the attentions of all?

Display to me your talent once again. Let me see that you truly can drive back my flames.

Will you defeat me, my beloved sister?