Beyond the Veil

I had a look around the way you taught me, Saria. All the soldiers are gone, and so are the agents who were on us.

The pursuers would not have disappeared if she was just staying as the rear guard.

Unless—she offered something that satisfied them.

The silver liquid? I saw it around her!

...Transmitter?

She was in contact with Dorothy at Site 359 and undoubtedly got the Transmitter from her. Does Dorothy expect her to do something?

Dorothy is still in military custody. She couldn't possibly be trying to reach out to the military and Ferdinand through her.

Could it be Parvis or...?

Saria...

Don't worry, Ifrit.

She'll be fine.

I'm trying to tell you not to squeeze your communicator so hard. You're crushing it.

...Thanks.

I'm not worried. Silence isn't so reckless.

She stayed after she talked to you. I'm sure she thought it through.

......

She doesn't know what she's up against. The machinations of the state are far crueler than she can imagine.

You think she doesn't know that? I'm sure she thought about it.

Silence works hard. She's always working when I see her. The others say it's like she's being chased by something you can't see or touch.

Maybe this'll all be cleared up by the time we see her again.

Then I'll tell her, yeah, I'm upset you left me behind, but I knew you could do it.

Over there, Saria.

Hm?

The army is pulling out, but not in direction of the military garrison.

Is the Transmitter really the clue to Kristen's whereabouts?

Let's follow them.

Silence wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger again.

She promised we would go together!

She said, 'Saria will return here the moment she wakes up.' 'That's the sort of woman she is.'

It's not...

'It's not the rational way.' That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?

We're not here to take risks, not to waste Silence's courage. We're just waiting for her at the end.

Ifrit...

Let's go.

Alright!

By the way, Saria, I saw a falling star when I got to Trimounts.

A star? You mean the object that fell on the Triton factory in District 13?

It was a star!

And Silence told me a story where all our differences disappear when the stars fall.

You and Silence are gonna make up, right?

Yes... we will.

Great!

Holy hell, I'm freezing!

Look out, there's a car.

That was a close shave! Can't even think clearly in this cold.

I tell you, sir, this weather, it's all that tech company's doing.

They use drones to spray chemicals that make our lungs freeze with every breath.

They want to kidnap us, put our brains in jars, and turn us into nutrients for their artificial sun.

......

Look up there in the sky—

What?

Those stars ain't stars. They're cameras that the monsters sent up there to watch our every move. They even kidnapped our president, put his skin on, and locked all of Columbia under their control!

Here's a few bills... Find a warm place to spend the night.

I don't need money, sir. I'm just waiting for dawn to break.

Between the two of us, I'm organizing a protest against the Vice President and these tech companies. The people must wake up!

Take this too. All my money. You can have it.

Wait, sir...

I knew I would find you here.

Good morning, Ferdinand.

One more cup of tea and the sun should be up. Time for me to go to work on the other side.

Enough with the act, Parvis. When did you start working with Kristen?

Hm?

You, Jara, Justin Jr., and Nasti. You fooled me into thinking that I had Kristen isolated, that I was just one step from success.

I became a laughing stock! My gamble, all my efforts, just another rung on the ladder for her to climb!

Tea, Ferdinand?

You...

Underhanded old goat?

Let me make one thing clear: I don't know where Kristen is. She doesn't trust me so much, and I'm not so interested in her secret.

But you didn't come to ask questions. Otherwise, you would have brought the muscle you borrowed from that colonel, as you did with Jara.

......

It's not like you to swallow insults from Pioneers, and come back to grovel at the feet of the Colonel after he abandoned you once.

You set your mind to it. Why did you give up so close to the truth?

No wild guesses.

Perhaps you should look at yourself in the mirror, Ferdinand.

You're jealous of her.

You're jealous that she gets men to fight for her, even when she's not around.

You're jealous that it only took her a few words to earn the loyalty that took you so much time and money to buy.

You're jealous of her charisma.

There's a part of you, somewhere deep down, that's enthralled by her. The more you deny it, the more you hate her—

Why are you telling me this?

Because it's how I feel.

......

Look outside, Ferdinand.

When I was little, I never saw stars in the night sky.

All I saw was the silhouette of the great spire, the light of witchcraft lightning up the skies.

Adults told me it was the eye of the Witch King, watching over every inch of Leithanien.

And I thought, what was the meaning of life, if the Witch King was the sole miracle chosen by fate?

Didn't you despise the efforts of those stupid casters who wanted to summon the Witch King's souls?

Yes, I opposed it.

My kin and former colleagues spent their entire lives trying to recreate a fleeting miracle in this time and age.

But in my long years of research, I've realized that a miracle is so because it is a coincidence that cannot be controlled or recreated.

Only such a coincidence can break the cage of fate that traps us all.

You see Kristen as that coincidence?

She has the potential to create miracles.

You have your dream, and I have mine. If she is the fated miracle, than what are we? Waste coming off the production line? Meaningless noise?

Why despair, Ferdinand?

Perhaps the fate of mankind does hinge upon one singularity, who will break all shackles and become the eyes of all, to see sights that we could not have imagined.

But that does not mean our lives are destined to fall by the wayside.

Miracles are born in the journey of evolution. A journey made up of all our dreams: Yours, mine, even that foolish tramp outside.

Why are you telling me this?

Feeling better? Have some tea. It'll put some color in your face, so you won't be so embarrassed when the kids see you on their way to work.

......

I've lost everything. There isn't much for you to remember.

I'm in no hurry. We can talk about work once you're done with your tea.

It's always good to chat with an old friend. We took our first steps together, after all.

Hello there, good sir!

Megaphone and sign boards?

This is what you spent the money on? Not food and blankets?

There are things more important than creature comforts!

Give me that board.

'Rhine Lab.' At least spell the company's name right if you're going to protest it.

That's much better! Thank you, sir!

Tell me.

What do you dream of? What is the future you're fighting for?

How do you like my vivarium, Doctor?

Nobody can just barge in. And Rosmontis seems to like it.

Yes, Doctor.

I want to remember what happened today and record it in my terminal, before I forget.

Loken... Loken Williams...

What is the 'home' that he talked about like? Is it like Rhodes Island?

Then he's not my family.

I don't like him, Doctor. I came into contact with many feelings that I didn't like through him.

I want to pick them out and put them somewhere that won't bother me. Amiya helped me clean them up before she left, but they keep growing.

...Loss.

And... destruction.

I want to destroy them. It's not right. Pith would be angry...

I shouldn't see Loken again, should I, Doctor?

Memory is precious. I don't want to use it on bad things.

But I want to see with my own eyes again. I want to know what I would do.

It may not be to learn... it may be to throw it away again.

But I'll say goodbye properly this time.

Mm-hm...

Mm... Doctor...

She's tired.

What about you, Doctor?

Your brow's furrowed.

......

I arranged for you to go to Rhine. I have proof that you had legitimate reasons to enter the HQ building, and that you have nothing to do with the attack on the Vice President.

The army can't actually do anything about you. Don't worry about them.

Ho'olheyak just loves to drag people into these messes... kooky bint.

There's no real witness to the 'crime scene,' though.

Hard to say if the Maylander Foundation would really believe that some completely unrelated person lopped off the head of one of their top agents, or if they suspect that it's all just an act.

The explosion at the Triton factory, the attack on the Vice President, Kristen's disappearance... Trimounts is in chaos right now.

It may be irresponsible to say this, but neither the army nor the Maylander Foundation have time to deal with Rhodes Island. You're not at the center of the maelstrom.

No need to be so nervous, Doctor.

Still, I'm responsible for your situation here. Our partnership's still good. You helped me, and I'll do my best to help you.

If it comes to it, I can arrange to get you, Rosmontis, and Iffy out of Trimounts right now.

A dance, Doctor?

It's no fun being interrogated like this.

Feel it, Doctor. It will guide our steps.

Very astute, Doctor.

From lightning to irrigation to atmosphere control, none of the systems in this vivarium employ Originium technology. It is the cleanest place in Trimounts.

This is the one place in Trimounts where I feel at ease.

Oftentimes, I choose to operate through a clone not because I want to.

But because I have to.

The Pale Fir is extremely sensitive to its environment. Pollution from Originium industries have reduced its habitat to a small number of hilly areas in Columbia.

I grew up in an orphanage in Trenton, near Trimounts.

The headmaster said I was found on the doorsteps of the orphanage. No one knows who my parents are.

I realized at an early age that I was different.

My powers are unique, but they are not Originium Arts. I'm much more sensitive to Originium than most people; even a slight increase in Originium concentration is enough to affect my health.

What am I? No one knows.

That's why I've searched for the answer since I was little. Ironically, it's also the reason why my grades have always been good.

Finally, I found that word hidden away in some ancient books.

The word is not unknown to you... you do have many secrets, don't you, Doctor?

Well, it's not important.

Anyway, I tracked down my biological parents' old Trimounts home, but the house had long since changed hands.

I followed the trail they left behind, and eventually found where they went.

It's this village right here... so remote I thought I made a mistake. Most of the buildings have fallen into ruin, they look to be centuries-old.

I didn't see anyone. I had a feeling as I went into the hills behind the village...

I saw a simple cemetery surrounded by pale firs, where dozens of tombstones lay.

This village was not an Elven settlement. It was their graveyard.

Distancing oneself from modern civilization is easier said than done.

To spend your life in remote mountains, when you know that a more convenient, more advanced, more interesting life is right there, waiting for you to reach out.

How are we, with our long lifespans, supposed to accept it?

Some of my people faded away in sorrow, some chose to end their own lives.

More Elves chose to go into society, including my parents.

They lived cautiously but bravely, looking for ways to survive in civilization without coming into contact with Originium.

They knew Originium would kill them, someday. They accepted it.

They contracted Oripathy.

Elves are highly sensitive to Originium and lack resistance to Oripathy symptoms. Few live more than a month after contracting Oripathy.

Like most Elves, they could not accept spending the rest of their days in remote mountains, and sought a more convenient, more advanced, more interesting life, despite the dangers.

They knew Originium would kill them, someday. They accepted it.

Knowing their days were numbered, they left me behind in a village far away from the cities, and returned to the place where they came from, to await the coming of death.

......

Next dance, Doctor.

Sometimes I envy Rhodes Island. There are so many people there.

Oh, you knew?

I sneaked in once or twice to see if Iffy was doing well, and see what Saria was doing.

And I saw someone standing on the deck, gazing at the sunset, lost in thought.

Don't tell anyone. Just one of my tiny clones. No danger to anybody.

I thought, why would you be up on the deck with only your thoughts for company, when there's so much joy waiting down below?

Did you find any memories of that person?

So there are answers beyond even your reach. That makes things seem a little bit fairer.

Of course I am. I was the ace of my university dance team.

After I left the village, I spent all my time studying.

Every Columbian child knows that science and tech are the best way to change your life.

I studied to become the top of my class, then went to school in Trimounts, where I stayed on top.

I spent a lot of effort to blend into modern life. Fashion, gaming, literature, music, dance... I studied etiquette, met a lot of people.

For others, these are hobbies, but for me, it's a mission, an exploration, a test.

I know it sounds weird, but I tasked myself to live life as hard as I could.

......

It's been a long time since I danced, though.

New Year's Eve, not long after Rhine Lab was founded... everyone was happy. I was the happiest.

I met Kristen and Saria shortly before I graduated.

Kristen is not your average investor's preferred partner. You know you're in for surprises the moment you see her, and not all of them are gonna be pleasant. As for Saria, she just felt steady as a rock.

My advisor happened to be involved with a project of theirs, but she wasn't very interested, so she sent me in her stead.

I had nothing back then, other than my obsession with living hard. I tried everything and went nowhere. They helped me get over a period when I was lost between my identities as a graduating student and as an Elf.

It was just me, Kristen, Saria, Parvis and Ferdinand at the time.

Parvis hid himself upstairs, saying he couldn't stay up all night. Ferdinand left early for other business.

Can you believe it? At the end of the day, I couldn't find anyone to dance with me.

I ended up grabbing Saria... and Kristen.

None of us knew how to dance in threes. I can still remember the looks on their faces!

Because of my dream.

We agreed she would help Nasti set out on her journey, and she'll bring my dream with her.

...To be more precise, Saria and Kristen are important to me.

I've always believed that we'll only get where we really want to be if the two of them work together.

You've found my wobbliness, Doctor. Yes, I'm trying to manipulate everyone, including you...

But everything I do, I do for myself, the few kin that I have left, so we can breathe, feel the wind, run, travel freely...

To make our journey a little less hard.

All I've done, I did to keep the few friends I have, so that in this city, I won't be so...

......

This is all I can tell you. All I can promise you.

And so...

Hm?

......

Even if I could help you... why do you not ask me to help you and Rosmontis get out of Trimounts safely?

Saria and Dr. Kal'tsit have reason to get involved. But what about you? Will you get to the bottom of all this, even if the price is a two-front war with the military and Maylander?

That's not the most logical choice.

She's sleeping soundly...

You want to find her lost past?

Are you so interested in Kristen's dream?

Do you believe you'll find your past in Trimounts?

Alright... we have a deal.

Our partnership will go on.

......

Who was that on the phone?

A lonely soul, searching for companions.

Since when have you two become such close friends?

We just happened to be going the same way for a while.

Same for you. When are you going to leave my lab? The smell of alcohol affects the equipment.

That's so cold.

Thanks to you and that agent's improvisation, I have a dozen calls to make tonight just to keep you out of jail. Like hell am I doing this sober.

You got what you wanted. Is Kristen's price not enough for a businessman like you?

Price? Are you reminding me how much I lost to this crazy plan?

Then you should have gone to Kazimierz.

Join the Chamber and play with the knights and speculators?

Yes, the plan has been lying in my terminal for years. I could make more money, and do so in a safer way.

But all those great projects... they're about a nation, an era.

I want to seize the opportunity before me, to see a future far beyond anyone's wildest dreams rise from my palms.

Is that a dream? From a practical person like you?

Anyone can dream. Especially facing the fickle tides of fate.

You put it astutely. Going the same way.

Look at those scientists. For all the conflicts they went through, from friend to foe and from foe to friend, they all end up on the same path.

They all saw a part of themselves in the least likely of all futures.

What about you?

A meaningless question. Why do you think I've tolerated your presence for so long?

That's why I like the 'going the same way' part. Even if it's only temporary.

Miss Nasti Lunorey.

If we still have our life and liberty after tomorrow—

Will you come with me to the highest point in Trimounts, and take a good look at the sky that hasn't changed for thousands of years?