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Followers
- Shining
...
- Margaret
Here you are.
- Shining
...Nearl.
- Shining
You don't return to the landship often. Stay with Liz a bit; she's missed you.
- Margaret
She just fell asleep.
- Margaret
While you seem more exhausted than when I last saw you.
- Margaret
Are you worried about Liz? I asked Dr. Kal'tsit, and she said Liz's condition is still under control—
- Margaret
Is there... something you haven't told me?
- Shining
I'm thinking... of a way to 'cure' Liz for good.
- Margaret
You've poured years into this, it just won't come quickly, so don't torture yourself over it.
- Shining
What if... I told you a solution has always existed, only I've dared not try it?
- Margaret
Shining.
- Margaret
What exactly are you hiding from me? What is it you can't say?
- Shining
...
- Shining
Nearl, this is a duty I must see through on my own.
- Margaret
Do you think Liz and I will leave you?
- Margaret
You know that won't happen.
- Shining
My concern... has always been that you two might get hurt.
- Shining
I've decided to join Liz in searching for her memories. I shall accompany her... until we find the truth. However...
- Shining
Nearl—
- Shining
A time will come when I need you to protect Liz in my stead.
- Margaret
I know.
- Margaret
But I will protect and fight... for more than just Liz.
- Margaret
Shining, I will stand for you as well.
- Shining
Yes...
- Margaret
We have always stood by each other. The Followers are as one.
- Margaret
My oath remains, unchanged—
- Margaret
Margaret Nearl and her swordstaff will be there for you, whenever needed.
The swordstaff sweeps wide.
A dazzling radiance repels a crowd of foes.
- Margaret
Every single Confessarius here... is a powerful foe.
- Margaret
So that's why you weren't willing to spar with me, Shining.
- Margaret
We saved quite a lot of money for Rhodes Island.
- Shining
Our greatest foe... lies ahead.
- Margaret
Alright.
- Margaret
Let's settle this quickly.
- Qui'sartuštaj
What a farce!
- Shining
Careful!
- Margaret
*huff*—Hah.
- Margaret
I can take it.
- Margaret
Shining, my shield will protect you.
- Margaret
You need only... advance.
A torrent of witchcraft washes toward them.
Margaret's radiance is suppressed.
Qui'sartuštaj stands on the top of the steps, day and night surging within his palm.
- Qui'sartuštaj
So this is the help you found? Qui'saršinnag, what do you think our ceremonial altar is?
- Qui'sartuštaj
A... meadow? For a Kuranta to frolic in?
- Shining
——
- Qui'sartuštaj
Hmph, so her Arts can momentarily block my influence on you.
- Qui'sartuštaj
And what of it? Your swordplay and Arts all come from me.
- Qui'sartuštaj
You can't even harm me... unless I let you.
- Shining
*cough* *cough*—Ugh!
- Margaret
Everything's slowed down...?
- Margaret
His Arts... affect the perception of time? Or is it something else...?
- Margaret
Shining!
- Shining
...I'm alright.
- Shining
Your shield...
- Margaret
...The first crack on this new shield of mine.
- Margaret
But no matter, I can mend it with my Arts.
- Margaret
A knight's shield will never weaken when protecting someone in need.
- Qui'sartuštaj
What a detestable light.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Puny foal, I've killed so many pegasi like you... I've stopped counting.
- Qui'sartuštaj
I smeared their golden blood on the walls of my Kazdel—so that my city would look as if forever bathed in the radiance of dawn.
- Qui'sartuštaj
And their descendants would understand Kazdel is not a domain they can invade as they please.
- Margaret
We're not in Kazdel.
- Margaret
And you're not some homeland hero either.
- Margaret
Heroes shed their own blood to clear the way for others.
- Margaret
But you—All I see is your path to ascension drenched with the blood, tears and bones of others.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Heroes? I decided long ago to give up being one.
- Qui'sartuštaj
The hero people sing and praise... but is as fleeting as sand. No matter how I try to master the time I have, it does not stop for me.
- Qui'sartuštaj
I will die, and the city I built will collapse. My beloved people will only be compelled to continue wandering.
- Qui'sartuštaj
This hopeless cycle... torments every single Sarkaz, including me.
- Qui'sartuštaj
As a sovereign, I have the responsibility and power, and ought to change my people's fate at the source.
- Qui'sartuštaj
As long as the Sarkaz need no longer lie prostrate before beasts like you, as long as my Kazdel stands everlasting through days and nights—
All the light around them rushes toward Qui'sartuštaj's palm as he speaks.
Margaret's Arts, the Arts of the other Confessarii, and even... the little sunlight straining through the dense clouds.
In his palm floats a small crown of thorns, as impenetrable as the darkest night.
Nightingale floats up from the stone bed.
Her eyes are still shut, her limbs lack strength, but her arms involuntarily open—
When the last light has been caged, the crown will fall on Qui'sartuštaj's head.
- Nightingale
...
- Shining
Liz...!
- Margaret
Shining, follow my light! Save her—
- Shining
——
A sharp spear of light tears a path through the witchcraft barrier.
Shining arrives before Qui'sartuštaj.
Night descends like a cage, and the only light comes from her blade.
The soul glimmers on the tip of her sword.
- Shining
...Liz.
- Shining
I return the true memories I once took from you.
No fields, no woods, no streams... and no flower wreaths.
Only a girl huddled in a dark corner.
The entire room serves as her cage, and she cannot tell day from night.
Because she is merely a manufactured, empty shell.
With no consciousness, or knowledge of pain or fear. she reacts to no Arts inflicted on her at all.
Until—
- Shining
In my obsession with exploring the soul... I left some... unnecessary vestiges in you when carving yours.
- Shining
You're... awake.
- Shining
You're starting to have emotions, and responding to them.
- Shining
The experiment will continue, I have to...
Create some illusions. Fill up that newborn soul with memories fabricated by Arts.
To cover up the truest, scariest ones.
- Shining
I think you should feel a little better, at least.
- Shining
You will feel truly alive, as if you've experienced... a bit of warmth.
No.
Perhaps it was escapism.
As long as I lost myself in those wholly trusting eyes, I didn't have to confront the cruelty of what I'd done to her.
- Shining
I'm sorry.
- Shining
You should have remembered... Liz.
- Shining
You must remember all that we promised each other.
A blue fowlbeast emerges from the darkness.
Gigantic grey-white eyes stare at Shining, and a tear slowly falls.
- Nightingale
...
- Nightingale
...Mm.
The girl in the air floats down.
Shining and Margaret hear Nightingale's voice simultaneously in the frozen time.
- Nightingale
I remember, Shining.
- Nightingale
You took me out of the darkest of rooms and we escaped... you accompanied me everywhere in search of medical help...
- Nightingale
And then we met Nearl, and two became three.
- Nightingale
We went many places, and saved many people.
- Nightingale
You often sighed with knitted brows in the middle of the night... but once I opened my eyes, you shifted to the warmest tone I know and told me about the beautiful things I missed on our journey.
- Nightingale
Nearl tried to teach me how to dance a few times. She'd hold me and spin... until I couldn't move anymore, and the two of you would help me, taking turns carrying me...
- Nightingale
When I'm at your side...
- Nightingale
It's as if... I really can fly.
- Nightingale
The two of you have made me what I am now.
- Nightingale
I am a member of the Followers... and a healer.
- Nightingale
I'll protect you both too.
- Nightingale
And fight alongside as well, to sever the gravest sins, to save... those shrouded in the eternal night.
- Nightingale
This is what the three of us...
- Nightingale
...Promised each other.
Nightingale lands on the ground.
Her staff and body emit an intense light.
A giant cage appears, and catches Qui'sartuštaj's body within.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Ugh—!
- Qui'sartuštaj
The soul was completely under my control, why is this cage—
- Nightingale
I have a name.
- Nightingale
I am Liz—and I am your enemy.
- Nightingale
Qui'sartuštaj, I'm stopping you because... I don't agree with a single word you've said.
- Qui'sartuštaj
You...
- Nightingale
Shining, Nearl...
Shining grips her sword tight.
Margaret tosses her swordstaff, and it hits right on target, the crown of thorns revolving in Qui'sartuštaj's hand.
The trio are in complete sync with their thoughts and actions.
- Qui'sartuštaj
—!
Grab the flickering sliver of the soul, before day and night take control once more.
A long path of blood is the only crack before her eyes.
- Shining
I've found it, the essence of your soul.
- Shining
——
- Qui'sartuštaj
...
- Qui'sartuštaj
Qui'saršinnag... you...
- Shining
What this body will become... I am unconcerned.
- Shining
If blood does control my will, then Liz and Nearl will pass judgement on me, in my stead as I am now.
- Shining
But I will not be your puppet.
- Shining
I will not conquer or rule in your name.
- Shining
Until death... I will be free.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Free? You speak of freedom?
- Qui'sartuštaj
Shall we give it a go?
- Qui'sartuštaj
Qui'saršinnag, we are not easily parted.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Try again... to leave my side. Try and see... how long you can run from me.
- Shining
I will run no longer.
- Shining
Rather, I will—grant you an eternal death.
- Margaret
Shining—Retreat!
The moonlight above the tree tumbles down the cliff, and the ground violently rumbles as if about to turn upside down.
The altar crumbles, and thick golden Originium liquid gushes out from the cracks.
A figure appears without anyone noticing. He does not move fast, but manages to appear just in time to block Qui'sartuštaj from the Followers.
- Qalid'čoa
We should leave....
- Qalid'čoa
...Your Highness.
- Qui'sartuštaj
Heh... So it's you.
- Shining
Who's there—?!
- Qalid'čoa
Followers... is it?
- Qalid'čoa
In this era where valor is scarce, your radiance bedazzles.
- Qalid'čoa
We shall meet again.
- Shining
...
Qalid'čoa and Qui'sartuštaj's figures blend into the remains of the altar.
The other Confessarii follow suit.
The crown of thorns shot out of Qui'sartuštaj's hand earlier suddenly spins, and turns into a pitch-black shadow that flies up toward the sky.
- Shining
...The Shard.
- Margaret
In the eye of the storm... is that the 'Amnannam' mentioned over the comms?
- Shining
Dr. Kal'tsit, the Doctor, and the others... will they make it?
- Margaret
Shining, you... uh, anything feel off?
- Shining
I'm alright.
- Margaret
This blood curse is indeed complicated.
- Margaret
Wait, Liz... Liz?!
- Nightingale
...
- Shining
Liz...
- Shining
...No.
- Shining
Your soul... why is it incomplete?!
- Shining
Did you fracture your soul... when you resisted Qui'sartuštaj?!
- Nightingale
Shining... Nearl...
- Margaret
I'm here.
- Margaret
I've always been here, Liz.
- Nightingale
Yes...
- Nightingale
I'm alright...
- Nightingale
You two have protected me for so long... so it's my turn...
- Nightingale
I want... the three of us... to be always...
Together.
- Margaret
Liz!
- Margaret
Come, Shining! We'll treat her together!
- Shining
...
- Margaret
Shining?
- Shining
It's futile.
- Shining
Our Arts can't heal such a grievous wound on her soul in this environment.
- Shining
Liz is unique, both her body and soul. Her birth was coincidental... no, I would rather call it a miracle.
- Margaret
Then we...
- Shining
Will first leave this place, and then plan our next move.
- Margaret
What about Qui'sartuštaj? Do we just let him go?
- Shining
His fate means nothing compared to Liz's safety—he means nothing now.
- Shining
Let us return.
- Margaret
Yes, together.
- Salus
...Leader.
- Mon3tr
(Furious roaring)
- Kal'tsit
Qui'sartuštaj failed to cage the Black Crown.
- Amiya
The altar's power has weakened... I can work through its influence now—
- Kal'tsit
The altar's upper layer is breaking apart. Amiya, focus your attacks on the Blood of Teekaz.
- Amiya
Right.
- Salus
...
- Salus
Hmm... Yes.
- Amiya
You...
- Salus
The King of Sarkaz has already sentenced me to death.
- Salus
But this is nothing new to me.
- Amiya
You're clearly... in pain.
- Amiya
You revere Qui'sartuštaj, but he left you behind like nothing. He treats you just like how you treat those Chimeras... exactly the same.
- Salus
Don't waste your breath, King of Sarkaz.
- Salus
My feelings are nothing special.
- Salus
The Confessarii are of the Leader's blood. Though some are born more perfect than others... like Qui'saršinnag. Still others like myself were never in the running to be chosen at all.
- Salus
But I've never envied her.
- Salus
We only stand in the spot befitting us best.
- Salus
We were supposed to be inseparable. We are all limbs... of the same one body.
- Salus
There is no other group able to perform unprecedented miracles like we Confessarii can.
- Salus
I am curious.
- Salus
Is there nothing you're strongly attached to?
- Salus
Doctor... Would you not make the same choice as I have, for your life's work, for those dear to you, and the ones who have fought by your side this whole time?
- Salus
Whether it be under some control or influence... it does not matter.
- Salus
To reach our origin, and create a completely new future.
- Salus
That's all I want.
- Amiya
I can't... let you get close to the Blood of Teekaz.
- Salus
Hah... Oh.
A black line pierces through Salus's body once again and strikes the altar's core at the same time.
The Blood of Teekaz stills.
- Salus
I'm so close... ngh.
- Kal'tsit
Amiya, stop her!
- Kal'tsit
She's going to ignite—
- Mon3tr
—!
- Salus
It's fine, it's fine...
- Salus
My body... is just like a monster's...
She stretches out her broken hand towards that drop of blood.
A curse known only to the Confessarii, inflicted upon the soul, upon all blood and flesh—
- Salus
It will probably be a complete death this time.
- Salus
Before the Leader, before Qui'saršinnag, and before all my family...
- Salus
I'll take the first step... into the future I yearn for.
Salus smiles and throws herself onto the still heart.
The Blood of Teekaz boils.
A giant crimson vortex appears from the altar's core—
- Amiya
...
In that moment, Amiya feels as if she's being watched.
By Qui'sartuštaj, by the crowned without names, by the howling myriad souls... and the one she is most familiar with.
- Amiya
Theresa...?
- Kal'tsit
Amnannam.
- Kal'tsit
Salus used her own blood to complete the Confessarius ceremony.
- Kal'tsit
Quick, get away from the altar!
