Story Reader / Main Story / 17 The Surviving Lucem / Story
It has been 28 days since Liv left for Babylonia. This is also the 10th afternoon they have spent stuck in the church.
Dusk falls onto the blood stains covering the churchyard, hoping to conceal them, only to accentuate the crimson color.
After the twins left, the train finally came to a halt next to a forest in the middle of nowhere, its limit reached.
Before they could perform any repairs, they were soon surrounded by waves of Hetero-Creatures, and they were forced to retreat and put up defenses inside this nameless church.
Having tried to break through the enemies several times, they only ever find themselves cornered in a new location.
Those twisted horrors have marked their names. Those creatures will haunt them every step of the way like shadows, inseparable.
In order to contain the destruction, the three of them decided to stay in the church, using it as a base of operation.
But no fights can go on forever. They have been resisting on church grounds for ten days after the pursuit of Asslam.
With their supplies lost, their resources are about to be depleted when one of their terminals finally rings.
Hey there, how are you all holding up?
Whoa, you look terrible.
But that's alright, 'cause we're bringing you some supplies, and we've also brought a few Babylonia Constructs to help you.
Don't come here, it's too dangerous. Akdilek is struggling too, so please look after yourselves first.
Relax. Akdilek has been working with the Nighter, so don't you worry about us.
After we got settled, we went back for some of Watanabe's folks as well.
I know it's pretty bad where you are, so stop turning us away. We just borrowed these supplies from the Nighter anyway.
We're almost there. I bet you're all feeling very grateful.
How are Jamilah's injuries?
Pulao got us someone who can help.
Good.
Sit back, don't give up. We'll be there soon enough.
Ending the transmission, Lucia returns to the dust-filled room and its dreary silence.
Any news?
It was Changyu and Sophia. They're bringing us some supplies to repair ourselves...
I told them not to come, but they insisted and said they'd be here soon.
Lee does not answer. He is on the brink of collapse, his broken right arm yet to be properly repaired, deteriorating from infection.
Dusk and silence, exhaustion and wounds, they weave together a web that binds the two of them to the bench they are sitting on, with no hope to escape.
Even with all their struggles, time has not granted them room to breathe.
Only when a speck of dust falls on her shoulder from the chandelier in the church does Lucia drag her damaged frame up, supporting herself with her katana.
They're back.
...
I'll get Chrome. His frozen attacks can still buy us some time.
...
Any news from Babylonia?
No. But our mission report and reinforcement request have been received.
Have they abandoned us?
Lucia does not answer. Lucia does not know how to answer.
They are already knee-deep in an impossible situation. The Hetero-Creatures would still fight to their death even if Babylonia sent in armies and transport crafts now.
When the cost of a rescue mission outweighs the result, no one life is worth more than a dozen others.
To Lucia and Lee, Gray Raven's spirit will live on as long as Liv and [player name] are safe on Babylonia.
Except...
We promised... the four of us will always be together.
We did.
It's too soon to give up. Changyu and Sophia are still on the way.
I know.
The devices that you made. Are there any left?
Not a lot.
No one is willing to fall here.
Even when their lives are like candles in the wind, their spirits are still burning bright.
