Part 153: Well...so much for going back, I guess...
quote:
And so Estelle's group escaped from the Axis Pillar while Liber Ark began shaking itself apart. With the sudden, immense reduction in orbal energy making the Halo Rail unusable...Estelle's group began heading to the Arseille via the city's underground passageways.
-Back To Our Friends-
Joshua?!
A-Are you okay?! You aren't hurt, are you?!
No, I'm...fine, I...think?
Just...had a strange moment of vertigo...
Like you were dizzy? Why would you--
Probably a side effect of the Stigma's removal.
Kevin? What do you mean?
Rip it out like we did, and there's gonna be side effects.
Vertigo, headaches, nausea...You're gonna be suffering for a while, Joshua. Oh, no...
It's all right, Estelle...
Kevin made me...*mmh* aware of all the risks beforehand. Joshua...
Hey! What's the hold-up? If you don't hurry, you'll be left behind! Oh! Right!
Joshua, do you think you can run?
Yes, I should be all right now.
Come on, then, we need to book it!
ESTELLE! Wh--
HYAH!
That last tremor collapsed some of the more fragile sections... HEY! You two okay?!
Yeah, uh, mostly!
Oh, no, Estelle!
Joshua!
Oh, for cryin' out loud...Ain't there another way across?!
This is the only way in or out of the pillar that we saw...Dammit, there must be another way...!
Um...guys? Don't worry about us. You go on ahead. We'll find our own exit.
Don't be absurd! How am I supposed to look Cassius in the eyes and say I left you behind?! We'll find another way across!
Schera...thanks. Sorry...
We have no time to get rope, so...they ARE going to need another route. But...But this is the only path out!
Actually, I don't think this was the only way.
This island seems riddled with underground passages. There must be another one near the pillar...
That's right, I saw another gate just in front of the pillar. Think the sign said it was an emergency evacuation route connecting to the Calmare district.So...why were they going all the way back around through Factoria and Cradle instead of using that tunnel?
R-Really?!
Yes, I remember that. Calmare is where your ship is, right?
That's right!
Well, then, if they use that...
Mmm, yes! Given the damage to the city, the city's computer should have opened the lock on it!
Use that to get back to the Arseille!
Will do! We'll go as fast as we can!
Estelle! Joshua! Please be careful!
We'll wait as long as we possibly can! You guys be careful too! And save us some seats!
I doubt we have much longer before the Ark collapses completely.
Yeah, let's go! Kyle said the entrance was just in front of the pillar!
Rest easy. That Stigma's never coming back.
*THROOM*
Ah! Dammit...!
Let's go back, Estelle!
-Silence-
-Decision to Leave-
...Yeah... This column won't support us for long.
Which means...we're... Estelle...I'm so sorry. If I hadn't tripped back there...
No, you don't need to say it. You bailed me out when I was about to be buried under that rubble, anyway. We're both screw-ups...Heheh. But... Ahaha...You know, it's really funny. Despite how COMPLETELY SCREWED we are, I'm not scared. Are you, Joshua?
I'm... No, you're right. I'm not scared at all.*THROOM*
Hey...J-J-Joshua? Can I ask two favors, here at the end? Always.
So, first...
Would you hold on to me? Like...tightly?
Of course I will.
Ahh...hahaha... There should be a second in there, somewhere, I think. Oh, er, um. So, um, even at, you know, the end of, er, things, here, I don't want to be TOO pushy...I, well...I don't want to have any regrets, and, crap, how do I put thi-- Don't worry. I can say the rest.
Estelle...may I kiss you? Ah...! Yes...Yes!
Video: Falling