It's Turbin' Time (Library of Ruina Modded/Arknights)

3.9 - Unresolved Sorrow

Your name is Jamie.

Right now, you're feeling… slightly tipsy. Which is… very strange, considering how you've been drinking for almost an hour by now.

Your teacher told you he would meet with Sona, and that you should not worry. You wonder if that's already went through.

Iwona is sitting in her chair, snoring, blackout drunk alongside a good percentage of the bar. Most of the people here are Infected, and they don't have a lot of resources. But everyone still pooled their money together to pay for this night.

They're all here for you. To celebrate your victory over Olmer Ingra. You should be happy, shouldn't you?

Why is it… why does this all feel so empty?

Not… not the celebration itself. It's as true as anything in this world can be. Those people- your friends truly do believe in you.

You hope the kids are doing well. You got another one of them adopted today.

But still.

Your victory feels… meaningless.

Will it really change anything?

If you overcome every trial in the Major, defeat every knight in your way, and somehow- by some absurd miracle- defeat the Blood Knight and the Radiant Knight…

Will you change anything?

The Blood Knight won. He attained a victory for Infected knights, or so they say. But that wasn't that great of a change. You can now die in the arenas for money. You have the wonderful privilege of fighting swarms of gloompincers for some pocket change.

If you win, you think… you think nothing will change, not really. You'll get a pretty title, a fancy knightclub with your emblem on it. And it will make things better, for some people. You'll get money, and some power which can be used to make things better for other people. But the true issue- the system of Kazimierz that the Major and is but a part of… will not change.

You don't deny that the Blood Knight's knightclub is a better place for Infected knights to go than any other option. But it's… it's not a meaningful change.

The Infected still die in the streets with no access to treatment, or risk their lives for a sliver of hope.

The truth is… trying to work within the system to change it… is a nonsensical premise.

The system cannot be changed for within, can it? All attempts to do so will ultimately reinforce it. Is the media circus around the Radiant Knight and her return ultimately strengthen the Major. Even if Nearl dislikes the concept of knights as celebrities- which she seems to do- her actions end up working with it, don't they? People flock into the arenas, they buy tickets, they make bets, all for the Radiant Knight.

Even if she's an Infected… even if she was exiled… the second she returns, she's just another product. Another actor to dance on the stage for the masses.

The Blood Knight did good, but he is a part of that system by now. You cannot try and claim that you'll do something different. You can't.

You stand up and walk out of the bar, taking a deep breath.

The streets are empty, by now. You close the door behind you, and look around.

"Ah. So you realized it." says your teacher.

You almost fall to the floor, startled. You feel the faint whispers of your blessing growing stronger around His presence.

"Sire." you whisper. "Did it…"

He shakes His head.

"No. It did not happen- there was an unexpected event that threw my predictions off their course."

"...I see."

"Nevertheless, it is nothing of importance. We have time. What matters now is you."

"Me?"

"You are grappling with the inherent meaninglessness of your actions."

You're not sure how He knows that. Is it that obvious?

You take a better look at your teacher. He has changed a bit in his appearance. Gone is the white robe, replaced by some sort of black coat. It is… feathery, yes.

A whisper echoes in the back of your mind. This coat has a name- it is called "Prophet."

"Yes." you say.

"Let us take a walk." He tells you, and you nod.

You're not sure of what to do, now. Your actions will not bring any change to Kazimierz itself… but is it okay to not care? Even if your actions will not make the world a better place, you could use them to make the lives of those you care about just a little bit better.

You've been wondering that.

And yet… and yet. Everything to do with the Major feels so hollow, now. You've worked yourself to the bone for these children, for your fellow Infected, and yet nothing will change.

"...as you have likely reasoned by now, working within the system to change it does not work." He says, with a longing tone in his voice. "I should know that very well."

He grimaces.

"Have I told you of the Wings?"

You shake your head.

"Ah. I see. Well. If you would know, in my homeland, far away, we are ruled by corporations- the so-called Wings of the World. And above the Wings, the Head." He says. "I created a Wing, you see. I followed a dream that was not mine, and oceans of blood followed to create the place where that dream would materialize."

The "City."

This strange, different and yet familiar place where your teacher hails from.

You believe…

"That the City is the endpoint of Kazimierz."

You nod.

"The knights and the Fixers… they're almost the same. It won't be long before knights start openly taking private jobs, instead of doing it on the dark. Before we abandon all of our principles, abandon the code of knighthood entirely and sell our swords to the highest bidder in the public square. It won't be long before the tales of knights inspire people to become killers."

He nods.

"Have you heard of the Armorless? They are exactly what you speak of. Old tales of righteous assassins, fighting corrupt knights for the good of the people. And now, what are they?"

"...killers for the K.G.C.C."

"Indeed. But I ask of you- those old tales. The tales of old knights, noble and proud- the code that you still seek to follow. Were they ever true, Jamie?"

You hesitate.

"I don't know. But… can you tell me more? About the Fixers?"

He laughs.

"Ah. I can. What do you wish to know, my student?"

"What do Fixers do?"

"Meaningless errands. Taking pets out of trees, finding lost objects. Exploration, information gathering, negotiation, contract killing, enforcement of laws, bodyguarding. In truth, that is what a Fixer is. One who will do whatever you wish, so long as you pay them sufficiently." He says. "Fixers wish for freedom, you see. They seek it above everything else. It is their grandest dream. And yet, too attain freedom…"

"They bind themselves even more."

"Indeed. Every Fixer dreams of being a Color, free to take whatever job pleases them, wielding great power and influence. But what they find is the drudgery of violence. Bloodshed and carnage, and no freedom in sight. What do knights search for?"

"...I don't know. Money, or influence, too. I wanted money to help those kids."

"Money is but an expression of that deeper yearning for freedom. If you had money, you would have power, and with power you would not be at the mercy of others. What we all desire is the freedom to realize wishes. Be it Fixer, or knight" He explains. "I'll leave you to stew on that. Now, I will continue my tale."

"My Wing- Lobotomy Corporation did not change the City by itself. It could not. It became exactly like all of the other Wings- a wretched creature surviving off the blood of its children."

…Will Pinus Sylvestris, one day, become like all the other knightclubs and orders? Basking in the light while all other Infected rot in the shadows?

"Even though the dream was completed, the City itself cannot change. Because it never will. As long as the Head exists, as long as the Wings exist, as long as the system itself exists… the world will not change."

…this hopelessness you feel now… it is choking. But it is nothing you have not faced before.

"But the system will only change, when mankind itself changes."

To change mankind?

"The Seed of Light."

That was something that baffled you, at first. It was such an absurd premise. To create Hell, and from it, the power to change the entire world.

But you saw that Light, before. It suffuses the air around you. It seeps into the atmosphere and is released from your every word, from your every gesture and breath.

You have seen the Light. And it is incomparably beautiful.

"The dream of the Seed of Light changed the City, because it changed mankind itself. But it was not enough."

"Not enough?"

"The Wings still stand, no? The tale of the Nest has yet to draw its close. More was needed."

…the "plan."

Your teacher has a plan.

You don't know what it is. But you would say that it is the change that he feels is needed.

"Have you been hearing voices, Jamie?"

You shake your head.

"One day, you will realize this. You will hear her words." he says, smiling. "And then you will change. Soon. Very soon."

---

You sigh and walk out of the building yet again. You didn't really talk much.

Maybe you should have told them something, at least. But they'd probably consider you crazy. Your story does sound completely insane. You should try and think up a coherent and logical reason for you to know Adam- probably just "I met him once on a job. He's a huge asshat." That could work.

Nicole is smoking again- it's the fifth cigarette you've seen her go through.

"Nicole."

"Hm?"

"You sure you should go through so many cigars? Here in Terra you don't have replacements for, you know."

"It stopped working a year ago, actually. At least, it doesn't destroy any cells. By now, I do it more out of habit. It just does nothing to me by now."

"Nothing?"

"Yeah. A good smoke just doesn't… make me feel anything… nowadays."

"...you sure you're not just building up a resistance?"

"Strange time to build one, boss. I haven't increased my habit and I smoke since I was 14. Why wouldn't it have kicked in by now?"

You shrug. You'll ask for her medical reports later to see what's happening to her lungs. But she isn't one to lie. It's… very strange and worrying that her lungs apparently started resisting the catastrophic amounts of smoke she shoves in them, but there's not much you can do now.

"You know more." she says. It's an affirmation, not a question. She's fully aware you aren't leaving all the cards in the table for Rhodes Island.

You simply nod, and she gives you a thumbs up. She trusts you to decide what is the better way, and so she won't question anything.

"... how's Sleepy, by the way?"

"Asshole-ish."

"...ish?"

"He got less bad. Guess the months alone in the tundra taught him a lession." she says. "And I got him to finally calm down a bit. He hasn't gotten angry at anyone in some time."

That's… that's great, actually.

Guess she did what you couldn't do.

"Well, boss, I'm going to sleep." she tell you, before walking away. "The rest of the Office isn't going to show up for some time, by the way."

You already expected that. You sigh.

Maybe you should go to sleep too. The Sankta is already in custody, you provided all the details you were willing to provide, and no catastrophes have ocurred.

Ah. Right.

Someone walks up to you. Speak of the devil…

"Hey!" says X.

"Hey." you say, dryly.

"You look gloomy."

"You don't say."

"Okay, sorry for the whole thing with [CENSORED]."

How does that even work, actually. Every time you try to think or say that thing's name, what comes out is… it's an actual redaction. How the hell can people redact words in normal speech is another question for the "Abnormalities are confusing" pile.

"Apology accepted, I guess."

"How's Abel? Is it comfy in your head?"

"Why not ask him?"

"I don't think I can initiate contact with him while I have a physical body. He has to come by and visit."

Strange. But okay.

"...X." notes the voice in your head. "You've been very reckless recently."

X rolls his eyes.

"Your scheme could have easily resulted in a disaster."

"Okay, okay. But we got more important matters to talk about."

"Such as?"

"The Library."

"...what relevance do they have. Angela and her subordinates are in another reality entirely."

"Not anymore."

Your body locks up for a half-second and your hand instinctively reaches out for your sword. The faint motes of light in your hand betray your intent. The Library is here, then?

"They're here? On Terra?"

"Eyup. I caught wind of them when I was manifesting. Huuuge beacons of Light. Like the Apostles, and Adam."

…Oh no.

"Any risk of Distortions?" you ask. "Around them and the people they're talking to."

"Not sure. I don't think they're talking much to people, but I caught them at this Major thing. Two of them. The Black Silence's husband, and Chesed."

"Ah. Chesed. He is a reliable sort. I imagine he has come to retrieve the Abnormalities, no?"

"Yep."

You scratch your head.

"Didn't I destroy that notebook one- Poor Screenwriter's Note- earlier?".

X shakes his head and Abel sighs.

"Abnormalities cannot be destroyed. They revert to an embryonic form as they "die," and eventually reform. I believed that Poor Screenwriter's Note would return to the Library, but I'm not sure if it did. They might simply be seeking the other ones."

You're not sure on your current ability to challenge the Black Silence and whatever troops the Library can muster.

"No Arbiter?" you ask.

"No sign of her, no."

"At least there's that. Well, I don't think I'll be giving the Dreaming Current back."

X blinks.

"I'm sorry?"

You chuckle. No way you'll be letting go of such a power. Not without giving it a ride around town first.

"...I don't know what to say about that."

"...at least make an effort to speak to them instead of fighting immediately."

"Sure. Some help fighting Adam would be welcome."

"Well, I'll be going now. If you need me, I'll be sleeping in the nearby dumpster back in that alley. Someone left an office chair in pretty good condition back there. I'm used to sleeping on those."

You blink.

No, that's not happening. He's your responsibility.

"You… you could just sleep here. I have a bed. Use it."

"...you sure?"

"Yes. I'll sleep here."

He shrugs, and walks into the building. You look the wall behind you, and shrug as well, before closing your eyes..

You quickly fall asleep.

…There is something in the air. You can sense it as you drift off into nothingness. A faint glow.

The Light suffuses the world… and it is guided, now. Something is moving it along.

Someone.

Someone you know.

Me!

Well, hello! I've been trying to talk to you for quite some time! I tried three times already, and you just don't seem to want to listen. But that's okay! If you don't want to, I won't interfere.

But that doesn't mean I'll just stay here and wait, you know. I have my own life!

So, what's it going to be?

[ ] Interlude: The End of Ursus

"Who will pay for this? For the life I lost? For the tyranny, for the suffering, for my despair? All of you. All of you must pay. The snake- the army- the nation- every single one of you!"

[ ] Interlude: A Request of Protection

"The Witch King. The Witch King. In the name of the Witch King, their future was taken from them. And now… I will take back what is his. I will give him the world if it must be."

[ ] Interlude: The Instruments of Iron and Bone

"I see. So I was much like them- identical to my own victims. Nothing but a toy for their amusement… that's just… so funny. So damn funny…"

[ ] Interlude: Silence the Chorus

"The mouthpiece is silent, the locks are shattered, the blood diamond has lost its luster. And soon, I will be more than just an actor on a stage."