Awaiting the Dawn

Nania: Everyone, listen up. Before we head to Eltnen, how about we stop by to say goodbye to Hithanya?

Nania: We can talk all we like about how we'll meet again once we find a way across the Bulwark, but who knows how long that'll take.

Luteros: I was just thinking the same. Leaving without a proper goodbye feels wrong.

Luteros: You're coming too, right, Captain?

Caelid: I'll... pass. I'm not sure I can face Hithanya right now.

Nania: You still haven't sorted out how you feel, huh?

Luteros: You always overthink things, Captain... Just focus on getting ready to cross the Bulwark for now. We'll say goodbye to Hithanya for you.

Caelid: Thank you, everyone. I've shamed myself once again...

Luteros: ‹your name›, you're coming too, I assume? Let's go see Hithanya. Follow me!

Caelid: Wait, hold up.

Luteros: What is it?

Caelid: Give this to Hithanya, would you? It has notes on supply management, task assignments, and potential risks.

Caelid: The base must be overwhelmed right now. I hope this helps her out.

Luteros: When did you prepare all this? If you're so worried, why not just go see her yourself?

Nania: We'll pass it on. Now, let's go to the base and look for Hithanya.

Nania: ‹your name›, got a sec?

Orsen: Is that you...? Goodness! I haven't seen you in a while!

Orsen: How's prep going for crossing the Bulwark?

Nania: Well enough. We finally secured the Core. Thanks to you holding down the fort.

Luteros: How's the base been?

Orsen: Oh, right. Hithanya came back recently. You know how she is. Make one mistake, and she'll lecture you for hours.

Luteros: Tell me about it. I've probably been on the receiving end more than anyone. Let me commiserate with you as a fellow victim, Orsen.

Orsen: But, honestly... It hasn't been all bad. We've been seriously short-staffed since your lot left. It's been total chaos here.

Orsen: Having someone like Hithanya back has been quite the relief. She's quick on her feet, and working through a mountain of accumulated tasks one by one.

Nania: I knew she'd be doing well.

Luteros: So, where's Hithanya now?

Orsen: You'll probably find her in the captain's office. A whole bunch of requests came in, so she'll be going through them all.

Orsen: You should try there, then!

Nania: Wait, this whole pile is only mission requests? Even if we find her, there won't be time for a proper goodbye.

Luteros: Right... We might need to help her out first.

Luteros: It's probably our fault all this work piled up while we were gone. Why don't the three of us split it up?

Nania: Luteros volunteering to take on work? That's new!

Luteros: What do you take me for? The sooner we deal with all this, the sooner we can meet with Hithanya.

Luteros: I expect Hithanya is in the middle of completing one of these herself. If any of us runs into her at the mission location, don't hesitate to call the others by Selvis.

Luteros: I'll take the Ellun River Marsh. Nania, you go to Tolbas Forest. ‹your name›, you take Pilgrim's Ridge. Sound good?

Nania: Hey! That is the closest place from here!

Nania: I knew something was up when you volunteered so enthusiastically... Go figure!

Luteros: Ha! Don't misunderstand. I'm the most friendly to the Illusion Cavaliers here. It just makes sense.

Nania: Ugh, whatever. Anyway, I'm counting on you, ‹your name›. If you find Hithanya on the Pilgrim's Ridge mission, be sure to let us know.

Nania: No sign of Hithanya... Hmm, why is the desk such a mess?

There are legionnaire corpses. Something feels off.

No pulse. Death occurred recently.

The dead legionnaire's body is covered in signs of desperate fighting.

Hithanya: Damn it... There's too much bleeding. At this rate, they won't make it.

Hithanya: Let's check the wounded first. ‹your name›, help me out, please!

Hithanya: Thank you. I dread to think what might have happened without your help.

Hithanya: We got reports that Krall from the ruins were roaming the area. If the Balaur are expanding their territory, we've got a serious problem.

Hithanya: I came to investigate, and the Krall had completely taken over. Looks like they were setting up a new base here. This could've been a lot worse.

Hithanya: Anyway, what brings you all the way out here?

Hithanya: Luteros and Nania are at the base...? I hope nothing bad has happened.

Hithanya: All right, we can talk in detail once we get there. Let's clean up here then get back.

Hithanya: Shit! How could they do this to our legionnaires?!

Enhanced Krall Supporter: Stubborn Daeva! Beg on your knees and I may consider sparing you! Kahahaha!

Hithanya: Where did you come from...?

Hithanya: Emotional reunions can wait until later. We have more important things to worry about right now!

Hithanya: Phew, they're still alive.

Hithanya: We have to administer first aid.

Nania: Hithanya is over there?

Nania: Great! We'll head back now too. See you at the captain's office.

Luteros: ‹your name›, what about Hithanya?

Luteros: She's on her way? Good. Still... there are Krall roaming the ruins? That's a problem.

Luteros: How did it go on my end? Ha, don't even get me started! Said all I had to do was check some crates, but failed to mention all the contaminated spirits!

Nania: I managed to handle it somehow... But these things just keep happening. It's exhausting.

Luteros: Wait, do you hear those footsteps? Sounds like Hithanya's coming.

Hithanya: I thought you'd already left for Eltnen... Still, it's good to see you again.

Luteros: We had to stop by for a proper send-off. Couldn't just leave for Eltnen without saying goodbye, could we?

Nania: It's a shame we won't be working together in Eltnen, Hithanya... But knowing you'll be holding the line here with the Legion makes it easier to leave.

Luteros: As soon as we find a way past the Bulwark, you'll be the first person we come for. Count on it.

Hithanya: Ha... You lot sure have a way with words...

Hithanya: What about Caelid? Didn't he come?

Luteros: Caelid was... too busy to make it. He didn't skip out on purpose. There really was no other choice.

Luteros: Here. This is from him. He wrote it himself. It's clear he's very concerned about you. I almost started choking up.

Hithanya: I know how the captain is. I bet he said he couldn't face me and just sent you all instead. Am I wrong?

Luteros: That predictable, huh?

Hithanya: I won't lie, I'm disappointed in him. But that doesn't mean I've turned my back on what he stands for.

Hithanya: Daeva in Verteron only ever had two options: fade away slowly, or charge recklessly at the Balaur...

Hithanya: But Caelid's idea to cross the Bulwark... might just be a viable third option. One that could save us all.

Hithanya: I really hope it works out... for everyone in Verteron. I mean it.

Hithanya: Eltnen will likely hold new dangers. Everyone, please take care.

Nania: Of course we will! But Hithanya, don't carry the burden alone, okay? Lean on the other legionnaires, too.

Luteros: Let's meet again, safe and sound. That's a promise.

Hithanya: Yes... It's a promise. May you rise with the dawn.

Hithanya: ‹your name›, you take care too.

Hithanya: Well then, back to work. *sigh* More already piled up while I was out.

Luteros: She doesn't have the time even for a short chat... I was hoping to help her out some more.

Nania: We'll only get in Hithanya's way if we stay here. Once we find a way past the Bulwark, we'll have plenty of time to chat.

Luteros: Okay, shall we head out? Oh, but first, we have to take care of what Captain Caelid and Phernos asked us to do.

Luteros: ‹your name›, wrap up any unfinished business you have here, too. We'll meet up again when we're fully ready to leave.