Mercy is caught in a pitched battle with a group of Aveans!





Jiro and Polyta take cover behind a crate.

—Polyta—
She's distracted. Now's our chance.
On three, we run for the doorway Mercy found.
We'll get back to the island from there.

—Jiro—
...
As you wish
We're leaving Sunny behind?
I think you're underestimating how difficult the Lake of Searing Flame will be for us to clear

—Polyta—
She-- We need to think about priorities right now. I know, I know how it sounds, but the island...
It's our responsibility, we need to-- every moment we spend out here, back home they're...!
Gah!! What am I saying, abandoning an ally like that...
I can't believe I had such a terrible lapse in judgement.
Forgive me, Jiro.

—Jiro—
...
How's it feel, huh? How's it feel to be the one to agonize for once??
Sorry. I'm sorry.
It's fine
You shouldn't want my forgiveness


Mercy returns. She's clearly taken a hit or two, even having an energy sword sticking out of her armour. Blood leaks out of her mouth.

  Major Mercy
All... clear.

—Polyta—
BY THE GODDESS!
You're hit...!

  Major Mercy
I'll be... okay.
Wasn't... wasn't expecting a rescue mission... today.
Made some... tactical missteps.

—Jiro—
...
Yeah you tactically misstepped into a sword
If we let you die we'll have one less problem to worry about
...
We both have potions. We can heal you.

  Major Mercy
Potions...?

—Polyta—
That's right! Maybe you don't have them here...
Alchemical formulations that can heal any injury. You could use one.

  Major Mercy
Chemical...?
...Fine. Give them here.

—Jiro—
...
You'll screw it up if we let you apply it yourself
It's a salve. You need to take off the armor.

  Major Mercy
What? No! Absolutely not.
We're in enemy territory, they... could be waiting. Could ambush us... any moment. We... need to be prepared.
I'll deal with this myself once... once we're out of danger.

—Jiro—
...
I'll trust your judgement
You want to be dead so bad, then fine, do what you want
I hate being responsible
No way you're making it out of this fortress, you're halfway to the afterlife already.

—Polyta—
He's right. You look like you're about to collapse.

  Major Mercy
I'm fine!

—Polyta—
Enough, soldier. You are refusing to utilize resources that may be vital to mission success.
We need you alive.

  Major Mercy
Ghhhhh.

She hands the pair of them the hardlight sword that was just sticking out of her. Polyta reluctantly takes it.

  Major Mercy
One of you... take this. Keep watch.

—Polyta—
I suppose that's me...



TSSSHH! Mercy's armour releases steam as it opens along the front.







She falls out of it, released from a mass of cables.







She lands with one knee on the floor, looking up at Jiro and Polyta. They can see now what she looks like underneath the armour. She's lithe, an older woman, maybe undernourished, wearing pants and a loose singlet that's currently bleeding through. More noticeably, she has no arms. Only nubs. One ends at the shoulder, the other in the middle of the upper arm.





  Major Mercy
Make this quick.