Allen drags the Bastard past the palm trees and the clouded skies of Hollidae. He digs his claws into the sand.

GET OFF ME
GET OFF!

Only a little further now!

Just beneath this earth, the gate lies.

You're doing so well!

I HATE YOU



  Cliff Mason
Allen!!

Cliff Mason arrives!


Cliff?
  Cliff Mason
I'm here to help!

What? Why? How?

  Cliff Mason
Maybe I-- maybe I grab his tail, or...?

Don't you FUCKING dare!

Cliff...

Allen only smiles. The Bastard still thrashes in his hands.

The eagerness is sweet,
but I do not believe this is a situation
where your contribution would matter.

  Cliff Mason
I have to do something! Come on, Allen, please.


I never asked this of you.

  Cliff Mason
That doesn't matter.

Why?

  Cliff Mason
Because I need to do this.

Why?

  Cliff Mason
Because I have to help you... I need to protect you!

But why?



  Cliff Mason
Because... I don't know who I am if I can't.

Does that matter...?

Do you need to know who you are?
Why not just be?

  Cliff Mason
Maybe you can.
But I can't live like that. I have to...




Coral
* Cliff.



Coral is here with a weary look, and Nix, and Jiro, and all the girls of Hollidae-- they're all here.



Coral
* Can we talk?