This chapter takes place when Shion and the others go for Old Miltia, as well as the Testaments, the U-TIC and Albedo.
Chapter 18 - Hilfe (Salvation)
Shion: What the, what's that!
Jin: Hmm…I have the feeling we're luring it here from somewhere. [A bit unsure, but it's hard to tell since there's not much context]
KOS-MOS: I have been detecting an acceleration of 0.9974G for some time now.
Caanan: No, rather than accelerating, it's…
MOMO: ! The mobile fortress is collapsing! There's a lot of debris, so please put up the shield!
chaos: Here!
Caanan: Is it really going to fall onto our planet?
Jr.: Gah, controlling the ES is…everyone, stay together!
MOMO: Okay! Preparing for the atmospheric reentry phase!
Shion: Understood!
Jin: Shion, please take this seat and have a look at the planetary observation data.
Shion: By data, you mean…?
KOS-MOS: I will be transmitting. …proceed.
Jin: Thank you…this planet really is…
Shion: What's wrong, big brother!
Jin: I can't believe we're going back home under these circumstances.
Shion: ! No, that can't be…
Jin: Yes, this is…Miltia, the place where we were born, our home.
Hilfe - Salvation
chaos: …I've finished checking each part. I can't find any damage to my machine.
KOS-MOS: There are no irregularities with Dinah.
MOMO: Zebulun is fine, too.
Ziggy: …even so, I can't believe what happened.
Shion: Yes…that mobile fortress was separated from the Old Miltia sector by eight light years.
Jr.: …It's Albedo.
Shion: Huh?
Jr.: He used that fortress as a booster. He made the Federation Army the Immigrant Fleet clash into each other, and slipped through the gap…it's just the kind of trick he likes. Us noticing that was probably part of his plan, but I don't think he reckoned with those ES units from the U-TIC Organization turning up.
Jin: Hmm, that's…so, where do you intend to go from here?
Jr.: …after him. Our goal is to find the Original Zohar, but it'd obviously be good if we could chase him down too.
MOMO: Jr….
Jr.: Don't look so worried. Even if I run into him again, I'll be fine.
MOMO: Okay…
Jr.: (I feel like I kinda understood what he was hoping for, back in that Encephalon…)
Shion: Huh, did you say something?
Jr.: Nah, it was nothin', let's go. He's…in this direction.
chaos: That's great…the capital city is still standing.
Jr.: It's almost like it's stuck in a time warp or something.
chaos: …the country on the earthen hills, that country was destined to be sacrificed. The land rose up again, and during the night, it was wiped off the face of the earth. In the end, the earth was split, and submerged along with that country was…
Shion: chaos, that's…?
chaos: A fairy-tale…a tale about a country that sunk beneath the waves in a single night, a very long time ago.
Shion: A sacrifice, right…? I suppose you could feel the same way, seeing this view.
chaos: …that's right.
Shion: … (This is Miltia…back then, Nephilim said…)
[Flashback] Nephilim: There will come a time to tell you about that. The place and time where it all began, that place…Miltia, if you go there…if you do that… [End flashback]
Shion: (Nephilim, we're here now. Miltia…very soon you're going to tell us everything…aren't you?)
-
chaos: Everyone, would it be okay if we took a short break?
Jin: Hmm, this is like an underground shelter.
Ziggy: We still have things to do, so…
chaos: Caanan and I found this place 14 years ago. We thought it might come in useful…so we maintained it.
-
Jin: Well, it looks like we'll be able to rest and resupply here.
Jr.: Wow, I can't believe how well-stocked it is.
chaos: Yes, to tell you the truth, I was surprised myself.
Caanan: Back then, going to all that effort was pointless…or so I thought.
-
Shion: This is…
Jin: Attack craft belonging to the U-TIC Organization, it seems. Apparently the organization's in a bad way.
Shion: Why are they in a place like this…?
Jr.: They probably thought it was a good idea to keep them in reserve instead of using them for a battle…[A little unsure, but should be in the vicinity]
Shion: …I agree.
? ? ?: Uuaagh, you there! What're you doing!!
Jr.: D, did they find us!?
? ? ?: I'll take some time to repair the main machine! Noo, it can't move yet!
Worker: Also, being swept up in the explosion of the fortress and flung to another sector of space, falling into the atmosphere…the damage to the hull is more serious than expected!
Jr.: (An external speaker? Did they forget to turn it off?)
Shion: (This ship was flug through space along with us, it seems…)
? ? ?: No, I don't want to hear any excuses!
Worker: At present, the entire crew is exhausted from the maneuvering and the continuous battles we've been facing. If we could have a short rest here, that would be…
? ? ?: Line up, all of you! Have you forgotten already how you embarrassed me with the low score we got in those combined maneuvers! Follow my orders! Your judgement isn't worth crap! Hey, what're you laughing at? I asked you what you were laughing aaaaat!!!!
Worker: Guah!
Worker: Uoh!
Worker: Ghf!
Worker: Ghaa!
? ? ?: Don't you make fun of me! All of you, give me a million push-ups, this instant! I'll destroy your biceeeeeps!!!!
Jin: (My, my…)
Ziggy: (What kind of superior officer would…)
MOMO: (This is too awful…)
Operator: Warning…! Unknown machines confirmed on the upper deck! Three of them!
? ? ?: Whaaat!
Jr.: Heh, they found us.
? ? ?: All of you, prepare for battle! Your target…those unidentified AMWS units! This isn't a drill, so all of you, show me what you've goooot!! I'll roll out the Proto-Dora! Those of you who have a spine, come with mee!
Jr.: What the, he thinks we're using AMWS.
Shion: Let's show him the power of ES.
(ES battle vs. Proto-Dora)
? ? ?: U-TIC Organization, chaaaaarge!!!
Jr.: Man, what an annoying opponent.
Shion: Maybe he'll tell others about us.
Jr.: Could be. Let's hope he's such a lousy commander that he'll forget.
Space, near Old Miltia.
Man in a blue cloak: Well, well, I didn't expect to see the day when I'd see this annoying planet again.
Man in a black cloak: This planet was an old ally to you all, wasn't it?
Man in a blue cloak: Heh, so you could talk after all. This is the first time I've heard your voice.
Man in a black cloak: …I apologize for my lack of manners.
Man in a red cloak: Well, let's begin our activities. We have to get in touch with the actors before they reach the Zohar.
Man in a blue cloak: You don't say. There's one, two, three ES units down there…heh, they're all over the place.
Man in a red cloak: Let's proceed towards those three machines.
Man in a blue cloak: 'ey, don't just go decidin' that on your own! You ain't the only one with a fated connection to them. Ain't that right?
Main in a black cloak: …
Man in a blue cloak: I'll take care of Shion. You don't mind, right?
Man in a red cloak: …very well. I'll contact Albedo Piazzolla.
Man in a blue cloak: Don't overreach yourself now. Won't you need that guy as the key to call out Albedo's ark? But he kinda stands out, so he's attracting a lot of attention.
Man in a black cloak: Well then, I'll take the leftovers. I don't mind the odds and ends.
Man in a red cloak: …we're landing. I implore you to pay careful attention when you contact each ES, as well as the target ES. Especially regarding the presence of Yeshua.
Man in a blue cloak: Heh, I don't think that old fox will be able to do anythin'. Or, “not want to” do anythin'…anyway, I'm goin'.
Man in a black cloak: …I acknowledge the details.
Man in a red cloak: (How long he's going to keep living in fear of the past is anyone's guess, but…Shion, it's all up to you…)
Underwater City
Jr.: It just goes on and on, doesn't it?
chaos: …the capital of Old Miltia used to be around here. Up ahead is the place that incident took place 14 years ago. The place where the U-TIC Organization's facility was overrun with applicants…there were areas inside where even more important research took place, and…
Jin: People called it “The Labyrinth”. The original Zohar should still be sleeping somewhere in the depths of the labyrinth.
Shion: (The original Zohar…in that case, maybe Cecile and Kathy are there, too…)
Jr.: Huh? Did you say something?
Shion: …no, it was nothing. Let's hurry on.
-
Shion: That's…the Labyrinth's tower, right?
Jr.: Yep, we're finally here.
MOMO: This is the place we saw during the Encephalon dive, isn't it? But…
Ziggy: Mm, it's badly damaged.
Caanan: That's down to the chaos of war and the passage of 14 years. It's all but inevitable.
Shion: (Yes, I can see the labyrinth. Oh, and close to it…)
Ziggy: Shion…! The ES are coming down…
Jr.: H, hey, wait a minute…!
-
Shion: Huff, huff, huff… (If I'm remembering correctly…yes, in that direction…)
[Flashback]
Shion: Father…mother….nnooooo!
Febronia: Please, take Shion and run!
? ? ?: No, you can't trust them!
Febronia: It's okay! Don't worry about me…quickly! Oh! R…un…
Shion: Ah…aaah…
[End flashback]
-
Jin: It's precisely because our parents' bodies are still sleeping inside the serious nerve illness treament facility near here that Shion didn't want to visit the grave I made on Second Miltia…)
[No speaker listed, maybe a typo?]: Wh! That sound…the interference from an Anima Vessel…?
-
Shion: (I saw, that was…!)
Ah…ah…
Jin: …Shion! (Gh…did that enemy machine land on top of the medical facility on purpose?)
Man in a blue cloak: Hey, it's been a while…I came here to meet ya, Shion.
Shion: Noooooo!
Jin: Shion!
Shion: Father! Mother! Nooooo!
Jin: Calm down, Shion! That's just an ordinary grave. Weren't you supposed to have overcome the past already?
Man in a blue cloak: Man, looks like the stimulus was a little too much, huh?
MOMO: Miss Shion…!
Jr.: ! Is that…an ES!
Ziggy: I've never seen that machine before.
U-TIC Organization member: What was that roaring sound!
U-TIC Organization member: Th…that machine!
Jin: Damn, the squad that was guarding the labyrinth is coming here…
U-TIC Organization squad leader: Authorizing use of firearms, open fire…!
Man in a blue cloak: You useless…get outta my way!
U-TIC Organization member: Uwaaaaah!
U-TIC Organization squad leader: Gghhh!
Jin: What's going o…
Caanan: He [or I/they, bit hard to tell] struck without hesitating.
Jr.: This is our chance. Let's go get Shion right now.
MOMO: Yes! Miss Shion, are you okay?
Shion: No, don't touch me…!!
MOMO: Kyah!
Shion: Stop! Don't come any closer! …Realian!
Jr.: ! chaos: ! Ziggy: ! MOMO: ! Jin: …
[Flashback begins]
Suou: This…the Asura, version 27! (Why is that combat Realian…) Shion! Get inside, quickly!
Shion: What? What happened?
Suou: Everything's fine, just hurry now!
Shion: Father! What're you doing!? Father, open it! Open it!
Suou: Guaaaaah!
Shion: Faaaather!
[Flashback ends]
Shion: No, no…father…
MOMO: Miss…Shion…
Shion: Don't touch me! You Realians, you…Feb, father, you…! Feb! My father and mother! Give them back to me…!
Jin: Shion!
MOMO: Miss Shion…
Man in a blue cloak: Eh heh heh…bet you didn't expect that from her, huh? I thought I'd tear off her lovely facade anyway, so you didn't really need to help me out. But I guess you might as well do it for your own sake, too. [Slightly unsure about these parts, sorry] You, Realian over there. How do you feel about knowing what that woman is really like?
MOMO: …
Man in a blue cloak: That's how it is with those humans. They don't really show their true colors until you put'em in an extreme situation. So you haven't really seen anythin' but the facade she wanted you to see up until now.
chaos: …you can't just do whatever you want here.
Man in a blue cloak: Oh, and where would you say the wind is blowing, old friend?
chaos: I know what you're after. You want to touch the Zohar before…but we won't let you.
Man in a blue cloak: Huh, really…and what do you plan to do about it? This Realian has already seen Shion's real personality. It's not like it's my fault she is the way she is. I just…exposed her, that's all.
chaos: You have no idea, do you?
Man in a blue claok: …what?
chaos: The self people build up through their own will, the ideal self they aspire to…that's not a facade. No, that is the true essence of a person.
Man in a blue cloak: Eh, so now you're going to lecture me on human nature, is that it? Unlike you, I've actually been human once, you know.
chaos: I'm well aware of that. But what I said applied to you too. There was a time when you fought as hard as you could to create your ideal self, am I right?
Man in a blue cloak: … …you, you think you know everything, don't you!
Jr.: Hey, how's Shion!
Jin: I'm sorry, I don't think she can fight yet…
Jr.: Bah, looks like we'll have to handle it ourselves then!
chaos: We can't rely on Shion right now! KOS-MOS, take care of her for us!
KOS-MOS: Understood.
MOMO: Let's go, Jr., everyone!
Ziggy: This won't be a problem.
Jr.: Yeah, we'll be facing two ES units. Let's go!
(ES battle vs ES Naphtali)
Jr.: Shion!
Man in a blue cloak: Hmm, can she fight yet?
MOMO: Miss Shion!
Shion…I'm sorry, MOMO. Just like that person said, that's my true self. … It's, I…I hate the part of me that can't let go of the past. But, what I want to change…the self I could learn to live with…
Man in a blue cloak: Heh, no way, no way. Your problem isn't just that you can't let go of the past. Deep in your heart, you hate Realians, even now. That's precisely why…because you wanted to hide that sentiment, that's why…you pretended to support rights for Realians. Am I right? Think back, that's your true self!
MOMO: Isn't there something you're leaving out in all this?
Man in a blue cloak: What?
MOMO: Deciding to change your true self…having the strength to do that…isn't that what it means to be human?
Jr.: That's right. You said you were human once, but did you forget about those things? In that case, it's not just your body that's not human anymore, but your heart, too.
Man in a blue cloak: Enough of all this posturing!
(ES Battle vs ES Naphtali)
MOMO: Miss Shion, now!
Shion: …all right.
MOMO: Miss Shion…
Shion: MOMO…thanks for what you did back there. If you hadn't said what you did…I think I'd have been broken for good.
MOMO: But you really helped me too, Miss Shion.
Jr.: Yeah, you helped each other out.
Jin: (Hmm…it looks like she found a group of good friends. I just wonder if you can handle what's waiting for us up ahead…)
Shion: What's wrong, big brother?
Jin: Oh, nothing. Let's hurry on. The labyrinth is…just a little further.
Shion: Yes, let's get going. To the labyrinth… (I'm sure we'll learn all kinds of things there…and…) Hey, Big Brother…
Jin: What is it?
Shion: When we find the Zohar, and everything's settled…when we go back, even going 'there'…would be nice, wouldn't it?
Jin: Of course. We'll go meet them, the two of us.
Shion: …yes. (Even if that mountain is nothing but rubble, I'm sure they'll be there…mother and father are sleeping there, so…)
