Memory of AUSOS

S1| Ep22: Awakening

A hushed but urgent argument ensued, which Intan observed with detached consideration as she worked through the sprites’ motives or intentions in bringing them underground at a time like this. Was it just so that they could rescue their friends? Or for some other reason?

Only when Intan understood, could she choose how to act next.

Her companions seemed equally torn. Tuyet was, of course, raring to go after the rebels despite her injuries, much to Eguzki’s annoyance. Rusli, usually the more passive of the two, was on her side. His tall friend remained silent and utterly noncommittal. The Hibiscus boy quietly suggested that it was more important to escape from the tunnels and report to the Headmistress.

“By the time we get out, it’ll be too late!” growled Tuyet. “Whatever it is they’re up to, their plans have almost come to a fruition if what we heard is any indication. We’ve tried to stop them again and again. Tried to unearth them from whatever holes they were hiding in -- not realizing we’d have to do it literally. Mok must be here. We’ve got to put an end to this!”

“In your state, no one’s going to be putting an end to anything,” Eguzki replied, voice tight.

Tuyet glared at him. “I’m not like Morikawa,” she said. “I’m tougher than you think. Something like this isn’t going to drag me down.”

If she had thought to goad him into doing something unwise, she would be disappointed. Eguzki’s only response was a gritted, “If we are all killed on some foolish suicide mission here, the rebels will have won.”

Rusli, who had for some reason been staring surreptitiously at Tuyet all the while, interrupted. “I understand your concern, Kaneshiro. But Dugu is correct. This may be our only chance.”

“Forget him, Rusli,” said Tuyet, her face wan and glistening with a slight sheen of sweat despite the comfortable temperature of the tunnels. “He’s no longer one of us. He has... no say.”

“But at least one of us should go,” insisted the Hibiscus boy, stubborn despite his seeming timidity. “Just in case.”

“And I suppose you think anyone here knows the way out?” Tuyet shook her head, collected herself. “Bad idea to get separated after we’ve finally found each other again. It’ll take time for any of us to find an exit that hasn’t caved in, and without getting caught at that. It’s pure luck we haven’t run into any rebel bastards yet. But now we know they’re here, we’re as good as trapped. Might as well get something useful out of the ordeal, in that case. Old Liow’ll be smart enough to figure what’s happened to us when we don’t report in -- if she hasn’t already figured it out, considering how long we’ve been gone.”

The matter seemed settled, then, but at that moment Rusli’s friend spoke for the first time.

“I’ll go.”

“Were you listening at all to what I just said, Wystan?”

“I am not one of you either.”

“Yusaku...” murmured Rusli.

“Grasping for an excuse to report to your true master, eh?” Tuyet shrugged. “Whatever. Go. If Rusli the younger here’ll let you.”

Intan watched curiously to see how Rusli would respond. But in the end, he jerked his head once.

“Don’t tell my father,” he said. “Don’t let him know I’m here.”

“Your lord father must be deeply concerned,” replied his friend in a monotone.

“We’ll make it out of here. All of us. I swear. Please, Yusaku.”

After a moment, the tall boy bowed. Then he turned and left.