The Fate of Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinite)

Chapter 16: The Future is now

Mathias felt as light as a feather, and had the impression of floating in the air. He was out of thought and time. The stars circled around him, and every second that passed was as long as an hour. While he allowed himself to be carried by the temporal waves of space, his mind remembered all the things he had lived ..... His commitment to the army ..... The sinking of the ship and The death of his friends ..... Columbia ..... Songbird ...... This man and woman who helped him..... The battles, pain and blood ..... Cornelius ..... The Vox Populi ..... . Zachary ...... And in the middle of it all, there was ..... His angel, Elizabeth. His thoughts wander further into his mind, showing him dark sea bottoms, and in the distance, lights rising from giant foundations that he fails to see well....

(Elizabeth): "Mathias? ...... Mathias?"

The sweet voice of the young lady brought the young man out of his torpor. When he opens his eyelids, Elizabeth is leaning over him, beneficent and caressing his face by the soft palm of her hand. He straightened up, the joints a little sore, and realizes that he is shirtless, his shoulder is covered with a bandage. He guesses that it was she who did this, and thanked her, then put on his jacket while standing up, to know where they are. The sea is the first thing he sees, as well as a large beach of white sand stretching as far as the eye can see, and behind, a peaceful forest filled with life. The storm and the black clouds had disappeared, leaving the place for a clear and calm weather. Mathias also notices the giant bird Songbird, standing a little apart and watching the surroundings in silence. His mechanical body carried several impacts and several small parts were missing, and its wings had been slightly touched as well, but it does not seem to be too damaged. His eyes are yellow, perhaps indicating a sentinel mode.

(Mathias): "I remember the zeppelin ..... From our fall in the void ...... What happened?"

(Elizabeth): "Songbird saved us. During the flight, you fainted because of your wound. Songbird brought us here, away in a quiet place, so that I could take care of you."

This giant monster that all along was their worst nightmare, had finally become their savior and a hero.

(Mathias): "And .... And Columbia?"

(Elizabeth): "Zachary is gone. His army has surrendered, and Vox Populi has taken control. Freedom can exist again."

Mathias smiled at this happy news and admired a little the beauty of the ocean dancing before him. Elizabeth stands at his side, and their hands touch, then intertwine. Elizabeth not wanting to reign over Columbia, she thought she had nothing more to do here. As they admire, the giant bird's big footsteps are heard, coming to stand behind the couple, as if to watch what Mathias does with Elizabeth. The couple looked at him and laughed amusedly and not mockingly, seeing Songbird watching over them as a babysitter watching children.

(Mathias): "Thank you for saving us, big boy." He said to the bird, and for the first time Songbird looked at Mathias with his green eyes. Elizabeth comes to give a little kiss on the beak of Songbird, followed by caresses, and the bird emits a small metallic sound of affection.

(Elizabeth): "You're maybe a machine, Songbird, but you are far from being a monster ...... Thank you, my dear friend."

Songbird made another little sound, as if he were answering the lady. This connection between her and the creature would never cease to astonish Mathias, but he was happy and smiling to see them thus, again gathered as friends, and not as a guardian and his prisoner. Elizabeth joins Mathias again, and hand in hand, continue to admire the ocean together. 

(Elizabeth): "This time we are really free."

(Mathias): "Yes, and the future is now waiting for us."