1.Changeling: So here you are, and yet my chest hasn't been cut open. Or would you rather just turn me in?
2.Haruspex: Neither... Why are you so angry?
3.Changeling: That's good... All my friends have denied me. The Saburovs were calling me their daughter yesterday, and yet today I'm banished from their home. So what do you say?
4.Haruspex: Is this why you wanted to see me?
5.Changeling: No. I wanted to see you because I know what you're planning to do. You know the Lines, don't you? Listen to me then. Two lines have crossed today. You want to kill a bull, don't you?
6.Haruspex: I don't. But I do need one.
7.Changeling: I can even tell you why you need it. You want to introduce the disease to a bull and see who wins, right? I foretell you a draw.
8.Haruspex: What do you mean?
8.Haruspex: Are you a fortune teller or something?
9.Changeling: I'm not sure about that myself, but my feelings rarely deceive me. The eternal drama will unfold here today, but it will be performed poorly, Burakh. Have you read The Tales of the Daughters? Remember how Bos Turokh have created the Wheel, Time, and Fear?
10.Haruspex: No.
10.Haruspex: I think I heard it when I was a kid.
11.Changeling: Listen then! There was a time when there were neither day nor night; neither top nor bottom; neither sea nor land. There was but one thing in the world, and it was the great Bull, the Father of Flesh, the Carver of Lines, the Bearer of Horns-Bos Turokh. Up from the abyss came Suok, and she filled the world with herself. She devoured all the stars and all the light...
12.Haruspex: ...Wait a second. If there was nothing but the great Bull, where did the stars and light come from?
12.Haruspex: And who was she, this Suok?
13.Changeling: Oh, don't interrupt! ...And she devoured the sunlight. Neither fire nor water could harm Suok, neither old age not the abyss itself. It was darkness then. Bos Turokh, the great Bull, had frozen in the darkness; his cry was strong enough to pierce it, but it couldn't pierce Suok. She spread herself further, and there was darkness once again.
14.Haruspex: I think I know of this story.
14.Haruspex: Wow, that's uncannily familiar...
15.Changeling: And so Bos Turokh in his despair opened his mouth horizon-to-horizon and started devouring Suok. Oh, how she struggled trying to flee back to the abyss! And yet she came to be devoured by Bos Turokh bit by bit. To this day she is inside of him, trying in vain to consume him from within his tight embrace.
16.Haruspex: That's some story.
17.Changeling: Intriguing, huh? There's more to it. I can feel you moulding this tale out of clay. You want to feed the disease to a bull to see whether it can overcome it or not. That would serve me well. If you succeed, everyone will leave me alone. Want me to help you?
18.Haruspex: Eh... fine.
19.Changeling: Then your way lies towards the Short Block of the Termitary. A very important person will be waiting for you there. She is the Mother Superior, the focus of the Kin's life and will. It is only she and no one else who's in charge of the Termitary these days. If you two manage to get along, she'll give you a bull.
20.Haruspex: See you at the Short Block then.
18.Haruspex: No. I can do without you. Thanks for the tale.
4.Haruspex: I feel for you. We're in the same spot.
5.Changeling: I'm not sure about that myself, but my feelings rarely deceive me. The eternal drama will unfold here today, but it will be performed poorly, Burakh. Have you read The Tales of the Daughters? Remember how Bos Turokh have created the Wheel, Time, and Fear?
6.Haruspex: No.
6.Haruspex: I think I heard it when I was a kid.
7.Changeling: Listen then! There was a time when there were neither day nor night; neither top nor bottom; neither sea nor land. There was but one thing in the world, and it was the great Bull, the Father of Flesh, the Carver of Lines, the Bearer of Horns-Bos Turokh. Up from the abyss came Suok, and she filled the world with herself. She devoured all the stars and all the light...
8.Haruspex: ...Wait a second. If there was nothing but the great Bull, where did the stars and light come from?
8.Haruspex: And who was she, this Suok?
9.Changeling: Oh, don't interrupt! ...And she devoured the sunlight. Neither fire nor water could harm Suok, neither old age not the abyss itself. It was darkness then. Bos Turokh, the great Bull, had frozen in the darkness; his cry was strong enough to pierce it, but it couldn't pierce Suok. She spread herself further, and there was darkness once again.
10.Haruspex: I think I know of this story.
10.Haruspex: Wow, that's uncannily familiar...
11.Changeling: And so Bos Turokh in his despair opened his mouth horizon-to-horizon and started devouring Suok. Oh, how she struggled trying to flee back to the abyss! And yet she came to be devoured by Bos Turokh bit by bit. To this day she is inside of him, trying in vain to consume him from within his tight embrace.
12.Haruspex: That's some story.
13.Changeling: Intriguing, huh? There's more to it. I can feel you moulding this tale out of clay. You want to feed the disease to a bull to see whether it can overcome it or not. That would serve me well. If you succeed, everyone will leave me alone. Want me to help you?
14.Haruspex: Eh... fine.
15.Changeling: Then your way lies towards the Short Block of the Termitary. A very important person will be waiting for you there. She is the Mother Superior, the focus of the Kin's life and will. It is only she and no one else who's in charge of the Termitary these days. If you two manage to get along, she'll give you a bull.
16.Haruspex: See you at the Short Block then.
14.Haruspex: No. I can do without you. Thanks for the tale.
2.Haruspex: Tell me about this girl, the Mother Superior.
3.Changeling: She's very young-little more than a baby-but she's in charge of the Termitary. Miraculously all those scary butchers and Worms obey her.
4.Haruspex: How come?
5.Changeling: Heritage. Her late father, Tycheek, used to be the head of the Termitary and an important person for the Kin. They say your father had a lot of respect for him.
6.Haruspex: Yes, I've heard that name.
6.Haruspex: How do you know that?
7.Changeling: A little bird told me.
8.Haruspex: I see...
2.Haruspex: So, what's going on inside the Termitary?
3.Changeling: It's hell there. You'll see.
4.Haruspex: I thought its inhabitants don't get infected.
5.Changeling: Don't get infected? Oh, you are gravely mistaken! Not only do they get infected, but they also suffer twice as much as ordinary people. You see for yourself.
6.Haruspex: I can't wait.
2.Haruspex: Enough. I'm fed up with jokes.
1.Changeling: Oh woe, oh woe... Woe is me... Is it possible that even the deceitful creatures, the evil darksiders, those who are always seeking to provide a disservice to a man-is it possible that even they have turned their backs on me?
2.Haruspex: What are you talking about?
3.Changeling: I've had a disagreement with the Rat Prophet! And so he's hiding from me now, telling me nothing... And I need to hear a few words from him about me-now that I'm persecuted and hated, I need it more than ever! What is my fortune? What is to become of me? Why have I come to this world?
4.Haruspex: You said yourself that he was a liar. Why do you need him?
5.Changeling: Oh, I need someone! Anyone! Oh, Burakh! I have helped you, haven't I? You've made another step towards making your panacea, haven't you? Could you help me out too? Do me a favour in return?
6.Haruspex: What do you want?
7.Changeling: Let's outsmart him! Go see him as though on your own, he won't say no to you. Pretend to hate me and ask him about my fortune! What happens to me tomorrow? But most importantly-who am I...? Why have I come to this world...? Got that? Will you help me?
8.Haruspex: I don't even know where to find him.
9.Changeling: He lives under the Theatre-or even inside it. Burakh, Haruspex, sir, please, please be kind, please get to him! Oh, if only you knew how I suffer... I'm lonely and in pain...
10.Haruspex: Okay. I'll ask him.
10.Haruspex: No, Clara. You're on your own.
1.Changeling: Oh, woe is me...
2.Haruspex: Okay, have it your way. I'll ask the creature about your fortune.
3.Changeling: Thank you, Burakh! And most importantly-don't you forget!-ask him who I am... What is the purpose of my existence? Am I, you know... a savior?
4.Haruspex: I'll ask him.
2.Haruspex: I've spoken to the Rat.
3.Changeling: Well? What did he say?
4.Haruspex: He said that you are the personification of the plague. A she-plague. A creature of darkness.
4.Haruspex: You are a supernatural being, Clara. You serve... the forces of good.
5.Changeling: Oh God... Really... Are you telling the truth? Could he have lied to you?
6.Haruspex: I've told you everything I planned to.
2.Haruspex: Stop moaning. It'll be fine.
1.Changeling: What do you want, Ripper?
2.Haruspex: You've started telling the Mother a story. Why did you need to confuse her so much?
3.Changeling: That, Ripper, is none of your business! You stick to your own. Leave me and my tales be!
4.Haruspex: Hmm... was that maybe the wrong thing to say? Eh? What do you think, Changeling?
5.Changeling: Don't you threaten me! I've been threatened enough! And don't stick your nose into things you know nothing about!
6.Haruspex: Tell me how it ends!
7.Changeling: Get lost! And don't you ever cross me! I don't interfere with you cutting livers out of living people, now do I?! And just so that you know, I feel sorry for them! I could very well complicate your life quite a bit!
8.Haruspex: You little bitch...
8.Haruspex: Okay, okay, peace.
4.Haruspex: Okay, okay...
4.Haruspex: Do you want her to die?
5.Changeling: I don't let people die, I save them! That's a fact that can be confirmed by thousands of witnesses.
6.Haruspex: I don't like the sound of this.
7.Changeling: Don't you threaten me! I've been threatened enough! And don't stick your nose into things you know nothing about!
8.Haruspex: Tell me how it ends!
9.Changeling: Get lost! And don't you ever cross me! I don't interfere with you cutting livers out of living people, now do I?! And just so that you know, I feel sorry for them! I could very well complicate your life quite a bit!
10.Haruspex: You little bitch...
10.Haruspex: Okay, okay, peace.
2.Haruspex: You've got a different attitude today, kiddo...
2.Haruspex: The Soul-and-a-Halves have told me a funny story... about crystal flowers or something.
3.Changeling: How do they even know that tale?
4.Haruspex: No idea. The ending is really funny though...
5.Changeling: There's nothing funny about it! It's scary actually. It couldn't have made them laugh...
6.Haruspex: They were totally hysterical. Especially when it got to that prince...
7.Changeling: They couldn't have laughed! What made them laugh? The prince getting desperate and thinking that a flower like this would never grow in his garden again? Or maybe the living flowers dying because the crystal one took everything from them-the water, the air, and even the light? Is it that bit?
8.Haruspex: No, another one...
9.Changeling: Well, was it the gardener coming with the scissors and the prince making it so that he'd cut the living flowers instead of the crystal one? Or that terrible flower throwing out seeds, giving birth to a whole new garden-a hundred times more beautiful than the previous one, but having no real flowers?
10.Haruspex: There was something else...
11.Changeling: That's the end. There couldn't have been anything else. They're lying!
12.Haruspex: Maybe. And you know your tales, huh...
10.Haruspex: That was the bit.
11.Changeling: Those idiots! They've no idea what they're laughing at...
12.Haruspex: Yeah, you are one scary wench...
12.Haruspex: Good luck to you, Clara.
8.Haruspex: Yeah, I think so.
9.Changeling: Well, they are idiots! How do they even know the tale, I wonder?
10.Haruspex: And what happens next?
11.Changeling: ...Why do you ask? Hey, you're cheating! You're in cahoots with the Mother!
12.Haruspex: No I'm not...
13.Changeling: Get lost! And don't you ever cross me! I don't interfere with you cutting livers out of living people, now do I?! And just so that you know, I feel sorry for them! I could very well complicate your life quite a bit!
14.Haruspex: You little bitch...
14.Haruspex: Okay, okay, peace.
6.Haruspex: And how does it end?
7.Changeling: ...Why do you ask? Hey, you're cheating! You're in cahoots with the Mother!
8.Haruspex: No I'm not...
9.Changeling: Get lost! And don't you ever cross me! I don't interfere with you cutting livers out of living people, now do I?! And just so that you know, I feel sorry for them! I could very well complicate your life quite a bit!
10.Haruspex: You little bitch...
10.Haruspex: Okay, okay, peace.
1.Changeling: Don't listen to the demons. Move down the tunnel. You will see female silhouettes there. These are fated souls. Choose the one to go instead of you. Make a deal with any of the three and regret nothing. Talk as little as you can so that they who are beyond the wall won't hear you.
2.Haruspex: Is this the sacrifice I'm looking for?
3.Changeling: No. It's your return fee.
4.Haruspex: What happens to them?
5.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
6.Haruspex: How did that happen?
7.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
8.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
9.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
10.Haruspex: I will.
10.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
9.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
10.Haruspex: Let it be so.
10.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
11.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
12.Haruspex: I will.
12.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
2.Haruspex: Are they souls?
3.Changeling: These are tekhe. A tekhe is the clot between the warm and the cold. It's like a soul, only smaller and able to talk. It escapes the sick and the sleeping, hanging between the warm earth and the cold sky so that the spirits could whisper in its ear demanding to hear the story of the person's life.
4.Haruspex: Why are they here?
5.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
6.Haruspex: How did that happen?
7.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
8.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
9.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
10.Haruspex: I will.
10.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
9.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
10.Haruspex: Let it be so.
10.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
11.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
12.Haruspex: I will.
12.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
4.Haruspex: But these ones-are they alive?
5.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
6.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
7.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
8.Haruspex: I will.
8.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
6.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
7.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
8.Haruspex: Let it be so.
8.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
9.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
10.Haruspex: I will.
10.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
2.Haruspex: Where did these... women come from?
3.Changeling: These are not women. These are their tekhe.
4.Haruspex: Their what?
5.Changeling: These are tekhe. A tekhe is the clot between the warm and the cold. It's like a soul, only smaller and able to talk. It escapes the sick and the sleeping, hanging between the warm earth and the cold sky so that the spirits could whisper in its ear demanding to hear the story of the person's life.
6.Haruspex: Why are they here?
7.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
8.Haruspex: How did that happen?
9.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
10.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
11.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
12.Haruspex: I will.
12.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
10.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
11.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
12.Haruspex: Let it be so.
12.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
13.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
14.Haruspex: I will.
14.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
6.Haruspex: But these ones-are they alive?
7.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
8.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
9.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
10.Haruspex: I will.
10.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
9.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
10.Haruspex: Let it be so.
10.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
11.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
12.Haruspex: I will.
12.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
4.Haruspex: I see.
5.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
6.Haruspex: How did that happen?
7.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
8.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
9.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
10.Haruspex: I will.
10.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
9.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
10.Haruspex: Let it be so.
10.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
11.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
12.Haruspex: I will.
12.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
2.Haruspex: Wait a minute. And then what?
3.Changeling: She will stay here instead of you.
4.Haruspex: What a dirty trick! Someone else will have to die in my stead?
4.Haruspex: Okay.
2.Haruspex: Where are we?
3.Changeling: I don't know, but I think this is what the dead tell Grace about. This is a Kaiur-the passage that connects two worlds. When people die, they usually fly through it in an instant without noticing.
4.Haruspex: How do I get out of here?
5.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
6.Haruspex: I will.
6.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
2.Haruspex: Okay.
2.Haruspex: And who is... beyond the wall?
3.Changeling: I don't know. I can only feel them. They are obscure. They are the ones in charge of everything here. They're big but narrow-souled, trying to hide their wretchedness from us. It was all their doing. They haven't revealed themselves yet.
4.Haruspex: Will they?
5.Changeling: Their time hasn't come yet. They are waiting in the wings. They will probably break into the world when it ends. Tomorrow they will show themselves... As for now, it is better not to disturb them. Just go along the tunnel.
6.Haruspex: What's going to happen to me?
7.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
8.Haruspex: I will.
8.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
6.Haruspex: Who are these women?
7.Changeling: These are not women. These are their tekhe.
8.Haruspex: Their what?
9.Changeling: These are tekhe. A tekhe is the clot between the warm and the cold. It's like a soul, only smaller and able to talk. It escapes the sick and the sleeping, hanging between the warm earth and the cold sky so that the spirits could whisper in its ear demanding to hear the story of the person's life.
10.Haruspex: Why are they here?
11.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
12.Haruspex: How did that happen?
13.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
14.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
14.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
15.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
16.Haruspex: Let it be so.
16.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
17.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
18.Haruspex: I will.
18.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
10.Haruspex: But these ones-are they alive?
11.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
12.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
13.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
14.Haruspex: I will.
14.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
12.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
13.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
14.Haruspex: Let it be so.
14.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: I see.
9.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
10.Haruspex: How did that happen?
11.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
12.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
13.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
14.Haruspex: I will.
14.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
12.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
13.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
14.Haruspex: Let it be so.
14.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
4.Haruspex: Are they gods?
5.Changeling: No, they are something different. The masked demons are their minions and envoys. Don't talk to them! Just walk along the tunnel.
6.Haruspex: What's going to happen to me?
7.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
8.Haruspex: I will.
8.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
6.Haruspex: Who are these women?
7.Changeling: These are not women. These are their tekhe.
8.Haruspex: Their what?
9.Changeling: These are tekhe. A tekhe is the clot between the warm and the cold. It's like a soul, only smaller and able to talk. It escapes the sick and the sleeping, hanging between the warm earth and the cold sky so that the spirits could whisper in its ear demanding to hear the story of the person's life.
10.Haruspex: Why are they here?
11.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
12.Haruspex: How did that happen?
13.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
14.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
14.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
15.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
16.Haruspex: Let it be so.
16.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
17.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
18.Haruspex: I will.
18.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
10.Haruspex: But these ones-are they alive?
11.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
12.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
13.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
14.Haruspex: I will.
14.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
12.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
13.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
14.Haruspex: Let it be so.
14.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
8.Haruspex: I see.
9.Changeling: I made them stay here for a while.
10.Haruspex: How did that happen?
11.Changeling: No need for sorrow, they are all dead anyway. Don't waste your words in vain. Save your breath.
12.Haruspex: Fine. I will remember this!
13.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
14.Haruspex: I will.
14.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
12.Haruspex: No, it will not do. I'm staying here.
13.Changeling: Then everybody dies. The town will be destroyed, and Plague will devour the Earth. You won't fulfil you destiny. Your father will remain unavenged.
14.Haruspex: Let it be so.
14.Haruspex: Okay. I'm going.
15.Changeling: When you have chosen a soul, ask her what you want to know. She will tell you the truth. Use the opportunity. Then walk through the black opening. It will let you through.
16.Haruspex: I will.
16.Haruspex: I'm scared.....
1.Changeling: Walk along the tunnel. Don't hesitate. Move faster, before they are disturbed!
2.Haruspex: Here I go.
2.Haruspex: I'd like to...
3.Changeling: Don't talk! Or do you want her to die in vain? Move, you won't have a second chance! Be quiet and clench your teeth.
4.Haruspex: ...
1.Changeling: Well? Are you planning to make up your mind any time soon?
2.Haruspex: Just wait a bit more.
2.Haruspex: I would still like to know how you're going to keep the town intact.
3.Changeling: Burakh, Burakh...! What are you saying? I told you it's my secret. I will only reveal that to the Queens. General Alexander will never compromise, you know that full well. And if I can't persuade Aglaya that mine is the way to purge this world of plague, then nothing happens at all. What is to happen, will happen.
4.Haruspex: Seems like you have a strong influence on Block.
5.Changeling: Even if I mesmerize him, he won't forget his procedure. Don't worry. I'll tell the Queens everything-separately, of course... But not to you. I don't want to see my secret become gossip all too quickly.
6.Haruspex: Aren't you afraid of telling the Queens?
7.Changeling: My choice demands they destroy one another, Burakh! It's all taken care of. Don't you worry.
8.Haruspex: Now that's some news.
9.Changeling: My choice is full of surprises, Burakh. Or did you really think this little dilemma of yours was unavoidable? An 'either-or' thing?
10.Haruspex: Look at you talking... It's like you're a different person.
11.Changeling: Perhaps it's not the same me you knew before. There is more than one me... a lot, perhaps. We've got the same pretty face-but who knows whose will is behind it right now?
12.Haruspex: Enough.
12.Haruspex: No, I won't let you choose.
6.Haruspex: I never thought you were superstitious.
7.Changeling: My choice is full of surprises, Burakh. Or did you really think this little dilemma of yours was unavoidable? An 'either-or' thing?
8.Haruspex: Look at you talking... It's like you're a different person.
9.Changeling: Perhaps it's not the same me you knew before. There is more than one me... a lot, perhaps. We've got the same pretty face-but who knows whose will is behind it right now?
10.Haruspex: Enough.
10.Haruspex: No, I won't let you choose.
2.Haruspex: What happens to Aglaya?
3.Changeling: Aglaya will die.
4.Haruspex: Can you make it so that she lives?
5.Changeling: No. I have no power over that. This is a mandatory part of my plan.
6.Haruspex: Then step aside and do not meddle.
6.Haruspex: Who else will die?
7.Changeling: Look, there is no need for prying... You'll make it, don't worry.
8.Haruspex: You impudent girl! You are naïve to speak as if you've won already.
8.Haruspex: Whatever.
1.Changeling: I'm looking forward to midnight!
2.Haruspex: Me too.
2.Haruspex: I don't think I'll be there to see it.
1.Changeling: See how everything turns out? Who could have thought... You have to sacrifice something, either the Town or the Polyhedron. One of the Queens wants to destroy the wondrous tower while the other seeks to raze as much as possible just to make sure.
2.Haruspex: Do you have a different solution? (1)
3.Changeling: I could arrange it so that everything stays the way it used to if I could get into the Cathedral and look the Inquisitor in the eye. But I can't. I have to care for my... confidants. They have put their faith in me already, you see. I cannot abandon them now.
4.Haruspex: I'll do my best to help you. How do I recognize your Bound?
5.Changeling: All of them are listed in the letter that I sent to you several days ago. And... they're easily recognizable. The persecuted, the outcasts, the villains, the criminals... those whose only shelter is me, the new Mistress!
6.Haruspex: Wait for me. I'll take care of your outcasts.
2.Haruspex: Do you have a different solution? (1)
3.Changeling: If my confidants are alive, I will come to the Council with you, and there won't be a single Queen there that I won’t be able to convince to my cause! But are you absolutely sure they are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council?
4.Haruspex: Yes, I am sure all your Bound are well. Come to the Cathedral. I'll give you the right to decide.
4.Haruspex: I'll think about it. Can't help the distaste I have for some of your adherents...
2.Haruspex: That's just how the world goes.
3.Changeling: The world isn't as simple as you think, Burakh. I know how to arrange it so that both the town lives and the Polyhedron stands. It will all be just like it used to be!
4.Haruspex: And how will you arrange that?
5.Changeling: It's a secret. Something has to be sacrificed anyway... a lot, really... but these are things that actively want to disappear off the face of the earth. Nothing to regret about.
6.Haruspex: Curious. What are these things?
7.Changeling: What do you care? They are but fuel that would allow to preserve the old state of being. Oh, the Powers That Be will be delighted. They really shouldn't have persecuted me! I could have offered them a wonderful gift.
8.Haruspex: What do the Powers That Be have to do with this?
9.Changeling: Whatever the Powers That Be claim, they don't really care about the disease. The town, the town, the town-in the precise state it's existing in now-that's their primary concern. The town whose juices flow to feed the blooming and active Polyhedron!
10.Haruspex: And you think you could arrange that? (1)
11.Changeling: I could arrange it so that everything stays the way it used to if I could get into the Cathedral and look the Inquisitor in the eye. But I can't. I have to care for my... confidants. They have put their faith in me already, you see. I cannot abandon them now.
12.Haruspex: I'll do my best to help you. How do I recognize your Bound?
13.Changeling: All of them are listed in the letter that I sent to you several days ago. And... they're easily recognizable. The persecuted, the outcasts, the villains, the criminals... those whose only shelter is me, the new Mistress!
14.Haruspex: Wait for me. I'll take care of your outcasts.
10.Haruspex: And you think you could arrange that? (1)
11.Changeling: If my confidants are alive, I will come to the Council with you, and there won't be a single Queen there that I won’t be able to convince to my cause! But are you absolutely sure they are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council?
12.Haruspex: Yes, I am sure all your Bound are well. Come to the Cathedral. I'll give you the right to decide.
12.Haruspex: I'll think about it. Can't help the distaste I have for some of your adherents...
10.Haruspex: ...A chimera! A greedy, insatiable chimera. I'm so happy it's not you who is to make a choice, Changeling.
8.Haruspex: What's the cost?
9.Changeling: Yet another secret! Curiosity killed a cat. My word is enough. I will keep it. I am a mystical creature. I am a Mistress!
10.Haruspex: Are you now?
11.Changeling: Whatever the Powers That Be claim, they don't really care about the disease. The town, the town, the town-in the precise state it's existing in now-that's their primary concern. The town whose juices flow to feed the blooming and active Polyhedron!
12.Haruspex: And you think you could arrange that? (1)
13.Changeling: I could arrange it so that everything stays the way it used to if I could get into the Cathedral and look the Inquisitor in the eye. But I can't. I have to care for my... confidants. They have put their faith in me already, you see. I cannot abandon them now.
14.Haruspex: I'll do my best to help you. How do I recognize your Bound?
15.Changeling: All of them are listed in the letter that I sent to you several days ago. And... they're easily recognizable. The persecuted, the outcasts, the villains, the criminals... those whose only shelter is me, the new Mistress!
16.Haruspex: Wait for me. I'll take care of your outcasts.
12.Haruspex: And you think you could arrange that? (1)
13.Changeling: If my confidants are alive, I will come to the Council with you, and there won't be a single Queen there that I won’t be able to convince to my cause! But are you absolutely sure they are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council?
14.Haruspex: Yes, I am sure all your Bound are well. Come to the Cathedral. I'll give you the right to decide.
14.Haruspex: I'll think about it. Can't help the distaste I have for some of your adherents...
12.Haruspex: ...A chimera! A greedy, insatiable chimera. I'm so happy it's not you who is to make a choice, Changeling.
10.Haruspex: Okay, I believe you. Go ahead. (2)
11.Changeling: General Block will not shoot unless I tell him to-he has also put his faith in me. But the Inquisitor wants to see the Tower destroyed. She fill find a way to do so and will stop at nothing. When the Tower crumbles, so does childhood... And there'll be no utopia... It will be pointless then.
12.Haruspex: I'll make sure she doesn't get in your way. She is prepared to be sacrificed; that's her purpose. Will you come to the Cathedral for the final Council?
13.Changeling: So... Your efforts have allowed all the Bound who are willing to donate their transformed blood to be alive and well... I will be able to come then. If you tell Block yourself that you're on my side, the Inquisitor will be disarmed.
14.Haruspex: Agreed. See you in the Cathedral.
10.Haruspex: Okay, I believe you. Go ahead. (2)
11.Changeling: I can't, Burakh. For this to happen I have to be at the Cathedral-or I won't be able to explain anything to the Inquisitor... and stop general Alexander if she manages to infuriate him. But I won't be able to come. It's too late...
12.Haruspex: Why?
13.Changeling: Because I want several outcast Bound to live-the ones that no one would take care of and caress but me... You have your own confidants, I have mine. I'll try to do something for them in these last few hours...
14.Haruspex: Are your confidants in danger?
15.Changeling: Some of them are gravely ill. They are on the verge of death. It's partly your fault too, Burakh... They wouldn't have fallen sick without your kind assitance, now would they?
16.Haruspex: Fine. I'll check on your confidants and bring them back to life. How do I recognize them?
17.Changeling: My confidants are outcasts. Those who have accepted me as a new Mistress. They believe that I will be able to preserve the living Utopia. The town will remain the same. They will surrender their lives for that.
18.Haruspex: If they live, will you come to the Cathedral?
19.Changeling: I will.
20.Haruspex: Fine. I'll bring them to life.
16.Haruspex: Serves them right, the villains.
14.Haruspex: So you've decided to play saint after all? Whatever...
1.Changeling: The time is almost up... Soon the barrage begins!
2.Haruspex: Are you aware that we're toys?
3.Changeling: Of course I am! Were you not?
4.Haruspex: I wasn't... and you're so calm about it!
5.Changeling: Lil' puppets we are, true... but it's not the puppet that matters, but whose hands control it! Have you seen them?
6.Haruspex: I have.
7.Changeling: They probably think themselves so big? Think they're real human creatures, lil' baby kids, don't they?
8.Haruspex: ...Aren't they?
9.Changeling: I wouldn't be so sure! I have a gut feeling about it! That's my knack, what can you do. And the Bachelor is probably still thinking he's a bachelor, doesn't he? Hahaha... He would have got on very well with those kids!
10.Haruspex: I doubt that.
10.Haruspex: Tell what you know!
11.Changeling: I have already told you everything. I don't know anything-but I sense a lot. See you, Ripper!
12.Haruspex: See you...
4.Haruspex: How long were you aware of that?
5.Changeling: I'm aware of something else, too. I am. Almost everyone we've come across in the past few days are toys-honest to God toys. But some creatures here are more intricate...
6.Haruspex: Who?
7.Changeling: You and me, for example. You surely understand quite a lot about yourself-you feel a powerful will standing behind you... And I'm going to surprise you quite a lot, tee hee... What would you have done if you knew beforehand?
8.Haruspex: I would have acted more confidently.
8.Haruspex: I would have shot myself.
9.Changeling: Lil' puppets we are, true... but it's not the puppet that matters, but whose hands control it! Have you seen them?
10.Haruspex: I have.
11.Changeling: They probably think themselves so big? Think they're real human creatures, lil' baby kids, don't they?
12.Haruspex: ...Aren't they?
13.Changeling: I wouldn't be so sure! I have a gut feeling about it! That's my knack, what can you do. And the Bachelor is probably still thinking he's a bachelor, doesn't he? Hahaha... He would have got on very well with those kids!
14.Haruspex: I doubt that.
14.Haruspex: Tell what you know!
15.Changeling: I have already told you everything. I don't know anything-but I sense a lot. See you, Ripper!
16.Haruspex: See you...
2.Haruspex: Turns out that you're a toy, Clara. And I'm a human being.
3.Changeling: Are you sure?
4.Haruspex: I am.
5.Changeling: So I'm not human. That gives me a huge advantage over you.
6.Haruspex: Why?
7.Changeling: Because you think I'm a toy. I know who you are, but you don't actually know who I am. So I have an advantage.
8.Haruspex: How so?
9.Changeling: Who were you fighting all this time? Oh you human...
10.Haruspex: The plague.
10.Haruspex: The inevitability.
10.Haruspex: Was I fighting you...?
11.Changeling: Do you realize now that you have lost? And there's nothing to be done. It's too late.
12.Haruspex: All right. Let's go to the Cathedral.
12.Haruspex: I'm tired of you! Your lies are so crafty it's too easy to mistake them for the truth. Even the Inquisitor is less skilled than you...
4.Haruspex: No, not really.
5.Changeling: Why? Look at your hands. Are they really yours? No, not these ones... Now count them. Are there exactly two and not four? Hahaha...
6.Haruspex: That's not funny.
6.Haruspex: Do not pretend to be alive.
7.Changeling: I'm not pretending. But you shouldn't have called me a toy... I'll make you regret that... Tell me, who am I really? What do you think?
8.Haruspex: A doll.
8.Haruspex: ...The Plague.
8.Haruspex: A miracle-maker.
9.Changeling: No. That is my doppelganger. My twin sister.
10.Haruspex: So I was mistaken.
10.Haruspex: Whatever I choose, you will immediately change your essence. Is that what you're hinting at?
11.Changeling: I'm in your head now! This is what I'm hinting at. I am you!
12.Haruspex: Whatever! I'm in no mood to argue...
12.Haruspex: Fine. Score one for you.
2.Haruspex: Let them shoot. I wish this was over and done with as soon as possible.
2.Haruspex: Well, as for me, I'm totally fine with the Bachelor's choice.
3.Changeling: Then pay a visit to Maria, the Scarlet Mistress, the one whose ascension your dear Bachelor is looking to ensure. Go to her after giving up your right to make the choice; go-she's daydreaming still! She won't stoop to hiding her real intentions from you; she's absolutely convinced that puny insignificant babies like Victoria or me can do nothing to get in her way.
4.Haruspex: Is she now? I think I will indeed pay her a visit...
2.Haruspex: Your confidants are alive and well. I'll be waiting for you in the Council.
3.Changeling: If my confidants are alive, I will come to the Council with you, and there won't be a single Queen there that I won’t be able to convince to my cause! But are you absolutely sure they are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council?
4.Haruspex: Come to the Cathedral. I'll give you the right to decide.