[center]
[color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 10: 67/100[/color] 
[color=fff200]Karin Level 7: 43/70[/color] 
Location: Arabahaki
Word Count: 1600
Points Gained:  2
New EXP Balance--- [color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 10: 77/100 [/color] +3 +5
[color=fff200]Karin Level 7: 53/70[/color] +3 +5
[/center]

—

	Having taken another life and rounding to finish the job, the battle was won. The Tycoon machine was destroyed. And in the aftermath, grim implications for Midgar. The Seekers, of course, had to move on. Their war against Galeem was paramount. 

	[color=fff200]”...Then, I’m afraid this is where we part ways, Seekers.”[/color] Karin said. [color=fff200]”Even if this world is temporary, I cannot abandon these people. Not when I have the power to help.”[/color] Karin glanced over at Susie. [color=fff200]”Miss Susie, I believe you and I could lead people here to safety.”[/color]

	[color=fff200]”If none of you wish to address the people, then I shall do so. I must come up with some kind of plan. But what the people need right now is hope.”[/color] Karin said. 

	[color=fff200]”Midgar provided little value to anyone by itself. There is quite literally no reason to live here. It has no resources, no real infrastructure, only constant natural disasters. Galeem just constructed a populace and then dropped a corrupt power structure right on top of it. It’s not a real city. It’s a prison, an artificial facade of one, at that. A prison that can now be escaped from. ”[/color] Karin said.

	[color=f49ac2]”I- I’ll stay, too!”[/color] Sakura exclaimed. Karin raised her eyebrows and looked at Sakura. Then she smiled. Sakura continued, [color=f49ac2]”I want to help. And…”[/color] She looked at the scattered ash on the ground.
	[color=f49ac2]”I’m really sick of killing people. Even if it’s for a good cause. It’s not what my parents or Ryu-san would want for me. I don’t want to lose myself. I- I want to go back to helping people. And helping people find refuge while beating up opportunistic bad guys sounds like something I could help with.”[/color] She walked up to Karin and set her hand on her shoulder. [color=f49ac2]”Besides. You’re strong, sure, but together? No low-life criminal organization or gang or leftover corrupt politician could even come close to getting in our way of doing what’s right.”[/color]

	Karin, for once, was the one who brought Sakura in for a hug.

	Karin cleared her throat, pushing them apart just a few moments later.  [color=fff200]”Miss Sandalphon. You said there are nearby places available for settlement. We’ll need to lead the refugees in the direction of at least one of these places. Once we’re out of danger we can reorganize and divvy up the populace. I’m certain I can get some noteworthy and trustworthy individuals among the populace to help manage the crowd.”[/color]

	[color=f49ac2]”Like Wallace-san!”[/color] Sakura exclaimed happily. 

	[color=fff200]”...Sure.”[/color] Karin said with a very unsure tilt of her head. [color=fff200]”Once we get the refugee train going, it’ll be as simple for everyone as following the person in front of them. It won’t be easy. And we’ll be here a while. But we [i]can[/i] do it.”[/color] She set her fist in her palm.

[color=fff200]”...We must.”[/color] The heiress said, her will set.

[color=fff200]”My mind is made up. The rest of you may speak, but I will be delivering the message so the people know my face and my name as someone that can be trusted.”[/color] 

Karin beheld the terminal and knew she would be seen before all Midgar. But she wasn’t worried. Sakura, on the other hand, stood off to the side, nervous even though she wasn’t going on camera. Before it started, she looked back at her friends. She wanted to say goodbye to them, before they split. The thought of letting them go made her tear up, but she couldn’t doubt herself now, of all times.

Karin cleared her throat, glanced over her shoulder to make sure everyone was ready, and then activated the broadcast.[color=fff200]”Greetings, citizens of Midgar. My name is Karin Kanzuki.”[/color] If the other Seekers had anything else to say, they could. But Karin had come up with the outline of a speech in her mind that would hopefully convey the idea. 

[color=fff200]”This message comes to you from the heart of Arabahaki, and the city. We are the Seekers of Light, here to battle against the corruptive influence of Galeem. Having pulled the root of its power from the city, your minds are all now free from its influence. Behold the truth: this place is a prison, constructed by the mad tyrant Galeem. Oppressed by monstrosities from the outside and above and by your very own leaders, your suffering has gone on long enough. The time for freedom is at hand. President Shinra, Senator Armstrong, and Karen Travers have all perished in the vain attempt to hold onto control over this city.”[/color] Karin said.

[color=fff200]”During the struggle, Galeem’s puppet was destroyed. This city and its power over you were unsustainable frauds, and as a result, the Mako reactor was destroyed. Before tomorrow, the city of Midgar will be without power.”[/color] 

[color=fff200]”I urge you not to panic. The times ahead will be difficult, but this trial will lead to hope. No longer will you have to hold up those who wish to exploit you. Instead, you must hold each other up. I, Karin Kanzuki, will do my best to personally ensure the safety of the people of Midgar.”[/color]  Her orange eyes, almost golden, were unwavering.

[color=fff200]”This is no placating broadcast to keep you in check. This is no mad call to violence. This is a warning, and an opportunity. Midgar has no resources of its own. It has little to offer you. If you wish to flee and seek a new life, I urge you to head east. I will be there, gathering strong and noble defenders. We will head to the Satisfactory in the east. The most vulnerable among us will be safe there. After that, we will spread out and head to places such as Gutsford, Port Meridian, or even build new establishments in the newly liberated regions now that the Machine threat has been dealt with.”[/color] Karin said.

[color=fff200]”If you wish to stay, you may. The opportunistic parasites will want power over this carcass of a city. They will surely fight each other for the scraps. Let them have it, I say. Good riddance. You needn’t be a part of that. But ultimately, the choice is yours. To those of you who will be joining me in the east, I wish you good luck. And I shall see you soon. Remember to help each other. We are our greatest strength.”[/color] Karin said. She stepped aside, looking over her shoulder at the other Seekers. With that she ended the broadcast.

	[color=fff200]”...Is there any way to make that repeat?”[/color] She asked Sandalphon. 

The archangel blinked, recalling and extrapolating data. “After a fashion. Being neither psionic nor an adept programmer, I am not able to interface with ‘brainpunk’ technology and cannot force the city itself to rebroadcast, but as far as I know all forced transmissions like this will be saved to local storage for the psionics who received it, and from there it should be able to be replayed, copied, and proliferated among the people.”

	[color=fff200]”...I see. Well. I’m sure it will be fine. We’ll spread the word on foot, as well.”[/color]

[color=fff200]”Miss Midna. Given that we are in the center of Midgar, I’d ask you to teleport us back to the SOU building. We’ll head east and pick up any refugees along the way.”[/color]

Sakura looked over at the other Seekers. [color=f49ac2]”Well. I guess this is goodbye, for now.”[/color] She said, unable to hide the quaver in her voice. [color=f49ac2]”Thanks for helping me, everyone. I know we’ll meet again someday. I know you can win.”[/color] 

She stepped over to Geralt. [color=f49ac2]”And thanks for looking out for me, Geralt-san.”[/color] She went to hug the witcher. Then she stood on her toes and whispered into the witcher’s ear. [color=f49ac2]”I hope you find Ciri. Please don’t tell anyone why I started fighting.”[/color] 

She looked at Roxas. [color=f49ac2]”Don’t give up hope, Roxas-kun. You’re a good guy, y’know?”[/color]

She looked at Blazermate. [color=f49ac2]”You’re a lifesaver. It makes me feel better knowing you’re with the Seekers.”[/color] 

Next was one of her newer friends, Zenkichi. [color=f49ac2]”Zenkichi-san, I’m happy you joined us. I’m not sure if we would have made it with even one less person, let alone someone as strong as you. [/color]

She addressed the semi-formally dressed pair that met them in this region. [color=f49ac2]”Giovanna-san, Goldlewis-san. You two are a good team. I think you should stick together more often! Without you both we would have been lost over and over again. Like, literally lost. As in not knowing where to go.”[/color]

Next up, the big angel lady. [color=f49ac2]”Sandalphon-san. You’re really nice. Thanks for helping us. I don’t know what I would do if I were you. I hope it all works out. I'm sure it will. You're strong.”[/color] Sakura said.

[color=f49ac2]”Roland-san...”[/color] She looked at him. She didn’t really know anything about him. [color=f49ac2]”Um. You’re pretty strong, so, good stuff on that! Keep it up!”[/color] She pat him on the shoulder and skipped away.

Finally, she walked up to Midna, who would be portalling them away from the others. [color=f49ac2]”Thanks for everything, Midna-san. It was fun to hang out with you. Especially that one time in Gutsford?”[/color] She laughed a little. 

Karin addressed the others. [color=fff200]”I wish you all the best. Your battle is an important one. It was truly an honor to fight at your side.”[/color] Karin said. [color=fff200]”I can’t imagine I’ll be terribly hard to find, should you ever need me again.”[/color]

[color=f49ac2]”Man. I’m kinda bummed out I never even got to fight any of you! We better meet up again. For real. ”[/color] She wiped her eyes. 

Karin looked to Midna. All business, now. [color=fff200]”If you would be so kind, Miss Midna, as to guide us to the SOU building. I am ready when you are.”[/color]