Chapter 12: Light, Shadow, and Ash(PART 2)
"…Kazimierz and Ursus are sworn enemies; they won't sit idly by. But they also definitely won't openly fund us; our ultimate fate can only be fought for by ourselves. The only ones who can save us are ourselves. Others' help is merely assistance."
Deep within the mine shaft, looking at the figures wearing masks and watching him, the person responsible for summoning was distributing some tools into the hands of the leaders.
They were not fighting alone; rather, no organization ever fights alone.
Upon hearing they might very likely stage an armed uprising, their sworn enemy Kazimierz and a group of people who had long disliked Ursus sent large batches of supplies. Moreover, Ursus's native aid organizations and some international Oripathy organizations would also provide varying degrees of support. But strictly speaking, these things were a drop in the bucket , only useful in critical moments; to say they would truly do something, these people who cherished their reputation wouldn't do it.
Seemingly also sensing the changes in the mine shaft, the original mine foremen were all replaced, swapped with some figures clearly bearing the marks of the Ursus military. They managed the mine shafts with militarized methods and tightened the blockade, making everyone eat, drink, and relieve themselves within the mine.
Anyone daring to step out of the mine shaft would be shot after three warnings. But this behavior made many people laugh out loud.
If not afraid, who would be so heavily guarded? By doing this, aren't you better exposing your fear?
"Ursus is afraid. They fear our strength."
Looking at the Infected silently beneath their masks, this person, with an orange-red ribbon tied on his shoulder, slowly removed the mask from his face.
"Now, I am the true Reunion Movement. And everyone will soon realize, we actually have no other choice. The world no longer has a place for us; only we ourselves can save ourselves."
Slowly removing the mask, revealing the face beneath, young to an excessive degree. The youth's delicate and pretty face was covered with the sharp edges of Originium; the infection phenomenon was extremely severe. And he faced the common white masks of the men, women, old, and young before him, revealing a smile of relief.
They didn't need masks; they were the Infected, no need to hide their faces. What was there to hide? They disdained hiding their true faces, nor did they disdain hiding their thoughts. An orange-red silk ribbon was commonly wrapped around their arms, which were full of sharp edges and Originium infection. When they raised their hands together, the entire street, the entire city would be dyed orange-red. What did they have to fear?
So he took off his mask first. And the others would also soon take off their false masks.
"We disdain hiding our identities; we never conceal our needs. Covering oneself with a mask is merely the act of a coward."
Throwing the pale white mask to the ground and crushing it underfoot, the youth, whose forehead was already covered with Originium, looked at the crowd before him and said in a low voice:
"We have always been exploited by them; when we realized all this, they threw us into a cage again. We have always served them, but they treated us as beggars and untouchables. I know the time is not yet ripe for everything, but I also have things I can do."
"That is to use my life to tell everyone, to shatter those people's unrealistic fantasies. Ursus will never reconcile with us. They have always treated us like trash."
"Prepare your recording devices, record my final posture, then tell the brothers in other mine pits. Have no illusions about the Ursus government anymore. What they want is merely the death of us trash. Now that Raythean Industries and Eden's machinery is so useful, they no longer need us to mine for them. Just for such a simple reason, he wants all of us to die here. If you don't believe it, then watch my end. If sometimes death is necessary, then let it start with me."
The youth turned and walked towards the mine shaft closest to the surface. After touching the first red line, a harsh broadcast echoed from all directions within the mine shaft.
'First warning! All Oripathy patients return to your posts and work!'
"Comrades. The already dead salute those about to die. Please relay everything that happens here to all our compatriots. Use your eyes and instruments to record everything that happens here. You must, you must let all the Infected see the ugly faces of these Ursus people."
"We will."
"Then, I wish good luck to the future of Oripathy patients."
"…Farewell forever."
Looking at the figures who had removed their masks and were slowly advancing towards the top of the mine shaft, the people holding instruments silently aimed their devices at their figures. The hands holding the instruments turned slightly white, their bodies also trembling. And outside, the piercing broadcast sound once again issued a warning.
'Second warning! All Oripathy patients return to your posts and work! After the third warning, fire will be opened unconditionally! Think of your families! Think of your friends and relatives! You don't want their names to be shamed, right! Believe the Ursus government can handle this Catastrophe! You must return to the mine pits and continue digging! Use your labor to exchange for your right to live! Next is the final warning!'
"…"
Family? Relatives? Friends? Aren't they right behind me?
Taking one last look back at the Oripathy patients behind him, who, like himself, were covered in crystals and whose lives were nearing their end, the youth smiled and nodded, walked along the mine shaft into the sunlight, and pointed his finger at the tense-looking mine guards. Those Ursus soldiers looked nervous, the crossbows and firearms in their hands trembling slightly.
And looking at the guards who were so terrified of a group of ragged miners, the youth showed a contemptuous smile, making a trigger-pulling gesture towards the heavily fortified position.
"Bang~"
"Open fire!"
Accompanied by a dull thud, the first batch of workers who walked out of the mine swayed and slowly fell. And the people holding the instruments looked with hatred at the mine guard team, who seemed to heave a sigh of relief, continuously passing the instruments to the corners inside the mine, broadcasting these scenes to every Oripathy patient in the mine shafts.
And on that day, the Ursus Evening News merely reported: a mine riot occurred in Chernobog, fourteen dead, all Oripathy patients.
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