Shadows of London: 3-12 The Final Journey

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Shadows of London

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She has both won and lost. How will Caroline go on?

Info

Style: Album Art: Love Poem (conditional) Required: Coronation Chair Roger Goodwill Lv. 6 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Sisters' Shared Slumber

Sisters' Shared Slumber

Dialogue Choices

To unlock this stage:

• Choose Jesse in Shadows of London: 3-1 Unraveling the Mystery
• and Choose Would you do it? in Shadows of London: 3-9 Return to the Opera House
• then Choose Accept the deal in Shadows of London: 3-11 Shakespeare at Night

He gazes at me silently, the distance obscuring our view of each other.

• Go after him
  • If you chose all of:
    • Defend Vincent in Shadows of London: 3-5 The Mortals' Stand
    • Prey? in Shadows of London: 3-5 The Mortals' Stand
    • Do you feel lonely too? in Shadows of London: 3-7 A Vampire's Humanity
    • Ending: Above All Principles
    • Album: Love Poem
  • Otherwise
    • Ending: The Curtain Falls
• Leave
  • Ending: Separate Ways

NOTE: As of 2024-08-18, the leave option shows first Ending: The Curtain Falls and then Obtained Ending: Separate Ways. The Otherwise branch does the reverse. The labeling above matches with what the flowchart shows.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The bright sunlight pours through the gauze curtain, spilling onto the bedside.
• The leaves outside the window sway gently in the morning breeze, casting a small, constantly shifting patch of light on my face.
• The birds chirp crisply, announcing the start of a beautiful day.

• All of this has nothing to do with me.
• I turn over and pull the blanket over me, immersing myself once again in darkness.
• I don't want to think or remember anything. In the darkness, the boundary between reality and dreams is blurred.
• I wish I could sleep forever, and never have to face anything again.
• ...
• Priscilla Barnet: ...Caroline?

• Her voice shatters the illusion of eternal slumber.
• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, would you like to get up for a bit? Have some water or eat something? You haven't had any food or water all day.

• No, I don't want anything. Go away and leave me alone.
• After a long time - or maybe just a few minutes - I hear her initially hesitant and somewhat timid voice become firm.
• Priscilla Barnet: I know that it'd probably be better to leave you here like this.

• Priscilla Barnet: If it were possible, I'd let you stay in bed, for a day or maybe even a few months. But you know that it isn't.

• Priscilla Barnet: You can feel down, you can feel sad, but you can't put your life at risk.

• Priscilla Barnet: So, for heaven's sake, Caroline! Get up!

• Priscilla Barnet: Are you planning to get up on your own, or do you want me to kick and pull you out of bed?!

• ...

• When I emerge from under the blanket, the light dazzles my eyes. After half a minute, I adjust to the brightness and finally see Priscilla's face.
• I open my mouth, and my throat, which is dry from lack of water, can hardly produce a decent sound.
• Priscilla Barnet: Here. Drink this.

• She approaches me, and helps me sit up slowly. Then she hands me the cup in her hand.
• Priscilla Barnet: I added a lot of milk and sugar. You need it.

• The cup is hot. I take small sips, and as the sweet, cloying liquid goes down my throat, I feel it replenishing my energy.
• You: Thank you, Priscilla.

• You: I must remind you though, that my aunt would be shocked if she heard the things you just said.

• Priscilla Barnet: Oh please, I don't go around saying things like that to just anyone.

• You: How long have I been sleeping?

• Priscilla Barnet: It's just past eight in the morning now. You've been in bed for nearly 30 hours.

• We fall silent. I slowly stir my cup with a teaspoon, then down the remaining tea in one gulp.
• You: What happened after I passed out?

• Priscilla Barnet: When Roger and I arrived, everything had already come to an end.

• Priscilla Barnet: The only one who was still conscious was Mr. Savile. He... stayed by your side, and ensured your safe return to us.

• Priscilla Barnet: Under his guidance, Roger set a fire and burned the two—

• She holds her breath for a long time, and then finally manages to utter the words.
• Priscilla Barnet: The... two bodies.

• I close my eyes wearily.
• So they were both burned.
• Priscilla Barnet: Then we took you home. Mr. Savile left, and we don't know where he went.

• Another minute of silence passes. I gather my strength and casually ask...
• You: Where is Doctor Grey? Have you found him?

• Priscilla Barnet: Um... We found him, and he was in the midst of saving a child's life.

• A memory appears in my mind.
• Priscilla Barnet: I'm sorry, Caroline. I did consider telling Doctor Grey that you were in danger.

• Priscilla Barnet: But when I saw the face of that child, I hesitated for a moment. That child was... Niamh.

• You: The little girl who was beaten up by an infected person?

• Priscilla nods sadly. Stunned, I take a moment to find my words again.
• You: What happened to her?

• Priscilla Barnet: She was in a chronic condition, and Doctor Grey couldn't determine what illness she was suffering from.

• Priscilla Barnet: I mentioned later that she had been physically assaulted, and had suffered injuries, and that's when we found out she had tetanus.

• Priscilla Barnet: To tend to her injuries, Doctor Grey was delayed for half an hour...

• My vision darkens once again, I feel a chill, and break out in cold sweat.
• Priscilla did nothing wrong. Doctor Grey did his best too.
• If only I had kept my cool and maintained the standoff for another half an hour, until Doctor Grey arrived...
• Perhaps the outcome would have been different.
• Jesse might have...
• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline! Smell this!

• She grabs me. A stimulating stench hits my nostrils, instantly waking my foggy mind.
• You: (No, don't think about that name, Caroline. At least not for now.)

• I admonish myself, then I try speaking with a hoarse voice, attempting to distract myself.
• You: How is Niamh doing now?

• Priscilla Barnet: I don't know. After Doctor Grey treated her, we left the Eastern District.

• You: Wait, Doctor Grey left with you? So he saw it too?

• Priscilla Barnet: Yes.

• I catch my breath, and my numb heart beats a little faster.
• You: So, then he—

• Priscilla Barnet: Don't worry, Caroline, Doctor Grey kept his cool.

• Priscilla Barnet: He talked to Mr. Savile for a few minutes, and then checked on you, after you fainted.

• Priscilla Barnet: When he was sure you were okay, he allowed us to take you back home.

• Priscilla's reassurance does not calm me down at all.
• You: Where did he go? Did he go back to the Eastern District? Are people allowed to enter and exit the Eastern District now?

• Priscilla Barnet: No, he didn't go back to the Eastern District. He's actually downstairs right now.

• You: What?

• Priscilla Barnet: He heard you slept for an entire day, and he was really worried...

• Priscilla Barnet: Hey, where are you going?

• You: I want to go see him!

• Priscilla Barnet: In that state? No, come back!

• Priscilla Barnet: At least let me wash your face and comb your hair! You need a change of clothes too!

• The walk down from the second floor and to the greenhouse lasts for just a few minutes, but it leaves me breathless.
• The energy from Priscilla's sweet tea only fueled me enough to sit up from bed, and all my intense emotions have already drained me.
• You: Ah!

• I stumble as I enter the greenhouse, nearly falling over.
• Edward Grey: Be careful!

• A strong arm steadies me, helping me regain my balance.
• Edward Grey: You're still very weak, so try to be gentle with yourself, Miss Rayes.

• You: Doctor Grey!

• It has only been a few days since I last saw him. The intense arguments and disagreements from before don't seem like much now.
• Tears suddenly fill my eyes, stinging them.
• You: Doctor Grey, I'm sorry... *sob*... I'm sorry, Jesse... I couldn't...

• Suddenly, I find myself enveloped in a warm embrace.
• Edward Grey: It's okay. Don't blame yourself, Caroline. You did well.

• You: But I... Jesse...

• Doctor Grey pats my back gently, his large palm occasionally caressing my hair.
• I sob, releasing the grief I've been suppressing, tears streaming down my face.
• When my parents passed away, I cried so hard I couldn't catch my breath. It was my Grandpa who held me silently in his arms back then.
• Now, in Doctor Grey's embrace, I once again feel that comforting sense of belonging, as if I'm with family.
• After a few minutes of crying, Doctor Grey takes out a handkerchief and wipes my face for me. I gasp a little as I cry, and gradually calm down.
• Edward Grey: Are you feeling better now?

• I nod apologetically. Instead of comforting Doctor Grey, I am the one being comforted.
• Edward Grey: If you're calm enough, Caroline, I hope you can listen carefully to what I'm about to say.

• Edward Grey: Don't feel sorry about what happened Jesse. He's been set free. ... And so have I.

• You: Doctor Grey!

• Edward Grey: I had a conversation with Vincent, and I understand the situation.

• Edward Grey: Jesse said that after he turned, he went home once, and I knew he would eventually make that choice.

• Edward Grey: I've served the Lindvall family for many years, so I know what they're like. If they were to find out that Jesse had become a vampire...

• He pauses for a moment.
• The Countess's melancholic smile, Jesse's past conversations, the rumors throughout London's social circles, and the simple funeral...
• I can't forget the sight of Jesse standing in the darkness, wearing that pale smile, looking lost, with nowhere to go.
• You: No! He still has me! He still has—

• I suddenly stop. The pain on Doctor Grey's face startles me.
• Edward Grey: Yes, he still has you. But only you, Caroline.

• Edward Grey: I couldn't promise him anything, and he didn't want to put me in a difficult position.

• Edward Grey: You may be the only person in this world who can completely disregard the differences between humans and vampires, and treat them equally.

• Edward Grey: I'm sorry, but I can't do that.

• Edward Grey: Jesse is a very gentle person. At the same time, he has his pride.

• Edward Grey: He was often sickly and weak as a child, and had several close brushes with death. He had a deep philosophical understanding of life and death that far surpassed his young age. He did not blindly fear or avoid death.

• Edward Grey: He believed that it is important for a person to choose how they die because it meant that they were able to choose how they lived.

• Edward Grey: So I think he made this choice in the end because he always regarded himself as human.

• Doctor Grey's words cause my mouth to twitch uncontrollably, as if another bout of weeping is about to engulf me.
• But the terrifying gravity that oppresses my soul gradually fades away.
• Doctor Grey comforts me. And everything he says is true, without a trace of falsehood.
• All people die, and I forgive you. Please don't shed tears for me, my friends.
• I finally understand the true meaning of Jesse's epitaph.

• I never imagined that this would be my final encounter with Doctor Grey.
• Before he left, he told me that the epidemic would soon come to an end. I thought he was just being optimistic.
• But the strange sickness that ravaged London truly vanished overnight.
• The restrictions regarding the Eastern District are being removed as quickly as they were put in place. Half a month later, even the newspapers are starting to celebrate.
• The socialites who fled London are now returning to the city, hosting three parties every week.
• London, which had been silent for several weeks, suddenly regains its former cheer. However, I can no longer find familiar figures among these familiar scenes.
• I have never understood how it is to be truly lonely.
• But now, I understand.

• Madam Petit: Caroline, these months have been hard on you.

• Bernard Erskine: What she said is true, kid. Your cheeks have grown hollow.

• Bernard Erskine: I heard you drove away the cook? No wonder you didn't have a decent meal.

• Madam Petit: Bernard.

• Aunt Petit gives him a warning glance. Mr. Erskine shrugs his shoulders and instructs the butler to unpack his belongings.
• You: I'm fine, aunt. You must be tired after your journey back from France, right?

• You: The room has been cleaned. You should get an early rest.

• Madam Petit: I'm not tired. I'm worried about you, Caroline.

• She reaches out and touches my cheek.
• Madam Petit: You look like...

• Madam Petit: ...so grown up now.

• Her eyes brim with tenderness. My lips quiver slightly, and I manage to force a smile.
• You: Is that so? Well, I've been through a lot in the past few months and have matured as a result.

• I don't want to deceive my aunt by saying everything is fine. However, there's no need to burden her with all the unresolved problems and make her worry about me.
• Perhaps this is why my aunt thinks I look like I've "grown up".
• Before she can ask about anything else, I deliberately change the subject with a cheerful tone.
• You: Where's Anna? These past few months, Alice has been doing my hair, and it's only passable at best.

• You: I've been looking forward to getting a nice hairstyle from Anna again.

• Madam Petit: Anna's upstairs organizing my luggage. Why are you in such a hurry to fix your hair? Are you planning to visit someone?

• You: No, it's not that. I just want to keep a touch of style about me before I leave London.

• Startled, my aunt looks at me inquisitively. I calmly allow her to scrutinize me.
• Madam Petit: Why are you suddenly leaving London? Where are you going? Back to Canterville Manor? Why didn't Philip inform me?

• You: No, this has nothing to do with Uncle Philip. It's my own decision.

• You: And I don't plan on going back to Canterville.

• Madam Petit: Where are you going then?

• I gaze out the window. The foggy sky is still gloomy, with a continuous drizzle that refuses to let a single ray of sunlight through.
• You: I haven't made up my mind yet, but I want to go anywhere but London.

• Before leaving London, I make one final trip to the cemetery to visit Jesse's grave.
• Even though I know it's empty, and all that remains is his epitaph, it's still something that Jesse Lindvall left behind in this world.
• You: I know you don't really care about etiquette...

• The untended graveyard is overgrown with wild grass and blooming wildflowers, creating a carefree and unrestrained environment around the tombstone.
• You: You'd like it like this, wouldn't you?

• I reach out and stroke a pale yellow flower. It proudly shows itself off to me, its petals shining like his golden hair under the rare sunlight.
• I look up and catch sight of a figure I haven't seen in a long time, standing in the woods outside the cemetery.
• You: Vincent?

• He gazes at me silently, the distance obscuring our view of each other.

Go after him

• I do not shout nor do I call out to him. I simply tread upon the grass, resolutely walking towards him.
• He has plenty of time to leave if he wants to.
• But he stands there motionless, waiting, and finally, I can see his expression clearly.
• You: Vincent.

• Vincent Savile: I'm sorry, Caroline.

• His sudden apology leaves me at a loss for words.
• It's been a month since I last saw him. The pain, sadness, anger, and resentment have gradually faded away.
• I lower my head and fix my gaze on his hand, vividly recalling the image of those slender fingers pressing against Jesse's neck.

If you chose "Defend Vincent" and "Prey?" in 3-5 and "Do you feel lonely too?" in 3-7

• You: Why are you apologizing, Vincent?

• Vincent Savile: Because I—

• You: Because you granted Jesse's wish?

• Vincent Savile: ...

• I take another step towards him. From this close distance, I can clearly see his fingers trembling.
• Vincent Savile: You should hate me, Caroline.

• You: Jesse wouldn't hate you, and neither do I.

• Vincent Savile: No, no. It's not like that.

• Vincent Savile: Jesse may not hate me, but you should. You should hate me, for it is my fault that he— this is my sin.

• You: Vincent, Vincent.

• I sigh and interrupt his self-blame.
• You: My father killed my mother, do you remember? Right in front of me. He loved her, yet he killed her.

• Vincent Savile: ...

• You: But I shouldn't say that. Father didn't kill her, he... saved her.

• You: Salvation isn't just about keeping people alive. Sometimes, death can also be a form of salvation.

• You: Now I understand why my mother chose my father all those years ago, why she married him, and why she gave birth to me.

• You: I've always wondered why my mother fell in love with a human.

• You: Even though she had long desired to be free from Irad, why would she choose to marry a mortal who would eventually die?

• You: Now... I think, maybe it's because... my mother knew he was capable of shouldering the burden of killing someone he loves.

• You: Irad couldn't have done that, nor Hawke... no vampire would do such a thing.

• You: He killed out of love, disregarding societal norms and his own inner turmoil... all to fulfill her wish.

• I pause for a moment, and a profound sadness wells up inside me.
• That faint sadness transforms into words, flowing from the tip of my tongue.
• You: How could I ever hate you? Hating you would be like hating my father.

• You: I could never hate you. I'm just worried about you.

• Vincent Savile: Worried...?

• You: Who will save you, Vincent? Who will grant your wish?

• You: The Elder is dead. The blood bond has been severed, and you are now free. But is that enough?

• You: You and my mother, like Jesse, were all turned when you were in desperate circumstances. All of you weren't given a choice.

• You: It wasn't fair to any of you.

• Vincent Savile: And so?

• You: You granted Jesse's wish. If you have a wish of your own, no matter what that wish may be...

• You: At least tell it to me, Vincent.

• You: Let me grant your wish. I promise to do everything in my power to make it happen.

• Vincent Savile: Even if it means going against your own principles?

• You: My principles aren't that complicated. And besides—

• You: Fate brought us together. And you're more important than that.

• I feel my life was destined to be extraordinary from the very beginning.
• Even though my mother tried her best to keep me away from that world, and tried to envelop me in light—
• But the blood flowing within me instinctively called out to its own kind.
• I was destined to encounter vampires, to sympathize with them... and to fall in love with one.
• I will keep watch at the intersection of day and night, waiting to see all the faces familiar to me.
• Until the day of final judgment arrives.

• Obtained Ending: Above All Principles

If you chose "Defuse the tension" or "No!" in 3-5 or "Was it Hawke who turned you?" in 3-7

• Vincent Savile: You will never forget what I did with these hands. The blood on them can never be washed away.

• My throat feels incredibly dry, and I can't utter a word.
• After a while, Vincent chuckles softly, his expression quickly turning cold.
• Vincent Savile: The Elder is dead, and I have been freed from his blood bond. I will leave London, never to return.

• Vincent Savile: Before we parted ways forever, I needed to see you and apologize, even though the apology has long lost its meaning.

• Vincent Savile: It's up to you whether you accept it or not. If you wish to seek revenge on me, I won't hide.

• Vincent Savile: You know how to kill a vampire.

• He faces me, spreading his arms in a defenseless manner, exposing all his vulnerable spots - throat, chest, and abdomen - to me.
• Vincent Savile: You can do so whenever you're ready.

• His voice is calm and serene, yet it carries a fervent devotion, as if he's uttering a prayer.
• I take a step back, closing my eyes in agony, feeling a tearing pain in my chest.
• You: No, please don't make me, Vincent... I'm begging you!

• I recall the memory of my father stabbing my mother in the chest. Now I understand how my father felt.
• But I can never compare to my father. He kissed his beloved, granted her wish, and died with her. I'm not capable of doing the same.
• I possess my soul, which embraces the moral constraints of humanity and cannot withstand the love, hatred, and conflicts of such a dark world.
• Farewell, Caroline.
• With these words, the world of vampires vanishes completely from my life.

• Obtained Ending: The Curtain Falls

Leave

• Why is he here? What can I say to him?
• Jesse's death that night changed everything.
• I still remember the way his slender fingers pressed against Jesse's neck.
• You: ...Vincent.

• I don't step forward, and he remains in place.
• If both sides refuse to give in, the outcome is obvious.
• You: Goodbye... Vincent.

• The only solace is that the Elder has perished, and he has been released from his blood bond. From now on, he is free.
• Without hesitating, I turn and walk in the opposite direction, away from him.
• Humans often say, "We'll meet again after death." But we won't be so fortunate.
• Under the vast expanse of the starry sky, our paths shall not cross again.

• Obtained Ending: Separate Ways