Belated Ending Sequence | DS2 Finale
After an initial round of explanations and a confrontation, the tension in the air starts to fade, and the group starts to break apart. First, Miho and Basil are led to the Morgue by Riku and Didier, where Miho seeks the closure of seeing his son’s body. There is discussion during this time, the survivors alternately speaking to one another or asking questions. Sorrel conducts some cursory medical examinations, inasmuch as he can while they’re all standing in the hallway. At one point Timber breaks off to go and collect some items left in the dorms.
The trauma of the experiences in the facility lingers over the scene like a miasma. The game may be over, but the effects of the ordeal are clearly still being felt, and the survivors will carry the scars - both visible and figurative - for the rest of their lives.
And yet…
By the time those who had departed on errands return, Decker has reclaimed control of the facility’s tech, including the androids, via the wrist tablet that was returned to him.
“Here.” Decker taps on the angular, hollow chest of an android and it opens up, revealing a compartment. Inside of which is… an axe, Timber’s Lucky. He pulls it out with a faint grimace and holds it out towards Timber. It takes a bit of effort, but he manages to bite his cheek and refrain from making any jokes about not killing him with it.
Humor is a coping mechanism, but not for everyone.
“Honestly when I heard it was confiscated I thought it was probably destroyed, but apparently Riku stashed it somewhere after all. Go figure.”
It’s confirmed that Riku is the sole surviving member of the Splinter still on the premises, with Masque - the Splinter operative who had been acting as Surveillance - having fled via helicopter during the final trial. Decker directs the androids to carry any luggage and personal items that anyone requests, and the group is led, finally, out of the building.
It’s a beautiful, sunny day outside. Gulls fly overhead, adding their occasional cries to the sound of the ocean washing up against the shore, the docks, and the boat anchored there. The air is salty but fresh, and everything seems brighter and softer somehow, the colors more vivid. It’s been a long time since those of you in the game had truly been outside, and perhaps you’d begun to fear you never would be again.
Not all of you made it out. Some of the people that arrived with you will never get to see this sight - sunlight on waves, a figure with brightly dyed hair and round glasses waving from the deck of the ship, trying to catch Johan’s attention. But some of you did make it, some of you are here, still standing.
Didier Lestrange, Hikaru Suzuki, Johan Kaelin, Keisha Deering, Reese Bellamy, Seidou Yokushiku, Timber Woods, Kazuko Kagami.
The survivors will never be the same, but in spite of everything, you’re still here.
