Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
False solace teetered on the brink of collapse. Before the body became ethereal, the pain came first.
So this... is the truth...
His knees are quickly becoming feeble. Having found a way out, the blood in his body pours toward his chest.
Yeah... back then, I wasn't ▅▃▆▅ yet. Only one thing could have happened when you were ambushed by a Corrupted of that size...
Death
But I'm still alive... because...
As this thought went through his head, his hands, having gone numb, felt the weight and warmth of the young life...
That he was holding tightly in his arms.
Right... at least I need to get him out...
Suddenly, desperate cries filled the air.
Mr. Watanabe! Mr. Watanabe! Don't die, don't die!
A small hand pressed against the gaping wound in his chest but couldn't stop the wind from passing through.
Is it really the wind?
The blood... it won't stop...
It's all my fault... You did it all... just for me... I'm sorry!
Don't apologize. I did it because...
This is my responsibility, a vow I made to myself.
They would have done the same, no?
It was then that Watanabe noticed five blurry shadows behind him, one with a severed arm.
Bruce... did you come to get me?
He could hear the child's cries as Death stood silently behind him.
The gaze of both the living and the dead focused on Watanabe, who was teetering on the edge of life and death.
With it, he made his choice.
Just let me finish this at least...
He tried to lift his already cold legs, breaking out of his chaotic thoughts the moment his decision was made.
Go away, go away!
Regaining consciousness from a brief daze, he saw the kid picking up stones and hurling them forcefully behind him.
They're not the souls of the dead—but a few broken Corrupted.
Run...
Watanabe's lips moved, producing a faint sound, while the sound of blood rushing through his veins echoed in his ears.
Life gradually left him, returning to the black soil.
Go away, go away!
The child's anger was tinged with fear and trembling.
Run. Even if it's just you...
As the sound of metal dragging on the ground grew closer, the child went from trembling with anger to looking on with fear.
He dropped the stone and grabbed Watanabe's hand, trying to drag him away.
But how in the world was a starving child supposed to move an adult?
Someone, please...
Save him...
Get down!
Watanabe's eyes closed before gunfire drowned that voice he couldn't be more familiar with.
