Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
The desert night remains profoundly tranquil, amplifying the crisp crackling of the campfire.
Watanabe stays watchful as he meticulously disassembles his joints, removing the accumulated sand lodged within.
Lubricant, once plentiful in Babylonia, has become a precious resource after he escaped to the surface.
Having fulfilled his last mission, he harbors no regrets about his departure. Now, unburdened, he can finally unite with the abandoned surface.
In order to avert further deterioration of this scrapped frame, regular cleaning has become an essential undertaking.
Whew...
He repositions the dust cover back to its original spot, giving it two taps to ensure there are no malfunctions.
It's pretty cold at night. Come join me by the fire.
He speaks without casting a backward glance. Eventually, two figures emerge from the shadows of nearby rocks.
How did you notice us?
The older person of the two, who seemed to be brothers, asks.
Let's just say experience is the best teacher.
After the sixth also the final operation of the Great Evacuation, Watanabe left Babylonia.
He made his way back to the forsaken surface by blending into a transport craft carrying scrapped frames.
The situation on the surface has proven worse than expected.
The Great Evacuation stripped away resources, technology, and order, leaving behind only scars, foolishness, and chaos in its wake.
When flipping a switch fails to bring bright light, when turning a faucet no longer yields clean water, and when all familiar conveniences vanish in a mere half year...
Crushed by despair, people either have chosen to end their lives, or surrender to a life of reckless debauchery...
The opening act of the apocalypse takes the form of a competition known as "desire," where inflicting harm and plundering others becomes a means to fill the void created by an overwhelming disparity.
Hell has descended upon Earth.
Naturally, many have set their eyes on Watanabe, or more precisely, the parts on his frame.
After dealing with several waves of blatant attackers, he has learned to distinguish between those enslaved by their desires and rational survivors.
If you're worried about me being a threat to you...
Watanabe tosses a bundle of dry branches over, causing the younger one to instinctively jump back.
Take this firewood. Need a lighter?
...No.
After arranging the firewood into a small pile, the man retrieves a lighter from his pocket.
Snap.
A spark flickers into existence, yet no flame rises.
The man persists, attempting several more times until a tiny flame finally emerges. Hastily shielding it from the wind and sand with his body, he cautiously approaches the pile of dry leaves...
A gust of wind suddenly sweeps through, piercing his tattered cloak.
The flame flickers briefly, then extinguishes, leaving the man frozen in place.
...
Watanabe pulls out a flaming stick from his bonfire and rises to his feet, prompting the two Scavengers to spring up nearly simultaneously, their hands moving toward their waists.
However, Watanabe simply plants the burning stick in the sand between them and sits back down.
...
After a moment of hesitation, the man strides toward the center, withdraws the stick, and retreats to his younger brother's side, his gaze fixed firmly on Watanabe.
The second campfire finally ignites, illuminating their faces.
Thank you.
No problem.
The campfire crackles persistently amid the ensuing silence. Eventually, as the third spark disperses and the man prods the firewood with the stick for the fifth time...
My name is Watt, and this is my brother, Felix. What about you?
Watanabe.
Alone?
Yeah.
You've sure got guts... Are you also searching for the "Oasis"?
You too?
I heard they are soldiers from the old era, with food, water, and guns...
Most importantly... it's said that they still abide by the law. Even if it's just partly, that's enough in this messed-up world.
The man moves closer to the campfire, trying to warm up.
Living like this, fighting alone every day, not knowing if I'll survive the next... it's really exhausting...
His voice is incredibly hoarse as if blended with gravel and rust.
We once pursued freedom, but now we desperately crave order, even if it means facing countless obstacles along the way.
If given a choice, who would want to turn back into a beast living in the wild?
...Did you get any lead?
After a moment's hesitation, the man casts a glance at the campfire before him and then cautiously retrieves a worn and tattered hand-drawn map from his pocket.
I bought this map from a traveling merchant. That bastard took two bottles of water and a can from me.
Here...
He points to a green mark on the map.
This is the "Oasis". I heard it used to be a military base for training recruits, and now it's their headquarters.
...
I don't want to let you down, but that place is deserted now. All the equipment and supplies have been taken away.
All that's left are dormitories waiting to get rusted and sand everywhere.
You've been there?
This is the only thing they left behind.
By the firelight, Watt sees a flag with holes in it—the only thing Watanabe brought back from the old, familiar training base.
The mark on the flag is identical to the one on Watt's map.
That... bastard!
Watt raises his hand, wanting to hurl the map into the fire, yet eventually, he only exhales a sigh of resignation.
**** this world.
Watt...
I'm fine. That traveling merchant probably didn't know the "Oasis" was deserted either.
Thanks. If it weren't for you, we would've made a wasted trip.
What do you plan to do next?
I don't know... Just keep moving, I guess...
If we can't find a safe haven here, we'll move on to the next place, or just die on the way.
That's the fate of people like us who weren't chosen to board the airship.
...Since our goals align, how about we travel together?
...You really are a kind person.
The man lets out a chuckle, then shakes his head.
That's precisely why I don't want to walk ourselves into a mess... Without blood relations or other strong bonds, most travel companions end up turning against each other, fighting over a mere bottle of water or a can of food.
When that happens, this current harmony will just be history.
I don't have that kind of concern, because I'm a Construct.
You?!
So, if you're worried about me being a threat, I can understand.
Facing Watt's honesty, Watanabe likewise directly points out the potential concern for him.
To avoid or to grasp that extended hand, to continue doubting or to trust?
Watt watches the campfire burn quietly before him.
So... if we find food and water, will you let us have it?
In contrast to the worries that burden adults, children often have a much simpler way of thinking.
Felix!
Of course, those things should be given to those in need.
...
Heh, since my brother says so, I'll go with you.
But perhaps it's this simplicity that can rebuild connections in a complicated world.
The lone traveler is no longer alone.
Throughout his journey in search of the "Oasis", he has encountered people from all walks of life.
Some joined the group because of a helping hand...
Thank you for saving me... Thank you... sob... I thought...
Some joined because of recognition of the same identity...
You were also in the Ground Force? Which team?
Some came to seek refuge...
Can you take me in? Too many people covet my parts. You're a Construct, too, so you know what I mean, right...
Some huddled together for warmth...
Alright, you're the boss from now on. My bad for yelling at you all earlier.
Soldiers, Constructs, engineers, scientists...
Refugees, doctors, painters, writers...
All kinds of people joined the group, supporting one another and surviving together.
Before they realized it, they already let go of their initial goal—finding the "Oasis".
And finally, they were given a name...
The Forsaken?
Yeah, what do you think?
Sounds like some underground organization that will be hidden for a long time.
I like it. In a time like this, not being noticed is a blessing...
Hey, can't you try to be more positive? But... well, it's true—we, the ones who remain on the surface, are just a bunch of abandoned souls.
The abandoned people came together to avoid being forgotten. Fits our situation pretty well, doesn't it?
Then, shouldn't it be the Abandoned?
That sounds too bad.
That sounds too bad.
Haha... it is a bit plain.
Alright, forget I said anything.
So, the name's confirmed?
Wait... Watanabe, are you still holding onto that flag?
You mean this one?
He takes out the old flag that used to fly high at the Oasis camp. Time has worn it out, and the design is barely recognizable anymore.
Now that we've got ourselves a proper name, let's also get the emblem down.
We all came together in our search for the "Oasis", you know? Even though that's history now, we can still honor how it all began.
What do you think, Watanabe?
I think they'd be happy to be remembered this way.
Hey, I think we can incorporate a desert theme into the design here.
Flames, there's gotta be fluttering flames!
Don't forget the solemn aura of soldiers...
Everyone chimes in with ideas; even the usually timid Jerry joins the discussion.
When they present the artist at the camp with a collection of nonsensical phrases for assistance in designing, his furious shouts reverberate through the entire area, but that's a story for another time.
A few days later.
Hmm... I still think it's too plain.
It's a flag emblem. Being too complex isn't a good thing, either, you know?
If you can convince Anthony to redraw it, you have our support.
No, no, it's my problem of not having an eye for art.
Then... let's raise it up!
The flag rises high, swaying gracefully in the wind amidst the desert...
Forever standing tall and firm.
It's a shame. I thought you, who have been following Watanabe for the longest time, would understand my choice.
You're destroying everything he left behind!
We didn't come together for revenge, and certainly not to throw the survivors back into war!
...
What about you, Jerry?
Babylonia once took you in, but abandoned you when things went south.
Don't you hate them?
How could I not... but I still don't agree with starting a war.
You're as cowardly as always.
...Watanabe once told me, letting go of your hatred for others is a braver act than dragging others into it for yourself.
That's what makes him different from you.
Jerry, don't even bother.
An aged soldier, burdened by heavy chains, slowly approaches the door from the depths of the cell.
Ballard, is this impulsive or premeditated?
Or should I address you by your code name from the "Oasis" days?
Generalissimo.
I'm sorry, but I must ask you to stay here for a while.
