Story Reader / Floating Record / ER05 Sands of Wrath / Story

Max...

Standing in the sea of gold is the love of Max's life.

A-are you here to take me with you now...? I...

If this is where his life should come to an end... he is certainly happy that this is how it's going to end.

**** you—

Max isn't quite sure what just happened, but he thinks he just saw Oakley—whom he's seen countless times in his dreams—flip the bird at him.

Oakley, why are you...?

Get yourself together already. Remember what I said? Death takes everything away from you, and I'm nothing but part of your dream.

R-right... Oakley is dead... and she's not coming back...

But look at you... you're still alive, no?

Oakley puts her hand over Max's chest. She can feel his heartbeat.

Well, I sure hope I didn't fall in love with a wimp.

When Max reaches out for her hand, he feels nothing but his own heartbeat.

Get going already. Your son and those young people are still fighting!

You're right... Guess it isn't time for our paths to cross again just yet.

Well, I'm afraid that's what's going to happen soon if you don't quit smoking.

Max nods at Oakley with a smile. Then, he turns around, with his back facing the sea of wheat fields.

Haha... well, I suppose I'll stick around just a while longer to help them out, then.

Oakley stops talking, only silently leaning on Max's back, her figure gradually fading away.

Cough... cough...

As his eyes fly open, Max coughs out the blood foam from his throat.

Hey, are you with me?!

Jesus, keep it down, will ya... I'm hurt in the shoulder... not the ear...

Max can hear hurried footsteps as Fann dashes over this way, having noticed that his father has regained consciousness.

D-Dad!

Fann drops the pistol to hold Max's hand. This is probably the first time Fann has been this close to Max since Oakley passed.

Son...

Yes?

Stop crying already... You look as ugly as your mom when she cried.

S-shut up...

Max struggles to his feet with Fann's support, then turns to face Noctis.

Thank you so much, Noctis...

Don't mention it. See, it's my partner who sent me here to your rescue, saying that the town would be in deep trouble if they got you.

All while things look as dire as they do? I'm impressed...

Right... except my partner is in an equally dire situation now, too, as we speak...

Mind if we have a few words?

With a nod, Noctis pulls out the terminal. The connection is established, but Noctis gets no response no matter what he says.

Hey, partner... you still there?!

With every passing second, Noctis grows more anxious.

Hey... how are you feeling?

Noctis' worry quickly dissipates when he hears a familiar voice coming from the other side of the line. A split second after, however...

Ahhh...!!!