Story Reader / Arcade Anima / Path of Remembrance / Story
The Journey Remembered and Continued
After the destruction of the Corrupted Colossus, the remnant of the damaged camp is left where it was.
The tattered tents are beyond repair, the flattened pots and weapons no longer usable. They were once the tools people relied on to survive, but now they lie in the sand, waiting for the shifting dunes to bury them.
But sand has already covered them before that day arrives.
A boy squats down and skillfully digs up sand with his shovel before throwing it aside as if he is searching for something underground.
Warren.
Hearing Watanabe, Warren answers without stopping shoveling.
...What is it?
I'm here to apologize.
I was being unfair back then.
Oh. Alright.
Warren continues to dig after answering. Watanabe stands beside him, patiently waiting.
Before long, Warren gets impatient and speaks first.
...Aren't you going to ask me why I'm still here when everyone else has gathered at your camp?
Wasn't planning to. I'm sure you have your reasons.
...You're not like other adults. At least you're more honest.
Thanks.
Are you willing to be more honest with me, then, Warren?
That's a crafty way to put it.
I've heard what the doctors said. You want to me dig up more herbs, right? Herbs that are hard to find, herbs that help with afflictions, herbs that are nutritious ingredients, herbs that do this, herbs that do that...
I was talking about your father.
Warren freezes.
Back there, you asked them how they knew I wouldn't "betray myself."
There was an adult who betrayed you and himself, wasn't there?
What makes you say so?
You speak like you know me, w-when you...
When I know nothing about you?
Everyone has a past or secrets no one knows about. I apologize if I guessed wrong.
I just don't want you to keep crying yourself to sleep every night because of your secret.
I-I don't...
I don't...
Dad? Dad, what's happening out there...?
I'm scared... I'm scared...
It's okay... Everything's okay, Warren... Dad's here.
I... will protect you.
Here, let me stay with you. Just hold me when you sleep if you're afraid.
...
...Say something. You've been drinking alone since you received the notice from Babylonia. You're gonna ruin your body like that.
You got chosen, didn't you?
I know what's on your mind after all these years together.
It's okay. You can go.
...Don't worry about your son.
I mean it. Don't worry about us. They have a shelter for the scientists remaining on the surface. We'll have somewhere to stay.
Don't... worry...
...
Where are you going, Dad?
...
That's enough, Warren. Stop pulling your father's shirt. Dad is going to be away for a while.
Isn't he staying with us?
No. We'll meet again...
We'll meet again one day...
...
The wind carries a cloud of sand, blowing past Watanabe and Warren. The grit stings the boy's eyes and cheeks.
You... you're doing your best.
You probably feel angry and hurt about your father's departure, but... you probably also look forward to seeing him again, don't you?
That is how you and your mother can support each other and survive until now.
Warren bites his lips and stays silent until Watanabe takes out a handful of herbs.
This is what you were talking about. It's called Dahurian angelica.
Theresa was allergic to Pyxidanthera barbulata, but it is one of the main sources of calories in the desert.
And you... probably have learned a few things about botany from your father and know that Dahurian angelica can prevent her allergic reactions.
You always follow the foraging team around until your shoes are all worn down because you're trying to forage for this herb, aren't you?
...
I...
All I know is Mom feels better after eating some of this herb. I just want her to sleep well. She could barely sleep in the camps we stayed in previously, and when she did, she would have terrible nightmares...
Years of microcirculatory dysfunction caused by the allergy and lack of proper rest would be too much for any adult.
But your mother continues to endure and survive.
You are the reason why she has made it this far. You searched for a remedy for her, you looked out for her, and you even dared to challenge a leader of a camp for her.
Your ways are very direct, but... you are brave, Warren. Good job.
I...
The boy covers his eyes.
Lowering his head, he seems to be hiding his face from everyone else.
By the way, it's quite sunny today, isn't it? It's easy to get dehydrated.
Watanabe suddenly takes off his jacket and covers Warren's face with it. Warren immediately flings his arms around, trying to take the coat off, but Watanabe just holds him and makes sure he does not fall.
The sun is so bright in the desert that you might not want it to shine a light on the feelings you hide inside you.
But now that you have something covering you, you don't have to hide anymore.
Watanabe can hear quiet sobbing coming from within his coat, the blubbering intermittent but non-stop, as if years of tears need to be silently released.
Watanabe waits silently for a long time. He makes no attempt to comfort Warren, nor does he make any promise. He just puts his hand above Warren's head over the coat and waits for the sobbing to slowly end.
It takes Warren a few minutes to finish crying. Watanabe removes his coat, and there is no trace of tears in Warren's eyes, just faint water stains.
Enough time away from the sun, I assume?
...Yeah.
Then you might want to tell your mother how you feel later.
What? How can I...
That's not my suggestion. A friend named Zachery recommended it.
Hey. Come over here.
Heh, haha... Right, right. Coming.
Laughing sheepishly, a soldier steps out from the shadow of the armored car.
The weather's pretty good today, right, buddy? Hehe...
Don't slouch before children. Stand straight! Be a role model!
Ah, um... Right, right.
Zachery rubs his face and collects himself upon Watanabe's remark, finally looking a little serious.
A role model... I don't know how I feel about that... It's just, eh... Look, buddy, I just want to say a few words.
You heard the boss earlier... I was the one who's been working for the extra supplies... It's been so long since my brother fell unconscious. There are so many things I want to say that he will never hear.
You see, my brother took care of me in the past, so I was... embarrassed to say anything. Now that I've been taking care of him for a few years, I've realized so much... but I can't tell him how I feel anymore.
Suma was telling me that there are things you gotta say when the other person is still alive... right?
Wait, no, that's not right. My brother's not dead, so... don't just say it while the other person is still alive. Say it when... when...
...When you're still together. When you still have the chance to say it.
Hearing the uncertainty in Zachery's voice, Watanabe elaborates.
Zachery told me he wants to tell his brother that he's no longer holding him back, and they can now support each other. When that happens, Zachery's... nervous laughter will stop, and it can be replaced with a proud smile.
I want to see that smile on everyone's face. This camp only survives if everyone stays together and does what they do best.
And that includes you. You're not here because of your mother's technology. You're understanding and insight into wild plants is a rare talent. It's an incredibly useful gift, no matter where it comes from.
With your gift, you should be telling your mother how you feel with pride. You should tell her that you're a grown-up now and that you're no longer holding her back.
We can all lose our loved ones in the blink of an eye. Even when the world wasn't as terrible, people could still be far apart.
If your mother lost you one day... she might be tormented by regrets and grief as she tried to find you, not knowing how you felt.
So, tell her when you're still together. Never hide how you feel.
Right, that's right. What the boss said.
I... I understand.
Warren nods, half understanding what Watanabe said.
Hey—where did you go, Zachery—come over and help—
Zachery shivers upon hearing Suma call his name.
Zachery shivers upon hearing Suma call his name.
Zachery quickly runs off. Warren returns the coat on his head to Watanabe and bows before heading back to the camp.
They both have someone they are looking for.
Phew...
Finally by himself, Watanabe relaxes and stretches his shoulders.
The midday sun has cooled down a little. The wind brings up another cloud of sand, blowing past Watanabe and moving his sleeves.
Watanabe takes a step forward, pondering.
Food... technology... military... We've finally taken the first step to tackling all these problems.
Being able to solve our food crisis will be a crucial step. To continue its development, we will need to find our next partner. We also need to invest in engineering to restore its optimal environment.
Alright. One step at a time, like we always do.
We'll keep going on until the day we can thrive on this barren planet... Then, we will remember everyone who has walked with us.
We'll also need to give our group a name then... The Remembered... Doesn't sound right.
Watanabe slows down.
What should we call ourselves? Hm...
And then he stops.
That's it—
