16 15 301 AniZhuanchangEnd As the battle goes on, the explosions and whizzing weapons have become a blur to Bexonidas.
17 16 301 As Bexonidas stumbles, dazed by the explosions and gunfire-induced smog, his father's story suddenly flashes into his mind with intense clarity.
18 17 301 His father said the predecessor of the two Forsaken squads, the squad that watched their "Majesties" leave, was well-known for achieving their objectives at any cost.
19 18 301 To their enemies, they were relentless. Tactical disadvantages, severed supply lines, and lack of fire support never once slowed their advance.
20 19 301 If they ran out ammunition, they fought with daggers. If the daggers broke, they fought with their fists. If they lost their arms—well, their teeth would work too.
21 20 301 As long as their enemies fell before they did, it counted as a victory.
22 21 301 All that sustained them was "Loyalty": the same loyalty burned to ash by the transport's departing engines.
23 22 301 However, as his father said, Watanabe's arrival made him realize that they were right to fight to the death.
24 23 301 It was just that they hadn't found someone worth dying for.
25 24 301 That was what Watanabe said, according to his father, facing down their gun barrels, never flinching.
26 25 301 "After all we've been through, it's time to remember why we became soldiers in the first place."
27 26 301 "We're all that's left of the old guard, relics with guns, abandoned by those 'above us' when our usefulness ran its course."
28 27 301 "They hoped we would be forgotten, but I hope that we remember."
29 28 301 "Remember why we were forsaken. Remember the responsibilities we bear. Remember the people we must protect."
30 29 301 "We, the forgotten ones, the ones they left behind, are the only ones who can prove they were wrong to forget."
31 30 301 "We are the Forsaken. We remember."
32 31 301 "We bear the memories of every life, every death. Our remembrance is proof that they once existed."
33 32 301 AniZhuanchangBegin "If you can sympathize with this, please stop this meaningless fighting and join us."