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Gary and I talked about whether we should keep moving or not, as he thought my fabricator, and even himself, could make some stuff for me if we waited a little longer, while I argued that if we waited any longer, those guys would find us and put me down or take Gary away, and I can't take that risk.
But he changed his mind and told me we had to go that way instead to that place. But I asked about it.
"So, what's so important about that place we need to go anyway?" I asked.
"You insisted on continuing to our primary objective but this system has detected ID Transceiver - a supply beacon, it is one of ours." He went on to explain. "This system insists you must acquire it, it has better equipment and armaments than the Fabricator Modules and this system provides."
Apparently, he really wanted me to get that stuff, and I'm not annoyed about it. And if that's the case, the supply crate's guns are probably better than mine... And, to be honest, I need to change my clothes... It seriously limits my mobility.
I came across two branching paths and he said the left is where we needed to go and the right is where we needed to go, so I went left first, it wasn't that far and once we snagged that stuff, I leg it... I just hope it was that simple...
As soon I come out from the cave, everything is already covered up by fog, I can barely see this place... To say the least, it's desolate. Like the grass is all withered and dull, and all of the trees are all blown up away as same with the buildings, and with some craters here and there, looks like they've all been blasted to hell with bombs with some serious payload.
And then I spotted these rusted metal box but when I get closer I notice they have tank threads on them which makes me believed those are tanks - weird tanks in fact, all covered in roots and some were sunk in the ground. Someone seems to have battled in this place a long time ago.
It's been hours, it could've picked up that supply's signal by now.
So I asked Gary.
So much for a quick pick-up...
Then I spotted something strange. Those trees I mentioned are all covered in black smudge on all of them, but when I look closer it's covered in ash - a lot of it, and... Are those hand prints? And I realized each and every one of them has them.
Something is definitely off about this place... That, and the distant sound of trees creaking and ground rumbling from all directions, and the strangest of all, when I backtrack from where I came out is either being 'stretched out' or completely gone.
It should be easy to find because I have Gary to help me, but I realize this place or "someone" is fucking with me... I don't know if it's a trap, or is this place just weird... But I have no other choice to find that supply and keep an eye out for it.
I sent out two drones to scout, one for the exit and one for the supply, hoping these find those faster, they'd better not busted by someone or something in this place... I hope.
The fog is so thick they're already disappeared, but Gary assured me that they'd return and share their information once he fix his scanner, something that I doubt given how sketchy this place is. But I did pick up a signal from one of my drones not far from where I am, but it then vanished while I am still hearing this distant creaking sound.
"You think this fog messing up your signal?" I asked. "Possible. It is disrupting this system's scanner module." He replied.
"Well you gonna do it quick. Feels that creaking sound getting closer anytime soon." as I asked this place went quiet...
Dead quiet...
It's a ghost, did it followed me here or we just happen to came crossing our paths?
What I described is what basically a simple ghost that many would recognized, covered in some strange translucent blanket that only gives the vague shape of a human body, but the strange thing is that it has a weird barrier surround of it as if the fog repelled just a few meters away from it so that I can see it clearly from my point of view.
It then noticed me and approaching me slowly...
I warned, "Stop right there!"
It stood there as I aimed my rifle at it, doing nothing except sliding its hand from its blanket, clenching it of something, as if it wanted me to take a closer look.
"You want me to take a look?" I asked, and the ghost nodded yes. I slowly approach it, still holding my gun, and I catch a glimpse of its face - well, some of it, but I can only see its feminine lips and nose, with the rest hidden by shadows or its transparent blanket.
It took me a while to lower my gun and... I know it's stupid of me to approach a ghost in this shady place, but I... I went there.
I can see what the ghost is holding as I get closer, a simple oval-shaped silver pendant. Then I notice her expression, she's sad, but why? I carefully extend my hand, and the ghost places her pendant on my palm before closing mine with both of her hands, as if she wanted me - or begging me - to keep it safe.
Then I saw her lips move, this time uttering the word "Save him," and I was about to tell the ghost what that meant or how to get out of here right after she dissipated in the air - just simply vanished.
"Really?" I grumbled. Then I noticed Gary doesn't say much, even when I meet a ghost. "You there, Gary?"
"Updated. This system has been receiving a faint ID signature through your scouting drones." He told me, "You didn't noticed what happened back there? Never mind that. Did you find it?"
"Unfortunately, this system may not determine of its exact grid and will provide the area to search," he says as he shows a display on the map, it's only a few miles to get there and it's a pretty big place to find it.
"Can you help me narrow it down?" I asked. "Apologies, this system only surmised based on the drone's recent discovery and the interferences, this system suggest to employ the drones to survey in this designated area and the probability of searching the signal will hastened." He went on to say.
"Fine, we'll have it your way."
When I arrive at this location, I send out two more drones to find it faster. I'm curious if the other one found the exit yet. Then I heard those damn creaking sounds again. It's getting closer...
It's been an hour of walking to find that thing, then there's something on the grass... There's a bunch of roses... There's a lot of it - they're all blooming right where I'm standing. Something doesn't feel right.
I almost tripped over from something like a tree root, tried to move away but it tightened its grip...
Then I looked down...
That was so close! Are those roots? Fuck... It just cut those trees and fling them away into the air.
As soon as about to stand up, these fucking rotting arms popped up from the ground and grabbed my hand followed my entire arm, and then both of my legs, they're dragging me down for that damned root to land a killing blow.
Just as these bastards tried to grab my face, I phased away, freeing myself and rolling away from those things, as that massive root was about to deliver a massive slam from where I was stuck causing a huge explosion of dirt and plant matter and making me stumble, but I quickly pulled myself up again.
Then I heard a creaking sound as the ground rumbled, and when I looked around, it was those strange blooming roses again... and it's heading straight for me.
I noticed those roses sprouting from the ground then withering away from its trail forming in that strange moving pattern - must've been the way it attacked me earlier, I run as far away from that as I can but the patches of roses veer its course towards me and gave chase but this time its going faster, outpacing me by a few distance.
Gary warned, "Large bio-signatures are quickly encroaching on your six."
Another attack closing in about few meters as Gary warned me, it quickly lunge at me about right square in my face but I'm more quicker to pick up and phase through its attack - going through my head and bail out of there.
Another patch of roses closes in on me and lunges again, but I dodge another, which hits the root from earlier and cuts it. Fuck, those things are as sharp as a blade.
Great... now a horde of zombies bursting out from the ground all surrounding, those guys wearing old trench coats and some of them are civvies - guess I'm not the first guy who came here - as all of them were wrapped by roots in various parts of their bodies while covered in ashes.
This is bullshit, I'm running out of my stuff while these damn things keeps attacking me.
I make my shots count as I shoot their heads off one after the other with my pistol, but one bastard manages to grab behind my back, then another, until the mob follows suit, pinning me to the ground as these fuckers dogpile on top of me, they try to rip and crush me as my shield holds it but it slowly flickers in and out and it's about to give in.
I phase out again, leaving with only a few energy to spend, as soon as I get out of mountains of rotten bodies, torn and blown away by the roots, it tries to surprise me by attacking head on right on my face, but I manage to duck myself on the ground before it reaches me, then I quickly stand up and run for another mile by making myself invisible using all of my energy.
It de-cloaks as my energy reserve finally runs out. I scan my surroundings, and everything looks clear.
"Fuck the supplies, get us out of here, Gary!" I said, frustrated. "This system is still scrambled by the interference, this system is deeply sorry to retrieve the supplies," he responded in a blank expression, but he genuinely felt sorry for this. I don't blame him.
"Shit... At least it looks like it stopped." I murmured.
But never mind that, as I tried to respond, my drones didn't, but after what I've been attacked from earlier, I doubt they're in one piece.
I'm out of supplies, frustrated, and lost, but there has to be a way out, and I need to get out before they-
I guess the main guy bored and finally showed up... I can tell he has these flowers in its roots all over that thing's body. And he's pissed at me for being here. Maybe if I kill him, all of this bullshit will stop and there will be a way out of here.
"You think that's the guy?" I asked of Gary. "Readings suggest that entity is the source of interference." Gary goes on to say.
"All right, I'm going to hit him hard and fast and be done with it," I say as I aim my rifle at him.
As soon as I pull the trigger, the guy stretches his arms with open hands, then two roots emerge from the ground and snake in from his back, lunging at me with breakneck speed, but I duck down and shoot at him with my rifle, but he somehow dodges my shot by shuffling himself away from the root that pushes him.
"Damn it!" I grumbled. Then a zombie comes in from my six, as I turn it took my rifle to the ground, but I kick its sheen kneeling it down, then I shove my knife to its eye killing it, and just as I'm about to grab my gun back, another root sweeps in, aiming low just to hit my legs, but I dodge roll its attack, causing the zombies to tear apart.
I realized he wasn't aiming at me, he's aiming of my gun, he throws from miles away - lost in the fog. You got to be shitting me...
That guy's fucking smart, he must've been watching me from my earlier fight, and I'm sure he knows how to deal with my powers as well. But one thing he didn't know about was my doubles and some of my phasing tricks. I need some time to charge up my energy to use them again, and I need to get up close and personal with him.
And he sent another root to knock my head off, but I ducked down, then I shot a few rounds with my pistol at him, of course, his roots shielding him, but what he didn't expect was one of my bullets managed to hit him - well, his shoulder got shot, but a simple bullet is enough to lose its focus of controlling of its personal army and its roots-controlling powers for a while, a bullet to the head can kill him.
The guy holding its wounded shoulder from where I shot it heals magically, as if the hole in his trench coat vanished. He then turns to face me. He's furious...
It wasn't long before I heard the rumbling and creaking again, and it turned into an earthquake, which burst out from the ground all around me, with huge roots pointing at me, and he gestured as the roots rain down on me.
Fuck me, and to make matters worse, the ground has been blown up to high heaven as another root comes out from it. I would have phased out of the way if I had enough energy to reach him, so I use it sparingly. I avoid all of his attacks by running, dodging left and right, jumping, and ducking while getting a few scratches on my outfit but nothing serious compared to his continuous barrages of root. Luckily, I saw a run-down village and headed to that farm shed.
I go right into that building, the roots chasing me down to it smashing down as it follows me, as soon as I hide inside of this shed all of the roots are zeroed in on it, luckily, I located a concealed hatch and swiftly slide down the ladder. I can hear muted noises of surface barrages.
This hatch leads down to a dark tunnel that seems to be a bomb shelter, but never mind, this place has a bunch of ammo and guns, though they're shitty and broken, but it's enough for me to break those down and use for my fabricator, plus, it was deep enough to handle the attack and I doubt he knew where I was hiding.
I ask Gary if this stash of broken supplies can fill up mine, he says only a some of it but its enough for me to build another gun that the Sleeper's schematics that Gary given to me and refill my stuff.
I can still hear his thrashing on the surface, Jesus, he's still going at it, the fuck his problem? It took me awhile to take it easy, recharging my energy, break down stuff for my fabricator, and just wait until he eventually gave up.
I was kind of hesitant at first, it was too quiet up there and probably waiting me when I come out. Fuck it, I already have a plan anyway and going to climb up the ladder, didn't realize how deep of this place when slide down to this place, I guess was too occupied of keeping myself alive...
I saw light and the fog seeping in from the surface, looks banged up there, he must've made a huge crater by now. I was contemplating whether I should go out or not but I got no choice
and take look.
Peculiar...
Not made of flesh or blood but earthy white stone... But it does not matter...
This place... I sense... familiarity...
I could hear the voices of the townspeople's joyous laughter... they were celebrating in the season of festivities... It filled life and peace...
Is it a phantom or an echo of my lost memories..?"Stefan..."
Is that my name..?
Clarisse..? How did I remember her name? Who is she?
I wander in this earth once more... yet not aimless, guided by that voice and these memories of mine... The first time I felt... alive...
Then there was my vision... It flickers from bleak fields and lush and green grass and trees, where the sky once bleak and dark hindered by polluted fog and ash to vivid blue with clouds that somehow calm my mind and spirit...
It somehow brings clarity to my mind... Resurfaced from my undivulged sorrows that once I thought of who I was...
Every time I heard her voice utter my forgotten name, I felt warm and my decaying mouth expanded upwards... I am smiling, but faded into regret and sorrows...
I remember there was a doctor - a man of science dabbling in some esoteric occultism... I was eager to be one of those volunteers... pledging to put an end to the once-raging war... So I could... I was able to see my wife... Clarisse...
And I have been wandering in this land for eternity... Just to go home... or is it?
I recall building it in this once bountiful land for myself and my beloved Clarisse... I remembered how we promised to go see the stars at night... with her while resting down on the lovely fields of white flowers we have sowed...
Our home... Once a simple lonely cabin... Now abandoned and decrepit... Then I felt guilt weighing against my chest... I felt hesitation and regret... Yet I need to steel myself...
He got me... Nothing but an illusion. This pain... It burns... But it does not matter anymore...
I remember it all now... I deserved this... I deserved all of this... I am nothing but a monster...
In spite of it, all I ever want... is to see my dear Clarisse again... Just once...
To say to her to apologize of what I have done... What I did to her and her people... The ones I was once lived with them... I have betrayed them all for my selfish and blind ambitions to end the war...
I remember I use my unholy powers to slay the man who made me and defect to my country who have started this destruction and violence... But it is I, in the end, who have destroyed our world and fell into ruins...
I have broken my promise... In my delusions, I have slaughter them all and bloom these blood-stained roses, all for you to return to me and our home... that cannot be fulfilled...
It was all too late to stop, I thought I will end myself out of grief yet only my memories fade away as my body rots yet still lives... I am cursed... reborn as the monster - a coward, forever alone to wander and witness the destruction I have made...
It is my fitting punishment...
Clarisse, I have been remorseful for an eternity but I do not want to ask you to forgive me... All I want ever to say you that I love you forever and... please...
He ignored me and had crawl all the way to get up there. The body on the bed... It looks just like the ghost I met earlier. Did he know who she was? I wonder if they're-
"Take this advantage and end the threat," Gary said, breaking the silence. "No. I have a better idea." I answered, Gary fell quiet, he must've been taken surprised by what I was about to do.
"What are you supposed to do?" Gary said as I pulled the pendant from my pouch.
"Trust me on this, okay?" I reassure him.
Is it the pendant the ghost gave me or is she trying to tell me to give it to him or something? So I approach him slowly, holding the pendant in my hand.
"It's from hers." As I gently laid it on the bed next to him, then I backed out, the guy slowly looked at the pendant where I placed, he took it, then opened it, and I realized it's a locket she'd given to me.
He took a long, silent glance at the locket. Still slouched on the bed. Well I'm glad he's not pissed and started to attacking me, and I'm grateful instead. Could've been easier to talk it out but it all went to shit.
I'm curious between the two.
I ask, "Is that your wife?"
"My dear Clarisse... But she is no longer of this world. I am certain... she loathes me for I what did." He finally spoke up, "Where did you get this..?"
"From her." I said, "She came to me and I think she want me to give this to you."
"For what reason..?" he wondered, gradually becoming weaker, the shotgun shell have taken its effect.
"Don't know" I replied.
Then I remember her uttering that word earlier.
"She did told me to save someone from before, so I guess she talking about you," I replied, but he's quiet for a moment. "There's also a bunch of ghost people in town appear right in front of me after you left." I continued.
"They must have despised me for what I did to them," he thought as he tried to stand but was too weak and just slumped beside the bed.
"I doubt it. They don't hold grudges against you." I decided to speak out. "I don't know what made you like this... It's all in the past, you have to move on. I guess that's what they've been trying to tell you."
"How could I? I am a monster," he said weakly.
"So did I," I said. "I don't remember what I did from before but it's definitely unforgivable, yet I have more important things to do. And I intend to fix all the things I or - we do in the past."
He gets off from the bed and slumped to the floor. "All this time... What is your name, stranger?"
"Seven?" I responded.
"Then Seven... I have a favor to ask..." He said as I listened intently.
"You wish to leave from this God-forsaken place, then you have to end me... I cannot live like this and harm anyone," he begged, while facing me slumped down and looking down the floor. Finally gave up from fighting.
It's miserable to see him like this, he realized what he did was wrong and time to move on...
And so I obliged, "Alright... I'll do it quick and painless."
I pull out my pistol and charging it.
Then aim his head.
The drone flew under where Gary held on my left thigh.
"Data grid received, adjusting and calculating Ontographic geometry consistency. Synchronizing the drone's track now. Personnel Seven, please redeploy the drone to the extraction point." Gary stated, as I send it away again from where it came from.
"You know, I kind of expected this thing to be bigger but there's only a canister in the crash site." I ask.
"The storage units features with high-grade industrial class Fabricator and Manifest Blue sustainer integrated within their AnvilSpace systems, this storage unit will replenish your supply and store by threefold the amount than your previous loadout." As he went on these details.
"It is fortunate you have acquired a Expedition-Type 50a adaptive storage unit with several schematics installed, and it has already loaded with resources and necessary supplies." He added.
"Really? I guess it has this cutting edge tech that make it light, right?" I responded.
"It is one of our basic necessities for every Personnel's equipment." Gary stated.
Could've been better if I have two of these. Oh well, at least I change a better look and I can now make a better gun in this metal box anyway. Finally, I fixed my "eye" but can't take it off yet though, could've risk of blowing my head off if I do anything funny.
The drone pings the exit over there, not far from here at least, as I went there as soon it gave me its location, and damn, I didn't realize there's a lot of wreckages all over the place and they're all somehow magically covered in grass and white flowers.
I wonder it's from him... His way of thanks? I think that they would've wanted it.
And look back for a moment.
