CH1

Submerge in the ocean, A voice was heard

Filth Roam the lands. A shadow of what once was man

What is that?

My creation has fallen from greatness. What a waste of a bless

What is happening? Who is that?

I hold disgust for them. So decided to kill this gem

But in the end of it all. My love couldn't watch them fall

What does that have to do with me?

It is yours to decide. Whether this world is to live or is to die.

But who am I? Or to be specific-

Will you be their guiding torch, Or a final scorch?

What am I?

“Furi”

A girl gasps awake, mud clinging to her skin, breath ragged, heart racing.

What?  She stares at her palms, trembling

Looking around, confused she thought “What is this place?”

A desolate land, Tress that has its soul destroy by raging fire, ruins once teaming with life now shattered and lifeless. The ground was cold and burnt. The girl trembles from it.

Getting up, she began to wander,

walking from ashen tree to another

Her eyes ponder around as if seeking something

“There!”  She dashes to a small puddle, An oasis in this area of death

She gazes into the water and sees herself. Orange hair, burning orange eyes.

“What is this?” “Is that” She stops as to think of a word for a moment

“Me?” A sudden realization indeed.

A sound cuts the silence and her realization, she dashes for a nearby bush

Through the leaves, three figures pass by

“So, are you going to tell us the goal here?” A male voice uttered

A female then chimed in “Yeah man, when are you going to tell-” “Ok, ok, we’re here to scout out this area for potential threats to-” Another male that was speaking suddenly stop when he heard the rustling noise.

“On alert”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

A figure is now approaching, too slow to escape, approaching closer and closer……

“Ahhh!!!” The man was caught off guard as a female figure jumped out.

Hearing his scream, his companions turn to see a girl standing there-mud stain and confusion

“A survivor?” The female uttered “How she did she survive here”

“Why are you asking me that?” The male in the back reply

“Calm down you two” The man said, “So what’s your name?”

A voice echoed in her head and after thinking for a second, she replied

“Furi”

“Furi? I haven’t heard that name back in Caprico” The female said

Looking at the female, black hair and purple eyes. dress in leather armor, that’s not what is interesting to Furi however, it is the long weapon she is holding.

“You don’t know what this is?” The woman asked, lifting it,“This has been around for decades, you sure you don’t know?”

“mhm”

“This is an Aether Range Gun, or we just call it Arg” The man in the back says with sharp ears and light skin “It shoots Adamantium balls that can penetrate” As he points his sword at the weapon

“Enough Paul” The man with axe and covered in wounds and armor says, “I’m Mark Doberman, that’s Rose Vandalia, and that smartass is Paul Nakarel”

“Scout Battalion 1, Caprico Defense Division” Rose added “So…. Where are you from”

Furi thinks for a while but is unable to give an answer.

“Whatever, we’re gonna escort you to Caprico, alright?”

“I want to go with you.”

“No” He replied “It’s very dangerous and you could di-”

“I don’t care”

“Mam, you could di-” “I don’t care”

“Yeah, it’s dangerous for civilians, it’s our job to ensure safety for people” Rose added.

“No” Furi replied

this conversation goes for almost an hour

Later on, the road

“So” Paul said while walking, “How many noes did it takes?”

“33” Rose replied instantly, “You counted?” Paul uttered

“All those noes and she still coming with us” As they both glance back at the girl who is now carrying their luggage and holding a dagger

“Can you both not speak of that please” Mark said “It’s embarra-”

Mark uttered but was interrupted.

“2 scourges” “Get ready and miss Furi stay low” He quietly said with a stern face.

“Don’t make yourself a burden now that you’re here” Rose said, aiming her weapon at the rear insect

“Rose, you take down the one in the back, me and Paul are going to attack the other” Mark whispers

“Roger that” Both replied

BANG, with the sound of the Rose’s weapon the rear insect’s head exploded, staining the surrounding ashen trees

The surviving insect startled, hissed and it eyes scanning

“Where are you looking at” As Paul emerges from the the sides. Water manifesting from his sword. He takes a slash, smooth as the flow of water-The creature’s legs are now cut. “Now! Mark”

Mark falls from the sky with an epic “RAH”. He smashes its head open with green goo exploding. Staining the ashen forest even more.

“Yuck. It got on me” Rose said disgustingly, wiping it off her coat

“2 Grunts, huh. probably a patrol” Paul noted

“Likely” Mark said “If there is a patrol then a bigger target is here”

“Like a Marauder?” “Yeah” Paul replied to Rose’s question

“Uh…” Furi said leaving the bush “What are these things?”

“Huh” They all said with a puzzling look “You don’t know what these are?” asked Rose

“Ye..Yeah?”

“Then how have you survived in this area if you don’t even know what these are????” Rose said with frustration. Mark let out a big sign while Paul laughs bitterly

“These are the scourge” Mark explains unwillingly “They are a living calamity that almost wiped out the world” “Mankind is almost gone. There are only 13 forts left, Caprico is one of them”

“They also come in many forms” Paul intercepts “These are grunts, they’re the lowest form”

“We should report that there is likely a marauder in The Tabor range”

“We alone won’t probably be enough to take it down” “I agree” Mark nodded “Sorry miss, look like our little adventure is cut short”

20 Minutes later, on the way back

“Mark” Paul asked

“Yeah?” “You think mankind will survive this?” Paul asked nervously looking at the sky.

“Man, don’t be so negative” Mark answered, “Everything is going to be fine” “You wanna go to Gregory’s today to light it up?”

“Then what do we do with our girl here” Rose whispered gazing at the girl trudging behind.

“Just get her to Caprico” Mark replied “Can’t babysit her forever, let she figure herself out-”

A noise cut through Mark’s words-The “report” is approaching

They all dash for the ruin nearby

BANG

A massive creature emerges from the wall, breaking the ruin’s wall down. Its head is sharp with armor as thick as city walls and 2 sharp mandibles with a massive devilish horn

“Shit it’s the Marauder!” Rose exclaimed.