Well, hello again everyone. Four years since I wrote this story and in that time, we got a new Outlast Game coming out and I find myself returning to this piece. I would like to thank the lovely reviews I got that actually spurred me on to continue this story. So cheers guys, you're words didn't go unnoticed. Let's get back into it!
I do not own Outlast. All rights go to the amazing team of Red Barrels, Writer J.T Perry, Composer Samuel Laflamme and the awesome Cast.
Enjoy Chapter Two And Of Blake, And of Marta
A Different Blasphemy Chapter Two
Mines (Outskirts of Temple Gate), Supai, Arizona 4/10/2013
Waking to see stretches of darkness coupled with dim light, Lynn Langermann awoke to find herself not in the grassed ravine. Her vision took its time to become familiar but she could make out that she was tied and bound vertically, upright to ropes, almost being strung up for what she guessed, were masses to see but who knows. Escaping would seem impossible with how tight they were tied but she would try. Also, the space in front of her seemed very liner and small, almost like a cavern of sorts.
Gaining more sense and thought, Lynn could make out someone singing very close to her but again, her vision was limited, save for the dirty, muddy ground in front of her. It sounded like a sort of lullaby. It would sound comforting if she knew she wasn't surrounded by crazies.
From the few times she slipped in and out of consciousness, she remembered houses, trees, rail tracks of some sort, water then a sort of large, structure coloured red from what she could remember, then it all seemed to go black; literally.
God, she regretted ever becoming interested in that stupid Jane Doe story and then dragging Blake into it…
Blake… her husband… The only man that bothered to put up with her eccentric, bitchy, curious personality. Curious - way too curious more like it. He'd came to save her as well… she expected no less from him despite the situation but in saying that, he literally could have just ran after he survived the crash and learned about those cult bastards but instead… he came to save her… "(I'm so sorry Blake… I hope you're well…)"
The singing then stopped suddenly. "Ahh, she awakens…" A soft, sultry voice hushed from the shadows… It then stepped out from the darkness to reveal the woman who had put her to the sleep in the first place.
"You." Lynn spat. Despite being scared very much so at that as well, the former reporter had nothing but hatred for this monster. She had just at last, been reunited with Blake after that horrific crash and unpleasant experience with those deluded, cultist fuckheads and then this bitch came along with her troupe of sickos and separated them again… maybe even for good this time… No, no. They would see each other again. Her husband wasn't the toughest guy on the planet but he was durable that was for sure. He had to be… he better be…
Christ, maybe he had been taken as well. Held in another godforsaken place like this one. She just hoped they'd see one another again soon.
"The way you spoke… your tone, your expression - it seems you don't like me…" The woman sounded almost hurt.
"What was your first clue." Lynn sneered sarcastically however, she recoiled and shuddered when the freak got closer and gently brushed her hand against her cheek.
"Such soft, fair fruit. Mmmmmm-hm-hm-hm… Sweet Mother you are everything we dreamt you would be and more…" Val smiled softly as she continued to feel Lynn's face in earnest but retracted quickly when the captive young woman went to bite her hand. "Strong willed too. A surprise but a welcome one… A pity we couldn't find more about ourselves together but-"
"Where's Blake?" Lynn interrupted the Heretic's foul fantasies.
"Who?"
"The man you attacked when you ambushed us, you degenerate fuckbag!" She screamed.
Val, calmly touched her lips with her two fingers as she recalled the previous hours. "Blake… Ah, you mean the father..."
"The father…?" Lynn repeated, perplexed.
"Yes. The Christ we deserve. Unfortunately, due to our small party, we couldn't afford to take him with us… However, I wouldn't lose hope your unholiness. His eyes spoke of such purpose to me. His face full of vigour… He'll come for you…" As Val uttered those words, more of what Lynn guessed were humans, crept out of the shadows and began getting closer to her.
"Soon…"
Lynn clasped her eyes shut and began to pray as she felt hands touch and move across her body. "Please Blake… Find me…"
Meanwhile, still the dead of night in the "reservation territory", the two newly formed unusual pair treaded carefully along the closed path, in the deep canyons.
There was an eerie silence that had fallen over both and it was making Blake in particular feel restless. Well, apart from the moans he was hearing from below but he was used to the strange noises by now he guessed…
In the moments that had passed after they had agreed to make their way to Lynn, Marta seemed to be an almost completely different person right after… Well… with the same awkwardness. The rudeness and bluntness of her tone however, had almost completely disappeared. It was strange but Blake wasn't complaining.
He knew that there wasn't going to be any problems between them now… at least he hoped there wouldn't be… But… it's not like he'd forgotten about what had transpired these last few hours. The tall woman could very easily just pick him up by his fragile neck and squeeze and that would be it. There was still no way of knowing just how damaged her sanity was… if she still had a shred left that is. No, no… If so, she wouldn't have had the will power to break free of that bloated Ezekiel's foolish customs. Maybe she was just acting on autopilot…
Another thing that bothered him was the visions he was having of Jessica had seemed to just stop suddenly. He hadn't been subjected to one since his last futile escape from Marta. Was it because he was interacting with another person constantly? Then again, she did inadvertently smack his head when he was hiding in her chapel and it seemed to knock him out of it.
Shaking these thoughts away, Blake gave a quick shorted glance at the person walking steadily and calmly behind him. Marta noticed the look and he could just make out a look of saddened confusion on her slightly middle-aged face.
"Sorry!" Blake swiftly turned around and kept looking ahead. A few more minutes of silence past, until he felt something clasp his shoulder which made him jolt around to find Marta's rather large hand holding it moderately, she recoiled it some after seeing his reaction however.
An awkward moment later and they began to continue on in silence, until they came across a short hill leading down into a cliff edge with what seemed to be trees that were part of a deep canyon below. The woods seem to go on for miles and the wailing it seemed to get louder but both chose to ignore it.
Stopping, Marta's voice, broke the unsettling atmosphere. "Exalted… Before… you seemed not well with my presence…" She spoke softly, choosing her words carefully.
Blake relaxed a bit after hearing her gentle tone. "…It's al-alright. It's just with what happened before and… yeah…" He trailed off, unsure of the reaction she would give.
"I see…. If it still unsettles, I will try to atone… It's not my wish to bring harm to you Exalted." She went silent.
Oh, yeah. She had also begun to refer to him as "Exalted" in the last, few short-lived conversations they had before. Particularly now as well. Why? He had no clue.
Marta then shifted slightly. "Perhaps if I were to remain silent for the res-"
"No, no!" Blake quickly interrupted while looking at Marta once again. This time she had a bit of a hurt look across her features. "Sorry… I didn't mean it in that way. I'd prefer if you did talk actually and well… I wouldn't call what you did sinful… You… were confused… despite what you did. You felt sorrow and that showed you cared what you did deep down… Ignore what I said before. I was talking rubbish." Blake reassured her.
"Your words are kind…" She rasped while looking out into the wilderness and then back to Blake after. "I also, want to apologise for the words spoken about your best beloved…"
"You mean Lynn?" Blake turned back to look at the saddened woman as they began to slowly make their way down. The small mound cut off at the cliff edge rather sharply so they needed to traverse it ever more carefully.
"Yes… I… I thought she was a Heretic too but… with being who you are and from what you said… she must be like you… so…"
"Thanks. For the record as well… we haven't been… intimate for months so there shouldn't be any baby. At least I think so. I'm not one to not believe in metaphysical wonders but this is going a bit far. I know you might have qualms with that but you at least can see where I'm coming from right?"
"Hm… I think, perhaps Knoth, made an error in judgment. Before I believed his words about her holding the Devil's seed inside her womb. However, I only saw your yokemate before she was brought into the Chapel…"
"You were there when she was brought in?"
Marta nodded.
"What did she say?"
Before she could reply, Blake lost his footing and appeared to be falling down into the depths below. However, as soon as he got a few feet down a lone arm brough him back up almost immediately and threw him to the side.
Landing on his backside Blake let out a discomforted groan. "Are you alright Exalted?!" Marta asked worryingly.
Blake gave a lone thumbs up as he sat up.
"I apologise for the manner in which I held you." The tall woman said in a solemn tone.
The young man gave a small smile. "I'll live. Got a handy arm on you." Blake chuckled lightly.
Marta said nothing but bowed her head in respect as he got on his feet and they continued on their way.
"So, yeah… About what Lynn said when she was brought in?
"Of course. She said her name and yours. Asked where you were, if you were still alive, why she was being dragged… Forgive me once more… if I had known-"
"It's okay. Don't worry about it." Blake gently put his hand to her arm in reassurance which was surprisingly warm. Marta bowed her head in gratitude once more and they continued on.
What baffled Blake was despite Marta's rather anorexic stature, she apparently had the strength of a bodybuilder and then the speed of an Olympic sprinter. Appearances can be deceiving indeed. It certainly shocked him for the first time when she used her big ass axe to smash one of the wooden walls or when she sprinted towards him like a bat out of hell. Now again, it had come back to greet him.
Blake would admit he was still scared to engage in any contact with the tall lady but she seemed so calm with him, it made him feel glad she did.
A few moments later they arrived at what appeared to be an abandoned bridge with rail tracks laying the way. Seems like this is what was used to deliver supplies to and from the very place that was further on in the distance. The mine was in sight. This would be all over soon.
Blake took a step forward more towards it but he was stopped by Marta. "What is it? Lynn's right in front of us. We should-"
"No." The tall woman gave a direct reply. "The traitors will be expecting a frontal assault. They probably already know of the war host being assembled. Their consorts are everywhere and keep each other well informed, like rats scurrying around. For this… a different approach is needed." She finished and stood as still as a statue.
Taking in his surroundings and inspecting the bridge more closely, Blake could see that while able, the platforms, support structure, hell the foundations, looked as though they could break any day now and there would be a chance they both could fall when trying to cross it. On top of all that, Marta was a resident of this place and seemed to know her way around. Maybe she did have a better way of getting to the mines. "Yeah, I see what you mean. What did you have in mind?"
Marta then turned her attention downwards to the vast stretch of woods below them. "Close by, lies the demesne of The Scalled."
"Scalled… I've heard about them before. Those are the guys who are "unpure" right?" Guess he could also take the wailing below as a sign that that was one of them.
"If you mean the ones who got sick, after unprotected courtshipping, then yes."
That was a blunt response. Blake wasn't expecting that.
"I should not be so quick," Marta continued, "to cast doubt however. Perhaps there is some sickness in the soul that needs to be purged. Maybe, not just for the body but the mind as well. But… they are a lost cause now. We can find help however. If we do not draw too much attention to ourselves, we should be able to find a suitable alternative path to Lynn with help from some of the inhabitants that have not lost themselves completely." The tall woman then turned to get the approval from Blake who realised a bit too late that she was waiting on his word.
"Oh! Er… seems very thought out. I agree… but I hope it'll not be too dangerous. I don't want to have to sprint through the place (Done enough of that already)."
"That's what I am here for." The black-haired lady grunted who turned away and looked down again.
"Y-Yeah." Blake gave a hesitant smile back at her.
After that and a bit of scouting the area, Blake managed to find a "suitable" route down into the woods, in the form of a very narrow path a bit away, next to the beginning of the bridge. The growth from the plants and weeds in the area had it covered but it wasn't too hard to see with closer inspection.
Both then began the decent. Blake was in front until, "Exalted, I request that you stay behind me. It'll ensure that no harm may come to you." Marta said while stopping midway. "This is a very dangerous land. Well… even more dangerous than the other."
"(No surprises there.)" He thought, "Also, Marta…" saying her name felt a bit strange. Meanwhile the tall woman turned her head to face him. "…About this whole "Exalted" thing… could you maybe call me something else?"
Marta went quiet. Another awkward silence past over the two before, "Do you… take offence to the title?"
"No, no, not at all. I just feel like it's not something I should be called, that's all."
"Very well… Do you have an alternative?" Marta felt a bit hurt that he seemed to dislike the title. She thought it was only right to call him that, since he was the one that brought her back from near desolation.
"Well… em… you can just refer to me as Blake?"
"Blake…" Marta familiarised her tongue with it. "Blake… Your first name, is it?"
He nodded in response. "Hm… It feels… unworthy almost, to refer to you as something like a workin' tool." She remarked.
"Casual is mostly all I am." He sounded almost proud when he said that. "Simple works for me. Besides it keeps us on the same level. It feels better than one having more grandeur than the other. Don't you think?"
Marta absorbed the information but didn't quite understand what he meant. She was guessing it might be modesty but it did seem he was genuine. It was hard to understand him but then this was the first real long conversation she had had with someone in what seemed like forever. It was hard… She wanted to understand him. In thinking all this though, Marta could respect his wishes. "Very well… Blake."
"Thanks Marta." He replied warmly and it comforted her as they continued down into the gorge.
Blake then took out his trusty video device. "I'll use my camera night vision to traverse the darkness but I'm not sure how much these batteries will last-"
"No need for your advanced machinery. My eyes can see far, even in the blackest of nights." Marta quickly relieved him.
"Well, that explains how you could see me hiding in the dark before." Blake cut a small joke but it didn't faze the tall woman one bit. Well… that didn't go as planned… It seemed she still was a bit distant.
After making it down, the path that seemed to go right was blocked by the growth around the bridge, so the only way they could traverse forward, was the left it seemed and off they continued.
By the time they had made it a good mile from the bridge, Blake could feel that Marta was restless and it was starting to bother him now. She was usually rather stoic; this was new. There had been a bit of rustling in the nearby bushes around them also and it seemed they were being watched but whatever they were, they were backing off. Probably due to the giant pick axe wielding lady he'd take a "wild" guess on that.
Later on, after walking for a few more minutes and helping each other over logs and misplaced branches and Blake using his camera slightly when Marta wasn't helping him not walk on something unpleasant, they came to a barbed, locked gate. Damage decorated the weary structure with the dented and rough sign attached crudely reading: "Sickness here. God bless." Past it there was a light in the distance, emanating from a fire.
Seeing as how this was a dead end Blake began turning around, "Looks like we'll have to find another way round-" Blake didn't get a chance to finish as Marta smashed the gate open with her pickaxe so loud, everyone near would probably hear.
After getting over his shock, Blake noticed Marta was just standing there staring at him, until she made a simple hand gesture. "After you." She rasped and Blake did so, albeit cautiously.
"(So much for not drawing attention…)" Blake thought.
They were now walking into a very liner area but could now see the not obscured shack and fireplace next to it, still not anyone around however.
"Something is not right…" Marta muttered just enough that Blake heard it but didn't reply. What was the matter aside from things being the normal fucked up? But just then, Blake could make out figures moving just a few meters in front.
Getting closer you could see that their bodies were in deeper shit than someone getting buried and it showed. Some had gashes and warts as big as a hand and then there was the ones that were missing body parts and skin. Mostly from their faces on that last part... Blake would throw up but then he'd already seen enough disgusting shit tonight, so this was just the norm it seemed and he hated it.
"Knoth's Eye…" He heard one almost shout and they began to keep their distance. Seems they recognised Marta alright. Wonder what they'd say when they saw him.
Marta stepped forward but quickly gave a glance back at Blake. "Let me speak. Be not afraid ye Scalled. Come out." She then sheaved her pickaxe over her shoulder as was her habit to let the residents know there'd be no ravaging.
Soon the people (or what was left of them) emerged from their places and now stood a few feet away from Marta and Blake.
"Praise God…" One began through spurts. "Welcome Knoth's Eye. Your presence… delivers and gives… us hope. This truly is… a miracle after… the cast… down. All the signs have led… here… Have you come to… welcome us back finally… into Temple Gate…?" Meanwhile, with Blake, he saw a couple of the others begin to take notice of him and mutter. Could have sworn he saw one of them lick their lips too.
"I have not." Marta replied directly and bluntly. The light in the eyes of the "Scalled" went out when those words were spoken. "Do not make those eyes at him either." Her tone increased threateningly, taking account of the eyes directed at Blake. "He is important… but to me only… Keep your thoughts and mouths of him to yourselves." Marta causally slung her pickaxe over her other shoulder with slight show to add that extra delivery. Others then stepped back and looked away from Blake who blinked at what had been said. "We are merely passing through due to dangerous roads back yonder. However, I see your sores still remain yet… there is an air of satisfaction. Where is Laird?"
Silence.
Marta inspected the decayed lot. She saw signs of discomfort… Her hunch proved correct. "I will ask again and this time… you WILL answer. Where is Laird?" Her tone increased once more, making everyone wince. She really knew how to work folk.
"D-Dead…"
Both Blake and Marta blinked in surprise but more the latter than the former, "Dead…? How? Explain now!" She demanded.
"Of the many that been… hurt under his rule…" One Scalled stepped forward. His jaw was dislocated and part of it was missing in the lower case. He did concentrate, so you could just make out his words. "We were sick… and tired… of his curses and woes… heaped and sworn upon… us until we could… take no more... So, we done the deed when him and… his cocksucker mount were… close to the old… shack by the river at the cliff edge… Caught him unaware... and watched him breathe his last as Nick... crushed him to sleep… We spit on his memory... The bloated, whore, son, tyrannis, puss prick…" The spokesperson spat on the floor.
An ominous silence took over the area for a moment. The question of what action that would be taken next would hopefully not be the extreme one.
Her voice broke the silence, "Your choice… was not unforeseen. I had been hearin' that the shrivelled up old shit was causin' you harm… I thought most were rumours. Seems they weren't." Marta then took a step forward.
The Spokesperson was now fearing for his life. "Please…! Have mercy on us…! Don't tell Papa… We had to do it…! We couldn't take no more. He'd of killed us all before salvation! We'll do anything, anything!"
"Marta?" Blake looked up and asked hesitantly at her. She then turned and Blake saw in her eyes that there was no malice and he relaxed, she then turned to address the folk.
"Be at peace. I am not here to pass judgment on you. Laird was succumbing to sins of his own and they found him in yous. God has decreed it. No harm shall fall upon you, nor Knoth's wrath."
The Scalled were taken aback, "You… you bein' serious…? We can go free from punishment? Free from reproachment?" The Scalled spokesman asked in disbelief.
"Punishment cannot be past for those who have not sinned unless a harsh lesson is to be learned and you have all learned enough." Marta said gently.
In moments, the members of the Scalled were laughing or of what they could, in happiness and relief that they were free from Knoth's heel.
Quickly word began to spread and then joy across the congregation of Knoth's Eye giving them her blessing.
"But now," Marta's expression turned serious once again, "we must talk about a safe road to the close by mine. What is your name son?"
"Oh… err… Hylas… and for sure… exalted Marta… we can help you… Your… "friend" here… coming along too?"
Marta turned to Blake who walked carefully to her side and smiled at her, proud, while she looked away, flustered. "Yes…"
"Oh… okay… err… you alir-"
"Just… lead on…" Marta gave her trademark glare and Hylas shut up and did just that. Other folk around began to make way for the trio and went back to their business or continued celebrating. "I'll take… you to where the folk… aren't as desperate... Some are… still clinging to that… bloated… cunt's wretched… beliefs of the… Scalled Christ." Hylas began coughing uncontrollably after saying and the trio stopped to let him get it out.
"Scalled Christ?" Blake repeated. "The hell is that?"
Spitting on the floor after recovering, Hylas looked at Blake as they continued on through the Scalled area. "Being… a stranger… I shouldn't really… tell you this but… back when we… were first… cast out, Laird was given rules by Knoth… of when… we'd be allowed… back into Temple Gate, Laird… then claimed he'd received visions… of prophecy… from God... and took them along... with Knoth's… Then… Laird came up with his portion of Knoth's text and it was said… thus, "He will come born on… locusts' wings, immaculate as a newborn.
He will give us his gospel, the sacred words… of His teaching.
He… will be nailed…. to a cross and die, and he will be buried…
But… he will rise… again in… more perfect… flesh.
We will eat of that… flesh in holy… communion and be healed of our physical sins.
And we shall inherit this broken earth.
The Scalled Christ. What a," Hylas' bottom jaw then suddenly dislocated allowing some of his barely resembling teeth, to fall out in turn, making Blake cringe all the while Marta just stared blankly. Hylas' waved to say it was alright and then snapped it back into place. "crock of shit."
Giving a half hearted smirk at the comment, Blake could still somewhat make out the mine, far off into the distance when he turned back but then, out of the corner of his eye, could of sworn he saw something hazy, moving about just around the red structure. It was a black colour of some kind? Blake quickly cleaned his specs and his vision appeared to return to normal afterwards.
Was it those hallucinations or something else? Man, he didn't even know at this point but what he did was, that they had found another way to Lynn and for sure, he would be getting her back before the night was over.
And there we have it! I shall be continuing this when I get the time. I am quite busy however, so I apologise for any future delays but know I never abandon a story! In the meantime, review at your leisure and have a good one!