Chapter 1: What You Leave Behind
Hey there everyone, it has been a while I know. Like, a few years, since the last Eli Cameron story. I'm sorry for the very long gap between this story and the last one, but COVID just took everything off course and Cameron's story unfortunately fell to the wayside. But I've finally got a handle of the last story in Eli Cameron's long journey, trying to catch up with Ulysses. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this first Chapter!
I do not own Fallout: New Vegas, that belongs to Bethesda and Obsidian.
After a day full of blood being spilled and lives being gambled on, the Thorn needed to rest. As the sun began to slowly sink beyond the horizon and envelop the irradiated Mojave Desert in a moonless darkness, the Thorn began to close up for the night. The animals were herded back into their cages and the spectators quickly made their way towards the exit, not wanting to be locked in. Pretty soon the Thorn, once buzzing with life and filled with raucous noise, now sat silently with the only human left inside being the owner of the establishment herself, Red Lucy.
The red-haired woman's eyes scanned her surroundings, looking at the rusted chain link fences and blood-soaked floors of the Thorn. To some, this arena was a cold, unfeeling place, one where caps were exchanged and fighters would fight to the death. To Red Lucy the Thorn was all that and so much more. It was a place like the Roman Coliseum of old, where battles could be waged, legends would be created and entertainment could be had for all. But it was also home, something that could never be taken away from her.
Red Lucy's train of thought was soon broken as the sound of footsteps filled the underground arena. A small smile graced her lips at that noise; she didn't need to turn around. Only one man would be brave enough to journey into the Thorn after closing time.
"You have returned home, my hunter." Red Lucy stated. "The Thorn is grateful for your presence, as am I."
"Well, you certainly know how to make a man feel welcome." The Courier, Eli Cameron, responded, tilting his hat back slightly. "Been a while, Lucy."
Red Lucy slowly turned around, letting her eyes make their way up the figure in front of her. The clothes were different and his stubble had become more noticeable, but the Courier looked no different than the last time she had last met him.
"Almost a month now, my hunter." Red Lucy answered. "My scouts could not find a hint of you. It was as if the Mojave itself had swallowed you up, leaving no trace behind."
"You could say that. Let's just say I was on vacation, and it wasn't exactly voluntary on my part." Eli explained, a tight smile on his scarred face. "But I'm back."
"For now." Red Lucy stated. "But not for long."
The Courier did not say anything at first. He slowly took off his cowboy hat, running a hand through his long graying hair. For a moment Eli didn't look like Courier Six, the man who had broken the back of the Legion and brought peace to the Mojave. Instead he just looked like Eli Cameron, a cowboy who could feel the years weighing him down and the injuries catching up to him.
"That obvious, huh?" Eli inquired.
"The Mojave is abuzz with tales about the Courier." Red Lucy explained. "And about how you are ready for one more journey."
"No point in hiding it then," Eli chuckled, tilting his hat slightly backwards. "I have a date with destiny over in the Divide."
"A dead land, home to only harsh winds and lost souls."
"And one nutter ready to nuke the world again," Eli muttered. "I have to do this, Lucy. I can't let this guy threaten the Mojave. Not after all I've done to protect it."
The two stood silently there for a while, staring at each other, before the Courier closed the gap between them and enveloped Lucy into a tight hug. He felt Lucy tense up, just for a second, before relaxing within his embrace and wrapping her arms around Eli's waist.
"I could die, ya know." Eli stated simply. "There's no guarantee I'm gonna make it back."
"Then your legend will live on for you." Red Lucy replied. "The Thorn and I will make sure of that."
Courier Eli Cameron stood at the maw of the Divide, looking out at all the death and destruction that rested below. All was silent except for the howls of the wind. The Courier could practically feel his skin being flayed alive with how fierce these winds were. Eli pulled down the brim of his hat, shielding his eyes from all the sand and dust blowing through. It had been a long time since he had last stepped foot on this land. Hell, it had been a long time since anyone at all had stepped foot on this land, he was willing to bet. Not much reason for someone to visit the Divide anymore. Not since…
Shaking his head, Eli started to walk deeper into the Divide, avoiding rusted steel beams and mangled structures. It was as silent as a graveyard, the Courier thought grimly. But that would make sense, given the land was pretty much just a dead zone anyway. He looked slowly around, putting his hand on his gun hilt, just in case. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, and it felt like he was being watched. He could practically feel someone's eyes just burrowing right into him. The old cowboy just shook his head, a scowl forming on his face.
"You gettin' paranoid in your old age, Eli," he muttered to himself. He still kept his hand on his gun though. Better to be alive and paranoid than dead. Plus he'd never hear the end of it from Cassidy if he wound up getting shot by some punk kid after having survived so much.
The Courier stopped dead in his tracks as something in the corner of his eye caught his attention; the remains of a bus lying on its side. At least Eli was guessing it was a bus. It was so twisted and rusted it was kind of hard to tell what exactly it used to be. But that's not what had caught Eli's attention. Painted on the belly of the ruined vehicle, in bright yellow and white, was a message.
"You Can Go Home, Courier"
He stood there for what felt like an eternity, just staring at those five words. Eli didn't need three guesses to know who had written that message; it was definitely from that smug prick Ulysses. A smile completely devoid of humor crossed Eli's worn and scarred face as that name popped into his head. Ulysses, the mysterious courier with an old world flag on his back and an old world name attached to him. Ulysses, the courier that is everywhere, yet he could never seem to find. Ulysses, the courier that forced him to return to the fucking Divide, one of the last places on earth Eli Cameron ever wanted to see again.
But here he was again, a lot older and a lot more worn out, trying to finally catch up to the guy who always seemed one step ahead of him since he first heard of this Ulysses guy. And maybe, finally, get some answers as to why their paths keep crossing and how he keeps getting involved in his adventurers.
And Chapter 1 of The Broken Path is done and dusted! Once again, I hope y'all enjoy this piece and stick around for the remainder of this piece. Thanks to y'all who have stuck around!
Love,
The Desert Dancer