Chapter 2 - Manifestation
Clyde cocked back his 10mm pistol, it was a standard large-framed N99. A reliable weapon in its own right, he knew that he could count on it. He didn't want to be the first one to fire a shot and be responsible for the cultists assaulting the weakly-defended town. The cultists were closing in after all. Their circle of dirt bikes shrank, with no wastelander escaping their sight. Clyde knew that the town stood no chance if they decided to attack.
Suddenly, the sound of a shot fired from above startled Clyde enough to make him nearly fall over. A guardsman positioned on the roof of a tall housing unit had fired his hunting rifle into the direction of the cultists. The guard hid behind the vent he positioned himself on, looking extremely nervous.
It was the standard-issue weapon for guards of the Free-State of Ashe. The hunting rifle was a reliable gun. It fired accurately and was quite powerful if used in the right hands. If the user was scared and shaking, however, it was a waste of ammunition.
Clyde recognized the look on the guard's face. The kind of fear that comes from the sudden rush of overpowering enemies. Much like a group of mole rats rushing at a scared puppy, Clyde had seen many wastelanders make this same face before.
Clyde glanced at the direction of the shot but it didn't appear that any of the cultists were hit. It was hard to tell what armor they wore under their robes. It could be combat armor powerful enough to stop a blow like that. As the cultists grew closer, Clyde could see their outfits a bit better.
They all wore eerie white masks that covered the top half of their face. From the mouths it was easy to tell that this was a mix of ghouls and humans. Spots over their eyes were painted black, giving them a very ghost-like quality. Their robes were white with many intricate designs littered throughout. A large red stripe went down from their necks to their feet on either side of their body. Gold and blue ornaments were strung in circles throughout the sleeves, though they appeared slightly different for each cultist. None of the outfits were pure white, the dirt and dust of the Wasteland covering them. Some had red marks that resembled blood. In a group, they looked quite frightening and intimidating.
Most intimidating of all was the figure who seemed to be leading them. The large man on a chariot inched closer, with dirt bikes weaving around him as they circled around. The carriage of the chariot was massive, and carried another man with the leader. This cultist stood behind him, and had no robes. He donned bright white power armor and carried a large gatling laser. Clyde was shocked, he could count on one hand the number of times he saw a gatling laser in person.
The man at the head of the chariot seemed to be the shot-caller. This leader was a massive man, not quite the size of a super mutant but close to being one of the biggest men Clyde had ever laid eyes on. He was the only one to not cover his face. He wore the same robes as the other cultists, but his were pure, bright white. It was amazing to see something remain so clean in the Wasteland. The leader's gaze was fixated forward, a determined look. Not like the fear and fatigue Clyde was used to seeing on people's faces.
If these cultists decided to attack, there was no hope for the town, Clyde thought. He worried that the guards would become trigger happy and unload all of their ammunition for naught. He knew these situations well.
When Clyde led a group of raiders, he thoroughly studied his targets before making an effort to assault. He made sure that the raiders outnumbered, outgunned, and surprised their targets completely. Now he was watching as these same exact tactics were used against him.
The guard positioned on the roof took another shot, this time aimed at the leader. The bullet completely whiffed. The leader seemed unfazed, slowly and calmly turning his head to the guardsman. The leader lifted up his arm and like magic a bolt of plasma shot out from his hand and smacked the vent that the guard had been leaning his gun on, destroying his weapon and incapacitating him.
All who witnessed the event were speechless. Where did that come from, Clyde thought to himself. Did he have a plasma pistol hidden underneath his sleeve? There was no way this man just created plasma from his hand. Clyde wasn't buying this trickery.
At once, the chariot and dirt bikes surrounding the town stopped. All motor bikes were an equal distance apart, with just enough space for a human to walk through. Nobody was getting past this line of defense however.
The guards stood with their weapons pointed at the large figure leading the group, many visibly shaken from the whole event. Nobody could speak, too afraid that they might anger the intimidating group of riders. To Clyde, this seemed like another trick of highwaymen. Put your victims in a state of shock, make sure they're so focused on their own defeat that they refuse to even fight back. As a former leader of bandits himself, it made sense to Clyde that this group would avoid an actual fight and dealing with friendly casualties.
For what felt like hours, the cultists stared at the townspeople and guards, searching through the city with their eyes. It couldn't have been more than a minute. Some townspeople poked their heads through windows to look at the commotion. Others remained hidden, knowing their fates if the cultists attacked.
But the maddening silence was finally broken by the booming voice of the cult leader.
"Fear not of my flock, we wish to cause you no harm." the leader announced. His voice echoed throughout the silent town. There was no noise after he spoke, no rustling of shoes or coughing of wastelanders. It was an eerie silence that made Clyde uncomfortable.
"We are on a holy pilgrimage. This stop serves merely as a sojourn." The man said as he turned his face towards all who remained on the main road, Clyde included. Other wastelanders continued to poke their heads out of their homes to witness the unusual and intimidating sight.
Clyde wondered, was he really just making a show for nothing? Maybe they would be okay after all.
"Allow me to introduce myself." The man continued as he stepped off the chariot, the carriage bouncing as he removed his weight from it. "I am Bishop Xavier, Shepherd of the Orange Flame."
This guy sure has a high opinion of himself, Clyde thought. He wondered if he should be impressed with the massive robed man or if the theatrics of the event were laughable. One thing was for sure, nobody would dare interrupt a man who just shot a plasma bolt from thin air.
"We represent the Children of Griffin. Our holy leader instructed us to save the Wasteland from the evils of man and mutant alike. We seek followers and converts. Our mission is to help provide them sanctuary and open their eyes to the truth." The man spoke slowly like Eli, but with much more power. He carefully walked down the road towards Clyde and the other wastelanders, both hands held together in front of him, hidden by his cloak.
Clyde looked back at Eli, somehow the old man looked calm as ever. Clyde knew Eli was no gullible figure, he would never fall for the kind of bullshit these religious crazies spew.
"Disciples!" The man yelled. Everyone who was beginning to ease up became tense again.
"Seek out the heathens and bring them to me! Leave the guileless unharmed and untouched. Do not forget your teachings!" He commanded the many cultists surrounding the town.
The sound of dirt bike motors again filled the air, but this time the cultists drove straight into town. Cultists scrambled, driving right up to wastelanders and interrogating them. It was a terrifying sight, as townspeople began to scream and shout again. Several guards in the distance lifted up their rifles and fired at the incoming dirt bikes. Before they could fire a second shot, they were smashed to the ground by the metal bats of cultists who drove by. So much for being unharmed.
A ghoul, in his cultist robes and mask, drove right up to Eli and Clyde. Clyde could see the mask in more detail, a terrifying scene. The robes covered the top of his head, but the mask covered his face, leaving only the rotten ghoul skin of his chin and mouth. It was even hard to see his lips unless he was speaking.
"Don't even think about firing those weapons! Holster them or drop them onto the ground!" The ghoul yelled with his raspy voice. For the first time in a long time, Clyde feared for his life. He thought it would be best to comply. He knew better than anyone what would happen if he didn't follow their orders.
Clyde took only a moment before holstering his pistol, hopeful that he may get out of this situation unharmed. Eli paused much longer, watching the terrified townspeople attempt to run and hide from the cultists driving through town. There was no sign that this was your average raid, they wanted something or someone specific. Eli looked back at the ghoul, whose dirt bike had a sawed off shotgun placed in a side compartment. The ghoul began to reach for his weapon, but stopped when Eli finally placed his revolver on the ground, raising his hands up to show his harmlessness.
"Smart boys. I'll make this simple. Tell me who you worship and I'll leave you be." The ghoul yelled at the two men. Clyde was confused by this question, he had never been asked such a thing. In all honesty, he had never thought about such a thing either. He supposed this is what cult members found important.
"I worship no one." Clyde said truthfully. He was tempted to claim that he worshiped this mysterious Griffin figure, but he realized it would be pretty easy to prove that wrong. He didn't exactly look like one of the cult members.
The ghoul seemed pleased with this answer and gave Clyde a small nod. He turned his direction to Eli who replied "Same. I do not bow for anyone, nor do I idolize any man." Clyde began to get nervous about Eli's attitude. He didn't want to watch the man who saved his life and mentored him get killed for being too prideful.
The ghoul smiled and looked back into the town. "Listen to Bishop Xavier. He saved me, he will save you too if you let him." The ghoul stressed. He then drove past the group and into the town. Clyde figured that he was looking for more townspeople to interrogate. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned his attention to Eli.
"What the hell is this all about?" Clyde asked Eli, the large figure known as Xavier standing close by.
"I've only seen these cultists a handful of times. They think their leader will save the Wasteland. As far as I can tell, they're no better than raiders in costumes." Eli answered. He picked his revolver back up from the ground and held it by his side, ready to fire at anyone who tried to attack him.
Clyde watched in horror as other town members were asked the same question, but to his surprise nobody else was attacked. Everyone who answered was left alone. Others who were too nervous or shocked to speak were surrounded by more cultists, until they finally let out a whimpering response. The only victims of these cultists so far were the few guards who attacked first. And even then, it didn't appear that anybody was killed.
Xavier marched right past the guards, walking towards Clyde and Eli. The two guards Clyde spoke with before this all began were busy arguing with cultists on dirt bikes, reluctant and unwilling to drop their weapons.
Chills went down Clyde's spine as Xavier approached, looking at him right in the eyes and calmly inching closer. Eventually, he stood a few feet away from the two. Clyde figured the man must have been at least 7 feet tall, making Clyde feel short for once in his life.
"You there." Xavier announced. "The one with the Pip-Boy, come forward. Allow me to judge your past." The request confused Clyde but he complied. He stepped forward, his breath picking up pace after the gravity of the confrontation hit him.
What could he want with my Pip-Boy? Clyde thought to himself. He didn't exactly acquire it through honorable means. All his life he would tell people that he bought it from a vault dweller long ago, would this man know the truth?
Xavier gently picked up his arm, holding the Pip-Boy to his face. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small electronic device. Clyde held his breath as the man took this item, which seemed like a computer chip, and placed it into a small opening at the top of Clyde's device. Clyde darted his eyes around to see if anyone besides Eli could witness this, but most of the townspeople were preoccupied with the dirt bikes flying around them.
After a pause, in which Xavier never broke face, he pulled the chip out and placed it back into his robes. Clyde began to sweat, his arm still in the hands of this massive man.
"So you're from Vault 121, a vault whi-" Xavier paused his speech and for the first time his expressionless face seemed to become upset. "No." The leader quietly said to himself.
Clyde didn't know what the device was that just ran through his Pip-Boy, he tried to turn his arm to look at the screen but Xavier tightened his grip. Clyde's arm began to hurt, he was tempted to reach for him 10mm and blast this figure in the face. As Clyde's free hand began to reach down towards his holster the leader spoke again.
"How did you acquire this Pip-Boy?" Xavier's booming voice was unlike anything Clyde had ever heard before.
"I bought it." Clyde responded. His speech was broken up by his own fear. "There was a vault dweller who was falling on bad times and I gave hi-"
Clyde was abruptly interrupted by Xavier, his voice picked up and anger covered his face. "You came across an innocent person falling on hard times and took advantage of him?" Xavier's grip on Clyde's arm tightened further, Clyde let out a painful yell.
"That would disappoint me greatly… if it was true." Xavier said as his face and tone returned to normal. His near-expressionless face returned. He let go of Clyde's arm. Clyde quickly pulled back and fell to his knees, holding the painful and pulsating points that had been crushed by this cult leader.
Clyde was too distracted by the pain to respond to Xavier's comment. He didn't think anyone could actually know the truth about his Pip-Boy, and he wasn't going to reveal the information himself.
"What is your name?" Xavier inquired about Clyde. It sounded more like a demand, so Clyde answered.
Still lying on the ground, Clyde looked up at the tower of a man and responded. "Clyde… Clyde Carter."
Xavier paused for a moment and then let out a booming laugh. Clyde felt a pit form in his stomach. The boom of each hearty sound hit him like a grenade. He didn't know what would happen next.
"Is that what your chosen persona is? What do you do in this town, child? Are you a merchant? A mercenary? Maybe a squatter? Either way, you must be lying to the masses about your heresy. No town would take a sinner such as yourself into their care." Xavier said. Clyde hated the way this man spoke but he was glad that Xavier kept it vague, at least so far. Maybe if Clyde remained just as vague as this man, nobody in town would ask questions afterwards. After all, Eli was the only one who was focused on this interaction.
"I'm a mechanic. I-" Clyde started but was interrupted by the screech of a familiar voice behind him.
Everyone's focus turned to the yelling going on behind Clyde. The sight was a terrifying one.
Three cultists were dragging Vernon from his shop. The sight horrified Clyde and brought him back to his past, dragging family members away from each other while they fought kicking and screaming. This looked no different.
While other cultists kept the guards and townspeople from standing up against the event, the three with Vernon punched and beat him while dragging him into the middle of the street.
"We've got a Child of Atom boss!" One of the men yelled to Xavier, right before taking a kick from Vernon to the leg. Vernon's terrified screams and pleas for help even made Clyde experience a lot of pity for the man he always thought of as an insane nobody. The cultist launched onto Vernon in retaliation, beating him senseless.
Xavier's face lit up, he walked away from Clyde and turned his attention towards Vernon, whose strength was wearing out as he continued getting dragged and smacked around by the cultists.
"A heretic! Those damn bomb idolaters!" Xavier barked at the insignificant food vendor. The madness of the cultists on dirt bikes began to calm down as they focused on keeping townspeople's eyes to the confrontation in the middle of town.
"Hearken to my words laity! Let it be known the fate of those who turn their eyes away from Griffin's word! Witness the power that Griffin holds in these wastes!" Xavier screamed at the town. Clyde felt like Vernon's life was seriously in danger. He wasn't sure what Xavier was going to do next but he didn't think these cultists would leave without a bloody corpse.
"I call upon thee, Holy Executioner Simon, Bringer of Judgment to the Infidels!" Xavier lifted his arms to the air and yelled with brawn.
At that very moment, just a few feet away from Clyde, a massive figure appeared. Clyde let out an audible gasp as his heart sank. This time the figure was even bigger than Xavier. He must have stood at 10 feet tall, he was like a Super Mutant. As opposed to the rest of the cultists, this figure wore black executioner robes and a black sack over his face. His dark black gloves and boots ensured that every inch of his body was covered. This figure couldn't have snuck in, he must have been watching the entire time. A stealth boy, Clyde thought.
Clyde knew of Super Mutants that were somewhat intelligent, but smart enough to know how to use a stealth boy? Whatever this figure was, it couldn't have been human.
Without saying a single word, Simon marched towards Vernon. As he stepped past Clyde, Clyde was able to spot the massive axe that rested on his back. It was unlike anything Clyde has seen before in his life, this must have come from some type of pre-war museum. Its handle reached from the top of Simon's back all the way down to near his feet. The blade of the axe was like a half-moon. Sharp and covered in dried blood. Clyde began to wonder if this Griffin figure really was more than your average raider warlord.
Simon walked past Xavier and up to Vernon, who was squealing and asking for help on the ground below him. As Simon slowly reached behind him and drew his axe, the cultists pulled Vernon's legs and arms apart, laying him out like an animal. Clyde knew what was going to happen next. He turned his head away.
Clyde could hear the axe coming down on Vernon, whose screaming suddenly stopped at the sound of metal hitting the concrete ground. Clyde thought about using the moment to run but he knew there were enough cultists around on dirt bikes to catch up with him.
"Beware those of you who are tempted by the promises of false prophets. Nobody can save your souls in these wastes but Griffin!" Xavier stated. Looking around the town.
When Clyde looked back he noticed that Simon had already disappeared into thin air. He locked eyes with Xavier, who loomed over the two pieces of Vernon's body. It was a sight that made Clyde sick to his stomach. While it was the same fate he sent many innocent people to, he was a changed man.
Xavier walked back over to Clyde, who was finally picking himself back up.
"Damn cultists think they can do whatever they want to because they know some fancy words." Eli muttered, but Clyde was worried that Xavier would pick it up and give the old man the same treatment as Vernon.
Xavier slowly stepped up to Clyde, bringing his hands forward as if he was making an offering to the pitiful, nervous man who posed no real threat.
"Clyde Carter… as you wish." Xavier's booming voice began to turn into a whisper. "I know your past. I know what you're capable of. You will help me. Or else this town that has so graciously taken you into their arms will go up in flames. Do you understand me?" Xavier told Clyde as he leaned in close. Clyde could feel the man's breath hit his face.
"What… what do you want me to do?" Clyde managed to get out after struggling to find his voice. This could be anything. Clyde knew he was not a good person in the past. If this man standing over him was right and he knew of Clyde's history, he could tell everyone. There was no chance this town would take Clyde back in with open arms if they knew the terrible crimes he once committed.
"Anarchists… damn anarchists." Xavier whispered. He stood tall yet again and his voice picked up as if he was announcing this to the whole town. "Voline! The so-called guardian of the wastes! Nothing but a false prophet!"
Xavier leaned back in and said in a calm, quieter voice. "And you will be the one to eliminate her. Let her followers understand that she is a fraud. Leading sheep to their destruction."
Xavier grabbed Clyde's hand and reached into his robe, pulling another chip. It was similar to the one he used earlier, and he placed it into the Pip-Boy. This time, however, he didn't take it out. Clyde's Pip-boy seemed to glitch and suddenly shot to his map. He noticed that a new location was revealed, some 12 hours away.
"Go to this location. Deal with the one known as Voline. If you choose to ignore me, or fail to complete this crusade, the place you know as home will be burned off the map." Xavier promised. Clyde was shaken, his threats were backed up by some level of firepower. Silver City stood no chance against the massive cult army that could march onto it.
"Why can't you do it?" Clyde asked, trying not to sound so accusatory that he set Xavier off.
"We have a history with this one. If she knew we were approaching she would scurry off like the rat she is." Xavier looked onwards as he spoke, making the same face Clyde did whenever an old memory shot into him.
Before Clyde could respond, Xavier walked away, climbing back onto his chariot. Clyde realized that his heart was pounding like that of a psycho addict, and he couldn't help but fall back onto the ground.
"My flock. Let us continue forward, we will return at a later date." Xavier announced to the cultists still littered throughout the town. At once, the chariot zoomed past Clyde and the cultists drove off after Xavier.
Clyde was left shaken, he looked into the distance until the group disappeared into the horizon. Eli strolled up and held out a hand, Clyde accepted and Eli helped him back onto his feet.
"Disgusting punks. Nothing but a bunch of bandits in clown costumes." Eli said, looking at the body of Vernon, chopped clean in half. Guards had run up to help but there was nothing that could be done. Other guards who were struck assessed their own damage and caught their breath. The one guardsman on the roof analyzed the structural integrity of it all after being hit with a bolt of plasma.
"Look… I overheard what he said to you." Eli started. Clyde became nervous, had Eli found out that Clyde was lying about his past? "I don't know who that Voline person is. They obviously want you to kill her, but my advice? Find her and warn her. Let her know what happened and she may be able to come help us. After all, if she was easy to kill he would have done it already with that big army."
Eli always gave Clyde his honest advice and opinion. This time he wasn't sure. All he knew was that these cultists were serious, and they would probably return if Clyde ignored them. He looked at Eli in the face. The face of the man who saved him and gave him the ability to redeem himself. The man who was still helping him now. He couldn't let this town down. He couldn't be the reason another group of innocent wastelanders met a brutal fate.
Clyde looked around Silver City. People were left crying, shaking. Families hugged each other after being separated during the rush. Clyde knew what he had to do. "Let's go pack some stuff, Eli. I'm going north."