Stumbling blindly in the dark, Joshua Graham's body shivered in spasms from the pain that came with every small movement he made. Hours merged into days, days into weeks. The world around him and what he was feeling had an almost surreal aspect to it, as though he had slipping away from the physical world and was somewhere between life and death. Catching the sole of his worn boot on a rock, Joshua tripped and fell face forward onto the hard, dusty ground. Pain shot like electricity through is entire body and he wanted to cry out, but he couldn't. If he did, it would mean certain death.
Some time after he regained consciousness and mobility after surviving the fire, he realised that he was being followed. It wasn't until he found refuge in a cave one day that he saw his pursuers. Legionary assassins. No doubt his old friend Caesar had sent them after him to make sure he was dead. That's when Joshua knew that he'd left a seed of fear and paranoia in Caesar's mind, so much so that he was sending his best people after a ghost.
'What's the matter old friend, afraid the Burned Man will come get you?' he thought in amusement as he forced himself off the ground, not even bothering to dust himself off.
Joshua made sure that every assassin Caesar sent his way never made it back alive. Silence and patience were the key to his success. It was very important that he didn't falter now; not when he was so close to New Canaan. He pushed past the pain and fatigue, focusing all his effort into moving forward. He vowed that, if he survived this test, he would find a way to make amends for the sins he committed against his fellow man.
Weeks passed but Joshua carried forward. He lived off the land, catching and eating easy prey like radroaches and juvenile geckos whenever he could. For drink he relied on cacti and succulent plants, and the occasional stream he came across. When his legs couldn't carry him anymore, he slept on the ground under the sun or night sky, or a small cave if he was lucky enough to find one that was uninhabited. Despite the pain, the humiliation he relived in his own mind every day of Edward's betrayal, he drew comfort from knowing that every step brought him closer to his true home.
Taking his time getting back to the camp, Aelius tried to keep the boy's thoughts occupied by asking him questions like what his favourite food was, what games he liked to play, did he have any siblings to fight over stuff.
Gael shook his head, a cheeky smile on his face, "No".
"You mean to tell me don't have any brothers or sisters?" Aelius asked incredibly.
"No", Gael snickered.
"So, you never had to fight with anyone about your toys?"
"Nope".
"Huh", Aelius grinned at him.
"Did you have to fight for your toys?"
The question brought back memories of his two elder sisters, "Sometimes. I had two sisters, so we didn't fight a lot because we used to play with different toys".
"Why?"
"Because… well, I guess their interests in my toys outgrew".
Gael looked confused, "Why?"
Aelius chuckled, "I don't know actually. I think my toys weren't as interesting". His gut wrenched with sorrow as he remembered his sisters. While they were growing up they were annoying at times, what sibling wasn't? But he was always in awe of them. The truth was, his sisters were obsessed with old world tech that they took it upon themselves to learn everything there was about building and repairing machines. They were so adept at it that they began building their own variants. They were the smartest people he knew, and now they were probably somewhere out there in Legion territory forced to carry heavy loads or prepare food in the galleys…or suffer abuse like Gael's mom. The thought made his blood boil.
"Aelius?" Gael asked softly.
"Huh?"
"I wanna go home", the boy looked pleadingly at him.
"Where is your home?"
Gael shrugged.
"Can you tell me what faction you came from? Or what tribe?"
"I dunno", he shrugged.
'He's only a child, he wouldn't know anything about factions', Aelius thought to himself.
"Well, can you remember anything that stood out about your home? Something that made it special?"
Gael screwed up his face, as though he was concentrating hard on a memory, "My dad! He's a hero".
"Oh yeah? How do you know?"
"Everyone said so. But mom said it's because he's a soldier and that people like saying stuff like that about soldiers".
"Do you remember his uniform?"
"Uh huh!" Gael nodded enthusiastically, "He let me wear his hat all the time at home".
"What did the hat look like?"
"It was big and red", Gael smiled, "Like this", he pulled on Aelius's crimson cloak.
"Ah! That's a nice colour for a hat".
Gael nodded in agreement, "It was really cool. It had a sticker with a skull on it".
Aelius's eyes seemed to widen in surprise. Gael's father was a first recon sniper in the NCR military. 'What the hell was your mother thinking kid?' Aelius thought mournfully, trying to keep a cheery mood for the boy. They were near the camp and Aelius could see the first night shift guard in his watch position. Aelius recognised it was Domitius from his stature and stance, a level-headed Veteran Legionary who was quite unique in the sense that he didn't seem to share the same interests as the others. Although he was the oldest member of the group, being in his mid-forties, he was the most feared man of their group due to his raw power and ferocity in the battlefield. Aelius remembered hearing Marcellus, the Legionary Decanus and the leader of their party, once describe Domitius as a berserker after seeing him take down half a dozen men on his own in a fight with a cannibalistic tribe they encountered some years ago.
Aelius bundled the sleepy child up in his cloak to keep him warm, and partly because he desperately wanted to hide and shield him as much as possible from the other Legionaries.
"Where have you been?" Domitius asked sternly as Aelius neared the camp, "What's in your cloak?"
Aelius's heart began to sink as he shifted Gael in his arms, who looked around with wary curiosity. The guard walked up the Aelius and the boy, his eyes scanning over them.
"Where did you find him?"
"About a mile from here, hanging on the side of a cliff".
"That's where we found the woman", Domitius moved closer to get a better look at the boy, gently but firmly grabbing him by his small jaw and turning his head to get a better look at his features, "I assume that's her offspring?"
"Uh… Yes", Aelius wrapped his arms around Gael a little tighter, sensing his uneasiness, "What of the woman?"
Domitius let go of Gael and his attention turned towards the tent where their leader was bunked, "Stopped hearing her some time ago. Last word I caught around camp was that Marcellus grew tired of her shrill screaming and knocked her out. I would keep the boy some distance from the tent. We will have to deal with this in the morning".
"I understand", Aelius nodded.
"Are there any other surprises I should know about?" the guard looked over Aelius's shoulder half expectantly, his hand automatically going for his machete tied at his hip.
"No. At least, not that I've seen. Just the boy". He could feel Gael's tiny hands clutching at his armour.
After a moment's consideration, Domitius nodded and allowed him to pass.
"The others are asleep. Keep the boy quiet".
A lump formed in Aelius's chest, but he neither said nor did anything to show his displeasure with the information about Gael's mother. All he could do was walk back to his sleeping bag and get Gael tucked in as comfortably as possible. The boy was already half asleep by the time he was settled in that Aelius wasn't worried about him understanding much of the conversation he shared with Domitius. All he could do now was get some rest and hope the boy's first glimpse into the Legionary induction goes smoothly.
Joshua felt the harsh sun's light burn his flesh as he lay on the ground covered in dust and a spatter of blood, a dead Legionary assassin splayed next to him. It was a struggle this time, even for Graham; but by some fortune he managed to get the upper hand and with one swift cut open the assassin's throat. Though he was no stranger to blood and gore, it still amazed him how much blood gushed out of the assassin's neck, like a taught balloon getting popped. The surprised and horrified look on the man's face was burned into Graham's mind and it gave him a morbid satisfaction that he, a purportedly dead man, was able to best a Legionary assassin who was in prime physical condition. It was a good thing for Graham that the assassin underestimated how deadly cornering a half dead wolf can be.
A wet crimson stain spread toward him, making him shimmy away. Developing an infection in his condition was a constant threat. He no longer had skin that was protecting him from the harsh elements, bacteria and viruses, so he had to be extra vigilant. Struggling up onto his feet, Graham took anything useful he could from the assassin's body. He ripped off his blood-stained shirt and replaced it with the unsoiled armour of the assassin, pocketed some healing poultice, a pouch with cured meats, purified water, a machete and the combat knife he used in the fight. There being no place to hide the body, Joshua stacked some rocks over the lifeless corpse and kicked up some dirt to cover the blood. It would have to do. He barely had enough energy to carry on, and he had to save as much of it as possible for the final trek.
Sleep eluded Aelius and morning came quickly before he even had a chance to get some rest. He found himself unable to stop his thoughts from racing, recalling memories of his mother and sisters; wondering where they were now and if they were together. This was going to be a difficult morning for Gael, and himself. Every time they came across a new tribe that they absorbed, the painful memories of what he went through come rushing back. The process was always the same: separate the tribe into males, females and children. Adult males are always taken away first, then it is the duty of the leader of the Legionary group to break and enslave the women and children. Mothers and female children are physically beaten into submission and the male children are forced to participate, in part to teach them that they are physically stronger than women and to strip them of their empathy by making them see women as nothing more than things. If they refuse, then they are whipped and forced to watch as their mothers and sisters are beaten and gang raped by the rest of the Legionaries in front of them. Aelius experienced this first-hand when he refused to whip his mother and sisters with a belt that the Centurion shoved in his hand. He would never forget the sighs from that day and the sounds of terrified screams from his sisters.
As first light began to break, others in the camp began to stir. Aelius pretended to be asleep and kept his ears open to listen in on the conversations around the camp fire, but he didn't have to pretend for long before Marcellus came out of his tent. Pretty soon he heard gentle murmurs of "Ave" from the members who were awake. He shifted, pretending to wake; it would be an insult if he carried on the ruse. He sat up and wrapped his spare cloak around his shoulders.
"Ave, Decanus", he murmured as their leader leisurely walked up to him. Immediately the man's eyes drifted from Aelius to his sleeping bag, where part of Gael's face and hair was uncovered.
"What is this?" Marcellus nodded to the boy.
"A stray child I found late last night, clinging onto the side of a cliff", Aelius answered his superior's question hesitantly.
Marcellus tilted his head slightly to one side, as if considering something. After a moment, a hint of a knowing grin appearing in the corner of his lips. He turned with purpose on his heel and headed inside his tent, shortly emerging again with the woman, half consciously struggling as he dragged her roughly by the arm behind him. Aelius found himself unable to hide the anger from his face or pry his eyes away from the red and purple bruises peppering her exposed skin; especially when Marcellus dropped her gruffly between them. She looked up at Aelius and Marcellus wrathfully, her hair dishevelled, eyes bloodshot and face streaked with dried tears. She was fiercely beautiful, despite the abuse she suffered.
"I see you don't approve", Marcellus smirked as he studied Aelius, "Wake the boy".
The woman's expression changed from anger and defiance to fear. Her eyes shot up at Aelius and for a split second it was as if they had communicated telepathically.
"No…" she whispered, shaking her head as Aelius gently picked Gael up and coaxed him awake, "No… please…".
A swift kick to her midriff sent her sprawling on the ground gasping for air. The commotion woke Gael up and brought the other Legionaries to attention. They gathered around in a circle with Marcellus, Aelius, the woman and her son in the middle.
"Mommy?" Gael blinked and looked around in confusion. Aelius held on to him tightly, steeling himself for what was about to come next. Marcellus laughed sadistically at the sight of the woman writhing in pain with the air winded out of her, still gasping for air. He removed his belt and motioned for Gael to come to him. With some hesitation, Aelius lowered Gael down next to him, but the boy hung back, hiding behind his legs and clutching at his cloak.
"Come here boy", Marcellus ordered, "I'm not going to hurt you".
Gael looked up at Aelius, who had no choice but to offer a gentle nudge forward. He walked up shyly to Marcellus, who knelt to meet him at his eye level.
"What is your name?"
"Gael", the boy answered shyly, his focus drifting to his gasping mother on the ground not five feet away. Marcellus grabbed his little jaw in his rough palm to direct his attention back to him.
"Well Gael, today is a very important day for you and your mommy. Do you know why?"
Gael gulped, blinking in confusion and dread but he stayed quiet, his eyes fixed on Marcellus.
"Today you start your lives as a Legionaries. But first you must pass a test", Marcellus handed Gael the thick leather belt.
"Gael…", the woman gasped, desperately trying to get up on her hands and knees. All Aelius could do was stand and watch as the events unfolded in front of him and he relived his own nightmare.
"To be a soldier, first you need to be a man Gael. To do that you must break away from your mother, because you are better and stronger than her in every way", Marcellus smiled proudly at Gael, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, "Now, I'll show you what you need to do, but if you want to pass the test you'll have to carry on until I say stop. If you stop before I say so, I will hurt her. Do you understand?"
A small whimper escaped Gael's lips, but he nodded. Marcellus took him by the hand and led him to his mother.
"Now, you take this end of the belt into your hand like so", Marcellus instructed, standing behind the boy and keeping hold of his arm.
"No!" the woman screamed, launching herself at Marcellus and clawing at his face with every strength left in her body. She managed to draw a bit of blood before being kicked back to the ground by Marcellus.
"Hold her!" Marcellus commanded, and Valens swooped in, securing her arms tightly behind her back until she cried out in pain. At this point the whole group was electrified, with other soldiers laughing at the woman's feeble attempts to protect her child and others jeering and shouting slurs at her.
"Come on boy! Show her you're a man now!" Marcellus yelled over the shouting and jeering, pushing Gael towards his mother.
Gael looked around him in terror, shaking as tears streamed down his face. The others yelled shouts of support at him, egging him on. Finally, after almost a minute Marcellus got tired of the boy's inaction and slapped him over the side of the head, grabbed his arm and pulled him towards his mother.
"Now watch how it's done", he grabbed the leather belt and looped it around his palm once, "Because you're going to do this until I feel satisfied with your technique".
The noise from the others was deafening now as they cheered their leader on. Marcellus spread his feet shoulder width apart and started whipping the woman. Every time the leather connected with her skin the others cheered. He was hitting her so hard Aelius could see fresh, oozing cuts on the side of her face, her back and legs.
"Mommy!" Gael cried, running between them and catching the last blow of the belt. It knocked him down and the boy screamed in pain. Aelius ran to him and picked him back up in his arms, holding him tight.
"Stupid child", Marcellus grinned, "Must take after his mother. Put him down Aelius. One way or another we're going to finish this".
"No", Aelius answered boldly, his voice low and steady. Something inside of him snapped, and he wasn't going to watch on helplessly; even if it meant his death.
The camp went silent almost instantly at the open rebellion.
Marcellus dropped his belt and unholstered the gun on his side, "I will not ask you a second time".
Aelius lowered Gael down and pushing him behind to shield him from further attacks, staring Marcellus down.
"You've made your choice", Marcellus sneered, aiming the gun at him.
Aelius braced himself for the end, but instead he heard a sickening sound as a silver arrow went through his leader's neck. It took everyone by surprise. Marcellus' eyes widened in shock as he dropped the gun and felt at the long object sticking through his neck, a sputtering of blood escaping his mouth as he gasped for air. Everyone watched on in silent shocked horror, until another arrow pierced Marcellus' cranium and his limp body crumbled to the ground. Very quickly the situation turned from bad to worse. The Legionaries scrambled as they were attacked by a volley silver arrows from an invisible enemy, each meeting their targets with a similar sickening thud of metal piercing through skin and flesh. Aelius wasted no time in grabbing Gael and his mother, who was just as shocked by what was going on as everyone else.
"Come on!" he yelled over the yelling and blood curdling screams, dragging them both behind a small rock over cropping big enough for two to hide. He pressed against them, shielding them with his body in case they were attacked from behind. Adrenaline coursed through his body, heightening his senses and reflexes. An arrow whizzed past his left ear just shy of meeting its target. Not soon after their attackers revealed themselves. Over a dozen men, all painted in white cracked mud from head to toe, with human skull face plates and human bones wrapped around their bodies as armour. The mere sight of them gripped Aelius with fear.
"Cannibals!" he heard Domitius shout in the distance, "Defend your positions!"
"This is our chance to escape. Follow me", Aelius whispered to the woman and Gael, who both nodded and held on tightly to him. Waiting for the moment when everyone was fully engaged in combat, Aelius bolted south with Gael in one arm and the woman keeping up beside him. A couple of arrows whizzed past them but they were far enough away to avoid being struck. They kept running until they couldn't hear the battle going on behind them, carrying on south trying to keep away from dirt paths to avoid leaving tracks.
"Where…Where are we going?" the woman panted, slowing down to walk behind him.
"No! Don't stop now, keep running!", Aelius called.
"I can't… I can't keep up. I need a second", she panted, coming to a complete stop, wincing in pain and clutching her sides.
Aelius turned back, grabbed her by the wrist and started pulling her along until she yanked her arm back and lashed out at him.
"Don't touch me you son of a bitch!" she spat, pulling Gael out from under his arm, "I'll fucking kill you!"
Aelius held up his arms by his sides nonthreateningly, "If we stop now, we're both dead!". But his words didn't seem to have much of an impact.
"I'm not going anywhere with you", her eyes seethed bitterness and fury. After what she had endured at his camp, her response didn't surprise him.
"What do you propose then?"
She looked around them, trying to get her bearings with Gael squirming in her arms, "We go our separate ways".
Aelius scoffed, "Our best chance of survival is to stick together".
"Not a chance", she snarled, "I won't forget you sticking your neck out for my son back there, but you're a soldier of the Legion".
"Not anymore. Please, don't make another mistake", Aelius beseeched her.
"The only mistake I could ever make is to trust you! If you follow us, I will kill you", she warned him, taking the westerly path downhill towards more level ground and away from the cliffs with Gael clinging on to her. There was nothing Aelius could do or say to change her mind. As he watched them walk further and further away from him, worry and fear began to set in. Time was already wasted bickering, time enough for whoever survived to come chasing after them. Aelius carried on south keeping to the rough terrain. Whatever happened to Gael and his mother now was up to her. He hoped that wherever she ended up that she would eventually find peace and recover from her ordeal; but his gut feeling was telling him that this wasn't the last he'd see of them.
