Of all the Seed Family, there was one that stood out to her. While Jacob may not have had Joseph's divine foresight, or Faith's loyalty, or John's unbreakable enthusiasm, he was certainly the most intimidating out of all the Seed family members.
She'd heard that the Seeds had initially come out of nowhere, all smiles, all promises, pockets full of cash and seemingly appearing as good neighbours; oddly-devout neighbours, but good neighbours all the same. It didn't take long for them to sprout their roots into Hope County, sucking it dry of everything. The Seeds snapped it all up; ranches, farms, radio and gas stations, it wasn't long before they had the very cops of Hope County eating out the palm of Joseph's hand.
Anyone who joined the cult had their reasons: desperation, intrigue, or even understanding the words that Joseph Seed preached. It all ended similarly for them, with torture under the name of 'atonement', and then reaching 'purification'. If any individual failed, they were never seen again. It was haunting, witnessing the faces of people on missing person's posters, the very same faces of people you'd seen only a day before, until they had vanished without a trace. The only time they were heard of again, was in whispers.
The Cult had a way of taking, it took the food, water, weapons, and anyone who dared stand up to them. But worse of all, they took people. They took them in, and destroyed their identities. The followers of Eden's Gate had lost any sense of self, any individuality, one of the first things that took place when one joined – regardless of consent – the masses of Joseph's congregation, was their name. You were no longer you, instead you were another brother or sister, only recognisable by the biblical names that were assigned: Adam, Charity, Gabriel, Eve, Seth, Hope.
And after all its kidnapping, torturing, stealing and killing, it felt right that someone finally knocked them down a peg or two.
XXX
"That Deputy is becoming a menace!", John slammed his fist on the table. No one jumped of course, they were all used to John's unpredictable and often violent outbursts. It was rare for them to meet like this; only the direst of reasons could call the four pillars of Eden's Gate together for council, which was taking place on Joseph's fortified compound – the very heart of The Project.
"She's gone too far this time! I've had enough of that interfering little Jezebel, she's taken back my town, rescued those next in line for baptism, and now-", from across the table, Joseph's eyes darted towards Jacob, who in return gave his brother a smirk, "-She's stolen the Rye plane!", John finished his tirade by throwing down his personal copy of Joseph's word. "Out from under my nose, no less". Jacob rolled his eyes; it was common for John to get pissed off and take every grievance personally.
Joseph pushed his yellow-tinted glasses up the bridge of his nose tiredly. "John, your concern is understandable. But we cannot strike her as of just yet. We still do not know of her whereabouts-".
"Bullshit! I know those sinners at Fall's End are harbouring her. If only I had my plane back, I would personally empty every explosive on that disgusting little community-".
"That would end in senseless killing, brother. Remember your sin", Joseph's blue eyes flashed at John, putting him back into his place. John slunk away into his chair, sulking as he usually did. Joseph looked to Faith for input, who stared up at her three adoptive brothers with huge, pale-green eyes. Jacob chuckled, if he didn't know her true nature, he himself would've fallen for her impressive guise of innocence.
"I tried to sway her with Bliss, but it had little effect. She's too stubborn, she flat-out refuses to listen to reason, Father", Faith purred at Joseph. "This Jezebel is a lost cause, she's too strong-willed to become one of my Angels". As if on que, one of the drugged slaves stepped into the room, shakily carrying a glass of water. Faith smiled encouragingly as it managed to put the glass down without dropping it, staring at Faith for praise. She rewarded her minion with blowing a bliss-kiss; the cloud of perfumed drug settled around the Angel's head like a halo, turning its eyes back to the usual zoned-out milk-white colour as it stepped out again to join the ranks.
Jacob moved out of its way, nose wrinkling in disgust. He despised the Angels; their empty bald heads and unquestioning obedience wasn't how he'd prefer to run things in Eden's Gate. If he was able to give the orders, Bliss would cease to exist entirely. There was no right in drugging soldiers out of their minds when they could be inspired instead. Back when he was in the wars, he and his fellow men were ecstatic before their first fight, for the chance to serve their country with honour. Before they were being shot in the street like dogs, at least. But then again, he wasn't in charge of Eden's Gate. And he and Joseph had already had this discussion. "Not everyone is ready to accept the truth of our cause, brother. We must resort to the bliss when they resist. But I promise, when the very mention of our names is enough to cause the lambs to see the truth about our crusade, the bliss will be gone for good", had been Joseph's words of wisdom. Ever the peacekeeper.
Jacob rose from his seat in shadows, moving from his position to pace in the darkness, away from the dimly lit table. He went ignored by the rest of the Seeds, they only paid attention to him when he spoke, which was rare. Joseph noticed him this time.
"Maybe she'll have to be processed thoroughly, by someone more experienced", the middle Seed nodded towards his older brother, acknowledging him for a change.
"Fine", John threw his hands up in the hair, admitting defeat in the argument. "I won't harvest her soul, but since she's the biggest locust in my area of our garden, it seems only fair I should be the one to punish her".
"We need her alive, John. You'd do well to remember that she will be invaluable to our cause, once she sees the light". Joseph sipped from his cup thoughtfully. John reluctantly bowed his head, but his eyes still stung with the same spark of violence he always carried about him.
"Why do we need to recruit her, again?".
Joseph let out a long sigh, closing his eyes tiredly. Faith leaned forward in interest, holding in her breath as she waited for the news.
"That Deputy may be one person, but so far, she's been the most interfering member of the Resistance, and the only thing that stands in our way from fully taking control of the flock. She is their chosen figurehead for rebellion, but she is not a lost soul", he explained, taking off his glasses and cleaning them on his lapel. "Once she sees the light – and I'm sure she will come to understand His voice – we will shape her into the most devout member, and the resistance's leading fighter will be lost. They will have no choice but to turn to us, and let the light of God into their hearts".
"Very well", Faith nodded, fluttering her eyelashes. "I look forward to welcoming my new sister with open arms". John still seethed, but Jacob could see the anger leave his face, surrendering to obey Joseph's command. John was always a pushover, when it came to Joseph.
"Of course, brother. God's infinite wisdom is definitely shining through you. I will leave her be for now", he relented, gazing at The Father with admiration. "But when I finally get my hands on her-", he rose dramatically from the table, a sickeningly sadistic smile on his smug face. "-I'll teach her a holy lesson she won't forget".
Jacob turned away, hiding his smug expression in the shadows. He wouldn't deny it, he was more impressed than annoyed that one woman had managed to undermine an operation that was years in the making, after only a few short months.
"All this fuss for one officer", he spoke his thoughts aloud to the room. He faced the other three heralds, who were all staring at him intently. Joseph leaned back, a small pleased smile spreading over his features.
"Indeed, brother. Indeed"
XXX
Author's Notes:
Sooo welcome! This the start of my very first Far Cry 5 fanfic!
Honestly, since coronavirus lockdown my family has got a PlayStation4 to help us stay sane during quarantine and I finally got to buy this game. I had seen gameplay of it when it came out in 2018 and loved it but honestly thought I'd never get to play it myself :c
Now, I've beaten the game roughly 5 times and that was twice on insanity mode so I'd like to think I'm a pro at both gameplay and lore at this point xD
I honestly love the game for a number of reasons, while I understand that it's a work of fiction that tells a pretty dark story and although it's not by far perfect, it's a game I find amazing and love to play over and over. This story had been playing in my mind for a long time although I hadn't gotten round to writing it until recently, so now I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I do ^^
Stay safe,
Enchanted Mask
XoXo