Marcus ventured through the north on his boat, which was difficult due to the rivers being narrow and filled with rocks. However, those were the least of his worries as he discovered the consequences of moving through the Bliss without the help of fire.
He felt like he was choking, like a poison creeping into his body. He looked to the pyres along the way and lit them with fire arrows, which helped tremendously with the effects of the Bliss. One thing was for certain, this was nothing like what he felt on the island with Joseph's bunker.
While he ventured further north, he came across two gates that served as checkpoints on the way to Joseph's sanctuary. He learned, from several notes that were left behind, that the effects of the Bliss were beyond just physical. Marcus found out that people who worked on these gates suffered from nightmares, most likely due to the Bliss.
Besides that, Marcus made a startling discovery. Near the second checkpoint, he saw a figure laying on the ground, devoid of all life. He thought it was just the body of one of the workers for New Eden, but he was beyond wrong. The body was larger than any person he had ever seen, it must have been at least eight feet tall when it was alive.
Not much remained of it, with it being just a skeleton at this point, but he could only wonder what it must have looked like when it was alive. Then he flashed back to a legend he heard of when he was a kid. "This can't be...Bigfoot, can it?" he asked himself, no one around to answer him. Whatever it was, it was certainly giving him the creeps, so he moved on beyond the second gate.
After a long and painful intermission without the warmth of a lit pyre, Marcus finally made it to the final firepit. He unleashed another fire arrow; when it hit the pyre and ignited, the Bliss surrounding him suddenly vanished and found the sun shining above him. He took a deep breath of the fresh, Bliss-free air and he looked to see what was ahead of him. Most noticeable was the remains of a large dam, which was the source of the river that he had just journeyed across. The next thing he noticed was a beautiful pink-leaved tree posing from the opening in the dam's form. The last and perhaps the most important that he saw was a house, similar in architecture to the other New Eden homes. He had made it to Joseph Seed's sanctuary.
"OK, this must be it." Marcus exited the boat and headed up to the house hoping that Joseph Seed was still alive. He had many questions he wanted to ask him.
While Marcus was away his two compatriots Hunter and Carmina were stuck in the New Eden compound until he returns, if he does that is.
Carmina was sitting on a rock watching the New Edeners as they went about their daily lives, she was amazed that they have been doing so well for so long, despite not having the weapons or resources that they have at Prosperity. It seemed to her and Hunter that they have indeed rejected the uses of anything technological, which is impressive with how much they've built with their bare hands.
She watched as children just played around innocently while the adults worked the gardens and cut wood. As she watched the kids, she saw one of them fall onto the ground, scraping his knee in the process. The child, a boy under the age of ten, started to bawl his eyes out and tried to stop the pain by covering his bleeding knee.
Carmina, always wanting to help kids in need, went over to help the little boy. However, Ellie heard the child's cries first and beat her to him. Ellie kneeled in front of the child. "Are you alright, little one?"
The little boy sniffled. "I hurt my knee, Ellie," he said with tears still in his eyes.
"Well, let me take a look," Ellie offered. The boy winced as he moved his leg to show his injured knee to the Chosen. From what she could see, Ellie deduced that it wasn't anything serious. However, she wanted to get some medicine on that before it got infected. "Why don't we go to the healer and see what she can do, ok?" The boy, feeling a little better, smiled and nodded his head.
"I can carry you," Carmina offered. The boy looked to Carmina, an obvious outsider, and hesitated. Carmina picked up on this and assured the boy. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
"But aren't you a sinner?" he asked, and then looked to Ellie for advice on what to say. She remained silent.
But Carmina didn't. "What's your name?" she asked the child.
"Michael," he answered.
"What is a sin?" Carmina asked the child.
This question caught both Michael and Ellie, but Michael answered. "Um, sin is when someone does something bad and can't be forgiven, right?"
Carmina nodded. "That's right," she said. "And what do you think that I've done that's bad?"
That last question confused Michael. "Um...I don't know," he asked honestly.
Carmina took a breath. "Look, Michael. We may be outsiders and we may have different beliefs, but it doesn't mean we're sinners. Sure, we use technology to help us survive, but we don't use it for bad reasons. The real sinners are the Highwaymen, the bandits that came to this place a while ago. They use their resources to crush anyone they want and they don't care about who they hurt in the process. Those at Prosperity, we only want a home to live in, and in peace. We have a common enemy and we need to work together if there's ever going to be peace in Hope County. Understand?"
"I- I think so," Michael answered, feeling a little bit enlightened.
Carmina smiled and opened her arms. "Come on, let's get that scrape looked at."
Even though they had just met, Michael suddenly felt like he could trust Carmina, that she may have been an outsider, but no sinner. He climbed into Carmina's arms and she picked him up, minding the scrape on his knee.
After dropping Michael off at the healer, Carmina and Ellie met outside. "You know, that was pretty enlightening," Ellie said to Carmina.
The Rye daughter looked at her Chosen friend with confusion. "What?"
"What you said to the child," Ellie clarified.
"Oh! That was nothing!" Carmina blushed.
"It certainly wasn't nothing," Ellie assured her. "What you said really made me think of the way that we treat outsiders. How we don't limit the term 'sinner' to only those we know deserve it. You were right. You and your people were only trying to survive, just like we are, although your ways are a little controversial to us. The real sinners are those locusts who are plaguing our lands."
Carmina's eyes widened with hope, hope for peace between the survivors of Prosperity, and those of New Eden when the Highwaymen are defeated and driven out of their home. And also hope for a new friendship between her and Ellie. She seemed like a good person to be around, from what time she and Hunter spent with her she saw that she was nice, caring, stubborn, and not afraid to stand up to others, she was a lot like her in many ways.
"So," Carmina started a new conversation to break the awkward silence. "I know you're all like one big family here, but do you have any blood family, like parents?"
Ellie's eyes went from filled with hope to sadness. "My parents died when I was very young. I hardly remember a thing about them," she answered honestly.
Carmina widened her eyes at what she perceived as a horrible mistake, asking Ellie about her parents. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked you that."
Ellie smiled and waved her hand at Carmina. "No no, it's fine. I don't mind. I've moved on since then. I have the Judge to thank for that. He took me under his wing and has raised me ever since my parents died."
"The...Judge?" Carmina asked curiously.
"Oh, right you and your friends never really met him." Ellie realized. "The Judge is the only one of us who wears a mask, and he covers himself completely."
Carmina thought of anyone who matched the description and remembered the masked individual they met at the gate and stood by Ethan's side when he was giving a speech against them. "Oh yeah, I've seen him around a few times, can you tell a little about him?"
"He's the Father's Shadow, leader of the Chosen, and our best fighter. He's a man of few words but he's loyal, kind, strong, and brave but compared to the others he may be the most loyal and devoted to the Father. I find it an honor to serve with him at his side when we fight the Highwaymen." Carmina noticed a lot of respect that Ellie had when it came to the Judge.
"So, who is he?" Carmina asked curiously.
"Nobody knows, the Judge has stood by Joseph's side since he brought us into the new world, but nobody knows who he is and where he came from. None of us have ever seen his face except for Joseph, he's probably the only one who knows his identity." Ellie explained to the Rye.
"But I don't care who he is, he helped us build our New Eden and I am willing to follow him wherever he goes." Carmina saw how much Ellie cared for the Judge as she talked about him, but she also suddenly noticed her smile fade away into a frown, one of depression and disappointment.
"What's wrong?" Carmina asked.
Ellie sighed then explained to Carmina. "I have a lot of respect for the Judge. He's a great leader, second to only Joseph, our Father." She paused, looking around to see if anyone could hear their conversation. When she was certain they were alone, she continued. "But Ethan's nothing compared to either of them. He's secretive, cold, short-tempered, and manipulative at times. He craves power and recognition for accomplishments that he did not win for us. I only hope your Captain can find Joseph before long. I'm afraid of what Ethan will try to do while they're away."
"What do you mean?" Carmina asked.
"Ethan isn't going to stop till he gets us to see him as the rightful leader of New Eden, the only person who can stop him is Joseph, but the longer he isn't here the more I fear that the people will soon lose faith in Joseph," Ellie explained.
"Well, let's hope the Captain can find Joseph out there and bring him back here before that happens." Carmina hoped.
"Yes," Ellie says, wondering if the Captain was close to the sanctuary by now. "Anyway, how about I show you around?"
Carmina smiled. "Sounds great!"
They got up and Carmina followed Ellie's lead as she began showing her around the Compound.
Marcus opened the flap and walked into the house where he found a man sitting on a log in the middle of the place, muttering to himself. Marcus took a closer look at him and recognized him, it was Joseph Seed 'The Father' the man from his visions on the island, but he looked older and skinnier than when he saw him on the Island. It was him, Marcus didn't doubt it for a second, he was looking at the 'Father' himself. He leaned in closer to hear what he was saying.
"I did everything that I was asked. I sacrificed. Myself, my family. I let us into the new World. I thought it would be glorious. I was wrong." Joseph was silent for a moment before he slowly stood up and turned to face the Captain, his face still shrouded in shadows caused by the roof. "I have waited so long for someone to come. I'd begun to despair."
Marcus wanted to say something, but Joseph stepped forward and reached out, placing his hands on the Captain's shoulders as he examined his face.
"I have seen your face before. God showed it to me in a dream. I knew you would be the one to come and make things right. Set them exactly the way they're supposed to be. I knew that you would bring salvation." Joseph Seed let go of the Captain's shoulders and took a step back.
"I know you've come seeking help. But I can't give any to you, only God can. But he has a plan for you." Joseph stepped back and pointed to a tree that the opening in the shelter gave a clear view of. This tree seemed….different…vibrant purple leaves hung from its branches. Joseph opened the flap to the other side of the house, then gestured for the captain to walk outside.
"Come, walk with me." Joseph requested.
"Alright, lead on." Marcus nodded and proceeded to follow Joseph, as they were walking across a wooden bridge Joseph began explaining his story to the Captain.
"After God's cleansing fire, I saw the journey he had laid before us…and I knew what was required when we set foot on our New Eden. When humanity emerged, I gathered my flock and set them on a new path: a rejection of everything connected to the old world- the creation of a new society, living off the land, taking only what was needed."
"When the harshest years of the dark winter fell, I despaired and in that despair, I found our salvation… this tree. It's a fruit, a gift from God that gave my family the strength to ensure through the famine and pestilence. New Eden thrived. We created a paradise on Earth."
"I've seen your community with my own eyes, it seems like you've created a peaceful paradise for your people." Marcus complimented.
"I did, but it did not last… This plague of locusts saw to that. These… highwaymen embody everything God has instructed us to Forsake. Their souls are rotten. Diseased…But you…you are different. I believe your soul is worthy."
"Worthy of what exactly?" Marcus asked.
"You'll see, child." Joseph brought the Captain to an apple tree at the top of the hill leading to the remains of the Dam, when they were there Joseph walked over to it and gently placed his hands and forehead on the bark of the tree. Gently stroking it with his hands. "This is the help you've been seeking," Joseph stated. "God's gift to us."
"Umm...apples?" Marcus questioned. "Apples...are your gift from God?" What the Captain was hearing right now from Joseph all felt like absolute bullshit to him. Does Joseph seriously believe that these Apples from this tree are what gave him and his people their abilities? But from what he's heard about them they've had to get them from somewhere so this must be it.
Joseph reached out and picked an apple from the tree and held it out in front of Marcus. "God has offered you his gift, our Miracle. I know you have doubts about this, but it is real." Joseph took a few steps toward Marcus then looked down at the apple in his hands. "You see the first time that I partook of this gift, I was confronted by a ravenous beast." Joseph then looked up to the Captain and said. "It was my soul. And in that moment… I knew that in order to be worthy of God's Gift I had to slay that beast. I had to cleanse my soul. Because if I did not I knew that beast would consume me."
Joseph handed the fruit to Marcus and said, "This is God's test. You must cleanse your soul if you wish to help your people."
Marcus reached out and took the apple from Joseph's hands then looked at it for a second he didn't really believe that eating this apple would do anything but after what he'd heard it had to come from somewhere. "Well, I didn't come all this way for nothing." Marcus brought the apple up to his mouth and took a bite out of it. As soon as he tasted it his vision suddenly became red and Joseph moved his head close to his. "Go, kill your beast."
Marcus looked down at his arms seeing that they were smoking like they were on fire only that there was no fire just the smoke. He wanted to think what he was seeing right now was just another hallucination like the ones from the island, but this wasn't, this was real. Marcus looked up at Joseph to say something but before he could, he collapsed onto the ground and his eyes shut into darkness.
As he laid in the blackness, he heard Joseph's voice echoing in his head.
"If you succeed- if your soul is pure, you are the shepherd sent by God… and I can return from my exile. Our miracle allowed us to survive, but its gifts are not unconditional. It nourishes what is in a person's soul. But if that soul is corrupt…the miracle extracts a terrible price." Joseph warned.
Meanwhile back in New Eden at the training pits of the Compound, Hunter watched as the Judge was training a group of Chosen in the use of the bow, by hitting targets that were set up for them.
There were no words spoken from the Judge, but words were not needed when it came to his style of teaching. When it came to him, he made careful and slow movements so that the Chosen-in-training could carefully absorb his lesson.
The Chosen he was training were Leo, Julia, and Scott, they were all around the same age as Ellie, some a little older. They all were young but they all have served New Eden faithfully for many years and were great servants to the 'Father'. Each one of them also had the potential to be great, Chosen.
When the world was reborn and the survivors of Eden's Gate were building their New Eden, some of the survivors of Hope county joined them after seeing that Joseph was right all along. Eventually, people from outside of the Valley began arriving, with their families and friends. While many of these newcomers chose to join the Sinners of Prosperity and help in their plans to build their so-called 'Paradise' some chose to join New Eden's righteous purpose in abandoning the old world along with anything connected to it and embracing a new life of living off the land and taking only what is needed to survive.
Many of the young men and women of New Eden (Including the three the Judge was training) were among the outsiders of Hope County who joined many years ago. A lot of them were either teenagers or children, but they've grown up to be great servants to Joseph Seed. When the time came that new Chosen were needed many members volunteered to be trained. Joseph put his most loyal follower and most skilled fighter, The Judge in charge of training New Eden's newest Chosen, and continues to do so to this very day.
The Judge stood in front of one of the targets to demonstrate to the others how to properly hit a target. He steadied himself into the ground, reached into his quiver, pulling out an arrow, and loading it into his bow.
He looked at his target drowning out any distractions, then raised his bow and released the arrow, the young Chosen all watched the arrow as it flew through the air and hit right in the center of the inner circle. The trainees gossipped between each other, amazed at the Judge's accuracy and precision. He was a real master with a bow, he never missed when it came to a target, still or moving.
"Wow!" Hunter muttered, impressed. Hunter watched as the Judge displayed his skill with a bow and was also very impressed by his accuracy and skill like the Chosen were, he was good with a bow too, but not that good.
The Judge turned his head and saw that one of the outsiders was watching his lesson. He didn't show him any hostility, but he didn't exactly welcome him either. This lesson was made for the eyes of the Chosen only. However, he was willing to make an exception with this outsider, because the Chosen he's training couldn't survive an attack from a hostile bear. Though he had a hand in that situation, the Judge could sense much strength within the boy.
When he saw the kid in the forest with that bear he already lost a lot of blood but was still standing, and even when the bear sent him flying into a tree he was still conscious. Most people would pass out if they were in his position, but not him.
He didn't want to help the boy, but he couldn't live with himself knowing he left a young man to die. When he killed the bear he brought Hunter to the safety of an old and abandoned bunker, but he had lost a lot of blood, however, he was still managing to cling onto a single thread of life. Hunter certainly had a strong will to live, the Judge was impressed with that, it reminded him of someone he used to know so long ago.
If he could, he would take Hunter and train him to be a Chosen, he had the potential to be a great Chosen, but the people of New Eden aren't the kind of people who just try to force their beliefs on others...at least not anymore.
One of the Chosen Leo, stopped gossiping with the other two and looked towards the Judge's direction and noticed the outsider observing them. "What are you looking at Sinner?"
"Nothing, I'm just observing" Hunter replied.
The other two Chosen, Julia, and Scott looked at Hunter with displeased looks, none of them liked having sinners in their home but Ethan said that the outsiders in their community were not to be harmed. Because Ethan was the leader, they had to obey but that didn't mean they had to like it.
"You have no place here Sinner, these lessons the Judge is teaching us aren't meant for you." Scott spat.
Hunter scoffed at Scott's words and took a few steps forward. "Please, I know how to use a bow. I've been using them since I was little,"
Julia noticed that the bow that was slung over Hunter's chest was one of the bows that were used by the Chosen of New Eden. "You have one of our bows, sinner. Where did you get that?" She demanded to know.
"Oh, this? It was given to me by one of you when I helped retake your Flame." Hunter answered, glancing at his bow.
There was a brief pause among the Chosen, they each glanced at each other with surprised looks, then they turned their attention back to the young archer.
"Well, if you are as good with a bow as you say you are, then why don't you demonstrate to us what you can do with that bow, boy," Scott suggested.
Hunter looked to the young man that made the comment and saw that the other two all agreed with him. The Judge looked at Hunter and gave a nod of agreement.
"Yes, outsider," Leo agreed. "Let us see how you handle that weapon. However, if you mess up don't feel bad. If it makes you feel any better, you cannot be any worse than those savage locusts when it comes to using a bow." The other Chosen laughed at that last part, but the Judge let out an annoyed grunt and looked at them, crossing his arms.
Hunter turned his attention to the Chosen, Leo, the one who just made that insult and growled at him in anger, he didn't like to be laughed at, or have his skills insulted. He wanted to prove to them that he was just as good with a bow as any of these trainees. And also to impress the Judge, if possible. He looked at the target which was up against the wall of the compound. It was at least twenty yards away. Hunter took out his newly acquired bow from the Flame of Eden mission and readied an arrow. He focused on the bullseye, aiming for a spot right next to the center, where the Judge had already fired an arrow into.
Hunter released the string on his bow and let the arrow fly free, but he missed his target, his arrow flew into the second most inner ring. Not a bad accomplishment, but it wasn't what he had in mind. The bow he was using wasn't the kind he was used to, but it wasn't affecting his skill by much. All he needed was some practice and time to adjust to his new bow.
Scott scoffed at Hunter's accuracy. "Not bad Sinner, but not exactly Chosen material," he critiqued. The other two Chosen agreed with him.
"I can do better," Hunter assured, as he readied another arrow. He focused on his preferred target, the center of the bull's eye. He took a slow, deep breath and released the arrow, which hit the center of the bull's eye, only a couple of centimeters above where the Judge had hit.
Now the Chosen were impressed with his skill. They didn't expect to see such accuracy from an outsider.
Leo approached Hunter, holding out a Highwayman helmet. "Hitting a stationary target is all well and good, but how will you fare against a target that's moving at speed?" he challenged.
Hunter smirked at the opportunity to prove himself. He had hit moving targets before, whether it be animals or Highwaymen. Half the time when he killed his targets they were running, making it harder to hit them, but he was always good at killing running targets, years of hunting and practicing is what made him as good as he already is.
"Try me," Hunter challenged, he pulled out another arrow, loaded it into his bow, and aimed up into the sky.
"Very well," Leo threw the helmet up into the air as high as he could.
As soon as the helmet was in the air, Hunter focused his aim on it, he held his breath to aim carefully. The helmet was in his sight, so he released his arrow and watched quickly as it flew in its direction. His arrow hit clean through the left visor on the helmet then it fell onto the ground.
The three young Chosen all looked at Hunter, they were all impressed with his skill even further. He just managed to hit a target in the sky hitting it directly in the eye visor, though he tried to hit the center, it was still impressive nonetheless. These Chosen deeply underestimated Hunter's skill in the use of a bow.
Scott scoffed yet again, despite being shocked by how good Hunter was with a bow and arrow, much better than any outsider he has ever seen as of late. "Not bad, for an outsider," he said in somewhat of an insulting way.
Hunter's smile from hitting the moving target melted away from feeling the hostility from the Chosen recruits. "And what's so bad about being an outsider?" he asked in a challenging tone.
The other Chosen were put off by this question. Julie was the first to answer. "You people cling to sinful objects, things that will not help you in the end. Those things are what led to the Collapse in the first place. It is why we have the Flame of Eden, to burn that sin from the land we love."
Hunter thought of what to say, and he remembered something he thought of many times over before the Captain and his people came to Hope County. The number of survivors that lived through the collapse was very low, to begin with in Hope County, especially after what happened with the Project at Eden's Gate before the bombs fell. The sum of people from New Eden and the people of Prosperity didn't seem to add up. It was too great a sum. Over the years people from across the country and beyond came to Hope County for its resources, many of them setting up home at or around Prosperity, but it still did not add up. Then, a lightbulb started to shine in his head and he came up with a conclusion, one that clashed with New Eden's views on outsiders.
"Wait a minute," Hunter said. "You guys have taken in outsiders before, haven't you?" he asked. They didn't even need to answer him, their shock and the color leaving their faces was proof enough. "I didn't take you guys for providing food and shelter for those who you deemed as sinners."
Leo growled at Hunter's accusations. "You have no right to make accusations like that at us sinner. Besides it's different, the outsiders who joined us were willing to forsake anything connected to the Old World and welcome in our New World of living off the land and taking only what is needed."
Hunter nodded at what he said. "Ok, but even you have to admit that not all outsiders are beyond redemption and not all of them are bad. Despite what your people did to mine before the Collapse, we left you alone, which means there's still hope for us. And I believe that there's still hope for you, to help us as we can help you. There's a common enemy out there and they won't stop until all of us are dead. You can at least admit that those at Prosperity are not as bad as the Highwaymen are."
When Hunter finished his sentence, the Chosen students took in his argument. He made it clear that he was no ordinary outsider and that his views on an alliance between the Survivors of Prosperity and the people of New Eden made them fill up with opportunity in a way. As for the Judge, he was sitting on the sidelines, listening to every word. He was impressed by the young man's ability to debate on their issues and beliefs. Perhaps he and his friends can change New Eden's views on outsiders, or at the very least bring back the Father.
Who knows what Ethan would do if he had more power in his grasp, the longer Joseph is away the more likely that his followers will join Ethan.
Ethan already held a great amount of power over New Eden because he was Joseph's son, even though he may be Joseph's son that didn't mean he was New Eden's heir. Leadership is earned, not given, and those who abuse their power aren't true leaders, they're just power-hungry individuals.
After a terrible dream of fighting a horrible monstrous bear, with Josephs voice echoing in his head as he did it, Marcus awoke to see the father standing over him, the bright morning sun shined above him in his eyes, he raised his hand and covered his eyes from the sun's rays. Joseph pointed his finger down at the captain.
"You will be the shepherd of my people," Joseph said then reached his hand out to help him up, Marcus took his hand and got up off the ground. "How do you feel?"
"I…I feel…different, great actually." Marcus stuttered out, his entire body felt like it's just been shot up with a shit ton of adrenaline, and that he could run for hours and not get tired at all. It was like he was more than human now and more powerful.
"I feel…stronger." He did feel stronger and it also felt like his senses were enhanced as well. Joseph was right about the apples from that tree, they were special after all. With the power that was just given to him, the Highwaymen won't be ready for what's to come.
"Good, God's gift will be with you when you need it, use it well," Joseph said.
"I will," Marcus promised Joseph.
"Come with me to New Eden." Joseph requested.
"Alright, let's go," The Captain headed down to the boat he came here in with Joseph following behind him. They got into the boat and when they were both in Marcus started the boat's engine and departed for New Eden with the Father.
After the long boat ride back, Marcus and Joseph Seed arrived in New Eden. They walked to the leader's hut where they gathered listening to Ethan as he was giving a speech in another attempt to get the people to see him as their leader. But with Joseph here now Ethan won't stand a chance at gaining their trust. Carmina, Hunter, and the young chosen Ellie were among the people listening to Ethan's speech, and they just watched, none of them buying into any of Ethan's nonsense.
"... our future depends on adherence to my strictures. We cannot rely on Joseph to save us. He is not coming back. We must put him out of our minds and…and…Father?" Ethan paused as he saw his father standing behind the crowd staring directly at him with the captain standing by his side.
"Ethan." Everyone turned their heads and realized their true leader had returned.
"Father?"
"The Father…"
Joseph walked through the crowd up to the shocked Ethan, placing his hands on some of the people with pride as he walked past them.
The Old Seed stopped in front of the Judge, who still stood where he was, Joseph placed his hands on the edges of his mask and moved his head towards his. Both heads touched each other for a second, then Joseph released the Judge and gave a single smile at him.
Joseph then continued walking towards his son Ethan who was still shocked to see him. "Father, where have you been? Our land is under siege. Our people threatened. You disappeared. You left us when we needed you most. Why?" Ethan questioned.
Joseph walked up in front of his son and placed his hands on Ethan's face.
"To hear God's plan, my son. To hear God's plan." Joseph said simply before turning to address his people who stood in awe at his presence. "My children. I know that you have suffered. And I know that you are afraid. I have been gone from you for a very long time. But you have not been abandoned. God spoke to me. And he has shown me a path out of this darkness. We will no longer hide behind these walls… we will no longer hope that this plague of locusts leaves us in peace. The time to fight is now. And God has sent us his sword." Joseph preached to his followers.
"Here!" Joseph declared, pointing at the Captain. Joseph walked down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"God has tested his soul and it is just and it is pure. And I stand here before you to bear witness that this outsider is our shepherd." Joseph preached to the people.
"Father…" Ethan said, as though hoping to silence the words that came out of Joseph's mouth.
"And together we will battle against the hordes outside our gates…and together we will march towards the future that God has promised us," Joseph said.
"No!" Ethan yelled out, getting the people's attention. "You abandoned me. You abandoned us. Without a word, without instructions. Leaving me to lead as best I could. And now, now. You return as if descended from the clouds and presume to lead?"
"Yes!" A woman said, everyone in the crowd all agreed with that statement.
"I am the leader here!" Ethan yelled out, pointing a finger at himself.
"Joseph is our leader!" A man stated proudly.
"New Eden follows ME!" Ethan yelled, going down the steps in a hurry to stand in front of the people.
"We stand behind the Father!" The people of New Eden were against Ethan, with Joseph now back with his people they will never stand with him now.
"Son," Joseph said, placing his hand on his son's shoulder. "I know that you have carried a heavy burden in my absence. I understand that. This is God's will. And sometimes we must sacrifice that which we want, in order to honor God's command,"
"What have you ever sacrificed?" Ethan asked bitterly.
"Someday you will see the light. I promise." Ethan stormed off in anger but nobody seemed to care though their attention was currently focused on Joseph Seed. He turned his attention back to his people and said to them. "Come, let us all go together. We have much to do." Joseph then walked off with the people of New Eden following behind him.
When Joseph was gone the teens approached the Captain with Ellie in the front.
"You've done it…Marcus, you've brought Joseph, our father back to us, you really are our shepherd," Ellie said, joyously.
"Goddamnit man, you did it, you fuckin' did it, I knew you would!" Hunter exclaimed. "I had faith you'd succeed and it's great to see it hasn't let me down."
Ellie smiled and said proudly. "Nobody will forget what you've done for us today, you have our gratitude, and if our paths ever cross again, I will be glad to fight by your side." Ellie pledged.
"The same for you," Marcus said.
Ellie nodded in appreciation then turned to follow Joseph and the others, leaving Marcus and the Teens alone.
Carmina then turned back to Marcus and without any heads up, she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad you're back Marcus, I was getting worried that something may have happened to you out there," Carmina said.
"Don't worry Carmina, I managed to get to Joseph and back here in one piece," Marcus reassured the young Rye. "I told you I would be fine, and I kept my word."
Carmina released her hold on the captain and Hunter spoke.
"So, what do we do now?" Hunter asked.
"We wait," Marcus answered.
"Aright, you have some things that need to be explained," Hunter stated and Carmina nodded in agreement.
After Joseph's speech to his family, he talked with the Judge and Chosen on how they must summon the strength in them to fight the Highwaymen not just in the night-time anymore but now in the day-time as well, none of them objected against Joseph wishes, nor should they.
When the meeting was over the chosen left, the Judge was following behind them but Joseph stopped him before he could leave.
"Wait a moment, my child," Joseph requested. "There's something I must discuss with you,"
The Judge nodded in response and turned around to face the Father. Joseph took a few steps towards him and placed his hands on his shoulders. "My child, I'm proud of you for looking after Ethan while I was in exile, it must not have been an easy thing to do, but I'm proud nonetheless, and I also know of what Ethan has been doing to you," Joseph said.
"I assure you that Ethan will face consequences for his actions my son, and I will ensure that Ethan will never inflict the pain he has been inflicting on you ever again," Joseph reassured his adopted son.
The Judge responded by letting out a grunt and nodding at Joseph. It felt good having Joseph Seed back in New Eden, it meant that he no longer had to obey Ethan which was a huge relief. All Ethan has done to him in the Father's time away was treat him like a weapon, subject him to psychological torture, and erase bits of his mind with Jacob's music box. After everything he has done for Ethan growing up: Raising him, protecting him whenever Joseph couldn't, even teaching him how to use a bow to defend himself, he repaid that kindness with torture and threatening to destroy all he held dear to him.
Ethan told him that he saw him as more of a father to him than Joseph, but it didn't feel that way anymore. To him, it just felt like Ethan saw him more as an obedient killer at his beck and call, who he can simply punish with physical or psychological torture when he disobeys. He reminded the Judge more of John or Jacob more than Joseph, which was not a good thing. Even Joseph had to admit that their ways had no justification. Despite having the blessing from Joseph to do things how they see fit in their regions of Hope County, they did things in their own corrupted ways, tainted by their own sins. Perhaps they did have the best interests in mind at some point, but they took things too far.
All of the sudden, the Judge's head was filled with the flashbacks of his time as a deputy. The good and the bad. First, he saw what the Seed siblings put him through: the brainwashing and murder of Eli Palmer, the Bliss and the death of Virgil and Burke, and the savage "atonement" of Nick Rye.
The simple thought of Nick formed other, more positive memories in his head. He remembered that he didn't have many friends before the Eden's Gate incident, but Nick Rye was someone he could call a friend no matter the situation. Ever since he met the pilot, getting his plane back from John, he knew he could trust Nick with his life. The Rye was like a brother to him, and that bond only got stronger when Carmina was born, making him a godfather. That day was one of many memories of his old life that he held on to, it was a certainly eventful day, but a day that he would want to do over again.
He remembered he was driving through the valley to the birthing center while Nick tried to comfort his wife in the backseat, but doing a bad job at it. In the end, he got Kim and Nick to the midwife in time, then a few hours later they came out with their newborn daughter, Carmina. When he first laid his eyes on little Carmina, he swore that he would protect her and never let anything happen to her. It was a promise he failed to keep, then memories of his failures began filling his head. Not wanting to think about the past anymore he pushed the memories away and returned his focus back to Joseph.
Joseph looked at his Judge and his comforting face turned to one of sympathy, it wasn't hard for him to figure out what he was thinking about even though his face was completely covered. The former deputy was remembering his past, the friends he made, the one's he's lost, etc. Joseph placed his arms on his adopted son's shoulders and placed his forehead on the wood of the Judge's wooden mask, closing his eyes.
"I know child, the past is a difficult thing to let go of, that's what I need to speak to you about," Joseph said, then lowered his hands and took a few steps back to look at him. "While I was away, God has spoken to me again, the Locust in the gardens of Eden will grow stronger and the Shepherd won't be able to fight them alone. So I have decided to send you with him to aid him and his people in their fight."
The Judge grunted in surprise, he was taken aback by Joseph's request. It wasn't his duty to aid or protect the sinners, he only protected New Eden and the Father. "Father-I-protect-New-Eden-not-protect-sinners," the Judge spoke, taking a brief pause before the next word.
"God's plan is unfolding before us, child and we must ensure that his plan plays out perfectly. The Captain may be God's Sword but he is not invincible, and it will bring me some relief knowing that I have my Judge out there helping in his fight." Joseph said.
"I-protect-New-Eden-protect-you," The Judge stated, pointing his finger right at Joseph. "Ethan -wants-you-gone-must-stay-to-protect-Father."
"My child, I appreciate your loyalty and concern for my life, but the future of New Eden is more important. And don't worry about Ethan, I'll watch over him." Joseph reassured the Judge.
The Judge wanted to argue against leaving New Eden, the place he swore to protect with his life undefended, but he wouldn't dare defy Joseph. Defying Joseph never had a good outcome he knew that from experience. If Joseph believes it's better for him to use his skills in helping the Captain and his followers in their fight then he would obey.
"Very-well-Father." The Judge complied, bowing his head in obedience.
"Raise your head child, I am not done yet, there's also something else you need to know." Joseph instructed.
The Judge raised his head back up, facing Joseph waiting to hear what he had to tell him. "You have been a great son and an even better leader in fighting the locust, and for that God has decided to bless you with a reward."
The Judge grunted in surprise once more, then let out a single word. "What?"
"God has decided to reward you for your service to New Eden, but I do not know what his reward is when you will receive it, but I have faith that in time you will know it when you see it." Joseph said then got back down to business. "Now come, we must talk with the shepherd."
An hour has passed since Joseph has returned from his exile. The people of New Eden were in much higher spirits now that he was back, readying their weapons and pet cougars to attack the Highwaymen in the day as well as in the night. Aside from Ethan, everyone was relieved from hearing orders given from Joseph, though they were skeptical about an outsider being their shepherd after Joseph passes. No one longs for that day, but they had to admit that Joseph was wise. He was right about the Collapse, so perhaps he was right about the Captain.
The Captain and the teens all sat in a hut that they were placed in to wait until Joseph called for them, at that time they just talked amongst themselves. Marcus explained to Carmina and Hunter about what happened while he was out in the North. He told them about the hallucinations, poisoning and finally making it to Joseph only to receive an apple that was the source of their strength. Another thing he told them is that Joseph believes that he is meant to be Shepherd of New Eden.
"Really?" Carmina asked. "The way to fight the Highwaymen are magic apples?" Her shock was equal to her curiosity. Carmina always wondered what the northern region of Hope County was like. Her mom and dad said that before the Collapse, there was a national park in the Whitetail mountains, very spacious and peaceful. That is until Eden's Gate turned it into a warzone. After the bombs fell, most of the north was uninhabitable due to the radiation. Now, according to Marcus, Joseph built a sanctuary near the old dam, where a large tree grew, sprouting fruit with the ability to give powers to whoever eats it. However, that power can only be accessible to those who are "worthy" of it, according to Marcus and Joseph.
Hunter was less curious and more skeptical than Carmina about what he had just been told. "I mean, I knew it was something that they had to make them strong, but magical fruit? Seems a little far-fetched, don't you think?" he suggested. "And what does Joseph mean that you'll be the Shepherd of his people? He wants you to take his place?"
Marcus sighed. "Joseph believes that he speaks to God, and that God told him that I would be worthy of this miracle. And when he's gone, I would be the leader of New Eden," he explained, hoping that the two teens would make sense of this so-called prophecy.
"And you believe that?" Hunter asked.
Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "To be honest, I don't know what to believe," he answered honestly. "What I do know for certain is that this power he's talking about is real. I hope I don't have to use it, but with the Highwaymen still out there, who knows what it will come to?"
Hunter wanted to say something but before he could Ellie came in and walked up to the Captain. "The Father wishes to speak with you," she said, ushering haste.
"Alright," Marcus nodded, he got up from where he was sitting and began following Ellie to Joseph, with Carminqa and Hunter following behind. Joseph was standing in front of a tent with the Judge standing right beside him with his arms crossed. "You wanted to see me, Joseph?" he questioned.
Joseph nodded his head. "Yes, there are some things we must discuss right now."
"Already my chosen fight the Highwaymen throughout the long nights, now they must find the strength to fight in the day, as well," Joseph informed the Captain. "Your people should make good use of the distraction and act quickly. My family cannot fight forever." Joseph said.
"Don't worry Joseph, we will," Hunter said.
"Remember God's gift. What you have experienced is just a taste of God's power. Do not waste it." Joseph said.
"Don't worry I won't, I'll put what you have given me to good use and only use it when needed," Marcus reassured Joseph.
"There is one more thing, with the Flame restored and the casualties the Highwaymen have been sustaining as of late, they will most likely strike harder against your people, so I've decided to give leave for my Judge to follow you," Joseph said.
The three outsiders widened their eyes at the news that Joseph had just given them. They weren't sure of what to make of this. According to Ellie, the Judge was a man that can be trustworthy but keeps to himself mostly. Hunter, however, felt more at ease than Marcus and Carmina, as they have a history together.
Marcus was the first to speak after the news. "I appreciate the help, Joseph. I'm sure we can make use of a man with his skill."
Hunter smiled at the opportunity to fight with another skilled bowman. "He's the one who trains the Chosen. I've seen what they can do. I can't wait to see what he's made of!" he said enthusiastically. Carmina nodded, sharing Hunter's welcoming spirit.
Ellie overheard that the Judge will be going with the outsiders, grew envious of the Judge's position. She had just gotten to know Carmina and Hunter, as well as the Captain. She would love to continue to know about them and their ways. She walked up to the group. "Father, I overheard what you were talking about. With your permission, I would like to join the Judge and these people in their struggle to fight the locusts." She bowed her head in respect to the Father.
Joseph smiled, impressed at the young woman's desire to help out the prophet and his friends. "Well, trying to separate you and the Judge has always been a difficult thing. Very well. Now go, all of you. Bring peace to what is left of this county. And remember, you will have the blessing of God with you."
A moment later, the three outsiders, the Judge, and a Chosen left the walls of New Eden to bring peace to the valley and avenge all the harm that the Highwaymen had caused.
Another Chapter of the New Dawn concluded, I really hope all you readers out there like it. This might be the longest chapter I've ever written. I wanted to include the Dream of fighting the monster bear, but it was too hard for me to write so I chose not to.
Please don't forget to leave a review, I really appreciate to hear your opinions on my story, even if they're good or bad. Also, I would really love to hear any ideas that anybody has.
Again, I would like to give another shout out to Fairytail96 for helping me with this chapter too.