Hey guys UltimateMetroMan here with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait but I've been busy. Anyways, I want to give you a heads up on this chapter as it will be a bit more graphic. You've been warned!

3 years ago

Nikolai had finally made it to Rostov. A long and arduous journey he finally made it to safety. Currently, the young stalker was sitting in a stool getting drunk off his mind. He did not remember how much time had passed or how much he had spent but at this point, he really didn't care for such trivialities. He huffed softly as he help that cross in his hand. If what his father believed was true then he hoped he was in gods grace.

Nikolai heard someone take a seat next to him. He lazily turned his head to see a familiar face. That girl Tanya had decided to sit next to him? Didn't seem like the right time.

"You look like shit" she simply said.

"Tell me something I don't know" he slurred out.

"I take it... You found him." She said hesitantly.

"Yup! Well, at least what was left of him" he said waving his glass.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she said softly putting her hand on his back.

"It is what it is," he said drinking more. He went to pour another one before Tanya snatched the bottle from his hands. "What the fuck!?"

"So you're going to drink yourself into a coma?" She snorted. Nikolai jumped to his feet barely being able to keep his balance.

"So... So what if I do..." He said stumbling towards her. She let out a hearty laugh as she grinned.

"Your sorry ass can't do anything in your state" she mused.

"W-what? I can take a midget as yourself any day of the week." He said trying to get the bottle back. He failed to notice though that her smile was replaced with a glare. In one swift motion, she threw him over her shoulder.

He hit the ground with a loud thud. The whole ordeal had moved his stomach too much for him to handle. He laid sideways on the ground vomiting whatever he had in his stomach. A duty soldier walked in and saw the sorry mess.

Captain Ivantsov kneeled next to him as he continued to puke his guts out.

"What the fuck happened to you kid?" He asked sadly.

"He found his dad," Tanya said. "He was dead." She was angry but at the same time, she felt pity for him.

"Poor bastard," he said. "And this mess... Don't think I can let it past. Maybe a night in the brig will help him." Ivantsov said.

"Wait" Tanya quickly butted in. "I can take care of him. I don't think a night in the brig will do him any favors. Ivantsov thought about it for a second and sighed.

"If you can keep him from making more problems go ahead. But if things get out of hand you both are going to the brig." He warned. Tanya quickly nodded as she helped up the semi-conscious Nikolai to his feet. She slowly walked away somehow holding the weight of the drunken stalker.

After they left Ivantsov groaned rubbing his temple. "You sure left a difficult kid behind Tomas." He said to no one in particular.

Nikolai woke up with a killer headache. He groaned as he turned. He was in a room that looked familiar. He quickly fell on the ground with a loud thud. "Fuuuuck" he heard soft footsteps walking towards the room. He turned his head and saw a familiar figure. It was Tanya her hair flowing down her back. She was wearing an oversized shirt and some shorts.

"Good morning sleeping beauty" she snorted. "Had fun yesterday?"

"Ughh? What happened?" He asked as he stumbled back on his feet.

"You got drunk, called me a midget so I knocked you down and you vomited all over the floor at the bar." She said calmly. Nikolai reached to his head and groaned. He had made a fool of himself and not only that but now his head was killing him.

"Fuck me," he said leaning against the door.

"No I think I'll pass" she snickered. "Here take this," she said handing him a mug. It was definitely coffee. He drank it as he felt slightly better.

"Thanks."

"No problem consider it a thank you for helping me last time." She said giving him a bright smile. "So what are you planning now?" He sat on the bed rubbing his temple. He really had no plan at all maybe just leave the zone. Or just take up random jobs.

"Dunno."

"Huh guessed as much. Wanna tag along for some errands?" She asked leaning against the doorframe.

"Is that your idea of a date?" He asked reminding her of their last encounter.

"Hah good try but you will need more than that to get this ass," she said laughing.

"Eh I like the challenge," he said chuckling.

"Good. Then put on your big boy pants on and get ready we leave in 10" she said as Nikolai looked at her confused.

"What you thought you could rest?" She asked sarcastically. "No rest for the wicked. Now get your ass off the bed and move it" she said in a mocking tone.

"Aye aye captain" he retorted. A smile on his face. Maybe... Just maybe things were going to get better.

Present-day

Nikolai got ready. He wasn't going to use the Exo. That would slow him down. He put on his normal stalker outfit and checked his guns. He was taking the Vitorez, the Kalashnikov, and revolver with his bayonets just in case. He knew where they were now it was all in how he approached this hit.

He was in his room getting ready when he heard his door opening. He saw Rem standing there almost waiting for him to say something. He quickly realized what was happening and turned to her.

"No," he said calmly.

"What?" She asked confused.

"You're not coming." He said, "and that's final."

"Rem can't let you go alone," she said.

"Well, you will. As much as I appreciate the sentiment bringing a flail to a gunfight is going to get you killed." He said remembering seeing her get shot. It wouldn't happen again, he wouldn't let it happen.

"If Rem must die then so-" before she could finish Nikolai gave her a slap. Glaring daggers at her which actually made her stagger a bit.

"Do not talk as if you're life is not worth it. Look I don't know why you think you are inferior and shit but you aren't. Your life is as valuable as everyone else." He said putting a magazine inside his Kalashnikov. Rem stood there in shock looking at the man. He... Why wasn't he letting her help? Was she that useless?

"R- I want to help." She said defiantly.

"Then help me by living. Help me by protecting the mansion." He said turning to her. "This thing is between Monolith and I. I don't want anyone else getting caught in the crossfire." He sighed for a second and softly stroke her cheek.

"I'm sorry about the slap..." He said softly. "But you really need to understand that you are all important. The best thing you can do is promise me something." He said taking a deep breath.

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"Give me a bright smile when I'm back okay? I told you. I have not come this far to die now." He said giving her a bright smile. He saw as tears swelled up in her eyes as she gave him one right now.

"I-I will," she said.

"Thanks... I think I already feel more powerful" Nikolai said laughing softly. He went to say his farewell to Emilia. He met her in the hall she looked worried. Quickly Nikolai gave her a smile and patted her head.

"Please let us help you."

"No Emilia. Remember? I'm your knight I have to protect you." Nikolai said.

"Why must you always get hurt for me?" She asked softly.

"Kinda comes with the territory." He said laughing. "I'll be back I promise."

"I-I order you to come back safe!" Emilia said. Nikolai raised his brow but smiled warmly at her.

"Aye aye. I will" he said he walked closer and gave her a hug. "You worry too much Emilia, I'll be back. I promise." Nikolai said his farewells. He needed to go back to his room to pick up a few more items before heading out. Some explosives could prove beneficial. He walked in and realized something. This wasn't his room. He was back in the library.

Nikolai had been taken with increasing frequency to the library. It seemed that this occurrence was deliberate. He would have understood a few times but they were happening too often. Nikolai found Beatrice in a familiar position, looking at the door. A book in her hand almost as if waiting for someone.

He found it a bit sad how she sat looking at the door. Even if she tried hiding it she looked alone. Nikolai had decided to let her be most times and just wait for her to talk to him. She never did, seemingly conflicted and so he excused himself out.

Yet again Beatrice sat there. Her eyes on her book but seemingly uncomfortable. Nikolai let out a sigh. She really should just say it. Nikolai grabbed a chair and sat in front of her.

"Okay, Beatrice I know you'd like to say something. Go ahead" Nikolai said calmly.

"What are you prattling about? I suppose" she said. Though her words expressed a lack of knowledge about what he was talking about her face made it clear she was lying.

"You're bad at lying Beatrice," Nikolai said sarcastically. "I do know you've been bringing me here on purpose. Why? I do not know, but It'd like to." She looked hesitantly slowly trying to find the correct words.

"Are... Are you they?" She asked. Nikolai felt confused, what did they mean. Who were they? He looked into her eyes. He saw hope, a small flicker of it. But at the same time, she looked afraid.

Nikolai had learned more about the other residents of the mansion. Beako included, he knew she was a spirit. One that had been in that library for God knows how long.

He was certain he wasn't any 'they' as she put it. But maybe... If he lied to her, if he said yes. He could help her. She was alone, always waiting for someone who might never come... A feeling Nikolai was too familiar with...

"It took you a while to figure it out," Nikolai said giving her a warm smile. He saw her face turn into one of shock, one of someone who had just seen the light at the end of the tunnel. He felt nice... The happiness on her face... It was something incredible. Her eyes filled with tears as she tackled him crying into his armor.

"Why!? Why!? Do you have any idea how long Betty has been waiting I suppose!? Do you have any idea how much I've suffered!?" She grabbed onto him punching him. The sorrow in her voice was heartbreaking. She cried for minutes on end grabbing tightly around his neck.

"I'm sorry Beako. You deserved so much better" Nikolai cooed trying to calm her. "I will never be able to repay your suffering. But you are not alone" Nikolai said. He might feel like shit as of late but at the very least someone will be happy because of him.

After she calmed down and grabbed his hand. Nikolai looked curiously at her.

"Why are you grabbing my hand?" He asked raising his brow. She grew red as she explained herself.

"It's time to make the contract I suppose," she said. "That way Betty will be your contracted spirit." She said quickly.

"Can I even use spirit arts?" Nikolai asked.

"That's not a problem. Betty is strong enough to go around those problems I suppose" she explained. Nikolai nodded and walked out with Betty in tow. He didn't notice it but she was smiling at him.

She saw into him. He was a good if troubled individual. One that seemed to carry a heavy burden. He lied for her just to make her happy. Her face flushed a bit even though Nikolai didn't notice.

Nikolai picked up a few spare grenades and went to the front door. Betty following close behind. The image of Rem getting shot in the head repeating in his head. He couldn't bear seeing something like that again.

No matter how strong Betty was he knew one well-placed bullet would kill her. He turned to her and kneeled down.

"Wait for me. I'll be back by sundown" Nikolai said.

"Impossible I suppose. Betty is your contracted spirit. I will help you I suppose."

"You can help me by staying safe. I promise we will catch up Betty but I need you to trust me please" he said. She looked hesitantly but slowly nodded.

"I'll wait in your room I supposed," she said a bit deflated.

"I'll be back don't look so down!" He patted her head and smiled. A weak smile left her lips as she nodded.

Nikolai put on his mask and checked his Kalashnikov one last time and disappeared into the woods.

Nikolai felt strangely at home. In the wild not knowing what he would find made him feel as if he was in the zone once more. He looked at his map. He was about 800 meters away from the first camp by his calculations. He crouched and slowly moved closer.

He heard the sound of footsteps and took cover behind a tree. He saw a man with the Monolith crest on his armor. He seemed to be alone which was strange. He stopped close to where Nikolai was hiding. Nikolai slowly pulled out his bayonet and got in a fighting position. As soon as the man started walking again Nikolai got behind him. He grabbed his head and stabbed him through the skull, he never knew what hit him. Nikolai grabbed the limp body and threw it into a nearby bush.

"Hey, Iosef! Where did you go?" Nikolai heard a voice asked he hid again as he saw another man walk towards him. "Stop trying to scare me! It won't happen" he said laughing. His laughing soon stopped when he saw blood on the ground.

Nikolai wasted no time and pounced on him. The man tried pulling out his pistol, Nikolai grabbed his wrist and twisted it making the man scream in agony. He went in and with his bayonet stabbed the man multiple times until he stopped moving.

Nikolai was against the clock now. Next patrol would see the blood and probably alert the rest and everything would go to shit. He started moving faster as he approached the smell of a campfire. Hiding from a nearby bush he saw that the camp wasn't that big. It looked more as if it was in the process of being set up.

The one thing that caught his attention were two cages one with a squad of men tied to it and another with a lone man completely restrain. He looked curiously at his outfit. It almost looked like something out of those old cowboy movies.

Nikolai scanned the area. Five men standing at various positions all heavily armed. Nikolai pulled his Vitorez, it was silenced so it would at least give him the chance of taking two of them out before they realized. He took aim at the man furthest away from him and shot.

A clean shot to the head meant that he died instantly. Although silencers muffled the sound it didn't make them completely silent.

"What was that?" One of them asked.

"Dunno spread out search the area!" One ordered. Nikolai knew it was a matter of time before they would find him. Quickly he shot another one.

"Sniper take cover!" One of them yelled. Nikolai shot another one as one of the Monolith soldiers turned around and shot at the bush he was in. He quickly rolled behind a rock as he shot at the bush. He heard something drop close to him. He saw it was a grenade and ran. Barely missing the blast he was now in full combat. Pulling out his Kalashnikov he took cover behind a tree.

He pulled the pin of a grenade and threw it. One of the soldiers was forced to move from cover. Nikolai shot at him filling him with lead. Then he heard something charging. He dove straight to the ground as the tree he was behind was ripped apart by a shot.

'Shit! They do have one!' Nikolai though as another shot whistled past him. This had become a game of cat and mouse as Nikolai moved from cover to cover trying to get a shot at him. Then he saw the opportunity. He shot the shot hit him in the shoulder and he dropped his gun. Without wasting a second Nikolai charged at him and hit him with the but of his gun. The man was on the floor trying to crawl away his nose bloodied. Nikolai put his foot on his back pulled out his revolver and shot the man in the head with no hesitation.

He turned to look at the tied up prisoners. He saw the squad had a familiar badge, the one of Duty. He quickly went to help them getting them out.

"Thank you," said who Nikolai thought was the leader.

"You're welcome. Do you know him?" He asked pointing at the cowboy.

"Not at all. He was here before us. But if Monolith tied him up so well he might be on our side." The man said.

"Hey. I'm going to let you out. Mind helping us kill Monolith soldiers?" The man just nodded. Nikolai cut him lose as he slowly got up.

"Thank you, partner," he said with a southern accent. "Name's James, James Kramer. Marshall of California."

"Nikolai Kyznetsov, stalker," Nikolai said giving him a nod. Nikolai didn't notice the shocked look on the soldiers' faces.

"Wait! Your voice... It sounds like the commanders..." Their leader said.

"I'm no Duty commander," Nikolai said.

"You sound like the commander... You have his name... Who are you really!?" The man asked as Nikolai saw the men surround him. He didn't want to kill them, in fact, they could be pretty useful. He slowly took off his helmet and heard a shocked gasp.

"I-impossible! You look like a younger version of the commander." The captain said.

"This makes no sense..." Nikolai said with a sigh. He had a crazy idea but regardless decided to go try it out. "What year is it?"

The response left Nikolai cold. It was 20 years in the future... Nikolai couldn't believe it. The explanation was too elaborate to be the ravings of a madman.

"What was your mission?" Nikolai asked.

"I'm captain Vlad of the second engineer core. Second in command Romanova gave us the order to maintain one of our supply lines that were currently under heavy fire." The captain explained.

"Romanova?" Nikolai asked a bit fearful as that sounded too familiar.

"Tanya Romanova," the man said confirming Nikolai's fear. He did his best to hide his shock. He put on his helmet and let out a sigh. The idea of parallel realities was something Nikolai had heard. One of the possibilities with the instability the zone had been experiencing.

He laughed bitterly at his bad luck. Of course, some other version of himself was happy. And of course, he would have the one thing he would kill for.

"We'll talk about this later," Nikolai said. "Grab your weapons. I need your help. We got 2 camps and the sun is going to go down. We need to split up and hit them." They all armed themselves up. Nikolai looked curiously at James his weapons looked like something out of a cowboy movie. The one thing that grabbed his attention was his rifle.

It wasn't a normal rifle. It didn't seem to use bullets. It had a harpoon seemingly tied to a chain. He wanted to ask what it was all about but decided against it.

"What's the plan?" James asked.

"You all will hit this camp," Nikolai said pointing at the map. "Should be about 3 kilometers away. I'll hit the other one. Once you are done meet me at the camp."

"You sure you want to go alone?" Vlad asked.

"Yes, I freed you alone right? You guys clean that up and I'll take care of the other camp."

Nikolai disappeared into the forest. More questions flooding his mind. Things were getting more confusing. There was a doorway to other realities? What was happening in the zone?

Last he heard from the ecologists they said that new anomalies were appearing and that the zone seemed to become more stable every day that passed. He shook his head. He needed to keep his head in the game.

He slowly approached the camp and saw vehicles. He saw it was well established. And this place was crawling with Monolith. It was a bit overwhelming. He needed a plan, somehow he needed to systematically eliminate them all.

His train of thought was cut by the sound of someone taking the safety off their gun. Nikolai slowly raised his hand.

"We were waiting for you stalker," a voice said. Nikolai quickly remembered it as the man who shot Rem. His blood boiled but he was in no position to fight.

Nikolai had been only once in this position before. He was taken inside a tent, his hands and legs were tied to a chair. This tent looked nice. Almost homelike whoever lived here was living like a king. Nikolai waited for whoever was coming. Hopefully, the other group would finish cleaning up the other camp fast and help him out.

"I've been waiting for you stalker." A distorted voice said. It sounded robot like he saw a tall man walk in. He saw many symbols in his exosuit his mask looked like a skull. A huge bayonette hanging from his side. "And you came just like it was told."

The man took out a black book from his pocket. He waved it in front of Nikolai and let out a raspy laugh.

"Who are you?" Nikolai asked. He saw the man from before also enter and stand to the side.

"Ah, I left my name long ago. You can call me Preacher. I lead this flock to the promised land" the man said. Nikolai let out a bitter laugh.

"Oh, the leader of the looney bin." He said sarcastically. He felt a fist connect his face. He was taken out of it for a second as his ear ringed. He felt the familiar metallic taste of blood in his mouth.

"My son do not strike the lost sheep for he does not know better" Preacher scolded.

"He dare insult you!" The man said outraged.

"He does not know better my son. Pity him, he is unenlightened." Preacher said as he got closed to Nikolai. He patted him down almost as if looking for a hidden weapon. He opened a zipper. Nikolai tried struggling only to get punched again. The man got scolded again as preacher held some familiar dog tags. His friends... His father...

"Give them back!" Nikolai bellowed raged enveloping.

"I take it it's from your fallen comrades." Preacher said as he read out the names. "I know your pain son. I too have lost many. But the zone taught me so much. It enlightens me, now I have become its word bearer. I carry out its will. This book has guided me, it was given to me by the zone to let me guide my flock!"

"Give them back!"

"I will son. I see your are still greaving. One day you will see the truth of the zone. It will set you free." Preacher said as he read the book. "I would show you the way but it looks that its will is telling me to take our flock elsewhere. My son bring forth the test. Let him be tested in the fire" Preacher said. Nikolai saw a mad grin spread across the face of the man.

"Just kill me and get it over with" Nikolai snarled.

"You miss understand me, son. I do not kill unless guided to. The truth was revealed to me. I must let you choose to live or die." Preacher said. "The zone will test you! I look forward to what will happen." Nikolai heard snarls of something sounding like a wild beast. Nikolai saw a snork tied to a chain. A stick on the ground being the only thing holding him back.

"My son! You must prove your worth! I know we will meet again someday if you make it out!." Preacher grabbed Nikolai's two bayonets. He stabbed one through Nikolai's hand. Nikolai screamed in agony he looked at his hand the bayonet was keeping his hand glued to the chair. The other bayonet did the same to his other hand.

Nikolai screamed as he started shaking. He needed to keep his mind in it. He can't go into shock he needed to hold himself together.

"My son, you will be reborn today" Preacher whispered in his ear.

"I-I will kill you!" Nikolai roared.

"I suggest you start fighting my son. That won't hold the snork forever." Nikolai saw as they took all vital supplies leaving everything else behind. He heard the engines of vehicles start off as he heard them slowly disappear.

Nikolai could only hear the growls of the snork and the pulling of the chain. He heard as it started raining. He knew that the stake wouldn't last forever.

Nikolai tried pushing his hands trying to get himself off. He had been untied only being left with the knives keeping him in place. "Cmon Nikolai!" He yelled at himself. He tried as he saw more blood come out. He felt tears almost swelling up in his eyes.

He heard as the stake was cracking. He felt hopeless, he would die here. This was too painful he would die eaten... Then he remembered them... All the promises he made, Rem, Emilia, Beatrice. His word was worth something. He needed to keep it!

"Fuck!" He yelled as he pulled with all his might he felt as if his hands were being ripped apart. Nikolai then heard the stake snap. He saw the snork jump at him. With one last push, he pulled them off. He dove to the right as the creature flew past him. Nikolai tried grabbing the bayonets.

His hands were barely able to close they were too messed up he had basically ripped them apart to get up.

"Come at me you bastard!" Nikolai bellowed. The creature jumped at him. Nikolai was able to stab him in the shoulder. The creature snarled as he tackled Nikolai to the ground.

He felt a sharp pain in his abdomen as he saw the creature dig its claws into his stomach. The creature bit into his soldier as Nikolai yelled in agony. Adrenaline pumped through his body as he got it off him. Somehow he was able to get a strong grip on the bayonet and stabbed its chest.

Nikolai yelled as he stabbed the creature with all his might. The creature's growls slowly stopped as Nikolai continued stabbing it.

Nikolai felt lightheaded as he collapsed next to the creature. He felt weak, very weak. Nikolai saw he was bleeding heavily. He tried standing up but collapsed.

Nikolai felt himself slowly fade in and out of consciousness. He heard footsteps and passed out. He woke up again and saw men trying to help him. It seemed they were in a vehicle. He faded out again. He woke up again and saw himself being carried in the mansion. Then he lost consciousness again.

The plot thickens. The possibility of alternate realities is brought forward. Nikolai meets the leader of Monolith and things are slowly unraveling. Who is Preacher, who is this Marshall? All questions will be answered in due time.The support on this story is insane! I appreciate you all! It really pushes me forward. As always feedback is welcomed! UltimateMetroMan out!