From atop my Sunwing across the nightsky over No Man's Land, fully equipped in my Carja armor and hair pulled back into its usual style, my mind couldn't stop thinking about all the fuckery that it got subjected to recently. And I might be doing so for a while. It's kind of hard to try to instantly forget, even after weeks, that I was trapped in a cauldron infested with paranormal monstrosities who wanted me dead. I shuddered as my memory brought me back to when I was stuck in that chamber with the busted override node and I tried to force my way to the other side before the jinn got to me. It's even more unnerving that the memory felt so fresh like it just happened yesterday or like... two hours ago! Hopefully, given enough time, the memory would eventually go stale. I don't want to squirm in discomfort every time I remember something from that hellish cauldron.
Fucking jinn. I thought bitterly as I stared holes in my flying machine's neck. I get they might be defending their home but it's plain unthinkable to be this sadistic. It's one thing to protect your property, but it's a whole new different topic to maim your victims, in front of their friends' no less, and cause an entire outpost to evacuate. I'm not buying they're doing all this out of self-defense simply cuz they can't be harmed, they're doing it because they enjoy their victims' blood. But why? Why would they be this evil? Are all jinn this crappy or are there actually good ones?
You know what? I think I know who to ask.
Speaking of which, in the near distance, I spotted the mountain which I call my home where the base resides. Once my Sunwing has hurled its massive body to the ground next to the entrance, I hopped off and made my way through the electronic doors and the small corridor beyond to make it in the reception hall.
I stood in the middle of the familiar main hall taking a deep breath and stretching my back; relishing the feel of finally being home after spending an entire night at a cauldron from hell followed by two weeks recovering from my injury at another tribe. Occasionally I'd invite my friends from different worlds to come spend a few days with me here in the base, whether to finish some quests together or to simply hang out. I smiled at that one memory when I started a pizza party here with Chris, Claire, Nate, Lara, Cloud, Tifa and all the rest of the otherworldly gang. Naturally, nobody from my world knows what the fuck a pizza is and so when I had my first taste of this stuff and I almost went crazy from how good it was that I think I freaked out one of the guys. The thought also reminded me of Cassandra. I wonder how she's doing right now. Could be killing some poor sap that pissed off a client for a good cash grab.
Remembering my Greek girlfriend also reminded me of the flashback I had back at the cauldron. I leaned with my elbows on the ancient reception table thinking back on that moment. Wow. Even when she isn't around, she was there for me unknowingly so. I really miss her. I should call her and let her go on a few shenanigans with me. I suppressed a giggle at how we used to tease machines by throwing rocks in random directions from our hidden location in the bushes and the confused sucker would go check for the noise source only to hear it again from behind it. Those were the good times.
Before I summon her to my world though, I need to properly recover. And while her presence would definitely help, I don't want to burden her. I know she'd be happy to drop everything and come help me and all but… I couldn't involve her when she is gonna ask me how I got my injury and that would mean I'll have to explain everything. Not that I'd mind telling her – if anything, she needs to know too – but I'm just not ready for any of that yet. In other words, I need to be alone. Plus, there's something I need to take care of first; a little chat I gotta have with a special someone.
And so I made my way to the other side of the hall where a staircase resides that leads to the upper level. I walked through the doors leading to yet another set of stairs which I made my way up to reveal a round chamber and, in the center, manifested a golden holographic shape of an elderly woman.
"Hey, Gaia." I greeted my AI friend.
"Welcome back, Talanah." Responded the digitalized form in her monotone yet warm voice. "It has been approximately two weeks, 14 days, 13 nights and 8 hours since you have left the base. I have been trying to reach you prior to this time period. Was everything alright?"
"No…" I responded shutting my eyes preparing myself for yet another re-tale of that shitty experience. During the time I spent at the Utarus, I would occasionally receive a call from Gaia through the Focus. Quite thoughtful of her to check in on me almost daily and surely better than leaving her in the dark about my whereabouts. Apparently she's been trying to reach me when I was at that Godforsaken cauldron but you don't expect a signal in a place that doesn't even have ventilation.
"You have been quiet vague during our first call; only wishing to speak of the details in private out of your desire for recovery. How is your current condition?"
"The flesh wound in my thigh is far from healed and I won't be able to do any fighting for a while. But I'll live."
"How have you sustained the injury, may I ask?"
"How about I start from the beginning?" and so like the case with the Utaru tribe, I made myself comfortable on the floor and told her about my shitty adventure, starting from the Tenakth outpost to the safety of my Sunwing's back. Throughout the tale, Gaia was entirely silent as she listened to what I had to say from A to Z. And frankly, explaining this traumatizing shitstorm again isn't so bad. Because this time I'm talking about it with my trusty AI friend and it's quite more comforting than sharing the tale with the braindead Chorus prick. I didn't even shy away from telling her how I was crying and asking to be relieved from my misery. And let's not forget the little show the jinn possessed Tsulu put on for us.
"My extreme sympathies for having to go through such a mentally and physically draining ordeal." Said Gaia after I was done. "If you require therapy, I can provide it for you to ensure that your mental health stays in top condition."
"I'm good though I'm hanging on to your offer. If I had any PTSD flashbacks or crap like that, I'll let you know. Hopefully I won't need it." then I went silent for a moment before asking the big question. "Gaia, do you believe in the jinn?"
"Mankind has had a long history with those beings from the other side. A good collection of individuals along the ages suffered actual experiences at the hands of the creatures known the jinn. They do, in fact, exist."
"What can you tell me about them?"
"I'm afraid that there is not much information about them in my data files. However, I have seen and heard of people from the Old Ones in connection to the jinn. In essence, the jinn are not spirits but rather living creatures who lead their own lives."
"That's what I found from some documents and videos from the Old Ones. But is there anything else you can tell me about them?"
"For starters, they lead their lives in a style similar to humans. They can eat, reproduce, sleep and form their own societies."
"What do they eat? Berries?"
"The jinn possess an affinity for bones, cadavers, dirt and human excretions." The more I learn about those guys, the higher my eyebrows raise. I keep this up and they might reach my hairline.
"But how do they eat?"
"Unknown."
"I heard they possess a true form. What does it look like?"
"Unknown."
"Do they pee?"
"Unknown."
"When they reproduce, do they do the deed like humans or do they multiply asexually or something?"
"Unknown."
"Do they exist everywhere and we can't see or feel them? Or do they live in certain places?"
"They have a preference for abandoned faraway places. However, they are also known for haunting people's abodes under certain occasions."
"Any chance they might haunt this place too?" I squeaked with wide eyed anxiety. "I've heard about ghost hunters who get followed home by those freaks! And after my personal run-in with them, they might find their way in here! It's like they can teleport or something!"
"While the jinn possess the ability to traverse seemingly large distances in a teleport-like manner, the chance of them choosing the base as their target is 0.0001%"
"That's not helping…!" I strained between my teeth. This teensy peensy bit of a chance alone that I might have ghost assholes for roommates is more than enough. "Can you at least sense the presence of the jinn?"
"Negative. My system does not detect paranormal activity."
"Wonderful…" I deflated. To be truthful, I hadn't expected her to pull that off but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask. "At least they don't know where I live, right?"
"Even if they are aware of the location of your residence, it's still highly unlikely they will be able to reach you. Unless a jinn has attached itself to you, it will not follow you anywhere."
"I'm not walking around with a jinn up my ass, that's for sure. Otherwise, I would have felt something is off the moment I left that fucking cauldron."
"As far as I'm concerned, you have survived a horrible experience with no lasting side effects." I nodded feeling relief. "Is there anything else you need to know?"
"Just what the hell was that cauldron, Gaia?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows. "Like I told you earlier, it was a complete mess from the inside and I'm not just talking about the jinn. It's like a hurricane went through it. Got any data on that?"
"Positive." She informed before producing a holographic screen depicting pictures of the same cauldron I was at some time ago. I got the willies just looking at that vine covered entrance, even more willies when a few more pictures popped up displaying the cauldron from the inside showing the very same champers I personally set my foot in. Nothing changed at all.
"Yeah that's the one. What's its name anyway?"
"The construction of the cauldron has ceased halfway through the process before it was given a proper title."
"It doesn't even have a name?!" I raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Figures."
"All thanks to the very same reason that has caused you to go through the ordeal. According to the files, it became infested by the jinn in the middle of its construction causing many of those who have been working on it to either lose their lives, sustain serious injuries and/or suffer a mental trauma."
"That explains why nothing in it was functional. That explains why there's no core in the first place." I commented. It all made sense now.
"Affirmative. The cauldron has been abandoned since then."
"I've seen lots of dead bodies inside the cauldron. How do you think they did all that? Could they have possessed someone and killed them off that way?"
"It's a high possibility that they committed those atrocious acts through the aid of a human vessel. However, the jinn may also manifest themselves to perform tasks without the need for possession but any and all visual evidence remains nonexistent."
"But why kill all those people? Do they have something against us?"
"As mentioned before, jinn enjoy the taste of blood and flesh. Although it's not unlikely that they would shed blood in the name of sadism alone."
"Are all jinn this evil?"
"Just like humans, there are benevolent jinn and malevolent ones."
"Of course my luck dumped me with the shitty ones…" I grumbled before raising my head to address the humanoid program. "Back at the cauldron, when I told you I saw Maki, was that a jinn too?"
"Positive. The jinn occasionally mimic images of human individuals. What you saw was most likely a jinn doppelganger of the fallen Utaru."
"Wow…" my eyes went wide at that. I kind of suspected as much but the fact I had witnessed a jinn manifesting into a complete human form in front of my own eyes doesn't make it feel any less surreal. "But why would it do that? Was it trying to play tricks on my mind?"
"It could be an attempt to toy with your psyche for its personal gains, yes."
"Good thing I lost conscious then." I joked. "Which raises the real question: why didn't it take advantage of my vulnerable state though? Now that I mention it, I could have gotten possessed from the get-go yet somehow I survived that."
"Some individuals harbor more resistance to the jinn possession than others. There's a possibility the jinn might have attempted to take possession of you during the time you were among them. All in all, their intentions remain unknown."
"Thank you for the info, Gaia." I sighed not feeling like pondering the shitty past anymore. "There may not be much to know about the jinn and whatever supernatural creatures that might be out there but we're getting there. Gotta go hit the hay. Talk to you, later."
I turned around and just as I was about to leave, I heard her from behind me. "Talanah?"
"Mm?"
"Are you planning on having a repeat of the jinn experience again in the future?"
"Abso – fucking – lotuly. Not." I emphasized. "Really, Gaia, do you even need to ask?" I said turning to her.
"With no intention to offend you, Talanah, but knowing your curious and inquisitive nature, you tend to perform unnecessary risks to learn more of your objectives."
"Well you're not wrong about that." I sighed. "But not this time. I might be curious but I'm not dumb – well, not anymore anyway." I scoffed bemusedly. "But really it's not worth it. If I needed to know anything about those things, I'll be satisfied just learning about them from the documents and videos. It's safer that way."
"It's a relief to know we are both on the same page. The jinn are not to be approached no matter what their intentions are."
"You can count on that." I confirmed before heading for the exit.
Not sure how long I have been laying on my bed for but staring at the ceiling is more hypnotizing than I thought. I was feeling kinda paranoid when I exited Gaia's chamber half expecting to see a shadow person waiting to greet me at the other end of the hall, but the moment I entered my private quarters and the atmosphere of safety and familiarity intensified. So I took off my armor leaving just my undergarments on and spread myself on the bed willing myself to relax as much as possible. However I still felt uneasy enough to stay awake instead of instantly falling asleep despite how tired I am. I couldn't help but think back on what I have been through again as if all that's what my brain has been capable of recently.
My thoughts went back to the root of it all when I was facing off against the Grimhorns to help out the Utaru guys.
My thoughts went back to the Tenakth outpost and how a group of deceased people were more or less brought back to life by having weird entities get ahold of their bodies.
My thoughts went back to the brutal Tremortusk battle and the casualties it ensued.
My thoughts went back to, of course, the half completed hell torture cauldron and the freaks haunting it.
My thoughts went back to… ok, I will shut up.
That's right, gotta get some sleep. I gradually began to drift away as my eyes slowly started shutting down and – crack.
"!"I gasped as I suddenly jolted into sitting up at the voice. "Gaia?"
"Yes, Talanah?" I felt comfort at the sound of the AI reaching me through the rooms.
"What was that sound? Did you hear that? Something just creaked!"
"That is simply nothing but the sound of the structure foundation that's causing the noise, I assure you."
"Ugh…" I facepalmed. Can't believe I got spooked by something so stupid like a six year old. What's next? Am I gonna check for the Boogeyman under the bed too?
"Have you had trouble sleeping while you were under the Utarus' care?"
"No." I shook my head still keeping my hand on it. "I would even occasionally dream about the cauldron and the jinn but it was nothing too horrible and I barely remember anything when I wake up. Guess it was because I was surrounded by people at the time which helped get my mind off of it. But now that I'm here…"
"You are not alone, Talanah."
"Gaia? Do me this one favor and keep watch over me until I fall asleep."
"With pleasure." At that, I laid back down again knowing that a trusted friend is keeping her eye on me. I know that my request isn't really necessary and that I know for sure that my home isn't haunted and there definitely isn 't something in the room with me. I just need the reassurance until I can finally put all that behind me.
I'll get over it someday eventually. I thought as I slowly shut my eyes.
Two months later…
Sparks flew off the last Bristleback where my spear had just impaled it before roughly yanking it out of the now pile of scrap.
"Thank you, Carja! Wouldn't have been able to do it without you!" said the Oserum I was helping. "All I wanted was to find some scrap and I find Bristlebacks instead!"
"Now you're free to help yourself to the Bristleback carcasses!" I said playfully.
"Damn straight! Here's a token of my gratitude." After receiving the usual reward and we exchanged our goodbyes before hopping on my Charger and set off towards my next goal. You know, I kind of miss riding on a Clawstrider. Maybe I should override one the next time I stumble across their site.
Remembering the Clawstrider also reminded me of how I lost the last one I had a few months ago, which reminded me of a Tremortusk, then the Tenakth outpost and of course the jinn and the piece of shit cauldron they call home. To be truthful, even though the jinn incident had no mental impact on me according to Gaia's diagnosis, I'd still feel jumpy in my own house once in a while, only feeling better when I'm out in the open amongst the wilderness. Because despite the safe and familiar atmosphere of my own abode, the closed space felt kind of suffocating and somehow magnifies my imagination by tenfold. But the freedom of the outside world makes me feel like I'm ready for even the most terrifying jinn I could dream up.
Of course, this went on for a while. The first month was particularly difficult due to my thigh injury that forced me to stay home, only having my meals from the storage. When my leg became better, I was able to go outside for some fresh air while still making sure to avoid any hunting or fighting. I would also occasionally spend the night outside in a shelter, have a chat with the Tenakth scout nearby the mountain entrance, go for a small walk that doesn 't agitate the wound, read or watch some videos – anything to keep me distracted. And when I do sleep at home, I would ask Gaia to stay with me until I have fallen asleep. So even though I'm still perfectly sane, my imagination was being awfully shaky that I had to get around it otherwise I'll look like a prune from the lack of sleep. I'd even imagine shadow figures in this corner or that room but I quickly brush off the thoughts. The real challenge was during bedtime which I have finally managed to overcome. I could sleep wherever I want without Gaia's presence and the memories from the cauldron don't make me fidget anymore. Now I'm finally back on my feet and despite feeling a bit rusty, I started taking down machines for the first time in months. So it's safe to say that I have finally gotten over everything that happened. I thought so happily as wind rushed by my face feeling the Charger's metallic hooves stomp the ground beneath me.
"What are you smiling about?" oh and did I mention that I brought Cassandra along with me? She approached me on another Charger I overrode for her not too long ago. The moment she was at my doorstep yesterday and I pulled her in for one hell of a true horror story while going through three cups of herbal tea and a massive cup of ale, which… led to multiple toilet trips. But hey, that's how long the story was, okay?
"Thinking about your goofy face!" I retorted. "Where the heck have you been? Leaving me to do all the dirty work, huh?"
"Not as dirty as the things I'm gonna do to you when we get home!" she laughed. "Didn't feel like fighting those annoying pig machines so I headed off to look for the live ones." I rolled my eyes as I slowed down to a canter, her doing the same and we both rode side-by-side underneath the sunlight. It was quiet for a moment save for our mounts' hoof steps before the silence was broken. "You know, I still find the whole thing crazy."
"Mm?" I turned my head to my companion.
"Your jinn incident." She clarified. "To think there's a cauldron out there infested with those freaks and all the things they did is just mind blowing. I've assassinated lots of shitty folk during my lifetime but none of them were that diabolical."
"Jinn and humans have a few things in common yet they're entirely different. Speaking of which…" I said before tugging the rein cords slightly back to slow down my Charger to a walk with Cassandra matching my stride. It became much quieter now at this slower pace so we can talk without having to raise our voices. "When we get back home, I want you and I to have a seat and -"
"And fuck?"
"- And dig a little bit into this jinn matter." I asserted before looking her in the eye. "Cassandra, you visit lots of abandoned places in your line of job. Sooner or later, you might stumble across one that hides a handful of nasty residents and I want you to be ready for it." At that, she tugged on her reins ceasing the mount to a stop. I approached her so that our machines were standing opposite each other beneath a shady tree. Our knees slightly touching.
"Well about that..." She started giving me a weird look. "I think it's time I mentioned that I've encountered some jinn in my world last month."
I couldn't contain my surprise and I had to blink before my eyes could get any wider. "Well… see?! All the more reason why you need to learn about them! So, how was it?"
"Nothing too horrible." She shrugged. "Just a bunch of shadows and stuff getting tossed at me here and there. I was exploring the dungeon everyone kept bitching to me about and gotta admit that I was freaked out by what I saw there but the whole experience wasn't as bad as yours."
"Oh yeah. Tell me about that one…" I sighed mostly out of relief that I've put that crap behind me. And right at this moment, I heard a small screech and we both looked up to see Icarus landing on Cassandra's forearm.
"So did I really… show up in your dream?" she said as she absent-mindedly flicked at her bird.
"I'm dead serious, Cassandra." I asserted. "Even when you're not around, you're still a pain in my ass!"
"I'll try not to be too rough next time." She smirked. "Too bad it wasn't a wet dream. Imagine having to escape the jinn while sporting a boner." And our laughter almost echoed throughout the entire Forbidden West.
"So when were you planning to tell me about your jinn friends?" I teased.
"I was waiting for a moment like this. You know, when we're not too busy. I just got here yesterday and I haven't had a chance till now."
"You gotta tell me everything in full detail when we get back to base." I smiled as I started turning around on my mount.
"Let's just see what that Tenakth squad want first, shall we?"
"And this time, no running after food while on the job!" and we both chuckled as we bolted in the general direction of our objective.
To this day, I'm hella grateful for my survival. The incident was a huge lesson to be taught and gave me a good chunk of experience about things I wasn't even sure about initially. Now that I have finally fully recovered, I shall dig into whatever I can find from the Old Ones regarding the jinn matter so I could use the info when the need arises but frankly? I hope I never need it. One time is enough but… if it ever happened again, I hope I'm gonna be ready for it. But like I told Gaia, do I want a repeat with the jinn encounter?
Absu-fucking-lotely. Not.