Snowflake in the Sand

Chapter 12

Winter felt a sense of dread the more they ventured into the canyon, the feeling that somewhere among the rocks and cliffs something was watching them. Waiting to pounce on them, but that didn't seem to be a problem for Six who seemed to be getting along just fine with Follows Chalk, as he called himself. He seemed to act like a tour guide of sorts explaining some of the land and where to find useful loot. The Banana Yuca was one such item, surprisingly sweet in taste. Six had almost fully devoured one only stopping to offered her a piece, which she had reluctantly accepted, satisfied the Courier had gathered another one and shared it with Chalk. That seemed to be enough for their guide to open a little bit, saying how rare it was for the White Legs to leave survivors and how Joshua was doing his best to fight them off the valley while protecting another tribe as a favor for a friend.

"Freeze don't move! Yao guai" Winter eyes widened as a huge Ursa attacked a giant gecko trapping its neck on its giant jaws, a loud crack resonated along the valley and a small river of blood followed painting the rocks red, satisfied with his food the alfa predator of Zion retreated. Winter swore she heard the land shake slightly as it jumped towards somewhere she could not see. Six lowered his newly acquired sniper and whistled "Now that's a monster, only thing that comes close to that are Cazadores and Deathclaws" Winter made a mental note to ask him about those creatures, she only knew of Deathjaws thanks to Ricky.

"We don't know why, but more and more Yao guai have invaded the valley. Maybe they feel the conflict here eh?" Chalk said as he resumed their little tour, Winter spied movement out of he corner of her eye and slashed towards it with her sword removing the head of the giant ant that tried to ambush them, Six also started a fight with some Geckos and mantises. The fight brought them to the top of a hill where the nest was alongside an abandoned building, the fight died down when Six removed the head of a creature with his machete. Cleaning the blood off his weapon, he turned to Winter with a smile "See that, I'm also a master swordsman"

Winter rolled her eyes but a small smile graced her lips "I would not call what you do swordsmanship just yet Six, remind me to give you some lessons later" Six chuckled but didn't seem opposed to the idea, he approached the old building and turned to look at Follows Chalk who was staring at the rest of the Valley. Six did the same and allowed himself to enjoy the breeze something that was so different from all that he knew. Winter on the other hand tried to find anything of value on the abandoned shack, but all she found was a funny looking hat and some ammo, but when she stared at the great nothingness of the Valley she realized just how unique Vegas really was. The rest of planet earth was this, a wild wasteland where mutated monster fought for survival, where tribesmen barely managed to survive day to day.

For Winter it felt as a sick future where THEY won and humanity was pushed back into the stone age, always fearful of the shadows of the night. She took in a deep breath and pushed all those thoughts aside, right now they needed to get back to New Vegas. Silence fell on the group as they descended on the river, Follows Chalk made a quick comment about not getting caught on traps to which Six snorted until he saw a giant bear trap ahead of him. He started to search for more from that moment on, Winter on the other hand frowned as the water reached her waist, she really was not expecting to get wet in radioactive water. Checking her pipboy she saw that her level of radiation was not going up and her mood quickly changed.

"Six… the water, seems to not have radiation" she said in a hushed whisper. Six raised an eyebrow at her but lowered himself to have a drink, looking at his PipBoy his eyes widened and he turned to look at her "This is…Wow this doesn't happen often, this is basically a sanctuary!" Winter nodded her head and used her hand to drink some of it and the small sense of relief when nothing changed in her radiation levels was something that brought a small smile to her lips. Six noticed it and made a mental note to save water for the long trip back.

They continued their trek towards the Angel Cave and soon they where greeted by a community of warriors fishing and practicing combat, Winter nodded in appreciation as she saw a young man knock down another one with a brutal punch followed by a tackle. Soldier training, the grunts where learning by trial and error, something that could save their lives in the future.

The party stopped when Six was approached by a bizarre man who seemed to judge him for a moment before nodding his head and raising his hand up for a high five, Six not bothered by the interaction gave him a high five. The man with the two bears giving eachother a high five nodded and left. Winter tried to say something but sadly she was ignored by everyone, leaving her with a small headache.

Some of the tribals gathered around them in curiosity but Follows Chalk insisted that they needed to reach Joshua quickly so they opened a path for them, their eyes wary but filled with curiosity, especially towards winter who looked strikingly different than anyone they had ever met. There in the small cave know as Angel Cave Winter prepared herself for battle against Caesar's greatest warrior and failure. To say she was anxious was quite an understatement, and her ease didn't get better when she heard the sound of a gun being reassembled.

A long shadow was cast by the a man covered in bandages from head to toe, Joshua Graham stopped checking his weapons for a moment and Winter saw how the skin around his eyes was burnt, she could only imagine the horrible pain that he had gone through. What she did not expect was the kind look that those eyes held. "We try to give everyone who comes to Zion a warm welcome, but the White Legs beat us to it. I am sorry for your loss and I promise that we will help you get back home"

Winter gave a nod and relaxed while Six took the initiative to start a conversation "Thank you, I cant believe they wiped the entire happy trails caravan"

Joshua closed his eyes and shook his head "I know of them, once they where friends to the people of New Canaan. Seems that every day there is less good people in the world, war is everywhere even here in Zion"

"Looks like you're thinking of fighting this White Legs" Winter said, to which Joshua's demeanor changed as his grip on the weapons he was sorting tightened "Sadly it seems like the dogs of Caesar refuse to leave the valley or find a peaceful solution, but when the time comes God will help us sort them out"

"Not a fan of Caesar I take"

"You know who I was, the things I did. No I do not hold Edward on high regard and it's not because of his actions against me. We walked a dark path, one that took fire to take me out of, in a way I thank God and "Caesar" for his actions" Joshua said.

"You know we met Caesar, he is not as impressive as he wants everyone o believe. Figures that his real name is something like Edward" Six said with a grin and Joshua actually chuckled at that. Winter on the other hand could only tilt her head in confusion "God?"

"I'm from a religion long forgotten by man, one that believes in forgiveness compassion and love, for God sent his son to die for our sins, that sacrifice should not be wasted in destroying the world he created"

Winer pursed her lips "I… see, forgive to say but I find quite hard to believe"

"I don't blame you, there is much to be skeptical of in this world. So it does not surprise to hear that you do not believe. But the light of the mind alone cannot burn away all darkness, and when one looks into his heart you can see the fire. When you lose everything, you have that fire, love. Their love, God's love and even if you're not so certain it is always nice to know that in the end, there is light in the darkness"

Six approached the tent that they had set up to spend the night, the abandoned cabin had enough beds for them to stay for the night. But as he saw Winter stare at the sky he knew that sleep would not come as easily to her and it would be incredibly shitty of him to go to sleep while his friend stayed at the stars alone and cold… again.

"We should be able to gather all the things that Joshua said in like a day and then we can meet up with this other tribe that they mentioned. They want to evacuate the valley and we are going along with them" Six commented as he sat next to her but Winter simply nodded. "You know if you're waiting for god to answer I don't think that's how it works"

"Gods" Winter said, making Six raise an eyebrow. Winter let out a sigh and placed her head in his shoulder "plural, in Remnant there are two gods. Brothers who created the planet and birthed both humans and faunus, they shattered the moon and jumped into the endless abyss of space… quite frankly this god sounds a lot nicer"

"Well my amnesiac brain might be remembering incorrectly but I think God also flooded the earth and killed a lot of people. But different times different measures and whatever"

"Do you believe in anything Six?" Winter said, Six said nothing for a while as his gaze lingered on the sky above. "In terms of religion, I dunno it's a possibility but if we live wondering about things you will never know then you are consumed by fear and ideas, I believe in me… and I believe in you" Six said no hint of embarrassment on his voice.

"You flatter me Six, but what do you mean" Winter asked making the courier chuckle.

"You walk on a different world and you have not lost the will to keep fighting on. That really says something to me, actions are what shape the world" Six said but Winter did not answer, she had fallen asleep on his shoulder, a peaceful yet tired expression on her face. Six felt something on his chest but shook his head as he picked her up and carried her towards her bed.

"She must have been exhausted" Six mumbled to himself as he sat down on his own bed bu his body refused to lie down. Sleep evaded him and his eyes kept trying to wander towards Winter. Frustrated he walked out and brought out his sniper to see if there were any threats. But the valley was peaceful at night only creatures and small critters where near. Six lowered the rifle and looked again to the sky, a small smile on his lips "You know, if you put her in my way… thank you"

A/N: You know as I was replaying Honest Hearts for this story I realized just how little there is to do in terms of missions and loot (the Dessert Ranger armor is amazing) and I was wondering. "Well if the missions are simple and the loot not as good, then why do I still like it a lot?" and I think it goes down to a strong narrative around a main character that even if you disagree you see his point. Joshua Graham impacts the Courier one way or another no matter what faction you are playing, because no matter what you leave the DLC believing in something. Thank you for reading!