Chapter 1 - Awakening

W… .p

Wa.. up

Wake up!

Lucas jerks up in a panic. His mind in overdrive, he searches the darkness for… What was he so afraid of? Lucas blinks away his grogginess and sits up. It was dark, but he could make out soft blue lights on the metal floor.

Metal floor? Lucas wondered.

His home was almost entirely carpeted. He looks around as his mind finally realizes this was not his home. He stood up slowly, not trusting his sense of balance. Stumbling, he reached for something to lean on but found nothing. He rose to his full height looking around as his vision adjusts.

Did I pass out in the middle of a club?

It would certainly explain the room's aesthetics. Blue lights along the ground seemed to run to the slab he had been sleeping on. He quickly crosses clubs off the list of places he could be. If it was, Lucas would have been thrown out or taken home by one of his friends. Lucas was now in his third year of college, aspiring towards a career in medicine, and the novelty of clubs had lost their appeal.

"Hello?" Lucas called out.

There was no response, only the slight echo of Lucas's call. In the corner of his eye, he saw a terminal near the slab he had woken from. Lucas went over and began tapping the screen. When the screen did not react, Lucas ran his hands around the edge for something, anything to get a response. Still nothing. Lucas moves on, trying to find an exit. He eventually spots a door and pushes through it. This room was dimly lit and resembled an observation room that he had seen in hospitals. A large glass window overlooked the room Lucas had been in, he could not make out the slab he had been sleeping on in the darkness. Near the glass window was a computer.

"Let's see if you work…"

To Lucas' relief, it turned on. But it was short lived, as relief turned to frustration. It required a password. He looked for anything that might give him a clue. Every movie trope told him to look for nearby books or other nearby items for a clue. To his dismay, the desk was empty, room sparse, and now with the screen's illumination, Lucas could see the thick layer of dust that caked the whole room.

This place looks like it's been abandoned for years, Lucas thought.

His mind began to race, trying to figure out where the hell he was. He ruled out a hospital. A wilder part of his imagination told him he was going to be experimented on by the military.

Stepping away from yet another failure, he notices a locker pushed against the back wall. He went to open it and noticed an outline of a hand where the lock would normally be. He placed his palm against it, praying to God it opened. Thankfully, it did. and Lucas' eyes bulged by what he found inside. A fresh Navy T-shirt, black cargo pants, brown bomber jacket, and black combat boots. At the top of the locker was a duffle bag, containing rations, basic first aid kit, survival equipment, a flashlight, and to his surprise, a silver 9mm handgun and combat knife.

"It's like one of my Japanese video games." Lucas chuckled.

The military scenario felt more likely. But if he was kidnaped, why leave him a gun?

Lucas strapped the pistol harness to this right leg and inspected the pistol. It was fully loaded with a 12-round magazine. His father had taken him shooting a fair amount as a teenager and insisted on a firearm safety course. He moved the hammer back and made sure the safety was on. His father's lessons echoed in his mind.

Always aim your gun in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger until ready.

He moved through the strange facility, noting how futuristic it was. It was almost as if he had stepped foot into a cyberpunk dystopia. While there were other rooms, they appeared to be offices, living quarters, and even a shower. However, much like the observation room, it looked like it had been abandoned for years. Lucas was probably the first person here in a long time. After an hour of wandering the halls, he found a room labeled Armory.

He opened the door and was taken aback by the array of weapons around him. Some were standard military equipment. A few Rifles, pistols, machine guns, even some grenade launchers. But as he scanned the display cases he noticed the weapons became more… medieval? Swords, spears, halberds, and bows were plentiful. Lucas's eyes narrowed as he tried to divine the reason as to where there are more blades than guns.

In the back of the armory were more display cases. But these felt more like museum pieces. There were 7 in total. To the far left, a pair of knives so long they were nearly short swords. The blades themselves had a purple hue, with obsidian handles and gold trim.

The next was a spear, blood red with what resembled thorns running down the shaft.

Next was a Longsword whose blade bore a blue tone and gave Lucas the impression of nobility.

The fourth display stood out as it was the only one with an armor set. The armor was black with subtle gold trim adorned to each plate. The clothing between the armor plates was dark red, with a matching waist cloak. Despite the beauty of the armor, it was undoubtedly ruined. Chipped metal, gashes, and the helmet's visor was cracked and broken. It looked like it had been pulled right off a corpse that had gone through hell. To match the armor, a broken single edged sword with similar red and black coloration, the blade shattered in 5 pieces. The only thing intact was a pistol lying next to the sword.

He forcefully turned his gaze away and inspected the remaining weapons. Next was an ivory bow with a matching quiver that seemed to shine like the sun.

The sixth weapon was a pair of dark green clawed gauntlets.

The final weapon was the only other firearm. It looked as if it were made of bone and had a dragon head carving at the end of the barrel.

Even though Lucas already had a pistol and knife, he wouldn't mind having an extra weapon. A pistol and and knife are sidearms, afterall. He tried to open the cases of the plethora of weapons that surrounded him to no avail. He tried to find a way to open the cases, but to his disappointment none were to be found. He looked back at all the weapons,wishing he could take one with him.

Not today, fate seemed to say.

As Lucas left the armory, he saw a red glow down the hallway. Like a moth to a flame, he's drawn towards the glow. It held the words he had been looking for.

EXIT

Lucas' slow pace turned into a jog. He smiled, as if he could taste fresh air. He followed the signs until he came to a large metal door, resembling a bank vault. A wheel sat in the door's center, with a digital pad near the wall. Lucas, ignoring the digital pad, began to crank a wheel with all his might. After 7 rotations, he heard a hiss, likely decompression. He was finally free of this place, whatever it was. Pulling the door open, he was greeted by the warmth of sunlight and the chirping of birds. The ground was uneven and rocky. He stared out at the admittingly beautiful hills before him. He stepped out from the shade and turned around. Before him was the metal door appearing out of place, almost as if it had been welded into the gray rocks. Lucas then turned his gaze to the heavens. Before him, was a towering mountain, no a rock.

"A mountain?" Lucas muttered.

The confusion came back in full.

Where am I?


? POV

At the peak of the mountain, a man watched Lucas emerge from the cave. He knew that he had changed the game, but so what? The world was constantly changing, evolving, growing however you want to put it. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time he's done this.

He ran a hand through his hair, which was hidden under a cloak. He learned long ago the benefit of doubting oneself. It was a healthy thing, despite what more zealous his kin felt.

With the cloak flapping in the wind, he extended his hands, as if stage acting "Where will fate take you? Will you fade into obscurity? Or find happiness, and leave the world a better place than you found it?" His voice full of joy and mirth, addressing the unknowing man hundreds of feet beneath him.

His voice became serious once again and said, "Or shall you walk a dark path and shatter the world as we know it."

Before Lucas turned his gaze towards the cliff, the stranger pivoted and walked away, out of sight.

He would watch him and his journey.

And then he'd find out if he made the right choice…


Lucas POV

Lucas climbed down the hill, looking for signs of civilization. The earth was dry, which made his trek much easier. Lucas had never been fond of camping or experiencing the great outdoors. He was much more accustomed to the world of cars, roads, and hotels when it came to traveling. His father, an avid hunter, had always made grand plans for a long hunting trip together. Lucas thought back to their last exchange regarding it.


"You never know when you are going to get lost," his father told him. "I know you don't like it, but I think you might pick up a thing or two."

"Dad, we have GPS, cellphones, and that roadside assistance we pay for and don't use. Save for being on the run from the law, I think I'll be fine."

"Come on son, just think about it. You, me, Uncle Gavin, and maybe your dipshit cousin Joshua. All alone in the Colorado wilderness tracking our prey. Leave your mother and sister at a ski resort, while we act like manly men" his father exaggerated whilst wiggling his eyebrows.

"Could be a blast." Lucas smiled "Course' we'd have to stop Josh from shooting Uncle Gav when his back is turned. Remember the Thanksgiving blow-up?" Lucas shuddered. It wasn't everyday you watched a family divide turn into a family chasm before your very eyes.

His father scoffed in amusement. His uncle Gavin, while friendly and relatively harmless, had a bad track record when it came to wives. His first marriage had not lasted a year, his second, which resulted in his son Joshua, lasted for ten years, and his last wife just left him. After running up all his credit cards of course. Lucas did not know what started the fight that night, but once the screaming match had ceased, his mother told them no more beer or hard liquor at family events. No one had any objections.

Joshua on the other hand had dropped out of college after bombing his first year. Too much partying and drinking eventually caused his grades to slip. He started to eye the military instead, infuriating Uncle Gavin for the "waste of money." Lucas's father tried to play the mediator, but ultimately decided it was best to stay clear.

"I think it would be good for them. It could be the start of their reconciliation by working together. Also, it would be good for you and me too. This old man is running out of lessons to teach you. And it could help with that new girlfriend of yours." he said suggestively.

Lucas thought about it. He supposed a few lessons wouldn't hurt. It also didn't hurt that Nerys's main hobby had been stargazing. A camping trip to the Nevada desert would make a romantic vacation.


Focusing on the present, Lucas remembered the few lessons his father had given him regarding surviving the wilderness. Firstly, he looked for food and water. He still had the provisions he found earlier in the locker, but he would rather save those for when things got dire. A pistol would work well enough on a rabbit.

After foraging, Lucas found some colorful berries, and wrapped them up for later. Lucas marched downhill until he heard running water.

Thank God, Lucas thought. Cities and towns were often set up near or around rivers due to the natural resources. The chances of him finding a boat or town went up exponentially, so long as he stayed near a river, especially a large one.

Lucas made his way towards the sound, and found the river. The currents were rapid and harsh, nearly a mile wide. He chose to walk with the flow of the river, noting that crossing was not an option.

After walking for nearly two hours before he finally came across proof of civilization. With smoke in the distance Lucas broke into a grin and thought his luck was finally turning around and he would be home soon.

He had never been more wrong.

Authors Note

Hi everyone, ChaoticNYX here.

I've been reading fanfic for a while now and while I've always thought about publishing, I didn't get inspired until I read the fanfic The Godless Age by Eddeddyeded.

I could see the passion and hard work they put into it, so I got inspired and decided to make this story which has been bouncing around in my mind. I'm planning on publishing about 3 chapters right off the bat, mostly because I know the first chapters will probably need to be read together to get a good idea for the direction I'm going with the story.

There have been a lot of good OC fics for Three houses. A few that come to mind are Stolen Remedy (personal favorite) and Those Who Can't Teach. I'll be honest, my outline and plan is a long one and I am aiming high. I'd rather miss the mark than aim too low. Plus I can always remaster or rewrite the story later, though I would like to limit this.

So give me your criticisms and let me know what you think.

Weapons I used as inspiration (and probably use the names later)

Daggers - Death's Gambit (Ash weapons)

Spear - Gae Bolg Fate

Longsword- Excalibur Fate prototype

Sword, Pistol and Armor - Endless Equipment Death's Gambit. Pistol is Mercy from Darksiders

Bow- Auriel's Bow - Skyrim

Gauntlets - Beawulf DMC 5

Sniper Rifle - Whisper of the Worm - Destiny

Edit - I changed the bit about doubt with the mysterious figure. Also fixed spacing issues.