Chapter 1 - Awakening

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He sat on the broken column, wondering how old it was. He imagined it was once smooth and white. Now it was yellow and jagged, the effects of a thousand years of disrepair. He ran his gloved hand over the marble. He wore a ripped black cloak which covered his upper arm and chest, concealing armor he wore beneath. He turned his attention to his comrades who sat around the fire.

The fire at the center of their group crackled, with smoke rising to the heavens. Normally he would be concerned about giving their position away. But they weren't hiding today. They wanted to be found.

A man with swept back brown hair and intelligent green eyes with the beginnings of a goatee sharpened his arrows, holding them against the flame to judge. He was quiet, which was uncharacteristic of him. A prominent scar running across his nose gave him an air of danger and experience.

A shorter woman played with the dagger on her belt, a nervous tick that betrayed her stoic exterior. She gazed into the fire, her silver great axe resting next to her. Her hair was in a side ponytail fluttered in the wind, as her single eye met his own. She wore a patch today, concealing the ruby she placed in the socket. On the corner of the patch, he could see the marks of the scar.

A third man with blonde hair stood off to the side, arms crossed and looking away from the fire. His black fur collar hid his expression, though he seemed unburdened. He couldn't remember the last time he saw him without that darkness in his eyes.

"I'm going to take a walk. She still on watch?" The white-haired woman nodded. "Then I'll be back in a few minutes."

The man stepped through the ruin, wondering what it was like to live here. It was his second time here, his first visit brief. He imagined it was beautiful once. Built by magic, sustained by miracles, where peace and happiness reigned. But every light cast a shadow. That prosperity came at a cost.

He reached the tallest structure in the ruined city. He looked up and began to climb. He made his way to the top, where a large doorway led to the top level of the pyramid. It was called the Apex in its heyday and held the Celestial Apartments. Now it was a ruin, like the rest of this place. Faded inscriptions and carvings were the only details left. He imagined everything not nailed down was stolen when it was sacked.

"I though you were with the others?" She asked, as she stared at him on a stone throne.

"I was. …Should I bow and crawl my way to you, Your Holiness?" He made an exaggerated bow, stressing the title. The woman snorted.

"Very funny. I just… wanted to see how it felt. I wondered if it would feel familiar…"

He said nothing. The silence in this place was deafening. She rose from the ruined throne and began to walk towards him. Every step echoed, until she stopped right in front of him. Her emerald eyes sparked in the darkness.

"So, you saw everything?" He asked hesitantly. She looked away.

"Just scraps and fragments from her." She tapped her chest. "Her though? I saw her whole life. Felt what she felt. Thought what she thought. I… might even be her now."

He felt a wave of guilt. It wasn't fair. But every other choice was worse…

"I know why you did it." She placed her hand over his cheek. He closed his eyes and melted into her touch. "And I forgive you." A tear rolled down his cheek. The guilt remained, though he knew it would fade to a dull ache. With time.

A roar in the distance marked the arrival of their guest. They separated and saw a large figure illuminated by moonlight. She unsheathed the brilliant white longsword bearing the symbol of outstretched wings on the cross guard. He reached for his own crimson blade.

He grabbed her shoulder and teleported to their allies. Each of the three had already unsheathed their weapons. The rest of their band joined them as they waited.

"Hey?" The brown-haired man asked. "You guys wonder how things got this bad?"


Several years ago…

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.

When did they change out the flooring? Lucas wondered dumbly.

His home was almost entirely carpeted. He looked around as his mind finally processed the fact that 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.

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. But it probably wasn't. 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. He hadn't even been to one since taking Nerys after they started dating. She didn't like the noise.

"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 moved on, trying to find the exit. He traced the lights outward, hoping to use the little illumination they provided to find a door. After a minute of searching, he finally found a nondescript black metal door. He went through it and was greeted by a slightly better lit room. It was still dark, though he gussed it was an observation room. A large glass window overlooked the room Lucas had been in, though he couldn't even see 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 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 a nearby bookshelf for a clue. 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. It seemed movies and tv had led him astray. He shook his head, trying to focus.

"This place looks like it's been abandoned for years" Lucas said.

He racked his mind 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. Or a pharmaceutical company, those guys were diabolical…

When he turned from the computer, he noticed a locker pushed against the back wall. He opened 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 from 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. They appeared to be mass produced and identical, though some showed signs of wear and tear. Why are there more blades than guns?

In the back of the armory were more display cases. But these felt more like museum pieces. There were seven 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 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 another weapon. 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?


?

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, he made a promise.

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

The cloak flapped in the wind, exposing strong muscular arms. He extended his hand outward, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to greet you. But you need to go your own way for now."

His voice became serious once again and said, "I hope you find some measure of happiness and live a good life. I hope you choose the easy path and fade into obscurity." He paused. "But I know you. You'll take the difficult and bring Fodlan along with you. One fraught with doubt, misery, but most of all, truth."

Before Lucas turned his gaze towards him, the stranger pivoted out of sight. He sighed, feeling his old age.

"Maybe that's what Fodlan needs. Maybe it's time for shackles staked into this world to be broken once and for all. Maybe it's time to let it all come to an end."

He would watch him and his journey.

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


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 make for bad grades. He started to eye the military instead, infuriating Uncle Gavin for "wasting his hard-earned 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 in 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.

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Authors notes – Here is the new opening, set in the second half of this story. Influenced by the opening of FFX

I'm sure some are wondering if this is a Golden route? That depends on what you would consider to be the golden route. Not every character will be recruitable, and not every character will survive. And the ending may not be a happy one

I hope I take you down an unexpected path in this story, that keeps you guessing while also not making it forced