06 - The Path Ahead

Music fills the atmosphere along with chatter and laughter as I find myself seating with a hard drink staring at the catwalk, legs and feat one after the other each wearing a mask fixed with a smile. It almost feels like I'm becoming a regular here at the Dead Oaks and Fred has come to know my usual drink order. I suppose several days is all it takes in such a small settlement.
The music dims as I drink, Leon steps in carrying the chicken he bought yesterday from the market. Already shouting towards Sakiran casually who stands at the bar. I don't know if this is the liqour talking but it looks as if it's a common reoccurance between the two, maybe Sakiran appreciates the attention.
I pulled out one of the insulated containers from my satchel, I opened it to release the dark aroma of soy noodles Leon quickly noticed putting the chicken to one side and pulled out his, we got to talking about a few things and I looked over to the bouncer by the back door to see Fen crying and Sakiran at the end of her rope before they both are given access to the back with the door closing behind them.
 
Several minutes pass as I finish my bowl before Leon speaks up asking what I thought might be happening inside, I was not sure at all. I hope they didn't cause her any trouble, it sounded like she had enough on her hands already. Leon introduced the chicken as Chinese, strange' name but then again Leon ain't all there either. It was weird seeing him all happy because of his new pet though, I'm happy for the guy really. Chinese clucked suspiciously on point in conversations, I think I remember one of the communities we met back home used to revere and swear that they were able to communicate with their chickens, I wonder if it were true or not. Leon had that collar still attached to him, it got in the way of him eating but it didn't look like it caused him any pain. He was adamant to have it removed, he had that in common with the sane man at least.
The backdoor opened with Fen walking out looking melancholic and Sakiran who appears to have aged by a couple of years, I wonder if she was thirsty.
They appraoched us before Fen took off into the corner of the bar while Leon got up and followed with Chinese, Sakiran explained what had happened and why Fen was all doom and gloom.
Leon tried to get him to drink but he out right refused and knocked the drink away.
Poor guy, I can't imagine how he feels right now. When things go south with my own we generally escape with a few cuts and bruises but to have accidently taken an elderly man's life must be difficult for Fen. He walked over to us with Leon following behind and started sobbing. it ain't easy seeing a grown ass man crying in front of you, the most human thing I could think of was to offer sincere comfort, one man to another.
I pulled him in tight, grasping around his back in what would be considered back home as "The Bro Hug" . I had him covered, whether or not it gave any comfort I don't know but it never fails.
Seperating I noticed Leon daydreaming focused on the catwalk while Sakiran pinched her brow as I slowly had come to realise, that was potentially queer, I hardly know the guy.
 
I grabbed my drink taking a sip in a bat of shame, tapping at the bannister seperating the catwalk from the seats.
Sounds are drowned again as I take another, longer drink as I notice heads turn toward the entrance, several men among them that Paladin from several nights ago Herius, hard to forget his name. Two other prominent figures stand out among the grunts, a tall beared man winking in a direction while a woman stands armed with a long rifle in a strange uniform. She proceeds to lean against the wall, no doubt about it but those daggers are aimed at my location as I slowly turn away pulling my collar and tucking my head away.
That must be who Sakiran mentioned, it's gotta be. Fuck' was her name again? I took another peak quickly turned as all I noticed was a grimascing aura, footsteps approached as I felt my gut sink. The steps go past and toward the backdoor where suddenly a loud crashed followed by a slumped human man lay spread out by the wall. The others looked on as they moved into the backroom with the door closing behind.
The atmosphere changed with Leon and Sakiran bickering, noise drowned out with the mix of music, noodles and alcohol. The door slid open again as the Paladin stepped out ducking slightly through the frame, the others followed suit paying little attention to us as they leave the establishment. A sigh of relief washed over me, I was afraid something might happen again.
I glanced over toward Fred at the bar, he appeard very tense with his arms outstretched on the bar. The bickering was cut short when flames had engulfed the building, we all made a break for the backdoor, running past the remains of the bouncer, gritting my teeth as I witness another brutality from Gratus the others push past into the alley, before coming upon the street exit I noticed Tiff's office door was slightly open with a kneeling Tel'Vi next to Tiffany, I rushed into the room to see Tiffany badly wounded, covered in bruises and cuts.
Tel'Vi looking up, staring at me. This is my fault isn't it, I told Herius in the interrogation room why we were here and about our employer. Fuck this is all on me!
Her mouth opens and I hear no words, all I hear is how It's my fault before she shouts my name and I come about, Tiffany grunts in pain and Tel'Vi shouts what the Gratus did here, I know all too well of the aftermath of their wake. I pick up Tiffany and Tel'Vi stands, we leave the office and head into the side street where the others are further down, Sakiran shouting past the corner while screams are heard through the side entrance. I look down at a now unconscious Tiffany, I lay her down reaching for a stim inside my bag and injecting her with it. It should stabalise her for now, I looked over to see Leon, Gazrak and Fen standing there shaken up before standing to head inside, Leon ran over and came with me. The side exit opens and a gush of hot air rushes past us. Rushing inside past the backdoor we see the interior, the sight is horrific with patrons, most covered with severe burns and a few dotted around, Fred is fighting the fire creating a small haven while we climb onto the catwalk and attempt to break down the door. I drew my gun and shot close range at the hinges before the door opened. The air was getting extremely difficult to breath in, Leon struggled for air and I wasn't sure how long we could last inside. Men and women rushed past us, vaulting out of the window in the dressing room, Fred came with us through the back door and into the side street. He quickly carried Tiffany and we all approached toward Sakiran.
 
She stared at Tel'Vi, who was quick to give answers. I hadn't the feintest idea, only catching one or two recogniseable words. Tiffany's condition was worsening and Tel'Vi screamed to help her, Fred mentioned Salahuddin at his nearby store is the closest thing to medical practice in Hardenvale, our only shot at saving her. She can't die, I'm finding it extremely difficult to fight on at the loss of my friends and to have someone die because of me again is out of the question, I'll be finished.
We rushed over, no sight of the Paladins and only the odd guard in the vicinity before we got to the shop.
 
He led us to the store room of his shop where he started to work on her, It was difficult to watch and Tel'Vi carefully monitored his progress at each step. Through some miracle he managed to save her, the wounds glimmer silver and fully stabalise. Relief washed over me as I couldn't imagine what I would have done if she didn't make it.
Soon after the door opened and a man who stood side by side with Herius appeared. I was angry to see one of his in front of us like this but he appeared in peace. He introduced himself as Talan, he laid out the situation and offered us a work around, a ticket out of here for all of us.
The others start talking, followed by some bickering, Leon asked about the collar to which the man the man gracefully removed with little effort.
This man makes no sense, moments earlier he was with Herius watching the bar burn and now he's helping us, Sakiran mentioned several days ago that he was intrusted to watch her. Is he all that bad?
I started to relax in his presence, Sakiran is acting very strange around him. I heard a loud noise as a container hit the floor and Leon was covered in noodles. A sorry sight to say the least, Chinese clucked again almost in sorrow.
They all started bickering and talking over each other, Fen threatening everyone while Tel'Vi looks mortified and angry at the situation in front of her unconscious mother.
Enough was enough, I've had it already with the bickering for now. I shouted for them all to stop messing about. Tel'Vi seemed to appreciate the gesture and I was able to think clearly for a moment.
 
This guy Talan could just take us out now, but he's offering us a way out, what's his game plan here. I grabbed a similar container from my satchel, opening it to reveal heavily seasoned noodles.
I'll see what kind of man he is, surely he wouldn't just take these and eat them from a stranger. To my surprise he quickly accepted them and started eating them.
It dawned on me what kind of man Talan was, the dedication to his work. Fine, I'll take him up on this, I imagine the others are going to be fine with it anyway.
Afterwards I stepped forward offering to shake his hand, I had him pegged for someone different. It was clear this man wasn't your usual Gratus. To my surprise he clasped hands with me and we shook on a mutual understanding, he wished us all well before departing.
I have a feeling I will be seeing more of Talan, damn I forgot to ask about the one who watches over me. I will ask him next time we meet. Stepping out of the backroom the others were bickering with Salahuddin and Sakiran dragged the others out of the shop while Sal sighed heavily glaring.
 
We walked for about 10 minutes before reaching the Hardenvale mag station, the atmosphere was quiet and eerie. Tel'Vi and Fred watched over Tiffany while the others stood around. Eventually Tel'Vi stood up and shouted at us, "How could you go along with this, it's madness".
How could we, I go along with this, everything that has happened over the week has been hell. I haven't managed to get a good nights sleep since Lao, the solemn chats I've had with Sakiran help ease the situation but it doesn't fix anything. She still doesn't know what I did back in Lao.
 
Fen has been harrassing Tiffany all day, Tel'Vi summoned a horrfici sight and narrowly missed Fen with it while Sakiran summoned a strange vine from herself. All this magic, I can't use any of it but I still have my trusty guns. Even at a disadvantage in sight.
I'm slowly getting accostomed to missing an eye, I haven't been knocking off as many glasses and I'm adapting.
 
The mag train arrived, stepping onto it from the back revealed the long hallway with small cabins on the left in a row. Some of the group stepped into one while I leaned against the door frame. the air hadn't changed and was still tense.
Tel'Vi's words stuck to me for a while, why am I even here, alive right now. I shouldn't be, I should have died with them, fuck knows if the others got out alive. I don't have any intel on the situation and i'm getting further and further away from Lao to find out.
Sakiran's by the window staring out, I almost wish she didn't come that night. Rubbing my face and feeling the rough stubble mixing the sweat is enough to realise the kinda thoughts I'm having now. I snapped out as Talan came over and welcomed us on board, I wasn't expecting to see him again so soon let alone in the sorry state I'm in right now.
Sakiran started asking questions, I interjected after hearing about some sort of tithe the Wylder's pay, the convoy lead never mentioned anything about a tithe back at the Silver Serpant Company so where does this tithe come from. Talan explained that it is highly unusual that we never paid but moved on.
He spoke of magic, something about more folk getting magical powers and thinning some veil? Sakiran appeared shocked to hear it, but I wasn't catching on to any of it.
It was then he spilled it, his loyalty lay with someone else. I ain't heard much of the Gratus royal family but it seems he's in with another royal, the guy's sister. The hell are we getting ourselves into.. what am I getting myself into.
I don't owe shit to the guy, I respect him for coming out with this but what does he expect?
A Gratus civil war is in the midst and we're heading straight to Bastion, the capital.
 
He bid leave after reassuring our freedom on the train, I wandered off to a room full of machinery and Leon followed me inside. This is all Gratus military, a lot of it is worse for wear but I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I took a look around here.
I stepped near a container, sliding the door open to find some tools and started tinkering with an assault bike, the tech on this thing is insane. The balance on the bike to maintain two large calibre guns has to be really good, and the torque to prevent loss of speed while firing has to be impressive. No doubt about it, it's all top of the line stuff and I know guys who would kill to get their hands on gear like this.
I unbuttoned my top collar to let some air in as it was getting stuffy and glanced over at Leon who was staring intently, does he have an interest in this sort of stuff maybe?
Wiping the sweat of my brow i have a look around some more while Leon gets up and wanders off.
 
Several minutes later I hear loud footsteps followed by a yelp, I pulled myself from out underneathe another machine where I saw a man grapply Leon, I don't recognise the man at all, I creep closer to the door silently and notice a couple of strange men and women followed by a red haired woman rushing down with a tall burly man. I overheard Fen talking loudly to one of the women about a scheme of his and how they could be in on it, the guy has a way with words that's for sure, I couldn't see all too well but she threatened him after admiring his talk.
I pull back around, sitting against a container, looking up at the ceiling light.
Why am I here, what am I doing, who are these people. Questions, followed by more questions. Sweat pouring from underneathe by bound eye as it drips onto my collar. dropping my head wets the floor as I contemplate long and hard on the situation.
Minutes pass as memories come flooding, of the gang. Of home. They submerge and more recent ones surface, Sakiran saving my ass. Tel'Vi holding her mother's badly beaten body. It dawns on me that while I dwell heavily on the past, the present matters most right now and they're in trouble.
Lifting my head back up I rub my face with both grease covered hands marking my face and stand quickly searching around. I come across a working Gratus Maxum MG MkII and exo-frame, I attach the exo and carry the machine gun with ease thanks to the support from the frame.
 
I take a few deep breaths before rushing out the door frame to find one of the strange men calling on him to drop his weapon. Which he complied with while Leon rushed over to cuff him. They are all there, contained and staring.
 
This is my decision, I will see it through for them.