Prologue
At the year 2001, earth was assaulted be a series of asteroids which changed the face of the earth. The environment changed after the assualt. Many continents divided, changed, or no longer exist. Many of the islands were swallowed by the ocean and never to be seen again. The world is no longer one unit, but many with different groups that had split off to adapt to the new environment. With this split, three social status came about. The first status was the Government. The second was the Common People. The third was the Nonexistence. Each holding a place in the world, each fighting for survival and control.
No longer does the people have monarchy, communism, commonwealth, republic, and so on. the people now have a new government, a government only existing for one purpose. That purpose, to have power over all the people. They call themselves, what else, the Government. They consist of what was once the leaders or top officials in what was once their own government. Now they are the leaders of the world, much like that of the United Nations in the 20th century. Even though their true purpose is power, their goals are their masks. What the Government wants is basically a lie to the people, lies hiding the true purpose. The Government, or so they say, lives for the people and with the people. The leaders want world peace, justice for all, equality, and other minor things. The Government is now lovated in Volos, Greece.
The rich and the middle class are now united. They make up what is known as the Common People. They make their livings as they normally have been for years, but with exceptions. The Common People live in communities or tribes, all based on the location of where they live.
The outcasts, the wanderers, an the poor make up the last social status known as the Nonexistence. Most were poor before the asteroids hit. The outcasts were either bad people or genetically altered defects, those no one would care for or like. The wanderers were, well, basically people who went searching in the world, for what, no one knows. the Government is trying to rid of these so called pests, put them on a deserted island with no hopes of returning to society. The Common People have learned to ignore the problem until it is their turn. Wither way, these people will never be treated with the same respect as they would if they were in the Common People status.
*
As what was said earlier, the earth was hit by asteroids which changed the environment. The people had to adapt to the changes or else they would not survive. The winters grew longer and colder, the springs grew wetter, the summers grew hotter, and the autumns grew shorter. The animals as well had to adapt to the change. This change became to be known as the Transition Age, the age where everything took a new form or meaning.
The continent that was once known as the United States became the Land of Many. The states no longer exist in the west or middle, only in the east. California was swallowed by the sea. The west coast is now known as the Forgiving Lands; what was once Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Between what was once New Mexico and Texas, the land split apart to form a sea known as the Scarlet Sea. The middle is now known as the Savage Lands; what used to be North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. The east, with the exception of a few remained states. The few were known as the Growing Lands; they were Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and parts of Michigan. The rest not mentioned stayed as states with the exception of Florida, which is now known as the Floating Land.
Most of Canada and Alaska was snowed over leaving it as one gigantic glacier known as the Flats. Mexico stayed pretty much the same. All the islands were either swallowed by the water or by volcanic eruption. South America is pretty much the same, except it is a tad bit hotter. Africa is mostly desert now, the Nile dried up from one of the asteroids. Russia is now the Waste Land along with Romania, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. All of Asia is now called the Ancient Lands. Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scotland, and Denmark are now the Tech Lands. Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy are now known as the Mysts. Greece has become the center for the Government, nick-named the Palace. Greenland is apart of Canada and Australia is now the Forbidden Land. The other lands not mentioned were either conquered, destroyed, or became part of the sea.
The people of this newly changed world learned to adapt to the environment. Not only the people adapted, but other life forms had learned to be one with the new environment. New forms of species began to appear, theories on how these new life forms came about is still a puzzle but scientists around the world are looking into it. Some species thought to be on the endangered list are beginning to show signs of their come back. No one is quite sure, but some believe that this change was for the good while others thought it was a sign of great catastrophe yet to come. Only time will tell.
With these new changes around the world, it is no surprise that we still have psychics and philosophers. Unlike the other well known seers of the time, in a small barbarian tribe, a young female will find that the legends told by her elders are true. This tale was told from generation to generation, the starting point unknown. From time to time, people would hear of what is to come. The seers foretold of major earthquakes, environmental changes, war, and other remarkable events. All came true, but one was more than true, it was the make or break of human life as we know it.
*
"A child will be born on the day of the 20th, in the month of March, in the year of 1980. This child will be different from the rest. This child will be thought of as a 'Tom-Boy' but also as an elegant child. The gender of this child will be a girl. She will have different masks, the dominant is her kindness followed by her shyness. She is not who she appears to be, putting on different masks for different situations. She will be modest, imaginative, artistic, trustworthy, and many others. She is someone who has hidden powers, who will hide it from everyone else, ever her family, even her closest friend.
"As a child, she will be sweet and innocent. Her personality will begin to develop into a strong one. She will be with a family full of love. As a teenager, she will begin to experience different styles in her home-town. One of those styles will be more dominant. She is no follower, but she will incorporate the style in her own way. She will have short dark-brown hair, the color of her eyes are hazel, her height is about 5'3", and her personality will blossom once you get to know her. As an adult, she will experience powers beyond her understanding. She will use those powers for the good, helpingany that comes her way. She wont know her destiny until a young female barbarian seeks her for help. That will be the beginning of events to follow.
"As an adult, she will seem like a child. But, in reality, she is wise beyond her years and mature beyond comprehension. She will know what to do when the time comes that will make or break human existence for all eternity. Her powers not only come from within, but from those around her who cares. When she conquers her biggest fear, she will then battle the evil that plaques all humanity. When the battle comes, she will be heard throughout the land, throughout the world, even throughout the universe. She will become the Legend of all Legends. In order for this to become reality, her true existence will begin after big rocks on fire come falling from the sky. After this catastrophe happens, everything will fall in place.
"But let us not forget, there is one thing in this world that can stop her. This entitiy is older than time itself. He, to many, was worshipped as God or as Satan or as the major force in other religions of the time. He is best known as Apocalypse. He will know of her existence and will try to stop her, but in the end, two possible futures for all human kind will be evident. One is of prosperity, where she has won. The other is of destruction, where he has won. If he wins, nothing is safe, we will be doomed. She is our only and last help."
This story was told from generation to generation, the words are the same, nothing was changed. One seer, before Christ, told of this but the other seers did not believe. This seer passed his knowledge down to the next generation who in turn did the same. Until the year 2001, the Tamhawk Tribe will test this story and maybe the rest of the world will believe.
The day was beginning. The sun was breaking from the east over some hills. The rays hit the sky with vibrant colors that could be seen from a distant. The light from the sky would reflect upon a field giving the newly grown flowers unusual yet delicate colors. The leaves from the tree would begin to flow as a breeze from time to time came through. Now and then, little fury animals would come from their slumber to the waking of a new day. Not only animals began to stir, birds began to sing of the daybreak. It was your usual, peaceful morning. But one can't help notice that about this beautiful open field under a large cottonwood tree, another animal is sleeping but is about to be awakened.
As the sun rose higher into the sky, the rays reached far into the horizon. The light was bright, and to the sleeping eye it is like having someone point a flashlight at you. Clear, aqua-blue eyes began to focus on a rabbit sitting at a distant on its hind legs. The eyes began to scroll across the field on a side view, some hills in the distance. This animal, no doubt, is a human, a female. She raised her left hand to cover her eyes from the sun. As her left hand came down, she made a jingle sound as though two bracelets were hitting each other a they slid down her arm. Fixing her eyes to the light, she stood up and stretched.
The female was young, yet old enough to see that she has been traveling for quite some time. She had long, wavy blonde hair that came to her waist. Her face was fair, almond eyes, small nose, and well-rounded red lips. She wore a burgundy cloak which had acted as her blanket while she slept. Her outfit looked that of a barbarian, rawhide boots and belt. Cotton shirt and skirt with unique signs of both an eagle and a wolf. On her left arm, she wore two gold bracelets with markings of some ancient symbol.
She scoured the field for some sign, any sign. She was lead to this field by a white fox which was unusual in this part of the country. She searched in her mind why she volunteered for this quest, and she knew why. She recalled the first vision. It was a vision of a young adult, a female who would lead her people out of great trouble. The field began to fade. A tent took its place, surrounded by her people.
"Let me through! I need to know," said Vita as she tried to shove through her people to get to the tent.
The people slightly moved. As they saw her make her way through to the tent, they couldn't help but stare. She was an unusual breed for the Tamhawk Tribe with her blonde hair. But the people had grown to love her as well as admire her. She was of the Tamhawk Tribe, no doubt, because embarking on quests was in their blood as well as a few other things. They knew this mission would be Vita's, they could see it in her eyes.
Vita had broken through the crowd. She was excited, yet calm. She knew this was her big chance to go on a quest. It was all she ever dreamed of as a child. This mission the elders had in mind was different from any other quests, though. It would be a win or lose quest and Vita knew that, but the elders had their misgivings. Vita took a deep breathe and opened the flaps to the tent and went inside.
Inside the tent, the elders were sitting in a row on the dirt floor. They bade Vita to enter and sit in front of them. Vita entered and as the flaps to the tent closed, the shuffling of feet could be heard scoot closer. As Vita sat, she could sense a great pride. The elders were well respected and were decision-makers for the tribe. Their visions told of truth. The eldest, K'sliun, was the wisest and was the speaker for the tribe. He was looked up to by the young and the old. With his short white hair, and child-like eyes, he was a mand of a good heart. He wore a robe of burgundy and red which came down to his ankles when he would stand. The sleeves came down to the wrists and rested loosely around his legs when he sat. When he spoke, one can't help but listen.
"Young Tamhawk, you are known as Vita. You have put in a request to go on this quest from last I spoke of what is to come. We have weighed your request and from what we have gathered from your family and friends, we have no choice but to send you on this quest," said K'sliun with great patience in his words.
Vita's heart skipped a beat of joy. She couldn't believe it, her first quest, a mission of great importance. She knew this would be the one.
"Young Tamhawk, I will tell you again of your duty on this quest and why you were chosen and why this quest had to be. We had visions of great destruction not only for our tribe, but for others all over as well. This destruction will be caused by an unknown tribe with great powers from the west. This conquest will be the beginning of the end. But, we've seen light. A hope that could become reality.
"Our vision had spoken of another future, a future where the people of this land will be prosperous. The one to give this world hope is a young female from the east. From what we gathered, you had a vision of this same female. That is why you have been chosen because you have said you know what she looks like and in our vision, we have not. We only know she is from the east. Do you accept this quest?" asked K'sliun.
"With pride and courage, I accept this quest my elders," said Vita with great pide in her voice.
"Very well. You must go to the east to find this female. When you find her, do whatever it takes to bring her here to us. Your journey will not be easy, but you can do it. You will have help, only if you call for it. If you are lost, a white fox will guide you in the right direction. Take each sign of nature as a warning, as a guide, or as a means of communication. Good luck," warned Haze, the third of the elders who was more of a prophet than anything else.
K'sliun handed Vita a pale blue cloth. On the cloth were two golden bracelets with ancient symbols engraved in it. Vita had no clue what the symbols were, but she knew from others that when one was given the bracelets such as these, the person would return with success. With a pat on the shoulder, Vita left the tent of her home to get ready to embark on the journey. The people outside the tent began to look at Vita in a whole new light. They no longer saw her as just a mere girl, but a young woman they knew they could count on. All they knew was that she would be gone for a while, but until she returns, they have hopes.
A bird began to sing. The singing snapped Vita out of the past. She needed to find a brook to wash her face and wake up. Vita grabbed her spear that was resting along side the cottonwood tree she had slept under. Her main weapon was a spear. It was basically the only weapon she learned to use in battle as well as hunting. She passed the test the Tamhawk Tribe had every time a teen would reach adulthood. After passing the test of survival, a special made spear was given to her. The spear was long, about 5'9" compared to her height of 5'4". The blade covered most of the height, it was jagged on one side and smooth on the other. Tied around the bottom of the blade where the wood connected was two eagle feathers, a cloth of rawhide, and a long leather string which tied to the other end of the spear for her to carry it on her back. The wood was colored in ancient symbols which spelled out her name. The bottom wasn't fancy nor was it dull. It had a piece of metal sticking out which looped up and around the wood to the point where it couldn't wind up anymore.
Taking a couple of deep breathes while stretching, something shiny caught Vita's attention out of the corner of her eye. Turning to look in the direction of what she saw, this shiny thing disappeared, then reappeared. Whatever this shiny thing was, it kept bobbing up and down in the hills. Vita knew that just over the hills she would enter the Savage Lands, or a portion of it at least. She also knew that whoever or whatever that was coming, she had to be prepared for an attack of some sort.
"This doesn't look good. I'm not alone that's for sure," said Vita under her breathe.
As the object got closer, Vita could see it was a probe of some sort. Spotting a fallen cottonwood tree nearby, she decided to hide from the oncoming probe. The probe seemed to be moving fast in her direction. Without much thought, Vita hid as fast as she could behind the fallen cottonwood tree. Without a sound, it stopped right in front of Vita. She could tell that the probe was searching, but searching for what Vita had no clue. The probe was nothing like what she had ever seen before in her life.
It was about the size of a monster truck's tire. The probe was made of a metal not common to this land or to any land for that matter. All about this probe, there were many eye holes big enough to fit a hand in it. It looked like it got hit in all directions with something. In the front, as it was turning, Vita could see what looked like a giant glass eye. In the back, there was a symbol. Vita tried to make it out but the probe took off as fast as it had came.
"That's odd, I never seen such a thing. Why is it going to the west? For sure I thought it spotted me, but some how I don't think it's from this world. Damn! If only I could of got a better look at that symbol," pouted Vita.
*
Hummmmmmm. The sound of what seemed like a low buzzing sound was heard not too long ago. Something, someone, was watching her every move. If she had not stop to rest, she would of not noticed the sound. She paid no attention at first, thinking it was probably some animal or a passerby. The humming sound stayed.
Vrrrrrrrr. Klick. Klick. The sounds were no ordinary sounds. It was a machine. Hearing the sounds, she turned all around. All she could see was a vast land of nothing. She lived in a portion of the Savage Lands. Basically, she was in the middle of no where. Yet, the place was occupied once, long ago before the asteroids had hit.
Living alone. No one to care or look for, she was on her own. Survival was the key. She did not care for the Government nor the social status of the Common People. She could fall under the Nonexistence, but she was not a reject nor a wanderer nor a criminal. Her parents died after the shock from the asteroids. Her other relatives could not be found, either dead or lost. No boyfriend or husband to her knowledge. She, as far as she knew, was the only one in her family left that was still alive.
Klick. Klick. The same sounds. Was she imagining sounds that didn't exist? She saw nothing. Looking all around her, a vast open land, few trees, rubble of forgotten houses. Only one place left, she looked above. The sky was blue. No clouds in sight. It was a sunny morning. By the position of the sun, she could tell it was ten in the morning, almost lunch time.
As she looked into the sky, a glimmer caught her eye. Not being too obvious, she began to watch the glimmer. The glimmer moved up and down in the sky. Now and then, the glimmer would stop. Vrrrrrrrr. Klick. Klick. She wanted to get a closer look. In her mind, she searched for possibilities as to what this glimmer was and what it wanted with her. Was this glimmer sent from the Government's military? or was it from one she feared, deep inside? Fear.
Looking directly at the glimmer, she realized it was a machine. At first it was hard to make the glimmer out. The sun's rays would shine off the machine giving it a reflection of some bright light. Squinting her hazel colored eyes, she could make out the machine. Big and round like a monster truck's tire. The metal was unfamiliar. An eye. The eye, not human, but made of glass. The eye reminded her of something long ago, long forgotten yet lays dormant in her memory. The past, something she had blocked from her memory. The pain.
"Not now," she thought.
She knew about the machine, she could feel it. Even though she didn't remember, she knew something was wrong. The presence of the machine gave her feelings that she had locked away in her mind. The feeling of fear, anguish, and pain. Feelings she had once, before.
Vrrrrrrrr. Klick. Klick. The machine moved again. Closer it came to her. Noticing the danger that it could bring, she moved into action to protect herself. Looking straight at the machine, a wind began to pick up. It was quiet, but now, the wind became more evident. The dust and the loose particles among the rubble began to stir. The wind began to pick up. Faster and faster it went. The dust and particles flying about in the wind began to take form. Around and around, faster than before. The sun was still bright as ever, no clouds in sight. In the middle of what seemed like nothing, a tornado had formed. Twisting and turning at an unimaginable speed. As the tornado kept twisting and turning, pieces of the fallen houses were swept into it. The tornado kept moving closer and closer to the machine to the point where the machine tried to get away. Like a vacuum, the machine was swallowed by the tornado. Tink. Thump. Thong. Multiple holes were formed into the machine. Pieces of fallen houses were going in and out of the machine, non-stop. As if the machine was like a toy, the tornado spit it out and vanished like it had appeared.
*
Seeing nothing but a vast open land, Vita was sure that she had taken a wrong turn somewhere from her homeland in what was once Colorado. The land was very different, almost like a border marking where one land ended and one began. The land she now was in was dry with a few exceptions of some grass and bushes here and there. Vita began to realize that she had just entered the Savage Lands. She had heard stories of how those who traveled through the Savage Lands never reached their detination. Just thinking about the stories sent shivers down her spine.
"They were right, the land in the stories are exaclty the same. Now I wonder if the beasts are the same in the stories," sighed Vita as she started walking again.
The sun was high now which signified that it was about noon. Vita walked non-stop and she began to experience doubt that she would never find this female that will save her people. Not only doubt, but fear that the beasts in the stories would be hunting her at this very moment. With that thought, Vita began to look around. Scrolling the land as far as she could see. Nothing. Vita began to laugh.
"Ha! Nothing to be scared about. I'm just letting those stories get to me," chuckled Vita to herself.
She began to walk again, but with more confidence than before. The sun was still high, its rays beating down on her as if she were in a tanning booth. She began to sweat, her eyes began to roll. Her steps started to get heavier and heavier. She was thirsty, she needed water. Or so she thought. Something was amiss. Falling to her knees in the middle of no where, or so it seemed, Vita thought she saw a figure coming towards her. No, it was two.
"Beasts. Stories..." mumbled Vita as she fainted.
The two figures were next to Vita now. They, to any who was hallucinating not because of the sun and the heat but the vegetation that was around, could be mistaken for beasts. Both were wearing masks that was used once before in the Gulf War. Picking up the fallen girl, they began the journey back home.
*
"Who are you?" asked a young female.
The front portion of the female's hair was long to her waist, the color puple. The other portion of her hair was slanted, dark brown. Her hazel eyes was soft, yet hard. She looked to be 5'3".
"I was sent by my elders to find you! Your our only hope. Help us!" pleaded Vita.
"You are asking a great deal of me. I am just one person, I cannot do what you ask alone. Return. Find someone else who can take the job. Return. Return............"
Return. Return. With a sudden burst of energy, Vita awoke sitting up. She was dreaming. It was the same dream as before, the same answer. A shallow light at a far corner was emanating. Vita realized that she was inside a building, or a hut at least. She tried to move, but something was restricting her. Clang. Shingle. Vita looked down upon her wrists and ankles. Chains. She was in chains. She was bounded to a bolt that was in the ground.
"This can't be happening," whimpered Vita.
Taking a few deep breathes, she tried to pull on the chains. Sharp pain shot through her body from her wrists and ankles. The cuffs around her wrists pulled tight and her delicate skin began to tear. Red marks became evident. She stopped pulling for it wasn't doing her any good. She sat quietly, thinking.
"It is true. Monsters have taken me prisoner and I'm going to be their next meal. That's just great! Sent on a mission and I failed," whined Vita.
Looking about the hut, it was dark, save for that little light at the corner. She couldn't make much out except for the little fire that was slowly burning out. She noticed that her cape and spear were gone. The so called monsters had taken them. Remembering the bracelets, she looked down to her arm. They were still there. She remembered the symbolism of the bracelets, that she will return a success. And she will! She began to pray to her God. The God of her tribe, the Protector.
"Protector, God of my tribe, I call to thee for help. Show me, guide me, your help is needed. Show me, guide me, help me if I am to help my people," whispered Vita, her hands raised and clasped together towards the ceiling.
Clang. A rustling sound from outside and a door being opened, a bright light shined through. Vita covered her clear aqua-blue eyes from the bright light the best she could. Two figures blockedthe light and Vita could barely make them out. One was shorter than the other. Both had the masks on. Their clothes was camouflaged to look like the land that was mostly dry with a few grass and bushes.
"Trespasser, you will e sent to the shallow land where you'll be eaten by the Sand Bug," growled one of the two figures.
Grabbing Vita by the arms and releasing the chains from the bolt, Vita felt free. But not for long. Another chain, bigger than before was put around her neck. Feeling like she was going to choke to death, she tried pulling on the neck chain. No use, they had restricted her hands again with handcuffs. Another chain was hooked to her neck chain which became a leash. She was like a dog that was going out for a walk and never to return.
"I implore you, I don't know what you mean?! I'm passing through, to find someone. Maybe you know this person. She is..."
"Shush your pathetic whining! You will die soon," interupted the short one.
Realizing they meant business, Vita fell silent. For once in her life, she would not be successful as she had hoped. She was the top in her age group back home. She began to regret this urgency to get this mission, this quest. As if forces beyond her comprehension were plotting against her and her people. These forces were her doom.
Twinkle. A tiny bright light caught her eye. Being partially dragged out of her holding cell, her spear and cloak were propped up against another hut. Vita wished she could get to her belongings. Once she could, she would make the monsters regret holding her captive. But, yet, these weren't monsters. They were people, people who lost hope and remained isolated. A third came by and picked her belongings up and walked beside the tall one. They seemed to be conversing, now and then they would look back at Vita.
As Vita was walking with her captors, she noticed more of them. It was another tribe, unknown. Like the one back home, there were children and adults. Some were wearing masks and others not. But all stared at her, as if she were some freak that had ran away from a traveling circus. As they travelled out of the little village, all followed behind while some stayed. Vita watched, and became disturbed when a child came up to her motioning a cut throat.
"This does not look good," thought Vita.
*
A light breeze began to blow. Already eaten skeletal pieces could be seen in what looked like a giant cage. This cage, no doubt, was enormous. Size unknown. It was a closed in cage where no one could get out, the only place to get in and out of was a gate about the size of a regular door. About the cage had pieces of clothing that was most likely torn. There was an occasional skeletal hand with the clothings as well. The ground in the cage was all sand. Sticking out in a few places were other skeletal pieces such as skulls, hands, and arms. This was not a fun place to be in.
Creak. The gate was opened. the chains were taken off of Vita. A strong shove from behind pushed Vita into the cage. Following, her cloak and spear were tossed in as well. To Vita, this did not look good. As she was shoved into the cage, she could smell a distinct odor. The odor of death.
"You will either survive or die. Most likely die, but if you manage to kill the Sand Bug, you will be set free. Many tried, all failed. You wont be any different," chuckled the tall one that had chained her not to long ago.
"Bastard!" said Vita through clinched teeth.
Realizing the true nature of her capture, Vita tossed her cloak to one side and picked up her spear. Not knowing when or how the creature would strike, she had to trust her abilities. She had to be prepared. There was an audience, watching and anticipating the kill. Their looks signified their lust for blood. This was survival.
Whish. To the left of her, a ripple in the sand had caught Vita's attention. She turned to her left. Nothing. It was still, unusually quiet. Even the spectators were still. Whish. Another ripple was seen to her right. Whish. And another ripple in the sand. Vita went to defensive mode. Not knowing, she had a feeling that these ripples were only a toy to coax the prey.
After two more ripples, the sand was motionless. Vita knew that something would attack at any moment. She began to take two steps to her right. Whish. The ripples came back, but closer to where she had moved. Vita stopped. The ripples in the sand stopped. Vita found this strange.
"Protector, I beg of thee, help me," thought Vita.
Taking some more steps to the right, Vita noticed that the ripples were getting closer. As she stopped, the ripples stopped. Vita began to think.
"I wonder if this creature can hear my footsteps?" thought Vita.
Only one way to find out and Vita knew what it was. She had to think of a game plan. Her survival depended on it. If the Sand Bug could hear her footsteps, then it most likely would know where to strike for its prey. Vita had to know first what she was up against. Picking up a skull, she tossed it not far from her. It landed with a thud.
Whish. Whish. The ripples moved to the noise. Vita watched in amazement. Voosh. Three heads broke through the sand. Clasping, grabbing whatever it could. The three heads looked more like eels with the face of piranhas. The three heads wisped about like they were worms being uprooted from deep within the earth. The sight of this creature was not any ordinary bug. In fact, this creature was a creation, a man-made killer. It was obvious to Vita that these heads were part of what may be a much bigger creature than she realized.
"Oh shit," said Vita under her breathe.
*
The rubble of what used to be houses and other buildings held memories. Memories of what life was like before the asteroids hit. The young female was in hiding. Running from a terrible fate that could and did happen. Much of her past was blocked out, locked away for the time being. The probe had proved to be one of those past memories. She, even if she tried, could not bring herself to remember.
Walking through the rubble, the young female came across a street sign that was still standing. Even though a part of the name was melted away, she could still read it, she could still remember the name. The street was her street, the street she once lived on. With the exception of some walls still standing and some trees dying, most of the neighborhood was in rubbles that were spread about and not clumped together. What was once her next door neighbors houses were now nothing. What was once her house was now a part of the rubble.
Walking to her once longed home, a home that she felt protected in, was no longer there. She wished so much that it was still there, her parents and those she loved. Those she loved, what had happened to them? The young female's parenst died when the asteroids hit. After that, she had lost contact with her close friends and her other family members. A loner, a wanderer, the young female knew not what the future would hold for her. She could only wait and search. Searching for a better life than the desolate one she was living now.
Her soft, yet hard hazel eyes began to form tears. Tears that she did not know she could still make. The tears were tears for her family, friends, and herself. Brushing the tears away, she began to sort through the rubble of what was once her house.
Removing whatever was loose, she could find very little. Removing more than her body could possibly handle, she began to reach what was once her living room. Finding broken picture frames and parts of the furniture, there wasn't much she could salvage. Picking up a photograph that was partially burnt, she looked at it. The photograph was of her family. It was a small portrait, small enough to put in a wallet. Brushing it clean, or as best she could, she put the picture in her pocket.
There was nothing here for her. Nothing anymore. Why did she come to this place? Hope perhaps or lonliness? Moving on, the young female caught a glimpse of something. Standing still, she cocked her head to one side. Rustling sound. Looking in the direction of the noise, she saw an opening barely big enough for an adult but big enough for a child. This opening, she recognized, was the opening to the basement of her house. Thinking someone may of gotten trapped, she went to the opening.
"Hello? Does anyone need help?" asked the young female, cautious of what may be in her basement.
No reply. Peering into the opening, the young female could see nothing. It was a dead end, no way down. Shrugging, she stood up and began to walk away. Before she got far, before she could react, before she could see what happen, everything went black. From behind, another person had struck the young female unconscious. Whoever it was that struck her walked away.
*
Vita needed a plan. The creature was ugly as hell and smelled like hell. Her only weapon was her spear. Figuring the creature would be at least twenty times bigger than what she got to see, her spear was puny. Surp. The heads went back underground. Vita felt little relief.
"I need to find its weak spot. Ha! As if..." thought Vita with uncertainty.
She did not see any eyes. She now knew that this creature could see, not with sight, but with sound. Vita was in a rut. How could she possibly defeat this creature? She looked about the cage again, wondering why the creature didn't go on the other side of the cage. A hand from behind pushed her to the ground hard.
"Uff!" grunted Vita as she landed on the sand.
She noticed the ripples in the sand again. she held her breath as the ripples came closer. It whizzed by her. Vita was lost now. Her life seemed to reach a dead end. No hope of survival.
"Now or never," thought Vita.
She got up holding to her spear tightly. she started to run around the cage. The ripples started up again and began to go in the direction of the sound Vita was making. Each time, Vita would change her direction of running. The ripples began to go left then right. Voosh. The heads came out again, mad and frustrated. The heads slashed around trying to capture anything that was in its path. Vita realized something. She saw a weak spot.
"YAAAA!" yelled Vita as she charged toward the creature.
The crowd that was watching began to cheer. The creature was above ground, helpless unitl it goes underground again. Vita, with her spear, ran towards the creature. She dodged one of the heads as it was swinging about. The spear glinted as she brought it down on the creature. Spishhh. Blood sprayed everywhere as Vita drove the spear deep into the heart of the Sand Bug and throught the back.
"SCREEEEEEEECH!"
The creature cried out in agony and then it slumped on its side. Like a rag doll, the creature was motionless. It was dead. Vita took her spear and began to pull it out of the creature. She was partially soaked in blood from head to feet. Those that were close to the cage got drenched in blood. They were silent, yet in awe. The cage door was opened and Vita walked out of the cage. The people stared at her in shock.
"You were lucky this time," snarled the one who had pushed her in the cage in the first place.
Vita looked at the guy. As she turned, she stopped. Turning back around swiftly, a fast jab in the face, the one who spoke to her was lying on the ground unconcious. Turning around again, Vita kept going in the direction she was orginally heading. She couldn't lose anymore time. Her people depended on her. She had to find the girl.
"Is he the man for the job?" asked General Wilkinson.
General Wilkinson was one of the majore military leaders of the world. He had fought in Vietnam and had served in other military operations. It took years for him to get to where he is now. An old man, gray hair and wrinkles to define his age. He was tall for his age, still in good physical health.
"Yes sir. He's one of the Top Dogs ever to come out of military special forces training. He's been on numerous assignments and completed them well beyond what we expected. I think he's more than qualified. As his commanding officer, I think he is the man for hte job," replied 1st Srgt. Dohelm.
Srgt Dohelm was one of the commanding officers for an elite team from the military special forces. He is younger than Wilkinson but he is graying. he had served in the Middle East incident and other military operations. Unlike General Wilkinson who had come from the Land of Many, Srgt Dohelm came from the Mysts.
"Well then, I expect you to fill in the details for him. Another thing, report to me any unusual actions he may take. I want to know everything," responded the general.
*
The aroma of burning cigarettes and cigars filled the air as a young soldier in training entered the Lacy Bar. Young and old men were about, drinking and smoking while having their fun on break. Waitresses in bikini suits were bouncing about taking orders and anything else the men wanted. The noise of pumping music for dancing was well on the way. With things going the way it was, seemed like the asteroids never happened.
"Hey soldier boy!"
The young soldier looked at the direction of the shout. In the far corner a group of four men about his age were standing up waving to him. The young soldier grinned and walked to his soldier buddies.
"It's about time you showed up! We're just about to order beer," said Roy, one of the young soldier's buddies.
"Good, I'm thirsty," replied the young soldier.
The young soldier had dark brown eyes, almost black. His head was shaved. He wore black pants with many pockets hidden to the visible eye, kind of baggy, and he had to wear a belt to hold the pants up. He also wore a black T-shirt, the caller was half way up his neck, and short sleeves. One couldn't notice the tattoos on his arms. The tattoos were unusual, like flames crawling up his arms. He had three earrings on his left ear and one earring on his right. All were hooped. He had a beard, though it looked like it was just recently shaved.
"So Kenneth, think of getting plastered? Or in the mood for some girls?" asked Miles, another buddy of the young soldier.
"Not tonight. Got an important meeting early in the morning," replied Kenneth.
"Really? Who? A girl?" grinned Roy.
"None of your damned business!" snickered Kenneth.
"Whoa! Don't get ansy, just playing with ya," responded Miles.
"Sorry, it's not you. It's..." faded Kenneth's words as he went off thinking.
"What are you looking at?" asked a voice that sounded child like.
Kenneth blinked and smiled a content smile. He pulled her close to him, hugging her tightly as if there were no tomorrow. Letting go, he looked at her again and at her smile.
"Nothing, just your eyes," replied Kenneth.
Kenneth shock his head to rid himself of the memory. He missed her a lot. He also realized that she'll never be coming back either. The waitress was putting the drinks down and went her merry way. The four guys picked up their drinks and started having a good time. Kenneth was not. He got up and left.
*
Beep! Beep! Beep! Slam! Kenneth turned on the snooze button. He didn't want to go in the training hall again. He hated those training's. He thought the trainings were a wast of time, but then it had helped him in certain situations. he couldn't complain. Then he realized something. He looked at his watch, 6 a.m.
"Crap! I'm going to be late for that meeting," cursed Kenneth as he jumped out of bed.
*
The building where the special forces trained seemed like a regular business building. Inside there are offices, but in the heart of the building lied the training center. Kenneth knew the building inside out. Dressed in his blue slacks and his blue dress shirt, the uniform for the military special forces, he walked through a scanner and guards were about. Ding. The green light flashed and Kenneth was free to go inside the building. The building was high tech, but not nearly as good as the ones in the Tech Lands.
Going up a flight of stairs to the fourth floor, Kenneth had time to use the bathroom. Going into the nearby restroom for men, he went into one of the stalls. Hearing a couple of flushes and voices, he couldn't help but listen.
"Did ya hear?" asked a husky voice.
"Nah, what?" asked a squeaky voice in return.
"Hehe. The top commandos are picking a special group to find a powerful weapon ever to be made. It be rumored that this weapon escaped," replied the husky voice.
"Escaped? Your kidding..."
The voiced faded away. Kenneth got out and began to wonder. Why did Srgt Dohelm wanted to talk to him about in the meeting? The sergeant wouldn't tell him why, only that he had to be there.
*
The probe had finally reached its destination. The giant glass eye began to crack into pieces. The metal casing of the probe began to fall apart. As the metal hit the ground, it melted like it was water vapor and disappeared. The glass eye crashed into tiny pieces as it fell to the ground as well. What was left of the probe was now a glowing red ball of light. The red light began to lower. A hand, open and extended, received the red ball of light.
Taking the light into her hand, she covered the light with her other hand. Cupping the light, the woman turned to a mound of rocks. As she walked towards the mound of rocks, a portion of it began to open as if it were a door. She walked in and the door closed.
Inside, green lights glowed brightly. All about was the same metal as the probe. The woman was walking down the hallway to a door. Putting her hand on the side of the door, she heard a beep and the door opened. As she entered, television screens turned on showing different areas of the world. In the middle of the room, a squared table with three seats around it was lowered from the ceiling. After lowering, the woman took her seat. Two others appeared and took their seats.
"Finally, we can begin now. The Master has been waiting," spoke a raspy voice from the shadows.
The pictures on the television screens turned into one big picture. The picture on the screens was a man, yet not a man. He wore an armor, black as darkness could ever be with a red cloak around it. He wore a helmet the same color as his armor. He had a symbol on his armor and helmet, the same as the probe had. The symbol was that of a red upside-down cross with a white skull in the middle of it and a gold circle around it. The symbol signified chaos for the white skull, death for the upside-down cross, and power for the gold circle. No one has ever seen his face. The only thing that could be seen was his eyes which glowed red with fire. Because of what he represents, he is known as Apocalypse.
"Ulysis, daughter of the dead, what is it that you bring me?" asked Apocalypse, his voice sounding unusual for a man yet usual for a demon.
"Master, what else but what you desire. I have looked hard and I have evidence that the prophecy is true," replied Ulysis, emotionless.
Ulysis is the daughter of the dead. From her touch, man turns into a corpse; lifeliss, dead. Her looks could kill, so to speak. She is about 5'7" in hieght. Her figure is like that of a model, slim and well-toned with luscious red lips and bountiful eyelashes. Her red hair is curly and long to her shoulders. Her skin, however, is white, whiter than a ghost. Her eyes complimented her skin color, could an without a soul. Ulysis wore a red tunic dress with an armor breastplate the color black over her dress. She carried a staff with some writing on it. She also wore a black cloak. On her cloak was the symbol of chaos, death, and power.
Uncovering the red light, Ulysis put it into a glass casing. The red light glowed brightly, then fumes began to fill the glass casing. Soon, an image appeared. the image was that of a young female, about twenty-two. Her hair was short in the back but slanted downwards to the front leaving it hte longest to her waist. The back of the hair was dark brown while the longest pieces of hair was purple. Her eyes were hazel and she looked to be 5'3." Her body was slender, well toned and healthy. She wore blue pants that were torn and a black shirt that was torn as well in some places. She looked like a punk in some ways and a homeless in another way.
"She is the one the prophecies tell of. I fear her, but I admire her. Does she know the extent of her own powers?" asked Apocalypse.
"I do not think so," replied Ulysis.
"What about you Gorgan, deceiver of deceivers?" asked Apocalypse with amusement.
"The boy you seek is well known in the east of the Land of Many. It will take some time, but I think I can detour him from his truthful path," grinned Gorgan.
*
The smell of a cigar filled the air as Kenneth entered Srgt Dohelm's office.
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