Chapter Text
Summer of 1915, Kraken's Jaw beach.
Gabriel walked along the debris-riddled beach of Kraken's Jaw. So much has happened he reflected on all of it. From Theresa's words to even the Corruption's. He took it all in. Sure he is still a young man with the naivety of his youth but he was well enough ready to do what it takes to protect the world. He thought to himself. 'The power to create a better future lies within us all, if only we act if only we believe. But, without sacrifice, there can be no victory. Perhaps a time will come again when Albion again face the fall of night.'
He continued his pace down the beach. To his surprise, he was still able to see as what he assumed Theresa was able to view things. The world around him now was a deep navy blue. Everything in the blue was outlined with a static white. He could make out the details of objects and eventually his newly blinded eyes fell upon a strip of cloth that appeared to be the former Seer's blindfold. It was bittersweet to Gabriel, the only thing left of the woman who changed his life for the better. He grew close and bent down. Gingerly picking the strip up and clutching it as if it would fade.
As he wrapped the blindfold around his face. 'Until then... I'll be waiting. Until then... I'll be watching.' He turned his face to the sky and felt a newfound sense of freedom. He faced the outline of Bowerstone and began to make his way there. As he walked up the sandy slopes near some Old Kingdom ruins he heard some shouting. The new Seer turned his head to the direction of the voices and could see white blips closing in on him. He could see that they were some type of guard but not ones from Bowerstone or from the other main towns.
He raised his hand a did a slight wave as the group of five men reached him. A large burly man approached him and spoke first. "Did you come out of there?" The man asked in awe and pointed to the horizon. Gabriel settles from foot to foot. Uncertain of what to say. He let out a sigh and answered. "I am." The men all looked at each other. Then the large man grabbed the younger man and held high in the air. The group started to cheer loudly as the passed Gabriel to man to man. They all hugged him and patted him on the head and shoulders.
"We must get you to Bowerstone the Royal family will want to speak to you. Don't you think Ruckus?" Said a man who appeared to be the same age as Gabriel. Ruckus, who is the burly man turned around instantly. "Hush yourself up, Carlos. This boy here appears to be a Hero. Since ol' Reaver is a Hero do you honestly think it will be a good idea to parade him around? You know what happened to those who seemed to be "Heroes" after he came to power!?"
Carlos was about to speak and advanced to Ruckus when Gabriel stood in between and beat him to it. "No! No! I'm sorry but I prefer to not make a big deal out of what I did. Ruckus is correct it wouldn't be safe you see."
The burly man nodded as Gabriel finished his dialog. "Yes, well can you run word to Bowerstone that the Spire broke itself apart. I don't want unwanted attention-getting to me. I have an idea I need to plan and I don't want to get attacked every day for being a new Hero. Which brings me to ask. What do you mean "what happened to those who appeared to be Heroes?" Gabriel was honestly confused.
"The tribe I belonged to never had much contact with other people so yeah." The men began to walk away leaving Carlos, Gabriel, and Ruckus. "Well boy. Around ten years ago a group of people started fear mongering saying that anyone with unique skills is Heroes and since that lunatic Reaver is a Hero they started randomly killing people who they believed to be more than human. Those people were innocent and in no way shape or form Heroes. The group was wiped out by King Harold but there are rumors stating that a small group may still be around." Gabriel mouthed a 'wow'. "To top it all off murders still occasionally occur throughout the Kingdom," Carlos added in.
"Well, it's a good thing you spoke up Ruckus. The next thing I need is a gun being shot at me while I sleep. So who are you guys? The dweller asked facing Carlos. Carlos took the hint and began to inform him. "We're just a simple mercenary team. We are hired to take down enemies when the guards are too much of a bitch to do their jobs and handle it. We travel from place to place and planned on heading to Driftwood for awhile. We still are right Ruckus?"
"We are but I'm going to take this lads advice. Speaking of which what is your name?" Gabriel turned back to Ruckus.
"My name is Gabriel. Gabriel Bright." He stuck out a gauntlet-clad hand. Ruckus shook it and then Carlos.
"Well, Gabriel as I head to Bowerstone Court why don't you stay with us awhile. I bet you're extremely tired after all that happened. After I come back to fill the men in on how you did it. I bet they'll all be asking later. Carlos here will take you to our current camp."
"Thank you Ruckus." He turned from the man and stood by Carlos. The two began to walk away as Ruckus left for the capital city.
"Welcome to the fam Gabe. I can call you Gabe right?" Carlos asked leaning class to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Gabriel nodded. "Neat man!"
It was awkward at first sitting around and watching the mercenaries go about their activities but soon Gabriel found himself helping around and learning from the men who would eventually become his new family.