BLESSED: The forgotten

The first light of dawn painted the wastes in pale gold, revealing the skeletal remains of a world long dead. Kael rolled his shoulders, the weight of his father's machetes familiar against his hips. His dreadlocks—thick and dark, tied back with a strip of Creeper sinew—brushed against the collar of his scavenged UWN jacket. The garment was too large for his lean, wiry frame, the sleeves rolled up to expose corded forearms marked with Nsibidi tattoos. The ink seemed darker today, the glyphs more pronounced, almost alive against his skin.Jabari stretched nearby, his bulkier build casting a longer shadow. The morning light caught the edges of his patchwork duster, stitched together from UWN insignia patches, the fabric worn but cared for. Kael noted the way the man moved—like a soldier, not a scout. Too precise. Too aware. It was a reminder that in this unforgiving landscape, appearances could be deceiving."You stare any harder, you'll burn holes in my coat," Jabari said, flashing a grin that revealed filed teeth—sharpened canines, a Dead Zone tribal custom. There was something unsettling about his smile, a hint of danger lurking beneath the surface.Kael adjusted his pack, forcing himself to focus. "Let's move. We need to make distance before the sun climbs too high."The wastes stretched before them, a graveyard of the old world. Bone trees—fossilized remnants of a long-dead forest—reached skeletal fingers toward the sky, their twisted forms casting eerie shadows on the cracked earth. The air smelled of ozone and rust, the ground uneven underfoot. Kael took a moment to absorb the desolation around him, a reminder of what had been lost. Memories of laughter and life seemed to echo faintly in the wind, haunting him.They hadn't gone far when the first Phantom Creeper appeared, flickering at the edge of Kael's vision, its form translucent, like a reflection in disturbed water. Jabari raised his rifle, firing three quick shots. The rounds passed through the creature as if it weren't there, leaving only a shimmer in the air.Kael didn't hesitate. He lunged, his machete flashing in the dim light. The blade bit deep, black ichor spraying as the creature shrieked—a sound too human for comfort. It collapsed, dissolving into mist, leaving a chill in the air.Jabari exhaled sharply, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "They're not fully here. Just echoes of things the Abyss has touched. You need to be careful."Kael wiped his blade clean, his heart racing. "Your gun didn't work.""Yours did." Jabari's gaze dropped to the machete, a flicker of interest crossing his face. "Where's its twin? The one you always carry?"Kael didn't answer immediately. The missing blade had been with him since he was a boy, a gift from his father before the man had bled out in the Dead Zone. It had vanished before—in battle, in blood—but it always returned when he needed it most."Lost it in the titan's chest," he said finally, his voice steady despite the unease creeping in. "It'll come back. I know it will."Jabari studied him, his expression unreadable, then nodded. "Let's hope so. This world has a way of taking what matters most."By midday, they reached a crumbling UWN watchtower, its metal frame rusted and twisted. The structure leaned precariously, as if the wind might topple it at any moment. Kael felt a sense of foreboding wash over him as they approached, the tower a relic of a time long gone.Kael stepped inside, the floor groaning underfoot. Dust motes floated in the thin shafts of light that pierced through broken panels, illuminating the remnants of a forgotten past. Against one wall, a locker hung open, its contents long scavenged—except for a single UWN-issue shirt, still folded neatly, untouched by time.He grabbed it, shaking off the dust. His own shirt was stiff with dried blood and sweat, a reminder of the battles fought and the lives lost. Without a word, he pulled it off, tossing it aside. For a moment, he felt exposed, the cool air brushing against his skin, a stark contrast to the heat of the day.Jabari whistled low, his eyes narrowing. "Your ink's spreading. I can see it from here."Kael glanced down. The Nsibidi tattoos that had once been confined to his arms now stretched across his back, the glyphs linking together like a map of veins. He hadn't noticed before, and a sense of unease crept in. "It wasn't like this yesterday," he muttered, feeling a shiver run down his spine.Jabari didn't respond right away. Instead, he moved toward a shattered console, his fingers brushing over the broken screen. Kael watched as the man's hand dipped into a hidden compartment, retrieving a small data chip before slipping it into his sleeve. The action was quick, practiced—too practiced.Kael said nothing, the weight of unspoken questions hanging between them. He felt the tension rise, a silent acknowledgment that both were keeping secrets.They were crossing a narrow canyon when the drones found them.UWN MK-9 Seekers, their matte-black hulls nearly invisible against the rock. The first shot grazed Kael's shoulder before he even registered the threat. He hissed, spinning as Jabari's rifle barked, dropping three drones in quick succession."Move!" Jabari snapped, firing again, his voice cutting through the chaos.Kael ducked behind a boulder, his machete already in hand. The drones were fast, their turrets tracking with inhuman precision. He counted six—no, eight. Too many. Panic surged, but he forced himself to stay focused, recalling the training from his youth."Get to cover!" Jabari shouted, his voice urgent. They sprinted toward a narrow crevice in the canyon wall, the drones whirring overhead, their weapons charging with a menacing hum.Kael pressed himself against the rock, heart pounding. He could hear the whine of the drones as they circled, searching for their targets. Jabari crouched beside him, adjusting his rifle, eyes scanning the sky."We need to disable their targeting systems," Jabari said, his voice low. "I have an EMP grenade. It might give us a chance."Kael nodded, adrenaline coursing through him. "Do it."Jabari pulled the grenade from his pack, checking the timer. "On my mark, we throw it. Then we move."The drones descended, their sensors sweeping the area. Kael's breath quickened as he felt the weight of the moment. He glanced at Jabari, who nodded, counting down silently with his fingers.Three… two… one!Jabari hurled the grenade into the air. It detonated with a blinding flash, a wave of energy rippling through the canyon. The drones faltered, their lights flickering as they lost control. Kael seized the moment, charging out from cover."Now!" he shouted, swinging his machete at the nearest drone, severing its connection to the ground. It crashed, sending sparks flying.Jabari followed suit, his rifle barking as he took down another drone. They moved in sync, a well-practiced dance of survival. The remaining drones struggled to regain their footing, their systems still reeling from the EMP blast.Kael felt a surge of exhilaration as they fought, adrenaline fueling his every move. Together, they dispatched the last of the drones, the chaos of battle fading into silence. Breathing heavily, they stood amidst the wreckage, the remnants of their attackers scattered around them."That was too close," Jabari said, wiping sweat from his brow.Kael nodded, still catching his breath. "We need to keep moving. There could be more."As they resumed their journey, the weight of unspoken questions hung between them. Kael couldn't shake the feeling that Jabari was hiding something, but for now, survival took precedence.That night, by the fire, Kael threw the data chip at Jabari's feet, frustration boiling over."You're no scout. I can see that now."Jabari didn't flinch. He picked up the chip, turning it over in his fingers, his expression calm. "And you're a terrible liar. We both have our roles to play."Kael moved fast, snatching the rifle from Jabari's grip. The man didn't resist, just watched as Kael tossed it aside, the weapon clattering against the ground."Who are you really?" Kael demanded, his voice low and tense, the firelight dancing in his eyes.Jabari stood slowly, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a confrontation. "Someone who lost his team. Same as you. But I have my own mission."Then he struck.The fight was short, brutal. Kael was fast, but Jabari fought like a man with nothing left to lose. A knee to the ribs sent Kael sprawling, gasping for breath. Jabari pinned him, his grip iron, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy in the air."My past stays mine," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "For now."He released Kael, stepping back. The rifle lay where it had fallen, untouched. Kael struggled to catch his breath, the tension between them palpable, electric.The fire burned low, casting flickering shadows across the ground. Kael rubbed his ribs, watching the embers flicker. His tattoos itched, the glyphs spreading further, a disquieting reminder of the changes within him. Each mark felt like a whisper, urging him to remember.Jabari tossed him a canteen, the gesture surprisingly casual. "Sector 7's close. Tomorrow, we'll see who's really waiting for us out there."Kael drank, saying nothing. The horizon loomed dark, the first stars piercing through the night sky. He felt a mix of anticipation and dread, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him.Somewhere out there, his missing machete waited, a piece of his past that refused to let go.And the Contract watched, lurking just beyond the shadows.