#group beacon

In all the divine beings in Istaresta, none are as out there as the Goddess of life herself, All Mother Terra.

Most would initially think would that the rule over domain is simply that; she is a goddess of life and thus has control over all things things and what comes from them in all forms, from the very trees that stand taller than any skyscraper to the smallest bacteria that most wouldn't care to notice lest their profession requires it.

From simple rains that patter across windows, lulling the living to a cooling to harsh storms that wreck all in it's wake, she encompasses all aspects of life both good and bad.

But, the problem in that assumption is simple as it is deceptive, for she does not only rule it, for the cycle of life extends to her and does not exempt her from it, where cycles of life age this goddess down to dust only to reincarnate in mortal form, living life and all it entails before perishing and reincarnating to godhood once more to repeat the cycle anew. Each life giving wisdom and memory, each life bringing the harshest of pain and the sweetest of comfort that were felt, and done, but most importantly. Lived, with only her mortal form be it plant, person and everything in between shared of her true nature as dreams of lives once lived and divine cycles once reigned.

The sun had begun to set  on the isles, what few blades of grass not stamped down by the restless hordes blew softly in be breeze as the ever present groans of the restless marched forth from city to city, and the many soldiers who fight tooth and nail to ward off the eternal undead hordes.

Yet amongst the sound of ever distant runerack fire, restless groans and roars, and the ever uncommon the sound of armored trains grinding through the rusted old rails of a once thriving trade hub, now turned into a warzone.

Was the sound of a motorcycle, it’s engine present and humming despite the chaos around the vehicle as it zoomed through the worn winding rounds that once made up the restless isles during its golden age as a massive wagon winched behind its side cart, gently rocking as its large set of cargo sat idly in it that gently changed the ever present sounds the vehicle makes. 

In the side cart was a someone with messy gray hair that turns orange near the ends, and wore a sleeveless faded blue coat over their gray uniform, a bluish purple neckerchief gently wrapped around their neck and orange goggles covering their eyes as they eyed a map as their piranha tail curled around themselves, hugging their carbine to their waist.

“Cou, can we stop at Qium, I’m bored and hungry!” they spoke to the driver who had their eyes on the road, only ever briefly looking at their companion in silence as they focused on driving.

They wore a gray uniform much like their friend, though they wore an overcoat of a darker shade of gray with its sleeves rolled up over it while a bluish purple arm band was tied to their arm. On their head was a hybrid of a motorcycle helmet and an early war helmet, giving an odd mushroom shape to their head gear. 

“We’re on a tight schedule Fisch, the sooner we deliver this, the more we’ll get paid” They spoke flatly, their tone dead and eyes seen through their helmet visor more so, yet Fisch knew their friend well that they were rather anxious, especially with their current lot in life.

“C’mon Cou, our delivery site is just on the other side of the isles, I’m sure we can take a break every now and then!” 

“And whose idea was it to take up this one delivery?” Courier’s brow creased ever so slightly and their expression narrowed as both recalled to when they had first set out. 

…

All was peaceful in Elsvin, or as much one could get, as near the heart of the city laid an old bunker now repurposed in its new role as a small sign hung from the wall, written in its native script “Courier’s guild: Elsvin Branch” as many people in various clothes and gear  gather around be it for their next delivery, to rest after a trip well done or to prepare for the next journey ahead as the sounds of Drelken hooves or vehicles come to and fro from the bunker, and in the mess hall came a loud and bewildered voice.

“YOU WHAT?!” Courier exclaimed. Their voice never usually raised, causing Fisch to flinch slightly, yet their smile remained ever confident as they placed their hand on the driver’s shoulder as they replied and vainly reassuring their anxious friend. 

“I picked this package to be delivered in the city of Iinlett, it should give us enough money to finally afford those armed convey’s the richer couriers get, and then some” They spoke with confidence as their tail swished in excitement from the reward they could gain from such a delivery. 

Courier looked rather resigned hearing what their friend told them as they took their helmet off briefly to pinch their nose and promptly put it on once more, turning to their friend who had this smile both innocent and painfully oblivious to the implications they set both of them on as they spoke and explained. “Iinlett is in the northern tip of the isles and Eslvin is in the south, without a train like the railway groups have, it could take us years, and that’s if only we just focus on going there”.

“But think about how much we’ll get if we do this!” Fisch insisted, their eyes shining with passion and thoughts of the reward for such a delivery could bring “We could finally rest and get a ship to the mainland, far away from this place and live peacefully” despite their words Courier remained hesitant, as if there was a catch or lacking possibility to what this task would give them.

“Please Cou…This could be our only shot”  They pleaded to their friend, for a chance and gamble worth both the journey and the destination. 

Courier’s eyes darted around, trying to find some excuse or reason to not take this delivery and to simply continue, but for as much as they wished to, they knew Fisch had hooked them to the possibility. So with a hesitant sigh they spoke with resigned and hopeful hesitation in their voice “Okay…Let’s do it…” their voice was just barely above a murmur, yet to their close friend, it boomed louder than any siren in the isles could ever make.

Fisch nearly jumped from where they sat and quickly took Courier to the guildmaster to officialize their delivery and after sometime Fisch and Courier placed the package in the wagon, fastening it in place with harnesses alongside whatever gear they could afford for the journey ahead, alongside what other letters and packages they could deliver on their journey as both sat at their seats.

“Ready?” Courier asked Fisch as their friend had carbine at the ready as they loaded a rune rack into the chamber, making the runes on the ammo and respective gun crackle to life as magic flowed through the firearm.

“Ready!” Fisch replied with a cheerful and exciteful tone as Courier started the motorcycle’s engine, departing from the guild and out of Elsvin.

…

“Oh yeah, I did” Fisch spoke with realization in their tone as their excitement waned ever so slightly from the weight of what they set both of them on.

Courier gave a tired sigh as their gaze returned to the road ahead, bumpy and abandoned as it was “Well, if it helps we’ll be near Quim in an hour, so we can rest our heads on a bed rather than on the ground tonight” they assured, though awkward as it was, at least it brought a smile to their friend’s face. 

And yet, as they drove the roads wound as if they went on forever, Courier’s face grew weary while Fisch grew bored, as they spoke and made their complaints known.

“Cou, it’s been two hours! When are we arriving at Qium!” 

Courier remained passive yet the faint flicker of sweat though their helmet’s visor and their eye twitching ever so mildly didn’t mask the worry from Fisch despite their tone being flat.

“Was the map upside down?” they asked clinically, albeit one that had hints of worry and exasperation for what may come next as they watched Fisch pull the map from their pockets while the motorcycle came to a slow stop.

As they began to unfold the map they looked at the layout on it, as more of it panned out bit by bit “No, I’m fairly sure I-” Fisch paused seeing the map,both of them were silent as Fisch slowly turned the map around. 

“Oops…” 

Courier let out a small sigh as they gently smacked their friend before leaning from their seat and looked at the map alongside their friend. “Well, we’ve been going around in a circle for the past two hours, but we should arrive at Qium soon”.

Fisch let out a small sigh “Good, let’s get going, I’m kinda hungry” They made a pleased smile as the engine roared to life again, letting the two go on the road.

The road continued to stretch on and the lights of Qium grew ever closer, yet boredom and silence settled between the two as the quiet drive through ruined roads and quiet metropolises spanned the close-by horizon.

“Hey Cou, you wanna talk about the new stuff at home?” Fisch asked. Their tone laced in boredom, yet held the hopeful tone to them.

“Could help pass the time,” Courier simply stated. Their eyes focused, yet their expression shifted slightly as if contemplating what sort of discussion either would have, until one sparks from Courier.

“Do you think the new people that arrived on that ship could help the isles?” Their voice was heavy, their expression showed one of curiosity and hope, one that seemed so faint and rare from the quieter half of the pair, leaving Fisch to hum. 

“Maybe, more people means more bodies to fight the Restless, but I’m not sure if they’ll change anything” Fisch answered while leading on their seat as the stars overhead passed by, their hand instinctually reaching out.

“Maybe if they finish their service we could hitch a ride and follow them to the mainland” 

“That’s only if we deliver this in time, they’ve only did this last week once, who knows if they will finish, let alone if Elsvin does it again” Courier pointed out, though not tense, both in voice and their expression, it was still a quiet worry both shared, just one that Courier had any courage to truly say even if it was gloomy. 

Yet the stars above shined brighter as the wagon carrying the brightest hope either could get rumbled gently from the old roads that they rode on. 

The groans of the restless grew louder as they closed into the city, and yet they felt so far away as the familiar lights of a city were just in view. 

“Hey cou, I’d like to stay at an inn tonight?” FIsch requested, their posture straightened while they aimed their carbine around as the sight of corpses littered the plains, many had the same wound that brought them back to the grave.

A gaping hole through their head or squashed and trampled flat. 

“How many letters are for this place?”Courier asked as their eyes scanned the plains as the city entrance came ever closer.

Fisch froze for a moment as they lowered their carbine briefly “uhh… maybe twelve?” They guessed, leaving Courier to pull what math they could put together only to look back to their friend with a mix of conflict and mutual want. 

“If we plan a reasonable budget, we can probably stay at a cheap one near the edge of the city” they answered with a muttering tone, yet despite their hesitation, it was a compromise both could take, and as they entered the city stood a lone guard, one of many.

Their face was hidden by a knightly helmet, and wore thick padded clothes that cover their whole body and boots that reached to their knees as runes glowed gently etched into their soles. 

What stood out most of the guard was the long lance they held, runes spiralling around its length, inert yet still giving the guard an authoritative look.

“Courier’s, Qium welcomes you two” the guard spoke with formality as they gestured the motorcycle along. 

Courier silently nods as they slowly drove onward deeper into the city while Fisch looked on in amazement before the uniform of the guard as their figure grew slowly distant. 

The city looked particularly lively as lights, lanterns and stalls litter the streets as guards with their helmets off laughed with the populace, drinking and eating till they’re merry; Fisch looked at the wonder around them with Courier’s eyes widened, their mouth agape behind their helmet as they arrived to a massive barn with stables of Drelken resting or riding off as a sign overhead simply read “Courier’s guild: Qium branch”.

Courier brought their motorcycle to a stop and wordlessly get off as Fisch followed suit, letters in their hands as they came face to face with the person at the desk. 

“Letter delivery from Elsvin./!” Courier and Fisch both spoke at once as they presented their letters to the person, a calm smile grew as they took the letters from them and gave them their due pay for their hard work, leaving them enough leeway to find an inn to stay and a cheap meal to fill their stomachs with some more to spare for the next trips.

…

As the night drew closer and closer, Courier laid in their bed while Fisch bunked to the bunk on top, their hay beds itched but did their job in being a comparatively decent bed for the night. 

“Hey cou,” Fisch spoke as Courier groaned, having finally found a comfortable position in an otherwise unruly bed. “Yeah?” they groggily asked, as they saw their friend smiled widely, their teeth sharp being shown, yet to Courier such intimidation was held back by years of growing up with them, and the most hopeful and energetic face that both made them smile and annoy them all at once.. 

“Nothing, goodnight” 

Courier watched as Fisch retracted their head away from the edge and headed to bed, leaving them to sigh as they turned the lantern off and bundled up with a thin blanket.

(...]

Okay, I get what you’re thinking, but let me continue.

When I woke up from what I can assume was my own murder, it was nighttime. I was stuck in a clearing somewhere outside the walls, with a pole near my hands and a sword stuck in my chest. 

And honestly, I’ll admit it now, everything hurt as the first thing I did was scream at the top of my lungs and writhe in pain for about…a couple of hours? I’m not sure how long it was, but the only thing I could think of was how much my wounds hurt.

And as the hours ticked by, I spoke aloud, “Why the hell am I not dead?!” as having your head split by an axe and sword stabbed to your heart, should by all means kill you.

A part of me dreaded that I got turned into the restless, and that if I showed my face again, I would be shot, while another was hoping this was some painful nightmare. I’d wake up in the barracks or at home, but every ounce of pain and the fact I wasn’t craving flesh made me both disappointed and relieved, both from the fact I could still have a chance of getting out of there, but also it hurt like hell and back just to even breathe.

But after roughly…an hour or so? Time is a bit hard to tell when you feel like you’re supposed to be dead. I managed to calm myself down enough to get up and flinch, the metal piercing my chest and in my heart was not great.

“Okay…you got this Eric, just…pull it out, and you’ll be fine!” I told myself then. I’m fairly sure I was delusional, given that keeping the thing stabbed into you is much safer than pulling it out, but let’s be honest, given my wounds, I should be dead thrice over, what’s another wound to the ever-growing corpse pile?

Anyway, I took a deep breath, my hands shaking as I held the blade in my chest. “Okay…one.” I was scared, I wasn’t sure if I could as every time my hand shook I felt my grasp slide down the blade “two…” my eyes went wide, seeing my own blood fall, but there was no turning back.

“Okay… Okay…Three!” I pulled the blade off my chest, trying not to scream. It’s bad enough being impaled and not dying. The next thing I wanted was to be mauled by the restless, but with a sharp hiss from my possibly ruined lungs, I got the sword off and freed myself from the ground. 

[Eric…are you okay after all that now?]

To be honest, no, I’m not, that whole journey was just…nuts

[...)

Look, I know it was bad, and it’s still fresh in my head trauma and all, but despite what I’ve gone through and the many wishes that this should never happen to me, let alone anyone else, I’m glad I went through this path, it…gave me some new friends I’d remember fondly, some neat gear, and I guess, some time to reflect away from Nells, from everything.

So, let’s continue. I was panting, trying to get some air while bleeding out, yet despite my blood loss, I am fairly sure I was conscious, if a little fatigued I couldn’t tell if it was from the lack of oxygen or my adrenaline finally dying down, and I think it doesn't matter if it was one or the other, both, or something else entirely.

What I needed to do now was get out of here and fast. It was dark, and I was injured alone in a dark forest and far beyond the city’s trenches; the groans and twig-breaking stomps of the restless did not help me at all in assuring I could head back in once piece…if at all, especially I barely have the ammo, runes or not to take them down, and I sure no way in hell I can properly use a sword that I was stabbed with.

The odds were against me…But I had to at least try.

“Crap…” I silently hissed at my situation. Covering my mouth and bearing through the pain from the holes in my lungs and the wanting to cough, I snuck through the place. Combat is the last thing I want in that moment cause it would be my end…or worse.

And said worse came to the form of sickly green eyes peering in the darkness, waiting for me to even make a single mistake and tear me apart more than I already am, and with what I had was nowhere good enough to kill them.

So working quick, I stumbled out, laying low the best I could as I avoided the restless, even if I was a couple meters away from them, just hearing them was enough to get more distance from the source even if they didn’t see or hear me, I couldn't take chances.

It didn’t help that my head was cleaved, so it was just a constant cycle of me just stopping to think, breathing in to bare the pain before moving as I kept saying to myself “think, breathe, move. Think, breathe, move” to keep going, my injuries didn’t exactly help making the process any easier, each step, each breath, I had to do it all with gritted teeth,  but it would be worth it as I soon saw the track, the restless far behind me and a clear path back to Eslvin to get patched up and end this whole nightmare.

[That seems a little too easy, you didn’t have any problems?]

I’m getting to that.

But my problems began when I scrambled to the tracks, I heard a twig snap, making me stiffen up as I let out a hiss of disappointment, knowing full well what’s about to happen next.

And what happened next came in the form of a single restless barreling towards me.

I panicked and tried to pull my revolver out and shoot the undead bastard but it tackled me to the ground, making me drop my gun as it tore and bit off whatever vaguely intact flesh I still had. 

I screamed  from the pain before just barely kicking the thing off me and tried to crawl to my gun only to feel my leg being clawed away as I got dragged away from my gun as the restless’ nails ripped at my skin with each tug before biting my shoulder and the back of my neck. 

I really didn’t want to die again, especially with how things went, but given I can’t and how painful it was being mauled, I thought that was much more preferable than the torture I was going through. 

(What about your sword? Couldn’t you have used it?)

It’s not easy to remember you have a melee weapon when an undead is biting you to death, and even then I didn’t even know how to use it at the time.

Moving on, I  was at a loss, even if I did use my sword, the hell is that gonna do against a restless, those things take three shots to even kill one, and at the rate it mauled me, I was sure to just be at its mercy until I’m nothing more than living meat it could chew like gum.

But what got out of my slump of despair was the loud engine of a train followed by it’s horn as the restless roars were drowned out by a scorching wave of light and heat.

I was pretty glad that whole nightmare ended but soon my attention got caught by the clinking of a lighter followed by footsteps

“So, this is where you’ve been? Burkham, right?” I heard her speak. I rolled over and saw it was the same woman, lighter in her hand and her face showing how she looked in life being shined by the armored train’s lights shining through the window.

I almost forgot I could talk, but what came out was hoarse to put it at best “Y-yes, that’s me?” I was a little dazed from it all, but at least I managed to say what I needed as I saw the woman gave a confident smirk.

“Well, I guess it was lucky we found you, cause a friend of yours told me you’d make a good member of our little crew, and…” she tried her best to look polite and hold herself professionally, but I can tell she was trying not to cringe “I can see why, did suck though that we couldn’t find you at Elsvin but now that we’re here.” she paused and looked up and down as if scrutinizing my sorry state.

“So,” she crouched to my eye level “Here’s the deal, we’re on a mission and all of us are a bunch of suckers that won’t stay down no matter how bad we get, and you fit the bill, so how’s about you join this railway group, see the isles, get paid more than what the military is  offering and much faster, and get stronger” she offered so casually yet she extended her hand out “what do you say? Wanna ride the rails?  It’ll also pay me back”.

Her offer was enticing, not because of all the other stuff, but to get enough money to get home at a reasonable time frame, granted it was a gamble, but it was a choice I’d take, and I wordlessly took her hand, she gave me a smile  and helped me onto my feet and helped me grab my revolver. 

FUCK. THOSE. THINGS.

Zombies...That's all I can really say, they are just zombies... that's all I can really say about them without any pretense, they are just zombies.

Well, at least that's what I've seen and heard from the locals, though they don't really look like corpses with rotting flesh; more so, they look pretty preserved, at least to a point where they look as though they just died. Whatever magic is keeping them alive, they seem to mend wounds and injuries that would render a corpse useless and prevent any decomposition from happening to them. I'd be impressed if they weren't so hard to put down.

Which brings me to my next point: they're mini juggernauts that take three shots to the head to put down, combining their ferocity with the ability to run as fast as a professional sprinter at their prime. I can see why they pushed the Isles so far and kept a stalemate for nine centuries.

I hate these things... and I don't even begin to fathom how the residents here hate them more so.

I knew they were a problem, but fuck me, apparently!

The other day I heard how they spread, and it's both odd and a bit scary, honestly, you don't need to be bitten or scratched to turn into a restless, you just need to die.

Now that explains the large amount of crematories, but that just means anyone who isn't a Slime, Golem, or Mekinite, or... whatever they call themselves, is just a ticking bomb... even me, I've been careful so far, and I don't plan to live here, so I should hurry and get out of here, and I hope I don't have to see the process how someone turns in my stay.