Only You [Jacob Seed - Far Cry 5]

Chapter 48

Warning: language, very mild violence, etc.

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The masked person broke into a jog so I followed them. We were crossing a wooden bridge as I scanned my surroundings. New Eden was exquisite and seemed heavenly as the wind blew my hair back. Pink flowers and little huts were everywhere. The residents whispered to each other about me, but I could still hear their gossiping.

"There's the Gift within our walls."

"We should prepare the sacrament, just in case."

"See there. The Book has been recovered by the Gift!"

"If she has the Book, the flame is next. Then the sacrament."

"What is it? What's happened?"

"I wonder if she'll be given the drink."

"Who let her in? Who is she?"

"That girl will never earn the right to drink."

"The Book has been found!"

"The Book! She's taking the Book to Ethan!"

I smirked as I followed the masked man; some of these people had no clue who I was, but few did. And what were they talking about? Sacrament? Flame? Drink? Who's Ethan?

Goats, sheep, and many other animals were scattered around and I wanted to go up to them and pet them, but I knew now wasn't the time. The hooded person led me to a church in the back of New Eden; they stood beside the door, waiting for me to enter.

I nodded my head in respect at the person and made my way inside. There was a drawing of Joseph in the main back of the church as a man around his early twenties was standing in the center of the church with his back turned to me. Stepping closer to the man, he turned around, staring at me.

"You aren't what I was expecting. Maybe the same could be said for me... If you came here looking for the old man, well..." The man pointed at the picture of the Father on the wall. "Do you have the Book?"

"I do." I stated as I pulled it out from behind my back and held it out to the man that was supposedly named Ethan.

His mouth dropped, widely agape as his eyes gazed at Joseph's Book. "Do you know what that is? The Word of Joseph. His teachings, his guidance, his wisdom... and his madness." The man stepped closer to me, taking the Book from my hand. "I've searched everywhere for this Book. Joseph said the one who found it would be 'ordained by God to be the true ruler of Eden...' And you are the one who returns it to us. It should have been me. I'm the one they turned to when they disappeared into the North. I'm the one who has held this family together. I'm the one they chose to lead. I have protected them from the locusts and the snakes. I have kept us all alive and safe within these walls— not the old man... ME!" Ethan shouted in my face.

"Hey! You better watch it, dickhead." I growled, grabbing his shoulders tightly. "Where the fuck is Joseph?" I let go of his shoulders and immediately, he pushed the makeshift alter into the ground. "I need to know where the Father is!"

"My father wanted to build a paradise, but when it got too hard, he ran away!" He yelled as he gripped the Book in his hands. "You came here looking for his help, but Joseph is dead."

"What? He's dead? And you're his son?"

"I'm sort of his son. And no one wants to acknowledge his death, but it's the truth. He's gone."

"How do you know?"

"I just know. Our family still believes in him and they'll never stop believing in him... until they understand that he was not a messiah. He was just a man." He paused, gazing at the Book in his hand. "Help me show them. Bring back proof of his death, and I'll help your people. But New Eden will not allow you to travel North until you prove yourself worthy by lighting the Flame of Eden." Ethan claimed as he walked over to the makeshift table and cut his palm with it. "The people know this mark. They will lead you to the flame." He rubbed some of the blood on my forehead; the man then led me outside, shutting the door behind me.

I strolled past the residents of New Eden as they continued talking about me. Ignoring them, I strutted to the New Edener.

She stated, "You have been marked. Ethan has marked you as one who wishes to rekindle the flame of New Eden. The bandits who have taken our land have extinguished it. It is found at the base of the fallen statue of Joseph, toppled by sinners many years ago. There is a band of Chosen there. They will help you, Gift."

"Thank you." I nodded my head at the woman as I made my way to the exit.

Once the hooded man opened the gate for me, I walked to my group as the gate shut behind me.

"What just happened in there?" Jacob asked, puzzled.

"... They said Joseph is dead. And they want me to bring back proof of his death. I have to do it on my own. I want you guys to stay here. It's safe." I explained as I got in our car.

"Wait."Jacob dashed over to me. "...Wait. Where are you going? And is that blood on your forehead?"

"I have to do this... And yes, it's blood."

"Now, you be safe out there, alright?" He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "If you need me, I'm just a radio call away."

I nodded my head as I left them in the dust to go meet the Chosen.

—

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