Far Cry 5: The Panther

A Week for the Weak

Seven Days.

That's how long Luke had been in this cage. His eye was all but closed as footsteps approached the cage. In an instant Luke was on his feet savagely reaching for Jacob through the bars. For the second time through the week, Jacob simply stepped back.

"I'm surprised to see there's still some fight in you. I was sure you would break after just three days. Joseph might be right, this little cub might grow up to be a panther." The crazed look in Luke's eyes showed the pure rage he held for Jacob, thrashing his now some-what healed arm towards Jacob's neck. Jacob grabbed and lightly twisted, bringing a yelp through the almost bestial growls coming from Luke.

"I brought you a present." The creaking of the cage next to him drew his attention, and what he seen mortified him. Rook's barely conscious form lay inside. Although she was in much better shape than his own frail form.

"I've been conditioning our dear hero, If I gave the word, I'm sure she'll kill you. But what kind of fun would that be, I forgot your music box in my room. Tell me Luke do these words ring a bell?" Luke growled from his spot at the back of the cage. Jacob's gruff voice began to sing that dreaded song.

"Though there's no one there to guide you
No one to take your hand
But with faith and understanding
You will journey from boy to man
Son of man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of man, a man in time you'll be"

Luke's vision blurred red as he lunged angrily at the Herald. His eye holding a feral glint. Jacob laughed as he stood back, winding up a music box.

"Joseph wants to see you, but I think I'll show you what your girlfriend looks like." A lone Whitetail was shoved into the Deputy's cage, and immediately the music began playing. Rook's body violently shook a few times before she attacked. The poor man never stood a chance as she repeatedly slammed his face into the metal bars and ground.

"Throughout his week here, he had been beaten, starved and berated. Withstanding Jacob's conditioning who used a song he sung to his children, and the severe lack of sleep. He withstood all of it for the most part, but seeing what had become of the Deputy broke him. He reached at Jacob with a rage unlike any other. 

Catching the soldier off guard, Luke slammed Jacob's face into the metal bars that separated them, small amounts of blood began to drip from his eyebrows. Luke would have continued, had a song not calmed him immediately. 

"Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

T'was blind but now I see."

Luke, calmed dramatically. His hand slipping from Jacob's neck, who angrily pulled away. Tears began slipping from the park rangers eyes as he huddled in the corner.

It was done.

Luke was beginning to brake.

The mental tole that Luke had suffered the past week of doing trials through his old home, killing the cops and eventually his own father had run their course. His mind a mess, Luke began to cry into his knees. Hearing the cage door open, Luke began trying to make himself smaller as he heard someone approach. Already feeling the beating he was about to receive, he tensed up.

But they never came, instead a gentle hand rested itself on Luke's head. Slowly looking up, his eyes met those of Joseph. Slowly Joseph pulled him to his feet, and walked him from his cage. 

"You are so much more important than you realize. God has set before you a path of righteousness. All you had to do is follow it, and follow it you have. When faced with God's test, you returned John home. To repay you that kindness, I will do the same. I look forward to the day that you will attend my sermon again." Joseph continued driving at a casual pace. Luke, groggily and slowly looked over.

"Joseph, I don't know if I can keep fighting. It's wearing on me too much. This whole, thing, has beaten my brain and shattered my world. I don't know who to believe and who to trust. I... I... what am I supposed to do?" He leaned forward and cradled his head in his hands, tray tears sliding down his cheeks.

"God will show you your path, and it will lead you home. Do what you feel is right. " Afterwords Joseph began to hum his favorite song, and slowly, but surely, it lulled Luke to sleep..

~Elsewhere~

Eli had been waiting for any news on the whereabouts of Luke. After returning to the Wolf's Den, he hadn't shown up in a few hours. Fearing the worse, he prepared for another raid trip to the Grand View to retrieve Luke if he had been captured. During the raid, Rook accompanied them on their expedition. What they saw gave each member a varied reaction. Lucy, Luke's personal dirt bike, was dismantled and hanging from various points of the building.

Rook stared in horror, this was a guarantee that they had him.

Eli scrutinized the scene, he now held serious doubts that Luke was here, but one thing was for sure, he didn't give himself up.

Finally, there was Wheaty. Luke was kind of like a hero figure to him, knowing that he was captured didn't sit well with him.

They searched the whole building, and Eli's worst fears were realized. The Wolf's Den was in danger. Hopefully, he didn't like saying it, but he hoped that Luke died before he brakes.

Eli now had to worry about the Deputy again being captured. Things were not looking good for the Whitetails. 

"Eli! I found our missing Ranger!" Eli scrambled for his buried radio. A smile spread across his face for this small bit of good news.

"Bring him home Walker, bring him home."

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Hey Guys just a little heads up for the ending....S!!!

I have a list of endings that will be coming in the future!

1. The Collapse (Canon)

2. Resist

3. Walk Away

4. Leave (Secret Ending)

5. Luke Goes In

6,7,8. Luke Dies (Holland, Whitetails, Henbane)

9. Deputy Kills Luke (Resist)

10. Luke Stays (Walk Away)

11. Luke Gets Captured (Secret Ending)