Chapter Four: Enter the Trio

Ludachel's days unfurled in rhythms set by the desolate expanse that surrounded him, a stark contrast to the bustling city where the corrupt thrived and the downtrodden struggled for survival. With Eve as his companion to which his loyalties lie, mother in all but blood. He roamed the outskirts of a civilization teetering on the brink of collapse, hidden from the prying eyes of those who governed through fear and greed.

At nineteen, his form was a testament to the harshness of his environment and the gentle soul that persisted within. Tall and lean, his movements carried the grace of someone who had learned to navigate a landscape both cruel and indifferent.

His hair, as dark as a raven's wing, fell in loose waves around a face that could have been chiselled from obsidian. His eyes, a deep, enigmatic blue, mirrored the vastness of an ocean in a storm, yet in their depths lay an unspoken kindness, a beacon for any who dared to look closer. Despite his rugged beauty, there was no mistaking him for anything but what he was—a man honed by circumstance, his sharp eyebrows and although delicate he had a crafted jawline speaking to a resilience and strength that defied the fragility of his youth.

Each day, Ludachel ventured into the desolation with Eve, scouring the ruins for components to sustain her mechanical shop. This shop was more than a means of survival; it was a beacon of hope, a bastion of ingenuity and defiance in a world that had all but forgotten such traits. Their bond was one forged in the fires of necessity, yet tempered by love and mutual respect. Eve taught him the value of silence, the importance of listening to the whispers of the wind, the stories told by the cracked earth beneath their feet. In return, Ludachel offered his strength, his unwavering loyalty, and a companionship that filled the void left by a world stripped of camaraderie.

Yet, a lingering feeling that the reality he perceived was but a thin veil over a truth far more complex. Shadows flickered at the edge of his vision, forms and faces that vanished when he turned to look directly at them. Whispers filled his ears, voices crying out in fear, in confusion, a cacophony of souls lost amidst a plain of nothingness.

These apparitions, unknown to Eve, were a burden Ludachel bore in silence, fearful of their implications.

It was on one of their scavenging trips, amidst the skeletal remains of a city once pulsating with life, that Ludachel's divine nature brushed against the veil of his ignorance. They were searching through an abandoned factory, its walls groaning with the memory of industry, when Ludachel paused, his gaze fixed on a point in space that to Eve, remained empty.

"What do you see, Lu?" Eve's voice was tinged with concern, for she had begun to notice the subtle shifts in Ludachel, the occasional distant gaze, the furrowed brow of confusion.

"Nothing," Ludachel lied, tearing his gaze away from the spectral figure that hovered just beyond his reach, its eyes wide with the terror of the unknown. "Just the light playing tricks." he brushes off, pressing the back of his hand into his eyes and rubbing in frustration.

But the light held no such power. It was Ludachel's burgeoning divinity, a birthright he had yet to understand, that allowed him glimpses into the realm of the dead.

Unbeknownst to him, he was the god of death, a steward to those souls adrift in the void, scared and confused as all had been since life first flickered into existence.

This burden, invisible and incessant, carved into him a depth of empathy that few could fathom. He felt the pull of these lost spirits, a silent plea for guidance, for understanding. Yet, without the knowledge of his divine heritage, he was powerless to answer their calls, to soothe their fears.

Each night, as Ludachel lay in the quiet of their makeshift home, he pondered the visions that haunted his days. The answers lay just beyond his grasp, shrouded in the mystery of his being. He knew not of Jutis, the god of time, or of the pact forged to allow his destiny to unfold untouched by divine influence. He understood only that the world around him, and perhaps he himself, harboured depths yet unexplored.

But to Ludachel, his burden was of little consequence when it came to the creatures that lurked in this desolate land.

The echoes of the past reverberated through their world, manifesting in the form of the 'Deathtems'. These mutated creatures, remnants of a bygone nuclear war, haunted the outskirts where Ludachel and Eve lived without refuge.

Standing at a mere metre in height, with three heads and hairless black skin that exposed rotten yellow teeth, the Deathtems symbolised the twisted legacy of a world ravaged.

The origins of the Deathtems intertwined with the shattered history of the dystopian world. Generations ago, in the aftermath of the cataclysmic conflict, survivors had banded together to construct a vast circular city. This city was divided into twelve distinct sections, each guarded by its own gate.

Eve's training of Ludachel from a young age now proved essential as they stood prepared to defend themselves against these abominations and other mutated creatures lurking in the shadows.

——— ——— ——— ———

As Ludachel stirred awake to the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, he was greeted by the sight of Eve at the entrance of the bedroom leaning against the door, nonchalantly sipping her own cup. With a mischievous glint in her green eyes, she greeted him, "Rise and shine, today's the day to hustle!"

Ludachel, still drowsy, threw a pillow half-heartedly in Eve's direction. "If that coffee isn't for me, let me be, and go bother someone else," he mumbled, attempting to burrow back under the warm covers.

Unfazed by his resistance, Eve smoothly sidestepped the incoming pillow. She settled herself comfortably on Ludachel, undeterred by his feeble protests. "I have a favour to ask. I need you to run an errand in the city for me," Eve explained, her voice animated with excitement about her upcoming client meeting, something about a new invention, calling it Grounders or something along the lines of it, he wasn't really listening cause he couldn't give a shit.

But despite himself, Ludachel grumbled, "Why can't you do it after your meeting with Mr or Miss Client?"

Eve's laughter filled the room, "Oh, I was supposed to do it yesterday but completely forgot. So, my dear, it falls to you to deliver it now. Chop-chop, time's a-ticking, grandpa!" She teased, clearly amused by Ludachel's morning demeanour.

As Ludachel grumbled under Eva's weight, she rocked back and forth, swinging her legs innocently before jumping up to avoid another assault from Ludachel. "Come on, Lu, you know you can't resist my charm and the smell of success," Eva teased, twirling a strand of her cornrows as she paced the room.

With a resigned sigh, Ludachel threw off the covers and sat up slowly, raking a hand through his tousled hair. "Fine, fine," he mumbled, giving in to Eva's relentless enthusiasm. "But only because I can't bear to witness your attempt at small talk with Mr. Client."

Eva beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's a Miss. Oh, you know I have the gift of the gab," she boasted, nudging Ludachel playfully. "Besides, it's good practice for when we finally unveil our groundbreaking invention to the world."

As Ludachel groggily got ready, Eva's chatter filled the room with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Despite his initial reluctance, there was a warmth in his eyes as he watched Eva buzz around like a whirlwind of energy, her passion infectious and unwavering.

With a last-minute playful jibe from Ludachel about Eva's obsession with naming everything, he set off towards the city on his motorcycle and broke the ground in a cloud of smoke as the machine picked up speed, swerving through Desolate buildings.

When Lu arrived at the entrance of the city at gate 11, where he nodded to some soldier who was smoking while cleaning his gun, leaning against an old truck that still seemed to be in working order.

"Better watch yourself, outsider." The soldier sneered as Ludachel ventured on into the city teeming with life and decay.

Ludachel couldn't really say he missed its twisted alleys whispering tales of forgotten glory and unspoken tragedies.

At the buzz of Ludachel's presence, a flicker of enigmatic allure in the harsh reality of the corrupt city, drew the attention of a trio of young souls—Brain, Rin, and Jaxson, also known as Jax—each orphaned by circumstance and bound together by resilience and the hardships they endured.

The trio, aged 17 and 18, found themselves captivated by Ludachel's mysterious aura, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic figure who moved with grace and purpose through the city's shadowed streets. They watched from afar as Ludachel exchanged goods with traders, his every movement a dance of subtlety and an air of a man with hidden depths.

Brain, the youngest of the trio, would often be the first to catch sight of Ludachel's approach, his eyes alight with wonder. Rin, the steadying presence among them, would nod in silent acknowledgement, her gaze following Ludachel's every step with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. And Jax, with a heart that beat with the yearning for something more, found himself drawn to Ludachel in ways he dared not admit.

The three friends who were lounging in their apartment, about to head to bed in the early morning, because of the graveyard shifts of cleaning up the filth that festered in the city's underbelly, found solace in the moments they stole to observe Ludachel's comings and goings. His presence, a beacon of mystery in a world defined by decay and corruption, offered a glimmer of adventure and possibility that transcended their harsh reality.

Rumours of Ludachels prowess in slaying the deformed creatures, Deathtems that haunted the outskirts of the city only added to his mystique.

With a mixture of admiration and unease, Brain leaned in, his voice filled with interest.

"Have you heard about Ludachel's exploits? They say he moves through the shadows with a deadly grace, his blade cutting through the twisted creatures that skulk in the darkness."

Rin, her gaze steady yet tinged with a hint of trepidation, added, "You sound like a fan girl B, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were true, there is a darkness within him, a raw power that sets him apart from the rest of us, even when we were young. He doesn't just survive in this world; it's like he commands it." she sucks on her straw trying to suck the last bits of processed lemonade and yawned as they lounge against the window of their worn-down apartment looking down at the young man in mention.

Meanwhile, Jax, his heart pounding with a different kind of emotion, feels the need to jump into the conversation. "Brain is telling the truth, I've seen him in action, and despite his lanky frame, I felt the intensity of his presence. Ludachel is not just a hunter; he's a force of nature, a magnet of danger and allure that draws you in."

"Pfft draws you in? Sure, so why doesn't he have any friends? The guy is probably just a loser with an attitude, we shouldn't get involved with him, as far as we know he could be trouble."

Their discussions weaved a tapestry of fascination and caution, each of them grappling with their own reactions to Ludachel's enigmatic persona. As they shared tales of his exploits, Jax's gaze lingered a fraction longer, his thoughts drifting into dangerous territory where desire and danger intersected.

In the silent agreement that passed between them, the trio acknowledged the allure and danger that Ludachel represented. While Brain and Rin made a pact to keep their distance, Jax found himself torn between the magnetic pull of Ludachel's presence and the whispered warnings of his friends.

Despite his better judgement, he wanted to get to know Ludachel.

Waking him out of his fantasies, Rin suddenly squealed beside him, jumping up from the spot of the cushions beside the window, "I almost forgot!"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she animatedly described the bonfire party just beyond the city's limits of gate 12, detailing the allure of the flickering flames, music, and promise of a carefree night filled with laughter and merriment. With a mischievous grin, she implored the boys to join, hinting at the tantalising presence of alcohol and intriguing company.

Initially, the boys hesitated, voicing their concerns about the dangers lurking in the city, particularly the Deathtems, and how ill-prepared they were for any potential trouble.

Unfazed, Rin reassured them, "Why are you guys suddenly the voice of reason? That's my job! Besides, It's going to be fine. Some young soldiers invited me; they host these parties every two weeks after patrolling the area. They assured me it's safe, with no threats around. Please, I don't want to go alone!"

Jax furrowed his dusty red brows, much like his freckles, his concern etched across his face like a map of worry lines, his protective nature surfacing as he voiced his reservations about the party and the dubious nature of the soldiers who extended the invitation.

"You know those soldiers can't be trusted, they are all fucking corrupted, Rin. It's a bad idea to go," Jax warned as he stood and shook her shoulders gently, hoping to get through to his pixie pink-haired friend, his voice laced with worry.

Brain, the quiet yet observant one of the group, nodded in agreement, pushing up his glasses, his eyes reflecting a mix of caution and curiosity. "He's right, Rin. It might not be safe out there," he added quietly, ignoring Rin's glare.

Rin stood her ground, smacking Jax's hands off of her shoulders and retorted "Well, I'm going, with or without you guys. I need this, I need a break from all of-," She pauses and looks around their apartment and spreads her hands in the air to make her point. "-This! So, come along if you want, or stay back. But remember, if anything happens to me, it's on you." She gave them a stern look, hoping to sway them with guilt.

The tension hung in the air as the decision weighed heavily on the group.

"Fine, we can go," Jax grumbles

reluctantly. "What time do we leave? I want to get some sleep in. And we need to come up with a game plan in case things go south, okay?"

Rin's face lights up as she squeals with joy and jumps on Jax, enveloping him in a tight hug that knocks the wind out of him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! We're going to have a blast! It starts at 9:00 pm, so we've got plenty of time to sleep, strategize, and hey," she pauses for effect, "enough time to make you guys look almost hot!" she chuckles playfully, clearly amused by her own joke. "And that's quite the challenge," she teases.

"Ah, I need a quick smoke. Give me a minute, I'll be back in a bit," Jax says with a laugh, looking at Rin and Brain before heading out of the apartment and towards the local liquor and cigarette store. As he pushes open the store's door, he unexpectedly collides with Ludachel, the figure of interest they had been discussing moments earlier.