67 – Tutorial…?

67 – Tutorial...?

As I suddenly found myself back in my Cafe, with a confused and pale line of customers before me, I couldn't help but grimace.

'What the hell was that?! Why did it feel so...real?!' I questioned, still in a bit of shock as I felt the tidal wave of power that rushed my body with a mere tug at the stars and celestial bodies around me.

[Congratulations on passing the Tutorial!]

[Limiters unlocked]

[Multiversal Store completely unlocked]

[You can now hire staff]

[More options added to store expansion]

[Entrance limiters have been removed]

Tutorial...what?!

[Karma Balance: 46,420]

[US Dollar Balance: $8,750]

[Due to exceeding expectations and making a profit, the system has granted you your first staff summons for free; each following summons will increase in cost. The Multiversal Trading System Conglomorate wishes you a successful and profitable life and many profitable deals!]

[Commencing Summoning Now]

What?

In a moment, a blinding golden light came into existence at the center of the cafe, stunning everyone in line and even me due to just how sudden and blinding the light was.

Walking out from the light was a man wrapped in bandages, a bulletproof vest strapped over his collared white shirt that had its sleeves rolled up where his arms could be seen, also wrapped up in bandages while the man wore dark pants and walked out of the light with the clunk of old boots.

Shaking my head, I focused my mind back on my growing line of customers.

...

Sitting in rocking chairs, two old men could be seen watching over a small, growing town hidden from the greater world. This town was filled with pure and innocent souls untainted by the flaws of the so-called 'Civilized Man' in the lands of the NCR and Mr. House's New Vegas. Both men were none other than Joshua and Nathaniel, two old New Canaanites who sought to protect the new tribe that came about from the intermixing of the Sarrows and the Dead Horses.

"Do you think what we did was right?" Nathaniel asked, eyes looking up to the sky, thinking back to that day.

"I do not know," Joshua answered, eyes not leaving the happy faces of the tribesmen and women dancing not far from them.

"Should...Should we have stood our ground? Taught them how to defend themselves and their home?" Nathaniel continued.

"Why do you ask?" Joshua asked, tearing his eyes away to look at his old friend.

"I just...I wish those who were lost that day could have lived to see this day," Nathaniel answered solemnly.

"Ah...I see. Do not forget, my dear friend, that they are up there, watching over us and their family. They are with God, and they are at peace."

"I know...but I am old, and I worry," Nathaniel joked with a sad smile.

Joshua returned the smile, "I do, too, but do not fret. We taught them all we could. When we pass, they shall live on, and if harm shall ever come to them, they shall be able to defend themself."

It was true that while Nathaniel taught them the intricacies of Agriculture, Art, and science, Joshua taught them of the art of violence; the only thing he knew, for that, was who Joshua was: a Warrior of God. He taught the tribe what he knew and learned, whether it be marksmanship, trapping, hunting, or fishing to close-quarters combat and how to make gunpowder. When the day would come, and the two shall pass, this tribe would live on under the all-seeing eyes of God, where they would be protected.

It wouldn't have been possible without the help of that lone Courier who stumbled upon the valley. The Courier shouldered the burden and fought off the White Legs before eradicating and destroying as many of their camps as possible. Joshua could see why the Courier pushed him back that day and sided with Nathaniel. Back then, he cared for one thing: vengeance. One that would have him become the monster he once was when under the command of Caeser.

Joshua does not know what happened to that Courier, but he heard rumors that the White Legs never stepped foot within Zion ever again for fear of angering a 'Demon.' Joshua could only pray that wherever this Courier may be, he lived a loving and fulfilling life and that He, Nathaniel, and all of the tribespeople were thankful for the burden he shouldered in order to allow them to escape.

Joshua was fully content on atoning for his sins, but on the fateful night of his death, he was met with the visage of an Angel of the Lord. This Angel promised him salvation and repentance and said that once he completed his task, he would be welcomed through the Gates of Heaven. Joshua thanked this Angel and God for this chance to repent and right his wrong, though he felt he was undeserving of such a chance due to the blood on his hands.

So, imagine his surprise when he found himself stepping into the light and finding himself standing in a strange place and time after having regained his youth.