Future History

Ja'kel opened his eyes only to see darkness. Or was he just unable to open them. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t remember falling asleep and he has this overwhelming feeling of terror that he is somewhere too close to the “No Zone”.

What’s the last thing he remembered? Everything’s fuzzy. An alley? A cave? Why can’t he remember? Why can’t he see?! The only image he has in his distorted mind is a shackled, glowing green heart and an unnerving pull to find it. What is it? Why is it so important.

Suddenly his darkness is shattered by blinding light, “Get out of there!”

A mountainous creature grabbed Ja’kel by his leg in a vice-like grip; nearly ripping it off. Tossing him out of a vehicle he didn’t even realized he was in. He hit the ground with incredible force and slid a few meters, as rocks underneath shredded up everything they touched. Ja’kel instinctively grabbed his leg which had to have been crushed or maimed. He was still unable to see. All he felt under hand was his tattered pants. For some strange reason he didn’t feel any sticky warmth of blood and his leg didn’t hurt. Why didn’t his leg hurt!? His head was still ringing. His vision was blurry. His vision was blurry!? Was his vision coming back?! As the reverberation of pain subsided in Ja’kels' head, his eyes began to focus. He only then knew the full extent of shit he truly was in.

He was meat. Capture by a raiding party. Even though he didn’t know where, he knew the direction of their destination. Which meant only one thing. His captures were the Centurions! The most vicious and organized raiding party that had been rumored to be based somewhere too far inside the “No Zone!”

- Narrator-

Earth. Year unknown. Some time within the last unknown number of centuries an event of apocalyptic proportions occurred, but there are no records. Not even stories of the before time. Only monoliths and monuments of a time past. Out of place in this world. Echoes of memories long forgot. Only artificial bones remain.

****

Night has fallen. The Centurions make camp. All brandishing a variety of magical bladed weapons. Some glowed red with heat, while others crackled and hummed with electricity. Ja’kel has only ever heard of these mysterious magical weapons. This is his first time seeing them and they terrified him. Ja'kel surveyed his immediate area. He's in a cage, just big enough for one animal, or one person. Through the dancing shadows thrown off by the flickering embers of the camps' fire, Ja’kel can make out at least five other human sized cages.

Still, what was up with his leg? He knew it had to have been crushed before. He felt it when that mutant cyclops tossed him like a rag doll. Cyclops! What in the actual fuck! He definitely knew he was with the Centurions. They’re the only ones capable of controlling the mutated creatures of this dystopian earth. Maybe because they controlled magic weapons? His thoughts are disrupted by a saddened raspy voice from behind him.

“They finally found you. Have they Star Born?” Ja’kel startled asked, “Star Born?!”

“Yes.” Responded the old man. “I saw that cyclops grab you and toss you like a rag doll! And yet you have no wounds! There has been an excited energy about the Centurions ever since they captured you. You are most definitely the one that they have been searching for. The one that can harness the source of their magic.”

Ja’kel, having no idea what the old man was talking about said confused, “ That’s ridiculous! What are you talking about old man!? You’re making that up!”

The old man retorted, “The closer you get to the source of the magic, the more your abilities will manifest! First is healing, as you have already witnessed yourself. Remember your leg?!”

That’s right thought Ja’kel! I had no wounds after my encounter with that mutant cyclops! I know my leg had had to have been destroyed. Then the way it threw me! I’d sooner have a concussion instead of my vision returning!