"Let's see- where's my pen?" I mumbled, rummaging through the contents of my rickety steel desk. "Ah- there it is. Need to hurry and get this intro going. Guess I'll start with the basics? Should make retelling the whole thing a looooot easier later."
"Historically, there was evidence of water falling from the sky. People called it rainfall. But that phenomenon hasn't existed for longer than I've lived. It's hard to believe, really. In fact, where I come from, it never rains. And because of that, all of humanity is at war with itself over the scarcity of drinkable water."
"My name's Kozuna Ozukashi. I hail from one of the seven ruling factions that thrive in these god-forsaken wastelands. And, well, we of the Ozukashi are regarded as the most bloodthirsty. Some other clans even call it a curse. Couldn't be true, right?"
"It's weird. I was born and raised among the Ozukashi, but I've never been on board with all the warmongering. The only things I really want are for the world to be beautiful again and for peace to exist between the clans. A life of constant war and conflict isn't something I wanna continue. Dunno if that'll ever happen, though. I-"
The sound of little boots echoed throughout the dusty hall, just beyond the sandstone doorway of my bleak, almost empty bedroom. My pen almost snapped and bled through the page a bit before clicking shut. I hastily locked my journal inside my desk drawer with a slight sigh. Couldn't have anyone seeing it.
Guess that "incompletes" my first journal entry.
"On your feet, Kozuna! Suit up! Time for the mission!"
Standing in my lack-of-a-door space was my little, angry gremlin of a squad leader and childhood friend, Anari. Her skin appeared more on the pale brown side. I couldn't tell if she was taking care of herself. And true to her personality, her dark eyes maintained a cold, serious demeanor as she gazed up at me from the low altitude of her stature.
She was already in uniform. Knee-high black boots, baggy black pants, and an oversized, black jacket with white trim. The jackets had red patches over the shoulders and under the elbows. The pants had them over the knees, too. It was the same getup I was expected to toss on.
That bossy tone never changes, does it?
My eyelids began to droop as my own dark gaze met Anari's. "What's the mission this time?"
Anari's arms reflexively folded tightly. "We're investigating an out-of-clan location. A rumored source of water."
My half-shut eyes opened wide. There hadn't been news of a water source in over two years. The Ozukashi Clan had been relying on one that was almost entirely dried up. We were in dangerous times, rationing the little bit of water left for far too long, and among an entire clan. A dire situation worsening by the day.
Anari averted her gaze from mine momentarily. "There is an issue, though."
"Yeah?"
"The water's in another clan's territory- the Bahsin."
Wait, we're going after the Bahsin Clan's water? If we steal that, it'd be an act of war.
With the shake of her head and the ensuing rustle of her honey-blonde hair, Anari continued, "Anyway, make sure you're ready for anything. Meet us at the buggy station in thirty. Time is of the essence."
I never waste time.
As Anari turned and headed out, I hesitated, but threw my uniform on, nonetheless. My necessities for survival came next.
For weaponry, I carried a pair of personalized knuckle knives on my belt, carved with the crossed-blades symbol of my clan, and two pistols strapped to my thighs. The first was a standard-issue handgun, while the other was a unique grappling pistol for mobility. And finally, wired through my left hand's glove was a special garrote. The cord's end remained visible at the base, near my wrist. Perfect for quick use.
I pulled my goggles up and over my forehead, pushing some of my maroon-red hair away from my face.
Better get going.
***
I busted a left and headed through the barracks' dimly lit stone hall, leading straight outside. Upon passing the final doorway, I was struck with dust, sand, and the extreme, heated brightness of the barren, desert sun.
"Agh. Damn," I muttered, shielding my face with my arms.
The desert never lets up for a second.
I flicked my goggles over my eyes and blinked several times. Outside, I had a clear view of the central hub of the Ozukashi Clan. A metallic metropolis known as The Primary. And since the barracks were stationed at a vantage point near the south, I experienced that grand vista of my desert homeland every time I stepped outside.
It was a city filled with both the allure of nightlife and the expulsion of smoke into the skies from vast industrial complexes. Jagged, steely towers and flat-roofed buildings made up the land I knew as my birthplace, and other barracks were scattered all over.
At the center of the expansive city, atop the highest-rising spire, was a flag printed with the Ozukashi Clan symbol. It wavered and rustled in the distance, prompting me to close my eyes and inhale deeply. A soft breeze washed over me in the process.
Always gotta take in the last moment of relaxation. I imagine shit will absolutely and egregiously hit the fan.
***
Much as I loved to believe I didn't waste time, I knew damn well my squad was waiting on me. Some more impatient than others. But I'd learned years ago just what to expect. I knew who'd definitely bitch at me, who'd definitely blush, and who'd definitely laugh their ass off at the others.
My squad consisted of four people, including Anari and me. The third member of our group was Yvira. And among the more monotone personalities that made up our small circle, she was the more colorful type.
She had the largest smile of anyone I'd ever met, and the longest hair of anyone in our group. A bright, golden-brown abundance of loose curls. Eyes that sparkled of a molten gold, like the desert sun. And a height that sat only two or three inches beneath my relatively average stature. She was the first one to catch my eye with her radiant, tawny-brown hand, widely waving from the end of the sandy, sun-bleached trail, between Anari to her right, and Nikai to her left, our final squad member.
Nikai was the darker-skinned, tall, and overly buff one. A goofy loudmouth, and my typical sparring partner, too. The almost total opposite of Yvira in multiple ways. There wasn't much hair on his head- it was all buzzed down pretty short and somewhat of a darker brown. Plus, his eyes were this dull-but-sick mixture of brown, beige, and gray.
All four of us were friends from young. We grew up together. Some of us grew less than others. But everyone had their own distinctions. To me, one was reliable, another was eccentric, and the last one was like a sibling. Somehow, the four of us managed to make it through training and be assigned to the same military squad. Someone was looking out for us, I just didn't know who.
But finally, I'd caught up with them, and Nikai flashed a grin as he waved.
"Kozuna, hurry it up, bro! I'm gettin' old over here!"
"Heeeey, Kozuna! Ready to start the mission? I can't wait to visit the Bahsin Clan! Imagine what we'll get to see-"
"Yvira... Can we get back to the task at hand?"
Yvira rambled on right up until Anari interrupted her. We all knew that her chatting would never end if we let her go on for too long.
Shutting herself up abruptly, Yvira nodded and folded her arms behind her waist almost immediately. She didn't drop her refreshing smile, though.
Heh. Like a ray of sunshine. Guess that makes Anari an umbrella?Kinda?
"Now, on orders directly from Clan Leader Izanai and Commander Kaiten, we're being sent on this mission because one of our spies found the location of the Bahsin water source. As you all know, the water source for our clan is nearly dried up. This mission is vital to the survival of our clan. And just to make sure you imbeciles are aware, if we screw up, we'll probably be murdered. Brutally." Anari stopped speaking to glare straight at Nikai and me. "I'm almost talking to you two specifically. 'Cause, y'know, personally, I'd like to avoid capture and merciless torture sessions. Anyway, I've marked the location. We're headed to Crescent Canyon. Once we reach the border at Centra Highlands, be on your guard."
Nikai chuckled a bit, glancing between Anari and me. "Roger that, Sir!"
Anari's eyelids narrowed immensely. "All of you, load into the buggy."
***
Scouts and soldiers roaming the desert typically traveled by buggy. Buggies made to accommodate the intense heat, though builds varied by clan and creator.
Our squad's ride was built with four seats, no doors, and a bracketed roof. Gunmetal-gray all around. Only one section was covered- the passenger side back seat. It had a thick, armored panel to the side in place of a door and a metal slab above acting as a roof. The other three sides of our buggies were exposed to the outside world for reasons purely concerning violence. The setup was less than practical in terms of defense, though.
When we went on missions, Yvira usually relaxed in the seat protected from the elements. I sat beside her, and Nikai always called shotgun. With Anari driving, that was our standard setup.
When everyone was situated, Anari slammed on the gas and sped straight out of The Primary, taking a back road to avoid traffic. She was always the in-a-rush type. Our barracks were kinda far from the nearest exit, but not so far that we couldn't leave the city within about fifteen minutes.
Unsurprisingly, as we drove west, the wind grew more fearsome. The four of us covered our faces with whatever we could. Wasn't like we had a proper windshield. Most people used goggles and breathable masks aboard buggy rides.
On the other hand, Nikai would rarely protect his face at all. Maybe he enjoyed being bombarded with sand and dust? I literally had no clue.
It was about an hour's drive to Centra Highlands, and the entire time, Nikai and Yvira wouldn't shush. Like usual, I sat in silence the whole ride, and the historically upset Anari barely spoke. There wasn't much entertainment to be had for one-fourth of the group- at least I could find "enjoyment" in watching the empty wasteland fly by. But, when we finally reached the highlands, it came time to park the buggy on the lift and wait for the worker up top to do their job.
The highland roads were way up a super steep mountainside. There was no way to drive between clans with fucking mountains in the way and no conceivable tunnels to speak of. The Ozukashi Clan ended up building a lift station at some point.
Anari soon turned the key and pulled it from the ignition. All we could do was wait.
The lift was built into the cliffside, solar-powered, and traveled vertically on the connected, train-like rails. Thick, square platforms of metal with weight sensors built in. With the simple press of a button, the attendant could make the lift go up or down. A pretty straightforward job. Most of the time, though, they were generally unprotected.
I gazed at the world around me as we gradually ascended the mountainside, lost in thought.
Despite there being no grass, trees, water, or anything besides desert and poorly-maintained structures, the sight held some beauty. Sure, the lack of scenery was saddening, but Yvira had shown me books depicting a world full of flowing vegetation and natural art. However, she never stated whether we even lived in that world or had the hope of seeing it.
But that day sparked the beginning of my dream.
My goal of seeing a truly beautiful world, a goal that went beyond achieving peace between constantly warring clans. Because maybe if there was water, people wouldn't have to fight. At least, not so much. All we had were barren badlands or far-off places where strange things occurred. Rumors of other lifeforms made their way into Ozukashi Territory, too.
And everywhere across the globe, inhabitants were ready to kill for water.
***
We were greeted by a plain, dusty, steely station when the lift finally reached the top. It'd felt like an eternity and a half. But once the worker signaled that we were good to go, Anari zoomed off. Finally, at the border of Bahsin Territory and significant change, we had an unobstructed view of Crescent Canyon in the near distance.
Around the winding canyon was a predominantly mountainous region, brimming with boulders and natural gemstone formations. The environment enabled the Bahsin Clan to amass vast riches and a corresponding reputation. Not to mention a target on their back.
However, due to the dangers that accompanied their territory- like wild animals and seemingly endless trenches- the Bahsin didn't experience many enemy attacks. None from established, massive clans. Not to mention difficult-to-navigate roadways if a driver hadn't grown up among the Bahsin.
"Here we are." Anari briefly glanced over her shoulder, her foot resting on the brake pedal. "Keep your guard up, guys. We're officially crossing into enemy territory, and I want all of us to make it home alive."