Ultra (Preview)

A short narrative section from a concept currently in development.

His vision was red with the blood of his allies; he could hear nothing but an overtone of what could have been a hospital monitor flat-lining. Stumbling around, it was a mess; explosions and smoke set the tone for this war-torn battlefield, and the littered corpses of his fellow soldiers filled the scene.

He struggled, limping around, trying to make sense of the chaos through the debris and plasma coating his face, seeing those still alive making a final push to God knows where. Muffled screams of pain, of pure agony from those unlucky to be alive but without a reason to live. The sight of the newly minted disabled, the smell of gunpowder and iron from the pools of blood from those unwittingly donated to the land.

The rapid shelling of overhead mortars and fighter jets carpet bombing over the hills couldn't outmatch his trembling and shaking as he struggled to lift his rifle. He wasn't scared; he just couldn't overcome the pieces of shrapnel that riddled his now useless arm.

But that didn't stop him, not one bit. He kept pressing on, lifting his rifle as high as possible and pulled the trigger. He could have been in the right direction; his enemy was right over there. He wouldn't rest until they were wiped out in the name of his rage, and he kept pulling that trigger. The incessant rhythm of his gunfire became his only thought. "Keep going, keep going until they're all dead." Over and over, shot after shot, until...

POP! Kane bolted his eye open at the cry of the champagne cork.

No explosions, only the sounds of waves. No screams of men and women, only seagulls. No sulfur and iron, sea-salted air. This wasn't his war; it was a beach.

Kane stared straight into the umbrella giving him shade; he could see the sun filtering through. He then touched his arm, feeling the large scars that ran up and down the entire length.

Soon his attention was turned to the sound of glasses clattering and the champagne being poured. He could hear the carbonation popping and lulled himself into focusing on it, as though he was trying to wean himself into not quickly losing the feeling of the memories he had broken away from.

"Another glass, Mr. Marcus?" The bottle server was then standing over Kane with the glass in hand.

"Oh...thank you." Kane took the champagne glass and left a small lei on his side table. He then picked up his watch to look at the time. 3:15 PM. He had been away longer than he had anticipated. He had not been asleep, but dreaming had taken his time away, and he realized it was time for him to go.

Packing up his belongings, he threw back the glass of champagne, handing it back to the server on his way off the beach, along with a generous tip.

Kane walked along the boardwalk, the stretch quiet between vendors, still bustling further along with the island's natives. Smiling faces and welcoming gestures, all dressed in a mix of traditional garb and modern comfort.

Kane took in the people's hospitality by stopping at various small kiosks, stalls, and merchant stands along the way. Enjoying the small gifts he was given, indulging in small sweets to snack on, and taking in a little peace, he had finally felt being here.

But he knew he was stalling for time and had to head back sooner than later.

"Mr. Kane!" A small voice yelled out for him.

Kane turned around to see an islander boy running towards him, about 12 or 13. The boy quickly pounced on him, almost hanging off his shoulders. "Everyone is waiting for you back at the house, Mr. Kane."

"I know, Kino. Did they ask you to come to get me?" Kane playfully laughed as he wrangled the boy off him and onto solid ground.

"Yes, Miss Mara very steamed like a volcano. Say she don't want to wait much more." Kino danced around Kane, poking and prodding at his pockets.

Kane then pulled a wrapped piece of chocolate from his inside shirt pocket and handed it to the boy — an apology for his troubles in coming to get him.

"Well, then, I don't want to keep them waiting. Let's race to the bus stop." Kino yelped with excitement, and together, the pair took off.

A few moments later, they were dropped off at the entrance to a private villa. It was a bit of a walk down the entry path, but soon enough, they arrived, all the while Kino dancing and darting around, playing freely, much to the amusement of Kane.

Upon entering the villa, Kane quickly placed his belongings down to the side of the door and hurried to the house's common area. There he was greeted by six other figures.

"Ahh, Kane, there you are," spoke an islander man. He was dressed in a traditional, modern mix. Kino ran up to the man and quickly bowed in front of him. "Thank you, Kino, for fetching Kane." The man patted Kino and rubbed him on the shoulder. Kino looked up, beaming pride. "Now run along elsewhere; we have to begin." The boy quickly departed from the room as the sounds of the chocolate wrapper could be heard unraveling.

"Well, it's about time." One of the five others spoke, an older woman looking Kane dead in the eyes.

"Apologies, Alo." Kane ignored the woman and spoke to the island man. "I was...I lost track of time."

"No worries, my son. All is forgiven." Alo replied.

One of the other five scoffed. "Must be nice...I'm late, and I get verbal warnings. He's late, and he gets a pardon."

"Well, Alex, Kane didn't have to be escorted back for getting too drunk in public, did he?" The man across from her replied.

"I'm on vacation, am I not allowed to have fun? Or is that just for you guys?" She shot back.

"No, we're here to heal, to relax and rehabilitate. We shouldn't cause trouble for the people who invited us here." The man replied to her.

Alex grumbled and clammed up, "whatever...."

Kane joined them in the circle and sat across from the older woman; this time, he gazed at her as she did him.

"Thank you, Shawn, for reminding us why we are here." Alo remained to stand, taking control of the group now that the last member was here. "This 'Vacation' is meant to treat all that ails you. By the grace of the gods, you are here not only to help yourselves but to help each other rest in this process. Remove all earthly tethers in this meditation and free yourself from all that bother you."

Alo walked around the room, dimming the lights, closing the window blind, and lighting candles. He walked to the back of the room where there was a basin of water. He took a bowl to fill a small portion, bringing it back to the group; he began to pass the water around. "As we did on nights before, take a drink and pass it to the next person. Daniella, you may go first."

With a tired sigh and a rub of her eyes, Daniella sat up properly from her lazy position to formally receive the bowl. "Hopefully, I can get some sleep after this." She took a quick sip and passed it on to the older woman. She said nothing as she drank her share but still locked her eyes with Kane the entire time, making an audible slurp with her lips and tongue. She passed the bowl on to the next person.

As they did this, Alo circled them in a dance almost flowing like water, swinging a thurible, spreading incense's scent through the room.

Alex finally received the bowl and complained. "Luis? This bowl is half empty. Did you have to drink so much?"

Luis went red and looked down in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I just...the water always tastes so good when we do this; I just lost a bit of control."

Alex huffed, "well, next time, think before you —"

"Alex, it's fine; just take a sip and pass it along." Shawn interrupted her before she could say something rude.

Alex pouted her face and did just that. She then passed the bowl to Kane.

"Thank you." He said as he received it, but she did not respond. With one arm Kane took the bowl and brought it to his lips. Luis was right; the water they drank during this meditation always tasted good. Slightly sweet, clean and cold as melt off a glacier.

Kane took his gulp and finally handed the bowl to Shawn. "Thanks, Kane."

"You're welcome." Shawn then finished the rest of the water for himself.

Alo returned to take the bowl away and began chanting a prayer in an unknown language. A form of the native tongue, perhaps; none of them knew. All they knew was that it sounded different from what they usually heard around the island.

"Now. Close your eyes and relax; take yourselves away from here. Where are you?" As all the others followed as instructed, Kane was reluctant but couldn't fight it any longer and closed his eyes. The sounds of Alo's footsteps and the swinging of the thurible faded away. He was in darkness, floating in the void.

He remained there for a while before seeing a bright light within his mind. And as the light came into focus, it was so bright he reopened his eyes again to see the light fade, and into focus came the setting sun.

Kane looked around. It was a scarred battlefield; the smoke of freshly snuffed fires was toyed by the wind. He looked down, barefoot but standing in dirt piles of dried blood. He scrunched his feet to feel the ichor and gravel between his toes. Kane looked at his hands to see a knife in one and a collection of bloodied dog tags.

Looking up, he suddenly stood face to chest with a red stallion. Kane could feel the pure heat coming off its visage and musk. Its head loomed over Kane, and all Kane could do was place his arms around its neck to enjoy the warmth it gave him. It was a magnificent beast.

He then heard radio static and saw a figure suddenly riding atop the steed. It was a fully clothed Marine dressed in combat gear. Holding the reins of the horse, the figure looked at Kane.

"Time's up, soldier." The Marine then aimed his rifle at Kane and pulled the trigger.