The Open West: The Man and the Beast

By J. Alex

On March 1st, 1844, in large piece of land known as The Open West, Operation Carkune occurs. That was the day when Grant Place, Lord of Harbrook, a Northern country, ordered the execution of all religious groups. As one incident led to another, an all-out war broke out in, what many called it, "The Third Holy War". 12 years later, the war is still going on. A man named Ellis Havard is a victim of Harbrook's experiments and he was born a beast with great strength. He and his friend, Ryan Wallar, are ordered by their country to join the war into the Open West to invade Harbrook, kill Place, and end the Third Holy War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781636922300

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The Open West

The Man and the Beast

J. Alex

Copyright © 2021 J. Alex

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by

Newman Springs Publishing 2021

Cover

Artist: Agnesa Mahalla

Website: Fiverr.com

Username: Agnesam

Maps

Artist: Moisés Bellera

Website: Freelancer.com

Username: Jorge M. @ElOtroMiqui

ISBN 978-1-63692-229-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63692-230-0 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

PROLOGUE

PRESENT DAY…

12:42 pm…

JUNE 16TH, 1856…

THE OPEN LAND…

Hey, Rick. Harry asked as he was climbing from the bottom of the tower. Want some glazed? Alfred had just got some doughnuts from the food truck. He had put it on the food list. They’re down at the camp.

No, I’m good. Rick responded. I’m trying to go on a diet.

Sure, I guess. Harry said as he sat down next to Rick and ate a doughnut. I don’t really care. We’re all going to die anyway. Might as well die happy.

Harry had laughed a bit. Yeah. Harry said.

A long pause then happened. Both men stared out into the distance of the beautiful landscape. The green trees, the pink flowers, and the blue sky with barely a cloud in sight. Though, there were also gunshots and people screaming and war yelling in the distance. There were a group of trees in the way of the fighting so the two couldn’t see the action. But they could see the tall mountain tops. Marjean was known for its gorgeous views beyond the distance.

Beyond the mountain tops, there lay three tall walls protecting the country of Marjean. Three walls that stood a hundred feet tall surrounding the country. They were built to protect the country from the inevitable threat from the North. The country in the North that became a whole new country with a new set of rules.

Harry Gibbons and Rick Moore were signalmen of the Defense Branch of Marjean, their home country. They were both Daminian (white) men. They were assigned to border patrol on Wall 2 by their lieutenant. They’d been on the lookout for any Brooks from the enemy country, Harbrook, attempting to invade. They must keep guard in these high metal buildings called signal towers so they may alert any nearby commanders and their battalions or brigades. They were in a signal tower called Tower 214.

You think this will all end soon? Rick asked.

No. Harry responded in a depressing voice.

You really think that? Rick asked as he looked at Harry.

I mean, this war’s been going on for 12 damn years. Harry said. Why should it end now? Place will never stop until his dream has come true. He was always a stubborn bastard.

Yeah. Rick said.

It’s a shame, really. Harry said. You know I used to support Place. He proved he could become a brave and strong leader. He helped millions of people and brought back hundreds of new jobs. He battled hatred and fought for less religious control. That was until…

…Carkune? Rick asked.

Yeah. Harry responded.

I know. Rick sadly said. I was ashamed as much as any other supporter of him. Rick stood up and leaned on the side of their post with his arms crossed. I thought someone had made it up. Then the pictures came up, the witnesses, the camps, the bodies…I lost respect. The one man that was honest and told the blunt truth…turned out to be one of the most vicious men who ever lived. Harry said.

Pretty much, yeah. Rick said looking at Harry. He looked back out into the field they were told to guard and put his head down on his arms to relax. Then he saw something. Wait. He raised his head from the side. Hold on. Is that a…oh fuck!

Rick had spotted something. Something out in the distance. He had picked up his binoculars and looked through them. It came out from behind the pack of trees into a plain field. The field only had grass and flowers growing out of it. It was a beast. A beast chasing two soldiers in a gun truck. Beasts are deformed, 15–30 foot monsters that were created by the Frii Legion, specifically by the Herrben Saww (HS), to fight in the war. They are each controlled by a Herbben Saww rider who wore machinery on his chest and some pads on his/her shoulders with a black metal helmet. On the beast’s heads is a device which impales their brains. This lets the HS rider control the movements and actions of the beast while on their backs.

The two Marjeanian soldiers in a gun truck were being chased by one beast being controlled by an HS trooper. Rick and Harry had to be quick to act if they were to save both of them and the Marjeanian border.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! yelled Harry as he was trying to get in contact using the Ground Communication Device (GCD). What’s the nearest group?!

Try Commander Novak’s! Rick responded. They’ve got Reese!

Are they the closest?! Harry asked.

Yes! Rick said.

Which station is Novak’s?! yelled Harry.

Uhhh! Uhhhh! Rick had pondered and pondered. But he couldn’t remember. He had trouble remembering after all. He then went to the bookshelf at the corner of their post and got out the codes. Novak. Novak. Novak. Ah! Channel 127!

Harry had turned the channel with the wheels to channel 127. Come in! Come in! Harry yelled. We need assistance at Tower 214. Come in! Come in! Tower 214! There was static. Harry was sweating. He turned around to look over the post. He tried again. Assistance at Tower 214! Tower 214! Novak Brigade! We need assistance. Two fieldmen are being attacked by a beast! They’re in a gun truck! Come in! Please!

Rick was frustrated at what he was seeing. Why the fuck is there no one around?! Rick yelled. Does no one give a shit?!

Arrogant sons of bitches were too confident in their precious walls! Harry said regarding the Marjeanian government. It didn’t tick when the first one was broken into? Really?! Fuck!

The beast then knocked over the car. This caused the two soldiers to fly out and onto the dirt. Soldier 1 was knocked out the farthest while soldier 2 had already bailed a few seconds before the beast knocked them. Wall 2 was about 200 feet away. They had no choice but to run. Run. Run for their lives. They knew if they were the least bit slow, it could all be over. Harry and Rick were still scrambling to see what other channels they could link to. They were trying to get in contact with other battalions or brigades. They were trying all they could to save them.

WE NEED HELP! Harry screamed into any channel he could find. PLEASE! SOMEONE! THOSE MEN ARE GOING TO DIE! PLEASE!

The beast had caught soldier 2 by chomping its razor-sharp teeth into half of his torso. It held its body in the air. It then shook it causing a ton of blood and entrails to fling out. Soldier 1 looked in horror and disgust. He had seen his friend die right in front of him. He was eaten. He was still shaking him as bits of his entrails flew out. Eventually, his entire lower torso flew off. The other half was dropped by the beast.

Soldier 1 had to run. Run fast. He had already picked himself up from the grass beneath him and sprinted right after the monster was shaking his friend’s guts out. He ran as fast as he could to Wall 2. The beast then started running towards soldier 2. The HS man riding the beast had aimed his handgun at soldier 2. He tried to shoot at him but his aim was off due to the beast moving. He was able to successfully enter the woods that was ahead of him. He zig-zagged through the tall trees and through the tick infested bushes. The beast had easily evaded the bushes and was trying to catch up to soldier 2.

All of a sudden, a huge blue beam of energy came out of nowhere. It had hit the beast with all its might. It had aimed for the head but instead got the upper leg. This caused its entire leg to be blown off along with a huge chunk of its blood splattered. The beast had been mortally injured and wobbled around a bit. The HS man on the beast had armed himself with his weapon. He aimed his gun at where the beam came from. He was frightened and scared. He began sweating profusely. His heart was beating heavy as he was looking all over the place aiming his gun. It was quiet now.

He had an idea of what weapon it was. A weapon that was notoriously known to have fallen into Marjean’s hands. Except, it wasn’t a weapon made of metal. It was a human weapon. A stolen human weapon from their own country of Harbrook.

A figure then ran toward the injured beast with the HS man still riding it. It was a fit, 23-year-old man. He had a stern look on his face. His fists were clenched tight. His fists were also glowing with energy leaking off of it behind him as he ran. He then jumped in the air, bounced off a tree, and shot another beam at the beast, this time hitting its head. It exploded into pieces. This caused the beast’s body to fall. The HS man had fallen off the dead beast. He then got up and grabbed his gun and aimed it at the figure. As the figure came closer, the HS man knew who it was now. It was Reese Johansson. The ultimate super soldier.

The HS man fired at Reese. He unloaded everything he had. But when the bullets hit him, they simply bounced off of him like he was iron. But then, a woman came up from behind the HS man. He had turned around and saw her briefly but was then cut down. She penetrated her sword into his lower neck. Blood had poured out of it. She pulled the sword out of the man’s neck and he fell. He died a few seconds later.

Enemy is down! Reese said. Afterwards, about 20 to 30 soldiers appeared from the woods. They were Marjeanian soldiers part of Allen’s Company, Novak’s Brigade. They had been assigned to join Reese in the fight in the forest near Wall 2. Scout the area! Commander Novak’s orders!

Right away! Captain Walter Allen, the leader of the pack said. They then scouted the area for any enemies.

Reese then looked towards the woman. She was a young, 21-year-old Daminian woman with black hair that went down to her ears. He had quite a disappointed look on his face. He then walked towards her.

Was there anyone else who chased him? she asked.

I don’t think so. Reese said. At least not in this area.

The woman then cleaned her sword on the dead HS man’s body. After that, she sheathed it next to her sheathed gun. The woman then took her helmet off revealing her black hair. She held the helmet in one hand as she wiped the sweat off of her face. Great. she said a bit relieved. I know that there were still men fighting down there in that other forest. Novak’s remaining brigade is probably still fighting.

I’ll still help out if there is some. Reese said. Though, I haven’t got the order yet. Thus, for now, I stay put. He then looked at the dead HS soldier. His blood was still leaking and had been pouring on the grass. Deb. You know I had him. He would’ve surrendered.

You know the rule. Deb said. Less prisoners. Less exceptions. Deb said.

Yes. Reese said in a dissatisfying way. Less exceptions. Reese had still felt uncomfortable about the "Less prisoners. Less exceptions rule that was put out by Lord David Subrone himself, the Lord of Marjean. He was always unsettled at a lot of the things Lord Subrone had said and done. Reese took his hand radio from his pocket. He then brought it to his face. Commander. The beast and the rider are down. The beast and the rider are down."

Then, Commander Novak came on. Right. Commander Novak said on the radio. Meet us at the settle point. Immediately. Over.

On our way. Reese said.

I’ll scout along with the others. Deb said. She then armed herself with a gun she had.

Alright. Reese said. Be careful. Deb was taking off and leaving, until Reese stopped her. Oh! And another thing. Deb stopped in her tracks.

Yes? Deb asked in a snarky manner.

Find the survivor of that assault and comfort him, please. Reese said.

Deb made a face. Comforting people isn’t really my strong suit, Reese. She said.

Have you considered trying? Reese said. It might make you feel better. Also, showing mercy to some of your victims would do that, too.

Reese… Deb said as she cocked her gun. …we’re in the middle of a bloodbath. You expect me to show them a speck of mercy?

Most of them are just soldiers who signed up are looking to support themselves and their families. Reese said.

Well, maybe they should have thought a career in plumbing. Deb said as she walked away to join the others. It would have been a better suit for them. You don’t run into a fire without knowing you might possibly burn.

You have such a nice heart, you know that? Reese said sarcastically.

CHAPTER 1

THREE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS LATER…

6:12 PM…

JULY 9TH, 1856…

JUDEAU, MARJEAN…

A plane had landed in Judeau, Marjean. It was a small Douglas 6 airline that had landed in Setheren Folley Airport. The airport was near the Capital Gray Building of Marjean and was exclusive only to very important persons. It wasn’t very large. It was only one kilometer and had only five planes. The plane itself wasn’t even that big. About 50 feet in length. The sun was beginning to set upon the land. It was about to get dark and the lights of the streets and buildings were beginning to turn on.

Some of the passengers on it, however, were two peculiar men. Though, only one can be called a man because the other one was not even human. He was what was called a beast. He was not an average beast, though, which were much larger and much more bloodthirsty. He was more human-looking. He could walk on two legs and use two hands. His name was Ellis Havard. He was 20-years-old and was wearing long-sleeved clothes. He was also wearing a scarf around his face to block his face. In order to disguise the fact that he was a beast, Ellis simply said it was a rare genetic disorder. His friend who had traveled with him was Ryan Wallar. A handsome, fit, Daminian (white) 23-year-old, young man with long, brown hair. They had been friends since Ellis was 5-years-old and Ryan was 4-years-old.

They were accompanied by Agent Melvard Garnes, a Daminian Capital Security Agent (CSA) sent to retrieve the two men so they may meet Lord Subrone. Subrone had given a Leader’s Direct Order (an order given by the Lord him/herself that must be followed immediately or as soon as possible) to fetch these two men to visit him at the Capital Gray Building.

The two and the agent came out of the plane. They were walking down the stairs that were placed against the plane. Ellis had looked around. He was a bit nervous and excited at the same time. This had been the first time he was in any famous place. Judeau was very well known since it was the capital of Marjean. Ryan was, on the other hand, still a little dismayed. He had felt pushed on how both of them were simply just ordered to show up without any reason explained to them.

In front of them were six people in black uniforms. They also served as Capital Security Agents for Lord Subrone. In front of them was also a 20 foot black Cadillac car. Agent Garnes ran up and opened the door for them.

Thank you. Ellis said to Agent Garnes.

Thanks. Ryan said to Agent Garnes.

The two got in the car. Ellis had gone in first and had seated himself on the left seat. Ryan seated himself on the right seat. Agent Garnes took the seat next to the driver.

So, Ellis Havard and Ryan Wallar? the driver asked.

Yes. said Ryan.

Agent Garnes then took out the document that had been written and passed by Lord Subrone himself. It was the Leader’s Direct Order document to bring both Ellis and Ryan to him. He gave it to the driver to inspect. He then gave it back to Agent Garnes, started the car, told everyone to buckle up, and started to drive off.

Where are we going? asked Ryan.

A hotel. said Agent Garnes.

The two had looked at each other in confusion. What hotel? Ellis asked. Weren’t we supposed to be meeting with the Lord of the Land?

Erm. Yes…but… said Agent Garnes.

Lord Subrone is quite busy right now. said one of the agents sitting in the back. We were given the orders to postpone the meeting until tomorrow at about 1:30 PM.

Alright. Ellis said. What should we wear?

Nothing too fancy. Agent Garnes said. Even the clothes you both are wearing right now is fine.

Honestly just be on your best behavior. said the Kirmenian (black) agent in the back.

Time had passed. Ellis and Ryan were getting tired and agreed with the postponing. The drive was only about 10 minutes. They had arrived at Mon Erat Hotel. It was a beautiful looking 4-star hotel that was about 20 stories tall. They had already gotten reservations at the hotel. After they came in, Agent Garnes had given them the letter that confirmed the bookings. Ellis and Ryan got settled in a room. The room itself was beautiful.