(Disclaimer: All rights belong to Marvel and Ubisoft)

"Everyone's got their thing. Maybe it's a break up. A death. An accident. Whatever it is, you used to be one thing, now...you're something else."

"I've lived in Hope County, Montana most of my life. It's a beautiful place, filled with kind people, to me it was home. But none of us saw what was happening under our noses..."

"These people, a religious group, moved in out of nowhere. Started their own church and gathered followers from all over. Before long they expanded, buying up land left and right, became militarized. This cult, calling itself Project at Eden's Gate, was led by one man."

"Joseph Seed, The Father. He preached about the end of the world, the Collapse, and how he was the voice of God trying to lead everyone to paradise. No one took him seriously at first, thinking him to be just another Zealot trying to garner attention to his own religious crusade. But the man was persuasive, drawing people in and indoctrinating them to his way of thinking."

"The folks in Hope became scared. They had every right to be. Anyone that didn't believe in Seed or his preaching went missing. The PEG spread throughout the county and had most of it under their thumb. They had built their own Sovereign State without anyone even knowing about it, and by the time it was figured out it was already too late."

"Some tried to reason with Seed, but none were successful. Others tried to fight, but were met with crushing force. The PEG had control of the radio stations and even the police in the area, effectively cutting us off from the outside world. We were completely on our own, against people we once called friends and neighbors."

"Many had given up, losing what hope they had left of things going back to the way they used to be. But there were those still willing to fight, for our home, for our freedom. And I was one of them."

"In the end, we all have our own problems. Our own issues."

"Our own...DEMONS."

"And these goddamn cultists were about to learn just how bad a real demon could be..."

X

Elizabeth Rook crawled out of the river, drenched to the bone with every corner of her body aching.

The 22 year old Junior Deputy couldn't believe how bad things had gotten in such a short period of time. She had just joined the local Sheriff's department a couple weeks ago, having moved out here from the big city and intending on making a good living in the quiet country side.

But this was before a US Marshal had arrived a day prior, with an arrest warrant issued for one Joseph Seed.

Everyone knew about the Seeds, and Project at Eden's Gate. Sheriff Whitehorse did his best to try and talk the man out of his mission, but the Marshal wouldn't budge, which led them all out into Hope County via helicopter to apprehend the religious leader.

It was Liz's first assignment, and had she known what was waiting for them upon arrival, she would have chosen to stay behind...

X 30 Minutes Ago X

The Rookie Deputy kept her eyes on the smartphone in her hands, rewatching the same video that she had seen a couple times already. Her deep-blue eyes unable to look away as she watched the man who was taking the footage dragged to the front of the church where Joseph Seed had him forced to his knees.

After a few words spoken, the cult leader held the man's face before driving his thumbs into his eye sockets. His screams of agony echoing through the house of worship before he went still, his body collapsing to the floor while The Father stood with his arms held out, blood coating his hands.

The signal suddenly cut out on the device, causing Liz to blink from the interruption.

"Rookie. Hey, Rookie." Liz looked up at Sheriff Whitehorse who was seated across from her with Marshal Burke. "Don't waste your time. There's no signal out here."

"We're crossing over the Hanbane now." Pratt said from the co-pilot seat of the chopper while Hudson flew them in. Liz had gotten to know her fellow Deputies pretty well since her first day, and was glad all of them were together for this.

Ever since they first took off from the station, the Junior Deputy felt almost every nerve in her body was on edge. Whether or not if was the anxiety of her first real assignment, or the one they were currently after, she couldn't tell which.

"And there he is." Hudson's voice floated over their headsets, the chopper passing by a massive statue carved in the likeness of Joseph Seed. Towering over the county with left hand held out while the other held a book baring the symbol for the PEG. The moon in the sky casting upon it and giving it an ominous glow.

"Crazy son of a bitch." Burke muttered with disdain.

"We're officially in Peggie country." the other female deputy reported, sounding about as uneasy as one would expect given the situation.

"How much longer?" asked the Marshal.

"Just long enough for you to change your mind." replied the Sheriff. "So we can turn this bird around."

"You want me to ignore a Federal Warrant, Sheriff?" asked Burke, holding up the document.

Whitehorse shook his head, "No, I want you to understand the reality of this situation. Joseph Seed, he's not a man to be fucked with. We've had run-ins with him before, and they've never really gone our way. Sometimes...Sometimes it's just best to leave well enough alone."

The US Marshal mulled over the older man's words, "Yeah, well, we have laws for a reason, Sheriff. And Joseph Seed's gonna learn that."

Sighing, Whitehorse looked over his shoulder, "Pratt, put in a call to dispatch."

"10-4"

"Whitehorse to dispatch. Over." said the Sheriff when the line was connected.

'Go ahead, Earl.' Nancy's kind, familiar voice floated over their headsets.

"We're approaching the compound, Nancy. Over."

'Copy that, Earl...You're still going to go through with this? Over.' she sounded uneasy, afraid for them. From what Liz had learned, she had good reason.

"We are, still trying to talk some sense into our good friend 'The Marshal'. Over."

'Lucky I'm not there. You get into any trouble you just let me know. Over.'

"10-4. Over and out." the Sheriff said, ending the call.

"Maybe we should have brought Nancy instead of the Pro-Be." Pratt commented. "Peggies wouldn't fuck with her."

Liz flipped the other Deputy the middle finger while Hudson smacked him on the arm.

"Why do you keep calling them Peggies?" asked Burke.

" 'Project at Eden's Gate', P.E.G., Peggies. It's what the locals call 'em." answered Whitehorse, "They started out harmless enough a few years back, but now...Now they're armed to the teeth. Lookin' for a fight."

The Marshal pinned the man with a hard look, "You scared, Sheriff?"

"We're here, compound's just below." Pratt's voice cut in before Whitehorse could answer. Everyone looked down to the ground and saw the cluster of buildings housed within a large fence. Several fires burned within sending columns of black smoke into the air. A church standing at the farthest end baring the marks of the PEG.

"Oh, my Jesus." Pratt whispered.

"This is a bad idea..." Hudson added.

Liz swallowed, her nerves coming back with an avengeance the closer they got to the settlement. Her instincts telling her to go no further. "Last chance, Marshal." the Sheriff said, his own tone sounding unusually uneasy.

"We're goin' in." Burke stated, the atmosphere of the chopper feeling like he just signed their death warrants.

"Set her down." Whitehorse ordered, looking over at the duo flying them in and saw Pratt hesitant. "Pratt."

"...10-4, sir." the younger man stuttered as he brought them down at the edge of the compound wide enough for them to land.

"Dispatch, you still there?" asked the Sheriff over his headset.

'Yes. Go ahead, Sheriff.' Nancy replied quickly.

"You don't hear from us in 15 minutes, send in everyone. Call in the goddamn National Guard if you have to. Over."

'Yes sir, Sheriff. I'll be prayin' for all of you.' with that last bit said, the Sheriff, the Marshal, Hudson and Liz all removed their headsets and disembarked the chopper. Pratt staying behind to watch over their ride and make sure they were ready to head out in a moments notice.

"Alright, three rules." Whitehorse stated, "Stick close, keep your guns in their holsters, and let me do the talking."

Steeling her nerves, the Junior Deputy stepped out onto the soft dirt. Adjusting the black Sheriff Dept. hat on her head as she followed the others into the compound.

X

Outside the Eden's Gate compound, within the darkness provided by the surrounding trees, a set of eyes watched the helicopter as it landed. The local law enforcement and the lone Marshal stepping off and approaching the church at the far end while dozens of cultists looked on, several of them holding automatic weapons.

The one hidden in the shadows shook their head. "Fools." a male voice muttered.

X

The ominous feeling she had on their way there had only gotten worse the farther into the compound they went. Liz's eyes flickered left and right, dozens of people wearing dirty clothes sending heated glares at the unwanted arrivals as they came out of the surrounding buildings. The sounds of dogs barking viciously could be heard as the group drew closer to their objective.

"Sheriff, I don't like this." Hudson said lowly as the sounds of singing echoed from the church.

"Everything's fine, Hudson. Everything's just fine..." the Sheriff said back walking past several more armed cultists.

Burke shook his head, "Jesus Christ, you're wearing badges aren't you?"

"They don't respect badges much out here." said Hudson, grip tightening on the shotgun in her hands.

"They'll respect a 9mm." the Marshal stated bluntly.

"Not every problem can be solved with a bullet, Marshal." the Sheriff said sagely as they stopped infront of the church. Burke went to open the door but was stopped by Whitehorse. "Woah Marshal. Now we do this, we do it my way; Quietly."

"Fine." relented Burke.

The Sheriff turned to the female Deputies, "Hudson, on the door. Watch our backs. Don't let any of these people in. Rookie, on me." he turned to the Marshal next, "And you, just try not to do anything stupid."

"Relax, Sheriff." Burke said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "You're about to get your name in the paper."

Both men opened the doors while Liz took another deep breath. Hudson touched her shoulder, getting her attention. "You'll be fine." she said encouragingly. The younger Deputy thankful for the vote of confidence as she stepped into the church with the Sheriff and Marshal.

The singing came to a slow end just as a voice spoke out among the hushed patrons;

"Something is coming. You can feel it, can't you? That we are creeping toward the edge...and there will be a reckoning."

The floorboards creaked as the three law enforcers walked ahead. Those in attendance turning at their intrusion and fixing them with hard glares and sneers. All the while the one at the front continued his speech.

"That's why we started The Project. Because we know what happens next. They will come. They will try to take from us. Take our guns. Take our freedom...Take our faith. But we will not let them."

"Sheriff, come on-" Burke began.

"Just hold on, Marshal." Whitehorse cut him off as they stood before the altar where Joseph Seed spoke loud and clear to his flock. Naked from the waist up save for a pair of yellow tinted sunglasses with various religious tattoos on display along with words scarred into his skin.

"We will not let their greed, or their immorality, or their depravity hurt us anymore! There will be no more suffering!"

"Fuck this." the Marshal took a step closer, flashing his warrant. "Joseph Seed! I have a warrant issued for your arrest on suspicion of kidnapping with the intent to harm. I want you to step forward and keep your hands where I can see 'em."

The Father held out his hands, not at all threatened by the arrivals. "Here they are...the Locusts in our garden...You see they've come for me." A handful of armed men stepped infront of their leader, forming a wall between the trio and Seed. "They've come to take me away from you. They've come to destroy all that we've built."

His words worked the people into a frenzy. Liz took a step back but found the path blocked by more cultists, instinctively reaching for her service weapon when the she heard the Sheriff telling the Marshal not to go for his own while telling everyone else to calm down.

Tensions rose as the crowd closed in on them...but almost like a shroud being lifted, it came to an end as Joseph stepped down from the altar. His followers going silent as they looked toward The Father.

"We knew this moment would come. We have prepared for it." he said softly. "Go. Go. God will not let them take me." The people did as they were told, leaving the church, still leering at the three law enforcers as they went through the doors leaving them alone with Joseph with his two brothers John and Jacob, and their little sister Faith standing behind him.

"I saw when the Lamb opened the First Seal, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder: one of the four beasts say, come and see..." Seed started speaking again.

"Step. Forward." Burke ordered, having enough of the man.

"And I saw," Joseph continued without hesitation, pointing at the Marshal. "And behold it was a white horse...and Hell followed with him." his gaze swept to the Sheriff before centering on Liz. His eyes piercing through her, as if going straight to her very soul and freezing her in place.

She vaguely heard the Marshal ordering her to put the cuffs on him, but she couldn't move. It was as if the whole world had come to a standstill, waiting on her next move.

"God will not let you take me." Seed said softly, breaking the slight spell the Junior Deputy was under. "Put down your guns. Take your friends. And walk away."

Liz swallowed thickly, getting a firm grip on her nerves as she fixed the religious leader with a hard look. Taking out her handcuffs and clipping them on the man's wrists, a slight look of sadness passed the Father's gaze before going back to his calm persona just as quickly.

Deep within the pit of her being, Liz had the sudden thought that she had made a big mistake.

X Present X

The events that followed were horrifying for the young Deputy. The Peggies didn't take kindly to them taking Joseph, they became violent, attacking the helicopter when they all got on even while they were taking off.

One of them throwing themselves into the propeller causing it to crash.

When Liz came to she was upside-down with the others, Nancy's voice coming from the headsets before Joseph made himself known...that's when she discovered the kind dispatcher was working with the PEG, and the Father himself said six words that terrified her to the core;

"No one's coming to save you."

Before she had a chance to register anything else, the Peggies were on the wreckage. Hudson and Pratt were yanked out and dragged away before fires consumed everything. Liz and Burke managed to escape and run through the nearby forest, meeting up again at a lone house where they regrouped and made to escape to get help.

But the PEG was on them, chasing down their ride and cutting off any routes they could take to get away. The US Marshal driving like mad while the young Deputy fired a pilfered assault rifle at their pursuers. Managing to take out a few along the way.

Though their good luck didn't last. As they were crossing a bridge, a plane flying overhead dropped several bombs, destroying the supports and sending their vehicle into the river below. Which leads to the here and now.

Liz collapsed on the shore, her body aching from her ordeal with her left shoulder being the worst. She vaguely remembered getting shot in the shoulder during her and Burke's escape, but the adrenaline coursing through her made her ignorant to it until now.

She was in pain, cold, and wet. Her cap long since lost leaving her dark-brown, pixie-cut hair splayed out on the rocks beneath her head. She could hear shouting somewhere farther down the river, sounds of a struggle, and then nothing.

Her eyes grew heavy, no matter how hard Liz tried to fight it off fatigue grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. The sounds of boots crunching stones getting closer being the last thing she remembered as the world faded away.

X

A group of five Project cultists found the young woman laid out on the shore not too far from where they found the Marshal. The man's arrogant bellowing about his title swiftly silenced with a rifle butt slammed against his head before he was loaded into the back of a truck.

The Father told them to find the Locusts, to bring them before him and his family for judgement. As much as they wanted to make the trespassers suffer for even trying to take their leader from them, they knew better than to speak against the Father.

"We found the other one." one of the men stated into a walkie.

'Is she alive?' the one on the other end asked.

One of the other cultists checked her pulse and nodded. "She is. We're bringing her in."

Just as they were about to get a hold of the unconscious Deputy, a loud crack was heard from the treeline a couple meters away. The Peggies all looked in that direction, a sense of foreboding coming over them.

The one closest to the trees approached, a shotgun held in his hands as he scanned the shadows for anything. Several seconds passing before he turned back to the others-

He was suddenly yanked backwards. As if an unseen force had grabbed him and dragged him into the shadows, only managing a sharp 'yelp' before he disappeared.

Everyone else had weapons raised, sweeping over the trees where their comrade had vanished. They couldn't see anything, the moon having disappeared behind the clouds, but they knew that something was there...watching them.

Like lightning, the shadows seemed to come alive. Black tendrils shooting from the trees and tearing the weapons from the cultists' hands before a large mass came barreling toward them.

Two of the remaining four Peggies were cut down instantly. Their chests bursting with fountains of crimson as four deep gashes were slashed into them before they even had a chance. One of the others reached for his sidearm, but found himself airborne as something akin to a tree trunk struck his side, sending him crashing into a large rock where a series of loud snapping could be heard before collapsing to the ground a broken mess.

The last cultist tried to run, but was stopped when a spear of black exploded out of his stomach. He was brought back and turned around, the moon appearing long enough to reveal an image that would haunt him long into the afterlife.

A beast, bigger than any man loomed over him. It's skin black as the night with grey veins making a road map along its powerful, muscular frame. Hairless, with a smooth head and a pair of large white eyes set above a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth that stretched into a terrifying grin.

"D...D...Demon..." The Peggie whispered in horror, even as his blood spilled from him at an alarming rate, his life draining with it.

The creature grinned even wider than before, and then it spoke. A deep, hissing tone that would make even the bravest of souls quiver;

"Eyes, lungs, pancreas. So many snacks, so little time."

It opened its maw impossibly wide before biting down on the man's head. His feet kicking wildly a moment before going still, his now headless corpse dropped to the ground without care.

Swallowing the bite it had taken, the beast turned to the unconscious Deputy. Tilting its head to the side in a thoughtful manner before its frame began to break down. It's flesh coming to life and receding back, changing forms until a young man wearing dark clothes stood in its place.

He approached the woman and carefully scooped her up in his arms, being mindful of her wounded shoulder as he carried her into the woods. Leaving the bloody corpses of the cultists in their wake for others to find later.

X

A/N: Just a little something that I had on the backburner while I was writing Walking Dead: Lethal Protector. Being a big fan of the Far Cry series, I figured the fifth installment needed a bit more...anti-heroism. And what better way than introducing The Project at Eden's Gate to one of the most dangerous of all time.

If you love it and want more, let me know. And there will certainly be more to come!