In Arcadia, dozens of innocent people are maimed, broken and even killed by the forces of evil. Of those dozens, one…maybe two survive thanks to dumb luck or the intervention of a hero. But what happens next to those “lucky” enough to be saved?
The camera slowly fades in as we find ourselves in the lobby of a hospital of some sorts. We walk slowly down the hallway and stop in front of a physical therapy room. Inside is a young man dragging himself along parallel bars with his lower body limp and useless.
Callum. A once promising young doctor who made a house call to a psychopath with a perchance for poison. For weeks he was experimented on and tortured, his lower body eroded away with a vicious venom that will never heal or be fixed. All because he wanted to help the wrong person.
The figure behind the camera shakes their head before continuing down the hallway. They stop at an open doorway, a single figure standing in front of a full length mirror. A young woman covered in deep scars and burns right down to the bone.
Lisa. The mother of a would be fighter who got caught in a blaze of justice. Forever scarred and dependent on medication to feel an ounce of relief from the constant, agonizing flames that wrack her nervous system. Another person in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The figure lets out another sigh before he walks down the end of the corridor. He stops, pausing at the door before opening it as we see a young boy at a table. At first glance, he seems normal but from the blank gaze in his eyes and the small trail of drool.
Jason. The only known survivor of the Red Light District massacre. His mom was a worker at a club, he was waiting to go home when the explosion happened. He somehow survived but days with little oxygen damaged his brain and there wasn’t much left when they found him. Not even ten years old and living a half life because some asshole decided they needed a show of power.
The thing about being a hero in Arcadia is all they do is show up after the bad things happen and try and avenge the injustice. But taking down evil doesn’t matter if good people still have to suffer the consequences. You can’t make a better world if your mistakes hurt the people you try and protect.
A rough, dangerous looking man enters the room, a sickening smile etched upon his face as he reaches inside his jacket pocket.
The only true way for a shepherd to protect his flock is to kill the wolves before they come hunting.
In the blink of an eye, the figure turns. A sword materializing in his hands which he uses to pierce through the dangerous man.
These people are my flock, these lambs will no longer live in fear because I am the Shepard and this world is under my White Fleece Protection.
And at Pandemonium, it’s the wolves turn to be slaughtered.