Chereads / Legend of the Artificer / Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: A New Beginning

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: A New Beginning

Wesley J. Fitz-Patrick, or Wes as he preferred to be called, was a solitary figure even from a young age. While other children played outside, he preferred to stay inside and daydream about weapons. However, Wes's fascination with weapons was not just a passing interest; it was deeply rooted in his family's history.

Wes's family had an impressive lineage of warriors and generals that spanned back generations. They had fought in wars wielding swords, bows, and even modern-day weapons. Wes's father, Jeremy, had been trained by Wes's grandfather to become the perfect soldier, skilled in the use of many different weapons and capable of handling any situation.

Unfortunately for Wes, he was born into a time of peace. His parents did not see the need for him to receive the same rigorous training as his father and grandfather. This left Wes feeling unfulfilled and disappointed, as he dreamed of following in his family's footsteps and fighting on the front lines.

Wes's grandfather did not let the lack of training stop him from teaching Wes about their family's history. He regaled Wes with tales of their ancestors' bravery, igniting Wes's imagination and fueling his fantasies of riding into battle with a sword on his back and a rifle in his hands.

As Wes grew older, his passion for weapons only intensified. He spent countless hours reading about different weapons, their histories, and their uses. He dreamed of one day creating his own weapons, of pushing the boundaries of what was possible and creating something truly extraordinary.

Little did Wes know that his dreams would one day become a reality in a way he never could have imagined.

Wesley J. Fitz-Patrick, or Wes for short, opened his eyes to the sound of his alarm playing a new pop song he had never heard before. As he reached to turn it off, he checked the date and realized it was February 12th, his 33rd birthday. With a sense of determination, he got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he gave himself a pep talk, reminding himself that today was the day he would make a difference.

Dressed in a black suit with slicked-back hair and carrying his laptop and documents, Wes left his room and headed to the kitchen to grab a quick snack and some water. He felt ready to present his new weapon ideas to his father and the rest of Fitz Weapon Co. As he stepped outside, he felt a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness.

Wes knew that this presentation would be a pivotal moment in his career. He had spent months researching and developing his ideas, and he was confident that they would revolutionize the industry. He walked down the street, feeling the cool breeze against his face, and made his way to the company's headquarters.

As he entered the building, he could feel the pressure building up inside him. The stakes were high, but he was determined to make his ideas a reality. With a deep breath, he stepped into the conference room and began his presentation, knowing that this was his chance to make a difference in the world.

Wes arrived at the Fitz Weapon Co. building, a towering structure that stood out in the middle of the city. He entered the building and went straight to the conference room where his father and the board members were waiting for him. The room was spacious and modern, with a large screen on the wall and comfortable chairs around a long table. Wes took a deep breath and composed himself before entering the room.

"Good morning, everyone," Wes greeted the board members and his father. "I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to present my new weapon ideas. I have been working hard on these designs for months, and I believe they have the potential to revolutionize the industry."

Wes clicked a button on his computer, and a holographic projection appeared on the screen. It showed a sleek and sophisticated rifle with advanced targeting systems and modular components that could be easily customized for different situations. Wes explained every feature of the weapon in detail, using technical terms and data to support his claims.

The board members listened carefully, nodding and taking notes as Wes spoke. His father, Jeremy Fitz-Patrick, remained silent, his face unreadable. When Wes finished his presentation, there was a moment of silence as everyone digested the information.

Finally, Jeremy spoke. "Wesley, these are impressive designs, but we have to consider the cost of production and the market demand. We can't invest in every idea that comes up, especially if it doesn't have a clear path to profitability."

Wes felt a pang of disappointment, but he tried not to show it. "I understand that, Dad, but I believe these weapons have the potential to create a new market segment. We can target military and law enforcement agencies who need the best equipment to do their job effectively."

The board members looked at each other, considering Wes's proposal. Finally, one of them spoke. "We will take your designs into consideration, Wesley. We will need to review the financial projections and assess the feasibility of your ideas. We will get back to you soon."

Wes thanked the board members and his father, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. He knew he had presented his ideas as best he could, but he couldn't control the outcome. As he left the conference room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. He had always been passionate about weapons and their history, and he wanted to contribute to that legacy in a meaningful way. But maybe he was too idealistic, too obsessed with the past.

Wes walked out of the Fitz Weapon Co. building and into the busy street. The sun was shining, and the air was crisp. He looked up at the sky and wondered if there was more to life than this. He wanted to make a difference, but he wasn't sure how. Maybe it was time for him to take a break from his routine and explore new possibilities.

Dejected at the way the meeting went Wes continued to ponder what he could do no matter what ideas he had they just weren't approved. As Wes was thinking about this, the door to the building behind him opened as his father stepped out of the building behind him.

"Look Wes, I understand you want to make the next great weapon and leave your own mark, but you have to face the facts. You are 33 now, it's time you step up and start thinking about your future and the future of the company."

Jeremy started speaking to Wes as he sighed.

"It's time for me to move on. You have to take over the company, but to do so, you cannot be pitching these ideas anymore. You have to buck up and do what's best for the company, not creating your designs that have no use or market. There is no war. We have been at peace for 30 years, and it isn't ending anytime soon."

Jeremy continued to drone on, but Wes's thoughts were elsewhere. He knew that his ideas were sound and that there was a place for them, even in times of peace. He just needed to find a way to prove it to his father and the rest of the company. With determination in his heart, Wes vowed to find a way to make his mark on the world of weapons, even if it meant going against the wishes of his family.

Jeremy reprimands Wes and heads back in to the building, as Wes turns to leave he sees a sparkle in the sky as it approaches it appears to be a missile headed directly for Wes, before he can react the missile impacts and Wes awakes into a dark consciousness space while in a spirit type form

As the missile approaches Wes, time seems to slow down, and he can see the details of its structure and the markings on its side. Panic sets in as he realizes that this is not a drill or a test, but a real attack. He tries to move, but it feels like he is frozen in place, unable to do anything to avoid the impact.

Suddenly, there is a blinding flash of light as the missile collides with the ground next to him, throwing him to the side. Wes feels a searing pain in his side and his ears ringing as he struggles to regain his senses. As he slowly gets up, he sees the destruction that the missile has caused: buildings on fire, debris scattered everywhere, and people screaming and running in all directions.

Wes realizes that he needs to get to safety, but his mind is still reeling from the shock of the explosion. He tries to steady himself and starts to move forward, but he stumbles and falls to the ground again, his vision starting to blur.

As Wes's vision blurred, he was surrounded by darkness, and everything went silent. He realized he was dead and felt a sense of loss. He mourned the fact that he would never see his family again, and that he would never be able to design a weapon that would be remembered for generations to come. He felt like a failure to his family name.

As Wes lamented his seemingly tragic fate, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, as though the universe itself was conspiring to save him. A brilliant light appeared, piercing through the darkness like a beacon of hope. The light grew brighter and brighter, until Wes could barely keep his eyes open. Suddenly, he was lifted up and carried away, as if by some unseen force.

As he hurtled through the ether, Wes was overcome with a feeling of weightlessness and freedom. He felt himself leave behind the pain and disappointment of his past life, as he hurtled towards a new destiny. The journey was disorienting and dizzying, and Wes felt as though he was traveling at the speed of light.

Eventually, the journey ended abruptly, and Wes felt himself crash-land with a jarring thud. As he struggled to regain his senses, he felt a sharp pain in his side and a throbbing headache. He tried to open his eyes, but they refused to cooperate at first. When he finally managed to pry them open, he was stunned to see that he was in a completely unfamiliar place, wearing clothes that he had never seen before.

For a moment, Wes felt a surge of panic rise up within him. Had he been transported to some alternate dimension? Had he been kidnapped by aliens? But then he remembered the bright light, and the feeling of being carried away. He realized that he had been given a second chance at life, and that he had been reincarnated into a new body in a new world.

Wes felt a thrill of excitement and wonder course through his veins. He didn't know what adventures awaited him in this new world, but he was determined to make the most of his new lease on life. With a newfound sense of purpose and a burning curiosity.