August West

<tabber>
|-|First Journal=
"Therapist thought I should write out what I experience. Seeing as I seem to have a lot of pent up emotions."
|-|Seventh Journal=
"I let her sister die and I don't regret it. But she'll hate me forever for it. I said some awful things. I need to work on myself."
|-|Ninth Journal=
"I've set sail for a couple islands that are said to have promise. If I want a new life, this might be my answer for it. But I can't trust the people taking me there."
|-|Eleventh Journal=
"She came up to me when I was burying the head of an Eldritch. Her eyes have the determination to survive but her mouth lacked the stomach."
</tabber>
"I don't wish to bear you such pain... or be a reminder of it," ―August WestAugust West, also known as "The Eldritch Slayer" or simply "August," was a human male Eldritch Hunter during the era of the Winterfall. With his self-built armor using a fusion-core-battery, plentiful weapons, and signature Thompson Submachine Gun―the Lasher, August was both well-equipped and enigmatic. He was often known for his plentiful teasing and mobile prowess... hailing from a parkour-based family. He was born in Metal Mountain, a tall skyscraper amongst a ruined city in Broken Cleveland to a merchant and militia-scavenger group leader. From a young age, he was trained in martial arts which included Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and fire-arm usage―most prominent for his practice in parkour and climbing (becoming a master during his older years). In his teenage years, he suffered a faith worse than death, losing his parents and being taken by his abusive uncle. Evidently being sold to slavery and escaping years later, experiencing several journeys and missions before settling down as an Eldritch Hunter prior to his first appearance in Sixth Sun Era.
He is known as the main protagonist of Sixth Sun Era's campaign one's first saga and a deuteragonist of its following second saga's first arc.
== Biography ==
=== Early Life ===
"I care little for your pleasantries, I only want your son." 
"I'm not one of papa's trinkets to sell!" 
: ―The Sinner and August West —
====== The Year 2145, Rust Storms ======
As a ten-year-old youngling in the year 2145, August resided in a tall skyscraper known to many as Metal Mountain within the wasteland known as 'Broken Cleveland' located on the continent, North America. He was raised by two notable individuals, his mother Elaine and father Joah who only thought of the world for their son. The mother was overbearing and protective while the father was flexible as well as nurturing. To August, they were the perfect parents to have. Though he would often worry of others having to get into trouble by his mother even if he was at fault. Especially an older woman known as "The Wire", who worked under his mother and was near her twenties during August's youth. She was quite stunning and often attracted those that didn't know her personality and reputation as a psychotic mercenary with explosive wires. "The Wire" took her time to help August even after a falling out with his mother regarding the grueling deaths of two men August witnessed by her hand. Though she wasn't allowed to be near the boy, she grew fond of him and helped him learn more advanced techniques with scaling structures. This moment was cut short when she disappeared during an escape from a dangerous Eldritch. Several of these monsters lurked the tall skyscrapers which August and his mother's mercenaries would often scale. Having been raised on tall skyscrapers and taught from an early age by his mother and other mercenaries to scale up the most difficult buildings or mountains, he experienced many grueling physical challenges. He was often chased across such long-standing buildings by the Eldritch, especially a specific flock of them known as Vultures of Ohio. His family had little interactions with many factions, though every so often individuals from certain factions would come by to trade with his father. Having brought her family and mercenary troupe, August's mother had garnered the reputation as the "Mad-Dog of the North" for her dangerous and successful tactics against competition within the area. Utilizing even crucial apocalyptic-like occurrences to her advantage like the Rust Storms. Everyone was underneath her in skill and she was capable of even putting "The Wire" in her place. That intimidated August but he was never treated or punished by his mother the way she would others, even her own husband. As a young man, August enjoyed watching old tapes and footage of old-world cinema which was difficult to come by, which his father had managed to get his hands on for the family. While also having access to books, he had the opportunities to learn reading and writing; as well as learning simple math, geography. and other basic necessities like cooking. Though he didn't often enjoy the long process of cooking certain things constantly, he followed through and learned. 
There was an incident that sparked major caution and success which led to August being bait for many encounters with eldritch when looting skyscrapers. Having narrowly escaped a vicious vulture, this consistent pattern led the team to devising a strategy around the young boy whenever they need to kill such monsters. He would sprint and lure them effortlessly through different floors as well as corridors, giving the opportunity to ambush said creatures. This garnered August the nickname, Jumper, for always taking a leap of faith and being mobile like a rabbit. This strategy was cut short when his mother Elaine discovered her mercenaries were endangering her child."You smell like shit man! Do you even think? Go take a shower, you'll get shower thoughts and lets hope clarity too,"―August West being mean to a mercenary
====== The Year 2150, The Gorgon's Rage ======
During the year 2144, August's older sister, April West suddenly decided to leave the family for purposes related to their extended family he didn't understand at the time. This caused major friction with his parents and his sibling which evidently led August to think his sister betrayed them. This would always be at the back of his mind for the following years to come, especially after she was brought up by a man who wished to trade with Joah West. A stranger with a large hood and cloak that called himself 'The Sinner', said he knows of April's whereabouts and what makes her special. And that he found August, their second son, a child with great potential as well... hoping his parents would sell him. They outright deny this and demand the information of April, which evidently led them to buying the knowledge and leaving for the last location she was seen. Leaving August in the care of the mercenary troupe while they went out to find their daughter. This eventually led to the demise of the couple, later revealed to be assassinated by Xavier Cardenas's men, August's uncle. Hearing news that their leader has died, the mercenary troupe caring for August received a message from the man that killed them though at the time they didn't know. Having "learned" of his sister's demise, he wished to take August as his only remaining blood relative left. Under the hesitant decision of the acting leader, Eron Cliff, August was given to Xavier. As they knew without the Mad Dog, they would be incapable of fending off her brother's forces. Betraying her memory, they give up the young August and leave him to fate."I'm sorry... I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" ―August West pleading to be spared from his uncle
====== The Years 2151-2154 ======
After a few years of tutelage under Xavier which consisted of several abusive treatment from his uncle and associates, August experienced several traumatic experiences. This included several physical beatings, multiple situations where his life was threatened, and being called a wasted mouth to feed for the lack of skills he brought to Xavier's troupe. Though he wasn't tortured by Xavier, the emotional and verbal treatment August experienced was enough to build trauma in relation to relationships with other people. This was evident by the fact when he begun a romantic relationship with a kind girl, only for it to become a toxic relationship on both their parts. He evidently desired to improve on this, seeking help later down the line on handling his PTSD with relationships. But what made it more difficult for him was she also acted as a secondary spy for Xavier, leaking anything remotely challenging to his authority as well any crucial details August may mention―whether it was related to a mission or his own thoughts. Eventually August's uncle found little use in the young boy, selling him to a vastly dangerous slaver from the south who reigned as a horrid warlord in the Texas Wastelands.
In Texas, August was a slave to Warlord Impervious. Sold to do slave labor in the mines, the attendee found August to be a pretty face... which resulted in West being moved to the facilities of serving the Warlord's eldest daughter, Mesmeralda. There, he stayed in the Fortress of Upheaval, a large ruin of a large former casino built up with stone blocks to make large walls. Nearby is a massive crater which is remnant to what caused the destruction of Earth's human technological civilization. When he was a servant to Mesmeralda, she made him do several things which antagonized him. He was forced to always clean, serve her meals, and defend her from others that wished to do her harm. This would include her younger sisters, Amelia and Tenacity. Their father would expect they compete to be his heir by doing several challenges and accomplishing feats that would make them worthy. August was in the middle of this predicament, having to assist Mesmeralda in several conquests across an unforgiving desert like battling a massive eldritch that lived underneath the sands where several people died before taking it down. This eldritch was August's first massive he fought which he called the Scaled-Snake for its reptilian traits and large tail, matched with only two arms on the sides like a giant humanoid snake-man. August would keep a memento of this kill, being a large scale. During this time, his master captured an engineer known as Elias Mortino who was capable of building great weapons and armor. She desired to use this to her advantage and assigned August to assist the man. Through his experience with Elias, he gained knowledge and the skills necessary to building with scraps."I just can't believe I attracted crazy..." ―August WestDuring his time helping Elias, he discovered Mesmeralda had a romantic interest in him―which was a dangerous concept for the children of the warlord to have. She raped August at one point, only to feel guilty afterwards, straining their relationship. And the difficult idea that he didn't feel the same way, which would in turn have him executed for rejecting his master as a slave. Using the technology that him and Elias worked on, he created a gauntlet to help him bypass the security scanner checkpoints and using it to increase his strength in a punch incase he had to defend himself which he did. Taking a rifle with him, he ventured out into the desert and finds a group of storm gliders. They agree to take August in (who went under a different name which was Owl to ensure he isn't traced), allowing him to re-dress and join them on a glide across the desert. Having spent almost a whole year as a slave, this was a breath of fresh air for August. 
While with the storm gliders, they came across a strange bunker with multiple glowing symbols along the entrance. It was not there to their knowledge before, claiming the sands must of shifted enough to reveal it. He and the leader of the gliders, Orin the Razorsnake, a tanned and charismatic man who taught August to glide went inside. They discovered a large complex of old-world technology and security measures which ended up killing many of the gliders who followed after the duo. Having understood the technology prior to his experience with Elias, August assists the group to reach the end of the bunker. Only to discover a strange chip contained in glass with destroyed walls filled with servers across the room. Touching this chip, it latches onto his hand, imprinting a black tattoo along his thumb before breaking. This concerns the Razorsnake and group, witnessing what happened. A few weeks later, a member of the gliders returned collecting information that these bunkers hold biological keys which many powerful people seek. And due to this, Razorsnake and the other gliders set a trap for August to be captured after selling him out to an unknown client who was looking for a keyholder. Fortunately, a man from the group who grew fond of August warned him, giving the lad time to escape. It was later discovered that most of those men died to the client for failing to capture August and that only Razorsnake survived."Sand in my shoes. Sand in my pants. Sand in my ears. Sand in my hands. DAMN IT SAND! Have you ever learned of boundaries!?"―August West complaining about the desert
====== The Years 2155-2157 ======
Living quietly after the events with the Storm Gliders, August took to traveling back into Ohio, coming across several jobs as a minor engineer. He crafted several objects of interest which mostly included armor or repairs for weaponry and kept his gauntlet stashed upon arriving to Cleveland where he learned of the mercenary troupe he grew up with had left years ago. Along with his gauntlet, he decided to keep weapons he collected over the years incase he were to lose them during his trip to finding a new home. After visiting his childhood home one last time, August departed south in hopes to find a settlement he can join and live a common lifestyle. He hears of a new fortified place for unaffiliated wastelanders, finding those groups preferred over union-controlled sites. This was when he encountered a dangerous eldritch which caused a small landslide, sealing August and a few travelers inside a cave where they escaped to. He met several people here, which included a blonde woman named Dove and her younger sister, Angelica. They were also with two middle-aged men, Jordan Cowell, and Stephan. Through tireless effort, the group managed to find an exit within the caves. It was roughly above a tall gap as it expanded out as an old mineshaft. They manage to free themselves, escaping to the surface and eventually continuing on with their travel to the forming settlement. His experience with eldritch led him to notice similar patterns depending on the traits of such mutants. Jordan, who came from a union settlement prior, introduced the knowledge of eldritch classification to August in hopes of assisting him. With this, the group narrowly avoided these mutants during their travel. 
The group arrived at the settlement, only to see it burned down with several corpses scattered along the ground. This made him and his companions wary, turning right around and feeling with intentions to discuss what they could do next. Hiding out just a couple miles away from the former settlement, Jordan and Dove butt-heads with the desire to take leadership of the group. The latter believing they should just move to the nearest union-settlement and Jordan disagreeing, believing she'll just endanger everyone including her younger sister by going. After a long-pressed argument, the former hesitates with a threat that they should just split ways since they can't agree to a place. August convinced the group to not split and they end up choosing Dove as the leader. They traveled north, near the borders of Broken Cleveland, and eventually made a pitstop to scavenge. While alone looking for food, August came across a man named Jacky Anderson, who was shot in the leg and currently patching himself up. He decided to assist the stranger up, learning Anderson was on his own. Deciding to take him to the group he's with, he brings Jacky over to introduce the medic to Dove. They didn't want to take anyone else in but after learning he was medically trained, they thought he was worth the mouth to feed."Dove hates me. I can't blame her... but the position I was in. It was difficult."―August West
After a while, August and Jacky become good friends to the point they were like brothers. The group would take to living by a prairie and learned of islands within Lake Erie filled with promise. They wouldn't act on traveling there at first, the group keeping to themselves for the time being. Dove courted August and they would begin a relationship together, only for everything to fall apart when the group was attacked by raiders. Many people who lived nearby were affected by the attack which eventually led to a smaller group with Angelica captured on a boat, sailing away with the raiders escorting them. In a last ditch effort to save his lover's sister, August acted grappled onto the back-end of the ship with a grappling hook. Gaining the upper advantage against the raiders with a surprise attack on the ship, Angelica was separated from the rest of the civilians by the mutant raider leader in a last ditched effort to protect himself and at the same time would have the cage of the other captives sink down into the water with a trapped eldritch underneath. August made the decision to quickly stop the lever from dropping the citizens, allowing the man to escape with Angelica. This eventual conclusion caused Dove and August to fall apart weeks after, as the group searched for her younger sister to no avail. Eventually the group parted ways and Jacky would express to August he should come with him to the islands. The slayer decided to leave for the islands a little later and would look for his friend if he ever arrives, taking some time to spend alone.
====== The Years 2158-2159 ======
Early in the year 2158, August heard of a group of pirates ferrying people to the islands. Due to multiple skirmishes between opposing factions, August didn't have much leeway with normal sailors so he decided to take the risk and depart with said pirates. Burying his most precious belongings again, he takes to the ship and discovered how dangerous it was going to be with high tensions amongst its crew. Eventually, he'd find himself to be cornered by a couple pirates looking to collect his payment for the trip early. They would attempt to beat on August which led to an all out brawl between him and the pirates. He would be assisted by a couple passengers, which included a man named Emanuel and the hard-hitting Sasha―a woman with a well-built muscles and auburn hair. This entire situation led to the group hiding out on the ship while the remaining pirates looked for them. Eventually waiting out until the boat docked, the three would attempt to flee but August's comrades would be killed from the gunfire as they made their escape. Now on the islands, August would make his escape and eventually return to burn down the entire ship in rage with collected resources he found nearby their dock. 
After the incident with the pirates, Mr. West would make his way towards a former university campus and would find many with similar interests to him when it came to craftsmanship. He would use this time to relax and enjoyed his days at the pub while also participating in a fight club with a couple men which included an individual named Antonio who always challenged August. Eventually after a few weeks of staying in the campus, a group of men robbed August of all his clothes and belongings while he was asleep in the pub, left naked in the cold to walk alone along the streets outside the campus. "Who needs clothes? Who the hell needs clothes!"―August West running naked across the road
A random man would offer August a large cloak and green rags for him to wear as he stumbled along the road. After a while of searching, August would meet up with Jacky and ask he come help him fully move into the islands. The slayer along with his best friend traveled back with a normal sailor into Broken Cleveland to collect his stash of weapons and gauntlet, having a full round-trip back to the islands once more. During his return, a massive whale-like eldritch would attack the people on-board the ship. This led to August having to battle his second large eldritch which he called Whale-Mouth. This massive eldritch would go on to consume part of the ship along with August inside it. Jacky and the others thought he'd have died but the slayer would dig his way out the beast, eventually bashing through its weakest point on its large skull. August would scream a battle-cry as he stands atop the corpse of the monster and from this moment on, many would call him the Eldritch Slayer. He would keep a memento of this eldritch, being a large tooth. 
====== The Year 2160 ======
His life would be uneventful at best for the first half of the year 2160, having settled down in Bargetown and worked in the Fix-It shop as an assistant. Eventually the money wasn't enough for his living expenses so he took to doing mercenary work outside the settlement, doing jobs and occasionally fighting a couple eldritch but never truly taking up jobs related to them. It was during the year of 2161, August met a friend named Charlie who was much larger and muscular than the average man and was also secretly a mutant. And a woman with a sniper, known by her codename "Siphon" was the best shot around. They would form a team to hunt and find lost treasure left by an old settlement leader along the coast-line of the northern island. Only doing this to sedate his boredom and seek adventure, August was willing to sacrifice his share for his comrades. They would then find the treasure after a long investigation within a home that was a remnant of the old settlement and a skirmish with a couple raiders who followed them during their search. August also met a young man named Azure Cortez during a mission to escort a merchant and taught him some fighting techniques as well as made a make-shift armor set as a gift for his efforts to learn. Azure would come by often to visit August in Bargetown while doing mercenary work with his own group. He even came by, catching August being courted by a thieving woman near a campfire. 
=== Esoteric Chase ===
"Hey guppy! Don't be down. You act like an old man for a twelve year-old,"―August West teasing Dion
====== The Years 2161-2162 ======
During the later half of the first year (2161), August was bound to several adventures that had almost killed him several times. Having to seek several missions to satisfy his boredom. He assumed this stemmed from how eventful his past experiences were. He would later regret this feeling. While living in barge, August and Jacky would have a conversation about finding someplace else to live instead of the dump that this boat-town was. And they were heard by a man eavesdropping from behind a curtain, walking over to the two and inviting them to his settlement. August would take-up the offer from this man to work the guard shift and was eventually offered a promotion but the slayer declined, not wanting to be restrained to one place.
During a period of time, August would then take up eldritch hunting as a full-time gig, and would invite his friend Charlie on a couple hunts with him. During his spare time, he'd meet Katelyn Nevin, a nurse who worked at the clinic and would spark a romantic interest with her. They would go on a few dates prior, learning of each other's recent history and planning a much larger date in the near future. For a time, August would be at peace, having relative success with basic eldritch bounties, and avoiding any related to humans. People begun to notice his efforts and some recognized him from his fight with the Whale-Mouth a while ago. On one bounty to kill an extremely fast eldritch, August retained severe injuries to his chest and Charlie lost an arm. This led to them being hauled into the emergency room where Katelyn was currently working and she with the assistance of another nurse, save August's life as well as Charlie's.
====== Weeks of Recovery ======
Along the weeks of his recovery, August was extremely bored and several people who cared for him would visit. This would include Jacky, who would joke about the nurses always stopping by to stare at August or teasing him about how far he might have gone with Katelyn. This didn't necessarily faze the slayer, though he had several good laughs. Eventually, another patient would speak with August, stating to the slayer he reminds him of his younger self. An older gentleman named Will would talk of his past stories with August and sneak in some whiskey for the slayer to try. The two would become great friends and considered working together in the near future. Katelyn would come by several times to check on August even holding his hand a couple times, eventually letting him out and setting him free. As repayment, they would promise a great night out together but it eventually led nowhere as she disappeared the following weeks later to August's disappointment. 
====== The Apparel Shop's Hologram ======
Into a new month, August was on an expedition to hunt a couple abominations with other eldritch hunters when they came across a large group of wastelanders by the former hotel in Sunrise city. Splitting from the group, August wandered around curiously and found a strange device which was an old phone product from the pre-flash civilization before the collapse of the urban world. A projected hologram with a highly intelligent AI appeared, speaking with August. She would share of everything she knew about the past before August was born and what led to her being in this phone. The hologram was formerly used in an apparel shop, showcasing clothes like an advanced manikin. Having received sentience later on, during the early years of the collapse. She now desired to have a droid body of her own which August agreed to help her achieve this as well as find someone to assist with his efforts. Taking her into his arm's armor that had a fusion core, she was kept on charge and protected as they traveled together for a few weeks before she eventually achieved having a new droid body. "And here we have a page on the Aztecs. They believed in the creation story of five suns,"―August West reading to Dion
====== The Frostlight Child ======
A brief period of time passed and August was by Sunrise city, burying the head of an eldritch he hunted. It was a red gar with a large oval-shaped head. While burying the beast, a young girl snuck by and watched him as he did his usual work. August noticed the little stalker after she made a sound and called out to her, Deeming August trustworthy, she came out and they spoke to each other. She was disgusted by the head of the eldritch he buried and after learning the child was on her own, he took her with him to barge. Along the way, they would introduce themselves and the slayer would learn of her name being Dion. She explained to him that a while ago, she lost her parents as well as settlement during an eldritch wave attack and hasn't found any sort of civilization since. Taking her to Bargetown, August would allow the young girl to stay in his room he rented during his excursions away from the settlement he joined recently while promising the girl that he'd use all his connections to find her parents and reunite them. After a period of time, she would begin her tutelage under August and learn several basic things like how to punch, grow patience through caring for a plant, and tracking. The two would eventually grown close and August would express his worries over this, regarding his PTSD towards those he loves. After a long conversation, she regards August as a father to her. 
He would then introduce Dion to his best friend and would go on several missions together, dealing with eldritch and teaching the young girl methods of survival. During one incident where their wounds needed to be treated by the clinic, to August's disappointment as he learned that Katelyn hasn't turned in to work, the slayer and his surrogate daughter would receive assistance from another doctor. While waiting for August to recover, Dion and Jacky wouldn't get along, arguing quite often; personalities clashing. August would be in the middle, stopping their bickering. The duo would eventually meet with Jacky again at his security checkpoint, making plans to convene at the place he's staying later in the week, which was a lighthouse by the coast of the island. On the way there, August and Dion befriend a young boy around her age who runs a traveling business related to crab stew as well as other sea-foods. Assisting his business along the way due to August feeling guilty over Dion trying to take a meal for free, mostly because the girl got caught. On their way to the lighthouse, August protected the children from a group of guppy eldritch and this frustrated Dion after realizing the boy her age performed better during the fight which August had to reassure the girl that she'll get the hang of it. 
Making their way to the lighthouse, August finally greets Jacky and they let the kids follow suit. They then decide to gather ingredients to have a good meal and Dion decides to head out to do so, utilizing her skills she learned from August with hunting animals. Jacky is asked by August to follow after her when he noticed it becoming dark and the sounds of guppies once more, followed by a large gar eldritch which attacks Dion and her pursuer. While this was happening, August and the young boy are fending off the guppies which end up overwhelming the young chef. August rushes in, pulling him away from the battle and into the lighthouse while Jacky runs with Dion to escape the Gar. Evidently leading the more dangerous eldritch to their shelter. 
It would attempt to break into the lighthouse which forced August to battle with it outside while Jacky attempted to both support-fire from the upper window of the tower and help patch-up the boy. While this was happening, also assist Dion whom had her leg broken to the previous encounter. Fighting the large eldritch, August eventually overwhelms it and causes it to flee into the lake water. He would then rush back inside to check on the group before deciding they should leave for Barge soon or the young man won't make it with the injuries he had.
The boy wouldn't make it, as he died in the emergency room. Dion is now terribly injured with her leg and requires weeks to recuperate from the injury. And so, August is left to babysit the young girl again. The Eldritch Slayer would reveal the challenges he faces raising her as well as his PTSD with close relationships, but Dion would be stubborn. Now deciding to share his dream to live a peaceful life in the future, together like a family. As time goes on, August would be left to doing eldritch jobs to fund him and Dion's stay in the town while she watered a plant which was a hobby her surrogate father introduced. They would read stories together and generally live a casual life. There were moments of conflict like when Dion and Jacky read August's journal without his permission, which created a temporary rift between the group but overall it was a somewhat peaceful time.
At some point, during the simple life in Bargetown, August went to have a shower. He would come out shirtless in public, not caring if others saw and would walk passed Dion. She noticed, looking up at the man, and all August did in response was chuckle. A little bit later, Dion had passed out at Barge Square, surrounded by several people. August caught wind of this and realized he was still half-naked, slowly making his way over to Dion with his hands up saying he is her guardian and not some creepy-naked dude collecting a child. This would make many people laugh as he collected the girl to help nurse her back to health.
====== A woman named "Ice" ======
On one trip, August didn't know the exact location of a market that was happening so he hired a couple men to escort him and Dion to said location. A woman named "Ice", someone who was in cryostasis for a long period of time found August extremely attractive and would fawn over him throughout Bargetown. She asked if she could join him and his daughter, which he reluctantly agrees while finding her behavior around him strange. During their trip, Ice became fascinated with the idea of protecting a child together with August which annoyed Dion greatly. This eventually led to a massive argument and fight between the two during their escorted trip. They safely arrived at the docks where the market was going to happen and as August was thanking the men who brought them, Dion wanted to do the same but Ice interfered―not wanting her to speak with the suspicious men. This infuriated Dion, especially when Ice grabbed her shoulders, causing the young girl to instinctively place her hand to the hilt of a knife slotted in her belt before furiously walking off. To make matters worse, Ice would speak to August and say his daughter tried to kill her when she was just trying to help. Blatantly surprised by this claim, August went to find Dion alone and spoke with her before both would be forced out by a stranger with a rifle up who claimed they lived in that room. The slayer would explain what Ice said which angered the girl as she never attempted to murder the woman, which led Dion to punch the cryostasis lady in the face as the marched out, like how she was taught back then by August. This would surprisingly knock the woman out for a couple minutes."Seriously, all of this over a can of beans!?"―August West to Sola
====== Dion's kidnapping ======
On one trip to hunting an abomination that was sighted nearby a building within the ruined city, August comes across a scavenger after killing the eldritch. A woman named Sola. They were already pointing guns at each other, as the woman threatens August to drop his eldritch head and all the food on him. Not wanting to be robbed, August drops a can of beans to distract the woman, eventually defeating her in combat. This crushes Sola's ego, whom was always seen highly for her skills with fighting, but having been outclassed by this man so quickly led her to be vengeful. She then researches into August, sending Berach to find out everything about the man. Learning he had garnered a reputation as one of the best Eldritch Hunters around and that he raises a child by Barge, she finds an opportunity to get back at the man for kicking her ass over a can of beans. Sending Berach to successfully kidnap Dion, she lured August who decides to bring Jacky to assist him. Confronting Sola and Berach in a gymnasium within the same building August fought the abomination nearby, the two sides conflict before August and Jacky successfully saved Dion while sparing the scavenger couple from further harm. "Is that all you got!? Come at me and lets make some SUSHI!"―August West to the army of guppy eldritch
====== The Eldritch Vengeance ======
August finds himself in a strange predicament. He noticed that many groups of guppies have been tailing him. And that eldritch activity seems to be exceptionally hostile towards the slayer. Seemingly having grown a reputation amongst the eldritch mutants with some intelligence, they have become hyperaware of his presence. Especially the aquatic-based types. In addition to this, he received a letter from the man that destroyed his childhood... his uncle, Xavier, stating that he should turn himself in and greet his his family once more. Concerned, August decided to keep Dion whom has grown extremely attached to August from following him. She with the enlisted help of Jacky would seek out August across the island, following hints left by the man. It appears August had went to a man from his connections who works the water rig, purchasing diving equipment. After following a trail of dead guppies and a large gar corpse, they then realized August had successfully taken down many monsters alone. Concerned for his state of health, they continue to follow August's trail towards an alumni dock. As they go this direction, they notice a wave of guppies swimming across the water, heading towards a specific direction. The two would assume this would lead them to where August may be. Eventually the two would find August past out by the side of a cliff, waking him up. He had several injuries all across his body and looked extremely exhausted. A sudden wave of guppies would then crawl up towards the cliffside in this grand final attempt to kill August. With the group trying to take August and run, the man pushes the two aside to take a massive risk, scaling down the cliff to cut down several eldritch before being dragged to the shore. He's eventually saved by a group of men who nurse him back to health, but Dion thinking he was dead was left alone, having separated with Jacky. Thinking she had nothing left until the men brought August to her alive. But this small moment of happiness was short-lived as Xavier and his men approach the group, demanding they hand-over August. That they'll make sure he's alive. Of course, the men would threaten the lives of August's saviors, which led them to believe Xavier couldn't be trusted. Dion having learned of August's past prior understood Xavier was a bad man at large, so she denied them her father but after a prolonged encounter filled with threats and risk of death, August awakened to eventually let them take him away.
Dion tracked the group, following them to the place they were stationed. Successfully snuck in and found August in his room, passed out and heavily injured. Eventually they greet each other and she hides in the washroom, listening to Xavier choke August and speak poorly to him. After he'd leave, they would make an escape. With the assistance of a stranger with vast connections and Jacky, they get away. Now hiding out in an old cottage, August and Dion proceed to live simply.
After a couple weeks of work, August would meet up with Bounty, a co-worker of his who assisted him during his hunts with eldritch and at the settlement that eventually closed down. Bounty requested August's assistance with trapped wastelanders inside a skyscraper, surrounded by a group of powerful eldritch. After a thorough and long attack, the group successfully saved the survivors and the monsters took off, escaping before they could be killed. He would also make time to teach Dion how to skin rabbits, much to her lack of enjoyment doing so. She would also learn how to cook from August.
During a brief period of time, August would have a haircut with Dion watching from the back and the barber would slightly flirt with the eldritch slayer. Expressing her backstory about how her father used to run the barber in Bargetown and that she's recently taken up that mantle. She would ask August for assistance after giving him a trim, hoping he could help find her lost heirloom. After a good moment of searching, he would find it and she'd thank him with a kiss to the cheek. Dion would find this rather annoying that another woman was trying to bother them, though teased August about it later on without shame. August wouldn't meet with the barber again after this, preferably keeping to himself for his own comfort. 
====== Familial Bonds ======
After a couple months of living in the cottage, August and Dion discovered someone with close connections to her parents. People from the Frostlight community. Eventually after an intense back and forth between the duo, August is convinced by Jacky to let the child go. Much to Dion's dismay, not wanting to be separated from August. Dion's mother, Talia Hart didn't like or trust August... proactively taking the child away. Eventually, August followed after them after noticing their escort being suspicious and Dion decides to run away with August after killing the same escort, leaving Talia on her own with Dion promising she will visit once every 20th each month. Eventually, August and Dion would make their visit to the new Frostlights camp... eventually staying there. Weeks in, a man from Xavier's camp would visit the camp, threatening they give up August to spare the lives of their people. Of course, having been bullied by Xavier in the past, they knew not to trust such claims and defended August who has grown to be part of the community."NO! No... no! Jacky, no! This can't be real. My best friend. I lost him. YOU took him from me!"―August West to Sola and Xavier
From there, Xavier marches to the Frostlights camp with Sola, a mercenary-gunslinger named Ben, and Berach... including a large amount of wastelanders loyal to him. But to their surprise, Jacky was chained up by the neck and dragged around like a dog by Sola. After a short back and forth between the leader of the Frostlights as well as Xavier, a shoot out occurs. Many people from both sides die and Jacky attempts to flee multiple times, causing Sola to struggle. Eventually, Xavier would see August and threaten to hurt his best friend if he doesn't turn himself in. Everyone would try and stop August from doing so, but with another attempt to escape by Jacky—would cause him to be shot in the back, killing him. Holding him in his arms, August would sob and eventually be taken by his uncle again. They weren't even given time to grieve or bury him as all the survivors scattered after August's capture. 
====== Captured by Xavier ======
Tied up against the couch in the same house he escaped with Dion prior and angered, August mocks and riles up Sola, Berach, and Ben whom were monitoring him. They would try to torture him for enjoyment but would fail to do so as August attempts to escape. While this happened, Dion and a group of survivors from the Frostlights camp would head to the house in an attempt to free the Eldritch Slayer. After a gruesome back and forth, Dion and her biological father Clemont managed to escape with August. A mother and good friends were lost during the rescue mission for August. In a desire to repay them, August worked towards rebuilding their settlement with the funds he made with Eldritch Hunting again.
A little after his experience with the Frostlights and Xavier, August and Dion continued to live in Bargetown as well as the cottage. Having to travel back and forth occasionally, August met a woman sitting by a table and chair near the motel. He asked her if the motel had any rooms, hoping he could re-purchase the room he had before. They would have a nice talk and introduce themselves, which would cause the woman to be surprised hearing his name. She called herself Tanya Wren and after a few days of talking, August thought to introduce her to his line of work... both connecting somewhat for having similar jobs with bounty hunting, her with people and him with eldritch. She was surprised by the steps and beastly form of an eldritch gar, and watched August kill it mercilessly. Eventually he told Tanya about the young girl he's caring for and would bring her to the cottage he was staying at. Tanya would meet a distant and suspicious Dion, whom didn't like the women around August—especially those interested in him for the very reason they would act out of line with her to get close with her surrogate father. Eventually, Tanya would head off on her own with implications to her behavior that she's in danger for some sort of failure with her job. Leaving the cottage to eventually kill herself by a beach nearby, August catches up to her and she revealed that she's the best in her field. An assassin who can't ever bail on a job contracted to her. That she was raised like this all her life and August was her target, but she couldn't bring herself to kill him. That if she chooses not to do this, she would die in his stead. He asked why she couldn't go about killing him and she explained that she fell in love with August. He convinced Tanya not to go through with this and that they would fight this problem together. Heading back to the cottage, they would then be greeted by Ben who gave them a friendly warning that Xavier is on his way. And thus, the Esoteric Chase continues.
"What's with you picking up so many strays?" 
"Like some kind of dog shelter?"
―Samuel questioning August West and the latter's response
====== August's Brief Orphanage ======
Hiding out in Bargetown, the group would meet up with a man named Samuel. A former cannibal and eldritch hunting co-worker of August. They would then travel back to the cottage, somehow meeting numerous orphaned children along the way. Finding the cottage to be ransacked, August asked the group to help him repair the space. Eventually taking up the responsibility to help the children adapt and learn to survive the wasteland. Starting a short orphanage with the children they came to know. Dion was quite frustrated she had to share her living environment with annoying brats. 
For a brief period of time after, August would also spend time with Tanya and they would find themselves trapped underground in a building—having to fend off against a feral eldritch with violet fur. Tanya would almost die and had to instruct August slowly on how to properly stop the bleeding, eventually doing the treatment herself. August was frustrated he couldn't help and Tanya kept distancing herself from him. After a long period of awkwardness, she'd reach out to the slayer, expressing why there's a wall up between them. Opening up about their struggles and haunting traumas, she expressed how another man tried to rape her. And that it's taking a lot of her willpower to be this close with the opposite gender. Eventually, they would embrace, conforming and trusting one another with the inevitable kiss. 
During the spare time the group had, would train the children, sending two to follow Samuel and learn hunting while another two followed August for scavenging. Georgie and Dion would come with August, where they competed to see who was the better climber. The young boy defeated Dion while the latter struggled, upset at the outcome of the trip."We need to be quick and efficient. This plan requires all three parts to work."―August West to the kids, Samuel, and Tanya
====== August's Counterattack ======
After surviving the attack and August saving Tanya from the eldritch, the duo would return to the cottage. August would have nightmares of the incident with Jacky which affected his eventual decisions to deal with Xavier permanently. While this was on his mind, he decided to use this moment to prepare the children for the near future, going through a training course with them in hopes they will be prepared to be independent. The slayer would then initiate his plan to counterattack Xavier, sending a message his way through his connections that he was giving himself up. August would have the kids smuggled to safety, coordinating this with Talia, Dion's mother, who became the new leader of the Frostlights after the previous one died to Xavier. Much to Dion's protest, wanting to work alongside August this time. This was a plan carried out by August to permanently stop Xavier's constant chase, prioritizing Samuel to gun-down and steal Xavier's funds from their base while he lures his uncle out to retrieve him. Pretending he has given up. Tanya would come with August, keeping her self up on a tree in the deadlands to shoot down the men supporting Xavier. Unfortunately, Xavier would gain the upper advantage, having men hidden under the snow. They would capture the two and escort them across a ruined city. The couple would eventually escape and destroy the camp by blowing up explosives Xavier's men were bringing. Many of Xavier's remaining forces would die here as well as the house where Samuel managed to storm through. The remaining men that were searching for Dion and the other kids would be evaded as they were taken from Kingfisher to the Alumni docks.
After an overall successful counterattack, the group would convene in the Alumni grounds and celebrate at the pub. But there, August would be confronted by a bartender he recognized as a former leader from his past in Texas. A man called Razorsnake who sold him out over the very thing his uncle is chasing after him for. Realizing it was him that connected the dots and probably assisting his uncle, he proceeds to get drunk before leaving with his group. They would then stay at the gymnasium and August would meet his old friends from the fight club, their leader Antonio challenging August with the intent to woo the former champion's woman. The Spanish man failed to defeat August in the spar, proceeding to lose with his pride down. 
While they were having a good time in the Alumni campus, Ben the Gunslinger spotted the group. Since Ben heard through the radio about what August and his allies have done, Ben would attempt a ploy to ensure Dion's safety by staging a kidnapping. Misunderstanding this, August and Tanya successfully outclass Ben in a shoot-off, freeing Dion as well as the other kids from their captor. Sparing Ben, August leaves him some bandages to deal with his wounds and departs the campus with the group.
Xavier hasn't made a move since the attack, giving August time to recollect himself. He decided to return to Bargetown after separating from many of the children he took in. He spent some time with Dion and Tanya before having to separate due to the rising actions against his lover's life. The cottage was destroyed with explosives during a brief encounter with remnants of Xavier's men and most of the funds stolen from Xavier were given to the Frostlights rebuilding efforts. Being a target for capture, due to Tanya's failed attempt to kill August, she had to temporarily separate from her partner for the sake of survival. Dion would also be forcibly separated from August after an attempt on her life caused the child's parents to shelter Dion from immediate danger. Believing August's preferences in women need to change. Many of August's close friends and family scattered—the slayer now living alone in Bargetown, waiting to hear back from Tanya but only receiving radio silence for some time.
=== Arachnophobia ===
"We're both geniuses... Mark,"―August West to Mark De Mark
====== The Year 2163 ======
Having been on his own for some time now, August was fairly lonely. He had lost his best friend, the Frostlights have separated Dion from him, and everyone else was in hiding. Spending the amount of funds he had left, August went to upgrading his technology and tools, creating a droid-drone calling it B.Z—since it looked like a bee with its wings. He installed useful features which included a cloaking function. Following this, he managed to get his hands on a HUD (Adaptive Reality Heads Up Display), learning to customize it for his own preferences with a holographic filter which hovers over his left eye. This vastly improved his efficiency with eldritch hunting as well as in preparation against the possibility that Tanya's former employer might chase after him to reach her.
While on a hunt in the marshlands of the islands, August came across a vastly dangerous eldritch with several pincer-like fins. A type of gar that looked to be a mixture of a crocodile and amphibian. It would thrust into August with its fins striking outwards, trying to grab the slayer. After a couple bouts, August managed to take it down with his dagger—pummeling it into the mud. Upon opening up this specific eldritch, he noticed a shine of light shining along its skin. Reacting in time, he dodged an incoming bullet and realized someone was trying to kill him. It was a man with a skull mask and dark robes which he assumed was sent by Tanya's former employer. Frantic, August would utilize the darkness of the swamp as well as his instincts in the wild to escape before he could be killed by the assassin. This caused August to leave for Barge and prepare to leave to go into hiding. 
On his trip back to Bargetown, August meets a man named Mark De Mark who manned the Soup Shark. Thinking he worked there, August ordered his usual being crab but the server didn't seem to know what he was doing, mixing random ingredients into a bowl after letting August know there was no crustaceans stocked. After a thorough time eating his meal, August realized he had to leave soon which led to a conversation with Mark to go look for crabs. They would look through beaches unfortunately finding none. August wasn't much for fishing and usually only hunted deer and rabbits in forests so this was out of his expertise. Mark didn't really have any expertise except for the fact he's unusually lucky. After they failed to find food in general, the two travelled back through Sunrise city and caught the attention of wastelanders who made camp. Feasting to a shared meal together. Mark was skeptical, thinking they were cannibals and August thought to see if they could enjoy some food anyway. While eating, Mark pointed out that a strange man was staring at August. And so the two decided to leave, only to be followed by the stranger who wanted to sell August's armor to the Chrome Skulls, a notorious group who recently made their home in Sunrise city and are obsessed with cybernetics. Having only recently upgraded his equipment, August didn't like the idea of being robbed and attempted to run away from this man. The two would then meet an older gentlemen who dressed like a cowboy and ranger. He assisted them and fight this robber who evidently knocked out August and heavily wounded the ranger. Mark successfully used his sword and saved the group after rushing the robber from behind, which caused the enemy to flee. While this all happened, the group was being watched by an assassin known as the Wolf Spider on behest of the Mistress, another spider who both originated from the organization Tanya worked under. Being saved by Mark led August to treat him with drinks and the ranger granting the swordsman a paid meal. While at the pub, a recognizable face would speak to August, stating she noticed he might have had a long day. The voice caught August's attention and there, he would be greeted by Katelyn Nevin once more, the woman he'd once attempted to court and grew a close friendship with. They would catch up and she would share a short summary on why she disappeared from Bargetown suddenly. After a good couple of laughs, she would let August know that she did quit being an official healthcare worker but is willing to offer him exclusive free healthcare. 
August would eventually state that he plans to eventually move out and needed to make funds for the plans, asking Katelyn and Mark if they'd be interested in doing a couple jobs with him. They all agreed and would head out but a stranger would contact August alone, stating she would like to invite them to dinner. A woman who went by the title, Mistress. The group already assumed this could be a trap. Suspicious of this invitation, eventually their plans changed to following through with this offer and the group would be led by this woman towards a strange cave. Along the way, Bounty noticed August and asked if he could tag along, assuming he was on an eldritch expedition. Made aware of the invitation, Bounty decided to tag along anyway. As they entered the cave, August would be baffled by the strange questions and awful meals they prepped. The others also had mixed receptions on the food, which they served crab—something that wasn't a mere coincidence. They knew too much about him which made the situation way too unpleasant. Apparently the Mistress wanted to know what August knew on the White Lady, a woman who August figured was Tanya's employer. After a quick back and forth, he realized they were also assassins and told the group to flee while the woman was distracted—talking to a masked man she called the Wolf Spider. That man seemed to have a habit of staring at August which made him uncomfortable. After the group escaped, the mistress demanded they just die in frustration. 
Realizing the assassins are everywhere, August asked the group on suggestions to where they should hide out. They made the collected decision to leave far away to a place they wouldn't be expected to stay which was a bunker under union control. Since this was the best course of action, away from the influence of the assassins at least temporarily, the group decided to leave together. Bounty chose to make a detour and meet with them later at the designated location. August sends his planned coordinates to Tanya, Samuel, and other allies in hiding with the idea to gather together to make a stand against their oppressors. 
====== The Bunker Market ======
Now at the bunker—the group (August, Katelyn, and Mark) would hide amongst the crowd after entering through security. Trying to keep themselves rather low profile, a slaver would walk by with a couple children leashed up and trying to sell them just outside the bunker exit. This angered August and his companions would try to stop him from acting out with the possibility of blowing their cover in such a large crowd of people where anyone could be an assassin. Having told the group the information Tanya shared to him in the past about how her organization are planted in different sites as well as disguised as any average wastelander. That each major location and culture is governed by one handler known as Spiders and that it was the White Lady who seeks to execute Tanya. Despite knowing this, August couldn't help but watch as a mutant girl would be sold to a man and dragged by the wrist. Katelyn would try to stop August but he wouldn't allow it, rushing towards the man but is suddenly flipped over. He would then shoot the thigh of the buyer while on the ground and the child would run away after noticing August's left earring. Having personally been enslaved and his soft spot for children, he had to make sure at least that child was okay. He would follow her into a tight alleyway, kneeling while softly speaking he won't harm the child. He would offer the child a small ball with a bunny pattern, something he bought a while ago for Dion to give if they would ever meet again but realized she wouldn't be interested in such a thing. So someone younger might want it, assuming this could get the child to trust him. The girl surprised August with an embrace and would introduce herself as Alice Knight. Now with a child in tow, the group would remain in the bunker with the intentions to wait for the others August called. 
Bounty arrived a day later, stating there isn't much news to share. They don't seem to be publicly wanted but it felt like many people were carefully watching. Samuel arrived a little later, trespassing into the bunker to meet with the group. They would gather in the sleeping quarters, discussing what they could do. While this happened, a traveling merchant arrived by the bunker with an escort guard—who recognized August from a distance. It was Azure Cortez, a younger man August mentored last year, They greet each other, shaking hands and caught up. August asked why Azure returned to the islands which was then shared, that work took him back. He would introduce his employer who was a lady with black hair and blue eyes and she seemed slightly older than August. The slayer nods respectfully, eventually leaving after talking about her business she's running. As he left, the lady would ask Azure who August was—which he would clarify is his former mentor and name. While at the bunker, August talked with the group about doing an eldritch hunt to make some funds they might need and although Mark, Samuel, and Bounty were hesitant. They all eventually agreed to do it, leaving Katelyn to tend to the child while the group went out to find a job. The employer of Azure approached August, offering a bounty that an older woman handed to her—stating that someone of August's caliber should do. The group asked what the woman looked like and she stated they had a white dress as well as hair to match. Everyone already called this a trap but August decided to take it anyway. He would have Bounty scan the horizon while Samuel and Mark watched from the cliffside. The eldritch was real and it was taller than the trees. It looked to be somewhat passive, trudging through the forest with loud steps. This would be the third large eldritch August would fight in his career. It had a massive physique, similar to a gorilla with a large mane like a lion's. Its forearms were massive and it towered over the group. August asked if Mark wanted to be the bait which he humbly declined after thinking indecisively regarding the idea. Bounty volunteers to be the bait, eventually heading down into the forest while Samuel and Mark wait with August from the top. Using their radios, Bounty lured the beast towards the group by the cliffside just as August planned. 
Using the time given, they would fire upon the beast as it attempted to scale the cliffside. It would then give the group added difficulty, catching Mark and crushing Bounty several times. They would swipe Mark off the cliff which led to Bounty rushing to assist the man. Samuel managed to jab his blade into the neck of the beast, causing it to bleed out. While this happened, August successfully barraged quick successive attacks towards its back and caused the beast to collapse off the cliffside, landing onto the two. Bounty would break his ribs while Mark wailed in pain with his legs stuck under the eldritch. Samuel and August would fire from the cliffside, causing the eldritch to break off a tree and throwing it towards the two. It strikes August slightly, causing him to tumble away. Mark successfully escaped from being under the beast while Bounty was still stuck, slashing the weak point made by Samuel with his sword, almost beheading the eldritch. August decided to saw off the remaining neck of the head and took off to claim the bounty while escorting Bounty to Katelyn. Samuel and Mark stay to collect the meat of the eldritch which August planned to not eat. He'll let his friends enjoy their eldritch stakes. To commemorate this kill, August cuts a chunk of the beast's fur from its head and wrapped it with a rubber band while naming the eldritch the Bunker-Gorilla. 
"I wasn't going to shoot you, August,""But I was,"
"That's cold, August,"
"I'm cool like that,"
"Cool like the wind,"
―Azure to August West and August to his sister... as well as Mark's response to this and August's reply
====== Family Reunion ======
The group would reconvene in the shelter and Azure's employer would approach August again, stating she needs to talk with him. He asked she wait until after he's done turning in the bounty. He turned it in and shared the earnings with the others who participated. Bounty would receive his while laying down in bed, the other two collecting their earnings upon arriving back with chunks of meat. August would then approach the woman and she revealed her name is April West, that she thought August was dead, and is his older sister. After a couple comments back and forth with April mentioning their uncle stating such things and the fact she believed him, August is angered—having hated his sister for abandoning them and the additional fact she's affiliated with Xavier. He would point his gun towards her, unable to trust someone with ties to his uncle. Azure would respond, pointing his gun towards August and in response to this, Samuel pointed his rifle towards Azure. April looked remorseful, wanting August's forgiveness and a chance to start again as a family but to the slayer, she was only a stranger who just happened to share blood. 
After these events she would approach August once more while he spoke with his friends. Everyone would leave awkwardly or stand nearby to give them space. April planned to depart, ending her business with Azure earlier than stated in the contract. August wouldn't even say goodbye though the chances for that had slimmed as the bunker was attacked by a small pack of eldritch. The security of the bunker was lacking as many have left the area early in the morning. Bounty, though injured, was already outside defending the gates with Samuel. August and Mark would join them. August would hear screaming from the forest, rushing towards it and leaving the small group to defend without him. He found April against a tree and an eldritch laid out on the floor. August knew it was still alive and killed it, surprising April who thought she killed it. Eventually they would reconcile, understanding April just wanted to work things out with August. He looked past the issues at hand and decided to escort her back to the bunker with the others. Returning to the battlefield, August called back his group to flee and prepare a barricade in the tunnel. They would barricade the entrance, walled up from behind and prepared themselves for the inevitable attack. 
====== Meaty Face-Huggers ======
As they waited out for more eldritch, one would crawl towards the gate and it looked like a freak with several chunks of meat attached to its skin. Bounty would gun it down from the wall and Mark would step out of the barricade to get close, trying to inspect it. A piece of meat would fling onto Mark's face to August's horror and wrap around his friend. Mark would then start talking with a strange speech-pattern, stating to the group that they should not fight their destiny. Azure, Katelyn, and Alice were told to hide out in the bunker rooms by August while this all happened. Mark would attempt to attack April and Bounty who guarded the entrance and managed to take the stray meat off Mark's face, destroying it. Later on, after trying to save someone from being face-hugged and controlled to attack others, Mark is caught with another piece of meat controlling him. Under its influence, Mark attacked August and April. August succeeds in killing the piece of meat. After a certain period of time dealing with the eldritch face-huggers, August leads part of the group with him to escape and eventually find the source of these strange attacks. He is then knocked out by an eldritch hiding in the darkness from the ceiling and is escorted by April, Samuel, and Mark out. 
The four discussed what they could do to deal with the face huggers. Mark having been face-hugged multiple times and for the longest amount of time, they decided to use gas masks for radstorms to counter these attacks. Mark received strange visions, like memories of the eldritch and connected the location of it. August and the others weren't convinced at first until Mark drew the location which April recognized as the lake she was saved by August earlier in the day. They head towards the location hastily but realized it wasn't so bright to jump right in with danger. Overwhelmed by a surprise attack by a large blob of meat chunks, the eldritch failed to control them so it relied on slowing their movements. August's group succeeds in taking the creature down after a prolonged encounter with it. They then returned to the bunker to reunite with the others and the eldritch attacks stop. 
====== Tanya's Return ======
A day later, August talked with Katelyn regarding what to do next and wondered where Mark and Bounty was after asking them to leave for explosives he stored near Barge. A risky mission for the duo. He then heard from Tanya after waiting for so long in his radio, which caused them to convene by the entrance of the bunker. They speak and catch up, as August asks if they are still good which she confirmed they are. He then heard Bounty on his radio stating that he is captured with Mark which brought suspicion to August as to how he'd have access to the radio then? Knowing this is a trap and that Bounty might be a traitor, helping the White Lady. August and Tanya's reunion is cut short due to this, so they decide to plan time alone together later and went out to rescue Mark. 
====== Infiltration of Barge ======
By the outskirts of Barge, far away enough to not be detected or seen by anybody, August and Tanya discussed what they could do to infiltrate the area. Since Bounty expected only August, he planned that he can lure most of the attention while Tanya swam through another entrance. After a fierce gunfight with Bounty having the upper advantage from where he was shooting, he came down to fight the slayer in person, only to lose terribly to August by being knocked out. After removing all of Bounty's weapons, August rushed towards the crane where Tanya and Wolf were in battle. She would struggle to the Wolf, proceeding to be knocked back to which August joins her. He and the Wolf disarm each other, leading to an intense hand-to-hand bout between the two. The slayer gains the upper-hand, clobbering the mask off Wolf's face, revealing his face to be Jacky Anderson. Questioning the man now, it appeared Wolf has no recollection on who August is and is only doing this to discover a weakness of the White Lady. That he was pretending to help Bounty secure Tanya for the White Lady when in reality the Wolf wanted to question the former assassin on what she knows. 
The battle would come into a halt when Bounty wakes from being knocked out, climbing up the crane and pushing Tanya off into the water. Following after her and escaping with the former assassin with the intent to present her to the White Lady. Wolf swears under his breath when his true intentions are exposed to Bounty as the White Lady informs the mercenary that Wolf intended to betray him. To kill the entire group at once, Bounty set off small explosions along the crane. As this was happening, August was breaking Mark free from his restraints and Wolf was climbing down to chase after Bounty who had Tanya. 
Eventually August, escorting an injured Mark, would find Tanya again who managed to flee from the assassin and traitor. 
The rest of his journey is continued in the Arachnophobia page. 
== Personality ==
August West, throughout his life is commonly seen as a do-gooder, always trying to be considerate towards others but only to an extent. This is almost always the case with the general populace though he had troubles being good when faced with his mental health disorders as well as PTSD that mostly tied to those closest with him. Having learned many lessons from such experiences of mistreatment towards others, he has since become fairly hard on himself and always looks to improve socially. At a younger age, he was reckless, curious, and harsh-mouthed towards others that weren't his parents. He retains similar traits at an older age, often teasing others and horsing around when possible but balances this out with a much more seriously-driven focus, especially during times of turmoil. He often gravitates towards befriending those with humorous personalities and tends to play by things they say though that doesn't stop him from having close relationships with more serious individuals. The Slayer is altruistic, and can have zero problems with forms of authority or lawful precepts but feels he does not necessarily need to abide by them. He is also known for having strong paternal instincts towards caring for children, especially those desperate for support; often contributed by his selfless and self-sacrificing attitude when acting towards the needs of those he cherishes. August is paired often to his contributions when saving the lives of others and is either beloved or hated depending on who you ask. As an individual, he can be quite turbulent and ferocious when angered but is often seen keeping himself composed; August ponders, particularly known for his large imagination and reflects on his dreams as well as thoughts through journaling or painting. As an individual, he can be quite passionate with his work and hobbies—often known to be quite social even with strangers. And he can quite often find himself in ridiculous situations, which would be rather embarrassing for others but he carries little shame for most of it. He can be quite mischievous, especially around authority figures. If one were to do a personality-type check-up for August, it would be ENFJ-T. 
He can quite often be seen as soft-hearted by those close to him, having a gravitation to be protected by others even when he doesn't wish to be. Many close to August have felt compelled to protect him due to his somewhat innocent, straightforward, and honest personality. This has been seen occur with several people, including: Azure, Jacky, April, Tanya, Katelyn, Mark, Samuel, Dion, and many more companions to the point many arguments would usually be centered around the topic of protecting August in their own way. This is something he doesn't quite understand as these were relationships August only grew recently. 
Although in the past, August had been capable of being secretive and cunning especially around close relationships which can stem from anxiety, during his twenties the man had taken a more candor approach towards emotional encounters with those around him. This honesty is his way of choosing to avoid the concept, "beating around the bush" and preferred the direct approach when solving issues. Always trying to be clear on how he feels with another person. As many know, August isn't the type to back down so easily and is determined to press forward, which could be seen as stubbornness. 
August is prone to sometimes acting out when frustrated, like slamming the ground after thinking half his friends died when the Rocket Rig crashed into the earth. Although he sometimes loses his composure, he always owns up to it if it impacts those around him. He can also be quite stubborn when he sets his mind to something but those close to him are most capable of talking him out of things. 
Many see August as an individual with natural charisma, both intimately and as a leader. He has quite a detailed history and rollercoaster of experiences with women that love or desired his natural charm. Albeit many chuckle at the thought of him being a lover boy, he is quite known to be loyal under normal circumstances and does not pursue but is more pursued by others. Despite this, he is quite affectionate towards his peers and is especially caring towards children. He isn't afraid to express vulnerability and the capability of owning up to mistakes as seen during his time with Dion when warning her of his present issues with PTSD and the young girl looking past that weakness, seeing the potential he has that the slayer was blinded to notice. Another example of this was during his time in the space station, caring for Hannah Vacca as an expecting mother as a major pillar of support. 
For a temporary moment in time during the year 2163, August had his memories altered and personality shifting between different states as well as characteristics. From exaggerated violence, different memories, and new lives due to the bio-chip transformation attempting to protect him from mental trauma which hinders a full Fae transformation. This was eventually stopped by Hector during the Indiana-Harrower war, halting his transformation and disabling the failsafe on his memories being locked. Due to this, the temporary traits and feelings from his temporary personality shifts were retained but are less prominent due to the short time they were lived. August retains his status as a half-fae and now has access to all his memories, including the moments he had amnesia and different identities. This issue was first hinted at by his former doctor as a slave in Texas a few months before, during the brief period the Blue Helmets took the Regal City while Impervious was away. 
== Some Significant Relationships ==
=== Highlighted Relationships ===
==== Jacky Anderson ====
August is quite close to Jacky and both consider each other best friends, lifelong as well as forever. Jacky has been with the man through many stages of his life after August escaped Texas and had seen the slayer's growth first-hand as a person as well as through his different careers. He is often seen as a voice of reason for August and though Jacky doesn't enjoy taking risks or life-threatening situations, he is one to jump ship with August no matter what. August sees Jacky as his brother, sharing many of his problems with the medic but keeps certain things private. 
==== Dion Smith-Hart ====
She wandered into August's life by chance, alone in a desolate and abandoned ruin of a former city while the slayer was burying a dead eldritch head. After taking her in, realizing the young child needed help... she became his destiny and highest priority. Promising the young girl to help find her family while teaching her how to survive the wastelands, their bond grew deeper... opening up to each other about one's flaws and eventually seeing each other as father-daughter. August isn't too strict with Dion, trusting the girl to make good decisions and would never shame her if she made mistakes. As they are both playful, Dion and August tend to get along especially alone... finding comfort by being in close proximity to each other. 
==== Katelyn Nevin ====
When they first met, August visited the clinic in Barge for a brief check-up on something rather silly when he thought he caught something from a large bird. Katelyn was the doctor manning the shift at the time and after a few one-liners from the slayer, he thanked her for the time offering to treat her for the assistance. Having cooked a meal prior, August invites Kate to a few dates which caused them to grow closer before her abrupt disappearance. She grew fond of his stories on adventures and he longed for her return but inevitably moved on. Around a year later, her return sparked a rekindling of their friendship which led to her being a close aide in his adventures through the United States Wastelands and eventually in Texas, brought back their romantic feelings for each other. She has since confessed her deep love for August which he didn't expect nor understood.
=== Summarized Relationships ===
==== Blue Helmets ====
The Blue Helmets consist of several close friends and affiliated acquaintances of August West. 
==== Family Members ====
== Skills & Abilities ==
=== Proficiencies & Abilities ===
* Parkour and Climbing: Being raised atop tall skyscrapers by a mercenary troupe focused on many climbing activities, August has always been exceptional with every method of mobility. One can call him a genius mountain climber, capable of scaling tall mountains; as well as tight-spaces within urban structures; and is proficient in the use of grappling hooks or any sort of tool that can assist him with climbing. His skills are especially evident when he's running through obstacles, allowing his smooth parkour techniques to shine with flowing movements through rolling or dodging.
** Speed Vaulting Mastery: August is proficient in all parkour techniques but speed vaulting is something he's exceptionally good at, having incredible hand coordination as well as leaping power. People would find it extremely difficult to chase August through urban territory.
* Master Combatant: August West has become proficient in martial arts and is especially effective in hand-to-hand combat, utilizing a fighting-style that compliments his maneuverability through a fluid use of rolling and knife-work. Having been trained in Taekwondo as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he mixes some of those techniques into his formal fighting style against humans and has since adapted a more mobile grapple, dodge, and strike method against the eldritch monstrosities. His usage with firearms compliments this fighting-style, often relying on more automatic-spraying rifles to shatter opponent concentration or composure.
** Armored Combat: He utilizes his metal plating like a shield against impact, mixing this defense with his customized fighting style when fighting against eldritch. 
** Battle IQ: When it comes to fighting, August is quite proficient at utilizing tactics with a mixture of natural senses, capable of thinking on the spot while bringing out the best traits of allies around him if not alone. From analyzing combat tactics of his opponents to terrifying small armies with just pure power later in his career cements his talent. This skill however took August experiencing many trials and errors, through experiencing defeats against overwhelming odds have led him to grow this skill. 
* Armor Forging & Craftsmanship: Having trained during his time in Texas, August is proficient in some advanced craftsmanship in relation to armor, droid functions, and some weaponry. He is capable of doing repair-work for such technology. He has dabbled in areas like AI-integration and ARD technology as well as drones.
* Tracking, Hunting & Game: When it comes to his proficiency in the wilderness, August is an incredible tracker and has a keen sense of analysis when following an eldritch especially. His knowledge with the nature of animals and eldritch is vast, understanding even the most miniscule details of the creatures he hunts. This can also be applied to people he's searching for, just as long as he knows who they are and certain habits he could pick up.
** Forest-Based Trapping: Using the density of forests, August is known for his skilled usage of trapping. He learned this during his time with his uncle, understanding basic concepts of capturing prey or people when in the woods.
** Investigative Skills: His ability to track translates well to investigating for clues in many environments which also includes looking for people. Though he isn't Sherlock Holmes, he has shown his ability to figure out cases from his experience with mercenary missions.
* Tactical Leadership & Planning: Although he doesn't necessarily think of himself as a master strategist or great leader, he does naturally attract those to follow him and quite often would be one of the heads in the group discussing the plan or making it. He has shined several times, creating strategies and tactics on the fly against many of the most dangerous eldritch as well as the plan against his own uncle (robbing, dismantling, and rescuing all at once). Known strategies include the belly-acid gar during the Unspoken History arc, the bunker-gorilla eldritch that was giant, and several shoot outs. Due to his keen sense of tracking, he adapts what he discovers of his target while creating exceptional traps against them.
** Politics: Albeit August dislikes the practice of political scheming, he has learned the methods during the year 2164-2165 aboard the OHSS and had been elected as the representative of sector 12. His methodology with planning has become increasingly more detailed and second nature, capable of framing opponents and utilizing manipulation tactics taught to him by his mentor for the sake of their survival in a society that feels alien with strict rules.
* Project Fae SPM Bio-Gene: During the A Captive Fairy arc, August managed to gain access to the bio-chip which granted him neural connections to generating Hard-Light capabilities, though limited to SPM-1 commands. This has in a result turned him into a half-fae and no longer human. He is capable of shaping Hard-Light structures for him and his team.
** He has since then learned his abilities extend past hard-light, capable of absorbing and utilizing all manners of code from different types of fae. August during the year 2165 is capable of utilizing some terra fae abilities.
=== Ability & Proficiency Weaknesses ===
* Medical Work: August isn't too proficient with patching up others, only knowing basic concepts like bandages and putting pressure on wounds. He lacks the fundamentals with saving lives which has hindered him in the past several times. 
* Magnetic Disruption: Due to his usual usage of metals, wearing armor made of metal and such. He can be vulnerable to any weaponized magnetic-based tools to disrupt his equipment. 
* Physical Strength Limits: August is fairly built but his weight-class isn't on par compared to the dangerous creatures or more muscular opponents he has faced, so he tends to utilize his intelligence when in combat. He does have limits and even with the propelled strength of his armor along his left arm (or right depending on the time period), it has a limit to its assistance.
* Unable to use Snipers: He isn't too proficient with the use of longer-ranged weaponry like snipers or more mundane equipment like bows which is why he prefers automatic rifles.
* Limited Usage with SPM: August's abilities with his command casting often finds trouble especially due to concentration difficulty when emotional and his low command limits.
=== Side Hobbies ===
* Painting: As one of his creative avenues, painting is seen as an unexpected hobby August has. Only those closest to him have seen him paint ever and many of his pieces are based on an abstract-style. Though he isn't formally trained, he has self-taught himself certain techniques when working on a canvas and is his most comfortable artistic practice.
* Clay Modelling: An art of molding clay which is something August enjoys practicing though he isn't so versed in this compared to his other artistic interests.
* Dancing: Although he isn't an exceptional dancer, he does a little hip-hop and ballroom though mostly free-styles. He enjoys dancing when the Mexican band comes to Barge and plays.
* Journaling: August routinely writes in journals regarding the things that happened and how he felt during those moments.
* Bone Carving: He doesn't do this quite often, but when he does, it's mostly to dress himself with an outfit reminiscent of the eldritch he hunted or to create sharp throwing knives. 
* Sparring: August formerly participated in a fight club located in the Alumni Campus. He quite often won and was considered one of the better fighters. 
* Singing: He is quite proficient as a singer, having the range of a baritone-tenor but doesn't practice often. He learned to sing from his mother at a young age. 
== Paraphernalia ==
=== Equipment ===
==== Hunting-Arsenal Ranged Weapons ====
August usually carries around the weapons in this section during casual travel or while hunting eldritch. These are his most affordable ranged weapons for upkeep and are flexible enough to bring around. 
* Thompson Submachine Gun―the Lasher
This Tommy Rifle has a large bladed attachment on the front, built by August for ease of use when fighting eldritch up-close. It hoists a 50 Round Drum Magazine, M1928 Thompson Copper Sight attachment as well as Chopper Compensator. And to top it off with a small Holographic Scrap Sight for aiming. August found this weapon around the year 2153 in the Texas Wastelands. It has been his main weapon for ten years.
* Mauser C96
This is a C96 which August acquired in the Bargetown Weapons shop. It has a C96 short barrel and is used for picking-off targets. It relies on a 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge and is August's preferred sidearm to bring around as it doesn't have much sentimental value and is easily replaceable. Once in a while, August would hook a keychain to the trigger ring with little trinkets. Some of these trinkets would be little rocks he poked holes into and collected. The grip is a hard plastic, a cheap alternative to wood and other options.
* Beretta M9―Mother's Pistol: A grey beat-up pistol which August kept as a reminder of his mother who left it with him before her eventual passing. He has since shared the pistol with those he trusts most like Dion and Mark when they needed it. This is more a keepsake but he has kept it functioning for years. He lost it temporarily during his enslavement in Texas but managed to reclaim it through his former master's influence.
==== Hunting-Arsenal Support Tools ====
* Grappling Hook
August used to carry a black-roped hook but has recently acquired a brown-roped one, using this when he needs to scale more difficult terrain or structures. He has a few spares inside one of his caches.
* Chemlights: A couple of chemlights used to light the way or lure eldritch predators.
* Water Pouch: Used to collect water to drink and quench his thirst. He prefers to only fill this up with water and avoid contamination of any kind.
* Journal Pouch: A book carrier attached to his travel bag which allows him to carry a journal or his personal information-guide on what he's hunting.
* Knapsack with Radio: Containing several items, his knapsack he carries on his back also has a radio box attached into it with an antenna sticking out. 
** Skinner Knife: A tool August uses to skin animals he has hunted. It has a nice wooden handle with a swirl pattern carved out.
** Butcher Knife: A tool used to cut up meat, especially from the animals August has hunted. Its handle is a dark blue plastic.
** Hearing Protection: He has two soft foams to plug his ears with when firing his rifles.
** Binoculars: August has old binoculars he uses to see longer distances, especially when hunting or tracking.
* Side-Hip Bag: A bag August brings once in a while, made out of unknown brown leather with a nice strap and buckles. 
** Bandage Roll: A roll of fresh bandages August can use to wrap around wounds.
** Metal Pouch: August's dedicated whiskey container.
** Compass: August's old compass he uses occasionally.
** Ink & Quill: Something he uses to write in his journals. 
** Metal Scrap, Nails & Multi-tool: Spare scraps, nails, and a multi-tool August can use to repair equipment on the fly. 
==== Hunting-Arsenal Melee, Throwing & Explosive Weapons ====
August's main melee arsenal he brings with him occasionally during eldritch hunts or travels.
* August's Crimson Dagger
A dark blade with a red coloring along the center and near its rusted hilt with a gold-shaded end. The crimson dagger is a weapon that used to have gold-coloring on the handle as well before being replaced later on by August. It is a tool he carried with him since childhood, using it during his hunts or melee combat against humanoid opponents. This is a weapon August doesn't throw and always keeps on him when traveling. 
The blade is reinforced to penetrate thicker skin without needing much maintenance when used often, making it an ideal weapon for August to use against much physically stronger eldritch like abominations or feral. It doesn't prove as effective for blunt damage, only reliable for cut equivalent. This was a tool given to him by a colleague of his parents in the mercenary troupe, though August doesn't remember that individual's name.
The dagger is around 60-90cm in length and is roughly longer than the length of an average person's forearm. August keeps the weapon to the side of his hip, attached to his belt. Although this is his main blade, August has several others that he would use from time to time during special situations. Having equipment built for different types of encounters.
* August's Needle Dart
August doesn't always bring out the needle dart but uses it when he uses it to carry poisons when hunting eldritch. This needle dart is small in length, looking to be as long as 30cm. The slayer sharpened and made this himself during his spare time. 
This needle dart's feathers was given to him by a traveling Native-American merchant who met August during one of his journeys. 
* August's Throwing Knives
Carved out of the bones of eldritch August has killed, he carries around throwing knives attached to his belt which he sometimes throws when fighting. One knife can also act like a secondary blade for him to fight with in close-quarters combat. These knives are fairly useful for throwing and would often have multiple thrown at the same time. The slayer wasn't really taught how to do this technique properly, figuring it out for himself. 
This is considered one of August's enjoyable hobbies as it helps with his carving skills and bones are a common material to access after a hunt.
* Pipe Bombs
*
*
August carries around usually two pipe bombs with him which he uses to zone out more difficult eldritch. Though these explosives are makeshift and don't do tremendous amounts of damage compared to other explosives, they have always proven useful from time to time. This is especially through when August want's to utilize the possibility of fire or to disorient targets. He first found these on sale in a Voyageur market with Dion, and has since learned to create his own with the correct materials.
* Climbing Gear Set
August has multiple tools that assists him with climbing mountains and ice. Some he takes to even scale urban skyscrapers, including: 
Ice Axe & Ice Tool: He owns a couple of these which he uses for mountains and ice. They were difficult products to come by, buying them when he had journeyed to find treasure by a mountain.
Ice Screw: A threaded tubular screw August uses for running an anchor while climbing on steep ice surfaces.
Quickdraw: A piece of climbing equipment the slayer uses for his climbing rope to run freely protected. He owns multiple of these.
==== Crafting Equipment Tools ====
* August's Trusty Wrench
He doesn't remember where he got this wrench but recalls it being in a rig. He would use this often during construction projects and at times uses it as a blunt weapon against others when necessary. August has recently installed a more comfortable grip around the handle and usually brings this with him by the hip, attached to his belt. Like many other things he owns, it consists of his favorite color: red.
This model of a wrench is quite common in the islands.
==== Advanced-Arsenal Ranged & Melee Weapons ====
Weapons that August usually keeps often in his caches which are high-powered treasures he has collected. 
==== Advanced-Arsenal Support Tools & Armor ====
Equipment August uses to protect himself or support his needs when on the field or off.
== Notes & Facts ==
* August likes the colors of red shades, especially maroon, and faded yellows. 
* He trained under his mother and cousin, Raeyline quite often as a child.
* August is a descendant of Caribbean Spanish through his mother, Caucasian American through his father, and some Filipino relatives through his mother.
* As a child, he often led around other kids (if there were any) playing silly imaginative games and would always come up with something new.
* Since he was born on May 12, 2135, August's zodiac is that of a Taurus.
* He is often seen like a superhero by other kids, especially the young Alice Knight.
* August wasn't born in August and doesn't know why him and his sister were named after months by his parents.
* His favorite alcoholic beverages are barley-based like whiskey which he found a preference in with an older gentleman he befriended while hospitalized.
* When drunk, he quite literally acts poetic and treats his environment like some sort of hallucinated adventure. Those close to him would tend to keep the drinks away from August.
* He tends to overwork himself especially during crucial moments and is often cared for by many of his close friends.
* August was born exactly on 6 AM on a Thursday.
* He doesn't like smoking and would deny any offers made from others.
* August has almost been robbed several times just due to the fact he carries around highly sought after equipment.
* He absolutely loves take-out, especially the Bargetown burgers. 
* Though he can cook certain things, he doesn't often enjoy cooking constantly for days or long periods of time.
* He has a fear of losing loved ones to the point it's traumatic and can trigger him.
* Thinking prominently about his traumatic past use to trigger him, but it had since become tolerable.
* August is often seen as a pretty boy and women have fawned over him to the point it was incredibly annoying and interfered with his life on numerous occasions. 
* By the end of the year 2162, August had up to fifteen filled-up journals in total.
* As a mentor, Dion has learned under him the longest and is his most cherished student as well as daughter.
* Having suffered with mental health, he has a habit of undergoing methods to calm himself down like concentrating on breathing.
* Although he will put himself in situations that are political, he does despise politics and the careful methodologies of those that practice it—especially when bargaining. 
* From a young age, he always had minor allergies to cat fur. Though this does not change his opinion as he does appreciate dogs and cats.
* What August would consider his worst trauma isn't the torture he experienced several times, his time in slavery, or when he had lost many loved ones; it was watching Dion slowly wither away to her final moments and when his daughter asked him to stop her suffering permanently.
* August's Character theme is "Ad Astra" by David Chappell.
File:August Texas 2163.png|August wearing his Texas attire during 2163.
Category:Wastelanders
Category:Status : Alive
Category:Faes