3 Arc I: Proving Grounds (1/2)
The Proving Grounds: Forgotten Mountains
1820Y 09M04D 0600H
He opened his eyes and pitch-black darkness welcomed him with sounds of dripping water everywhere, saw some small glowing patches of blue light far ahead. He was still wearing the white clothes that they used during the experiments.
Dazed, he pukes over to what it seems like solid ground. ”Azaleah...” He uttered to what looks like a firefly hovering about.
A fairy-like creature floated in front of him then swirled around. ”Look, System gave me a nice body.”
He stood up, staggering as he did. ”Azaleah — Cast Scan,”
”Hmph, you never knew how to appreciate real beauty.” She flew above and gave out a single pulsing light. ”Nothing here Mat... just you and me.”
”Thanks,” As he tries to hold his head up; getting his thoughts together. ”System... App... Carto,” A blip showed on his HUD indicating their current whereabouts on a blank map. ”We need to map up these caverns, to make sure we do not get lost.”
Azaleah ignored him then started wandering the area.
”System... App... Compass” a letter 'N' appeared on the upper center of his HUD with degrees going left and right. 'As I remember, the town is supposed to be northwest from here.'
”Azaleah, Cast Light for 8 seconds.”
Like a lightbulb, the fairy lighted up the whole area. The place looks like an abandoned mine shaft. It was quite wide, mining carts and equipment scattered about.
A swarm of bats flew out from behind him. Azaleah scurried, cursing the bats while doing so. Out of the darkness, a humanoid figure jump across catching one of the bats. He narrowed his eyes trying to get a better look at it. Darkness is hiding most of its small feature as it slumps down at the far end. Only its long dark hair and what looks like a tunic is recognizable.
When suddenly, it turned its head towards them.
A bloody jagged grin with a bat still squirming, greeted him. It had hollowed eyes, nose, and claws that look like bones that came out of its fingertips.
”What —” All he can say as it launches towards him screaming. It went dark again. He instinctively dodges to his left, a swift breeze just went pass him then a huge crashing sound, he could hear pieces of equipment clatter about.
The aberrant shrieks some distance behind him. He panicked for a rock, then threw it as far behind as possible; heard the abomination race towards the sound.
”Azaleah, fly ahead. Scan at regular intervals; report as you do.” His chest still pounding.
”Kay,” She flew away, then stopped some distance ahead. ”Mat, look there's an albino snake. Hoh ho ho.”
He sighed deeply, then continued on.
. . .
The Proving Grounds: Forgotten Mountains
1820Y 09M04D 1800H
They pass-through some kind of field full of glowing blue flora. It somehow felt soothing and peaceful. Rested for the time being. Watch the insects, plants, and animals that thrive there, wondering about the authenticity of it.