4 Arc I: Forgotten Mountains (2/2)

He took a deep breath. ”System... Character... Status.” Opening up a console, indicating his vital signs and medical condition. Coughs as he half-consciously read through the screen. 'Fatigued, few fractured bones, blood loss. Looks like I'm going pass out anytime soon.' .

'I need to move away, can't stop here... need to get to town before noon.' Dragged himself up, as he moved towards his destination.

. . .

The Proving Grounds:  Forgotten City; Downtown, Outskirts

1820Y 09M08D 1800H

He kept walking towards the compass direction barely unaware of the surroundings. Growls came from the mountain behind him. Realized it is getting dark, he tried to traverse faster but tripped on a expose root, landing flat on his stomach. Lurches forward and focuses, lights started popping up beyond the tree line.

'That's probably the town.' Reeled as he force himself to get up.

The growls are getting louder and louder by the minute, but the lights are not getting any nearer. Desperate, he looks around hoping to find somewhere to hide before he passes out or gets killed.

He already got this far, just on sheer determination alone. He just can not die and revive somewhere unknown and start over again. Dying will reset his location, re-spawning randomly; making his mapped area insignificant.

He looked at his map where he lost Azaleah and the labyrinthian mess he went through to get out of there.

'I need to get back there,' Reminding and giving himself enough motivation to pull through. Just a few strides ahead there is a hollowed tree trunk, as the night is getting darker and the growls getting nearer it was his only hope.

Hope was just about arms reach when his vision suddenly blurred and his knees gave out. Collapse on the ground he could feel his consciousness fading.

'I don't need to think, I don't need to see, safety is just in front of me, all I need to do is move.' Repeating as he drags himself towards his destination.

A huge roar came from behind him but he got no strength to check, he is already giving everything to move forward.

Few seconds later, a huge crashing sound, a yelp, and the resounding noise of a falling tree ahead, just happened in an instant. He could not understand anything that just transpired. Then, someone came beside him, started tapping and shouting. ”Hey, ya need to get up, now.”

His senses, still in disarray, but tried to do as he is told.

”Come on now, We need to get us inside!”

He could feel himself getting drag, but could not make out anything that is actually happening. All was anything but a dream. Forced out the rest of his remaining strength to follow the flow of the situation.

”Ya'r heavy! Get in — side! Umpf!!”

Hearing a voice just beside his ear. 'A girl!? Sounds... familiar.'

”Door,” The girl shouted.

Then suddenly the growls got heavier, thrashing, banging... His eardrums almost broke from her scream but he couldn't see anything it was dark then darker then nothing.