Hours passed as I walked. The forest seemed endless, its towering trees stretching toward the sky like ancient sentinels. The stream’s gurgling flow was my only companion, aside from Glowbug. My stomach growled, and I chewed on the few berries I’d stashed earlier, their tartness barely taking the edge off my hunger.
Condition: Fatigue (-2 Physical, -2 Mental)
Recommendation: Rest or consume energy-rich food
I groaned. “I get it, system. I’m tired and hungry. But if I rest here, I’ll probably wake up with a monster gnawing on my leg.” Glowbug chirped softly, darting ahead as if urging me forward. I forced myself to keep moving, my muscles aching with every step. The terrain began to slope downward, and the sound of the stream grew louder.
As I rounded a bend, a crumbling stone bridge came into view. It spanned the stream, its moss-covered surface blending almost seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Intricate carvings adorned the bridge's posts on both sides. Though time had worn their details, they were still beautiful.
“Think it’s safe?” I asked Glowbug. The little creature chirped and floated toward the bridge, its tail glowing brighter. Taking that as a good sign, I followed cautiously. My sandals clacked softly against the ancient stones as I stepped onto the bridge.
The air felt cooler here, almost charged with energy. I shivered, though I wasn’t sure if it was from the temperature or something else. The stream’s flow seemed to slow as it passed beneath the bridge, its surface shimmering faintly. I paused in the center, looking down at the water.
“This place feels… different,” I murmured. “Like it’s important somehow.” Glowbug’s hum deepened.
“You think so too?” I frowned, glancing around. “Well, it doesn’t look special to me. Just… old. But it definitely feels… something.” Glowbug’s demeanour suddenly changed, and it swiveled its feathered head around, as though looking for something.
Danger Detected: Hostile entity nearby
Recommendation: Proceed with caution
“Oh no...” I scanned the forest, my heart pounding. The shadows between the trees seemed deeper, darker, as though something unseen was watching. Glowbug chirped urgently, its tail flicking toward a cluster of rocks near the bridge’s edge. I crouched behind them, keeping my breathing shallow and quiet as I listened. I froze, my heart pounded as the sound of a twig snapping cut through the quiet. I turned my head slowly, and my stomach sank as a familiar shape emerged from the shadows.
The Greater Leshi. I gripped onto the rocks to steady myself, my knuckles white. I could barely make out the shape of the creature moving through the trees, its hunched form blending with the shadows. Its black eyes locked onto the bridge, scanning the area with predatory intent.
Creature: Greater Leshi
Danger level: Moderate
Recommendation: Flee
“Not again,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I am not doing this again.”
Glowbug’s hum shifted to a low, pulsing tone, its light softened to avoid drawing attention. My muscles tensed as the creature stepped closer, its claws clicking against the ground. I picked up a branch from the floor, the makeshift weapon trembling in my hands.
The creature paused, its head tilting as though listening. I held my breath, silently praying it wouldn’t notice me. After what felt like an eternity, the creature turned and lumbered back into the forest, its antlers glinting in the darkness.
I exhaled shakily, my body sagging with relief. Glowbug chirped softly, its light brightening as it floated closer to me.
“Thanks for the heads-up,” I said, giving the little creature a scratch under its chin. “I owe you big time. That thing must be tracking me somehow, either that or there’s more than one.”
I straightened, my legs shaking, and crossed over the bridge. The forest beyond seemed less creepy, the trees were spaced farther apart. I followed the stream once more, my thoughts racing.
“If there’s a bridge, that means there used to be people here,” I said aloud, my voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe there still are. We saw lights back when we were at high ground, that must have been some kind of settlement, right?” Glowbug chirped in agreement, its tail flicking toward the horizon. My gaze followed the gesture, my heart lifting slightly. The faint glimmer of lights I’d seen was still far away, but it felt like a beacon—a promise of salvation, however distant.
“Let’s keep going,” I said. “We’ll get there. One step at a time.”
I pressed on, my steps uneven but determined. The forest on this side of the bridge felt different—less oppressive, though still alien. The trees stood farther apart, their massive trunks twisting into strange shapes, and the canopy allowed more light to filter through. The air was cooler, carrying a faint, almost metallic tang that made my skin prickle. Glowbug hovered beside me, its light casting soft shadows on the forest floor. Every so often, it chirped or hummed, its tones strangely melodic and reassuring. I found myself talking to the little creature more often now, the sound of my own voice helping to keep the silence and my fears at bay.
“How far do you think those lights are?” I asked, glancing toward the distant flickers barely visible through the trees. “A few miles? A day’s walk?” Glowbug tilted its head, emitting a low trill that I interpreted as uncertainty.
“Yeah, me neither,” I muttered, stepping over a fallen branch. My stomach growled loudly, and I winced. The handful of berries I’d eaten earlier had done little to stave off my hunger. I scanned the forest floor as I walked, my Identify talent picking out plants and objects with frustrating consistency.
Forest Moss: Inedible.
Ironvine Root: Edible with preparation. Raw consumption is discouraged.
“Preparation? With what, exactly? An oven? A cooking pot?” I shook my head, dismissing the labels. “If I ever get actual food again, I’m going to kiss it.” Glowbug chirped and darted ahead, pausing near a small bush. The small, glowing fruits hung in bunches, their translucent skin emitting a faint, bioluminescent light.
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“Is this safe to eat? It’s not radioactive or something?” I squinted as my Identify Talent activated.
Glowfruit: Edible. Provides moderate nutrition.
Taste: Sweet.
I almost cried with relief. I plucked one and bit into it eagerly. The fruit was soft and sweet, its juice flooding my mouth with a burst of flavor that felt almost too good to be real.
“Oh my God,” I mumbled through a mouthful. “You’re amazing, Glowbug.”
The little creature chirped happily, its tail flicking in delight. I gathered as many fruits as I could carry, tucking some into my pocket for later, and carrying the rest in my hands. My body felt a little steadier, and my mind a little clearer, as the sugar and nutrients worked their way through my system.
The forest began to change again as I walked. The trees grew shorter, their trunks more slender and knotted. The underbrush thickened, and the air took on a faint, damp chill. I shivered, tugging my thin pyjamas tighter around me as Glowbug’s soft light guided me through the twisting paths. As the sun dipped lower, the shadows stretched longer, and my fatigue grew harder to ignore. The countdown clock had around 14 hours left on it, so I must have been up and walking for around eight hours. I knew that I should find somewhere to rest, but nothing had jumped out as a good stopping point, and I could just about see my goal getting closer- the flickering of the lights that promised some kind of safe haven.
I pressed forward, the faint lights growing closer with each step. My legs ached, and my body screamed for rest, but I forced myself onward, spurred by the tempting promise of safety. The oppressive darkness that had cloaked the towering trees for so long seemed to thin, replaced by a faint, ethereal glow that illuminated the path ahead.
When I finally emerged from the denser part of the woods, I stopped dead in my tracks. Before me stood a pair of towering stone monoliths, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the moonlight, the shifting patterns now becoming familiar. These were not unlike the ones I had seen before that had stopped the monsters in their tracks. The stones pulsed with a steady, rhythmic light, like the beating of a giant heart. I stared, a mix of awe and trepidation churning in my chest.
“What in the world...” I whispered, stepping closer. The stones radiated a faint warmth, their energy humming through the air like an invisible current.
Glowbug darted from my shoulder and hovered near the stones, its shimmering light blending with their glow. It let out a melodic hum, the sound resonating with the rhythm of the runes. I wavered, my fingers brushing against the rough bark of a nearby tree for support. The stones weren’t the civilization I had hoped for, but they weren’t nothing either.
“It’s safe?” I asked Glowbug, my voice barely above a whisper. The little creature chirped in response, hopping over to hover in the space between the monoliths, and point with a flick of its tail. I followed its gesture, squinting. Beyond the stones, a faint path stretched through the forest, its edges lined with more glowing monoliths like soldiers standing watch.
The path beckoned me forward. My gaze flicked to the shadows beyond the glowing stones, where the forest seemed darker than ever. A chill ran down my spine as I imagined the creatures that might be lurking there, waiting for me to step off the illuminated path.
“Alright, fine,” I muttered, my grip tightening on the makeshift walking stick I’d been using to help me keep my footing. “Let’s see where this goes.” I stepped cautiously between the stones, and warmth washed over me. It wasn’t just physical warmth; it was a comforting presence, as though the stones were reassuring me that I was safe. The fear that had clung to me as a second skin eased slightly, and my shoulders sagged with relief.
The standing stones stood at regular intervals on either side of the path, their light creating a protective corridor that shielded me from the suffocating darkness of the forest. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the stones were alive, their energy responding to my presence.
Glowbug hummed softly as it floated ahead, its tail swaying like a metronome. I followed, my footsteps growing steadier with each step. The path was easier to traverse than the wild forest floor, and for the first time since waking in this strange world, I was making real progress.
The night deepened, the twin moons casting their silver light over the landscape. The path wound through the forest, curving around ancient trees or skirting rocky outcrops. Each time my gaze drifted to the shadowy woods beyond the monoliths, I felt a sharp pang of unease. The darkness seemed to ripple and shift, as though something was watching me from just beyond the stones’ protective light.
“Stay focused,” I muttered to myself, my voice a quiet anchor against the rising tide of fear. “Just keep moving. Don’t look back.” The hours passed in a blur. My exhaustion gnawed at me, but I didn’t dare stop. The thought of the creatures lurking beyond the path’s protective glow kept me moving, one foot in front of the other. Glowbug’s soft light and warm, fuzzy body was a constant comfort, its gentle hum filling the silence like a lullaby.
Eventually, the path began to slope upward, the terrain becoming rockier. I made short, ragged gasps as I climbed, my muscles protesting every step. The monoliths’ glow remained steady, their light guiding through the increasingly rugged landscape. At the crest of the slope, I stopped to rest. The path leveled out, and the forest thinned out a little more. The monoliths’ light grew brighter, their runes pulsing with an intensity that made me squint. In the distance, I could see the edge of the forest, the trees giving way to an open expanse bathed in moonlight.
Relief surged, bringing tears to my eyes. “Almost there,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Just a little farther and I’ll be free of this awful place.” I pushed onward, my steps quickening despite my fatigue. The open expanse drew closer, the monoliths’ light forming a glowing archway at the forest’s edge. I passed between the final pair of stones, the warmth of their energy lingering on my skin like a gentle farewell.
Beyond the forest lay a wide plain, its grassy surface shimmering with dew. In the distance, faint lights twinkled—not the eerie glow of the monoliths, but the warm, golden light of a settlement. My heart leapt at the sight, hope blooming in my chest.
Glowbug chirped excitedly, its light flaring brighter as it darted ahead. I followed it, my steps unsteady but determined. The path behind faded into darkness, the monoliths’ glow no longer visible from the open plain. I glanced back once, a shiver running through me as I imagined the dangers I had left behind.
The journey across the plain was easier, the open landscape a stark contrast to the forest. My exhaustion began to catch up with me, but the sight of the distant settlement kept me moving. Each step brought me closer to safety, closer to answers. As I approached the lights, my mind raced with questions. Who lived here? What kind of world had I been thrust into? Would I be able to talk to the people here without my shut-in nature rearing its ugly head? And, most importantly, would they help? I didn’t have any answers, but for the first time since waking in this strange place, I felt like I was on the verge of finding them.
The lights grew brighter, their warm glow illuminating a cluster of buildings nestled at the edge of a river. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint murmur of voices reached my ears. I stopped at the edge of the settlement, and a mix of fear and hope coursed through me.
Glowbug chirped, its light softening as it perched on my shoulder and curled its tail around my neck like a fuzzy, rainbow-coloured scarf. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Whatever awaited in this settlement, it had to be better than the forest. With weary steps, I crossed into the light, finally leaving the terror of the forest behind.
Name: Harriet Price
Age: 24
Type: Human
Titles: None
Classes: None
Professions: None
Talents: Basic Identify, Basic Survival Instincts, Basic Crafting, Sense Magic
Condition: Fatigue (-2 Physical, -2 Mental), Cold (-1 Physical, -2 Mental), Poor nutrition (-2 Physical, -1 Mental), Low muscle density (-3 Physical, -2 Social)
Attributes:
Vitality: 40/50
Physical: 10(-8)
Mental: 14(-5)
Social: 7(-2)
Luck: 10
Experience: 0/100