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Cain slowly span on his heels and made out two red eyes staring back at him.
"Arfghghhh nooii", he screamed out in a high pitched voice and once again ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
It seemed that he was winding himself deeper into the trap the dark expanse presented to its unfortunate visitors. It remained the same in all directions, tall trees for as far as the eye could see, which wasn't much at all.
Completely panicked, Cain forgot to use the sense he had gained and barrelled into trees without abandon. The loud noises he made attracted all manner of nasties towards himself.
The more he travelled, the more the shadows stirred. As he ran blindly, he attracted a small entourage of predators, all waiting for the chance for the weak prey to stumble or fall. None swooped down in case they became a meal for the others, but they still followed the easy wholesome meal.
Looking over his shoulder every two minutes was a wasted effort as the boy could barely see past the nearest tree. He did it anyway, the little comfort it gave him was enough to think he was getting away. He ran and ran until he could no longer feel the cold sweat on the back of his nape.
…
One by one the amount of predators dropped off, realising the easily meal wouldn’t be as easy if it continued. The biggest ones persisted, hoping to snatch it with their strength, or remain till the other left.
The further the prey went the less the pursuers chased.
Finally, the last one stopped chasing with a huff and turned around in hopes of killing some of the weaker followers of the boy. It had no qualms against cannibalising its own species. Anything to get stronger and survive, maybe even move closer to the middle of the expanse.
Θ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ ΞΘ Δ ∪ ∀Δ Ξ
“What is this place”, Cain said out loud. After running and running, he had reached a clearing. The first he had ever seen inside the dark expanse. It was still small, barely twenty meters in diameter, but it was a complete mystery.
How come no trees are growing in this part of the expanse. They even form a perfect circle. Oh wait, there is one tree.
Cain found the clearing even more mysterious as he saw a strange tree in the centre. It was made completely of metal with red veins pulsing in an out. Each pulse emitting a similar red haze that presided over his soul’s sea towards him. Its the red particle again, I can’t even sense any natural energy anywhere in this place. Only the red stuff floats everywhere.
Slowly edging forward to the centre of the clearing Cain could make out the strange supports at the base of the tree. But before he could even take a step forward the scarlet particles in the air began to slowly accumulate, rippling in tumultuous clouds. “Oh”, a small gasp left the mouth of the boy realising that he was still in danger and tried to escape. But before he could even take a step back, the scarlet particles surged to him and engulfed his body crackling and entering his body through his wounds.
“ARGH”
Cain screamed as the particles entered his body reopening the wound on his arms and finding every opening it could. It forced open his mouth and traved down his throat. His scream turned into a choked cough as the particles even blocked his nose. I can’t even breathe , he though as he fell to his knees with his head on the ground.
As strange voice echoed in his head, whispering one thing over.
Grow to defy, connect to qualify.
Cain was only baffled for a second before his throat began to constrict and the blood vessels in his eyes burst colouring his eyes red. Just as Cain thought he couldn’t take it anymore, the particles disappeared.
Curled up on the floor taking in deep breaths, he realised that all the small nicks he had built up from running had disappeared. Removing the make shift bandage from his forearm he gasped, the entire wound was scabbing over. It looks like I had this injury for months.
The scarlet particles had a greater effect than just healing his wound as he looked inwards. His soul sea had completely transformed from clear to a light shade of scarlet. I remember the instructor mentioning the soul sea changing colour ensured that a person had reached first stage warrior.
Even though not having a companion would severely limit any capabilities he could use, if any, it still meant that he had done something no-one back in Starsk thought was possible. Cain was jumping in excitement and yelled out; “Take that!!.”
But even the dangers of where he was couldn’t contain his excitement.
I broke through into the ranked stage by myself. Well, with the help of this strange scarlet stuff. If I could just subdue a beast in this place and make it my companion, I could definitely reach the other side of the dark expanse.
Lost in his happy thoughts, Cain completely missed the not so subtle changes that occurred in the metal tree in-front of him.
PHSSSSSSSSSSS.
The sound of escaping air immediately snapped him out of his reverie and onto the balls of his feet. Although he was in the dark expanse for under two days, his survival instinct had already begun to ingrain it-self into all of his actions.
The supports of the tree had turned into an open case.
“What on earth!!” Cain exclaimed as he realised that on top of the case appearing the middle of the tree had become of statue.
“How is that even standing?” he asked himself.
The carving of the statue hollowed out the centre of the metal tree which somehow balanced precariously on the surrounding metal. Slowly approaching closer, he realised that the man’s eye glowed red and an ominous smile decorated his face.
“Is this a grave of a master? Is that the voice I heard” asking both himself and the statue, hoping to get some kind of response.
Stumbling onto the tomb of a master was thought to bring great luck. In fact the only explorations into the dark expanse was solely for this fact alone, the items and abilities stored in these tombs were to alluring to cultivators of any rank.
Looking down inside of the case that the tree released he began to smile. A scarlet red spear lay in the bottom. The spear itself gave of a baleful aura, its razor sharp diamond shaped tip glowed red feeling like it had already been doused in the blood of its victims.
…
Day 3
Cain was practicing stabbing against a tree.
Bang, bang, bang.
Each hit was punctuated by a grunt of the boy. Regardless of the effort he put behind the blows, his small frame couldn’t generate enough power be a killing blow of any sort and he knew this. Finally taking a break from banging against the tree he sat down and rubbed his grumbling stomach.
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I haven’t eaten anything since those disappearing fruits. At least the beasts don’t come near the tomb.
Cain only realised this was true when he discovered he couldn’t find anything alive inside of the clearing except for him. Bugs, fruits and beast all seemed to steer clear of the space. The feeling was bittersweet, he had found some place safe but it didn’t allow him to remain there. Feeling disheartened, he knew he had to leave the clearing or risk starving to death.
…
Cain lay down in the darkness while severely regretting his decision of trying to find more of the fruits he discovered before. I can’t believe I couldn’t find anything after searching for so long! He even came prepared. In an attempts not to get lost again, especially after finding a safe spot such as the clearing, he decided to slash trees with the spear wherever he went so he could find his way back.
However, after searching for what seemed like hours Cain had heard scuffling and hid in the bushes where he was now. Keenly observing every movement, he smothered the flat side of the spearhead under chest. Although this spear looks cool and really powerful, its weird red glowing will give my position away in an instant.
Still waiting for the source of the sound to move past him, Cains’ back began to sweat and he couldn’t stop his hand from shaking. The sound slowly became louder until he sensed something in his peripheries. Turning his head towards the source his body tensed until he squeaked in shock.
How can something so little survive in the dark expanse , Cain thought to himself, unaware of the irony in the statement.
The little creature was rooting through the undergrowth of the forest looking for insects and occasionally chewing on the grass it found. It had long ears which cocked back and swivelled constantly searching for danger. The black fur made it almost invisible in the darkness and it had four sturdy looking legs. It looks like a sleek dog . Although he shuddered when it opened its jaws to chomp down on the grass and revealed a row of long glistening teeth.
Cain felt a pang of hunger in his stomach when he saw the animal and grasped the shaft of the spear ready to attack it. Although he was completely repulsed by the sight of blood in the city, now all he could think of was the ready to eat meal in-front of him. He wasn’t even completely sure he could kill the damn animal. I have to try at least. It’s probably the weakest thing here.
Getting ready to spring on the back of the unsuspecting animal, it suddenly tensed. Looking back, its head jerked in all directions and its ears swivelled frantically. Crap, it heard me , Cain thought stopping himself from moving yet. Before he could rush out of the bush a sudden whistle rang out from above and a large bird dove down. In an instant the bird’s talons tore up the dog’s body like paper and ripped open its insides without even giving it the chance to move or make a sound.
Laying there not daring to make a move Cain held his breath. He was so close to the unaware beast that the blood of the animal had splattered onto his face and shoulders. He didn’t even try to wipe the blood that was slowly dripping down his cheek.
An hour later he remained stock still. The bird like beast had left a while ago, but Cain wasn’t sure if it was a ruse just to get him to leave the shadows and suffer a similar death.
While he remained still as a statue he couldn’t help but think; If every predator preys on something here, maybe some animals are weak and don’t eat meat. That small animal must be one that even I could stand a chance against. Even though Cain thought he could fight it, he didn’t know if could actually win. The fact that the weakest animal in the dark-expanse had such sharp teeth and a sturdy looking frame made him shiver.
…
This time Cain had learned from his mistake and painstakingly backtracked, silently and laying in the bushes again waiting for any signs of a Blackear, as he’d taken to calling the animal. He had changed spots multiple times, becoming increasingly hungry every time. Finally he had found one grazing and gotten ready to pounce.
I have to be look everywhere , he thought while looking around him, especially above. The bird like beast had scarred him and now he would always look above him when he scanned his surroundings for danger.
Again he tightened his grip on the shaft of his spear and edged closer, pausing when the Blackear looked up and moving forward when the Blackear bent its head or turned. Slowly but surely he approached the animal which was completely unaware it was being stalked by a not so fearsome predator.
Cain didn’t stop until he was five meters away and a still under a bush. Taking a deep breath he sprang out and thrusted forward with the spear aiming for the.
“Bleeeeeeh”
Somehow the Blackear managed to react in time and Cain just skewered its back thigh. The Blackear began to bleat louder.
“Bleeeh, Bleeh.”
The whites of its eyes showed in anger as it realised the threat was only a small human, even weaker that itself. Swaying back, the animal lurched forward with its mouth wide open and shot forward aiming for the boys’ face. Without a time to think Cain fell to the side and scrambled backwards narrowly missing the sharp teeth in its maw.
I have to kill it quick, it’s making too much noise , Cain thought worriedly. He already learned what happened to weak and loud things in the dark expanse. However, his spear was still embedded in the back leg of the Blackear. Crouching low he realised the animal had swayed back again and readied itself in the same way opening its mouth.
Even injured, the beast was abnormally fast and its’ black hair which blended with the darkness did not help Cain in the slightest. After tensely dodging and being scratched a couple time he realised that the Blackear followed the same pattern of attacking. It would always sway back and burst forward with its mouth open.
If I had my spear I could easily kill it , he thought to himself as the teeth of the Blackear reached closer to his face than ever before.
Ducking backwards trying to make some space between them, Cain cried out in horror as he discovered his foot was caught under the roots of a tree beside him. Before he could disentangle himself the Blackear stared maliciously and dived forwards, only a meter away from his tender face.
“BLEEH.”
The beast shrieked.