Ryn’s eyes barely moved from the mission center hologram, it was like she was glued to it. She raised her watch, and the interface hovering above her wrist, synced with the globe.
As she browsed through the available missions, one in particular caught her eye. The marker blinked over a lush, green area labeled the Tropical Zone. The mission read: "Emergency Signal: Stranded Droppers in the Tropical Zone. Rescue Required."
Ryn's brow furrowed in concern as she dove deeper into the mission details. A group of Droppers had become stranded deep in the jungle, surrounded by hostile Wastes and without the means to escape. It was a high-level mission, but Ryn felt confident in her abilities and in her gear. She looked, wondering why the mission was so high-level if it was only to rescue a few people. She shook the thought and accepted, her watch buzzing with the mission details.
There was a slight problem though. The boats they had used to reach Yaris were barely holding together after the last encounter. She couldn't risk another long sea journey without a reliable vehicle. Determined to find a solution, Ryn turned on her heel and headed out of the chambers, making her way to the military outpost within Yaris.
The outpost was bustling with activity. Soldiers and Droppers alike were preparing for various missions, maintaining equipment, and strategizing. Ryn approached Lysandra, who was overseeing a group of engineers working on a damaged vehicle.
"Lysandra," Ryn called out, her voice cutting through the noise of the busy outpost.
Lysandra looked up, wiping her hands on a rag. "Ryn, good to see you. What can I do for you?"
"I've got a mission to rescue some stranded Droppers in the Tropical Zone," Ryn explained. "But the boats we have won't make it. I need a more reliable vehicle to get there."
Lysandra nodded. "The Tropical Zone is tough terrain. You'll need something that can handle both land and water."
"Do you have anything that fits the bill?" Ryn asked with a hopeful grin.
A smile spread across Lysandra's face as she gestured for Ryn to follow her. They walked through the outpost, passing rows of weapon racks and stacks of supplies, until they reached a large, reinforced garage. Inside, among various military vehicles, was a sleek, abandoned hoverbike.
"This is an old Dropper hoverbike," Lysandra said, patting the bike's metallic frame. "It was left behind during the last big operation. It's got the power and versatility you need. The hoverbike can glide over water and navigate through dense jungle with ease. Oh and if your friends need some, there’s decommissioned bikes at the scrap yard. They can take them to John to get fixed up."
Ryn's eyes widened with excitement as she examined the vehicle. It was in surprisingly good condition, with only minor scratches and dents. The bike's streamlined design and powerful engines promised the speed and agility she needed.
"Thank you, Lysandra," Ryn said, her gratitude evident. "This will make all the difference."
Lysandra nodded. "Take good care of it, Ryn. And good luck out there. The Wastes in the Tropical Zone are particularly vicious."
Ryn mounted the hoverbike, familiarizing herself with its controls. With a nod and smile playfully on her lips, she activated the bike's systems, the engines humming to life with a low, powerful roar.
She looked back at Lysandra one last time. "I'll be back later, don’t wait up." Ryn winked and Lysandra shook her head slightly.
Ryn sped out of the garage, the hoverbike's engines propelling her through the streets of Yaris and toward the dense, untamed wilderness.
Ryn finally arrived at the edge of the Tropical Zone, the vibrant greens of the jungle contrasting sharply with the metallic sheen of her hover bike. She brought the bike to a halt, its engines slowly powering down. Stepping off, she engaged the bike's security features, activating a protective shield that shimmered into place, ensuring no one would be able to tamper with or steal it.
She took a deep breath, the hot and humid air filling her lungs. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and loose strands of hair clung to the back of her neck. She brushed them aside, readjusting her braids and securing them with a light green ribbon. Her watch buzzed softly, projecting a small holographic map showing she was getting closer to the stranded Droppers, but there was still no sign of anyone.
With a haste in her stride, Ryn ventured deeper into the jungle. The foliage was thick and lush, and the air buzzed with the sounds of wildlife. Each step she took was careful and deliberate, her senses on high alert for any danger, and the ground was uneven and covered in tangled roots and vines, making her progress slow but steady.
After what felt like hours of navigating through the vegetation, Ryn finally reached a clearing. She paused, taking in the sight before her. Makeshift buildings had been hastily erected, their structures simple but functional, surrounding what appeared to be an ancient pyramid. The pyramid was partially overgrown with vines and moss, its stone surface weathered by time but still imposing and mysterious.
Ryn moved cautiously toward the camp, her eyes darting around, scanning for any signs of movement. Her watch indicated she was very close now, the signal strong and steady. She could feel the tension in the air, the silence of the clearing only broken by the distant calls of unseen creatures and the rustling of leaves in the hot breeze.
She approached one of the buildings, peering inside. It was empty, with only a few scattered supplies and a bedroll left behind. She moved to the next building, finding similar signs of abandonment. Her watch buzzed again, and she turned her attention to the pyramid. The signal seemed to be coming from inside or nearby.
Ryn took a breath, preparing herself, gripping the bracelet on her wrist, ready to draw her sword at a moment's notice. She carefully approached the base of the pyramid, scanning the area for any threats. The air here felt heavier, as if the ancient structure held secrets and dangers yet to be revealed.
As she examined the pyramid's base, she noticed faint markings on the stone, possibly indicating an entrance or hidden passage. She ran her fingers over the carvings, trying to decipher their meaning. Her watch buzzed more insistently, the signal almost directly beneath her. Suddenly, a noise behind her made her whirl around. She yanked the bracelet from her wrist and with a metallic clang, her nano-sword formed. A figure emerged from the foliage, staggering and looking exhausted. It was one of the stranded Droppers, a young woman with weary eyes and a relieved expression.
"Thank goodness you found us," the Dropper said, her voice weak. "We thought we weren’t going to make it."
"Where are the others?" Ryn asked, looking to the clearing for more survivors.
"They're inside the pyramid," the woman replied, pointing towards a narrow opening partially hidden by vines. "We took shelter there, but some of us were injured and couldn't make it back out."
Ryn nodded, "Let's get them out of there then,”
She helped the young woman towards the entrance of the pyramid, carefully pushing aside the vines to reveal a dark, narrow passageway. The ancient air inside was cool and musty, a welcomed contrast to the humid jungle outside.
With her sword ready and her watch's light illuminating the passage, Ryn led the way into the pyramid. Ryn and the other Dropper stepped inside the pyramid, a sense of unease settled over her. The narrow passageway was dimly lit by the glow from her watch, and eerie shadows danced along the stone walls. The scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation stuck in her nose. Ryn glanced around, her instincts on high alert. Something felt off, but she couldn’t figure out what.
She took a few cautious steps forward, looking at every corner of the passageway. The silence was unnerving, broken by the sound of their footsteps echoing against the walls. Ryn tightened her grip on her weapon, ready to fight it at any sign of danger.
"Where are the others?" Ryn asked, her voice low and tense.
The woman beside her didn't answer. Ryn turned to look at her, and in that moment, the woman let out a laugh—low and demonic, sending chills down Ryn's spine. The sound was entirely inhuman, filled with malice and cruelty.
Before Ryn could react, the vines that adorned the passageway suddenly sprang to life, wrapping around the woman like a parasite binding to its host. Her body contorted and twisted as the vines enveloped her, fusing with her flesh in a grotesque transformation. The woman's eyes glowed with an unnatural light as she laughed again, the sound echoing through the pyramid.
Ryn stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest. "What the hell—?"
She looked down, and her blood ran cold. The floor beneath her was covered in more vines, and lying among them were the other Droppers, their bodies entwined and corrupted by the same parasitic growth. Their eyes were vacant, their faces twisted in agony, and their limbs moved with jerky, unnatural motions.
One of the corrupted Droppers let out a guttural growl, its eyes locking onto Ryn with a violent intent. The creature's movements became aggressive, the vines controlling it like a puppet. Ryn barely had time to react as it lunged at her, claws extended.
With a quick motion, Ryn swung her sword in a wide arc, severing the creature's vine-bound limbs in a spray of dark, viscous fluid. The creature fell to the ground, twitching and writhing as the vines continued to thrash.
More corrupted Droppers rose from the floor, their movements more chaotic and unpredictable than the last. Ryn backed up against the wall, her mind racing. She had to think fast. She couldn't take them all on at once, especially in such close quarters.
The demonic woman laughed again, her voice reverberating through the passageway. "You cannot escape, Dropper. This is where you die."
Ryn's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. The vines were everywhere, creeping along the walls and ceiling, pulsing with a sinister life of their own. She needed to find a way out, and fast.
One of the corrupted Droppers lunged at her, its clawed hand swiping dangerously close. Ryn parried the attack, her sword slicing through the vines with precision. She kicked the creature back, using the brief moment to scan her surroundings.
There, near the far end of the passageway, she spotted a faint glimmer of light—a possible exit through the tick roots. Gritting her teeth, Ryn pushed forward, cutting down any corrupted Dropper that got in her way. Each swing of her sword was deadly, the blade carving a path through the twisted vegetation.
As she neared the light, the demonic woman let out a final, furious shriek. The vines surged towards Ryn, but she was quicker, dodging and weaving through the onslaught. With one last powerful strike, she severed the vines binding the exit, and light flooded the passageway.
Ryn burst through the opening, stumbling into the open air outside. She quickly turned, slamming the ancient stone door behind her and wedging it shut with a fallen branch. Her heart raced, her breaths heavy.
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She looked back at the sealed entrance, hearing the muffled sounds of the demonic laughter and the corrupted Droppers' growls. She had narrowly escaped, but the danger was far from over.
She turned back to the entrance, she couldn’t just run away, that wasn’t her, no. She didn’t go through the rigorous training of becoming an Assault Dropper to just turn away at the sight of danger.
Ryn held her nano-sword tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure. The laughter from within the pyramid still echoed in her ears. She scanned the exterior of the structure, noticing for the first time that it seemed to delve deep into the ground, almost like a hidden laboratory.
"What exactly is this place?" she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she considered her next move. Taking a deep breath, Ryn unwedged the stone door. She could hear the corrupted Droppers on the other side, their movements slow, as if they were aware of her intentions. She positioned herself, ready to strike, and waited for them to emerge.
The first of the corrupted Droppers eased its way through the opening, its eyes glowing with hate. Ryn didn't hesitate. With fluid like motion, she brought her sword down, slicing through the vines and the creature's flesh. It fell to the ground with a wet thud, the vines twitching in its death.
One by one, they came at her. Ryn took them down methodically, and efficiently. Each swing of her sword was powered by a mix of fear and determination. The sun beat down on her, the heat searing her skin and making her sweat even harder, but she pushed through the discomfort, her focus only on killing her enemies.
The demonic woman emerged last, her laughter a haunting melody that sent shivers down Ryn's spine. The vines around her writhed and twisted, ready to strike. Ryn took a deep breath and stepped forward, her sword gleaming in the sunlight.
"You won't stop me," Ryn said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
The woman let out a hiss, the vines lashing out towards Ryn. She dodged and parried, her sword cutting through the air. The battle was fierce, the woman using every trick she had to overpower Ryn. But Ryn's training kept her one step ahead.
With a final strike, she severed the last of the vines connecting the woman to the pyramid. The demonic glow faded from the woman's eyes, and she crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The vines around the pyramid withered and died, their energy dissipating into the air.
Ryn stood there for a moment, her chest heaving with exertion. The battlefield was silent now, the only sound, her breathing. She wiped the sweat from her brow, and breathed a sigh of relief.
She glanced back at the pyramid, its dark entrance still ominous despite the bright sunlight. There were questions that needed answers, and mysteries that needed unraveling.
Ryn took a deep breath and stepped back inside the pyramid. As she advanced, the dim interior gradually brightened, one light flickering on after another. The corridor stretched out before her, straight and narrow, leading to an elevator at the far end. Each step she took echoed softly.
When she reached the elevator, the doors slid open with a soft hiss. She hesitated for a moment, peering inside before stepping in. The doors closed behind her, sealing her inside. The elevator descended rapidly, the sensation making her stomach lurch. She gripped the railing, closing her eyes to steady herself as the floors ticked by.
Finally, it shuddered to a stop and the doors parted. Ryn's eyes widened as she stepped out into what seemed to be a whole different world. The pyramid's exterior may have been ancient, but what lay beneath was a state-of-the-art laboratory, eerily quiet and completely abandoned. The sterile, metallic surfaces gleamed under the flickering fluorescent lights, casting an otherworldly glow. Rows of empty workstations lined the walls, and strange, high-tech equipment stood silently in the corners, covered in a thin layer of dust.
Ryn's heart raced, a mix of adrenaline and unease. She activated her watch and turned on the voice chat, connecting with Kyle and the others. Static crackled in her ear before their voices came through.
"Kyle, Elara, Jax, can you hear me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We hear you, Ryn. What's going on?" Kyle responded, concern in his tone.
"I'm in... some kind of high-tech lab. It’s below a pyramid. The place looks completely abandoned, but it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It’s as if they were conducting experiments here," she explained, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of movement.
"Be careful, Ryn," Elara warned. "We don't know what could be down there."
"I will. I just needed to let you know where I am," Ryn replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll explore a bit more and keep you updated. Stay on the line."
"Understood. We're on our way, but it might take a while to get there," Jax added.
Ryn nodded, even though they couldn't see her, and began to move deeper into the lab. She kept her sword at the ready, its blade humming softly. She passed by glass tubes filled with strange liquids, and shattered computer screens. The lab's desolation only added to the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong here.
Turning a corner, she came across a large observation window looking into a room filled with containment units. Some were cracked open, others still sealed, their contents obscured by frost. Ryn pressed her hand against the glass, trying to see what was inside, but the flickering lights made it difficult.
"Guys, this place is huge. There are containment units here, some of them are broken. I think they were holding something—maybe the source of the corruption," she speculated, her voice hushed.
"Can you find any clues? Anything that might tell us what happened?" Elara asked.
"I'll try," Ryn replied. She moved on, her eyes darting around, looking for anything that might give her a better understanding of the lab's purpose. As she walked past one of the larger computer terminals, it suddenly powered up, screens flashing with data and schematics.
Ryn approached it cautiously. "There's a terminal here. It just turned on by itself."
"See if you can access any information," Kyle suggested.
Ryn tapped a few keys, and the screen shifted to a log entry. The text was filled with scientific jargon, but she managed to glean the essentials: experiments on local flora and fauna, attempts to harness a mysterious energy source, and repeated mentions of "The Silent Moon Project."
"This... this might be what we're looking for," Ryn said, reading the entries aloud. "The Silent Moon Project. It looks like they were or are trying to harness some kind of energy."
Before she could read further, a loud crash echoed through the lab. Ryn spun around, her sword raised. The voice chat crackled with concern.
"Ryn, what's happening?" Jax's voice was tense.
"I'm not sure. Something's here," she whispered, backing away from the terminal.
The lights flickered again, casting shadows. Ryn's heart pounded as she scanned the area, waiting for whatever had caused the noise to reveal itself. She needed to be ready for anything.
She moved cautiously, her grip tightening on her weapon as she approached large metal doors. They slid open with a grating sound, revealing a vast room with a long metal walkway leading to a circular platform in the center. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from flickering overhead lights. The walls were coated with a thick, black ooze that glistened under the sparse light.
Ryn stepped onto the walkway, her senses on high alert. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals and decay. As she moved closer to the platform, she heard a wet, slithering sound above her. She looked up just in time to see something detach from the ceiling and fall to the floor with a sickening splat. The black ooze began to writhe and shift, coalescing into a monstrous form.
Her watch vibrated, and a name appeared above the creature: Beilal.
Ryn's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight before her. Beilal was a towering mass of black ooze and muscle, its body pulsating with a sickly, dark energy. Its head was a grotesque circular saw, its jaw dislocated to reveal rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth. The creature let out a low, growl that shook the room, making Ryn's skin crawl.
"Ryn, what's happening?" Kyle's voice crackled through her watch.
"I've encountered something... big. Its name is Beilal. It's another boss," Ryn responded, her voice steady.
"Hang in there, we're on our way," Jax replied.
Ryn took a deep breath, focusing on the creature before her. She knew she couldn't wait for the others. Beilal roared, a sound like grinding metal, and lunged at her with surprising speed. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's attack. Her nano-sword glowed brightly as she activated her new skill, delivering a slice that did double damage. She aimed for Beilal's legs, hoping to slow it down.
The blade cut through the ooze, and Beilal let out a deafening screech, black ichor spraying from the wound. But the creature was relentless. It swung its saw-like head toward her, and she had to leap back to avoid being shredded. She could feel the heat of the battle, the sweat trickling down her back despite the cold, sterile environment.
Beilal's attacks were unrelenting, each swing of its head and swipe of its claws coming closer and closer to connecting. Ryn danced around the platform, using every ounce of her agility and training to stay one step ahead. She focused on the creature's movements, looking for any pattern or weakness she could exploit.
As she dodged another attack, she noticed that Beilal seemed to hesitate slightly whenever it reared back to strike with its saw-head. Taking a calculated risk, she waited for the moment it began to pull back, then darted in close, delivering a powerful strike to its exposed neck.
The creature howled in pain, the ooze quivering and pulling away from her blade. Encouraged, Ryn pressed the attack, striking again and again in quick succession. Each blow weakened Beilal, its movements growing more sluggish. But the fight was far from over.
Beilal roared and slammed its massive fists onto the platform, sending shockwaves through the metal. Ryn was thrown off balance, barely managing to stay on her feet. The creature took advantage of her momentary stumble, lunging forward and catching her with a glancing blow that sent her sprawling. Her body core indicator on her watch flashed red, indicating critical damage.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, Ryn quickly accessed her inventory and used a Health Core. The device injected a surge of energy into her system, stabilizing her vital signs and restoring her health. She pushed herself up and faced Beilal once more. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Drawing on every ounce of her strength and skill, she charged at Beilal, her sword slicing through the air with lethal precision.
Beilal's attacks were brutal and unforgiving. Ryn dodged and parried, but not without taking several more hits. One particularly vicious swipe from the creature's claws caught her across the chest, sending her sprawling again. Her body core dipped dangerously low, but she managed to roll away and regain her footing.
She knew she had to end this fight quickly. Using her enhanced agility, she darted in close and delivered a series of rapid attacks to Beilal's vulnerable points. Each hit weakened the creature further, until it was barely able to move. With a final, powerful blow, she drove her sword deep into Beilal's core.
The creature let out a final, agonized scream before collapsing into a pool of black ooze. Ryn stood there, panting, her body trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. Her watch beeped, indicating the end of the battle.
She glanced at the screen, seeing the reward: 1500 XP. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her watch vibrated again, signaling an incoming message.
"Ryn, are you okay?" Kyle's voice was filled with concern.
"I'm... I'm okay," she replied, her voice shaky but triumphant. "Beilal is down. I'm heading back."
"Great job, Ryn. We'll see you soon," Elara said, letting out a sigh.
Ryn took one last look at the room, then turned and made her way back to the elevator. Once she made it back to the outside, she was met with a wave of relief as she saw Kyle, Elara, and Jax waiting for her. They rushed over, concern etched on their faces.
"Ryn, are you sure you’re okay?" Kyle asked, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury.
"I'm fine," Ryn said, offering a tired smile. "Just a bit battered, but nothing I can't handle."
Elara looked at her with worry. "You took down that thing by yourself? That's incredible."
Ryn nodded, her thoughts drifting back to the battle. "Yeah, but it wasn't easy. I don't know what The Silent Moon Project is exactly, but I’m sure it has something to do with the corruption and the Wastes. There have to be more labs like this one, and maybe we'll find more answers."
Jax frowned, contemplating her words. "It makes sense. If this project is behind the corruption, then finding and shutting down these labs might be our best shot at stopping it."
"But right now," Ryn continued, "we need to head back to Yaris. I need to rest and eat something desperately. And I think we all deserve a break."
Back in Yaris, Ryn found herself relaxing more than she had in a long time. She and her friends sat at a small outdoor café, enjoying a meal and watching the lively street scenes around them.
"This is nice," Kyle said, leaning back in his chair with a contented sigh. "It's easy to forget how beautiful this world can be when we're constantly fighting for our lives."
Ryn nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah, it's moments like this that remind us why we're fighting. To protect places like Yaris and the people who live here."
Elara raised her glass. "To us, and to hopefully finding the answers we need to save Abos."
They clinked their glasses together. The night wore on, filled with laughter, stories, and a renewed sense of purpose. Ryn knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but as she looked around at her friends, she knew that they would be able to face whatever came their way.