Chips of wood were still falling to the ground as the ringing began to fade. The sounds of cheering and questioning voices replaced the deafening ring of the cannon's fire. The men gathered recognized the strange silvery-white hue of the flash powder. Some roared in anger while others cheered for The Operator. Standing with triumph written on his face he shouted toward the blacksmith who still seemed displeased, " It worked! I told you! We can do all kinds of things to save your people!" Though The Operator couldn't hear what Falen had said he was almost sure he read, "at what cost?" On the man's lips before he had looked down and turned towards his home.
Soon arguments broke out between the shepherds surrounding the cannon.
"It's dangerous! We shouldn't be messing with any of that stuff!"
"It may be the only way to survive the beasts!"
"We lost so many of our friends and family!"
"The beasts have taken more!" Shouted the Elder finally silencing the crowd. "This stranger here has given us a chance by showing his knowledge! We promised him a chance in exchange and he shall get it!" The Elder glared at The Operator. "Well done, but there is no more of that in the whole village, how do you plan to help us now?"
Over joyed and full of himself The Operator exclaimed "I'll go get more!" Which brought looks of disappointment and concern. "What?" The Elder stepped forward and voiced his concern. "The mines reside near the old city! Those who have tried to explore don't return because of the heavy occupation of beasts..it's almost as if the people were turned before they could flee..we fear no one has escaped." A look of strain appeared on The Operator's face as he recalled images of the way the plague spread. After shaking away the image of exchanging hands The Operator looked at the men surrounding him and sighed. Looking at the Elder he spoke, " I cannot imagine the horrors that reside outside the walls nor the ones your people have faced. I have a plan, and with enough luck I won't be eaten alive! I'm not asking anyone to come with me, and I only wish for a few weapons to give myself a chance!" The Elder simply looked down and said "You may do as you wish, please do proceed with caution. This world is not like yours."
The Operator left the group who remained to marvel at the cannon and blown apart tree and went towards Falen's home. He wasn't one to wait when something could be done, and wasn't interesting in the bickering between those who remained. After a short walk he knocked on the door of the blacksmiths home. The forge wasn't running and the light was dim inside but The Operator felt that Falen was a loner and wouldn't likely be anywhere else. After waiting patiently he decided to knock again, giving Falen a moment before calling out," You are the only one with what I need to survive going out there! The sooner I leave the better, and I'm sure we can both agree but for different reasons.." he paused hoping the door would be opened. Soon the door created open and with a sullen face Falen greeted The Operator. "What do you need?"
The Operator sat with Falen as they discussed methods to keep him safe on his journey. The Operator had asked for a few nets large enough to restrain the creatures long enough he could flee. He also considered a few of their flaming clubs, and a shield, to be useful. The operator waited and watched as Falen had begun rummaging through his storage. After a time Falen had set a few weighted nets to the side and pulled out a spiked heater shield. Falen stood there a moment contemplating before turning to The Operator and gesturing at the shield,"Would this keep you alive? You won't stab yourself in the neck with the corners?" Falen looked down on The Operator, unsure if he had ever held a shield, let alone one that could harm the user if improperly handled. The Operator didn't take offense, but stood up and said, "I have never practiced anything like that, but if you'll show me, I'm sure I'll catch on." Falen strapped the shield to his arm, and while the shield was light and not quite as big as a kite shield, it looked like a toy on his arm. Falen passed The Operator a metal rod from the corner and gestured for him to swing at him.
Clang! Falen effortlessly blocked The Operators swing, choosing to take the strike flat against the shield. "Do not do this." Falen said, lowering the shield and explaining further. "While I am much stronger than you, blocking a strike directly from a beast may cost you. Come, again!" Falen raised the shield to parry the next strike. The Operator swung the rod at Falen. Rather than taking the strike directly, as the rod neared, Falen tilted the angle of the shield so the rod bounced away. Continuing his move Falen shoved the flatter front of the shield into the operator lightly to push him away. "Use the angles of the shield to parry and keep moving. You've encountered the beasts and know how difficult slaying one can be." The Operator rolled his shoulder and nodded. He gestured to the nets and said to Falen, " The nets are to buy me time. I'll grab as much as I can find and get it back here some way." The Operator said with some uncertainty. Falen gave The Operator a look of sympathy, and this look unsettled him. The Operator knew what he was facing and was unsure if a few nets, a shield, and some torches would keep him alive. He took a deep breath and shook the feeling off.
"What can you tell me about how to get to the mine?" He asked Falen as they placed the gear in a pile near the door. The two sat for a few hours discussing routes and contemplating methods to help The Operator survive his grueling endeavor. Soon, feeling weary, the two of them chose to rest before The Operators journey. Nightmares and visions plagued The Operator as he attempted to rest. Visions of darkness rolling across the lands and a maniac man wearing tattered robs creeping through dark caverns flashed through his mind like lightning. He awoke in a cold sweat hoping the monk hadn't found him. The night sky remained dark, and being unsure how long he'd rested, the lull of sleep crept back over him. The visions continued to plague him, and his rest was constantly disturbed by nightmarish images and hallucinations. Soon, The Operator decided he had enough and decided to gather his gear. "Goodbye Falen," he said as he turned to leave. He was unsure if he would see them again, and as the door creaked shut behind him the dread of the nightmarish world returned in full. Many of the surviving shepherds were clearly worn down as they labored in the dark and guarded their walls. As The Operator walked towards the exit that lead towards the mine they all stopped their toils to watch him leave. The thick darkness consuming the light of his torch until it was snuffed from their vision.