AN: Hey everyone, finished my first week back at the college! I want to let you know that based on the syllabus or course structures I probably won't have my upload schedule messed up too much. Additionally, I tried experimenting with this chapter, I tried not to put too much dialogue in this chapter. This was due to most of my chapter being dialogue-heavy, and I also wanted to try exploring different writing styles.
Oh and also I managed to upload this chapter earlier due to writing ahead of time… I should really do that more often.
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Illuminating my way through the cave with my small flashlight I moved at a slow and deliberate pace. Because, as much as I would like to turn the thing off to hide my presence. Having the light on was better than stumbling around in the dark or being unable to see something that could be fatal. As I continued to move through the dry desert cave I noticed the quiet trickling of moving water. Not only that, but as I moved descended deeper into the cave I noticed the bone dry scenery of before was replaced by wet stone and further in mainstay cave features like stalagmites and stalactites started appearing.
*drip* *drip* *drip* and as I reached the lowest part of the cave it had completely morphed and transformed into something so… alien when compared to the barren desert it resides inside of. Pausing for a moment as I took in the strange quietness found only hundreds of feet below the ground. Sure there was the constant white noise of running water but besides that, there was nothing as I explored the previously undisturbed silence.
'I… Might as well fill up on water while I am here.' snapping out of my trance for a moment, I move to the side of the narrow walkway that leads to a steep drop into a swift stream a few feet down. Securing my hands on the ledge and sliding down the side of the wall I reach down with one of my hands and dip my prepared canteens into the stream filling them and throwing them back up onto the path. Afterward, I pulled myself up and made a mental note to boil the water at a later time. Picking up my flashlight and backpack I set aside moments earlier I begin the even slower process of ascending the cave. After all, climbing up the narrow and unfriendly winding paths of the cave would have already been troublesome. Adding in the fact they are slick due to the wet mineral-rich material the ground is made of, meant that my already sluggish pace was further slowed down.
*tack* *tack* echoing through the cramped interior of the cave was the sound of my footfalls as I neared closer and closer to the surface. As evidence of the end of my ascent nearing was the quickly fleeing silence I began to become accustomed to. At first, the sound of running water vanished as I continued to climb in complete silence. Eventually, though, the slight whistle of moving wind began to fill my ears. With the slight scraping of dry stone against my boots, I realized that I would be nearing my destination soon.
*Sigh* after taking a deep breath I quickly made note of the fact that I had relaxed my guard. The dark and quiet atmosphere of the cave was naturally relaxing to me, giving me ample time to lull into a quiet comfortable sense of contentedness as I slowly made my way through the cave.
'All this… need for vigilance and readiness is certainly bad for my health! Though, I kind of need to get used to this until I can fully integrate into the norms of this world… because while there are some similarities with my old world, the differences really pop out, especially when concerning Hunters.' now on dry ground as the cave began to open up a bit, my speed of ascent began to steadily increase.
"Oh…" nearing the surface I began seeing small insects and small critters running around alongside a smattering of greenery. Nothing impressive if you don't consider the context, it was just some moss, vines, and roots along the walls of the cave.
*click* eventually I no longer need the use of the flashlight as the natural light began to trickle into the cave, which was much preferred to the static and harsh white led of my flashlight. Rounding the corner I was met with the sight of the oasis, and it was truly a sight to behold.
'That glimpse from afar didn't really due it justice…' standing within the mouth of the cave I felt the slight warm breeze against my skin as I looked on at the beautiful sight of the sunrise illuminating the valley in warm orange light. Looking at the many trees and wildflowers sway in the winds as small critters running around in the brush. Moving further inwards into the oasis while looking around that large sense of unease I felt before entering the cave came back in full force. Looking around with an uneasy expression on my face I continued to move onwards, soon enough I reached the center of the oasis and by extension the body of water.
'I guess I'll try to restock on supplies, take any and all harvestable resources… no, never mind. I cannot really escape the desert with the water I can hold. I will have to stay here until my flight comes to pick me back up… I just don't like this feeling as I stay here but this still seems to be the best spot to stay.' moving away from the water, I start perusing the flora with my folder in hand while mentally noting what can be harvested now and what can't.
'So some of these need to be sold within a certain timeframe of being picked especially the flowers, while some of the smaller grasses or seeds could be harvested now. Also, while I'm at it, I should try gathering some fruits to eat… seriously, I'm starving.' with a knife in hand, I began moving through the foilage as I accumulated even more sellable items on my increasingly large backpack. And after a while of doing that I decided to take a small break near the lake as I began eating the small collection of fruits and nuts I managed to gather.
"Oi!... What the hell are you doing here brat?" And then in an instant, that same suppressive bad feeling skyrocketed as I heard a voice directly behind me. Though in hindsight, deciding to sit down and eat in the middle of a clearing wasn't the best idea.