A sudden gasp of cold wind cut through the silent, oppressive air as Osric's eyes violently snapped open, his hands instinctively hurling a handful of searing capsaicin powder into the ominous void before him. His defensive swing cut through the air in a swift, fluid motion. An unseen entity recoiled, retreating into the brooding dark forest veil, thwarted and stinging from the unexpected assault.
Brandishing his spear, Osric studied the creature that sought to pray upon him. The forest was a world of chaos, an unforgiving realm where the cruel laws of nature held unchallenged reign. It was a realm of chaos, a volatile blend of predator and prey, each following the same unforgiving law: kill or be killed. It mattered not whether one planned for encounters or established routines; nature played by its own rules, unbound by the constraints of human expectation. When a creature marked you as its prey, the merciless decree of survival was simple: fight and win, or flee and hope the escape became successful.
He focused on his assailant with grim determination. The creature bore a lanky body crowned with four agile arms, allowing it to scamper swiftly across the rugged terrain and scale vertical surfaces with enviable ease. From the creature's spider-like head sprouted a grotesque array of eyes, multiple orbs that glittered with a malevolent glint. Sharp fangs jutted out from its maw, and the monkey-like tail, long and sinuous, twitched with anger. Its dark, mossy fur seemed to drink in the shadows of the surrounding wilderness, blending its form seamlessly into the enveloping darkness.
This was a spidermoneky. This particular one bore telltale signs of previous combat; a raw, torn ear and an inflamed abdomen were proof of its violent encounter.
A feral growl rumbled from the creature, its face contorted in an expression of hostility and suffering. The caustic capsaicin powder clung to its fur and skin, searing painful trails into its flesh. The creature was young; its antennae - an age-marker for its species - were still prominent, indicating its adolescence. Unless it bore other mutations or variations, this spider monkey was likely in the middle stages of refining. Unlike humans, most wild creatures refined their bodies instinctively, the distribution of refinement dependent on the type of species.
Spider monkeys, known for their agility and mobility, would swing from the towering forest canopy, their arboreal grace a stark contrast to their fierce appearance. Predominantly herbivorous, they launched sticky webs from their palms as a defensive measure, often preferring escape over confrontation once the aggressor was immobilized. Their somewhat pacifist nature was well known, adding a disquieting layer of uncertainty to the current predicament. Spider monkeys were typically found in the transitional zones that bordered the outer and inner regions of the Sormatilian forest and were rarely known to exhibit unwarranted aggression. Yet, this particular specimen had broken away from the pack, deliberately stalking and engaging Osric in what seemed to be a desperate battle for survival.
Keen to maintain his advantage, Osric widened the gap between himself and the beast, placing him at an ideal range for spear attacks, giving him the room he needed to effectively leverage his weapon. In response, the spider monkey visibly tensed, its powerful muscles rippling beneath the moss-colored fur. It bared its sharp, menacing fangs, an instinctual display in front of a threat.
Osric lunged forward, his spear held steady in a perfect line with the beast's vulnerable midsection. Yet, the creature was quick, its body darting away with a surprising burst of speed that allowed it to evade the fatal stab. Not one to be easily deterred, Osric adjusted his grip on the weapon, rolling his wrist in a practiced maneuver that redirected the spear's initial momentum from a piercing stab into a robust, horizontal slam. With a swift, powerful motion, the spear crashed into the creature's chest, the force of the impact resonating through the wooden shaft of the weapon. The beast let out a pained screech that reverberated hauntingly through the still forest air.
As the spidermonkey reeled back, its body swaying dangerously from the force of the impact, Osric instinctively took a step back. He maintained his guard, eyes scanning the creature's every move. Its hostile posture had evaporated, replaced with a palpable aura of desperation. Fear and confusion seeped out from the creature, replacing the air of aggression that had dominated the clearing moments before.
Upon closer inspection, Osric noted the hollow, nearly skeletal aspect of its limbs. They were devoid of the muscular vitality that was a hallmark of the species. Its fur, which should have been a rich, vibrant black, was dull and patchy—the irregular pattern resembling a diseased canvas more than the sleek coat of a thriving animal.
The spider monkey paused, its array of eyes flicking over Osric, a hint of uncertainty replacing the earlier hostility. Then, as if making a decision, it suddenly turned and darted away. Its agile form disappeared amongst the thick foliage, retreating from the confrontation with its characteristic nature.
As Osric watched the silhouette disappear, he pondered. The creature was clearly malnourished and potentially injured internally. It looked like his camouflage worked a bit too well. It was likely it had been drawn by the scattered koala leaves – part of his cloaking gear – mistaking them for a much-needed meal. Its approach, however, was met with defensive aggression, and after a quick and unfavorable skirmish, it wisely decided to retreat.
Osric glanced upward, eyes narrowing as he assessed the patchy canopy of clouds that cloaked the sky. The fickle rays of sunlight filtering through hinted at the approaching dusk. His original plan had been to rest from afternoon till twilight, and then under the protection of nightfall, make his way toward the lingering scent of blood that still hung heavy in the air. However, circumstances had altered his plans.
"My body feels fine," he mused, choosing action over rest. Swiftly, he began to gather his koala leaf blanket, folding it with practiced ease before tucking it into his bag. He proceeded to collect the components of the alarm system he'd scattered around his resting site. The system, a network of strings designed to vibrate at an intruder's approach, had given him the crucial moments he needed to react to the spider monkey's ambush. Satisfied with his rapid response, Osric prepared for his next move.
Osric descended from the arboreal heights; his nimble movements stirred the old, weathered wood, sending clouds of ash drifting lazily down onto the forest floor, the particles dancing like gray snow in the quiet air. Landing with a soft thud, he felt the comforting give of the damp earth beneath his boots. He ventured toward the source of the scent, which was likely a massive slaughter fest, guiding him deeper into the forest's heart. His plan was tentative, kept flexible to adapt to the myriad of unpredictable situations the wilderness might throw at him. His current objective was clear, though - gather as many useful ingredients as he could.
As he navigated the labyrinthine paths of the forest, the tree giants around him seemed to grow even more colossal. Their enormous forms spiraled upwards, their towering peaks vanishing into the gloomy sky. Their trunks, already imposing, swelled in girth, their rough bark etched with gnarled patterns.
His journey led him past an array of various vegetation, While he recognized many, he was also met with the unique presence of some specimens he had yet to encounter. One plant, in particular, stood out among the rest - a stand of broad, heart-shaped leaves traced by distinctive purple veins. It was an eetherbloom, a rare herb known for its psychoactive properties. Its leaves, when consumed, would induce vivid dreams and enhance the recollection of those dreams.
He found the plant unassumingly nestled in the underbrush. As a precaution, he tossed a ball of meat paste into the nearby area, observing for any reactions. When nothing occurred, he approached the eetherbloom. With a practiced hand, plucking a few leaves and delicately placed them in a pouch he carried.
As he continued his exploration, Osric stumbled upon a small grove bathed in dappled sunlight. The ground beneath was covered in a thick layer of moss. Intrigued, Osric bent down to examine the most closely. To his delight, he recognized it as serenity moss, a plant known for its calming effects. Osric carefully gathered a handful of the delicate moss, storing it in a separate pouch.
He delved deeper, he saw many more. Some specimens drew him in with their promise of practical utility, while others, their latent dangers overshadowing any potential benefits, were left undisturbed in their natural homes. Among his carefully curated finds were blossombrom, a vibrantly hued plant prized for its potent energy-enhancing capabilities; shimmerweed crown, whose delicate leaves could be transformed into a natural camouflage paste; and the oddly named laughingroot, a tuberous herb that, when chewed, triggered bouts of uncontrollable laughter but increased healing.
The suns began to set, their light chased away by the encroaching darkness; Osric took inventory of his abundant herb collection. His pouches were filled with a diverse assortment. Satisfied with his harvest, Osric decided to find a suitable spot to rest before proceeding with the nocturnal trek. He found an empty creek bed, an ideal location to lie low and tend to his body's needs.
The daytime of the Sormatilian forest was ruled by the various creatures that resided in their corners, each protective of their own territory. However, in the nighttime, when the protection of the sunlight dwindled away, the more unnatural inhabitants of the forest reared their heads, and animals went into hiding. Unusual creatures, more mystical and terrifying in nature, emerged from the depths of the forest, their presence both captivating and unsettling.
The air grew thick with a sense of foreboding, and the atmosphere became charged with otherworldly energy. The ambient forest noises of the day were replaced by an unnerving stillness, broken occasionally only by cryptic calls and rustic snarls. Strange calls and cackles echoed through the trees, belonging to creatures unseen and unfamiliar. The shadows deepened, stretching and distorting, and the safety zones of daylight were swallowed by the dangers of the night. The forest shed its benign daytime facade, revealing a menacing nighttime persona.
Amidst this shifting ambiance, Osric lay, his nerves strained to their limits, his senses amplified to an almost painful intensity. The forest, now more than ever, felt like a living entity, its tendrils of darkness closing in, suffocating him with its oppressive, omnipresent gloom. Shadows danced and flickered, playing tricks on his mind. Just as he steeled himself for the inevitable plunge into the deeper forest, a spine-chilling howl tore through the silence of the night. Osric paused, his attention seized by the haunting sound, and he listened with an air of wary alertness.
Cautiously, Osric peeked out from his makeshift refuge.
There they were, the grotesque abominations. Their gaunt silhouettes barely discernible against the suffocating darkness, shapes shifting like wraiths in the corners of his eyes. Wendigos. Twisted parodies of natural life. Their bodies, cadaverously thin, were draped in ragged, frost-bitten flesh that clung to the jutting bones underneath like worn-out parchment. They were tall, towering over the forest undergrowth, their skeletal bodies disturbingly elongated. Their limbs hung at unnatural angles, ending in long, crooked claws that could tear through flesh and bone with ease.
Where one would expect eyes, there were only deep, dark pits of unfathomable abyss, seemingly to swallow all light, all hope. No eyes, but they saw. Their eyes glowed with a feral hunger. They bore no mouths, but from the smooth surface of their faces, guttural growls and piercing screams erupted, creating a chilling symphony of the damned. Horns, sharp and menacing, spiraled out from their skulls, scraping the low-hanging branches of the trees, casting erratic, grotesque shadows that danced and distorted with every movement.
They moved in a sickening, jerking fashion as if each motion was a struggle against the very laws of nature. Every footfall echoed in the silent forest, a bone-rattling reminder of their monstrous presence. They sniffed the air in unison, their nostrils flaring wide. Then, as if commanded by some unseen force, they turned their faceless heads towards Osric's hideout.
Osric found himself holding his breath, he found his heart pounding erratically, his body unwillingly trembling in response to the sheer level of difference in life force between him and them.
Fortunately, as if unimpressed, they moved on. For the night was still young, and the wendigos were on the prowl.
He was already testing his limits coming into the forest in the daytime, but now he was just being reckless if he traveled at night. However, danger coexisted with opportunity, and if he were careful and a bit lucky, he would be able to get to the slaughter fest faster and quicker if he moved in the night undercover of the unnatural.
As the eerie silhouette of the forest replaced the retreating wendigos, Osric felt a surge of anxiety more intense than anything he'd experienced since his rebirth. A premonition curled around his spine, his instincts shrieking warnings he dared not ignore. His muscles were taut with adrenaline, urging him to flee. Clenching his teeth, he subdued his rising panic, slowly turning to face the source of his fear.
A chilling sight greeted him—a cluster of disembodied eyes levitating in mid-air, each connected to a writhing, sinewy tongue. The eyes darted and twitched in their orbits before unerringly locking their gaze onto him. His veins throbbed under the strain of his terror. In perfect unison, the eyes blinked, the grotesque tongues gently grazing his cheek with a chilling caress.
His survival instinct screamed at him, clamoring for him to escape this petrifying spectacle. But Osric rebelled against this primal urge. Instead, he leaned further into the abomination, reflecting the grotesque tongues' actions and licking the floating eyeballs. Each lick from the spectral tongues was answered with one of his own, creating an eerie back-and-forth between the two. The only sound in the air, the sleuthing of the tongue licking each other. As Osric licked the last eyeball, the cluster broke into a ghoulish laugh that gradually subsided into a chuckle before disintegrating into a mist that drifted away into the night.
Osric sunk to the ground, his body trembling with exertion and residual fear. He had been perilously close to death, his swift reaction the only thing that saved him. He felt a rush of gratitude at having encountered a neutral phenomenon. Had it been hostile, he likely wouldn't have seen another sunrise.
His body continued to tremble uncontrollably. Despite his efforts, his body seemed to have a mind of its own, betraying him in his dire situation. The overwhelming disparity in their life forces left him utterly oppressed, rendering his feeble attempts at resistance futile. If only he had reached the Expert Tempering Tier in his bodily control, he would have been able to quell the residual shock permeating his being. Alas, he would need to seek alternative methods to calm his body's traumatized state.
Crawling on trembling limbs, Osric inched closer to his bag, every movement a monumental effort against the violent shivers that plagued him. His hands, shaking like leaves in a storm, rummaged through the bag, clumsily extracting a selection of herbs. He drew out laughingroot, eetherbloom, muskturion sap, a twist of inkrid venom, and many others, creating a small heap of diverse flora on the ground before him.
His eyes scanned the immediate area in desperate search of an adequate stone, eventually landing on a flat, smooth rock not far away.
"Huff, Huff," even the most basic movement seemed a herculean task, his labored breaths echoing in the small creek.
With numerous failed attempts due to his spasming fingers, he eventually secured the stone, using it to painstakingly grind the herbs together. The process was riddled with difficulty, the plant matter often slipping from his feeble grip. However, his efforts were not in vain. The crushed herbs released their potent oils, merging into a strong, aromatic mixture.
Summoning the last dregs of his strength, Osric swiped his tongue across the herb-infused ground, ingesting the potent mixture. The taste was a harsh blend of bitter herbs and earthy dirt, but the discomfort was short-lived. The effects kicked in almost instantly, a wave of warmth coursing through his chilled veins.
The laughingroot gave his body some respite, easing the tension his body felt and making him more relaxed; he used its side effect of laughing as the main reason for the dose. Eeetherbloom leaves enhanced his cognitive state. Muskturion sap, used mainly to stop itching, had the side effect of causing numbness, which he ingested to slow down his bodily functions. Inkrid Venom used to cause pain was used as the catalyst for him to override the feeling of shock, replacing fear with pain. Other herbs worked in synergy, amplifying these effects.
Bit by bit, his shivers began to subside, and his racing heart fought to find a steady rhythm. The crushing dread that had been his constant companion since the encounter started to wane, albeit reluctantly. The vice-like grip of fear was finally loosening.
A sigh of relief escaped Osric's lips as he felt the storm within his body begin to calm. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, to gather himself, to let the calming properties of the herbs permeate his being. His breathing, though still labored, became increasingly manageable, his body gradually succumbing to his control.