Dawn's senses were on fire. Every fiber of her being told her they were close to danger. The metallic hiss grew louder, morphing into a cacophony of mechanical sounds. The humming, once subtle, was now a deafening roar, rattling through the bones of every member of the group.
Suddenly, the ground vibrated, and before anyone could react, dozens of small mechanoids burst forth from the forest floor. They were sleek, with reflective surfaces that mirrored the forest around them, making them near invisible until the very moment they attacked. With spindly legs and razor-sharp appendages, they moved with a speed and precision that was unsettling.
Lyria's incantations held some of them at bay, creating a protective shield around the group, but the sheer number of mechanoids meant that some broke through. Gareth's blade swung in wide arcs, cutting down any that came close, while Caden fired off bolts of energy from a device on his wrist, trying to create a path for them to escape. Tessa, even with her injured arm, hurled elemental magic, sending some mechanoids crashing into trees or engulfing them in flames.
In the chaos, a particular mechanoid, larger and adorned with a blue luminescence, targeted Dawn. It lunged at her, its sharp appendages knocking the EchoPin, a small device given to her for communication and guidance, from her cloak. The pin tumbled into the underbrush, lost amidst the ferns and fallen leaves.
Dawn, momentarily stunned, found herself forcefully separated from the group. The mechanoids seemed to have a strategic plan, and she realized their intent was to isolate each member. Pushed further into the dense forest by a wave of the relentless creatures, her connection to the group faded, the sounds of battle dimming.
Dawn's heart raced, and she felt a pang of despair. The EchoPin was not just a device; it was her link to the others, her beacon in this treacherous forest. Without it, finding her way back would be near impossible.
Drawing upon her inner reservoir of magic, she unleashed a pulse of energy, temporarily disabling the mechanoids around her. The brief respite allowed her to climb a tall tree, hoping to get a better vantage point.
From above, she could see the glint of mechanoids weaving through the trees, relentlessly pursuing her friends. The pulsating glow of the Flora Luxara container was visible in the distance, but it was moving away, indicating the group was retreating in a different direction.
From her elevated position, the weight of decisions and potential consequences pressed heavily on Dawn. Her fingers brushed against the trunk of the tree, grounding her as her thoughts spiraled. There was the familiar pull of loyalty and camaraderie she felt towards her friends. They had journeyed together, faced perils, and had each other's backs. But there was also a newfound understanding, a realization that with the Flora Luxara in their possession and her unique abilities, she was a beacon – not only for the mechanoids but for Venin Corporation.
She knew what the true ones running Venin were like. Their insatiable thirst for power and control turned people into mere tools, lab rats subjected to unending experiments. The experiments weren't meant to benefit the individuals or humanity; they were designed purely to extract value and expand Venin's dominion.
If Dawn stayed with the group, she'd be at the forefront of Venin's pursuit. But leaving meant forsaking the protective cocoon of the group, making her vulnerable. Yet, in that vulnerability lay a freedom she hadn't felt in years. Outside the confines of the group, her abilities could flourish, unhindered by the necessity of secrecy and caution. She could tap into magic in its purest form, unshackled and raw.
Dawn's eyes flickered to the pulsating glow of the Flora Luxara. Its rhythmic luminescence seemed to sync with the beat of her heart. It was symbolic, not just an artifact but a manifestation of her inner struggle: the choice between the safety of the known and the allure of the uncharted.
The mechanoids' glint caught her eye once more, snapping her back to the urgency of the moment. She could feel the moments slipping, the decision pressing.
Taking a deep breath, she whispered an incantation. Lifting herself up with her levitation, jumping across the trees, out of the way of the mechanoid foes on the ground, and heading away from the group. Keeping an eye on her surroundings, she headed further into the Xylinth Forest. Losing the mechanoids before landing back on the ground.
It was a gamble, but Dawn felt it in her bones: sometimes, to find oneself, one had to embrace the wilderness and the unknown. She sprinted forward, every step echoing a silent promise to return and reunite. But for now, she was a lone shadow amidst the towering trees, a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.
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Dawn woke up to a natural light hitting her eyes. Causing her to stir as she woke. Laid in a small nook of a tree, rough foliage around her acting as camouflaged bedding.
She remembered the previous day and the incident that had happened. After ditching the team, she had made sure to throw everything she didn't need and was from Venin into a river. Using her Mechanic skills to remove a couple trackers in her clothes and throw them into the river as well.
After making sure she couldn't be easily tracked, she continued through the forest. Before it started getting dark, and she had climbed a large tree that could shield her from view. Finding a spot she could lay to rest.
She hoped the team was doing well. And she knew that Twilight would probably try to find her, and would be worried. As well as Venin would try find her, likely to bring her back in through force, she was still considered greatly valuable to them.
Dawn's fingers instinctively curled around the rough bark of the tree, the texture grounding her to the present. With her heart beating steadily in her chest, she decided the first order of business was to find fresh water and sustenance. The previous day's adrenaline had worn off, and the pangs of hunger were gnawing at her.
She climbed down from her treetop refuge, and upon reaching the forest floor, began to call upon her arcane senses. While Dawn was an expert mechanic, she also possessed a unique ability to sense elemental shifts, a skill that now came handy in detecting fresh water sources.
Several yards ahead, she felt a gentle pull in the earth, a hint of the liquid flow. Following her senses, Dawn soon stumbled upon a sparkling stream, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the morning sun. As she knelt to drink, she saw her own reflection, the determination in her eyes apparent even to her.
While she was engrossed in her survivalist endeavors, a rustling noise nearby caught her attention. Quickly, Dawn hid behind a large fern, watching as a deer gracefully approached the stream. But something was off; a strange mark glowed on its flank, and its eyes had an unnatural, glazed look. The mark was similar to the insignias used by the Venin Corporation. Could they be experimenting on wildlife too?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a metallic glint caught her eye. A mechanoid, smaller than the ones from the previous day but just as deadly, appeared on the other side of the stream. It seemed to be tracking the deer. Dawn held her breath, trying not to attract any attention.
However, the deer, sensing the danger, bolted, causing the mechanoid to give chase. Dawn seized the opportunity and hurriedly moved away from the stream, her path now taking her deeper into the forest.
The size of the trees around her growing in size, the roots sprawling around the ground like thick pythons of wood.
The air became cooler, with a subtle, earthy scent punctuated by the faint aroma of rotting wood and damp moss.
As she traveled, Dawn kept up a constant vigilance. She couldn't afford to slip up, to get caught out of position by an adversary. The only light that could reveal any lurking foe, and light her way. The dim luminescence provided from some of the plants growing between the coiling roots. Drawing a unsettling darkness between every opening, around every corner.
Every step Dawn took was a strategic calculation. Each rustling leaf or distant animal call made her ears perk up, as she tried to distinguish between the natural sounds of the forest and the potential hum of a mechanoid. The vast trees, with their gnarled branches, seemed to almost reach out towards her. Their shadows danced eerily in the light of luminescent plants.
Further into her journey, she noticed something unusual: a cluster of rocks and boulders that stood out amidst the uniformity of the trees. As she moved closer, Dawn discovered an entrance to a cave, obscured by overhanging ferns and draped in moss. An involuntary shiver ran down her spine, not from the cold, but from the looming unknown within the cave. Yet, it might offer her the shelter and concealment she so desperately needed.
Before venturing inside, she paused to gather some of the luminescent plants. Holding them in her hands, their soft glow illuminated the cave's entrance, revealing a winding pathway that led deeper underground. To her relief, it seemed dry and, more importantly, devoid of any immediate threats.
With caution, Dawn explored the cave's interior. It expanded into a more spacious chamber, housing a small pool of crystal-clear water, likely from an underground spring.
Seeing the water reminded Dawn of her thirst. She approached the pool with caution, ensuring its safety, before taking a sip. The water was refreshingly cold and pure. Now, she just needed to find food.
Deciding to settle here for the time being, Dawn began setting up a temporary base. She gathered dry wood from near the cave's entrance and, using her mechanical skills, fashioned a makeshift fire pit. The flames would not only keep her warm but would also deter any wandering animals or, even worse, mechanoids.
Pulling herself from her contemplation, she realized that she still needed to secure food. Venturing outside, she set traps using rudimentary materials she found within the cave and outside. Thanks to her mechanical skills, she was able to devise some clever snares.
As dusk fell, her traps bore fruit. She had caught a rabbit, which she prepared and roasted over the fire. The aroma of the cooking meat filled the cave, providing her with a sense of comfort and temporary contentment.
As she was finishing her meal, her attention was drawn up as the game system appeared before her.
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Looking over the alert, she thought back on her knowledge of the game. The Shattered Planet was one of the many starting planets at the launch of the game, however one that was rare. She held a fair amount of knowledge on it, but most details were lost to her.
From her knowledge, she knew of two different factions she could try and head towards. Places that acted more like nations and cities, then the laboratory and single mindedness of Venin.
Verdant Refuge and Nexhaven. These were the places that Dawn could remember that would suit her needs currently. The Verdant Refuge would be on the edge of the Xylinth forest. Making it rather close. However the choice she wanted was Nexhaven.
The Refuge was more like a clan or tribe. Every person was connected to one another in some way, and would make it rather difficult for an outsider such as herself to get in and achieve much in the category of long term goals.
Nexhaven however. Was more of a sprawling city underground. It would give her more freedom, and opportunity. It was also one of the places that thought the hardest against the advance of Venin. Making them natural allies for her to choose, even if she didn't plan on taking the fight to Venin directly for the time being. She could prepare and ready herself before trying to give some information about Venin that could aid in turning the tides.
With this in mind, Dawn settled in to rest. She would need some things before she can start trying to head towards Nexhaven. The journey would take her a few days at least, if not weeks. So she would require a larger amount of supplies if she wanted to be safe.