In the morning, it was time to go to phase 2 of the plan. There were three objectives in the scenario: first, to rescue and gather all the survivors, which they have completed.
The second objective was to send a rescue signal from the top of the mountain. But to do that, they have to cross through the forest. The challenge lay in the fact that none of the group members felt confident enough to both safeguard the entire group and contend with the awakened flora that undoubtedly lurked within the forest.
Hence, a devised plan unfolded: the group would split into two teams. Zoe and Ahiro took on the responsibility of protecting the group without venturing into the forest. Instead, they opted to follow the coastline, completing the third part of the mission – reaching the other end of the island. This coastal route was considered safer, especially since the group already had injuries to manage, making the journey along the coastline more manageable than navigating through the jungle.
Meanwhile, the second team, consisting of June, Anna, and Owen – acknowledged as the group's strongest force – would confront the challenges of the forest directly. Their mission involved traversing through the dense woods to reach the mountaintop. Once there, they would activate the rescue beacon, send out the signal, and then navigate through the forest to reach the other end of the island, reuniting with the rest of the group and concluding the scenario.
Owen, the tactician of the group, estimated that the first team could reach the mountain, send out the rescue signal, and make their way to the opposite end in a maximum of four days. Simultaneously, the second group, traversing the coastline, was expected to reach their destination in three days, according to the provided data about the island. The staggered timelines allowed for a buffer, ensuring that even if one group faced delays, there would be ample time to accomplish the mission's objectives within the time limit.
"Stay sharp and keep an eye out for each other," June advised the departing members. "While I am not around Ahiro will be in charge, understood Ahiro" she announced.
"Yes Mam, we will fulfil our duties" saluted Ahiro.
After a little preparation, it was time to go. Everyone geared up for the challenges that awaited them, on the island, their expressions determined and resolute.
The gear at their disposal wasn't comprised of modern armors; rather, it was equipment crafted overnight by the group. Large leaves were repurposed as makeshift pouches, cleverly stitched together to form backpacks and containers. The leaves, sourced from various locations, were meticulously sewn with precision.
Anna, leveraging her awakened ability to control vines, intricately manipulated small vines as threads to stitch the leaves. The result was a set of durable bags designed for carrying essential supplies. Among these supplies were dried and smoked fish for sustenance during the journey, along with other necessities like first aid kits and salvaged light sources from the wreckage.
Craftsmanship extended beyond makeshift pouches; the group also fashioned wooden and stone weapons. Ahiro utilized sharp stones and sturdy wooden sticks to create a makeshift spear. Additionally, Zoe crafted wooden swords for both herself and Anna. Zoe then employed her ability to enhance their sturdiness, ensuring the weapons were more reliable for the challenges that lay ahead.
Some of the healthier and more agile group members followed suit, fashioning sharpened sticks into spears for added protection during their journey. The survivors, recognizing the need for self-defence, eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute.
Finally, it was time to begin their respective journeys, As the trio vanished in the forest Ahiro took in charge of the group and ordered them to start moving forward.
The group formed a four-line formation, with individuals armed with sharpened sticks positioned on the outer edges, ensuring protection for the injured, children, and elderly who were positioned within. Ahiro took his place at the front of the group, while Zoe guided from the rear. Due to having emphasized the potential encounter with Awakened Flora, even along the coastline, a sense of unease lingered among the group members.
"Don't worry. The likelihood of encountering an Awakened Floral species is very rare. And even if we do, rest assured that we will protect all of you," Ahiro declared in a commanding tone, aiming to alleviate the tension as they marched along the coastline.
As the evening descended and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, the group faced the challenge of the rising sea level. With the approaching night, the coastline, usually traversable during the day, now became treacherous, submerged under the advancing tide.
since it was already getting more and more difficult to walk and they were already walking very near the forest edge, they decided to take a break. Ahiro ordered the group to stay behind him as Zoe stepped forward.
With her sword in hand, Zoe skillfully swung through the dense vegetation, creating a clearing for the group to stand safely above the encroaching water. The rhythmic sound of her blade cutting through the air resonated in the tranquil evening, providing a sense of security for the group.
In this cleared area, the survivors began their evening routine. Using thier makeshift weapons some of the survivors caught some fish. While some helped Ahiro in constructing temporary tents. The injured, elderly, and children settled inside the shelter while the healthy members worked together to ensure everyone's safety.
Among the group, seven were injured, four either too young or too old to contribute physically, leaving only nine healthy individuals. Even among them not all were cooperative or particularly skilled based on the circumstances. Thankfully, one of them possessed knowledge of flora and herbs, proving invaluable as they scoured the coastline and edges of the forest for edible plants. The collective efforts of the group, combined with the expertise of the knowledgeable individual, resulted in the identification of plants suitable for consumption.
With ingredients gathered, an elderly woman in the group stepped forward to cook the food for all utilizing the herbs and food that were gathered to prepare a nourishing soup along with fish. The aroma wafted through the air as the cook skillfully brewed the soup inside a large ship pipe they had discovered earlier. The pipe repurposed as a makeshift cooking vessel, served as a communal pot for their evening meal.
As the survivors gathered around the improvised fire, enjoying the warmth of both the flames and the hearty soup, a sense of camaraderie permeated the air. Despite the challenging circumstances, the group found solace in the collective effort to overcome the obstacles presented by their surroundings. They had traveled a lot for the first Day but Ahiro knew theyhadlong road Ahead and he would make sure that they reach thier goal on time.