Reading the entry of what is assumed to be a diary entry, Jake laughs quietly, which soon turns into a roaring laughter, clutching his stomach and being into his knees. The journal entry inscribed some sense of joy into him, making him feel less scared and afraid. He wanted to read more, but curbed himslef, knowing thatbhe was in a precarious situation right now.
Closing the book, he took in deep breaths to stabilise himself. Clenching his fists, he stands up again, determined to steel himself through the ordeal that is placed before him.
Prepping himself using the equipment present in the bag, he took the Durachne rope and the steel puck, before lowering himself from the plateau. Though the journey was rough, nearly scraping his knees near some ominous yellow looking lichen, he soon lowered himself into the ground.
Dusting himself from any dust that may have clung unto him when climbing, he took in his bearings.
As far as the eye can see, what laid before him is a vast, decrepit expanse. Stony trees laid scattered sporadically in the plain, creaking and squeaking in vain. Pools of green fluid created psuedo-oases, where rocky spherical... things, drank the liquid.
Reeling slightly back in shock, Jake continued to gaze further out. There, he manages to get a tiny glimpse of what appears to be trees of some sort. Not the stony kind that he just witnessed, but honest, down-to-earth trees, ones with wooden trunks and green leaves.
Feeling hope rising, he luggedbthe backpack across his shoulders, and set out to reach there.
Though arduous, Jake trekked his way there. Along the journey, he met with the stone creatures that were drinking in the pool of green liquid.
Though spherical in nature, they seemed to notice him, for when he got closer tobyhem they all simultaneously rotated up, as if taking a look at him. Although unseen, he swore he could see tiny, minuscule black beads arranged in a band, which he surmised that they were their eyes. Small protrusion were also noticed beneath their eyes, which he surmised must have been their mouths, no suspense required, for gray dust could be seen at the corners of their mouths.
Just as he was observing them, a sudden alarm rang in his brain. He realised that as he was observing them, the 'rocks' seemed to have been slowly surrounding him, as if he was the prey, and they the predators. Acting decisively, he took out a flare gun of sorts, and shot at one of them.
It exploded in a glorious manner.
Shards scattering everywhere, raining small rocks around Jake. Silence ran across the area.
Jake stood there, tall and straight, one arm behind his back, pistol drawn straight. His eyes, squinting, stared menacingly at them. His feet stood wide apart, showing his attitide towards them.
But behind it all, he was shaking.
Shaking in fear that they will realise that he had shot his only bullet, and that he no bullets left. He hoped that they would scatter away, and leave him alone. This standoff continued, until a sudden creak rang behind a pile of rocks.
Emerging from behind it came a large four legged creature. What set it apart though, was that it was completely metallic in nature.
Rubber wheels replaced its paws, making it run faster than anything. It's skin, bronze in colour, breathed in and out, as if it was living in nature. Red crystalline eyes gazed constantly at them, passing through Jake, before landing at the rocky creatures.
Before Jake could even count to three, it miraculously pounced upon the rocky creatures, opening its gear filled mouth and chomping voraciously upon them. Shrill screams rebounded through the air, as each 'rocks' rolled around in fear, trying to save themselves.
Sensing an opening, Jake hoisted his backpack, and ran towards where he saw the trees.
He ran and ran, passing through groves of living metal trees, where insects made of gears made their nests, sucking golden oily nectar with their proposals. He passed through neon bogs, where wooden lizards swam through dirt as if it was water, inhaling green clouds as food.
He witnessed many wondrous biome, where fantastical creatures inhabited them, yet not marvelling at them, for.only survival filled his mind.
He ram and ran, until he stopped near a pile of jiggly bushes, panting for air. Just as he stopped to rest from running the long marathon, he froze in despair:
Loud thuds came from behind the bushes.