The wilderness was different. This was not the first time that Sizwe walked the wilderness like this. To be honest, he was lucky to even find a human settlement when he escaped the Guardians when he woke up. At that time, he was clueless and also very lucky that he didn't encounter some strange lion that controlled electricity for some reason.
Now was a different matter. Now he really knew the dangers that lurked out there. Sizwe hadn't thought about something, and that thing would be bugs. Sizwe had a rude awakening about insects in this world, and it was horrifying for a person like him who didn't like insects. In fact, he hated them with a deep hatred. Some insects in this world were evolved, as if insects weren't scary enough, now they had abilities. Sizwe heard of a few like the Fire Ant Hordes.
Fire Ant Hordes are swarms of ants that have evolved to produce and withstand extreme heat. They can generate enough heat to melt through metal and are known to swarm over entire buildings, reducing them to molten ruins in hours. Alone, these ants were not a problem, even a few were okay, but a horde was a disaster. Since human weapons were mostly fire-related, they have trouble dealing with these ants. These insects were the size of a cat, but they were very deadly in numbers, and humans would require a lot of water to slow them down enough to kill them. But in this world, water was not to be used wastefully since it can be scarce at times, so when these ants attack, most places are ill-prepared to have that much expendable water. Another insect that was a problem was Titan Scarabs.
Engaging Titan Scarabs in combat is a perilous endeavor that tests even the most seasoned warriors and advanced weaponry. These behemoth beetles are nearly impervious to conventional attacks, thanks to their impenetrable carapaces, which can withstand bullets and blades. Their exoskeletons are not only tough but also slightly bioluminescent, casting an eerie glow in the dark, adding a psychological edge to their menace. Titan Scarabs also possess immense physical strength, capable of ramming through fortified structures and crushing opponents with their mandibles. Engaging them in close combat is virtually suicidal.
There are only a few ways to deal with these monstrosities since normal means don't work out very well. Setting up traps that exploit their immense weight, such as pits with reinforced spikes or collapsing structures, can help neutralize their threat without direct confrontation at least. Cannons can also deal with the beetle at least, but even then it would not be an easy fight, and some special guardians have fought and won against them in combat, but these instances were rare so most humans chose to avoid these creatures since they don't attack you for no reason.
The real nightmare, though, were Mantis Titans—these were truly gods' middle finger. Mantis Titans are evolved, human-sized mantises that stand around 4 to 5 feet tall. They retain the distinctive features of their smaller relatives, such as elongated bodies, powerful forelegs with razor-sharp spines, and a predatory, insect-like head. Their exoskeletons are a blend of green and brown, providing natural camouflage in forested and urban environments. Humans avoid this monster at all costs. Mantis Titans are considered Class IV just for existing; they don't have any known abilities or records of being very smart, but their existence itself was a testament to nature's brutality and indifference.
Their presence induces sheer terror. Encounters with them often end in grisly deaths, their victims found eviscerated, with limbs torn asunder by the monstrous forelegs. The speed at which they strike is almost supernatural, a blur of motion that leaves little time for defense. They hunt with ruthless efficiency, their spined forelegs snapping shut with the force of a steel trap, capable of severing limbs or decapitating in a single motion.
What makes them even more terrifying is their unnerving silence. Unlike other predators, Mantis Titans move without a sound, creeping through shadows and foliage with a ghostly grace. By the time their prey becomes aware of them, it's often too late. Survivors speak of the paralyzing fear that grips them when they catch a glimpse of those compound eyes, cold and emotionless, reflecting their doom.
Their exoskeletons, though not impenetrable, are tough enough to deflect most conventional weapons. Bullets often ricochet off their carapaces, leaving only superficial marks. Only high-caliber rounds or precision strikes to vulnerable joints and softer underbellies can cause significant harm. Even then, their agility makes landing such blows a perilous task.
The most harrowing aspect of Mantis Titans, however, is their relentless persistence. Once they have locked onto a target, they pursue with a single-minded determination, capable of chasing their prey for miles without tiring. Their endurance is matched only by their bloodlust, and fleeing from them is a near-impossible endeavor. These insects existed on top of the list of the most dangerous creatures in the world.
Sizwe, Cyprian, and Mandla had been in the wilderness for days now. Honestly, it was not so bad, everything was bigger. Trees were bigger, meaning fruits were also big, and they tasted amazing. Nature would always find a balance, this dangerous place also had some amazing fruits and vegetation.
It was magic hour, and they needed a place to rest. After looking for a while, they found a weathered tree that was massive and covered in mushrooms. The tree stood alone in a small clearing, its branches stretching wide and casting a protective canopy over the ground below. The mushrooms, a curious mix of luminescent blues and purples, emitted a faint, eerie glow, creating an almost mystical ambiance.
Sizwe, Cyprian, and Mandla investigated the area thoroughly. There were no signs of animal tracks or any indications of danger. The absence of threats seemed like a blessing, especially after the perilous journey they had endured so far. The tree appeared to be a perfect, serene spot for them to rest and recuperate.
They set up camp under the tree, spreading their bedrolls and starting a small fire. The glow of the mushrooms provided an almost magical lighting, making the surroundings appear surreal and tranquil. As they settled down, the fatigue of the journey began to catch up with them. They sat around the fire, sharing stories and reflecting on their experiences in the wilderness.
Sizwe leaned back against the tree trunk, feeling an unusual sense of calm wash over him. The mushrooms' glow was mesmerizing, and he felt his eyelids growing heavy. The conversation around the fire started to blur, and his mind drifted.
Cyprian and Mandla also seemed unusually relaxed. Their voices grew softer, and their movements slowed. The entire clearing felt like it was enveloped in a strange, dreamlike haze. Sizwe's thoughts began to wander, filled with vivid and disjointed images. He saw himself back in the old world, surrounded by familiar faces and places, but something was off. The colors were too bright, and the sounds were distorted.
A creeping sense of unease settled in his stomach. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. That's when he noticed the eerie silence around them. No animals, no insects, not even the rustle of leaves. For a place so full of life, it was unnaturally quiet. His eyes snapped open, and he looked around. The mushrooms' glow seemed to pulse slightly, and the air felt thick and heavy.
Sizwe's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to focus. He realized with a jolt that the tree and its mushrooms were the cause. The faint glow was not just a gentle illumination; it was releasing spores, and they were breathing them in. Panic surged through him as he fought against the drowsiness threatening to overwhelm him.
Mandla looked at his bag a short distance away from where he was. It honestly wasn't that far, but now that he was high on the shrooms, it felt kilometers away. His eyelids were heavier than rocks, his limbs even more so. Moving took immense mental power to the point that he wanted to close his eyes and let go, but his will wouldn't allow it. In his past life, he lived for other people and never for himself. Now that he was finally free from his prison, he wouldn't squander this second chance at life, even if it was in this shitty, dangerous world.
Sleep was calling his name, but he didn't answer, he wouldn't answer. Sizwe took out his knife and began to cut himself. The pain would jolt him awake for a few seconds before the highness of the shrooms came back. As Sizwe crawled on the ground with immense difficulty, he kept slicing at his flesh and crawled a few more steps. Eventually, Sizwe began to lose blood, and the effects of the mushrooms hit him harder since he was getting weak. Sizwe was mentally strong, but this tested his mental fortitude to the breaking point.
He began to hallucinate. His past life was in front of him, his wife was there with him. It was just like yesterday—they were drinking tea. He didn't even like tea, but her tea was the best. This day was special, and Sizwe had his ring hidden. He had just bought it and tonight was the night; he was finally going to ask the woman of his dreams to marry him. Fezile was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and she was the best.
After the dinner he had organized at his place, it was time for him to propose, and he wasn't going to do it in a public place. Imagine if she said no. He wouldn't be able to handle it, so a home dinner was best. Sizwe got on one knee, ready to propose, but the room went dark and the feds stormed his house. Anger fueled him, and his rage made him escape the hallucination for a few seconds, and he noticed that his gas mask was in his hand. He slapped it on and took a deep breath.
After a while, Sizwe began to come back from the heavy sleep poison. "No rest for the wicked," Sizwe muttered to himself, taking a moment and looking at his pitiful crew mates, out cold. It was not only insects that were not to be messed with, plants and fungi could evolve too.