Dusk had painted clouds in red, as the sitting sun fell into the horizon.
Under the shadows of the mysterious land held above the clouds. Zyro, wearing a light cybernetic suit of armor possessing the transcendence beauty of technology and intricate architectural design colored in black. However, its once polished surface had lost its luster. Littered with scratches and dents. As though he just came from a ruthless war.
Currently, his hanging upside down. His boots were wrapped by thick roots, preventing him from falling into the land below. The roots that held him were long, stretching upwards and disappearing into the vast darkness above.
With his body slowly spinning clockwise, Zyro's front finally faces his mysterious neighbor, The madman. Whose at the same, hanging state.
"What took you so long?" Ask the man with a muffled voice.
Zyro stares at him with traumatized eyes. Hollow and distant, hinting how much cruelty he's undergone. After some time, he took a deep breath.
"Piece of cake my a*s" Zyro complained with trembling lips.
Indifferent to what's in front of him. A horrifying four armed demon clad in onyx armor of inhumane craftsmanship. Perfectly outlining his slender, mascular physic. One would suspect it's his own skin itself.
Looking at the man's visage, Zyro felt shivers running down his spine. He had imagined his neighbor figure as a reflection of madness - ugly, messy and disoriented. However, what was in front of him was the devil himself. Especially the madman's mask. Jagged razor sharp teeth, zigzagging to form a horrid smile. With two horns drawn back, and a deep dark, visor. Hiding nothing but darkness instead of eyes.
The dullness in Zyro's eyes slowly fades, regaining its clarity. Alongside the throbbing headache and unease due to his blood flowing to his head.
However, compared to what he has gone through these past few hours, it's nothing but a trivial ache.
Because of Zyro's lack of knowledge and time, he decided to follow his neighbor's plan. However, he soon regretted that decision.
The hanging chambers are one of the most horrid prisons due to its toughness and ruthless nature. Engaging prisoners in a variety of torturous traps, inside its unbreakable bars which Zyro was able to cut through. However, although his blade can pierce its walls. The root cage will continuously restore if large damage is done.
Hence, the madman planned to use the cage's varying traps. That's when it all begins.
Zyro and his neighbor triggered traps after traps. Snake-like gripping roots, dark airless cage, sprouting roods of wood, compressing chamber, whipping roots and so on. Miraculously, Zyro survived thanks to his cybernetic suit. Even so, there are some narrow death moments.
After all that, they reach the certain trap the Madman spoke off. Hence, they're hanging upside down, making their blood flow to their heads. Increasing headache until it became sickeningly unbearable.
Zyro still remembers when this trap is triggered. The cage roots wrapped his boots and dropped him. He plunge with dreadful speed before coming to an abrupt halt. Zyro's mind black-out for a moment, followed by a nightmarish head-ache as if his mind had turned to shambles. then the sickening feeling of something inside wanted to come out of his mouth, nose and eyes. He felt terrible.
Zyro shivered, trying to forget that traumatizing experience. No wonder his neighbor went mad.
Feeling his sickening headache worsen, Zyro decided to execute the second step of the plan.
He bends his head to stare upward, at the groaning rope as it swings gently, its long stretch disappearing in the dark above. He sighed, and launched his head forward curling up his body as he reached for his fetter feet. Talking toll on his sore muscle, supported by the barely functional exoskeleton. He barely makes it. Grabbing the relatively durable group of about six strings of roots slovenly bounded together to form a rope about the size of an adult forearm.
With some effort, he lifted his upper body up, causing the rope to swing harder.
Finally, his at standing position. Catching his breath and letting blood return in his lower haft.
Almost two days have passed since he woke up to this world. Allowing him to recover some of his lost memories. Such as his suit features.
Informing him that there was actually a body enhancement drug, but had long expired and now considered lethal.
Furthermore, rather than his right hand retractable blade, the armor also possesses an attached airgun on the left forearm, with only two spare bullets.
There are also other features such as soundless boots, mini air tank, exoskeleton, night vision, filtration mask.
Zyro heaved a sigh of relief knowing his not completely defenseless for the night to come.
A few minutes later, Zyro finished his repose and released his retractable blade. Slashing the root restraining wrapped around his foot with all his might. It offered some difficulty but gave in the end.
Grabbing onto the rope, unbounded by the roots anymore. Zyro pulled himself up further. Thanks to the roots messy bound, leaving loose gaps to stick his finger and foot. Climbing became easier. He then uses his weight to swing left and right, bringing him closer to his neighbor. Who's currently climbing up using his four arms with retrained feet.
After multiple to and fro. With a bit of hesitation, Zyro let go, catching the neighboring rope and gripped tightly. Causing it to shake.
Fully concentrated, Zyro climbs up, stroking his fingers to the layer of roots before pulling himself up, and repeating the process. Until reaching the tall neighbor who stops climbing. The tall knight nodded signaling him to unleash his trussed foot.
Under his neighbor with a blade in hand. Zyro suppresses his urge to cut the man's foot along the tangled roots. After all, it's inconvenient to have a impaired ally in war. He then slash with his blade with difficulty, taking a several to and fro until finally freeing the madman.
Although, now he's outgrown his use. Zyro had no choice but to free his neighbor. Furthermore, killing Zyro does have no benefits.
"5 hours, that's all we have to get to the Highland, If not... "
There's no need to warn Zyro for he knew the dire consciences.
Zyro looks down with a bitter expression.
Far, far below them pass the clouds, where the colossal roots drop. Behold an evergreen land, tiny houses and a gloomy ancient castle stood between the gigantic roots, buried in the soil. Zyro could tell that's a kingdom or a prospering city under this floating land. With scattered tiny villages. However, his attention was caught by a crude ring made of misty gas, circling the entire region. Serving as a wall of fog. Although it looked small from this distance, Zyro wasn't fooled. He can't even imagine the sheer size of the thing.
Zyro sighed internally and looked beyond the wall of fog but found nothing interesting - There's no civilization, just forestry.
He then shifted his gaze upwards. To the long line they'll be climbing towards the land above. Wondering. What could have produced these roots? What's up there?
He didn't wonder what the enemy they would face because he already knew them. The Gricks, born with wings to soure the sky, with razor sharp claws. Facing thousands of them won't be an easy task.
As the drowning sun slowly plunges into the sea of crimson clouds. A strange calmness rested in Zyro's mind.
The long and arduous climb begins.