As dawn broke, Kira stirred, stretching her tiny limbs. Sam smiled down at her, the warmth of the morning sun spilling into their cave. Today was the day he was determined to complete the Starter Kit and unlock the Survivalist Module.
With a quick glance at the crafting interface hovering before him, he checked the remaining craftables for the Starter Kit.
Starter Kit:
Makeshift Axe (8 Primal Points)
Makeshift Spear (10 Primal Points)
"Alright, Kira," he said, his voice brimming with determination. "We need to earn some Primal Points!"
Kira mewed in agreement, her wide eyes gleaming with curiosity. Sam rubbed his hands together, eager to get started. He knew he needed to gather resources and complete tasks to earn the points. A new prompt appeared:
"New objective: Gather materials and craft a Makeshift Axe.
Rewards: 8 Primal Points
"Let's find some materials!" he declared, stepping outside into the fresh morning air. The ground crunched beneath his boots as he set off, Kira nestled safely in his shirt.
As they reached the treeline, Sam began searching for suitable branches. "If we can find some sturdy wood, we can craft that axe next," he thought, scanning the ground.
With a keen eye, he spotted a promising fallen limb. "There we go!" he exclaimed, picking it up with a grin. He continued to search, gathering several more sticks and feeling the excitement build.
Once he had enough wood, he turned his attention to finding stones. "Just a few more supplies, and we'll be ready to craft that axe!"
After a short search, he collected the stones he needed, feeling proud of his haul. He returned to the cave, materials in hand.
"Time to craft!" he announced, eager to see the interface come to life again. He tapped on the Manual Crafting interface, and opted for the Makeshift Axe, which required a sturdy branch and four stones.
The screen displayed a flurry of activity as the materials combined, transforming into a sturdy axe. The moment it materialized in his hands, he felt a surge of accomplishment.
"Alright, one down!" he cheered, holding the axe aloft.
Suddenly, a notification pinged in front of him:
Objective completed: Gather materials and craft a Makeshift Axe.
Earned 8 Primal Points.
"Great! Now we're that much closer to unlocking the Survivalist Module!" he said, glancing down at Kira, who seemed just as excited.
With 8 Primal Points earned, he now had a total of 11 Primal Points. Sam grinned, excitement bubbling inside him. "Now, let's craft a second axe!"
He quickly navigated back to the crafting interface and selected the Makeshift Axe again. He crafted another one, feeling a thrill as the axe formed in his hands, leaving him with a total of 3 Primal Points.
"Two axes are better than one!" he laughed, holding them up triumphantly.
He opened the Starter Kit module and saw the path to the Survivalist Module ahead of him. Just one more task to complete.
"Alright, Kira," he said, glancing down at the baby sabertooth nestled against him. "Let's find some cool stuff and rack up those Primal Points!"
Before they left the cave, Sam had an idea. He didn't want to hold the axes the entire time. He tore off pieces of his shirt and tied the axe handles to his belt, letting them hang at his waist. "Now that's better!" he exclaimed, zipping up his jacket.
As he stepped into the forest, a notification popped up, bright and inviting.
"New Objective: Explore the surrounding area and gather resources. Earn 1 Primal Points for each unique resource collected."
With newfound determination, he darted toward a cluster of trees ahead. The crunch of snow beneath his boots felt satisfying, each step taking him deeper into his snowy playground. As he neared the trees, he spotted a few low-hanging branches just begging to be collected.
He whipped out one of his axes and, with a few swift swings, sent pieces of wood flying. The sound of cracking branches echoed through the air, and Sam couldn't help but grin.
Resource Collected: Branches.
"Check that out," he exclaimed, watching the notification pop up. "One down, a million to go."
Pumped up by his success, he scanned the ground for more goodies. Sharp stones caught his eye, glinting like treasure among the snow. He knelt down and picked up a few, imagining all the things he could craft with them.
Resource Collected: Sharp Stones.
"Two resources already. This is easy!" Sam beamed. He felt like a pro, ready to conquer whatever came next. But then, something bright and red in the distance captured his attention. It was a thicket of berry bushes, bursting with color against the white backdrop.
"Food. We need that," he declared, sprinting toward the bushes. He carefully plucked the juiciest berries, their sweet scent filling the air. "These are going to be perfect for Kira."
Resource Collected: Berries.
Resource Collected: Tangy Berries.
With a fistful of berries in one hand and Kira snuggled close, Sam paused to catch his breath. He looked around, heart racing with excitement. "What else can we find?"
Just then, he spotted a glint beneath the snow. Curious, he bent down and began digging. With each handful of snow he tossed aside, his heart raced faster. Finally, he unearthed a small, shiny object—an old, rusted piece of metal, jagged and intriguing.
"What's this?" he wondered aloud, holding it up to the light. "It looks like… a knife?"
Sam's eyes widened. "Did somebody lose their knife?" He dropped it, the question of whether other people might be nearby lingering on his mind.
As they ventured deeper, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that something big was just around the corner. Some kind of change. He couldn't explain it, but he felt it in his very being.
Sam ventured deeper into the snowy landscape, scanning for any sign of the last resource he needed. His breath puffed in frosty clouds.
He spotted a low mound of snow and hurried over, digging through the powder with his hands. As he brushed aside the snow, his fingers grazed something hard. With a quick flick, he uncovered a jagged stone, perfect for crafting.
"Yes! A stone!" he exclaimed, holding it up triumphantly. "This has to be it!"
With the stone clutched in one hand and Kira nestled securely in his shirt, he quickly opened the Primal System interface. "Objective completed: Gather resources," it announced, and he felt a thrill run through him as the points added up.
"Five more points!" he cheered. "Just a few more and we can get that spear!"
Suddenly, a new objective appeared in front of him: Feed Your Companion.
He looked down at Kira, who was nestled snugly in his shirt, her little ears twitching as she sniffed the air. "Looks like it's time for a snack," he said, smiling. He remembered the berries he had collected earlier and reached into his pockets.
Pulling out a handful of bright red berries, he held them up triumphantly. "Check it out! Your favorite!"
Kira perked up, her eyes sparkling as she reached for the berries. Sam offered her one, and she eagerly bit into it, purring with delight. He couldn't help but laugh as she devoured them, her tiny paws clumsily trying to grab more.
Just then, the notification chimed in again: "Objective completed: Feed Your Companion!
Reward: 3 Primal Points."
With Kira nestled comfortably in his shirt, her little head poking out, Sam gently stroked her fur. "You ready for more adventure, Kira?" he asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm. She let out a soft purr, as if in agreement.
Sam made his way back to the stream he visited the other day, the sound of water bubbling over rocks guiding him. The familiar landscape felt comforting, and he focused on the shimmering surface of the water, searching for signs of fish. He closed his eyes and sighed, feeling the cool breeze against his skin.
"Alright, time to catch some dinner," he whispered, scanning the stream for movement.
Sam dropped a handful of berries into the stream, watching as the vibrant colors danced in the water. Just like before, the fish swarmed eagerly, darting toward the floating treats. He poised his makeshift knife, heart racing with anticipation, but each time he struck, his aim faltered, and the slippery fish slipped past him, leaving only a few berries bobbing in their wake. Frustration bubbled up inside him as he realized they were just stealing his bait.
"Come on!" he urged, shaking his head in disbelief. "Just stay still for one second!" He took a moment to regroup, trying to control the urge to flail and instead keep his movements precise.
Sam took a deep breath and stepped into the water, wading further in until it reached his knees. The cold bit at his legs, but he was determined. He crouched low, trying to mimic the movements he'd made before. This time, he thought, he would be quicker.
As he scanned the water, he spotted another flash of silver. His heart raced, and he focused intently. When the fish drew near to snatch a berry, he lunged forward, knife poised to strike. But again, his timing faltered. The fish darted away, leaving him empty-handed.
"Why can't I get it? I just did it yesterday!" he muttered, frustration bubbling within him. He tried again and again, each time coming up short. It felt like a cruel game, the fish slipping just out of reach, making off with his only food source. He shook his head, refusing to let despair take hold. He'd caught one before; he could do it again.
With renewed determination, he repositioned himself, ready to try one more time.
Suddenly, a deep, rumbling moan echoed through the stillness, sending shivers down Sam's spine. He froze, instincts screaming at him to remain silent. As he cautiously raised his head, he saw it—a massive bear, far larger than any he'd ever seen, just a few feet down the stream, its hulking form silhouetted against the water as it bent to drink.
Time seemed to stretch as Sam's heart raced. The creature's thick fur glistened in the dappled sunlight, muscles rippling beneath its coat like a mountain range in motion. It was an awe-inspiring sight, but terror gripped him tightly. He knew he had to escape before it noticed him.
Slowly, he began to back away, careful not to make a sound. Each inch felt like a lifetime, his breath caught in his throat. But then, the bear's head snapped up, nostrils flaring. It sniffed the air, and Sam's heart sank as its gaze locked onto him.
In an instant, the calm of the stream shattered. The bear let out a fearsome growl, its deep voice echoing off the trees, and it charged toward him, paws thundering against the ground like distant cannon fire.
"Run!" Sam's instincts kicked in, and he bolted, the cold water splashing around his legs as he pushed off from the riverbank. Panic surged through him, propelling him forward. He could hear the bear crashing through the underbrush behind him, every heavy footfall a reminder of the danger closing in.
He sprinted across the open snow, desperately searching for anything—cover, a tree, anything that could give him a chance to hide. The world around him blurred as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He felt Kira's small body pressed tightly against him, her warmth a small comfort in the chaos.
The bear was gaining on him, its massive form looming closer with each heartbeat. Sam's breath came in ragged gasps, and he pushed himself harder, his legs burning with exertion.
As Sam darted through the trees, the adrenaline kept him focused, but he didn't notice the ground sloping away beneath him. In an instant, his foot caught on a root, and he stumbled, the world tipping sideways.
In a split second, Kira was flung from his shirt, her tiny body soaring through the air.
"Kira!" he shouted, horror gripping his heart.
Time seemed to stretch as he reached out instinctively, catching her just before she hit the ground. He pulled her tightly against his chest, shielding her from the fall as he tumbled down the steep hill.
The world turned into a blur of white and brown as branches whipped past him, scratching his arms and tearing at his clothes. Each jolt sent shocks of pain through his body, but he couldn't stop; he was a rag doll caught in the grip of gravity.
He crashed into the snow at the bottom, rolling to a stop in a heap, breathless and dazed. Pain shot through his side where he had landed hard, and he winced, trying to catch his breath. The sound of the bear's heavy footsteps grew distant, but he could still hear its deep, angry growls echoing through the trees.
As he regained his composure, Sam noticed a few scrapes on his arms and a trickle of blood seeping from his side. Lifting his shirt, Sam winced at the sight of a gash on his side, blood seeping from the wound. He let his shirt fall, letting out a sigh.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up to a sitting position, wincing as the cold air stung his scratched skin. "I have to move," he muttered, panic setting in again. He looked up the hill, his heart pounding, but there was no sign of the bear. It must have lost him in the chaos.
Cautiously, he glanced around, assessing his surroundings. He was in a small clearing surrounded by trees, the snow covering the ground like a thick, soft blanket. His makeshift knife lay a few feet away, half-buried in the snow. Sam crawled toward it, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through his body.
He picked up the knife, its familiar weight offering a small sense of security, but he knew he couldn't stay here for long. The bear might not have followed, but it was still out there, and he needed to find a safer spot. Shakily, he stood, brushing the snow off his clothes, and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next move.
With Kira snugly tucked under his jacket, Sam hobbled back to the cave, wincing as he held his side, applying pressure to the wound with each labored step. The cold air stung his injury, but the warmth of Kira's small body against him gave him the strength to keep moving.
The chill of the air hit him hard—the fire had gone out completely. "Just great," he muttered through gritted teeth, feeling the sting of both the cold and the gash on his side.
He quickly dumped the resources he had collected onto the cave floor, setting Kira down gently beside them. With urgency, he stripped off his jacket and tore another piece from his already tattered shirt, wrapping it tightly around his injury to staunch the bleeding. His shirt was barely holding together now, a patchwork of fabric clinging to him.
Next, he opened his interface, navigating to the Starter Kit. His fingers hovered over the firestarter option, and with a swift tap, it materialized in his hand—a small, sturdy tool that promised warmth. He wasted no time, striking it against the cave wall until sparks flew and caught on a piece of dry tinder. Soon, flames flickered back to life, dancing in the dim cave.
Holding his side with one hand, he grabbed a few branches from the pile he had collected earlier and tossed them into the fire, watching as the flames eagerly consumed the wood, sending warmth radiating toward him.
Leaning back against the cave wall, he pulled Kira close, her soft fur brushing against his chin. He let out a heavy sigh as he stared into the flames.
"Sorry, girl, looks like we're both living off berries tonight."
Kira clambered up his shoulder, her tiny paws finding purchase on his collarbone. She nuzzled against him for a moment before starting to lick his face, her rough little tongue tickling his skin. Sam chuckled despite the pain radiating from his side. "Okay, okay! I get it," he said, laughing softly.
Exhausted from the day's events, Sam leaned back against the cool cave wall, Kira nestled comfortably against him. The fire flickered softly, casting warm shadows that danced across the rocky interior. As he felt Kira's gentle rise and fall against his chest, a sense of peace enveloped him despite the ache in his side.
His eyelids grew heavy, and the crackling of the fire lulled him into a tranquil state. With one last glance at the flames, he let sleep take over, the warmth of Kira and the crackling of the fire lulling him to sleep. The wilderness outside faded as he drifted off...