Chương 1: Lost in a Strange New World

Ch. 01 - Lost in a Strange New World I do not know if anyone will ever read these words; it is a conceit of mine to put to paper my thoughts and observations, a desire born out of the regret and loss I faced when I first journeyed to this world. Triumphs too, but what I lacked the most was knowledge. There was no one to teach me in the beginning, and looking back I marvel at my survival. If there were to be someone who reads this, they would most likely be my successor.

However I have no plans as yet in that regard, despite pressure and offers from a number of sources. For the moment, at least, what I have built and those I choose to share it with is enough for me. The Lady of the Fields, as she is demanding to be called these days, says that I have a tendency to become lost in my thoughts; but that my writing them down saves her ears from having to listen. She checks on me though, creeping by my study when she feels I have spent too much time alone.

She rarely breaks the silence, but I can feel her warm regard, her concern. It comforts me. This world is a marvel. Similar, but so different from the place of my birth, with a history that has linked the two worlds together for perhaps eons. Certainly longer than what we suspected when the portal was first given to us. Of course I had no say with the decision making of the great and powerful back then, but if I could say but one thing to them it would be 'Beware of Their Gifts'.

We were playing their game right from the beginning, flailing blindly in the dark. Manipulated, used, by beings that— (Rest of page torn and unrecovered) - from the writings of Steadholder Eckhart"Bugger this for a game of soldiers." Wyatt Eckhart, his shirt sticking to his skin as he and his squad trudged through the thick and humid undergrowth of the forest, wiped at his brow. He hadn't meant to say it out loud, but he was nearing the end of his patience.

This was the ninth day since the five of them had set out from the main settlement, and it seemed like he was the only one who could admit how lost they were. They were wearily trudging through a forest, although just calling it a forest didn't exactly do the place justice. The trees were primordial monsters, their trunks so vast that twenty people could hide behind any one of them easily.

They were widely spaced apart as well, making walking beneath them fairly easy, but the air felt cloying and still; heavy with the scent of the loam and decaying leaf litter underfoot. Every step felt somewhat strange, with the ground being slightly springy, muffling their footsteps so that the loudest sound was their own breathing. There was no sunlight either; the tree canopy high overhead was so thick and interlocking that not a single beam of sunlight made it down.

By rights it should have been almost pitch black, but there was a strange phenomenon going on; glowing orbs of light danced around the trunks of the trees, providing just enough illumination that everything was cast in a muted form of perpetual twilight. All the members of the group had attempted to get close to one of the lights, but they dimmed as they neared, vanishing from sight. It was a magical and captivating place. Or it would be if they weren't all lost, tired, and hungry.

At hearing the muttered complaint, Timothy Royce, a member of their small squad, spun around and got right up in Wyatt's face. He was a wiry man, and always moved slightly hunched over so that he appeared shorter than he actually was. Royce was kind of an intense guy, and Wyatt had never really clicked with him. It didn't help when he did things like this; poking at Wyatt's chest with a grimy finger, eyes more than a little wild and bloodshot.

"What the hell did you just say? Boy, are you trying to piss me off?" Wyatt smiled brightly at Royce, trying not to let his irritation at having to deal with another of the man's tirades show on his face. He took a half-step back, moving out of range in case the man felt like taking a swing at him. With Royce, you just never knew. The other members of their group, Ken Anders, David Jenning, and Samantha Rutter, stopped walking and turned to watch.

Their gaze was only slightly interested, the confrontation between Wyatt and Royce being little more than a distraction from their current circumstances. Wyatt waited a beat to see if Anders was going to intervene, but it didn't look like he would. Anders was their leader, but the lines had become somewhat blurred over time. Seeing that he was on his own, Wyatt ignored them for the moment, holding up a hand to Royce in an attempt to forestall the argument.

"Calm down, Royce. With been wandering for days, there's nothing wrong with being fed up. I heard you complaining about the food the last time we ate. It's fine, okay? Just blowing off steam." Royce had followed him as he backed up, and prodded him again in the chest. If anything, he seemed to get angrier at Wyatt's easy and relaxed tone.

"You're such a smart-ass, ain't ya? Don't you dare try and turn this on me! I'm sick of your attitude — standing there, thinking you're better than us! Admit it!" Wyatt's eyebrow twitched in irritation as he was poked. He took a deep breath, forcing a placating expression on his face. It wasn't just to keep the peace; Wyatt was only keeping part of his attention on the irate man in front of him, most of his focus taken up by scanning the surrounding forest. Royce was making far too much noise.

"I don't think I'm better than anyone else. Where would you even get that? But Royce — lower your voice. You're being too loud." Royce grabbed the front of Wyatt's shirt with one hand and actually shook him. He ignored Wyatt, raising his voice even more.

"There you go again — telling us what to do! You're not in charge, boy!" Even though Wyatt knew it wasn't a good idea to escalate, he couldn't help it. He swept his hand upwards, breaking Royce's grip on the front of his shirt. Wyatt stared down at the shorter man, struggling now to keep his voice even.

"I never said I was. And I never thought it either. Royce, calm down. It's not safe to make this much noise —" Royce came right after Wyatt again, his eyes wild with fervour." Don't give me orders! I've had it! This is important, the most important thing that anyone's ever done. We are the last hope for our race, dammit! We were chosen." At that, Wyatt couldn't help himself. He let out a quiet and bitter laugh.

"Chosen? Last I checked we volunteered. And since this is turning out to be a one-way trip, we are not much help to anybody. Certainly not Earth." Part of him was pleased to watch Royce's mouth move soundlessly, perhaps too shocked at the fatalistic acceptance in Wyatt's tone to offer a rejoinder. Wyatt didn't give Royce a chance to recover, instead speaking over the top of him. He could feel his brows furrowing, the muscles in his chest tightening.

Wyatt had been holding too much in for too long, and it all came out at once. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Get a grip and face reality. We're important? You make it sound like we are on some vital mission. Maybe it started out that way, but not anymore. We are lost. Have been for ages. And I don't just mean in this damned forest. We are in no position to help anyone, even if we could somehow make it back." Royce's hands curled into fists, his knuckles white. His spoke in almost a whisper, his voice scratchy.

"I can't believe — Why'd you even come then? We are here to save everyone — save the world! And now you're saying … I ought to —" Wyatt shifted his weight in case he had to move quickly, eyeing Royce warily, but not fearfully. He knew he should stop antagonising the older man, but he refused to back down.

"Ought to what, Royce? Are you really threatening the only person that has kept us all from starving?" As voices rose in volume, David spoke up, playing the peacemaker as usual. David was an unassuming man, not standing out in any noticeable way. He'd been chosen to join the exploratory group more to round out the numbers than anything else. David fidgeted, looking nervously between Wyatt and Royce.

"Come on, guys — calm down, alright? This won't help anything." Neither Wyatt or Royce bothered to look at David, or even acknowledge that he'd spoken. Wyatt felt slightly bad about that, but he didn't want to take his eye off of Royce. The older man was a lot quicker than he looked, particularly when angry. Behind David, Sam put her pack down, stretching her back. Samantha was the sole woman in their squad, and was notable for never getting visibly upset, no matter what was going on.

She was as ragged in appearance as any of them, her clothing torn and stained, but she still somehow managed to look sharper than anyone else. Her long hair was never out of the tight club she kept it in at the base of her neck, without a single strand being out of place. Sam dug through her pack, affecting a relaxed mien as she pulled out her water canteen. She made a point of not looking at Wyatt and Royce as she took a sparing drink. Sam swished the water around in her mouth before swallowing it, then sighed.

She shook her head; speaking mostly to herself.

"This is pointless and a waste of energy." Hearing that, Wyatt couldn't help but mutter a reply, even though Samantha hadn't exactly been addressing him.

"What is? This fight or everything since we entered this damn forest?" Sam's lips twitched slightly, but she otherwise stayed composed. At that, Ken Anders finally decided to intervene. He was a big man, even with the weight he'd lost that made his shirt hang off his frame. Even so, the strength he displayed as he carelessly pushed Wyatt back from Royce would have shocked anyone from home had they seen it. Wyatt was of a height with Anders, but his feet practically slid across the forest floor as he was shoved.

Anders looked from Royce to Wyatt, his voice soft, brooking no argument.

"That's enough. Wyatt is right." Royce's eyes widened. He had been momentarily gleeful when Anders had pushed Wyatt, but now he looked incredulously at their leader.

"Ken — Sir, you can't be serious! You don't really think that —" Anders shook his head, cutting Royce off.

"Not about that, Royce. He's right about keeping our voices down. And Wyatt? Any more divisive talk like that and I'll have to write you up when we get back." It was Wyatt's turn for his lips to twitch in amusement, but he nodded easily enough. It was harder to choke back a sarcastic reply though. Write him up. What a pointless thing to say. The likelihood of any of them making it back to base was remote to say the least.

The only reason Wyatt didn't voice that was because, unlike Royce, he actually respected Anders in a way. Their leader was a bit full of himself at times, but he did believe in what they had set out to do, and had done his best to keep them all together when they had first gotten lost. The confrontation over for now, Royce spun on his heel, grumbling under his breath — only stopping when Anders shot him a look. Behind them, Samantha had decided to take a proper break.

She was using her pack as a seat as she sipped from her canteen, seeming unconcerned and unflappable. The others decided to follow her example, and divested themselves of their own gear. Wyatt sighed as he shrugged out of his pack. He kept his voice soft, making sure he wouldn't be overheard this time.

"Just another day, lost in paradise …" He crouched down, digging through his belongings, being extra careful not to damage the packaging of his most precious possession. It was perhaps a stupid thing to carry across worlds like he had, but it wasn't like it weighed all that much. Wyatt took out his canteen and took a drink before shaking it ruefully, listening to the sound of the water sloshing around inside. There wasn't much left; they'd have to try an find another water source before they stopped for the night.

Or at least what they were calling night. It was hard to keep track of time when you couldn't see the sky. Wyatt crouched down, looking at the endless monotony of the forest, indulging in recollection. It had been like this ever since they had left the valley. The five of them, plus nearly one hundred others, had volunteered to be the first to journey through the portal, leaving Earth for perhaps forever. To establish a colony, a beachhead, through which those in charge could coordinate a greater exodus.

The expedition had been called a heroic endeavour, and all the volunteers had been lauded, celebrated. Praised for taking such a personal risk for the sake of all. Wyatt hadn't exactly minded the risk himself; after his grandparents had passed on he hadn't really felt like there was anything tying him to the bleak and ash-covered world he had been born into. He hadn't even really paid all that much attention to the politics when the portal had been discovered. Or was it gifted?

Certainly it had been announced with all air of salvation coming down from on high. It didn't matter to him. Wyatt had been living with his grandparents since he had been twelve, scraping by a hard existence on their farm. Eight years of backbreaking work, trying to grow plants or raise animals in a world where the sun barely made it through the thick layer of ash in the sky. Only surviving on the stories from his grandparents of how things used to be.

When the ground was covered in green, the sky was a verdant blue overhead, and daily life wasn't a constant struggle to find something to eat. Even with his grandparent's stories, Wyatt hadn't ever fully believed it. Oh, he had dim memories from way back when he was small before the cataclysm. But the idyllic picture they painted? He'd thought that had been an exaggeration until he had crossed over through the portal. Then he'd believed.

The portal had deposited them in a rolling valley, surrounded on three sides by impossibly tall mountains, with a seemingly endless forest on the other. There were rivers winding their way amongst the grassy hills, and no signs of civilisation except for the ruins of what appeared to be a temple near where they arrived. It had been beautiful, and Wyatt had instantly felt he'd made the right decision in volunteering. Here, in this land, he could perhaps live out the dream he'd inherited from his grandparents.

Of course then things had begun to go wrong. The portal had been closed 'temporarily', and despite assurances from Earth that it would be back up in a few days, three months had gone by without any contact. Ammunition and supplies had begun to dwindle, as they hadn't realised they'd need to ration things until too late. It wasn't completely dire; they had ample fresh water, and there was plenty of game, even though the occasional encounter with what could only be described as monsters made things a little dicey.

Even so, the decision had eventually been reached that they would have to explore; with or without support from home. The mountains were deemed to be too difficult. They had looked vast from their camp in the valley, but the few groups that made the trek to the foothills said that the distance made the true scale deceptive. They were as tall or taller than the highest peaks on Earth. With the forest being the only viable option, Wyatt's group and two others were sent in to explore.

However no one had been prepared for just how confusing the interior of the forest was. Everything had gone wrong pretty much immediately. It wasn't just that there were no frames of reference in the forest; Wyatt was used to the outdoors and the woods, but he'd instantly become confused and disorientated. The forest was strange; if you didn't concentrate, your mind started to wander and you lost focus on what you were doing.

This meant that they had realised too late that they'd been walking for hours with no idea which direction led back to the valley. Even retracing their tracks hadn't worked. After following them for a few hundred feet they simply vanished, fading away. Wyatt hadn't seen any trace of the other two groups that had entered. The only reason why his group hadn't given in to panic was the other amazing, impossible thing that had happened to them all.

The change that had truly driven home that they were in a whole other world. Finishing his drink, Wyatt put away his canteen. He checked the stash of supplies he had in his pack before clearing his throat and looking at the others.

"There's only those mushrooms we found as well as those tubers we dug up three days ago. There's enough for another few days, but we should spend tomorrow replenishing what we can. And we need more water, but that's easier to find." Anders grimaced. He had been sitting down with his back to one of the massive trees, but he levered himself to his feet with a grunt. Anders nodded at Wyatt.

"We should save them for when we need them. They keep after all. We need a proper meal for once. I think we've all earned it, and it would improve all our moods. Royce, you're up. See if you can locate us something decent to eat." Hearing that, Royce's eyes gleamed with excitement. His arm twitched as though he was tempted to salute. He got to his feet and stood ramrod straight, trembling as he stared off into the shadow-laden forest like he could see far beyond what should have been possible.

He turned slowly, scanning. It might have come across as slightly comical except that they all knew what he was doing. Royce spoke, his voice taking on an odd, echoing tone.

"[Detect Prey]." Everyone in the group watched expectantly, still not completely over the novelty and wonder of someone activating a [Skill]. Royce suddenly raised his arm without looking, pointing unerringly off to his right. He smiled, showing all his teeth.

"That way."