Flashback [Bronze Woods] Cold Walls and Footfalls (Solo)

[Krahe von der Nebel]

Day 0 There had always been something strange about this forest. Perhaps it was the uncanny colors of the leaves; bronze and gold hues making the huge towers of wood look more like statues than actual trees, the dense forest acting as some sort of sprawling museum that reached far back into time. Maybe it was the way the ground heaved and rolled into itself like raging waves in a tidal storm and threatened to devour those unlucky enough to get caught within it. Could it have been the almost maze-like arrangement of the fauna that lead the unaware and ill prepared travelers deeper and deeper into the gaping jaws of danger? Or maybe it was the sound of the animals within, birds of all shapes and sizes singing in unison like the woods were their stadium for their choir performance. There's a chance it was all this and even more. In truth, it was everything. The sights, the sounds, and the smells all merged together to form a medley of magical proportions. Something so seemingly trivial as a patch of dirt could very well be the birthing ground for hundreds of animals in the span of a few years. That's not counting whatever life flourished underneath the soil and rock. The forest was teeming with life from every corner of every acre. It was a living, breathing world, residing inside the confines of another, rife with beauty and intangible mystery. It was this place, this Forest of Illusion, that Krahe would make his new home. Yet, make no mistake. While these lands provided no end of wonder and excitement, it did so at a cost. It was a cruel place for the unprepared. The brave and fearless saw it as their proving ground, while the new and adventurous souls viewed it as a challenge in both mind and body that they would overcome. Both have led many to their unfortunate ends. The Bronze Woods -Or indeed, all of the Cobalt Mountains- was home to many misanthrope animals of claw and fang. Within the maze of dirt and wood rested wolves with little reasoning skills. They were not hesitant when it came to attacking anything or anyone they viewed as a threat. Anyone seeking shelter in caves would no doubt find the occupants most displeased with their sudden visitor, and would swiftly take action. And it would not be wise to treat the feline creatures inside these wild woods as pets. The bobcat does not have a history of being docile to newcomers. With all of this in mind, one had to wonder why a fresh-faced new adventurer merely 2 -coming on 3- years old would be setting up his camp deep in the forest. Well, in truth it was many things. For one, the Kelvic had spent the three prior years with his family in the same forest. Though most of it was within the close confines of his mother's nest. His experience with the strange world around him was minimal. It only when he was old enough to leave the nest that his mother ever taught him about his human form. He learned speech, behavior, and even his fighting skills under the wisdom of his parents. And then it was time to truly leave the family in search of his own adventure. But Krahe was timid about leaving the place he had called home for so many years. So he did not travel far. Instead, he moved closer towards Syliras via the woods. He would remain within the comforts of the forest for as long as he could. Until he was drawn elsewhere by curiosity. Though he was born and raised in the vast expanse of trees, Krahe faced an incredible amount of hardships throughout his time in the forest. He battled weather, creatures, hunger, thirst, loneliness, and his own sanity. This is the story of his hardships

[Krahe von der Nebel]

Day 1 The trees glimmered in the midday light, the entire forest set ablaze. The sun sat comfortably at the highest point in the sky as it cast its harsh light down into the the woods. Each leaf caught the rays at the perfect angle as to eliminate nearly every inch of shade. Only the base of the trees, already hidden by the low hanging branches, provided any refuge from the sun. It was as if someone had dropped a bucket of molten bronze and copper from above. Yet, despite the harshness of the celestial body, it was not unwelcomed. The end of Fall was rapidly approaching. Alongside it were its kin: cold and snow. Two things that did not bode well for those caught deep within it. Even with the heat from above, the chill alone was enough to dissuade many adventurers from doing much adventuring. However, it was not a desire for adventure that motivated Krahe to push onwards. It was instead a sense of urgency and a growing need to find a piece of land suitable to make camp in. With Winter waiting at the borders of Sylira, the Kelvic could not waste time in settling down. Every second ticked away like the hands in a grandfather clock, growing closer and closer to the inevitable strike of the hour. Each step he took felt like another step farther from his birthplace, a step farther from his home. This world was so big and open, so many paths with so many ends. What was the likelihood he would take the right one? He felt so lost, yet something inside of him brewed with excitement. He felt like this was the start of a new adventure. A new life. From here on out his decisions were his own. And he planned to use every ounce of that ability. He just wondered what risks would come with it. After hours upon hours of walking through the thick maze of wood, Krahe finally found a place to rest. It was a clearing of comfortable size and just within earshot of the nearest river. A fallen log was lodged deep into the dirt alongside an old tree stump that would provide excellent seating around a campfire. Even the woods around the clearing framed the area into a picturesque little haven. Though the narrow branches on the nearby trees offered little protection from above, they were grouped together in thick enough clumps to ward off any strong gusts of wind that barreled through the forest like a pack of wolves. Something that would be a great blessing to have when the season reached its Winter cycle. As such a day was coming. The mere smell of the wind would alert any scent-keen Kelvic of the incoming change. That, and the brutal cold was another dead giveaway. Krahe dropped his oversized rucksack with a mighty sigh before tossing himself on the ground in a likewise manner. "Oomph! Huuuuh... I would complain... but I must be grateful that I have this body to bear the weight my true form cannot," he said to the ground, sliding his arms back and forth against the grassy bed as he waited for his stamina to return. While he lay there his eyes found themselves inexplicably drawn to the leaves that fell down around him. They did not fall with the same haste as they once had earlier into the season. There were plenty of them left to paint the forest aglow with their absurd colors. It was sad to think, however, that in mere days it would all be barren and gray. But there was no use thinking sad thoughts. The Winter brought its own brand of beauty and wonder. They were just hidden in several feet of dense, bone-chilling snow. Though even the snow could be beautiful. Just not very helpful. He closed his eyes with a soft sigh and thought back to the last thing his mother had told him. "There is a world so much greater than what I alone could offer you. This simple nest has been but a fraction of what you will experience. No matter what happens, remember to fly straight. Never falter. I send you with my love, and my prayers." It seemed like years had past since he had last heard those words. Had it been that long? Surely it could not. But still... it was so distant in his mind. It truly felt like he was about to embark on something life changing. If only he knew what exactly in his life it would be changing. Then he might not be so terrified. But alongside it was his promise to never falter, to never cave in despite the hardships he may face. It was a promise he may regret making, but he knew he'd be happy he did eventually. Eventually. Feeling returned to his limbs after a few more moments in the grass. He wasted no time in pitching the large tent against the backdrop of the woods, the heavy winds trying desperately to fight against the Kelvic as he performed his task. But the trees were his friends today as they shielded him from the ferocity of the breeze. With a solid grip on a flat headed rock, Krahe slammed each of the large nails into the ground to keep the tent in place, rushing inside to put up the posts in the fear that he had to make haste in case he made a mistake and the tent would collapse in on him. Thankfully, it did not. At least, on his 5th attempt. After many swears and bruises from metal hitting skin, the young man was able to step back and admire his work. As... shoddy as it was. Still, it would provide ample protection in the coming days. He let out another sigh before setting up the rest of his camp; placing his drying rack outside his tent along with the pieces of a training post he told himself he'd put together at some point. Within half an hour the Kelvic now had a place he could call his home. For now. It was by no means a place he wanted to spend the rest of his life, but he was contempt with staying here until his curiosity drew him out of the woods. Which would be, of course, when his fear was overcame. Which might take a while. In the meantime, he would busy himself with the task of finding food. He dared not venture too far from camp lest someone (or something) claim it as their own. And his knowledge of the geography was as such that he could not tell one copper tree from the next. It would be a shame for him to have gone through all that work just to end up lost in the forest for days on end. So he headed towards the nearest recognizable landmark: the river. The sound of the water sloshing against the rocks could be heard coming from the north. It would be easy to find his starting place no matter which way he went along it. And so, with his bow in hand and the quiver of arrows strapped to his back, Krahe pushed on into the wilderness. With his senses tuning themselves to the sounds of creatures rather than danger, the hunter found himself discovering things that he had neglected to notice in his initial state of wonder and excitement. There was an ever-present orchestra of birds followed by several solos by the wolves far into the distance. The organic ambiance of the woods sounded peaceful and tranquil. A tranquility, no doubt, guarded by beasts that sought to rend anyone and anything apart if it was considered a threat. Thankfully, Krahe had no intention of disrupting the peace. Well, except to get a meal. Even at a young age he had seen the feral creatures of the world as gifts from nature. Such is the cycle of life in the woods as he knew it. But he could never bring himself to end the life of another person. Kelvic, Human, or whatever other races might exist in the vast world, he did not find it his right to end their lives. There Just as he was thinking this, a plump rabbit hopped between two trees a good 10 yards ahead of him. It had not noticed him yet, and he hopped to keep it this way. Without a sound, the Kelvic reached back and pinched the wood shaft of one of his arrows before fondling it into proper position on his bow. He clamped his index down behind the feathers of the arrow, the wood resting on his middle finger. With a deep breath, Krahe pulled the string taut while the opposite hand pushed forward on the bending bow. Everything seemed to defocus around him as his eyes settled on the juicy rabbit nibbling on the grass. He could see the individual hairs of fur on its back as it shifted during its meal. He lined up the spearhead tip with the rabbit's chest. He released both his breath and the string as the shot pinned the bunny into the ground with a squeak. Several birds resting in a nearby tree fled with haste as the sound echoed into the woods. His eyes watched them for only a moment before falling back onto his next meal. He felt as if he had disrupted the peace. Night approached rapidly. Had it really been that long since he first found the clearing? Apparently so. The sun was in the process of snuggling under the covers of the mountain, waving its last goodbyes as the ember colors of the sky made the already absurd colors of the forest look picturesque. As if he was inside a painting. But as darkness slowly overtook the Bronze Woods, Krahe found himself huddling within the cone of light the fire in front of him offered. AS if it were some special area that warded off the demons of the night. Just as long as he stayed inside it, he would be safe. It was a childish assumption, but one that made him feel safe nonetheless. This was his first true experience living on his own. The realization was not as hard-hitting as he expected, but it still hit. There was noone to turn to in times of need. He would have to rely on himself. And whatever the forest decided to offer. He wondered if he should have risked the trip to the city, but again his unreasonable fear of the world kept him from pursuing that train of thought any further. It was irrational, yes, but he truly had no idea of what it was like outside the forest. He had heard tales, yes. But never before had he witnessed a human structure, walked a man-made path, or even glimpsed a view outside the Cobalt Mountains. For all he knew, the rest of the world was a sea of fire with islands made of skulls. Or floating patches of land suspended over bottomless chasms. He shook his head, finishing the last of the rabbit. Thinking about it would do nothing but make him panic. That was the last thing he needed to do. Crazy people would not have a high survival rate in the forest, he assumed. With a heavy sigh he discarded the useless parts of the rabbit (being anything he didn't eat) before slipping into the warmth of his tent. The fire from outside was casting strange shadows again the canvas, making him jump at what was at first glance the jaws of a viscous wolf. He knew he would not sleep soundly tonight. Regardless, he lays his head down as his body was hugged by the bedroll. Sleep came slow. Painfully slow. But it came. Marking the end of an uneventful day. Krahe would soon learn to cherish such days.

[Krahe von der Nebel]

Day 2 Rain. It started late into the night. What was at first a small drizzle had turned into a raging storm by midnight. It was several hours after what he assumed was the break of dawn until it started to let up again, but made no indication to be leaving for good. The droplets came down with righteous fury, beating against the canvas like fingers on a drum as the rivulets ran down the leather and joined the tiny streams that snaked across his camp towards the forest. The bronze and silver colors he had witness just the prior day were now muddied by the overcast skies and covered with a thick filter of gray. The few remaining leaves were knocked from their branches and those that still stood were hit with a barrage that seemed to wash away its colors like water-paint. It was disheartening, this being the first day of what he assumed to be his new adventure. It felt like the world was trying to dissuade him from his goal of independence. And it was working. Small shafts of light occasionally broke through the thick ceiling of storm clouds to cast down sickeningly yellow light. Any holes that formed, however, were quickly patched up before they could make anything better. The Kelvic, huddling in his tent to preserve what little warmth he had, missed having the harsh sun from yesterday. He would happily trade cold rain for blistering heat any day. Especially this one. He rubbed his hands together before breathing into them with a shudder. His breath created a thick mist in front of his face that provided some amount of warmth to his freezing face. He wondered if he could make fire inside his tent. He had no way to vent any smoke. Though he could open the flaps. Even then, wouldn't he catch the tent itself on fire? He'd rather have the tent. His utter lack of camping knowledge made him fearful to do anything out of the norm. One small slip-up could cost him his campsite, his supplies, or even his life. His stomach made its needs vocal. While he had always been able to deny his hunger for extended periods of time, the lack of warmth in his body combined with his empty stomach made him yearn for a warm soup or a hearty stew. Something to combat the chill. But he had nothing. Not even a worm. He had told himself that he would rely on his own hunting skills to gather food once he made camp, rather than get the food prior to his trip. Of course, he had not expected mother nature to grow ill-tempered. He would have to expose himself to the elements if he wanted to eat today. That was something he had already accepted. The hard part was actually following through with it. The rain seemed to go from light drizzles to full on maelstroms over the span of several minutes, and gauging when the best time to leave and hunt without getting soaked was hopeless. It was becoming increasingly obvious that he had no hope of staying even the littlest bit dry. With a great amount of hesitation, the Kelvic rose to his feet and jumped up and down to circulate some blood-flow. He sheathed his daggers in his belt and strapped the quiver of arrows to his back before daring a peek outside. It spurred some amount of hope in him when he saw that the rain looked nowhere near as viscous as it had sounded inside the tent. It was by no means gentle, but the rain looked to be coming down at a leisurely pace. Stepping out into it, however, was a different story. Each droplet felt like a tiny needle pressing into his skin as he was injected with ice. His face was hit with a relentless volley of icy arrows as the wind blew the rain around the protection of his hood. No matter which way he turned, the rain managed to exploit the flaws of his outfit. Even when he clenched the opening of the hood around his face the icy mist managed to slip inside. The longer he tried to fight the weather, the longer he was exposing himself to it. So he forced himself to ignore it and push into the forest for food. After leaving the safety of the clearing, he found that the rain was the least of his worries. A huge gust of wind tried to knock him back into the campsite. It slapped the rain into his face and tore back his hood so that his whole head was vulnerable to the weather. He had to widen his stance and keep his hands fastened to the brim of his hood as he pushed onwards. Hunting in this condition would be near impossible. He'd have to hope something leapt into his hands. He pushed onwards, the tips of his hands growing numb as the chill was continuously injected into his body. Even the branches, swaying back and forth hard enough to knock someone to the floor, were fighting against him as he looked for sustenance. He was losing hope by the second. It was hard enough to see through the rain, but the wind decided to make matters worse by gnawing at his eyes as it swept under his cloak. With his mind so focused on fighting the elements he was no longer paying attention to where he was going. For a good 10 minutes he just wandered aimlessly. At several points he forgot his mission all together. and even when he did regain his memory, he found that he was making no progress whatsoever. He had lots all hope of finding food. It took several moments for his brain to switch from "I'm going to be hungry today" to, "I'm stranded in the middle of the woods, I'm going to die." Instead of feeling defeated, Krahe felt panicked. The first day of his new life, only for him to die. What a great start. His eyes widened, his breath quickened. His stomach twisted itself in fear and though he had nothing in it, he felt like vomiting. He stepped backwards, trying to get his bearings from the world around him, but every brownish-gray tree was indistinguishable from the next. And then he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. His heart skipped a beat. His body froze. Above the rain, the wind, and his own quickening heartbeat, he heard the last thing he wanted to hear right now. Before he even had time to turn around, the growling, snarling wolf was on him. He tried to roll out from under it, but was met only with a barrage of sharpened claws. It slashed at his chest before Krahe had time to raise his arms in defense. Even then, the beast managed to cut through the cloth armor and into his skin. He managed to throw the creature off of him, but not before the wolf dug its claws deep enough to draw blood. It soaked through his sleeves and stained the cloth a light red. Scrambling to his feet, Krahe started to gasp in terror. The beast was angry. Not the "You have trespassed" angry. the "I'm f^%king insane" angry. Its fur was bristled and dirty-looking. Its eyes looked wild. And saliva dribbled from its mouth. The Kelvic clutched his arms as the blood started to run down them, the wolf growling loud enough to make his chest rumble. Still recovering from the initial shock, he fumbled around his belt looking for his daggers. Only after the wolf lunged again did he manage to unsheathe his weapons. They both found their place in the wolf's chest before its teeth could reach him. But the wolf somehow had the energy left to kick its legs at him. With the blades still inside it, it used its paws to scramble off of Krahe and leave several more wounds along his body, primarily his legs. The wolf tipped from side to side as it circled its prey. Even its eyes started to droop from the draining lifeforce as it left puddles of its blood on the ground. The hunter's hand fumbled once more against the wooden curve of the bow, managing to pull it from his back after some initial trouble. Muscle memory allowed him to knock the bow against the string and prepare for the wolf to strike again. Just as expected, it did. Time seemed to slow. He took a deep breath in and felt his arms overpowering the pain from the wound as he pulled back the string and aimed at the wolf. His eyes could see the individual droplets of water hit against the bow and arrow, along with the fur on the wolf ruffle as it lunged across the gap. He exhaled. The bow disappeared from his grasp and found its new home in the crown of the wolf's skull, dropping to his feet with a silenced thud. It breathed out its last, painful breaths before passing on. And just like that, it was over. Krahe stumbled, clutching a nearby tree for support. He was exhausted. Out of breath. Bleeding fast. He felt like he was dying. Slowly. But surely. His feet started moving on their own into the darkness of the forest as he started to tear off pieces of his undershirt to bandage around his arm. His breaths were uneven, each one catching in his throat. His chest burned hot like the coals of a forge as his heart beat loud enough in his ear. His body completely ignored the chill of the air, or the sting of the rain. It was busy. Too busy to matter with such trivial affairs. And it was there, in the darkness of the stormy forest that Krahe found protection. A cave. With a light beyond. It was calling to him. Winking at him. He started to move faster, limping as the wounds from the battle made themselves known. His feet dragged against the muddy ground and made him stumble and fall, his arms dragging him further under the protection of the stone walls. It was there, wet, cold, bleeding, and out of energy, that the Kelvic allowed himself rest. His body ached against the uneven wall, and his stomach continued to yearn for something to feed it. But he could not. He could only sit there. He closed his eyes. "I'll just rest... for a moment" "Only a moment..."