Well... wasn't expecting that

When the morning came on I once again woke up before the sun had hit the windows. Despite the multiple early mornings I didn't feel any more exhausted than normal. Just the standard morning rust causing my bones to creak and crack. Rolling off of the bed I did my best to break the rust off before I took in my surroundings. Still in Miss Loroni's house, she was sleeping soundly on the other side of the small room. In the center there was a mud brick fire place that's chimney rose into the roof. Inside I could still see a few embers burning. Going off of my own guess it must have gone out only a few hours prior. Hearing the sweet woman snoring softly across from me brought a smile to my face. She reminded me of my own grandmother once a lifetime ago. At that moment I remembered another thing that my grandmother loved.

Admittedly it took me longer than it should to get the fire going once again. Luckily her flint and steel was nearby so I didn't need to hunt for it. After only a few, dozen, attempts the wood finally caught and I was able to warm up the house once again. The fire slowly brought it up to a more comfortable temperature, though as the sun rose it would have to be doused to avoid over heating. Following my plan I set the pot onto the fire place. After some time I was finally able to pour Miss Loroni a fresh cup of hot tea. Something nice and comforting for the morning.

Not long after the tea was set down next to her, still piping hot, I noticed that the sun had begun to climb into the sky. Only five minutes later I stood in the middle of the hamlet. I leaned against the rustic well. Cobbled stone and squared off wooden beams holding up a bucket and rope that could be dropped into the well's watery depths. While I waited I looked over the map that Yura had given me. It lacked a good deal of details, but it did a good enough job of laying out the land and borders of the wild.

I did my best to study the land and memorize what I could. Several large forests of note that surrounded the land I was in. The first, the one I had woken up in, was known as The Creaking Expanse. The largest of the three main forests by far. So much so that it took up the entire western side of the map. It was also broken into separate sections based on the trees. The second, to the North, was known as The Aging Barrens. Finally the last forest that I currently found myself in was known as The Winding Wood. Cutting through the north western and all the way to the south eastern edge of the map was the river I had followed several times by that point. Dotted around the map was also small markings that conveyed hamlets or housing clusters. There weren't any large villages, save for the main one that I had come to settle in. With such a simple area it wasn't too hard to keep most of it mind.

As I read the map over by myself I started to hear the village coming to life. It took me some time to realize but it was my rather high detection stat that allowed me to do so. I could hear people groaning from a hundred feet away as they walked out of their homes. I could hear animals whining for feed, children complaining about being told to get up. Mothers arguing back with them. If not for the sheer amount of noise it would have been amusing. What I wasn't expecting however was the sudden voice from behind me. "Are you ready to get moving, Sir."

I spun around to face Mors as he adjusted the wood axe over his shoulder. I didn't bother to question his choice of protection. Based on where we were going, I couldn't fault him in any way. "I am, how is your son? Bry, yes? Is he alright?"

"Yes, he went back to sleep only a few hours later but he's woken with little more than just leg pain. It's still broken. The elixir wasn't able to heal his broken bone completely, but it rid him of the infection and it saved him weeks of pain. At this point we're thinking that he'll be walking again in only a week or two, rather than months. I know you've asked us not to, but thank you for saving my son. It's more than I could have hoped for." In his other hand he held a bundle of rope. He slung it up onto his shoulder as he stuck out his hand. "I don't have anything more to offer, but I'll always sing your praises. You've saved my son."

I sighed a little louder than I intended for but met his hand with my own. Shaking it firmly before I bothered to respond. "He seems like a good boy. Bry, I've no doubt he'll turn into a fine man one day. No doubt in the slightest." With the thanks out of the way I made a point to notice the rope on his person. "I guess I'll be needing that. Is it that far of a drop? Is there no other way out of the ruins?"

"Ah, it isn't getting in that'll be the issue. I found a simpler path when I managed to get Bry out of there. It's for deeper in. The ruin was split into several different sections that would be virtually impossible to travers without climbing. Though you've forbade me from joining you, the lease I can do is give you some supplies." He adjusted the rope and axe before he continued. "I've also spoken with my wife. While she agrees with me not going down there, I don't intend to leave you. I'll remain outside of the entrance until you come out. She's already been made aware, and should it take too long there will be a small group coming to check on us. They aren't fighters, but they'll simply make sure that we're alive and not in a lizard's gut."

"Can't say that isn't a bad idea. Just make sure that no one, not even yourself, follows me in. There's no point in losing anyone else in the village should I fail." I adjusted my sword and dagger before I spoke once more. "Let's get moving. If it's at all possible I'd rather not spend a night down in some ancient ruins. If it's too big I'll report back to you and let you know before hand. Come on, lets go."

It didn't take us long to make our way into the forest. Mors was expertly traversing the rough terrain. Meanwhile I was the one who slowed him down. Thankfully, with him in the lead, I didn't have to worry about much. Before long we found a stream that delved deep into the forest. From what Mors explained there were many such spots that came from springs dotted around. This particular stream was actually from the villages old water source. He gave me a brief history of the little settlement's life. How it was started by soldiers who had retired after years of battle. That they wanted a peaceful life away from all the conflict. He also told me of why I had received such a 'pleasant' welcome when I first arrived. That the man who intercepted me, Gory, was the village prick. He made a point to exclaim their isolationisms. That they needed nothing from the outside world. He attempted to stop Mors from posting the job, but was swarmed by the mothers who made him back off.

Our hike only took about two hours before we finally came to a stop. One such spring that Mors had told me about. To the right of the pool there was a sudden slope that delved into the darkness. Ice cold water making it a slippery drop off. "I know it isn't the most comfortable, but it's better than the way my Bry found in. Come, I'll show it to you so you have an idea." Mors led me off a few hundred feet. At the base of a large pine the ground gave way. A small cut out of the earth. Looking down into the hole I managed to get a glimpse of the lay out. There were many different stone walls that formed large rings. I couldn't get a good view but it was strange to see from above. Inside there were large crystals jutting out from the rock face. Each one glowing softly, though they came together to give the space a strange florescent blue glow.

"Alright, I want you to stay by this hole, for now. When I reach this area I'll call out to you. I'd like you to stay here, at least until I say otherwise. That way we can communicate in someway." After leaving the hole we made our way back to the stream. I asked him to look after my tent set up, in return Mors handed me the rope and I scooted down onto the water slide. It was painfully cold, far more than I cared for, but it was also slow moving. If I watched my step I wouldn't have any trouble going in or out. The real downside was that I was sliding into a dark abyss. Without light of any kind it was disheartening to see. The exact reason I had no intention of spending the night in there.

My descent didn't take very long. The frozen slide only lasted for fifty or so feet. My ass, however, hated me for it. As I touched down on solid earth I noticed that the water stopped as well. It took me a moment to feel around but it was being funneled into a small hold along the bottom of the floor. "That would explain why the area hasn't flooded. Mors! I'm moving in. Go to the hole and wait for me."

With my left hand to the wall, and my dagger in my right, I pushed forward into the darkness. Shuffling my feet to try and avoid any unnecessary surprises. It took nearly ten minutes but I finally broke through to the main area that Mors and I had scoped out previously. I noticed how the crystals were all around the size of a baseball. Strangely uniform in shape they were almost round. They didn't make any sense, and I wasn't going to try and solve their mystery. The tunnel that I had walked through opened up to another steep drop. This time little more than a rock pile. I carefully made my way down until the last few feet, where the rocks gave way and I slid down before tumbling onto my face.

It took my a moment to come to my senses but as I did I felt a cold sensation on my palms. Far colder than any normal rock. I began to swipe and throw rocks away before I realized why it was so strange. I had fallen onto a large piece of metal. Ancient and nearly gone entirely. What really caused my heart to freeze was the symbols on the metal itself. English, not only that but still, barely, eligible. "_elcom _o Los _nge__s Zo_"

The Los Angeles Zoo.

The Los Angeles Zoo.

"What the fuck!"