Mark woke with some concerns about the day ahead. Last night he agreed to go to the cave. He wanted to go, but at the same time, he did not. He knew how to trap and kill, but he was not ready for having to fight head-on. Cora showed up first thing and just stood waiting for him. As Mark prepared, he verified that his axe, spear, knife, and rope were all in his inventory. Cora just stood there and watched him.
Ava quickly gathered her gear and got Bramble ready. She said, “You’re not going without me.”
Mark replied, “Are you sure you want to go? It could be dangerous.”
Ava said, “I need the XP, and you need backup. Plus, Bramble is a great tracker; he will be useful.”
Mark said, “Okay, but make sure to stay back and be careful.”
He looked over to Dale, who looked to be packing a lunch for them in addition to finishing up breakfast, and asked, “Dale, did you want to come too?”
Dale said, “No way. You guys go have fun; I have things to do here at camp. Maybe I can do some pottery while you guys are gone. I’ve also been thinking of building a brick oven for cooking.”
Mark just shook his head and finished grabbing his gear. After eating their breakfast and storing the lunches, they set off.
Just as they crossed out of camp, Mark spoke to Cora. “We can check the entrance today. Nothing more.”
The trip to the stream was quick, as the area between camp and the stream was controlled and had nothing that could cause them trouble. Once at the stream, they slowed down. Just before the pond, they crossed to the other side and stopped and looked toward the cave. The cave entrance was large enough for all three of them, but the ground showed no fresh tracks beyond the trail they had already followed.
Cora turned to Mark and said, “Why are you hesitating?”
Mark said, “When we cross the stream, I can feel that I am leaving my controlled area. This area is not explored or controlled. I have less ability to sense danger, and I am a little afraid of what we might find.”
Cora said, “Well, I need to know what is in there, so I guess I will lead and you can just follow behind.”
With that, Cora walked toward the cave. She hesitated just for a moment as they passed into the shade of the cave. Mark thought that maybe she could sense the change like he could. As he approached the cave, all the sounds around him died out. As he stepped into the shadow of the cave opening, he felt the total loss of the senses he had in his area of control. After taking one more step, a message appeared.
[System-Controlled Zone Detected]
Access: LimitedControl: None
◈ ◈ ◈
Mark said, “Oh, interesting; it’s System-Controlled versus my control.”
Cora stopped and asked, “What was that you said?”
Mark said, “I just got a system message that we are now in a System-Controlled zone and that my control level is none. Back in the forest it shows me my control level there.”
Cora said, “Interesting. I did not get any message.”
Mark thought about that; she got no message. That meant the control was related to his Territory Control feature. As they walked a few steps forward, the light dimmed and then finally fell away. Before Mark could think about it, Cora pulled out a torch and lit it, handing it to him. Pulling out a second torch, she lit it and handed it to Ava. That was when Mark realized he did not prepare correctly for this.
He was glad that Cora had thought about that. They proceeded into the cave with Cora in the lead, Bramble to her right side, and Ava and Mark behind, holding the torches. They heard sounds, crackling and dragging, down the tunnel just out of sight. Cora stepped forward, then another. It finally came into sight.
[Root Crawler — Level 3]
She stepped forward and made the first stab with the spear, and it glanced off the roots because they were too flexible. She switched to the axe. It was successful, but it pushed her back, and she stumbled, catching herself. Bramble ran in and started tearing at the roots at the bottom. Finally, Mark realized it was time to act and came up beside Cora with his axe and joined in.
Ava, not wanting to be left out but not having the right tool, stepped forward and stabbed into it with her spear. She was not doing much damage but was not willing to stay out of the fight. Finally, it stopped moving and fell to the ground. Cora started to look around to see if there were any more. They could still hear sounds, but they were far off. Nothing sounded like it was approaching, so she stepped back to talk to Mark.
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Cora said, “It sounds like there are more plants in here. Should we go back out and talk or continue?”
He finally said, “We step back. Then decide. Let’s go outside and talk about this.”
Mark looted the Root Crawler and received unfamiliar cave materials, different from anything they had found outside. Mark looked at them and spoke up. “What does everyone think?”
Ava started first. “This is different from the forest. No way to trap them. They seem fun though. I bet Bramble and I can handle one. I am close to leveling a few more kills, and I will level up.”
Cora spoke next. “They are low-level and give minimal XP, but they have different resources than in the forest. There might be other things there that would help out. Maybe more food items for Dale.”
Finally, Mark spoke. “I really liked the dense root fiber I got. The XP is minimal; I would not level any time soon fighting here, but it would be worth exploring it more and seeing what materials we can get.”
Mark thought about the cave and the potential for control. He considered what it could mean for their resources. They needed better and different resources. Ava needed more experience fighting up close, something that Mark did not want to get good at. This was also a bonding moment that might bring Cora more into the group.
Mark then finally spoke. “Okay, my suggestion is that we go back in and explore a little farther. I am really interested in what this new area has in store for us. I would also like to see what it takes to gain control here. Remember we can handle this level. Just don’t get sloppy.”
Mark walked back into the cave just behind Cora. The feeling happened again: the change in control. There were no new messages, though. They all lit the torches again and went slowly forward. They looked at the spot where they had killed the root crawler. Nothing was left except the footprints on the ground from the previous fight. Cora paused briefly, listening to the sounds of the cave. There were the dripping sounds of water and the dragging sound of what must be another root-type monster. The tunnel narrowed, curved left, and opened into a larger chamber. Another Level 3 Root Crawler waited at the far end. This time the group knew their roles, and the fight ended much faster.
Bramble was the first to find something, pawing at a patch near the chamber wall. Ava called Mark over to see what Bramble had found. “Oh, interesting mushrooms. Those might be of some use. I don’t know much about them, but maybe Dale would know how to tell if they are safe or not.” After that, nothing else of any value was found. On the right side of the cavern, they found another tunnel that was not obviously visible when they first entered the chamber.
They followed the new tunnel as it wandered left and right. Near another chamber, they heard water dripping somewhere ahead. Moving carefully into the room, they spotted a rootling, and then another shape shifted behind it. A root crawler. Stepping back and having a quick conversation, they decided that Mark and Ava would take one and that Cora would take the other with Bramble’s help. Ava pointed toward the second creature, her focus shifting hard in that direction. Bramble reacted instantly, breaking off toward it. This fight was harder than the last. Because they had only two fighters against each creature, they struggled more. Cora’s fell first. Since she was a quick fighter, she turned to help Mark and Ava finish theirs off.
Ava said, “Yes! I just leveled.” She had finally reached Level 4, which she had been hoping she could get. “I got a new skill! It’s going to help me work with Bramble.” With that, she went over and started to pet Bramble.
Mark and Cora talked about the fight. Mark explained how he messed up letting it get too close. He showed her his arm where it had latched on and torn his skin. They talked about their axes and how they were not as sharp as they could be, and it would be wise to make newer ones. Maybe bigger in size to make it easier to chop up the plants.
Mark said, “I think we should explore this room and then head back to camp. Cora and I talked about how we should make some better, stronger axes. I also got a wound on my arm, and I need to clean it up.”
He cleaned and bandaged the wound before continuing.
Ava and Bramble headed over to where they could see water dripping down the wall. Bramble got excited and went over to the wall and started licking it. At first, Ava thought he was just thirsty, but through the bond, she got the impression that something of value was there. She walked over to check it out. On the rock, there was a white, crusty material that looked to be some kind of buildup. She motioned Mark over to look.
Mark said, “Oh, Ava, that looks useful.” He pulled out his knife and, using it, scraped some of the material away. Looking at it, he guessed that it might be salt or another mineral buildup. Putting a tiny piece on his tongue, he tasted it. He wasn’t sure but guessed that it might be salt. Pulling a small clay bowl out of his inventory, he scraped some more into it. “We can take this back to Dale and see if it’s something of value for cooking.”
They searched the chamber and gathered moss, two varieties of mushrooms, mineral buildup, and unfamiliar materials from the defeated creatures.
Mark said, “Okay, let’s head back out. Keep your eyes open and make sure there isn’t anything else hiding around a corner, and look for any other materials we might be able to use.”
The way back was slow, but nothing else was found. They continued outside and stopped just outside the cave. Mark again felt the strange feeling of going from the uncontrolled area to one where he had some control in the direction of camp.
Before he could say anything more, Cora turned to Mark. “I am going to stop at the rock pit on my way back to camp and gather you some better rock so we can get those axes made.” Without another word, she headed off in that direction.
On the way back, Ava excitedly discussed reaching Level 4 and the new skill that would help her work with Bramble. Mark gathered wood and fiber for improved axes.
When they walked into camp, Dale said, “How did it go? Find anything useful?”
Mark replied, “Oh, I think you will like some of what we found.”
Pulling out the container with moss, the white crystals, mushrooms, and the other items he found, he placed them on the crafting table. Dale looked over each item slowly. He started mumbling to himself without it being something he could understand. Then he got to the bowl with the crystals.
Dale said, “Yes, that’s salt.” He picked up a small piece and put it in his mouth. “Oh, that changes things.”
Mark just smiled. Things were looking up. When Cora eventually showed up, the two of them started working on the new axes.