Before I could even react, the green holographic screen changed again.
[Randomly Selecting Human Survivor's Primary Trait...]22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XUxyjybRK
[Loading.. Loading... 'Telekinesis' and 'Shield Generation' have been selected.]22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkmj2tvkSR
[Randomly Selecting Human Survivor's Primary Perk....]22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpQqjUx8I1
['Power Bestowal' and 'Infinite Merge' have been selected.]22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AM83w6PUt
[Engraving into Survivor's Soul...]
I quickly braced myself for any incoming pain that could come from this ominous 'Engraving'. After waiting a few seconds I looked up from my lurched posture to see the screen saying 'Engraving Complete.' Maybe I had hit my head on the way down, I had begun to believe this ever changing screen had to be a hallucination. I began to lift my hand up, ready to touch it but I faltered. Taking a deep breath I moved my hand forward to touch the screen but it passed right through it, momentarily disrupting the screen, yet less than a second later it came back into form.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNgtIGLly2
I had no clue what was going on and now there was a strange intangible window saying things that didn't make even more sense. Thinking back to the changing screen earlier, I remembered seeing 'Telekinesis' and the screen seemingly reacted to my thoughts, and began to change.
[Telekinesis(G grade)22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBtjeo7B65
- Allows the user to control objects with their will.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERqkuJQ8uB
-Consumes Quar.]
This was something very similar to a game. I mean, 'Telekinesis'? 'Quar'? Taking this information in, I thought back to the other 'Trait' that was mentioned, 'Shield Generation'. The screen began to change to show the details for the trait but once again shifted.
[Welcome to the Trial Realm!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYDAZJo4J9
A random Spirit is being chosen to give you a Trial.]
What the fuck is a Spirit? What is a Trial? Was this all a dream?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ0hQGpU9l
I grabbed my throbbing leg and winced, it quickly grounding me with the lingering pain from the tree incident. This was definitely real but the screens appearing before my eyes were almost magical. The screen once again changed.
[Congratulations! You have obtained 6 Titles. Titles Obtained:
['Pioneer'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy99Nem58Ir
- First to enter a trial realm!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBwxycbgl
- Reward: 'Analyzing Eye' Perk Core.]
['Lucky Double Traits'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3TfY0g0hk
- Gain two Primary Traits!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKqTcQNDbO
- Reward: Core Trait Grade Up.]
['Lucky Double Perks'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3XDdJ9uQm
- Gain two Primary Perks!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkw5FhkP9z
- Reward: Core Trait Grade Up.]
['Double Trouble'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuFE7b7vN4
- Have two Primary Traits and Perks!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0oAPXy7GA
- Reward: 'Linked Growth' Perk Core.]
['Fast Learner'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3FTHvKgtV
- First survivor with an 'E' grade trait!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GRPXcgcJi
- Reward- 'Enhanced Senses' Trait Rune.]
['Leading Survivor'22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfumIfz04Lx
- First to obtain five titles!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQdzhIuKWI
- Reward: 'Immortal Body' Perk Core.]
[Would you like you to claim your rewards?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFyYBVTar0
Yes|No ]
"God, all these screens are giving me a headache." I mumbled to myself, while struggling to get onto my feet. I attempted to pay no mind to these screens as my dire situation started to settle in. Yet my curiosity was getting the best of me, these green panels could be considered beautiful in a way.
I looked back, finding the screen nowhere to be seen. Sighing and pulling my phone out, I reasoned these panels could very well be hallucinations from some kind of gas in the cave. I quickly opened my phone, turning on the flashlight and taking pictures of the cave, after doing so I brought up Jon's contact, 'Dipshit Roomie'. My phone was showing no service and three percent charge yet I clicked call and put it on speaker. The dial tone was a calming yet suspenseful sound. The phone continued to ring until an automated voice spoke, "The number you are trying to dial is unavailab-." The phone flickered off and I let it fall out of my hands onto the soft dirt.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen6CjytQsI
I took a deep breathe and began to collect my thoughts. After calming myself, I quickly took my jacket off and made my way over to the baby raccoon. It was balled up on the ground, shivering and whimpering. I slowly knelt next to it and fixed my jacket into a cradle like shape. I carefully picked up the raccoon, it flinching when it first came into contact with my fingers. Before I could fully settle with the raccoon in my lap, the cave's atmosphere shifted subtly. The holographic screen flickered once more, its glow intensifying momentarily before stabilizing with a new message:
[A Spirit has completed their observation and is deciding upon a trial. They have chosen not to reveal their True Name until you prove your worth. ]22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4y7Zc5gpQ
[Survival Trial:22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb1Bkb18x3
-Improve the Raccoon's condition while defending it from Predators.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmTT353htI
-Duration: 48 Hours22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5lAOo7TRV
-Rewards: Depends on Survivor's Performance, Pet Bond. Spirit's Approval]
As if on cue, a faint rustling echoed from the cavern's shadows. Small shapes darted across the floor, emerging from cracks and crevices in the walls. I strained my eyes to see what they were—giant ants, each the size of a kitten, swarmed into view with menacing clicks and mandibles clacking. ****
Panic surged through me as I watched the few emerging from the walls, turn into over two dozen. With one arm cradling the shivering raccoon, I scrambled to my feet, searching for a way to defend against the approaching swarm. The ants moved with coordinated precision, encircling us in a predatory dance. I felt a small sense of confidence in their small size and began frantically stomping on them, bringing my right foot down with a disgusting crunch. I could only use one leg as I had lost my other shoe, putting me at a disadvantage.
Some ants scurried away from the stomping, but their numbers continued to advance, undeterred by my efforts. After crushing at least fifteen ants, desperation set in as I scanned the cave for any means of escape or defense. The cave was closed, there were only small plants and pebbles scattered around on the cave floor. With nowhere to run and the raccoon's life in jeopardy, I gritted my teeth, my mind racing for a solution. I spotted a natural rock shelf and hurriedly ran towards it, destroying a few ants and interrupting their formation in the process.
I gently placed the raccoon down on a natural rock shelf, knowing I had to confront the swarm head-on. The ants, emboldened by their numbers, closed in with determination. I took a defensive stance in front of the raccoon and began to clear the immediate area of ants and heading towards the swarm. Although they were frighteningly large, they didn't seem that strong. I felt one make its way up my leg, then another, dozens more soon followed, their numbers seemingly swallowing me. As they began encroaching my body, snipping and scratching me with their mandibles, I felt anger and frustration bubble up inside of me. Although faint, I felt an unfamiliar heat rise along with my anger, seemingly in sync.
I continued to stomp and sling off the ants but their numbers seemed unending. A sharp pain shot through my right leg as an ant bit down, and I jumped, instinctively swatting at the burning sting. Panic surged, but then something strange happened. A warmth, faint at first, then growing stronger, surged through my body. Without fully understanding how, I felt a force emanate from my right hand while swatting them away, sending several ants flying into the cave wall with a satisfying thud. I stared at my tingling hand, disbelief and awe overwhelming me. It was surrounded in a dark shimmering blue aura, it was so entrancing and just unbelievably beautiful to look at. The strange aura faded away from my hand, leaving it with warmth and a small prickling sensation. My attention was drawn back to see the ants I had thrown enveloped in the same fading dark blue mist. I had just used telekinesis. The power felt raw, unfamiliar, but undeniably real as it coursed through my body. No matter how real things seemed, it still felt unreal. Like I was lucid dreaming, hours ago I was in class working on Calculus.
I snapped out of my disbelief and focused intently, attempting to draw upon this newfound power to fend off the ants. I quickly looked around once more for anything useful, only finding small pebbles and more incoming ants. I stared at the small pebbles and extended my hand, although the earlier activation seemed to be a fight or flight response, it seemed almost natural to use my hand. The pebbles began to rise, levitating at various speeds and heights before stopping and shaking slightly. With a flick of mental effort and my hand, I sent them flying towards the nearest ants. The strain from using an unfamiliar power showed itself, causing a sharp pain to envelop my head and arm, nearly causing me to collapse.
To my surprise and relief, the makeshift projectiles hit their mark, scattering a portion of the swarm momentarily. Gasping for breath, I staggered back, my vision swimming with exertion. A victorious sigh escaped my lips as I glanced back towards the raccoon, only to find it gone.
Confusion and panic gripped me as I heard a faint whimper echoing from the shadows. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I saw the raccoon being carried away by a few larger ants, ones that I assumed to be soldier ants. Reflexively, I summoned my telekinetic ability again, focusing all my willpower to stop the ants and pull the raccoon back from the edge of a nearby crevice. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my right hand, causing me to wince and instinctually cusp the injury.
My attempt was succesful as I watched the ants momentarily freeze while the raccoon tumbled away from the clutches of the ants with a muffled whine. The ants staggered and turned back to see their already decided prey getting stolen. I quickly picked it up and retreated back to the cave wall. I was cornered and injured, inwardly cursing myself for getting my ass kicked by ants. The swarm of ants regrouped, their attention now solely fixated on me, their movements synchronized and unnervingly coordinated. This swarm had almost fifty ants, more had emerged from the cracks and the number was steadily increasing as more flooded from the caves crevices.
I let out a deepfrustrated sigh and spoke, "Bring it, you ugly fucks." My voiced reverberrated through out the cave, causing more frustation to bubble up inside of me. The ants halted, clicking their mandibles and began charging towards me.
-
**** WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANTS TODAY FOLKS! Here are a few quick facts :)
- Ants are omnivores, they've been know to eat various small animals. It's scary to think that they nearly outnumber us 2.5 million to 1! :0
- Some ants are farmers(Can I get a yeehaw?!), they grow fungi as a food source!
- They are known to engage in wars and even enslave ants from other colonies.
- Some have stingers that they use to inject venom, while others rely on powerful bites. The venom can range from mildly irritating to highly toxic, depending on the species. Many ants, like the Formica species, can spray or inject formic acid as a defense mechanism. They fight DIRTY!
- A nuptial flight is a mating event where winged male and female ants(Queens of course) leave their colonies to mate in mid-air. After mating, the fertilized queens land, shed their wings, and start new colonies, while males typically die shortly after.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkY15uUaaN
:/ That's a sad life if you ask me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjQ6e2X5zC
