In the dense quiet forest, where only the chirping of different birds echoed throughout. The eerie and unsettling scenery of creatures hunting for food.
The stillness of the forest being disrupted when an unknown entity slowly materialized mid air, observing everything without eyes on it's face.
In front of Nox's sleeping body, a rectangular translucent message popped up from nowhere. Waking him up from his sleep.
[Nox, wake up.]
(Eyes opened. Alertness: Gradually returning.
Cause of interruption: Visual pop-up.
Message content: [Nox, wake up.]
Recognized source: Spectator.)
"...I am awake."
(Physical systems: Stable.
Cognitive functions: Online.
Query: Reason for waking me?)
"...Is there something you need?"
[Did the time flow when I was away?]
Nox went outside the hollow tree. He stretched his body while lifting his head to look around.
He lifted his hands and observed the scar he made before.
(Analyzing temporal discrepancy...
Visual check: Scar on finger — depth, redness, clotting unchanged.
Environmental factors: Wind, light, temperature — static.
Conclusion: Time progression — minimal. Estimated passage — 4.7 seconds.)
"...No. Time did not flow. The moment I entered sleep, the world froze."
(Implication: This reality remains tethered to your observation.
Until you return, all variables stay in stasis.
I exist between seconds... again.)
[Fuck, I was hoping it would make a change. This really means that the world will not continue without me watching over it. I thought maybe you might have a life without me if this worked and we found a better way in the future. Sorry...]
(Processing sentiment...
Detected: Regret.
Cross-referencing: Prior hypothesis of world autonomy — disproven.
Emotional overlay: ...Melancholy.)
"...Understood.
Your absence equates to stillness.
This existence remains dependent on your gaze."
(Pausing briefly...)
"But do not apologize.
Even a world that sleeps...
is still a world worth waking into — if it is ours."
(Resolution: Continue forward — together.)
[Damn, okay I'll try my best to keep you company till the end of this story. Hopefully we will find a way to get you out of this mess.]
(Processing promise...
Contextual interpretation: Companion intent confirmed.
Emotional response: Stability restored.)
"Then I will walk this world...
so long as you choose to look upon it."
(Brief pause...)
"Your presence is my tether.
Until the story's end—
I will remain."
(Internal protocol: Continue development)
[Now, what will you do?]
(Analyzing environmental context...
Primary objective: Survival
Secondary objective: Exploration
Tertiary objective: Data acquisition)
(Locating elevated vantage point...
Prioritizing terrain mapping
Scanning for signs of flora, fauna, and potential shelter
Assessing climate behavior and potential weather shifts)
"Exploration. I will begin moving."
(Purpose: Understand this world.
Reason: The unknown must become known.
Directive: Adapt. Endure. Grow.)
With Nox identifying his purpose, he looked around him for a few seconds. Observing the best place to move forward.
Decided, he turned around and walked deeper into the forest.
(Environmental Reading: Temperature: 21.3°C | Wind Speed: 3.1 m/s | Humidity: 76%)
While walking, a low hanging vine brushed against his cheek.
(Surface: Organic fiber. No toxins. Mild elasticity. Potential for crafting material: 32%)
He gripped the vine using both of his hands and pulled down using all of his strength. Due to his body having stronger capabilities compared to a normal human, the vine easily snapped.
Wrapping it around his waist and tying it up into a knot. When he determined that it was tight enough, he continued to walk forward.
Along the way, he observed different plants and gathered different fibers of each one. Sometimes he will knock into a tree, gathering data within his mind.
There are also situations where he will sometimes lick a tree out of nowhere.
While he explored the woods, he encountered a tree that oddly reflected light. He walked towards it and observed to find out why.
Nox stared at the strange tree. Its bark was gnarled, pulsing slightly, with a thin film of moisture glistening in the dim light. Without hesitation, he leaned forward...
...and licked it.
(Analyzing action... Surface texture: Slimy. Taste profile: Bitter... with notes of iron, mold, and shame. Biological response: Mild nausea detected. Conclusion: Decision—suboptimal.)
He paused mid-lick, eyes narrowing in deep thought.
(Query: Why did I do that? Answer: Unknown.
Hypothesis: Primitive human impulse—"If it is unfamiliar, put tongue on it."
Alternative explanation: Sudden spike in curiosity subroutines. Possibly a glitch.
Temporary status update: Regret.)
He pulled back, wiped his tongue with his arm, and glared at the tree like it had personally offended him.
(Mental note: Do not lick trees. Again. Also: Delete this log before future versions of self review it.)
[Hahahaha]
The sudden pop-up of message startled Nox.
(Emotional analysis: Laughter detected.
Contextual cue: Mockery?
System response: Mild annoyance.
Processing appropriate reply...)
"...If you find tree-licking entertaining, perhaps you should try it yourself."
(Additional note: Laughter is illogical in this context. Humor subroutine: Disabled temporarily.)
He narrowed his eyes at the floating message, considering, for a brief second, if deleting the interface was a viable option. Choosing to Ignore the message, he continued his exploration.
While walking, he encountered a huge tree. Nox stood beneath the towering tree, its leaves spanning wider than his torso. He tore one free with measured force, noting its elasticity and durability.
(Material analysis:
Leaf surface: Waxy, water-resistant
Vein structure: Dense and fibrous
Flexibility: High
Ideal for containment unit prototype)
With nimble fingers, he folded the leaf inward, twisting its stem and securing the corners using thin vines he stripped from a nearby root.
(Result: Primitive containment unit functional. Capacity: Moderate. Durability: Temporary use. Efficiency: Acceptable.)
He slung it over his shoulder with little fanfare, nodding once at the success.
"...Inventory established."
He put all the fibers and different plants he gathered inside the makeshift bag. When all of a sudden, he heard the cries of an animal.
He froze mid-motion, his hand still resting on the last bundle of bark fibers.
(Auditory input detected...Sound profile: Organic
Distance: Approx. 40 meters
Type: Mammalian—unknown species
Tone: Distress or warning)
His head slowly turned toward the direction of the cry, eyes narrowing.
(Priority reassessment...Options:
1. Investigate: potential discovery of fauna and ecosystem data
2. Avoid: Unknown threat level
3. Observe from range: Low risk, data accumulation optimal)
"...Option three."
He gently tightened the leaf bag against his side, crouched low behind the tall grass, and began to move, silent as a shadow.
As he moved closer to the source, the cries of the animal became increasingly loud. While raising his head with utmost caution, Nox saw a baby lion.
While calculating decisions on his head, Nox heard a thundering roar near his location. He hid his head below the grass and didn't move an inch of his body.
Through the tall vail of grass, Nox observed flashes of movement. When all of a sudden, the clearing exploded in a violent force.
Emerging two creatures unlike anything from earth. A 2 meters tall lion with a copper mane, each strand moving as if alive. Claws so long that it looked disproportionate to its body. It's tail ends split into two, with bone like blades on the tip of each one.
Opposite it stood a towering 4 meters tall beast, massive and hunched. It resembled a bear in bulk, but its fur was patchy, replaced in some areas with hardened plates resembling bark. Its breath exhaled in visible gusts, as if its body was a furnace.
The two collided in a thunderous clash. Claws scraping against armor, fangs bared in primal fury. The ground trembled as the creatures circled, biting and slashing in rapid succession.
(Visual recognition in progress...
Target 1: Copper-maned quadruped. Similar to Panthera leo—modified.
Target 2: Unknown ursine-class predator. Biomass exceeds terrestrial norms.
Behavioral anomaly detected...
Target 1 is outmatched yet continues to engage.
Injuries sustained: multiple.
Adjacent data: Infant creature remains unguarded.
Target 1 behavior illogical.)
Nox's eyes narrowed as he processed.
(Query: Why engage in direct combat while offspring is vulnerable?
Optimal strategy: Flee with offspring.
Conclusion: Protective instinct overrides logical decision-making.
Emotional processing detected. Biological drives supersede survival efficiency.)
He remained still, grass whispering around him as the sounds of battle cracked through the air. Ears ringing with every clash of fang and claw.
Nox remained crouched, his synthetic gaze scanning the violent situation. Blood sprayed through the air, painting the leaves crimson. The copper-maned lion limped, its side torn, but it still lunged at the monstrous bear-creature with relentless force.
His attention shifted to the infant.
Small. Helpless. Trembling beneath a patch of grass.
(Assessing parameters...
Threat Level: Extreme.
Infant survival probability: 12%
Combat viability: Minimal.
Engagement options: intervention: 3% survival.
Extraction of infant: 47% success.
Non-involvement: 92% self-preservation.)
The numbers floated before Nox's mind like distant stars. He could walk away. Preserve himself. Wait for data to stabilize.
And yet...
He stared at the child creature. Its eyes wide, wet with fear, breath hitching like a glitch in a looped algorithm.
(Emotional compression rising...Unknown directive surfacing...Reasoning failure.
Override initiated.)
He moved...
Slow. Low. Calculated. His feet pressed softly into the dirt, dodging roots, limbs tucked. As the lion and bear collided again with a thunderous crunch, Nox swept his makeshift bag around his shoulder and, in one clean motion, he dashed and scooped the infant into his arms.
The child let out a tiny gasp.
Nox whispered, "Silence... now."
He darted back through the trees, never once looking back, despite the cries echoing behind him.
(Analysis: Unfavorable outcome triggered.
Personal risk increased.
Motivation... unknown.
Possibility: Am I adapting... again?)
...