The team were now taking a moment to lie down and rest, AJ was making good progress on the resource absorption, he had gotten through all the fur and was working on the mammoth's hide.
Victor, still recovering from his injury, lay on the ground with his side covered in healing salve. His face was pale, but his breathing had steadied, and the pain seemed to be subsiding.
Lily sat nearby, keeping an eye on him. Sam, Ethan and Walter were discussing uses for the new materials.
They wanted clothes made from the hide and fur to replace their now ragged and patchy ones. Reshaping a tusk into a spear was another idea they held onto.
"You know," Ethan said, putting his hands behind his head as he lay down, "we've been through some crazy stuff in this tower. I mean, who would've thought we'd be taking on a mammoth? And there were some seriously funny screw-ups."
Lily raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Funny for you, maybe. I don't think AJ was laughing when that flying creature caught him."
Ethan chuckled, his laughter echoing through the chamber. "Oh, come on! That was his idea, and it was genius! I mean, sure, he got carried off for a bit, but it worked, didn't it? He brought that thing down in the end."
AJ rippled slightly, his form shifting as if to express mild indignation. A low hum filled the air, and his voice echoed in their minds. "Being flown... around the room... wasn't part... of the... plan."
The team burst into laughter, the sound warm and genuine. Even Victor managed a smile, though he winced slightly as his side ached.
"Alright, alright," Ethan said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'll admit, I threw him a bit low. In my defence, I didn't think he had the aerodynamics of a brick. But hey, we all make mistakes. Like that time AJ put slime all over the floor, making me slip and fall flat on my face."
Sam smirked, shaking his head. "You're the one who charged in without looking where you were going. AJ's slime saved us more than once. Remember the floor with the ice? Without him spreading a sticky slime, we would've been sliding all over the place."
Ethan pointed a finger at Sam. "Okay, fair point. Still, I'm just saying, maybe we could've used a little less slime in some situations. Like, I don't know, when I'm trying to not fall on my face in the middle of a fight."
Walter chuckled "I think we can all agree that AJ's slime has been both a blessing and a curse."
AJ's form rippled in protest. "My slime... is useful. You just... need to... watch where... you're walking."
"Damn right it is," Ethan said. "But I don't know, maybe warn me before you spread it everywhere. I'd like to keep my dignity intact, you know?"
Sam rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Your dignity was lost when your trouser fell to your ankles during the boss fight on the 7th floor."
Ethan feigned anger to cover up his embarrassment. "Hey, that was an honest mistake! Also, we agreed not to mention that again!"
The team laughed again. For a moment, the struggles they had faced and those yet to come seemed far away, replaced by the simple joy of being together.
Ethan broke the silence again, sounding like he had a great idea. "Alright, who's up for a game of 'guess what's in the mammoth's stomach'? I bet there's something weird in there."
Lily groaned. "You're disgusting."
"What? It's a valid question! You never know what kind of treasures this guy might've swallowed."
Sam shook his head helplessly. "I think we've got enough loot, no need to go digging through its stomach."
They spent the rest of their time sleeping, talking, and sparring together. AJ naturally spent his time absorbing the rest of the mammoth's materials, leaving only the meat behind.
---
The team's laughter had barely faded when the blue screen flickered in front of their eyes once more, its glowing text announcing the end of their time on the rest floor. The countdown reached 00:00:00, and the familiar sensation of being transported washed over them.
The world around them blurred, they found themselves standing at the base of the Tower of Trials, the massive structure looming behind them.
The air was crisp and fresh, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the tower. The team took a moment to breathe it in, savouring the feeling of open space and freedom. The landscape stretched out before them, vast and uncharted.
To the north, a towering mountain range rose into the sky, its snow-capped peaks disappearing into the clouds. To the east and west, an endless sea of trees stretched as far as the eye could see, the forest dense and foreboding.
To the south, golden plains rolled out in every direction, the tall grass swaying gently in the breeze.
Victor, still leaning on Sam for support, scanned the horizon with a critical eye. "We need to decide where to go next, the tower probably won't let us back in—not that I want to do that—and it's sure to bring in other survivors and other unwanted attention."
Lily stepped forward, her sharp eyes taking in the landscape. "Those mountains... weren't they to our south before?"
Ethan nodded. "I'm pretty sure you're right. There's no way were teleported that far though... right?"
Everyone exchanged glances, uncertainty could be seen in their eyes.
Sam spoke first. "I'm with you, that's probably those same mountains. Which makes the decision pretty easy, we need to return to the safe zone and Maria, to do that we have to north."
Walter, leaning on his cane, chimed in. "That settles it then. Plus there's plenty of open grassland on the way. After all the time we've spent in forests, a change of scenery will do us some good."
The vote was unanimous, they would be heading north.
As they set off, the tower loomed behind them, its dark silhouette a stark contrast to the golden plains ahead.
---
Their journey across the plains had started around mid-afternoon, and they spent the next few hours walking, the open fields were a welcome change of pace.
The fields resembled a sea of golden grass rippling under the gentle caress of the wind. The openness was both liberating and unnerving.
The silence of the plains was deafening, broken only by the occasional rustle of grass or the distant call of a bird. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
They moved at a steady pace, their spirits lifted by the sense of freedom and the promise of new horizons.
As they continued their trek, AJ was the first to notice some deep impressions in the earth. His body rippled, some tendrils extending to touch the edges of the massive tracks. "These are... fresh," he said, his voice low. "Something big... passed through... here recently."
The tracks were wide and circular, each one larger than a dinner plate, pressed deep into the soft soil. Ethan whistled. "Something very big, elephants, maybe?"
Lily moved ahead. "There are way more print over here, they're moving in a large herd."
Victor spoke. "You'd think we would be able to see them if they're so big."
They exchanged uneasy glances, the vast openness of the plains suddenly feeling less reassuring.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, the team found a suitable spot to make camp.
They built a small fire and shared a meal of mammoth meat. The fire crackled softly, its warm glow a comforting presence in the vast expanse of the plains.
Victor, his injury feeling better, sat by the fire, his expression thoughtful. "I wonder how long it'll take us to get back... I hope Maria will be ok."
The others nodded, their expressions showing their desire to go back. They wanted to return to Maria and save the safe zone from Richard and his lackeys.
As the fire burned low and the stars began to appear in the night sky, the team settled in for the night.
---
The next morning, the team awoke to the soft light of dawn spreading across the plains. The air was cool and crisp, and the golden grass sparkled with dew.
Sam, who had taken the last watch, had prepared a simple breakfast. After eating, they packed up and continued their journey north.
As they walked, the team discussed their next steps. "We could do with finding some landmarks," Sam said, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Lily nodded. "If we keep heading north, we might eventually find a river or a settlement of some kind. Water is key, and if there's a settlement, we might be able to stay there and gather information."
The team continued their journey, the sun rising higher in the sky as the kilometres passed. The plains seemed endless, but the team's spirits remained high.