"That's fun," Shawn muttered, his voice dripping with venom.
To clear our minds of the looming danger, I decided to shift the conversation. "Alright, what did everyone learn from their talks with the oracle? We need all the help we can get. I found out some information about our potential patrons." I deliberately chose not to mention the oracle's warnings about distrust; right now, earning their trust was crucial to increasing my chances of survival. Was it selfish? Absolutely. Did I care? Not at all. My priority was to live, even if it meant using these people.
Anna spoke next. She explained how becoming a healer granted her a skill called Lesser Heal as well as knowledge on poisonous plants and medicinal herbs.
Rebecca then explained that her archer class gave her insight into which beasts safe for consumption.
Finally, it was Shawn's turn. "I only asked one question, and I'm glad I did. I found out that we can all become true gods, but it's a little tricky," he explained, filling me with worry. He's far too simple, although that also means I can use him.
"Seriously, that was your question?" I scoffed, having a little fun with this situation.. "Do you even understand the situation we're in? You could've asked about the deities we're supposed to bond with, tips on your class, or how to progress. But instead, you chose to focus on something that almost no one gets?" I needed him to understand the weight of our current situation, before we get the use of it all.
"Can you blame me?" he shot back. "This is an opportunity that we were given. These deities are our greatest gift. Why would I not ask about them?"
Shawn was starting to irritate me. He lacked self respect, yet he already seems fully devoted to unseen deities he only figured out existed. The flames on the hearth flickered lightly, as if to encourage me to be patient and try again. "Listen Shawn, we don't know where we are, we don't know even the basics of what we are trying to do. I just want to get through this alive. To see another day." I glanced at the hearth the twins were sitting around. By the time I looked back it seems that Shawn had somewhat understood giving me enough time to check my card for what the mission was. What I saw was enough to send shivers up my spine.
Current Mission: Survive.
Time Limit: 29:22:24:33
Survivors: 926/1000
We had a brief moment of peace around the hearth, its flickering flames soothing our eyes and ears. A moment of rest was what we finally got, alas it was but a moment. In the silence we heard a rustle through the undergrowth. Hoping it was the wind, yet knowing better, we slowly reached for our weapons, still unsure where the beast, if any, was coming from. Unfortunately it was answered for us, much to our dismay. A grunt echoed to our left and a beast emerged. I looked towards the beast and saw it was a mole-like creature but far larger than any I'd ever seen, the size of a German Shepherd, and it looked far more dangerous. I yelled to get everyone's attention, and prepare for a fight, but I could see the fear in their eyes. A cold sweat ran down my back as I used my Identify skill, immediately a small buzz entered my ears, forcing me to focus on the beast more. Which revealed information I wasn't expecting.
Naked Mole Rat. (F-)
HP: 590/600
The sight of the creature and the information it revealed made me pray we could work together effectively. Almost instinctively, I noticed Rebecca perched in a tree, firing arrows near the beast's feet, trying to drive it away. Shawn stumbled back, nearly tripping over his own feet as he tried to shield Anna. The beast snarled, undeterred, its eyes gleaming with the anticipation of an easy kill. A sinking feeling told me we were dangerously unprepared for this. My stomach growled, and a reckless idea crossed my mind.
"Rebecca! Is it edible?" I shouted, hoping she could follow my insane plan. She nodded slowly, seemingly understanding my intentions. She aimed for the centre of the beast. Her shot wasn't perfect, but it did the job. The beast, enraged, charged at the base of the oak tree where Rebecca was perched. At that moment, Shawn decided to act. He swung his battle axe with full force at the creature, but the mole rat was quicker than expected, narrowly dodging the blow and causing the axe to embed itself in the tree. The tree shook, making it hard for Rebecca to maintain her balance, let alone shoot.
I had to act. My hands trembled as I slapped the flat of my blade against my leg to grab its attention, the sharp clang echoing in the night. The beast's head snapped toward me, and for a moment, my heart seemed to stop. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I was rooted to the spot. Now, it was targeting me with all its fury. Rebecca and Shawn understood the situation, with Shawn moving to stand by my side while Rebecca took position on a small rock next to her sister, ready to protect and aid us.
I instructed Shawn to stand his ground and not move too much;I watched Shawn swing with wild desperation, short, frantic strikes that screamed fear more than fury. He wasn't trying to hurt the beast, just push it back, keep it away. All or nothing, that's what he was. And honestly, that made things easier for me.
I charged at the beast, driving my blade into its side. The blade barely penetrated, but the creature whipped around with a savage growl, its fury now directed at me. My breath hitched as I realised I had only succeeded in making myself its primary target. Every muscle in my body screamed to move, but I was frozen for reasons unknown to me. Shawn swung wildly connecting with the beast's hindquarters, the impact sending a sickening jolt up his arms. But the creature barely flinched, turning with a feral snarl as if the pain only fueled its rage. Shawn's eyes widened in panic, he was in over his head, and we both knew it. The beast swiped fiercely at Shawn, sending him flying into the same tree I had thrown him against earlier.
The beast swung at me repeatedly, missing by mere inches each time. It was clear that this creature wasn't a skilled fighter; it was desperate, just like us. My fear began to fade, replaced by excitement. Rebecca's arrows flew, each one barely missing vital points. My heart pounded in my ears, if even one shot went wide, we were done for. As I charged, a single thought consumed me: What if this isn't enough? What if we're outmatched? Rebecca's final arrow pierced the beast's skull, just as I drove my blade into its heart with all the strength I could muster. The creature let out a final, deafening screech before collapsing at our feet. For a long moment, we stood frozen, gasping for breath, the realisation slowly sinking in: We had survived, but only by the skin of our teeth.
As the dust settled, I looked down at my shaking hands, stained with blood, both mine and the beast's. A grin spread across my face, but it wasn't one of triumph. It was the crazed smile of someone who had just danced with death and barely came out alive.
[F-]Naked Mole Rat hunted.
Contribution:
Hudson Mitchell 40%
Rebecca Harris 35%
Shawn Adams 25%
Anna Harris 0%
Allocating rewards
Your beginning your fable
Skill Unlocked: Predatorial Vision
This skill is unlocked through analysing your fighting prowess. Predatorial Vision is a heightened sensory ability that allows the user to see and track targets with exceptional clarity and precision, even in challenging environments. When activated, the user's eyesight sharpens, enabling them to perceive subtle movements, heat signatures, and weak points in their prey. This skill also enhances the user's awareness of their surroundings, allowing them to anticipate and react to threats with lightning speed. Whether in low light, dense foliage, or amidst chaotic action, Predatorial Vision ensures that nothing escapes the user's sight, making them a formidable hunter and combatant.