The group moved cautiously through the Primeval Rift, dodging destroyed cars, rubble, and twisted trees that seemed to whisper threats. The wind carried the smell of burnt metal, ozone, and something else… something alive.
— We need to find food before nightfall — murmured Vance, hands hovering near his blades.
— Relax — replied Lira, walking ahead with an easy stride. — There's always something… we just have to find it.
Rodyn followed silently, senses sharpened. Vivienne danced between the shadows, tiny sparks of electricity escaping her hands, ready to react.
At the end of the street, a pulsating red mass stood out. The Eyechors were there. No head, no face — just living red flesh covered in eyes of all sizes, some dangling by thin threads. Long, twisted limbs moved erratically, snapping against the wet ground.
Entity Detected
Type: Monster / Aberration
Name: Eyechors
Estimated Level: ???
Moderate Description: Headless creatures, bodies of pulsating red flesh covered in eyes. Do not attack, only observe.
Note: Extremely perceptive; avoids direct combat.
— The Eyechors — Rodyn murmured, frowning. — We've met them before. They don't attack, they just watch. But… they sense everything. Any sudden move could trigger an unexpected reaction.
Lira smiled, letting her hand pass through the warm sunlight reflected on the asphalt.— They just watch… so no fighting, right? I like that.
The group advanced slowly, keeping a safe distance. Every step made the air thicker with tension, but nothing happened. The Eyechors continued observing, eyes spinning and blinking nervously, recording everything.
— Side Quest Updated: Collect Safe Food Source· Risk: Moderate (Eyechors present)· Reward: Mutant food, potential EXP bonus if successfully collected.
Vivienne grinned, hopping over a pile of rubble.— Easy. They're just watching. Let's see if the food's as good as it looks.
Lira laughed, following behind.— No fighting. But if they give us a nasty look… I'll light up just to scare them.
The group moved through the broken streets of the Primeval Rift, dodging overturned cars, rubble, and trees that looked more like deformities than life. The air carried the scent of burnt metal, ozone, and something indefinitely alive, pulsing among the ruins.
— We need to find something to eat before nightfall — murmured Vance, alert to any suspicious movement.
— Relax — said Lira, light on her feet, hands loose. — There's always something hidden in this chaos. We just have to find it.
Rodyn moved silently, every tiny sound recorded by his sharp ears, while Vivienne danced between shadows, tiny sparks escaping her hands, ready for any reaction.
At the end of the street, a strange silhouette rose among the rubble, like a living tower. As they approached, they realized it wasn't just an ordinary tree.
The Torvaflora dominated the block. Its knobby trunk was covered in slowly pulsing warts, twisted branches at impossible angles, some reaching the ground like vigilant arms. Its broad, waxy leaves rustled softly, almost whispering, alerting to any careless approach.
— Look at this… — murmured Lira, amazed. — And to think we were desperate for food.
At the top of the twisted branches hung the Espiralys, grotesque spiral-shaped fruits with firm, wrinkled skins, red streaked with purple and yellow. A sharp, metallic-acidic aroma filled the air, warning of the danger of any sudden touch.
The Eyechors still observed from a distance, eyes spinning in impossible directions, attentive to every step. They did not attack, but their presence was enough to keep the group on high alert.
Vivienne approached first, measuring the distance between roots and low branches. Smooth, calculated movements, each step avoiding unnecessary noise. She reached out to touch an Espiralys, and the fruit vibrated slightly, but nothing else happened. The fruit's energy seemed to spread through the air, subtly revitalizing the body of whoever approached carefully.
— Haha! — said Vivienne, holding the fruit. — Smells sour, but… worth it.
Lira climbed a few steps, picking another Espiralys from a lower branch, careful not to attract the Eyechors' attention. Vance and Rodyn moved behind, analyzing the terrain and roots, ready for any surprise.
Each fruit collected brought a sense of renewed energy, sharper reflexes, firmer resistance. No fighting, no attacks needed, they could feel the world reorganizing around the Torvaflora, as if the tree rewarded patience and careful observation.
— Well… safe food and nobody died — said Lira, storing the fruit. — Sometimes patience is more powerful than brute force.
— And to think, at first I even hesitated to try one. — said Rodyn, slowly biting his. — Now… I don't even think twice.
— I can't remember the last time I hesitated. — said Vance, shrugging and biting into his fruit. — These Espiralys are bizarre, but in the end… you can't resist.
— Wow… — said Vance, pressing the fruit in his hand for a moment before taking a bite. — I'd kill a lot just to get out of this nightmare we've been living for three years.
Lira looked at him, serious but unsurprised.— I can't blame you. — she said. — Three years in this hell… makes you want to wipe out anything that threatens us.
— And it's not just the monsters, right? — added Vivienne, staring at the Eyechors in the distance. — It's everything. For the world that became like this.
Rodyn remained calm, but his ears twitched slightly.— Vance is right. — he said, slowly biting his fruit. — But we need to focus on what we can control. Survive, move, stay together… that's what has kept us alive so far.
— I know… — said Vance, taking a deep breath, scanning the surroundings. — It's just that… sometimes, you want to erase everything that caused this.
— I agree… — said Lira, holding her fruit firmly. — But that's not how we get through this. We have to keep going.
— Yeah. — said Vivienne, smiling faintly. — Survival's a dirty game… and we're still playing.
As they walked, the last ray of sunlight disappeared behind the ruins, and a subtle shadow moved among the buildings, watching. Nothing could be predictable in this world now. But for the moment, they had food. For the moment, they were alive.