02-10-2016, 04:54 PM
Wait a nano.
Matrix stopped and looked left, then he looked right. The sprite even looked up, then down for good measure. This section of the forest appeared well traveled. The trail was beaten down, there was an absence of spiderwebs across his path, and he hadn't walked up on a single unsuspecting animal. Normally, those were all fairly strong indicators that multiple people had used this route in a short time. This situation was different, and Matrix knew the reason why.
He walked over to a large tree just off the beaten path, and clenched his fist. The bark was splintered and two large dents pierced into the trunk. It was very unnatural looking, but it was no mystery. He'd already punched this exact tree twice, already, both times in a fury over having lost his way. The only person journeying down this trail was himself, over and over again.
And here he was for a third time. No matter what route he took, he somehow kept wandering back down this same trail. He had never realized how much he depended on his tracking and mapping software in his cybernetic eye until it was gone. Matrix didn't even remember turning around, yet it was blindingly obvious it had happened several times, already.
Despite all the various realities he'd experienced, and the battlefields across countless settings, he was really being beaten by the lack of a compass. Every other member of this adventuring party had been spread all over the place, presumably actually accomplishing something. He'd also been given several warning by the Spirit itself about various circumstances, been quickly began to dismiss them based on the fact that he wouldn't know how to find or escape any of these dangers in any sort of reasonable time.
Losing was never an option to him. It couldn't be, not when lives and systems depended on success in a scenario just like this. He had pushed aside the weak child he once was and grew into a hardened warrior. Now, though, it felt just like the old days he swore were behind him. For all intents and purposes, this was a game, but instead of battling for the objective, Matrix couldn't even find it.
The situation made his blood boil, and he tightened his fists in rage. A primal growl escaped his lips and escalated into a brief shout of fury. Unable to restrain himself, Matrix delivered a powerful punch to the same poor tree. Bark shot in every direction as he connected with the trunk and created a third marking to match the previous ones.
Having vented his frustration physically once again, Matrix calmed himself with several deep breaths. He shook his head and marched himself down the trail again. The sun was beginning to set, and he had to keep trying to find something, anything new. There certainly weren't any relics on this path, but worst case, after one or two more passes there would be plenty of firewood.
Matrix stopped and looked left, then he looked right. The sprite even looked up, then down for good measure. This section of the forest appeared well traveled. The trail was beaten down, there was an absence of spiderwebs across his path, and he hadn't walked up on a single unsuspecting animal. Normally, those were all fairly strong indicators that multiple people had used this route in a short time. This situation was different, and Matrix knew the reason why.
He walked over to a large tree just off the beaten path, and clenched his fist. The bark was splintered and two large dents pierced into the trunk. It was very unnatural looking, but it was no mystery. He'd already punched this exact tree twice, already, both times in a fury over having lost his way. The only person journeying down this trail was himself, over and over again.
And here he was for a third time. No matter what route he took, he somehow kept wandering back down this same trail. He had never realized how much he depended on his tracking and mapping software in his cybernetic eye until it was gone. Matrix didn't even remember turning around, yet it was blindingly obvious it had happened several times, already.
Despite all the various realities he'd experienced, and the battlefields across countless settings, he was really being beaten by the lack of a compass. Every other member of this adventuring party had been spread all over the place, presumably actually accomplishing something. He'd also been given several warning by the Spirit itself about various circumstances, been quickly began to dismiss them based on the fact that he wouldn't know how to find or escape any of these dangers in any sort of reasonable time.
Losing was never an option to him. It couldn't be, not when lives and systems depended on success in a scenario just like this. He had pushed aside the weak child he once was and grew into a hardened warrior. Now, though, it felt just like the old days he swore were behind him. For all intents and purposes, this was a game, but instead of battling for the objective, Matrix couldn't even find it.
The situation made his blood boil, and he tightened his fists in rage. A primal growl escaped his lips and escalated into a brief shout of fury. Unable to restrain himself, Matrix delivered a powerful punch to the same poor tree. Bark shot in every direction as he connected with the trunk and created a third marking to match the previous ones.
Having vented his frustration physically once again, Matrix calmed himself with several deep breaths. He shook his head and marched himself down the trail again. The sun was beginning to set, and he had to keep trying to find something, anything new. There certainly weren't any relics on this path, but worst case, after one or two more passes there would be plenty of firewood.