Zone E -- Highlands

[Strazio Rockwell]

Strazio made his way down the serpent-like paths of the mountain. Scrub brush and twisted trees defied death and staked their claim into the cliff face. The mage admired their tenacity. For a few sections he had to climb down almost vertical stretches of rock. His hands felt like sandpaper and his white cloak was stained brown from rockdust. After a few hours he reached the grass-covered skirt of the mountain. Birds chirped happily oblivious to the bloodsport around them. He took a break and ate another protein bar, whistling a tune to the birds in between bites.

As he continued deeper into the forest he caught sight of tracks. Large footfalls surrounded by a set of larger paws. Paws the size of dinner plates. Paws that reminded Strazio of a familiar beast. Cold water filled his chest and he dropped into a crouch. Something rustled nearby. A set of shiny black eyes peered out from behind a bush, followed by an adorable fuzz-covered head. A cub sniffed the ground and pointed its curious muzzle at the white-haired boy. Strazio exhaled and smiled at the creature. He stood and stepped towards the beast.

Momma bear, hidden in a thicket roared and charged towards the interloper. Strazio’s heart stopped and his eyes grew wide as the several hundred pound mammoth rushed him. There was no time to think. Strazio threw his palms out towards the approaching grizzly and closed his eyes. Twin shotgun-style blasts of energy erupted from his hands. Deadcenter, both bursts crashed against the bear’s frame and sent it sprawling. Furled by primal fight-or-flight the mage fired a few more blasts at the fallen creature, annihilating it. The cub cried out and ran towards its dead mother.

“Goddamnit,” Strazio muttered and turned away, “now I feel like an asshole.”

He shook his head and continued his journey. Blood had been spilt and it would be spilled again, what a shame. The white-haired mage followed the human-made tracks, hoping to get the drop on someone. And his hope was made manifest as he caught sight of an aged warrior trundling forth.

“Hey!” Strazio shouted.

The man turned to face him, “greetings.”

Sparks flickered across Strazio’s body and his muscles tensed. He unshouldered his pack and rifle and took a step forward.

“I’m not one for pleasentries,” he said, “let’s just skip to the part where I bash your skull in.”

Challenging Odin on E4