Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Beneath the Waterfall

Chapter 19: Beneath the Waterfall

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Reason began to return to me, and I turned away from the settlement and the smell of blood and torn flesh as I fled into the woods and heard the sounds of discovery and lament in the distance as the settlements owner and his men returned to find the gruesome fate of those who had been left behind.

Chris, hissed Fel. Put that out of your mind, the sun is almost up. Stay towards the shadows and head to the sound of running water, you’ll have but a small window to get through. You’ll be too weak once you transform and the others have already begun to build.

I pressed forward as my body began to change in advance of the coming of daylight, and nearby I heard the sounds of men yelling, “After the monster, it can’t have gotten far.”

You’ve still got time, Fel cautioned me as I started to feel my inner panic rising. Once you see the shore, get to the trees near the cliffs and build a fire for yourself. It’ll help keep you warm while you fish and give you the appearance of belonging if you are found. Do not act suspiciously. You cannot waste the time you have now to stop. Efficiency is survival.

I didn’t really understand what Fel meant, and I didn’t like not understanding, but I had to make the decision to trust the Wisp and whatever the guides reasoning behind it was, all I could do was trust it. I had no choice as my body finished transforming back into my human form, and thankfully, the process was far quicker and less painful then changing into the wolf had been.

/System//

//Day Approaching - End of Night 1//

Now Beginning Day 2

//5,4,3,2,1//

It was with profound relief that I saw my clothes had not been torn, but had somehow reverted back with me, otherwise there was no way I would have survived I’m sure of it. Even then, I felt an instant chill on me and knew exactly why Fel had instructed me to build the fire once I started fishing, the damn in the air cut deep and I was already starting to regret choosing to follow the wisps instructions.

I dismissed the complaining thoughts from my mind and choose to walk along in silence, thankful at least that the shouts of search parties had died off as they lamented the dead. It was a surprise to me that I felt no guilt the morning after.

Within a few minutes, I could hear the sound of running water and smell the moisture in the air. I’m here. I could see in the distance the reflection of the moon on the surface of the water. This must be the lake Fel was guiding me towards.

Rapidly, I stopped in my approach, figuring I needed to be careful as I heard the sound of voices echoing across the water. I felt the need for caution, but not the same sort of gut-wrenching feeling I had earlier.

That’s good thinking. Don’t rush, take your time before revealing yourself, remarked Fel, just listen. It doesn’t hurt to listen.

The Sol guide was right. It didn’t hurt at all. I got off of the path and heading into the woods. I doubted they could see me, but I didn’t want to take any chances. Crouching, along with a low profile through the tree line, I made my way towards the lake until I couldn’t go any further.

My way forward was blocked by tall cliffs. The lake sat within a crater carved out by a great waterfall that ran off the neighbor mountain. From where I was, I could see only two ways down into the crater and one path leading away. Nearby and on the farside shore of the lake, I could make out the vague outlines of a game trail. While to the west, I could see the lake fed into a small river that ran under a rickety-looking wood bridge.

"Hey Mark, get a load of this one!" A voice called out as sounds of thrashing from the water could be heard. I turned towards the source and saw a woman not much older then I was pulling at a fishing pole as it started to bend as if

I looked towards the noise and saw a man wading through water that appeared to be roughly hip deep as he ran over to help her reel it in. Laughing the entire time as he questioned "What did you manage to catch Diane? Is this number 10 for you?"

"Ha, I think so Mark I think so." She nodded as her entire body tensed up as whatever she had caught struggled to get away. Mark Grabbed her from behind putting his arms over hers and helped her to pull on the line.

I watched in amazement as a gigantic looking crab was pulled out of the water far bigger then anything I'd ever seen before easily the size of a small table. The Sol above Diane started to glow As the crab was rapidly absorbed by the Sol and completely disappeared.

That's enough watching, remarked Fel, you need to go ahead and get down there. Ignore the fire, I want you to imagine a hovel something like a wooden shack appearing on the shore line at the bottom of the slope on your right.

This wasn't really a good time to mention to Fel that I didn't have any memories to pull from and didn't actually know what a hovel looks like instead I just imagined 4 walls and a roof covering a tiny room.

Well done, complimented the Wisp, now start walking down there it should be finished once you reach it.

I started walking along the ridge until I came to the path and walked down slipping for a second on the loose ground even under the moonlight away from the tree line it was still hard to see and the ground was and is steady as I would have liked. In front of me I watched as a greenish looking blueprint of the hovel I had imagined began to come on to life.

Though I couldn't see any evidence that they existed I heard the sound of hammers and saws pounding away echoing in the night. In a matter of minutes it took me to reach the shore I watched as the hovel built itself up from nothingness layer by layer. I knew the building was done when I heard a loud clicking sound as the foundation settled and a ping could be heard.

!Alert!

Construction Completed Hovel

As this is a free structure to build you still have 350 shillings and 200 lumber.

You may now train lumber jacks and build a barn and greenhouse.

The couple heard the noise as well. Diane and Marc both looked at me as they shouted in unison "Leave us alone we don't want any trouble." Neither of them waited to hear my response as I saw a net made of energy begin to form and Diane's hand that flew out at me and covered my entire body pinning me to the ground beneath its weight. " Good thing you unlocked the net," complimented Mark as they dived into the water and disappeared.

I watched from beneath the net as on the far side of the lake two hovels collapsed. A few seconds later the magical net that had bound me and pinned me to the ground disappeared and I free to move.

You'll see, explained Fel The net ability is easy to unlock but no guarantee. You'll get your chance.

I nodded as I stared at the building I had summoned into existence. It was magic and to quells my sense of disbelief I reached out to touch it and instantly found myself transported inside the structure.

!Alert!

You have entered the hovel to leave simply touch any wall.

As this is your designated safe area Your cold score has been reset and your thirst and hunger score have been temporarily halted.

As interesting as the construction of the building had been the inside was empty and bland not a place I wanted to stay in. I touched the outer wall passing through it and found myself once again on the shore of the Lake. The couple had not reappeared though I did see there was an on looking building at the end of a pier leading out on to the Lake.

That's where you need to go, instructed Fel you also need to fish and bait too. The waterfall will have to wait. We’ve lost the window.

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