2 Chapter 1: Proving Grounds

"A 1000 years ago the human race faced extinction at the hands of an alien race we now call Elves. Their Ancient Gods prophesied that we, the human race will one day bring about the Dark Age.

So, they came to Earth.

We sacrificed our home, our family, our future, in order to escape that genocide brought about by these... elves.

Now, we're living out our lives in the far reaches of space, just barely escaping and surviving the ongoing onslaught.

A 1000 years have already passed by.

Brothers now is the time that we set out to reclaim all that we have lost, our lives, our home, our destiny, and take everything else with it!"

Leitz, Supervisor of the 3rd Nemesis Project

Opening of the 3rd Nemesis Initiative, 1027AE M06D07

. . .

The Proving Grounds: Forgotten Mountains

1820Y 09M04D 0600H

He opened his eyes and pitch-black darkness welcomed him with sounds of dripping water everywhere, with some small glowing patches of blue light far ahead. He was still wearing white clothes that they wear during the experiments.

Dazed, he pukes over to what it seems like solid ground. "Azaleah..." looking towards, to what looks like a firefly hovering about. "He' oh" A fairy-like creature floated in front of him then swirled around. "Look, System gave me a nice body." He Ignored her. "Azaleah — Cast Scan," Ordered as he stood up staggering as he did.

"Hmph, you never knew how to appreciate real beauty." She flew above and gave out a single pulsing light. "Nothing here Mat... just you and me."

"Thanks." As he tries to hold his head up; getting his thoughts together.

"System... App... Carto" a blip showed on his HUD indicating their current whereabouts on a blank map. "We need to map up these caverns, to make sure we do not get lost." Azaleah ignored him back then started wandering the area. "System... App... Compass" a letter "N" appeared on the upper center of his HUD with degrees going left and right. As I remember, the town is supposed to be northwest from here.

"Azaleah, Cast Light for 8 seconds." Like a lightbulb, she lighted up the whole area. The place looks like an abandoned mine shaft. It was quite wide, mining carts and equipment scattered about.

A swarm of bats flew out from behind him. Azaleah scurried, cursing the bats while doing so. Out of the darkness, a humanoid figure jump across, catching one of the bats. He narrowed his eyes trying to get a better look at it. Darkness is hiding most of its features as it slumps down at the far end. Only its long dark hair and what looks like a tunic is recognizable.

When suddenly, it turned its head towards them.

A bloody jagged grin with a bat still squirming, greeted him. It had hollowed eyes, nose, and claws that look like bones that came out of its fingertips.

"What —" All he can say as it launches towards him screaming. It went dark again. He instinctively dodges to his left, a swift breeze just went pass him then a huge crashing sound, he could hear pieces of equipment clatter about.

The aberrant shrieks some distance behind him. He panicked for a rock, then threw it as far behind as possible; heard it scamper away.

"Azaleah, fly ahead. Scan at regular intervals; report as you do." His chest still pounding. "Kay," She flew away. "Mat, look there's an albino snake. Hoh ho ho." He sighed deeply, then continued on.

. . .

The Proving Grounds: Forgotten Mountains

1820Y 09M04D 1800H

They pass-through some kind of field full of glowing blue flora. It somehow felt soothing and peaceful. Rested for the time being. Watch the insects, plants, and animals that thrive there, wondering about the authenticity of it.

As they walked further ahead, they found numerous natural rock bridges along a huge chasm connecting this side of the mountain to the other. Small patches of sunlight seep through the crevices making the wonder a bit more visible.

We will have to cross. They were checking for any threats along the way when something caught their attention.

A scream came down below.

He immediately sought after it. There's girl stranded on a bridge below being harassed by a trio of mutants; trying to fend them off with a small wooden club. "Y'all need to get back, am warnin' ya." Trying to stand her ground.

He got down to a crawl; move slowly forward, trying not to get their attention.

One of the mutants swipes the club off her hands. Weaponless, she raised her hands, poise to strike back. On her left wrist, a crimson rosary dangled out.

Of all places. Azaleah blocks his view and shook her head. Ghad. He ran, then jump down landing himself on the last mutant on the back. Stunned, he kicked it off the bridge, this caught the other mutants' attention.

The girl found an opening and push them, trying to knock at least one off the bridge, but it stood its ground and growled back at her.

"Ahhh!!!" Mat shouted as he tackled one of them, ramming it against the other, shoving them off the bridge. One of the mutants grabs his arm, pulling him with them. Azaleah flew towards Mat pulling his shirt, trying to keep him from falling, but to no avail. All three of them fell on a rock bridge below. One of the mutants rolled off and disappeared into the darkness.

"Let go of him!" Azaleah was furious at the remaining mutant. Mat forcefully peeled himself away. He gave the mutant a right hook on the head, then kick it away. It lost its balance; almost fell off.

"Run!" The girl yelled. He immediately turned and started to run back to the caverns. The mutant regaining its footing immediately gave chase.

"Azaleah, Whiteout!" Mat shouted. She flew across the mutants' face, then white light flashed within her, effectively blinding it. The mutant thrash about hitting Azaleah; sending her flying towards the cave entrance. She hit the wall then fell unconscious on the ground. Mat ran towards Azaleah preparing to grab her, then make their escape, but something caught his attention. In the darkness ahead, a familiar clawed hand was barely visible.

"Watch out!" The girl warning him but it was too late. When he turned his head, the blind frenzied mutant crashed at him dragging him off the bridge.

He looks at Azaleah; saw right beside her barely concealed by the shadows, a long-haired hollowed eyed mutant, with a smile across its face filled with jagged teeth. He didn't take his eyes off it till the image went farther and farther away then disappeared.

. . .

As they fell Mat did everything he could to keep the rampaging mutant below him till they hit a wider bridge. He stood up; look at the mutant as it convulses where it lays. "Argh!!!" Pain race through his body, feeling a few fractured bones breaking further. He looked around, visibility is low but he found a huge rock. Mustered all his remaining strength and fortitude to lift it, crushing the mutants' head.

"Azaleah," he uttered in a low painful voice Out of reach. The words started flashing on his HUD. He started coughing blood again. "This is starting to become a bad habit" he joked.

Stared at the dead mutant beside him, saw one of its bones splintered off the flesh. He took the rock and started pounding the mutant's arm off, laboring to get that bone. Acquired Mutant Bone... Eh, Dagger. Grinning at the idea of his weapon.

He looked up and realize someone is calling him. "Hey, mister ya alright?" Her voice echoing throughout the chasm. "I'm fine," He shouted back. "You?"

"Am okay!" She answered back. "Ya wait there now, Am gonna go save ya."

"No! just focus on getting out of her. I'll be doing the same!" He looks around for an exit. "Now go, I'll see you outside!."

"Kay, see ya. Take care, now!" Her parting words to him.

I'll come back for you, I promise.

. . .

The Proving Grounds: Forgotten Mountains

1820Y 09M08D 1100H

Light, Panting as he runs towards it.

Several growls came from behind him. A mutant lunge, sending both of them rolling. They hit a tree. The mutant raised its claws, poise to strike him down but he struck first with his left hand, hitting it with a glistening rock sending its face upward — towards the sun. Its eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, red tears fell. The mutant started squirming in agony clawing at its face. He kicked it off him then drove his bone dagger up its jaw.

Swarms of mutants growled at him by the cave entrance unable to come near.

He took a deep breath. "System... Character... Status." Opening up a console, indicating his vital signs and medical condition. Fatigued, few fractured bones, blood loss. Heh, looks like I'm going pass out anytime soon. Coughs as he half-consciously read through the screen.

I need to move away, can't stop here... need to get to town before noon. Dragged himself up, as he moved towards his destination.