Kapitel 4: Chapter 4: The First Step
The wasteland greeted the dawn, painting the barren landscape in hues of red and gold. Keiran stretched his stiff muscles, wincing at the dull ache from yesterday's battle. Lira was already awake, sitting cross-legged near the dying embers of the fire. Her sharp gaze flickered to him as he stood.
"You sleep like a rock," she said, her voice light but guarded.
Keiran shrugged, pulling on his bag and mentally making an inventory of the paltry contents inside. "Long days do that to you."
The Zenith interface buzzed to life in his vision, reminding him of his next task.
[Quest: The First Step]
[Objective: Head out of the wasteland into the Forgotten City.]
[Reward: Advanced Combat Techniques.]
He stared at the words, his jaw clamping down. Towards the Forgotten City was to be outside this haven he possessed, to be thrown into unfamiliar dangers and all trials laid in so far by the Zenith System.
Lira noticed the momentary hesitation. "Something bothering you?"
"Nothing of concern to you," gruffly answered Keiran.
She smiled wryly, getting up and dusting herself off from her ripped pants. "Great. Then I think I will be going."
Keiran watched her to the door of the cabin, the way she worked the little blade on her hip, the fluid, easy manner that came near to violence.
"Where?" he asked indifferently.
Lira half-turned, expressionless. "Away. Same as you, I would suppose.
Keiran hesitated. Traveling alone was risky, and Lira seemed capable enough to handle herself. But the wasteland wasn't forgiving, and having someone to watch his back even temporarily might make a difference.
"Wait," he said abruptly.
Lira raised an eyebrow. "Changed your mind about letting me go?"
"We're both heading out into the wasteland," Keiran said. "Might as well travel together. At least until we're out of danger."
She watched him a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. But don't slow me down."
Keiran rolled his eyes. "I should be saying that to you."
They spent the next hour scavenging for supplies from around the surrounding area. Keiran was able to scrounge up a few pieces of wood and fashioned crude torches from them, while Lira luckily enough found a small cache of edible berries, hidden under a patch of shrubs.
"Not much, but it'll keep us going," Lira said as she handed Keiran a handful of the berries.
He nodded his thanks, pocketing them for later. "How do you even know what's safe to eat around here?"
"Trial and error," Lira replied with a smirk. "Mostly trial."
Keiran couldn't help but chuckle, despite himself. Her sarcasm was oddly refreshing, a small break from the constant tension he'd grown used to.
As they were about to leave, the voice of the Zenith System sounded in his head once more:
[Warning: Host entering high-risk zone. Proceed with increased caution.]
The words wrung Keiran's stomach. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lira glared at him, an eyebrow furrowed. "You talking to yourself or you got some imaginary friend I should know about?"
"Something like that," Keiran muttered in return.
They stepped into the desolation, and above them, the scorching sun seemed to beat down. The earth their feet touched was dry, cracked, and far, far from sight. Keiran clutched his iron rod tight, all senses high.
Lira walked a few paces ahead of him, her movements deliberate and cautious. Every now and then, she would stop and scan the horizon, narrowing her eyes at each little movement.
"You're pretty good at this," Keiran said.
"Living out here teaches you a thing or two," she replied without turning her head.
Keiran furrowed his brow. "How long have you been out here, anyway?"
"Long enough," Lira replied dismissively.
Keiran knew better than to push the issue further. Everybody in the wasteland had secrets, himself included.
The first sign of trouble came just past midday. Keiran spotted it first: a faint shimmer in the distance, like heat waves rippling across the horizon.
"Lira," he said quietly, stopping in his tracks.
She followed his gaze, her hand going instinctively to her blade. "What is that?"
The Zenith System answered before Keiran could.
[Warning: Host has encountered hostile entity. Scouting Drake detected.]
[Recommended action: avoid confrontation.]
"Scouting Drake?" Keiran muttered under his breath.
Lira bristled. "Whatever it is, it doesn't look friendly."
A moment later, the beast sprang into view: an athletic reptilian monster whose scales shimmered like molten metal as it moved with predator grace, yellow eyes scanning the wasteland.
"We need to go," Keiran urged.
Lira nodded, and turning to leave, the thing's head snapped to him, a low growl rumbling from his throat, he began to stalk them in turn.
"Too late," Lira muttered, her sword being jerked out.
Keiran's grasp on the rod tensed; his heart was running wild. Skills he'd unlocked yesterday streamed to the fore of his mind. He shifted, trying to remember some techniques he saw within flashes of his memories.
The Scouting Drake sprang forward in a mad rush of razor-sharp talons that cut through the air. In a heartbeat, Lira dodged with swift, precise motion to her right. Slashing at its flank, her blade glanced off armoured scales.
Keiran swung in, his rod spinning with all his might. It hit the side of the creature square on, and a shrill shriek echoed.
"It's hard," Lira yelled, dodging another swipe. "Aim for the joints!
Keiran nodded and revised his attack method. He ducked under the Drake's next attack and jabbed his rod into its leg at that spot where the scales were thinnest. In a heartbeat, it lost its balance.
"Now!" Lira yelled, her blade digging deep into its neck above the scales.
With a final guttural scream, the Drake fell onto the ground.
Keiran and Lira stood over the felled body of the creature, gasping between words.
"Well," Lira said, wiping the sweat off her brow. "That was fun."
Keiran gave her a look. "Your idea of fun needs reworking."
She smiled wryly but a moment later sobered. "That thing wasn't out here by chance. Something's driving these creatures out of their usual territory."
Keiran scrunched his brow. "You think it's got to do with the Forgotten City?"
Perhaps, Lira replied pensively. "Anyway, one way or another, we have more reasons to be careful henceforth."
Keiran nodded and eyed Zenith's interface-the reminder of the quest was still standing in front of his face, inviting him into itself.
"Let's go," he said. "The sooner we reach town, the better."
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
JJ_Francis
JJ_Francis Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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