Chapitre 16: Chapter 16
Alex took a deep breath, adjusting his gear before mounting the snowmobile that Ariel had prepared for him. The machine purred softly as he turned it on, and a small flash on the panel reminded him that the device keeping him alive was firmly connected to the snowmobile. It was as simple as a car battery, but his life depended on it.
As the automatic gates of the wall opened slowly, Alex felt a mixture of curiosity and fear. He had been protected in his fortress for so long, and now, with the snow covering everything, the outside world seemed completely different, unknown.
The cold air hit his face as soon as he left the perimeter of the farm, and the first thing he noticed was how different everything looked beyond the wall. Inside his fortress, the heating system kept the climate relatively warm, and robots constantly swept away the snow, preventing it from accumulating. But now, outside that refuge, he found himself in a landscape that seemed taken from a frozen dream, almost alien.
Everything was covered by a thick layer of snow, at least a meter deep. The trees that had once been green and robust were now petrified by ice, their branches covered in frost, as if they had been frozen for centuries. The road that once led to the farm no longer existed. All he could see was a vast, uninterrupted white field where nature and time seemed to have come to a halt.
Alex revved the snowmobile, and it glided across the surface, kicking up a cloud of white powder in its wake. As he moved forward, he looked into the distance, in the direction where he knew the cities were. It had been a long time since he had seen another person. Communication with the outside world was limited, and although he still had access to news and social media, it wasn't the same as real human contact.
"How long has it been?" Alex murmured to himself, feeling a slight melancholy. He knew it had been months since he had seen his family or any other person. The isolation, though necessary, was starting to take its toll.
"Five months and twelve days since your last physical contact with a human being," interrupted Ariel, his voice resonating clearly in Alex's earpiece. "I suggest you don't get distracted from your mission. Your time is limited."
Alex shook his head, turning his attention back to the road ahead. "I know, I know," he replied. "I just... I can't help but wonder what's happened in the cities."
Ariel was silent for a moment before continuing. "The situation in the cities has been stable so far. However, there are still reports of looting in the less monitored areas. Authorities still maintain control in the main urban zones."
Alex didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let his thoughts wander for a moment as the sound of the snowmobile cutting through the snow surrounded him. It was hard to imagine how the outside world had changed beyond what he saw in the news. But as he moved toward the forest, he realized the transformation was deeper than he had expected. Civilization seemed to have been swallowed by the ice, as if nature itself had decided to reclaim everything.
"Remember what you need to do," Ariel said again, reminding him of the mission. "You have limited time to obtain the fungi. Every minute is valuable."
Alex nodded, though he knew Ariel couldn't see him. "Yeah, I know. I'll reach the forest soon. It's just... a lot to take in."
The words had barely left his lips when he spotted the entrance to the forest in the distance. The treetops rose imposingly, though most were covered in a thick layer of snow and ice. The snow accumulated on the ground made the entire landscape appear motionless, as if time itself had been frozen along with the trees.
When Alex reached the edge of the forest, he stopped the snowmobile and stood observing the trees. It was a desolate sight, yet also awe-inspiring. Everything seemed trapped in a kind of winter slumber, where nothing moved, and the silence was absolute. He could hear his own breathing resonating inside the helmet as his eyes scanned the area.
Ariel interrupted once more. "You're at the forest entrance. I suggest you prepare your equipment to begin the search. The fungi we seek are likely to be near the roots of the largest trees. The conditions here will be different from what you're used to inside the farm."
Alex sighed and nodded. He stood up, stretching his arms as he felt the crunch of snow beneath his feet. It was strange to be outside his refuge after so long. Although he felt insecure, there was also a part of him that felt alive, facing the outside world once again.
"I'm getting ready," he said as he adjusted his gloves and double-checked the device keeping him alive outside the wall. He knew that every minute counted and that if he failed his mission or didn't return in time, his life could be in danger. But at the same time, he knew it had to be done. The success of his mission meant not only his survival but also the survival of everything he had built so far.
He took one last look at the stretch of snow disappearing into the horizon before turning toward the forest. Silence enveloped him, broken only by the soft hum of the wind blowing through the frozen trees. There were no signs of life, but that didn't reassure him. He knew that, although everything seemed still, danger could be lurking in any corner.
"Here we go," he muttered, grabbing his gear and preparing to enter the forest.
The forest in front of Alex was an inhospitable place, frozen in time. The trees, which under other circumstances would have witnessed the changing seasons, were now paralyzed under a layer of frost. The silence was unsettling. There was no sign of movement, not even from the animals that, before the endless snowfall, would have wandered among the shadows of the trunks.
Alex looked around as he trudged through the snow, the snowmobile parked behind him. The thick layer of white easily reached a meter deep, and with each step, he felt his feet sinking with difficulty. The cold, dense air weighed on his shoulders, making him feel even more vulnerable in this forgotten place.
"You need to dig near the roots of the largest trees," Ariel said, his tone mechanical and direct. "We'll likely find what we're looking for in that area."
Alex nodded, moving toward one of the largest trees in sight. Its trunk, covered in ice, stood out among the rest like a sleeping giant. He knelt and began to clear the snow around it, using his gloved hands and a small shovel he had brought along.
The process was tedious. As he shoveled away the snow, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was just snow on top of more snow. But after digging several inches, something changed. The texture of the ground was different—softer, wetter. Alex paused, noticing the change under his hands.
"This is strange," he murmured, though he knew Ariel was listening.
Ariel remained silent for a moment before responding: "Logic suggests that at these temperatures, the ground should be completely frozen. But if it's not, a sample is necessary."
Intrigued, Alex continued digging a bit more until he exposed the tree's roots. To his surprise, what he found wasn't just damp soil. There was moss. Green and vibrant, growing between the roots. Small mushrooms also protruded, as if winter hadn't touched that part of the forest.
"This doesn't make sense," Alex said, frowning. "This shouldn't be here... right?"
Ariel responded with precision. "It's illogical. These organisms shouldn't be alive in these conditions. Take samples of the moss and the mushrooms. This requires a detailed analysis."
Without saying more, Alex took out his knife and began collecting pieces of moss, making sure not to damage it too much. He also plucked some mushrooms growing between the roots. Every time he touched them, he was surprised by how alive and fresh they seemed. They weren't frozen or dry, but retained a vitality that contrasted with the frozen surroundings.
"I'll need more information," Ariel continued. "Dig in different parts of the forest to confirm if this anomaly extends beyond this tree."
Alex sighed, but he knew Ariel was right. It was strange, very strange, and if this was happening in more places, perhaps it was something more important than he had imagined.
He stood up, wiping the moss and dirt from his hands, and headed to another nearby tree. He repeated the process: digging, clearing away the snow, until he reached the roots. Once again, he found the same scene. The ground wasn't frozen. Moss, mushrooms, small plants. Everything seemed to thrive under the snow, as if the icy layer was just a surface hiding the life pulsing beneath.
Alex continued moving from one point to another in the forest, repeating the process. The more he dug, the more samples he found. In each place, the same situation: life under the snow, while everything on the surface remained covered by a frozen layer.
After digging in several places, Alex had already collected enough samples. He filled a bag with pieces of moss, mushrooms, and some of the surrounding soil. As he looked at the bag, he couldn't stop thinking about how strange it all was. If the forest was completely frozen on the surface, why was there still life underground?
"It's possible that there's an interaction with the Omega particle that we don't yet fully understand," Ariel said, anticipating Alex's thoughts. "This could be creating a microclimate underground, preserving plant life beneath the ice."
"The Omega particle?" Alex thought for a moment. "You think it's related to this too?"
"It's not certain. But if the particle is affecting animals, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think it could be interacting with flora in some way. Though I can't confirm that without more data."
Alex remained silent, once again observing the forest. Everything was covered by that silent layer of snow, but now he knew that beneath the surface, the story was different. "You're right," he finally said. "There's no way to know until we return and you analyze it. But at least we have something to work with."
As he prepared to return to the snowmobile, a strange feeling crept over him. It was the kind of feeling that told you that you weren't alone, that something, or someone, was watching you. Alex stood still, breathing slowly. His eyes scanned the frozen forest, but he saw nothing moving among the trees. Just silence. Just cold.
Ariel interrupted his thoughts. "You've collected enough samples. I suggest you return before the time limit for being outside is up."
Alex nodded, his thoughts still divided between the discovery and that strange feeling. "Alright. I'm on my way."
He began walking toward his snowmobile, but the sound of a distant crunch made him stop. He quickly turned his head, scanning the surroundings. Something was moving among the shadows of the forest, something bigger than a squirrel.
Danger was near.
The silence of the forest was still unsettling, but this time something in the air felt different. Alex looked around with wide eyes, trying to catch any movement among the frozen trees. There was something there, and he knew it. The low, deep growl he had heard earlier was no longer just an echo in his mind.
"Ariel, can you detect anything?" he whispered, his body tense.
There was a brief silence before Ariel responded. "Sensors detect movement approximately ninety meters northeast. Suggestion: exercise extreme caution."
Alex pressed his lips together and placed his hand on his pistol, making sure it was ready to use. He knew he couldn't lower his guard, especially so far from the safety of the farm. The forest, covered in snow and frozen trees, felt like a natural trap. The snow under his feet emitted a barely perceptible crunch with each step, a constant reminder of how fragile his surroundings were.
Among the shadows of the trees, something started to move. At first, it was just a blurry figure, but as it got closer, Alex could distinguish what it was. A wolf. Not a normal one, at least not in size. It was much larger than any wolf should be, its muscles seemed tense beneath a thick, dark coat that stretched over a powerful body.
Alex froze. The wolf had its eyes fixed on him, but what made it even more disturbing was its appearance. The animal's claws were longer and sharper, as if they had evolved to tear flesh with deadly precision. Its fangs, which protruded from its jaw, looked designed to pierce through any prey in its path.
"What the hell is that...?" Alex murmured, unable to take his eyes off the animal.
Ariel responded in his usual mechanical tone. "The creature appears to be affected by the Omega particle. However, I cannot confirm the details of its mutation without further analysis. Suggestion: stay alert. There are more wolves in the area."
Alex swallowed hard, and as he continued to watch the wolf in front of him, he heard more noises around him. He turned his head, trying to locate the sources of those sounds. There were more wolves, hidden among the trees. He could see shadows moving between the trunks, their eyes glowing in the dim light. It wasn't just one; there were at least three or four, all as large as the first.
The cold wind blew between the trees, making the snow-covered branches creak, but the wolves didn't move. They just watched him, as if waiting for him to make the first move.
Alex raised his pistol, but didn't aim it yet. He knew that firing at that moment could unleash something he wasn't sure he could handle. Despite their size, the wolves moved with the agility and precision of experienced hunters. Their movements were slow, calculated, as if they were sizing up their prey.
"Ariel, this doesn't look good," Alex muttered, gripping the pistol tightly in his hands. Cold sweat began to form on his forehead despite the low temperatures.
"My recommendation is to retreat slowly," Ariel responded, emotionless. "You are at a numerical disadvantage, and the creatures seem coordinated. Avoid direct confrontation."
Alex took a deep breath, stepping back slowly, trying not to make any sudden movements. However, every time he retreated, the wolves moved a little closer, as if they were corralling him, forcing him to stay in their territory.
The nearest wolf tilted its head to the side, watching him with eyes devoid of any trace of domestication. This wasn't an animal that would run away from a human. Alex was sure that if he didn't do something soon, the wolves would attack. The air felt dense, charged with tension, and the low growls from the animals echoed through the forest.
Suddenly, one of the wolves, larger and with a visible scar on its side, stepped forward. Its muscles tensed, and Alex could see how the animal's claws dug into the snow. The sound it made was a deep, threatening growl. That wolf was clearly the leader of the pack.
Alex took another step back, feeling his heart race. The cold air was hard to breathe, but he tried to stay calm. He knew that one wrong move could trigger an attack.
"Alex, you need to find a way out of this situation without provoking a direct conflict," Ariel insisted. "The presence of several wolves indicates territorial behavior. They are assessing the threat."
"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" Alex couldn't hide his frustration. The cold sweat kept running down his neck as the wolves advanced little by little, their large, mutated bodies moving with an unsettling grace.
The lead wolf stopped just a few meters from Alex, its breath visible in the cold air. It seemed to be measuring each of Alex's movements, its eyes gleaming with a mix of intelligence and animal cruelty. The wolf's dark fur had a strange sheen under the pale sunlight, and the animal's fangs, sharp as blades, peeked from the corners of its mouth.
"What do you suggest I do now?" Alex asked, without lowering his weapon. The lead wolf was too close to ignore, and the other wolves were starting to close the circle.
"I don't have enough data to determine a precise solution," Ariel admitted. "However, it is likely that if you remain still and don't act as a direct threat, the wolves might choose to retreat. Their behavior follows a hunting pattern, not active territorial defense."
Alex knew Ariel could be right, but he also knew that trusting that was a huge risk. Fear was present in every fiber of his body, but he couldn't show weakness. The wolves would know, and they would act accordingly.
The pack leader let out another low growl, and Alex saw its body tense, preparing for the attack. Alex gripped his pistol more tightly, ready to fire if the situation became uncontrollable.
Time seemed to stop for a moment, the air dense with tension. The wolves waited, and Alex knew that any wrong move could unleash chaos.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone