I finished prepping the food, and looked over the at that remained, an idea forming in my mind. The Edenites and the Pilgrim had managed to go back and forth through the Forest of Teeth without needing to burn through it with a laspistol. That ant I should be able to do the sa thing. My first thought was torches, but I didnt like the idea of giving off smoke and letting people nearby know where I was. Looking at the at in front of though, I realized there may be another solution.
I butchered what remained into small parcels I tied with pieces of the brown robe Id taken, and held the bundles under one arm. I approached the section of forest I knew to be the Forest of Teeth and cautiously made my way inside. As before, it was thick, but the initial travel through it wasnt too difficult, particularly with my enhanced physical abilities. Then the chattering began, and I started to feel the pull of vines against . This ti, instead of fighting it, I took one of the packaged ats from under my arm, and chucked it into the woods near . The chattering ceased, and I was able to make it another few miles before it started again. I grabbed another at package, tossed it in, and made it into the woods deeper without issue once again. This repeated until Id made it all the way to the other side, within sight of the spring Id first encountered before Id entered. I tossed the remaining at behind myself into the woods, and made my way to the spring, where I drank the irradiated water deeply, feeling a bit of a tingle in my cheeks as I did so.
I still didnt have a way to store water, but I was certain I could find sothing, along with a change of clothes, in the tal Wastes. The only issue was that they had been a two day journey the last ti. That ant four days of travel without water, unless I got lucky and encountered so rain, or an alternative water source. It also ant backtracking, which was not sothing I was keen on doing. Still, I was already through the first leg of the journey, and felt relatively safe from the Edenites, who I hoped were too busy with their own issues to look for . Even if they were looking, they had no way of knowing where I was.
I took another long drink, and started walking. There wasnt ti to waste, and I was certain I could make it, though it wasnt going to be an enjoyable trip. In the end, I managed to make it there in only a little over a single day. My increased knowledge of the trek, and my enhanced speed allowed to travel there much quicker. After so digging I was able to find a long black officers coat, a new backpack, so pouches for my belt, and a number of canteens. Id also found a kind of officers hat that I tried on, but found it didnt suit . Id wait until I had sothing with a brim that went all the way around. Until then I wrapped the top of my head with so cloth I scavenged to help stay cool. The Edenites that scavenged the area had focused on weapons and raw materials, so the sundries I was looking for werent hard to find.
I made it back to the spring with little issue, filled my water bottles, hunted a giant lizard to restock my at supplies, and headed back to the tal Wastes. I was tempted to take shelter there for a night, but decided to move a ways past it. I wasnt sure if Eden would be back for material to rebuild their wall any ti soon, and I also didn't want another experience like the last ti Id been there. Id rather avoid strange Russian whispers if at all possible.
After several more days journeying I reached the territory near the crevasse. I checked my jump pack, and found that it was still not functional. I sighed, and started the odd gait Id learned to avoid encountering the Man-Wyrms. I would have to cut through their caverns to survive without the use of my jump pack, but it definitely wasnt ideal. Still, now that I knew the layout of their caves and how to move through them safely, it should be much easier than it had been on my way through the first ti. I was hoping to at least avoid being swallowed and vomited back up.
The cent building with the strange warning ca into view, and as it did, I started to sll sothing. It was familiar, wet fur and blood. It was coming closer to as I moved. I turned my head toward the scent, and saw nothing, which told exactly what was following . I slung my shotgun to the side, and drew my rifle, aiming in the direction of the sll. For a mont, I thought I saw a flicker, so kind of light in the direction I was looking. I let out a breath and fired.
I was rewarded by the sound of a yelp of surprise followed by a roar of fury. Suddenly, the beast was closing in much more quickly. I kept firing, emptying the magazine, and slung the rifle over my shoulder. I drew the shotgun and started running. I didnt have a sword, or any explosives, so I felt I needed to keep my distance. I also thought I may have an advantage if I could get inside and use corners to know from where the creature was approaching.
As I ran, I started to feel underground rumblings. They were the sa ones Id felt the first ti I encountered the Man-Wyrms. I sped up, seeing no other option other than to keep running for the building. They might be able to get if they ca out of the tunnel that was there, but if I could climb onto the roof, or get soplace higher that may be enough to keep safe until they lost interest. Assuming the invisible coyote didnt tear limb from limb before then.
The beast sped up, more desperate now that it was playing the dual role of predator and prey, and it leapt for . I fired my shotgun at it as it landed, but it grabbed my foot and started yanking towards it, its camouflage fading to show an emaciated and mangy looking version of the sa creature Id dealt with before.
I gave it a firm kick in the teeth, knocking its head back, and drew my knife to prepare for a desperate struggle.
Before I could be pulled closer to it, the ground beneath us erupted, and two of the Man- Wyrms were suddenly dragging the beast backward in the sa way it had been dragging . Its claws opened releasing , its eyes widening in terror as it let out high pitched whines, clawed, and bit at the monsters, both of which had opened their hideous maws to drag backwards. Once it was fully engulfed, they shared a kind of hideous kiss before they snapped their mouths shut and cut it in two with a spray of blood. Once they were done, they turned to .
I raised the shotgun again and took aim, readying myself to freeze them.
They seed to look at , moving their limbs and heads toward for a few seconds, then they just walked past . I watched as they made their way into the concrete warehouse, and vanished inside of it.
I followed them warily, making my way inside and feeling the radiation increase exponentially as I did so, but I kept it from overheating by leaking any excess that caused discomfort out of myself. I lowered myself into the tunnel using the spikes the Pilgrim had left, and did my best to retrace the steps Id taken the last ti through. It wasnt difficult. I could still see the remnants of my fight through the tunnels as Id exited the previous ti. As I moved, more of the Wyrms noticed , regarded for a few monts then simply walked away. One of them even took a mont to expel so food from its mouth in front of , and push it gently in my direction before walking away. I traced the rest of the way through their nest and exited into the Cut itself.
I made my way to where the climbing hooks had been driven into the cliff face, and stood looking at them for a few monts, before climbing to the top. It was easier than the last ti, and I still had the energy to keep pressing on after Id finished the climb, but instead I sat for a few monts, looking over the edge.
The monsters in the tunnels no longer saw as food. They saw as one of their own.
END OF BOOK 2
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