1. Shade
It is curious how we are affected by the world around us. From the moment we are born there is an inborn curiosity to explore. To learn. Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and their world is shaped by their curiosity. Our body is a way for our brains to navigate the world, and our brains are the map of the world. The world, as in our concept, is in actuality very different from what we perceive. We can navigate it well enough. But what if you wanted to go beyond...
In a forest, there lies a hut. In the hut, there lies a bed. On the bed, there lies a person. On this person, there lies a destiny. And as this person opens his eyes, a new world lies before us.
The wind is rattling the cage of the hut he'd found solace in. Normally, he would be sleeping on the branches above the forest floor. The forest floor, he'd found, sapped the warmth from his flesh and found him waking up freezing. Plus, the branches offered protection against predators which might try to harm in his sleep. He's just happy that he doesn't move much in his sleep. Waking up free-falling from above would be terrifying. Cracking his eyes open and shielding them against the light crinkling through the crack in the hut, he tries to get a better look at wherever he now inhabits. Worn down, unused were the adjectives which first come to mind. At first glance it looked to be in pretty decent shape, but he could tell from the smell in the air that there seemed to be greater problems hiding in the wood. Rot. No place for anybody to live in for long. But maybe a shelter for a short while.
He's grown tired of running around alone, never knowing when the next meal is going to be. Never knowing where he is, or if a cold night will kill him. For once, he didn't feel death looming upon his awakening.
Rising up, he folds his blanket around his shoulders and lets it hang around his body for extra warmth and comfort. Being one of the things which keeps him warm, he doesn't have the energy to carry an extra blanket around him, essentially making it part of his attire. A thought goes through his head, 'better than yesterday'. And contrary to expectation, a smile forms on his face as he surveys his new home. Now, the only question is, for how long should he be staying here? Civilization... was not very civilized. And he'd rather avoid it as much as possible. That isn't to say the wilderness is more so, but at least more predictable.
The floor creaks with every step he takes, and his boots leave indents which sags the floor in ways it shouldn't'. 'You're an old lady, aren't you?' He muses to himself and grabs his sword from its place on the floor. Never too far away. Then, he steps outside. The icy winds signal the beginning of early morning, and the sun can barely be seen on the horizon through the treetops. Shielding his eyes with his hand, he looks at the distance and his eyes narrow. Slowly unsheathing his sword, his knuckles turn white as he grips the handle tightly and jumps down onto the ground. The force of his jump being the last the stairs of the hut could take, crumbling down. His lips curl downward as he cringes a bit, but quickly focus his mind back at the task as a distinct sound of cracking branches comes closer.