Chapter 6: The Forest of the Refuge

The refuge stood as a vast and complex territory, comparable to a city in itself, marked by hierarchies of power and segregated areas that reflected the structure of the society it housed. Control points delimited the entrances to the shelter or led to new areas, challenging those who crossed their boundaries with an invitation to the unknown.

The residents of the shelter were well aware of the importance of the access points, each representing the border between the familiar and the uncertain. Crossing these points opened up the possibility of exploring the unprotected terrain beyond the known limits, with the eventual appearance of shelters or free zones nearby, challenging the notion of the safe and leading to unexpected encounters.

The forest that Eilam was preparing to enter was not a mere backdrop, but a vast territory spanning more than 6,066 km2 of uncharted lands and undiscovered mysteries. Every inch of forest was a puzzle of danger and beauty, an ecosystem in constant motion that awaited those brave enough or reckless enough to venture within.

The trees rose imposing, their branches stretching out like fingers intertwined in an eternal dance with the breeze that rocked the leaves. The wind's rustling was the constant melody that accompanied the footsteps of those who ventured beyond the limits of the refuge, reminding them that in that forest life and death coexisted in a fragile and eternal balance.

?.

As Eilam advanced through the shadows of the trees, he could feel the latent presence of the ancient life that permeated the forest, like an ancestral whisper that echoed in his soul. Every corner held ancestral secrets, each path offered the promise of discoveries that would challenge their beliefs and their destiny.

The forest of refuge was a labyrinth of possibilities and dangers, a setting where the fortress of Eilam would be tested, his skills tested and his determination shaped by the adversity that awaited behind every tree and every dark corner.

Eilam began his training in the heart of the refuge forest, a vast expanse of 6,066 km2. This uncharted terrain was full of mysteries and dangers, but Eilam was not alone; he had with him the precious notes bequeathed by his brother Vorian. In these writings lay the wisdom and knowledge necessary to understand and confront the Neomorphs and the weapons used in the shelter.

The Neomorphs, according to Vorian's records, were creatures mutated from animal species that once existed on Earth. The energy of the meteorite had transformed these life forms, endowing them with unique abilities and characteristics. Among the more than 1000 known species, some were classified by their lethality and special abilities in the ranges: E (minor lethality), D, C, B, A, and the most dangerous, S. As well as some of the most common among each rank and their abilities.

Lethality Based Ranges

Rank E (minor lethality)

1. Lepus Agilis

- Skills: Small and extremely fast, these Neomorphs have sharp teeth capable of penetrating human skin.

- Weaknesses: Their size and low resistance make them vulnerable to direct attacks.

- Combat Tactics: They group in large numbers, attacking in rapid waves to overwhelm their prey.

Range D

2. Muscus Electrus

- Skills: They can generate small electrical discharges through small spikes that surround them, deterring predators and briefly paralyzing enemies.

- Weaknesses: Although they can generate electrical discharges, their size and resistance are limited, making them vulnerable to well-targeted attacks.

- Combat Tactics: They use their ability to hide and ambush, releasing electric shocks at the right time.

Range C

3. Vulpes Caecus

- Skills: Although they lack vision, their other senses are sharpened. They use echolocation and have sharp claws reinforced with psychic energy.

- Weaknesses: Dependence on their echolocation, which makes them vulnerable to noisy environments.

- Combat Tactics: They use stealth and their keen sense of hearing to ambush their prey, quickly attacking with their lethal claws.

Range B.

4. Umbra

- Skills: Able to control shadows, this formidable creature can generate areas of deep darkness to hunt its prey. It also has extremely resistant skin.

- Weaknesses: Your shadow control ability requires concentration, and can be interrupted by sudden exposure to intense light.

- Combat Tactics: They prefer to attack during the night, using their shadow domain to hide and attack without being seen.

Range A.

5. Draco Pyralis

- Skills: Able to control elements of the earth, with the ability to cause sharp rock eruptions or land collapses. They have almost impenetrable skin.

- Weaknesses: Their skills require time and concentration, exposing them during use. Their bellies are less protected areas.

- Combat Tactics: They use their terrain control to manipulate the battlefield in their favor, eroding the enemy's defenses before attacking with their formidable physical strength.

S-Range (Maximum Lethality) - Only 2 are known

Leviathan Maris

- Skills: Giant aquatic neomorph capable of controlling large volumes of water, generating tsunamis and devastating currents. Its skin is harder than steel and its size is colossal.

- Weaknesses: Extremely slow on land and needs large bodies of water to display all their lethality.

- Combat Tactics: Use your water control to devastate coastal areas and ambush from the depths, emerging only to crush infrastructure and devour in one fell swoop.

Finally.

Neomorph rank S: Humanoid unknown.

Nomenmorfus anomalis.

- Skills: This enigmatic Neomorph possesses a series of lethal and mysterious abilities. It is capable of generating psychic energy fields that can disintegrate organic and inorganic matter. It can manipulate the minds of its enemies, inducing terrifying visions and confusion. His speed and agility are superhuman, making it almost impossible to reach or hit in direct combat.

- Weaknesses: Although immensely powerful, its capacity for mental manipulation has a limit of scope. Their abilities also require a high consumption of psychic energy, which temporarily weakens them after prolonged or intense use. A unique characteristic, confirmed through analysis, is that after the extraction of his heart, he loses all his abilities and can be defeated however the heart keeps the characteristics intact, which made it difficult to handle. Vorian, in his last moments, managed to extract the heart of this Neomorph, recording one of the few known means to neutralize it.

Combat Tactics: Attack quickly and silently, using your psychic energy field to disintegrate weapons and defenses. He uses mental manipulation to disorientate and frighten his enemies, making them vulnerable to physical attacks. Its lethal approach and combat efficiency is lethal, making it one of the most dangerous neomorphs known.

Vorian was one of the first to face the Nomenmorfus Anomalis and survive long enough to leave us with crucial information. The extracted heart is now part of Eilam.

Vorian's notes also described various weapons, which, although of traditional design, were infused with psychic energy and materials extracted from the Neomorphs. These combinations made the weapons more effective and lethal some examples of weapons are:

1. Neo-Synthetic Swords

Description: Traditional swords reinforced with Neo-Synthetic energy, capable of cutting through resistant materials and even penetrating the hard skin of the Lupus Ferus.

- Use: Ideal for melee combat where precision and brute force are essential against resilient and agile enemies.

2. Energy spears

- Description: Spears with tips composed of Neomorph materials, such as Draco Pyralis scales, capable of projecting bursts of psychic energy.

- Use: Versatile for short and medium distance combat, especially effective against enemies with hard exoskeletons such as Scorpius Venator.

3. Venomous Kukris

- Description: Short knives impregnated with poisons extracted from Scorpius Venator. The poison can quickly immobilize or weaken opponents.

- Use: Perfect for fast and accurate attacks, useful in both ambushes and direct combat.

Advanced (common) Firearms

Assault Rifle Eon

Description: This state-of-the-art assault rifle fires extremely sturdy shells capable of penetrating most of the Neomorphs. Their shots are charged with energy, creating an explosive shock wave upon impact.

- Use: Ideal for medium and short range combat, providing a lethal combination of penetration and explosive power.

Viper Sniper Rifles

Description: Viper sniper rifles are precision weapons equipped with advanced sights and high-speed firing. Their ultra-resistant bullets pierce through the armor of the Neomorphs with lethal precision.

- Use: Perfect for removing long-distance targets and ambushing dangerous Neomorphs before they approach.

Omega Impact Missile

Description: These high-tech missiles are designed to penetrate the toughest defenses of the Neomorphs. Upon impact, they generate a devastating explosion with an expansive shock wave, capable of destabilizing and damaging even the most resistant Neomorphs.

- Use: Used for long-range impacts and as strategic weapons for emergency situations, triggering destruction within a wide radius when detonating.

Every day, Eilam followed a strict training and study routine based on Vorian's notes:

- Morning: Physical training and combat techniques.

- Afternoons: Intensive study of the notes, focusing on the strategies to face each type of Neomorph.

- Nights: Practices of stealth and exploration of the forest, becoming familiar with the patterns and behaviors of the Neomorphs.