Dallas pulled his cloak tighter around him. He walked purposefully forward, his cloak blowing in the harsh wind. The desolate land around him seemed endless. Here and there small patches of dying or dead foliage were the last vestige of life aside from Dallas himself. He could perceive no true difference between the area he was in now and the many miles he had covered to reach here. In spite of this, Dallas was certain that he was nearing his destination; the Sanctuary. It was his only destination. It was the only place that could be his destination. Sanctuary was, as far as Dallas was aware the only remaining bastion of civilization left on Terra. The chaos and destruction that had obscured the last remnants of mankind elsewhere had been, at least for a time, held back.
Another gust of wind forced Dallas to pull his cloak even closer. The sun which was unforgiving during the day would soon set, and the barren land would drop to temperatures too cold for travel. It was for this reason that he pressed on, when any other day he would have found what little shelter he could and wait out the night. Today, however, he scanned the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar city which was the only place left he could call home. Nearby, a soft scratching noise alerted Dallas to danger. He pretended not to notice, knowing from experience not to reveal his knowledge. The soft scratching grew closer. Dallas adjusted his grip on his cloak and shifted his right hand down, to the sword that hung from his belt. The scratching sound ceased, signaling that the beast would attack. Dallas dared not stop moving, lest the creature realize it had been discovered.
A crack was the only warning. Dallas spun around, drawing his sword in the same smooth motion. The beast that attack him had once been a simple earthworm. That earthworm was now horribly mutated. It was huge, nearly a third of a meter thick and probably thirty meters long. Dallas' blade cut a deep gash into the worm's front. It quickly retracted back into its hole. The scratching sound returned, louder this time. Dallas had fought worms before. The fight would not be over until it was dead. He closed his eyes. The scratching noise indicated the worm was circling him, trying to find the best angle of attack. Dallas cautiously drew his other sword off his back. He kept the blade in his right hand focused on the creatures head.
Another gust of wind forced Dallas to pull his cloak even closer. The sun which was unforgiving during the day would soon set, and the barren land would drop to temperatures too cold for travel. It was for this reason that he pressed on, when any other day he would have found what little shelter he could and wait out the night. Today, however, he scanned the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar city which was the only place left he could call home. Nearby, a soft scratching noise alerted Dallas to danger. He pretended not to notice, knowing from experience not to reveal his knowledge. The soft scratching grew closer. Dallas adjusted his grip on his cloak and shifted his right hand down, to the sword that hung from his belt. The scratching sound ceased, signaling that the beast would attack. Dallas dared not stop moving, lest the creature realize it had been discovered.
A crack was the only warning. Dallas spun around, drawing his sword in the same smooth motion. The beast that attack him had once been a simple earthworm. That earthworm was now horribly mutated. It was huge, nearly a third of a meter thick and probably thirty meters long. Dallas' blade cut a deep gash into the worm's front. It quickly retracted back into its hole. The scratching sound returned, louder this time. Dallas had fought worms before. The fight would not be over until it was dead. He closed his eyes. The scratching noise indicated the worm was circling him, trying to find the best angle of attack. Dallas cautiously drew his other sword off his back. He kept the blade in his right hand focused on the creatures head.
