Cold water slowly dripped from the stalagmites on the ceiling of the vast cave. It could be heard making small ripples in the pool below. Green eyes stared up at the natural rock roof of the small platform base she called home. Her heart thrummed steadily in her chest as she mindlessly stroked the head of a small Hyaenodon that lay by her side on the bed. She silently willed herself to get up, it was time.
For months now, she had slowly been packing up her belongings and stowing them away; uploaded in the ARKs database. She had been planning for this day. When the rest of her tribe were away to scout another ARK for a raid, she volunteered to stay behind to keep an eye on things. In reality, she was putting the final touches on her escape, making sure she had everything ready.
Since the time she downloaded on her first ARK, all she had known was pain. Inflicting pain on others, and suffering pain from the hands of another. The tribe that had adopted her into their family, they were cruel people, but she could not see it at the time. She could only see them for what they had done for her, not the things they were doing to her, and to so many others.
Yet, of all the pain she endured for so many years, she could not let go of the guilt she felt. It was betrayal what she was doing. Among their faction, it was the worst kind of betrayal. Whether they were wrong or right, they did not care. But she felt comfortable knowing how difficult she would be to find, having been raised by these people. She knew their habits, how they tracked their enemies. But a part of her felt that she might just be allowed to slip away to the shadows, and just let sleeping dogs lay. Lest the truth get out. For the tribes in the faction did not take kindly to the behaviours that occurred here.
Letting out a long exhale, she moved to sit up. "Come, Freki, it is time." She nodded to the canine, who tilted her head to the side, jumping from the bed at her master's movement. In the corner of the room was a pack, which stored only the essentials for her initial journey, in case things were to go wrong. The young woman hefted it to her shoulders and made her way to the door, Freki trotting along at her side.
The door, crafted from tek, glided open at her presence. Before stepping out into the cave, she stopped to look at her home. Her own space she had crafted so long ago, now being abandoned. Her eyes scanned over the open concept room, and a flurry of memories leapt to the front of her mind. She would miss it, but this was for the better, and with that she stepped out into the open and made her way to the front of the cave, where the transmitter stood.
Her heart pounded as she slowly made her way. She was terrified, but at the same time, excited. Excited to start her new life. She wanted to meet new people, and travel the ARKs, seeing what is out there. Her mind raced at all the possibilities. What would she do? Perhaps become a trader, she thought. Raise and sell her animals for mounts and farming instead of war. But she was afraid war was inevitable. Maybe there were ARKs out there so far away that war did not happen.
But soon her excitement faded, as she approached his abode. A dark shadow cast over it. It was large, bland, and looming, much like its owner. She hated it. The site repulsed her as she came near. Of the range of emotions she was experiencing, she was mostly relieved. She would never have to see him again, feel his touch again, or worry that he would make an appearance in her room at night. With much disgust, she spat on the ground as she passed by, cursing the wicked man.
As she came to the transmitter, she took a moment to inhale steadily, attempting to control her nerves. "You ready, girl?" She whispered, kneeling to her companion. Freki whined softly. "It won't be for long, I promise." With that, she stood back up and began inputting the canines ID info into the computer. She took one last look at the pet, and then pressed the enter key. The Hyaenodon disappeared, uploaded to the ARKs database.
Now, she thought, her turn. But just as she was about to input her own ID, a cloud of element sparks emitted from the terminal. Someone had just downloaded back into the base. She began to panic as she could make out his figure, and began frantically typing, she was too close. "Nimtherial," He started, a look of confusion spread across his face. He reached out to her, but it was too late. She mashed the enter key, and just like that, she was gone.