Chapter 32: Fragments of the Past
Noah sat on a rock outside his cave, watching the sunrise paint the horizon in hues of orange and purple. The faint, crisp air carried the scent of the alien world—a mix of metallic sharpness and earthy undertones. For the first time in weeks, he wasn't thinking about his grind, his next fight, or even his next meal.
He was thinking about home.
"Earth," he whispered to himself. It felt strange saying the name out loud, as if it were some distant, mythical place. The grindstone had given him strength beyond his wildest imagination, and surviving on this planet had become less of a daily struggle and more of a calculated routine. But strength meant nothing if he was stranded here forever.
Valerie's face flashed in his mind. She had answers—answers about the grindstone, about this world, and maybe even about how to return to Earth. Her knowledge and the facility she'd brought him to were his best chance at understanding what was going on.
"I need to find her," he muttered, standing up.
As Noah prepared to leave, he checked his supplies. His item box was stocked with fruits, water-plants, and the few low-level aberration cores he hadn't consumed yet. The grindstone's spatial storage had proven to be invaluable, keeping everything organized and fresh.
Before setting out, he decided to test his latest skill again. Summoning a small amount of energy, he activated Energy Missile, a new technique he'd gained from consuming the astral core fragment. A sphere of pulsating, glowing energy formed in his palm, humming softly as it awaited his command.
He aimed it at a tree a few meters away and willed it forward. The missile shot out, striking the trunk with an audible boom and leaving behind a smoldering crater.
"Not bad," he said with a smirk. "Time to see what this can do against something that fights back."
The trek toward the research facility was slow and deliberate. Noah didn't avoid the low-level aberrations he encountered—he welcomed them.
The first one he encountered was skulking near a cluster of trees. It was a hunched, reptilian creature with razor-sharp claws and glowing yellow eyes. Noah watched it for a moment, noting its movements and the way it sniffed the air.
"Let's see what you've got," he muttered.
With a flick of his wrist, he launched an Energy Missile straight at the aberration. The glowing projectile zipped through the air, striking the creature in its side. It let out a shriek of pain, stumbling before turning its glowing eyes toward him.
The fight didn't last long. Between his enhanced stats, skills, and the versatility of his new ranged attack, the aberration stood no chance.
"Hostile eliminated. Reward acquired: Aberration Core (x1). Strength and Agility experience gained."
"Still as satisfying as ever," Noah said, picking up the core and storing it in his item box. The fight had been easy, almost too easy. The low-level aberrations were becoming less of a challenge with each passing day.
As he moved closer to the research facility, he encountered a few more aberrations, testing his skills and refining his techniques. With each fight, he grew more confident, his movements sharper and his strategies more refined.
By the time the facility came into view, Noah had defeated four aberrations and was in high spirits. The entrance was nestled within a rocky mountainside, concealed by natural formations that made it blend seamlessly with the terrain. If he hadn't been here before, he might have missed it entirely.
Noah's steps slowed as he approached. Something felt… off.
The entrance was partially collapsed, with rubble blocking the lower half of the doorway. The metal frame was scorched, and scorch marks trailed along the surrounding rock.
"Something's not right," he murmured, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his knife.
Noah squeezed through the rubble, his heart pounding. The facility inside was dark and eerily silent, the hum of machinery he remembered from before now replaced by an oppressive stillness. He activated the faint glow of the grindstone to illuminate his path.
The once-sterile corridors were in ruins. Equipment lay scattered and broken, consoles were shattered, and walls bore deep gouges as if something massive had rampaged through.
"Valerie?" Noah called out, his voice echoing in the empty halls. There was no response.
He made his way to the central hub, where Valerie had first treated his wounds. The room was unrecognizable. Tables were overturned, medical supplies littered the floor, and the monitors that had once displayed data were now cracked and lifeless.
"Caution: Residual energy signatures detected. Area destabilized."
The grindstone's warning sent a chill down his spine. Residual energy… What kind of energy?
He knelt near a shattered console, inspecting the damage. The edges of the metal were melted, and the floor beneath had similar scorch marks to the ones outside.
"An attack," he murmured. "But by what?"
His mind raced with possibilities. Aberrations rarely exhibited this kind of precision or intent. The destruction was deliberate, almost calculated.
Amid the chaos, Noah found a scorched backpack tucked beneath a pile of debris. Inside, he discovered a few intact items: a datapad, some energy capsules, and a small journal. The datapad was damaged beyond use, but the journal contained hastily written notes in Valerie's handwriting.
He skimmed through the entries, looking for anything that might explain what had happened. Most of the notes were research logs about the planet's unique properties and the aberrations. But the last few entries caught his attention.
"Unusual energy readings near the northern ridge. Possibly connected to dimensional interference. Could be the key to understanding this world—and returning home. Investigating tomorrow."
Noah's grip tightened on the journal. Valerie had been close to uncovering something—something that might lead him back to Earth. But if she'd gone to the northern ridge, why hadn't she returned?
He felt a pang of guilt and frustration. He should have come here sooner. Maybe he could have helped, or at least found out what had happened.
As he stood in the ruins of the research facility, Noah's resolve hardened. The northern ridge was his next destination. Whatever had drawn Valerie there was now his best lead.
He glanced around the wrecked room one last time, committing the scene to memory. Then, with the journal tucked securely in his pack, he turned and made his way back toward the exit.
The path ahead was uncertain and undoubtedly dangerous, but if the northern ridge held the answers Valerie had been searching for, it might just hold the key to getting him home.
End of Chapter 32.