at the edge of the Inner Worlds sat a large, but unknown planet. Its name was Sycrax. The inhabitants of the planet had been hunting down great steel beasts called Machines. These Machines roamed all across the planet, coming in all shapes and sizes. Some as small as a hummingbird, others as large as whales.

Upon the surface of this world walked what seemed to be a young man. His brown hair flowing slightly in the wind. He trekked through plains of tall, green grass. This man's name was Candor.

While puttering through space Keith noticed he had drifted close to a planet that he had not been on. With curiosity getting the better of him and no contracts to worry about he decides to get heads for the surface.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the wisest decision for Keith as upon entering mesosphere the ship's thruster controls fail causing it to careen down to the surface. Thanks to the weak shield the ship is able to maintain its shape structure upon landing, but most of the exterior is either completely torn through or in very rough shape. Keith himself survives with a fair bit of bruising and cuts, but he's now mildly agitated and stranded on this planet until he can find the materials he needs to fix it.

Candor eased his way back off the ground. He had fallen to the ground as the ship fell from the sky on instinct. The giant, steel mass was sending pillars of smoke up into the air. Obviously, something was damaged. 

Crouching, Candor slowly eased his way up to the ship, keeping his scythe on the edge of the void. As such, long black wisps flowed around his right arm, coalescing in his hand. As he reached the dented shuttle door, it blew open. A random man tumbled out of the ships, a pickaxe strapped to his back. Coughing, the man wheezed from the smoke that had built up on the inside of his vessel.

"Hey, Hey! Are you alright?" Asked Candor as he helped the man back to his feet, holding him up as he continued to cough.

Being a bit groggy from the combination of the landing and smoke inhalation he turned to the stranger supporting him and shot him an expression that seemed to be a mix irritation and disbelief in between his cough. After being asked the question he cleared his throat and spoke with a raspy voice.

"I'm standing aren't I?"

"Alright, alright. You're standing, I get it." Candor backed off a bit, not wanting to piss the guy with the weapon off. He looked at the smoking wreckage.

"Well, you're kinda screwed. I was heading towards a town that's only a few days walk from here. You might be able to get something for your ship, but I wouldn't count on it."

After turning around and surveying the wreckage Keith gave another sigh as he patted a part of it. "Yeah, you've got a point there. I'm going to need a fair bit of materials to patch her back up. Lots of titanium, copper, a bit of lead silicone. Probably need other ones but I'd need to thoroughly check it later."

After that he looked at the man and extended a hand. "Should get the formalities out of the way. My name is Keith and I do a combination of mining and prospecting for a living."

"My name is Candor, and I guess that I would be classified as a treasure hunter." He responded, beginning to walk away from the wreckage and back towards the forest. Then, remembering that his newfound comrade was not from this world, he called out to him, "your crash was loud. Probably woke something nasty up. You should grab whatever you think would be useful and follow me."

Candor retreated to the edge of the woods, feeling much more secure underneath the thick upper foliage. Turning back around he waited as Keith went about his ship, grabbing his valuables. Candor decided to keep an eye out in case any nasty beast decided to show up.

Rummaging inside the wreck Keith was able to find a couple of surgical masks that survived the impact. After doing a quick survey once more he couldn't find much else of use and left it, walking behind Candor.

"Well, there's not much I could find that would be of uses on its own." he said looking back at the wreckage.

"Now what do you mean by something nasty?"

"Oh, you'll see in a moment." said Candor Asa great bellowing roar ran across the plains. Along the horizon a great behemoth of a lion was running towards them. Punting it out Candor continued, "that's what I meant. Now lets get out of here."

Candor turned around and began to walk east. Away from the falling sun. He had been on a mission to find some clues of his past and they had led him to a small tribe in the eastern forests of Sycrax. While he had no ideawhat to do with Keith, Candir figured that it couldn't hurt to have the man around.

With great effort he restrained himself from launching into a full sprint ahead after hearing the roar and hurriedly walked behind Candor.

"Whatever you say Boss; just uh, just lead the way. Far away.

From here.

Away from that."

"It's not that big of a deal, just a really big cat," remarked Candor as he led the way farther into the forest. There were tracks everywhere, but not a single creature in sight. The sun was beginning to set when he finally decided to make camp.

"Ok Keith, we are currently in the middle of nowhere with things that want to eat us, so cheer up and get some rest," he said, after declaring that he would take first watch.

Quickly shooting Candor a glare, Keith spoke in a snarky tone

"Alright, fine. Tomorrow if I'm still alive I've got a few questions for you."

With an irritated sigh Keith curled up into the fetal position and closed his eyes. Being used to a bit more luxury than this he wasn't all too pleased with his current situation.

Candor smirked as his new companion curled up to get some rest. Sadly, the young man didn't feel tired at all, in fact, he couldn't. Keeping his eyes open, Candor scanned the surrounding terrain. Though the trees obscured most of it.

Suddenly, a sharp pain manifested itself within him. He doubled over feeling as though he was about to puke. The pain wouldn't go away. It had been afflicting him ever since he woke up a few weeks ago. In an effort to release the pressure building behind his skull, Candor called on a strange rope that he could feel in his soul. He had already done this a few times, so he knew what would happen.

Small black, smoky tendrils manifested themselves around his right hand. They swirled always moving, always still. Suddenly, a loud a shriek pierced through the woods.

"Damnit. A shrieker." Candor mumbled as he stood up, nudging Keith awake. He had already been asleep for several hours. "Hey Keith. We might have some trouble coming. Grab your your stuff and follow me." Candor quickly made his way towards the Shrieker's calls.

"Eh wuh, what? Ah, dammit" he exclaimed as he scrambled to wake up enough to move. He grabbed the few things he had with him and followed Candor's orders.

"Ya know, I'm regretting my decision more and more with every passing minute."

Candor laughed at Keith's remark. He only wished that he could remember how he had ended up here. However, it didn't matter. What mattered now was taking care of this shrieker as quickly as possible. Candor led the way as the duo approached a dark cave.

Its entrance jutted out from the ground, the Shrieker's screams reverberating from its depths. Candor turned back towards Keith. "Well, miner. You have two options. Stay out here and get killed by something nasty, or come with me and take care of this shrieker. Preferably before that giant cat hears its screams."

With an awkward motion Keith brandished his pickaxe and kept it held tightly between both of his hands. He felt a mixture of anxiety and irritation as he thought about having to actually fight something.

"Ya know Boss, I have never fought a day in my life. You're not giving much choice here for other options though so I'm kind of completely relying on you for that."