Me and Tara explored a little ways from the camp, but there were still no signs of Genevieve, Stephon, and Brian. We encountered a variety of beasts, and we also found a location by an oasis that has iron ore deposits.
After me and Tara finished up with our preparations, we swam across the stream to get to the beach.
As we swam across the water to get to the beach, Tara ended up getting caught up in a strong current which dragged her down the stream a bit. She was attacked by a group of turtle beasts. I immediately ran to help her.
It was a vicious fight. We took on three giant turtles. We swung our swords and sliced them down one by one. Me and Tara only received minor wounds.
"I think we're getting the hang of fighting these beasts," I said to Tara.
"Yuppers," she replied. "I'm beginning to understand their movement and attack patterns."
I put my sword away and pulled out my axe, "Alright, let's process these beasts and then continue onward."
After processing the turtle beasts for food and hide, we continued exploring down the shore. We came to an area with a bunch of rocks. We searched the area for Genevieve, Stephon, and Brian but we didn't find anyone.
"They don't seem to be around here," Tara said.
"Yeah, we searched the area pretty good too," I replied. "Well, I guess it's just time to move on to the next area then."
As me and Tara walked a little more down the shore, out of nowhere, we were attacked by what looked like giant hyenas. They put up a fight, but we sliced them up putting an end to their lives.
"Such vicious little bastards," I said to Tara. "One of them bit me in the back."
Tara grabbed a piece of material that she ripped off from her shirt the other day and soaked it in water, "Let me clean that wound for you."
"Thanks, Tara," I said. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Tara smiled as she continued to clean my wound, "Your welcome, Ricky."
Tara finished cleaning my wounds, and as we finished processing the giant hyenas, we were ambushed by a giant alligator.
"Tara, watch out," I yelled. "There's something coming our way."
Tara turned her head in the direction I was looking, "I see it. It looks like a giant alligator."
The alligator quickly made its way over to us and immediately focused its attention on me. As it was following me, Tara made the first strike landing a blow on the beast's side with her blade. I let the gator follow me for a bit more trying to divert it from Tara so she could get a few more strikes in, and then I joined in with the slashing.
"Slice the bastard up, Tara," I yelled as I swung my sword slicing a deep wound into the gator.
Tara struck the gator in its back and head with her blade, "Keep circling it. It's having a hard time chomping at us."
Me and Tara continued circling the gator and slashing at it. The beast was bleeding badly. Tara raised her sword and struck the gator hard in the tail cutting some it off. The gator fell over and bled to death.
"That thing looks like a friggin dinosaur," I said to Tara.
"Its scales were also pretty hard," Tara replied. "Maybe we can use the scales to make some kind of protective armor when you get around to crafting that bench."
I took out my axe and began to process the beast, "Not a bad idea at all!"
I finished processing the gator for its scales, and then me and Tara continued on the search for our friends. We explored down the beach for a little ways more, and then we took a new path that led us to an oasis.
"This is an interesting spot," I said. "This oasis could be useful in providing as a good source of water."
Tara briefly examined the area, "It looks like a quiet place as well."
Me and Tara did a thorough search around the oasis area to see if Genevieve, Stephon, and Brian were here, but instead of finding our friends, we ended up stumbling upon an iron ore deposit.
"Tara, check this out," I said as I pointed to a giant lump of material sticking out of the ground. It looks like an iron ore deposit."
Tara approached the iron ore deposit and tapped it with her sword, "It would be nice if we could utilize the ore to make some better equipment."
"I don't know how well these axes will do in breaking this ore apart, but I'll give it a shot," I said to Tara.
I took my stone axe and struck the iron ore deposit breaking a small piece of ore off of it.
"Well, the axe isn't efficient, but I guess it'll have to do for now," I said. "I'll try and gather as much of this ore as possible, and then we can continue on with the search."
Tara placed her hand on my shoulder, "Just try not to overwork and tire yourself out, Ricky. Although it seems quiet here, there could still be beasts lurking around this area somewhere."
After gathering as much iron ore as I could, me and Tara continued to search for our friends. We took a path that led into a valley, and we were attacked by more giant hyenas. We saw them coming from a distance, so we weren't taken by surprise this time. The hyenas were focused on me. Me and Tara swung our swords and sliced the bastards down. They got a few bites in, but it was nothing I couldn't handle.
Shortly after processing the hyenas, another one came running after us.
"Here comes another one, Ricky!" Tara said as she prepared her sword for battle.
The hyena came dashing at me. I raised my sword and dodged its first attack. It began to follow and bite at me. While it was following and attacking me, Tara was striking and piecing it in the back with her blade.
"You got some good strikes in, Tara," I yelled. "The beast is rapidly bleeding to death."
Tara winked and blew me a kiss, "Let's finish it off."
I joined Tara in the offense, and we quickly put an end to the hyena.
"Nice work, Tara," I said. "You sure know how to fight."
Tara smiled at me, "Well, someone has to protect you!"
I laughed and gave her a hug, "I love you, babe."
It's been quite an eventful day today with encounters and exploration, but sadly we still haven't found any signs of Genevieve, Stephon, or Brian. We'll have to try again another time. Anyways, me and Tara are just heading back to that oasis we spotted earlier. We've decided that we're gonna build a camp there. The area is a good source of water, and we could make some good use out of the iron deposits around there.