During his not so long time in the institution, the professor leading classes to do with survival in the Fallen world had taught them how to distinguish between harmful and non harmful foods.
The place, and its climate usually indicated the kinds of foods that would normally grow there.
Each food sprouted from the ground had a specific symbol on it. Their were many different kinds of symbols, some that had been throughly researched and well known about, and some that were unknown to humanity.
"Look for a heart symbol"
He muttered under his breath
Arlo didn't care what kind of food he came across, the hunger building up inside his stomach made him want to eat anything at this point - not to say that he was a picky person.
Although he was looking for food, Arlo was also able to spot something bizarre. As he continued to walk inwards into the forest, the trees seemed to look healthier, the tree trunks and branches were thicker and more sturdier, and the trees themselves were much taller, in comparison to those near the ocean.
Most trees near the water seemed to be on their last breath, trying as hard as they could to live another day.
Whilst these trees prospered, not a day in their life did it look like they had struggled.
The ground was slightly uneven at times, and the roots of the trees would also stick out, it seemed like the number of trees was growing drastically. But, Arlo paid no attention to it.
"Something tasty, something tasty, oh I hope it's something tasty"
He excitedly said
Without a care that some monster would hear him.
The tree branches near the top swayed calmly, the breeze was light and quite welcoming.
Arlo enjoyed it
The soft wind blowing onto his face, his hair lightly dancing about and the cool refreshingness that came from it.
Maybe he had thought of the Fallen world too harshly for what it actually was.
No unexpected monster had jumped from behind, no sudden natural disaster had occurred, not a single thing had made him worried in the slightest.
"Bingo"
Arlo happily said, his eyes gleamed.
About half way from the top of a tree a couple meters infront of him, an orange was hanging from it. And, not just one, but multiple big oranges were hanging from it.
Arlo closed the distance from the tree untill he was right infront of it. He layed his sword against the tree trunk, and started to think of different ways he could climb the tree.
He took a step back and circled the tree. It was immense, sturdy enough to easily hold him, its roots sticked out like they were trying to escape, and the tree itself was quite tall.
"I don't think this is going to be too hard"
The tree looked ominous, like it dared anyone to climb it. And yet, little pieces of it were sticking out - like horns of a deer, which looked firm enough to grab ahold off.
Arlo got close and personal, he stuck his right hand out and grabbed the piece of the tree that was sticking out. He stuck his left hand out even higher and grabbed another piece.
The pieces didn't start from the very bottom. No, they began around Arlo's chest. So, he used the trees overgrown roots as the foundation for his legs to stand on.
Currently, his left hand was higher up compared to his right, and both his legs were ontop of the tree's roots. He stretched his right hand further up, gripped the piece very tightly, and slowly lifted his right leg up. Carefully moving it about until he found a good position to dig his foot into.
With his feet jammed in, and both his hands tightly gripping the pieces, he pushed himself upwards. As his body lifted up, he let go of his left had, and stretched it as far as he could, as if he was trying to touch the sky.
The piece was shaped like a semi-circle, it was hollow from the inside, but had a thick outer layer, It looked uncomfortable to hold.
But, he was desperate for stability. Arlo took no notice to the unusual shape, he twisted his wrist, and placed his four fingers inside the hollow shell, whilst his thumb remained on the outside.
He shifted his left leg up and placed it on a piece. Finally, Arlo was on the tree, and ready to ascend.
Slowly, but surely, he made his way up the tree. Using the pieces sticking out in the most effienct way. And, sometimes he would use the branches of the tree to take a quick break before climbing further up. Higher, and higher he went, until Arlo finally made it to the oranges.
They were hanging from a branch, elegantly swaying as the wind picked up from time to time. He made his way onto the branch, scooted along it, stretched his arm,and grabbed a couple. But, before he did, Arlo examined it to see if he could find a symbol of a heart.
It took him a while, but he did, the symbol was near the bottom of the orange.
He scooted back, turned his body, and leaned against the tree using his back. He carefully peeled the oranges, split them in half, and put it in his mouth.
"Hmmm so sweet"
The sudden taste overstimulated his taste buds, and his mouth experienced a little shock.
This was good, better than he had thought.
Sitting on a tree, eating oranges, experiencing the softness of the wind, and most importantly - relaxing.
He wanted this moment to live forever…. But all good things must come to an end, it's inevitable.