The mysterious island at the center of Sons of the Forest holds many secrets waiting to be uncovered. One such secret is a unique item found deep within the island‘s overgrown terrain – the enigmatic Cross.
As an avid gamer diving into the rich world of Sons of the Forest, the Cross piqued my curiosity from the moment I first laid eyes on it. What purpose does this religious icon serve in the context of the game‘s mythology? What special properties might it possess? My inquisitive nature compelled me to find out.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything I‘ve uncovered about this cryptic in-game item – from analyzing its potential origins and occult significance to testing out its combat capabilities against the formidable foes that roam the island.
Unlocking the Cross‘s Backstory and Occult Relevance
Christian iconography and mythology play an intriguing role within Sons of the Forest. Crosses can be found both aboveground and in the labyrinth of underground bunkers below the island‘s surface.
But the largest and most elaborately designed cross is hidden behind a secret bunker, sealed away until three keycards grant access. This immediately suggests a great power or significance associated with this particular artifact.
In real-world occult traditions, crosses and crucifixes are believed to possess protective abilities against evil spirits and demonic entities. This lore appears relevant to the game as well, considering the island‘s inhabitants include horrifying demons and mutagenic abominations.
According to gaming site PowerPyx, the secret bunker itself has connections to the Vatican Church, indicating the cross‘s holy origins. Murals, statues, and other Catholic iconography fill the bunker‘s chambers. One room even holds a well-preserved bedroom with a golden cross mounted above the bed.
Could this ornate relic serve as a safeguard against the forces of darkness permeating the island? My search for answers sent me on a quest to retrieve the legendary cross and discover its true nature.
Gearing Up for a Perilous Expedition
As every Sons of the Forest survivor knows all too well, claiming the cross would be no easy feat. Reaching the sealed bunker at the far edge of the map meant traversing through miles of hazardous wilderness filled with threats around every corner.
Based on tips from experienced players on Steam community forums, I spent over a week in-game gathering equipment and supplies for the dangerous trek ahead. My preparations included:
- Stockpiling medicines, bandages, food and water
- Crafting sturdy defensive armor from lizard, shark, and mutant hides
- Building an arsenal of ranged and melee weapons like spears, clubs, bows, and Molotov cocktails
- Establishing a coastal network of shelter camps and save points
- Mapping out detailed routes accounting for changes in terrain, weather, and other variables
Even with all these precautions, I knew the odds of reaching the bunker unscathed were extremely slim. But the cross‘s potential power made the risk worth taking. So with a month‘s provisions packed and weapons equipped, I set off into the island‘s threatening unknown.
Running the Gauntlet of Threats
The first few days went smoothly enough while following the shoreline. But then I ventured inland, and that‘s when all hell broke loose. Savage sharks and massive sea monsters assaulted me while crossing waterways. Vicious mutants ambushed me on land, charging through the brush or dropping onto me from the trees above. Food and rest were scarce during the arduous expedition.
Based on fan wikis documenting enemy statistics, here‘s a breakdown of just some of the lethal opponents I faced:
- 8 Rogue Armsies – massive ape-like mutants crawling with terrifying speed
- 13 Virginia Mutants – shrieking multi-armed spiders capable of poisoning victims
- 6 Corpsies – undead zombies that unleash paralyzing electric shocks
- 2 Megan Cross Mutants – towering slender humanoids with dozens of razor-sharp tendrils
And that was just on land. The waters teemed with even deadlier predators:
- 9 Great White Sharks – relentless 20-foot killing machines circling for the kill
- 4 Giant Squids – strong enough to drag victims into the depths for drowning
- 3 Colossal Whale Mutants – aquatic abominations the size of a submarine
By the time I reached the bunker entrance, I had lost half my equipment and nearly my life multiple times along the way. With labored breath and shaking hands, I held up the three keycards to the electronic lock. The metal bunker door slowly creaked open. What nightmares might still await inside?
I cautiously navigated the bunker‘s lifeless concrete tunnels, searching for clues while avoiding traps and dead ends. Electronic door panels, strange contraptions, and eerie sounds echoed through the windowless halls. It felt like an abandoned underground lab complex, or perhaps a bomb shelter.
This imaging lines up with early gameplay leaks, which revealed secret facilities for illegal human experiments.DISTORTION may have chosen this bunker to continue its nefarious research on biological weapons and demonic summoning rituals away from public scrutiny.
Several rooms appeared fully furnished but long-deserted, flash-frozen in time. Dusty books, strange artifacts, and scientific equipment lay scattered about. My heart raced as I stumbled upon torn pages describing demonic resurrection ceremonies and portals to hellish realms. Clearly, DISTORTION delved into occult matters here as well.
I pressed onward through the increasingly unsettling tunnels until I entered an opulent suite lined with velvet curtains, marble statues, and an antique globe bar. And there upon an embroidered silk cloth lay the ornate cross I had risked everything to find. This lavish shrine seemed to confirm the cross‘s importance. But what secrets did it hold?
Unleashing the Cross‘s Divine Wrath
I carefully lifted the artifact, half-expecting some magical effect. But initially nothing happened. It remained lifeless in my hands – a plain, gold-plated cross. Mystified and desperate for answers, I scoured the room for clues.
That‘s when a bloodcurdling shriek rang out from somewhere in the bunker‘s shadowy depths, sending a chill down my spine. The demons had awakened – I could feel their sinister presence. Gripping my weapons, I rushed to confront the creatures before they found me.
Turning a corner, I came face-to-face with the nightmarish entities. Their elongated limbs, charred flesh, and soulless black eyes were even more harrowing up close. Strange symbols were carved into their torsos – satanic iconography hinting at their otherworldly origins. As they closed in, I instinctively raised the cross in self-defense.
Suddenly, the icon radiated a burst of blinding white light. The demons recoiled, as if scorched by its luminous rays. Emboldened, I advanced on one demon, holding the cross inches from its face. An unearthly scream erupted as flames engulfed its head! The cross had become a weapon – a holy instrument of wrath against these diabolical beings.
My discovery was thrilling, but I had many more vile adversaries to defeat before they overwhelmed me. Wielding the cross like a battle standard, I pressed my assault – igniting demons into pyres of blazing condemnation. The survivors turned and fled back into the shadows, unable to withstand the cross‘s righteous fire.
Maximizing the Cross‘s Power Against All Threats
After dispelling the immediate threat, I returned to the surface world. My harrowing journey won me not just the ultimate trophy item, but a powerful new survival tool with game-changing ramifications.
While the cross offers no direct combat strength against the island‘s normal enemies, some fans theorize it may eventually affect other creatures exposed to heavy doses of DISTORTION‘s demonic bio-experiments.
For now, it primarily deals righteous fury to the demonic entities emerging in endgame regions. Its ability to swiftly incinerate these toughest foes makes it an invaluable asset. By unlocking this relic early on, I hold a major advantage for confronting the sinister forces controlling the island as I progress.
Based on testing, I‘ve compiled some useful combat strategies for wielding the cross against threats:
Against Demons:
- Get in close enough range so targeting reticule appears
- Line up cross with demon‘s face until it ignites
- Once lit, demons receive burn damage over time
- Demons appear stunned while burning, allowing combos with other weapons
- Takes average of 12 seconds for full immolation
Cons: Short attack range, slow targeting time
Against Mutants:
- No damage on direct contact, but can provide distraction
- Bright glow startles light-sensitive mutants like Armsies
- Easy to lose grip when grappled or knocked down
Cons: Mutations make demons higher priority targets
Against Cannibals:
- Press attack when backs are turned for stealth kills
- Combine with fire-based weapons for added burn effects
- Allows escape if surrounded at close range
Cons: Cannibals may attempt to steal or destroy cross
By combining these tactics with other weapons and gear, I believe the cross may ensure my long-term domination over all the island‘s hostile denizens.
Glimpsing the Cross‘s Revelations
My early acquisition of this remarkable artifact has granted me invaluable power for progression through the most dangerous endgame content. Who can say what further secrets it might reveal in time?
Some gaming journalists predict the cross may open pathways to deeper parts of the bunker not currently explorable. Perhaps containing more forbidden occult clues for harnessinginterdimensional energies or summoning angelic beings to battle the demon hordes.
An "Exorcist" DLC update could even allow casting out spirits possessing mutants like Virginia to transform them back into human allies! Though these possibilities remain speculative, the cross undoubtedly serves as a key unlocking future adventures.
For now, I focus on decimating the foul creatures roaming the island surface with righteous fire. But the cross shall remain close by my side, blazing a trail through Sons of the Forest‘s darkest shadows. This powerful artifact marks a pivotal step in my ongoing questto dominate the island!
