A group of people wake up in video game world and are forced to work together to survive and find out how to escape.

This is my first story let me know what you think!
Since this is the first chapter it’ll likely be updated later on.
Update 1 fixed spelling and grammar errors and added chapter to title.

Anyways here’s chapter 1

The last thing i remember was staring at my computer screen late into the night. The online game, Eidolon Nexus, had been trending for months—a massive MMORPG promising unparalleled immersion and breathtaking realism. Its marketing had been plastered everywhere: “Enter a world of limitless freedom. But beware—freedom has consequences.” The game was just released and I was sent a free copy randomly. I logged in just out of curiosity. The screen glitched, my vision blurred, and suddenly, everything went dark.

I woke up on a vast, sun-drenched plain. A gentle breeze carries the scent of unfamiliar flowers, rustling the lush grass beneath my fingertips. When you push yourself upright, a cascade of shimmering locks fell over my shoulder wait—my shoulder? Something feels off.

The reflection is the first thing that catches my eye—visible in the mirrored surface of a nearby pond. I look like… A girl. Elegant, athletic, and unfamiliar to the person i once was. The realization sends my heart racing.

Around me, others begin to stir. A half dozen, maybe more. Some are crying out, voices a mix of shock and panic. Others are examining themselves, as i just did, realizing their own transformations. Faces I've never seen but before i can begin to fully comprehend, a commanding voice booms overhead.

“Welcome, Chosen Ones, to Eidolon Nexus. This is not just a game anymore—this is your new reality. You are part of a grand experiment. You must survive, evolve, and uncover the truth. Fail, and the only way out… is through death.”

The voice cuts out, leaving only the rustle of wind and the murmur of confused voices.

I look around confused. The surroundings are beautiful but alien—a mix of high fantasy and small splices of futuristic elements. Spires of glass rise in the distance, while fantastical creatures glide through the skies. A glowing interface suddenly appears in front of me—a holographic menu that details my stats and abilities.

My name has been changed. On the menu, a new identity is displayed. My new name—Artemis—shines in elegant script at the top of the display. Beneath it, details of my new form and abilities flicker into place. I brush strands of golden blonde hair from my face, the movement feeling unfamiliar yet natural. The green outfit clings to me—a blend of leather and silken fabric, light and flexible for movement, but leaving little to the imagination. I tug at the edge instinctively, but the fit is perfect, almost as though it’s tailored to me.

Class: Archer.
Ability: Arrow Volley (LOCKED) a mental image of hundreds of shimmering arrows raining from the skies flashes through my mind. My fingers twitch, as though yearning to draw a bowstring.

I rise to my feet and glance around. The others are still coming to terms with their transformations, muttering and exchanging wary looks. Some are gawking at their own stats; others are shouting demands to the sky, as if they could argue their way out of this.

Then I notice something in the distance. The glass spires I’d seen earlier seem closer now, their crystalline surfaces glittering in the sunlight. Surrounding them is what looks like a sprawling city—a mix of medieval and futuristic styles, with towering walls and glowing lights that pulse faintly like veins. But before I can take another step, the ground beneath me shifts.

A deep, resonating growl echoes across the plain.

From the shadows of a nearby forest, monsters emerge—their hulking forms a twisted blend of animal and machine. One steps forward, a snarling wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes and metallic claws. Its gaze locks onto us.

“New players detected. Initiating combat tutorial,” a female voice announces. Suddenly, my bow materializes in my hand—a sleek, curved weapon crafted of wood. A quiver of arrows appears strapped to my back. I instinctively reach for one as the creature charges.

My instincts take over before I can think. I dive to the side, rolling behind a nearby boulder just as the wolf-like creature lunges. Its claws gouge the ground where I stood moments ago, sending up a spray of dirt and grass. My breathing is sharp, controlled, but my heart races in my chest.

The others erupt into chaos.
Some scream, fumbling with weapons that appear in their hands. A warrior with a axe stumbles backward, while a female mage frantically waves glowing hands in the air, trying to summon a spell.

Peering around the edge of the boulder, I take in the creature’s movements. It’s fast—too fast for anyone still frozen in panic. The wolf-machine prowls toward a player standing in its path, its mechanical legs whirring with each step. The player—a tall boy with dark hair—raises a flimsy wooden spear, but his shaking hands betray his fear.

I feel the bowstring under my fingers. My muscles tighten.

Focus.

I take a steadying breath and draw an arrow from the quiver on my back. The string of the bow glows slightly as I nock the arrow and draw the string taut. I can feel the tension in the bow, the pull of its power surging through me.

With a quick glance, I calculate my shot: aim for the joint in the creature’s metallic limbs. The faint glow of its red core pulses through its chest—a weak spot, perhaps?

With the bowstring taut, I inhale sharply, feeling the energy coursing through me. The world around me seems to slow as I focus on the creature’s movements. First, I target its front leg joint—a vulnerable spot where the metal plates connect. Releasing the arrow, it sails through the air with precision, embedding itself directly in the joint.

The creature lets out a guttural, mechanical roar as its leg falters. It stumbles, skidding forward awkwardly but not stopping. Its red eyes lock onto me now, burning with fury. I feel the hair on my neck rise as it shifts direction, ignoring the others entirely.

But I’m already moving. I nock a second arrow, this time drawing with every ounce of strength I have. The string of my bow glows brighter, green tendrils of energy crackling along the shaft of the arrow.

I aim straight for its glowing core. Now or never.

The creature leaps just as I release the arrow. It sails through the air, the glow of its red chest a perfect target. The arrow strikes true, piercing the core with a burst of green light. A deafening crack splits the air as the creature’s entire body convulses, its mechanical parts sparking wildly before it collapses to the ground in a heap of twisted metal and fur.

I lower my bow, panting. The air smells faintly of burnt metal. Around me, the other players stare in stunned silence. Some look relieved, others angry—or maybe jealous.

The tall boy with the spear steps forward hesitantly, his face pale. “You… you saved me,” he stammers. “I-I thought I was done for.”

Before I can respond a screen appears briefly in front of me.

Tutorial combat complete. unlocked first ability Arrow Volley.

I blink as a rush of warmth floods through me, like an invisible upgrade screen loading in my mind. I feel stronger, more confident, as if the bow in my hands has become an extension of myself.

The others begin to murmur, clearly trying to process what just happened. I glance back toward the spires in the distance, a sharp realization settling in. If this was just the tutorial, whatever lies ahead will only get harder.

But before we can regroup, a shadow falls over us—a much larger creature, wings beating heavily above. The distant hum of its growl reaches us, and I realize it’s circling, as if watching us.

“Quick! This way!” I shout, my voice cutting through the panicked murmurs of the others.

Without waiting to see if they’ll follow, I sprint toward the edge of the nearby forest. The trees, tall and ancient, loom like sentinels, their thick canopies casting deep shadows over the grass. Cover—it’s our best chance. The open plain will make us sitting ducks if that winged beast decides to attack.

Behind me, I hear the scuffle of footsteps as some players snap out of their shock and begin to follow. “Move! Don’t stop!” I call over my shoulder, pushing branches aside as I weave through the trees.

The distant growl of the creature overhead grows louder. I risk a glance upward—through a break in the leaves, I see it: a massive, reptilian beast, its body glinting like polished obsidian, with piercing golden eyes scanning the ground. It circles once, then lets out a bone-rattling roar, diving lower.

The tall boy with the spear stumbles beside me, panting. “What… what is that thing?”

“No idea,” I say, breathless. “But we’re not sticking around to find out!”

We press deeper into the forest, the sounds of heavy wings beating growing fainter as the thick canopy swallows us. The air is cooler here, the scent of moss and damp earth filling my nose. I slow my pace, motioning for the others to stay quiet.

One by one, the players regroup. There are about a dozen of us, all in varying states of disarray. The mage, a petite girl with fiery red hair, collapses against a tree, her hands trembling. “This is insane,” she mutters. “This can’t be real. It’s a dream, right? Just… just a messed-up dream.”

“It’s real,” I say firmly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind in my chest. “And if we don’t start acting like it is, we’re not going to last long.”

A few players exchange uneasy looks, but no one argues.

I glance around the group, taking stock. A stocky warrior hefts a massive axe, his expression grim. The red-haired mage stares at the ground, clearly shaken. The tall boy with the spear seems to be holding up better now, though his grip on his weapon is white-knuckled.

The silence is broken by the faint rustle of leaves. My hand instinctively flies to my bow. “Quiet,” I hiss, scanning the trees.

A moment later, a soft glow flickers through the forest. It’s faint but growing brighter—like the warm light of a campfire. A strange sound accompanies it: soft, melodic chimes, as if the air itself is singing.

“Do we follow it?” the boy with the spear asks, his voice low.

The others look to me, their gazes uncertain but expectant. It’s clear they’re already seeing me as some kind of leader, whether I like it or not.

I raise a hand, motioning for everyone to stay where they are. “No. We’re staying hidden,” I whisper, my tone firm but quiet. “If what they said is true—if we die here, we die for real—we can’t take risks. That light might be a trap. Or worse, it could attract something else.”

The group collectively tenses. Even the faintest shuffle of movement seems amplified in the quiet of the forest.

“But what if it’s help?” the boy with the spear mutters, though he doesn’t sound convinced.

I shake my head, keeping my eyes on the glowing light. “We don’t know enough yet. Until we do, we treat everything like a threat.”

The light grows brighter, the chime-like sound intensifying as it draws closer. My heart pounds in my chest, and I tighten my grip on my bow, readying an arrow. A part of me wishes I could draw on my new Arrow Volley ability, but I can feel the strain in my body—a cooldown, perhaps. Whatever it is, I can’t use it again just yet.

The glow finally emerges through the trees. It’s not a creature—but something even stranger. Floating orbs of golden light, about the size of my fist, drift lazily through the air. They hover and pulse softly, as if alive, but make no move toward us. Instead, they spread out, lighting the forest like a field of fireflies.

“What… are those?” the red-haired mage asks, her voice a trembling whisper.

“No idea,” I say, my voice low. “But don’t touch them.”

The warrior with the axe shifts uncomfortably. “What if they’re looking for us? They could be scouts for whatever’s out there.”

“Exactly why we’re staying put,” I reply. My eyes dart back up toward the treetops, scanning for any sign of the winged beast. It’s quiet now—eerily so. Either it’s gone, or it’s waiting for us to make a mistake.

Minutes pass, though it feels like hours. The golden orbs continue to drift, seemingly harmless but unsettling nonetheless. Some of the other players sit down quietly, their energy drained by fear and exhaustion.

The tall boy with the spear leans closer to me, his voice barely audible. “What’s the plan? We can’t stay here forever.”

I glance toward the group, then back at the distant spires of the city. It’s far, but it might be the only safe haven.

I lower my bow slightly, glancing around at the group. “Look,” I say quietly, keeping my voice steady but clear. “I’m not in charge here. We’re all in this together. What do you all think we should do?”

For a moment, there’s silence. The tension in the air is almost unbearable, and I can see the mix of emotions on their faces—fear, uncertainty, desperation.

The tall boy with the spear shifts uncomfortably, but speaks first. “I… I think we should stay hidden. You’re right, Artemis. If we die, that’s it. We can’t afford to take risks right now.”

The red-haired mage looks torn. “But what if we’re meant to follow those lights? I mean, this is a game, isn’t it? Maybe it’s like… a quest marker or something.”

The stocky warrior with the axe growls under his breath. “Or maybe it’s a trap. You saw that thing flying overhead. What if this is bait to lure us out?” He plants the head of his axe into the dirt, glaring at the orbs. “I say we wait. At least until we’re sure it’s safe to move.”

Another player, a lanky rogue with a dagger at his side, scoffs. “Wait here? And then what? Starve? Get ambushed by something else? That city out there”—he gestures vaguely toward the spires in the distance—“is probably the only safe place. Sitting here does nothing.”

The mage frowns. “And what if we get caught in the open on the way there?”

The group’s murmuring grows louder as the players begin debating, their fear and uncertainty spilling into frustration. I stay quiet for a moment, letting them speak.

Finally, I raise a hand. “Alright,” I say firmly, cutting through the noise. “We have two clear choices: stay here and wait for the danger to pass, or move toward the city now and risk exposure. Both are risky. Let’s take a vote.”

I look around, waiting. “Stay here?”

The tall boy with the spear and the warrior raise their hands immediately.

“And who votes to head to the city?”

The rogue, and the mage, raise their hands, the rogue muttering, “Finally, someone with sense.”

One girl sits still not raising her hand at all.

It’s a split decision, the group evenly divided. I let out a breath and glance toward the glowing orbs, which are beginning to drift farther into the forest. The winged beast still hasn’t reappeared, but the thought of it makes my skin crawl.

“Well,” I say, looking at the group. “Looks like we’ll have to make a choice. Are we splitting up, or do we all stick together?”

The group falls silent again, waiting for someone—maybe me—to decide.

I let out a slow breath and nod. “Alright. We’ll carefully make our way to the city. Stick together, stay quiet, and move quickly. If anything happens, don’t panic”

The group murmurs in agreement, though I can still see uncertainty in their eyes. The warrior grumbles something under his breath but reluctantly hefts his axe, while the mage clutches her staff tightly.

I gesture for the group to follow as I lead the way through the forest. Every step feels like a gamble, the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath our feet making me flinch. The glowing orbs drift lazily around us, their soft light providing just enough visibility to navigate. I keep my bow ready, an arrow nocked, my eyes darting between the treetops and the forest floor.

“Stay close,” I whisper, glancing over my shoulder.

The tall boy with the spear is right behind me, his knuckles white as he grips his weapon. The rogue flits from shadow to shadow, clearly more comfortable in this environment. The mage and the others cling to the center of the group, their movements tense and uncertain.

As we move, the distant hum of the winged creature grows faint, and for a moment, I think we’ve managed to avoid it. But just as we reach the edge of the forest, the trees thin, revealing the wide plains leading toward the city.

The spires are closer now, their glassy surfaces reflecting the sunlight like beacons. I can see walls surrounding the city, towering and fortified, with what looks like guards patrolling the top. Safety, or at least something resembling it, is within reach.

But the moment we step out from the cover of the trees, a piercing roar shatters the air.

My heart freezes. I whip around to see the winged beast descending from the clouds, its golden eyes locked onto us. It’s massive—easily the size of a house—with black, scaled wings that blot out the sun as it dives.

“Run!” I shout, my voice sharp and commanding.

The group doesn’t hesitate this time. We sprint across the open plain, the city walls still agonizingly far. The beast’s shadow looms over us, and I can hear the heavy whoosh of its wings as it closes in.

My fingers itch to draw my bow, but I know I can’t take it down on my own. The others are running as fast as they can, but the silent girl stumbles, falling to her knees.

“Help!” she cries, looking back as the beast’s claws stretch toward her.

I grit my teeth and force myself to keep running, every instinct screaming at me to turn back. But I know the truth—if I stop, I’ll just get myself killed, and maybe even doom the rest of the group.

“Get up!” I shout back at the mage. “You have to move!”

She scrambles to her feet, her eyes wide with terror, but it’s too late. The winged beast is on her in an instant. Its massive claws sweep her up with brutal precision, her scream cutting through the air as it ascends, carrying her high into the sky.

“Keep moving!” I shout to the others, my voice cracking with the weight of the moment.

The city walls are closer now, the sound of our footfalls pounding in my ears. I glance back just once—the beast is circling again, its piercing golden eyes scanning for another target. My chest tightens as I see the girls weapon fall from its claws, tumbling to the ground far behind us. She’s gone.

The tall boy with the spear is running beside me, his face pale and twisted with horror. “She’s… she’s dead,” he stammers, barely able to form the words.

“I know!” I snap, pushing myself to run faster. “But we’re not! Not yet—move!”

As we approach the walls, a loud horn sounds from above. I look up to see armored figures standing atop the battlements, their weapons glowing with faint light. One of them shouts down to us, his voice booming.

“Stay clear of the gates! Hold your position!”

Before I can process what he means, I hear the sound of a massive ballista firing. A glowing, spear-like projectile shoots past us, striking the winged beast mid-dive. The creature roars in pain, its flight staggering as the projectile explodes into a burst of light.

Another horn blast follows, and the gates begin to open, revealing a narrow passage into the city. A guard waves us forward. “Hurry, get inside before it recovers!”

Without hesitation, I lead the group through the gates, the sound of the beast’s enraged screeches fading behind us. The heavy doors slam shut just as we make it through, cutting off the chaos outside.

Inside the city, the air is tense, filled with shouts and the hurried movements of guards and civilians. The group slows, panting and shaken. The loss of the girl hangs heavy over us, but for now, we’re alive.

One of the guards approaches. “Welcome to the city of Aeloria,” he says, his tone sharp. “You’re safe—for now. But if you’re here, it means the game’s only just begun.” He says smiling.

I glance at the others. They look to me again, their faces pale and expectant. I swallow hard, trying to push away the image of the girl’s scream and the beast’s claws.

“What now?” the tall boy asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

I turn to the guard, stepping forward despite the lingering ache in my chest. “What’s happening? What is this place? And why—” I pause, glancing back at the others before continuing, “Why are we here?”

The guard’s eyes narrow, his armor creaking as he crosses his arms. “You’re players, aren’t you? Newly transported, judging by the chaos you brought with you.” His tone carries a mix of joy? and sympathy, as if he’s had this conversation too many times before. “This is Aeloria, one of the few safe zones in the Nexus. But don’t get comfortable—the peace here is fragile. Outside these walls, it’s death or worse. That thing out there was just the beginning.”

I frown, gripping my bow tighter. “What do you mean, the beginning? And what’s the Nexus?”

He exhales heavily, his expression grim. “The Nexus is your prison, your battlefield, and your chance at survival—all rolled into one. You’re part of an experiment now. Everyone who enters this world is. The rules are simple: fight, adapt, and level up. If you die here…” He hesitates for a moment, then shrugs, “Well, you know the rest.” He says winking.

I exchange uneasy looks with the group. Some of them are pale, trembling; others look as though the weight of this reality is only just beginning to hit.

The rogue steps forward, his voice sharp. “That’s all great and cryptic, but why us? What’s the point of all this?”

The guard ignores him continuing his predetermined speech. He gestures toward a towering building at the center of the city. It’s shaped like an obelisk, its glassy surface reflecting strange symbols that shift and glow. “That’s the Guild Tower. It’s where you’ll find quests, resources, and more—if you’re lucky. I’d suggest heading there soon. The monsters out there don’t wait for anyone.”

He hesitates, his gaze softening slightly as if breaking script. “And… I’m sorry about whoever you lost out there. You may lose more before this is over. Be wary.”

The weight of his words settles over me like a stone, but I force myself to stand tall. The others are still looking to me, waiting for what comes next.

I take a breath. “Alright,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “We need to stick together and figure out how to survive. Let’s head to this Guild Tower and get some answers.”

The group murmurs in agreement, though their steps are hesitant as we begin moving toward the obelisk. The streets of Aeloria are bustling with activity—people walking and running in different directions, each looking as though they have their own stories, their own struggles.

But I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the calm before the storm.
End of chapter 1