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

Artemis returns to her friends and attempts to hide her new ‘friend’.

This will likely be peoples favorite for reasons…

Chapter 16 Recap.
I take a deep breath, clenching my fist slightly as I try to steady myself. Just get it over with. They’re your friends—they’ll understand. Maybe.

I push open the door, bracing myself for whatever’s about to come. The second it swings open, I hear Kaida’s voice ring out.

“Artemis!” she yells, her face a mix of relief and frustration as she jumps to her feet.

Chapter 17

Before I can even process her reaction, the others turn to look at me. Lorien stands near the window, his expression shifting from worry to something unreadable. Hrothgar crosses his arms, his brow furrowed, while Veyron leans back in a chair, raising an eyebrow as a smirk spreads across his face.

“You’re finally back,” Kaida continues, stepping closer. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been? What were you even thinking, running off like that?”

“I—” I start, but Kaida’s not done.

“We checked the menu, we saw you moving, but we had no clue where you were going or if you were in trouble! You just… left!”

“I know,” I say quickly, holding up my hands. “I know. I messed up, okay? I just… I didn’t know what else to do.”

Veyron steps forward, “Why didn’t you just tell us what was happening? We could’ve helped with whatever it was.”

“I didn’t want to drag you into it,” I say, my voice wavering slightly. “I felt… helpless. Like I wasn’t contributing enough. So I went out to earn some gold for all of us.”

There’s a beat of silence, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Kaida’s expression softens slightly, but Hrothgar still looks skeptical.

“You could’ve said something,” Hrothgar rumbles, his deep voice steady. “We would’ve understood.”

“I know,” I admit, guilt gnawing at me. “I wasn’t thinking. I just… needed to do something.”

Veyron finally speaks up, his smirk turning into a grin. “Well, fearless leader, at least you’re alive. Thought we were gonna have to go on some grand rescue mission.”

Kaida sighs, crossing her arms. “You’re lucky you’re okay. But don’t ever do something like that again, Artemis. We’re a team. You don’t have to face things alone.”

I nod, the knot in my stomach loosening slightly. “I promise. No more running off.”

The warmth in her voice catches me off guard, and I nod again, my chest tightening for a different reason. “Thanks,” I manage to say, glancing around at all of them.

Kaida’s words make me freeze for a moment. “You seem much better than when you disappeared on us,” she says, stepping closer and examining me closely. “No limping, no exhaustion—you were a mess before you left.”

Her observation catches me off guard. I almost forgot about the state I was in before. The aching in my body, the sheer exhaustion… it feels like it was so long ago, even though it’s only been a couple days.

“I, uh…” I stumble over my words, scrambling for a response. “I got healed.”

Kaida raises an eyebrow. “Healed?”

“Yeah,” I say quickly, nodding as if to reassure both her and myself. “I went to a priest in the city to see if they could fix me up. And they did.”

Her expression softens slightly, but there’s still a hint of curiosity in her gaze. “That would explain the improvement,” she says slowly. “But why didn’t you tell us? We could’ve gone with you. You didn’t have to do it alone.”

“I know,” I say, guilt bubbling up again. “I just… didn’t want to worry anyone. I could handle it on my own.”

Kaida sighs, shaking her head. “You’ve got to stop doing that, Artemis. We’re a team. If you need help, you ask.”

“I will,” I promise quickly. “Next time, I will.”

From behind her, Veyron smirks. “Well, fearless leader, at least you’re looking like you’re back to full strength. You gonna take on the whole city now, or save that for tomorrow?”

I let out a weak laugh, the tension in my chest easing slightly. “No city takeovers today,” I say, glancing at Kaida and the others. “I think I’ve had enough adventure for now.”

Lorien’s silence gnaws at me. He hasn’t said a word since I walked in, barely even looked at me. The knot in my stomach tightens, but I push the thought aside for now.

“So,” I say, glancing between the others, trying to steer the conversation. “Did you guys decide what to do with the key we found?”

Kaida shakes her head, leaning back against the wall. “Not yet,” she admits. “We’ve been focused on you. And we figured we shouldn’t make any big decisions without everyone here.”

Hrothgar grunts in agreement, his arms crossed. “It’s tied to something big I’m guessing. Maybe bigger than the last place, I’d wager. We can’t afford to screw this one up.”

Veyron, still lounging in his chair, twirls a dagger between his fingers. “Yeah, and after what happened to Lyra? Not exactly eager to jump headfirst into another disaster.”

Kaida nods. “We’ve been studying the map that, but it doesn’t have any info on the key.”

I glance at Lorien again, but he’s still silent, staring out the window as if lost in thought. What’s his deal? I wonder, my chest tightening.

“Well,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. “We can’t ignore it forever. If it’s tied to Lyra—or whatever this game is doing to us—we need to figure it out.”

Kaida tilts her head slightly, studying me. “You’re right,” she says softly. “But we need to make sure we’re ready first. No more running off, no more surprises.”

I nod, her words hitting harder than I care to admit. “Agreed. No more surprises.”

“No more surprises,” Shade says, mimicking Kaida’s tone almost mockingly. “If you’re going to tell them about me, now’s the time.”

No, I think firmly, glaring at nothing in particular. There’s no reason to make them worried about the shadow creature living in my head.

Shade laughs softly, its voice dripping with amusement. “Suit yourself, Artemis. But you know it’s going to come out eventually. Secrets like me don’t stay hidden forever.”

I ignore him, focusing on the conversation in front of me. Kaida is still watching me closely, her gaze unwavering. Hrothgar shifts slightly, his heavy boots creaking against the wooden floor, Veyron tosses his dagger into the air and catching it repeatedly.

I glance at Lorien again. He’s still quiet, still distant, and it’s starting to weigh on me. He’s never this quiet. Is he that upset with me? Or is it something else?

“Alright,” I say finally, my voice cutting through the silence. “What’s our next move? Do we follow the map now, or do we need more time to prepare?”

Kaida looks thoughtful, her hand resting on the map spread out on the table. “That depends,” she says slowly. “Are you ready to go? You seemed pretty banged up before, but now…”

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, almost too quickly. “Completely healed. Ready whenever you are.”

Shade chuckles faintly in the back of my mind, but for once, it stays quiet.

Kaida nods slowly. “Alright. If everyone’s on board, we can leave tomorrow morning.”

The group murmurs in agreement, but my gaze lingers on Lorien. He still hasn’t said a word.

“Why don’t we stock up on supplies today.” I say, lifting the bag of gold I earned. “It’s not a lot, but it should help cover what we need.”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, glancing at the bag. “Where’d you even get that?”

“I, uh…” I hesitate for a moment, then clear my throat. “To get some gold I took on a quick escort mission.”

Veyron lets out a low whistle. “You left to go play hero somewhere else, huh? Look at you, Fearless Leader, always thinking of us.”

I roll my eyes. “Anyway, this should help us get better prepared for whatever’s coming next. No point in heading out if we’re not stocked up.”

Hrothgar nods, his expression softening slightly. “Suppose she’s got a point. Better to have what we need than to rush in unprepared.”

Kaida sighs, running a hand through her hair. “Alright. Supplies it is. But we’re holding onto that gold,” she says, holding out her hand. “You’re not exactly known for making the best decisions lately.”

I chuckle nervously, handing her the bag. “Fair enough.”

Veyron stretches and stands. “Well, looks like we’ve got a shopping trip ahead of us. Let’s hope the market’s not swarming with guards this time.”

Kaida glances around at the group, her tone firm. “Alright, let’s split up. We’ll cover more ground that way. Meet back here in an hour?”

Everyone nods, I glance at Lorien again. He’s still avoiding eye contact, and it’s starting to eat at me.

I let out a small sigh, watching as everyone walks off in different directions, their voices fading into the hum of the bustling city streets. For a moment, I just stand there, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

They didn’t press too hard, and even Kaida seemed to buy my story, I think. But Lorien… he hasn’t said a word to me. Not even a glance.

Shade’s voice hums softly in the back of my mind. “Well, well. Left standing all alone. Again. You really do have a talent for isolating yourself, don’t you?”

“Not now, Shade,” I mutter, crossing my arms and glancing up at the sky.

“Just saying,” Shade continues, its tone almost playful. “If you’re going to let everyone walk away without explaining yourself properly, don’t be surprised when your boyfriend stays distant.”

I groan, rubbing my temples. “He’s not my boyfriend. And I’ll talk to him later.”

“Sure you will,” Shade replies, a faint chuckle in its tone. “But don’t wait too long, Artemis. Sometimes people don’t wait forever for an apology.”

Ignoring the jab, I take a deep breath and focus on what’s ahead.

I lean back against the inn’s wall, crossing my arms as I watch the busy streets. I guess I’ll just wait for them to come back since they took the gold. Usually, I’d be against not being allowed any especially when I put in the work, but… I let out a small sigh. I can’t really blame them for not trusting me right now.

Shade hums softly in my mind, its voice almost smug. “Trust is earned, Artemis. And you, my dear, have been doing a fantastic job of making that… complicated.”

I roll my eyes, not bothering to respond. They’re upset because they care, I remind myself, though the guilt in my chest doesn’t ease. If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t have been so worried. Wouldn’t have been so angry. It’s just… hard not to feel like I let them down.

Shade’s voice shifts, quieter and more curious now. “So, they care, they’re upset, and you feel guilty. But was it worth it? You did get healed, you’ve got me,”—there’s a slight chuckle—“and you earned gold. Seems like a win.”

I press my palm to my forehead, shaking my head slightly. Yeah, some ‘win.’ I’ve got a shadow person in my head who’s… an ally? Maybe? I don’t even know anymore.

Shade lets out a mock gasp. “An ally? How generous of you. I thought I was just the unwanted roommate.”

I don’t respond, instead letting my eyes drift toward the street again. People pass by, talking, laughing, going about their lives like none of this chaos exists. I almost envy them.

I just hope this trip for supplies gets us closer to fixing all of this, I think. I don’t know how much longer I can keep all of this bottled up.

I scowl slightly, crossing my arms tighter as I hear Shade’s voice echoing in my mind.

“I’ve got an idea on what to do while we wait,” Shade says, its tone casual but laced with mischief.

“What is it?” I ask hesitantly.

“If you don’t want them finding out about me yet,” Shade starts, “you might want to tie up loose ends. Like that priest you went to see. You know, before one of your friends stumbles across him and starts asking questions.”

Crap. I hadn’t even thought about that. My stomach twists. But we’re not going to kill him, I think, practically shouting in my own head.

Shade laughs softly, clearly entertained by my reaction. “Calm down, Artemis. I didn’t mean that. I know you’re queasy about ‘unaliving’ people—even NPCs.”

“I’m not queasy,” I hiss under my breath. “I just have morals. Like a person.”

Shade hums, clearly amused. “Morals, sure. But my point stands. If you don’t want your little secret getting out, you might want to pay him a visit. Just to… clarify things. Politely, of course.”

I glance down the street, my chest tightening. Shade has a point. If they run into the priest and ask about me, who knows what he might say?

I push off the wall, taking a deep breath. “Alright, let’s go,” I mutter under my breath, weaving through the bustling streets.

Shade hums in satisfaction. “Smart choice. Better to nip it in the bud now than deal with awkward questions later. Just remember—nice and polite. No moral crises necessary.”

I ignore the jab, my thoughts racing as I head toward the church. The priest didn’t seem like the type to spread rumors, but I can’t risk it. If they find out about Shade… I shake my head. No. I have to make sure he keeps quiet.

The city’s chatter fades as I reach the church’s steps, the towering spires casting long shadows in the late afternoon light. I pause for a moment, staring at the heavy wooden doors.

“Feeling nervous?” Shade teases.

“No,” I say firmly, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

The quiet of the church is almost oppressive, the faint flicker of candlelight casting long, wavering shadows across the stone walls. The priest is at the far end, kneeling in silent prayer.

I approach slowly, my boots echoing softly against the stone floor. When I’m close enough, I clear my throat. “Father Aldric?”

The priest rises slowly, turning to face me with a calm, unreadable expression. “Ah, you’ve returned,” he says, his voice steady. “What brings you back, child?”

“About before,” I say, my voice steady but low. “I handled it. It’s… taken care of. And I’d prefer if no one knew about it.”

Father Aldric’s gaze lingers on me for a moment, his expression unreadable. He folds his hands in front of him, his tone calm and measured. “Taken care of, you say? I’m relieved to hear that you’re no longer in danger.”

I nod, shifting slightly under his steady gaze. “Yeah. It’s… under control. But it’s important that no one else hears about it—what we talked about or anything that happened. Please.”

He tilts his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And why is that, child? Are you afraid of how your companions might react? Or is it something… more?”

I stiffen slightly, my chest tightening. “It’s not about fear,” I say quickly. “It’s just… complicated. I don’t want them to worry about something that doesn’t need to be worried about.”

Father Aldric studies me for a moment longer, then nods slowly. “I understand the value of discretion,” he says finally. “You have my word—what transpired here will remain between us. But I must caution you, child: secrets, even well-intentioned ones, can be burdensome. Be certain this is the path you wish to walk.”

“I’m sure,” I say firmly, though the knot in my stomach doesn’t ease.

The priest’s expression softens slightly. “Very well. May the light guide you on your path, and may your burdens grow lighter with time.”

Shade chuckles softly in the back of my mind. “Well, that was easy. Almost disappointingly so. No drama, no threats… just a nice, clean resolution. For now.”

I turn to leave, the priest’s calm words echoing in my head as I step back into the sunlight. Secrets can be burdensome, I think to myself, my grip tightening slightly on my bow. He’s not wrong… but some secrets are necessary.

I freeze mid-step, Aldric’s words cutting through the quiet church like a blade.

“You said it’s under control…” he repeats, his tone calm but pointed. “Do you mean the situation, or did you banish the entity?”

I slowly turn back to face him, my chest tightening. “I… I meant the situation,” I admit, carefully choosing my words. “It’s not causing any harm, and I’m keeping it in check.”

Father Aldric’s brow furrows slightly, his calm demeanor shifting into something more serious. “Keeping it in check? That is… dangerous, child. These entities do not simply rest within you—they wait, they grow, and they influence. You cannot truly control it, no matter how strong your will may be.”

“I can handle it,” I say firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

He steps closer, his gaze unwavering. “You believe that now, but these creatures are insidious. They offer promises, temptations, all while slowly eroding your sense of self. The longer it remains within you, the harder it will be to separate yourself from it.”

Shade’s voice hums in the back of my mind, almost amused. “Oh, he makes me sound so evil.”

I clench my fists, ignoring Shade’s comment as I look back at Aldric. “I don’t have a choice right now,” I say quietly. “It’s part of me now, whether I like it or not. But it’s not taking over, and I’m not letting it hurt anyone.”

Aldric’s expression softens, but his tone remains firm. “If you ever find yourself unable to maintain control, return to me. As a last resort we can try something, though it is not without risk.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

He nods slowly. “Be cautious, child. And remember: the longer you carry this burden alone, the heavier it will become.”

I turn away, his words weighing on me as I step back into the sunlight.

“Okay, that’s taken care of. I think.”

Shade mimics the priest mockingly. “These creatures…,” it says, dripping with disdain. “I’m not some lowly creature. I’m one of a kind, more powerful than anything he’s ever seen. He knows nothing of me.”

“Struck a nerve?” I ask, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice.

Shade growls faintly, irritation clear in its tone. “Hardly. It’s just… creatures? Really? As if I’m some mindless thing lurking in the dark.”

“Well, you were lurking in the dark when we met,” I reply dryly.

“That was mere circumstance,” Shade snaps, indignation lacing its words. “I am not some run-of-the-mill shadow. I am one of a kind—powerful, unique, and now bound to you of all people.”

I chuckle softly. “Yeah, you keep saying that. But if you’re so powerful, why did you end up stuck in a cave under the city in the first place?”

There’s a long pause before Shade speaks again, its tone quieter but defensive. “…Circumstance,” it repeats.

I smirk, shaking my head as I start walking. “Uh-huh. Sure.”

Shade huffs, clearly unamused. “Mock all you want, Artemis. But you’ll see. When the time comes, you’ll realize just how lucky you are to have me.”

“Lucky, huh?” I mutter, my smirk fading slightly as Aldric’s warnings echo in the back of my mind. The longer it remains within you, the harder it will be to separate yourself from it.

I push the thought aside, focusing on the road ahead. “Alright. That’s taken care of. Time to head back to the inn.”

Shade hums softly. “Oh, goodie. Back to playing team leader. I wonder if your friends will notice how much stronger you’ve become with me around.”

I shake my head, ignoring the comment as I weave through the bustling streets toward the inn. “We aren’t going to be showing off,” I mutter under my breath. “Whatever stuff you can do—tendrils, shadow tricks, or whatever—won’t be happening unless it’s life or death. For me or for them.”

Shade sighs dramatically, its voice dripping with exasperation. “Ugh, you’re no fun. What’s the point of all this power if you’re just going to hide it away? You’re wasting potential, Artemis.”

“This isn’t a game to me,” I snap, my voice low but firm. “I’m not here to show off or scare people. And I’m definitely not putting my friends at risk just because you think I should flex a little.”

There’s a pause before Shade chuckles softly, its tone amused. “Fair enough. Life or death, then. But don’t come crying to me when you’re in a sticky situation and suddenly realize you need me.”

I roll my eyes, clenching my fists. “Trust me, Shade, if that moment comes, I’ll let you know.”

Shade hums lightly, almost pleased. “Good. At least you’re practical. Just remember—I’m here to help, whether you want me to or not.”

I don’t respond, keeping my focus on the road ahead. The inn comes into view, and I let out a small sigh of relief. Alright, time to see if they’ve come back from shopping. Hopefully, this whole thing with Shade stays buried—for now.

I step into the inn, letting the door creak shut behind me as I glance around. The dim, cozy light inside is a welcome change from the bustling streets outside. My eyes sweep the room quickly, searching for any sign of the others.

Kaida and Hrothgar are sitting at a table near the far wall, poring over the map again. Kaida gestures animatedly, while Hrothgar nods slowly, clearly taking in whatever point she’s trying to make.

Veyron is lounging in the corner with a smug grin, a cup of something steaming in his hand, clearly enjoying himself.

But it’s Lorien who catches my attention—or, more accurately, his absence. I frown slightly, scanning the room again. Where is he?

Kaida looks up, spotting me, and waves me over. “There you are,” she says with a smile. “We were starting to think you got lost or something.”

Hrothgar snorts. “She’s not that clueless.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I say dryly, walking toward them.

“Where’s Lorien?” I ask casually, trying not to sound too concerned.

Kaida glances toward the door, then shrugs. “He stepped out a minute ago. Said he needed some air or something.”

Veyron smirks from his corner, raising an eyebrow. “You sure he didn’t mean away from you?”

I glare at him, but Kaida quickly cuts in. “Ignore him. He’s been insufferable all day.”

I glance at the door, my stomach tightening slightly. Why do I get the feeling Lorien’s not just ‘getting some air’?

“I’m gonna check on him,” I say, turning back toward the door without waiting for a response.

Kaida calls after me, “He’ll come back, Artemis. Don’t worry about it.”

But I don’t stop. Something about this feels off. Lorien isn’t the type to just disappear like that—at least, not without saying something to me.

As I step outside, the crisp evening air greets me, carrying the faint hum of the city. The streets are starting to quiet down, the day’s hustle fading into a more subdued rhythm. I scan the area, my eyes darting to the nearby alleyways and corners. Where would he have gone?

Shade hums in my head. “Ah, running after the brooding warrior. How romantic. Let’s hope he hasn’t gotten himself into trouble, though it would be very convenient for us, wouldn’t it?”

“Not now,” I mutter under my breath, narrowing my eyes as I catch sight of a familiar figure leaning against the far side of the inn, partially hidden in the shadows. Lorien.

I walk toward him, my boots crunching softly against the cobblestones. “Lorien?”

He glances up, startled, before quickly masking his expression. “Artemis.”

“Are you okay?” I ask, stepping closer. “Kaida said you came out for air, but… you seem off.”

He hesitates, his eyes darting away for a moment before meeting mine. “I’m fine,” he says, but his tone isn’t convincing.

I cross my arms, tilting my head slightly. “You don’t sound fine. Talk to me.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “It’s nothing, really. I just… needed a moment to think. That’s all.”

I take a deep breath, my voice softening. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I left…” I hesitate, looking down for a moment before meeting his eyes. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

Lorien’s expression shifts, the faint tension in his jaw easing slightly as he looks at me. He’s quiet for a moment, like he’s weighing his words carefully.

“I’m not mad, Artemis,” he says finally, his voice low but sincere. “I was just… worried. You disappeared, you were hurt, and none of us knew if you were coming back. That’s not exactly easy to deal with.”

“I know,” I whisper, my chest tightening. “I shouldn’t have left like that. I just… I felt useless after everything that happened. I thought if I could handle something on my own, maybe—”

“Maybe what?” Lorien interrupts gently, stepping closer. “That we’d stop relying on you? That we’d think less of you?” He shakes his head. “You’re our leader, Artemis. We don’t expect you to be perfect, and we don’t want you to do everything alone.”

I blink, surprised by the intensity in his voice. “I just didn’t want to drag you all down.”

“You’re not dragging us down,” he says firmly. “You’re the one keeping us together.”

There’s a beat of silence between us, and I can feel my face flush slightly under his gaze. “I’m… still sorry,” I say quietly.

His expression softens, and he gives me a small smile. “You don’t have to keep apologizing. Just… don’t do it again, alright? If you need time or space, tell me. Tell us.”

I nod, my throat tightening as relief washes over me. “Alright. I promise.”

For a moment, we just stand there, the sounds of the city fading into the background. Lorien’s gaze lingers on me, and I can see the concern still lingering in his eyes, but there’s something else there too—something softer.

I stand there, the silence between us growing heavier with each passing second. I can feel my heart pounding, hoping—almost begging—that Lorien will say something. Anything to break the tension.

But he doesn’t. He just looks at me, his expression soft but unreadable, like he’s trying to find the right words but can’t quite figure out how to say them.

The silence is almost unbearable. “Lorien,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “Are we okay?”

He blinks, as if I’ve startled him, and then his expression shifts slightly. “Of course we are,” he says, but there’s something in his tone that makes me doubt it.

“Are you sure?” I press, taking a small step closer. “Because I feel like there’s more you want to say, and you’re just… not saying it.”

He lets out a soft sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not that simple, Artemis.”

I frown, my chest tightening. “What’s not simple? If something’s bothering you, just tell me. I can take it.”

He looks away for a moment, his jaw tightening. When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet but firm. “I was scared, Artemis. When you left… I didn’t know if I’d see you again. And I hated that feeling. It made me realize how much you—” He cuts himself off, his gaze darting away.

“How much I what?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat.

He shakes his head, forcing a small smile. “Never mind. Forget it.”

“No,” I say quickly, stepping closer. “I don’t want to forget it. Tell me.”

He hesitates, his eyes searching mine like he’s trying to decide whether or not to say what’s on his mind. The silence stretches again, and I can feel the tension crackling in the air.

“If we’re ever going to be normal again—if we’re going to work together—you need to tell me what’s wrong,” I say, my voice firmer than before. I step closer, meeting his eyes. “I can’t fix this if you don’t talk to me, Lorien.”

He exhales sharply, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of my words is pressing down on him. “It’s not that easy, Artemis,” he says quietly. “What I’m feeling… it’s complicated.”

I cross my arms, holding his gaze. “Complicated how?”

He hesitates, running a hand through his hair. “When you left, I didn’t just feel worried. I felt… angry. Not at you, but at myself. Because I realized how much I—” He stops again, clenching his fists.

“Lorien,” I say softly, trying to encourage him.

He looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. “I care about you, Artemis. More than I probably should. And when you left, it felt like…” He trails off, his voice cracking slightly. “It felt like I was losing you.”

My breath catches, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. His words hang in the air, raw and honest, and I can feel the weight of them pressing against my chest.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” I whisper. “I just… I thought I was protecting you all by leaving. I didn’t want to drag you down with everything I’m dealing with.”

“You don’t drag us down,” he says firmly, stepping closer. “You’re the one keeping us going. And I…” He falters again, looking away briefly before meeting my gaze. “I care about you, Artemis. I can’t just ignore that anymore.”

The intensity in his voice leaves me speechless. My heart races, and I can feel my face flush as his words sink in.

He looks so stressed, so nervous—just like he was when we first got here. Over time, that tension seemed to fade. He got more confident, more focused. But now… now it’s back, and I can see it’s eating at him.

I knew he liked me. He’s made that pretty clear, especially after he kissed me—twice. And then there was the time I kissed him back, which… yeah. But this?

This feels like more than just like.

He stands there, waiting for me to say something, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes searching mine. I feel my heart race as the weight of his words settles in.

“Lorien,” I start, my voice catching in my throat. I clear it, trying again. “I… I didn’t realize how much this was affecting you. I thought…” I pause, my chest tightening. “I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving. I didn’t want to hurt you—or anyone else. But I see now that I did.”

He shakes his head quickly. “You didn’t mean to. I know that. But…” He trails off, his jaw tightening as he looks away.

“But what?” I ask gently, stepping closer.

He takes a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling. “But it made me realize something,” he says quietly. “You’re more than just someone I care about, Artemis. You’re… everything.”

My breath catches, and I feel a rush of emotions I can’t even begin to sort out. “Lorien…”

He turns back to me, his eyes intense but soft, like he’s putting everything on the line. “I know this isn’t the best time or place, and I know we’re in the middle of… whatever this is. But I need you to know how I feel. Because no matter what happens, that’s not going to change.”

“Lorien—” I start, but he cuts me off, his voice steady and unyielding.

“I love you,” he says, the words hanging in the air like they’ve been waiting there all along, just waiting for him to let them out.

For a moment, I can’t breathe. My heart skips a beat, and every thought in my head screeches to a halt.

“No surprise there,” Shade says smugly in the back of my mind.

I force myself to focus, to push Shade’s voice aside. This moment isn’t about him. It’s about Lorien, standing in front of me, baring everything without hesitation.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Lorien adds quickly, his voice softer now. “I just… I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. Not after everything. I needed you to know.”

I stare at him, the world around us fading into the background. My heart feels like it’s both racing and standing still at the same time.

I feel my chest tighten as Lorien’s words sink in, his eyes searching mine for some kind of answer.

“Lorien, I…” My voice falters, and I look away, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my head.

How do I feel? It’s been so confusing—so complicated. I care about him, I know that much. But everything about this… about us, about me… it’s tangled in ways I don’t know how to unravel.

He steps closer, his voice soft but steady. “You don’t have to answer now, Artemis. I just—” He pauses, taking a shaky breath. “I just needed you to know how I feel. Because I don’t want to look back on this and wonder what could’ve happened if I’d said something.”

I look up at him, my heart aching. “Lorien, if—when—we get out of this game… I’m not even a girl. I’m not… this.” I motion vaguely to myself. “It just… it wouldn’t work. You’d feel differently.”

He shakes his head, his eyes locked on mine. “You think I care about that? I know who you were, but I also know who you are now. And who you are is the person I care about. The person I… love.”

His voice softens, his gaze filled with an earnestness that makes my chest ache even more. “We don’t even know if we’ll ever escape this place, Artemis. If we do, then we’ll figure it out. But if you feel something for me—anything—then why fight it? Why not let ourselves be happy while we’re here? Even if…” He trails off, his voice breaking slightly. “Even if it’s not forever.”

I stare at him, his words settling over me like a weight I’m not sure I’m strong enough to carry. My heart races, and for a moment, I can’t speak.

Shade’s voice cuts through my thoughts, unwelcome but persistent.

“Tell him the truth, Artemis,” Shade says smoothly. “We both know you love him, even if you won’t admit it…”

I grit my teeth, trying to push the voice away. “Not now,” I mutter under my breath, but the words barely register to me as I look at Lorien.

He’s standing there, so open, so vulnerable. The weight of his words hangs between us, and I can feel the truth in what Shade said, no matter how much I’ve tried to deny it.

“Lorien…” I say softly, my voice trembling. I take a step closer, my hands clenched at my sides. “You’re right. I’ve been fighting it, and I—” I pause, my heart pounding. “I think I’m scared. Scared of what this all means, scared of losing you, scared of losing myself in all of this.”

His expression softens, his eyes never leaving mine. “You don’t have to be scared, Artemis,” he says gently. “Not of me. Not of us.”

I close my eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath before meeting his gaze again. “I care about you, Lorien. More than I’ve let myself admit. And… I think I might…” I trail off, my voice catching in my throat.

Shade’s voice whispers again, softer this time. “Say it, Artemis.”

“I think I might love you too,” I finally say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. My cheeks flush, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it might burst.

Lorien’s eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, he looks like he’s struggling to believe what he just heard. Then a small, relieved smile breaks across his face, and he steps closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush against mine.

“You don’t have to say it perfectly,” he murmurs. “I just… needed to hear it.”

The warmth of his hand lingers against mine, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the weight on my chest starts to lift.

Before I can say anything else, Lorien steps forward and grabs my waist, pulling me in gently but firmly. My breath catches as his warmth surrounds me, his presence so close it sends a rush of emotions through me I can’t begin to sort out.

His other hand brushes against my cheek, tilting my face up so that I’m looking directly into his eyes. “Artemis,” he whispers, his voice soft and full of something I can’t describe.

For a moment, the world around us fades completely—no inn, no city, no no shade. Just him and me, and the faint sound of our breaths in the stillness.

“Lorien…” I whisper, barely able to find my voice.

He doesn’t wait for me to say anything more. His lips meet mine in a kiss that’s warm, tender, and so full of emotion it makes my knees weak. I can feel the sincerity in it, the depth of his feelings.

As his arms tighten slightly around my waist, I find myself leaning into him, my hands resting lightly on his chest. The kiss deepens for just a moment, and all the confusion, all the doubts, seem to melt away.

When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests gently against mine, and I can see the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. “I’ve wanted to do that again for a long time,” he says softly.

I can’t help but smile back, my heart pounding. “Yeah… me too.”

His fingers linger on my waist as we stand there, and for once, the chaos of the world feels so far away.

“Now what?” I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

Lorien chuckles softly, his breath warm against my cheek. “Now… we figure it out. Together.”

He pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. His hands are still resting on my waist, grounding me in the moment. “We don’t have to have all the answers right now, Artemis. We just… take it one step at a time.”

I glance away for a moment, my thoughts racing again. Shade’s voice stirs in the back of my mind, quiet but smug. “Well, well, look at you two. What’s next, holding hands and skipping into the sunset?”

I push the thought aside, focusing on Lorien. “One step at a time,” I repeat, almost as if I’m trying to convince myself.

He nods, his expression soft but resolute. “We’ve made it this far, haven’t we? No reason to stop now.”

For the first time in a while, I feel a small flicker of hope. “Okay,” I say softly. “Together.”

His smile widens, and he squeezes my waist gently before letting go, stepping back to give me a bit of space. “We should get back to the others,” he says. “I think they’re probably starting to worry.”

I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

As we head back toward the inn, I can’t help but glance at him, my heart still racing. One step at a time.

As we approach the door to the inn, I feel it—his hand in mine. I hadn’t even realized we’d been holding hands this whole time.

A warmth rises to my face, and before we step inside, I gently slip my hand from his. Lorien looks at me, slightly confused, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he just offers me a small smile, and I manage a faint one back.

Pushing open the door, I head straight for the table where the others are sitting. Kaida is the first to notice me, her sharp eyes darting between Lorien and me before narrowing slightly.

“Finally,” Veyron says, his usual smirk plastered across his face. “We were starting to think you two were plotting a mutiny or something.”

Hrothgar lets out a hearty laugh. “Mutiny? More like sneaking off for some… alone time, eh?”

Kaida elbows Hrothgar in the side, glaring at him. “Enough. Leave them alone.” She looks at me with a raised eyebrow but doesn’t say anything else.

I slide into a chair, keeping my focus on the table as I try to will my face to stop burning. Lorien sits down across from me, casually leaning back in his chair, looking far less flustered than I feel.

“So,” Kaida says, breaking the silence. “Are we ready to move out soon, or does anyone else have some… personal matters they need to take care of first?”

Her tone is teasing, but her eyes are sharp, and I know she’s not going to let this go anytime soon.

I ignore Kaida’s comment, though I can feel her smirk without even looking at her. Instead, I focus on what’s important. “It’s getting late in the day,” I say, glancing at the dimming light filtering through the inn’s window. “Should we wait until morning to move out still?”

Kaida leans back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Traveling at night sounds like asking for trouble. I say we wait until morning.”

“I agree,” Hrothgar rumbles, scratching his beard. “It’s safer to rest now and leave at first light. We’re no use to each other if we’re exhausted.”

“Depends on where we’re going,” Veyron chimes in, twirling a dagger between his fingers. “If it’s nearby, we could push through. But if it’s far… well, I don’t fancy meeting beasts in the dark.”

“The map leads into the mountains, right?” I ask, glancing around at the group. “Did it seem far to you guys?”

Kaida shrugs, pulling the map out of her bag and laying it on the table. “It’s hard to tell,” she says, her finger tracing the faint glowing line. “It’s not like it gives exact distances. If this spot here is our destination…” She pauses, tapping a faint mark on the map.

“It’s not too far,” Lorien says, leaning over to examine the map. “Maybe a day’s journey if we keep a steady pace. Less if we’re lucky.”

“A day’s journey during the day,” Veyron cuts in. “At night? Who knows. Roads are harder to follow, and we’d be a walking buffet for anything out there.”

Hrothgar nods in agreement. “If it’s only a day, we’re better off starting fresh in the morning. No use rushing into the unknown when we’re already tired.”

“Probably best to wait, then,” I say, leaning back slightly. “At least now we have supplies, and we’re better prepared. Hopefully, this key leads to some answers… and to Lyra.”

Kaida nods, folding the map and tucking it back into her bag. “Agreed. Rest now, move at first light. We’ll need all the energy we can get.”

“Good,” Hrothgar says, his voice low and steady. “The night’s no time to be wandering into the unknown.”

Veyron smirks, twirling his dagger lazily. “Guess that means I have a few more hours to nap. Wake me if something exciting happens.” He leans back in his chair, tipping it dangerously far as he stretches.

“Best to get some rest,” Kaida says as we all push our chairs back from the table.

We start heading toward the stairs, but the old woman at the counter stops us mid-step.

“Hey, kiddos,” she calls out, waving a hand.

“You gotta pay for rooms still—every night, not just the first two nights.”

I pause, glancing at the others. “Oh, right. Sorry about that.”

“Two rooms still?” she asks, raising an eyebrow as she eyes the group.

I glance at Lorien briefly, then at the others. “Yeah, two rooms,” I say, pulling out some of the gold I’d earned. “I’ve got it this time.”

She takes the coins from me, counting them with sharp precision. “Alright, you’re all set. Upstairs, same rooms as before.”

“Thanks,” Kaida says with a polite nod as we make our way up the stairs.

Once we’re at the top, the group hesitates for a moment. Kaida looks at me with a teasing grin. “Well, fearless leader, who’s bunking where tonight?”

“Wha—I… what do you mean?” I stammer, trying desperately to pretend I don’t get what Kaida’s implying. But my face betrays me, burning red as her teasing grin widens.

“Oh, you know exactly what I mean,” she says, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. “Two rooms, split the group—who goes where? Unless you want me to decide for you.”

“Yeah, leader,” Veyron chimes in, his smirk practically gleaming. “Make the call.”

I glance at Lorien, who is very pointedly looking anywhere but at me. Hrothgar’s trying to suppress a laugh, and even Kaida’s trying to keep her giggles quiet.

“Uh…” I start, my voice cracking slightly as I feel the weight of everyone’s stares.

“Come on, Artemis,” Kaida presses, her grin turning downright mischievous. “Who’s bunking with who tonight?”

Great. This is exactly what I needed right now.

Without another word, I grab Kaida by the arm, practically dragging her into the girls’ room. Her surprised yelp turns into a laugh as I slam the door shut behind us.

Hrothgar’s booming laughter echoes from the hall. “Guess that answers that!” he calls out, his voice full of amusement.

Kaida leans against the wall, crossing her arms and grinning at me. “Smooth, Artemis. Real smooth.”

I let out an exasperated sigh, slumping against the door. “Could you not make it worse?”

“I wasn’t trying to make it worse,” she says, feigning innocence. “I was just curious what you were gonna do. You know, fearless leader and all.”

I glare at her, but it’s hard to keep it up when she’s smirking like that. “I swear, one of these days, Kaida…”

She raises an eyebrow. “What? You’ll actually get back at me?”

I groan, walking over to the bed and flopping face-first onto it. “I hate all of you,” I mutter into the pillow.

“Sure you do,” Kaida says, laughing as she starts unpacking her things.

I lift my head from the pillow, grinning slightly despite myself. “What’s with the fearless leader comment, huh? Spending too much time with Veyron?”

Kaida freezes for just a second, her hand halfway to her bag. Then she quickly recovers, turning to face me with a smirk that doesn’t quite hide the faint blush rising to her cheeks.

“Me? Spending time with Veyron? Please,” she says, feigning indignation as she crosses her arms. “I’d rather kiss a troll.”

I sit up, grinning wider now. “Oh, is that so? Because last I checked, you already kissed him.”

Her face turns a deeper shade of red, and she groans dramatically. “You just had to bring that up, didn’t you?”

“Absolutely,” I say, leaning back on my hands. “If I have to deal with you teasing me all the time, it’s only fair I get to bring up your little… moment.”

Kaida rolls her eyes but can’t quite suppress a laugh. “Fine, fine. But for the record, that was a one-time thing. Totally not happening again.”

“Uh-huh,” I say, smirking. “Whatever you say.”

She huffs, grabbing her bag and heading for her bed. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“And you make it way too easy,” I shoot back, laughing as I lay back down.

I settle back on the bed, still grinning. “So, what was the room situation while I was gone? Bet that was… interesting.”

Kaida smirks, not even looking up as she sorts through her things. “Oh, you mean who slept where? Well, let’s just say there was some… shuffling.”

I raise an eyebrow as I smirk a bit. “Shuffling?”

“Yeah,” she says, glancing at me with a knowing look. “Hrothgar ended up bunking with Veyron—which left me and Lorien in here.”

My smile falters for a moment. “Wait, what?”

Kaida snorts, shaking her head. “Relax, Artemis. It wasn’t exactly scandalous. He slept on the floor. Made a big deal about it, too, like he had to prove something. ‘I’ll stay up in case she comes back,’ he said.”

I sigh, sinking back into the bed. “Of course he did.”

Kaida raises an eyebrow at me. “You know, he barely slept. Kept pacing and checking the inn menu like every five minutes. He was worried about you, even if he didn’t say much.”

I look away, my grin fading a little. “Yeah… I figured.”

Kaida softens, walking over and sitting on the edge of her bed. “He really cares about you, you know,” she says gently. “We all do. Don’t go disappearing on us again, okay?”

I nod, the weight of her words sinking in. “Yeah. I won’t.”

Kaida smiles a bit. “Sooo are you gonna tell me what happened with him?”

I blink, caught off guard by her question. “What do you mean?” I ask, trying to stall.

Kaida smirks, leaning forward slightly. “Oh, come on, Artemis. You and Lorien were outside for a while. What took so long?”

I feel my face heating up instantly. “We were just… talking.”

“Talking?” she echoes, her smirk widening. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Kaida!” I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Seriously, we were just talking!”

“Mhmm,” she says, clearly enjoying this far too much. “And what exactly were you talking about that had you both looking so… flustered when you came back in?”

I lower my hands, glaring at her half-heartedly. “I’m not telling you that.”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” she says, leaning back with a smug grin. “I can already guess.”

I groan again, throwing a pillow at her. “You’re the worst.”

Kaida laughs, catching the pillow. “Maybe, but you love me for it.”

I shake my head, unable to keep from smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“Did you make it up to him with a kiss?” she asks, giggling like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

I groan, throwing myself back onto the bed and covering my face with a pillow. “Kaida!” I mutter, my voice muffled but full of embarrassment.

She laughs even harder, clearly delighted by my reaction. “What? It’s a valid question! You did disappear on him, after all. Poor Lorien probably needed some reassurance.”

I peek out from under the pillow, glaring at her. “For your information, we talked. Like normal people. No kisses involved!”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, her smirk widening. “Oh, so you’re admitting you talked about something serious?”

“I didn’t say that!” I protest, sitting up and hugging the pillow to my chest.

“Sure, sure,” she teases, waving her hand. “But you know… a kiss would’ve been a nice touch.”

I toss the pillow at her, my face burning. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

She catches the pillow with ease, laughing as she tosses it back onto the bed. “And you’re avoiding the question! Don’t think I didn’t notice how red you got when he said he loved you.”

I freeze for a moment, my heart skipping a beat. “How do you even know about that?”

Kaida grins, leaning back on her hands. “I didn’t.” she says casually, “but I do now.”

I groan again, flopping back onto the bed. “I hate you so much right now.”

“No, you don’t,” she says with a laugh, clearly enjoying every second of my misery.

“Sooo, what did you say back?” Kaida asks, her grin practically splitting her face.

I sigh deeply, glaring at her as I sit up. “Do you ever let anything go?”

“Nope,” she replies cheerfully, scooting a little closer. “Now spill. What’d you say when he dropped the big ‘I love you’? Come on, Artemis, don’t leave me hanging!”

I feel my face heat up again, and I hug the pillow tighter to my chest. “I… I told him the truth,” I mumble, avoiding her gaze.

Kaida tilts her head, her smirk softening just a little. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

I glance at her briefly, then look away again. “That it’s complicated,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I mean, how am I supposed to know how I feel about someone here? Especially when…” I trail off, motioning vaguely at myself.

Kaida’s grin fades slightly, and she sits back, her tone a little gentler now. “Artemis, that doesn’t make what you feel any less real,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just… follow your heart or whatever cheesy advice people in movies would probably give.”

I roll my eyes, but her words hit deeper than I want to admit. “Yeah, well… it’s not that simple.”

“Nothing ever is,” she says with a shrug. “But hey, at least he put himself out there. That takes guts.”

I sigh again, leaning back against the wall. “Yeah… it does.”

Kaida grins again, but this time it’s softer. “So? Did you kiss him this time?”

I throw the pillow at her, groaning as I bury my face in my hands. “I’m not telling you that!”

She laughs, catching the pillow easily. “You don’t have to,” she says teasingly. “I can tell just by how red your face is.”

“Give me my pillow back,” I groan, slumping backward onto the bed, already regretting ever entertaining this conversation.

“Only if you tell me more,” Kaida says, holding the pillow just out of reach with a devious grin.

“Ughhhh,” I groan even louder, dragging a hand over my face. “Fine! Just so you’ll stop pestering me—” I pause, glaring at her. “I’m giving it—him—a try, I guess…”

Before I can finish my sentence, Kaida squeals, a sound so high-pitched I’m genuinely worried for my eardrums. Then, before I can react, she leaps from her bed straight onto mine, almost tackling me with a hug faster than I thought was possible.

“Kaida!” I wheeze as she squeezes me tight. “Owwww—need air!”

She finally lets go, sitting back and grinning at me like an overly enthusiastic puppy. “Sorry, sorry! I’m just so happy for you!”

I groan, pushing her off me gently and glaring. “You’re acting like this is some grand romance novel.”

“It is!” she says, her eyes practically sparkling. “I mean, come on—you’re a badass archer, he’s a noble spear-wielding guy, you’re both trapped in this world together—it’s perfect!”

“Yeah, sure,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Perfect. Except for the part where I was a guy like two weeks ago, and this entire thing still feels weird.”

Kaida’s grin softens a bit, and she gives me a playful nudge. “Weird doesn’t mean bad, Artemis. Sometimes weird is just… new. And honestly? You deserve a little bit of happiness in all this chaos.”

I glance away, my cheeks flushing slightly. “Yeah, well… don’t make a big deal out of it, okay?”

Kaida snorts, “Oh, no promises. But I’ll try to keep my squealing to a minimum.”

I sigh, as I flop back onto the bed. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you love me,” she teases, settling back onto her own bed with a smug grin.

“It’s your turn,” I say, pointing a finger at her. “You made me spill my guts, now you’ve gotta talk. What happened with Veyron while I was gone? Because you definitely were spending a lot of time with him.”

Kaida freezes mid-laugh, her face instantly turning red. “I—I wasn’t spending that much time with him!”

I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Oh, really? Because someone told me you and Veyron were thick as thieves while I was out playing solo adventurer.”

Kaida groans, grabbing her blanket and trying to hide under it. “Nothing happened, okay? We just… talked.”

I smirk, leaning forward. “Oh, just like me and Lorien ‘just talked,’ huh? Come on, Kaida, spill. You know I’m not gonna let this go.”

She peeks out from under the blanket, her cheeks still flushed. “Okay, fine. We might have hung out a little.”

“A little?” I say, grinning now. “Kaida, the last time we talked about Veyron, you literally kissed him. And now you’re telling me you just hung out?”

Her blush deepens, and she flops back onto her bed, covering her face with the pillow. “Okay, okay, fine! We talked a lot, alright? And he… he might have flirted a bit.”

I laugh, leaning back on my hands. “Flirted? Oh, Kaida, come on. That guy flirts with everyone. Did you flirt back?”

She groans into the pillow before mumbling, “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I tease, laughing harder. “Kaida, you are so bad at hiding this.”

“Fine!” she shouts, tossing the pillow aside. “Yes, I flirted back. Happy now? And—and he kissed me again, okay? There, I said it!”

I blink, taken aback for a moment. Then my grin widens. “Ohhh, Kaida,” I say, drawing out her name. “So you’re telling me that while I was off dealing with… everything, you and Veyron were having your own little romance arc?”

“It’s not a ‘romance arc’!” she says, glaring at me even as her face stays bright red. “It’s just… I don’t know, he’s annoying and cocky, but he’s also kinda… sweet? Sometimes?”

I snort. “Sweet? Veyron? Are we talking about the same guy?”

Kaida groans, grabbing her blanket again and pulling it over her head. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t,” I say, laughing as I toss a pillow at her. “But seriously, Kaida, you and Veyron? I didn’t see that coming.”

“Neither did I,” she mutters from under the blanket. “And don’t you dare make a big deal out of this. It’s… complicated.”

“Yeah,” I say softly, my grin fading just a little. “I get that.”

We sit there in silence for a moment before Kaida peeks out from the blanket, her face still pink. “So… we’re even now, right?”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, waving her off. “Even. For now.”

“Kaida and Veyron, sitting in a tree,” I hum, just loud enough for her to hear. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

Kaida sits up instantly, her face redder than ever. “Artemis!” she yells, chucking a pillow at me with surprisingly good aim.

I laugh, catching my pillow and hugging it to my chest. “What? Just a little song. Nothing big!”

Kaida glares at me, grabbing another pillow and holding it like a weapon. “If you don’t stop right now, I swear I’ll—”

“Kiss him again?” I interrupt, smirking. “Ooooh, you’re so scary, Kaida.”

She groans, burying her face in her hands. “You’re so lucky I like you.”

“I know,” I say, grinning as I flop back onto the bed. “And don’t worry, I’m done… for now.”

“Yeah, well, you better be,” she mutters, still blushing furiously. “Otherwise, I’ll start teasing you about Lorien again.”

“Touché,” I say, holding up my hands in surrender. “I’ll back off.”

I smirk a little. “Alright, Kaida, I’ll give you a break. But just so you know, I’m definitely not forgetting this.”

She sighs, flopping back onto her bed. “I’ll take what I can get.”

Kaida’s voice softens, catching me off guard. “We’re best friends, right?” she asks, looking at me with a rare vulnerability in her expression.

I blink, sitting up slightly. “I guess we are,” I say, smiling. “But what brings that up?”

She gives a small, sheepish smile, tucking her legs beneath her on the bed. “I just… I’ve never really had a best friend before. Not one that felt… real, you know?”

I feel my chest tighten at her words, and I scoot closer to her. “Kaida, you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not,” I say with a small smile. “Best friends. No question about it.”

Her face brightens, and she grins. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me too, fearless leader.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Alright, alright. But you’re not allowed to call me that anymore. It’s bad enough when Veyron says it.”

Kaida smirks, the teasing glint back in her eyes. “Oh, no promises. Best friends don’t let each other off that easy.”

I shake my head, but I can’t help smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you still love me,” she says with a wink, her mood lifting again.

Shade’s voice echoes in my head, snickering. “I’m still calling you Fearless Leader. It’s way too fun with how annoyed you get.”

I mentally roll my eyes at him, choosing to ignore the comment entirely. Instead, I look at Kaida, my expression softening. “I didn’t really have friends before either,” I admit quietly. “You’re… honestly the only best friend candidate I’ve had in the past two years.”

Kaida blinks at me, the teasing look on her face fading. “Artemis…” she starts, her tone unusually gentle.

I give her a small, awkward shrug, trying to brush it off. “It’s not a big deal. I guess I just… didn’t really know how to let people in. But you’re, like, annoyingly persistent, so…”

She laughs softly, scooting closer to me on the bed. “Annoyingly persistent is kind of my specialty,” she says with a grin. “But I’m glad you let me in. You’ve got a friend for life now, whether you want one or not.”

I smile, leaning back against the headboard. “Good. Because I don’t think I could do all this without you.”

Kaida smirks, nudging me with her elbow. “Don’t get all sappy on me now. Best friends, fearless leader. No take-backs.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Why do I put up with you?”

She laughs, tossing a pillow at me. “Because you love me.”

“This is mine now,” I say, grinning as I stuff the pillow under my covers like it’s some kind of precious treasure.

Kaida gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “Excuse me?! That is my pillow!”

“Not anymore,” I say, smirking as I lean back on the bed, hugging the pillow possessively. “Finders keepers, Kaida.”

Her eyes narrow, and I can see the gears turning in her head. “You really want to play this game with me, Artemis?”

“I’m already winning,” I tease, sticking my tongue out at her.

Kaida huffs, crossing her arms. “Fine. But don’t be surprised if I steal your quiver when you’re not looking.”

I blink, clutching the pillow tighter. “You wouldn’t dare.”

She smirks, leaning back on her own bed with an air of smug satisfaction. “Try me.”

I shake my head, laughing softly. “You’re so competitive over the dumbest things.”

Kaida grins. “And yet, you still want to be my best friend.”

I roll my eyes, hugging the pillow closer. “Yeah, yeah. Best friends. But this pillow is mine now. Deal with it.”

“Don’t think I won’t sneak in here and take it back while you’re sleeping,” she says, pointing at me.

I narrow my eyes playfully. “You’re welcome to try. Shade might have something to say about it, though.”

“Who’s Shade?” Kaida asks, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

Uh oh. My stomach drops.

“That didn’t last long,” Shade says in my head, laughing like he’s thoroughly enjoying this. “You’re terrible at keeping secrets, Fearless Leader.”

I force a nervous laugh, trying to keep my voice steady. “Oh, uh… Shade? It’s… my new ability!” I say, throwing my hands up like it’s the most casual thing in the world. “Yeah, it’s like a, uh, sneaky detection thing. Warns me of stuff creeping around. Pretty useful, huh?”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, studying me closely. “Really? You got a new ability?”

“Yup!” I say quickly, my voice a little too chipper. “It’s like… a personal warning system.”

Kaida tilts her head, her expression softening just a little. “Well, that’s… weird, but okay, I guess. It does sound kinda useful.”

I exhale a quiet sigh of relief.

Kaida shrugs, flopping back onto her bed. “I mean, if you’ve got some cool sneaky ability now, at least you won’t run off and almost get yourself killed again, right?”

“Exactly,” I say, nodding again, trying to play it cool. “Totally safe now.”

“Alright, I’m going to sleep,” I say, stretching dramatically and letting out the fakest yawn imaginable.

Kaida narrows her eyes, sitting up. “Not with my pillow in your bed, you’re not,” she says, pointing accusingly at the pillow I’ve stuffed under my covers.

I clutch it protectively, backing up like I’m guarding some priceless treasure. “Correction. My pillow now.”

Kaida huffs, crossing her arms. “Artemis, I swear if you don’t give it back—”

I smirk, interrupting her. “What are you gonna do? Attack me? I’ve got reflexes, remember? Plus a new ability.”

She stares at me for a moment, her lips twitching like she’s trying not to laugh. “You really think I won’t fight you over this pillow?”

“Go ahead and try,” I say, grinning as I hug the pillow tighter. “I dare you.”

Kaida lunges for it, and I yelp, rolling onto my side to keep the pillow out of her reach. “Hey, hey! Calm down, Kaida!”

“Nope! You started this!” she says, grabbing at the edges of the covers to try and pull the pillow free.

I laugh, holding on for dear life. “You’re so petty!”

“And you’re so annoying!” she fires back, though I can see her trying not to laugh as well.

The struggle goes on for a minute longer before she collapses back onto her bed with a dramatic groan. “Fine! Keep it! But don’t expect me to let this go.”

I grin victoriously, fluffing the pillow and settling back onto it. “Thanks, best friend.”

Kaida rolls her eyes, muttering, “Worst best friend ever.”

But I can see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, and it makes me laugh as I finally close my eyes.

Kaida flops face-first onto her pillow-less bed with all the grace of a cat denied a treat. She sprawls out dramatically, letting out the most exaggerated sigh I’ve ever heard, her muffled voice whining into the mattress. “You’re so mean, Artemis. Worst. Best. Friend. Ever.”

I bite back a laugh, sitting up just slightly to watch her pout. “Oh, come on. You’re being ridiculous.”

She lifts her head just enough to glare at me, her cheek smooshed against the bed. “I hope you have the worst dreams tonight. Like… really bad ones. And no, your fancy ‘Shade’ ability won’t save you from them.”

I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “That’s a lot of effort over one pillow.”

Kaida flops back down, throwing her arm over her head like a tragic heroine in some overly dramatic play. “It’s not just a pillow, Artemis. It’s my pillow. It has sentimental value.”

“Sentimental value?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “What, did Veyron give it to you or something?”

She gasps, throwing her other arm over her face. “How dare you!”

I burst out laughing, shaking my head as I fall back onto my bed. “Alright, alright. You’re way too good at this whole dramatic thing.”

Kaida peeks at me from under her arm, pouting again. “So, does that mean you’re gonna give it back?”

I grin, hugging the pillow tighter. “Not a chance.”

She groans loudly, flopping even more dramatically.

I roll my eyes at both of them, smirking as I finally close mine. “Goodnight, Kaida.”

“Mhm,” she grumbles into the mattress, still pouting. “Worst. Best. Friend.”

“Okay, fine,” I say with a heavy sigh, holding out the pillow in defeat.

Kaida’s face lights up like she’s just won the lottery, and she bolts upright to grab it. But at the last second, I grin mischievously and try to yank it back.

Unfortunately for me, she’s too fast. Her hands clamp down on the pillow before I can pull it away, and she lets out a triumphant laugh. “Ha! Got it!”

I groan, flopping back onto my bed. “You’re way too competitive, you know that?”

Kaida hugs the pillow dramatically, clutching it like it’s the most precious thing in the world. “You mean dedicated to justice. This pillow was stolen property, and I’ve reclaimed it for the rightful owner.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “Enjoy your victory.”

She fluffs the pillow obnoxiously, shooting me a smug grin. “Oh, I will. Best sleep of my life tonight.”

I glare at her playfully. “You’re lucky I don’t have a ‘Pillow Theft’ ability.”

Kaida laughs, settling back onto her bed and hugging the pillow tightly. “You’d lose that fight anyway, fearless leader.”

Shade, of course, decides to chime in. “I could’ve helped you keep the pillow, but nooo, you wanted to play nice.”

Not the time, Shade, I think, though I can’t help smirking a little as Kaida gets comfortable.

“Goodnight, Artemis,” she says smugly, her tone practically dripping with satisfaction.

“Goodnight, Kaida,” I reply, shaking my head.

The room falls silent, save for the faint creaks of the old inn settling. I turn off the lantern, and the darkness wraps around us like a blanket.

As I lay there, Shade’s voice cuts through the quiet. “What do you think she’ll say when she looks at your menu and sees you very much do not have a ‘new ability’ called Shade? Hm?”

I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. Crap.

Shade’s laughter echoes faintly in my head. “Oh, you forgot about that? You’ve been so ‘smooth’ up until now.”

I try to calm my thoughts, but it’s no use. And those notes, I think, remembering how mine and Lorien’s had been almost painfully accurate before. If they updated…

I sit up slowly, glancing toward Kaida, who’s already snoring softly on her pillow. Quietly, I slip out of bed, tiptoeing across the creaky floor toward the bathroom. The faint light from the moon filters pears through the window, guiding my way.

Time to see, I think, my chest tightening with anxiety. Will it have updated? Will it mention Shade? And what do I even do about the lack of a new ability?

I close the bathroom door gently behind me, leaning against it for a moment to steady myself. The familiar button on the sink catches my eye, and with trembling fingers, I press it.

The soft glow of the character menu appears, illuminating the dim room. My eyes scan the screen nervously.

• Class: Archer
• Abilities: Arrow Volley, Arcane Arrow (passive)
• Status: Active
• Condition: Stable
• Location: Southern City Inn

And then I see it:

• Notes: Feels conflicted about Lorien but drawn to him; overwhelmed by recent events but determined to protect her friends; bonded to Shade—uncertain of trust.

My stomach drops. “Oh no,” I whisper under my breath.

Shade, of course, chooses now to speak up. ”‘Bonded to Shade—uncertain of trust.’ That’s fair, I suppose. Could’ve been worse. Could’ve called me your boyfriend.”

“Not the time, Shade,” I mutter, glaring at the screen. They can’t see this. If Kaida or anyone sees this…

Okay, stay calm, I think to myself, pacing in the small bathroom. I’ll just… I’ll just not let anyone see it. Simple. I’ll make sure no one has a reason to check my menu. Easy.

“You sound very convincing,” Shade whispers, his tone amused. “Totally foolproof plan, Fearless Leader.”

I glare at the glowing screen, frustration bubbling in my chest. I’ll figure this out. I always do.

But as I close the menu and lean back against the sink, I can’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in my stomach.

My heart races as my mind flashes back to that night in the bathroom. The memory burns itself into my brain—the moment I realized the menu had shown a full 3D model of me, completely nude.

Anyone could’ve seen it.

The thought hits me like a slap, and I grip the sink tighter, the cool porcelain grounding me. Lorien. He was blushing that night in the hallway.

Did he see it then?

Shade’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts like a knife. “If he checked before, because he couldn’t stop thinking about you, and got a little… bonus viewing, who’s to say he wouldn’t check now? Especially since you two are oh-so-official now.”

“Shut up,” I whisper harshly, the words trembling on my lips.

“I’m just saying,” Shade teases, his voice oozing amusement. “He’s probably thinking about you right now, wondering where you are, debating whether to click that little menu button to see your status. You’re his girlfriend now, after all. Isn’t that what people do?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, the thought of Lorien seeing anything more than he already has making my skin crawl with embarrassment.

“I mean,” Shade continues, “he probably already knows about the… bonded to Shade part. How could he resist? You’re just so fascinating.”

“That’s enough,” I hiss, my voice barely audible.

But deep down, the damage is done. The idea that Lorien might’ve seen the menu before—and could see it now—has me spiraling. I glance back at the button on the sink, my fingers twitching as I debate whether to reopen the menu and check everything again.

I shake my head quickly, trying to push the thought away. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t invade my privacy like that… right?

Shade laughs softly in the back of my mind. “Do you really want to bet on that, Artemis?”

I grip the edge of the sink, my knuckles turning white. “No,” I think firmly. “No, I don’t.”

I hesitate, my finger hovering over the button as the faint glow of the menu reflects off the bathroom walls. My heart pounds in my chest. What if he did check? What if Shade’s right? What does his menu even say now?

Shade chimes in, casual as ever. “I wonder what his says. Probably something juicy, don’t you think?”

My resolve crumbles. “Fine,” I whisper under my breath, clicking on Lorien’s name. The menu shifts, glowing softly as his information fills the screen.

Class: Spearman
Abilities: Piercing Strike, Defensive Stance
Status: Active
Condition: Healthy
Location: Southern City Inn

I bite my lip nervously, my eyes landing on the “Notes” section.

Notes: Deeply in love with Artemis; protective to a fault; struggling with doubts about their feelings for her but hopeful. Wants to protect her at all costs.

I freeze, my eyes glued to the last line. “Deeply in love with Artemis.”

My breath catches in my throat. He’s struggling with my feelings? But… hopeful?

Shade’s voice cuts through the silence. “See? Just as I suspected. Poor guy’s probably lying awake right now, thinking about you and that adorable ‘bonded to Shade’ note in your menu.”

“Shut up,” I whisper, my voice shaky.

But I can’t look away. He’s so… sure of me. Even after I ran off, after everything.

“Notice how it doesn’t say anything about him peeking at your menu? Yet,” Shade adds cheekily.

“Enough,” I mutter under my breath, quickly closing his menu before I let my thoughts spiral further.

But even as I step away from the glowing screen, the words linger in my mind. “Wants to protect her at all costs.”

I close my eyes, leaning back against the cool bathroom wall. Why does that make me feel… guilty?

I confusing staring at the words for a moment before glancing to the other side of the menu.

At first, it’s just Lorien’s usual model—tall, athletic, wearing his usual spearman gear. But then my eyes drift lower, and I freeze.

He’s missing his lower clothing pieces.

My breath catches, my face burning hotter than it ever has before. I turn away from the glowing screen so quickly I nearly trip over myself, slapping a hand over my eyes.

“Oh, no, no, no!” I whisper frantically. “Why is this even an option?! Why would it—?! Ugh!”

Shade bursts into laughter, his voice practically echoing in my skull. “Oh, wow. That’s priceless. Did you enjoy the view?”

“Shut up!” I hiss, still covering my eyes like it’ll somehow erase what I just saw. My other hand fumbles to close the menu, but my mind is already racing.

“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. You clicked it. You wanted to see. What was that about curiosity and cats?” Shade teases, his tone far too amused.

“It was an accident!” I snap, finally managing to slam the menu shut. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I press my back against the bathroom wall, taking deep breaths.

“Sure it was,” Shade says, his laughter still bubbling. “And I’m sure he’d love to know about this little mishap.”

“Not. Another. Word,” I growl under my breath, my cheeks burning so much I feel like they might catch fire.

“Hey, I’m just saying—you’ve evened the score. He’s definitely seen yours, after all.”

“Shade!” I hiss again, squeezing my eyes shut.

But no matter how hard I try, I can’t unsee it. I groan quietly, sliding down to sit on the bathroom floor. This cannot get any worse.

I groan, burying my face in my hands, hoping the cool tile floor might just swallow me whole.

“Gotta say,” Shade chimes, his voice brimming with amusement. “You definitely picked a ‘good one.’” He chuckles, the sound grating against my already frayed nerves.

“Shade,” I mutter through clenched teeth, “I swear to whatever entity made you, if you don’t shut up—”

“What?” he interrupts, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying you’ve got good taste! Clearly, you appreciate the finer details, even if you claim it was an accident.”

“It was an accident!” I hiss, my voice barely above a whisper, my cheeks burning all over again.

“Right, right,” he says, clearly unconvinced. “And I’m sure you turned away as fast as humanly possible.”

I glare at the wall, feeling the heat rising to my ears. “Do you enjoy making my life miserable, or is it just a bonus?”

“Oh, I enjoy it immensely,” Shade replies, his tone gleeful. “But come on, you have to admit—Lorien’s been putting in the effort. It’d be rude not to notice.”

I groan again, pressing my hands against my temples. “I am never opening anyone’s menu again. Ever.”

“Sure, sure,” Shade says, laughing softly. “Until curiosity gets the better of you again. And I’ll be here for the sequel.”

I clench my fists, trying to shake off the mortifying memory as I push myself up from the floor. “Not. Another. Word.”

“Whatever you say, Fearless Leader,” Shade teases, his voice fading into quiet snickers as I storm out of the bathroom, my face still burning.

I climb back into bed, pulling the blanket up over my head like it might shield me from the lingering embarrassment. My face is still warm, and my thoughts are an absolute mess as I try to shove that moment as far out of my mind as possible.

Just forget about it. It didn’t happen. You didn’t see anything. It’s fine.

I exhale deeply, finally feeling like I’ve managed to calm down. But then, a thought creeps in, unbidden and unwelcome.

I wasn’t even grossed out.

The realization hits me like a brick, and my stomach flips as my brain tries to process it.

“Oh no,” I whisper to myself, the words barely audible under the blanket.

Shade’s laughter immediately cuts through the quiet. “Oh yes,” he says, his tone practically oozing with delight. “Didn’t even flinch, did you? In fact…”

“Nope!” I cut him off quickly, yanking the blanket tighter around me. “We are not doing this. Not tonight.”

“You’re not even denying it,” Shade teases, and I can almost feel the smirk in his voice. “Admit it, Artemis. You’re starting to accept things. Starting to accept… him.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you,” I hiss under the blanket, my cheeks burning hotter than ever.

“You’re lying to yourself,” Shade singsongs, his tone far too smug.

I groan, rolling onto my side and squeezing my eyes shut. He’s not wrong, I admit silently. But I shove the thought away before it can take root.

“Just let me sleep,” I mutter into the pillow, hoping Shade will finally let it go.

“Sure, sure,” he says, his voice quieter now but still tinged with amusement. “But you know I’m right.”

“Shade!” I hiss into the darkness, burying my face deeper into the pillow. My entire body feels like it’s on fire, and I can’t tell if it’s from anger, embarrassment, or…

Nope. Not going there.

“What?” Shade says laughing. “I’m just pointing out the obvious. You want him, Artemis. All of him.”

“Stop it,” I snap, my voice muffled by the pillow.

“Oh, come on,” he continues, clearly enjoying himself. “Don’t act like you haven’t thought about it. That little kiss in the meadow vision? That wasn’t enough, was it? You’ve definitely imagined more.”

“Shade!” I whisper-shout, my face somehow burning even hotter. I bury myself under the blanket, my heart racing at the sheer audacity of his words.

“What?” Shade asks, feigning innocence as his voice echoes in my mind. “I mean, you did agree to date him, didn’t you? That’s how these things progress. You get closer, you trust each other more, and eventually…”

“Stop,” I say firmly, though the words come out more like a plea.

“I’m just saying,” Shade continues with a teasing lilt, “it’s only a matter of time until things get… intimate.”

“Shade!” I hiss again, pressing the pillow over my face. “I’m not having this conversation with you!”

“Oh, but you’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he says, his tone practically dripping with amusement. “I can see it, Artemis. The what-ifs, the little daydreams…”

“I’m not!” I protest, though my voice sounds far too defensive even to me.

“Sure you’re not,” he replies smugly. “Just like you were ‘totally’ grossed out earlier. Face it, Artemis—you’ve already got it bad for him. It’s only a matter of time before you—”

“Enough!” I shout, my voice muffled by the pillow.

“Alright, alright,” Shade says, his laughter fading to a quiet chuckle. “I’ll stop… for now. But don’t think for a second that I’m wrong.”

I groan, letting the pillow muffle the sound as I try to calm my racing thoughts. The worst part is, he’s not entirely wrong.

I am dating Lorien now… and if we’re stuck here long enough…

I shake my head, willing the thought away. “Nope. Not thinking about this. Not tonight.”

“Good luck with that,” Shade says, his voice fading into the back of my mind. “Sweet dreams, Fearless Leader.”

I groan again, turning onto my side and squeezing my eyes shut. Sleep feels impossibly far away, but I have to try.

Sleep sleep sleep please.

“Cause that worked so well before,” Shade says, his tone dripping with amusement.

“Shush,” I whisper under my breath, flipping onto my other side. “Quit knowing my memories. I’m trying to sleep.”

“Not my fault you think so loud,” he replies, clearly entertained.

I groan, yanking the blanket tighter around me. “You’re the worst roommate ever, you know that?”

“Roommate? I prefer to think of myself as a live-in best friend. Like Kaida, but with better jokes,” Shade quips.

“Shade,” I warn, my voice low but firm. “I’m this close to figuring out how to kick you out.”

“Sure, sure,” he says with a chuckle. “And then you’ll miss me. You’ll see.”

I huff, refusing to dignify him with a response. Instead, I focus on steadying my breathing, counting every inhale and exhale like it’s the only thing that matters.

For a blessed moment, Shade stays quiet, and the soft sounds of the inn begin to lull me into some semblance of peace.

“But seriously,” Shade pipes up suddenly, “what do you think his menu says about you now?”

“Shade!” I groan, pressing the pillow over my head. Sleep is going to be impossible at this rate.

I groan again, staring up at the ceiling. “You know, I’m actually starting to miss when you were all ‘super evil’ and ominous. At least then, you were scary instead of just tormenting me like Kaida. Except your voice is literally in my head, so I can’t escape it.”

“Oh, come on,” Shade says, mock-offended. “Tormenting you is part of my charm. And let’s be real, you love Kaida’s teasing—you’re just not used to mine yet.”

“Not used to yours yet?” I mutter, rolling onto my stomach. “You’ve been doing this since day one. You’re relentless.”

“Relentless in my friendship,” Shade counters, his tone light and cheerful. “See? I’m just like Kaida, but better. You can’t shut me out, and I know all your deepest, darkest secrets.”

I groan, burying my face in the pillow. “I don’t know if it’s worse that you’re in my head or that you seem to think you’re my friend.”

“You don’t have to admit it now,” Shade says, clearly amused. “But deep down, you’re already warming up to me. One day, you’ll thank me for being here. Maybe I’ll even get a nice ‘thank you, Shade’ speech when we’re all out of this mess.”

“Don’t count on it,” I say dryly, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” Shade replies with a soft laugh. “Now, go to sleep before I start singing again.”

“Threat noted,” I grumble, closing my eyes again. If I have to deal with Shade’s commentary and a lack of sleep, I’ll lose my mind completely.

Everything fades out as I fall asleep. Till a bright light appears i blink a bit in confusion.

I blink again, taking in the familiar scene of the meadow. The soft golden light filters through the trees, the grass sways gently in the breeze, and everything feels… perfect.

But my stomach twists as soon as I recognize it.

“Seriously?!” I groan, throwing my hands up. “We agreed—no dream illusions, Shade!”

“Relax,” Shade’s voice says, echoing around me. “This isn’t me. It’s your own dream. Your mind cooked this up all by itself. I’m just… observing.”

I frown, crossing my arms as I glance around. “So, what, I conjured this all on my own? This perfect little… meadow paradise?”

“Apparently,” Shade replies, a hint of smugness in his tone. “Must’ve left quite the impression last time. Or maybe, deep down, this is what you want. Let’s see what happens, shall we?”

I spin around, suddenly nervous. “No. Let’s not.”

But, of course, as I try to step away, I hear it—the sound of voices, laughter, and the unmistakable warmth of familiarity.

I turn slowly, knowing exactly what I’ll see.

There they are. The others. Kaida’s sitting on a blanket, teasing Veyron, who’s trying to act like he’s not enjoying it. Hrothgar is tending to a fire, humming to himself as Lyra watches. And then there’s Lorien, leaning against a tree, his eyes lighting up the moment he spots me.

My chest tightens as he pushes off the tree and starts walking toward me, that same soft, gentle smile on his face that always seems to make my heart skip.

“Oh, this is gonna be good,” Shade says gleefully, clearly settling in for the show.

I glare at the air around me. “Shade, I swear—”

But I don’t have time to finish before Lorien reaches me, his hand brushing against mine.

“Artemis,” he says softly, his voice warm and familiar. “You’ve been gone too long. Come sit with us.”

I glance at the others, all smiling and waving me over, like this is the most natural thing in the world. But the knot in my stomach tightens.

“This… isn’t real,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.

Lorien tilts his head, his smile fading slightly. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his hand slipping gently into mine.

“Go on,” Shade whispers in my ear, his voice teasing but coaxing. “Say what you’re really feeling. Let’s see where this dream takes you.”

I swallow hard, my thoughts swirling as I look back at Lorien. This is just a dream. A dream.

I take a deep breath, looking up at Lorien. “This is just a dream,” I mutter to myself, more to remind me than anything else. “None of this is real. I can say whatever I want, and it won’t matter. It’s not going to affect reality, so I can… get it out of my system.”

“Now we’re talking,” Shade says, his voice buzzing with excitement. “No need to hold back. Lay it all out there. Let it all out, Artemis.”

I close my eyes for a moment, steadying myself. When I open them again, Lorien’s still looking at me with that soft, worried expression, his hand holding mine.

“I…” I start, my voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know how to do this. Any of this.”

His brow furrows. “Do what?”

“This whole… relationship thing,” I admit, my words spilling out before I can stop them. “I don’t even know if I’m ready for this, and yet here I am, dating you, and part of me…” I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Part of me is so scared, Lorien. Scared of what it means, scared of what I feel. Because I do feel something. For you.”

His eyes widen slightly, his grip on my hand tightening just enough to be reassuring.

“And that’s the thing,” I continue, my voice shaking. “I don’t know if it’s the game making me feel this way or if it’s real. I don’t even know if I’m me anymore. But when I’m with you…” I trail off, my cheeks burning as the words tumble out of me.

“When I’m with you, it doesn’t feel scary. It feels… safe. It feels right.”

“Well, that was unexpected,” Shade says softly, and for once, there’s no teasing in his tone.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” I admit, looking down at our joined hands. “But if I’m stuck here, if this is my reality now, I think…” I take a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “I think I want to try. I want to figure this out. With you.”

Lorien smiles, his expression soft and understanding. “You don’t have to have all the answers, Artemis,” he says gently. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

I blink at him, my chest tightening in a way that feels both terrifying and comforting all at once. “This is still just a dream,” I whisper to myself, trying to remind myself again.

“Doesn’t make it any less true,” Shade whispers, his voice almost… kind.

Before I can say anything else, Lorien leans in, his forehead resting gently against mine. “You don’t have to be scared,” he says softly. “Not when you’re with me.”

And just like that, my defenses crumble completely.

As Lorien pulls me into a kiss, the world seems to fall away. His arms wrap around me, strong and steady, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in it. No doubts, no worries, just the warmth of him.

When we finally pull away, gasping softly for air, I glance around to see that the others are gone. The meadow feels quieter now, the gentle rustling of leaves the only sound as I realize we’re alone in the cabin.

“Where…?” I start to ask, but my words trail off as Lorien’s hand brushes against my cheek.

“They’ll be back,” he says softly, his gaze locked on mine. “Right now, it’s just us.”

“How convenient.” Shade says.

I ignore Shade, though my cheeks flush slightly as I glance around the cabin. It’s cozy, warm light spilling in through the windows, and yet, something about the sudden solitude makes my heart race in a completely different way.

“I…” I trail off, my fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of my tunic.

Lorien tilts his head, his soft smile never fading. “You okay?” he asks, his voice gentle.

I nod quickly, though the heat in my face betrays my nerves. “Y-yeah,” I stammer, stepping back slightly. “It’s just… quiet now. That’s all.”

Lorien chuckles softly, his hand slipping away from my cheek but still lingering close to mine. “If you’re uncomfortable…”

“No!” I blurt out, immediately cringing at how loud I sound. “I mean, no. I’m fine. Really.”

His smile softens, and he takes a small step closer, his presence steady and comforting. “You don’t have to be nervous around me, Artemis,” he says quietly. “It’s just us.”

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “Yeah,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Just us.”

I can feel my cheeks burning as Lorien looks at me, his smile soft but knowing. “If you’re not ready to do this next part, we don’t have to,” he says again, his voice calm and steady, but I can see the flicker of emotion in his eyes.

“I—I… what next part?” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart is racing, and I know my face must be as red as the embers in a fire.

His smile doesn’t waver as he gently picks me up in his arms, holding me like I weigh nothing at all. Before I can process what’s happening, he kisses me again, his lips warm and tender against mine.

When we finally break apart, I blink up at Lorien, my head spinning. That’s when I see it—just past him, the cabin’s bed is clearly visible.

There’s no more doubt about what he meant.

My breath catches, my chest tightening as a whirlwind of emotions rushes through me. Excitement. Terror. Curiosity. Doubt.

“I…” I start, but the words feel stuck in my throat.

Lorien looks at me, his expression gentle but unwavering. “Artemis,” he says softly, setting me down on my feet. “This is entirely up to you. I’ll wait as long as you need. We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

I take a step back, my hands trembling slightly as I fidget with the hem of my tunic again. “I don’t even know if I am ready for any of this,” I admit, my voice shaky.

He nods, stepping closer but keeping a careful distance. “That’s okay,” he says simply. “You don’t have to decide right now. I’ll wait, no matter how long it takes.”

I glance at Lorien, his words sinking in. The kindness in his voice, the patience in his expression—it’s all too much.

I take a shaky breath, trying to organize the storm of thoughts in my head. “Lorien,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “I don’t know if I’m ready. But… I don’t want to lose you either.”

His smile softens, and he gently takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “You’ll never lose me, Artemis. I’m here. For you. Always.”

The sincerity in his voice almost breaks me, and I can almost feel tears welling up in my eyes.

Everything feels perfect. Safe. For once, the chaos and uncertainty of this world fade away, leaving just the two of us in this quiet, serene moment. Before I can stop myself, I whisper the word.

“Okay.”

Lorien’s eyes search mine for a moment, as if making sure I mean it. Then, he smiles—a warm, genuine smile that makes my chest tighten in a way I can’t explain. He pulls me into another kiss, his hands steady as they hold me close.

Before I realize what’s happening, he lifts me effortlessly, laying me down gently on the bed. The soft rustle of the sheets beneath me feels impossibly loud in the quiet room.

Lorien leans over me, his body warm and comforting, and starts kissing my neck. My breath hitches as his lips graze my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. My hands instinctively move to his arms, gripping him gently as my heart races.

It’s overwhelming—how safe, how cherished I feel in this moment. No doubts, no hesitation, just this. Just him.

Lorien pulls back slightly, his face inches from mine. His fingers brush a strand of hair from my face as he looks down at me, his gaze filled with nothing but care and devotion.

He smiles again, leaning down to kiss me once more. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself stop thinking, complete, and just exist in the moment.

Before I can process much of anything, Lorien’s hands move to the hem of my tunic, his movements careful yet deliberate. His gaze meets mine again, silently asking for permission. I nod slightly, and the next thing I know, clothes are being chucked aside in a whirlwind of heat and intensity.

I feel the cool air against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from him. His lips find mine again, hungry yet tender, as if he’s pouring everything he feels into the kiss. My hands find their way to his chest, tracing the lines of muscle as my heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it.

His hands trail down my sides, igniting sparks wherever they touch. My breath hitches as he leans down, his lips brushing against my neck, then lower, each kiss sending shivers through me.

"Lorien…" I whisper his name, my voice trembling as I try to wrap my mind around everything happening.

"Shh," he murmurs against my skin, his voice soft and reassuring. "It’s just us."

His words melt the last bits of doubt lingering in my mind, and I let myself fall completely into the moment, into him.

I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

And then I feel it—and the warmth emanating, something I hadn’t realized I was longing for until now. It’s overwhelming in the best way, a surge of emotions I can’t even begin to name.

Lorien’s touch is steady, his presence grounding me as everything else melts away. Every movement, every glance feels like a silent promise, a reassurance that, even in this strange world, I’m not alone.

My breath catches as I look into his eyes. There’s so much there—care, passion, and something deeper that I can’t quite put into words. I feel my chest tighten, my mind swimming in the sensation of being so connected to someone.

"Lorien..." I whisper again, my voice trembling, but this time it’s not from doubt. It’s from something much deeper, something that feels terrifyingly real.

Everything feels like it’s slowed down, the world outside of this room forgotten. All I know is him, his touch, his presence. It’s more than I ever expected, more than I ever thought I’d feel.

I close my eyes, letting the sensations, the emotions, the connection take over completely.

I hear a loud moan and realize that it came from me. It feels surreal, almost like I’m floating, the world outside the cabin disappearing entirely. There’s nothing but him, his closeness, his steady breathing mingling with mine, and the way his hands cradle me as if I’m something precious.

He leans down again, his forehead resting gently against mine. For a moment, we just stay like that, our breaths in sync, as we continue to move. His eyes meet mine, filled with such tenderness and devotion that it makes my chest ache.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, his voice low but steady, the words wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

My cheeks flush even deeper, and I reach up to touch his face, my fingers brushing against his jaw. “Lorien…” I start, my voice catching in my throat.

He silences me with a rough kiss, his lips lingering on mine, and suddenly, words feel unnecessary. Everything we feel, everything we want to say, is conveyed in the way we hold each other, the way our bodies fit perfectly together.

In this moment, I feel completely vulnerable, yet completely safe. It’s overwhelming, intense, but above all, it feels right. Like we were always meant to find each other here, in this world.

The moment deepens, as every barrier between us seems to dissolve. I feel a new closeness, something I can’t put into words—intense, overwhelming, but not unwelcome.

My hands grip his shoulders instinctively, grounding myself in the reality of what’s happening. The warmth of his member spreads through me, and for a moment, everything that’s happened—the dangers we’ve faced, the uncertainty of this world—fades away entirely.

“Artemis,” Lorien whispers, his voice soft and filled with emotion.

I meet his gaze, seeing nothing but care and devotion in his eyes.

Somehow, in his arms, it doesn’t feel frightening. It feels… safe.

The pleasure is overwhelming, all-consuming, and unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

The heat between us builds, our breaths quickening as we move together in perfect harmony. Every touch, every brush sends shivers through me, igniting sparks that seem to flow through my entire body.

His lips find mine again, and the kiss is filled with so much passion, so much intensity, that it feels as though the air itself is trembling around us. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, not wanting even a sliver of space between us.

"Lorien," I whisper his name, barely able to form the word, as my mind blurs with the sheer depth of sensation.

In his arms, nothing else matters. The dangers, the uncertainty of this world, even the shadow lingering in my mind—all of it fades into insignificance. There’s only him, only us, in this fleeting, perfect moment where the world feels whole and right.

It’s pure, unrestrained, and utterly indescribable.

As quickly as it began, the intensity fades, leaving only the quiet aftermath. We lie next to each other, our breaths uneven and mingling in the stillness of the cabin. My chest rises and falls as I try to steady my breathing, the heat of the moment still lingering on my skin.

Lorien turns his head to look at me, his gaze soft and full of warmth. A small smile tugs at his lips, and I can’t help but return it, my cheeks still flushed.

"That was..." he begins, his voice low and breathless, but he doesn’t finish. Maybe because there aren’t words to describe it.

I nod, unable to speak just yet, my mind still spinning. My hand reaches out, brushing against his, and he intertwines our fingers gently.

For a moment, we just lie there in silence, the only sounds the soft rustle of the sheets and our slowing breaths. The world outside feels distant, unimportant. In this moment, it’s just us—safe, together, and closer than I ever thought possible.

I close my eyes briefly, feeling the comfort of his presence beside me. Despite everything—the chaos of this world, the uncertainty of what’s ahead—this feels perfect. For now, I let myself believe it is.

My eyes flutter open, the warmth and comfort of the dream lingering for a moment before reality pulls me back. I’m in the inn, the faint light of dawn filtering through the small window. The quiet hum of the waking city buzzes in the distance.

I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes as the vividness of the dream plays back in my mind. It felt so real—every touch, every word, every moment with Lorien. My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of confusion and something else I can’t quite place.

“Quite the dream,” Shade whispers, his tone low but amused.

I freeze for a moment, the weight of his presence pulling me fully back to reality. “Oh god did you???” I ask hesitantly, my cheeks burning at the thought.

“Relax, I didn’t interfere,” he says casually. “Just a front-row seat to your subconscious. Didn’t realize you were quite so… passionate.”

I bury my face in my hands, groaning in frustration. “Stop talking.”

Shade chuckles lightly. “Can’t blame me for being curious. I mean, if that’s what’s buried in your head, what else might be in there?”

“Enough,” I snap quietly, glancing toward Kaida, who’s still fast asleep in her bed. I take a deep breath, trying to push the dream—and Shade’s commentary—out of my mind.

But even as I move to get ready for the day, the feelings from the dream linger, the intensity of it all still fresh in my mind.

It was just a dream. I knew it the whole time… didn’t I? The heat, the closeness—it wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. I’d never have… done that.

I pull my knees to my chest, staring at the faint light peeking through the curtains. “It was just a dream,” I whisper under my breath, as if saying it aloud will make it feel more true. “I was just… curious. That’s all.”

Curious about what would happen, about how it would feel to let go for once, to not worry about the future, the danger, or who I was before this world.

But the intensity of it all—it felt so real. Every kiss, every word, every touch lingered even now, making it harder to push it aside.

“You’re overthinking again,” Shade’s voice breaks through my thoughts, smooth and unbothered. “A dream is a dream, Artemis. No need to get so worked up.”

I frown, resting my chin on my knees. “It’s not that simple.”

“Of course it’s not,” Shade replies, almost mockingly. “Nothing ever is with you. You’re curious, sure, but let’s not pretend there wasn’t more to it than that.”

I grit my teeth, shaking my head. “It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t real.”

“But the feelings were,” Shade says softly, his tone shifting. “That’s what scares you, isn’t it?”

I don’t answer, the words sticking in my throat as I glance toward Kaida, still peacefully asleep. My fingers clench around the blanket as I fight to calm the storm in my head.

“It was just a dream,” I whisper again, this time more firmly. But even as I say it, I can feel the cracks in my resolve.

“You and I both know you’ve never felt better in your entire life than right there in that dream,” Shade says, his voice soft but insistent. “You can’t deny it now.”

“I’m a guy,” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. “I mean, kissing is one thing, but… I can’t…” My words trail off, my chest tightening as the memory of the dream floods back.

“You keep saying that,” Shade replies, his tone almost amused. “But let me ask you this—did it feel wrong? Did anything about it feel unnatural?”

I open my mouth to argue, to say yes, of course it did. But the words don’t come. Instead, I’m left with the truth I don’t want to admit. It didn’t feel wrong. It felt…

“Perfect,” Shade finishes for me, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a blade.

“No,” I snap back, shaking my head as if I can physically shake him out of my mind. “It wasn’t real. None of it was real. It was just… it was just a dream.”

“A dream that showed you exactly what you want,” Shade says, his voice quiet but firm. “It’s not about being a guy or a girl. It’s about how you felt in that moment. How he made you feel.”

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I try to steady my breathing. “That doesn’t mean anything,” I whisper.

“Doesn’t it?” Shade counters. “You can keep running from it, Artemis. But deep down, you already know the truth.”

I bury my head in my pillow, clutching it tightly as if I can block everything out—Shade, the dream, my thoughts, my feelings. I just want to fade away. Just don’t be awake. Sleep. Forget. Sleep. Forget.

“Kaida will wake in a few hours,” Shade whispers, his tone less mocking now, almost thoughtful. “She’ll check on you. You won’t have to think about this for long.”

“Good enough,” I mutter into the pillow, my voice muffled and broken. My mind feels like a storm I can’t escape, and all I want is to close my eyes and let sleep take me again.

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the memories to dissolve, the emotions to fade. I focus on the darkness behind my eyelids, on the faint sounds of the inn around me—the creak of the wood, the muffled voices downstairs.

Sleep. Forget. Sleep. Forget.

And finally, after what feels like an eternity, the swirling chaos in my mind begins to quiet. My breathing evens out, and the world around me fades to nothing.

“Sweet dreams, Artemis…” Shade’s voice whispers softly, almost tenderly, as I finally give in to the pull of exhaustion.

I don’t respond. I can’t. The weight of everything—Shade, the dream, my tangled thoughts—presses down on me, but the need for rest overwhelms it all.

And then there’s nothing. No dreams. No illusions. Just an empty, quiet darkness that wraps around me like a blanket, free of chaos, free of questions.

For the rest of the night, the silence is my only companion.

End of chapter 17

That was… something not sure how I feel about this chapter that last segment my be altered or removed based off reactions let me know what you think.