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

This is my first story let me know what you think!
This chapter is less chaotic than the first and you’ll get to know the characters better. The first chapter was mainly to set up the stakes and the setting. Also chapters should be posted 1-2 times a day for a bit as I’ve got most of each chapter written already for at least 9-10 of them just altering and fixing to make them better.

Anyways here’s chapter 2

As we walk toward the Guild Tower, I slow my pace and glance back at the group. It’s clear the tension in the air is eating at everyone—the weight of what happened, the fear of what’s ahead. If we’re going to survive, we need to start trusting each other.

I stop, turning to face them. “Before we go any further, we should at least know who we all are. The game’s given us new names, but… I think we need to understand who we were before all this, too. If we’re going to stick together, that is.”

The group exchanges uncertain looks, some hesitant, others curious. After a moment, the tall boy with the spear steps forward.

“My name’s… well, the game calls me Lorien.” He shifts awkwardly, adjusting his grip on the spear. “Before this, I was just… Mike. A college student. I don’t even know how I ended up here—I was just playing the game for fun, and then… this.” He glances down at the glowing crest on his wrist. “I guess I’m some kind of Spearman now.”

Next, the red-haired mage steps forward, her hands still trembling slightly. “The game calls me Kaida,” she says softly. “Before, I was Alyssa. I was working a dead-end retail job, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Now, apparently, I’m a mage who can’t even cast a proper spell without falling over.” She gives a nervous laugh, but there’s sadness in her eyes.

The rogue speaks up next, his voice sharp and confident. “Name’s Veyron now. Before? Just Sean. IT specialist, gamer, and apparently the only one here who knows how to stay alive.” He smirks, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll take the backstabber role if it means I’m breathing at the end of this.”

The warrior with the axe steps forward last, his expression grim. “They call me Hrothgar here. Real name’s Jason. I worked construction back home, had a family, and now…” He looks down at his massive hands, tightening them into fists. “Now I’m stuck in this place, swinging this thing around.” He hefts the axe and lets out a bitter laugh. “Feels like I was built for it, though.”

As they finish, the group falls silent, their words hanging heavy in the air. Finally, Lorien looks at me. “What about you? The game calls you Artemis, but… who were you before?”

I hesitate, the question catching me off guard. I look down at my reflection in a nearby puddle—the blonde hair, the green outfit, the sharp features of this new form. It’s still strange to see myself like this, to reconcile it with who I used to be.

“I was…” I pause, searching for the words. “I was someone completely different. A regular guy, just like most of you. I don’t know why the game made me… like this, but I guess it doesn’t matter now.”

The group nods, seeming to accept my answer. There’s a brief moment of quiet understanding between us—a shared realization that none of us truly know why we’re here, but we’re in it together now.

“Well,” I say, breaking the silence, “whatever we were before, it doesn’t change who we are now. If we’re going to survive this, we’ll need to trust each other—and fight for each other.”

“Agreed,” Hrothgar says with a firm nod, resting his axe on his shoulder.

“Let’s just hope we live long enough to figure out what’s going on,” Kaida murmurs, her eyes flicking nervously toward the distant horizon.

With that, we press on toward the Guild Tower, our strange new identities beginning to feel a little less foreign as we take our first steps together in this new world.

As the group moves ahead, I slow my steps and drift toward the edge of the street, letting them gain some distance. “I’ll catch up,” I mutter, keeping my voice low. They glance back at me, but no one questions it. Maybe they can see I need a moment.

When they’ve disappeared into the bustling crowd, I slip into a quiet alleyway between two buildings. The noise of the city fades, leaving only the faint hum of activity in the distance. Finally alone, I press my back against the cool stone wall, sliding down until I’m sitting on the ground.

I let out a shaky breath, one hand gripping the bow still slung across my chest. The other brushes over the cascade of golden blonde hair falling around my shoulders. It feels soft and strange, unfamiliar in a way that makes my chest tighten. I look down at myself—the green archer’s outfit, the curve of my form, the way everything about me feels wrong.

I can’t hold it in anymore.

My breath hitches as tears start to fall. I bury my face in my hands, the reality of it all crashing down on me. This isn’t me. This body, this name, this entire world—none of it feels real, but I know deep down it is.

I think about who I was before: the life I had, the person I used to see in the mirror. The guy I was, the guy who had his whole life ahead of him. And now… now I’m someone else entirely. A girl. Artemis.

Why me? Why this?

The tears come harder, and I don’t fight them. For a few minutes, I let myself feel it—the fear, the confusion, the grief. I try to steady my breathing, but it feels like I’m drowning in everything I’ve lost, everything I don’t understand.

After a while, the tears slow, and I wipe my face with the back of my hand. I look at the small puddle of tears on the ground reflecting my tear-streaked face. I stare at it for a long moment, the golden-haired girl staring back at me.

“This is me now,” I whisper, the words feeling heavy on my tongue.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it, but one thing is clear—I don’t have a choice. I can’t go back. Not yet, anyway.

Pushing myself to my feet, I take a deep breath and brush off the dirt from my outfit. There’s no time to fall apart, I have to find a way out.

I straighten my shoulders, gripping my bow tightly. If I’m going to survive this, I’ll need to accept this new version of me—even if it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I step out of the alleyway and head toward the Guild Tower, rejoining the group. The others barely seem to notice my absence, their focus locked on the task ahead.

“Ready?” Lorien asks, giving me a faint, uncertain smile.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice steady. “Let’s keep moving.”

The path forward feels uncertain, but I take it one step at a time.

As I rejoin the group, I catch Lorien glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. At first, I think he’s just checking to make sure I’m really okay after hanging back, but then I notice where his gaze lingers—my chest.

I feel a wave of irritation rise in me, but I shove it down. Now isn’t the time to deal with this. I tighten my grip on my bow and keep my eyes forward, ignoring him as we approach the Guild Tower.

The building looms over us, its glassy surface shimmering with faint, shifting symbols that almost seem alive. It’s massive—easily the tallest structure in the city—and its sheer presence makes my stomach twist. Whatever answers or challenges lie inside, I know they’ll set the tone for everything that comes next.

The group hesitates at the base of the tower, staring up at its intimidating height. “So… what now?” Veyron mutters, his sharp tone softening for once.

“I guess we go in,” I say, stepping forward toward the arched entrance. A faint glow surrounds the doors, which open smoothly as I approach, almost as if sensing our presence.

Inside, the air is cool and still, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. The first floor is a massive hall, lined with intricate carvings and faintly glowing runes. At its center is a large circular platform, where a robed figure stands, their face obscured by a hood.

“Welcome,” the figure says, their voice calm but echoing slightly, as if it’s coming from all around us. “You have entered the Guild Tower, the heart of knowledge and power in Aeloria. Here, you will find quests, resources, and guidance to aid you in your survival. But be warned—nothing comes without a price.”

The group exchanges uneasy glances. I step forward, trying to push aside the weight of everything else on my mind. “We need to know what’s going on,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “What is this place, and how do we survive it?”

The figure doesn’t move, but their tone shifts slightly, becoming almost amused. “The Nexus is a world of tests, designed to push you to your limits. Each of you has been given abilities to shape your path—but how you use them is up to you. Complete quests, grow stronger, and perhaps you will uncover the truth of why you are here. Or…” Their voice drops, cold and ominous. “You will perish, as so many before you have.”

Kaida shivers beside me, clutching her staff tightly. “What kind of quests?” she asks, her voice trembling.

The figure raises a hand, and glowing panels appear before us, displaying several options:
1. Scout the Forgotten Woods - Investigate strange activity reported in the forest outside the city. (Reward: Gear and EXP)
2. Defend the Southern Gate “Timed” - Assist the guards in fending off an incoming wave of monsters. (Reward: Gold and Reputation)
3. Retrieve the Lost Artifact - Enter the ruins beneath the city to recover a unknown relic.(Reward: One of a kind loot, but marked as “High Risk”).

I glance back at the group. “We’ll need to choose carefully,” I say. “We’re not ready for anything too dangerous yet.”

Veyron smirks. “Speak for yourself. High risk, high reward, right?”

Hrothgar grunts. “We need to focus on survival, not showing off. Defending the gate seems like the smartest choice.”

Kaida shifts nervously. “The woods might be safer… and we could find useful supplies there.”

Lorien stays quiet, his gaze flickering between the options and occasionally darting back to me. I pointedly ignore it.

I turn to Lorien, meeting his gaze directly. He stiffens a little, as if caught off guard, and quickly looks away. “You haven’t said what you think, Lorien. Which quest should we take?”

He shifts uncomfortably, gripping his spear and glancing at the glowing panels. “I don’t know,” he admits, his voice quieter than usual. “The gate quest seems like the right thing to do—helping people and all—but we’re barely holding it together. If we can’t even fight off a monster in the woods, how are we supposed to defend a city?”

I nod, considering his point. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly and finally adds, “I guess… maybe we start small. The woods sound safer. It gives us a chance to learn how we work as a team.”

His eyes flicker back to mine briefly, then dart away again. I can tell he’s still shaken from what happened outside the walls—and probably from the way I called him out just now—but at least he’s being honest.

I glance at the others, their expressions a mix of agreement and uncertainty. “Alright,” I say, straightening my posture. “We’ll scout the Forgotten Woods. It’s low risk, and it gives us a chance to prepare before we take on something bigger. Everyone okay with that?”

Kaida nods immediately, relief washing over her face. “Thank you,” she whispers.

Hrothgar grunts, his grip tightening on his axe. “Fine. But if this turns into a waste of time, I’ll be the first to call it out.”

Veyron shrugs, looking disappointed but not arguing. “I’ll follow, but don’t expect me to hold back if things get hairy.”

With the group in agreement, I turn back to the robed figure. “We’ll take the quest to scout the woods.”

The figure nods, and the panel for the chosen quest glows brighter, the others fading away. “Very well,” they say. “Your task is to investigate reports of unusual activity in the Forgotten Woods. Return with your findings, and your reward will be granted.”

A glowing map appears before us, marking the woods just beyond the city walls. The figure waves their hand as if shooing us away.

“You have until sundown,” they warn. “Be swift, and tread carefully. Not all dangers are what they seem.”

Their cryptic words linger as the map disappears. I glance back at the group and gesture for them to follow me toward the exit.

As we step back out into the streets of Aeloria, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lies ahead. Lorien falls into step beside me, his gaze focused forward now.

“Thanks for asking what I thought,” he says after a moment, his voice quiet. “I’m not… good at this stuff yet, but I’m trying.”

I glance at him, offering a faint smile. “None of us are good at this. That’s why we need to stick together.”

He nods, and for the first time, I feel like the group might actually be able to work as a team.

After walking for a bit we finally make our way toward the edge of the city, the towering trees of the Forgotten Woods visible in the distance. The air feels heavier now, the weight of the quest settling over all of us.

I part my lips to speak, ready to address the group, but my eyes catch Lorien glancing at me again. This time, there’s something different in his gaze—a softness, an awkwardness, a flicker of something I hadn’t considered before. My stomach twists, not with anger or irritation this time, but with an uncomfortable realization.

He’s into me.

The thought hits me like a lightning bolt, leaving me frozen for a moment. I hadn’t even thought of the possibility. Back in the real world, guys didn’t look at me like that—why would they? But now… this body, this face, this version of me is different. And for Lorien, it seems I’ve caught his attention.

I feel heat rise to my cheeks, and I quickly turn away, pretending I didn’t notice. This isn’t the time for that—I’m not ready for that. I won’t ever be ready for it.

Shoving the thought aside, I clear my throat and refocus on the group.

“Alright,” I say, keeping my voice firm to mask my unease. “If we’re going to make it out there, we need to know what everyone can do. Let’s figure out our abilities so we can actually work as a team.”

The others exchange glances, some hesitant, but Veyron is the first to speak. He spins his dagger deftly in his hand, smirking. “I’m a Rogue, obviously. Stealth, backstabbing, and general sneakery. My main ability is Shadow Veil—lets me disappear for a few seconds, long enough to reposition or get a surprise attack in.”

“Sounds useful,” I say, nodding.

Hrothgar steps forward next, his massive axe resting heavily on his shoulder. “I’m a Warrior. Tank, frontline bruiser, all that good stuff. My ability’s called Iron Skin—boosts my defense and makes me harder to take down in a fight.”

I nod already mentally slotting him into the role of shield for the group.

Kaida fidgets nervously with her staff before speaking. “I’m a Mage. I’ve got multiple abilities—I think. They’re not very strong yet, though.”

“It’ll get stronger,” I reassure her. “We’ll keep you safe so you can focus on casting.”

Finally, Lorien shifts awkwardly, gripping his spear. “I’m a Spearman. My ability is Piercing Strike—lets me deal extra damage especially to armored enemies.

“Alright, we’ve got a solid mix of roles here. Tank, ranged damage, melee, and stealth. We’ll need to figure out how to work together in the field, but this is a good start.”

The group seems more focused now, their confidence building as we talk. I rest my hand on my bow and step forward. “Let’s keep moving. The more we know about ourselves and each other, the better our chances will be out there.”

I lead the way, the looming trees of the Forgotten Woods growing closer with each step. As we approach the edge of the forest, the shadows deepen, and a faint, unnatural hum fills the air. My bow feels heavier in my hand as the reality of the quest sets in.

The woods stand before us now, dark and foreboding. “Alright,” I say, drawing an arrow and keeping it ready. “Stay close. Watch each other’s backs. And whatever you do, don’t let your guard down.”

The group nods, their nerves visible but their resolve clear. Together, we step into the woods, the first steps of what feels like the real beginning of our journey.

End of chapter 2
Quite a bit shorter than chapter 1 future chapters should be somewhere between 2000-3000 words unless more is required like with chapter 1.