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!
Also any predictions of what’s actually going on?

I know I said last chapter chapters would be around 2000-3000 words but this one’s bigger than even the first one haha there wasn't a good ending point I felt and didn’t want a random cut.

Anyways here’s chapter 3

As we press further into the woods, the silence feels heavier, the distant hum growing louder with every step. Veyron pauses, holding up a hand to stop the group. “Wait,” he says, his voice low. “This is what I’m good at. Let me scout ahead. My rogue abilities are perfect for this—I can move quietly and see what we’re walking into.”

I glance at the others, then back at Veyron. His sharp confidence is almost reassuring, and he’s right—his Shadow Veil ability makes him the best choice for this. “Alright,” I say, nodding. “But be careful. Don’t engage with anything on your own. Just get a look at what’s ahead and come back.”

He smirks, flipping his dagger once before tucking it away. “Relax, boss. Stealth is my specialty.” Without another word, he steps into the shadows, his form blending with the darkness as if he’s part of it.

The group gathers close, staying quiet as we wait. The forest feels alive in an unsettling way—trees creak faintly, and strange whispers seem to drift through the air, though no one is speaking. I grip my bow tightly, my eyes darting between the trees, every shadow feeling like it could come alive at any moment.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Kaida whispers, her voice trembling.

“He’ll be fine,” Hrothgar rumbles, though his tone carries an edge of uncertainty. “Rogues are supposed to be slippery. If anyone can handle this, it’s him.”

Lorien fidgets with his spear, his eyes scanning the treetops nervously. “I don’t like this,” he mutters. “It feels… wrong here. Like something’s watching us.”

Minutes tick by, each one feeling like an eternity. Just as the tension becomes unbearable, Veyron reappears, stepping out of the shadows as if materializing from thin air.

“Report,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

He gestures behind him, his smirk replaced by a grim expression. “Up ahead, there’s a clearing, but it’s not empty. There’s something out there—looked like a group of… I don’t even know what to call them. Humanoid, but not human. Their skin was gray and cracked, like stone, and they were… glowing.”

“Glowing?” Kaida asks, her voice rising slightly in alarm.

“Yeah. Faint blue light, like they’ve got some kind of energy pulsing through them,” he explains. “There’s at least four of them, and they’re just… standing there. Didn’t seem to notice me, but they’re definitely guarding something. There’s a weird structure in the middle of the clearing—looked like a broken obelisk, similar to the Guild Tower but smaller.”

The group exchanges uneasy glances. “What do you think they’re guarding?” Hrothgar asks, his grip tightening on his axe.

“No clue,” Veyron says, shrugging. “But if the quest is about investigating unusual activity, I’d say this qualifies.”

I nod, considering our options. “Alright,” I say. “We need to approach this carefully. If we rush in, we could get overwhelmed. But we can’t just turn back—we need to figure out what’s going on.
We’ll sneak in together and figure out what they’re guarding. Stay quiet, stay low, and don’t engage unless we’re discovered. If it comes to a fight, we handle it as a team. Got it?”

I glance around at the group, my voice low but firm. “Ok, we’ll sneak in together and figure out what they’re guarding. Stay quiet, stay low, and don’t engage unless we’re discovered. If it comes to a fight, we handle it as a team. Got it?”

Everyone nods, though some more reluctantly than others. Hrothgar adjusts his massive axe, and I can see him gritting his teeth—stealth doesn’t exactly seem like his style, but he doesn’t argue. Kaida clutches her staff nervously, her eyes darting to the trees around us, and Lorien tightens his grip on his spear, his jaw set. Veyron, of course, just smirks, clearly in his element.

We move carefully through the dense undergrowth, the faint hum in the air growing stronger with every step. The shadows of the forest feel oppressive now, the towering trees blocking out most of the light. I keep my bow ready, an arrow nocked but not drawn, my ears straining for any sound that might betray our position.

When we reach the edge of the clearing, I crouch low, motioning for the others to do the same. The scene before us is just as Veyron described.

Four humanoid creatures stand motionless in the center of the clearing. Their skin is gray and cracked, like ancient stone, and faint blue light pulses through veins that spiderweb across their bodies. They seem lifeless at first glance, but the subtle rise and fall of their chests tells me they’re alive—or something close to it.

In the center of the clearing stands a broken obelisk, its surface etched with glowing runes similar to those on the Guild Tower. The light from the runes flickers erratically, as if the structure is unstable. At its base lies a small chest, its surface shimmering faintly with the same blue energy that pulses through the creatures.

“What the hell are they?” Lorien whispers, his voice barely audible.

“Guardians, maybe?” Kaida suggests, her tone nervous. “They could be protecting that chest—or the obelisk itself.”

Veyron leans closer, his voice low and sharp. “Whatever they are, they don’t look friendly. If we’re going to check out that chest, we’ll need to either distract them or take them out.”

I narrow my eyes, studying the creatures’ movements—or lack thereof. They don’t seem to notice us yet, their glowing eyes fixed on the obelisk. If we’re careful, we might be able to get closer without alerting them.

“We have two options,” I whisper. “We can try to sneak past them to investigate the chest, or we can come up with a plan to deal with them first. Either way, we need to be smart about this.”

Kaida nods, though her grip on her staff tightens. “I’d rather not fight if we don’t have to…”

Veyron smirks faintly. “Your call, Artemis. What’s the play?”

Before I can decide, Hrothgar speaks up in a low, rumbling voice. “Why risk sneaking by or fighting at all? Veyron could lead them away. With his stealth and that Shadow Veil trick, he’s fast enough to avoid them once they notice him. Meanwhile, the rest of us take the loot and get out before they figure out what’s happening.”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. “Oh, so I’m bait now, huh?” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Risk my neck so you all get the shiny treasure? Sounds like a great deal—for you.”

Hrothgar glares at him, his tone blunt. “You’re the best suited for it. You just said you’re good at sneaking and repositioning. No one else can move like you, and you know it.”

Kaida fidgets nervously, glancing between them. “It’s… not a bad idea,” she says hesitantly. “If it works, we can avoid a fight entirely.”

Veyron crosses his arms, giving me a pointed look. “Well, fearless leader, what do you think? You’re really gonna let me be the sacrificial lamb for this little heist?”

I glance at the creatures in the clearing, their glowing forms eerily still. Hrothgar’s suggestion has merit—if Veyron can pull it off, we might avoid a fight and get the loot without risking anyone else. But if something goes wrong and Veyron gets caught, it could end badly.

I meet Veyron’s gaze, trying to read his expression. Beneath the bravado, I can see the tension in his posture. He’s not thrilled about the idea, but I can tell he’s considering it.

I let out a slow, frustrated breath, glancing between Hrothgar and Veyron. It’s clear they’re waiting for me to make the call again. I can see it in their faces—they’re all looking at me to make the final decision.

“Fine,” I say, the irritation creeping into my voice. “We’ll go with Hrothgar’s plan. Veyron, you create the distraction and lead them away. The rest of us will move in and check the chest while they’re gone.”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “Oh, so I am the sacrificial lamb. Perfect. Love that for me.”

I shoot him a sharp look. “You’re not a sacrificial lamb. You’re the best person for this job. You know it, and I know it. If you’re not comfortable, say so now, and we’ll come up with another plan.”

For a moment, his smirk falters, and he looks at me more seriously. Then he shrugs, spinning his dagger once. “Relax, Artemis. I’ll get it done. You just make sure the loot’s worth it.”

The rest of the group nods in agreement, and I quickly outline the details. Veyron will circle around to the far side of the clearing, using his Shadow Veil ability to get into position. Once he’s ready, he’ll make enough noise to draw the creatures’ attention and lure them away from the obelisk. As soon as they’re distracted, the rest of us will move in to investigate the chest.

“Be quick,” I say to Veyron as he melts into the shadows again. “And stay safe.”

He gives me a quick salute, his smirk returning before he disappears completely.

The rest of us crouch low at the edge of the clearing, waiting. My heart pounds as the seconds stretch on, the eerie hum of the obelisk filling the air. Finally, a sharp sound—like a whistle—cuts through the silence. The stone-like creatures turn in unison, their glowing eyes locking onto the far side of the clearing.

A moment later, Veyron emerges from the shadows, waving his arms dramatically. “Hey, rockheads!” he shouts, his voice echoing through the trees. “Bet you can’t catch me!”

The creatures let out low, guttural growls, their movements stiff but deliberate as they begin lumbering toward him. Veyron takes off, darting between the trees with practiced agility, his Shadow Veil flickering in and out as he stays just out of reach.

“Now,” I whisper, motioning for the others.

We move quickly into the clearing, our footsteps as quiet as possible. The obelisk looms over us, its flickering runes casting faint blue light across the ground. I kneel by the chest, the shimmering energy surrounding it sending a faint tingling sensation through my fingertips.

Kaida crouches beside me, her face pale. “Can you open it?” she whispers.

“I’m trying,” I reply, my hands working quickly to examine the chest. There’s no visible lock, but the runes on its surface seem to shift as I touch them, almost like a puzzle.

Hrothgar stands guard nearby, his axe at the ready. “Hurry it up,” he mutters, his eyes darting toward the direction where Veyron disappeared.

I stare at the chest, my fingers brushing against the shifting runes. They glow faintly under my touch, but I can’t make sense of the pattern. Frustrated, I turn to Kaida, who’s crouched beside me, clutching her staff nervously.

“Kaida,” I whisper, keeping my voice low. “Do you think your magic could open this? It’s not locked in a normal way—it’s reacting to something. Maybe you can figure it out?”

Her eyes widen, and she hesitates for a moment before nodding slowly. “I… I can try,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to, but the runes look like they’re tied to energy. If I channel something into it, maybe it’ll work.”

“Do it,” I say, stepping back to give her space. “But be quick. Veyron can’t distract those things forever.”

Kaida takes a deep breath, gripping her staff tightly. She raises her free hand over the chest, her fingers trembling as faint embers begin to swirl around her palm. Her magic flickers to life, the heat radiating from her hand as she channels the energy toward the chest.

The runes glow brighter in response, their shifting patterns starting to align. I can feel the hum in the air intensify, the energy from the chest almost vibrating through the ground.

“Almost there,” Kaida mutters, her focus narrowing as beads of sweat form on her brow.

Suddenly, the chest lets out a low, resonating chime, and the runes snap into place. The shimmering energy surrounding it dissolves, and the lid clicks open slightly.

“You did it,” I whisper, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Good work.”

I lift the lid carefully, revealing the contents inside. A faint blue light spills out, illuminating the clearing. Inside the chest is a small orb, about the size of my palm, its surface swirling with ethereal energy.

“What is it?” Hrothgar asks, stepping closer.

“I don’t know,” I admit, picking up the orb carefully. It feels warm in my hand, the energy within it pulsing faintly, as if alive.

Kaida leans closer, her eyes widening. “That orb… it’s some kind of magical artifact. I can feel the energy coming off of it—it’s powerful.”

“Whatever it is, we’ve got what we came for,” I say, tucking the orb into my satchel. “Let’s get out of here before those things come back.”

As if on cue, a distant crash echoes through the forest, followed by Veyron’s voice shouting, “Anytime now, guys!”

“Move!” I hiss, motioning for the group to retreat.

We slip back into the trees, moving quickly but quietly. The hum of the obelisk fades as we put distance between ourselves and the clearing. In the distance, I can see Veyron sprinting toward us, the glowing creatures lumbering far behind him.

He ducks into the shadows one last time, reappearing near us with a grin. “You get the loot?” he asks, slightly out of breath.

“We got it,” I reply, nodding. “Let’s get back to the city before those things decide to follow us.”

The group moves swiftly through the forest, the tension slowly easing as the city walls come into view. The orb’s faint energy pulses from my satchel, a constant reminder that whatever we found, it’s important.

When we reach the gates, the guards let us in without question, and the group finally breathes a collective sigh of relief.

Back in the safety of Aeloria, I glance at the group. “Good work out there,” I say, my voice steady but quiet. “We’ll figure out what this is and what it means, but for now, let’s regroup and rest.”

The others nod, though Veyron gives me a sly smirk. “Not bad, leader,” he says, his tone teasing but not unkind.

I roll my eyes, but a faint smile tugs at my lips. For better or worse, I think I’m starting to earn their trust.

As we make our way through the city gates, the faint orange and pink hues of the setting sun catch my eye. The warmth of the light filters through the glassy spires of Aeloria, casting long shadows across the streets. The sight would be beautiful if it weren’t for the growing sense of unease settling over us.

“The sun’s going down,” Lorien says quietly, glancing up at the darkening sky. “I don’t think we want to be outside when it’s dark.”

Hrothgar grunts in agreement. “He’s right. We’ve had enough excitement for one day. We need to find shelter, somewhere safe where we can rest and plan our next move.”

Kaida looks around nervously, her grip on her staff tightening. “Do you think it’s safe inside the city? I mean… those creatures were outside, but what about here?”

Veyron snorts, flipping his dagger lazily. “Better odds here than wandering the streets at night. If this is a safe zone, like the guard said, we should be alright as long as we don’t do anything stupid.”

I glance at the group, the weight of exhaustion visible on their faces. Hrothgar’s armor is dented in places, and Kaida looks like she’s about to collapse. Even Veyron, despite his bravado, seems winded after his chase.

“Alright,” I say, my voice firm. “We’ll find somewhere to stay for the night. Somewhere quiet where we can recover and figure out what this orb and parchment mean. Let’s stick together until we do.”

We move through the streets of Aeloria, the city alive with the glow of faintly magical lights that illuminate the buildings and pathways. It’s bustling, though the activity feels subdued compared to earlier in the day. I look at the people around moving with purpose, some heading toward taverns or shops, others hurrying home before nightfall.

After some searching, we find a modest inn tucked away on a quieter street. A carved wooden sign hangs above the door, reading The Resting Quiver. The soft light spilling from the windows and the faint sound of laughter and conversation inside make it feel inviting.

“This looks as good a place as any,” Hrothgar says, pushing the door open.

Inside, the inn is warm and bustling, with a large hearth crackling in the center of the main room. Wooden tables are scattered throughout, filled with people, sharing drinks and meals. A kind-looking older woman stands behind the counter, her apron dusted with flour.

I approach her cautiously, the others trailing behind me. “Do you have rooms available?” I ask.

She looks up, giving me a friendly smile. “You’re in luck,” she says, her tone warm. “Got two rooms left. Enough for your group, I’d say. A meal and a bed will cost you five gold per room for the night.”

I glance at the group. “We should be able to cover that,” I say, looking at the small pouch of coins I’ve collected so far. “It’s worth it for some rest.”

Veyron shrugs. “Better than sleeping on the street.”

We pay for the rooms and split into two groups—Kaida and I take one, while Hrothgar, Lorien, and Veyron take the other. The innkeeper hands us keys, and we head upstairs to settle in.

The room is small but cozy, with two simple beds, a wooden table, and a small window overlooking the quiet street below. I set my bow down carefully by the bed, then take a seat, feeling the weight of the day’s events finally settle on my shoulders.

Kaida collapses onto the other bed, letting out a tired sigh. “We made it,” she says softly, her voice tinged with relief.

“Yeah,” I reply, my voice distant as I glance at the satchel holding the orb. “But tomorrow, we’ll need to figure out what we’ve really gotten ourselves into.”

The group is safe for now, but the mystery of the orb and the dangers of the Nexus still linger in the back of my mind.

I sit on the edge of the bed, turning the orb over in my hands. Its faint blue glow pulses rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat. The energy radiating from it feels alive, mysterious, and strangely calming. My thoughts swirl as I stare at it, trying to make sense of everything we’ve been through today—and of this strange new life I’ve been forced into.

Then Kaida’s voice cuts through the quiet.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others,” she says softly from her bed, “but… earlier, you referred to yourself as a guy before all of this.”

The orb suddenly feels heavier in my hands. I pause, staring at it for a moment longer before setting it down on the table. Turning toward Kaida, I find her sitting cross-legged on the bed, her staff leaning against the wall. Her expression isn’t one of judgment—it’s soft, curious, and maybe even a little hesitant.

“I did,” I admit, my voice quieter than usual.

She tilts her head slightly. “So… what happened? Did the game change you? Or… I mean, did you choose to look like this?”

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “No, I didn’t choose this,” I say, my hands clenching into fists. “I don’t know why it happened. One second I was logging into the game, and the next I woke up here like… this.”

Kaida watches me carefully, her expression thoughtful. “That must be… hard,” she says gently.

I let out a shaky breath, my gaze falling to the floor. “It’s more than hard. It’s confusing. Frustrating. Every time I see my reflection, it’s like… like I don’t recognize myself. And the others—they’re already starting to see me as someone I’m not. Someone I don’t even know how to be.”

Kaida leans forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. “You don’t have to be someone you’re not,” she says softly. “Even if your body looks different now, you’re still you, right? The person you were before… that doesn’t just go away.”

Her words hit me harder than I expect, and I feel my throat tighten. “Maybe,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But it doesn’t feel that way. Not yet, anyway.”

The room falls quiet for a moment, the only sound the faint crackling of the inn’s hearth downstairs. Then Kaida speaks again, her voice hesitant but sincere.

“For what it’s worth,” she says, “I think you’re handling all of this better than I ever could. You’re leading us, keeping us alive… even with everything you’re dealing with. That takes strength.”

I glance at her, surprised by the warmth in her tone. “Thanks,” I say quietly, managing a faint smile.

She nods, leaning back against the wall. “Just… if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. Okay?”

I let her words settle for a moment, then turn back to the orb on the table. Its glow seems softer now, almost reassuring.

“Thanks, Kaida,” I say after a pause. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She smiles faintly before lying back on the bed, closing her eyes. “Goodnight, Artemis.”

“Goodnight,” I reply, my gaze lingering on the orb as my thoughts continue to swirl.

As I sit back down, the glow of the orb reflecting softly off the wooden table, my fingers brush against something on the side of the table—a faint click follows. I glance around, realizing it wasn’t the table, but something that appeared before me: a translucent menu, floating in the air.

It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before, an overlay that feels both familiar and alien. At the top, multiple glowing tabs are visible: Inventory, Skills, Party, Quests, and more.

The Party tab is already open, showing the names and stats of everyone I’m traveling with.
• Artemis (Archer)
• Kaida (Mage)
• Hrothgar (Warrior)
• Lorien (Spearman)
• Veyron (Rogue)

Each name is accompanied by a glowing crest. As I scan the list, my eyes are drawn to the bottom of the menu. There, faint and grayed out, is a name I recognize immediately.
• Lyra (Cleric)

My breath catches. It’s her—the girl from the morning. The mage who’d been swept away by the winged beast. The one who…

My stomach twists uncomfortably as the memory floods back. Her terrified scream, the flash of the creature’s claws, the way her staff fell lifelessly to the ground. My mind races as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing.

She’s still on the party list.

Does that mean she’s alive? Or is this some kind of glitch?

I stare at her name for a long moment, my hands trembling slightly. If she is alive, then where is she? Did the beast take her somewhere? Is she trapped, injured, or worse? And if she’s not alive… why hasn’t her name disappeared from the list?

Kaida stirs slightly on her bed, her breathing soft and even, already slipping into sleep. I feel a surge of panic and determination rising within me. I need answers.

Do I wake Kaida to show her the menu and discuss Lyra, or keep this to myself for now and try to investigate further in the morning?

I glance at Kaida, her peaceful face illuminated faintly by the warm glow of the orb. I hesitate, my hand hovering over her shoulder. I feel bad for waking her—she’s already been through so much today—but this can’t wait.

Taking a deep breath, I gently nudge her. “Kaida,” I whisper, my voice soft. “I’m sorry, but I need you to wake up.”

She stirs, letting out a soft groan before blinking groggily at me. “Artemis?” she mumbles, rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“I found something,” I say, gesturing to the floating menu in front of me. “I didn’t mean to wake you, but… I think it’s important.”

Her eyes widen slightly as she sits up, focusing on the glowing interface. “A menu? How did you…?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, shaking my head. “I just… pressed something, and this came up. But look.”

I scroll back to the Party tab, pointing to the list of names. Her gaze follows mine, her face growing more serious as her eyes land on the last name.

“Lyra,” she whispers, her voice tinged with disbelief.

I nod. “She’s still listed as part of our party. But… how? She was taken by the beast. I thought…” I trail off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

Kaida stares at the name for a long moment, her expression a mix of confusion and hope. “If her name’s still here, it means she’s not… gone. Right?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I say, my voice low. “If the game’s keeping her on the list, it must mean something. Maybe she’s alive. Maybe the beast didn’t… kill her.”

Kaida’s hands tighten around her staff as she looks at me. “Do you think we can find her? Save her?”

I pause, the weight of her question settling over me. I want to believe it’s possible. I want to believe that Lyra is still out there somewhere, waiting for us to find her.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice quiet. “But if there’s even a chance, we have to try. Don’t we?”

Kaida nods quickly, determination replacing the exhaustion in her eyes. “Yes. Absolutely.”

The menu hovers silently between us, Lyra’s name glowing faintly as if waiting for us to act.

I look at Kaida, then back at the menu. My fingers hover over Lyra’s name, hesitating for a moment. If there’s more information hidden here, I need to find it. Taking a deep breath, I tap on her name.

The menu shifts instantly, expanding into a new screen. A 3D model of Lyra appears on the right side of the display, her name displayed above it in faint, shimmering letters: Lyra (Cleric). Below her name is a new section, labeled Status.

I lean closer, reading the text aloud for Kaida’s benefit:
“Location: Unknown.
Status: Captive.
Condition: Stable.”

My breath catches in my chest as the words sink in. “She’s alive,” I whisper, feeling a strange mix of relief and dread.

Kaida leans forward, her eyes wide. “Captive? What does that mean? Where is she?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, scanning the rest of the screen. There’s no map marker, no hint of where she might be—just those three words: Location: Unknown.

In the corner of the menu, a faint, flashing catches my eye: Mission Linked: Rescue Lyra.

I tap on it, and a new description appears:
“A member of your party has been taken by a powerful creature. Locate her and free her before her condition worsens. Failing to act may result in permanent loss. Difficulty: High.”

“‘Permanent loss,’” Kaida whispers, her voice trembling. “They mean she could die, don’t they?”

I nod slowly, the weight of the words settling over me like a stone. “Yeah… and it’s not giving us much to go on.”

Kaida looks at me, her expression determined despite the fear in her eyes. “We have to save her. We can’t just… let her die, Artemis.”

“I know,” I say, my voice steady. “But this isn’t something we can rush into. The mission says it’s high difficulty—we’ll need to prepare, and we’ll need the others.”

The thought of losing Lyra gnaws at me, but I force myself to think clearly. There’s still hope, and if the game says her condition is stable, it means we have time.

“I’ll wake the others in the morning,” I say finally, closing the menu. “We need to be rested if we’re going to do this right.”

Kaida nods reluctantly. “Okay. But promise me we won’t wait too long.”

“I promise,” I say, meeting her gaze. “We’ll find her.”

As Kaida lies back down, I stand in the dim light, staring at the faint glow of the orb and trying to steel myself for what’s to come. The thought of Lyra out there, alone and helpless, fuels a fire in my chest.

The mission is clear: we have to find Lyra. But how will the others react when I tell them in the morning? And will we be ready for what lies ahead?

I lay back on the bed, the weight of the day pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My eyes drift shut, but my mind refuses to quiet.

Trapped in a game. The words play over and over in my head. This was supposed to be fun—just a game to try out and walk away from. Now, it’s my life. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Every decision feels like a matter of survival, and the idea of dying here… I shiver, trying to push the thought away.

Then there’s everything else.

The weirdness of waking up in this body hasn’t gone away. Every time I move, every glance at my reflection, it’s a constant reminder that I’m not myself—not the version of myself I knew, at least. And yet, this is who everyone else sees.

A girl.

It still feels surreal. I touch the ends of my blonde hair, brushing them back absently. It’s not me, and yet… it is, now. And there’s Lorien. The way he looked at me earlier—it wasn’t just a glance. I’ve seen that look before, but never directed at me. At least, not back then.

The idea of someone being into me—romantically into me—feels like stepping into completely uncharted territory. Especially a guy. My stomach twists at the thought, and I bury my face in my hands, groaning softly to myself. I can’t even begin to think about that right now.

Then there’s Lyra. Her name lingers in my mind like a faint echo. We barely even spoke, but the thought of her out there somewhere, alone, makes my chest tighten. I can still hear her scream, the sound of the beast’s wings carrying her away.

She’s alive. That’s what matters. But now it’s on us—on me—to bring her back.

I let out a long, slow breath, staring up at the ceiling. The faint glow of the orb on the table reflects off the walls, casting soft, shifting light. My body aches from the day’s trials, but it’s my mind that feels truly exhausted.

So much has changed. My life feels like a series of impossibilities stacked on top of each other, and yet, here I am. Still alive. Still fighting. Still trying to figure out who I’m supposed to be in this strange new reality.

As I lay there, trying to quiet my restless thoughts, the glow of the orb on the table catches my attention. At first, it’s subtle—a soft pulse of light, slightly brighter than before. I sit up, my breath hitching as I watch it. The glow intensifies, the once-gentle light now filling the room with a strange, ethereal radiance.

Before I can react, the orb silently lifts off the table.

It floats effortlessly, as though carried by an invisible force. My heart pounds as I watch it drift toward me, moving slowly but deliberately, its glow brighter than ever. “Kaida…” I whisper, but she doesn’t stir—her breathing remains slow and steady, undisturbed by the light.

The orb hovers in front of me now, and for a moment, I feel like it’s… waiting. Watching.

“W-What are you doing?” I murmur, my voice barely audible. My hands reach out instinctively, but before I can touch it, the orb moves again—this time straight toward my chest.

I gasp as it phases through me, the glowing light sinking into my body without a sound.

A rush of warmth floods through me, spreading from my chest outward. It’s not painful, but it’s overwhelming—like being submerged in a wave of pure energy. My heart races as the warmth reaches every corner of my body, and I feel… different.

Images flash in my mind, too fast to process. Ancient ruins, glowing runes, unfamiliar faces, and a voice—faint and distant, but filled with urgency. I can’t make out the words, but the tone is clear: This power is yours now. Use it wisely.

The warmth fades, leaving me breathless. My hands instinctively press against my chest, but there’s no sign of the orb—no light, no trace that it was ever there.

I sit there for a moment, stunned, trying to piece together what just happened. Then, in the corner of my vision, the translucent menu reappears. A new notification flashes brightly at the top:

A bar fills fully on the menu before being replaced.
New Ability Unlocked: Arcane Arrow
“Abilities that fire arrows will fire a single arcane arrow dealing high damage”

I stare at the notification, my mind racing. The orb… it wasn’t just a relic. It was a source of power, and now it’s part of me.

Kaida stirs slightly in her bed, but doesn’t wake. I glance at her, the faint tingle of the orb’s energy still lingering in my chest. I continue looking at Kaida—her breathing slow and even, the rise and fall of her chest steady. I’d already woken her once, and after everything she’s been through today, I can’t bring myself to do it again.

What would I even say? That the orb just melted into me and gave me some kind of magical ability? She deserves rest. We both do.

With a soft sigh, I lie back down, my mind still racing but my body too exhausted to keep up. The faint warmth in my chest begins to fade, leaving behind only a soft glow of reassurance. Whatever happened, it feels… right, like it was meant to happen.

I close my eyes, letting the tension in my body melt into the mattress. For the first time in what feels like hours, my thoughts begin to quiet. I focus on the steady rhythm of Kaida’s breathing, the faint hum of the city outside, and the soft glow of the lantern fading into darkness.

Sleep finally takes me, pulling me into a deep, dreamless rest.

Tomorrow will bring new challenges—Lyra’s rescue, the dangers of the Nexus, and everything that comes with this new power. But for now, I let myself drift, knowing that I’ll face it all when the sun rises.

End of chapter 3
Things are getting interesting!