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.

The group sets out to the mountains following the map towards… something.

I appreciate all the support and comments thanks guys! Lots more coming!

Chapter 17 Recap. (I’d highly recommend reading all previous chapters if for some reason you haven’t)

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.

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.

Chapter 18

I groan softly, blinking a few times as Kaida’s voice cuts through the haze of sleep.

“Wake up, sleepyhead. Artemis! Come on, get up!”

Her face is close, a bright smile stretched across her lips as she hovers over me.

“Ugh…” I mutter, rubbing my eyes. “What time is it?”

“Late enough!” she says, poking my shoulder playfully. “You slept like a rock. The others are already downstairs waiting for us.”

I sit up slowly, the weight of the previous night still lingering faintly in my mind. But Kaida’s bright energy is hard to ignore, and for now, I let it pull me out of the fog.

“Okay, okay,” I mumble, running a hand through my messy hair. “I’m up.”

“Good!” she says, clapping her hands together. “We’ve got a big day ahead of us, fearless leader. Let’s not keep everyone waiting!”

“You’re banned from saying that, Kaida,” I mutter, my voice still heavy with sleep.

Kaida grins mischievously, leaning on the doorframe. “Banned from saying what, fearless leader?”

I groan, flopping back onto the bed. “That. Exactly that. The nickname is officially off-limits.”

She tilts her head, pretending to think. “Hmm… nope. Don’t think I can do that. It’s too fitting. Besides, Veyron calls you worse, doesn’t he?”

I let out a long sigh, trying not to laugh. “He wha—I regret every life decision that brought me here.”

Kaida throws her head back dramatically. “Oh, the tragic burden of leadership! Come on, get up before the others think you’ve abandoned them again.”

I shoot her a mock glare. “Low blow.”

“Maybe, but it worked.” She sticks out her tongue playfully before skipping out of the room.

Shaking my head, I drag myself out of bed, muttering under my breath, “Why do I put up with her again?”

“Because she’s right,” Shade chimes in, startling me slightly. “You need her keeping you on your toes.”

“Fine, I’m up,” I grumble, dragging myself to my feet. My legs feel stiff, and the ache from the past few days lingers very faintly, but at least the sleep helped.

Kaida peeks back into the room, raising an eyebrow. “Took you long enough. You know, Lorien was this close to coming up here to check on you.”

My cheeks warm instantly, and I wave her off. “Don’t start, Kaida. Not this early.”

She smirks, leaning against the doorframe. “Oh, but it’s so fun to watch you squirm. Now hurry up! The guys are already halfway through breakfast.”

I grab my cloak, tossing it over my shoulders with a sigh. “Alright, alright. Let’s go before Veyron eats everything.”

Kaida laughs, stepping back into the hallway. “Smart move. You know he’s not saving you a single bite.”

I shake my head, following her toward the stairs. Another day, another round of chaos. Hopefully, this one won’t involve new creatures, weird dreams, or life-altering decisions… but I doubt it.

As my boots hit each creaking step, my mind starts to clear more, but then it all comes rushing back—the dream. The meadow. The cabin. Lorien.

I nearly miss the last step, catching myself awkwardly on the railing just as my eyes land on him. He’s sitting at a table with Hrothgar and Veyron, casually sipping from a mug and chatting.

I freeze for half a second, my heart skipping a beat. It was just a dream. Just a stupid, meaningless dream… but the memory of it burns hot in the back of my mind, refusing to fade.

Kaida nudges me from behind, clearly noticing my hesitation. “Hey, fearless leader, you okay?” she whispers, her tone half-teasing, half-concerned.

I glance at her, forcing a smile. “Yeah. Just… tired.”

“Uh-huh,” she says, giving me a look but not pressing further.

I straighten up, taking a deep breath as I walk toward the table. Lorien glances up as I approach, his warm smile making my chest tighten even more.

“Morning,” he says, his voice soft and steady as his eyes meet mine.

“Morning,” I manage, sliding into an empty seat. My face feels hotter than it should, and I focus way too hard on the empty plate in front of me.

Shade’s voice hums quietly in the back of my mind, far too amused. “Oh, this is going to be fun…”

“How much was all this?” I ask, motioning to the table piled with food and the stack of empty plates already towering on one side.

Veyron leans back in his chair, grinning like he just got away with something. “Fourty gold,” he says casually, popping a piece of bread into his mouth. “But hey, we need our energy, right? That’s why you went and got all that gold, isn’t it?”

“Fourty gold?” I repeat, my jaw tightening. “That’s nearly everything I—” I stop myself, taking a slow breath. “Fine. We do need energy.”

Kaida snickers next to me, clearly enjoying my irritation. Lorien, however, looks slightly guilty as he avoids my eyes and focuses on his mug.

Hrothgar slaps Veyron on the back, nearly knocking him out of his chair. “Relax, Artemis! You know how he is. At least he didn’t blow it all at a tavern.”

Veyron smirks, pointing his fork at me. “Exactly. Think of it as an investment in our fearless leader’s grand plans!”

“Investment?” I mutter, shaking my head. “I swear, Veyron…”

Shade chimes in smugly, “Well, you did say you’d provide for them, didn’t you? Looks like they’re holding you to that.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at both him and Veyron, instead grabbing a piece of bread before it vanishes. “We’re rationing the rest,” I say firmly.

Kaida grins, leaning in close. “Don’t worry, fearless leader. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Kaida, if you say fearless leader one more time, I swear…” I glare at her, though there’s no real heat behind it.

She leans back in her chair, feigning innocence. “What? You don’t get on to Veyron for saying it all the time.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s because he won’t listen anyway. Might as well save my breath.”

Veyron raises his mug in a mock toast, grinning. “She knows me so well.”

Kaida snickers, leaning closer to me. “So, what you’re saying is I’m easier to keep in line?”

“Don’t push your luck,” I warn, but the corner of my mouth twitches with a faint smile.

Shade chimes in, his tone dripping with amusement. “Face it, Artemis. Fearless leader is here to stay. Might as well embrace it.”

“Not helping,” I think back at him, sighing as I grab another piece of bread. At least the food’s good.

After eating more than I thought possible, I slump back in my chair, feeling full for the first time in days. I hate to admit it, but it’s… really nice to eat like this.

I glance around at the table, at everyone looking more relaxed than they have in a while. Even Lorien has a faint smile now, and it makes me realize how much these moments mean, especially after everything we’ve been through.

“Alright,” I say, sitting up and wiping my hands. “I can’t deny it—it’s nice eating like this. But if we want this kind of spread every day…” I glance at the empty plates stacked high. “We’re going to need more gold.”

Kaida smirks. “I see you’re starting to get the appeal of food.”

Hrothgar nods approvingly. “A full stomach makes for a strong warrior.”

Veyron leans back, grinning. “See? Told you it was an investment. Now we just need a big-paying quest.”

“Big-paying and hopefully not life-threatening,” I say, giving him a pointed look.

Lorien clears his throat. “We’ll figure it out. But for now, let’s focus on following the map.”

“Fair,” I say, standing up and stretching. “But once we figure all that out, I’m finding a way to get us all paid.”

Shade chuckles in my head. “Spoken like a true leader. Guess that nickname’s more fitting than you think.”

I pull the map out from my bag, laying it flat on the table as everyone gathers around. The new glowing trail that appeared when we found the key still flickers faintly, leading from the underground area with the shadow creature to a new, unfamiliar point.

“Alright, so the key led us out of there, and now…” I trail my finger along the glowing line. It winds through the city outskirts, past a forest, and toward what looks like a mountain range to the north.

Kaida squints at the map. “Is that… a fortress? Or ruins?”

“It’s hard to tell,” Lorien says, leaning closer. “But it’s definitely a structure of some kind.”

Veyron points to a marker on the map near the mountains. “Looks like it’ll take us a few days to get there, especially if we’re heading through the forest.”

Hrothgar nods. “If that’s where the key goes, we should prepare for the worst. Fortresses don’t usually house anything friendly.”

“Great,” I mutter, rolling up the map. “North through the forest it is. Let’s stock up and get moving.”

Kaida tilts her head. “You sure you’re ready for this? You’ve been through a lot lately.”

I glance at her, nodding firmly. “I’m ready. Let’s go find out what this key unlocks.”

“Did you guys get enough supplies yesterday?” I ask, glancing around at the group.

Kaida nods confidently. “Yeah, we’re stocked up. Food, camp supplies, potions—you name it.”

Hrothgar slings his axe over his shoulder. “We’re as ready as we’re gonna be.”

Veyron smirks. “The sooner we start, the sooner I get to see what treasure’s at the end of this little adventure.”

I roll my eyes but manage a small smile. “Alright then. Let’s move. The sooner we get there, the sooner we find Lyra—and figure out how to escape this world.”

The group nods, determination flickering in their eyes as we head out of the inn and into the city streets.

Shade hums in the back of my mind. “Finally, an adventure worth watching. Let’s see what this key really unlocks, shall we?”

“Who has the key, by the way?” I ask, glancing around the group as we walk toward the north gate.

Kaida grins, pulling the faintly glowing key from her satchel and holding it up triumphantly. “I do! Keeper of the key, at your service.”

Veyron rolls his eyes. “Oh great, now she’s going to add ‘keykeeper’ to her list of titles.”

Kaida sticks her tongue out at him. “Jealous much? Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe. Unlike some people, I don’t misplace important things.”

Veyron mock gasps. “Hey! I only lost the map one time.”

Hrothgar chuckles, his deep voice rumbling. “Let’s just hope the key doesn’t bring us as much trouble as the last time we found one.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, the memory of the heart chamber and Lyra flashing in my mind. “Let’s hope this one leads to answers, not more questions.”

Kaida tucks the key away, her smile softening. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”

“Good,” I say, picking up the pace as we approach the gate.

“Hopefully the mountain isn’t too cold,” I say, glancing at the map again as we walk. “The last thing we need is to deal with frostbite on top of everything else.”

Kaida pulls her cloak a little tighter around her shoulders. “If it is, at least we’re stocked up on supplies. I grabbed some fire-starting kits just in case.”

Shade chuckles softly in my head. “Oh, come now. What’s a little frostbite compared to shadow creatures and giant wolves?”

“Where’s your cloak?” Kaida asks, looking at me with concern.

I shrug, giving her a sheepish smile. “Oh, I kinda… lost it during that mission.”

Kaida groans, rolling her eyes. “Of course you did. You know we’re heading toward a mountain, right? What’s your plan? Freeze dramatically for attention?”

“I’ll be fine,” I say defensively. “It’s not like I did it on purpose.”

Hrothgar laughs. “She’s got a point. You might want to snag a replacement if we come across a merchant, or you’ll be the first icicle of the group.”

“I would if someone hadn’t used almost all of our gold.” I say staring daggers at Veyron.

Kaida tosses her sash at me. “Here, at least take this for now. But don’t lose it too!”

I catch the sash, wrapping it around my neck. “Thanks,” I mutter, pulling it snug. “I’ll pay you back later.”

Kaida smirks. “You can pay me back by not losing any more gear. Deal?”

“Deal,” I say, adjusting it. It’s not super thick, but it’s better than nothing.

“Guess the borrowed cloaks can’t be returned now,” Veyron says with a sly smile, clearly enjoying himself.

I roll my eyes, adjusting the scarf Kaida lent me. Yeah ‘borrowed’ not like we broke into a store and grabbed what we needed.”

Lorien chuckles. “Well, technically, we did need them.”

Kaida glares at Veyron. “It’s not like we had much choice, but you could at least pretend to feel bad about it.”

Veyron shrugs nonchalantly. “Hey, we survived because of those cloaks, didn’t we? I’d call that a fair trade.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “Let’s just hope we don’t run into that shopkeeper anytime soon. Something tells me they’d disagree about this ‘fair trade’ of yours.”

Veyron smirks, walking ahead of the group. “Relax, fearless leader. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

Kaida leans closer to me, whispering, “Why do I feel like he’s going to drag us into even more trouble before this is all over?”

“Because he definitely will,” I mutter, keeping pace.

After walking out of the city and into the woods the world becomes quieter with just the occasional bird chirping or wind blowing through the trees.

“I know the food was nice,” Lorien says, glancing at me, “but we might want to invest in some way of traveling faster—like a horse, if that’s an option.”

Kaida nods thoughtfully. “He’s right. We’ve been on foot this whole time, and if this map leads us even further out, it could take weeks to get anywhere.”

Veyron smirks. “A horse? What about a carriage? Why walk at all when you can ride in style?”

“Do you have carriage money, Veyron?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Hrothgar lets out a deep laugh. “You know, a horse would come in handy, but I don’t think one horse is enough to carry all of us. Maybe we should aim for a pack of them—or just find a nice cart.”

Kaida glances at our dwindling pouch of gold. “Horses aren’t exactly cheap in guessing. We’d have to save up—or find another creative way to borrow them.”

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Let’s not turn into horse thieves, okay? I’m not adding that to the list of things we’re wanted for.”

Shade chimes in quietly in my head. “Oh, come on, Artemis. Who wouldn’t want to be group of bandits?”

Ignoring Shade, I glance at Lorien. “We can keep it in mind, but for now, we’ll just have to make do with what we’ve got.”

Lorien nods, though his expression stays serious. “I’m just saying if we find a way to speed things up, we should take it. Time isn’t exactly on our side.”

“Agreed,” I say, adjusting Kaida’s sash around my neck. “Let’s keep an eye out for something as we continue this stuff.”

“There is one issue,” Kaida says, frowning slightly. “If we do get horses in the future, does anyone actually know how to ride a horse? I certainly don’t.”

I shrug. “I mean, we didn’t know how to do half the stuff we’ve been doing since we got here. I didn’t know how to use a bow at all and now I’m kinda an expert.”

Kaida tilts her head, considering. “That’s… true. Maybe if we ever can afford horses, we’ll already know how to ride them?”

Hrothgar grins. “Wouldn’t surprise me. This place seems to fill in the gaps for us when it feels like it. Kind of like instinct.”

Veyron smirks. “Or we can just wing it. How hard can it be? You get on, hold the reins, and hope for the best.”

Kaida gives him a skeptical look. “That sounds like a recipe for disaster.”

Lorien speaks up, his tone thoughtful. “Artemis might be onto something. If this world was built to be immersive, it might have included skills we didn’t know we had until we need them.”

“Or,” I say with a slight grin, “we’ll all end up falling off and making fools of ourselves. Either way, it’ll certainly be memorable.”

Shade chuckles in my mind. “I, for one, would enjoy the chaos. Nothing like a bunch of first-time riders learning the hard way.”

Kaida groans. “Let’s just… cross that bridge when we get there. No point stressing over horses we don’t even have.”

“Agreed,” I say, glancing back at the map. “Let’s focus on the mountain first. Then we can worry about horse-riding lessons.”

As we walk, the sound of our boots crunching against the dirt path fills the air, but my thoughts are louder. The fight with the player replays in my head—his strength, his words, the way it ended.

I glance at the others ahead of me. They’re laughing at something Veyron said, the usual banter keeping the mood light. Should I tell them about the player? About the fight?

Shade’s voice slips into my mind, as smug as ever. “Careful now. If you tell them too much, they’ll start asking questions. And we both know you don’t want them knowing about me.”

I frown, gripping the strap of my quiver tightly. He’s right. I can’t explain the fight without explaining why I survived. But keeping it from them feels… wrong.

“You’re overthinking this,” Shade says lazily. “They don’t need to know. What good would it do? It’s not like that player will find you again. Just keep walking and stay quiet.”

I glance at Lorien, walking silently beside me. He’s been keeping close ever since we talked… or, well, since I left and came back. His quiet support makes the weight of the secret feel heavier.

“Hey, Artemis!” Kaida calls, turning to look at me. “You good? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

I hesitate, my heart pounding. Should I tell them? I could leave out the part about Shade, just focus on the player. But even then… what if they start asking how I won?

“What’s up?” Veyron asks, falling back to walk beside me. “You’ve got that ‘something dumb happened but I’m not telling you’ look.”

Shade laughs softly. “He’s got you pegged.”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, forcing a smile. “Just… thinking about the map.”

Kaida gives me a skeptical look, but doesn’t press further. As they turn their attention back to the path ahead, I let out a slow breath.

“Good call,” Shade says. “You’d only complicate things. They don’t need to know.”

But even as he speaks, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve made the wrong choice. Keeping secrets from my friends—it’s starting to feel like a dangerous habit.

I take a deep breath, walking a little faster to catch up with the group. My heart races, but I tell myself I don’t have to tell them everything—just enough. They deserve to know that we’re not the only ones in this world, even if the full truth stays buried.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” I say, my voice a little quieter than I intended.

Kaida glances back at me first, curious. Veyron slows his steps, and even Lorien’s head tilts slightly, though he doesn’t turn to look right away.

“What’s up?” Kaida asks.

I hesitate, my fingers brushing against the strap of my quiver. “When I left… when I went to do that mission, I ran into someone. Another player.”

That catches their attention. Lorien stops in his tracks, turning fully to face me now. Kaida’s eyes widen, and Veyron raises an eyebrow.

“Wait, what?” Veyron asks. “Like, another actual player?”

I nod. “Yeah. They weren’t like us, though. They weren’t… trapped.”

Lorien’s expression tightens slightly, his gaze searching mine. “You’re sure?”

“Positive. They talked about respawning, about the game like it was… well just that—a game. They didn’t think we were real. To them, this is just another session of some hyper-immersive MMO.”

Kaida looks uneasy, crossing her arms. “That’s a little… disturbing. I guess they wouldn’t know about us or people like us.”

“They didn’t believe me when I tried to explain,” I admit, glancing down at the ground. “I tried to tell them we were stuck, that this isn’t just a game for us, but they thought I was lying. Or just crazy.”

Hrothgar sighs. “That’s messed up. So, what happened? Did they just leave, or…?”

I hesitate again, my stomach twisting. This is where things get tricky. “They didn’t just leave. They… attacked me. I think they wanted the reward from the mission I was on.”

Kaida gasps a little, her hand gripping her staff. Lorien’s fists clench, his jaw tightening.

“And?” Lorien asks sharply. “What happened?”

“I fought back,” I say quickly, trying to keep my tone steady. “I got lucky and managed to take them down. They’ll have respawned, but… it was close.”

The group falls silent for a moment, processing what I’ve said.

“That’s insane,” Kaida finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. “They really attacked you over some quest reward? Like it was nothing?”

“That’s how it works for them,” I say bitterly. “They can just respawn. They have nothing to lose. But for us… if they see us as just as obstacles instead of people, we could be in real danger.”

Lorien steps closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “If you run into someone like that again, you don’t handle it alone. Got it?”

“Agreed,” Veyron says, his usual smirk replaced with a rare seriousness. “If there are normal players running around treating this like it’s just a game, we need to watch each other’s backs.”

Kaida nods. “We need to stick together. It’s bad enough dealing with NPCs, monsters, and whatever’s controlling this place. But if other players are a threat too… we need to be careful.”

“I know,” I say quietly. “I just thought you should know what we’re up against. That we’re not the only ones here.”

Lorien places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. “Thanks for telling us. We’ll handle it together, like we always do.”

I nod, but I can’t shake the unease settling in my chest. Even as we continue walking, I can still feel the weight of the fight, the player’s words echoing in my mind.

To them, we’re not real people.

“Nice work leaving out all the parts where I heroically held my own,” Shade comments in that sing-song tone I’ve grown to loathe.

I resist the urge to groan out loud, keeping my face neutral as I walk alongside the group. “This wasn’t about showing off,” I think back at him. “They don’t need to know about everything that happened—especially you.”

Shade chuckles darkly, the sound slithering through my mind like smoke. “Of course, wouldn’t want to scare them. Or maybe you just didn’t want them knowing you needed me to win.”

“No,” I think firmly. “I didn’t want them to think I’m dangerous. There’s a difference.”

Shade stays quiet for a moment, but I can feel the smug amusement lingering like a shadow just out of reach. “Whatever you say, fearless leader. Just remember, you wouldn’t be standing here without me.”

I ignore him, focusing instead on the group ahead. Lorien is still keeping close, his protective gaze flicking my way every so often. While Kaida is walking just a little ahead, her staff tapping lightly against the ground with each step. Veyron and Hrothgar are at the front of the group talking about something I can’t quite hear..

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Whatever Shade wants to say, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that my friends trust me—and I’m not going to let anything, not even Shade, break that trust.

I glance down as Lorien’s hand slips into mine, his fingers warm and steady against my own. My heart skips a beat as I look up at him, his soft smile breaking through the tension of the moment.

For a second, I forget about everything—the danger, the map, even Shade. It’s just us, walking side by side, with the others too far ahead to notice.

“You okay?” he asks quietly, his voice gentle, almost as if he’s afraid to shatter the fragile peace between us.

“I… yeah,” I manage, squeezing his hand lightly. “Just… glad we’re all together again.”

His smile widens, and there’s something about the way he looks at me that makes my chest tighten in the best way possible. “Me too,” he says simply.

For a while, we walk in comfortable silence, his hand still holding mine. The warmth of his touch feels grounding, a small, quiet reminder that I’m not alone in this.

“Don’t get too distracted,” Shade murmurs in the back of my mind, his voice teasing. “Wouldn’t want your boyfriend to trip over his own feet.”

I mentally shove him aside, refusing to let him ruin the moment. Lorien glances over at me, his head tilted slightly as if sensing something.

“Everything okay?” he asks again, his thumb brushing softly against the back of my hand.

I smile at him, nodding. “Yeah,” I say softly. “Everything’s fine.”

We should probably talk about… whatever this is, I think to myself, feeling the weight of Lorien’s hand in mine. I glance at him briefly—his expression calm and content—but the thought lingers. If the others find out… well, Kaida already knows. But what about the others?

“Don’t forget about me, I know too.” Shade chimes in, his voice laced with amusement. “I’m part of the inner circle now, whether you like it or not.”

“You’re not part of anything,” I fire back internally. “At least not till I know I can really trust you.”

Lorien glances at me, his thumb brushing over my hand, and I wonder if he can tell I’m overthinking everything. It’s not like we can just sit the others down and announce, “Hey, so me and Lorien are… dating now? Kind of?” That sounds ridiculous, even in my head.

But it’s not like we can keep this a secret forever, either. Hrothgar is too perceptive, and Veyron isn’t exactly subtle when he picks up on something.

“Relax,” Shade whispers mockingly. “You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be. Just kiss him in front of everyone and get it over with.”

“Yeah, because that wouldn’t immediately make things awkward,” I reply dryly.

Lorien must notice the slight furrow in my brow because he leans in closer and whispers, “You’re thinking too hard again, aren’t you?”

Caught off guard, I blink at him. “What?”

He smirks, his voice soft enough that only I can hear. “Your face does this thing when you’re overthinking. It’s kind of cute.”

I feel my cheeks heat up, and I quickly look ahead at the others. “I’m not overthinking,” I mumble, though the way his smirk deepens tells me he doesn’t buy it.

Great. He knows. Perfect, I think, and Shade’s laughter echoes faintly in my mind.

“I was just thinking,” I start, my voice quieter than I intended, “about… well, this.” I motion between us with my free hand, feeling a little nervous under Lorien’s steady gaze.

His thumb brushes over the back of my hand again, grounding me. “This?” he repeats with a small, curious smile.

“Yeah,” I say, my cheeks heating up. “I mean, Kaida already figured it out at the inn. And it’s not like we can keep this hidden forever. The others are going to notice eventually.”

His smile softens, and he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re overthinking again.”

I sigh, glancing away for a moment before meeting his eyes again. “I just… I don’t want it to become a thing, you know? Like, what if it makes things awkward? What if Veyron starts teasing us nonstop? Or Hrothgar—”

“Artemis.” Lorien cuts me off, his voice calm but firm. “Does it matter what they think?”

I blink at him, caught off guard by the question.

He tilts his head, his expression serious but warm. “If this is something you want—something we want—then does it really matter what they say? They’re our friends; they’ll understand.”

“Bold of him to assume Veyron would ever stop teasing,” Shade quips in the back of my mind, but for once, I ignore him.

Lorien’s words sink in, and I realize he has a point. The others might tease or joke, but they’d still support us right?

“I guess you’re right,” I admit, my voice soft. “It’s just… new. And kind of terrifying.”

He chuckles, his smile returning. “Terrifying? I didn’t realize I was so intimidating.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the small smile that creeps onto my face. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” he says, his tone turning more serious again. “But we’ll figure it out. Together.”

“I just don’t think I’m ready,” I admit, keeping my voice low as I glance ahead at the others. “For everyone to know, I mean. I’m only just barely… I only just barely feel ready at all.”

Lorien looks at me, his expression soft and understanding. “That’s okay,” he says gently. “We don’t have to tell them right now. We can take things at your pace.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, nodding slightly. “Thanks,” I mumble. “I just… I need time to figure this out, you know?”

He squeezes my hand lightly, his thumb brushing over my skin in a reassuring way. “I get it. There’s no rush. This is about us, not anyone else.”

His words help, but I can still feel the weight of it all lingering in the back of my mind. I glance at him, his calm demeanor somehow steadying me even as I feel like I’m tripping over myself.

“Kaida already knows, though,” I say quietly. “I mean, she kind of… guessed.”

Lorien chuckles softly, his smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. She doesn’t miss much,” Lorien finishes, a soft laugh in his voice.

I nod, biting my lip. “She didn’t seem bothered by it. Actually, she was… supportive.”

“See?” he says, giving me a reassuring look. “The others will probably be the same. But we’ll cross that bridge when you’re ready.”

“Thanks seriously,” I whisper, feeling a little less like I’m about to be crushed under the weight of everything. “For understanding.”

“Always,” he says simply, his tone so warm and sincere that it makes my chest tighten in a good way.

I glance ahead again, watching as Kaida and the others laugh about something up ahead, and for the first time in a while, I feel a little less alone in all of this.

This is just so odd. Holding hands with a guy, maybe sorta dating a guy. The fact that I’d even be interested in one…

I glance at Lorien out of the corner of my eye. The way his thumb gently brushes over my knuckles feels so natural, but at the same time, it’s completely surreal. In the real world, this never would’ve happened. I never would’ve been like this. I’m a guy. Or… I was.

I keep trying to tell myself it’s the game, that it’s just this body and these hormones messing with my head. But the truth feels more complicated than that. When he kissed me before, it wasn’t just about how I look now or how he felt about me—it was about how I felt.

And I did feel something. I do feel something.

The thought makes my chest tighten.

No matter how strange it all feels, I can’t deny that there’s something about Lorien that makes it hard to resist. The way he cares, how he looks at me and how he doesn’t just see my past or my confusion—but sees me, the person I am right now.

It scares me. But at the same time, it feels… kind of nice.

We keep walking for a while, the sun beating down softly through the trees, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the dirt path. The others chatter ahead—Kaida is laughing at something Hrothgar said while Veyron gestures animatedly, probably exaggerating a story about how amazing he is.

I keep glancing at Lorien out of the corner of my eye. He hasn’t let go of my hand yet. It’s warm, steady, and, it’s nice… even if it still feels strange.

The silence between us isn’t awkward, but my thoughts are loud. I focus on the rhythm of our steps, the weight of the bow on my back, and the hum of the forest around us—anything to keep my mind from spiraling.

I glance at Lorien again and realize he looks happy. Relaxed. Like holding my hand is the most natural thing in the world.

I sigh softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. For now, all I can do is focus on putting one foot in front of the other and getting us where we need to go.

Kaida’s voice drifts back to us. “How much farther do you think we have?”

“Depends on how far into the mountain this map takes us,” Hrothgar rumbles. “Could be days.”

“It looked like maybe two days? But I’m not sure,” I call out to Kaida, shrugging a little. “Just basing it off the other maps we’ve seen so far. Hopefully, this one’s a little more straightforward.”

Kaida turns, walking backward so she can face me. “Two days if we don’t get sidetracked by another ambush or some deadly trial, right?”

“Let’s not jinx it,” Veyron quips, spinning a dagger between his fingers as he walks. “But hey, at least the fearless leader here seems ready for anything now.” He smirks at me.

I roll my eyes. “I’m not fearless, and I’m definitely not ready for everything. Just… let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Lorien gives my hand a light squeeze. “We’ll manage,” he says quietly, his voice calm and reassuring.

Hrothgar grunts from up ahead. “As long as we don’t have to climb half the mountain, I’ll consider it a good trip.”

Kaida laughs. “I wouldn’t hold your breath, big guy. This game doesn’t exactly hand out freebies.”

The group chuckles lightly, but I can’t shake the feeling that this trek is leading us into something bigger—something more dangerous than any of us are ready for.

I glance at the others, and a wave of determination rises in my chest. Whatever we face up there, I have to be ready. Not just for me, but for all of us.

Kaida glances back at my hand, her eyes flickering to where Lorien’s fingers are intertwined with mine. A knowing smile spreads across her face before she turns back to the path ahead, keeping her thoughts to herself.

I almost forgot we were holding hands. Heat creeps into my cheeks, and I resist the urge to pull away, even though I suddenly feel very aware of it again.

I glance at the others, trying to gauge if anyone else noticed. Veyron is still playing with his dagger, and Hrothgar seems more focused on the trail than anything else.

Maybe they didn’t see, I think to myself, but I catch Kaida’s knowing glance again.

Lorien, oblivious to my inner turmoil, gives my hand another gentle squeeze. When I glance at him, he’s just smiling—calm and steady like always. It’s… nice.

At least Kaida already knows and isn’t outing us. Honestly, if it were anyone else in the group, I don’t think I’d be able to relax even a little.

She might tease me later in private, but she won’t make a big deal about it now. Kaida’s like that—protective in her own way. It’s comforting to know she has my back, even when she’s being a complete pain.

“For now,” Shade says, his voice smug. “Give it time. You know she’s going to slip in some snark when it’s just the two of you.”

I sigh internally. “Yeah, well, I can handle her. It’s the other two I’m worried about.”

Lorien glances at me, sensing the tension in my hand. “You okay?” he asks softly, his voice low enough that the others can’t hear.

I nod, giving him a small smile. “Yeah, just… thinking still.”

He doesn’t press, just squeezes my hand lightly again. It’s reassuring in a way I didn’t expect.

Kaida looks over her shoulder briefly, catching my eye with that knowing smile again before turning back to her conversation with Hrothgar. She’s definitely saving this for later. I’ll probably get an earful tonight, but for now, I’ll just enjoy the peace while it lasts.

As the sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the path, the group naturally shifts positions. After a while, I’ve ended up next to Hrothgar at the front. His heavy steps crunch against the dirt, his axe slung lazily over one shoulder.

“You’ve been quiet,” he says after a moment, not looking at me but keeping his eyes fixed on the trail ahead.

I shrug. “Just… thinking.”

Hrothgar grunts. “You do a lot of that. Sometimes too much, I’d say.”

I glance at him, surprised by the bluntness of his tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He glances down at me, his expression calm but firm. “I mean, you’ve got good instincts, Artemis. You lead well—better than anyone probably would expect. But, you’re so stuck in your head that you forget to trust yourself. Out here, hesitation can get you killed.”

His words hit harder than I expected, and I glance away, pretending to focus on the horizon. “I guess… I just don’t want to screw up,” I admit quietly.

Hrothgar chuckles, a deep rumble that almost sounds amused. “We all screw up. It’s how you handle it after that makes the difference.”

I frown, thinking about my mistakes so far—leading the shadow away through the wall,running away from everyone, all the decisions that almost got us all killed... “And what if your screw-up gets someone hurt? Or worse?”

Hrothgar sighs, his gaze softening a little. “Then you learn, and you don’t make the same mistake again. That’s the best any of us can do.”

His words linger in the air between us, heavy but oddly reassuring. For a moment, I almost forget the constant pressure sitting on my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I say softly.

He just grunts again, his way of saying “you’re welcome.”

As we continue walking, the path grows quieter, the group settling into a calm rhythm. Hrothgar keeps his eyes on the road, his presence steady and grounding in a way I hadn’t fully appreciated until now.

“When we first got here,” I start cautiously, glancing at Hrothgar, “you said you were married… and having a kid. Are you… y’know, doing okay?”

His steps slow for a moment, just slightly, but he keeps moving forward. His face stays calm, but there’s a flicker of something behind his eyes—pain, maybe, or just longing.

“I think about them every damn day,” he says finally, his voice low and steady. “My wife, Mia, she’s strong. She’ll hold things together until I find a way back. She has to.”

I nod, unsure what to say. “Do you—do you think time’s moving the same here as it is back home? Like, maybe she won’t even know you’re gone?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve thought about that a bit. I don’t know how this… place works. Could be days, could be years passing back home. Hell, could be no time at all. But… I can’t let myself believe I’ll be gone forever. They need me.”

His voice tightens at the end, and for a second, he looks older than twenty-seven—like the weight of this world is aging him faster than the rest of us.

“I’ll get back to them,” he says firmly, almost to himself. “Whatever it takes, I’ll get back.”

I look at him, seeing the determination in his eyes. “You will,” I say quietly. “We all will.”

Hrothgar gives a small nod, his gaze distant. “And until then, I’ve got to make sure all of you get through this, too. No way I’m surviving this nightmare just to lose more along the way.”

There’s a deep sadness in his voice, but also a resolve that I can’t help but admire. I reach over and lightly tap his arm. “You’re doing good, Hrothgar. We’ll figure it out. Together.”

He looks down at me, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Thanks Artemis.“

“When we do get out of here,” I say, breaking the silence, “we all need to meet up. You know, like in the real world. Celebrate somehow.”

Hrothgar chuckles softly, his tone lighter than before. “You think anyone would recognize each other? I mean, I don’t know if I’d pick you out in a crowd.”

I laugh a little at that, looking down at myself. “Fair point. I’d probably walk right past Kaida same with Veyron and Lorien.”

“Still,” he says after a beat, “I’d like that. A proper drink with all of you, not just whatever stuff this place brews. And… seeing my family again.”

I nod quickly, eager to keep the mood lighter. “Yeah. No monsters chasing us, no weird quests or monsters trying to kill us. Just… normal. You’ll introduce us to Mia and the kid, and Veyron can spend the whole time complaining about how much better he was at this.”

Hrothgar chuckles. “And Kaida will probably be yelling at him the whole time.”

“Exactly,” I say, smiling a little. “It’s going to happen. We’ll all get out of here and figure out who we are when we’re not, y’know, running for our lives.”

Hrothgar looks down at me, his eyes softening just slightly. “You really believe that?”

“I have to,” I say simply. “If I don’t, what’s the point?”

He grunts in agreement, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. “Alright. When we’re out, drinks are on me.”

“You better mean that,” I say, trying to lighten the moment. “I’m holding you to it.”

“Deal,” he says, his voice steady and warm.

“And obviously,” I add with a grin, “we’ll all be ridiculously rich after suing the game company. No more quests or random NPCs charging us for a room, just… yachts and mansions.”

Hrothgar chuckles, shaking his head. “Yachts? Isn’t that kinda a lot?”

I laugh. “Okay, fine. Maybe not a yacht. But I wouldn’t say no to a house or cabin with a hot tub. Or, y’know, just being able to eat something without having to fight a fire-breathing beast first.”

“Can’t argue with that,” he says, smirking. “You think Lorien’s going to keep fighting everything after we get out? He seems a little too into being the hero.”

I roll my eyes. “If he does, I’m charging him rent. Someone’s gotta keep him grounded.”

Hrothgar raises an eyebrow at that but just chuckles. “Alright then, when we’re all rich and free, I’ll make sure to invite you all to my totally modest, non-yacht-owning barbecue. You bring the stories, I’ll bring the beer.”

“Deal,” I say, smiling. “And maybe we’ll get Kaida to stop teasing me by then.”

He laughs again, his booming voice echoing through the quiet forest. “Not a chance.”

I grin, the thought of all of us out of this game, laughing together in the real world, maybe it can really happen.

I walk quietly for a moment, letting the sounds of our footsteps and the rustling trees fill the space. It’s kind of nice, talking to Hrothgar like this. I hadn’t really had the chance to just… talk to him one-on-one before. He’s steady, grounded, the kind of person you want on your side when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

He’s always been there, keeping us together, but I guess I’ve just been so caught up in everything—Lorien, Lyra, and, well, me—that I hadn’t really thought about getting to know him better. He seems like such a genuinely good person.

My mind wanders for a second. Veyron, though… I stifle a laugh at the thought. Talking to him alone sounds like a very different experience. Probably a lot of innuendos, self-praise, and weird attempts to flirt. Yeah, not exactly my idea of a calming conversation.

Hrothgar glances down at me, raising an eyebrow. “What’s funny?”

I shake my head quickly, a small smile on my face. “Nothing, just… imagining what it’d be like talking to Veyron alone.”

He snorts, a rare grin breaking through his usual stoic expression. “It’s a little painful trust me.”

“Exactly,” I say, laughing a little. “I think I’d last five minutes before I start regretting every decision that led me to that moment.”

Hrothgar chuckles, shaking his head. “He’s not that bad. Annoying? Sure. But he’s there when it counts. Just… don’t let him near your stuff or your sanity for too long.”

I smirk. “Noted.”

It’s nice, this back-and-forth. A little bit of normalcy in the middle of all the chaos. Maybe I should try talking to the others more like this.doing this more… maybe not with Veyron just yet.

“I think it’s a bit of an act,” Hrothgar says, his voice quieter than usual, as if he’s letting me in on a secret.

“Really?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “You think the endless ego is just for show?”

Hrothgar nods. “Yeah. I mean, think about it. Veyron worked in IT before this, right? 21, just out of school. Not exactly the kind of job that makes you the center of attention. My guess? He’s playing the role of the cocky rogue because it’s easier than admitting he’s just as lost as the rest of us.”

I blink, surprised. I hadn’t really thought about it like that before. “Huh… I guess that makes sense. I mean, I can’t imagine being thrown into this world and trying to figure it all out without putting up some kind of front.”

“Exactly,” Hrothgar says, glancing over at me. “He’s sharp, and he’s capable. But underneath it all, he’s still just a kid trying to keep up.”

I look ahead, thinking about Veyron’s smirks and sarcastic comments, the way he always seems to have a comeback ready. “That… actually makes me feel kind of bad for him,” I admit.

Hrothgar chuckles. “Don’t feel too bad. He’s still a pain in the ass sometimes. But it’s worth keeping in mind. People act how they feel they need to to survive.”

I nod slowly, filing that away. Maybe I really will try talking to Veyron alone one of these days. Or maybe I’ll wait until I’m feeling extremely patient.

“You’re full of surprises, Hrothgar,” I say with a small smile.

He shrugs. “You pick up on things when you listen.”

“You’re kinda like the dad of the group if you think about it,” I say, smiling slightly. “I mean, with everyone else being between 18 and 21, you’re the only one with 100% full adult responsibilities back home.”

Hrothgar chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess you’re not wrong. A married guy with a kid on the way stuck in a game babysitting a group of reckless twenty-somethings… sure feels like it sometimes.”

I laugh. “See? You’ve definitely got the whole dad vibe. You’re the responsible one, keeping us in line.”

Hrothgar shakes his head, though he’s grinning. “If I’m the dad, that makes Veyron the rebellious teenager who sneaks out at night, Kaida the youngest, always trying to prove herself, Lorien the brooding older sibling, maybe quiet sometimes, but the first one to step in when things go sideways.”

I snort. “That’s… not completely inaccurate but what about me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Hrothgar smirks. “You’re the ‘fearless leader,’ remember? The overachiever eldest kid who doesn’t want the responsibility but somehow keeps everything together anyway.”

I groan. “Great, so I’m stuck being the eldest sibling. Thanks for that.”

He laughs, his deep voice carrying over the quiet road. “Hey, it’s not so bad. Someone’s gotta be the glue holding everyone together, right? And you’re doing a good job of it, even if you don’t see it.”

I glance at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “Thanks, Hrothgar. That means a lot.”

“Anytime,” he says, giving me a small nod. “Just don’t expect me to give you an allowance or anything.”

We both laugh a bit as we continue walking but I can’t help but smile at the idea of us being a family.

The sun dips lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple before darkness begins to creep in. The soft crunch of our boots on the dirt road fills the silence as the chatter fades, everyone growing quieter with the fading light.

“It’s getting dark,” l say, breaking the quiet. “We should think about finding a spot to camp for the night.”

Hrothgar nods beside me. “Agreed. No use pushing ourselves too hard and running into trouble in the dark.”

Kaida looks back at us, her staff glowing faintly in the dim light. “There’s gotta be a clearing up ahead. We’re still in pretty open terrain, so it shouldn’t be hard to set up camp.”

Veyron snorts. “Great. Another night sleeping on dirt. Luxury at its finest.”

“You’d think you’d be used to it by now,” Kaida fires back, smirking.

“I’m choosing to keep my standards high,” Veyron retorts. “A man’s gotta dream.”

Lorien speaks up from behind. “Let’s just focus on staying safe for the night. We don’t need any surprises out here.”

I nod, scanning the horizon. The path ahead looks clear, but the growing shadows make it harder to tell what’s out there. “Let’s keep an eye out for anything useful—a clearing,shelter, whatever.”

We walk a bit further in silence before Kaida points ahead. “There! Looks like a clearing up on that ridge.”

Hrothgar squints, then nods. “That’ll work. Let’s set up there before it gets too dark to see.”

As we approach the ridge, the faint sound of rustling in the nearby trees puts me on edge. I grip my bow tightly, glancing at the others. “Stay alert,” I warn quietly. “Just in case.”

The clearing comes into view, wide and open, with enough space for all of us to settle in comfortably. The rustling fades as we step forward, and the tension eases.

“This’ll do,” Hrothgar says, setting his pack down.

“Let’s get a fire going,” Lorien adds. “We’ll need the light and warmth.”

I nod, still glancing around the edges of the clearing. “I’ll keep watch at the edge while you guys set up.”

“Don’t wait too long,” Kaida says, her voice soft but concerned.

I offer a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Just want to make sure nothing’s out there.”

As the others start unpacking and preparing the camp, I step toward the edge of the clearing, my bow in hand. The night is quiet, save for the occasional breeze rustling the leaves, but I can’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—might be watching.

“Hand me the fire kit,” Veyron says, his tone laced with impatience.

“Say please,” Kaida replies sharply.

Veyron groans dramatically. “Please, your royal highness, may I have the fire kit so we don’t freeze to death tonight?”

Kaida tosses something in his direction, and I hear him grunt. “Catch better,” she quips.

Hrothgar chuckles. “You two are like an old married couple sometimes.”

Veyron mutters something under his breath, but it’s drowned out by the sound of Hrothgar chopping kindling.

I smile faintly, their familiar banter easing some of my unease. Even with everything we’ve been through, moments like this remind me we’re still just… us.

“Artemis, you okay over there?” Lorien’s voice reaches me, softer than the others.

I turn slightly, meeting his gaze. “Yeah, just keeping an eye out. You guys good?”

“We’re fine,” he says, his expression warm in the dim light. “Almost done.”

Turning back to the tree line, I let the night settle around me, the faint sounds of the others behind me grounding me as I scan the shadows.

The woods are quiet—unnervingly so—but it feels… safe. For now, at least. I keep my bow loosely in hand, scanning the shadows out of habit more than necessity.

I can’t help but think about how the monsters seem to appear most often during missions, like they’re tied to specific tasks or events. It’s not random. Nothing here feels random.

“You noticing it too?” Shade’s voice creeps into my thoughts.

“Noticing what?” I mutter under my breath, careful not to let the others hear.

“How the monsters barely show up unless you’re in the thick of something. It’s like the world’s holding back until you step into its trap.”

I nod slightly, knowing he’s right. The timing of every encounter is too perfect. It’s like the world is watching, waiting to strike when we’re most vulnerable.

“You’re not wrong,” I whisper. “But it makes me wonder… what happens when we’re not on a mission? Are we… safe?”

Shade laughs softly. “Safe? Artemis, this world doesn’t do safe. It just gives you the illusion of it until it decides to yank it away.”

I exhale quietly, brushing off his words, but the thought lingers. If there’s one thing I’ve learned here, it’s that peace never lasts.

Behind me, the fire crackles to life, and the warm glow spreads over the campsite. I glance back, watching as the others finish setting up. For a moment, they all look… normal. Even Veyron’s usual smirk softens in the light of the flames.

But how long will it last?

“Do you have any insight about how the enemies work? Being a part of the game and all?” I ask, my voice low enough for only Shade to hear.

Shade chuckles, his voice slithering through my mind like smoke. “Oh, now you ask me something useful. Took you long enough.”

I roll my eyes, staying quiet, waiting for his answer.

“They’re scripted, i believe,” he says casually. “Every attack, every ambush, every ‘random encounter.’ But the real question, Artemis, is how much of it is predetermined… and how much of it is whatever’s pulling the strings behind it.”

“Pulling the strings?” I murmur, my brow furrowing.

“Think about it,” he continues. “The monsters seem like they’re tied to specific missions. But what about the ones that seem… off? The ones that feel a little too perfectly difficult?”

A shiver runs down my spine as I glance at the woods around us. “So you’re saying some of them might not originally be part of the game at all?”

“Exactly,” Shade says, his tone almost amused. “Maybe there’s something more going on. Or maybe I’m just messing with you.”

“Not helpful,” I mutter, tightening my grip on my bow.

“Just think about it, fearless leader,” he says with a sly chuckle. “But if this world is a game, why does it feel so… alive? And why do you feel so real here? Maybe the monsters aren’t the only ones playing by someone else’s rules.”

Before I can think about what he’s said I notice something in between the trees, a faint red glow, it looks like… eyes?

I feel something touch me and spin around, startled, my hand instinctively gripping my bow. Lorien stands there, his faintly amused expression catching me off guard.

“Everything’s set up,” he says again, softer this time, though his smirk lingers. “Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

I glance back at the forest nervously but I don’t see anything. I guess I just imagined it?

I exhale sharply, relaxing my grip. “You didn’t sneak up. I was just… distracted,” I mumble, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“You’ve been distracted a lot today,” he says, tilting his head. “Everything okay?”

I glance toward the campfire, where the others laugh faintly at something Veyron said. “Yeah,” I reply quickly, brushing past him. “Just tired from all the walking.”

Lorien steps closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You don’t have to carry everything on your own, you know.”

I pause, his words hitting harder than I’d like. “I’m fine,” I insist, forcing a smile. “Really.”

He watches me for a moment before finally nodding. “Alright. But if you need to talk… I’m here.”

“Thanks, Lorien,” I manage, swallowing the lump in my throat.

As he turns back to the fire, I let out a slow breath, my heart still racing.

Shade’s voice slips into my thoughts, smug and teasing. “If you keep jumping every time he’s near, he’s going to figure out how much he rattles you, Artemis.”

“Shut up,” I think back, shaking my head as I follow Lorien toward the warmth of the fire.

The cold of the night is relentless, seeping into my skin and chilling me to the bone. My teeth chatter, and I wrap my arms around myself, trying to conserve what little warmth I have. The others, bundled in their cloaks, seem only mildly uncomfortable, while I feel like I’m freezing alive.

“I don’t know how you’re not a popsicle already,” Veyron says, smirking as he tightens his cloak. “Should’ve held onto that cloak we ‘borrowed.’”

“Thanks for the advice after I’m already freezing,” I snap, rubbing my hands together.

Kaida looks over from her spot near the fire, frowning. “Do you want to try moving closer to the flames? You look miserable.”

“Just a bit colder than I’m used to,” I reply, trying to sound tough, though I can’t stop shivering.

Hrothgar chuckles, his breath visible in the frigid air. “You’ll need more than stubbornness if it gets colder tomorrow. We’ll have to figure something out before we hit the higher elevations.”

Kaida nods, already brainstorming. “Maybe we can find something on the way. A wandering salesman or trader.”

“Sure, let’s just hope a cozy fur coat drops out of the sky,” Veyron mutters sarcastically.

I glance over at Lorien, who’s been uncharacteristically quiet. He meets my eyes, hesitates, then stands and walks toward me. Without a word, he shrugs off his cloak and drapes it around my shoulders.

“Lorien, no, you’ll freeze! It’s my fault I don’t have one.” I protest, already trying to give it back.

“You need it more,” he says firmly, his quiet tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, are going to turn into an ice sculpture.”

His words make my cheeks flush, though whether it’s from the cold or something else, I can’t tell. I pull the cloak tightly around me, the warmth from the fabric enveloping me instantly.

“Thank you,” I murmur, barely above a whisper.

Lorien sits beside me, our shoulders brushing. His presence alone adds a layer of comfort I didn’t realize I needed.

Kaida smirks from across the fire. “You two are cute, you know that?”

“Don’t start,” I mutter,glaring at her.

The fire crackles softly, casting dancing shadows against the trees. Despite the cold, I feel a flicker of warmth inside—though I can’t tell if it’s from Lorien’s cloak or just… him.

I glance at Lorien, sitting beside me, his face illuminated by the flickering firelight. The cloak is warm, his warmth still lingering in the fabric, but the guilt is colder than the night air.

“You really shouldn’t have given me this,” I say quietly, pulling the cloak tighter around myself despite my words. “It’s my fault I don’t have one. I should’ve been more careful.”

He looks at me with that familiar, steady gaze, the one that always seems to calm the chaos in my mind. “It doesn’t matter,” he says simply. “I’m fine, and you needed it more. End of story.”

“But you’ll freeze without it,” I argue, my voice soft but insistent.

“I’m really fine, Artemis,” he interrupts gently, offering me a small smile. “I’ve been through worse. Besides…” His voice drops, just enough that it feels meant only for me. “I’d rather be cold than see you like that. I can’t stand it.”

His words hit harder than I expected, and for a moment, I can’t bring myself to respond. I stare at the fire, its dancing flames reflecting in my eyes as I try to find the right thing to say.

“I don’t deserve this,” I whisper, barely audible.

He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing against mine. “You don’t have to deserve it,” he says softly. “Sometimes you just let people care about you. You always look out for everyone. Let me do the same for you.”

I glance at him, my heart twisting with emotions I can’t quite name. The fire crackles between us, and the warmth of his gesture settles deep in my chest.

“Thank you,” I murmur finally.

From across the fire, Kaida’s smirk appears as she leans closer to Veyron, whispering something that makes him grin. Great. This is never going to stop being their favorite joke.

I see Veyron cracks some sort of smug comment that makes her giggle. Of course, she’s huddling next to him. Lately She always seems to end up by his side somehow.

I shake my head slightly, baffled. How someone as sweet and innocent as Kaida could be interested in someone as obnoxious as Veyron is beyond me. But then I remember what Hrothgar said earlier—maybe some of Veyron’s bravado is just an act. Maybe she sees something in him that the rest of us can’t.

Still, it’s hard to reconcile the shy, blushing Kaida with the confident, quippy rogue she’s leaning against right now. Opposites attract, I guess.

Lorien shifts beside me, his presence bringing me back to the moment. I realize I’m holding onto his cloak tighter than I thought. My gaze flicks back to Kaida and Veyron.

“Think they’ll ever admit it?” Lorien murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

I glance at him, arching a brow. “Admit what?”

He smirks faintly. “You know exactly what.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “If Kaida’s too shy to admit it, and Veyron’s too full of himself to notice, I’m not holding my breath.”

Lorien chuckles softly. “Fair point. Still, they make a weird kind of sense, don’t they?”

I watch as Veyron pulls Kaida’s cloak tighter around her shoulders without skipping a beat in his sarcastic commentary. Kaida’s face flushes slightly, but she doesn’t move away.

“Yeah,” I admit quietly, “I guess they do.”

I lean a little closer to Lorien, the cold night air making his warmth all the more comforting. Maybe Hrothgar’s right. Sometimes it’s the people you least expect who surprise you the most.

I glance around the campfire as the others talk, my heart racing slightly as I weigh the thought bouncing around in my head. Maybe… maybe I don’t mind if they know.

Taking a breath, I subtly slide my arm out of one sleeve of Lorien’s cloak. He doesn’t seem to notice at first, still watching the fire, his face calm in the flickering light. Slowly, I pull the edge of the cloak over him as I slip my arm around his back.

His gaze darts to me, surprised at first, but then his expression softens. He leans slightly into me, his shoulder brushing mine.

“Are you sure about this?” he whispers, so quietly I almost don’t hear him over the crackling fire.

I lean into him a little more, letting the warmth of his presence push away the night’s chill. “Yeah,” I murmur. “I think I am.”

Across the fire, Kaida notices first. Her eyes widen just slightly, a small, knowing smile creeping onto her face. She nudges Veyron, who glances over, raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t comment. Hrothgar catches on next, his expression unreadable for a moment before he gives the faintest nod of approval.

No one says anything outright, but their looks are enough to confirm that they definitely noticed.

Lorien tenses slightly beside me, as if bracing for a reaction, but when no one teases or jokes, he relaxes.

I rest my head lightly against his shoulder. “Guess it’s not a big deal after all,” I whisper, half to him and half to myself.

Lorien smiles softly, turning his head just enough to press a light kiss to my temple. “No, it’s not,” he murmurs.

I can’t help but blush and yet, I feel at peace. The cold, the long journey, even the weight of everything we’re facing—it all feels a little easier to bear with him beside me.

I don’t even realize it at first. One moment, I’m sitting upright, my gaze flickering between the fire and the others, and the next, I’m leaning into Lorien’s side. His warmth is steady, calming, and before I can stop myself, I rest my head lightly against his shoulder.

He stiffens slightly, just for a second, before relaxing. His arm shifts, settling more securely around my back under the shared cloak. It feels oddly… natural.

Across the fire, I catch Kaida’s grin, and I know she’s holding back a teasing comment for later. Veyron doesn’t even bother hiding his smirk, though he keeps his mouth shut—probably to avoid Kaida elbowing him into the dirt.

“Getting comfortable?” Lorien whispers, his voice low and tinged with humor.

I glance up at him, catching the soft, almost shy smile on his face. “Maybe,” I reply quietly, turning my gaze back to the fire.

The wind picks up slightly, and Lorien adjusts the cloak, pulling it tighter around both of us. His hand brushes against mine again, lingering just long enough to send a small jolt through me.

I glance at him, and for a moment, everything else fades. It’s just the two of us, the firelight casting soft shadows across his face as his green eyes meet mine.

I don’t pull away. Instead, I lean just a little closer.

The space between us vanishes, and I can feel his breath warm against the cold night air. His face tilts toward mine, and my heart races as if the entire world has gone silent, leaving only the crackle of the fire and the steady thrum in my chest.

Lorien hesitates, searching my eyes as if silently asking for permission. I don’t pull away.

And then, he closes the gap.

His lips brush against mine, soft and tentative, testing the waters. My mind blanks, every worry and fear vanishing in an instant. All I can focus on is him—the way his hand gently cups the side of my face, the steadiness of his touch.

This is different than the other times. It feels perfect and normal at the same time.

When we finally part, Lorien rests his forehead against mine, his breath unsteady. “Artemis…” he murmurs softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I can’t bring myself to speak, my heart still pounding too hard. Instead, I let my hand rest over his, holding it gently as we sit there, wrapped in the shared warmth of the cloak and the firelight.

Hrothgar’s smirk doesn’t escape my notice, and my face flushes instantly. He doesn’t say anything, but the look on his face says it all—he knows.

I clear my throat, trying to sit up straighter and pull the cloak tighter around me, though it’s hard to act casual with Lorien still so close, his arm lightly resting around me.

“I’ll keep watch,” Hrothgar says standing up and pulling his coat tighter on himself.

“Thanks, Hrothgar,” I say quickly, my voice a little too forced. “Wake me when it’s my turn for watch.”

“Sure thing, fearless leader,” he replies with a chuckle, his smirk widening as he grabs his axe and heads to the edge of camp.

Kaida glances our way briefly before leaning closer to Veyron, whispering something that makes him grin. I know they’re talking about us. Fantastic.

Lorien, doesn’t seem fazed. He leans back slightly, his hand brushing against mine before pulling away as if giving me space. “You okay?” he whispers, his voice just for me.

I nod quickly, still feeling the heat in my cheeks. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I whisper back. “Just… wasn’t expecting them to be so entertained.”

He chuckles soft. “Let them think what they want.”

I glance over at Hrothgar, who’s now sitting at the edge of the camp, his axe resting casually against his shoulder. His sharp eyes briefly flick toward us, his smirk still lingering.

“Do you think Veyron’s going to say anything?” I murmur to Lorien, half-hoping I’m overthinking it.

Lorien smiles faintly, his voice calm and steady. “Not a chance… but he’ll definitely enjoy watching you squirm.”

“You all take way too much pleasure in watching me squirm,” I grumble, trying my best to sound annoyed, though my voice betrays me a bit.

Lorien chuckles, leaning slightly closer. “You’re cute when you’re nervous,” he says softly, his eyes glinting with amusement in the firelight. “And when you’re overthinking stuff… and…” He pauses, a small smile spreading across his face. “I guess you’re just cute.”

My heart flips, and I quickly turn my head away, hoping the firelight hides the redness creeping into my cheeks.

“Stop,” I mutter, though there’s no real weight behind it.

“Stop what?” he teases. “Telling the truth?”

“You’re impossible,” I mumble, but I can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

“Maybe,” he admits, his tone lighter. “But you like it.”

I glance back at him, meeting his gaze, this cold night really doesn’t seem so bad.

Lorien’s hand moves gently, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. The motion is soft and deliberate, sending a shiver through me—not from the cold, but from him.

“You’re beautiful, you know,” he says quietly, his voice is barely above a whisper but he says it so seriously.

I freeze, a bit unsure what to say, my heart pounding loudly enough that I’m sure he can hear it. My mind races for some clever or sarcastic deflection, but nothing comes.

“I…” My voice falters as I stare at him, wide-eyed.

He smiles softly, his hand lingering near my cheek before pulling back. “Sorry,” he murmurs, though he doesn’t sound sorry at all.

I swallow hard, the words catching in my throat. “Don’t… don’t be sorry.”

Lorien’s smile deepens, and he shifts a little closer. “Ok I won’t be,” he says simply, his tone warm and reassuring.

I glance down at the fire, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “You’re just… full of surprises tonight, aren’t you?” I manage, though my voice sounds smaller than I intended.

“Maybe,” he says, his gaze steady and unwavering. “But only for you.”

I glance at him, my cheeks burning as I try to play it cool. “You’re not so bad yourself, I guess,” I say, though the crack in my voice at the end betrays me completely.

Lorien grins, clearly catching the slip. “Oh? High praise from our fearless leader,” he teases, his tone playful but his eyes soft.

I groan, covering my face with my hands. “You sound like Kaida now.”

He chuckles quietly, leaning in just enough for me to feel the warmth radiating from him. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Besides, I don’t think she’s ever made you blush this much.”

“Shut up,” I mumble, lowering my hands just enough to peek at him. That grin of his—equal parts charming and infuriating—is still there.

“Make me,” he says, his voice low and teasing, and I’m pretty sure my heart literally skips a beat.

“Lorien…” I start, but the way he looks at me—like I’m the only person in the world—makes it impossible to finish.

“Relax,” he says softly, leaning back just a little but staying close enough that his presence is grounding. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And, for some reason, that’s the most reassuring thing I’ve heard in a long time.

Shade’s voice curls into my mind, silk-soft and teasing. “My, my. Cuddling up to the spearman, are we? How delightfully scandalous. You’ve come a long way since I joined you.”

I ignore him trying to not let him ruin the moment.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Lorien’s voice comes low, his arm brushing against mine as he shifts slightly. His gaze is steady, the firelight catching the faint gold flecks in his eyes.

For a moment, I hesitate. I could tell him everything—about Shade, about the weight of leadership I don’t think I’m ready to carry, about the tangled mess of emotions inside me. But part of me recoils at the thought, at the vulnerability it would take to lay it all bare.

“I’m just… enjoying the quiet for once,” I say, keeping my voice soft.

Lorien’s lips curve into a small smile, one that reaches his eyes and softens the sharp edges of his usual seriousness. “That’s rare for you,” he murmurs, his tone light with teasing.

The warmth of the fire and the steady rhythm of Lorien’s breathing anchor me, even as my thoughts continue to twist and coil in directions I don’t want them to go. Shade, mercifully, stays silent, letting me have this fragile moment.

I lean against him just a little, my heart fluttering with emotions I can’t quite pin down. Morning will bring its challenges—the mountains, all the questions we still don’t have answers to—but for now, I let myself relax. Just for a little while.

The campfire burns low as the night draws on. Kaida eventually drifts off to sleep, her head resting on her pack, while Veyron sits with her, unusually quiet and still trying not to wake her.

Lorien’s hand finds mine under the cloak, his fingers curling around mine in a way that feels somehow protective and soothing. I close my eyes, leaning into him just a little more.

It was nice today no fights or monsters… and honestly giving in to how I feel about Lorien is… kinda great.

After a bit longer I fully drift to sleep his hand still in mine.

End of chapter 18

A much more peaceful chapter this time but will it last?