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.
Chapter 35.

After what feels like a year of waiting at the inn—Kaida fussing with her hair every five minutes and me trying not to pace a hole in the floor—she finally looks up from the mirror and announces, “Alright, it’s time to meet them!”

I freeze, my stomach doing an unhelpful little flip. “Already?”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Already? Artemis, we’ve been sitting here forever. You’re lucky I didn’t drag you out an hour ago.”

I sigh, standing up and brushing off the skirt of my dress. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

Kaida gasps dramatically, grabbing my arm as she leads me to the door. “Over with? Oh no, you don’t get to say that. Tonight is going to be fun. You’re going to have the time of your life, whether you like it or not.”

I groan, letting her drag me along. “You’ve been saying that all day.”

“And I stand by it,” she says, grinning as we step out onto the quiet street. The sun is just starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and the city feels alive in a way it didn’t earlier.

Shade hums in the back of my mind, his tone teasing. “Oh, this is it, Artemis. The grand reveal. I can’t wait to see Lorien’s reaction when he sees you.”

“Quiet,” I think, trying to ignore the nerves buzzing in my chest.

Kaida squeezes my arm as we approach the meeting spot just outside a small plaza, her excitement bubbling over. “Get ready, Artemis. This is going to be perfect.”

Why do I feel like I’m walking into some kind of trap? I wonder, taking a deep breath as we round the corner.

“And you’re not allowed to complain at all,” Kaida says as she practically drags me down the street, her grip firm and her grin unstoppable. “Just keep it to yourself. I don’t want to hear a single word about how ‘this is too much.’”

I groan, trying to dig my heels in just a little. “Kaida, I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“Yeah, but you’re thinking it,” she fires back, glancing at me knowingly. “I can see it on your face. Don’t even try to deny it.”

Shade chuckles softly in my mind, his voice full of amusement. “She’s got you pegged, Artemis. You really are too predictable.”

“Not helping,” I think sharply, though it’s hard to argue when Kaida’s smirk practically screams, I know what you’re thinking.

As we approach the plaza, the sounds of the city grow quieter, the soft glow of lanterns lighting up the cobblestone streets. I can already feel my nerves rising again, my grip tightening on the edges of my dress.

“Alright,” Kaida says, slowing down and turning to me with a pointed look. “Head up, shoulders back, and smile. You’ve got this.”

I glare at her, my voice dry. “You sound like a drill sergeant.”

“You look amazing,” she says, ignoring my tone entirely.

Where is she even taking me? I wonder, glancing at Kaida as she leads me through the quiet streets, her pace quick and determined.

She hasn’t told me anything beyond the basics, which only makes my nerves worse. The streets we’re walking down feel unfamiliar, like we’re headed toward a part of the city we haven’t explored yet. The lanterns glow softly, casting long shadows across the cobblestones, and the sounds of distant laughter and music drift faintly on the breeze.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I finally ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Nope,” Kaida says cheerfully, not even looking back at me.

I groan, shaking my head. “Kaida, seriously.”

“Relax!” she says, throwing me a grin over her shoulder. “It’s a surprise! And I promise, you’re going to love it.”

Shade hums softly in my mind. “Oh, Artemis, I’m dying to see where this ends up. You’re in for quite the evening, aren’t you?”

Kaida gives my arm a light tug, pulling me forward as the sound of music grows a little louder. “Almost there,” she says, her voice practically bouncing with excitement.

Great, I think sarcastically, my heart thudding faster with every step.

“This is it!” Kaida says, her voice practically giddy as she stops in front of a beautifully lit courtyard.

I freeze, my eyes widening as I take it all in. The space is absolutely stunning—lanterns strung overhead cast a warm, golden glow across the cobblestone, and the soft hum of music drifts from somewhere nearby. Tables are arranged neatly around a small fountain in the center, the water shimmering in the lantern light.

There’s an elegant yet relaxed vibe to the whole place, like it’s meant to be the perfect blend of intimate and inviting.

Kaida turns to me, grinning from ear to ear. “What do you think?”

I blink, still trying to process everything. “This is… wow. I didn’t expect this.”

“I told you it was going to be amazing!” she says, giving me a playful nudge.

Shade hums softly in my mind. “Well, well. She wasn’t lying. This is a lot more impressive than I expected. Enjoy it, Artemis.”

I glance at Kaida suspiciously. “How much of this did you plan?”

Her grin turns mischievous. “Oh, you’ll see. Now come on, the guys should already be here.”

The guys? My stomach flips slightly at the thought, but I let her lead me further into the courtyard. Alright, here we go… no turning back now.

“Time for you to see Lorien,” Kaida says, her voice sing-song and far too smug as she practically drags me toward the center of the courtyard. “And for him to see you.”

My stomach flips again at her words, my hands instinctively smoothing down my dress. “Kaida…” I start, but I can’t seem to get anything else out.

She just grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Relax, Artemis. This is the big moment—you’re going to blow him away.”

I glare at her, though my face is already starting to heat. “You’re making it sound like I’m walking into a spotlight or something.”

Kaida snickers, clearly enjoying every second of this. “You might as well be. Come on, just own it!”

Before I can respond, my eyes land on a figure standing near the fountain, and everything else seems to fade away.

There he is—Lorien, waiting with that calm, steady posture of his that always seems so effortless. Except now, he’s wearing a tailored jacket in dark green with subtle gold embroidery at the cuffs, paired with a shirt that’s just loose enough to look casual yet polished. His hair is combed back slightly, neater than usual but still with that relaxed charm that fits him so well.

And then his eyes find me.

For a moment, he just stares, his expression softening as his gaze sweeps over me. There’s something in the way he looks at me—something unspoken but undeniably real—that makes my breath catch.

Shade hums softly in my mind, his tone light. “Oh, he’s definitely blown away.”

Kaida leans in close, whispering just loud enough for me to hear. “Told you so.”

I swallow hard, trying to steady myself as Lorien starts walking toward me. Alright, Artemis, just breathe.

“Wow.”

Lorien’s voice is quiet, but the way he says it—like the word just slipped out without him even realizing—makes my cheeks burn.

He stops a few steps away, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, it feels like the whole world has gone silent. I shift slightly,
suddenly hyperaware of how the dress fits, how my hair falls around my shoulders, and how his gaze lingers like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“You…” He clears his throat slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You look… incredible, Artemis.”

Kaida, of course, can’t resist chiming in from behind me. “I know, right? Doesn’t she look amazing?”

I glare at her, though it’s hard to stay annoyed when Lorien is still looking at me like that. “Thanks,” I mumble, trying to keep my voice steady as I glance down, smoothing my dress unnecessarily.

“You’re nervous,” he says softly, stepping just a little closer, his expression calm but warm.

I shrug, meeting his gaze again. “Maybe a little.”

He chuckles softly, his voice low and reassuring. “Don’t be. You’re perfect.”

Shade’s voice hums faintly in my mind, his tone amused. “Oh, that’s a line. And a good one. You’re in trouble now, Artemis.”

“Quiet, Shade,” I think, though my heart is racing so fast I can barely focus.

Kaida claps her hands suddenly, breaking the moment. “Alright, lovebirds, let’s get this night started! Veyron and I have been waiting.”

Lorien chuckles again, holding out his arm to me. “Shall we?”

I hesitate for only a moment before looping my arm through his, feeling the steadiness of his presence wash over me. “Let’s,” I say, managing a small smile as we follow Kaida and Veyron into the glowing warmth of the courtyard.

As Lorien and I walk toward the table Kaida and Veyron have claimed, the soft glow of the lanterns seems almost surreal. The gentle hum of music mingles with the murmur of voices around us, but it all feels distant. My focus is on the steady warmth of Lorien’s arm beneath my hand, the easy strength of his presence grounding me.

Kaida is already chatting away, her energy practically buzzing as she leans toward Veyron, who looks half amused and half resigned. The table they’ve chosen is near the fountain, the water casting faint ripples of light onto the cobblestone.

Lorien pulls out a chair for me, his movements calm and deliberate, and I sink into it with a quiet “Thanks.”

He takes the seat next to me, his usual composure intact, though I catch him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. The faint smile on his lips doesn’t waver, and I find myself relaxing—just a little.

Kaida leans across the table, grinning. “Alright, so, what’s the plan? Drinks first? Food? Or do we just dive into the fun?”

“Do I even want to know what you mean by ‘fun’?” I ask dryly, earning a laugh from Veyron.

“She’s harmless,” he says, though his smirk suggests otherwise.

Kaida waves him off. “Relax, I just meant enjoying the night! You know, like normal people do.”

Lorien chuckles, resting his hand casually on the table. “Whatever she’s got planned, I’m sure we’ll manage.”

I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “That’s very optimistic of you.”

“Just trying to match your energy,” he replies smoothly, his smile softening as his eyes meet mine.

Kaida claps her hands, clearly enjoying herself. “Alright, let’s order something fancy. Tonight is all about making memories!”

As the server approaches, I let out a small breath, trying to let the moment settle around me.

I glance across the table and notice Veyron shifting in his seat, looking a little more fidgety than usual. His usual confidence seems a bit… off. It doesn’t take long to figure out why.

Kaida, completely at ease, is leaning in close to him, her outfit leaving little to the imagination while still managing to be undeniably elegant. Her carefree smile and lack of any hesitation are probably doing nothing to help his nerves.

Veyron clears his throat, his gaze darting anywhere but directly at her. “So, uh… nice place, huh?” he says, trying to sound casual, though his voice comes out just a little too tight.

Kaida doesn’t miss a beat, resting her chin on her hand as she grins at him. “Very nice. Great pick, don’t you think, Veyron?”

He blinks, his smirk faltering for a split second before he recovers. “Yeah. Sure. Great pick.”

I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at the exchange, glancing at Lorien, who leans in slightly and murmurs under his breath, “He’s in trouble.”

A faint smile tugs at my lips. “I don’t think she’s giving him much of a choice.”

“Wouldn’t be Kaida if she did,” Lorien replies, his voice calm but amused.

Kaida seems completely oblivious—or maybe just completely in control—as she leans back, crossing her legs and still watching Veyron with that mischievous glint in her eye. “Relax, Veyron,” she says, her tone teasing but not unkind. “You look like you’re about to fall off your chair.”

“Who, me?” he replies, trying to sound smooth, though his hands fidget slightly on the table. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Uh-huh,” Kaida says, clearly enjoying herself as she sips from her glass.

Shade may be quiet, but I can practically feel his smug amusement in the back of my mind. Poor Veyron, I think, though I have to admit it’s a little entertaining watching Kaida throw him so off balance.

Kaida takes another sip from her glass, still grinning as Veyron fumbles to regain his composure. She tilts her head slightly, her expression playful but sharp, like a cat toying with its prey.

“So, Veyron,” she says, dragging out his name. “Any ideas on how we should start this evening? Or are you too busy trying not to trip over your words?”

Veyron exhales, leaning back in his chair and attempting to mask his nerves with a smirk. “Oh, I’ve got ideas,” he says, though his voice is just a touch too tight to sell it fully. “Plenty of them. But, you know, I didn’t want to overshadow whatever brilliant plans you had.”

Kaida’s grin widens. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got plans. But I wanted to give you a chance to contribute. Team effort, and all that.”

Veyron glances at me and Lorien for backup, his eyebrow twitching like he’s silently begging for someone to change the subject. Lorien, of course, is no help—he’s just watching the exchange with quiet amusement, one hand resting casually on the table as if this is all perfectly normal.

“I think he’s doing fine,” Lorien says smoothly, earning a sharp glare from Veyron.

“Fine isn’t exactly inspiring,” Kaida teases, leaning a little closer to Veyron. “Come on, you’re the rogue here. You’re supposed to be good at thinking on your feet.”

Veyron narrows his eyes at her, though the faint flush creeping up his neck ruins the effect. “Careful, Kaida. You might get more than you bargained for.”

Kaida laughs, the sound bright and carefree. “I’ll take my chances.”

I glance across the table at Lorien, sitting right across from me, and his smile… it’s like it’s just for me. Calm, warm, and completely steady. For a moment, I forget to breathe, my eyes lingering on the way his expression softens as he looks at me.

I’m staring, I realize, my cheeks heating as I quickly look down at the table.

“Um… what are you guys ordering?” I ask, my voice coming out faster than I intended.

Kaida raises an eyebrow, clearly catching my flustered tone, but thankfully, she doesn’t pounce on it. Yet. “I’m thinking something extravagant,” she says, scanning the menu dramatically. “Maybe the roasted pheasant. Or… ooooh, the honey-glazed boar!”

“Go figure,” Veyron mutters, rolling his eyes. “Leave it to you to go for the most expensive thing on the menu.”

Kaida smirks, tapping her menu with a finger. “If I’m going to have the perfect night, I’m going all in. What about you, Artemis?”

I glance at the menu, though the words feel like a blur after catching Lorien’s gaze again. He’s watching me, his smile smaller now but still steady, like he’s enjoying the fact that I’m flustered.

“I, uh…” I fumble with the menu, pretending to study it. “Probably something simple. Soup. Or… something.”

“Soup?” Kaida repeats, her tone practically dripping with mockery. “Artemis, come on. Live a little.”

“She can order whatever she wants,” Lorien says smoothly, his voice calm but firm as he glances at Kaida. “It’s her night, too.”

Kaida leans back, smirking. “Fine. But I’m just saying, she’s missing out.”

I manage to look up at Lorien again, my lips quirking into a small, grateful smile. He nods slightly, his own expression calm, but there’s a flicker of something more in his eyes—something that makes my heart beat just a little faster.

“We are definitely getting wine,” Kaida declares, slapping the menu down with finality.

“Um, Kaida,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “We are very much all underage.”

“I’m not,” Veyron chimes in, smirking as he leans back in his chair.

Kaida waves me off. “Oh, please, Artemis. I highly doubt they care about that here. They’re definitely not ID-checking in medieval video game land. This isn’t a convenience store back home.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples. “That doesn’t make it less weird.”

“What’s weird,” Kaida says, grinning, “is that you’ve never even had a drink. This is the perfect time to live a little!”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, glancing at Kaida. “And let me guess—you’re an expert on wine now?”

“Of course I am,” she says without missing a beat. “I’ve watched plenty of historical dramas. I know what I’m doing.”

Lorien chuckles softly from across the table, his calm voice breaking through Kaida’s enthusiasm. “You’re not going to give us a choice in this, are you?”

“Nope,” Kaida says, looking far too pleased with herself.

I groan, glancing at the menu again. “Fine. But if this ends with me choking on whatever you pick, it’s on you.”

Shade hums in the back of my mind, his tone dripping with amusement. “Oh, this is going to be very interesting. I can’t wait to see how this goes.”

“Neither can I,” I think sarcastically.

Maybe it’ll help me stay calm, at the very least, I think, trying to rationalize Kaida’s insistence as the waitress arrives at our table.

She’s a friendly-looking woman with a tired but warm smile, her apron slightly frayed around the edges. “Good evening. What can I get started for you?”

Kaida immediately lights up, gesturing toward the menu with dramatic flair. “We’ll have a bottle of your finest wine to start. And the roasted pheasant. Oh, and the honey-glazed boar.”

The waitress blinks, jotting it all down with a small, amused smirk before glancing at the rest of us. “Anything else?”

Veyron clears his throat, his smirk reappearing. “I’ll take the venison stew. And another glass for the wine, of course.”

“Make that two,” Lorien adds calmly, his eyes flicking toward me with a faint, reassuring smile.

I hesitate, feeling all their eyes on me. “Uh… just the vegetable soup. And, I guess, a glass for the wine too,” I mutter, trying not to sound as awkward as I feel.

Kaida grins like she’s just won something. “Perfect!”

The waitress nods, tucking the small notepad into her apron. “I’ll bring the wine right out,” she says before walking off.

I exhale slowly, leaning back in my chair. This is fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.

Kaida leans over, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

I glare at her, though it lacks any real bite. “You’re impossible.”

Lorien chuckles softly, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “Relax. You’ll survive this.”

I glance at him, his steady gaze easing some of my nerves. “Easy for you to say,” I mutter, though his calm presence helps more than I’d care to admit.

No complaining, I tell myself, taking a deep breath. I can do that. Just like she wants…

But as I glance around the softly lit courtyard, with its lanterns casting a warm glow and the gentle sound of the fountain in the background, I can’t help but feel the weight of how intentionally romantic this all is.

Of course, Kaida and Lorien made it this way, I think, glancing at her smug grin as she teases Veyron. But then my mind catches on something. Wait—Kaida was with me all day, which means…

I steal a glance at Lorien, who’s sitting there perfectly composed, his expression calm and thoughtful as his fingers rest lightly on the edge of his glass. He picked this place, I realize, my stomach doing an unhelpful little flip.

It’s such a Lorien thing to do—quietly taking charge of something, making sure it’s perfect, and never drawing attention to himself. I glance at him again, but he doesn’t seem to notice, his gaze now focused on the fountain.

Kaida’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Isn’t this place just perfect?” she says, gesturing around with a satisfied grin. “Such a great pick, right?”

“Yeah, it’s… nice,” I mutter, hoping to sound casual.

Kaida narrows her eyes at me, smirking. “Don’t ‘nice’ me, Artemis. You know you love it.”

Lorien’s gaze shifts back to me, and he catches my eye. There’s a faint smile on his face, subtle but warm, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

“Do you?” he asks softly, his voice calm.

I blink, trying to will my face not to heat up. “Yeah,” I say quietly, glancing down at the table. “It’s perfect.”

The smile on his face doesn’t waver, and something about it makes my chest tighten. Of course he picked this place, I think again, my nerves buzzing as I sip from the glass of water in front of me.

I focus on the glass in my hand, trying to steady my breathing as I swirl the water absentmindedly. The faint clinking of the fountain and Kaida’s cheerful chatter with Veyron drift around me, but my attention keeps flickering back to Lorien.

I glance up just in time to see him still watching me, his gaze steady but soft. The way he looks at me feels… different. Not like the teasing glances Kaida throws at Veyron or the amused smirks Veyron shoots back at her. Lorien’s gaze holds something quieter, something sure.

I clear my throat, breaking the moment. “So,” I say, addressing the table in general, “are we, uh… actually planning to do anything tomorrow, or is this entire week just going to be Kaida’s version of a vacation?”

Kaida gasps dramatically, clutching her chest like I’ve insulted her. “Excuse me! I think I’ve earned a little relaxation, thank you very much. Besides, tonight is a break. Tomorrow, we can go back to fighting monsters and saving the world or whatever.”

“Or whatever,” Veyron mutters under his breath, smirking.

Kaida nudges him with her elbow. “Don’t act like you’re not enjoying this! Admit it, you love being dragged around by me.”

He rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of a smile on his lips. “Sure, Kaida. Whatever you say.”

Lorien chuckles softly beside me, and I glance at him again. He leans back in his chair, his calm presence grounding me even in the midst of Kaida’s antics. “What about you?” he asks, his voice low, meant just for me. “Are you actually enjoying this? Or just surviving it?”

I hesitate, my fingers tightening slightly around my glass. “I… don’t know yet,” I admit honestly. “But it’s not as bad as I thought it’d be.”

His smile softens, and for a moment, it feels like the rest of the world fades away again. “That’s a start,” he says simply, his tone carrying that quiet reassurance that somehow makes everything feel just a little easier.

Before I can say anything else, the waitress returns with the wine and begins pouring glasses, breaking the spell. Kaida claps her hands together, her excitement practically radiating from her. “Alright! Time to toast to an amazing night!”

“To Kaida, I guess,” I mutter, raising my glass half-heartedly as Kaida beams like she’s just won the lottery.

“To me!” Kaida declares, raising her own glass high with absolutely no shame. “For being the mastermind behind this perfect evening!”

Veyron groans, though his smirk betrays his amusement. “Yeah, sure, to you, Kaida. Let’s all pretend this wasn’t just an elaborate excuse for you to drag me around.”

“Oh, hush,” she says, waving him off as if his words were a compliment. “You’re lucky to have me keeping things interesting. Admit it.”

He rolls his eyes but clinks his glass against hers anyway. “To Kaida. For being… Kaida.”

Kaida grins, clearly satisfied. “See? I knew you’d come around.”

I glance at Lorien, who raises his glass with a small, knowing smile. “To Kaida,” he says quietly, his tone laced with gentle humor.

I shake my head, my lips quirking into a faint smile as I clink my glass against his. “To Kaida,” I echo reluctantly, earning a victorious laugh from her.

We all take a sip, the wine surprisingly smooth and warm as it slides down. Kaida leans back in her chair, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. “See? This is exactly what we needed. Good food, good wine, and good company.”

I roll my eyes but don’t argue. She might actually be right about this one.

“Alright, now that we’ve all agreed the wine is amazing,” Kaida says, leaning forward with a mischievous grin, “what’s next? Stories? Games? Or should we just keep the compliments coming my way?”

“Let’s not,” I mutter, though I can already see the glint of mischief in her eyes.

Though I’d love to put all the blame on Kaida for tonight’s theatrics, I can’t ignore the fact that Lorien went along with all of it. Not just went along—he had a hand in it. I still can’t believe Veyron figured that out before I did.

And then there’s that surprise Kaida teased earlier. I glance at her as she practically sparkles with smug excitement, her grin so wide I can feel it radiating from across the table. What is she hiding?

I sigh quietly, taking another sip of the wine. It’s good—dangerously good. Warm, smooth, and just sweet enough to keep me coming back for more.

Either way, if I keep drinking this, I’ll be at least a little tipsy, I think, swirling the glass absently.

Lorien catches my eye again, his calm gaze steady as he takes another sip of his own wine. He doesn’t say anything, but there’s something about the way he looks at me—soft, patient, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. It makes my chest tighten in a way I can’t quite explain.

Of course, Kaida interrupts the moment. “Alright, people, no more sitting around quietly!” she declares, clapping her hands and practically bouncing in her chair. “The night is young, and we’ve got plans!”

“What kind of plans?” I ask cautiously, narrowing my eyes at her.

Kaida grins, leaning back in her chair like she’s holding onto the world’s biggest secret. “Oh, you’ll see.”

I glance at Lorien, hoping for some kind of clue, but he just shrugs, his faint smile giving nothing away.

Great, I think, already bracing myself. This is going to be a long night.

“Story time!” Kaida announces, clapping her hands together like this is some grand, official event. “Veyron, you can go first.”

Veyron leans back in his chair, raising an eyebrow at her. “Oh, I can, can I?”

Kaida smirks, swirling her glass of wine. “Yep. Let’s hear something juicy, something exciting. You’ve got plenty of stories, Mr. Rogue. Don’t tell me you’re going to choke under the pressure.”

Veyron snorts, his smirk growing. “Please. I don’t choke. Fine, you want a story? Let me think…”

He takes a long sip of his wine, clearly stalling just to annoy Kaida, who narrows her eyes at him. “Any day now, Veyron,” she says, though her grin never fades.

“Alright, alright,” he says, setting his glass down. “Here’s one. Back in the real world, before all this… chaos, I had this job—IT stuff. Nothing glamorous, but it paid the bills. Anyway, this one time, I was called out to fix some rich guy’s network at his big fancy house.”

Kaida leans forward, clearly intrigued. “Go on.”

“Well,” Veyron continues, his smirk deepening, “while I’m there fixing his router, this guy’s wife comes in—dressed to kill, dripping in jewelry—and starts flirting with me. ”

Kaida gasps dramatically, her grin widening. What did you do?”

“I tried to ignore it at first,” Veyron says, his tone casual. “But she just kept pushing. Compliments, lingering touches, the whole works. Then, the guy—her husband—walks back in.”

“Oh no,” I mutter, already seeing where this is going.

“Oh yes,” Veyron says, grinning now. “And let me tell you, the look on his face when he saw her leaning over me? Priceless. He didn’t even yell—just gave me this look, like he was deciding whether to throw me out or thank me for exposing her.”

Kaida bursts out laughing. “What happened next?”

“I finished the job, got paid, and left as fast as I could,” Veyron says, shrugging. “Not my business to get caught in someone else’s mess.”

Kaida shakes her head, still laughing. “That’s wild. And here I thought your exciting stories would all be about stealing stuff.”

Veyron smirks, raising his glass. “That’s another category entirely. Your turn next, Kaida. Let’s see if you can top that.”

Kaida grins, leaning back in her chair. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got plenty of stories up my sleeve.”

I glance at Lorien, who meets my gaze with a small smile. “What about you?” he asks softly. “Got a story in mind for when it’s your turn?”

I shrug, sipping my wine. “I’m hoping I don’t have to go.”

Lorien chuckles, his smile warm. “Good luck with that.”

Kaida sits up straighter, practically glowing with excitement as she launches into her turn. “Alright, alright. My story tops yours, Veyron. No offense, but IT drama just doesn’t cut it for me.”

“None taken,” Veyron says dryly, smirking into his glass. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Kaida leans forward, her voice lowering conspiratorially, though we can all hear her perfectly. “Back in the real world, I worked this q retail job. Total soul-sucker. Well, one day, this Karen walks in, ready to raise hell over something ridiculous, like a discount she didn’t qualify for.”

Lorien chuckles softly, and I’m already bracing myself for whatever chaos Kaida is about to describe.

“So, she’s yelling, making a scene,” Kaida continues, gesturing dramatically with her hands. “And my manager—who’s this spineless little weasel—decides to throw me under the bus. Says it’s my fault. Naturally.”

Kaida grins mischievously. “So, I decided to turn on the charm. I apologized so sweetly, Karen didn’t even see it coming. Then, while she was distracted ranting at my manager, I rang up a fake discount on her order—five cents off. Just enough to print her a receipt saying she got a discount.”

Veyron snorts. “Let me guess. She bought it.”

Kaida laughs, nodding. “She was thrilled. Walked out of the store smug as hell, waving that receipt around like she’d won a war. And my manager? He had no idea what just happened. Spent the rest of the day thinking I’d performed some kind of retail miracle.”

I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “That’s… actually impressive.”

“Thank you!” Kaida says, bowing dramatically in her chair. “And that’s why you should never underestimate me.”

Kaida beams, leaning back with a satisfied expression. “Alright, Artemis. Your turn.”

I stiffen, my eyes widening. “Wait—what? No, I don’t—”

“Nope,” Kaida interrupts, grinning wickedly. “Everyone shares. No exceptions. Come on, I know you’ve got a story!”

I glance at Lorien for help, but he just gives me an encouraging smile. “You’ll do fine,” he says softly, his calm voice making it harder to say no.

“Okay,” I mutter, resigning myself to the inevitable. “Fine, but don’t expect anything crazy. My life wasn’t exactly exciting before… all this.”

Kaida leans forward, resting her chin on her hands. “Oh, please. Everyone has at least one good story. Spill it!”

I roll my eyes, taking a sip of wine for courage before setting the glass down. “Alright, so… back in college, I worked part-time at this diner. It wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills, and most of the time, it was pretty quiet. Except for this one night.”

Lorien’s brow arches slightly, his calm gaze focused on me.

“So, it’s late—almost closing time—and this guy walks in,” I continue. “He’s clearly had way too much to drink. He sits at the counter, orders a coffee, and then starts ranting about how he’s ‘too good’ to get dumped.”

Veyron smirks. “Sounds like a charmer.”

“Oh, he was,” I say dryly, nodding. “Anyway, I’m trying to stay professional, you know? Just nodding along, pouring his coffee, hoping he leaves without breaking something. But then he pulls out his phone and starts singing.”

Kaida’s eyes widen. “No way.”

“Yep,” I say, sighing. “Turns out, he wasn’t just drunk—he was heartbroken. His girlfriend dumped him earlier that night, and he decided to serenade the entire diner with her ‘favorite song.’”

“What song was it?” Kaida asks eagerly, grinning.

I hesitate, rubbing the back of my neck. “Uh… ‘My Heart Will Go On.’”

There’s a moment of silence before Kaida bursts into laughter, nearly spilling her wine. Veyron snorts, shaking his head, while even Lorien’s lips quirk into an amused smile.

“And he was awful,” I add, groaning at the memory. “Completely off-key, and so loud I thought he was going to wake up half the neighborhood.”

Kaida wipes a tear from her eye, still laughing. “What did you do?”

“I let him finish the song,” I admit reluctantly. “And then I called him a cab and sent him home. He tipped me twenty bucks, though, so… worth it, I guess.”

Lorien chuckles softly. “You handled it well.”

“Barely,” I mutter, shaking my head. “And that’s about as exciting as my pre-game life got.”

Kaida raises her glass, still grinning. “To drunk serenades and twenty-dollar tips!”

I roll my eyes but clink my glass against hers. At least it got a laugh out of them.

Not the most interesting story I have, I think as I take another sip of wine, but I’m not sharing the others. Too depressing.

I set my glass down and look over at Lorien. “Okay, Lorien, your turn. What’ve you got?”

He leans back slightly, his usual calm composure still firmly in place. After a brief pause, he says, “I may have… started a fire on accident while trying to fix some stage lights in high school. During a talent show.”

Kaida nearly spits out her wine, her eyes going wide as she bursts into laughter. “Wait, you? Mister Cool, Calm, and Collected Lorien? You started a fire?!”

Veyron smirks, leaning his elbow on the table. “Now this I’ve got to hear.”

Lorien gives a small shrug, his expression faintly amused. “We were setting up for the show, and the lighting rig was acting up. Someone handed me the wrong wiring to fix it, and I thought, ‘How hard can it be?’ Turns out, harder than I expected.”

“Oh no,” I mutter, wincing as I picture the scene.

“It was going fine for about five seconds,” Lorien continues, his voice steady and unbothered. “Then one of the wires sparked, and, well… one of the curtains caught fire.”

Kaida’s jaw drops. “The curtain?”

“Yeah,” Lorien admits, chuckling softly. “It wasn’t a huge fire—someone put it out before it spread too far. But the teacher was furious, the talent show got delayed, and I had to sit through a very long lecture about safety.”

Kaida claps her hands together, still laughing. “I cannot believe this. Lorien, of all people, accidentally starting a fire during a high school talent show? This is gold!”

“It wasn’t my finest moment,” he says, his tone light but with a faint flush creeping up his neck.

“Did the show go on?” Veyron asks, smirking.

“Eventually,” Lorien replies. “Though I was banned from going near the stage for a long time.”

Kaida leans over the table, grinning. “You, Lorien, are full of surprises.”

I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “That’s… not what I expected from you.”

He shrugs, his calm smile returning. “No one’s perfect.”

Kaida raises her glass dramatically. “To Lorien—who may be a closet pyromaniac!”

“Let’s not encourage that,” I mutter, though I can’t help but smile. It’s nice to know he’s had his share of chaos, too.

“Maybe your Mr. Perfect is more like you than you realized,” Shade says, his voice slipping into my thoughts smoothly.

“I almost forgot you were here,” I reply, my tone dry as I swirl my wine.

“Don’t worry,” he says, his voice teasing but light. “I’ll let you enjoy the night.”

I glance over at Lorien, who’s now listening to Veyron recount another sarcastic remark aimed at Kaida. His calm, steady demeanor is back, but I can still picture him panicking over stage lights sparking a fire.

I shake my head slightly, trying to focus back on the present, but Shade’s words linger in my mind. Maybe he’s not as perfect as I thought. Maybe… that’s a good thing.

“Okay, time for the next part!” Kaida announces, her grin widening mischievously. “Truth or dare!”

I blink at her, almost choking on my sip of wine. “Kaida, that’s not exactly something you do when you’re in public. Or at a fancy restaurant.”

She waves me off like I’m the unreasonable one. “Fine, fine. Then… truth or truth.”

I groan, setting my glass down. “Isn’t that just you forcing us into your chaos without any way out?”

“Exactly!” she says cheerfully. “Come on, it’s going to be fun. We’re all getting to know each other better, aren’t we?”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “This feels like a trap.”

Kaida smirks at him. “It’s only a trap if you have something to hide.”

“Oh, he definitely does,” I mutter, earning a mock glare from Veyron.

Lorien chuckles beside me, his voice calm. “Let her have her fun. It’s easier that way.”

Kaida claps her hands together, clearly delighted. “Alright, I’ll start! Artemis—truth or truth?”

I glare at her. “Do I even have a choice?”

“Nope,” she says, leaning forward eagerly. “So spill—what’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done since we got stuck in this world?”

I freeze, my face instantly heating. “Kaida!”

“What?” she says innocently, though her grin betrays her. “Come on, it’s just a little truth!”

Oh, this is going to be a long night, I think, groaning as I try to think of an answer that won’t completely destroy me.

“Come on,” Kaida teases, her grin far too smug as she leans in. “I know you know exactly what the most embarrassing thing is. And don’t even think about picking something else—that’s cheating.”

I groan, sinking back in my chair. “You suck, Kaida.”

She gasps dramatically. “Wow, such language! Just tell the truth, Artemis. It can’t be that bad.”

Oh, it can be. It really can be. My mind immediately flashes to the party menu mishaps, and I feel my face heat up. There’s the time Shade helpfully pointed out Lorien probably saw me when I was, uh… figuring myself out in this body for the first time. But worse—so much worse—was that moment.

I can still feel the coolness of the bathroom wall behind me as I’d leaned back, desperately trying to clear the memory from my mind. The glowing screen of the party menu. Lorien. Missing his lower gear. My face had burned hotter than the sun as I’d fumbled to close the screen, Shade’s laughter echoing in my head.

My heart thuds just thinking about it. There’s no way I’m saying this out loud. No way.

Kaida raises an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re taking too long. That means it’s really good.”

I shake my head furiously. “I—I can’t say it.”

“Oh, yes you can,” she insists, resting her chin on her hands. “And you will.”

Lorien glances at me, his calm gaze suddenly curious. “You don’t have to if it’s too personal,” he says softly, though the slight tilt of his head makes me think he’s wondering what could possibly have me this flustered.

Shade, of course, isn’t helping. “Oh, you should absolutely tell them. It’s hilarious. They’ll love it.”

“Shut up,” I think furiously, gripping my glass like it’s a lifeline.

Kaida leans in even closer, her grin turning downright devious. “Come on, Artemis. You can’t leave us hanging!”

I swallow hard, feeling like the ground might swallow me whole. Do I really have to say this?

I sigh deeply, my face burning as I stare at the table. There’s no way out of this, is there?

“Um…” I start, fidgeting with my glass. “I was stressed one night. You know, about Shade, and… whether or not you guys would find out about him.”

Kaida’s grin widens, clearly sensing where this is going. “Go on…”

I take another deep breath, avoiding eye contact with everyone. “So, I happened to open the party menu, just… messing with it to distract myself. And, uh… it updates. To show what’s being worn.”

There’s a moment of silence as the words hang in the air.

Kaida blinks, her expression shifting to confusion. “What’s being…? Oh.”

Her face lights up with realization, and she gasps so dramatically I want to crawl under the table. “Wait. Wait! Are you saying you—?!”

“Yes!” I blurt, burying my face in my hands. “Yes, I accidentally saw something I shouldn’t have, okay?! And it wasn’t my fault! The menu shouldn’t even have that feature!”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, his smirk growing as he leans forward. “Wait, what exactly did you see? Be specific.”

“Don’t,” I hiss, glaring at him from behind my hands.

Kaida is laughing so hard she nearly falls out of her chair. “Oh my god! You accidentally—what, was it Lorien?!”

I freeze, my silence apparently all the confirmation she needs. Her laughter somehow gets louder.

“Oh, this is golden!” she says, clutching her sides. “Lorien, she accidentally peeked at your gear!”

Lorien, to his credit, doesn’t laugh. But his calm demeanor cracks ever so slightly—his face flushes just the faintest bit, and his hand goes to his glass as he takes a slow sip.

“That’s… unexpected,” he says, his voice quiet but steady.

“I’m going to die,” I mutter under my breath, slumping further into my chair.

Kaida wipes away a tear, still grinning. “Artemis, I love you so much for this. This is the best thing I’ve ever heard.”

Shade hums in my mind, his voice smug. “Told you it’d be a hit. But hey, don’t worry—Lorien doesn’t seem mad. Maybe he’s even flattered.”

“Not. Helping,” I think furiously, though I catch Lorien glancing at me with a faint smile that only makes my face burn hotter.

“Wait a minute,” Veyron says, leaning forward with a grin so smug it should be illegal. “If we don’t need to go to the bathroom in this world, what possible reason could you have to be, well… you know… naked?”

I freeze, my face burning so hot I’m surprised I haven’t burst into flames. “Veyron!” I hiss, glaring at him as Kaida practically doubles over with laughter again.

“This is the worst moment of my life,” I mutter under my breath, sinking into my chair as far as I can without falling out of it.

Veyron looks like he’s having the time of his life, smirking as he shrugs. “Hey, I’m just saying, it’s a fair question.”

Kaida gasps between fits of laughter. “He’s got a point, Artemis. What were you doing, Lorien?”

Lorien, ever the steady one, takes another slow sip of wine, his calm expression only slightly betrayed by the faint flush still on his face. “I was… changing gear,” he says simply, his voice even.

Kaida immediately erupts into another fit of laughter, while Veyron claps his hands together like this is the best entertainment he’s ever witnessed. “Oh, that’s rich.”

“Can we please move on?!” I blurt, my voice higher-pitched than I’d like as I bury my face in my hands.

Kaida wipes a tear from her eye, her grin still wide. “Oh no, we’re never letting this go. This is pure gold, Artemis.”

Shade, of course, decides now is the perfect time to chime in. “You really have a knack for memorable moments, don’t you?”

“Shut up,” I think furiously, my embarrassment at an all-time high.

Lorien, thankfully, comes to my rescue—sort of. “Alright, I think we’ve suffered enough,” he says calmly, glancing at the others. “Let’s move on.”

Kaida sighs dramatically but relents. “Fine. But this isn’t over. I’m bringing this up every chance I get.”

Veyron smirks. “Yeah, no way we’re letting this go.”

I groan, wishing the floor would swallow me whole. This really is the worst moment of my life.

“Alright, truth or truth, Lorien,” Kaida says, her grin mischievous and her eyes practically sparkling. “Same question—most embarrassing moment in this place.”

I stiffen immediately, my grip tightening on my glass as my heart starts to race. Oh god, please don’t say it. Please don’t say you saw me when I was naked in the menu like I think you did.

Lorien glances at Kaida, his expression as calm and steady as ever, though I catch the faintest twitch of his lips as if he’s carefully considering his answer.

“Well,” he begins, his voice even, “there was a moment during one of our earlier fights when I miscalculated a jump and ended up crashing into a tree. It wasn’t my best moment.”

Kaida tilts her head, clearly unimpressed. “That’s it? A tree? Come on, you can do better than that!”

“I’ll stick with the tree,” Lorien replies, his tone calm, though a faint, knowing smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

Kaida groans dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. “If Artemis can say what she said, you can tell the truth! Come on, I’m not letting it gooo!”

I groan internally, every muscle in my body tense. Kaida, stop pushing!

Lorien glances at me, giving a faint smile that sends my heart racing all over again.

“Oh, so it’s about Artemis,” Kaida says, her grin turning absolutely wicked.

I freeze, my face heating instantly. “Kaida, no.”

Kaida leans forward, her elbows on the table, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on, Lorien. You’re being way too careful. If you’re not spilling, that means whatever it is has to do with her.”

Lorien chuckles softly, his calm demeanor unshaken. “Not everything has to be shared, Kaida.”

“That’s not a denial,” Veyron chimes in, smirking as he leans back in his chair. “Pretty suspicious, if you ask me.”

I groan, sinking further into my chair as I clutch my glass like it’s a shield. This is officially the worst night of my life.

Kaida claps her hands together, her grin practically splitting her face. “Alright, Lorien, new question—what’s the most awkward thing you’ve seen Artemis do since we got here?”

Lorien glances at me again, his faint smile still in place. For a moment, I swear I see a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but when he answers, his voice is steady and diplomatic. “I think we’ve embarrassed Artemis enough for one night.”

Kaida groans dramatically. “You’re no fun!”

“I think he’s fun,” I mutter under my breath, glaring at Kaida as I try to will the ground to swallow me whole.

Shade hums in the back of my mind. “That smile says it all. He knows, and he’s definitely not letting this go.”

Great, I think bitterly. This is my life now.

“Kaida, your turn. Most embarrassing. Come on, go,” I say, desperate to deflect the attention away from me and onto her for once.

Kaida doesn’t even hesitate. Her smirk widens, far too proud for my liking, as she leans forward. “Oh, that’s easy. Walking in on you and Lorien.”

I freeze instantly, feeling every ounce of blood in my body rush to my face. “Kaida!”

“What?” she says innocently, though her grin is anything but. “You said I had to share my most embarrassing moment. And believe me, that was very high on the list. I mean, I wasn’t expecting to walk in and see clothes everywhere and the two of you—”

“Stop talking!” I blurt, my voice a little too loud as I glance at Lorien, who is suddenly very focused on the table in front of him.

Kaida bursts into laughter, waving me off. “Oh, come on, Artemis! It’s not like it’s a secret anymore. And, let’s be honest, you’re probably more embarrassed than I was!”

“Probably?” Veyron chimes in, smirking. “I’d say definitely.”

“This is not a conversation we’re having,” I hiss, my hands gripping the edges of the table as if I could somehow sink into it.

Kaida leans back in her chair, her laughter finally dying down, though her grin remains. “Fine, fine. But seriously, that moment? Burned into my brain forever.”

Shade hums in my mind, his tone smug. “She’s not wrong. That was a very memorable morning.”

“I hate you all,” I think, burying my face in my hands as Kaida continues to revel in her victory.

“Uh, how about you, Veyron?” Lorien says, his calm tone betraying just a hint of embarrassment as he shifts the focus to the rogue.

Veyron leans back in his chair, his smirk firmly in place. “Hmm, I haven’t done anything embarrassing,” he says with far too much confidence.

Kaida immediately perks up, her grin downright wicked. “Oh, you want me to share it, then?”

Veyron’s smirk falters just slightly, his eyes narrowing. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I would,” Kaida says, practically bouncing in her seat. “Go ahead, Veyron. Tell them.”

He sighs deeply, clearly debating whether to let her have the satisfaction of telling the story. “Fine,” he mutters. “When we were in the castle and Kaida came to talk in my room…” He hesitates, glancing at her like he’s hoping she’ll stop him. She doesn’t.

“I slipped,” he finishes flatly.

Kaida bursts out laughing, leaning forward on the table as if she’s been waiting for this moment her whole life. “Oh, no, no, you didn’t just slip, Veyron! You fell so hard you knocked over half the room!”

Veyron groans, rubbing the back of his neck. “It wasn’t half the room.”

“Oh, it was,” Kaida says, grinning. “He slipped on the edge of the rug, and suddenly it was like watching a domino effect—chairs falling, a table tipping over, papers flying everywhere. It was glorious.”

Lorien chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Sounds like quite the scene.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Veyron grumbles, though his faintly flushed face suggests otherwise.

“It was amazing,” Kaida says, still laughing. “Best part? He tried to act all cool about it afterward, like it didn’t just happen.”

Veyron glares at her, though there’s no real anger behind it. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

I can’t help but smile, the mental image of Veyron’s chaotic tumble playing in my head. “Well, at least you survived your epic battle with the rug.”

Kaida laughs even harder, and even Veyron eventually cracks a reluctant smile. “Alright, alright,” he says, holding up his hands in surrender. “Go ahead, laugh it up. I’ll get you back eventually.”

“Good luck with that,” Kaida says smugly. “I’m untouchable.”

Shade hums in the back of my mind. “I don’t know. I’d say this one’s pretty even.”

“For once, we agree,” I think, stifling a small laugh.

Before anyone can push the conversation further, the waitress returns, balancing several plates and a bottle of wine on her tray. The smell hits first—roasted pheasant, honey-glazed boar, and steaming bowls of soup—and my stomach growls in response.

“Finally!” Kaida exclaims, practically bouncing in her seat as the plates are set down. “I’m starving!”

The waitress smiles politely as she distributes the dishes. “Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else.”

I glance down at my soup, the rich aroma already making me feel better after the chaos of the conversation. Kaida, of course, immediately dives into her roasted pheasant, barely pausing to take a breath.

“This is amazing,” she says, her voice muffled by a mouthful of food.

Veyron rolls his eyes but starts on his venison stew, his smirk softening as he takes a bite. “Not bad,” he mutters, clearly impressed despite himself.

Lorien, ever calm and collected, cuts into his honey-glazed boar with precision, his movements smooth as always. He catches me watching and smiles faintly. “How’s the soup?”

I take a small sip, the warmth of the broth immediately soothing. “Pretty good, actually,” I admit, relaxing a little as the conversation finally steers into safer territory.

Kaida raises her glass dramatically. “To amazing food and a night of no monsters!”

“To not choking on your food,” Veyron quips, earning a glare from Kaida.

Shade hums in my mind, his tone amused. “See? This isn’t so bad after all.”

“It’s better with food,” I think I might survive this night after all.

End of chapter 35.