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 36 recap

“I think it’s time for the other thing, Kaida,” Lorien says calmly, his voice cutting through Kaida’s excited rambling about what game stall to try next.

Kaida freezes mid-step, spinning on her heel to face him. Her grin grows impossibly wider, and her eyes practically sparkle with mischief. “Oh, you mean that thing?”

I blink, frowning at both of them. “What thing? What are you talking about?”

Kaida waves a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it, Artemis. It’s a surprise.”

I groan, narrowing my eyes. “Kaida, the last time you said that, I ended up wearing—”

“Shh, shh!” she interrupts, placing a finger to her lips and grinning. “This is a good surprise, I promise.”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but skeptical. “And by ‘good,’ do you mean something that won’t embarrass everyone here?”

Kaida snorts. “Oh, come on. Where’s the fun in that?”

Lorien glances at me, his expression calm but carrying a faint smile. “Trust me. You’ll like this one.”

I sigh, hugging the stuffed tiger closer. Why do I feel like this is going to be more chaos?

Chapter 37.

Kaida claps her hands, practically bouncing in place. “Alright, let’s go! Time’s a-wastin’!”

Without giving me a chance to argue, she grabs my arm and starts dragging me along, Lorien and Veyron following close behind.

As we weave through the plaza, the lanterns overhead sway gently in the breeze, their golden light casting soft shadows on the cobblestones. The music and chatter of the festival fade slightly as Kaida leads us toward a quieter corner of the plaza.

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep up with her pace. “Seriously, what is this?”

Kaida glances back at me, her grin widening. “You’ll see!”

I glance at Lorien, who nods slightly, his calm presence somehow managing to reassure me despite the fact that I still have no idea what’s going on.

“This better be good,” Veyron mutters, his tone dripping with skepticism as he follows behind Kaida.

Another Lorien and Kaida surprise, I think, hugging the tiger closer. As if everything else tonight wasn’t already enough.

Kaida stops suddenly, spinning around with a dramatic flourish. “Oh, don’t be such a grump, Veyron! You’ll love this, I promise.”

We stop in front of what looks like an archway decorated with glowing strings of lanterns and flowers, the soft light casting a warm glow over the area. Beyond the arch is a small garden-like space, with a fountain bubbling quietly in the center and a few benches scattered around.

Kaida turns to us, throwing her arms out dramatically. “Ta-da! Welcome to the best part of the festival!”

I glance around, frowning slightly. “It’s… pretty. But what’s the catch?”

“No catch!” Kaida says, grinning. “This is where the lantern release happens.”

“Lantern release?” Veyron raises an eyebrow.

Kaida nods excitedly. “Yup! Everyone gets to light a lantern and set it free. It’s supposed to bring good luck or something. Plus, it’s super romantic!” She winks at me and Lorien, her grin turning mischievous.

I groan, already regretting agreeing to this night. Romantic. Of course.

Shade hums in my mind, his tone amused. “You’ve got to admit, it’s a fitting way to end the night. Maybe even magical.”

Magical? I think, glancing at the glowing archway and the quiet garden beyond. Maybe.

They definitely stole this from a movie, I think, staring at the glowing archway and the serene little garden. The lantern release, the soft lighting, the whole magical ambiance—it all screams something out of a cheesy romance flick.

Kaida claps her hands, completely oblivious to my internal critique. “Come on, this is going to be amazing! Look at it—it’s perfect!”

Veyron smirks, leaning against one of the posts holding up the arch. “Perfectly predictable. Let me guess, we all make a wish and then send our lanterns floating into the sky?”

Kaida narrows her eyes at him, still grinning. “You say it like it’s a bad thing. Maybe you could use a little magic in your life, rogue boy.”

He scoffs but doesn’t argue, his smirk lingering as he gazes at her.

Lorien glances at me, his calm expression carrying a flicker of amusement. “What do you think?”

I sigh, hugging the stuffed tiger closer. “I think someone’s been watching too many movies and decided to copy-paste the most romantic moment they could find into the festival.”

Kaida gasps dramatically, spinning toward me with her hands on her hips. “Artemis, how dare you! This is a timeless tradition.”

“Sure it is,” I mutter, though I can’t help but smile a little at her theatrics.

Lorien leans slightly closer, his voice low so only I can hear. “Even if it’s not original, it’s still kind of nice, isn’t it?”

I glance at him, his calm gaze making my chest tighten slightly. Damn him for always knowing exactly what to say.

“Maybe,” I admit quietly, my face heating as Kaida grabs my arm and starts dragging me toward the table where the lanterns are set up.

“Come on, Artemis!” she says, grinning. “Let’s make this a night to remember!”

“I guess you didn’t do the worst job tonight,” I mutter as Kaida drags me toward the lantern table, my tone just dry enough to let her know I’m not completely giving in.

Kaida glances back at me, her grin turning smug. “Don’t lie. You’ve enjoyed this.”

“I’m not lying,” I say quickly, though I can already feel the warmth creeping into my cheeks.

She narrows her eyes playfully, leaning closer. “Uh-huh. Sure you’re not. Because from where I’m standing, you’re smiling a lot more than usual.”

“I’m not smiling for real it’s a fake smile, I assumed it was required with the not complaining rule.” I retort, clutching the stuffed tiger a little tighter.

Kaida just laughs, clearly pleased with herself as we reach the table. It’s lined with small, delicate lanterns made of paper, each with a tiny candle resting inside. They’re simple but beautiful, with designs painted in soft colors along the sides.

The stall owner, a cheerful-looking man with an ink-stained apron, hands us brushes and jars of paint. “Feel free to decorate your lanterns before lighting them,” he says, gesturing toward the supplies.

Kaida grabs a lantern eagerly, her eyes sparkling. “This is going to be perfect.”

Veyron steps up behind her, raising an eyebrow. “Let me guess—you’re going to cover it in glitter or something equally ridiculous?”

Kaida smirks at him. “Maybe. And you’re going to help.”

Veyron groans but doesn’t argue, picking up a brush with exaggerated reluctance.

I glance at Lorien as he picks up a lantern, his calm movements as precise as ever. He looks at me, his faint smile soft. “Want to share one?”

My heart skips slightly at the question, but I nod, trying to keep my voice steady. “Sure.”

Kaida, of course, notices immediately. “Aww, look at you two! Sharing a lantern—how romantic!”

“Kaida,” I hiss, glaring at her.

She just laughs, waving me off. “You’re welcome.”

“They say if you put one in the sky together, you’ll be together forever,” Lorien says softly, his calm voice cutting through the chatter around us.

I freeze, the brush in my hand hovering over the lantern as his words sink in. My heart stumbles over itself, and I glance up at him quickly, trying to gauge if he’s serious or just teasing.

He looks back at me, his expression calm but sincere, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Or so the story goes,” he adds, his tone lighter but still warm.

Kaida, of course, hears this and practically squeals. “Oh, that’s so perfect! We have to send one up together now!”

Veyron groans from the other side of the table, dipping his brush into some paint. “Really? Forever? Who makes this stuff up?”

Kaida glares at him, holding her glitter-covered brush like a weapon. “People who believe in romance, Veyron. Maybe you should try it sometime.”

“I’ll pass,” he mutters, though his faint smirk gives him away.

I clear my throat, turning my attention back to the lantern in front of me, the delicate paper glowing faintly under the lantern light. My fingers brush against the edge of it as I pick up the brush again, my thoughts swirling.

“Together forever,” Shade murmurs in my mind, his tone amused but unusually soft. “Sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

“Not now,” I think quickly, though I can’t deny the warmth spreading through my chest.

Lorien’s hand moves steadily, painting small, intricate designs along the side of the lantern. He glances at me briefly, his voice low and calm. “It’s just a story, but… I wouldn’t mind if it were true.”

I look at him again, my chest tightening, and I manage a small, nervous smile. “Me neither.”

Lorien’s faint smile lingers as he returns his focus to the lantern, his brush moving in smooth, deliberate strokes. I watch him for a moment longer, my heart still racing from his words.

Together forever, I think, my fingers brushing the soft paper of the lantern as I begin adding my own designs. Small, simple patterns—swirls and shapes that don’t mean much but somehow feel right.

Across the table, Kaida is still teasing Veyron, though her voice feels far away as I focus on the lantern. “You know,” she says, her tone sing-song, “you could learn a thing or two from Lorien. That’s how you win a girl’s heart.”

Veyron smirks, leaning back in his chair as he dips his brush into the paint. “If what I’ve been doing wasn’t working, you wouldn’t be so into me,” he says, his tone dripping with playful confidence.

Kaida blinks, clearly caught off guard for a moment before narrowing her eyes at him. “Okay, maybe you got me there,” she mutters, before leaning in and kissing him quickly, her grin returning the moment she pulls back.

I glance up at them, raising an eyebrow. “Can you two focus for, like, five seconds?”

Kaida waves me off, clearly unbothered. “Oh, please. You and Lorien are practically oozing romance over there. Let me have my moment too!”

My face heats instantly, and I turn back to the lantern, refusing to respond as I hear Veyron chuckling softly.

Lorien leans slightly closer, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “You’re handling the teasing better than usual.”

I glance at him, my heart skipping slightly at the warmth in his gaze. “I’m doing my best,” I whisper back, managing a small smile.

His smile softens further, and his hand brushes mine briefly as we both continue working on the lantern. Maybe Kaida has a point, I think, my chest tightening as the weight of the moment settles around me. This night really is something special.

“Think he’ll propose?” Shade’s voice hums in my mind, dripping with amusement.

Shut up. Don’t ruin this, I think back, gritting my teeth slightly, though I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

Shade chuckles softly, retreating into the background again, but the thought lingers, making my heart race in a way that I’m not ready to unpack.

Lorien finishes adding another small detail to the lantern and sets his brush down, glancing at me with that calm, steady gaze. I take a deep breath, willing myself to push aside Shade’s teasing and focus on what’s in front of me.

“This was a nice night,” I say softly, my voice quieter than I intended. “Thank you.”

Lorien’s smile is faint but warm, his eyes meeting mine in that way that always makes everything else fade. “You’re welcome,” he says simply, his voice carrying the same steady warmth that’s been grounding me all evening.

I glance down at the lantern, now fully decorated with both of our designs. The soft light of the nearby lanterns reflects off the delicate patterns.

Kaida’s voice suddenly breaks the silence, loud and excited as ever. “Alright, time to light them up! Let’s see those lanterns in the sky!”

I groan, rolling my eyes as she waves us toward the group gathering near the fountain.

Lorien chuckles softly, standing and offering me his hand.

I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet.

With the lantern cradled carefully between us, we follow Kaida and Veyron toward the glowing fountain, the buzz of the festival fading slightly as the anticipation of the release builds.

“Here we go,” I mutter under my breath, holding the lantern carefully as we join the growing crowd near the fountain. The glow of the other lanterns reflects off the water, casting the entire area in a warm, golden light.

Kaida is practically bouncing on her toes, her stuffed dog tucked under one arm as she nudges Veyron to hurry up. “Come on! This is the best part!”

Veyron sighs, though there’s a faint smirk on his face as he lights their lantern. “I’m moving, I’m moving.”

I glance down at the lantern Lorien and I worked on, its painted designs glowing faintly in the soft light. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours.

Lorien holds the lantern steady as he pulls a small matchbox from his pocket. His movements are calm and deliberate as always, the flicker of the match casting a brief glow on his face before he lights the small candle inside the lantern.

The paper begins to glow from within, the flame catching and holding steady, illuminating the swirling patterns we painted together.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lorien glances at me, his faint smile returning. “It is.”

Kaida’s voice rings out again, pulling me from the moment. “Alright, everyone, on the count of three! Ready?”

“One… two… three!”

Lorien and I lift the lantern together, letting it go as the warmth of the flame carries it upward. I watch it rise, joining dozens of others as they float into the sky, their soft glow blending with the stars above.

For a moment, the world feels impossibly quiet, like everything else has fallen away. The lantern drifts higher and higher, its green glow standing out faintly among the others.

Lorien steps closer, his hand brushing against mine. “Together forever,” he says softly, his voice carrying the same calm warmth that’s been grounding me all night.

My heart races, but I manage a small smile, glancing up at him. “Together forever,” I whisper back.

The lantern floats higher and higher, its soft glow blending into the sea of lights rising above the plaza. The sight is breathtaking—dozens of glowing lanterns drifting toward the stars, each one carrying the hopes and dreams of the people who set them free.

Kaida sighs dramatically, clutching her stuffed dog to her chest. “Okay, I’m not gonna lie—this is pretty freaking magical.”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, smirking slightly. “You’re admitting something’s magical? This really is a rare night.”

Kaida rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue, her grin widening as she looks up at the lanterns. “Shut up rogue boy. You’re just mad because I was right about how amazing this night would be.”

Veyron mutters something under his breath I can’t quite hear.

I glance over at them briefly before turning my gaze back to Lorien, who’s still watching the lanterns rise. The golden light from the lanterns reflects faintly in his eyes, and the calm, steady look on his face makes my chest tighten again.

“Thank you for tonight,” I say softly, my voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the festival around us.

He looks down at me, his faint smile returning. “You already said that,” he replies, his tone light but warm.

“Well, I mean it,” I say, shrugging slightly. “Even if Kaida dragged me into most of it, it was… special.”

Lorien’s gaze softens, and he steps just a little closer, his hand brushing against mine again. “It’s special because you’re here,” he says quietly.

My breath catches, and for a moment, I can’t find the words to respond. The warmth of his presence, the way he says things so effortlessly, the way he looks at me—it’s overwhelming in the best possible way.

Kaida, of course, ruins the moment. “Alright, lovebirds, enough staring into each other’s eyes. Let’s go get dessert!”

I groan, covering my face with one hand as I hear her laughing. Lorien chuckles softly beside me, his voice low. “Should’ve known she wouldn’t let us have a quiet moment.”

“Of course not,” I mutter, though I can’t help smiling a little as we start to follow Kaida and Veyron back toward the plaza.

Lorien reaches out, his hand catching mine. The warmth of his touch makes me stop, my heart skipping as I glance up at him.

He steps closer, his calm expression softening even further, and before I can say anything, he leans in and kisses me.

It’s slow and soft. The soft glow of the lanterns, the hum of the festival, Kaida’s distant chatter—it all disappears.

When he pulls back, his gaze meets mine, calm and steady as always. “You really are beautiful,” he says quietly, his voice so sincere it makes my breath catch.

For a moment, all I can do is stare at him, my face burning and my heart racing. “You too—I mean, you’re hot—I mean handsome—I, uh—”

Lorien’s faint smile widens, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I’ll take all of the above.”

I groan, covering my face with my free hand. “Why am I like this?”

“Because it’s adorable,” he says simply, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand.

My heart skips again at his words, and I lower my hand just enough to glare at him half-heartedly. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Maybe a little,” he admits, his voice warm.

Kaida’s voice breaks through the moment, loud and teasing. “Hey! Are you two coming, or are we getting dessert without you?”

Lorien glances in her direction, his calm smile returning. “We’re coming.”

“Eventually,” I mutter under my breath, still trying to recover from the moment as he laces his fingers with mine and gently pulls me forward.

“There’s a tavern right by the plaza with some great stuff!” Kaida calls over her shoulder, already leading the way with Veyron trailing behind her. She clutches her stuffed dog with one arm, her energy still somehow unshaken by the night.

I glance at Lorien, who still has my hand in his, and sigh softly. “This better not be another one of her surprises.”

He chuckles, his grip warm and steady. “I think this one’s just dessert.”

“I don’t know if I trust her when she says it’s just anything,” I mutter, though I can’t help smiling a little.

The warm glow of the lanterns above and the soft hum of the festival fade slightly as we approach the tavern Kaida mentioned. Its wooden sign swings gently in the breeze, and the faint scent of baked goods and warm spices drifts out through the open door.

Kaida spins around, her grin wide as she gestures dramatically toward the entrance. “Here it is! The best desserts in the city. You can thank me later.”

“Or not,” Veyron mutters, though he follows her inside anyway.

The interior of the tavern is cozy and inviting, with wooden beams, a crackling hearth, and tables covered in colorful cloths. The smell of freshly baked pastries fills the air, and my stomach growls quietly at the sight of a tray of steaming pies being carried past us by a server.

Kaida practically skips to the counter, glancing back at us. “Alright, people, what are we getting? I’m thinking something chocolatey.”

I sit down, still clutching the stuffed creatures, as Kaida and Veyron debate over the menu. Lorien takes the seat next to me.

“What are we supposed to do with all of these?” I ask, gesturing to the growing pile of stuffed animals that now includes Kaida’s oversized dog, her frog, Lorien’s raven, my tiger, fox and wolf, and Veyron’s reject dragon.

Kaida hugs her dog tightly, grinning. “We keep them, obviously! They’re adorable, and each one tells a story of our night. Like Mr. Fluffy here, the best prize of all!”

Veyron smirks, leaning back in his chair. “Pretty sure the best prize is not having to carry them everywhere.”

“Oh, don’t worry, rogue boy,” Kaida says, patting her dog dramatically. “I’ll carry my precious friend. You’re just mad because Mr. Scales wasn’t your idea of treasure.”

Lorien chuckles beside me, his hand resting lightly on the table. “It’s not such a bad problem to have.”

I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “You’re saying that because you’re not carrying half of them.”

He smiles faintly, glancing at my tiger and wolf. “If it’s a problem, I could help with yours.”

My cheeks warm slightly, and I look away, muttering, “I’ve got it. Thanks.”

Kaida beams at the exchange, clearly thrilled by the entire situation. “See? This is why the stuffed creatures are important. They bring people closer together.”

“Or they just take up space,” Veyron says, rolling his eyes.

I sigh, resting my chin on my hand as I glance at the pile again. “I still don’t know what I’m going to do with them.”

Shade hums in the back of my mind. “Oh, come on. They’re harmless—and besides, they’re cute. You’ve got a soft spot for them.”

Not helping, I think, though I can’t entirely disagree. I glance at the tiger again and smile faintly.

Kaida claps her hands, breaking the moment. “Alright, enough grumbling! Let’s get dessert, and then we can figure out what to do with our new fluffy friends later.”

“Fine,” I mutter, shaking my head. At least the desserts here better be worth it.

Before any of us can even glance at the menu, a waiter appears at our table, balancing a tray with practiced ease. On it are four slices of cake, each adorned with delicate swirls of frosting and a dusting of powdered sugar, along with small glasses of what looks like some kind of dessert alcohol.

“It’s on the house,” the waiter says with a polite smile, setting the tray down in the center of the table. “A special festival dessert for honored guests.”

Kaida’s eyes light up immediately as she leans forward, examining the cakes. “Oh my gosh, look at these! They’re beautiful!”

Veyron raises an eyebrow, glancing at the waiter suspiciously. “Honored guests? What makes us so special?”

The waiter shrugs, his smile not faltering. “Anyone who participates in the lantern release is considered part of the festival’s heart. Enjoy.”

With that, he steps back, leaving us with the tray.

Kaida wastes no time grabbing one of the plates, her grin widening as she inspects the delicate slice. “This looks amazing! And free cake is the best cake!”

I glance at the slice in front of me, the sweet scent of vanilla and berries wafting up from it. The frosting is light and airy, and the cake itself looks impossibly soft. “This… is unexpected,” I say, picking up my fork.

Lorien chuckles softly beside me, already sampling his. “It’s good,” he says, his calm tone making it sound like the understatement of the century.

Kaida practically melts into her chair after taking a bite. “Oh, this is so good. It’s like eating a piece of heaven.”

Veyron eyes his slice warily before taking a small bite. After a moment, he shrugs. “Not bad,” he says, though his second bite comes quickly.

I finally take a bite of my own, the cake practically dissolving on my tongue. It’s sweet but not overpowering, with just the right balance of flavors. “Okay, this is really good,” I admit, glancing at Lorien.

He smiles faintly, raising his glass of dessert alcohol. “To unexpected surprises,” he says, his tone light but warm.

Kaida eagerly lifts her glass. “To the best night ever!”

I roll my eyes but pick up my own glass, clinking it against theirs. “To… surviving Kaida,” I say with a small smile.

Veyron smirks, raising his glass last. “I’ll drink to that.”

The sweet, spiced drink goes down smoothly, the warmth of it spreading through me almost instantly.

After sitting at the tavern for what felt like hours—laughing, teasing, and soaking in the warmth of the festival—we finally decided to call it a night and head back to the inn.

The walk back was a blur of lantern-lit streets, the stuffed animals tucked awkwardly under our arms, and Kaida’s endless energy filling the air.

…That was the last day before everything went wrong.

End of chapter 37