Chapter 6: Reality Check
Ava blinked at the soft light spilling through her window, stretching her arms lazily. The room smelled faintly of chocolate wrappers and faint floral air freshener. She glanced at the glowing interface of her system and froze.
"How long have I been in here?" she muttered, scrolling through her stats. Her eyes widened. "Six… seven hours?! No wonder my back aches and my stomach is slightly unhappy."
The cream puff hovered beside her, blinking. "Host, extended system immersion detected. Nutritional intake minimal. Energy levels dropping."
Ava groaned, rubbing her temples. "You could say that again. I've been living in my own little world while everyone else… has been living normal life. Coffee, school, errands… normal things. And me? I've been preparing for… well… this." She gestured vaguely at the system. "…Apocalypse. Like seriously. I'm going to need chocolate."
[Alert: Minor hangry tendencies detected.]
She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Okay, fine, chocolate later. Step one: reconnect with reality." She grabbed her phone and quickly tapped out messages:
Lyra, Alyssa, Kael, Zephyr, Brian — group meeting at my apartment. Now. Snacks mandatory.
Almost immediately, replies popped up.
"On my way."
"Are we being raided by zombies? Or is this just another one of Ava's dramatics?"
"Snacks, right? Count me in."
Ava smiled. "Perfect. They have no idea."
Within thirty minutes, her friends arrived. The apartment buzzed with energy. Snacks were unpacked, drinks passed around, and Ava sat cross-legged on the floor, system tablet in front of her.
"So," she began, trying to keep her voice casual, "you know me. Food, humor, chaos… usual Ava stuff. But I've been… busy. Really busy." She tapped the tablet, pulling up a few holograms. "I've been running simulations, exploring Hope's Refuge, leveling up… all while you've been living your normal lives."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Wait… you mean this isn't just some… elaborate game? You've actually been doing this for hours?"
Ava nodded. "Exactly. I've been preparing, planning… building a little secret advantage for when things go sideways."
Alyssa's eyes widened. "So… all those times you joked about the apocalypse… you weren't kidding?"
Ava shook her head. "Not even a little. And that's why I called you all here. You need to see it too. The system, the Refuge… all of it."
Brian leaned forward, studying the holograms. "Okay… I think I get it. You've been working while the rest of us were just living normal life. That's… impressive. And kind of terrifying."
Zephyr smirked. "So you've basically been planning for an apocalypse that might actually happen. And now you want us in on it?"
"Exactly," Ava said, her grin softening. "I've been doing the prep work, but I can't do everything alone. I need your brains, your ideas… and your trust."
Kael's expression softened, and for the first time, a small smile appeared. "You've really thought this through. I… I think I get it now. The stakes, the preparation… this isn't a game."
Lyra nodded slowly. "Yeah… it's like, all this time we were just joking about the apocalypse. But now, seeing this… it's real. And you've actually been ready for it."
Ava smiled warmly. "Exactly. That's why I wanted you here. We can start small, learn the system together, plan our strategy, and eventually…" She trailed off, letting the thought hang. "Eventually, maybe we can make a difference."
Her friends exchanged glances, each processing the reality for themselves. There was a quiet awe in the room now, a sense of seriousness beneath the usual banter. The apocalypse wasn't just a story anymore—it was something tangible. And Ava had been ready for it, all along.
Brian shook his head in disbelief. "You really have been living in a different world this whole time… and now we finally see it. Wow."
Zephyr leaned back, crossing his arms with a grin. "Okay… apocalypse, huh? Guess we're actually going to have to step up. Not just for fun, but for real."
Lyra tilted her head, staring at Ava. "You've given us a head start. And honestly… it feels good to know someone has a plan. To know we might actually survive."
Ava's grin widened. "Exactly. And now you get to be part of it. Step by step. We'll train, explore, and learn… all together. And, yes, chocolate will still be part of the plan."
Her friends laughed softly. The weight of the realization was balanced by the warmth of the group and the comfort of familiar faces. The world outside might be unpredictable, but inside her apartment, for this moment, they had clarity—and a plan.
The cream puff hovered near Ava, almost proudly. "Host, team enlightenment achieved. Minimal chaos detected."
Ava winked. "See? Enlightenment and snacks can coexist."
And for the first time that day, Ava felt at ease. The system had prepared her. Her friends had joined her. And together, they were ready to face whatever the world had in store.
The apocalypse could wait a little longer. For now, it was planning, teamwork, and chocolate time.