They crashed violently from the sky… or rather, through a portal that had opened in the middle of Damons' bedroom ceiling.
CRACK!
The bed exploded under the impact. The springs screeched, the frame snapped clean in two, sending feathers and bits of wood flying in every direction.
Gobi rolled to the side, eyes spinning, completely dazed.
"Ouch…" he groaned, his mohawk flattened against the floor.
Gobo, his hair a mess, blinked as he wobbled unsteadily on his feet.
"That stings…"
Goba, her long hair covered in dust, started sniffling while clinging to the shredded mattress.
"It hurts…"
The rabbit, still shaken, slowly sat up, blinking a few times.
"Where are we now…?"
Damons, stuck between two broken slats of what used to be his bed, looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
"You're in my world now… and more importantly… in my room."
The rabbit scanned the room, visibly intrigued.
"And me? Where's my room? Where do I sleep?"
At those words, the three little goblins timidly raised their hands.
Gobi sat up a little, shaking his head.
"I want a room too…"
Gobo raised his hand next.
"Me too…"
Goba nodded eagerly, eyes still teary.
"Me too!"
Damons rubbed a hand over his face, already exasperated.
"This house's way too small for all of you… Alright, for now, stay here in my room."
He turned to them, eyes serious.
"I have to go register for the Player Exam."
The goblins immediately straightened up, suddenly alert.
Damons pointed a finger at them.
"Hide well! My sisters can't see you until I get back!"
They all nodded quickly, almost in sync.
"Got it, boss!"
The rabbit let out a long yawn before flopping on its side like none of this had anything to do with him.
"I'm going back to sleep anyway…"
Damons watched them for a moment. His new companions.
A part of him feared they'd wreak havoc…
But another part was strangely proud.
He looked away.
"Let's hope they keep their promise…"
He left the room and headed to the bathroom. A quick shower, and a few minutes later, he stepped out with a towel around his neck, drying his wet hair with another.
As he entered the living room, he froze.
Léa was sitting on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. She looked up at him… and the mug stopped halfway to her lips.
Her eyes widened.
"…Big bro?!"
Lola, focused on her keyboard, looked up. And Lily, who was in the kitchen, slowly turned around, holding a plate in her hands.
A short silence followed.
Then, the chain reaction exploded.
Lily furrowed her brows, stunned.
"What the heck happened to your body?!"
Lola let out a whistle.
"Dude… you look like a shonen protagonist."
Léa blinked a few times, mouth open.
"He's hot now… Can we keep the same brother?"
Damons gave a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his head.
"I just meditated a bit… Long story."
Lola raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Meditated? More like fused with a gym."
Damons burst out laughing.
"I don't have time to explain it all. I've got to register as a player."
Lily frowned, shocked.
"Wait, what? You awakened?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Looks like I did."
Grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl, he took a bite while heading to the door.
"I'll be back later. Be good."
Lily looked at him with a hint of worry.
"Be careful."
Lola raised a hand without looking at him.
"Bring back info on your rank!"
Léa shouted with a grin:
"And some cookies!"
Damons stopped at the doorway.
"Oh, before I forget… Lola, can you call a taxi for me? I've still got enough for a ride downtown."
Lola sighed, but her fingers were already flying over her phone screen.
"Yeah, yeah… Done. It'll be here in ten minutes."
Damons turned briefly, a small smile on his lips.
"Thanks. You're the best."
He grabbed his jacket from a chair and threw it over his shoulders.
His footsteps echoed on the wooden floor.
He walked briskly down the stairs, heart pounding a bit faster than usual.
As he opened the front door, a cool breeze hit his face.
The morning was quiet. The street, nearly empty. He took a few steps onto the sidewalk, looked around, then lifted his gaze to the pale sky.
"Alright… I need to ace this exam. For them."
"I don't want them to worry anymore. I want us to live better. If I pass this test, I can finally give them a real life. One where they don't have to count every single coin."