Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 - Back Into the Wilds

Light pulsed around Riley as the login sequence washed over him. A single deep chime echoed— BOOM— then the world resolved around him in a wave of shimmering colour. He stood at the mouth of the Stoneback Cavern once again.A cool draft rolled out from inside, carrying the faint scent of moss and mineral dust. Bioluminescent mushrooms glowed along the rock walls, painting everything in soft blue-green hues. Lumi materialised on his shoulder with a sleepy chirp. "Morning," Riley whispered, gently scratching the whelp behind the horn-buds. Lumi leaned into the touch immediately. A moment later Aria and Sofia spawned beside him — Aria mid-stretch, Sofia blinking as she adjusted to the sudden brightness. Dot materialised already scuttling.Echo appeared wagging her tail, as if the world itself was exciting. Aria yawned loudly enough to scare a digital bird out of a nearby tree. "Okay," she said, rubbing her arms. "Not gonna lie — waking up in a cave feels both hardcore and unhygienic." "It's not real," Sofia murmured. "Dirt is dirt," Aria argued. Riley smiled to himself. Same sisters, new world. "Before we head out," he said, "potions check?" Sofia nodded. "We have six healing potions total, and three Prism Bloom Tonics." Aria held up two cracked mushrooms she'd picked on the ground."These are snacks." "They're poison," Sofia deadpanned. "Some would argue all mushrooms are poison," Aria corrected. Dot clicked like she agreed wholeheartedly. Riley stretched his shoulders and glanced toward the forest path.The exit of the cave overlooked the beginning of the Whisperwood Trail — tall trees, dapples of light, faint mist drifting low like lazy fog. It was peaceful. Calm. And somehow… uneasy. He couldn't put his finger on it. "Alright," Riley said, "let's start moving. Back to the village, sell some stuff, buy better gear, maybe get upgrades." Aria cracked her knuckles."And then we become rich." Sofia smiled softly. "One day." They stepped into the forest. Morning light slanted between the trees, warm gold breaking over mossy roots. Small forest sprites drifted overhead — tiny glimmers like floating fireflies. A gentle breeze brushed across the party. Sofia inhaled deeply."It smells real." Aria touched a tree trunk. "And this feels real." Riley gave a small smile."That's why the game took off so fast. Full-sensory immersion. No floaty menus. Everything feels… tactile." He didn't say the rest: This world felt more like home than home, once. He wasn't letting that happen again. As they walked, their spirits explored: Dot climbed trees like a judgmental arachnid squirrel Echo chased floating sprites Lumi perched proudly on Riley's shoulder, watching everything A pair of low-level Spritelings wandered onto the path — tiny leaf creatures. Dot intimidated them simply by existing. The Spritelings flailed, panicked, and ran, tossing out a few stray leaves. Aria held her hands up."Fear my eight-legged daughter!" "They're level one," Riley said. "FEAR HER!" Sofia giggled. It was perfect. Until— Lumi's glow dimmed. Riley frowned."What is it?" Lumi's tiny body tensed. His tail stiffened. He stared into the deeper woods, ears twitching. Echo stopped walking. Dot's stance lowered. Sofia's smile faded."Something's out there?" Aria rolled her shoulders. "Maybe a mini-boss? Maybe loot? Maybe a cute spirit? Maybe—" Riley raised a hand. "Quiet." For a moment, the forest held its breath. Then— Soft, distant voices drifted from up the path. Laughing.Mocking.Several at once. Aria slowed her steps. "Players?" Sofia moved closer to her brother. "Are they… looking for something?" Riley didn't answer. Lumi pressed tighter against Riley's neck — not with fear.With recognition. The same recognition Riley felt creeping up the back of his mind. Something wasn't right. "Let's move carefully," he said. "Stay together." They continued up the winding path, brushing aside low branches and stepping over roots. The voices grew clearer. "…should be around here." "Told you, man, I saw them go this way." "If that staff is rare, we snag it before someone else does." Aria's jaw clenched."Oh hell no." Sofia's hand tightened around her Lumen Rod. Riley felt his pulse quicken. He knew that tone.That smug, entitled drawl. And then— A tree trunk up ahead shifted. No — someone had stepped from behind it. A tall boy. Dark hair.Smirk already in place.A bruise still faintly visible under his eye. Harry Tomkins. Aria's fist curled the moment she saw him. Sofia inhaled sharply. Riley's heart didn't race. It calculated. Harry spotted them — and his grin widened. "Well, well," Harry drawled. "If it isn't little Miss Right-Hook and her charity-case brother." Aria immediately stepped forward, only stopped by Riley's arm blocking her. Behind Harry, nine players emerged from the trees.Ten in total.Each with a basic spirit.Each with low-level weapons. Not strong. But numbers mattered. And they knew it. Harry crossed his arms."You lot picked up something that doesn't belong to you." His eyes locked on Sofia's staff. Aria growled, "You better shut your—" "Aria," Riley warned softly. But Harry wasn't done. "Drop the staff. Drop your coins. And maybe we won't zero you. It's a long walk back to level one." Aria's entire body shook.Dot hissed.Echo growled.Lumi's glow sharpened to a cold silver spark. Sofia whispered, "R-Riley… what do we do?" Riley stepped forward calmly. He wasn't who Harry remembered.Not anymore. "Here's what we'll do," Riley said. He lifted the Starsear Bow from his back. The sealed weapon hummed faintly in his hand, as if sensing danger. Riley set his stance. "We're not giving you anything." Harry blinked. Then he laughed. "Oh, you really wanna do this? With a stick bow?" The nine players behind him summoned their spirits. Aria whispered, "Riley. There's ten of them." "I know." Sofia swallowed. "We can't win." Riley glanced at her gently. "Sure we can." He turned back to Harry. But then a voice came from the bushes either side of them "Because you're not the only ones here." Rustling came from the left and right.Two shadows stepped onto the path. A boy and a girl — mid-teens.Both wearing beginner gear.Both holding shields and swords. The girl raised her weapon. "Hey. You mess with them—" The boy finished, "—you mess with us." Aria blinked."Well damn." Sofia whispered, "They… came to help us?" Riley smiled faintly. "Yeah." The boy nodded once at Riley. "Name's Hayes." The girl grinned confidently. "And I'm Hayley." Her cat spirit materialised beside her with a growl.Hayes' identical cat spirit mirrored it. Riley nodded back. "Thanks." Hayley pointed her sword at Harry. "You heard him. Back off." Harry's smirk faded. "Oh look," he sneered. "The losers have backup." He snapped his fingers. "Zero them." The forest exploded into motion.