Liora sat in the living room, the glow of her laptop illuminating her face as she worked through an essay due Thursday night. Her stomach let out a loud rumble just as the aroma of spaghetti drifted from the kitchen. Nikko was humming a familiar rock song while adding pasta to the boiling water. To Liora, this scene represented everything. Their parents had passed away recently, and between her university courses and part-time shifts, she took pride in successfully providing for the two of them. "Almost time, Li-Li," Nikko called out cheerfully. At first, she didn't look up, simply stating, "Give me a few more minutes; I'm nearly finished. This is the final paper for the semester." Her brother gave a quick nod and began setting the table. Once the assignment was submitted, Liora closed the device and headed to the kitchen to wash her hands. Catching her reflection in the mirror, the twenty-year-old admired how she'd inherited her father's green eyes and her mother's vibrant red hair. In contrast, Nikko possessed their father's dark locks and their mother's deep blue gaze; their only shared physical traits were in the shape of their faces. He had prepared a fantastic meal, rounded out with fresh salad and buttery garlic bread. "Nikko, did you finish your science project?" she asked, glancing toward the corner filled with components for the miniature spacecraft he was constructing for high school. "Not yet, I need a few more wires to complete the build," he replied. As they ate, the siblings caught up on the events of their week. Once the meal was over, they settled in to play a video game together. These were the instances Liora valued most. She had promised herself that she would ensure Nikko grew up protected and content following their parents' death. He was a naturally social kid, whereas she was more cynical, rarely caring about anyone outside their small circle. Her philosophy was simple: "If we are okay, then nothing else matters." Without warning, a dazzling white radiance filled the room. Liora lunged for Nikko's hand, shrieking his name. She pulled her teenage brother into a tight embrace as the brilliance consumed them.
The siblings crashed onto a sandy white beach, the rhythmic lap of the water against the shore pulsing in time with the frantic thumping of Liora's heart. What happened? she wondered, her mind racing as she immediately began scanning the area for her brother. She was surrounded by a chaotic throng of at least fifty others, all gathered on the pale sand. Above them, a shimmering golden banner hung mockingly in the sky, reading: Welcome to Eden. Please wait to be accepted as a player and initialized. Liora started screaming for Nikko over the collective wails of the crowd until he finally staggered toward her from down the beach. He was sobbing as he threw his arms around her. "I thought I lost you," he choked out, his voice thick with grief. "Just like we lost Mom and Dad." Liora held him tight, but her internal monologue remained as sharp as ever. Great, she thought bitterly. I finally submit my finals and the universe decides to kidnap me. At least the kid is still with me. All of a sudden, a sharp stinging sensation pierced her mind. Everyone collapsed simultaneously, hitting the hard ground as if they had all fainted at once. As they woke one by one, pure chaos began to ensue. I am losing it, Liora thought. Whatever just happened, I think it broke my brain. Would writing finals for a psychology degree actually cause a collective hallucination this vivid? Because if so, the curriculum has changed significantly since last week. The silence she had noticed did not last long. As the fifty-odd "Players" began to awaken, the stillness was broken by a cacophony of raw, guttural screaming. They were starting to realize that this wasn't just a case of Mass Sociogenic Illness. One man was frantically yanking at his hair, yelling about a meeting he was currently missing; nearby, another group was already physical, violently brawling over whose fault it was that they were here. To the right, a small cluster of people looked disturbingly ecstatic, acting as if they had finally been transported into one of the fantasy novels they loved to read. Another group huddled together to discuss game tactics with eerie calm, while further down the beach, a man tried to drag a woman into the forest before being intercepted by another bystander. Liora tried to use her psychology to categorize everything including hysteria, displaced anger, and stress response.
She took a few deep breaths and decided that the first step on her survival and psychological pyramid was addressing their basic needs. They had to get away from the volatile groups, find food, and build shelter, but their immediate priority was locating a water source. The siblings were too vulnerable out in the open; safety was paramount. "Liora, what are we going to do?" Nikko asked with a jagged sob. He was huddled on the sand, knees pulled to his chest. "Do you know where we are? What happened to our home?" Liora looked at him firmly. "Look, Nik, stop crying. At least we're together; we can figure the rest out slowly. We need to move because I've already seen people doing some really bad things. If the universe wants us to play, we're going to do what we do best." Nikko wiped his face, a flicker of focus returning to his eyes. "Who knew what Dad taught us would actually come in handy?" Their father had drilled bushcraft into them during camping trips in the mountains—a set of skills that now felt like a lifeline. Liora scanned the area for usable items while reciting the core steps to Nikko like a mantra. "Rule of Threes: you can survive three hours without shelter in harsh conditions, three days without water, and three weeks without food. First, we secure a location—high ground, a natural windbreak, and away from any 'widow-maker' tree limbs. It has to be near a sustainable water source. Then we build a lean-to or an A-frame using dry leaves or palm fronds to stay warm. I don't think we'll need an SOS signal since we were clearly brought here on purpose. Food is the last thing, but we'll grab whatever we see while we scout." Nikko nodded, finally standing up.
When Liora finished looking around for flint, chert, or smooth stones. She looked at Nikko and realized after blinking she could see a floating bar over his head. It stated :[Player: Nikko-The Artisan: Patron: &&&& Ability: &&&&]-Status: Traumatized, Hydration 82%, Food: 92%, Health: 100%, Trust Level with Player-MAX. {Note to player you are not high enough level to see the Patron or Ability of Player.} The banner above stated blink twice to open inventory. Liora did as suggested to see what would occur. A screen popped up showing: [Player: Liora – The Celestial Envoy Lvl 1: Patron: &&&& Ability: Envoy's Eye] Status: Calm, Hydration: 92%, Food: 98%, Health: 100% As the text settled, a sharp, crimson notification underneath showed:
[Main Quest Triggered: The Harbinger's Truth] Objective: Break the illusion. Convince the others that this isn't a game; their lives, and the fate of their species, depend on their survival here. Progress: 1/5 Awakened.
Great, Liora thought, her inner cynic providing a dry commentary as she looked at the chaotic beach. Not only am I the unpaid babysitter for my brother, but I've also been drafted as the world's most depressing motivational speaker. Honestly, I don't give a fuck about anyone else on this sandbar. If the universe thinks I'm going to play hero for a bunch of strangers, it's got the wrong girl. I'm here for Nikko, and that's it. The rest of them can figure out it's not a game on their own—or die trying.
She gripped a sharp piece of chert she'd found, watching as a small text box popped up over it: [Item: Low-Grade Chert – Durability 10/10 – Potential: Sharp Tool]. Nikko looked up at her then advised what his title is and that he has something called the scrapper's blueprint. He leaned in close, his voice a trembling whisper as he checked his own screen. "Li-Li, it says I'm [Nikko – The Unbound Creator] and my skill is [Scrapper's Blueprint]. But that's not all... I have a Main Quest too." He swallowed hard, looking at the debris scattered across the sand. "I have to create five items that are not basic. It says it's 0 out of 5." Fantastic, Liora thought. I get the quest to save humanity from its own stupidity, and my brother gets a shopping list from a survivalist's fever dream. I hope 'not basic' includes a door with a deadbolt and a 'Do Not Disturb' sign for this entire island. Liora said, "Let's not worry about this right now and get to working. We don't know what time we were dropped off here, but according to the sun, it is morning and we have a lot to do." She used the chert at the forest edge to start harvesting strong vines. After finding a sturdy fallen tree limb, she sat down and began to make a two-ply cord to craft a stone knife. A prompt appeared before her: [Crafting: Crude Knife...85% Complete]. Liora muttered to herself out loud, "No shit, Sherlock. Thanks for being so obvious." Nikko looked at her strangely and asked, "Are you okay?" Liora sighed, her eyes fixed on the progress bar. "I just feel like I need to send a thank-you note to the admin of this island once we leave." Nikko shook his head and began to weave a basket which even had carrying straps. He then looked up realizing what his sister had been mutter about. He stated this is going to be annoying if we can't get these prompts to stop. Liora jokingly yelled out turn off crafting prompts and it seemed to work. She advised Nikko to do the same. They had knowledge and didn't need these to be able to make stuff.
Once they had their basic supplies—a sturdy basket and a crude stone knife—the siblings began to move along the beach. Liora kept a sharp eye out, occasionally pulling aside people who seemed calm and weren't an immediate threat. She spoke to them in low, urgent tones, advising them to take their survival seriously since none of them truly understood what was happening yet. Nikko watched from a distance, using his new basket to gather random items and various debris he thought might be useful. Liora had already explained that her Envoy's Eye allowed her to see the hidden effects and properties of items and plants, so he trusted her guidance implicitly. He watched his sister move through the crowd with a small, tired smile, thinking it was just her natural kindness coming through. Internally, Liora was dying of embarrassment. She didn't want him to know she was essentially being forced into the role of a cringe-worthy "Harbinger"; it was better he thought she was just being helpful then realize she had been drafted to bring clarity. Her willingness to warn them didn't stem from a love for humanity—in fact, she harbored a deep-seated distrust for anyone outside her inner circle. In her view, large groups were destined to fall apart because you could never truly know a stranger's inner thoughts and motivations. A notification popped up:
[Main Quest Completed: The Harbinger's Truth] > Objective: Break the illusion. Convince the others that this isn't a game. Progress: 5/5 Awakened. Effect: Level 2 Reached.
Rewards: 1x Hardened Steel Canteen, 1x Lightweight Canvas Tarp, 1x Compact First Aid Tin.
A heavy, matte-black canteen, a tightly rolled olive-drab tarp, and a small metal first aid tin materialized in the sand at her feet. Liora quickly scooped them up, tucking them into the basket Nikko was carrying. While they scouted the edge of the tree line, Nikko's hands never stayed still. Using the skills their father had passed down, he gathered fibers and debris, efficiently weaving a fifty-foot vine rope and crafting two sturdy sun hats to protect them from the midday heat. A glance at his status bar showed his progress was moving fast; he only needed to craft three more items to reach level two. He had already managed to secure a solid stash: at least five coconuts, a handful of berries, a pineapple, and bundles of edible purslane, sea peas, and a cassava root. While his sister was busy reminding everyone of the stakes, he even managed to chase several crabs into his basket and pry loose some mollusks from the rocks. With their basic needs met and their packs growing heavy with salvaged gear, the siblings turned their backs on the chaotic beach and headed into the dense foliage in search of fresh water.
While walking along, Liora grabbed anything her info box deemed important, including several varieties of potent herbs. She realized that this island was very strange, as things from land-locked mountains and the plains were everywhere. Her Envoy's Eye cataloged a diverse haul that filled the gaps in their survival kit:
As they trudged toward the dense tree line, Liora's Envoy's Eye began pinging relentlessly. She snatched up anything the info box deemed valuable, her eyebrows climbing higher with every identification. This island was an ecological impossibility—a glitch in nature. Things that belonged in land-locked mountain ranges or arid plains were thriving here side-by-side.
Her inventory expanded, cataloging a diverse haul that filled the gaps in their survival kit:
Wild Mint & Lemon Balm: Found near a damp rock face; useful for brewing refreshing tea or calming Nikko's lingering nerves.
Plantain Leaves: Known as the "band-aid" of the woods, gathered to supplement their first aid tin for treating minor stings or scratches.
Dried Pine Needles: Collected from a cluster of mountain pines that seemed out of place among the palms; perfect for high-vitamin C tea and tinder.
Wild Black Peppercorns: A rare find that promised to make their bland coastal meals much more bearable.
Pink Himalayan Salt Crystals: Discovered in a dry, elevated rock crevice—an impossible find for a tropical beach, but essential for preserving whatever meat Nikko managed to catch.
Bird's Eye Chilies: Tiny, vibrant red peppers that added a necessary kick to their stores.
High-Altitude Ginseng: A rare medicinal root that usually only grows in frozen mountain soil, now tucked safely into Liora's pouch for an emergency energy boost.
Liora looked at her brother, who was still admiring his vine rope, and let out a dry huff. "Nice rope, Nik, but you'd better figure out how to craft some high-level gear soon. I've got a pantry's worth of seasonings here, and absolutely nothing to cook them on." Nikko giggled and shook his head. "We need a home first, Li-Li." Following the sound of rushing water, they pushed through a final thicket of ferns and stopped dead. Before them, a pristine sapphire-blue lake was encased in a natural stone bowl. Across the water, a thin, silver waterfall tumbled down a cliff face, feeding the pool below. Behind the shimmering curtain of the fall sat the dark mouth of an elevated cave—dry, defensible, and large enough to house them and then some.
The area had only one narrow entrance through the rocks, a bottleneck they could easily block off to secure their safety. Liora scanned the perimeter, her cynicism momentarily replaced by a flicker of hope. They had found their fortress and it was first come first serve. Interestingly enough, there was a relic of a world that shouldn't exist here. Beached on the rocky shelf right next to the cave entrance was the skeletal remains of a Victorian-era steamboat. It sat high and dry, wedged haphazardly into the cliffside as if a massive wave had deposited it there centuries ago. Its iron hull was a jagged tapestry of deep crimson rust and verdigris, half-swallowed by the encroaching rock and draped in thick, glowing moss. The massive paddle wheel was frozen in time, tangled in bioluminescent vines that pulsed like a slow heartbeat. One of its tall, soot-stained funnels leaned at a precarious angle, nearly touching the cave's stone overhang.
As Nikko rushed forward, eyes wide at the prospect of salvaging real metal, a shimmering gold barrier rippled across the air, pushing him back. A cold, mechanical prompt flashed before them both:
[Restricted Area: The Wayfinder] > Requirement: Player Level 5
Status: Locked. Please return once you have achieved the necessary growth.
Liora crossed her arms, her hope souring back into its usual cynicism. 'First come, first serve,' she muttered, glaring at the golden text. 'But apparently, we aren't important enough to use it as a home. "It's okay, Li-Li," Nikko said, gesturing toward the cave mouth behind the waterfall. "The cave is dry, and we can still use the boat for scrap once we—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes darting to the damp sand at the edge of the lake. There, pressed deep into the mud, was a footprint. It wasn't human, and it wasn't the small, cloven hoof of a boar. It was wide, heavy, and tipped with three distinct, serrated claw marks that were still filling with water. Before Liora could pull her stone knife, a low, guttural vibration rumbled not from the forest, but from the dark throat of the cave they had just claimed as their own. Li-Li..." Nikko's voice was barely a whisper, his knuckles white as he gripped his woven basket.
The heavy, rhythmic scraping of tusks against stone grew louder. A massive shadow began to detach itself from the darkness of the cave mouth. The beast was already locked onto them, its red eyes shimmering with a predatory intelligence that didn't belong to a normal animal. Liora shifted her weight, tightening her grip on the crude stone knife she'd just finished crafting. The cynical internal monologue that usually filled her head went silent, replaced by a cold, sharp focus.
A new notification flickered a sickly, pulsing red in the corner of her vision, demanding her attention:
[ SYSTEM ALERT: TERRITORIAL DISPUTE INITIATED ]
Current Objective: Survive the Night or Defeat the Occupant.
Option A: Kill 1x [Serrated Razorback Boar]
Option B: Remain undetected for 10 hours.
Completion Reward: > * Title: Slayer of the First Basin
Unlock: Permanent Safe Zone (The Basin and Cave will be shielded from hostile spawns and player intrusion).
Failure Condition: Death or permanent loss of this territory.
Liora didn't look back at her brother. She simply stepped forward whispering, "Stay behind me, Nikko." She whispered. Her grip on the stone knife tightened until her knuckles burned. Adrenaline flooded her veins, sharpening the world into a single, lethal point of focus: the exact distance between the monster's tusks and her brother's heart. As the beast let out a bone-chilling roar, a final, bitter thought flickered through her mind. Fantastic. If I die here, I'm definitely leaving a one-star review for this 'paradise.'
"I wasn't playing a game to begin with," she muttered, and then she lunged.