Chapter 2
London pulled into the parking lot of the Flow Caverns Mountain Bike Park. He grabbed his backpack and bike, then headed to the main office to check in.
“Alone or with a party?” the heavily tattooed woman behind the counter asked without looking up from her book.
“I’m with the Donner Party,” London replied, wincing at the irony of the name.
“The Flow Caverns are a pristine system of caves, first explored in the 1800s. The steel bolts they inserted into the cave walls were sturdy enough to support wooden structures, preserving 98% of the cave in its natural state. Please don’t touch the walls, don’t litter, and for the love of God, don’t spray paint the caves. I’ll cut out your eyes and feed you to the twelve-foot cavern fish in the Deep Descent,” she warned, her voice monotone.
“Can I get a map? We’re camping. Can you mark our campsite?” London asked.
“You’re here,” she said, marking an X on the map. “And you want to camp here,” she added, marking another X. “Also, please refrain from eating party members. It’s frowned upon by management,” she said dryly.
London chuckled, accustomed to the jokes about his group’s name.
He pushed his bike onto the gondola, a slow-moving elevator that carried both bikes and people deep into the cavern. The massive, well-lit cavern, illuminated by strategically placed lights, was a breathtaking sight.
As he disembarked, he spotted his group setting up camp in a secluded alcove. There was the tall man in the dragon onesie, the short, rotund man with the long beard, and the athletic blonde woman with the elf ears. A motley crew, indeed.
"Never fear, for the Healer is here!" London proclaimed, his voice echoing through the cavern. He was surprised at the acoustics of the alcove, providing a private space for their weekend retreat.
"Thank ye, Doctor, for this one is stricken with an ailment no potion can cure! We need your diagnosis and magic to remove the ailment!" the short bearded man with a chainmail t-shirt exclaimed, dramatically falling to the ground.
"But seriously, brew me!" London said, catching a can of beer tossed his way. He cracked it open and downed the contents.
"What are the rules on spillage and waste here?" London asked.
"Leave it like you found it, pack in, pack out. All liquids are okay. The caves have a natural treatment system, a brewery's worth of bacteria that breaks everything down before it reaches the Deep Descent and the blind fish," the woman wearing a wizard bathrobe explained, waving a wooden wand. "Presto Cleano Peeo!" she joked.
“I set up a rubbish bucket in the corner” A tall man in a dragon onesie says waving towards a semi-private corner of the alcove.
"Great, how's everyone doing on time? I want to get a few runs in before we settle down for the session."
"The Doctor has cured me! But I need a steady dose of adrenaline or I'll perish!" the man on the ground said, putting on his helmet and grabbing his bike.
London checked his bike and headed to the "Drop Zone," the starting point for the night's adventure. The cave system was a labyrinth of trails, each offering a unique challenge: drops, berms, flow tracks, jumps, and skinny tracks, all elevated on wooden structures with safety nets below. After five minutes of exhilarating descent, the trails converged, leading back to the gondola for another ascent. With eight different paths to choose from, and countless variations within each, London realized that a weekend wouldn't be enough to explore all the possibilities.
"Did you see that sick heel tap I did on Jump 4?" the dragon man asked, a bit too proudly.
"Yeah, I also saw you nearly face-plant on the next jump while you were basking in your own glory," the woman snarked.
"Come on, the guy has one trick. It's a cool trick, but still just one trick," the bearded man chimed in.
"Casing a jump and almost face planting isn't exactly a skill," London added, joining in the teasing.
"That's a 50 DKP minus for you!" the dragon man declared dramatically.
"Let me guess, rocks fall, everyone dies?" the woman jokes, glancing around the cavern.
"Don't even joke about that! You know I hate being underground. This is a big step for me," the bearded man admitted.
"An elf going underground, and a dwarf dare not? That's rich," London teased, referencing a common movie quote.
"Next time we have a D&D game in a graveyard, let's see how you feel!" the bearded man retorted.
After their ride, the group gathered around the picnic table, pulling out their D&D paraphernalia. Dice, character sheets, and a DM screen were laid out, ready for the night's adventure. The dragon man, the group's DM, began the session with a recap of their previous exploits.
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As the night wore on, the group delved into their fantasy world, rolling dice, casting spells, and battling monsters. London, the party's healer, took on a more strategic role, guiding the party through challenges and keeping them alive. He relished the opportunity to lead, to think tactically, and to make split-second decisions. “I can’t cast Fireball, but I can guide you to the perfect time to do so, while keeping you alive in the meantime” was one of his favorite lines.
As the session drew to a close, a cliffhanger left the group eager for the next adventure. They packed up their gear and settled into their sleeping bags, the sound of the cavern echoing softly in the background. London reflected on the day, a perfect blend of physical and mental challenges. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the shared passion for gaming made it a truly memorable experience.
London jolted awake, his heart pounding. He looked around, disoriented, before remembering where he was and what had happened. His friends were still asleep, one snoring loudly in his dragon costume, another sprawled out in a hammock, a leg dangling over the edge.
Ignoring the chaos, London grabbed his bike, helmet, and an energy drink, ready for a morning ride. He chose a challenging trail, a series of drops, berms, and jumps. As he navigated the course, his mind wandered, and he misjudged a jump. He clipped the railing, sending his bike and himself flying.
He landed hard, his body colliding with the cave wall. The pain was excruciating. His wrist was broken, his ankle twisted, and his leg was bleeding. He was trapped, his bike pinning him down. As darkness crept in, he fought to stay conscious.
When he woke, the pain was overwhelming. His vision was blurry, and he struggled to move. He managed to free his arm, but his legs were still trapped. Fear gnawed at him as he realized the severity of his injuries. He knew he needed help, and fast.
He tried to think clearly. He imagined a rescue scenario, a basket lowered from the surface, a paramedic navigating the treacherous terrain. He chuckled at the absurdity of it all.
As he lay there, he noticed a glimmer of light. The headlamp, partially obscured by rocks, was casting a faint glow. With a surge of adrenaline, he managed to shift his position, allowing more light to shine. Hope flickered within him. If he could just hold on, help would arrive.
London struggled to reach the fallen headlamp, the pain in his broken wrist and injured leg intensifying. As his fingers brushed against the chalky rock, a strange sensation washed over him. The pain, the fear, everything seemed to fade away.
A digital interface appeared before his eyes, a stark white text on a black background.
"Cadium Procured, One unit consumed."
"Cadium Procured, One unit consumed."
"Cadium Procured, One unit consumed."
"Cadium Procured, One unit consumed."
The message repeated endlessly, a rhythmic pulse in his mind.
London, accustomed to the monotony of digital interfaces, patiently waited for the scrolling text to pause. As he gazed at the screen, he noticed an odd detail: the text seemed to follow his gaze, always centered in his vision. It was as if the interface was part of his mind, not a separate entity.
Suddenly, a new prompt appeared:
"Critical Injury Found. Would you like to Heal? Yes/No"
A wave of confusion washed over him. Was this a prank? A hallucination? He glanced around, searching for a hidden camera or a device that might be causing the illusion. But there was nothing.
The pain in his body intensified, a stark reminder of his dire situation. Desperation fueled his response.
"YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!" he thought, his mind racing.
A notification appeared:
"Ding, You have reached Level 1."
“Two stat points awarded”
"Basic Heal spell acquired."
“Target healed for 51 health”
“Target healed for 51 health”
“Target healed for 51 health”
“Target healed for 51 health”
“Target healed for 51 health”
“Target healed for 51 health”
A surge of energy coursed through his body. The pain subsided, replaced by a sense of well-being. His injuries, once severe, were now miraculously healed.
London was in awe of the healing process. The interface, a familiar echo of gaming experiences, had guided him through the ordeal. As his bones knit together, he felt an incredible surge of energy. A new sense of power coursed through him.
With renewed vigor, he stood up, the pain from his injuries completely gone. The headlamp had died, plunging him into darkness. He grabbed his bike, slinging it over his shoulder, and began to navigate the treacherous terrain.
Hours later, he heard voices echoing through the cavern. He shouted for help, his voice hoarse but determined. A glowing object descended from above, a lifeline in the darkness. He secured the rope around his waist and began to climb.
As he ascended, the interface reappeared, tracking his health and stamina. Minor injuries, cuts, and scrapes were instantly healed with a thought as he climbed out of the ravine.
Finally, he emerged from the cavern, greeted by his friends and a paramedic. They were amazed at his condition, considering the severity of the fall. He had survived, and even climbed out of the canyon with his bike on his back.
"Did you bring your full-suspension bike?" Ellie asked unfazed at the absurdity of it all.
"Nope, just the hardtail Taco here," London replied, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Well, the good news is you can get more provisions when you go to retrieve it. The weekend's just started, bro!" the dragon man exclaimed, slapping London on the back.
His friends carried the mangled bike to the gondola, and into the back of his Jeep. London hopped in, a mix of relief and frustration on his face as he pulled out of the parking lot. He was grateful to be unharmed, the loss of his bike was a major setback, and the utter strangeness of the morning dawning on him almost for the first time.
As he drove home, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The strange interface, the sudden healing, it all seemed too surreal. He tried to dismiss it as a side effect of shock or a bizarre hallucination. But a nagging doubt lingered in his mind.
He decided to visit his friend, Allan, a doctor at Mercy Hospital, for a checkup.
"Allan, are you at work? I might need some help," London texted.
"Just finishing up a 12-hour day. What's up?" Allan replied.
"Bike wreck, feel fine, but want you to take a look," London said, downplaying the incident.
"Come on by. I'll get showered off," Allan responded.
As London drove to the hospital, his mind raced. He was both relieved and terrified. Relief that he had survived the ordeal, and terror at the unknown power that had saved him.