The ale’s hit the counter and the barkeep walked away, leaving the two alone with each other. Vixen sat on the stool, leaning her forearm on the counter and wrapping a hand around the mug. She clicked her tongue against her teeth and then huffed out a breath as she looked over her left shoulder so her eyes could settle on the man next to her.

“Well, you got a name?”

“Oh, now the princess wants to know my name? I feel like I should be honored. Are you going to tell me yours?”

“Princess would be fine, but it’s E-” She tried to say the words Evie but they got stuck in her throat. The way her tongue stuttered she had to take pause before she tried again. Over and over she tried but her words got stuck in her throat.

“Did you forget your name?”

“Vixen.” She snapped as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. All he could do was roll his eyes.

“Well, go on then. What’s yours?” She asked with a sneer before she took a sip of her ale. It was about as shitty as she anticipated it being.

“R-” He stuttered over his own words and she turned to face him with a coy smile.

“Oh yeah? You don’t say?” Sarcasm dripped from her lips as she rolled her eyes. He caught on as quickly as she did and he spoke with a contented sigh.

“Graves.”

She stared at him unbelieving at first.

“Seriously? What are you, Shadow Daddy?”

“You can just call me Daddy if you want.” He smirked with a coy smile as he took his own sip.

“Oh please.” Her cheeks heated a bit at the thought. At least he wasn’t terrible to look at, he had that going for him. The silence that stretched between them in the next few minutes was filled with the light chatter of the tavern and the clinking of their mugs against the bar.

“So, you really don’t know how you got here either?” She asked as she tapped her fingers on the rim of the cup. He sighed a heavy breath and shook his head.

“I can’t even remember what I was doing before I got here. It’s not like I don’t have my memories, I just don’t know what I was doing. The more I try and press, the more my head throbs.”

She nodded in agreement to his admission and then looked around.

“There are only a few things I have been able to put together. Whatever this place or world is, it’s called the Nexus,” Vixen explained and he nodded.

“And we have our brains but are in bodies of characters…or at least not our own bodies. We have stats and need to earn xp,” Graves added and it was her turn to agree.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“And for some reason we both got here moments apart,” She reminded him.

[Graves and Vixen both come to an agreement that something is certainly afoot here. What could it be? Will the young adventurers be able to complete the Nexus and earn their freedom?]

“And we have a weird voice that just…talks.”

“Narrates,” Vixen corrected. As she went to take another sip of the ale the barkeep strode back over.

“You know, for all the new faces that have been through here, none have ever arrived together.” This gave Vixen and Graves pause as they stared at one another and then back at him.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, every so often, new young ones like you come through looking for quests and trying to win. They’re always alone though. Takes them a lot longer to find a party to travel with.”

Vixen narrowed her eyes a bit and let her eyes roam the tap room.

“Speaking of quests, do you have a board or something?” Graves asked and the barkeep laughed.

“Course we do. I also have a quest for you though. Perhaps, better be the first one you do.”

“And what is that?” Vixen asked with a raised brow.

“Well, it’s easy really. I need you to head over to Steinsbery and deliver a letter for me. Be careful though, the road is a little dangerous. Don’t know what you might run into on the way. Beth will pay you when you get there, you can find her at the blacksmith.”

The years of roleplaying games ran through Vixen’s mind and she internally chuckled at the thought of it.

“What does the letter say?” Graves asked with a smile playing at his lips in jest.

“That’s for Beth to know and you to not find out. Besides, what you really need over there is the answer to this all. This feels fake to you, but this is our life kid. These are real people you see here and I won’t be allowing you to take this as a joke.”

Graves held his hands up in defense and surrender.

“You want to know what you’re here for and why, then get to Beth. She’ll have answers for you. Til’ then, better mind your mouths.” The tone from the bartender was more aggressive than it had been and Vixen was getting the idea they were overstaying their welcome. She reached into her pocket to find a copper circle that she placed on the bar and hoped it would be enough. Her pockets were relatively empty and she flicked her wrist to look at her cuff. She swiped to a screen with a backpack. Limited inventory but at least some stuff to start.

-Waterskin -Rope (50 ft)

-10 copper -Torch (1)

-5 Silver -Bedroll (1)

-1 Gold -Dagger (1)

“If you hand me the letter, we’ll make sure it gets there,” She said after she slid off the barstool with a hand extended. He of course handed it over with a simple, “Tell her Gunther sent it,” before returning to another customer. She stared at him for a moment and then her eyes fell on Graves.

“Let’s go.” She said simply as she turned on her heel, tripping over the stool near her and sighing.

“I need answers on what the hell we unintentionally signed up for,” She said as she pushed the door open and her feet hit the grass. Graves was a few steps behind her and took a deep breath at the fresh air.

“Ready to find Beth?” He asked.

“Not even a little bit,” She replied as she tightened the strap on her backpack before walking down the path.