The town of Willowshade Haven unfolded before us like something out of a storybook—a cozy mix of cobblestone paths, ivy-covered cottages, and bustling market stalls. Lanterns swung gently in the breeze, their warm light casting golden hues across the twilight streets. NPC vendors called out their wares, and the occasional group of players strolled past, their armor and weapons gleaming under the lantern glow.

My HUD pinged softly as we crossed the threshold into the town square.

[LOCATION DISCOVERED: WILLOWSHADE HAVEN]

The moment felt almost surreal. After days of constant tension, this place felt… safe.

Selene paused at the edge of the square, scanning the crowd with her sharp amber eyes. Devon and Mason had already veered off toward what looked like a blacksmith’s forge, deep in conversation about gear upgrades.

Fi twirled one of her short swords absentmindedly. “Alright, team. I vote we split up. Shopping montage, anyone?”

I checked my inventory. My gold reserves—or rather, my Obsidian Crowns, as the in-game currency was called—were overflowing. Thanks to UNKNOWN’s glitchy intervention, I had more than enough to cover… well, pretty much anything.

“Actually,” I said hesitantly, “I’ve got… a lot of crowns. Like, an embarrassing amount.”

Fi’s eyes went wide. “Oh, rich girl alert! Someone hit the jackpot!”

Selene’s lips quirked into a faint smirk. “Looks like you also double as the parties Merchant.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, shadows curling faintly at my feet. “Well,… if you two want, we could go shopping together? You know, potions, armor… maybe some non-lethal swords for Fi.”

Fi gave an exaggerated gasp. “How dare you imply I’m not responsible with my blades.”

Selene chuckled softly. “Alright, let’s go.”

The marketplace was a vibrant tapestry of colors and sounds. Stalls overflowed with shimmering fabrics, enchanted jewelry, glowing potions, and weapons displayed on velvet cushions. An NPC bard played a lute nearby, the soft melody carrying above the chatter of players haggling for deals.

I led the way, slightly nervous but excited. Fi immediately gravitated toward a potion vendor, her eyes lighting up at the assortment of glittering bottles.

“Ooooh, look at this one!” Fi held up a shimmering lavender vial. “It’s called ‘Moonshade Elixir.’ Apparently, it makes your hair glow under moonlight.”

Selene raised an eyebrow. “Are we fighting bosses under a full moon anytime soon?”

Fi pouted. “You’re no fun.”

I couldn’t help but giggle at their dynamic. “How much is it?”

The vendor cleared his throat. “One vial is 50,120 crowns, miss.”

I glanced at my inventory and, without hesitation, dropped the coins onto the counter. The vendor’s eyes widened, and Fi let out a victorious cheer.

“Kiera, you are officially my favorite person ever.”

Selene smirked faintly. “Careful, Fi. She might start charging interest.”

We moved from stall to stall—Fi picking out novelty potions, Selene selecting a few polished throwing daggers, and me just… enjoying it. For once, there were no monsters, no Guardians, no looming threats. Just three girls wandering a fantasy town square with coin to spend and time to kill.

At one point, we stopped in front of a quaint-looking shop tucked between two larger buildings. Its wooden sign read: “Mirabelle’s Wardrobe – Enchanted Attire for Adventurers and Nobility.”

Fi gasped dramatically. “Fancy clothes! Yes, let’s go in.”

The inside of the shop was cozy, lined with mannequins dressed in flowing cloaks, embroidered tunics, and shimmering gowns enchanted to glimmer faintly with starlight. The shopkeeper, an elderly NPC with glasses perched on her nose, greeted us warmly.

Selene was already inspecting a black hooded cloak with faint crimson embroidery along the hem. It matched her vibe perfectly. Meanwhile, Fi was spinning in front of a mirror wearing a bright green sash tied around her waist.

I wandered toward the back and froze.

There, hanging on a mannequin, was a dress unlike anything I’d seen before. Deep violet fabric cascaded down in flowing layers, speckled with tiny glimmering shards like stars scattered across the night sky. Thin leather straps crisscrossed over the bodice, and faint runes were stitched delicately into the fabric.

“Kiera,” Selene said softly, appearing beside me. “That dress…”

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

Fi popped up beside us. “Try it on! You have to try it on!”

Before I could protest, the shopkeeper was guiding me toward a fitting room.

The dress fit perfectly. It hugged my waist comfortably, the fabric flowing like liquid shadows with every movement. The runes glowed faintly in the dim light, casting delicate patterns across the floor.

I stepped out of the fitting room hesitantly, my wings twitching slightly behind me.

Selene was the first to react. She stood near one of the display mannequins, her amber eyes wide and… soft. For a moment, she didn’t say anything.

“Do I… look okay?” I asked quietly.

Selene’s lips parted slightly before she spoke. “You look… stunning, Kiera.”

My cheeks burned, and my shadows twitched in embarrassment.

Fi gave an exaggerated wolf whistle. “Look at you! Kiera, if you don’t buy that dress, I will riot.”

I turned back to the shopkeeper. “How much is it?”

The old NPC smiled warmly. “For you, dear, 200,000 crowns.”

Selene raised an eyebrow. “That’s… a lot.”

Without hesitation, I accepted the price. The shopkeeper handed me a polished box with the dress folded carefully inside.

Selene watched me for a moment, her expression unreadable. But when she spoke, her voice was soft.

“You’re full of surprises, Kiera.”

Later that evening, the three of us sat around a small table on the inn’s balcony, a plate of pastries and three mugs of spiced cider between us. The town below buzzed faintly with life—players laughing, NPCs chatting, lanterns glowing softly.

Fi leaned back in her chair, arms folded behind her head. “Today was fun. Honestly, we needed this.”

Selene sipped her cider, her amber eyes fixed on the distant horizon. “yeah. Today was good.”

I smiled softly, cradling my mug in both hands. For a moment, none of us said anything.

The stars twinkled faintly above us, and the world felt still. Safe.

Selene glanced at me, her gaze lingering a little longer than usual. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Thanks, Kiera. For… today.”

Our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded—the quests, the anomalies, the looming dangers. It was just us, bathed in starlight and the faint warmth of cider.

Fi, of course, ruined it. “Hey, if you two start making googly eyes at each other, warn me next time. I’ll go get more pastries.”

We laughed softly, and the moment passed.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The marketplace had grown quiet as twilight deepened into night. Golden lanterns hung from strings stretched across the town square, their soft glow casting a warm light against the cobblestone streets. A faint hum of excitement buzzed in the air as players and NPCs began gathering near a large, open space in the center of Willowshade Haven.

Banners fluttered gently in the cool night breeze, and faint, lilting music drifted through the air—a soft violin paired with a playful lute.

A notification pinged on my HUD:

[EVENT: STARFALL FESTIVAL – CELEBRATE UNDER THE LIGHTS!]

Fi practically vibrated with excitement as she read the text. “A festival?! Oh, we have to go. This is non-negotiable.”

Mason appeared beside her, grinning. “Agreed. Besides, festivals usually mean free food. And mini-games.”

Devon leaned against a wooden post, his greatsword propped beside him. “You two go ahead. I’ll stick around and make sure no one tries to pickpocket us during the chaos.”

Selene’s voice cut through the chatter, her tone calm but firm. “We’re all going. If nothing else, it’s a chance to let our guard down. We deserve that.”

I hesitated for a moment, my eyes flicking toward my inventory—the polished box containing the violet dress I’d bought earlier.

“Alright,” I said softly. “Give me a minute. I’ll meet you all there.”

The dress felt impossibly smooth as I slipped it on in my room at the inn. The deep violet fabric clung to my figure without feeling restrictive, cascading down in layered folds that shimmered faintly with every movement. The enchanted runes stitched into the bodice glowed softly, like tiny constellations scattered across my form.

I adjusted the leather straps over my shoulders.

The mirror reflected someone… different. Not the awkward newbie who stumbled through a tutorial boss fight or nearly glitched herself into oblivion. Someone poised. Someone confident.

I took a deep breath.

“Alright, Kiera. Time to… festival.”

The square had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. Strings of glowing lanterns crisscrossed above us, casting flickering shadows across wooden stalls offering snacks, trinkets, and festival games. A large stage had been set up at one end of the square, where musicians played upbeat tunes that mingled with the sound of laughter and chatter.

Players and NPCs danced in clusters, some in casual armor, others in festival attire—bright silks, flowing fabrics, and enchanted accessories.

As I stepped into the square, the soft click of my heels against the cobblestone felt oddly significant.

The moment I appeared, the group turned toward me.

Devon froze mid-conversation with Mason. His brow lifted, his eyes wide as he took in my appearance. “Kiera…”

Selene was quieter, her amber eyes widening slightly as they scanned me from head to toe. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Fi let out a sharp whistle. “Okay, wow. Kiera, you’re… like, stupidly gorgeous right now.”

Mason nudged Devon with his elbow. “You might want to close your mouth, dude.”

My face warmed instantly as I raised my hands awkwardly. “Okay, okay, stop staring! I’m going to combust if you keep doing that.”

Selene finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. “You look… breathtaking, Kiera.”

Her words lingered in the space between us, and for a moment, the festival noise faded into a distant hum.

The festival carried on around us—players laughing as they played ring toss, vendors calling out the day’s specials, and small groups gathering near the stage to dance to the lilting music.

I found myself wandering along the outskirts of the festival with Selene beside me. The glow of the lanterns reflected in her amber eyes, and the faint breeze rustled the hem of her black cloak.

“You’ve been quiet,” I said softly.

Selene glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. “I’m… not used to this. Festivals, crowds… nights like this.”

“Me neither,” I admitted. “I never thought I’d enjoy something like this in a game, but… it feels real, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” she said quietly.

We paused near an open space where players danced in small clusters. Couples spun in elegant arcs while others stumbled over their feet, laughing and holding onto each other for balance.

Selene hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides. Then, after a moment, she held out her hand toward me.

“Would you like to dance?”

My breath hitched, and my shadows flickered faintly at my feet. “I—um… I don’t really know how to dance.”

Selene’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Neither do I. But I think we’ll manage.”

I took her hand, and she guided me into the lantern-lit clearing.

The music slowed as we stepped into the open space. Selene’s hand was warm in mine, her other hand resting lightly on my waist. My wings twitched nervously, but she adjusted her grip without missing a beat.

We moved carefully at first—hesitant steps and awkward pauses—but eventually, we found a rhythm. The glowing runes on my dress shimmered softly in the lantern light, reflecting faintly in Selene’s eyes.

For a moment, it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of us—no anomalies, no corrupted code, no looming Guardians or rogue players. Just this moment, this dance, and the faint glow of lanterns above us.

Selene’s voice broke the silence. “Kiera… do you ever feel like we’re walking a razor’s edge?”

I swallowed hard. “Every day.”

Her gaze softened. “But you keep going.”

“I have to,” I whispered. “I can’t let this world fall apart. I won’t.”

Selene’s hand tightened slightly around mine. “You’re stronger than you realize.”

The music swelled around us, and our movements slowed until we were barely swaying in place. I realized how close we were—Selene’s face just inches from mine, her breath soft against my skin.

For a brief, heart-stopping moment, I thought she might lean in.

But then a loud crash echoed somewhere nearby, followed by Mason’s unmistakable voice: “WHY DOES THE PUNCH BOWL HAVE FIREWORKS IN IT?!”

The moment shattered like glass.

Selene let out a soft laugh, and I couldn’t help but giggle too.

“Come on,” she said, her hand still in mine. “Let’s go see what disaster Mason’s caused this time.”

The night continued with laughter, food, and chaotic shenanigans—Fi nearly got kicked out of a ring toss booth, Mason accidentally started a conga line, and Devon actually cracked a smile (a rare event).

But even as the festival wound down and the lanterns began to flicker out, I found my mind drifting back to that moment with Selene—the faint glow of her amber eyes, the warmth of her hand in mine, and the quiet words shared between us.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The festival had begun to wind down. The lanterns hanging overhead swayed gently in the night breeze, their glow softer now, casting faint pools of golden light on the cobblestone streets. Players and NPCs lingered in small groups, sharing drinks, laughter, and the lingering warmth of a night well spent.

I was walking back to the inn, the faint click of my heels echoing softly in the emptying square. The violet dress I wore shimmered faintly under the lantern light, and my shadows flickered gently at my feet, a quiet, restless presence.

It had been a good night—a needed night. But as the distant sound of laughter faded behind me, the weight of everything still lingered in my chest.

“Kiera.”

The voice stopped me mid-step. I turned, and there he was—Devon, leaning against one of the wooden posts near the edge of the square. His greatsword was strapped to his back, his usual casual confidence tempered by something more serious in his eyes.

“Hey,” I said softly, my voice barely carrying across the distance.

He pushed off the post and walked toward me, his dark eyes fixed on mine. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“You’re leaving early,” he said finally, his voice low.

I shrugged faintly. “It’s been a long day.”

Devon exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair, his gaze flicking to the lanterns before returning to me. “Kiera…Do you think can you log out?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Log out,” he repeated, softer this time. “I… I want to talk to you. Not here. In person.”

His words settled over me like a stone in my stomach. Devon wasn’t usually like this—so direct, so vulnerable.

It wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t even a question.

The notification blinked faintly in my HUD:

[LOG OUT? Y/N]

I selected Yes.