As he emerged from the tent, morning sunlight and the chatter of a crowd blasted Matt’s senses. People in funny hats and bright clothing bustled among the tents and gathered by Septimus Flower. Matt shielded his eyes and gazed up at the clear blue above. It was the kind of bright morning you couldn’t help but smile at.

“I was really hoping to wake up in my own bed,” Anika said.

The three moons confirmed just how far they were from home.

Anika brushed at the front of her tattered shirtdress. The blood and grime were gone from her clothes and skin, but tears on the hem remained.

Matt looked down and sighed. His hands were clean, as if he’d washed them or showered, but the damn coffee stain on his pants was still there.

“But we didn’t even sleep!” Manuele protested.

Sharkie rolled her eyes at him.

“Uh, I’ll be right back,” Matt told Kurtis. “Don’t leave without me?”

“You got it!” Kurtis promised, crossing his heart and swishing his orange tail.

Matt usually had to pee first thing in the morning. He hadn’t seen any bathrooms or outhouses, so figured he’d find a spot in the bush. He hustled to the edge of the field and then proceeded another twenty feet into the trees. He found a spot that dipped down for privacy. There was a large mossy rock and a fallen tree—a convenient extra barrier.

Matt unbuttoned, unzipped, and waited. A little black beetle caught his eye. It crawled from rock to moss in front of him. He watched it take careful, laborious steps, its carapace glinted green in the sunlight.

Where are you going, little guy? Matt wondered.

Its antennae swiveled, feeling its way forward. Matt tried thinking of water and the beetle plodded on. Did it have any idea he was watching? Did it know there were giant creatures about? Did it know how tiny it was in comparison?

A breeze blew through the woods, cold on Matt’s exposed parts, skittering a leaf onto the beetle. He shook his shoulders in a full-body shiver.

“Not helping, wind.”

Matt removed the leaf and the bug seemed unfazed. It just kept putting one foot in front of the other—left, right, left, right.

Matt breathed out a slow sigh, then zipped. He still didn’t have to pee; he couldn’t pee. He didn’t want to get left behind. Matt put his own feet, one in front of the other, and headed back to the field.

Before even reaching Septimus, Matt could hear him calling on repeat, “Good morning travelers. A strange evil befalls the land. Come close, we must discuss!”

Matt spied his companions waiting outside of their tent. Fallyn nodded and Kurtis waved. Matt waved back and approached the quest-giver.

“Septimus, I am here!” Matt shouted from the back of the packed crowd.

Then the people, the tents, the whole field blurred into a one-on-one conversation between Matt and Septimus.

“Good morning traveler. I hope you got your beauty sleep! We have work to do.” Septimus winked.

“Okay?” Matt responded. He wasn’t sure about that wink.

“I’ve received word of a strange evil rolling across the land. It’s making some areas… less friendly. We’re safe here, for now at least. And because here is safe, the bears are trying to move in. For now, let’s deal with those pesky bears, shall we?” Septimus raised both eyebrows, expectantly.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

When it was clear the man was waiting for something, Matt said, “Uh, sure?”

Septimus nodded, then resumed. “This is our camp. Shoo those bears away.” Then he cupped his hand and loudly whispered, “By any means necessary.” Septimus straightened and spoke normally, “You seem like a capable warrior. I’m sure you can figure it out. Shoo fifteen bears. Return to me when it’s done.”

The scene unblurred and Matt checked his map. The bears were shown with a big blue arc to the southwest, in a blank area they hadn’t been to yet.

“Everyone got the quest?” he checked.

“Yep!” cheered Val.

“We’re not coming with you,” Sharkie said.

What? Matt felt that like a softball-sized acorn to the gut.

“Manuele and I are going to find Maria,” she explained. “That announcement said ‘Human Preserve 1.’ Maybe we can find two. And, you know, I kind of owe him—the whole Karen thing.”

“We can come with you,” Matt said quickly.

“You’ll just slow us down.” Sharkie frowned. “We both put our points in Walk Speed.”

“I would’ve helped,” said Anika softly.

“I know,” Manuele admitted. He threw his hands up. “This place can’t be that big. We’ll come back and tell you about our adventures. And then you will all meet Maria.” He clapped his hands together and tilted forward. “You’re going to love her! She’ll fit right in.”

The group walked somberly to the south edge of the field, exiting past where the wheelbarrow had been. The plan was to travel, all together, to the lowest point of the blue mark on the map. Then Matt and the others would follow its curve, while Sharkie and Manuele continue southwest.

They waded into the grass, taking turns using Slapchop to clear a path. Once the person in the lead ran out of stamina, they moved to the back and someone else took a turn. They continued that way until grass turned to trees and wind hushed through the branches. Matt took his mace out of his inventory and eyed the tops of the evergreens.

“What is it?” whispered Anika.

“This looks a lot like yesterday,” Matt cautioned.

Weapons appeared in hands all around. Valkyrie hung her bow over one shoulder.

“Were they really that bad?” Sharkie asked.

“I’d rather be prepared,” Matt said.

It was awkward carrying the big mace as he picked through the trees. But maybe he’d get used to it. He wasn’t finding a natural carrying position. He tried hugging it, leaning it; he shifted it from his right shoulder to his left.

“Do you hear that?” Kurtis alerted, periscoping his ears.

Matt froze and searched the treetops, gripping his mace like a bat.

“Water,” Kurtis said. “I meant water. At least I think that’s what it is.” His ears flicked.

Matt returned the mace to his shoulder and continued walking. A few minutes more revealed a stream peeking through the trees. Matt checked his map. They had arrived. The blue marker was on the stream itself.

Sharkie investigated the rocky shoreline. To Matt’s eyes, it looked like a narrow, shallow spot and she seemed to agree.

“I think it’s a good spot to cross,” she said, poking a stick into the water. “We’ll be careful, go slow.”

Manuele nodded. He disappeared his swords and turned to Anika for a hug. Then he hugged Fallyn. Val ran up to ensure she was next. Then he shook hands with Kurtis. Manuele offered a hand to Matt.

“Bring it in,” Matt said, dropping his mace with a clack and embracing the hug.

Manuele lifted Matt with a roar. “I’m going to miss you, man.” Manuele set Matt down and patted the sides of his arms. “See everyone soon, okay?”

“Peace!” called Sharkie, two fingers over her head, already wading into the water.

Matt waved but she had already turned away. He watched her and Manuele exit the water and quieted the little voice in his mind. They’re leaving for good. Because you’re not good enough. Because you’re not wanted. He knew it was silly. He pushed the thoughts down. It doesn’t even matter. It’s just a dream.

Round gray rocks clinked underfoot, as Matt started to hike upstream. He quietly followed behind the others, watching the sunlight sparkle on the water. The stream gradually got wider as they hiked. Leaves rustled on the shadow-darkened opposite shore. Matt thought he might have seen jays.

“It really is quite beautiful,” Anika murmured to Fallyn, up ahead.

Matt nodded, though she wouldn’t see. The mountains really were something special. He wondered if people who live near them feel that way, or at what point their magnitude becomes normal. He let a hint of a smile slide to his face.

Then Val yelled, “Fish!” and Matt and Kurtis went to see.

Matt stared where she pointed. He just saw rocks. It had to have been half an hour, and there were no bears, no fish—no anything. Damn quest.

“Are you sure?” Kurtis asked.

“Well…” She held up her thumb and first finger to show the tiny size. “It counts,” she insisted.

Matt watched the stream for a moment more, and then the yellow text, ‘ANNOUNCEMENT,’ began to roll over rocks and water. ‘Case number 1425778, plaintiff notification: PRO filing of Statement of Claim has been accepted.’

Matt thought he might be sick. I should have been a lawyer, he thought, reaching for his temples.

Then he yelled into the river, “These announcements make no sense!” Matt sighed. “I need a help function or something.”

A small black box popped up, much smaller than his inventory or the menus. At its top were the words, ‘CB: Hi, I’m a Chatbot. How can I help you today?’ It was punctuated with a smiley face emoji.