Henry yawned loudly as he woke from a deep sleep. Rolling onto his back to face the ceiling, he noticed the timer in his vision slowly counting down.
[01:00:87]
[00:51:54]
[00:43:33]
For weeks, that infernal timer had occupied the top right corner of his vision. It was the last remnant of the now-defunct system’s heads-up display. All other features had been disabled, including the log-out button and player IDs. Now, it was impossible to distinguish between players and locals alike.
“Wake up,” Henry nudged Heather.
“Let me sleep longer,” she pleaded.
“The timer is about to reach zero.”
Hearing this, Heather’s torso shot up quickly, like a vampire from one of those cheesy movies.
Chuckling to himself, Henry said, “I thought that might wake you.”
“Hurry, let’s head downstairs!” Heather urged, throwing on the closest pair of jeans and a shirt.
When they made their way downstairs, they found their parents and other players waiting nervously by the front door. Together, they watched the timer count down to zero.
[00:04:45]
[00:02:33]
[00:00:00]
As the timer reached zero, a series of messages appeared.
[Attention former earthlings]
[Welcome to the 3rd Galactic Republic]
[You are now citizens of merged Cerulean Planet 123-855]
[Congratulations on completing the tutorial]
[Wealth, treasure, status, and opportunities can be yours… If you have the strength]
[Compete for your supremacy]
Henry’s mouth gaped open as he read the messages. He had so many questions. What was the 3rd Galactic Republic? How large was the planet? And where was he in the world?
He prayed they weren’t in the middle of some godforsaken, monster-infested forest. He cringed at the thought of his towns neighboring an orc fortress. As his mind raced with questions, new messages appeared.
[Awakening inhabitants, monsters, and beasts]
[Removing territorial barrier]
During the merge, Woodhaerst and Ironwood had been encased in a rectangular light barrier, and the adventurers had been unable to explore their changing surroundings. Now, as the light barrier flickered and disappeared, Henry heard the sounds of his townspeople rising from their long slumber.
As the day wore on, the sounds of activity filled the air—the murmur of townspeople gathering supplies and the distant shouts of scouts preparing to venture into the unknown. Henry was happy to hear the sounds of Woodhaerst once again. Yet, as his excitement rose at seeing his villagers again, loud roars and squeaks echoed in the distance.
“Henry, what should we do?” Heather’s mother, Eva, asked, her face tinged with worry. She, like many of the adventurers, wanted to find their friends and family.
“We don’t yet know the level of the beasts around us. All those level 50 and higher, scout the surroundings. Until we know where we are, be careful and err on the side of caution. When the guards wake, I’ll order them to secure the walls.”
As the adventurers moved to explore the unfamiliar territory, Henry was surprised to see a batch of new messages.
[Detecting you are a lord of two settlements.]
[Would you like nearby unsettled inhabitants to see your towns’ locations? Y/N Skip?]
Henry moved to press ‘Yes,’ but then he paused to think. These weren’t the typical refugees he would gladly welcome. He didn’t know these people’s levels, or whether they might cause harm or start trouble. The highest-level person in Woodhaerst was Sergeant Ulysses. As long as the newcomers were weaker than him, Henry felt confident he could protect his settlements. Still, he decided to skip until he spoke to Sergeant Ulysses.
When he pressed the ‘Skip’ button, a new prompt appeared.
[Your affiliation with the “Akkadian Empire” has been disbanded. You have six affiliation invitations: Akkadian Empire, Twilight Order, Night Order, Daylight Order, Ursa Kingdom, Dwarven Tribal Union.]
Henry pressed to view the invitations from the Akkadian Empire, Ursa Kingdom, and Twilight Order.
[As a former fiefdom of the Akkadian Empire, you are hereby obliged to rejoin the empire. On reinstatement, your title and property shall be reissued.]
[On joining the Ursa Kingdom, you will be entitled patriarch of a Bearington branch clan.]
[On acceptance, the Twilight Order gifts you 500 jump gate crystals.]
Henry decided against joining a kingdom until he had a better understanding of the geography around him. He didn’t know how close or far he was from the Akkadian Empire or Ursa Kingdom. What if there was a closer, friendlier kingdom? The first thing he needed to do was create a map. Then he could mark important landmarks, as well as the locations of friends and foes alike.
But what he needed first were allies, so he quickly accepted the invitation from the Twilight Order. Upon acceptance, the invitations to the Daylight and Night Orders disappeared, yet to his surprise, the invitations from the empire, kingdom, and union remained.
He planned to ask his parents about that later, except his mom and dad found him first.
“Henry! We just received messages from the Twilight Order offering us officer positions. What did you do?” David exclaimed joyfully.
“Ah, they sent me an invitation to join them, so I accepted,” Henry shrugged, unsure of what else to say.
“Unfortunately, the positions are in their mainland. We’d be separated again,” Lindsey frowned sorrowfully.
“Mom, it’s fine. Once the jump gate is operational again, we’d be a few hops away. We could still see each other on the weekends, at least once things settle down.”
“When did you get so mature?” Lindsey smiled proudly.
“Once you fix the jump gate, we’ll head to the Order’s headquarters as a family,” David said, patting Henry’s shoulder.
As they chatted, the first adventurers returned. Henry could tell by their displeased looks that they realized the jump gates were inoperable—a fact that only heightened the anxiety of adventurers concerned for their lost ones.
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Addressing them, Henry promised to repair the jump gate. In the meantime, he suggested visiting Town Hall to post the names of their missing family members. Later, he’d have Brand nail the poster on a board outside so visitors with information could reach out to them.
As he watched the adventurers run off, he noticed Mayor Brand, Arthur, Captain Joseph, Sergeant Ulysses, Priestess Thera, and the other Woodhaerst council members approaching.
The first to speak was Captain Joseph, who kneeled apologetically. “My liege, let me beg forgiveness for my men. Falling asleep at our post is an unforgivable crime. I ask that you punish me and spare the lives of my men.”
“Please, Captain Joseph, you and your men had no control over what happened. None of the townspeople did. Please tell your guards they committed no offense.”
“My lord, you are most merciful.” Captain Joseph bowed respectfully.
“The first order of business is to ensure the safety and stability of our settlements. We are vulnerable to whatever may be lurking in this new world. I want you to coordinate with Sergeant Ulysses to fortify our defenses. We need patrols along the walls and the surrounding areas. No one is to enter without our express permission.”
Both men saluted, "Yes, sire,” and turned to leave.
As they left, Henry selected the ‘Yes’ button, allowing Woodhaerst and Ironwood road signs to appear far on the horizon.
Turning his attention to Mayor Brand, he asked, “How are the townspeople?”
The weight of responsibility was evident in Brand’s posture, but there was also a quiet confidence in his eyes. “My lord, your people are refreshed after such a long sleep. Hunter and Andrea are already scouring for new hunts for the Hunter’s Lodge. The marketplace, shops, and inns are beginning to hum again. The mills, lumberjacks, carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, and tanners are all hard at work. The bathhouse is in the process of reopening, and the apiarist is hard at work. However, the Trading Post, caravans, and factories are inoperable. According to Sawyer, the factories should be operational by the weekend. Regarding the farms, I’ll let Arthur report.”
Arthur stepped forward, looking less confident. "My lord, the farmlands may have been affected by the changes. The farmers and I will need some time to check the soil. We also don’t know the climate. There is a chance the seeds we plant this spring won’t root. Until we know more about the soil and climate, the farmers fear a bad planting season may be upon us. My lord, I suggest we ration grain until we know for sure. We must maintain our food supply.”
Henry knew the stability of their food supply was crucial, more so now than ever, given the changes. What he didn’t know was whether his fertility blessing from Demeter was still active. Without the system, gathering information was more difficult. Turning to Priestess Thera, he asked, “Is there any news from the goddess?”
As Arthur stepped back, Priestess Thera, who had been observing quietly, spoke up. "Warden, why not have faith? The gods do not offer blessings recklessly. For a god to remove a blessing is a serious matter. For now, address and reassure your citizens. The townspeople are confused and frightened by the sudden changes. Go walk among them. Many are struggling to understand what has happened and what it means for their future. I suggest we hold a gathering at the cathedral to offer guidance and prayers to the goddess. It’s important that they feel they are not alone in this.”
Henry considered her words carefully. "You’re correct. Brand, organize a gathering at the Town Hall. I’ll give a speech on the balcony at noon, followed by prayers at the cathedral. Let’s reassure the people that their Lord and Town Council are on top of things. I’ll foster a sense of unity and purpose during this time of uncertainty. Send a message to Mayor Vakdraen—I’ll do the same in Ironwood tomorrow.”
Priestess Thera nodded, her expression one of calm determination. "I will see to it that the cathedral and temple are prepared."
Henry watched as Mayor Brand stepped forward and voiced his concern. “I’ll alert the populace, but there is the minor issue of trade. Without trading partners, our backlog of pelts, ore, ingots, mana crystals, grain, meat, lumber, and goods will continue to grow. It’s essential we resume trade soon. Moreover, the Trading Post and caravans being inoperable complicates things further."
Henry nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Our first priority is ensuring the basics—food, water, and security. Once we’ve stabilized those, we can focus on reestablishing trade. We need to be self-sufficient until we can reconnect with other settlements.”
Brand nodded. “Yes, sire.”
“Once we have a clearer picture of our surroundings, we might establish local trade networks. In this new world, we must take advantage of every opportunity we find.”
The council members nodded in agreement, each ready to play their part in securing the town’s future.
“Thank you, everyone," Henry said, his tone earnest. “Let’s go out there and show our people that we’re here for them, that we’re prepared, and that we’ll guide them through this."
As the council dispersed to carry out their tasks, Henry took a deep breath and prepared himself for the day ahead. There was no time to lose; the people of Woodhaerst and Ironwood were counting on him and the town councils to lead them through these uncertain times.
As the third chime sounded on the Town Hall clock tower, a hush fell over the crowd gathered below. The people of Woodhaerst, a mix of townsfolk and adventurers, looked up expectantly at their lord. Henry stood tall on the balcony, his eyes sweeping over the faces of those who had put their trust in him. The weight of responsibility was heavy on his shoulders, but so too was his determination to lead them through the uncertain times ahead.
Henry took a deep breath, then began to speak, his voice steady and clear, carrying across the square.
"My friends, my family, my people—today marks a new chapter in our lives, one we could never have imagined. We have been thrust into a world that is unfamiliar, filled with challenges and dangers we have yet to understand. The land around us has changed, the skies above us are different, and even the ground beneath our feet feels foreign. But as I stand here before you, I see something that has not changed—our spirit, our resolve, and our unity."
He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze meeting the eyes of those who stood with him.
"We are no strangers to adversity. We have faced trials before, and we have always come through stronger. Today, as we find ourselves in this new world, we must draw upon that same strength, that same resilience. The barriers that protected us during the merge are gone, and with them, the safety we once knew. But we are not helpless. We have our skills, our courage, and our community. Together, we will protect our home, and we will build a future for ourselves and our children."
Henry’s voice grew more impassioned as he continued, his conviction clear in every word.
"The world beyond our walls is unknown, but we will face it together. Already, I’ve sent adventurers to scout the land and commanded Captain Joseph to secure our defenses to ensure that Woodhaerst and Ironwood remain safe havens for all who live here. We will support one another, share our resources, and stand united against whatever threats may come. And most importantly, we will remember that we are not alone. We have each other, and we have the strength of our bonds to see us through."
"Look around you—look at what we have already accomplished. In the face of uncertainty, you have all stepped up to protect and provide for our community. You have shown bravery, determination, and kindness. These are the qualities that will see us through the days ahead. These are the qualities that make Woodhaerst strong."
Henry paused again, allowing the pride he felt for his people to shine through.
"I know you are worried. I know you have questions—questions I don’t yet have the answers to. But I promise you this: we will face these challenges together. We will learn about this new world, we will find allies, and we will overcome any obstacles that stand in our way. We will protect our families, our homes, and our way of life. And as long as we stand together, there is nothing we cannot overcome. So let us face this new world with our heads held high and our hearts full of resolve. Together, we will thrive!"
As Henry finished his speech, the crowd’s cheers echoed through the square, filling the air with a renewed sense of hope and unity. Just as he was about to step back from the balcony, a shadow swept across the sky. A raven, sleek and black, swooped down and landed gracefully on his shoulder. The crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on the unexpected visitor.
Henry turned his head slightly to glance at the bird, and his breath caught when he noticed a small scroll tied to the raven's leg. With careful fingers, he untied the scroll and unrolled it, curiosity and apprehension swirling within him.
The parchment was crisp and new, and the ink on it was dark and freshly dried. Henry’s eyes widened as he read the simple message written in elegant script:
“Your crystals are at the gate.”