Chapter 5

As the laughter and light chatter settled around the fire, I turned my attention to a group of initiates excitedly discussing a recent discovery—a cave filled with unexpected resources. The group, animated and gesturing vividly, caught the interest of many around the fire, including myself.

"The cave was hidden pretty well," began one of the explorers, a young woman with a keen eye for detail. "Tucked away behind a thick veil of vines, it was barely visible unless you were really looking for it."

Another chimed in, his voice tinged with wonder. "And inside, it wasn’t just empty space. There were stacks of supplies, neatly arranged as if waiting for us. That cauldron,” he said gesturing at the huge soup pot. “There were some tools, crates of building and crafting materials, and a map!”

A third added, "There were bundles of hide and lengths of vine that we used to start making the shelters you’re seeing around you now. And not just any vines—these were sturdy, almost like they were grown specifically for building."

The group listened intently, captivated by the description. One of the builders, who had been particularly involved in the crafting efforts, speculated, "Do you think that the tutorial thing put the supplies there? Like, it was all pre-planned? Or are there other living things here?”

"It’s possible," responded the first explorer. "Everything was too well-placed, too convenient. I hope that they were put there for us and not someone’s secret stash."

Darren, overhearing the conversation from his spot near the fire, couldn’t resist contributing his thoughts. "This whole thing is probably a setup—like a government simulation test. They’re watching how we use the resources, how we solve problems."

"No way," another voice piped up from the opposite side of the fire, half-joking, half-serious. "It’s all aliens. You saw that tutorial guide. We’ve all been abducted, and this is some kind of test. Maybe they’re seeing if we can survive on other planets."

The conversation spiraled into a mix of serious discussion and playful banter, with each person adding their own theory into the mix. As the ideas grew wilder, the initial anxiety about our strange circumstances seemed to dissipate, replaced by a camaraderie forged in shared mystery and speculative fun.

Elara and her scouting group returned, their arms laden with food and hides they had gathered. Susan, directed adding the food to the boiling potluck in the giant cauldron that had been found earlier. The aroma was starting to waft around us and I found it comforting, blending with the scents of woodsmoke and the fresh night air.

"I bet there are hidden secrets all over this place," Darren proclaimed loudly, stoking the fire for emphasis. “I hope there are aliens. Big ones who I can recruit to help teach whoever brought us here a lesson!”

“Show us the map,” several chants came from around the fire.

“I’d love to but John has it. He said we would send out an expedition tomorrow.”

After more speculation the conversation turned towards other tales of the day. None nearly as exciting as the cache of goods and map. Laughter and a few agreeing nods followed his statement, but the playful banter didn't mask the underlying tension of our strange situation. The conversation shifted, the mood turning thoughtful as others began sharing their own findings and the tasks they had tackled throughout the day.

"I had a close call with a Luminsire Enchantboar today," I announced, catching the group's attention. "Imagine this—a massive, glowing boar bursting from the underbrush just as I was investigating a mysterious, hypnotic flower."

I gestured enthusiastically, mimicking the boar's surprise attack. Beside me, Byte, fully awake and buzzing with energy, joined in the reenactment. His LED eyes flickered playfully as he mimed charging and dodging, adding a comical flair to the tale.

"Byte here," I continued, pointing to my robotic companion who performed a small spin, "distracted the boar like a true hero, giving me just enough time to grasp how to use my energy sword!"

As I described the ensuing battle, with Byte weaving in and out of my legs to act out his part, the group was drawn into the drama and excitement. When I recounted how Byte bravely intercepted the boar, leading to his dramatic collision with a tree, sympathetic murmurs mixed with chuckles rippled through our audience.

"But don't worry, he bounced back just like a champ," I reassured them, patting Byte who beeped affirmatively and drew himself up showing his bravery.

"And the boar?" Darren interjected with a smirk. "Did it sign up for a loyalty card at your store?” He gave a loud obnoxious laugh at his own joke.

The laughter that followed made me pause. I remembered where I was. I wasn’t good with crowds and being the center of attention. The victory with the boar had given me confidence that took a hit by being reminded of how these people probably would’ve treated me back on Earth . Felix, who had been quietly observing, smiled dimples dotting his cheeks and leaned closer. "What a battle! How did it end?”

Encouraged by the healer, I wrapped up my tale with a flourish, detailing the electric surge that stunned the boar and the final, decisive blow with my sword. Byte mimicked a dramatic fall to illustrate the boar's defeat, eliciting cheers and applause from the group.

Felix nudged me with his elbow, a smile spreading across his face. “That was a great story,” he said. “I’m Felix, by the way.”

I returned the smile, glad for the friendly introduction. “Nice to meet you, Felix. I’m Maura. How was your first day here?”

He sighed, a resigned humor in his eyes. “Well, it’s certainly not how I’d imagined spending my day off, but I can’t say I had any other plans. How are you holding up? Any family or a significant other you’re trying to locate?”

The question made me instinctively draw inwards, and I frowned slightly. “I’m not really looking for anyone at the moment. How about yourself?”

Felix seemed to sense the shift in my mood and quickly changed the subject. “Your hands look skinned, would you like me to heal them?”

I nodded and cautiously held out my hands, “Actually I fell pretty hard on my knee too, if it’s not too much trouble,” I added after a beat.

Felix’s eyes got a distant look and moments later a slightly green glow appeared around my hands, knees and side where the boar had nicked me.

As he was channeling his healing Felix added, “I’d love to hear more about how you have a fricking robot as a pet! I haven’t seen anyone else with a robot or anything like that outfit you’ve got on.”

I looked around, I noted that indeed, most people were dressed in what looked like makeshift armor or were still in their everyday clothes, which seemed out of place. “The tutorial guide said this was a unique class,” I explained. “I’m sure we’ll run into others as we meet new people.”

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Felix finished channeling his spell and I wiggled my fingers. “Wow! That is incredible.” I stood up to stretch and try out my knee while looking around at the bustling activity around me.

With the return of most of the group, I noticed how the dynamics had shifted. What was once a cluster of confused and wary individuals had transformed into a vibrant community. Bonds were forming right in front of the flickering flames—some people merged into tight-knit groups, pooling their skills and resources, while others chose solitary paths, perhaps driven by personal quests or the pain of separation from loved ones.

The air was charged with the energy of reunions and the forming of new alliances. Felix and I mingled with others, sharing our own tales and listening to theirs, each story adding a unique thread to the rich tapestry of our collective experience here.

Amid this bustling scene, Susan, imbued with a sense of purpose, announced that the stew was ready. As we gathered around, the sense of a community meal took shape, with everyone pitching in to distribute the food.

As I stood in line next to Felix waiting our turn for stew Darren attempted to slip in line in front of us. “Oh, hey Red. Drop anymore keys today?” I responded with a glare. “Don’t worry,” He added, “ I’ll help you out again and we can come up with a way to thank me better next time.”

Fed up with his antics a plan started to formulate in my mind. “Oh, Darren. I’m so sorry, with everything that happened I never got to thank you. Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll bring you over your stew.”

Very pleased with himself, Darren handed the bowl to me. “I knew you’d come around.” He swaggered back towards the fire and started talking to a man on his way over. He pointed at me and started making a rude gesture when he thought I wasn’t looking.

Felix looked between the two of us and a look of disgust replaced his earlier kindness. “Are you with that guy?” He stammered out.

I began laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath. “No. He was a locksmith I paid to get my keys out of the sewer.”

“Well, I wouldn’t think you would want to help him out, but whatever you think.”

I smiled and leaned in and whispered my plan in Felix’s ear. The line moved quickly and before I could talk myself out of it we had Darren’s bowl of stew. When no one was looking I slipped a small piece of the leftover peculiar mushroom into his stew, hoping it might mellow him out or at least give us a break from his bluster. As he took his first spoonful, unaware of the added ingredient, his eyes widened, and a slow grin spread across his face.

“Not bad,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, as he settled down by the fire to enjoy the meal, completely oblivious to the extra seasoning.

As everyone settled down to eat, shared tales of their foraging adventures, discoveries, and even humorous mishaps while hunting for resources continued to resonate from the group. Individual journeys and group expeditions, began creating bonds that strengthened the fabric of their burgeoning society. In the flickering firelight, laughter resonated, and the diverse group found solace and comfort in the simple joy of coming together around a communal meal.

As the first spoonfuls of stew were savored, a sense of gratitude permeated the atmosphere. The stew acted as a symbol of their collective efforts, a testament to their ability to adapt and thrive in spite of the days’ changes. The shared experience of breaking bread — or, in this case, stew — solidified the bonds among the companions, fostering a sense of unity that would serve them well in the challenges that lay ahead.

John cleared his throat and waited a moment for the chatter to die down. “It seems as though we may be together a while, at least for the next month. I propose we name our camp. Naming it and uniting under it should help give everyone the bonuses from my class. Does any one have any suggestions?” he asked after gaining the attention of those eating around him.

A chorus of voices shouted answers. Among them the loudest were "New Arcadia!" and "Springfield!" popped up, followed by some more suggestions until Elara threw in "How about ‘Galene’? It means peace and calm.”

With some final murmurs and agreements the crowd settled on Galene. John jotted a few things on his pad and as dinner wrapped up he thanked everyone for their contributions that day and started to lay out the structure for the next few days to come. Plans for how to grow the camp, find missing loved ones and to level up were thrown about.

Once the conversation began dwindling down people began cleaning up and putting finishing touches on sleeping arrangements and watch. I volunteered to take first watch with Felix, Elara and John would be on second and Darren would be taking third insisting that he didn’t require babysitting. Shortly there after Felix elbowed me and nodded his head in the direction of Darren.

“May I have this dance ma’lady?,” Darren appeared to be addressing his axe. He slow danced around the fire to a song only he could hear with his weapon as his partner.

Suppressing a giggle I couldn't help but throw out a quip to Felix, "Look at that axe hole, literally serenading his own weapon.”

He chuckled but looked rather guilty and his smile never reached his eyes.

As night fell the settlers of Galene dispersed to their respective shelters, with volunteers claiming shifts to guard the sleeping, leaving me and Felix alone by the campfire on first watch. Darren lay off to the side snuggling his axe after having fallen into a deep sleep.

I gazed into the dancing flames, pondering the future. Byte, sat next to me, emitting a soft metallic purr. Several times Felix went from appearing to be in deep thought to opening his mouth as if to speak but exhaustion from the day won out and he sat quietly watching the crackling fire and stoking it’s flames as they died down.

As silence overtook the makeshift village, the unease I felt earlier returned, like a faint hum beneath the surface. I couldn't shake the feeling that something more was beneath the surface here. I took a glance at the arm panel on my suit and watched as the clock ticked over to midnight marking the end of our watch and beginning of the second day in the tutorial. Just then a notification appeared:

Congratulations on completing the first of thirty days! Your actions today have qualified you for personalized quests, each designed to challenge and develop your skills. You may choose to engage with any, all, or none of these paths. Remember, these quests will expire in twenty-nine days. Additionally, in four days time, the store will open, offering items that could significantly enhance your capabilities. Earn additional credits by completing quests, engaging in trade with other initiates, or claiming the possessions of any foes you defeat.

Technomancer’s Trial: You have shown a unique ability to blend magic with technology. Your challenge is to develop a series of five prototypes that could change the way we interact with the magical energies of this world. Success in this quest will not only demonstrate the prowess of a Technomancer but also potentially alter the lives of all initiates here.

Floral Mastery: Your curiosity and interaction with the magical flora have set you apart. This quest involves the collection and cataloging of fifteen unique plant species from the enchanted woods. Study their properties, potential medicinal uses, and magical qualities to aid in our survival and understanding of this mystical land.

Technological Tinkerer: Your journey as a Technomancer has just begun, and your companion, Byte, is a testament to your potential. Dive deeper into the realm of arcane technology and embark on a quest to enhance Byte's capabilities and functionality. Collect a schematic to enhance your companion!

My mind spinning from the day's events, I stood up and waved good night to Felix. I left to check on Elara and John at the shelter where they were prepping for the second watch. A gentle glow emanated from inside, indicating a light source within. Sighing, I left the cozy warmth of the campfire and made my way toward the designated shelter.

The path, dimly lit by the magical flora around, cast an ethereal ambiance. As I neared, I could hear Elara and John's muffled voices inside, speaking in hushed tones.

Clearing my throat to announce my presence, I pushed open the makeshift door. Elara peeked out, her eyes reflecting the soft light inside. "Maura, everything okay?"

"Yeah, just checking in. It’s time for the second watch."

Elara gave a reassuring smile. "Of course, we were just about to come out. Was there anything unusual we should be aware of?"

I shook my head, "Nah, it was very quiet. I kept an eye out along the tree line, but there wasn’t so much as a rustle in the grass."

Both John and Elara seemed reassured by this and thanked me as they stepped out to begin their watch. I caught snippets of their conversation about their quests, their voices tinged with curiosity about the mysterious notifications we had all received. Their words stayed with me as I settled onto the mat inside the shelter. The sounds of the night—creatures stirring, the crackle of the distant fire, and the low whispers of Elara and John—blended into a lulling symphony that slowly eased me into a deep sleep, letting the realm of dreams whisk me away into a world where the enchanted woodlands whispered of quests and mysteries yet to unfold.