My sleep gets broken up by a couple Oblivion attacks, and I eventually switch off with Koru and Azra again once I feel at least somewhat functional.

The sun rises at long last, its rays slipping through the branches overhead, and we switch again. When we finally get up, it's closer to noon than morning. We're all still tired, but far better than we were before. We aren't running on nothing anymore.

It's about six back on Earth, so I need to get up and get ready for work soon. Before that, I want to see if it's possible to find a heading.

“I'm going to try climbing a tree,” I tell the kids, “see if I can get a better look from above.” Just as I'm turning to look at the ones immediately around us, Koru bumps his head into my side to get my attention. “Koru?” We pause, giving him time to transform back from his wolf form, so he can speak.

“I might be able to help. I can try making you float.”

“Float...?” I tilt my head, not exactly understanding. Some kind of magic? I don't recall seeing anything quite like that under the Support spells...

“It's my Personal Affinity.” I blink a few times at the unexpected words.

“Really? To make things float?”

“Well...” he scratches his cheek awkwardly. “It's not a very useful Affinity, and it usually only works on small objects anyway, but with your Affinity buffs, I just thought...”

“Sure, let's try it,” I agree. Just looking at him, he must feel bad about having a 'useless' Affinity. Azra's Repair Affinity has a ton of utility and has single-handedly been upkeeping all of our gear out here. Compared to that... “Also, I don't know if it's really alright to ask, but maybe we could share our other Affinities? So we know what we all can do?” I try suggesting.

“That...” The kids look uncertainly between themselves, and I immediately wave my hands to back off.

“It's fine if you don't want to!”

“No, it's alright,” Azra responds. “It's a good idea.”

“Here, I'll mute my stream audio,” I offer, while doing so. “And I'll go first, since I suggested it.” After one more glance around to ensure nothing is about to attack us, I speak.

“So, I have a Major Aura stat Affinity, an Exploit Skill Affinity, and my Cute Trigger. Like you've seen, it buffs Aura when I use it. Besides that, I have some Curse that affects my Titles, which is where I got the Dissonant Title from. When I equipped it, the thing permanently locked...” I sigh and shake my head. “That's why I give off a dangerous aura and draw so much aggro from Oblivion monsters now.”

They nod slowly, and I think they're about to go, when I realize I'm not quite done. “Oh, also... I've been given two other Affinities since then.” Both of their mouths drop open, but I just finish explaining. “I don't know what they do, which is also part of why I'm looking for a seer at this point, so... yeah. Anyway, they're called From Afar, and The Void.”

The kids consider that for some time, but before they say anything, I remember one more thing. “Wait, there was actually one more.” They blink with shocked expressions down at me again. “I never got a message saying I got the Affinity, like I did with the other two, but I have seen one called Transcendent Faith in my menu. I think I got it when I took a special Skill. That one looks like it's just a buff for one of my Skills though.”

They nod a couple times. There isn't much to comment on since none of us know any more right now, and we just move on. “So like you know, we have Wolf Transformations,” Koru begins with their Major Affinity. “I have a minor Float Action Affinity, and Azra has a minor Repair Action.”

I nod simply, and he goes on. “Our last one is a Minor Bond Trigger. We both have it. It... basically makes us do things better whenever we do them together.”

“Oh... Just with each other?” They nod, and I rub my chin, trying to think through how that would work. Like, anything they do? I see how it could relate to fighting, but they occupy different roles. What counts as 'working together' anyway...? And what about stuff out of combat? Wait-

“But how...” I point between them briefly. “How did that work-” Oh. I barely manage to stop myself before I ask them how they could get matching Affinities between them when one was born first. They're around sixteen and seventeen I think, and only one year of time has passed in this world since Planes was released.

Neither of them were actually 'born' before the other. Rather, they were designed as a pair. Definitely not mentioning that to them...

“What?” Azra asks. Crap, my panic showed on my face there, didn't it?

“N-nothing, it's nothing much.” I wave my hands, and thankfully, they let it go. They are like real people, with their own lives here, so it's always such a shock, being reminded that they were created artificially. “So, how about we try getting out of here?” I suggest to change topics, pointing a thumb to a nearby tree I think I can climb.

The kids agree, and we walk over to it while I unmute my stream. The thing is thick and round, with bark tough to my fingertips, and smooth in a way that would make it harder to climb, especially since I can't even reach a fraction of the way around the wide trunk to get any sort of grip.

Not really the best choice for climbing, but I need something sturdy enough that the uppermost branches won't break under my weight if I want to get a good view. I could try for the lowest section of a nearby tree and jump over to this one if I use my Wall Cling...

Yeah, I nod to myself. I could probably manage if Koru's Affinity isn't enough to lift me, but it will definitely be easier if it does work. “Want to give it a try?” I ask him.

“Sure, let's see if this works,” he agrees with a serious look. He puts a hand on my shoulder, closes his eyes, and says, “Float.”

“Oh,” I gasp slightly when the feeling sweeps over me, a bright golden light appearing with the buff. I'm not floating away or anything, but I definitely feel lighter on my feet now, like I'm suddenly on the moon or something. “Let's test this out.”

I start with a hop. It's not much, but just that is enough for the strangely weightless feeling to make itself even more pronounced. I flail slightly at the unexpected sensation, for a moment. “Wow...”

Next, I try to aim in a direction that looks mostly clear in front of me, and make a real jump. “Waah!” Even the second time, the sudden lack of gravity is enough to throw me off, flapping my arms and tail wildly to try and stay upright as I make a high arc through the air.

I descend slowly. When my feet touch down once more, I stagger a couple steps in my surprise. What was that, like ten feet off the ground? “Ok, even if I don't fully float, this is seriously impressive, Koru!” I turn back and praise him sincerely.

When I walk back over, careful not to push away from the ground too hard, he puts a hand up with a warning. “There is a time limit, so be careful climbing. Normally it was about a minute, but I'm not sure what it'll be with your buffs.”

“Ah, so that's how it is. Alright, I'll watch out.”

He nods. “Besides that, I can only use it on one thing at once, and end it at will. Ok?”

“Yup, I've got it,” I confirm. Both standing in front of the big tree I'm aiming for the top of, he cancels the effect, and applies it once more.

I crouch low, building strength in my legs, then kick off as hard as I can. My body soars up, and a grin breaks over my face. Once I'm used to this, it feels amazing! However, I misjudged my angle a bit, so I end up reaching the side of the tree before the top of my jump. But it's good enough.

Before I can crash face first into the smooth bark, I kick my feet out, Wall Cling activating and latching me in place. It gives me just what I need to turn, aim, and jump off once more, straight for a branch, now easily within reach. I end up hitting it head on, my whole midsection wrapping around the thick limb. Then I scramble up to stand atop it.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Once my feet are planted firmly, I wave down at the Nirvallans on the ground below, before turning my sights upward again.

Having made it past the hard part, I continue to scale the tree easily, leaping up from one branch to the next. I'm mindful of my time limit, and make it as far up as I can, as quickly as I can, stopping when I spot the golden buff light beginning to flicker out. I can't afford to have gravity shifting suddenly in the middle of the air, so I wait for it to disappear and my normal weight to return before continuing.

It's definitely slower, since I can't simply jump between branches. Instead, I climb from one to the next to advance upward. The biggest issue are the spiky upper branches. I couldn't see them from the ground - there are actually thorns all over these high ones. They aren't sharp enough to pierce my traveling boots, but I have to be careful placing my hands. It's doable, but the obstacle does slow me down somewhat.

To my surprise, the branches don't bend under my weight at all, even as I reach the upper sections of the tree. I wonder if they're really that sturdy, or if they just didn't bother simulating the weight on them?

Either way, I make it to the top. All the way at the highest point, I break into the clear air above the trees, and let out a big, relieved sigh. Until getting here, I hardly even realized how weirdly oppressive everything felt. Just looking around, I'm immediately aware of my surroundings again.

Swinging my body around the tip of the tree, I look off to the east. Thrun is right over that way! It's a pretty long way off still, but it's definitely that way!

However... Just looking to the ground below my perch, a dense gray fog hangs over the dark forest, like a veil shrouding everything inside. The fog must be the cause of all our problems. If I completely lose my sense of direction once I go back down, this is going to be rough...

The only solution I can come up with is to climb up regularly to check our progress. I'd try climbing through the trees to stay above the fog, but with the thorns and constant threat of falling, that isn't really feasible. I can't exactly see with the obscurance below, but the ground is a really, really, really long way down...

Just try... not to think about that. I'm not really afraid of heights, but I'm very aware of how fatal long falls can be...

I rapidly shake my head clear of that last thought, and try looking around again. For landmarks, there are mountains to the north and south, with the trees stretching off in every direction beneath them. If I keep climbing once in a while, we can continuously adjust our course. It'll be slow going, but at least we can be sure we're making progress instead of wandering aimlessly.

With that in mind, I start to climb back down, but I only make it a short way before I realize my huge oversight. Just climbing down is enough to get me completely turned around and lose our heading. If I could go straight down it wouldn't be an issue, but having to weave through the thorny branches makes that impossible.

Back up to the top I go, I guess...

Breaking above the fog once more, I'm immediately aware that I was already looking in the complete wrong direction, and reorient myself toward Thrun again. What to do...?

Since I've been ignoring my viewers for a while, I decide to explain my thoughts aloud while trying to think up a solution.

“I'd try shooting an arrow down, but don't those disappear on impact?” At least, they do when hitting monsters. “Or... Does that count for hitting the ground?” I think they did when I test-fired into that tree. So, one place where the lack of realism actually hinders me. “I'm going to run out of arrows like that anyway...” I complain. I had hundreds when we left Pollton, but I've been whittling down my stock for days now, so I only have about a hundred left.

I'll have to rely on my magic more than before and try to save my arrows. Maybe there's some way I can figure out to make my own like I did with upgrading my bow...?

Pushing that thought off for later, I dig through my inventory. “How about...” With a tap, I bring out a good, fist sized rock I collected along the way. Something falling that far could be dangerous, I remind myself. Koru and Azra should be standing at the base of the tree, so I aim away from the trunk, toward Thrun, and give it a good throw.

The rock arcs through the air, down, down, down, and then bounces off a tree branch. Oh. It skitters down, ricocheting repeatedly on the way, and eventually disappears into the fog. I steal a glance at the stream chat to find walls of laughter.

“Alright, it's... not the most precise form of navigation ever invented,” I grumble into a hand, staring pointedly away from the camera. “But it'll have to do. Let's go back down...” I quickly do so, descending through the branches. It's somewhat easier than the way up, since it takes less strength, but I have to be more careful of my hands to avoid the thorns.

When I reach the lowest branches, the kids are waiting with big smiles. Koru points off to the side. “Hey, did you throw a rock down here?”

“Yeah, that's the direction we need to go.” Not at all the way my Navigation Skill is pointing me right now... After carefully dropping the last of the way to the ground, I explain how my idea works, and my current plan for navigating us through this ridiculous forest.

When they're all caught up, we're ready to head off. However, I stop them one more time. “Sorry guys, I have something to do back on Earth, so I'll be switching with Mai now.”

They wave it off and say it's fine. At least I don't have to abandon them completely like a Guardian would. “I should be done in about a day, maybe a day and a half, I'll try keeping up on what happens when I have the chance.” I point at the camera to let them know I'll be watching from out there.

“Alright, have a good time, Mei. See you later.” Azra unexpectedly comes up and gives me a hug. I'm a little startled, but accept it and hug her back after a moment. Even if we've been surviving together for days now, most of that wasn't me, so the closeness feels somewhat unearned on my part...

With a gentle grin from behind his sister, Koru bids me farewell too, and I log out.

I open my eyes, again struck by how strange it is to suddenly feel less tired than I was before. Whatever, who knows if I'll ever get used to the feeling?

With slow movements, I stand up. And... feel like shit. God, I hate being me...

Work. I have to go to work. Just focus on that. I push away all the other thoughts and get dressed.

When I walk out into the common room, Allie is sipping at a cup of coffee. She raises a hand in greeting, and I hesitantly do the same. It's better than having to talk...

My breakfast is a bowl of cereal. Quick and easy. And I won't burn down the house trying to cook. I eat fast, one spoonful after another to keep my mouth full. That way, I don't have to consider talking, or the unbearable silence and Allie's judging eyes boring into me as I fight not to glance in her direction.

Don't acknowledge the awkwardness, Alex, you'll only make it worse...

----------------------------------------

By the time I finish my food, my head is pounding. The sound of my bowl clattering when I set it in the sink makes me flinch. Don't look, don't look...

I duck my head and try not to rush on my way out the door while waving a hand in Allie's direction. Once I'm outside, I work my way down the stairs to the street, cursing at myself. I should have said something. She must think I'm a rude asshole now. Should I go back and apologize? No, that would just make it worse!

My breath comes fast, heart thumping loudly in my chest. An overwhelming sense of dread hangs over me the entire way to work. When I arrive, there's someone there behind the counter. A guy. Do I know him? I don't know.

Did I work with him yesterday? Did I work yesterday?

No, I mean yes. I did work, it was my first day. Right.

“Hi, it's Ray, right?” That's all he has to say, and I feel like I'm choking. I'm not Ray! I can't be him! He's still talking, I think he's introducing himself. But his words don't make sense, I can't focus on them. All I want to do is run. But I can't. I have to do this.

Why do I have to do this? For money? I have to work to live, to stop fucking up everyone else's lives.

But I can't. I can barely manage as Alex as it is, there's no way in hell Ray could do it!

“Uhh, hello?” I practically jump out of my skin when I realize the guy is right in front of me, waving a hand to get my attention. Fuck, I missed everything he was saying!

“S-sorry, I- I, uhh, k-kind of spaced out,” I try a frantic excuse, even though I know he's going to hate me now. Then he'll tell the boss and I'll get fired. Fara's going to be so disappointed in me... I'd rather just end it than face her after that...

“Dude, you do not look alright,” he's saying. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

I have to answer. My mouth moves, but my words aren't working. I have to make it look like I'm alright, or my life is over. “T-t-two.” Breathe, Alex, have to keep breathing.

“Alright, I guess you're not dying at least. Ow!” he yelps when someone slaps him on the back.

“That's how you check for a concussion, dumbass,” the other guy laughs as he comes to look at me too. Oh god, why? I wish I could be anywhere else. Feel anything but this. “You're really pale and sweaty, you sick or something?”

“I-I'm fine,” I choke out. He pauses, just looking at me for a few beats.

“Alright, if you say so,” he shrugs, returning to whatever he was doing before. The other guy looks after him, before shrugging and following too. I clench my fists and rush toward the back to punch in.

I end up gasping for air when I realize there's no one in the back, taking a few minutes forcing my breathing to calm down. I don't have time to break down now! Pressing my head into a wall, I dig my nails into the stone and grind my teeth until finally wrangling all my emotions and shoving them down inside.

Just stay like that until after work...