Nedry Ridgeback has seen a lot of things in the nearly 300 years he’s been alive. He has experienced the Highlight and downfall of Flintwood, the rise and fall of empires, and coming and going of heroes. However, He has never seen someone come back from the dead. Obviously the first reaction to seeing the person he spent hours burying and performing the old rites for nearly a few days ago, would be the simplest…

“AAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” Ned screamed as the blinding light took form.

As near as she could tell, Evelyn Goldleaf, should have been lying down in the woods, but as she was now aware there was a gigantic turtle in overalls, screaming at the top of his lungs, looking around, she noticed a mirror depicting a small… girl…

“AAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” Evelyn let out, realizing the small form was her. What was going on? Why was she small? Where was she? A great many questions plagued her mind, as she continued to panic.

Unable to completely process what was going on, Alex Watched as both Ned and Evelyn Continued to lose their minds, before placing a hand on Ned’s shoulder. Walking past him, Alex approached the now smaller friend that he thought was once lost.

“Evelyn… Is that really you? he asked in a voice, barely above a whisper. Walking carefully towards her so that she wouldn't freak out even more. He found that the once very tall woman was now barely half his size. As if someone made a near chibi form of the warrior he once met. She still looked the same, just… Smaller. Her new stature may be reaching 3 feet in height, but not much more.

Only a few feet away, Evelyn finally recognized the person approaching her as the scared young man she met in the woods, trying to think back, what was name. That's right it was Alex. The last memory she had before finding herself here was Rodrick questioning her about his location shortly after her watch, discovering Sarah spying on her. The Templar Captain never really cared for her, considering his hatred towards Elves, but the cruel smile he gave at the thought of hunting a heretical outsider was terrifying. He wasted no time in using whatever means it took to find out that she had already allowed Alex time to find the Heroes Statue, and he was not happy at all about the revelation. Not one bit at all. Her memory of the events after were hazy at best, with her last being that of Alex approaching her then broken body, and a bright light enveloping both of them.

Alex was maybe a few feet away before Evelyn ran towards him at full speed, embracing him in a hug. The impact nearly knocked him over. The next moment he realized that his now smaller friend was crying in his embrace. Unsure with what to do, he simply hugged a little tighter, allowing her to simply just let it out. Alex turned his head towards Ned, finally a bit more calm now, as the old turtle gestured towards the kitchen. He figured that he was going to give them some time to calm down, and time to figure out what was going on. He nodded and continued letting Evelyn borrow his shoulder.

It was several minutes before anyone had spoken. Evelyn, now calmed down, was sitting on the bed that Alex had woken up earlier that day while he was sitting in the chair in front of her. She had her arms around her legs, a look of fear at everything that happened between the forest and just earlier.

“What happened, where is everyone?” Was all she could muster. Her voice, normally sharp and clear, now felt broken and somber.

“Honestly, I wish I could answer that myself. I only regained consciousness just earlier today, and that's after discovering that I was out of commission for nearly a week. Not to mention the gap in memory from even getting here,” Alex responded. He then explained everything that happened earlier in the day, as well as the events he could recall in the forest after departing the camp. He was at the part of discussing the aide sprite when he mentioned the name of the memoir that was listed. Hearing the title, Evelyn let out a small shriek, hiding further within herself.

“How do you know that? I never told anyone about…” she started before seeing the book on the desk.

The cover on the Book was very faded to the point that Evelyn could barely make out the picture of her in the garden of her childhood wearing her favorite silver and blue dress. The title was barely legible, and written in a language unfamiliar to her. Unfortunately it was easy to see that it was a book about her.

“I think I can answer a few questions” Ned Standing outside the door once more suggested to the group. “Why don’t you both come out and have some tea. I heard what you were talking about and I feel it deserves some explanation on my part as well.”

Placing a reassuring arm around her, Alex helped Evelyn off the bed, walking with her to the dining room table where the old turtle had three mugs waiting for them. Offering them cream and sugar for the pair. Alex was a little sad that his new friend did not have any lemon for the tea. Evelyn took the mug without any additions, simply drinking it as is, Alex added just a little sugar, with Ned Adding a generous portion of cream and sugar to his mug.

Ned broke the silence first.

“Ok, first I wanted to apologize for eavesdropping on the conversation between the two of you. It was wrong of me to do, and I reckon that you may be a little upset by it.”

“Now saying that I wanted to clarify a few things, first Alex. Can you pull up the screen you were talkin’ about earlier?” Ned inquired. Alex nodded, gesturing for the blue screen to open.

“Well I’ll be… It really is the old system. Can you pass that over to me? Umm, you would need to give it a swiping motion, with the intent to show it to me.” Ned explained as Alex again listened, and did as instructed. “ “Good, good. Wow, never thought I would see this again, with how the new system is in effect and everything, though I never really cared for this new one.”

A look of confusion was all Alex could show. “Wait, what do you mean?”

“I guess considering you have this you wouldn’t know.” Ned continued explaining. “The newer system is more of a heads up display that we always see, though it was never as in depth as the old one is. Normally we only see our life force and level of mana, what's the word I'm looking for… Quantified. That's it. Quantified into a number. I mean there are a few more things listed, but I always missed the old one. It was always more flexible with everything.”

“How do you know all this?” It was Evelyn that asked the question now. Alex was curious as well as they listened to Ned Continue on.

“Simple answer is that I'm old, not as old as some of my Cousins mind you, but we Tortlekin tend to live a few centuries longer than most. Also the system you know young lady was only introduced with the last bicentennial or so. Although I'm not sure why. Im figurin’ it was around the time most of the local gods and goddesses round here started disapearin’ and whatnot. Which was also around the time this village started going all wonky causing everyone to leave.”

Alex now chimed in on the conversation. “So this quest to restore the village might be the old system trying to fix things?”

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“I reckon so…” Ned answered, trailing off into thought, while reading everything on the screen.

Alex and Evelyn watched as the old turtle scrolled through the prompts and text on the screen, muttering a few things to himself, before grabbing his mug and taking a big drink of his Tea. “Ok, so Evelyn, it says here that you are now identified as Aide Sprite, so that explains your new diminutive stature. But that in itself is odd, but nothing we can do about that. Congrats lil one on a second chance.” He gave a warm smile to her. “Your friend here was near devastated earlier today learning about you.”

Evelyn looked down into her mug, contemplating everything about what she just learned. A second chance at life, more like a third perhaps, but she was happy that she was no longer anywhere near the conflicts that once plagued her thoughts day in and out.

“Now about this Village business. As mayor of Flintwood Valley, or at least I was right before it was abandoned, I feel like I can help you get started. First things first, I need you to try and send me an invite to the system. There should be a little plus sign in the top corner.” Ned tried explaining.

Listening to his friend Alex willed the screen back to himself looking for the icon mentioned. Finding in the top corner he opened a new prompt on the screen.

[Add New Sub-Users to the system interface?]

[Y/N]

Alex pressed yes on the screen. Almost immediately the pain of the headache, he had come to expect from the system, albeit less intense, struck once more. Ned took note of this, but remained quiet. Now seeing new screens pop up in front of his friends, the two of them both pressed on the prompt accepting the invitations, causing them both to be bathed in golden light.

Once the light dimmed around the two of them Ned smiled softly to himself. “Its there, It’s all still there. I can believe it.” Ned shed a few small tears to himself before composing himself. “Looks like we are gonna be able to start on this sooner than we thought.”

Evelyn could only stare in wonder at everything that happened; the Hud that normally plagued her vision constantly was now perfectly clear allowing her to take in everything around her. There was no constant beeping, no notification chimes, nothing. Save for a soft thrumming sensation identifying a new notification.

[Welcome Evelyn Goldleaf]

[Identification confirmed: Importing saved data]

[System Loaded]

[New Notifications]

It was so much simpler, She could believe how much she enjoyed the new feeling. Evelyn continued reading over all her old stats and notifications as Alex and the tortlekin discussed various things. She wasn't quite sure what all was being discussed but she was sure that she was willing to help Alex take care of things. Looking back into her mug of tea, she felt for the first time in a long time, relaxed.

“Great, now that I'm up to speed on the Objectives lets see about gettin’ that first one set up,” Ned Concluded.

Alex, after spending the last few minutes going through the long list of Items that the system was giving the group to get settled to help fill in some of the gaps about the village proper. Apparently most of the buildings operated as part of the system, requiring a designated person to operate, but in return worked with the user by supplying basic necessities like light, water, food, etc. Something the newer system did not provide. It also required various professions to be a part of the community, as well as a certain number of people before allowing other businesses to take hold as well. It all made sense in a weird sort of way. Ned also mentioned that each village utilized its own credit system, maintaining a small treasury in its own reserve to be traded between the various other towns and cities.

Apparently Ned was able to confirm that the old treasury was still available with a decent number in its funds which would be crucial in the first step of restarting the village.

“Ok so how much gold do you have currently?” Ned Inquired Alex, who upon showing him the five gold and seven silver to caused the old mayor to frown. “Well that's gonna make things a little difficult.”

“With the town nearly completely abandoned, we will need to repurchase the entire lot. One building at a time. The Farmhouse alone is going to nearly drain our coffers to nothing. The small amount you have left will be needed to purchase seeds to plant and sell. That's about it. I have some staples and sundries I can donate to you but it's not gonna be much. Its gonna be a lot of hard work for very little till we can get our treasury back up. Understood?” Ned gave Alex a very serious look, this wasn’t Ned the tortlekin talking, This was Nedry the mayor giving Alex an Obligation towards rebuilding the town.

Reaching out his claw, Alex took it in hand giving Ned a firm handshake. Confirming the deal. Alex then found the gold and silver he owned disappear in a flash of light, and the familiar thrumming sensation of the system sending him a notification.

“Looks like I get to officially welcome y'all as official residents to Flintwood Valley, and as the proud owner of Crestview farm.” Ned greeted them, a big smile on his face. “Now shall I show you to your new home?”

It was nearly evening before they reached the Farmhouse. It was a 2 story home that looked like it could fit a large family in. Plenty of room for him and she wanted Evelyn as well to live in comfortably. Outside he found a large Oak Tree that looked to have been in the residence for as long as the house stood. Ned walked up and placed an open claw to the tree.

Alex then took a look at the field and adjacent buildings. The field was covered in limbs, rocks, weeds and vines all over, the barn, coop, stable, and storage shed all nearly falling apart. Thinking about it all it was some wonder that the house was still intact through all this.

As if understanding what Alex was thinking, Ned answered his unspoken question. “Once you took ownership of the property, the system did what it could to restore the house, but it doesn't have the energy to restore everything else, that's where you come in. As you complete the tasks that the system has given you. You’ll be able to fix more of it.”

“Now before I head out of town to go get some seeds for you to plant I want to show you something first.” Ned commented as he walked towards a large wooden crate. “Anything you decide to sell can be placed in here, which will direct it to my inventory every morning at 5am. The system will then distribute the credits that it considers each item worth for sale., and that will allow me to go out and then distribute everything to the residents or to the greater market. For now that means I will have to be the go to between y'all and the Merchants Guild in the town over. Now I will be gone for a few days, I’ve already sent a few things to your home's inventory. I’ll be headed to Brightons Ridge just east of the village. One more thing, there is plenty to forage and hunt for as well, just in case.”

With that, Ned Gave his farewells and started walking down the long road to his next destination. A small spring in his step as he hummed a joyful tune. Alex turned to the farm and smiled. This would be a lot of work to complete, but it was a nice change of pace, and it was something he actually had some control over. Turning towards Evelyn, she gave an incredulous look.

“Look, you seem like a great guy and all, but I don't think of you like that.” Evelyn gave flatly. Alex could only laugh.

“Don’t worry, it never crossed my mind Evelyn.” Alex responded “I was just trying to figure out how we would make this work. Obviously we would have separate rooms. Its just been a long day.”

“Tell me about it, at least you're still the same size. I haven't been this tall for nearly a hundred years or so.” She lamented. “Also please, call me Eve. It's so weird being called Evelyn all the time.”

Alex simply nodded and with that, as the both walked towards the house. Making it up onto the porch, a light came on as if welcoming them to their new home. Alex reached and opened the door, inside they found the old house to be in pretty rough shape, the paint was wearing off showing the wood grain behind the white. Several old paintings hung on the walls in the hallway and leading up the stairs. Walking up Alex found the Bathroom with a working Shower and toilet, relaxing Alex that he wouldn't be completely in a medieval fantasy world. Eve let out that she found one of the bedrooms and that she was claiming it as hers. He simply nodded as he found another bedroom and walked inside. It was a simple room with a full size bed, a dresser with a mirror, as well as a bookshelf and desk. Dropping off his equipment on the desk, he placed his staff by the bed.

Finally laying down on the bed he felt completely relaxed for the first time in a very long time. Tomorrow would be a new day, and he was ready to take it head on, but first Alex would enjoy sleeping peacefully for a change.