He still couldn't believe it. It was right in front of him, plain as day. He even had Evelyn punch his arm to check if it was real. Though he immediately regretted the decision. Alex found himself standing on the street staring as the Dwarf laying in his hammock stared up in disbelief at the unlikely pair.

“Nah ‘ow in me grandpaps gray beard did ye’ get in ‘er” the old dwarf asked simply.

That was a very good question…

Several hours earlier. Alex remembered Evelyn grabbing onto his wrist excited about what she found. Already dissatisfied with his previous adventure not turning up anything interesting, minus the room with the bucket, the idea of something mysterious started getting the young farmers blood pumping. She managed to Alex into the dining room, when he started having doubts again. Thankfully before his doubts had a moment to have time to ruin anything, Eve walked up to the bookshelf in the back, pulled on one of the books and did a ‘TA DAH,’ as the bookshelf turn on its axis revealing another dark room.

“SEE, SEE!” Eve cried jumping up and down like a kid. “Secret Room! I've always wanted one of these, as a little girl!”

Walking up to the new doorway, Alex couldn't help but have a big smile himself. “I think everyone wanted to have a secret room of their own, but this is still exciting!” Taking a closer look, it appeared to be a small Library, lined wall to wall with bookshelves, save a small writing desk and chair against the far wall. Finally spotting one, Alex pulled on the chain attached to the light source in the middle. The room itself wasn't that large to save enough space for the two of them to stand comfortably. Something was off though.

“Where are all the books?” Eve asked, obviously to herself more than anyone else, but she had a point. Save for some Medical books, a few books on ‘proper farming techniques’ and a guide to ‘everything carrots,’ there was not a not a lot of used space in this small library.

“I don’t know I did find a locked door upstairs, so maybe we can find a key in here? Maybe the lock for another secret room?” Alex suggested to Eve, walking around the room checking all the shelves for anything he could find. “I mean we have plenty of time to explore.”

Evelyn shrugged in agreement and started looking on the other side. Perhaps they would find something in the dimly lit room. Together they found a few interesting titles that warranted a few laughs, ‘Beats, can we though?,’ ‘The Adventure of Duck Fins,’ ‘A Dwarven Vacation at the Hogshead Smithy,’ “When you lock a Doc’ in the Orchard,’ wait… Something sounded familiar.

* Required: Restore Hogshead Smithy

Well now, that's a small surprise. Alex went back to the leatherbound novel, taking a closer look at it. While it looked about as old as most of the dust covered bindings in the room, it felt… pristine. As if the wear and tear of time never wrapped its claws around this book’s smooth exterior. “Hey, Evelyn take a look at this. It’s weird, like a, ‘I can't quite place it’ weird.”

Walking up to him the small elf sighed, “ You know, I specifically remember telling you to call me Eve.” Picking up the book she stopped, stared at the protective cover, admiring the attention to detail on the leatherwork. “This feels… this book has magic in it.” Moving a few items to the side, she places the book on the desk, opening it to the first page.

Alex watched as Evelyn read aloud causing the settled dust in the room to whip into a frenzy. The room seemed to swell outward, the wind picking up speed all around, the sound growing louder similar to how Libra would communicate with him, “THRUMMM….. THRUMMMM….” The chaos inside guided by the rhythm of her reading, until finally, shafts of light emanated from the book enveloping the both of them.

Alex remembered a sense of falling, as the light receded and he found himself on a cobblestone road, once again face first. Much to Alex’s annoyance, He figured they had been transported. To where was really anyone's guess, at least that's what he figured. Though, he was seriously growing tired of getting randomly transported like some episodic adventurer.

“You are no longer allowed to get mad at me for dumb ideas,” Alex stated dusting himself as he was standing up. Looking over he found Eve already walking down the cobblestone path before them.

“No promises,” she called back towards her irritated friend. “Besides we’re perfectly fine, it's an “Escape Novella, perfectly safe.” Walking further down, she stopped, turned to Alex and gestured to him to follow. Unable to do anything else except obliged he continued on with her.

After what felt like an hour of silence between the two Alex had to break the silence, “Ok, I'll bite what is an escape novella anyway.” looking down to his elven friend, her emerald eyes looked back up at him excitedly.

“It’s a little pocket of paradise for the person who makes it. Usually wizards who are confined to a lifetime of work in the Magic Academy make them have a small getaway. My uncle had one of these when I was little and taught me how to open them. I am sorry I didn’t mention any of this before, my excitement got the better of me this time.” Evelyn relented as she continued explaining how the book works. Apparently these were very popular about a couple hundred years ago before dying out in popularity around the time the North Hero church came into power. Something about finding paradise for a decent price without any form of self sacrifice really rubbed the clergy the wrong way, and began banning the use of them.

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As Alex found even more reasons to dislike the North Hero church the pair finally reached a small Cottage made of various natural stones and bright soft wood. Inspecting further he found an Oversized chimney attached to the building revealing an open air Smithing station, and in front of that Alex soon discovered a big hairy man in a bright green Hammock reading a book and with a drink glass in hand. From what he could guess by how the man looked he could only assume the reclined individual to be a dwarf. His Bright Red mane of hair with fleck of gray, really selling the idea to Alex.

“Again, Who ar’ Ye, And what ar’ ye doin ‘er?” The gruff dwarf asked, finally out of the hammock. He walked up to the intrusive duo, though he was a bit different from what Alex assumed a dwarf would be, he imagined he would be similar in height to Eve’s new size but standing a solid 5’6 in height this broad shouldered beast could easily go toe to toe with any linebacker from his old world.

Nudging Alex in the shoulder, Eve finally perked up. “Hey, Sorry… We didn't know that anyone was in here. We assumed it was empty since we found this place’s Escape Novella, abandoned in our house’s Library.” She explained, trying not to show her embarrassment. “I just wanted to show Alex here since he’s never seen one before.”

The old dwarf stroked his beard after listening to Eves words for a few moments before speaking again. “What do you mean abandoned? He asked, “What Happened to Everyone? Where did Arthur run off too?”

Arthurs name stirred some memories in Alex concerning the system's objectives. Deciding it best to keep these thoughts to himself for now, Alex put them to the side for later. He walked closer to the dwarf. “Look, basically everyone from the Village is gone, and has been for a long time now.” He started explaining, before seeing the point of a sword in his face, and immediately after finding himself looking up at the sky again, from being thrown back by Evelyn. How does someone so small have so much strength?

Unable to completely hear what was being said between the two, due to the hard landing because of Eve. Alex stood up, pulled his staff out of inventory, while still locked in its ‘Gaia’s Will’ setting and willed into its Ax Form, taking a solid fighting stance towards the Dwarf. Even if he was not as strong as everyone else he knew one thing for certain. He was sick and tired of getting pushed around and railroaded by everyone. Raising the Ax high he burst towards his assailant at full speed, and with all his power bright down the mighty weapon.

Without great effort, the Dwarf caught the ax by its handle, staring incredulously at the weapon before returning his own weapon to his personal inventory. “Ow did ye get dis? No lyin’ now Lad.” The man questioned, his dark ruby eyes staring deep into Alex like he was reading his very soul. “I’ll ‘ave that answer now please!”

Unable to look away from the Dwarf’s gaze Alex went with his standard better with the truth mentality, answering his question. “The System gave this to me, after completing one of its quests” He explained, “We are not here to fight with you. We are trying to restore the village, and found your book here after buying the house it was being stored in.”

The Ginger maned behemoth laughed, “Right the System gave it to ye’, Lad the ‘System’ ‘asnt been a thing fa’ more than tree hundred years give or take.” He shook his head, confused, “Though I can tell ye nah lyin te me though, are ye some kind of outsider or whatever they call them now?” Letting go of the ax the dwarf once again stroked his beard contemplatively.

“Yes, I am,” Alex answered simply, “look would you mind if we sit down somewhere, it's a long story, and would prefer if we talked as friends more than at each other's throats.” he offered to the man, reaching out his hand in truce.

Accepting the gesture, the man grasped Alex's hand, firmly gripping it in turn. “Ay Lad, that sounds much better, da names Phaestus,” He offered, “Phaestus Flinthammer, and ye be?” Releasing his grip and offering a seat at the table just beyond.

“Alex, He answered the old dwarf kindly, "My Friend here is Evelyn Goldleaf. Though not sure if I can say much else about her.” Giving her a small head pat, Alex could see his new acquaintance stare at her with a new look of familiarity. Eve however remained staring daggers at the poor old dwarf.

The three of them finally sitting down Alex once again, explained about everything happening with the system, meeting Evelyn, Rodrick, Waking up in Ned's home, Eve’s return as an Aide Sprite. Basically everything except Lauranna, Libra, and the cafe. He then finished explaining the story with how the three of them were working with the system in trying to bring Flintwood Village back, though the were not able to figure out why.

“Ay, thas’ a simple reason really. Tha Systems trying te establish a primary hub to establish a secure network,” He explained nonchalantly, not even noticing the blank stares he was given.”I mean it makes a load of sense to use Flintwood considerin’ it was one of the original hubs to begin wit, but I reckon ye would nah care to well to ‘ear dat tale.”

“So Ol’ Nedrys still alive dat ol’ turtle.” He Laughed lighting a pipe in his hand and taking a long draw. “A good man he is, good indeed.” Contemplating something unknown to Alex, the old dwarf, taking another long draw, breathed out a long stream of smoke in deep thought.

With a slam on the table, nearly scaring Alex of his chair. The dwarf proclaimed out loud to the group “Well then, I reckon my little retirement will have to wait a spell, As ye have no idea as te why the ol’ machine works an all.” Quickly rising from his seat he made his way towards the Cottage. “I’ll be headin’ out wit ye both. Just need te grab a few tools inside”

Before making it all the way to the door, Alex quickly called out. “Quick question, Mister Flint, How did you know about my ax? If you don't mind me asking. Alex inferred, trying not to offend. Watching as the wild red mane turned back towards him, he got his answer.

“Aw thas an easy one lad, cause I’m the Dwarf who made it” Phaestes answered, a big grin shining on his face. “And please, call me Uncle Flint!”