Twenty minutes later, Nox and the girls were outside, near a vending machine that had somehow survived whatever happened. They'd managed to shake out a few bags of chips and a couple of candy bars.
Nox leaned against a surprisingly intact brick wall, methodically chewing a bite of his chocolate, while the girls settled on a low concrete ledge nearby.
Kendra popped a chip into her mouth. "Hey, check that out. Most of the streetlights are actually on, and a bunch of those buildings over there still have power."
Yeda looked around, her head turning from one lit window to another. "It's not as dark as I thought it would be, not really. You think maybe… it means the destruction wasn't everywhere?"
Vasa observed their surroundings. "It's possible the primary event was more contained than we first assumed. Or essential services in some areas have been restored, or perhaps were never fully disrupted."
Nox didn't say anything, just kept eating. He'd noticed the lights too. 'Doesn't change much for me,' he thought.
"If the lights are on," Kendra said, her voice a bit quieter than usual, "then maybe things aren't completely messed up back home." She paused. "I need to know if my family's okay. My little brother, he's probably freaking out."
Yeda's eyes seemed to glisten. "My parents will be so worried. I just hope they're safe. I really need to find out if they're alright too."
Vasa looked down at her own hands, then clasped them. "My parents are resourceful individuals, and our home is relatively secure. However, uncertainty is a significant factor in any crisis. Ascertaining their status is a logical priority."
The three of them went quiet for a beat, each probably thinking about their families.
Nox finished his candy bar and balled up the wrapper in his fist. He watched them. All this talk of family, of people waiting for them, it was just background noise to him. He didn't have anyone. That was just a fact, like the sky being up, even if it was night right now.
Kendra looked over at him. "What about you, Nox? You got anyone you need to check on?"
He met her look, offering nothing with his own. "No."
His answer was flat, no room for follow-ups.
Yeda turned to him. "Oh, Nox," she said, her voice a little different than before. "I'm sorry."
He just shrugged, pushing himself off the wall. "Doesn't matter. We should figure out where to go next, instead of just sitting around."
Kendra stood up, brushing chip crumbs from her jeans. "Yeah, you're right. But where do we even start looking for our families? Or for, you know, answers about what the hell is going on?"
Vasa also got to her feet. "We require more information. This school was a confirmed dungeon, or at least it behaved like one. There might be other such zones. Moving without a clear objective could be inefficient, and potentially dangerous."
He considered that. They'd cleared the school dungeon. The system hadn't given him a new main quest yet.
'Auraelia,' he thought, directing his attention to the system, 'any suggestions on what to do now? Or where to find info?'
A colorful text box popped into view, just for him.
[Auraelia, Goddess of Resilient Sparks (Private Chat)] Hmm, good question! Usually after clearing a dungeon, Players try to find a safe zone, or maybe look for other Players or information hubs! Sometimes there are survivor settlements, or military outposts that might know more! Or you could just look for another dungeon if you're feeling up to it! Stronger Players tend to gather in safer areas, though! ✨ Maybe try heading towards the city center? That's often where things happen! Just be careful! 💖
He read through her rapid-fire suggestions. City center. Sounded like as good a place as any to start.
He let out a breath. "Okay, I'll head for the center of the city. You all should go check on your families. We can meet up there later if you want."
The girls looked at him, a little thrown by his directness and the idea of splitting up.
Kendra's eyebrows drew together for a moment. "Are you sure? Splitting up now... feels a bit risky, doesn't it?"
Yeda shifted her weight. "But... what about you? Will you be alright on your own?"
Vasa just watched him, her head tilted slightly as if trying to work out his reasoning.
He met their looks one by one. "Your families come first. It's the logical thing to do. Go. Make sure they're safe." He was sure about this. It was the right move for them.
They still seemed a bit unsure, exchanging glances, but his certainty seemed to settle it.
Kendra was the first to nod. "Alright. If you say so. City center later, then. Don't get yourself killed before we find you."
Yeda stepped a bit closer. "Thank you, Nox. For... everything."
Vasa gave a small nod. "Be careful."
Then, one by one, they hugged him. Kendra's was quick, a bit stiff. Vasa's was brief, a light pressure against his side. Yeda's hug stayed for a moment longer than the others. It was a strange feeling, all of it.
After the goodbyes, they turned and ran off in different directions, each heading towards where they hoped their homes were.
He stood there for a minute, then sat down on the concrete ledge the girls had just left. He watched the spot where they'd disappeared. So much had happened in just one day. He'd gone from being a target, to having this weird power, to fighting actual monsters, to leading a small group, and now he was alone again.
He wondered what was next.
After a few minutes, a new blue screen appeared in his vision.
[New Main Mission Issued!]
[Objective: Locate and ensure the safety of Princess Serian Feselian of Lifewoods, last seen within the city limits.]
[Reward: 50,000 EXP, +50 Stat Points, 1x Legendary Class-Specific Weapon Chest, 1x Royal Elven Favor Token, Title: Friend of Lifewoods.]
[Accept: Y/N]
He looked at the rewards. The EXP was way more than what the entire school dungeon had given him. Fifty stat points was a huge boost. A legendary weapon chest and a royal favor token sounded pretty damn important.
He thought for a second. An elf princess? Elves. He remembered seeing books in a shop window once, pictures of people with pointy ears on the covers. Fantasy crap. Then he recalled the system message from after the earthquake. 'Merge complete.'
He focused his thoughts on the private chat interface again. 'Uh, Auraelia? Hold on. Don't tell me there are actually people from other worlds here now.'
The colorful text box from Auraelia appeared almost instantly.
[Auraelia, Goddess of Resilient Sparks (Private Chat)] Oh! Um... yes. 😅 I am so, so sorry I didn't mention it sooner! It's just, well, things are a bit chaotic, and sometimes we forget what Players do and don't know yet! Your world, Earth, it kind of… merged with another world. A big fantasy one! So now it's one super-duper massive planet with all sorts of new people and places! It's a big surprise, I know! 🌍🤝✨
He processed that. Merged, with a fantasy world. That explained the "twenty billion" population count the system had mentioned, the dungeons, the magic, and now, apparently, elf princesses.
"Fucking hell."