The familiar hum of the Eidolon Nexus login screen enveloped me, the shimmering icons floating in the air as the game world prepared to load. The light around me shifted, and within moments, I was back in Emberhold, the guild hall bustling with activity.

  The transition from the real world to the game felt different this time. Lighter, somehow. The tension I’d been carrying had eased, though it wasn’t entirely gone. Telling Devon and Selene the truth had been terrifying, but the way they’d responded—their unwavering support, their trust—left me feeling more grounded.

  I found myself near the guild’s main hall. Pyers darted back and forth, some huddled in groups near the mission boards while others shared drinks and swapped stories at the long tables. The air buzzed with energy, and I smiled to myself as I stepped further in.

  And then there was Ethan, leaning casually against one of the pilrs at the far end of the hall. His dark eyes tracked me the moment I logged in, and though he wore his usual smirk, there was a softness to his gaze that hadn’t been there before.

  “Good to see you finally logged finally in,” a familiar voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.

  Fi waved at me from across the hall. She was leaning against one of the tables, a mug of something frothy in her hand. Mason stood beside her, as he leaned back, arms crossed and grinning.

  “Didn’t think you’d take a vacation after yesterday’s drama,” Fi teased, gesturing for me to join them. “Come on. You’ve got to hear what Mason just did about the st dungeon run we were just in.”

  I raised an eyebrow as I approached, leaning against the table. “Do I want to know?”

  “Oh, you absolutely do,” Fi said, grinning. “Tell her, Mason.”

  Mason groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “It wasn’t that bad.”

  “You tripped over your own hammer, again, and fell face-first into a trap,” Fi said, her grin widening. “Not only did you trigger it, but you managed to take out half your health and mine in the process.”

  I blinked, stifling a ugh. “Seriously?”

  “It was one of those pressure pte things,” Mason said defensively. “I didn’t see it.”

  “Because you were too busy trying to look cool,” Fi added, rolling her eyes. “Honestly, it’s a miracle we survived that dungeon, I'm surprised we weren't kicked from the party.”

  Mason groaned again, though he was smiling. “I’m never living this down, am I?”

  “Not a chance,” Fi said, raising her mug. “To the worst tank of the week!”

  I chuckled, leaving the two to their banter as I made my way toward the mission board. The glowing interface dispyed a list of avaible quests, ranging from mundane fetch tasks to high-level dungeon runs. I scanned the options, my HUD lighting up with notifications as I hovered over each one.

  [Avaible Quests:]

  [Supply Run for the Outpost] (Level 15–25)[Scout the Rift's Edge] (Level 30+)[Corrupted Beast Sighting] (Level 35–40)

  Before I could decide, a familiar voice interrupted my focus. “Looking for something exciting?”

  I turned to see Kaelion, the guild leader, standing beside me. His sword rested casually on his shoulder, and his usual grin was firmly in pce.

  “Maybe,” I said, gncing back at the board. “Anything worth taking?”

  He tapped one of the listings with a gloved hand. “That corrupted beast sighting could be interesting. High-level, good rewards, and probably a pain in the ass to take down. My kind of quest.”

  “Of course it is,” I said, smirking. “And the others?”

  He shrugged. “Supply runs are boring but safe. The scouting mission could be fun if you’re into exploring glitched terrain and getting ambushed every five minutes.”

  “Sounds delightful,” I said dryly.

  Before I could commit to anything, Devon and Selene appeared at my side, their usual contrasting presences grounding me. Devon’s warm, steady energy banced perfectly against Selene’s.

  “Are we taking another quest already?” Devon asked, his hand brushing lightly against mine. “Thought we’d have a day off.”

  Selene arched an eyebrow. “Since when do we take days off?”

  “She has a point,” I said, grinning at Devon. “Besides, you know you’d get bored.”

  “Fair,” he admitted, chuckling softly. “What’s the pn?”

  Kaelion leaned in, pointing at the corrupted beast quest. “This one’s got potential. High-level, dangerous, and probably tied to whatever anomalies we’ve been dealing with.”

  [Corrupted Beast Sighting – Ashen Hollow]

  Difficulty: High

  Recommended Level: 35–40

  Rewards: 8,000 EXP, 4,000 Gold, +1 Legendary Drop.

  Details: A corrupted entity has been sighted in Ashen Hollow. Its presence is destabilizing the area. Investigate and neutralize the threat.

  Selene’s silver eyes narrowed as she studied the listing. “It’s worth checking out. If there’s corruption spreading, it could lead to more fragments—or worse.”

  “Fragments?” Kaelion asked, gncing at her.

  Selene waved the question off smoothly. “Just a theory.”

  Kaelion didn’t press, though his expression turned thoughtful. “Alright, then. I’ll mark it as a guild priority. Take whoever you need. If you run into trouble, call for backup.”

  “That one’s gonna trouble,” Devon said, pointing to the quest’s description. “Corrupted zones are always unstable. We’ll need a solid team for this.”

  Selene nodded, her amber eyes narrowing. “ If that’s the case, it’s worth the risk.”

  I stepped closer, catching their attention. “You’re thinking about taking it?”

  “We’re thinking you’re taking it,” Selene said with a faint smirk.

  I rolled my eyes but grinned. “Alright. Let’s assemble the usual suspects. Fi’s an obvious choice." gncing toward her table. “She’s been itching for a challenge.”

  “And Mason will follow her anywhere,” Selene added.

  The two were in the middle of a game when I approached, their dice cttering across the table as Fi let out a victorious cheer.

  “Another win!” she said, throwing her arms in the air. “Who’s next? Come on, don’t be shy.”

  “Not me,” I said, leaning against the table. “I need you for something else.”

  Fi turned, her grin widening. “Boss! What’s up?”

  “High-level corrupted beast hunt,” I said, showing her the quest on my HUD. “We need you and your swords.”

  “Finally,” she said, hopping off the table and stretching. “I’ve been dying to cut something important.”

  “And me?” Mason asked, crossing his arms with a mock pout. “Am I just backup now?”

  “You’re always backup,” Fi teased, elbowing him. “But don’t worry, you’re coming too.”

  As Fi and Mason geared up, I gnced toward the far side of the hall, where Ethan was still leaning against the pilr. His eyes hadn’t left me since I logged in, and I sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to let this mission happen without tagging along.

  I approached him, crossing my arms. “You’re going to follow us, aren’t you?”

  He grinned zily. “You know me too well.”

  “Why?” I asked, tilting my head. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about me.”

  “Always,” he said, his voice soft but teasing. “But mostly, I just like watching you work.”

  His words sent an uninvited warmth rushing to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away. “Well, if you’re coming, you better pull your weight.”

  “Always do,” he replied, falling into step beside me. “But I should warn you—I’m even better in a team setting. Especially with you.”

  By the time we regrouped at the quest board, the party was nearly complete: me, Devon, Selene, Fi, Mason, and Ethan.

  “We need one more,” Devon said, scanning the guild hall. “Someone flexible. Lyra, maybe?”

  “Or Kaelion,” Selene suggested. “If he’s avaible.”

  “Kaelion’s busy with guild management,” I said. “But Lyra could work. If we can convince her.”

  Lyra was sharpening her dagger near the forge, her sharp eyes flicking up as we approached. “What do you want?”

  “A high-level mission,” I said, pulling up the quest description. “Corrupted beast. We could use your precision.”

  Her lips twitched into a faint smirk. “So you need me.”

  “I need your skill,” I corrected, though my tone was light. “Big difference.”

  She chuckled softly, sliding her dagger back into its sheath. “Fine. But if this thing has loot worth keeping, I’m ciming first pick.”

  “Fair,” I said, holding out my hand. “You in?”

  She grasped it briefly, her grip firm. “Let’s do it.”

  With the team assembled, we gathered at the main gate. The hum of the guild hall faded as we stepped into the open world, the air cooler and tinged with the faint hum of corruption. The quest marker pulsed on my map, guiding us toward Ashen Hollow.

  “You ready for this?” Devon asked, his voice low as he walked beside me.

  I gnced at the group—at Selene’s sharp focus, Fi’s eager grin, Mason’s steady presence, Ethan’s teasing smirk, and Lyra’s cool confidence. A smile tugged at my lips.

  “Always,” I said, gripping my dagger tightly. “Let’s finish this.”

  ?????°???°?????

  The group exited the gates of Emberhold and stepped into the open expanse of the world beyond. The lush, rolling hills gradually gave way to the darker, more sinister ndscape of Ashen Hollow. The air here was heavier, the faint sound of static and glitching data creeping into the background like a warning.

  [Quest Update: Enter the Corruption Zone.][Party Status:]

  Kiera (Succubus Demon Lord)Devon (Warlord) Selene (NightStalker)Fi (Shadow Bde)Mason (Berserker) Ethan (Maverick)Lyra (Phantom Thief)

  The terrain became more treacherous the closer we got to the quest marker. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground, and the sky above seemed unnaturally dark, as though the corrupted beast’s presence was warping the environment itself.

  “Spooky,” Fi said, breaking the silence as she twirled one of her twin swords. “How much you want to bet this thing has multiple phases? Big bosses always do.”

  “Don’t jinx it,” Mason grumbled, adjusting his shield.

  Ethan chuckled softly, his bow slung across his back. “Fi, if this thing has phases, you’ll be the first one to rush in. Let’s not pretend otherwise.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Fi replied, grinning.

  Selene shot them both a look. “Quiet. We’re getting close.”

  I opened my map, the pulsing quest marker glowing faintly at the edge of Ashen Hollow. “Fi, Lyra—take the lead and scout ahead. Keep us updated on anything unusual.”

  “You got it,” Fi said, darting forward with Lyra close behind.

  We followed cautiously, the faint hum of corruption growing louder with each step. Fi and Lyra stayed just ahead, their movements swift and deliberate as they scanned the area for traps or ambushes.

  “Corruption density is high here,” Selene murmured, her silver eyes flicking to the glowing veins of energy that snaked across the ground. “...it’s close.”

  Devon adjusted his grip on his sword, his gaze steady. “Stay ready. This thing won’t go down easily.”

  Ethan, walking just behind me, leaned in slightly. “You nervous?”

  “Always,” I admitted, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my dagger. “But it’s better than being unprepared.”

  His smirk softened, and he gave me a faint nod. “Fair. Just stick close. We’ve got you.”

  Ahead, Fi’s voice crackled over the party comms. “We’ve got movement. Something big.”

  “Position?” I asked.

  “Two clicks east of the marker,” Lyra replied. “Looks like a corrupted pack. Nothing difficult to handle.”

  I motioned for the group to move, and we closed the distance quickly. The pack came into view—half a dozen corrupted wolves, their glitching forms snarling and snapping as they prowled through the hollow.

  [Corrupted Wolf Pack – Level 32]HP: 3,500 eachAbilities:

  Phase Shift: Randomly teleports to avoid attacks.Corrupted Bite: Applies a stacking bleed effect.

  “Take them down quickly,” I ordered, stepping forward.

  The team sprang into action. Selene’s daggers fshed as she darted between the wolves, each strike precise and lethal. Lyra followed her lead, her bdes leaving trails of glowing energy as they tore into the pack.

  Fi waded into the fray, her twin swords spinning in an intricate dance that forced the wolves to split their focus. Mason stayed close to her, his shield absorbing hit after hit while she nded devastating blows.

  Devon and Ethan fnked the pack, their teamwork seamless. Devon’s heavy strikes kept the wolves staggered, while Ethan’s arrows rained down from a distance, each one nding with deadly accuracy.

  Within minutes, the pack was wiped out, their corrupted forms dissolving into shards of data that scattered into the air.

  “Not bad,” Fi said, wiping her bdes. “But if this was just the appetizer, I’m not looking forward to the main course.”

  “Stay sharp,” Selene said, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “It’s not over yet.”

  The ground trembled beneath our feet as we approached the quest marker. The corrupted energy pulsing through the hollow grew stronger, and the air around us seemed to warp and glitch.

  Then, with a deafening roar, it appeared.

  [Corrupted Beast – Ashen Warden]Level: 40HP: 50,000Abilities:

  Corruption Wave: AoE damage that disrupts HUDs.Phase Shift: Randomly teleports to avoid damage.Howl of Decay: Reduces party stats by 20% for 10 seconds.Summon Minions: Spawns corrupted mobs every 30 seconds

  “It’s huge,” Mason muttered, raising his shield.

  “Positions!” I shouted, my adrenaline surging. “Stick to the pn!”

  The Ashen Warden roared again, its massive, glitching form towering over us.

  Selene drew her daggers, the faint hum of their enchanted edges cutting through the thick air. “We need to spread out. If it uses Corruption Wave, we can’t afford to all be hit at once.”

  “Lyra, take the fnking position with me,” Selene ordered. “We’ll hit it where it’s weakest.”

  Lyra smirked, her dagger spinning effortlessly in her hand. “Weakest? Isn’t that your department?”

  “Focus,” Selene said, but her tone carried a hint of amusement.

  “Devon, Mason,” I called, “keep its attention on you. Fi, Ethan, stay mobile and pick off any mobs it summons. I’ll control the field and cover the gaps.”

  With the pn set, everyone took their positions, and the battle began.

  The Warden lunged forward, its massive cws swiping at Devon, who met the attack with his sword. The csh sent a shockwave rippling through the air as sparks flew.

  [Devon uses Holy Strike.]2,000 Damage dealt. Enemy staggered.

  Mason moved in quickly, his hammer crashed down on the Warden’s hind leg. The beast roared, stumbling slightly as it tried to regain its bance.

  [Mason uses Earthshatter.]1,500 Damage dealt. Enemy movement slowed for 3 seconds.

  Selene and Lyra wasted no time. Using the distraction, they darted in from the sides, their movements fluid and precise. Selene’s daggers struck first, carving deep into the Warden’s side with a burst of speed, while Lyra’s dagger sliced through its front limb, leaving a glowing trail of damage in its wake.

  [Selene uses Umbra Strike.]Critical Hit! 4,000 Damage dealt to the Ashen Warden.

  [Lyra uses Phantom Bde.]Precision Strike! 3,500 Damage dealt to the Ashen Warden.

  “You’re not half bad,” Selene muttered as they moved together in perfect sync.

  “Same to you,” Lyra quipped. “Try to keep up.”

  Just as the team began to gain momentum, the Warden let out a guttural snarl, and glowing fissures formed in the ground. A wave of corrupted minions emerged, their glitching forms snarling as they charged toward us.

  [Corrupted Minions – Level 30.]HP: 2,000 each.

  “Fi, Ethan!” I called. “Mobs incoming. Take them out!”

  Fi grinned, spinning her twin swords as she darted toward the first group of minions. “Time to cut loose!”

  Her bdes moved in a dazzling dance of steel and energy, carving through the corrupted forms with ease. Each strike sent data fragments scattering into the air as the minions dissolved.

  [Fi uses Whirling Bdes.]AoE Damage! 2,800 Damage dealt to Minions #1 and #2. Enemies defeated.

  Ethan switched from his bow to his daggers, throwing them with pinpoint accuracy as he targeted the minions on the edges of the battlefield. Each throw nded with a satisfying thunk, and the minions crumbled into glowing shards.

  [Ethan uses Phantom Throw.]Multi-hit! 2,200 Damage dealt to Minion #3. Enemy defeated.

  “Nice aim,” Fi called as she spun to take out another minion. “You’ve been practicing.”

  Ethan replied with a smirk, nding another dagger in the remaining minion’s head.

  [Ethan uses Rapid Toss.]Critical Hit! 1,800 Damage dealt to Minion #4. Enemy defeated.

  The Warden let out a deafening Howl of Decay, and I felt my HUD flicker as my stats dropped sharply.

  [Howl of Decay Activated.]Party stats reduced by 20% for 10 seconds.

  “Stay focused!” Devon called, his sword glowing brighter as he stepped in to shield me from the Warden’s next attack. Its cws raked across his bde, sending sparks flying as he held his ground.

  [Devon uses Divine Guard.]2,500 Damage mitigated.

  Lyra and Selene pressed their advantage, darting around the beast with precision. Lyra’s unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one hitting critical points along the Warden’s glitching form.

  [Lyra uses Spectral Dance.]Multi-hit! 4,000 Damage dealt to the Ashen Warden.

  Selene followed up with a devastating Shadowstep Barrage, her daggers striking in rapid succession as she moved in and out of the Warden’s range.

  [Selene uses Shadowstep Barrage.]Critical Hits! 6,000 Damage dealt to the Ashen Warden.

  “Keep it up!” I shouted, summoning three shadow beasts to the field. They lunged at the Warden, their glowing red eyes locked onto its massive form.

  [Kiera uses Legion’s Call.]Summoned allies: Shadow Beasts x3. Each deals 600 Damage per attack.

  As the Warden’s health dropped to its st sliver, Devon charged forward, his sword bzing with holy light. “Kiera! Finish it!”

  I nodded, gripping my dagger tightly as I activated Eclipse Bde. A massive shadow-infused weapon materialized in my hands, its edges crackling with dark energy. With a single, powerful swing, I brought the bde crashing down on the Warden, releasing a wave of destruction that tore through its corrupted form.

  [Kiera uses Eclipse Bde.]10,000 Damage dealt. Boss defeated!

  The Warden let out one st roar before colpsing, its body disintegrating into shards of data that scattered into the corrupted hollow. The silence that followed was deafening, save for the faint hum of the fading energy.

  [Quest Complete!]Rewards: 8,000 EXP, 4,000 Gold, +1 Legendary Drop: Ashen Core (used for crafting)

  As the others regrouped around me, Fi grinned, her twin swords resting on her shoulders. “That was awesome. Let’s do it again.”

  Mason groaned, leaning on his hammer. “Let’s not.”

  Ethan cpped me on the back, his smirk softer now. “Not bad, Kiera. You’re getting better at this.”

  Lyra twirled her dagger, her smirk faint. “You’re lucky I was here. Try not to get in over your head next time.”

  The remnants of the Ashen Warden dissolved into faint, glowing particles, leaving the corrupted hollow eerily silent. My breathing slowed, the tension of the fight still thrumming in my veins as the quest completion message blinked on my HUD.

  While the others began collecting their loot—Lyra collecting the crafting material as promised with first dibs. I approached the spot where the Warden had fallen. My HUD flickered briefly, a faint glitch rippling across the screen as an unfamiliar notification popped up.

  [Anomaly Detected.]Fragment Binary Code Located.Retrieve? [Y/N]

  My heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t part of the quest rewards—it was another Fragment Binary Code, the sixth one we’d found so far. These fragments, hidden pieces of data created by the developers as a failsafe against hacking, and what the hacker group UNKNOWN wants for reasons unbeknownst to me.

  I gnced over my shoulder. Devon was listening to Mason talk about exaggerated stories about the fight, Ethan was casually looking through his inventory, while Selene and Fi discussed Fi’s reckless charges. Lyra, however, stood apart from the group, her sharp gaze locked onto me.

  I exhaled slowly, turning back to the notification and hitting Yes before anyone else could notice. A faint shimmer appeared in the air, and the fragment materialized briefly before disappearing into my inventory.

  [Fragment Binary Code 6/??? Acquired.]

  “Find something?” Lyra’s voice cut through the silence, calm but edged with suspicion. She approached me, her dagger spinning zily in her hand.

  “No,” I said quickly, tucking my dagger into its sheath. “Just double-checking the area.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, flicking to my HUD for the briefest moment. She didn’t say anything, but I could feel the weight of her scrutiny.

  “Rex, Lyra,” Devon called from a few steps away, his easy grin disarming. “Kiera’s not hiding anything. Probably just checking for leftover loot.”

  “Right,” Lyra said, though her tone was far from convinced. She twirled her dagger one st time before sheathing it.

  Selene stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “If Kiera says there’s nothing, there’s nothing. Let’s move.”

  Lyra’s eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before she shrugged. “Fine. Let’s head back.”

  The tension lingered as we made our way back toward Emberhold. Fi and Mason filled the air with pyful banter, their ughter echoing through the quiet ndscape. Devon walked beside me, his presence steady and reassuring, while Selene kept pace on my other side, her sharp eyes scanning for any lingering threats.

  Lyra, however, hung back, her calcuting gaze flicking to me occasionally. She didn’t say anything, but the silence between us spoke volumes. She didn’t trust me—not fully. And while she’d dropped the subject for now, I knew this wasn’t the st time she’d question me.

  “You okay?” Devon asked softly, his voice breaking through my thoughts.

  I nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah. Just tired.”

  He didn’t press further, his hand brushing lightly against mine as we continued walking. His quiet support, along with Selene’s knowing gnce, grounded me as we passed through the gates of Emberhold.

  The warmth of the guild hall was a welcome change from the eerie chill of Ashen Hollow. The glow of the hearth and the lively chatter of other guild members made the tension of the battle feel like a distant memory.

  “Drinks are on Mason!” Fi decred, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “He owes me for saving his butt—again.”

  “Since when is that the deal?” Mason grumbled, though he didn’t seem entirely opposed.

  “Since always,” Fi shot back, dragging him toward the guild’s tavern area.

  Devon and Selene lingered near me, their expressions unreadable but calm. Lyra, however, paused at the edge of the group, her gaze meeting mine briefly. She gave a faint, knowing smirk before disappearing into the crowd.

  “You handled that well,” Selene said quietly.

  “I don’t know about that,” I admitted, my voice just as low. “Lyra doesn’t trust me.”

  “She doesn’t trust anyone,” Devon said with a shrug. “Don’t let it get to you.”

  Easier said than done, I thought. Whatever Lyra suspected, she wasn’t entirely wrong. And sooner or ter, I’d have to find a way to expin the truth—or try to be a lot more stealthy.