Chapter 24: Confusion
Awakening from the Nightmare Sweat soaked Winger’s pajamas. She woke from a nightmare, exhausted. It wasn’t a startled awakening. It felt like escaping a draining illusion. The name “Vick” sparked familiarity. Not just a dream, but a memory. During testing, she met a boss outside the capital. “The Kingmaker,” Vick Elindor. Not a coincidental namesake. His reaction to the name seemed odd. His strength against monsters, too. Could so many “coincidences” be trusted? Game lore mentioned him briefly. Defeating him dropped story-revealing items. Testing focused on gameplay, not plot. Yet, Vick’s existence had caught her attention. What linked Kael Kahn and Vick Elindor? The dream drained her strength. Sitting on the bed, she felt sleepless. Winger rose slowly, trudging outside.
A Troubled Dawn A gentle breeze greeted her. The sky was dark, no lights visible. She woke midway, unrested. Worries piled up, beyond her strength. Something had changed the world. Aiden, now an earl, owned land. Games ignored small characters’ fates. Countless strong figures existed. How many met good ends? Multiple endings consoled players. But fate’s wheel spared no one. When war came, bodies would litter the ground. If the fight wasn’t too brutal, maybe… Winger gazed at the valley. A fleeting spark of firelight ignited her plans. She could end this story. Back inside, she touched the alchemy table. Under a bottle, she found a letter. The familiar handwriting tugged at her heart. “Dear Mother…” Aiden’s words spilled with longing and guilt.
A Missed Reunion Aiden’s letter recounted his half-month stay. He’d cleared monsters in the otherworld, easing her burden. Growing up happened suddenly. She still saw him as a child. Now, she felt less capable. Growth demanded a price. Did his haste cause harm? Was he truly fine after the otherworld? Her impulsive trip missed their reunion. There’d be another chance, someday. She thought of Vick, recently departed. Worry crept in—no dragon vein stone yet. Not that she feared for his safety. Her skills didn’t warrant that concern. The alchemy table was bare. Last batch of potions was gone. She needed to replant the herb garden. Rubbing the letter, she noticed “fifteen days.” Her trip wasn’t that long. Even with travel, a third of the time didn’t add up. Was time distorted there? Or had she slipped into an illusion?
Seeking Clarity Winger couldn’t figure it out. She sat to meditate. Daily mental training hit a plateau. Progress was slow, nearly imperceptible. She grabbed a wooden sword, long unused. Her swings felt clumsy. She practiced until dawn’s faint light. The sword broke on her final strike. It was a pity. Tools were replaceable, but memories weren’t. Old objects, tied to time, dwindled. She trekked to the mountain’s base. Carving a new sword took effort. By then, it was late morning. For ritual, she made breakfast. Simple fried eggs sufficed. Physical gains were slow to show. But strong mental power tracked her changes. Rushing led to failure. She knew this, but urgency loomed. Problems closed in like walls, trapping her.
Veyi’s Lessons Veyi studied with Reila at the church. She read dull scriptures occasionally. They weren’t boring as stories. “Genesis” spoke of divine light. “Revelation” described angels and thrones. Some history felt questionable. Winger’s childhood lessons were livelier. She told strange, vivid tales. They outshone the books’ dry words. All felt fantastical. Veyi studied Reila’s hand-drawn runes. Memorizing spells was tough. As a commoner, she shouldn’t learn them. Reila just said, “Don’t tell anyone.” Veyi played with kids at church. Not childishly—she was grown now. Telling Reila, she slipped out the back. She picked up a broken flower. Holy magic revived its faded colors. It still wasn’t as vibrant. She headed to Winger’s treehouse. She had complaints, but adults’ matters weren’t her business.
An Explosive Mishap An explosion shook the treehouse. An alchemy pot crashed near Veyi. Coughing echoed from inside. A sooty figure stumbled out. Winger leaned on the railing, exasperated. She’d been careless. Tossing a colorless crystal into the mix caused a reaction. The pot saved her house from blowing up. But where was the pot? Following the smoke, she saw Veyi, stunned. “Teacher, what are you doing?” Veyi blurted. She forgot her questions about Winger’s absence. Two steps more, and she’d be in the infirmary. “Small issue,” Winger mumbled, avoiding her gaze. She leaped down to Veyi.