Henry took a deep breath, inhaling the salty tang of the ocean air as he looked out over the azure waves. Padre Island was a breathtaking place, a tropical oasis in the Gulf of Mexico.
Beside him, Heather spread a soft blanket on the sand. "Perfect spot, don't you think?" she said, smoothing out the last corner with a flourish.
Henry glanced at her, his eyes taking in the excitement on her face. "Absolutely," he agreed. "It's beautiful here."
They sat down, Heather pulling a cooler closer. "Hungry? I packed some sandwiches and wine."
Henry looked surprised. "This is amazing, you really thought of everything, didn't you?"
"It's our first real outing since moving here. All we do is work and game. I'm glad we got to spend Thanksgiving weekend together in real life."
"Ah, I forgot it was Thanksgiving," Henry chucked.
"I would've forgotten too, if not for the other teachers," she laughed too. "Well, I don't care what anyone says, nothing beats real-world serenity."
Opening the cooler, she passed him a sandwich wrapped in parchment paper. Henry took a bite and looked at her with delight. "Is this turkey and cranberry?"
Heather grinned. "A little Thanksgiving flair seemed appropriate for a day like this."
Inside the cooler Henry saw macaroni and cheese, stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie.
"Did you make all this? It's delicious." Henry asked in disbelief.
"I made the sandwiches, I bought everything else," she smiled happily, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
For the next couple of hours, they ate, talked, swam, and enjoyed the beauty surrounding them.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting its golden glow on the waves, Henry turned to Heather. "You know, I've been thinking. I've enjoyed living with you in-game. Maybe after your lease is up, you move in with me?"
Heather looked at him, her eyes softening. "Are you serious?"
Henry nodded slowly.
Heather reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "Okay," she echoed. "Let's move in together."
The sun finally sank below the horizon, painting the gulf sky in shades of pink and purple. As the first stars appeared, Henry leaned over and kissed Heather softly.
"I'm happy we're together" he whispered.
And as the night wrapped its peaceful arms around them, Henry felt grateful for this moment of balance, this sanctuary from the complexities of both virtual and real worlds. It was a reminder that while life often pulled them in different directions, here, on the shores of Corpse Christi, they found their center.
The following morning, Henry and Heather awoke to another gorgeous day. The sun was shining brilliantly, casting its warm glow over the sandy beach and sparkling water. Their second day on Padre Island promised to be just as fulfilling as the first.
After breakfast, they decided to go kayaking. They rented a tandem kayak from a nearby shop and set off into the calm, azure waters. Heather sat in the front, setting the pace, while Henry, seated behind her, marveled at how effortlessly they synchronized their paddling. They ventured out toward a small, uninhabited island not too far from the shore, where they stopped to take in the tranquility and natural beauty. Birds chirped in the distance, and the occasional fish leapt from the water, catching the light and sparkling before splashing back into the ocean.
On the island, they walked hand-in-hand along the shore, collecting seashells and skipping stones. After a while, they found a shaded spot under a tree, where Heather pulled out a small picnic basket she had secretly packed earlier. It was filled with fresh fruit, crackers, and cheese. Henry smiled, continually amazed by Heather's thoughtfulness.
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the island and talking about everything from their favorite in-game strategies to their hopes for the future. Eventually, they paddled back to the mainland, feeling like they had uncovered a secret paradise just for themselves.
On their final day, they opted for a laid-back experience, spending most of their time on the beach. They read books, built an ambitious sandcastle modeled after a famous fortress they had once conquered in-game, and took long, slow swims in the ocean.
As the sun began to set on their final day, they decided to go out for a special dinner. Dressed in their best casual outfits, they found a cozy, beachside restaurant that specialized in fresh seafood. Over a candlelit meal, they reminisced about their three-day break, grateful for the rare opportunity to escape their busy lives and spend uninterrupted time together.
After dinner, they took one last walk along the beach, the moonlight guiding their way. They paused to look out over the water, its surface glimmering in the dim light.
Henry wrapped his arms around Heather and pulled her close. "This has been incredible, Heather. I can't think of a better way to spend our break."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Me neither, Henry. It's been perfect."
As the tide began its nocturnal retreat, Henry felt a vibration in his pocket. Reluctantly, he pulled out his phone, the screen's brightness momentarily blinding him in the darkness.
"What is it?" Heather asked, noticing the shift in his demeanor.
"It's an urgent message from Dustin," he said. "Looks like something unexpected is happening in Woodhaerst again."
Heather's face fell slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing her eyes. "I guess you're needed."
The next day, Thaddeus and Sabrina materialized into Heaven's Gate, the town shining in the simulated sunlight. He glanced around; something felt off. It didn't take long for him to realize what it was—Woodhaerst was swarming with players, more than he'd ever seen in his town before.
Next to him, Sabrina took in the scene with wide eyes. "Wow. When did Woodhaerst become this popular?"
Thaddeus pulled up the forum, spotting numerous new bulletins. The most popular one caught his eye: **"Rumor: Dragon Sighted Near Woodhaerst!"**
Opening the forum, he saw a 10-second video of him speaking to Freya:
"Good, see you again Freya, we met at the auction, I am Thaddeus lord of this settlement, what can I do for you?"
"We're here to investigate dragon. You need to point us in the direction or give us a guide."
"I thought you led the main raid party; I did not expect someone as prominent as you to come?"
Then the videos cut off. The person who secretly recorded the video was a nearby lord who came to town to shop.
Thaddeus looked around, spotting players in guild armor far more advanced than what was usually seen in Woodhaerst. They were conversing, sharing maps, and even forming parties to go dragon-hunting.
His eyes narrowed. "It seems the dragon investigation leaked," he muttered, showing the forum post to Sabrina.
They waded through the crowd of players, who were too busy discussing the dragon to pay much attention to Thaddeus, despite his status as the Baron of Woodhaerst. They reached the Town Hall, where Brand, Priestess Thera, Jameson, Arthur, and Captain Joseph were meeting.
The atmosphere in the Town Hall was tense. The first to speak was Brand, who looked helpless, "Baron Brown, we don't know what happened. All at once, Travelers started appearing from the jump gate demanding guides to search for the dragon."
"Hurry go down and address your kind. Poor Captain Joseph and Sergeant Ulysses are having trouble dealing with the Travelers," Priest Thera advised.
"Sire, security is a nightmare," Captain Joseph said wearily, "We've already broken up three fights in the tavern."
"They're also stealing livestock and crops we set aside for the Harvest Festival," Arthur complained.
"Alright, I'll purchase additional temporary soldiers. Anything else?" Thaddeus urgently asked.
"A reporter from HGTV is here to interview you?" announced Kira, the bard, entering the room.
"Where have you—never mind, just tell me why a reporter from Heaven's Gate TV is here to interview you?" Thaddeus asked incredulously.
"Nice to see you again too! Of course, I came back for the tips and thought this story would make good for a new song. The reporter wants to interview you about the dragon and your affiliation with Mythical Guild," She said practicing her ocarina.
The atmosphere inside the Town Hall felt like a powder keg, each new piece of information adding to the mounting tension. Thaddeus took a deep breath, assessing the situation.
"I'll handle it," 'Alfred, allocate resources to hire temporary soldiers to assist Captain Joseph in maintaining order and security. Also, hire more soldiers from Redwood and email Cargill for livestock. Finally, process the farmer's reparations," Thaddeus instructed.
Captain Joseph and Arthur felt a mix of relief and exhaustion in his eyes.
"An interview might be a good opportunity to address the public and clear up some misconceptions."
Thaddeus then turned to Priestess Thera. "You and Jameson should see if any of our residents are okay."
"We'll do our best," Jameson said solemnly.
"We're going to get through this," Thaddeus concluded, feeling the weight of leadership more than ever.
Everyone nodded, their faces lined with determination.
As soon as he walked outside, a reporter shoved a microphone in his face. "Barbara Pritchett, I am also pleased to announce an exclusive interview with Baron Thaddeus Brown the owner of Woodhaerst, and Iron and Oak bespoke furniture," she said extending a hand.
"Just call me Thaddeus and Welcome to Woodhaerst. I know many of you are here because of rumors of a dragon. Let me be clear, there is no evidence the dragon exists. Please leave—?"
Just then, Barbara hurriedly took away the microphone and shouted, " Urgent news, Mythical Guild has announced they're building a Guild Town at the foothills of the mountain."