The next NIGHT
Floor 1: City 14
The first floor feels endless as we walk through the city streets, each step echoing in the quiet night. The cobblestone beneath my boots feels strangely real, considering the world we're trapped in. This is floor one—nothing should surprise me here—but everything about it feels off. It's hard to shake the feeling that someone is watching us. Eli walks a few paces ahead, her eyes scanning the shadows as if she feels it too. I fall into step beside her, and we make our way toward the center of the city, where the large, moonlit square lies open like an invitation.
"Are you sure we need to go this far from 23?" I asked Eli, who was clinging to my arm.
Eli, still glancing around nervously, replied, "I don't want my guild interfering."
I couldn't help but smile a little.
It was quiet, and most players were busy preparing for the next floors. As we walked, we came across a flower shop. The sign read "Lilian's Flowers," and the shop was small but charming, with flowers of every color displayed outside. I nudged Eli with my elbow, and she stopped, her eyes narrowing at the figure inside.
The shopkeeper had long brown hair that reached her knees and silver eyes that glowed in the moonlight. She appeared to be in her 40s or 50s but had an excited look on her face.
I approached her stall as she was just opening up. "What kind of flowers do you have?" I asked with a smile.
"I'm sorry," she said, "most of my supplies are limited right now. If you come back the day after tomorrow, I might have more." She hurried back into her shop and returned with a few vases filled with flowers in every color imaginable—red, blue, green, yellow. Among them was a striking arrangement in a vibrant shade of yellow that caught my eye.
"How much is everything?" I asked.
"10 copper each," she replied with a smile. "But for a bouquet, it will be 1 silver. The gift in the window is 1 gold."
That seemed quite reasonable. I told the shop keeper that I wanted the gift and she ran to get it . As I was paying, the shopkeeper noticed me and asked, "Sorry, but may I ask your ages?"
Eli glanced at me and answered, "I'm twenty-one."
I shrugged. "Twenty."
I handed her 1 gold, and her eyes seemed to light up with surprise and gratitude as she gave me the gifts. I thanked her, took the arrangement, and handed it to Eli.
We walk further down the main street until we reach a fancy restaurant with a glowing sign. Eli pulls me toward it, her stomach growling loud enough to make us both laugh.
The inside is extravagant. Velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers, the works. The food smells incredible—real, even though I know better. We sit and order whatever catches our eyes. It's funny how we still care about good meals, even here, where nothing is real. But for a while, it feels normal. Just two friends sharing a meal.
"Arden, you've been quiet," Eli says, watching me over the rim of her glass. "What's on your mind?"
"Just thinking about the floors. We have a long way to go"
I could tell she was not satisfied with that answer. I changed the subject, asking about G2. We talk for hours, the tension from before slowly fading as we laugh and share stories. I forget where we are for a moment. The world outside, the battles we've fought, the ones yet to come—it all seems far away. But it won't last forever.
After our meal was done for the night we warped to the Lunar Glade, a vast garden sprawling in all directions. The moon looms close, above us its silver beams illuminating the plants and giving them a radiance. Eli guided me to a tranquil pond encircled by blooming flowers. Together we settle at the water's edge, our feet lightly skimming its surface.
The stars shine brightly tonight; they seem more stunning than anything I've witnessed in real life before this moment as we soaked in the beauty around us. Eli inhales and exhales with a sense of contentment as I reach into my pocket to retrieve the ring I've kept for her all this time—it's modest yet charming, with a hint of enchantment that is almost imperceptible. I passed it to her and she looked at em with a look of surprised.
"I thought this might help you in combat," I say, avoiding her gaze. "It has some hidden enchantments. I'll activate them when the time's right."
She holds it up, inspecting the delicate design. "You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," I cut in, my voice firmer than I expected. "You'll need it."
For a moment, I consider leaning in, testing the waters for something more. Her hand is still resting next to mine, just within touching distance. Her skin feels warm, inviting me to try. I inch forward slightly so that our noses almost touch and her eyes stare into mine.
But before I can do so, she stops me by placing a hand on my chest.
'Not yet,' she whispered. 'It should be more special than this.'
I lean back, chuckling under my breath.
We stay like this for much longer, the tension that was there before gradually softening into something closer, more intimate. Eventually we made our way back up to the 23rd City. Our friendly fellow guild member Viri waited at the reception.
She looks at Eli's finger, her eyes narrowing as she looks at the ring.
. 'What is that?' she asks quietly but pointedly.
"It's not important, It's just something to help in combat," I shrug
'What is it?' She says it out loud "Specifically, what does it do?" she presses.
Before I can answer, Eli steps forward, cutting in smoothly. "It's special to me. That's all that matters."
Viri raises an eyebrow but doesn't push further. I glance at Eli, and a smile forms on my face—genuine this time. She catches my look and grins back, giving my shoulder a light punch.
We might be trapped in this world, but at least we have each other.
As we settled into our rooms for the night, I thought of what needed to be done.
Author's Note: Short chapter today.