Chapter 26 – Let’s go on an Adventure

Madelyn stepped out of the Adventurers Guild and into the bustling streets of Adros, but the village that once felt so inviting now seemed cloaked in a shadow she hadn't noticed before. The cheerful chatter of villagers sounded distant, almost muffled, as if she were listening from underwater. Her fox ears twitched uneasily atop her head, picking up snippets of conversations that only heightened her sense of isolation.

She adjusted her leather chestpiece and pulled her shirt tighter, her tail curling protectively around one leg as she walked aimlessly down the cobblestone path. The sun was high in the sky, casting bright light that danced along the buildings and market stalls. Normally, she would have found the sight beautiful, but today it only deepened her melancholy.

What am I supposed to do now? she wondered, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and frustration. She replayed the conversation with the bunny-eared receptionist over and over in her mind, each time feeling the weight of the new revelations pressing down on her. Aeloria... the guardian goddess of Vulpenthos. Disappeared 16 years ago. Outlanders, players like me took over and banned all mention of her.

She sighed heavily, the midday warmth offering little comfort. She felt as though she were standing at the edge of a vast puzzle, pieces scattered everywhere with no clear image to guide her. I need to put everything in order, she decided, hoping that organizing her thoughts might provide some clarity.

She found the fountain where the little boy had said she looked like Aeloria. Vines clung the stone wall, and the fountain's waters flowed gently, creating a soothing ambiance.

Madelyn sat down, the wooden bench creaking softly under her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on each detail of her journey so far.

It all started with that dream—the woman in the glass tank. It felt so real, so vivid. Then I woke up and discovered I had won five full-dive pods. For me and my friends. That was... unexpected, but I didn't question it at the time. After a week, the pods arrived. We were all so excited to dive into Astralyth Online together.

She opened her eyes and watched as a few people passed by the fountain, walking around her, while leaves fluttered to the ground, stirred by a gentle breeze.

But when I logged in to create my character, everything glitched. The pain was unbearable—I passed out. Genesis, the woman helping me with character creation, didn't seem affected at all. When I woke up, I was outside the starting village, Adros, not where I was supposed to spawn. And I wasn't Benjamin anymore; I was a foxkin girl.

She walked up to the fountain and looked at her reflection in the rippling water. Her fiery red hair framed her face, and her amber eyes stared back with a mix of determination and vulnerability. Her fox ears flicked at the sound of distant laughter, and her tail swayed gently behind her.

Garrick found me and led me to Adros. I had said my name is Madelyn and I got the starter quest. When I logged out, I was too exhausted to notice any changes. But the next morning... I woke up as Madelyn. I had transformed into my game character.

She remembered the initial shock, the disbelief, and then the overwhelming fear. But her parents had been so supportive, accepting her without hesitation. Their love had been an anchor in the storm of confusion.

But then there was the issue with the company. My account was registered under Madelyn Fae Roth—the name I supposedly used when I got the full-dive pod. How is that possible? I never used that name.

She ran a hand through her hair, her fingers brushing against her soft ears. The sensory input felt natural now, something she had gotten quite used to.

I took on the starting quest, choosing a weapon ring as my starting weapon. It felt so natural, like an extension of myself, even though it isn't often used because the stats are too widespread to be effective, and you can't learn specific weapon-related skills due to changing weapons so often. I met Seraphina in the Adventurers Guild, who later turned out to be Sarah. When I checked my skills, there was a glitched one, next to Human Disguise and Foxkin Instincts.

She recalled the joy of reuniting with Sarah, but also the fear of what would happen if Sarah found out it was her. Sarah had figured it out almost immediately and had come to her house. The relief of having someone who understood, even if only a little, was overwhelming. But there were still so many unanswered questions.

Then I had another dream about the woman. This time, I heard a voice: "They don't know what they're messing with. They don't know who they've angered." The dream shifted to a torchlit cave where the woman was happily playing with a fox kit. It felt... warm, comforting, but also tinged with something I couldn't place.

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the emotions that dream had stirred.

I went back into the game to take on my first real quest. I killed a lot of slimes, and it was surprisingly easy. The weapon ring moved with me as if it were part of me. That shouldn't be happening. Then there was the little boy who said I looked like Aeloria. His mother reacted with fear and pulled him away. At that point, I hadn't known why the woman had acted that way.

She looked up at the midday sky, the sun shining brightly above.

Then the dream came again, but this time the woman was crying, saying it was her fault. She looked at me and said she failed, that she's kept locked away and can't reach me or protect me. She pleaded for help.

Madelyn clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up. I need to find her. She's connected to all of this—I can feel it. But how?

She stood up from the bench again, pacing back and forth. The village around her seemed to blur as she lost herself in thought.

When I asked people about Aeloria, they reacted with fear. The bunny girl receptionist told me that Aeloria was the guardian goddess of Vulpenthos, who disappeared 16 years ago. Then Outlanders—players like me—came to the world a few years later and took over, banning all mentions of her. It doesn't make sense. Why would players do that?

Madelyn suddenly jolted back to reality, the tap on her shoulder catching her completely off guard. She let out an involuntary squeak, her ears perking up and her tail bristling slightly. Turning, she found herself face-to-face with Seraphina—Sarah, who stood there with her signature mischievous grin.

“Hey, Maddy!!” Seraphina chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Madelyn exhaled, a bit embarrassed at her reaction but relieved to see a friendly face. “Oh, hey, Seraphina,” she managed, her voice still tinged with surprise. She let herself relax, her tail swaying behind her as her initial shock wore off.

“What are you doing out here, looking all serious?” Seraphina asked, tilting her head with an amused smile. “You seemed miles away!”

Madelyn hesitated, glancing around at the bustling village square. She was glad to see her friend, but her mind was still tangled with everything she’d been processing. “Just… thinking about some things. It’s a lot to take in,” she admitted, her tone softer. “But seeing you is a good distraction.”

Seraphina nudged her playfully. “Well, good thing I’m here then! Come on, let’s get moving. You look like you could use some fun.”

“Fun? What are you planning?” Madelyn asked, a hint of apprehension slipping into her voice.

Seraphina grinned, her eyes practically dancing with excitement. “Oh, nothing too wild,” she replied, the playfulness in her tone giving her away instantly. “Just meeting up with Lillian, David, and James. They’re dying to play together with you! It’s all they’ve been talking about.”

Madelyn felt a pang of nervousness settle in her stomach. The last time she’d been with all her friends, things had felt different—good, but still strange. They’d accepted her, sure, but there was something inside her, something unsettled that she couldn’t quite shake. She wasn’t sure if it was nerves or something else, but it made her heart beat a little faster.

Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Seraphina placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’s just us. Nothing’s changed. They’re as excited to see you in here as they are in real life.” She gave her a comforting squeeze. “And besides, I’ve got your back. Always.”

Madelyn took a deep breath, nodding. “Okay. Let’s go.”

They walked toward the Adventurers Guild, with Seraphina—Sarah—talking at a rapid pace, her excitement spilling over in a stream of words. She spoke about quests she’d found, funny moments in the game, and her plans to try out a new skill she’d just unlocked.

Madelyn could only smile, listening to the familiar chatter with a warmth spreading through her chest. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed her friends until now. Even though it had only been a few days, everything had changed so quickly, and being with them felt like an anchor back to normalcy.

Every now and then, Seraphina would glance over, her eyes bright with that unmistakable spark of friendship, and Madelyn felt a little of her nervousness melt away. With each step, she felt more certain that, despite the mysteries she was trying to unravel, this was exactly where she was meant to be.

As they approached the Adventurers Guild, Madelyn’s ears flicked up, catching Seraphina’s latest question. “So, uh… can I touch your tail again?” Seraphina asked, her voice full of innocent curiosity.

Madelyn’s cheeks flushed instantly, her tail curling instinctively closer to her body. She was well accustomed to Sarah’s tendency to ask whatever popped into her mind, rarely considering the impact her words might have. But this question hit differently—her tail was incredibly sensitive, and having someone else touch it was both embarrassing and oddly comforting. She remembered how much she’d enjoyed the gentle way her mom brushes through it with her fingers, or the way holding it herself made her feel grounded.

“Ehm… I don’t know,” Madelyn stammered, her face still bright red. “It’s really sensitive, and… well, there are people around. It would be weird, wouldn’t it?”

Now it was Seraphina’s turn to blush, her pointy ears turning a bright shade of crimson. Madelyn couldn’t help but find it a little endearing; her friend’s usual confidence seemed to falter, leaving her momentarily caught off guard.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I—I didn’t think of that,” Seraphina mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck with a sheepish grin. “It doesn’t have to be now… maybe later?” She shifted her gaze, clearly flustered. “It’s just… your tail is so soft and fluffy, it makes me want to hug it.”

Madelyn let out a small laugh, her initial embarrassment easing a little. “Maybe later,” she agreed, her tail giving a little flick as if responding to the attention.

Seraphina’s eyes sparkled, her grin returning. “Deal! I’ll try to be patient.”

The little distraction had brought them right to the doors of the guild, and Seraphina’s excitement was almost palpable. “We finally get to play together! The whole group—it’s going to be awesome!” she said, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

Madelyn felt a small spark of excitement herself, despite the lingering nervousness she’d been carrying. This was the moment she’d been anxious about, but being here, with her friends, made it all feel easier. She took a steadying breath, reminding herself that they’d already accepted her and everything that came with her transformation. They were her friends; there was no need to worry about fitting in with them.

A soft smile spread across her face as she steeled herself. I belong here, she thought, feeling her excitement rise. Let’s make this awesome.

They stepped inside the guild, and Madelyn’s senses were immediately hit by the lively hum of adventurers coming and going, talking over quests, trading items, and preparing for their journeys. She felt that familiar twinge of anxiety bubble up, her fox ears flicking in response to the crowded energy. She knew she might never get used to busy places like this.

But before she could dwell on it, Seraphina grabbed her hand and began to lead her toward a group standing at one of the tables. Madelyn’s eyes widened as she took them in, each one striking in their own way.

There was a tall, beautiful girl with skin the shade of forest leaves and delicate vines woven through her hair. Beside her stood a sturdy dwarf with a rugged beard and armor that looked like it could withstand an avalanche. And finally, a young man with an easygoing smile and a relaxed posture, his slightly pointed ears hinting at elven ancestry.

Madelyn couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude. These weren’t just adventurers—they were her friends.

The three looked up as Madelyn and Seraphina approached, smiles spreading across their faces.

Seraphina looked around at her friends, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. She raised a fist in the air. “Okay, guys, let’s go on an adventure!!”