Chapter 36 – Ambush?

Madelyn ate her breakfast in thoughtful silence, her mind already racing ahead to her next steps. Before going back to Astralyth Online, I’ll check the web, she decided, absently tapping her fingers against the table. Maybe someone else has heard of Aeloria. If she’s part of the game’s lore, someone has to know something.

She quickly finished her meal, savoring the last sip of tea before pushing her chair back. “Thanks, Mom,” she said, standing and giving her a quick hug. Her mom returned the embrace with a warm smile.

“Good luck, Maddy. Let me know if you find anything,” her mom said, watching as Madelyn headed toward the stairs.

Madelyn nodded, determination setting in. “I will.”

She climbed the stairs two at a time, her tail swishing slightly behind her in anticipation. Once in her room, she booted up her computer, the hum of the machine filling the quiet space. Her heart pounded slightly as she opened her browser and began typing: Astralyth Online Aeloria.

The search yielded hundreds of results, but most seemed unrelated—forum posts speculating about hidden gods, players discussing obscure quests, and general lore about Vulpenthos. She scrolled through page after page, her frustration mounting.

“Come on, there has to be something…” she muttered under her breath.

Finally, a post on an old forum thread caught her attention: “The Forgotten Guardian of Vulpenthos?” Her eyes scanned the post eagerly. The user claimed to have found references to a goddess named Aeloria in some ancient ruins but noted that no official lore confirmed her existence. The post was filled with theories about why Aeloria had been erased from the world’s history, speculating that it was tied to the arrival of the Outlanders.

She had that idea too. The bunny receptionist at the Adventurers Guild had mentioned something eerily similar, right? Sixteen years ago, Aeloria had vanished, and a few years later, Outlanders began appearing. They took control of Vulpenthos and silenced anyone who dared to speak about the goddess. Now, the very mention of her name was forbidden.

Madelyn leaned back in her chair, her tail swaying thoughtfully. Why would the Outlanders, the developers, care so much about erasing Aeloria from history? she wondered, her mind racing. It wasn’t just a simple case of forgotten lore. This was a deliberate cover-up.

Her gaze flicked back to her notebook she had grabbed. The forum post had mentioned ruins—unmarked places tied to Aeloria. Madelyn’s heart skipped a beat. Were they talking about the same ruins Sarah and I found? The statue, pristine amidst the decay, had been undeniably significant. And the vision she’d experienced after touching it... it all felt connected.

Her fox ears twitched as she recalled the vision vividly: the warm cave, the woman with her gentle smile, she as the fox kit being held by her. It felt so real, almost like a memory. And then there was the chilling dream from last night, the man’s desperate actions, and the haunting yellow liquid in the tank.

“Sixteen years ago…” Madelyn whispered to herself. That was the time the goddess had disappeared. What happened back then? she wondered. Why did the Outlanders appear years later and banned even mentioning her?

Her fingers tapped restlessly on her desk as she tried to piece everything together. If the ruins held more answers, she needed to go back. Maybe she and Sarah had only scratched the surface. What if there’s more hidden within? she thought, her pulse quickening at the possibility.

But then another thought struck her. If Aeloria was a guardian goddess, did she willingly step down—or was she forced into silence? The vision of the woman’s terrified face in the tank resurfaced in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine.

Madelyn closed her notes, her resolve hardening. The ruins were the next step. If they truly were connected to Aeloria, they might hold the key to understanding everything—the visions, the strange connection she felt, and even the truth about her transformation.

She glanced at the time. It was time to dive back into the game and start investigating. Taking a deep breath, she stood, her tail swishing with determination.

No more hesitating, she thought. If I want answers, I have to go after them myself.

Without another moment of doubt, she turned toward her full-dive pod. The hum of the machine greeted her as she climbed in, ready to face whatever secrets Astralyth Online held.

Madelyn opened her eyes to the familiar bustling streets of Adros. The bright sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone roads. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers chatted excitedly about their quests, and the gentle hum of village life filled the air.

Her fox ears twitched as she tuned into the sounds around her, but her focus remained elsewhere. She needed a plan. Okay, think, she told herself. What’s the best way to get answers?

Asking NPCs about Aeloria was out of the question. She’d already tried that, and the fear-filled reactions were more trouble than they were worth. She didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to herself—or worse, risk someone reporting her for asking forbidden questions.

No, she decided. The ruins are my best shot.

Madelyn glanced around the village, her amber eyes scanning the familiar landmarks. She and Sarah had found the ruins by wandering through the forest last time, but now she’d have to retrace their steps alone. Her tail swished nervously at the thought, but she quickly steadied herself. You can do this, Madelyn, she reminded herself. You’ve been through worse.

She adjusted her leather chestpiece and tightened the straps of her belt, her weapon ring gleaming softly on her finger. If the ruins were as significant as she suspected, she’d need to be prepared for anything—both in terms of combat and whatever strange visions might await her.

Madelyn made her way toward the edge of the village, weaving through the bustling crowd. The noise and activity felt overwhelming, as always, but she kept her head down and pushed forward. A few players and NPCs glanced her way, their eyes lingering a little longer than she liked, but no one approached her.

Once she reached the forest path, the noise of the village began to fade, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. The cool shade of the trees was a welcome change, and Madelyn felt her nerves start to ease as she followed the winding trail.

She replayed the events of her last visit to the ruins in her mind—the pristine statue, the vision of the woman and her being the fox kit. There has to be more to discover there, she thought. Something I missed the first time. A connection.

The path became narrower as she ventured deeper into the forest, the undergrowth thickening around her. Vines twisted across the trail, and the sound of her feet bare crunching on fallen leaves was the only noise in the stillness.

Madelyn paused for a moment, her ears twitching. The forest felt different this time—quieter, almost expectant. It was as if the world itself knew she was on the cusp of uncovering something important.

She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. Whatever’s waiting for me at the ruins, I’ll face it.

With renewed determination, Madelyn pressed on, her steps quickening as she focused on her destination. The ruins—and the answers she desperately sought—were waiting.

Madelyn could feel it—the faint, unyielding pull guiding her steps. It was the same as before, an invisible thread tugging at her, urging her forward. She quickened her pace, the trees around her becoming more familiar with each step. The ruins were close.

Walking alone had its advantages; she was making much better time than when she and Sarah had wandered together. But the solitude left her mind free to wander, and she couldn’t help but think about how much more enjoyable this journey had been with Sarah by her side.

Sarah’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember, she thought, her tail wagging gently behind her. Sarah’s energy, her constant support—it had been a lifeline ever since this whole transformation began. She smiled faintly, remembering how Sarah had immediately accepted her as Madelyn, no questions asked.

Maybe she could invite Sarah over tomorrow. They hadn’t spent much time together outside the game since everything had changed, and it might be nice to have a day to just hang out, like old times. Yeah,

Madelyn thought, her ears perking up slightly. That could be fun.

The pull grew stronger, cutting through her thoughts. Her steps slowed instinctively as the dense forest began to thin, revealing hints of the crumbling stonework ahead. The ruins came into view, cloaked in shadows and overgrown with wildflowers and vines. Just like before, they exuded an air of mystery and quiet reverence.

Madelyn’s heart quickened, her senses sharpening. She couldn’t explain it, but the ruins felt alive—like they were waiting for her. She stepped cautiously over a fallen pillar, her feet crunching softly on the moss-covered stones.

The statue would be there, she knew it. Just as pristine and out of place as before. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal of her weapon ring, a grounding habit she’d developed. Here we go, she thought, taking a steadying breath.

The ruins loomed larger now, the intricate carvings on the stone walls catching the filtered sunlight. Every detail seemed more vivid, more purposeful. Madelyn felt her chest tighten as she crossed the threshold, her eyes scanning the familiar space.

She didn’t know what she would find this time, but the pull in her chest assured her she was exactly where she needed to be.

Madelyn froze, her fox ears twitching as they picked up distant voices. Three people. Their conversation drifted toward her on the soft forest breeze, and her heart started to race. She crouched low behind a crumbling pillar, her tail tucked tightly against her leg to avoid any accidental noise.

“But Rylan, this is just boring,” one of the voices whined, clearly exasperated. It was a younger man, his tone sharp and impatient. “Nobody cares about these stupid ruins.”

A second voice replied, deeper and more commanding. “Shut up, Kade. It’s easy money, and only a bonus if someone’s foolish enough to venture here.” The voice was calm but carried a dangerous edge, like someone who was used to being in control.

Madelyn’s breath hitched. Rylan… why does his voice sound so familiar? The tone, the cadence of his words—it sent a chill down her spine. She’d heard that voice before, though she couldn’t immediately place where.

Then, a third voice, this one belonging to a woman, chimed in. “Both of you, keep it down. We’re not here to make a scene. Let’s do our job and move on.” Her tone was steady, professional, and slightly impatient, as if she had no tolerance for the bickering.

Madelyn’s grip tightened on the edge of the pillar. She carefully leaned out, just enough to catch a glimpse of the trio. Through the overgrown foliage, she could make out their silhouettes. They were standing near the base of the ruins, their forms partially obscured by the dense greenery.

The man named Rylan stood tall, his posture exuding authority. He gestured lazily toward the ruins, as though the entire situation was beneath him. Kade, the younger man, shifted from foot to foot, his body language restless. The woman was more composed, her stance deliberate and alert.

Who are these people? Madelyn wondered. And why are they here?

Her mind raced as she tried to piece everything together. Their conversation hinted at something more than simple looters. They mentioned “easy money” and luring in “foolish” people, which didn’t bode well. But it was Rylan’s voice that kept nagging at her memory. She had heard it somewhere—recently. Was it in the game? Or… somewhere else?

She forced herself to stay calm, taking slow, quiet breaths. Think, Maddy. If they’re dangerous, you need to figure out your next move. She weighed her options. Confronting them alone was risky, especially if they were skilled fighters. Running back to the village would take time, and they might notice her before she could get away.

Her enhanced hearing picked up Kade again, muttering something about “waiting for the next fool.” Madelyn’s pulse quickened. Are they… setting a trap? If so, then she couldn’t just walk away. Someone else might stumble upon the ruins and fall into their hands.

I need to know more before I do anything, she thought, her eyes narrowing. She adjusted her position slightly, making herself as small and silent as possible. She would wait, listen, and gather as much information as she could.