NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2.06: Starlight, Starbright!
Xander's estimate was off by quite a bit, as it wasn't until four hours later that the outskirts of Starlight became visible. What they saw gave everyone hope, as the safe zone had transformed since Xander and Zoey had last saw it. Where once there had been a haphazard barricade of junk cars, formidable walls now stood well-constructed and imposing. Sentries guarded each of the guard towers around the perimeter, and they heavily fortified the main gate, even though it remained open.
The refugees murmured among themselves, their voices a mix of relief and apprehension. Xander led the group toward the gate, his eyes scanning the improvements with a mix of pride and surprise. Plus, he couldn't help but be a little smug when he caught Lucy's face scrunched up like the withered old prune that she was. She had been expecting Starlight to be a dump.
As they approached, a stern-looking guard stepped forward, crossbow slung over his shoulder. "Halt! State your business," he commanded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the weary group.
Xander stepped up, drawing himself to his full height. "Halt? Seriously? We're not LARP'ing here, man."
"Come on, man, don't bust my chops. I'm just trying to do my job?" the Guard snapped back. "You show up with what? Sixty people with you, looking to get into the safe zone. Something we've fought, monsters, undead, and other people to defend against, and you just think we'll let you waltz right in without at least asking some flipping questions?"
Taking a deep, relaxing breath, Xander waited ten seconds before replying. While he had bad flashbacks to what he, Alex, and Zoey encountered at the gates of Saint Joseph, he had to admit he was being antagonistic himself. "Ok, my apologies. It's been a rough couple of days. I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Let's start over. I'm Xander. I helped establish this place. We're bringing in refugees and wounded. Ask JT. He'll vouch for me."
The guard's expression remained impassive. "JT's not here right now. We can't just let anyone in. What proof do you have?"
So much for trying to take the high road in the conversation, Xander thought, his frustration bubbling over. "Proof? I'm telling you, I know this place. Go find Harvey or anyone else who's been here since the beginning. They'll recognize me and Zoey here."
Before the guard could respond, a familiar voice called out from one of the guard towers. "Hold up there!" Harvey jogged over, a broad smile breaking across his face as he spotted Xander and Zoey. "Well, I'll be damned! Xander, Zoey, it's good to see you both."
Relief washed over Xander. "Harvey! Thank God. We've had a hell of a journey."
Harvey clapped Xander on the shoulder, his eyes scanning the group. "It looks like it."
"We got saddled with an escort quest, and I'd like to finish it. Can you put up some refugees and wounded? Plus, I've got another adventuring squad with me," Xander said, jerking his thumb back over his shoulder.
Harvey's eyes took on a look of sympathy. If there was one thing anyone who had played any game could tell you, escort quests were the worst. "Glad you made it. It's not a five star resort, but we've got room inside. You can rent a room at an inn if you have the gold, but I'm guessing many of these folks have little to their names except what they've got on. We've got some refugee quarters set up inside. They're tight, but they're clean, free, and safe. We can put these folks up there. But… where's Alex? He's not with you?"
A shadow passed over Xander's face, and Zoey looked down, her expression somber. "We lost Alex a while back. He... didn't make it."
Harvey's smile faltered, replaced by a look of sorrow. "I'm sorry to hear that. He was a right pain in the ass, but he was also a good man."
Xander nodded, his voice tight with emotion. "Thanks, Harvey. Let's get these people settled and then we can catch up. I'm assuming we just need to get these people inside, get them some food and medical attention, then the quest should be complete."
Harvey waved to the guards at the gate. "Let them in! These folks are with us. Get the medics ready and prepare some refugee quarters for sixty people."
The guards parted to let everyone pass, and the group moved through to be met on the other side by other citizens of Starlight coming out to help. Xander lingered momentarily, taking in the changes one last time before stepping forward. Starlight had grown, become more robust. It was a testament to the resilience and determination of those who had built it. He felt another surge of hope mingled with the grief of those they had lost along the way.
"Xander, you coming?' Harvey called from inside the gate.
"Yeah, I'm coming," Xander called, jogging to catch up with Harvey. "You said there was an inn? Like a proper inn with booze?"
"Complete with booze. Everyone else will get the refugees settled. How about we head to the inn and catch up? A lot has happened." Harvey said once again, clasping Xander by the shoulder.
"Zoey, Jo, over here," Xander called out, lifting a hand as Harvey turned toward them.
Jo slowed, scanning the guards, the gate, and the hard-eyed watchers tracking the incoming crowd. Her boots crunched against gravel, and she hesitated a half-step before falling in beside Xander, gaze flicking up to the rebuilt towers and the walls that hadn't existed the last time she'd heard Starlight described.
"Jo? So you really did it," Harvey said, squinting at her like he couldn't quite believe she was real.
"Yeah," Xander said. "We did it."
Harvey stepped forward and extended a hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Xander talked about you like the world would split in half if he didn't get back in time."
Jo took the offered hand but didn't answer right away. Her eyes swept past Harvey toward the settlement beyond. People moved supplies with practiced rhythm. A few kids played near a stack of crates. Smoke drifted from chimneys into the dusk. She stared for a second, taking it in.
"This wasn't what I expected," she said. "You've built something here."
Xander watched her closely. She didn't cry. Jo wasn't the type. But the sharp tension that had wrapped itself around her since the basement of the Saint Joseph safezone finally eased from her shoulders.
"You did good," she added, looking back at Harvey. "And you kept him alive, which is a damn miracle."
Harvey chuckled. "We've all taken turns dragging him out of trouble. He just doesn't stay dragged."
Jo chuckled, "It's good to put a face to the name. Xander and Zoey weren't subtle about their opinion of you."
"Hopefully, in a good way," Harvey said, eyes crinkling at the corners.
Jo gave a broad smile. "That depends on the day."
The group continued to make small talk as they walked down the rough street until they came before a three-story building sporting a hand-painted sign spelling out The Explorer's End. Glancing up and down the street, Xander marveled at how different a month could make. Starlight had gone from a run-down gas station, repair shop, and dirty motel at the corner of nowhere USA to a small, bustling outpost.
"You guys have been busy," Xander quipped.
"You don't know half of it, but we've established a stronghold here. It was touch and go there for a while. We haven't encountered another safezone, and the online encyclopedia thingy only shows a couple in this area."
The first floor of The Explorer's End was a lively and welcoming space designed to cater to weary adventurers and travelers seeking respite from the harsh post-apocalyptic world. As Xander and his team stepped through the sturdy wooden door, the warm glow of an enormous fireplace greeted them at one end of the room. The fire crackled merrily, casting dancing shadows on the stone hearth and filling the space with a comforting heat.
An assortment of wooden tables and chairs dominated the main room. The tables were arranged to encourage camaraderie, with larger communal tables at the center and smaller, more intimate settings along the walls. The scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, teasing Xander's senses and drawing him further in.
To the left of the entrance stood a long, polished bar made from reclaimed wood, its surface gleaming under the dim, warm lighting. An impressive array of bottles, offering everything from pre-apocalypse spirits to home-brewed beers, stocked the shelves behind the bar. The bartender, a rugged individual with a friendly demeanor, moved with practiced ease, pouring drinks and chatting with patrons. His presence was a reassuring constant to everyone who frequented the bustling hub.
A pair of blackboards hung off to one side of the bar. One listed the current food items available along with their prices, and the other listed room rates and availability. Glancing quickly at the room rates, there were several to choose from.
Turning to Zoey, Xander asked, "Do you want to get one large room for the three of us or two separate rooms? I'm good either way, but JT may appreciate it if we don't take up a bunch of rooms for just us three."
"Yeah, one room is fine with me. I can crash on the couch if they have one. If not, we'll coin toss for the beds," Zoey said, her voice a light-hearted laugh.
"You want to get the room? It looks like Harvey got us a table. I can save you a chair," Xander inquired as he saw Jo and Harvey taking a seat at one of the private tables at the other end of the main hall.
"Sure thing, boss. I got it. Go save our girl from Harvey," Zoey laughed again.
Making his way across the room, he noticed several servers weave through the crowd with skill and grace, balancing trays laden with food and drink. They wore practical yet sturdy clothing designed to withstand the demands of their job and the occasional unruly customer. Their smiles and banter add to the lively atmosphere, making everyone feel at home.
He nearly missed the kitchen, but noticed it just as he reached the table. Opposite the fireplace, a sturdy wooden door marked 'Kitchen' led to the heart of the inn's culinary operations. Though he couldn't see inside, the tantalizing aromas hinted at the busy activity within, where skilled cooks prepare the meals that fuel the patrons' journeys.
The low hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter create a lively yet cozy atmosphere. Various souvenirs from before the reset, along with some items from more recent expeditions, adorn the walls, each telling its own story. All it needed to complete the picture was servers wearing fifteen pieces of flair, Xander mused.
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"Ok, Harv, keep your paws to yourself," Xander said in jest as he sat down.
"Funny, Xander. No, I was just getting acquainted."
"Seriously though, Harvey, this place is much different from when I left. What happened?" Xander said as he motioned politely to a nearby server.
"I'll save most of the details for JT, but the abridged version is that we got lucky. Some quest rewards gave us a massive boost, and a group of refugees were almost all craft people," Harvey explained. It hasn't all been peaches and cream, though. We lost a bunch of people those first couple of days after you left. Plus, the undead attacks have been getting worse."
"Did you just use the word abridged correctly in a sentence? Have you been pumping some points into intelligence, Harvey?" Zoey joked as she joined the rest of the table.
"Har Har, Zoey! Yes, actually I have been," Harvey returned with a smile before turning to the server who had just arrived, "Hey Cindy, can you get four house specials and then some beers?"
"Just water for me, please," Jo added. "It's been a long couple of days. Any sort of alcohol is going to put me out like a light."
"You guys are going to love the house special here. There's a spawn point of some type of a wild cow near here. Things are dangerous as hell, but the meat is worth almost dying for."
"Being serious for a minute, it's good to have you two back along with Jo. JT has something coming up that we could use some help with. I don't want to get into details until JT is back. It's his to tell."
"Way to be cryptic there, Harv. Still, we have a lot to update JT on, too. Where is he at?" Xander said, taking the glass Cindy had handed him when she returned with a tray of drinks.
"Food will be up in a few minutes," Cindy said, before zipping off to take care of another table.
"You remember Lily Morgan? She was the one who pulled the blacksmith class and had a small forge outside of town. Well, we moved that forge into town. She built up quite the shop just down the street." Harvey explained, pausing in his diatribe to take a drink, "Her, JT, and a bunch of guards took off early this morning to see if they could repair an old section of the train tracks south of here."
"That doesn't sound like something JT should be out supervising himself. I also don't get what there is to repair. No train locomotive will ever run again," Xander said, pondering why two of Starlight's most critical occupants would be outside the walls.
A lopsided grin spread across Harvey's lips as he smiled over his glass, "That's why I said it was good to have you back. JT has something cooking."
"Fine, I can take a hint. We'll wait for JT. I'm hoping he plans on coming back tonight. You saw the notice about a patch, right?"
"Yeah, we saw it. Some of the young bucks are digging into the interface and Data Forge to figure out what the time calculates, but the best guess is anywhere from ten tonight to two in the morning. Now, what about you guys?"
Xander and Zoey took turns giving Harvey the high-level version of what they'd been up to since they'd left Starlight, including what happened to Alex. They didn't get into the weeds of the details, though, as they wanted to wait for a full briefing with JT.
As the night wore on, Zoey and Jo excused themselves to head to the room. Tomorrow would be yet another long day of the apocalypse, and they were looking forward to getting a whole night's sleep without having to wake up in the middle for guard duty or because some refugee thought they saw a tree shaped like a bear, or a tree that moved unlike a tree, or even a tree that maybe might not have been there before… supposedly.
The inn was quiet at the late hour, contrasting the lively atmosphere from earlier in the evening. Xander sat alone at a wooden table near the fireplace, the flames now reduced to glowing embers. Only a few other patrons remained: a solitary figure nursing a drink in the corner and a couple on the far side of the room engaged in a quiet, intimate conversation.
Taking a moment of respite, he glanced through his notifications. He wasn't expecting anything drastic, but the completion of the No Good Deeds quest greeted him.
No Good Deed
Quest Completion! Congratulations. You have successfully delivered 95% of the refugees to a safezone. Doing good deeds for others can often go unappreciated and sometimes even resented, despite being in their best interest. Yet, the accurate measure of character lies in choosing to do the right thing, regardless of recognition or gratitude.
The gold was undoubtedly nice, even considering the amount of supplies they'd had to share with their charges. Reputation gains were always a bit of a mixed bag. They were so vague that it was hard to assign a value to them as a reward. However, these types of quests in most RPGs lead to more lucrative quests or critical information in the future. Still, he would not look a gift horse in the mouth. He would wait to see if it would benefit him in the future.
Now officially done with the soul-crushing escort quest, Xander stared into the remnants of his drink, lost in thought. The weight of the recent journey and their losses weighed heavily on his mind. As he took another sip, the world around him seemed to flicker like a faulty light bulb struggling to stay lit.
Greetings, Players! The latest patch will be applied to the Simulations in moments. You may experience momentary disorientation. Patch maintenance starts in 3… 2… 1…
For a split second, everything glitched. The room shimmered, and reality itself seemed to stutter. Xander blinked, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him. When he looked up, he saw her.
Seated at the bar was a woman who hadn't been there a moment before. She had an enigmatic air, shoulder-length dark hair, and a confident, almost playful expression. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, and in her hand, she held a wine glass.
Xander's stomach dropped as his fight-or-flight reaction kicked in at the woman's sudden appearance. She gave him a slow wink, followed by a salute with her glass, acknowledging that he had seen her. It was as if she was silently conveying that this was no accident and wanted him to notice her presence. The moment hung in the air, surreal and otherworldly.
The world flickered again before he could react or even process what he had seen. The woman vanished, and the barstool where she sat was empty again. Xander blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. Had it all been an illusion?
Greetings, Players! The latest patch is now live. Please visit the help files for detailed patch notes. Thank you for your patience during this maintenance period.
The lone couple across the inn had continued their conversation, oblivious to what had just transpired. The other patron in the corner appeared unchanged, still lost in their thoughts. Xander glanced around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everything was back to how it had been, except for the lingering sense that something extraordinary had occurred.
His mind raced with questions. Who was she? How had she appeared and disappeared so suddenly? And why had she acknowledged him expressly? Was it just a coincidence that he had been the one to see her, or was it something related to him specifically? Xander couldn't shake the feeling that the encounter was significant, a puzzle piece in the larger mystery. He didn't like mysteries.
As he sat there, the low crackling of the fire the only sound breaking the silence, Xander resolved to find out more. There was a deeper game at play here, and he inwardly cringed at the thought of getting caught up in a larger game. It was bad enough that Victor and his cronies still seemed to dog him every step of the way. If something was even larger going on, that was a mess of headaches that he didn't think fit his notion of helping humanity stabilize. Something an old co-worker had told him once came back to the front of his mind. The co-worker had often lamented the fact that he had screwed up and made himself essential at his job. That was the last thing Xander wanted.
Xander had been just about to call it a night when the door creaked open. JT and the town blacksmith, Lily Morgan, stepped inside, shaking off the chill of the night air. Xander's tired eyes brightened at the sight of JT, a familiar face he hadn't seen since the opening days of the apocalypse.
JT spotted Xander and made his way over, a grin spreading across his rugged features. "Xander! It's been a while."
Xander stood, clasping JT's hand firmly before being pulled into a hug. "Man, it's good to see you. What were you doing out there so late?"
JT glanced at Lily, who gave a subtle nod before moving toward the bar. "Just confirming some information we received," JT replied vaguely, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "There's a meeting in the morning to strategize our next steps. I'd like you to be there."
Xander nodded, sensing there was more to the story than JT was letting on. "I'll be there. It'll be good to get back into the swing of things."
Taking one mug from Lily as she returned from the bar, JT changed the subject. "Xander, you remember Lily, yes? She had arrived just before you, Zoey, and Alex headed out for Saint Joseph."
"Yes, you were just going back to get her blacksmithing equipment when we left," Xander said before turning to Lily. "Looks like you got everything all settled in. I could see the blacksmith shop down the road when we arrived."
"Yep, we're all set up. Even set up the guards and defenses with some decent equipment. Still have a long way to go. Would have preferred that it didn't take the apocalypse for me to get to be a full-time blacksmith, but any silver lining in the storm, right?" She responded.
She looked comfortable in the role, but there was something in her tone, part pride, part resignation. Like she knew this was where she belonged, but wasn't sure she liked how she got here.
"I know what you mean. There are nights when I'm alone in the dark, and I remember exactly what I was thinking before everything changed. Do you want to know what it was? I thought I didn't want to be a project manager any longer, and that there had to be more to life than work, sleep, and repeat. Less than ten minutes later, I got my wish. I just wasn't aware of the cost of that wish," Xander sighed.
"Well… I guess I don't feel so bad now. I was just mowing my lawn," Lily chuckled.
"Hey, while I've got you here, I picked up a Blacksmithing skill book, and I was thinking of picking it up as a professional skill. I was looking for something that provided some value but also would not keep me from being part of an adventure team." Xander said, changing the subject.
"So, you want to pick up blacksmithing, huh?"
"Blacksmithing would be a good choice. We have several other blacksmiths, including myself, so it's not like your blacksmithing skills would be needed over your combat abilities. If we're being blunt, your combat abilities will be more important for quite a while," Lily said as she exchanged a glance with JT. "what type of skill book did you pick up?"
"Blacksmithing plus twelve," Xander supplied. JT and Lily knew something that Xander didn't, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. JT and Lily wanted him for something, but they played it close to the vest. Xander was willing to let it go, as he was tired, and JT had already said there was a morning briefing.
Lily chuckled, a sound more genuine than her usual gruff demeanor suggested. "It's hard work, but if you're serious, I'll give you some basic training. That plus twelve book is going to get you a massive head start. Would you be open to selling it? I'd trade you coins or services. I've got some nice pieces that I can make."
"If you really need it, I'd sell it for the greater good, but I'd like to keep it," Xander said after considering it for a moment. He'd gone back and forth several times since leaving Saint Joseph on what to do with the book. He wanted to keep the book, but he was also committed to serving humanity's best interests.
"Nah, we don't need it that badly. It'd be nice, but if you want to use it, it won't hold us back. You can use my forge, but you'll need to supply or purchase your own materials. How about you swing by after the meeting tomorrow morning, and we can talk some more?"
Xander's smile widened. "Thank you, Lily. I appreciate it. I've got some scavenged metal that might be useful, and I'll see what else I can trade for."
JT took a sip of his ale, looking thoughtfully at Xander. "You and I need to get together to compare notes as well. The strategy meeting will get you up to speed on what is happening now, but there are other things you should know, too."
Xander nodded. "Same thing. Lots happened after we left here. Some of it doesn't affect Starlight, but you need to know about Saint Joseph and what happened there. We can catch up in the morning."
With nothing urgent to discuss, Xander let the pair know that he'd had a long day and was going to call it a night.
JT clapped Xander on the shoulder as he got up to leave. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day."
Xander trudged wearily up the narrow stairs of the inn, each step feeling heavier than the last. He reached the creaky wooden door of their rented room, and as he pushed it open, the soft crackle of a low fire greeted him. The dim light cast flickering shadows on the rustic decor, providing a cozy, albeit modest, sanctuary from the weariness of the road.
Inside, Jo lay sprawled across the entire bed, her limbs askew in a position that spoke of utter exhaustion. Her hair fanned out across the pillow, and she had evidently collapsed the moment she touched the mattress. On the couch, Zoey was curled up, her breathing deep and even lost to the world in her dreams.
Xander sighed, a mixture of relief and resignation. The bed was out of the question. Jo's sprawling form left no room for him to squeeze in without waking her. He glanced around the room, taking in the rustic charm. It wasn't luxurious by any means, but to him, it was a paradise compared to the hard, unyielding ground he had grown accustomed to. Simple, handmade decorations adorned the walls, and although primitively crafted, the furniture was sturdy and inviting.
Carefully, Xander removed his heavy armor, piece by piece, until he stood in his simple, travel-worn clothes. He set the armor aside, grateful to be free of its weight. His eyes landed on a nearby chair, plush and sturdy enough to provide a semblance of comfort. With a resigned smile, he moved towards it, draping the extra blanket he had grabbed from the bed over himself as he settled in.
The chair was far from the most comfortable sleeping arrangement, but the gentle warmth from the fireplace and the soft crackling of the flames created a soothing atmosphere. He closed his eyes, feeling the day's fatigue tugging him into the depths of sleep. The rustic inn room, with its quiet charm and the company of his friends, felt like a perfect refuge after the relentless hardships of travel. As he drifted off, he couldn't help but think that, sometimes, the most straightforward places could offer the most incredible comfort.