— CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN —

  The City of Lights - Florin!

  {Lucy}

  When you arrived in Florin, you left Project Dawnfall and stepped into a tropical vacation. It wasn't a place that was designed for immersion in the world of the game, but a place for players to relax from the comfort of their own beds.

  In the southeast corner of the world, dense and misty forest surrounded an isthmus sandwiched between a large lake and the open ocean. On that slice of coast, modern glass-and-steel high-rises clustered around the downtown area with views to both bodies of water and falling like steps toward the sea. Neon lights and magical displays decorated the streets, igniting it like the Vegas strip. With no proper roads leaving, it was insulated from the rest of the world.

  Stepping out of the train station into the plaza, we were surrounded by a city glowing even in the afternoon sun. Buildings towered above us, their facades pulsing with a rainbow of colors. Animated creatures and objects made of faerie lights floated and spun in the air between the structures. Even the air felt different - humid and heavy with a salty sea breeze.

  At the center of the square, a magnificent fountain threw shimmering water into the air, each droplet refracting an aurora of colors from the underlighting below. Radiating streets branched off from the plaza like spokes on a wheel. Ribbons of luminescent tubing were embedded in the pavement of each thoroughfare, guiding the way toward the city's sectors. The only NPCs in sight were those manning the concession stalls, leaving all of the activity of the city to the players.

  Just outside the train station door was a noticeboard where a World Guard member was standing on a step ladder, pinning up a picture of a person next to a dozen others. As we passed by, he called out to us.

  "Welcome to the city! If you're staying the night, remember to lock your doors!"

  At the top of the noticeboard was a warning: MISSING PERSONS.

  I asked, "Oh my, is something going on?"

  "What does 'missing' mean in this world?" Percy asked.

  The guard sat on the stepladder. "They aren't dead, if that's what you're thinking. People can still send them mail and messages, but they don't respond. Their friends and guildmates can't get a location on them either. It's like they... dropped off the face of the Earth. Or... what's this planet called?"

  "In the lore, it's called Geos." Percy said.

  The guard nodded. "It seems to be happening every few days. We're investigating, but... there's not a lot of evidence we can get within the game's mechanics."

  "Could a quest do that?" I asked. "Suck people into a nightmare zone or something?"

  Percy shook his head. "There's been nothing like that so far. Every quest we've seen has been offered and knowingly accepted. Even that, uh... dynamically generated one from the other day."

  Fritz smirked and leaned forward, wiggling his fingers cheesily. "Maybe they were kidnapped by... the Underserver!"

  I blinked, confused. "The what?"

  Percy rolled his eyes. "You mean those stupid creepypastas that reporter puts in the paper's reader's letters section?"

  "Legend says," Fritz continued, undeterred, "that deep beneath our feet lies a mirror world inhabited by people that are the exact opposite of us!"

  I shook my head. "No, that doesn't exist."

  Fritz shrugged dramatically. "When it comes to this game, are we in any position to say what does and does not exist?"

  Percy said, "We can put limits on existence based on the rules observed. That stupid story has no threads of logic tying it to anything known to exist."

  "Bah, you're no fun." Fritz waved a hand dismissively, then turned to the guard. "Thanks for the heads up, man!"

  The guard waved as we left. "Have a nice weekend and stay safe!"

  We stopped at a newsstand by the plaza exit, and Fritz bought a copy of the Protectorate's Player Guide for the city, then handed it to Percy.

  "What shall we do first?" I asked.

  Fritz smirked. "Well, any adventure starts with preparations - we've gotta gear up!"

  Flipping through the guidebook, Percy read, "The hottest fashions are available at the Velvet Gryphon Boutique in the city's Blue Zone, a few blocks from the beach."

  "Do we follow this blue line?" Fritz asked, pointing at one of the neon strips in the road. We followed it off into the city.

  The Velvet Gryphon was a peculiar little shop. On the main boulevard crossing the length of the city, it was an unassuming storefront wedged between a busy café and a quaint bookstore, distinguished only by the large neon emblem of a gryphon over the doorway. But all that was inside was a small lobby with an elevator. That was what led us to the real store.

  The doors parted, revealing a vast showroom that spanned nearly the entire floor of the high-rise. Racks upon racks of clothing were meticulously organized by season, the vibrant hues of summer gradually fading into the rich tones of autumn and the cool shades of winter. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the sparkling ocean, the horizon stretching endlessly into the distance.

  A man in a flamboyant tropical shirt and well-fitted slacks greeted us from behind the counter, his nameplate identifying him as Al Bert. "Welcome, welcome!" he exclaimed, his voice bright and inviting. "If you need a hand, don't hesitate to ask!"

  Fritz raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is this a player-run store?"

  "Owned and operated by yours truly!" Al beamed with pride.

  "How does that work?" Percy asked. "How do you get an edge on the NPC businesses?"

  "Why, with variety!" Al gestured grandly to the racks surrounding us. "The in-game clothing stores change their inventory every month to match the season, and every location has a different stock! I go around to as many places as I can and find the best selections, providing the greatest looks year-round!"

  "Nice!" Fritz nodded. "So, what can you recommend for a weekend at the beach?"

  Al's gaze swept over us, assessing our styles with a critical eye. "Our summer selections are this way." He led us through the store, past racks of gauzy sundresses and lightweight camisoles, until we reached a department exploding with color. Tie-dye and tropical patterns dominated the space.

  Percy immediately started to look at a plain blue t-shirt, but before he could check the tag, Fritz grabbed him by the shoulders and steered him away. "Oh no, you don't. We're on vacation, and we've gotta look the part!" He dragged Percy over to a row of Hawaiian shirts.

  Al nodded approvingly. "Absolutely! You've got that vivid hair, and you need something that complements it!"

  He plucked two shirts from the rack and handed them to Percy, while Fritz grabbed a pair of shorts. Percy took the shirts, but pushed the shorts away. "No, I'm only doing the shirts."

  Fritz raised an eyebrow. "You don't like shorts?"

  "I don't like half of my legs being cold." Percy deadpanned. "Full pants or none at all."

  "Alright, man, suit yourself." Fritz shrugged, then his eyes lit up. "How about... these?" He held up a pair of bright red slacks that perfectly matched Percy's hair.

  Percy stared at him blankly for a moment, then pointed to a nearby rack. "Hand me those beige ones."

  Al clapped his hands together. "Go ahead and try them on - right over here!" He ushered us to a small clearing between the aisles where a little stage had been set up. Percy shrugged off his grey robe and swapped into the slacks and a blue Hawaiian shirt speckled with white flowers.

  He climbed onto the stage while the three of us lined up in front. Standing there with his hands shoved in his pockets, he looked like he was dressing up as Fritz for Halloween.

  "Bring your shoulders up." I advised. "You're slouching."

  Percy raised his shoulders until he looked like he was mid-shrug.

  "A little lower." I said.

  He dropped them back down into a slouch.

  Fritz stifled a giggle. "Perfect. I love it!"

  Al tilted his head, considering. "I don't know... It's got flavor, but it's not doing anything with your hair color. Try the other shirt."

  Percy switched to the second Hawaiian shirt - a cacophony of blue, red, and green rays that crisscrossed and blended over a dark background. The effect was busy, but somehow it worked. The bold pattern brought out the fiery tones in his hair and made his blue eyes pop.

  "There we go; that looks alive!" Al declared.

  I nodded in agreement. "Definitely better."

  "I dig it, yeah." Fritz said.

  As Percy hopped down from the stage, Fritz clapped and bounded up to take his place. He pulled up his equipment menu and swapped his clothes out for the shorts he'd picked for Percy and another Hawaiian shirt, this one featuring soft green and red palm leaves over a gradient of light blue, orange, and yellow. He struck a series of ridiculous poses. "Well?"

  I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that just your normal clothes?"

  Percy said, "No, no - there's subtle differences between work-Fritz and vacation-Fritz. You see, work-mode has khakis, while vacation-mode has shorts. Work-Fritz uses a dark, 'professional' color at the base of his shirt. Vacation-Fritz, on the other hand, goes for this whacky sunset look."

  "Exactly!" Fritz said.

  "Ah, I see." I nodded.

  Al said, "You seem to have your style in hand already - you need no judge."

  Fritz straightened up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now hear me out here." He stepped off the stage and took a fedora from a nearby rack, plopping it on his head at a jaunty angle.

  "No." Percy said immediately.

  I shook my head. "Hard veto on that."

  Al held up his hands. "Very few men can pull off a fedora, and I'm sorry to say you're not one of them."

  With an exaggerated sigh, Fritz returned the hat to its place. "Does that go for the cane as well?"

  "Absolutely." Al confirmed.

  That made it my turn. I'd found two sundresses. The first was a soft baby blue with a dense pattern of pale pink flowers. I stepped onto the stage and gave a little twirl, the skirt flaring out around my legs. It felt light and airy, like wearing a cloud.

  Percy tilted his head, considering. "It's a little busy." he said with a shrug.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "Well, I like it." Fritz said.

  Al tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see the other option."

  I changed into the second dress - a crisp white number with a smattering of larger red flowers. The skirt was flowy and the fabric whisper-soft against my skin.

  Al nodded approvingly. "Much more elegant. It complements your posture beautifully."

  Fritz nodded enthusiastically. "I like that one, too!"

  But Percy frowned, framing me with his fingers. "It's missing something - here." He disappeared into the racks of clothes, returning a moment later with a bracelet - a simple, gold-colored thing with red stones that matched the flowers.

  I slipped it on and turned to the mirror set up on the side of the stage. Holding it up to compare it to my body, I said, "Oh, I love it!" That little asymmetric accent really gave the whole look a nice unique touch.

  "Perfect." Al said with a satisfied smile. "Is there anything else I can help you all with?"

  Fritz snapped his fingers. "Yeah, one more thing. If we're going down to the beach, we're gonna need sunglasses."

  Minutes later, the three of us stepped out of the Velvet Gryphon, completely unrecognizable - well, except for Fritz - and ready to take on the city. I was completely unfettered by the choking restriction of pants - my dress' skirt was swooshing around my legs, and the ocean breeze caressed my bare arms.

  Next up, we made our way down to the beach. The fine white sand tickled between my toes. Pristine and inviting, the shoreline stretched out before us, an endless expanse of sun-drenched perfection. Open cabanas dotted the area in front of the storefronts, their billowing curtains waving lazily in the salty breeze. Further down, where the city became more residential, bungalows sat right next to the sand, their wide porches an open invitation to relax and let your worries wash away with the tide.

  We settled ourselves at a tiki bar. Stools half-submerged in the shallows let us dangle our feet right into the lapping waves. Except for Percy, who refused to remove his shoes. Fritz had at least convinced him to swap out his usual boots for some normal sneakers. Baby steps.

  As we sat gazing out at the horizon, the ocean shifted from crystalline clarity at our toes to a mesmerizing blue-green where it met the endless sky. This right here - this is what I needed. A chance to just breathe.

  Fritz twisted around to the bartender. "Could I get a mai tai, my man?" He glanced over at Percy and me. "You two want anything?"

  Percy started, "I don't like-"

  "The mind-altering stuff, I know. But c'mon, even on vacation?"

  "No." Percy said flatly.

  Fritz shrugged. "Alright, then. Lucy?"

  "Fritz, I'm 16."

  "And I'm not a cop!" He laughed.

  I hesitated. I'd come to Florin for something different, right? I was there precisely because I needed to do things I'd never normally do. To take chances. Live a little.

  "... Sure." I said finally. "One mimosa, please." As the words left my lips, a thrill shot through me - nerves and exhilaration. This is what my mom warned me about, wasn't it? I'd have to be careful or I was going to become one of those heroin junkies.

  Oh, sometimes I miss my younger self. She was such a silly girl.

  Anyway, Percy, ever sensible, stuck with some mixed juice. As we sipped our drinks, we flipped through the Protectorate's Guide. Percy copied all the listed landmarks onto his map.

  "There's an amusement park in the city," he noted, "out on that island." He pointed to where a large stone bridge covered in a forest of trees stretched from the middle of the city out to a small island just off the coast. The top of a Ferris wheel and the twisted tracks of a rollercoaster peeked out from behind the artfully designed towers of a resort.

  I took another sip of my mimosa, the bubbles prickling my tongue. "What's the deal with that bridge?" I asked. "It's awfully... dense for the atmosphere here."

  Percy consulted the book. "According to the lore notes, it's a hydromagic generation farm that powers the city. The surface side is a public park."

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Fritz exclaimed suddenly, flipping the guidebook back a few pages. "Turn back there! Check this out - the Casino of the Seven Stars. Now that's what I'm talking about!"

  "Haven't you learned your lesson?" Percy asked.

  "This isn't some shady, basement card parlor!" Fritz insisted. "It's a luxury hotel!"

  "Are your odds any better there?" Percy raised an eyebrow.

  "Well... no... but look!" Fritz jabbed a finger at the pictures. "They have a view of the lake! With rentable boats and public fishing docks!"

  Percy sighed. "We're already at the ocean; why do you need to see a lake?"

  "Why not? We're here to experience the city, so let's check it out!" Fritz bounced enthusiastically on his stool.

  So we crossed the city, following the glowing neon strips embedded in the ground. They led us to a grand boulevard that rose toward the casino in terraces, with staircases and steep sections of road every few blocks.

  The Casino of the Seven Stars loomed before us, its golden facade glinting in the sun. The crowning monument of the city's downtown, it towered over the main street. A hedge garden framed the entrance, the topiaries trimmed into fanciful creatures. A plaza stretched out before it, its tiles arranged into a mosaic. I squinted, trying to make out the larger picture, but it was difficult to discern from the ground.

  Around the back of the casino, a complex of glittering pools overlooked the lake. Lake Florin itself extended into the distance, its far shore shrouded in mist and dense forest. It gave the lake a sense of enclosure, like a world unto itself. Just as silent, but a different flavor of tranquility from the vast openness of the ocean. Beside the casino, lakeside mansions with private docks occupied the city's shore.

  Fritz veered toward the public docks, fishing pole in hand. "I'm gonna catch us some dinner!"

  I settled into a sunchair nearby, relishing the serenity of the scene. Not a ripple disturbed the mirror-like surface of the lake. Even the air hung still and heavy in the absence of a breeze. Percy sat beside me, hands behind his head as he gazed up at the cloudless sky.

  "What do you think could be causing the disappearances?" he wondered. "Is it pure chance, or are there commonalities between the victims? And are they actually being removed from the game? Why is it only happening here?"

  "Let the Guard handle it." I told him. "It's their job."

  He scoffed. "You trust those mall cops?"

  "They've been investigating it from the beginning; they'll have a better handle on it than us."

  He didn't respond, but pulled up his menu and started typing.

  I let my eyes drift closed, soaking in the peace of the moment. I could almost forget we were in a game...

  "Hey, check it out!" Fritz's excited shout pierced the quiet. "There's a boat rental shack over there! Y'all want to take a dinghy out on the water?"

  Percy barely glanced up from his screen. "Honestly, I'd rather explore one of those mansions. They're available for players to purchase, right?"

  I had to admit, I was curious as well. I hadn't given much thought to buying property in the game, given how simple it was to claim an NPC house. "That could be fun. Do they offer tours, I wonder?"

  We walked down the lane of stately manors, each bearing a "For Rent" placard out front. We stopped at one near the edge of the city - a sprawling gothic affair with carved stonework and a rather overgrown garden. Tendrils of mist crept in from the surrounding forest, weaving through the hedge maze and wreathing the decorative statues in an ghostly shroud. Most of the statues were quite hideous with forms frozen in shock or rage.

  I said, "I can certainly see why this one is unowned."

  Fritz paused by a snarling stone dog, tilting his head as he examined it. "I kinda dig it, you know? It's got a vibe."

  "They are quite detailed." I conceded. The stone fur seemed to bristle with lifelike ferocity.

  "Maybe that's because they're real." Percy said. "Think about it - why are all these mansions empty? Why are people going missing? What if something is turning them into statues? Hunting victims that unknowingly wander into its lair."

  "I thought you were supposed to be the rational one." I said.

  "Rationality is a matter of perspective." He gave me a blank look. "You don't know what's lurking out of the public's view."

  Fritz nodded. "He's got a point - how else do you explain why there's no one else around this entire lake."

  "Because the game is too new! No one has enough money yet!"

  "I wonder if Gary owns a place out here." Fritz wondered, walking up to the door. He checked a panel next to the door, opening up the property management interface. The price to rent the place wasn't actually that bad. It was more than I was likely to ever be able to afford, but not astronomically so.

  "Dang, that's doable!" Fritz said. "Hey, Percy, how much of your cloak money do you have left? Give me one night at the casino, and we could get this place!"

  "No."

  "..." Fritz deflated. "Aw, c'mon man, you're really gonna shut me down that hard?" He turned back to the house and hit a button on the interface, spawning a house key and starting a free 1-hour tour.

  As we moved through the house, Percy and I took turns critiquing the rather gauche decor. It may have been surprisingly affordable, but it would take a significant amount of resources on top of that to give it good taste.

  Out back, a private dock jutted into the still waters of the lake, a little boathouse perched on the end. Boat not included. Percy flopped down and hung his head over the edge "Hello? Any gorgons or swamp hags lurking down there waiting to petrify us?" He pulled himself back up and brushed off his hands. "I think we're safe - we're not being hunted."

  "Looks like we've got about 45 minutes left on this key." Fritz said, checking his interface. "Hey, y'all want to grab some lunch and eat it in that swanky dining room?"

  "That sounds lovely." I said. The idea held a certain goblin-like appeal.

  "Percy!" Fritz called out. "What's the nearest place the guidebook recommends?"

  Percy pulled up his map and scrolled around it. "There's a gold-star rated sushi joint a few blocks from here."

  We hurried over, procured an array of delectable rolls and sashimi, and returned to devour our feast in the rented mansion's lavish dining hall. The shrimp tempura rolls were simply divine, the crisp golden batter giving way to tender, succulent shrimp within. Even the wasabi packed a delightfully sinus-clearing punch. Speaking of which, Fritz dared himself to down an entire glob of the stuff. Moments later, tears streamed down his reddening face as he sputtered and coughed.

  Afterward, we lounged about the sitting room, Fritz still dabbing at his watery eyes with a handkerchief as Percy launched into another critique of the tacky decor. But as he and I discussed the merits (or lack thereof) of the over-the-top draperies, a notification pinged on all our interfaces:

  'This is a restricted space. Leave immediately or you will be teleported out.'

  We barely had time to exchange startled looks before the world blinked out in a flash of blinding light. An instant later, we found ourselves standing on the cobblestones just outside the mansion's front gate.

  "Well, guess that's our time." Fritz said, blinking away the tears. "Good lunch though. So, where to next?"

  Percy pulled up his map, then frowned. He flicked over to his friends list, his brow furrowing further. "Interesting..."

  "What is it?" I asked.

  "My map didn't auto-focus on our location just now. And on my friends list, your current locations are both just... blank."

  I quickly checked my own list. Sure enough, where Fritz and Percy's location should have been written, there was nothing but an empty space.

  "Maybe we got teleported to... the Underserver!" Fritz said, wiggling his fingers dramatically. "You know, the rumors say - folks who go in the foggy old house on the hill are never seen again!"

  We walked a ways down the street, putting some distance between us and the mansion. As we did, our location info updated to normal readings. And returning to the estate, it was back to perfectly normal behavior.

  "Odd." Percy said. "Is it linked to us getting booted from the house tour?"

  "Maybe we should mention this to the Guard." I said slowly. "Just in case."

  Percy nodded. "Their garrison should be right in the middle of the city, according to the guide."

  We made a quick detour to the Guard's headquarters, leaving a tip about the bug on our way to the bridge connecting the city to the resort island.

  The bridge itself was a lovely place, so wide and lushly forested it didn't feel like a bridge at all. Dense trees and verdant greenery flanked the cobbled path, the thick canopy overhead obscuring any sight of the water. It felt more like an organic extension of the main boulevard.

  But by the time we got there, the sun was already beginning to set over the ocean, painting the sky like Fritz's shirt.

  "Sunset already?" I asked, surprised at how quickly the day had flown by.

  "Well, it is almost November." Percy pointed out.

  Fritz stretched, folding his hands behind his head. "Man, you're right - time is flying by out here. Next thing you know, it'll be Thanksgiving."

  I couldn't help but wonder aloud, "How much more do you think there will be to the Citadel after the gardens? The inside must be fairly extensive..."

  "I doubt we're gonna get any answers to that out here." Fritz shrugged.

  "You're right." I agreed. "We can worry about all that once we're back in the Capital."

  "Y'all want to hit up that amusement park tomorrow?" Fritz smiled, jabbing a thumb toward the Ferris wheel peeking over the tree line in the distance.

  "Sure, sounds good to me." Percy nodded.

  "I suppose we should find a place to stay for the night then." I mused, an idea suddenly occurring to me. "Ooh, we could take one of those fancy beachside NPC houses!"

  But Fritz and Percy both shook their heads at that, eyes wide with alarm.

  "Oh hell no!" Fritz exclaimed. "I don't trust those NPCs, man. Who knows what they're thinking?!"

  I blinked at him. "What are you talking about?"

  Percy said, "I don't want to tick anyone off by breaking into their house!"

  "They're NPCs; they don't care."

  The boys just kept shaking their heads with spooked expressions.

  I shrugged and threw up my hands. "Alright. Where are we staying then?"

  We consulted the Player's Guide once more. Percy flipped through until he found a listing. "This place is only a block off the main boulevard. Highly rated."

  The hotel proved to be reasonably nice - nothing too fancy, especially compared to the big lavish resorts, but it was clean and tastefully decorated. There was even a cozy looking bar just off the lobby.

  After checking in and getting our room keys, Fritz wandered in that direction. "I'm gonna have a little wind-down. See y'all tomorrow."

  "Don't follow any strangers to a second location!" Percy called after him. "And remember to lock your door!"

  Fritz just waved him off lazily. "Yeah, yeah..."

  Percy and I headed for the elevators. His room was on the third floor, so he got off first with a 'goodnight'. I continued up to the fifth floor. Finally reaching my room, I immediately collapsed onto the big plush bed, burying my face in the heavenly soft comforter.

  Today had been a good day. If this was what those boys had been getting up to the whole time, I could get used to it.

  (Percival)

  I scanned my room key and pushed through the door.

  It hadn't been an eventful day, but it was plenty comfortable. But what was the deal with those missing people? What was the significance of that location glitch? If we were going out to the amusement park tomorrow, I likely wouldn't have time to do any proper investigating. Maybe I could convince Fritz to stay another couple days after our vacation. We didn't have anything to do next, and this had my quest senses tingling.

  Then I felt a sharp prick in the back of my neck. I reached up, but my muscles went wobbly fast. Vision swirling, I fell forward into the hotel room. Then the room started to fuzz. The last thing I felt was the rough fibers of the carpet scraping against my cheek as everything went dark.