The Guild

Happiness breeds comfort, and comfort breeds stagnation. My mother always said she just wanted me to see me happy, like any parent would. But routine becomes a cage, and before you know it, you're trapped in silent misery. Most never realize their happiness has slipped away. The lucky few who recognize their sorrow have a chance to break free. The rest of us live our lives never knowing what could have been.

"What do you mean haunted?" Dan had recovered from my conversation derailment. "Is this another one of your random comments to throw off people who haven't met you?"

"Why can't it be both?" I chuckled. "When I touched the door, I got trapped in some kind of illusion. At least, I think that's when it happened."

"Haunted house? Illusion? Did you hit your head when I pushed you? And why are you so pale—"

"Dan, breathe. I'll explain, but you need to calm down before you give yourself an aneurysm." No one laughed. Right—they didn't know about the blood thing yet.

Dan tossed me some towels from the kitchen. "Clean up while I make introductions."

"This lovely lady to my left is Jessica Blackwell—Jess for short." She shoved him at 'lovely lady.' "She likes long walks on the beach, sunsets, and—"

"I hate you," she cut in. "Just Jessica. Nice to finally meet you, Jace. Dan's told us about you."

My eyes widened at the nickname. I hadn't expected her to know anything about me, though Dan had just used it moments ago. Maybe I had hit my head.

"I'm usually healer or support in our little band." She twisted her wrist, revealing her infinity symbol. The screen showed one word: Archer.

She was farm-girl strong—dirty blonde hair pulled tight, callused hands, and a frame built from early mornings and hard work. Her jeans showed the wear of ranch life, black leather boots gleaming beneath. As she spoke about their VR adventures, I noted how different things were now that death was real.

"Scared the hell out of me when Dan showed up covered in blood, carrying that ancient-looking sword," she said.

"You kept that thing?" I asked Dan. "It looked ready to snap and stab you instead."

He shrugged. "Has to do with the Ideal. Are you done checking out Jess?"

We both flushed—me from embarrassment at being caught testing my enhanced senses, her probably because Dan had noticed.

"Next is Taylor Stone," Dan continued.

"I can speak for myself, Daniel," Taylor's bass voice rumbled. "I usually tank for the group. Obviously, this is different. Pleased to meet you, Jace." He extended his hand.

Taylor was built like a fortress—all muscle and stoic patience. His short brown hair and neutral expression completed the image. When we shook hands, he winced. "Sorry," I said. "The strength thing is new."

His infinity symbol displayed "Blacksmith"—fitting for a man of his stature and few words.

"Last but not least, Asta Lancaster," Dan said. "She plays whatever catches her interest."

Asta was slight, copper-haired, partially hidden behind Taylor as if his bulk could shield her from the world. She flinched when I greeted her.

"She's shy around new people," Dan explained. "Blood doesn't help."

Her symbol showed "Stonemason"—an unexpected choice for someone who seemed so delicate.

I recounted my day: the dragon, the goblin, the mysterious woman. The group grew agitated at mention of my tattoo, but my theory about magic spreading from the game drew skepticism.

"It's not logical," Jessica argued. "How could this spread from inside a game?"

"That's not even the biggest revelation," I said, describing the wooden glen and the ancient woman's warnings about human potential and Egregore Digital.

"'With freedom comes consequence,'" I quoted. "Whatever this is, humanity can't stop it."

My crimson tattoo stood out against their black ones. The screen still showed only "The First Step," oozing blood-red light.

"Your eyes," Jessica and Dan said together when I asked about their earlier reactions.

In the bathroom mirror, I saw why. My pupils had become crystalline lattices, refracting golden light like twin suns. My skin had paled further, warm ivory against my dark hair.

"So you have magic too? Like Dan?" Asta asked quietly.

"Just physical changes so far," I explained. "Though my status screen in the glen was different—it had my full name, even my middle name that only my mother knows. Called me a 'Dhamphyr of House Ishan' and a 'Daywalker.'"

"Speaking of dreams," Dan said, "why did you ask about Jung at lunch?"

"Dreams are influenced by collective and individual unconscious," Taylor mused.

"I'm more interested in this mysterious middle name," Jessica teased.

"You'll have to ask my mother—" My phone rang, cutting me off. No one ever called me. The screen showed my mother's name.