Chapter 17: Naomi – The Lone Scout

Naomi crouched on the floor of Ethan's apartment, her bow spread out in front of her in neatly disassembled pieces. Her fingers worked methodically, cleaning and inspecting each part with a precision born of necessity. She didn't say much as the group chatted around her, but she was listening, her sharp eyes darting between them as they spoke.

"Do you ever stop tinkering with that thing?" Ethan asked from his seat at the table, tilting his head as he watched her.

"It's not tinkering," Naomi replied without looking up. "It's maintenance. A crack in the wrong place, and this bow is useless. In the Forge, useless means dead."

"Fair point," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair. "But you're pretty good at keeping that from happening. I'm guessing you weren't always a monster-hunting ninja?"

Naomi paused for a moment, then resumed her work. "No. Before the Forge, I was a photographer."

Ethan blinked. "Seriously? Like weddings and family portraits?"

She smirked faintly. "More like freelance journalism. Travel, wildlife, stories that most people didn't want to touch. It wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills."

"Photography to monster slaying," Lucas said, shaking his head from the couch. "That's one hell of a career pivot."

Naomi's smirk faded slightly, her fingers stilling as a distant look flickered across her face. "The Forge doesn't give you a choice. You adapt, or you die."

The room went quiet for a moment. Even Karis, who was sharpening her knife in the corner, glanced up, her expression unreadable.

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Chapter 17 Part A). A Life of Searching

Before the Forge, Naomi had spent most of her life on the move. She'd grown up in a small town where everyone knew everyone, but she'd never felt like she belonged. The same routines, the same faces—it all felt suffocating. She wanted more: more adventure, more challenge, more meaning.

After college, she threw herself into photography, using her camera as a passport to escape the monotony of her hometown. She traveled the world, capturing the beauty of untouched landscapes and the raw emotions of people living in the harshest conditions. Her work wasn't just about the photos—it was about telling stories that no one else was willing to tell.

But the more she searched for meaning, the more elusive it became. She'd spend weeks trekking through jungles or deserts, only to return to empty hotel rooms and fleeting connections. For all her accomplishments, there was a gnawing loneliness she couldn't shake, a sense that no matter where she went, she'd never find what she was looking for.

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Chapter 17 Part B). The Night Everything Changed

Naomi's first night in the Forge was a rude awakening. She'd been editing photos in a dingy hotel room, the glow of her laptop the only light in the room. She'd barely slept in days, running on caffeine and adrenaline, when she dozed off mid-edit.

She woke up in a pitch-black forest, the air thick with an unnatural fog. Her camera was gone, replaced by a crude dagger that felt alien in her hands. The first creature she encountered—a snarling, shadowy wolf—nearly killed her. She only survived by hiding in a hollow tree until it lost interest.

It wasn't bravery or skill that saved her—it was sheer desperation. But even as she stumbled through that first trial, something inside her shifted. She realized that the Forge wasn't just a nightmare—it was a challenge, one that demanded everything she had. And for the first time in years, she felt a spark of purpose.

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Chapter 17 Part C). A Lone Wolf

Naomi quickly learned that the Forge rewarded those who could adapt and think on their feet. She honed her agility and stealth, relying on hit-and-run tactics to survive. Her natural instincts as a photographer—patience, observation, and a knack for staying unnoticed—served her well in the deadly dream world.

But her independence came with a cost. She didn't trust other dreamers, not after seeing so many turn on each other in moments of desperation. She'd watched alliances crumble, friends betray friends, and she decided it was safer to go it alone.

That's how she survived for so long: as a lone wolf, slipping through the shadows and avoiding unnecessary risks. But it was a lonely existence, one that only deepened the isolation she'd felt in her waking life.

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Chapter 17 Part D). Breaking Down the Walls

Joining Ethan's group wasn't part of her plan. When Karis approached her after a raid, suggesting they team up, Naomi was skeptical. She'd seen too many teams fall apart under pressure, and she wasn't eager to tie her fate to a bunch of strangers.

But something about Karis's no-nonsense attitude intrigued her. And when she met Ethan and Lucas, their easy banter and stubborn optimism were… refreshing. Against her better judgment, she agreed to give it a shot.

Now, sitting in Ethan's apartment, she found herself lowering her guard in ways she hadn't expected. Lucas's warmth and encouragement reminded her of the friends she'd lost in the Forge. Ethan's humor, though occasionally grating, made the weight of the Forge feel a little less crushing. Even Karis, for all her sharp edges, had a quiet strength that Naomi couldn't help but respect.

As she finished reassembling her bow, Naomi glanced at Ethan, who was watching her with that ever-present smirk. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said, leaning back. "Just thinking you're way cooler than me. I mean, photographer-turned-monster-hunter? That's a pretty badass origin story."

Naomi shook her head, but the faintest smile tugged at her lips. "I'm not here to be cool, Ethan. I'm here to survive."

"And yet, you're still the coolest person in the room," he said, grinning.

Lucas laughed from the couch. "Careful, Ethan. If you keep buttering her up, she might actually start liking us."

"I like you fine," Naomi said, her tone light. "But let's not get carried away."

Karis snorted softly from her corner. "Sentimentality gets you killed. Don't forget that."

Naomi looked at her, her expression steady. "I haven't. But trust isn't a weakness, Karis. Not if it's earned."

Karis didn't reply, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—maybe respect, maybe something softer. Ethan noticed it, too, but decided not to push his luck.

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Chapter 17 Part E) A New Purpose

As the conversation drifted to other topics, Naomi leaned back in her chair, her bow resting against her leg. She still wasn't sure if she trusted the group completely, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't entirely alone. Maybe she didn't have to do this on her own anymore.

"Alright," Ethan said, clapping his hands together. "Now that we've had our bonding moment, what's next? Trust falls? Group hugs?"

"Don't push it," Naomi said, smirking.

"Noted," Ethan replied, grinning. "But for the record, I'd totally catch you."

Naomi shook her head, her smile lingering. Maybe this team thing wasn't so bad after all.