Day 1 (3am)

Ethan sat in front of the vending machines, thinking. What would help him kill the beast outside? Most of the level one abilities sounded really bad but he did have four thousand points to spend. His stomach grumbling reminded him that he hadn’t eaten in what felt like forever. Glancing over at the door that had the word “Kitchen” right over it. With a sigh he pushed himself up and walked over to the door. Cautiously resting his hand on the doorknob before turning and opening it.

The door hung open, suspended by some advanced tech. That didn’t matter. What mattered was the person in the room. Ethan starred as the tall man danced from side to side with his back turned. Opening a fridge and getting some eggs as the man spun and saw Ethan standing in the doorway, his shirt and pants covered in a mixture of green and red blood. The man dropped the eggs. The cracking broke Ethan from his stupor. “Who the hell are you?” he asked, keeping his hand on the doorknob.

“Woah...did you just get here?” The man asked cautiously. “What the hell happened to you?” He trailed off as his eyes scanned Ethans mangled clothing. “I was going to make some cookies but I’ll make some pancakes instead. Do you like bacon?” The man asked and looked down at the eggs before shrugging and turning back to the fridge and grabbing some more.

“Sit down man, I can tell you look confused. Did Mogis not explain everything? He gets grumpy when people get involved.” The man said casually. “Oh, I never introduced myself. I’m Sam.” he said and started to hum as he cooked.

Ethan sat down at one of the tables. Still in shock. Other people were alive, and they were...fine? Sam didn’t have any wounds, and he seemed so carefree. What was going on? “Have you...seen what's out there?” he croaked, he hadn’t had water in at least a day. A water bottle slid across the table and hit him in the chest.

“Yes, I’ve seen it. I just got back from a hunting trip about six hours ago. Must’ve just missed you.” Sam said as he sat down next to Ethan. “Most people just hide in here, but I had enough points for a few items. I’m mostly safe against anything out there.” Sam got back up and went to flip the pancakes. A heavenly aroma filled the room. Chocolate Chips! Ethans mouth watered as he inhaled the delicious scent.

Taking a sip of his water slowly Ethan mulled over some questions in his head. When Sam was done cooking and brought over a plate stacked high, he couldn’t resist. Chowing down on at least ten pancakes and more pieces of bacon than he cared to count. Sam just smiled and took his half and ate it at a reasonable pace. When Ethan was done with his food he opened his water and chugged it all down. His chest heaving up and down as he looked across the table at Sam eating slowly and calmly.

“This all must be very confusing for you, how did you survive?” Sam asked as he ate, savoring each bite.

“I had to jump out of my apartment window and run.” Ethan explained. “I killed some goblin things and had to run away from a Dragon.” Sam's eyes grew wide at that last detail.

“A dragon you say? How big is it?” Sam asked with a smile. “How many points did you get out there?” He fired off several questions.

“Come with me” Ethan said and stood up, leading Sam out of the kitchen and stepping into the main building. “There is it.” he said pointed at the entrance where the Dragon stood. It looked into the building at them with eyes full of hate as brown mud continued to drip down off its body in an unending flow. Seeing the two of them it bared its fangs and a low growl echoed in the white room.

“I have about four thousand points too by the way.” Ethan smiled as Sam slowly stepped back into the kitchen.

“Four...thousand? You haven’t used any?” Sam asked slowly. “You could afford some good organics.” he muttered.

“I need some help with that actually, Mogis wasn’t so great.” He joked. A mechanical whirring noise drowned out the dragons growls. Panels of the white wall pulled apart to reveal the robot, its red light pulsing as if annoyed.

“Not great? You worthless meatbag I could destroy your entire continent myself.” It thundered. The voice echoed in Ethans ears as Sam stepped further into the kitchen.

“If you’re so powerful then why not kill that dragon? It’s annoying you too I hope” Ethan said, quivering in his shoes. If Mogis was being serious, then how the hell was he going to stand up to that? “I bet you know exactly what kind of organics make the best combination too, why don’t you help me with that?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Mortal, I cannot kill it because I am only a keeper of this safe zone. Why would I help you after you insulted me like that?” Mogis turned its humanoid head at him, as if it could see into his body...it probably could. Ethan shuddered at the thought.

“Because I need help, you said you survived most of the trials on your planet. I’m sure they’re not called The World Ending Trials for nothing. Already we cower behind you, just as you likely did when the Trials came to your planet. Would you have made it here without help?” Ethan poured his tired and batted down soul into his plea, maybe with Mogis’ help he could catch up with everyone else. Even Sam seemed to be at ease with this new world. Ethan wasn’t.

“I like you fleshbag!” Mogis laughed as its red light pulsed with what might be joy. “No human has stood up to me like that, and I have seen so many of you. I dread seeing more.” It walked closer, looming over Ethan as he stood in place. Running would do nothing here, so he steeled his nerves as Mogis leaned its white plated face closer and closer until Ethan could feel the heat that radiated from inside it. “I cannot be your Patron boy. I can see it in you. We do not walk the same path. However, you are correct. I will help you, take the Sun’s Heart, Regeneration, Iron Skin, and Rage. That will give you the best chance to survive.” It finished and stood back up, looking at Sam and turning to walk away. Its metallic footsteps echoed in the room until the white panels folded back over its body.

“What the fuck just happened.” Sam muttered incredulously.

“I’m gonna sleep on that, see you in the morning.” Ethan replied and opened the door labeled “Rooms” he deserved some rest after facing down that death machine.