Welcome to Planes of Oblivion

The familiar message greets me, and I already feel myself starting to relax.

Then I'm in the forest. The strong scent of greenery is the first thing that hits me, right before the aching muscles and dampness all over my body. I shiver involuntarily, half from the cold, half from the instant reminder of what I did in the shower yesterday.

No, not the time. And that wasn't me. Quickly shaking off all of those awful feelings, I try to push through my sudden exhaustion and turn my thoughts outward.

Thick tree cover spreads in all directions. The wide silvery trunks, thorny brush, and rolling gray fog over the ground severely limit my view. I can't see more than fifty feet in front of me, and it's unexpectedly dark. Not from the tree cover either. The withered branches are missing most of their leaves, so despite the close packed nature of the forest, I can still see the sky somewhat.

It's nighttime already? Even though I got home just after noon? How long was I dissociating today?

Not important right now, I immediately remind myself. Instead, I turn to my companions.

“Koru, Azra, it's good to see you.”

“You too, Mei,” Azra responds immediately. In wolf form, Koru yips in agreement. But just looking at them, their bodies smudged with dirt her equipment in rough condition and soaking wet, things can't have been going well for them.

Actually, the same can be said for me, or Mai at least, while I was gone. I don't look any better than them, my clothing just as soaked through and chilly in the night air. Did it rain recently? Given how long I was away, they've all been surviving out here with minimal rest or sustenance for the last three days, haven't they?

It feels like it; I ache everywhere and I'm panting lightly from the effort it takes to stay upright.

“How far have we gotten?” I ask.

“Not far,” Azra shakes her head sadly. “We've been trying, but Mai's navigation hasn't been working well and the Oblivion are just too strong for us to get through safely.”

“Mm...” Considering her words, I slowly turn in place, trying to orient myself with my Navigation Skill. She's right, when we got split up from our party, we were trying to get to Thrun. But now I can hardly feel the right direction. When I focus on it, my extra sense feels like it's aiming in a hundred plus degree cone in front of me, with the target shifting around at random.

“I can hardly tell where we're going. You've been traveling like this for three days already?”

“Yeah,” Azra confirms tiredly. “It started as soon as we got deeper into the forest. We've had a few close calls and even the non-Oblivion creatures out here are dangerous. Mai's kept us going. We even leveled up some.”

When she says that, I pull up my stats to check, and find that I'm level 9 now. So, two levels in three days stranded out here... That's insanely slow compared to other MMOs, but I'm glad they've all been getting stronger in my absence, especially if it has helped the kids survive.

“I think I have an idea of how things are, so what's the plan?”

“So far, just keep walking,” she shrugs. “There isn't much else we can do like this.” Without much more discussion, we form up once more, and continue walking. It's slow going. Since visibility is low, there could be monsters around any tree. My sense of direction keeps flipping around on me, and the snarls of brush and thorns force us to weave away from our original path and backtrack more than once.

“This is a nightmare...” I mumble under my breath. I'm dead tired, but there's nowhere safe to rest here. We find monsters every few minutes, and I immediately hit them with magic since I have no energy to spare for physical attacks. At least they mostly go down in one shot, but this is really taxing on my mana...

The entire time, Koru stays in his wolf form, serving as our frontline attacker against anything that survives my initial burst, or when we hit a group and I can't take them all down at once. Whenever that happens, he launches into the fray, ripping and tearing at the monsters to take them out before they can reach me.

One of the few times we hit non-Oblivion foes, the tactic leaves him smashed into the side of a tree by the large lizard creature he leaps at, when it actually focuses on him instead of me. Fortunately Azra is here to heal us after anything goes wrong.

Unfortunately, every healing spell saps the energy she doesn't have to spare after so long in hostile territory, leaving her on the verge of collapse any time she does have to patch us up.

I don't know how long we go on like that, before we all simply fall against the side of a big tree.

“This is impossible...” I pant, chest heaving even though we haven't had to fight anything too recently. “I have no idea where we're going.” Our target keeps moving. Everything looks the same. I have no idea if we're making progress or walking in circles. If only I had a game map that just told me where we are, or there was some sort of way to tell where we're headed apart from my broken Navigation Skill.

How did people navigate in the past anyway? I'm so tired I can barely even think...

It was... with the sky... I think? I slowly look up when I finally manage to dredge that up from somewhere in my head.

I don't know this sky. Staring up at innumerable stars twinkling overhead, none of it is remotely familiar. Even if my memory did work correctly, of course Nirvalla has its own sky. And... three moons. Great. Can't even use them for a heading, since they all look to move in different directions.

With sky navigation ruled out, all that leaves are landmarks. Except there's nothing but forest around us and I'm practically blind here. Even with my incredible night vision, this fog makes it impossible to see beyond our immediate surroundings.

Maybe I could climb a tree to get a better look? That might not be a bad idea, actually. Even if there are no landmarks I can see down here, just getting above the fog will give me a much better chance of finding something.

Just... need the strength to climb. Which I don't have right now. All I want to do is sleep... But it's too dangerous. There are monsters everywhere. Falling asleep now could be fatal. Losing Koru and Azra for a reason like that...

As soon as I think that, glancing down at them huddled against me, I realize their eyes are closed and they're snoring softly. So much for staying awake...

Maybe if we take sleep shifts, we can manage. I'll keep watch like this for a while so they can sleep, then we switch.

I only make it a couple minutes into this, before staring off into the fog has almost knocked me out too. The sudden notification from out of nowhere is the only thing that saves me. It's like a strange voice is being dumped straight into my brain.

It's time for dinner.

Oh, right. Dinner. I blink a few times and try to shake off the fatigue enough to move again. I told Fara to call me for that earlier... Still trying not to move too much with the kids clinging to me, I rub my eyes and yawn, before opening my menu to log out.

I just hope Mai can hold on and keep watch until I get back. That is... if she even knows what's going on when I leave. Crap, I hadn't thought of that before. Well, the pair of Nirvallans sleeping on her will probably clue her in I guess...

Resolving to explain things through the stream chat, I tap through my menu and log out.

After the logout timer, there's a short delay as my consciousness fades, and I suddenly wake up, feeling way less tired than just a few moments ago. That lasts for maybe a half second before the weight of my own body reminds me who I am again.

Ugh...

Come on, it's not that bad, I remind myself sourly. Just get up. You still have to message Mai.

I force my body to obey and sit up with a groan. Even sore and exhausted, Mei's body is better than this fucking garbage...

Trying not to focus on any of that, I stand up and open my stream, forcibly burying my thoughts in my phone screen as I shuffle out of the room.

': Hey Mai, can you just keep watch for now?'

Mai looks up in response to my message, scans it for a moment, and shows an unexpectedly awkward smile. Then she hesitates for some time, like she's thinking about something, before finally responding. “Sure, will do.”

“Ok...” I mutter. What is she thinking about?

I... don't really know anything about Mai, do I? I pocket my phone and sit down at the kitchen bar counter, quietly greeting Fara, before I realize Simini and Allie aren't here.

“Just us, Alex,” she says when she catches my look around. “I was watching, I figured now would be a good time to pull you out to eat.”

“Oh.” When she says it like that, I realize just how dark it is out the windows and finally check my phone properly. “It's ten already?”

“Yeah,” she answers simply while sliding a bowl of pasta with red sauce over for me to eat. I do so, but just the atmosphere in here... Fara wants to ask me about something. She waits though, letting me get most of the way through the bowl of unexpectedly tasty pasta before speaking.

“So, how was your day?” That's it? I thought she had something bigger to talk about from the strange feeling she's giving off...

“It was, uhh...” Wait, how was my day...? I squint a little trying to think back and remember it, but as always, it's mostly just a blur. Oh right, it was my first day working today, wasn't it? “I... think it was alright?” I answer uncertainly. “I made it through my in one piece anyway.” I think.

“Good to hear. What about after that?”

“After that?” I take a few more bites, dredging up the memories, and feel my heart start to sink. “After that wasn't great.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Mm...” I grumble. “I mean, not really, but there isn't really anything to talk about anyway. I just felt awful earlier.”

“There wasn't a reason for it? Like something that happened at work?”

“No, I just feel bad about feeling bad.”

“Umm...” Fara pauses, her concerned look making me explain.

“Looking at it objectively, things are going well for me lately. I should be happy, but I'm just... not. Being miserable for literally no reason just makes me feel ungrateful and stupid...”

“Alex, you're not stupid,” Fara responds immediately. “Things are just... harder for you. It's always been like that.”

“It has?” Shit. As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. “Wait, nevermind, I don't want to know.”

She smiles gently. “That's fine. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.” Then she leans forward and rests her elbows on the counter, seemingly content to stay like that. I take some more time to eat, before finally speaking again myself.

“Thanks, Fara. For the food, and everything else. Like I said, I don't want to be ungrateful. I know how much you do for me.”

Fara's smile widens. “You're always welcome.”

I finish eating not long after, and we both get ready for bed. Once we're all set, we lie down. “Make sure to get some actual sleep,” she reminds me just before it's time to return. “VR sleep will leave you drowsy in the morning. I know it's hard, given where you are, but if you need to, you can have Mai take your place, alright?”

“Yeah, I'll do that,” I tell her. Though, Mai asked me to help because she's tired too. It feels incredibly unfair to make her stay awake so I can sleep. I have a part time job to get to, she has two people to protect from terrifying monsters. Sure, those two people are AIs and it's all technically a game, but it's real to them.

I close my eyes, and everything fades to black.

Welcome to Planes of Oblivion

The familiar message greets me, and I wait for it to give way to the dismal forest once more. Just like last time, the sudden exhaustion hits me like a truck. I slump forward, forcing myself to take a few deep breaths, even as my eyes start to droop closed on their own.

Fighting on, I slowly gaze around to find the same surroundings as when I left. Trees, fog, darkness, and the two Nirvallans sleeping up against me.

“Just... stay awake...” I murmur. Have to stay conscious somehow...

I flick open the stream chat. I need something to occupy my attention and keep me thinking or I'll pass out in immediately. It's late, but there are still over a thousand people watching. That means there's a steady flow of conversation I can latch onto and read to keep my mind working.

It's mostly five or six people, talking about mech designs in some current anime, of all things. A couple of them are saying they're derivative while the others think there's enough unique about the designs that they like the style.

I'm not familiar with the show, but even just following along as they talk helps. The conversation wanders for a while and I chip in eventually. When I do, they're shocked for a bit. I think they were so into their own conversation that they weren't paying much attention to the actual stream. I mean, I'm not doing anything right now anyway, so it's not surprising. It makes me giggle a bit with exhausted amusement.

“Just trying to stay awake,” I explain with a tired smile for the camera. “Nothing much else to do.” They all get it, but one mentions I could check over my gear and stuff in my downtime. It sounds like this one actually knows about the deal with Mai and I, so they know that I haven't been around to check on things myself.

“Oh right...” I can't really do any gear upgrades or anything without moving, but I can at least check my character sheet...

God I'm so tired I can hardly think...

After following the chat for a little longer, I wave away the stream window and open up my stats. I don't know if I can think clearly enough for this, but it's worth a shot.

The window comes up and like I saw at a glance earlier, I'm level 9 now. Let's see... I slowly scan down, one window at a time.

Status Power: 40 (41) Vitality: 30 (33) Finesse: 43 Speed: 38 Perception: 41 Spirit: 36 Sorcery: 41 Aura: 148 (245) Character Points: 4

God, what were my stats before anyway? I can't remember well enough to say how they've grown. Apart from my Aura, my build is surprisingly balanced. Even if I'm still a bit squishy. Only 4 CP for this level, I wonder if Mai also spent points on stuff...?

Actually, given how random the amount of CP I get at every level is, has Mai been spending points all along? That on top of my natural growth...

Have to ask her about that when I have the chance. If I can even remember to later...

Moving on, moving on.....

Skills Stat Boost Power Boost I: 1 Vitality Boost III: 5 Defense Boost II: 5 Hardy Defenses I: 1 Aura Boost VI: 10 Spell Resistant IV: 3 Melee Hammer III: 1 Endurance II: 7 Boost II: 1 Ranged Bow I: 7 Sniper III: 5 Power Shooting I: 6 Magic Jewelry I: 1 Fire Attunement II: 2 Dark Curse Magic V: 10 Contagion II: 2 Increase Spell Capacity I: 5 Melee Spell Trigger I: 1 Ranged Spell Trigger I: 2 Servant Expand Servant Limit II: 1 Piercing Exploit+ XI: 8 Warp Strike IV: 3 Splash Field I: 5 Healing Healing Magic I: 3 Cleansing Magic I: 3 Life Drain Magic II: 1 Self Healing I: 2 Critical Healing III: 1 Support Party Defense Boost II: 7 Party Utility Boost I: 5 Control Blight I: 1 Mobility Running Boost I: 6 Wall Cling I: 2 Sense Keen Eye I: 8 Keen Touch I: 6 Navigation V: 9 Industry Item Modification III: 4 Transcendent Faith+ III: 2 Skill Points: 2

Ok so... Hardy Defenses... Endurance... and Healing Magic. I... think those are the only ones I don't recognize. No wait, I didn't have that Power Boost either, did I? I feel like there might be others, but I can't spot them right now. I tap on Endurance for its description, and grin a little. I can see why Mai would take this. It helps with your stamina so you can keep fighting longer. This Skill is probably to thank for my somehow remaining conscious right now.

At the bottom, I note that my Faith mastery has increased. That's what, 10SP worth of mastery? How much am I going to have to dump into that? And just how powerful will it get? Unleveled, it was able to teleport three people multiple miles, straight out of combat.

The problem will be how unreliable it is. I still don't really know how to activate it...

Abilities Skillful: 255 Offensive Abilities Power Shot: 32 Counter+: 17 Stunning Blow+: 22 Sneak Attack+: 52 Weapon Parry+: 15 Offensive Magic Dark Curse: 29 Pain Curse: 13 Crushing Curse: 2 Drain Touch: 13 Healing Magic Healing Touch: 1 Cleansing Touch: 3 Control Magic Blight: 6 Magic Modification Contagion: 6 Field: 38 Self Enhancement Boost: 22 Active Effect Warp Strike: 21 Crafting Modify Item: 5 Ability Points: 2

I don't take much more than a cursory glance at the Abilities. I have a touch healing spell now, and another spell from Dark Curse, but that's about it. The rest of the Ability levels vary so much from one level to the next, they don't mean too much, and I'm too tired to think about them too deeply. I do take some time to transfer more points away from the ones I don't use, to the ones I do.

24 I can move, halved between different Skills. So that's, uhh... Oh god, I can't do math right now...

I tap away at the menu for a while to get it done. I end up moving 10 points from Drain Touch, into Pain Curse and Crushing Curse. Then 4 from Weapon Parry to Sneak Attack. Good enough.

Letting out a long sigh, I lean my head back against the tree. Should I try to mess with my remaining points? No, I'm too tired to make good decisions and I might mess it up...

Instead, I swipe over to my inventory. It's getting pretty full with the stuff I've been picking up along the way. All sorts of monster drops, foraged plants, berries, rocks, and so on. Just scrolling down the huge list of item names feels like it's going to put me to sleep, so I wave that menu away before long and go back to the stream chat.

They're talking about some TV show now. Can't say I've ever heard of it, and it sounds foreign anyway. I just doze, reading down walls of text as two people argue back and forth whether one particular character deserved to be killed off they way they were.

...

At some point sitting against the tree, I barely feel like I'm conscious at all anymore. My head starts to slump forward, before snapping back up with a jolt. “Ow!” I yelp when I crack my head into the tree. “Ow, ow ow...” I mumble, rubbing where I just hit. It's only been a few hours, but I think I'm at my limit. With a long yawn, I shake Koru and Azra gently, until they begin to stir.

“Mm... Mei...?” Azra asks sleepily. “What time is it?” She waves a clumsy hand to call up her menu.

“About midnight. Sorry I didn't let you sleep longer, I can hardly see straight anymore...”

“Don't worry about it,” she smiles a little. “You can rest now, we'll keep watch.”

“Thanks...” That's all the permission I need. As soon as I stop fighting it, my head rolls back against the tree trunk, and I'm out cold.