I wake up the next morning in a depressed mood.

It feels like a cloud is over my head, raining down on me as I brush my teeth and take a shower. It feels that way quite literally when I take my shower.

Dee either notices my mood or is distracted by her own problems. Either way, she doesn’t bother me during my morning routine.

I walk downstairs to discover my entire family in the kitchen. Dad looks half asleep as he stares into his coffee mug like it holds all the answers. Mom hums a little tune in the kitchen as she cooks some pancakes. Elizabeth is completely absorbed by her phone, reading something I can’t make out.

I giggle at the normalcy. Here I am, completely caught up in the realization that everyone I meet is probably going to try and kill me. Meanwhile, my family is happily preparing for another day.

Mom turns to me at my sound, a variety of emotions flashing across her face before settling on a frown.

“Where have you been?” She asks, hands on her hips, the spatula from the pancakes still in her hand and pointing at my dad.

My expression turns into a full smile at the posture. I walk up to her, pulling her into a full bodied hug. “I love you mom.” I say into her shoulder.

After a moment, I pull away, getting into my best superhero stance, “I was busy saving fair maidens, like yourself, from evil geniuses bent on sharing their dastardly plots to their poor captured prisoners, who are about to be killed in a slow manner by some overly complicated machine.”

Mom roles her eyes at me, a soft smile appearing on her face, “you’re still not off the hook.” She says sternly.

I kiss her on the cheek. “I know momma.”

“Why does Elena get away with everything?” Elizabeth grumbles from the stool next to us.

Mom ignores the comment, but I grab the little one and pull her into another hug. “Because I’m older of course.” I say cheekily.

Elizabeth struggles in my hug, pushing me away.

I pout at her. What happened to my sweet little sister that loved getting hugs?

Mom places some food on the table for me and I smile at the gesture. I sit down at the table, taking a bite of the pancake and closing my eyes to just take in the moment.

Moment taken, I hurry to eat the rest of my pancake. Mom always makes them the best, with a homemade honey-sweetened blueberry sauce.

The food and company of my family successfully lifts my mood.

After eating, I head outside to the small toolshed, bringing up the screen for my humble abode. There had been something I’d been meaning to do for a while, and since I have some time right now, I might as well do something nice for one of my friends.

Upgrades Add Structure Traps And Defenses Decorations

I select upgrades, then select the tool shed. I get excited at all the cool structures I could upgrade the dingy little shed into. The gothic armory upgrade in particular begs me to purchase it. But I resist the fowl temptress of the blue screen… yes, totally resisted. I don’t even want a cool victorian building in my backyard at all. Not. At. All.

I force my treacherous fingers away from selecting the upgrade, knowing full well that the beautifully curved arches would look too out of place. Dad would notice immediately… well, if he ever actually came to the toolshed…

No. Stay strong.

Our neighbors would see the changes and become jealous of the intricate architecture. And they might wonder how a normal tool shed turned into a gothic structure overnight.

With a sigh of despair, I simply purchase the cheaper option and create a cute little bunker underneath the toolshed. Using the decorations tab, I add a few amenities, a place to sleep and anything someone might need in the day to day.

Down roughly a hundred gold, I close the blue window. Bringing my attention to the shed, I study the structure about as large as my room in the house. The blue paint that used to shine so brightly is already peeling. I push back memories the childhood memories of painting the building with the family. The five of us made a whole day out of it.

I walk up to the door, put in the correct numbers to the combination and swing open the wooden door to reveal a room filled with cobwebs and rusted tools. A dust-filled rug covers the entrance to the newly created bunker. Most of my family avoids the tool shed, and the neglect shows in the dirt, rotten wood and spiders.

I look up into the corner to see a cute brown spider watching me warily.

I wave at the spider. “Hey there. Sorry to disturb you. You’ve got a nice little home here.”

Having properly greeted the little creature, I move further into the shed. My gaze stays away from the boxes in the corner as I walk up to the dirty old rug on the floor.

I kick the rug to the side, raising a surprising amount of dust into the air.

Underneath the rug is a polished wooden trapdoor. It stands in contrast to the rest of the shed, looking brand new, as if mahogany paint was freshly applied ot it.

I open the trapdoor to reveal a ladder, which I promptly climb down to get into the room. The room lights up with my presence, a magical stone in the ceiling acting the part of a normal electric light.

I look around the cozy room that holds a bed, a desk and a small bookshelf. A single door leads into the bathroom.

I study everything proudly, nodding to myself. My inspection done, I climb back up the ladder.

“Bye spidey. I hope you catch all the mosquitoes.” I wave to the spider as I walk towards the exit.

Something stops me and I turn to the pile of boxes in the corner.

I walk up to them, wiping the dust off of the first box. I don’t want to open it, but something in me makes me open it to see what’s inside. An old Queen poster sits on top and I push it to the side to reveal cases full of magic cards.

My brother was such a nerd.

I put the lid back on carefully, my hands trembling slightly.

I wish that the black gloves I wear could hide the shaking.

It’s probably just the cold. I’d forgotten to grab a jacket for this little venture.

I put my hands on top of the lid, leaning on it as I close my eyes. I try to remember anything about that night, any small piece. But it’s gone, all gone.

I shutter as I start crying. I try to hold it back, but I can’t. I want to see Rose, or Blake, or anyone.

After a few minutes, I calm down and wipe the last of the tears away. My usual smile comes back as I push away from the box.

I can’t remember what happened to my brother that night. But I know someone who deals in information. I need a break from Isis and the god-damned system anyway.

When I return to my room, I find Dee, the little lightning fairy snoozing on my pillow.

I stare at her as she lies there, my mind moving to a halt as I just stare.

Do you really want to know what happened to your brother? I startle as a voice I’d long thought gone from my head speaks.

Captain! The Queen is awake! I repeat, the queen is awake.

Get to your battle station Cadet! We won’t let her wreck havoc on us again with her dark ways.

The sugary sweet voice continues, her voice dripping with venom. Oh. You two are still here I see, still painting a light color on the true darkness of the world. How has my little Elena gotten along with only your sickly sweet excuse for protection?

Captain! I’m opening fire!

Bring her down like the monster she is, Cadet.

After a moment, I shake my head and look for something to write a note on. I let Dee know that I want to see Kai’Lenal when he gets back. I think he’ll like his new place.

My gaze is drawn to the doorway that acts as a portal to the shop, the black vines that make up the frame are especially vibrant this morning. I walk up to the portal, looking into the black void that teleports me to the realm of the mysterious shop.

I step into the portal, and watch as the colors of the world around me shift into each other. The colors blend and congeal before reforming to reveal a small marketplace. Soft guitar music plays in the background of the shop. Most of the storefronts are closed, but I’m surprised to see a third shop with an open sign in front of it.

I pull out the masquerade mask from my inventory, slipping it over my face as I take on the form of the Paladin.

Moments after I have the mask secure, I catch sight of a familiar Beta Tester stepping out of Taylor’s shop.

Isabelle looks worse than when I last saw her. Bags are under her eyes, and her hair needs to be combed. She walks with a wary gaze, and her steps have a predatory movement.

I smile as I see her, my lips moving a little wider than normal.

I walk up to her, pulling my gloves tighter.

She looks at me with confusion, not recognizing me with the magical mask of mine.

“Isabelle!” I call out, making her pull back as she assesses me. “I’m glad to see you’re alive. But I also really feel like punching you.”

Her look of confusion grows. “Do I know you?” Her english accent makes me smile.

I walk right up to her, making her place her hand on the weapon at her side. “We’re either enemies, or terrible friends. I haven’t really decided which yet. My chest still aches from when you stabbed me, making it especially hard to decide.”

Her eyes widen in realization and she draws her sword. She pauses, her eyes reading a message that appears in front of her. After a second of hesitation, she resheathes her sword. “I’m glad you’re alive love.”

“I’m guessing we can’t fight in the shop?” I ask, guessing at what the blue screen she saw said.

“Nope, it’s against the rules.” She relaxes, giving an easy air of nonchalance “And we are enemies. Our gods have plans to make us kill each other.”

I shake my head in disappointment. “I’ll tell you what. You don’t try to kill me, I won’t try to kill you. Who cares what the fuck some powerful god says?”

“That isn’t how things work.”

I sigh in irritation, “I feel like I just had this conversation.” I step forward until I’m right in front of her.

She doesn’t move, but she does stiffen slightly.

“You’re older than me. You should really know this by now. No one can force you to kill when you don’t want to. It’s your choice.” I step back, smiling at her. “Soooo, just don’t, y’know?”

She looks into my eyes with a sad look. “You’re naive if you think that’s the way the world works.”

I shrug. “I’ve been called worse things than naive.”

Another Beta Tester appears through the portal, interrupting our conversation. He keeps his hood up, hiding his face. Both Isabelle and I stay quiet as he walks past us on his way to Taylor’s shop.

“I need to go.” Isabelle says. She starts walking to the exit and waves back at me without turning. “Till next time.”

“Don’t let some stupid god become your master. You’re not a slave.” I say to her back.

To my surprise, my words stop Isabelle in her tracks. She turns to look at me, giving me an inscrutable look. She doesn’t say anything as she turns back to the exit and keeps walking.

Geeze. I’m in a mood today.

I stick out my tongue towards where Isabelle disappeared for good measure.

That showed her.

I walk towards Taylor’s shop slowly, waiting for the guy who just entered it to leave before walking in myself.

Taylor smiles when she sees me, revealing her sharp, pointed teeth. “Elena! I’m glad to see you back. That mask looks wonderful as always.”

“It’s good to see you Taylor.” I take my mask off and give her a tired smile, “I see we have a third store in the shop.”

Taylor nods, sitting down in the chair behind her counter. “Gordon the Blacksmith.” She says the name with a surprising amount of respect. “I’m honestly surprised to see him setting up out here in the frontier. I thought he had a nice little shop on one of the main worlds.” She looks lost in thought for a moment, before shaking her head. “Anyway, what brings you out to my humble shop?”

“I want you to tell me who killed my brother.”