Riley woke before the sun, before his alarm, before his thoughts could even catch up. The excitement in his chest was restless, buzzing. Today wasn't just another day. Today was the first meaningful step of his second chance. He paced the gaming room with a bowl of cereal until Sofia arrived, soft-haired and sleepy, offering a delicate smile. "Morning…" she said. "Morning." A loud thump echoed down the hallway. Aria stumbled in like a zombie who had lost a wrestling match with her duvet. Her hair looked like it had been electrocuted. She squinted. "Why are you awake? Why am I awake? Why is—"Then her eyes sharpened."…we're treasure hunting today." Riley smirked. "Now she remembers." "Boot the pods," she ordered. "Treasure waits for no one."
Light swirled around them, the familiar pull settling them into Dawnview Village's central plaza. The modest buildings of the starter town came into view—wooden beams, farmers shouting, a fountain trickling gently. Their three spirits materialised instantly: The fox stretched with a feline-like arch, tail shimmering with soft pale light. The tarantula ran straight up Aria like she was its personal climbing frame. The glowing creature wobbled toward Riley, horn pulsing like a sleepy firefly. A soft notification chimed. SYSTEM: YOUR STARTER SPIRITS REQUIRE NAMES. PLEASE BESTOW ONE. Aria gasped dramatically. "Oh no—right! We're terrible parents!" Sofia pressed her hands together. "Let's… do it gently. It's important." Riley nodded, kneeling beside their glowing creature.
"Okay. Who's first?" Sofia stepped forward, nervous but excited. The fox moved to her as if sensing her quieter nature, settling gracefully at her feet. Sofia stroked its fur. "She's so soft… and calm. Like a whisper." Aria snorted. "A whisper that can totally murder things." "No!" Sofia giggled. "She's elegant." The fox shimmered faintly, like ripples dancing across moonlit water. "I want something light," Sofia whispered, "something gentle… like the sound she makes. "The fox let out a melodic hum. "I'll call her… Echo." A soft pulse of light radiated from the fox. SYSTEM: NAME CONFIRMED — SPIRIT REGISTERED AS 'ECHO.' Echo gave a little bow, eyes warm. Sofia beamed proudly. "It suits her." Riley smiled. Aria nodded stubbornly. "…it's a cool name."
Aria puffed up proudly. "My turn." The tarantula scrambled onto her shoulder and stared at her like it expected royalty-level praise. "She is fearless," Aria declared. "She is mighty. She is the queen of battle." Riley folded his arms. "So you're calling her… Doomspinner?" "No." "Shadowfang? The Night Widow?" "Too dramatic," Aria said seriously. Sofia sputtered. "YOU want less dramatic?" Aria tapped the tarantula's head affectionately."She's tiny, okay? Tiny but deadly. Like a dot with fangs." She lifted her chin."Her name… is Dot." The tarantula clicked—loud and proud. SYSTEM: NAME CONFIRMED — SPIRIT REGISTERED AS 'DOT.' Sofia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Dot. You named your deadly spider Dot." "Correct," Aria said smugly. "Bow before Dot's wrath." Dot raised her front legs as if posing. Riley tried and failed not to laugh.
Riley knelt down. The glowing creature toddled closer, horn flickering with warm, soft light. There was nothing threatening about it. Nothing fierce. It looked… gentle. Hopeful. Small. But it had been his choice. His instinct. And something deep inside him warmed as he watched it glow. "It feels like… a lantern," Sofia said softly. Aria nodded. "Or a spark." Riley placed a hand on the creature's head. "Like a little star," he murmured. "A little bit of light…" The creature pressed into his palm. "I'll name you… Lumi." A burst of gentle radiance rippled outward. SYSTEM: NAME CONFIRMED — SPIRIT REGISTERED AS 'LUMI.' Aria pointed at Riley accusingly. "STOP naming things so perfectly. It's rude." Riley laughed, lifting Lumi onto his shoulder. Lumi chirped warmly.
Sofia opened her inventory. "Okay… after yesterday's grinding we made fifty-two coins!" Aria gasped so loudly a nearby NPC jumped. "WE'RE RICH!" Riley shook his head, amused. "We're beginner rich. There's a difference." "But 52 coins is a fortune for level three!" Aria insisted. "No," Riley corrected, "52 coins is enough for potions." Aria deflated instantly. "Not… daggers?" "Not daggers." She sulked. "This world hates me." Sofia comforted her with a pat. "It's only the first day…" Riley motioned for them to follow. "Come on. Let's gear up."
Dawnview's marketplace was alive with noise: NPC vendors calling out discounts Players shouting trades Someone trying to sell "premium rabbit ears" they clearly ripped off a rabbit A beginner mage waving a stick that was definitely a broom, yelling, "WHY IS MY STAFF A CLEANING TOOL!?"
Riley guided the girls to the potion stall. The vendor, a plump woman with a flower in her hair, smiled warmly. "Well hello, young adventurers! Looking to stay alive?" Aria saluted. "YES. ALL OF THE ALIVE, PLEASE." The vendor blinked. "…Are you okay?" "She's fine," Riley said quickly. "We need supplies." He scanned the list:
Minor Healing Potion — 5 coins
Bandages 1 coin Weak
Antidote 3 coins
Stamina Biscuit 2 coins
Mini Firecracker (distraction item) 3 coins
Low-tier Revive Leaf — 15 coins that's too expensive Riley said,
"We're going somewhere… tougher today. We should buy smart." Sofia nodded. "Health first." Dot tapped the antidote icon repeatedly. Aria frowned. "Is Dot telling us something?" Dot clicked insistently. "Okay," Riley laughed. "Two antidotes. Good call." They bought: 6 healing potions (30 coins) 6 bandages (6 coins) 2 antidotes (6 coins) 5 stamina biscuits (10 coins) Total: 52 coins. Coins left: 0.
Aria stared at the number like she'd just witnessed a murder."…We are ruined." "We are prepared," Riley corrected. Sofia hugged Echo. "It's for safety." Dot clicked triumphantly. Lumi flickered like he agreed. Aria spotted a stall full of gear and made a beeline. "Look! Gloves! Belts! Fancy scarves!" She turned to Riley. "Can we afford ANYTHING?" "No." "Are you SURE? Because that belt is calling to me." Riley checked the price tag. BASIC LEATHER BELT — 18 coins Aria whimpered. "I wanna be fancy…" Sofia giggled. "You can be fancy after we're not broke." Aria sulked harder. They left with no new armour, no accessories, and Aria mumbling,"I hate being poor… I hate being poor… I HATE—" Riley flicked her forehead. "We're getting rich today." Aria perked instantly. "Oh. Okay then."
They walked toward the village gate: Echo pranced elegantly Dot marched with menace Lumi glowed like a pocket lantern on Riley's shoulder Sofia asked quietly, "Riley… this chest. Do you think it really exists?" He swallowed. He'd seen the post. He'd looted the chest five years from now. "It's worth checking," he said. Aria squinted at him sharply. "On a scale of one to 'Aria screams and runs,' how dangerous is this?" "Three." "So screaming territory." "No screaming." "Soft screaming?" "No." Echo made a doubtful noise. Dot squeaked again. Lumi flickered. Riley sighed. "We're going to be fine." He stepped through the village gate, the forest path stretching ahead—sunlight spilling through the leaves, distant birds calling. "Today," he murmured, "we start winning." Aria cracked her knuckles. Sofia adjusted her robe. Echo, Dot, and Lumi lined up behind them like a tiny army. They took their first step toward the east ridge. Toward the cave. Toward the guardian. Toward the chest. Toward the staff. Toward the first real victory of their new life.