Chapter 6: 06 Reality Repairs While You Wait.

Zoe swung her staff in a half-hearted arc, shooting off another Frost Lance at one of the wolf-like monsters creeping too close.

Her breath came in short bursts, and each movement felt like lifting weights.

The spell hit its mark, freezing the creature mid-pounce before it shattered into glistening shards.

She sighed, glancing around. More of them were coming.

There were always more.

It was like a bad loop, and she was too tired to deal with it.

"Alright, seriously, what's the respawn timer on these things?" she muttered, her voice tight, her words clipped as she tried to keep her frustration in check.

The monsters kept coming, almost like they'd heard she was an easy snack.

If she had to keep fighting, she was at least going to do it on her terms.

With a flick of her wrist, she pulled up her Snack Vault and grabbed a bag of Energy Chips.

She popped a few into her mouth, the spicy crunch giving her just enough fuel to keep going.

She swung her staff lazily, magic crackling out as another Frost Lance flew toward a pair of approaching creatures.

The sun hung high, casting a bright light over Packard Park.

The warmth of the afternoon was a cruel contrast to the chaos around her.

She swung her staff repeatedly, her motions slower with each attempt.

She was just about to make a sarcastic comment about how the monsters were like cockroaches—persistent and somehow less hygienic—when a loud voice echoed across the park, breaking her concentration and making her pause mid-swing.

For a split second, Zoe hoped it was just her imagination, some auditory illusion brought on by exhaustion.

"Incoming!"

Zoe blinked, her staff pausing mid-swing.

"What the...?" she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

The monsters that had been focused on her suddenly scattered, their attention shifting to someone else.

She squinted at the figure charging into the fray, swinging an oversized sword like it weighed nothing.

But no, it wasn't an illusion.

A figure in shining armor came barreling into view, charging at the monsters like a wrecking ball.

His sword moved in wide arcs, cutting through the creatures effortlessly, as if he was starring in his own heroic action movie.

Zoe blinked, her tired brain struggling to reconcile the sudden chaos with the absurdity of what she was seeing.

He was laughing—a big, booming laugh—as if this was the highlight of his day.

Clearly, he was enjoying himself way too much.

Zoe watched in disbelief, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

Annoyance replaced fatigue.

Who barged into a monster-infested park like that, acting like it was all just a game?

He tore through the monsters, his sword catching the sunlight in dramatic, glittering flashes.

It was almost ridiculous, like he was trying way too hard to be cool.

Zoe couldn't decide if she was more irritated or relieved.

Either way, she wasn't alone anymore.

That realization made her shoulders sag, if only for a second.

"Oh, for the love of—" Zoe groaned, watching as he dispatched one monster after another, each strike overly dramatic, as if he were putting on a show.

He turned, his gaze finally landing on Zoe. "You okay there? Need a hand?"

Zoe eyed him.

Shiny armor.

Ridiculously big sword.

It was like he had walked out of an old RPG, the kind with spiky-haired heroes who thought subtlety was for chumps.

She could barely hold back the sarcasm. "Oh, great, a hero. Just what I needed."

The guy grinned, oblivious to her sarcasm. "Name's Gavin! Part of the Spindle! We protect reality from, uh, this kind of stuff," he said, extending a hand toward her. "I joined because... well, someone has to keep things from falling apart, right? Figured I could make a difference, even if it's one monster at a time."

Zoe looked at his outstretched hand, then back at his face. "Yeah, I'm good, thanks."

She turned away, ignoring him as she cast another Frost Lance at a nearby monster.

The guy didn't drop his hand immediately.

He watched her for a moment longer before shrugging, then leaped back into the fray, his sword swinging in broad, enthusiastic strokes.

Zoe rolled her eyes.

She had no intention of getting wrapped up in whatever "hero" nonsense this guy was on about, but it was kind of nice to let someone else do the heavy lifting for a change.

She fired off another Frost Lance, this one catching a snarling wolf monster just before it could get close enough to take a bite out of Gavin.

He shot her a thumbs-up, and she snorted, shaking her head. "What is it with this guy?" she muttered.

More monsters emerged from the treeline, creeping closer, testing their luck.

Zoe's focus shifted between them and the pulsing Shard in the distance—the one she had noticed earlier down by the lake.

It was getting brighter, its glow growing more intense as the sun slid slowly to the west.

Gavin came bounding back to her side, breathing heavily but still with that ridiculous grin plastered across his face. "So, you sure you don't want to team up? These things are coming in faster now. Could be easier if we watch each other's backs."

Zoe sighed.

She was tired, her magic reserves were dwindling, and the snacks were only doing so much.

And as much as she hated to admit it, he might be right.

She shot him a side-eye, considering. "Fine, but only because I'm too tired to argue," she grumbled. "And if you start acting like some kind of RPG protagonist, I'm out."

Gavin's grin somehow widened. "Deal. Let's clean up this mess, yeah?"

Zoe rolled her eyes but shifted her stance, staff at the ready. "Let's just get this over with before my pancakes are delayed again."

The two of them moved in sync—Gavin charging headfirst into the pack of creatures, his sword a blur of motion, while Zoe kept her distance, firing off spell after spell.

She was careful not to use too much magic at once, keeping an eye on the Shard that seemed to pulse with every defeated monster as they made their way down the hill toward it.

When they reached a clearing partway down, something caught Zoe's eye—a glint near the base of a fallen creature.

She nudged Gavin and they both stopped, looking down.

A small pile of loot lay there: a glowing ring, a pair of sturdy gauntlets, and a vial of mana potion.

Zoe picked up the ring, and the Loom shifted into her view with a quick assessment: [Mana Booster Ring: +10% Mana Regeneration.]

She slipped it on, feeling her energy lift slightly. "Nice," she muttered to herself.

Gavin crouched down, grabbing the gauntlets.

They looked tough, with faint runes etched along the edges.

The Loom confirmed: [Defense Gauntlets: +5 Defense.]

He gave them an approving nod, slipping them on. "These might come in handy," he said, flexing his fingers.

Lastly, Zoe grabbed the potion, taking a quick sniff.

It smelled sugary sweet—like something that would send a hyperactive kid into ping pong ball mode.

[Hyper Bounce Elixir: Restores Mana, Tastes like Trouble], the Loom read.

She shrugged and slipped it into her snack vault. "Alright, let's keep moving," she said, glancing at the Shard in the distance.

It was a slow process, moving down the slope while keeping the monsters at bay.

Each step brought them closer to the baseball field and the glowing Shard that pulsed brighter with every minute.

The closer they got, the more intense the sensation of its magic became, like a static charge building in the air.

Suddenly, Zoe heard the unmistakable ping of a Loom notification—a soft chime that made her grit her teeth in annoyance.

A subtle glow surrounded her, enough that Gavin noticed and looked over. The glow pulsed around her body before fading.

The Loom shifted into her view a little more than normal.

[Congratulations Zoe, you leveled up!]

[New Spell Unlocked: Anchor].

Gavin raised an eyebrow, glancing over. "What's with the glow?" he asked, his tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

Despite his confident entrance, there was an earnestness about him—like he was still getting used to all the magic and madness around him.

Zoe guessed he was one of those 'do-gooder types,' the kind that genuinely thought they could make a difference. She wasn't sure if it made him brave or just naive.

Zoe waved him off, "Nothing. Just leveling up like we're in a Saturday night raid or something. Let's keep moving."

Gavin's face brightened for a moment, as if the mention of a raid sparked some familiarity.

Zoe figured he must be one of those MMO nerds, maybe even someone who'd led his share of raids.

But he seemed too distracted by the approaching monsters to comment further.

Zoe quickly skimmed the new spell's description as they kept moving, realizing Anchor might just be what they needed.

She groaned under her breath, "Finally, something useful. About time, Loom."

They reached the bottom of the hill, the Shard now just across the baseball field, its glow casting eerie blue shadows across the grass.

Gavin sliced down a monster nearby, shooting her a confused look, but Zoe didn't elaborate.

She just planted her staff down, bracing herself to try out the new spell.

She glanced at her stats in the Loom and drank her potion, gagging as it slithered down her throat like molasses.

Her mana refilled and she felt a lot more energetic, ready to tackle this thing.

Zoe took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second before snapping them open.

She felt the energy pooling at the center of her chest, an almost magnetic force pulling her toward the Shard.

It was different from her usual spells—heavier, like trying to haul a full set of weights with her thoughts alone?

Her fingers tightened around the staff, the familiar texture grounding her as she willed the magic to flow.

The first tendrils of energy shot out, glowing threads that twisted and curled toward the Shard.

The tether shimmered, extending from her staff, and for a moment, it hovered in mid-air, unsure, before latching onto the Shard.

The instant it made contact, the energy flared, a surge that made her gasp, feeling like a static shock running up her arm.

The Shard fought back, its glow flaring erratically as if resisting her attempt to contain it.

The air crackled between them, pulling her closer step by step, and Zoe gritted her teeth, her jaw tight as she forced more energy into the spell.

It was like trying to push back a tidal wave with a broom, every ounce of magic she fed into the Anchor met by resistance.

A few stray monsters perked up and loped towards her and her heart did a double thump

"Hey, hero guy, you gonna keep those things off me, or what?" Zoe shouted, her voice strained, her eyes locked on the flaring Shard.

Gavin swung his sword down, cleaving another monster in two, sparing her a quick glance. "You got it! Just hold on!" he called back, breathing hard.

Zoe's knuckles whitened as her grip on the staff tightened.

The shimmering tendrils of energy pulsed, wrapping tighter around the Shard, each wave of magic making the unstable energy shudder.

Sweat trickled down her forehead, her muscles aching from the effort, but she pushed on, focusing every bit of her magic into the tether.

The wild light of the Shard flickered, the chaotic pulses turning slower, less frantic.

Zoe felt the shift—an easing, as though the Shard was finally starting to respond.

She took a deep breath, narrowing her eyes. "C'mon, you piece of glitchy junk… settle down already."

The blue glow began to dim, softening from an angry, bright flare into a steady, rhythmic pulse.

The shadowy trees that had been phasing in and out of view around them flickered once more, then faded completely, leaving the park feeling still again, almost serene.

Zoe exhaled sharply, letting the tension drain from her shoulders as the Shard finally stabilized, its light now a calm, steady blue.

She took a shaky step back, her legs trembling from the exertion, and wiped her forehead with her sleeve.

"Alright, reality's patched up for now," she said, her voice as dry as ever. "Somebody else can deal with it when it breaks again."

Gavin jogged back over, giving her an impressed look.

His eyes widened as he took in the now-stabilized Shard. "That was... actually kind of amazing. Great team effort."

Zoe snorted at Gavin's enthusiasm. "Team effort, huh? Sure, if by 'team' you mean me keeping reality from unraveling while you swing that oversized butter knife around," she shot back, rolling her eyes.

Gavin chuckled, clearly unfazed by her sarcasm. "Hey, whatever works, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Zoe muttered, turning away. "Whatever keeps the world from going full-on glitch mode."

As they moved toward the exit, Zoe eyed the hill ahead with disdain.

It was steep, and her legs were already protesting every step.

Huffing, she grabbed a snack from her Snack Vault—a quick bite of a protein bar that was almost as dry as her mood—and started the climb.

Each step up the hill felt like a mini battle of wills, her calves burning as she forced herself onward.

"Stupid hill... stupid monsters... stupid everything," she grumbled under her breath.

Gavin, of course, was already at the top, looking back at her like an eager puppy.

Zoe glared up at him, her face flushed from the effort. "Don't even think about offering to help, hero boy," she snapped, her words coming out between breaths.

Gavin wisely kept his mouth shut, just giving her a thumbs-up instead.

Finally reaching the top, she paused, leaning over with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm so done with today," she groaned. Then, with one final exhale, she straightened up, eyes narrowing toward Hall Street. "Alright, pancakes. You're next."

They reached the park's exit, and Zoe wasted no time leading the way down the almost normal-looking Mahoning Avenue.

The familiar sounds of the city filled the air, but the strange forest they'd just fought through still lingered in her mind.

As they approached Hall Street, where Dusty sat waiting in the Community Skills parking lot, Zoe felt a brief sense of relief. She could practically taste those pancakes now.

Just as they turned onto Hall Street, a Warren PD cruiser slowly drove by.

Zoe quickly glanced at her hideous robe, internally cringing at the eye-searing yellow fabric.

Not wanting to get caught looking like a walking caution sign, she flicked her fingers and unequipped the robe, returning to her much more sensible hoodie and pajama pants combo.

"Better," she muttered, stuffing her hands into her pockets as the cruiser passed without so much as a second glance.

"Well, there she is, my Dusty." Zoe said, nodding toward Dusty.

The old Dodge Duster sat quietly in the lot, its faded paint job giving it a sort of charm only Zoe could appreciate.

Gavin eyed the car, his brow furrowing. "Dusty, huh? She's got character, I'll give her that. But, uh… she's clearly seen better days."

Zoe shot him a withering look. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly trying to invite thieves with a perfect classic car exterior. You want to catch attention or keep your stuff?"

She didn't wait for a reply as she jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine.

Dusty rumbled to life in that low, throaty growl unique to a '79 Dodge Duster. The sound brought a small, satisfied smile to her face. Dusty might not look like much, but she was hers.

Gavin took a step forward, clearly still trying to extend this impromptu team-up. "So, what's your name, anyway?"

Zoe raised an eyebrow and shut the door with a solid thunk. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Before he could respond, Zoe leaned out the window with a grin. "But right now, I've got a breakfast date with maple syrup. Later, shiny armor."

She revved the engine and pulled out of the lot, leaving Gavin standing there like a puppy deprived of his walk, watching her drive off with a mixture of admiration and confusion.

As Dusty rumbled down the street, Zoe shook her head. "Too much energy. Way too much."

And with that, she sped off toward her pancakes, letting the chaos of the morning drift into the rearview mirror.

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Zanden

Gavin really knows how to make an entrance, huh? Comes in like a wrecking ball, all swagger and sword-swinging, only to end up standing there like the world’s saddest puppy—think Hank Williams crooning I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry while watching Zoe drive off into the pancake-laden sunset. Life’s tough when the snarky mage you just rescued would rather have breakfast than teamwork. Sorry, Gavin. Better luck next time, shiny armor!

PS: Since I finally got my contract offer (still hyped!!), things are gonna slow down just a bit. Gotta give it that signature Zoeverse magic and make it easy for my future non-native English fans to dive right in without needing a translator or an ancient spellbook. But don’t worry, Zoe won’t be gathering dust on your shelf for long. Stay tuned—she’ll be back before you can say “Where’s my snack?”