Chapter 9: Peridot Woods Fiascos

After the intense confrontation with the player hunters and the unsettling discovery of a divine quest to protect Aergia, the group consisting of Wadjet, Grizz, and Teddy, who stayed behind in Peridot Woods, realized the necessity of maintaining constant vigilance over Aergia. The need for continuous protection led them to formulate a structured schedule for monitoring and breaks, ensuring Aergia was never left unguarded.

The trio gathered in a small clearing near where Aergia rested, away from the prying eyes of other players. The area was shielded by thick underbrush and the towering trees of Peridot Woods, providing a natural concealment.

Taking the lead due to his tactical prowess, Grizz pulled out a virtual map of the surrounding area and laid it on the ground. "We need to set up shifts," he began, his deep voice serious. "Each of us needs to be alert and rested to handle any threats that might come at us, especially considering the hunters might return with reinforcements."

Wadjet nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful as she considered their stamina and personal strengths. "We should rotate every four hours. That way, no one gets too worn out, and we all stay sharp."

The youngest but eager to contribute, Teddy chimed in with a practical suggestion. "What if we stagger the shifts slightly? Say, overlap them by an hour during the handover. That way, the incoming person can get up to speed on any developments or changes before the outgoing one logs off for a break."

They decided that Grizz, with his robust nature and combat skills, would take the first shift. His role would primarily involve patrolling the perimeter and reinforcing any magical or physical barriers they had set up. Grizz's shift would start at dawn when the visibility was best for spotting incoming threats.

Wadjet would take over from Grizz. Her shift was positioned to fully leverage the daylight hours, and her keen observational skills and quick thinking would be most effective in detecting subtle signs of intrusion or disturbance.

Teddy's shift would begin late afternoon and extend into the early evening. His creative use of puppeteer skills was perfect for setting up traps and alarms that would be effective during the lower light conditions, where shadows could be both a hindrance and a help.

Breaks were scheduled to last one hour for each person, providing enough time to log out, refresh mentally and physically, and catch up on real-world necessities. During their breaks, each member was encouraged to stay nearby in the real world, keeping their gaming interface active to alert them of any emergencies.

The overlapping hour was crucial. It was used not only for briefing the incoming protector on any new developments or potential threats but also for conducting a quick sweep together of the area. This ensured that both were on the same page and that the handover was seamless.

Communication during shift changes was facilitated through a secure chat channel they had set up expressly. This channel was encrypted within the game, ensuring that their strategies and observations remained confidential and that all members could quickly relay information without fear of hostile forces' interference.

This structured approach to guard shifts brought order and preparedness to their camp. It allowed each member to contribute effectively to Aergia's protection, making the best use of their skills while maintaining their strength and alertness throughout the ordeal.

During her break, Wadjet ventured into the local library, a structure blending seamlessly with the game's enchanting aesthetic. Constructed from warm, honey-colored wood with a rustic thatched roof, it featured large, arched windows that filled the space with natural light, casting dusty beams of sunshine dancing with floating motes of dust. Intricately carved doors depicted scenes from the game's lore, setting a mythical stage for those who entered.

The library was unexpectedly expansive inside. Tall, dark oak bookshelves reached nearly to the ceiling, filled with scrolls, ancient codices, and digitally enhanced books that sometimes shimmered with their faint magical light. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and wood polish, and it was quiet, save for the gentle rustling of pages and the occasional soft chime of a message arriving on a player's interface. The center of the room housed large reading tables surrounded by comfortable chairs, inviting long study periods.

Elara, the elderly elf librarian with silvery hair and emerald green robes embroidered with silver threads, moved through the library elegantly. Her sage green eyes sparkled with intelligence and kindness, reflecting years of wisdom. Wadjet approached her, hoping to delve deeper into the properties and historical significance of Elysium's Spark, the herb that had dramatically transformed Aergia. However, her search yielded little beyond what Blakely's aunt had already provided.

During their conversation, Elara revealed a poignant history about Peridot Woods, once home to a thriving community of guardian pandas that had mysteriously started disappearing a year ago. The town's mayor suspected foul play, targeting them for their valuable fur, yet no evidence had surfaced.

Armed with this new perspective on Aergia's plight, possibly as a new guardian caught in unseen forces, Wadjet left the library, and her resolve to protect her friend deepened.

Meanwhile, Teddy was taking his turn for a break from guarding Aergia and headed towards the town. On his way, he inadvertently overheard a conversation from behind some woods. Recognizing the voices as those of the same group of player hunters they had encountered earlier, he carefully hid, listening as they spoke of seeking reinforcements and plotting revenge against the group that had defended Aergia.

"We need to get reinforcements," one grumbled, his voice rough from the pain of recent respawning, which involved a penalty of half EXP.

"Can't wait till I drain the life out of those eastwards that killed us," another voice sneered, filled with venom and bitterness.

"The quest has changed on account of that goddess," mentioned a third, indicating a shift in their mission after learning of divine involvement.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Teddy rushed back to inform Wadjet, Grizz, and the others, his heart pounding with urgency. This new threat required immediate strategizing and potentially more robust defenses around Aergia. As they absorbed Teddy's news, the gravity of their situation intensified, making it clear that their quest to protect Aergia was far from over and was escalating into a more significant conflict that intertwined their fates with divine and mortal realms alike.

Upon reaching the camp, Teddy burst through the last line of bushes, startling Wadjet and Grizz, who were on high alert.

"They're planning a larger attack," Teddy gasped, his breath heaving from the run. The hunters, they've respawned, and they're bitter about the penalties. They mentioned getting reinforcements and something about a change in their quest because of Asphodel."

Grizz stood up, his avatar's size making him look imposing even in the virtual world. "We need to fortify our position then. Maybe set up more extensive defenses," he said, his mind already running through various strategic options.

Wadjet nodded, her expression serious. "I'll message Mavon and the others at the temple. They need to know about this development."

As Teddy caught his breath, he watched his friends spring into action. They began enhancing their perimeter with more sophisticated traps and alarms. Teddy contributed by summoning more animated constructs, little teddy bears with bright eyes that patrolled the camp's edges diligently.

Meanwhile, as the silly humans planned her protection, Aergia the panda's day went like this:

Aergia's mornings often began with a sleepy stretch and a somewhat clumsy exit from her den. Mistaking the dewy vines at the entrance for morning dewdrops, she'd nibble at them, resulting in a surprised yelp as a cold splash of dew washed over her face. After a brisk shake-off, it was time to forage for breakfast.

Her breakfast quest involved sniffing out the most aromatic herbs, which sometimes led to whimsical errors. One morning, while sampling the Aqua Capillaris, a sneeze triggered mid-chew sent magical water balls shooting through the woods, startling birds and creating an impromptu morning shower for the forest.

Following her adventurous mornings, Aergia often sought out a warm, sunny spot for a nap. Her rest was deep and peaceful, though she occasionally rolled onto patches of Zephyr's Breath. The inadvertent activation of this herb sent gusts of wind billowing through the woods, turning fallen leaves into swirling dancers around her sleeping form.

Afternoons were for practicing her newfound magical abilities, though the attempts were purely instinctual. Trying to master the Earth Step, her heavy, rhythmic stomps intended to create small tremors often resembled a playful dance, amusing any woodland creatures watching from afar and occasionally sending vibrations through the forest floor that baffled nearby rabbits.

As dusk fell, Aergia's curiosity would lead her to explore her surroundings. Encountering her reflection in a clear pond led to a playful session of splashing and pawing at the "other panda" in the water, her bear logic not quite grasping the concept of reflections.

At night, returning to her den was an adventure in itself. The low-hanging stalactites became obstacles that she navigated with soft grunts and puzzled sniffs. Once settled, Aergia would occasionally mimic the strange poses of creatures she'd seen during the day, trying to stretch as they did but ending up in a tangle of limbs and fur.

It was nice being a panda.