Zane led Lucien, Mira, and Ava through the dense forest in silence, navigating the twisted paths with ease. The tension in the air slowly eased as the trees began to thin out ahead of them. After a short walk, he stopped before a small, weathered cottage tucked into the woods. Vines crawled up its wooden walls, and faint magical runes glowed softly along its foundation.
"This is it," Zane said, pushing open the creaky door. "My system tracked this place when I first arrived. It's been my shelter ever since."
Inside, the cottage was cozy and warm. A small fireplace glowed with blue firelight, powered by a crystal embedded in the wall. Simple wooden furniture and shelves lined with supplies filled the room. It wasn't much—but it was safe.
They settled in, grateful to rest. As they warmed up, conversation naturally flowed.
"How long have you been here?" Lucien asked.
"Just a few days," Zane replied. "I landed the same way you did—randomly. My system, ChronoCode, helped me locate this place. I've been using it to scan for other life signs, hoping to find someone."
Outside, the forest stirred quietly—but inside, four strangers began to feel a little less alone.
Mira, sitting beside Ava, glanced at Zane with a curious smile—and a faint blush. "So... you've been surviving here all alone?"
"Yeah. It gets lonely," Zane said. "But seeing you all… it's kind of a relief."
They all laughed lightly, trying to shake off the strange reality they were trapped in. The conversation gradually turned personal as they shared stories from their lives on Earth.
"I miss Mom," Mira said softly. "And the way she used to yell at me for staying up late."
Lucien chuckled. "She did that to me too. And I miss gaming... I was just starting to level up."
Ava added, "It's weird to think we're not technically *gone*. That our clones are living our lives back home."
Zane looked into the fire. "I was in med school. I had exams that week. Now that seems so distant."
Lucien sighed. "Feels like all we had is slipping away."
Zane turned to him. "But you're not just anyone anymore. You're User Zero. That title has to mean something."
The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of those words settled in. Whatever world they were in now, their roles had changed. Their lives had changed. But in that little cottage, for the first time since arriving, they felt a flicker of peace.