I dreamed in blue.

  Endless landscapes of ice and snow stretched before me, beautiful and deadly. I walked among crystalline formations that towered overhead, their facets catching light that had no source. The cold didn't hurt anymore—it sustained me, filled me, became me.

  In the distance, figures moved through the frost—Walter and Lily, their forms translucent and ethereal. I called to them, but no sound emerged from my frozen lips. They turned toward me, their expressions peaceful, before dissolving into motes of blue light that spiraled upward into a starless sky.

  Marcus and Sofia appeared next, substantial and warm among the ice. They reached for me, their hands extended, but when I tried to grasp them, my fingers passed through theirs like smoke. They called my name, their voices growing fainter as distance stretched between us.

  I tried to follow, but my legs were rooted in place, frost creeping up my body, claiming me inch by inch. I wasn't afraid. The cold was comfort now, protection against the pain of loss, the burden of failure.

  As the ice reached my chest, something inside me rebelled. No. I wouldn't surrender to this numbness, this detachment. I had lived that way before, and it had left me hollow.

  I fought against the encroaching frost, willing warmth back into my limbs. The ice resisted, then cracked, spiderwebs of fractures spreading across its surface.

  Light pierced through the cracks, warm and golden. The ice shattered—

  And I woke.

  Consciousness returned slowly, painfully. Every part of me ached with a deep, bone-penetrating cold that paradoxically burned. I tried to move and found I couldn't—my body was encased in a layer of frost that had formed around me as I lay unconscious.

  With tremendous effort, I flexed my muscles against the confining ice. It cracked, then shattered, falling away in crystalline shards. I sat up, gasping as freezing air filled lungs that somehow still functioned.

  I was still in the loading area where the battle had taken place. The goblin bodies were gone, dissolved into the same blue light that had claimed Walter and Lily. Nothing remained but scattered weapons and dark stains in the dust.

  [Status]

  The familiar blue window appeared:

  [Character Sheet: Erik Persson] [Level: 5] [Experience: 100/3000] [Health: 35/130] [Mana: 95/95] [Stamina: 25/75]

  [Attributes:] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 13] [Vitality: 10] [Intelligence: 16] [Wisdom: 11] [Charisma: 9] [Available Points: 5]

  [Skills:] [Basic Slashing Weapons (Level 2): You have developing knowledge of how to fight with axes, swords, and similar bladed weapons. +10% to accuracy and damage with slashing weapons.] [Basic Blunt Weapons (Level 3): You have developing knowledge of how to fight with clubs, staves, and similar weapons. +15% to accuracy and damage with blunt weapons.] [Frost Affinity (Level 1): You have absorbed the essence of a frost being, gaining limited control over frost energy. Can manipulate cold, create small ice formations, and gain resistance to frost damage.]

  [Unique Talent: Mormor's Prodigy]

  I had survived. Somehow, the absorption of the Frost Essence had saved me from certain death, preserving my body in a state of suspended animation until I could heal enough to regain consciousness.

  Memory flooded back in a rush—Walter encased in frost, his body dissolving into light. Lily's small form dragged lifelessly from the passage, her eyes empty and staring. The overwhelming grief and rage that had given me the strength for one final attack.

  I staggered to my feet, every movement sending fresh pain through my frost-damaged body. How long had I been unconscious? Hours? Days? The quality of light suggested early morning, but whether it was the next day or many days later, I couldn't tell.

  My backpack lay nearby, partially covered in frost. I retrieved it, along with my axe, which had fallen a few meters away. My inventory was mostly intact:

  [Inventory] [Scrap Metal Axe: A crude but effective axe made from scavenged materials. Damage: 9-14] [Crude Knife: A poorly made but functional blade. Damage: 5-8] [Goblin Tooth: Trophy from your first kill. Quality: Poor] [Leather Scraps: Could be used for basic crafting or repairs. Quality: Poor] [Mana Crystal (Medium): A crystallized form of magical energy. Can be used to restore 50 Mana points or crafted into magical items.] [Unknown Food Package (5): Sealed preserved food. Effects unknown.] [Water Container (2): Contains clean drinking water.]

  The mana crystal I'd found—the one that had inadvertently led to Walter and Lily's deaths—was still there. I almost threw it away out of anger and guilt, but stopped myself. Resources were too valuable in this world to discard out of emotion. The crystal hadn't caused their deaths; my poor judgment had.

  I looked down at my hands, noticing for the first time that my skin had a faint bluish undertone. When I concentrated, I could feel something new coursing through my veins alongside my blood—a current of frost energy, pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat.

  I held out my palm, focusing on this new sensation. A small flurry of snowflakes materialized above my skin, swirling gently before dissipating. So this was the Frost Affinity—the power I had gained from absorbing the shaman's essence.

  [Frost Affinity skill has increased slightly]

  I needed shelter, food, and rest to recover my strength. The loading area was too exposed, too tainted by recent deaths. I had to move.

  Every step was agony as I made my way out of the loading area, back toward the passage we had used to enter. I paused at the spot where Walter had fallen, where Lily had tried to help him. Nothing remained—not even a trace of frost to mark where they had been.

  "I'm sorry," I whispered to the empty air. "I failed you both."

  The passage was eerily quiet as I retraced our steps. No sign of the goblins that had killed Lily. Either they had moved on, or perhaps my frost explosion had somehow eliminated them as well.

  I emerged onto a main street, the industrial landscape stretching in all directions. The original plan had been to head east, toward the rumored sanctuary. That still seemed logical, but in my weakened state, I needed immediate shelter first.

  A small office building caught my eye—three stories, with most of its windows intact, set slightly apart from the surrounding structures. It would provide better visibility than the warehouses, and hopefully contained supplies I could use.

  I approached cautiously, alert for any movement despite my exhaustion. The front doors were gone, leaving an open entrance that I passed through with my axe ready. The lobby was dust-covered but largely undisturbed—reception desk, waiting area with decaying furniture, a directory board on the wall.

  No immediate threats presented themselves. I secured the entrance as best I could by dragging a heavy desk in front of it, then began a systematic search of the ground floor. In what had once been an employee break room, I found some canned goods that had survived the cataclysm, adding them to my inventory.

  [Canned Food (3) acquired]

  The second floor yielded more supplies—blankets from a storage closet, a first aid kit with some usable items, and most importantly, a small office with a door that could be securely closed. It would serve as my shelter while I recovered.

  I settled in, barricading the door with a heavy metal filing cabinet, then collapsed onto a dusty office chair. My health was slowly regenerating, but too slowly. I needed to accelerate the healing.

  I consumed one of my unknown food packages, which turned out to be some kind of nutrient bar with an oddly sweet taste. It provided immediate energy and seemed to slightly speed my recovery.

  [Health: 45/130]

  I spent the remainder of the day alternating between rest and cautious experimentation with my new frost ability. I discovered I could create small ice formations—needles, spheres, simple geometric shapes—though none lasted more than a few seconds before destabilizing. With practice, they became slightly more durable.

  Night fell, the strange stars of this merged world appearing one by one outside the office window. I secured my shelter as best I could, then allocated the five attribute points I'd gained from leveling up. After consideration, I placed two in Vitality for increased survivability, two in Intelligence to support my new magical ability, and one in Strength to improve my combat effectiveness.

  [Attributes Updated:] [Strength: 11] [Agility: 13] [Vitality: 12] [Intelligence: 18] [Wisdom: 11] [Charisma: 9]

  [Health increased to 140/140] [Mana increased to 100/100]

  My current health was still low at 55/140, but the increased maximum meant I would eventually be much more resilient. Sleep came in fitful bursts, interrupted by phantom pains from my healing wounds and fragmented dreams of ice and death.

  I spent three days in that office, healing and practicing my frost abilities. By the morning of the fourth day, I had fully recovered physically, though the weight of failure still hung heavy on my mind.

  [Health: 140/140] [Mana: 100/100] [Stamina: 75/75]

  [Frost Affinity has increased to Level 2] [You can now create ice formations with greater stability and project them with increased force]

  I had improved enough to reliably create and project ice shards as crude ranged weapons. It wasn't much compared to the shaman's devastating frost bolts, but it gave me an option beyond melee combat, which could prove crucial for survival.

  It was time to move on. The sanctuary to the east remained my goal—the best chance of finding information, resources, and possibly leads to Marcus and Sofia's whereabouts.

  I packed my supplies and left the office building, stepping into the morning sunlight. The city stretched out before me, a maze of ruins and danger. According to Walter, the sanctuary was at least another day's journey east. Without Lily's perception to guide us around threats, the journey would be significantly more dangerous.

  Moving cautiously, I navigated through the industrial district, keeping to cover where possible. The axe felt comfortable in my hand now, and I'd fashioned a crude holster from leather scraps that allowed me to carry it on my back when not in use.

  Mid-morning, I encountered my first challenge—a pack of three standard goblins scavenging through a collapsed storefront. They hadn't noticed me yet, giving me time to assess the situation.

  [Goblin, Level 3] [Goblin, Level 3] [Goblin, Level 2]

  In my previous state, I might have tried to avoid them. Now, they represented both a threat and an opportunity. I needed combat experience to improve my skills and gain experience points. At level 5, I should theoretically be able to handle three low-level goblins.

  I decided to test my new frost ability first. Taking cover behind a broken wall, I focused on creating multiple ice shards. Three formed above my palm, glinting in the sunlight. With a pushing motion, I sent them flying toward the closest goblin.

  Two shards missed, shattering against the concrete behind the creature. The third struck true, embedding itself in the goblin's shoulder. It shrieked in pain and alarm, alerting its companions.

  [Critical Hit!] [Experience Gained: +30]

  Not a killing blow, but a good start. The goblins spotted me and charged, crude weapons raised. I created another ice shard, larger this time, and projected it at the wounded goblin. This one struck its chest, staggering it momentarily.

  [Experience Gained: +45]

  The other two were closing fast. I drew my axe and moved to meet them, feeling a strange calm despite the danger. The first goblin swung wildly with a metal pipe. I sidestepped, bringing my axe down on its exposed neck. It dissolved instantly into blue light.

  [Experience Gained: +60]

  The second reached me before I could recover, its jagged blade slicing across my arm.

  [Health: 131/140]

  The wound was minor, barely registering as pain. I retaliated with a combination of axe strikes that drove the goblin backward until it stumbled over debris. A final overhead swing finished it.

  [Experience Gained: +60]

  The third goblin, still wounded from my ice shards, approached more cautiously. I decided to experiment further with my frost abilities. Concentrating, I directed frost energy through my hand and into the ground. Ice spread rapidly across the concrete toward the goblin, which tried to retreat but slipped on the newly formed frost. While it struggled to regain footing, I closed the distance and delivered a finishing blow.

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  [Experience Gained: +60] [Frost Affinity skill has increased]

  [Total Experience: 355/3000]

  The encounter had gone better than expected. My increased level and new abilities made a significant difference in combat effectiveness. Most importantly, I'd confirmed that my frost abilities could be useful tactical tools beyond direct damage.

  I continued eastward, encountering two more groups of goblins throughout the day. Each fight followed a similar pattern—open with frost attacks at range, then close with the axe to finish. By late afternoon, my experience had increased substantially:

  [Total Experience: 595/3000]

  The urban landscape gradually changed as I moved east. The industrial zone gave way to more residential areas, then to what appeared to be a commercial district with larger buildings. Navigation became trickier, with many streets blocked by collapsed structures.

  As the sun began to lower in the sky, I started searching for shelter for the night. A small two-story building caught my attention—formerly a café, judging by the faded sign. Its location on a corner offered good visibility, and the second floor appeared largely intact.

  I approached carefully, checking for any signs of occupation—human or monster. Finding none, I entered through a broken window, sweeping each room methodically before moving to the next. The ground floor was clear. A staircase led to the second level, which contained what had once been offices or storage rooms.

  One of these rooms had a solid door that could be barricaded, making it ideal for overnight shelter. I secured the space, then took inventory of the day's findings. I'd collected additional supplies from various locations—more food, a somewhat better knife, and intriguingly, a small book with a battered leather cover.

  The book appeared to be a journal, its pages filled with handwritten notes. Most entries were dated from the early days after the merge, written by someone named Tomas. They detailed his experiences, observations about the System, and theories about what had happened to reality.

  One passage caught my attention:

  "Day 14: The System seems to respond to intent and focus. When I concentrate deeply on a skill while using it, the improvement rate increases noticeably. It's as if the System rewards mindfulness and deliberate practice rather than rote repetition. This might explain why some people level faster than others despite similar activities."

  And later:

  "Day 21: Encountered another survivor today who confirmed my theory about elemental essences. They can be absorbed to grant elemental affinities, but the process is dangerous—the body must adapt to the foreign energy or be destroyed by it. Most attempts end in death. Those who succeed gain powerful abilities that can be leveled like any other skill. Worth the risk? Not sure yet."

  This confirmed what had happened to me with the Frost Essence. I had been incredibly lucky to survive the absorption—or perhaps my near-death state had paradoxically made the integration easier, with my weakened body offering less resistance to the transformative energy.

  The journal contained other useful information—observations about monster behavior, notes on various skills and talents the writer had encountered, even crude maps of areas he'd explored. Unfortunately, the entries ended abruptly on "Day 27" with a partially completed sentence. Whether Tomas had simply stopped writing or met a more permanent end remained unclear.

  I studied the journal until nightfall, then allocated my resources for the next day's journey. According to the positions of landmarks on Tomas's maps, I estimated I was still at least half a day's travel from where the sanctuary might be located—assuming it existed at all.

  Sleep came easier that night, my body adapting to the rhythms of this new existence. My dreams were still haunted by images of Walter and Lily, but alongside grief, a new emotion had emerged—determination. I would not let their deaths be meaningless. I would survive, find my friends, understand this world.

  Morning brought clear skies and renewed purpose. I left the café as dawn broke, continuing eastward through the commercial district. The buildings thinned out gradually, suggesting I was approaching the edge of the urban area.

  Mid-morning, I encountered a new type of creature—larger than a goblin, with gray-green skin and a hunched posture. It wielded a crude spear and wore pieces of scavenged armor.

  [Orc Scout, Level 4]

  It spotted me immediately, letting out a guttural call that echoed between buildings. I didn't wait to see if others would respond. Creating three ice shards, I projected them in rapid succession, then charged with my axe.

  Two shards hit their mark, staggering the orc. It recovered quickly, thrusting its spear with surprising speed. I twisted away, the spear tip grazing my side.

  [Health: 135/140]

  The creature was tougher than goblins, absorbing several axe strikes before finally falling. As it dissolved, I noticed something unusual—rather than simply disappearing, a small greenish orb remained where its body had been.

  [Experience Gained: +90] [Item Acquired: Minor Stamina Essence]

  I examined the orb cautiously:

  [Minor Stamina Essence: A small concentration of stamina energy. Can be consumed to restore 30 Stamina points or used in crafting.]

  Unlike the Frost Essence, this didn't appear to offer new abilities if absorbed—just a stamina restoration. I added it to my inventory for later use.

  The orc's call must have alerted others. Within minutes, I spotted two more approaching from different directions—another scout and a larger, more heavily armored individual.

  [Orc Scout, Level 4] [Orc Warrior, Level 5]

  This was potentially more dangerous. I needed a tactical advantage. The area had several partially collapsed buildings, creating a maze of rubble and tight spaces. I retreated into this labyrinth, hoping to separate the orcs and deal with them individually.

  The strategy worked initially. The scout followed me into a narrow passage where its spear had limited effectiveness. I created a sheet of ice beneath its feet, causing it to lose balance, then followed with axe strikes until it dissolved.

  [Experience Gained: +90]

  The warrior proved more challenging. It crashed through debris barriers I'd hoped would slow it, its heavy club demolishing obstacles with frightening ease. When it cornered me in a partial dead end, I was forced to fight directly.

  The first exchange left me staggered, the orc's strength far exceeding a goblin's:

  [Health: 118/140]

  I needed to use my frost abilities more creatively. Concentrating intensely, I directed frost energy not at the orc directly, but at its weapon hand. Ice formed rapidly around its fingers and wrist, temporarily immobilizing its grip on the club.

  The creature roared in anger and surprise, trying to break the ice. The momentary advantage was all I needed. I attacked relentlessly, each blow precise and forceful. The orc finally fell, dissolving into light that left behind another essence orb.

  [Experience Gained: +150] [Item Acquired: Minor Strength Essence] [Frost Affinity skill has increased] [Frost Affinity is now Level 3] [You can now create larger ice formations and maintain them for longer periods. Cold resistance increased.]

  [Minor Strength Essence: A small concentration of strength energy. Can be consumed to temporarily boost Strength by 2 points for 1 hour or used in crafting.]

  These essence items seemed valuable—combat buffs that could make the difference in a difficult encounter. I added the strength essence to my inventory alongside the stamina one.

  The battle had left me with moderate injuries and depleted stamina:

  [Health: 118/140] [Stamina: 42/75]

  I decided to rest briefly before continuing. Finding a defensible position, I consumed some food and water, then practiced creating ice formations while my stamina regenerated. By focusing on Tomas's journal advice about intent and mindfulness, I found I could create more complex shapes with greater stability.

  An hour later, I resumed my journey eastward. The commercial buildings gave way to more residential structures, then to increasingly scattered development. By mid-afternoon, I reached what appeared to be the true edge of the urban area—beyond lay open terrain with only occasional structures visible in the distance.

  This presented a new challenge. Open ground meant better visibility for me, but also for any hostile creatures. I'd be more exposed, with fewer options for cover or tactical positioning.

  The sun was still high enough to provide several hours of daylight. After considering my options, I decided to continue rather than remain in the city. According to Walter's information and the landmarks on Tomas's maps, the sanctuary should be within reaching distance today if I maintained a steady pace.

  The transition from urban to rural landscape was gradual, with suburbs giving way to what might have once been farmland. Strange flowering plants grew in patches, their colors unnaturally vivid against the muted landscape. I gave these a wide berth, suspecting anything that thrived in this merged world might have dangerous properties.

  Late afternoon brought my first sighting of something that wasn't immediately threatening—a small herd of deer-like creatures grazing in a field. They looked mostly normal, except for faintly luminescent markings along their flanks. When they spotted me, they bounded away with extraordinary speed, vanishing into a distant treeline.

  The encounter was oddly reassuring. Not everything in this world was immediately hostile to human life. Some creatures were simply adapting, surviving, finding their place in this new reality—just as I was trying to do.

  As the sun began to lower toward the horizon, I scanned the landscape for any sign of the sanctuary. Walter had described it as a gathering of "high-level" survivors, which suggested some kind of settlement or fortified position. So far, I saw nothing that matched that description.

  Had Walter been mistaken? Had the rumors been false? Or had the sanctuary fallen in the days since he'd heard of it?

  The possibility sent a cold spike of dread through me that had nothing to do with my frost affinity. If the sanctuary didn't exist, I was truly alone in a vast, hostile world. My chances of finding Marcus and Sofia would drop from slim to nearly nonexistent.

  I pressed onward, following what appeared to be a main road that had once connected the city to other settlements. The pavement was cracked and buckled in places, strange plants growing through the fissures. As twilight approached, I began looking for shelter for another night.

  A small cluster of buildings appeared on the horizon—what might have been a rest stop or small roadside commercial area. It wasn't the sanctuary I'd hoped for, but it would provide shelter if secure enough.

  I approached cautiously, aware that such locations might attract both creatures and other survivors. The complex consisted of what had once been a gas station, a small diner, and what looked like a motel. All showed signs of damage from whatever cataclysm had merged the worlds, but the motel structure appeared most intact.

  Movement caught my eye as I drew closer—a figure darting between buildings. Human-shaped, moving with purpose rather than the erratic motion of goblins or the lumbering gait of orcs.

  Another survivor? I hesitated, uncertain whether to announce my presence or observe further. Recent experiences had made me wary, but the possibility of information or alliance was tempting.

  I decided on a middle approach—move closer while remaining alert for any sign of hostility. Drawing my axe, I advanced toward the motel, using available cover where possible.

  As I reached the edge of the parking area, a voice called out from behind a damaged vehicle.

  "That's far enough. Identify yourself."

  Female, adult, authoritative—and unmistakably human. I stopped, keeping my axe visible but not raised threateningly.

  "My name is Erik," I replied. "I'm looking for the Eastern Sanctuary. Or any safe haven, really."

  A moment of silence followed. Then the woman emerged from cover—tall, with dark hair pulled back tightly, wearing what looked like improvised armor made from leather and scavenged materials. She held a bow with an arrow nocked but not drawn.

  "Eastern Sanctuary," she repeated, studying me intently. "Who told you about that?"

  "A man named Walter," I said. "He and his granddaughter were... traveling with me for a time."

  Her eyes narrowed. "And where are they now?"

  The question hit like a physical blow. "They didn't make it."

  Something in my tone or expression must have conveyed the truth of it. Her posture relaxed slightly, though the bow remained ready.

  "I'm Serra," she said. "Level 6 scout. The sanctuary is real, but it's not here. It's another day's journey northeast, following the road." She gestured toward the highway. "We maintain outposts like this one to monitor approaches and direct survivors."

  Relief washed through me. The sanctuary existed. I hadn't been chasing a false hope.

  "You're welcome to rest here for the night," Serra continued. "We have secure rooms and some basic supplies. In the morning, I can provide better directions."

  I nodded my thanks, still processing the information. "Are there many of you? At the sanctuary, I mean."

  "Over two hundred now," she replied. "All survivors, all adapting to the System in their own ways. Some have been there since the first day of the merge, others arrive weekly." She studied me more closely. "You're different, though. There's something about you..."

  I realized she was noticing the faint blue undertone of my skin, the subtle frost aura that sometimes manifested when my emotions ran high.

  "Frost Affinity," I explained. "From a goblin shaman's essence."

  Her eyebrows rose. "You absorbed an essence and survived? That's... rare. Very rare. The council will want to speak with you when you reach the sanctuary."

  "Council?"

  "The leadership group. They organize defenses, resource allocation, exploration. They're particularly interested in essence absorption—the few who've successfully managed it have unique capabilities that help protect the community."

  This was more information than I'd hoped for. If the sanctuary had a leadership structure, resources, organization—it represented civilization reforming in this chaotic new world.

  "Come inside," Serra said, finally lowering her bow completely. "Night falls quickly, and less friendly things emerge in the darkness."

  I followed her to the motel, which had been fortified with scavenged materials—boards over windows, reinforced doors, makeshift barricades at vulnerable points. Inside, the building had been converted into a combination of living quarters, storage, and what appeared to be a small infirmary.

  Two other people were present—a middle-aged man tending to equipment and a younger woman sorting through supplies. They glanced up at our entrance but returned to their tasks after brief nods of acknowledgment.

  "Outpost team," Serra explained. "We rotate every two weeks between here and the sanctuary. Monitor approaches, guide survivors, report unusual monster activity."

  She showed me to a small room—formerly a motel unit, now stripped of all but essential furniture. "You can rest here. There's water for washing, and we'll share food shortly."

  The prospect of relative safety and human company after days of solitary survival was almost overwhelming. I set down my pack and axe, allowing myself to truly relax for the first time since the battle that had claimed Walter and Lily.

  Serra left me to settle in, returning later with a plate of food—some kind of stew with meat and vegetables that smelled better than anything I'd encountered since arriving in this world.

  "We have garden plots at the sanctuary," she explained, seeing my reaction to the fresh food. "And some livestock. It's not much yet, but it's a start."

  As we ate, I asked more questions about the sanctuary—its location, defenses, organization. Serra answered openly, seeming to recognize my questions as those of a potential ally rather than a threat.

  "How did it form?" I asked. "The sanctuary, I mean. In the chaos after the merge..."

  "Luck, mostly," she admitted. "The initial location was a small rural community college with existing dormitories and agricultural facilities. A few high-level individuals—people who adapted quickly to the System and gained levels rapidly—organized defenses and began gathering survivors. From there, it grew organically."

  "And these high-level individuals—they form the council now?"

  "Some of them. Others were lost in the early days, defending against monster hordes." Her expression darkened with memory. "Those were... difficult times. Before we understood the System fully, before we had proper defenses."

  "Have you heard of any other sanctuaries?" I asked, thinking of Marcus and Sofia. "Other gathering points for survivors?"

  Serra nodded. "Rumors, mostly. Our longest-range scouts occasionally encounter travelers who speak of other settlements. There's talk of a Western Sanctuary, though we haven't confirmed its existence. If it's real, it's at least a week's journey from here."

  A week's journey through monster-infested territory. Not a trip to undertake lightly or alone. I would need to grow stronger first, gather information at the Eastern Sanctuary, then decide my next move.

  "One more question," I said. "Have two people—Marcus and Sofia—passed through here? They're friends I was separated from when the merge happened."

  Serra shook her head. "Those names aren't familiar. But new people find the sanctuary every day, and I've been at this outpost for the past week. They could have arrived during that time."

  Hope and uncertainty wrestled within me. Marcus and Sofia might be at the sanctuary already, or they might be anywhere in this vast, transformed world.

  After the meal, I returned to the small room, exhaustion finally catching up to me. Tomorrow would bring the final leg of my journey to the sanctuary—not the end of my quest by any means, but perhaps the beginning of a more purposeful phase.

  As I lay down to rest, I thought again of Walter and Lily. Their deaths still weighed heavily, but now there was a context for their loss—part of a larger struggle of humanity adapting to an impossible new reality. The sanctuary represented something they had sought but never reached—safety, community, the chance to build something sustainable in this merged world.

  I would reach it for them. And then I would find my friends.

  The strange stars wheeled overhead beyond my window, constellations I would never recognize marking the passage of another night in this impossible reality. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities to grow stronger.

  And somewhere out there, I had to believe, Marcus and Sofia were doing the same.