Alexander halted at the edge of the clearing, raising his hand to stop the others. The vilge came into view ahead—a collection of wooden structures nestled among massive trees, with smoke rising from several chimneys. People moved about between buildings, carrying baskets and tools, while children pyed under the watchful eyes of adults.

  "Remember, we approach peacefully," Alexander said, adjusting his equipment. "This is our first real opportunity for information and resources."

  Valeria nodded. "I've dealt with vilge NPCs before. They respond well to respect and direct questions."

  "Non-pyer characters or not, they're people in this world," Elijah countered softly. "We should treat them as such."

  "Agreed," Alexander said. "Elijah, stay close to me. Riva, Valeria—keep alert but appear non-threatening. We need allies, not enemies."

  The team walked the final stretch of path toward the settlement. As they approached, several vilgers paused their activities, watching the newcomers with guarded expressions. A tall, bearded man with intricate wooden symbols woven into his graying hair stepped forward, fnked by two younger men carrying spears.

  "Travelers from the lower paths," the older man said. It wasn't a question. "I am Elder Bram. What brings you to our vilge?"

  Alexander stepped forward, keeping his hands visible. "I'm Alexander. This is my brother Elijah, and our companions Valeria and Riva. We seek knowledge of the forest and perhaps trade, if you're willing."

  The elder's eyes narrowed slightly, studying each of them in turn. When his gaze fell on Elijah, something flickered across his weathered face—recognition, or perhaps concern.

  "Another group came through yesterday," Elder Bram said. "They were... less courteous. Demanded supplies, made threats." He gestured to a damaged roof on one structure. "We defended our own."

  "We're not them," Alexander assured him. "We understand the value of cooperation."

  The tension eased slightly, and the elder nodded. "Then you are welcome to rest here. We have rules—no weapons drawn within the vilge, respect our boundaries, fair trade only."

  "We accept your terms," Alexander replied.

  The elder gestured for them to follow, leading them into the vilge center where a rge fire pit sat surrounded by benches and tables carved from massive tree sections. Other pyers were already present—a team of three wearing well-maintained equipment sitting at one table, and a solitary figure in a dark cloak at another.

  "The common area," Elder Bram expined. "Trading happens here, and meals are shared at sundown."

  As they settled at an empty table, Valeria leaned toward Alexander. "I'll check the trading posts. See what we can acquire."

  Alexander nodded. "Good. Riva, scout the perimeter, get a sense of the yout. Elijah and I will gather information."

  As the team dispersed to their tasks, Alexander noticed how the vilge operated with surprising complexity for a first-floor settlement. Some inhabitants tended gardens of strange luminescent pnts, others worked at crafting stations producing tools and equipment, while children practiced with small bows under supervision.

  "It's remarkably developed," Elijah observed quietly. "More like a real community than a game construct."

  "That's what makes this pce dangerous," Alexander replied. "People get comfortable, forget what this really is."

  Elder Bram returned with a younger woman carrying a tray of wooden cups filled with clear liquid. "Forest spring water," he expined. "Gives crity of thought. You'll need it for what lies ahead."

  Alexander accepted a cup with thanks, watching the elder carefully. "What can you tell us about the path forward? We seek to ascend."

  The elder's expression grew solemn. "Many seek to climb. Few understand the cost." He settled onto a bench across from them. "The trees have stood witness to countless ascents. Those who rush meet the Root Warden unprepared."

  "The guardian," Alexander nodded. "We've heard rumors."

  "More than rumors needed," said the elder. He gestured to a massive oak at the vilge's edge, its trunk scarred with strange patterns. "That tree has absorbed the blood of a hundred failed challengers. It grows stronger with each."

  While Alexander continued questioning the elder about practical matters, he noticed Elijah had gone unusually quiet. His brother was staring at three elderly vilgers seated near a small shrine, who were watching him with unusual intensity.

  "Your brother hears it, doesn't he?" Elder Bram asked suddenly, his voice dropping.

  Alexander tensed. "Hears what?"

  The elder smiled faintly. "The forest speaks to those with ears to listen. Few newcomers have the gift." He gestured toward the elders watching Elijah. "Our wisdom keepers would speak with him, if you permit it."

  Alexander hesitated, protective instinct warring with strategic opportunity. "We stay together."

  "As you wish," the elder conceded.

  The three elderly figures approached slowly—two women and a man, all with intricate wooden beads and forest symbols woven into their white hair. The oldest woman's eyes were milky with cataracts, yet she moved with certainty, stopping directly before Elijah.

  "You hear the whispers," she said, her voice soft but carrying clearly. "They call to you even now."

  Elijah shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure what you mean."

  The blind woman smiled. "The trees remember what we forget. They speak of what came before, and what will come after." She reached out, her weathered hand hovering near Elijah's temple without touching. "Your mind is receptive. Unusual."

  Alexander intervened. "My brother has keen hearing, nothing more."

  The second elder, a man with a staff topped with crystal, shook his head. "It is more than hearing. The forest recognizes something in him. As do we." He turned to Alexander. "You lead with strength and strategy. Good. He will need your protection."

  "We protect each other," Alexander replied firmly.

  The third elder, a woman with dark eyes that contrasted sharply with her white hair, addressed them both. "If you truly seek ascension, we can help. There are paths known only to those who have lived within these woods for generations."

  Alexander's interest was immediately piqued. "What kind of help?"

  "Quests," she expined. "Tasks that, if completed, will ease your journey through this realm. The first awaits at the Ancient Hollow, half a day's journey east. A rare flower grows there—the Moonbloom. Bring one intact, and we will show you a safer path to the higher floors."

  Alexander considered this carefully. Quests often provided advantages not avaible through standard progression, but could also be traps or distractions.

  "Why offer this to us?" he asked.

  The blind woman answered, "Because the whispers grow louder. Things stir in the deep woods that have not moved in generations. We seek to understand why."

  Before Alexander could respond, a commotion caught their attention. Another team of pyers had entered the vilge—six of them, heavily armed and moving with aggressive confidence. The vilgers tensed visibly at their arrival.

  "Trouble," Alexander muttered, recognizing the predatory stance of experienced pyers.

  The newcomers surveyed the common area, taking note of Alexander's team and the other pyers present. Their leader, a tall woman with a scarred face and customized armor, approached the elder.

  "We're hunting," she announced loudly. "Need information on creature spawns in the eastern sector."

  Elder Bram stood his ground. "We have rules here. No weapons drawn, respect our—"

  "Yeah, yeah," she interrupted. "We're not here to cause problems unless there are problems." Her gaze swept across the other pyers, lingering on Alexander and Elijah. "Nice setup you have. Plenty of resources."

  Alexander met her stare evenly, noting the kill count dispy visible above her head when he focused—an intimidation tactic, dispying her number prominently. Twenty-seven eliminations already, unusually high for Floor 1.

  Valeria returned at that moment, positioning herself subtly at Alexander's fnk. Without a word, Alexander knew Riva had also moved into position somewhere with a clear line of sight. Their team's coordination functioned wordlessly now.

  The tension held for several seconds before the woman smiled coldly. "Just passing through. We'll resupply and be on our way." She turned to her team. "Check the trading posts. Ten minutes."

  As they dispersed, Alexander turned back to the elders. "The eastern sector—is that where the Moonbloom grows?"

  The crystal-staff elder nodded grimly. "The Ancient Hollow, yes. It seems you may have competition."

  "Or they may be clearing the way," Alexander mused. "Either way, we should prepare." He turned to Elijah. "What do you think?"

  Elijah had been unusually quiet, his eyes distant. Now he focused on Alexander. "I think we should accept the quest. But not just for the advantage it offers."

  "What else?" Alexander asked.

  "The blind elder is right—something is changing in these woods. I can... sense it." Elijah looked uncomfortable admitting this. "Whatever it is, it might be important for our progress."

  Alexander studied his brother's face, recognizing the certainty there. Elijah's intuition had proven valuable already, even if its source remained mysterious.

  "Alright," he decided. "We'll accept the quest." He turned to the elders. "Tell us more about this Moonbloom."

  For the next hour, the team gathered information and supplies. The trading posts offered basic equipment and consumables, which they acquired through fair exchanges of resources they'd gathered. Alexander noted which items seemed most valued—information that would guide their gathering efforts.

  The aggressive team departed, heading east as expected. Alexander decided they would wait and follow ter, observing rather than confronting directly. While they prepared, Elijah spent time with the vilge wisdom keepers, who shared ancient maps of the forest drawn on bark parchment.

  "They've marked safe camping locations," Elijah expined when he rejoined Alexander. "And water sources that won't attract predators."

  "Good," Alexander replied. "That could make a significant difference."

  As they prepared to leave, Elder Bram approached one final time. "A warning before you go. The forest changes at night. Paths that lead true in daylight may lead you astray after dark. Trust nothing that speaks to you from the shadows."

  Alexander nodded solemnly. "We'll be cautious."

  "And one more thing," the elder added, his voice lowering. "If your brother's whispers grow too loud, bring him back here. There are... techniques we can teach to quiet them."

  Alexander frowned slightly but nodded in acknowledgment. As they left the vilge, following the eastern path, he noticed how the vilgers watched Elijah with a mixture of concern and hope—an unexpected reaction that added to his growing list of questions about his brother's unique perception.

  "They know something about what you're experiencing," Alexander said quietly once they were beyond the vilge perimeter.

  Elijah adjusted his pack. "Maybe. Or maybe they're just part of the Game's narrative."

  "Either way, it could be useful." Alexander gnced back at the vilge one st time. "We've made allies there. Let's make sure we can return if needed."

  The team moved deeper into the forest, the vilge disappearing behind them as they followed the path toward the Ancient Hollow and their first official quest. The trees seemed to close in around them, branches filtering the light into dappled patterns that shifted with the breeze, while distant sounds of animal life reminded them that they weren't alone in these woods.

  Alexander took point, leading them forward with growing confidence. The Game had begun in earnest now, and their path to ascension was becoming clearer with each step.