Writing Stardew Valley Fan Novel Series

[Gamer1234556]

This will be the place for my personal fan novel series. I will be posting what I have, mostly rough drafts of certain chapters and incremental progress. I have posted some pdfs and word documents on Discord, but if anyone has any advice to give me regarding the technical side of this novel, please let me know.

I am kind of new to this, so any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Book 1 – Spring, Year 1​

This first installment follows Eric Keene’s arrival in Pelican Town and the psychological adjustment that comes with rebuilding a life from scratch. Spring focuses on his beginnings as the town’s newest farmer and his evolving relationships with the community.

The Saloon, Mines, and Museum feature prominently, and characters such as Emily, Shane, Penny, and others play central roles in shaping Eric’s early development.

Book 1 is complete (30+ chapters). I’ll be posting one to two chapters per week to allow space for discussion and feedback.

Constructive critique is welcome — especially on pacing, dialogue, characterization, and thematic clarity.

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

 

[Gamer1234556]

Prologue​

I still remember the last message my grandfather sent me from his deathbed.

“...and for my very special grandson:
I want you to have this sealed envelope.”

I took the letter, sealed with a deep purple stamp.

“No, no, don’t open it yet… Have patience,”
he said, his voice thin but steady.
“Listen close…
There will come a day when you feel crushed by the burden of modern life…
when your bright spirit begins to fade into emptiness.
When that happens, my boy, you’ll be ready for this gift.”

Those were the last words I ever heard from him.

​

Years passed before I thought about that letter again.

I was working in a cubicle at Joja Corporation — a grey, drab, and utterly lifeless space. The only sound was an endless rain of keyboard clicks, like the static of some dying machine. I barely spoke to anyone. I don’t think anyone even remembered my name.

One of the employees was terminated. I can’t recall why. Another looked like he’d been working so long he was practically turning into a skeleton. The place devoured people and spat out their husks.

No dress code, either. It didn’t matter what you wore — your soul looked the same as everyone else’s. One guy came in wearing a full cowboy outfit once. No one even blinked.

Me? I was miserable. Dragging myself through 9-to-5 on almost no sleep. Staring at screens until I felt the computer was siphoning off whatever spark I had left.

That was the day I opened the drawer and pulled out Grandpa’s letter.

​

Dear Eric,

If you're reading this, you must be in dire need of a change.
The same thing happened to me once. I'd lost sight of what mattered most—real connections with people and the natural world. So I dropped everything and went to the place I truly belonged.

I’ve enclosed the deed to that place—my pride and joy: Keenes Farm.
It’s located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast.
It’s the perfect place to start a new life.

This was my most precious gift, and now it’s yours.
I know you’ll honor the family name, my boy.

Good luck.
Love, Grandpa

P.S. If Lewis is still alive, say hi to the old guy for me, will ya?

​

Sigh… Grandpa, you never changed—that perfect mix of sentimentality and dry humour. I missed him more in that moment than I had in years.

I didn’t last long at Joja after that.
I couldn’t.
The walls were closing in, the monotony suffocating. I felt myself slipping, inch by inch, toward something I wasn’t sure I’d climb back from.

So, I quit.

I walked out without packing my desk, without saying goodbye, without looking back. I stepped into the air outside — cold, smoggy, but free — and breathed like it was the first breath I’d taken in months.

The next day, I bought a bus ticket south.

To Stardew Valley.
To Keenes Farm.
To whatever Grandpa had seen in me that I had lost along the way.

I wanted to make him proud.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Chapter 1​

The bus ride into the valley felt like breathing again for the first time. After years surrounded by grey walls and blue light from a monitor, the sight of actual blue sky and green hills hit me harder than I expected. Stardew Valley was only half a mile ahead when the bus slowed, dust rising in lazy spirals behind us.

When the doors hissed open, I stepped out onto the roadside and let the warmth of the rural air settle on my skin.

​

“Hello! You must be Eric!” a cheerful voice called out.

I turned to see an energetic woman with bright orange hair and a welcoming grin.

“Er—sorry, who are you?”

“I’m Robin, the local carpenter,” she said. “Mayor Lewis sent me to fetch you and show you the way to your new home. He’s already there, tidying up for your arrival.”

“Oh! Lewis! He was one of my grandfather’s friends.”
Just saying it made something warm flicker in my chest.
“Alright, lead the way.”

When we reached the farm, my excitement was immediately met with… a forest. And a rock garden. And possibly a cryptid or two hiding in the grass.

The place looked like nature had declared squatters’ rights.

“My grandfather really let this place go,” I muttered. “He moved out decades ago but… wow.”

“Eh? What’s wrong?” Robin glanced at me. “Sure, it’s a bit overgrown, but there’s good soil under all that!”

“Robin, I don’t think soil is the problem here,” I groaned, surveying a boulder roughly the size of a small car.

She laughed lightly. “Ah, with a little dedication, you’ll have it cleared up in no time!”

Yeah. I wondered how far “dedication” was supposed to stretch.

The front door of the cottage creaked open, and a familiar voice called,
“Eric?”

“Lewis!” I hurried forward. “It’s so good to see you. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

He smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening with recognition.
“Ah, Eric, you’ve grown so much. I still remember when your family visited for the summer celebration. Your grandfather was a good man… though it’s been so long that most folks only remember bits and pieces now.”

“That means a lot,” I said quietly. “Really.”

Lewis gestured to the weathered cottage.
“So, you’re moving into your grandfather’s old place?”

“Yeah. It’s… a bit smaller than I remembered.”

“Heh. You were young the last time you were here. But it’s held up well! A fine piece of rustic real estate.”

Behind him, Robin coughed lightly.
“‘Rustic’ is one word for it. ‘Crusty’ might be closer.”

Lewis spun around, scandalized.
“Oh, don’t listen to her, Eric. She’s just trying to coax you into buying one of her upgrades.”

Robin glared at him, betrayed.

Their bickering felt oddly comforting.
Homey, even.

Lewis dusted off his hands.
“Well, you must be tired after that long trip. Get some rest, and tomorrow I suggest exploring the town and saying hello. People love meeting newcomers—especially ones with a connection to the valley.”

“Yeah. I’ll do that.”

He nodded, satisfied, and started toward the gate. Then he paused suddenly.

“Oh! Almost forgot. If you’ve got anything you want to sell, just toss it into that shipping bin over there. I’ll pick it up each evening.”

I stared at the wooden box.
“…Oh. That’s what that is. I thought it was a recycling bin.”

Lewis chuckled all the way down the path.

​

I woke early the next morning—6:00 AM, according to the old clock above my bed—and found a small package waiting near the door.

Inside were fifteen parsnip seeds and a note in Lewis’s steady handwriting:

“Here’s a little something to get you started.
—Mayor Lewis.”

A good man, that one. Still looking out for my family all these years later.

I stretched the sleep out of my limbs and turned on the TV. For a moment, I wondered if a place like Pelican Town even got a TV signal. Turns out it did… sort of. Three channels: Weather Report, Fortune Teller, and Livin’ Off The Land.

I started with the last one.

“Welcome to ‘Livin’ Off The Land!’ We’re back with another tip for y’all. Todays for all you greenhorns: chop wood and forage while waiting for your first harvest!”

Foraging sounded fine. Chopping wood? In my overgrown disaster of a yard?

That was going to be a whole workout plan by itself.

Next was the fortune teller.

“The spirits are somewhat annoyed today. Luck will not be on your side.”

Figures. Bad luck on day one. Not ominous at all.

Weather last:

“Clear and sunny all day.”

Great. Sunshine was exactly what I needed.

​

With the morning ahead of me, I stepped outside to face the… monstrosity that Grandpa had left behind.

“What can I even do to clean this up?” I muttered.

Then it hit me.
Grass. Grass was the easiest part.

“I’ll start with the grass. Might get some seeds out of it, too.”

And surprisingly, it didn’t drain too much energy. Stones and logs slowed me down, but grass? Grass didn’t stand a chance.

By the end of the quick cleanup, I’d gathered around 200 fibers, 11 mixed seeds and a couple stray pieces of wood and stone

And the full realization that my wallet contained a grand total of 500 gold—barely enough to buy lunch, let alone supplies. I’d have to be careful.

​

Curious about the surroundings, I headed north.

That’s where I met him.

A weathered man, grey beard, thick coat. He looked up as I passed.

“A stranger? Hello. Don’t mind me. I’m just minding my own business.”

I blinked. A homeless man? In a town this small?

Not sure what to say, I nodded awkwardly and moved on. Odd guy.

The mines were next, but a giant boulder blocked the way. A worker was trying to break it down, but he didn’t seem to hear me when I asked what was going on. So, I left it alone for now.

Farther along, I spotted a man standing by the cliff’s edge, surveying the valley with an analytical gaze.

“Greetings!” he said brightly. “I’m Demetrius—local scientist and father.”

“Eric,” I introduced myself. “Just settled into the farm east of here. My grandfather owned it.”

“Thanks for saying hello! I’m studying the local flora and fauna. Have you met my daughter Maru? She’s quite excited to meet you.”

“Oh? She is? I’ll keep an eye out.”

I stopped by Robin’s carpentry shop, hoping to find her daughter, but only found Robin herself.

“Have you met everyone in town yet?” she asked. “That sounds exhausting.”

“Not really. Just two people: the weird homeless guy up north and a guy named Demetrius.”

“Demetrius? Oh, you mean my husband!”

“Oh! …Right. I didn’t realize.”

“Most people don’t,” she laughed. “Don’t worry about it.”

Before I left, she added, “Sebastian’s downstairs if you want to say hello, but he says he’s busy.”

Considering the tone, she said it in, I decided not to bother him.

​

By the time I checked the time again, the sky was dimming. 6 PM already. Not the best hour to meet townsfolk, but maybe the saloon was still buzzing.

Inside, I found a older blonde woman, a middle-aged man tending the bar, a blue-haired waitress and a grumpy man hunched in the corner with a drink.

The bartender waved me over.
“Come in! Welcome to the Stardrop Saloon! I’m Gus—chef and owner. Can I get you something?”

“Eh, not in the mood for anything.”

A raspy voice called from the side, “Not even a tea?”

“Pam,” Gus sighed, “take it easy. It’s his first day.”

The blue-haired woman lit up the moment she saw me.

“Oooh! I can read it on your face—you’re going to love it here in Pelican Town. If you’re ever looking for something to do in the evening, stop by! I work here.”

I couldn’t help smiling.
“Thanks. I’m Eric.”

“That’s a lovely name.” she said, beaming. “I’m Emily.”

I already liked her energy.

The blonde woman clinked her glass. “Name’s Pam. Nothin’ like a sip o’ the good stuff to warm these old bones…”

“Nice to meet you, Pam. And who’s that guy over there?”

“Oh… that’s Shane. Hey, Shane! Come introduce yourself!”

A growl from the corner.

Gus added, “Come on, Shane. Be polite.”

Shane stood, reluctantly. He didn’t look pleased about it.

“Hello. Name’s Shane.”

“Nice to meet—”

“Okay, you finished? Quit bothering me.”

“Shane!” Gus scolded. “Be a good sport!”

“Whatever. I don’t care who he is.”
And he marched back to his corner.

Well. That killed the mood.

“Ah, don’t take it personally,” Gus said apologetically. “He’s like that with everyone.”

Emily rolled her eyes.

Just as I was about to leave, a tall man walked in.

“Hey, Clint!” Gus called. “Meet the new farmer!”

Clint blinked at me. “Oh. You’re the new farmer?”
He shifted awkwardly. “Uh… hi. I’m Clint. Blacksmith.”

“Eric,” I replied.

“Cool.”

And that was that.

“Alright, Gus. It’s getting late—I should head home.”

“Glad to meet you, Eric! Come by again. The saloon gets lively at night!”

​

Outside, the night air felt crisp. I hurried back to the farm to chop a bit of wood—just enough to craft a storage chest. Without a decent backpack, space was going to be a problem, and I’d heard the general store sold a larger one.

I didn’t know how much it cost, but based on everything else in this town, I suspected it wasn’t cheap.

With the stars above and the faint glow of the cottage window, I worked until my arms ached—then finally, finally, crawled into bed.

Tomorrow would be another long day. But at least it felt like my life was moving somewhere new.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Book 1 – Spring, Year 1

This first installment follows Eric Keene’s arrival in Pelican Town and the psychological adjustment that comes with rebuilding a life from scratch. Spring focuses on his beginnings as the town’s newest farmer and his evolving relationships with the community.

The Saloon, Mines, and Museum feature prominently, and characters such as Emily, Shane, Penny, and others play central roles in shaping Eric’s early development.

Book 1 is complete (30+ chapters). I’ll be posting one to two chapters per week to allow space for discussion and feedback.

Constructive critique is welcome — especially on pacing, dialogue, characterization, and thematic clarity.

Prologue
Chapter 1

Thank you for sharing your novel here. Sounds familiar to me in away, but that's caused by the fanfic canon I suppose. Have red quite a bunch of that stuff at Wattpad, so the beginning is mostly the same. But I'm looking forward to the next part., so go on please.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Thank you for sharing your novel here. Sounds familiar to me in away, but that's caused by the fanfic canon I suppose. Have red quite a bunch of that stuff at Wattpad, so the beginning is mostly the same. But I'm looking forward to the next part., so go on please.

Yeah, I guess that is an effect a lot of fanfics have in that they tend to start out the same. Later on though, I assure you things do get a bit more interesting.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Chapter 2​

When I woke up, I was planning to start on my parsnips when I noticed a letter on my doorstep:

Hello there,
Just got back from a fishing trip. You should come down to the beach sometime. I've got something for ya.
– Willy

Willy? Alright, guess I’m meeting a fisherman today.

I planted the parsnips and the mixed seeds I’d gathered yesterday, watered everything, and headed out. On my way to the beach, I saw a violet-clad girl hurrying toward the library. She looked deep in thought, so I didn’t interrupt.

​

Near the pier, I found a bearded man leaning over the water, cigar smoldering, eyes fixed on the gulls.

This had to be Willy.

“Ahoy there, son,” he said without looking up. “Heard there’s a newcomer in town. Glad to meet you at last.”

“Eric,” I introduced.

He turned to me with a sun-creased smile. “I’m still unwrappin’ myself from a month out on the salty seas. Big haul this time—sold a lot of good fish.”

“Oh, really?”

“Aye. Finally saved enough to buy me a new rod.” He gave me an assessing look, then brightened. “Here, I want you to have my old one.”

He handed me a bamboo pole like it was something precious.

“It’s important to me the art o’ fishin’ stays alive. And hey, maybe you’ll buy somethin’ from my shop once in a while.”

I laughed. “No promises, but I’ll try.”

“There’s good water here in the valley. All kinds o’ fish,” he said, before drifting off in thought. When he snapped back, he added, “Oh! Shop’s open again. I’ll buy what you catch. If it smells, it sells—my ol’ pappy used to say.”

He tossed the cigar’s stub, stretched, and headed inside.

​

I tried the rod out right away. Fishing was easier than I expected: in a few tries I had herring, anchovies, sardines—and some treasure bundled with them. Aquamarine, a chunk of steel, even coal. Not bad.

A bubbling spot appeared near the pier. More fish, longer ones. My backpack filled fast.

After selling everything to Willy and pocketing the gold, I walked the shoreline for forage. Clams, mussels, and a strange set of wiggling little worms in the sand. I dug them up and found… a trilobite?

At least, that’s what I thought it was.

I was about to head to the library when I ran directly into a tall man with long, rather elegant hair.

“Ah—the new farmer we’ve all heard whispers about,” he said with theatrical flair. “Your arrival has sparked many a conversation.”

I snorted. “Heh, really? I only met five people yesterday. Not sure the hype’s warranted.”

He chuckled. “I’m Elliott. I live in the cabin on the beach.”

“Eric. And uh—this thing I dug up. Trilobite? Not sure what to do with it.”

“Gunther at the library would be most delighted to see that,” Elliott said. “His work could use the excitement.”

“Oh. Thanks, Elliott.”

I headed out, but spotted a blond guy crouched in a bush, staring at the water like he was scouting a mission.

“Hey! I’m Sam,” he said brightly. “Good to meet you!”

“Eric. Uh—catch you later!”

“See ya!”

​

The library was mostly empty except for a cowboy-looking man surveying a barren display case with sheer despair.

“Abysmal,” he muttered. “Not a single artifact in this entire collection.”

I offered him the trilobite.

He lit up. “Remarkable! I’d love to study this—but of course, it’s yours to keep.”

“Oh, I don’t need it,” I said. “I just wanted to know what it was.”

He blinked. “In that case, I have a favor to ask. If you find more artifacts or minerals… would you consider donating? We could make some groundbreaking discoveries. And who knows—if you keep helping, I might be able to send some rewards your way.”

“Sounds fair. I’m Eric.”

“Gunther,” he said. “The government sent me to research the historical sites around the valley. The caverns used to be full of wonders, but things have dried up… for now. Perhaps once that boulder is cleared, you might find more.”

“Looking forward to it.”

​

On my way toward town square, a fit, confident-looking guy passed me.

“Oh hey. You’re the new guy? Cool,” he said. “Name’s Alex.”

“That was quick,” I muttered as he walked off.

Then, a gentle-faced woman approached me with a warm smile.

“Oh! You’re not quite what I imagined, but that’s okay! I’m Jodi. It’s exciting when someone new moves in—it’s a quiet town.”

“Eric,” I said. “Nice to meet you.”

Right after, another woman approached with a cheerful nod.

“Ah! You must be Eric. I’m Marnie! I run the ranch. Drop by anytime—you won’t regret it.”

She was sweet—warm, maternal. And she knew Lewis. That struck a chord. Maybe she remembered my grandfather.

I finally made it into Pierre’s shop—despite it being closed—and the man behind the counter immediately perked up.

“Ah! Mr. Eric—the new farmer!” Pierre declared. “If you need seeds, I’m your man. A little agriculture could really boost the local economy!”

I nodded politely, then eyed the backpack.
2,000 gold. I wasn’t quite halfway.

“Close, though!” Pierre said, noticing. “Keep at it!”

“Yeah, thanks.”

​

I stopped by the saloon again—habit forming quickly.

“Eric!” Gus called. “Take a seat.”

“You buyin’ anything tonight?” Pam asked, already tipsy.

“Saving for the backpack,” I told her.

She laughed. “Oh yes, those things. Bet you gotta toss half your stuff out, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

Gus chimed in. “Fishing’s treatin’ you well?”

“Yeah—1200 gold so far,” I said. “Sardines, anchovies, herring.”

“Ahh, the classics.” Gus nodded. “Willy sends me some of those. I cook them into meals here. You should try a dish sometime—cheap fish, big flavor.”

I glanced at Emily behind the counter.

“Emily, how’d you end up working here?”

She shrugged lightly, smiling but with a trace of tiredness. “It pays the bills. My parents are gone, and my sister… well, she doesn’t work.”

I nodded. I hadn’t met her sister yet.

Then I looked at Shane.

“Think he’s up to talking today?” I asked Gus.

He winced. “You can try.”

I approached—and instantly regretted it.

“Wha-? What do you want? Go away!” Shane snapped.

“I haven’t even introduced myself—”

“I don’t care!” he barked, standing abruptly. “Leave. Me. Alone.”

He stormed out. The whole room exhaled.

“What did I do?” I asked. “Does he hate newcomers or something?”

Gus only sighed. Emily frowned—clearly used to this.

Pam, of course, snorted, “Guy’s got the blues, kid! Hey Gus—another round!”

Just then, a shy young woman with ginger hair stepped inside.

“Oh! I think I’ve seen you before,” I said. “I’m Eric.”

She startled slightly. “O-oh. I’m Penny.”

“That’s a lovely name,” I said—right before Pam barked:

“Hey kid! That’s my daughter you’re talkin’ to!”

I nearly choked. “THAT’S your daughter?!”

Penny’s face went crimson.

“S-sorry! Didn’t mean—”

“Nah, you’re fine,” Pam waved him off. “She’s just shy. Come on sweetie, let’s go.”

“Yes, mother…” Penny sighed as she guided Pam out.

“Well,” I exhaled. “Guess that’s my cue too. See you, Gus. See you, Emily.”

They both waved—Emily with a much brighter smile than before.

​

The walk back to the farm felt quieter than the bustle of the town, though my mind was anything but still. I dug my hands into my pockets and counted the coins rattling inside. Fishing had treated me well today — more than 1,200 gold already, just from herring, sardines, and whatever lucky finds the pier had tossed my way. Not bad for a first proper day with a rod in my hands. I couldn’t help smiling at the thought of Willy, leaning over the water like he owned every wave and gull in the valley. He was a character — gruff and sunburned and entirely unpretentious, yet the pride in that old bamboo rod made me feel like I was holding a piece of his life in my hands.

Then there was Gunther. The museum was practically empty, yet the man’s eyes lit up like a child’s at the sight of a trilobite. There was something almost sacred in his excitement. It made me wonder what kind of treasures the valley still held, hidden under soil, water, and neglect, waiting for someone curious enough to notice them. I liked the idea that maybe I could be that person. That maybe a few small actions could mean something beyond gold.

Speaking of gold… the backpack. I hadn’t even come close to affording it yet. Every coin felt like it carried weight — not just for seeds and tools, but for efficiency, for survival, for progress. I didn’t want to squander it, but I also didn’t want to let my new start feel constrained before it even began.

And then there was Penny. Her brief appearance had been so fleeting — shy, ginger hair catching the dimming light, voice soft and careful. There was something about her, some quiet curiosity behind the nervous glance, that made me wonder who she really was. I didn’t know yet, but something told me I’d be seeing more of her soon, and that maybe she’d be someone worth listening to when the valley got noisy, or when it got lonely.

By the time I reached the farm, stars were pinpricks against a velvet sky. The cottage glowed faintly behind the overgrown yard. Tomorrow would be another long day, full of chores, new faces, and perhaps surprises I hadn’t even imagined. But for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a place to walk to, a purpose, and maybe, just maybe, the first glimmer of home.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Chapter 3​

I woke up to the sound of rain drumming against the roof. Before doing anything else, I checked the TV.

“It’s going to be a beautiful, sunny day tomorrow!”

Well, at least I don’t have to water my crops today.

On the Fortune Teller channel:

“The spirits are very happy today! They will do their best to shower everyone with good fortune.”

Weird. With weather like this, you’d expect a bad omen.

After chopping a few logs blocking my path, I decided to explore Cindersap Forest for forage. Instead, I found an ocean of grass. Cutting through it gave me a handful of wild seeds. As I worked, the thought crossed my mind:

Who haven’t I met yet?

Probably about two-thirds of the town by now. Today might wrap up the rest.

Toward the south end of the forest, I stumbled across a patch of spring onions — fourteen of them, one even a gold star. Unfortunately, my bag filled up at the worst possible moment, and I couldn’t pick it up.

Great. Inventory problems already. Time to head home and unload.

On the way back, I spotted Lewis approaching Marnie’s Ranch. He waved immediately.

“Good morning, Eric!”

“Morning, Lewis!”

“I’m stopping by to talk to Marnie about her taxes. Do you want to say hello?”

“Sure, why not?”

​

Inside, Marnie stood with the little violet-haired girl I’d seen before. The child stared at me with terrified eyes.

“…Hi…” she murmured.

“Jas, sweetheart,” Marnie coaxed gently, “the farmer isn’t going to bite.”

“But Aunt Marnie… didn’t Uncle Shane say the farmer was a jerk?”

I flinched.

“What?” Marnie sputtered. “Jas! Don’t say things like that! He just moved in!”

Lewis stepped out from the back at that exact moment, startling her further.

“Hello there, Marnie. How goes today?”

Jas practically leapt behind the lamp.

“Ah, Lewis! Same as always,” Marnie answered. “Oh—this must be the kid you mentioned earlier. How long has it been since we last talked to Peter?”

“Marnie… he passed away years ago.”

“Oh. Right. That’s a shame. He was a great man for Pelican Town. After he died, the place started falling apart.”

I chuckled. “Well, I’ve been tidying it up. Cleared a bunch of grass already. Even found some wild seeds.”

Marnie perked up.
“Speaking of that, have you gotten any hay yet?”

“Er… no?”

“Oh, well, you can get hay by cutting grass with a scythe — but you’ll need a silo first. Those hold about 240 pieces of hay.”

“Good to know.”

“And in winter, animals have to stay inside. Hay runs out fast if you’ve got a full barn.”

Lewis cut in. “By then, Eric should have enough grass to fill a silo naturally.”

“Right, right,” Marnie sighed. “Still, you can always buy hay from me. Fifty gold pieces. Could use the cash…”

I checked the time — already 11:30 AM. Might as well head to the town square and meet whoever’s left.

“Nice talking to you both. See you later!”

​

On my way home, weaving through the boulders and long grass, I realized Lewis was probably right. Give it a few more days, and I’d be drowning in hay once I built a silo.

I emptied my backpack, which mostly consisted of fibre, wood and spring onions.

With the rain still falling, I figured it was a good time to fish up north. I heard the lake had valuable fish that sold well.

I caught plenty of chub, two carp, a bullhead, but best of all: my first largemouth bass, which came with a geode stuck to it. Not a bad haul.

I walked into Robin’s shop to warm up, but she wasn’t there. Demetrius was in his lab.

“Greetings, Eric. Staying dry?” Demetrius asked warmly.

“Yeah, figured I’d use the rain to catch some fish. Got a largemouth bass.”

“Oh? That’s good! Keep practicing. Some fish only appear in the rain—catfish, eels. But they’re much tougher to reel in.”

“Noted. Tell Robin I said hi.”

“Have you met Maru yet?” he asked. “She works at the clinic in town.”

“Not yet. I’ve been busy cleaning the farm.”

“I hope you meet soon. She’s always excited to talk about her projects.”

I waved goodbye—then Robin stepped into the room.

“Oh! Eric! I was cooking dinner.”

“I thought you went out logging.”

“Not in this weather. Demetrius practically forbade it. He usually gets glued to his research.”

I laughed softly.

“How’s your cottage? Thinking of upgrading?”

“It’s a bit small, but fine for now.”

“By Summer, you’ll have enough to expand. Have you met my kids, Maru and Sebastian?”

“Not yet.”

“Maru’s in her room tinkering with something metal. STEM stuff. Probably best to meet her later.”

I nodded.

“And Sebastian… well. He’s downstairs. He’s not great with new people.”

I winced. “Oh boy. Another Shane?”

Robin hesitated for a bit, probably taken aback by my question, and then responded. “Not exactly, just… distant. Don’t take it personally.”

“See you later, Robin.”

“Bye, Eric!”

​

Town Square was nearly empty — rain tends to do that. I checked the bulletin board.

HELP WANTED
Looking for someone to bring me a Carp.
— Sam
Reward: 90g

Sam—the kid who was hiding behind the bush earlier, watching the stream? Nice timing—I had a gold-star carp on me.

I knocked at Jodi’s door. A boy heading to bed glanced at me, then hurried off. Jodi looked up from the sink.

“Oh! Eric! Good evening!”

“Sorry if I’m intruding.”

“Oh, not at all. We just finished dinner.”

“I saw Sam’s request for a carp, but uh… looks like you already cooked one.”

“Ah, yes. Perfect timing, huh?” she laughed. “Why don’t you keep yours? If Willy runs out sometime, I might ask you instead.”

I brightened. “Sure, sounds good.”

“And don’t worry about dropping in,” she added. “I don’t usually like strangers wandering in, but you seem trustworthy.”

“Goodnight, Jodi.”

“Goodnight, sweetie!”

Yeah… she’s definitely a mom.

​

At the Saloon, I spotted Willy sitting with a female lumberjack and a doctor.

“Eric!” Willy called. “Caught a largemouth yet?”

“Yep!”

“Hah! Fast learner! Just throw them in the shipping bin tonight—I’ll manage the rest.”

The lumberjack smiled.

“I’m Leah. You picked a perfect time to move here. Spring is beautiful.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The doctor stepped over next.

“I’m Harvey, the local physician. I oversee medical check-ups and treatment. Rewarding work. I hope your work here feels the same.”

“Well, catching my first bass felt pretty rewarding.”

Willy laughed. “Told you, Harvey—the boy’s a natural!”

Gus chimed in.

“You’re improving quickly, Eric. Keep at it. The fishing derbies get competitive.”

“Oh, I go every year!” Willy boomed. “Maybe we’ll fish together someday!”

Gus grinned. “Let’s hope he doesn’t outfish you.”

Emily came over next.

“Hey Eric.”

“Hey Emily. How’s your night?”

“Good! You?”

“Feeling accomplished.”

She smiled. “I’ve heard rumours of ancient magical rings—powerful artifacts from forgotten civilizations.”

Pam snorted. “What, like goblins and dwarves? Kid stories.”

“Doesn’t hurt to dream,” I offered.

Emily smiled at me, only for Clint to walk in right then.

“Oh, hey Eric. You got a geode?”

“Yeah—found it stuck to a bass.”

“A bass and a geode?” Gus laughed. “That’s a first.”

“Bring it to me tomorrow,” Clint said. “I’ll crack it open.”

As he left, Shane brushed past me, muttering:

“…This weather’s making me really thirsty…”

“Didn’t you already have a beer?” I asked gently.

He ignored me completely.

“Well,” I sighed, “at least he didn’t yell. Baby steps.”

Emily giggled. Seeing her smile always lightened the room.

​

The rain had softened to a steady whisper by the time I left the Saloon. Pelican Town looked different at night—lamplight pooling on wet cobblestones, windows glowing like quiet constellations. For a place that sometimes felt small, it held an awful lot of lives inside it.

Jas’ words lingered longer than I expected.

Didn’t Uncle Shane say the farmer was a jerk?

I exhaled slowly. It shouldn’t have bothered me. Shane barely spoke two sentences to me without sounding irritated, and I’d already guessed I wasn’t high on his list of favourite people. But hearing it from a kid—hearing that she believed it—stung in a way I didn’t anticipate.

Why would someone like her be living with someone as short-tempered as Shane?

Then again… maybe that wasn’t the whole story. Maybe people weren’t as simple as their worst moments. If Jas felt safe enough to repeat something he’d said, maybe she felt safe enough with him to say it at all. I didn’t know. I barely knew any of them.

And then there was Marnie.

The way she’d asked about Grandpa—like she’d stepped backward in time for half a second. Like he might still be out there somewhere, late but coming home.

Lewis had answered gently. Too gently.

Grandpa, Lewis, Marnie… they’d built something together once. I could feel it in the way the town moved around Lewis, in the way Marnie’s voice softened when his name came up. Whatever had happened between them, it hadn’t erased that history. It had just… weathered it.

I wondered what they were like when they were my age. Did Grandpa walk these same muddy roads with plans bigger than the valley could hold? Did Lewis already carry that careful sense of responsibility? Was Marnie always the one trying to keep the peace?

The rain tapped against the brim of my hat as I cut north toward the farm. I hadn’t even met Robin’s kids yet. Maru sounded bright—excited about her projects, Demetrius had said. Sebastian… distant. Basement room, headphones, late nights. I couldn’t picture either of them yet, just outlines sketched in other people’s words.

Strange how quickly faces were starting to stack up in my mind.

Willy laughing over a tankard.
Leah with sawdust still clinging to her sleeves.
Harvey speaking like every sentence was carefully measured.
Emily talking about magical rings like they were as real as rain.
Shane brushing past me like I wasn’t there.

So many people. So many unfinished introductions.

And I’d only been here a few days.

By the time the farmhouse came into view, I felt tired—but not in the way I used to feel in Zuzu. This was a different kind of exhaustion. Earned. Tangible.

I tossed the day’s catch and forage into the shipping bin and listened to the lid thud shut.

Four hundred and fifty gold by morning.

Not bad.

The backpack upgrade was getting closer. A small thing, maybe—but it felt like proof. Proof that I was moving forward. That I was carving out space for myself here.

One more day at a time.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Think I'm gonna like it, the dialogues are good written and you're trying for some twists, could be interesting.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Chapter 4​

I heard the rooster for once. That’s always a good sign.

I checked the morning TV.

Weather: “It’s going to be a beautiful, sunny day tomorrow!”

Good. More watering.

Fortune Teller: “The spirits are very happy today! They will do their best to shower everyone with good fortune.”

Nice.

Livin’ Off the Land: “For you folks living in Stardew Valley — check the southwest woods for spring onions!”

Already ahead of you.

Mail:
ADVERTISEMENT:
“Backpack full? Pierre’s got you covered! Check out our new size-24 backpack. On sale TODAY!”

The timing couldn’t be better.

I watered my crops and headed toward Pierre’s… at least that was the plan.

​

I spotted a few daffodils along the way and grabbed them. Grandpa always said villagers loved these. I wonder if that’s still true.

Since it was only 8 AM, I wandered a bit until a girl in overalls and glasses approached me.

“Oh! You’re the new farmer, right? I’m Maru. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!”

I laughed. “I know — Robin and Demetrius mentioned you wanted to meet me.”

“Ah! Sorry I didn’t catch you sooner. Work and research have been… nonstop.”

“I wouldn’t blame you. I’ve been foraging, farming, fishing — I’m practically everywhere at once.”

“It’s nice to finally talk. A new face really changes the community dynamic. It’s exciting!”

“I like it here already. A couple stinkers, but hey — it’s starting to feel like home.”

“Stinkers? …You don’t mean my stepbrother, right?”

“Sebastian? Haven’t met him yet.”

“Oh! Then he’s probably still in the basement. Typical.”

“Well, nice meeting you, Maru.”

“You too!”

Wow. What a nice girl. I thought Emily was one-of-a-kind, but maybe Pelican Town has more warmth than I realized.

​

Near Pierre’s, Alex was tossing a football while Shane trudged past him, looking like he woke up on the wrong side of everything.

Alex grinned at me. “The air’s warming up… I’m feeling pumped.”

“Good to know.”

I turned to Shane, but he shut it down immediately.

“What do you want? Leave me alone.”

“H-hey, where are you going—?”

“None of your busine—”

Alex cut in. “He works at JojaMart. He’s late again.”

I froze.

Joja. That corporate hell pit.

Shane glared at Alex. “Oh great. You had to tell him.”

“Not my fault you’re bitter, man. You act like you’re the only one with problems.”

Shane practically vibrated with rage.
“I’d love to punch you for that, but I’m late. You’re lucky.”
He stormed off.

Alex snorted. “What a pansy.”

Then he noticed me. “You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

“Oh—uh. Hearing ‘Joja’ gave me flashbacks to my cubicle.”

“You worked there?”

“Yeah. Grey walls. Clicking keyboards. No soul. Just… noise.”

“Damn. Glad you’re out of that.”

I sighed. “Honestly, Shane working there explains a lot.”

Alex shrugged. “I don’t think Joja’s the issue. The guy’s just a prick.”

“Eh… I wouldn’t say that.”

“Really? 'Cause every night I heard he talks behind your back. Emily has to deal with him nonstop.”

“You know Emily?”

“I’m her sister’s… boyfriend.”

I caught the hesitation instantly. “Sounds lovely.”

“You met her?”

“No. Emily told me about her. She said she’s been avoiding me for a while.”

Alex scoffed.

“That’s not surprising. Anyway, gotta train. See ya!”

And he went inside his house.

​

I spotted Penny reading under the big tree. I really wanted to drop off yesterday’s carp, but curiosity won.

“What are you reading?”

She jumped slightly.
“Oh—sorry! I was lost in thought. You’re the new farmer, right?”

“Eric. And yeah. Sorry about the bar incident yesterday.”

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” She sighed. “This book is about the Dwarves. Supposedly they lived here long before humans.”

My eyes widened.

Maybe Emily wasn’t so far off…

“We’re lucky to have a library here,” Penny continued. “Books make it easy to forget… reality.”

Reality, huh? Sometimes reality and fiction blur a little too well.

“Maybe that’s why I like reading,” she said. “It lets you enter a world that isn’t this one.”

“Emily mentioned ancient rings earlier,” I said. “Escapism isn’t always escapism if the world’s stranger than we think.”

Penny brightened. “You really think that?”

“Yeah. Emily’s odd, sure, but she’s sweet. She doesn’t deserve the treatment she gets at the bar.”

Penny grimaced. “No, she doesn’t. I have to drag my mom home every night… it’s exhausting.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry.”

“You’d spend your whole life apologizing around here,” she said softly. “Sometimes you just move on.”

“Fair enough. Anyway, I’ve got a geode to crack.”

“A geode? Already? I didn’t think you’d reach the mines this fast.”

“Oh—caught one fishing earlier.”

“That’s lucky! You’re already making the valley feel… less suffocating.”

That threw me off.
Was this the same timid girl from yesterday?

“Well, see you soon. Gotta talk to Gunther.”

She smiled—genuine and warm. “See you, Eric!”

​

“Hey Clint! I got a geode!”

“You told me yesterday,” he barked. “Give it here.”

He smashed it open. Jagoite.

Gunther lit up the moment he saw it. “Ah! Jagoite! A hexagonal-ditrigonal dipyramidal lead-silicate mineral—”

I blinked. “Man, I should’ve studied archaeology instead of computer science.”

Gunther sighed. “Archaeology is cool, but government work? Endless red tape. Half the real history gets buried.”

I checked my artifacts: aquamarine, trilobite, and now jagoite. Not bad.

Penny waved me down.

“What did the geode have?”

“Just a mineral. Apparently named after some famous Ferngill collector. No ancient dwarf secrets.”

She laughed. “Aww. Still—thanks for helping the library. Not many people care.”

“Right. Gotta drop off a carp.”

“See you, Eric!”

​

Sam’s music boomed from his room.

Jodi smiled as I entered. “Hello, Eric! Busy as always, I see.”

“Apparently it only takes a few days.”

She laughed softly. “Try being a mother with a husband at war.”

I froze. “I—I didn’t know.”

“Yeah… Ferngill and Gotoro. He didn’t want to go. He looked miserable leaving.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No, don’t apologize. You’d learn eventually.”

“Oh—here’s the carp.”

“Just leave it in the kitchen. And hey—maybe join us for dinner sometime?”

“I’ll think about it. Thanks.”

Vincent looked up. “He’s nice! Jas said he’d be scary.”

“Now, Vincent,” Jodi chuckled. “Eric is very nice—”

I slipped out before hearing the rest.

​

Emily peeked out as I passed.

“Eric! Good afternoon!”

“Good afternoon, Emily.”

“You have a moment? Come in!”

Before I could answer, she took my hand and led me inside.

“Sit! I’ll make tea.”

Her house was surprisingly big. “Wow, this place is huge.”

“I know! Too huge. I do 95% of the chores. Haley maybe does 5% on a good week.”

I chuckled. “Seeing you sad at the bar yesterday kinda hurt, honestly.”

She blinked at me, touched. “No one’s ever said that to me.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest.

She returned with Green Tea.

“I hope you’re farming sustainably. The valley’s ecosystem is fragile!”

“Er—yeah?” I stammered. I’d barely started.

“How do I know? A gut feeling!”

“Of course you do.”

She laughed. “Don’t worry, I trust you!”

“Uh—thanks. Oh, I donated Jagoite earlier.”

“Oh… good. I don’t really like that one.”

“Why not?”

“As a gift, I mean. Not great.”

“You can… give minerals as gifts?”

“Yes! Birthdays especially. Oh—Lewis’s birthday is in a few days. Give him a daffodil or parsnip.”

“Good to know.”

She perked up. “I love minerals! Amethyst, aquamarine, jade, ruby, topaz—just not Jagoite.”

“I actually fished up an aquamarine once.”

She gasped dramatically. “Why didn’t you give it to me? I would’ve loved it!”

“S-sorry—!”

She laughed. “I’m teasing! Save it for my birthday.”

I left her house feeling weirdly jittery. Emily had an energy that tugged at you somehow.

​

When I stepped out of Emily’s house, Sam waved.

“Eric!” he called. “Thanks for the carp! I knew you were the man for the job!”

“You’re welcome,” I said. “Wasn’t too hard, honestly.”

“Glad you’re putting in the effort.” He glanced up at the sky. “Clouds look great this time of year.”

I followed his gaze. The clouds really did look beautiful.

“Yeah. Nice seeing colour again after Joja’s greys.”

Sam looked at me.

“Oh yeah — Mom said you worked at Joja in the city. How was it?”

“Ugh… miserable. Nine-to-five dead-end job that was bleeding me dry.”

He winced. “Yeah… we’ve got a JojaMart here too. I work there.”

I sighed. Even here, Joja found a way to follow me.

“Mondays and Wednesdays,” he continued. “Shane and Claire work the rest.”

“Shane? The grumpy guy?”

Sam shrugged. “He’s… okay if you get to know him. But he drinks a lot. Comes off cranky on the job. He and Morris fight all the time.”

That tracked.

“At least I get time off,” Sam added. “Mom argued with my manager about my schedule. Shane and Claire weren’t so lucky. They’re there almost every day.”

So some people had someone to fight for them. Others didn’t.

“I feel worse for Claire,” Sam said. “She’s the only cashier now. Martin’s gone.”

“There are more people?” I asked.

“Yeah. They live elsewhere. Just commute.”

Even this quiet little town fed into something bigger.

“Anyway,” I said, adjusting my rod, “I’ve got fishing to do. Saving up for a backpack upgrade.”

Sam grinned. “See you around, farmer.”

​

Fishing near the mountain, I spotted a tall guy smoking by the pond. Emo-looking. Had to be Sebastian.

“Hey, I’m Eric. Nice to meet you.”

He barely looked at me. “You’re the new guy, right? Cool.”

“Yeah. Your family’s talked about you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“Uh—nothing.”

He stared. “Why’d you move here?”

“My grandpa left the farm. My old job sucked. Needed a new start.”

He softened the tiniest bit. “Where’d you work?”

“Joja Corp.”

He groaned. “Hell on earth. Figures.”

“Tell me about it.”

Robin popped out of the house. “Oh! You two are talking!”

Sebastian sighed. “I’m leaving. See you.”

Robin laughed. “That went better than I thought! He’s normally hostile to strangers.”

I nodded awkwardly.

“I thought he would be a lot more irritable, but he seems pretty relaxed.”

Robin’s expression turned sad.

“Demetrius and Sebastian… don’t really see each other as family.”

Oof. Heavy stuff.

​

I fished a bit longer before heading home.

Joja.

Even after leaving the city, even after walking away from the cubicle and the grey walls and the endless clicking… it still lingered. In Shane’s exhaustion. In Claire’s overworked schedule. In Sam’s mother's negotiations for basic fairness.

I thought coming here meant escape.

Instead, it just meant seeing the machine from a different angle.

I didn’t sympathize with Shane — not yet. He was still abrasive, still ready to snap at anyone within arm’s reach. But maybe it wasn’t that simple. No one working there comes out untouched.

Penny crossed my mind next.

Yesterday, she felt fragile — one wrong word would make her retreat entirely. Today, she was curious. Thoughtful. Warm in a way that felt deliberate, not accidental.

“You’re already making the valley feel less suffocating.”

That stuck with me.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about being anyone’s relief valve.

The Cohens were different. Jodi carried quiet strength. Vincent was blunt but honest — kids usually are. Sam was easygoing. Their home felt… functional. Structured. Even with the war hanging over them, it didn’t feel hollow.

Marnie’s Ranch felt entirely different. Like something fragile, trying not to break. Shane is abrasive and angry, and somehow that spilled onto Jas, that poor little girl.

Emily was something else entirely. This was the first time we’d really talked — just the two of us. No bar noise. No interruptions. Just her bright energy filled a room that felt too big for one person.

Whimsical. Strange. Genuine.

She said she trusted me. I wasn’t sure I’d earned that.

And then there was Sebastian.

I expected hostility. Expected another Shane.

Instead, I got distance. Quiet. Measured responses.

Not friendly. Not cold. Just… guarded.

I couldn’t tell if that was better.

The mountain air cooled as the sun dipped lower.

Pelican Town was warmer than I expected.

But warmth didn’t mean simplistic.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Chapter 5
I woke up to the rooster cooing again.
That sound was starting to feel like a ritual — one of the few things in my life that had consistency.

Weather report:

“Partially cloudy with a light breeze. Expect lots of pollen!”

Fortune Teller:

“The spirits are neutral today. This day is in your hands.”

Neutral. Fine by me.

​

When I stepped outside, I nearly jumped.
Marnie was standing there… holding a tabby cat.

“Hello Eric! Do you see this cat over here?”

The tabby meowed as if on cue — a small, rough little sound.

“I found it sitting outside the entrance to your farm,” she said. “I think it’s a stray… poor little thing.”

“I—really? I didn’t even notice…”

The cat blinked up at me. There was something old in its eyes.

“I think it likes this place!” Marnie continued. “Don’t you think your farm could use a good cat?”

I hesitated. I always wanted a cat in the city, but my landlord hated animals.
Landlords always hate something.

“Sure,” I said. “Why not? I’ll call him Dudley.”

Marnie paused — then her face lit up with recognition.

“Dudley…! Actually, your grandfather had a tabby cat named that too. Isn’t that something?”

My stomach tightened. That was too strange to be coincidence.

“Yeah… weird,” I said softly.

She crouched to pet him. “Well, little Dudley, be a good kitty for Eric, okay?”

Dudley meowed once, then darted into my house like he owned the place.

​

I checked the mailbox and immediately regretted it.

A letter with the Joja seal.
Of course.

“To our valued JojaMart customers: Our team members have removed the landslide caused by our drilling operation.”
“Our drilling operation is entirely legal (pursuant to init. L61091, JojaCo Amendment).”
“Responsible stewardship of the local environment is our top priority!”
— Morris, Joja Customer Satisfaction Representative

“Legal,” I muttered.
Sure. And I’m the Queen of Zuzu City.

I folded the letter until it almost tore.

My parsnips were nearly ripe — just another day or two. Good.
But Linus had posted a request on the bulletin board:

Help Wanted — Parsnip
“Could a local farmer deliver me a ripe parsnip?”
—Linus

I sighed. Close, but not yet.

Pierre’s shop was still closed, so I decided to meet more villagers.
Bad idea.

​

Inside the Mullners’ home, the atmosphere hit me first.
Old photographs. Old furniture. Old… tension.

“Humph… irritating having to meet new people,” the old man grumbled.

“I think it’s neat,” I offered, trying to sound polite.

“Name’s George. Now buzz off.”

Yep. Another rotten apple for the collection.

“George, be nice,” the woman scolded. She hurried toward me with a smile. “Welcome, dear! I’m Evelyn. You can call me Granny if you like.”

“Oh—uh, hi Granny.”

Before I could sit, someone burst in:

“Yo, farmer guy!”

Alex. Of course.

“Gotta do push-ups. One more every day. Strategy!” And he was gone.

Evelyn chuckled. “Energetic, isn’t he?”

George muttered, “Back in my day they’d force you into the army. No ifs or buts. Kids have it so easy now.”

Evelyn sighed. “George, that war was a long time ago.”

“I could’ve taken down more of those metal bugs if—”

Metal bugs.
War.
None of this aligned with anything anyone else had told me.

Something cold settled in my gut.

“E-Er, I should, uh, get going,” I said.

Evelyn tried to offer me food. George barked for me to leave.

I left confused — and uneasy.
There was something people weren’t saying. Something big.

​

Pierre handed me my new backpack with a flourish, but I brushed through his upsell and headed straight for the mountains.

Linus flinched as I approached his tent.
“Please don’t destroy my tent,” he pleaded. “It’s happened before.”

I blinked. “…I wasn’t going to.”

God, people really had their guards up around here.

At the mine entrance stood an old man with an eyepatch, staring down an elevator shaft like it might stare back.

“Oh! Peering down this old mine,” he said when he noticed me. “Been abandoned for decades.”

“Decades? But Gunther’s trying to piece together Ferngill history. Shouldn’t this place be important?”

“It is,” he said. “But no one qualified has stepped up. The Wizard won’t help.”

“The… Wizard?”

Marlon watched me carefully — weighing something about me.

“A man with his own agenda. You’ll meet him eventually.”

Great.
A censored war.
A reclusive Wizard.
Metal insects.
Rings and dwarves.
Every new thing I learned made the world feel bigger… and stranger.

He handed me a rusty sword.

“Name’s Marlon. I run the Adventurer’s Guild. Prove yourself, and you’ll join our ranks.”

Something about the way he said that made the back of my neck prickle.
As if he’d given this exact speech to someone else. Someone who didn’t come back.

But I swallowed the feeling and nodded.

“Eric. I’ll do the job.”

​

The first few floors weren’t bad — slime, stone crabs, annoying but manageable.
But the deeper I went, the more the air felt wrong.

Like the ground was breathing.
Like something was listening.

I found copper, amethyst, quartz, topaz — more than I expected.

Floor 5. Easy.

By the time I reached Floor 8, my heartbeat had gone from steady to tight.
I checked the time.

12 PM.
What?
I’d been down here for hours.

“No big deal,” I muttered. “Just another couple floors.”

That was mistake number one.

By Floor 9, the silence felt… thick.
The only sounds were my breaths and the occasional skitter — too fast to be a crab, too small to be a slime.

The walls had scratches.
Deep ones.

Something had clawed up toward the entrance.

I kept pushing anyway.
Because the deeper I went, the more I wanted to prove something.

To whom?
Marlon?
My grandfather?
Myself?

Didn’t matter.

A Duggy burst from the dirt — I barely killed it.
My swings were sloppy now, my vision blurring at the edges.

“Come on… come on…” I hissed, breaking rocks in a panic, desperate for the ladder.

I set a cherry bomb and stepped back.

Boom.
Dust.
Rubble.
No ladder.

My pulse spiked. My hands were shaking now.

Another bomb.

This one revealed the exit.

The elevator greeted me like salvation, but then I checked the time.

1:00 AM.

My stomach dropped.

I sprinted out of the mine, lungs burning, legs heavy as stone.
The forest blurred around me.

By the time I reached my farm, the world was tilting.

Just a few more steps.
Just make it to the door.
Just—

My knees buckled.

The last thing I saw was Dudley watching me from the porch, eyes wide and glowing in the moonlight…
before everything went black.

 

[Gamer1234556]

Okay, quick heads up — the next chapter explores the mines for the first time and touches more on the Ferngill–Gotoro conflict. Nothing graphic, but it does dig a little deeper into the world’s history and its lingering effects. The Dwarves also play a larger role here.

I appreciate your patience while it’s under review!