Riley woke slowly, eyes fluttering open.
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of neon-blue medical screens. His friends were scattered around, asleep on couches, chairs, or just lying on the floor.
Nyra sat beside him, motionless but awake, silver eyes glowing faintly.
The moment he moved, she spoke.
"User. Your glitch has stabilized at 12%."
"Twelve percent of what?" Riley groaned.
"Unknown."
He rubbed his temples. "Of course."
Aeris stirred awake, her hair unusually messy. She hurried to Riley's bed.
"You're awake! How do you feel?"
"Like a lightning dragon used my body as a USB port."
Kaela raised her head from across the room. "He's fine."
Lyria stretched dramatically. "Riley! You're alive. The fandom was worried."
"Fandom?" he repeated.
She projected a hologram.
#RileyTheGlitch
#LightningDragonCounter
#NewHeroOfNexus9
"Lyria… please tell me you didn't stream Floor 3."
"I didn't!" she said defensively.
"But a few people may have seen you redirect lightning."
Kaela groaned. "We're doomed."
Aeris sighed. "The Red Syndicate will find us again."
Nyra spoke calmly.
"Then we eliminate them."
Everyone stared at her.
Riley swallowed.
"Let's… not start with genocide, please."