---One year later---

Alex clung to the edge of the abyss, dark tendrils coiling around him, pulling him inexorably toward the yawning pit in the floor. The sensation was suffocating, an all-encompassing terror that seemed to drag him into the depths of his nightmares.

With a start, Alex jolted awake, his breath coming in rapid gasps, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. As reality seeped back in, he realized he was safe in the familiar surroundings of his own room. The sun’s early light filtered gently through the curtains, casting a warm, reassuring glow across the room.

“Just a dream,” Alex murmured to himself, He took a few steadying breaths, allowing the comforting embrace of the morning sun to calm his racing heart. The remnants of his nightmare began to dissolve, leaving him with the residual unease of a fading echo.

He pushed himself upright, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep and steeling himself for the day ahead. Slipping out of bed, he padded across the room to his closet, choosing a simple outfit that would suit the day’s activities. As he dressed, his gaze fell on the scar on his wrist—a haunting reminder of skeletal fingers that had once wrapped around it. The mark was nearly faded now, but its memory was indelible.

A soft knock at his bedroom door interrupted his thoughts.

“Alex, do you want some breakfast? I made waffles.”

Alex called back, “Sure, I’ll be right down, Mom.”

With a final glance at his scar, Alex let his arm fall to his side. He took a deep breath, gathering his resolve, and headed downstairs. The house was filled with the comforting sounds of morning life—the sizzle of breakfast cooking, the hum of the coffee maker.

...

After finishing breakfast with his parents, Alex stepped outside, the crisp morning air greeting him warmly. He spotted his neighbor, Ronnie, working in his garden, trying to water the plants while Lily, his exuberant dog, was energetically attacking the stream of water from the hose.

Alex chuckled, "Ha! That might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen."

Ronnie looked up, his smile widening.

"Won’t be so cute when my hydrangeas wilt because this little rascal drank up all their water."

Lucy, drenched and happy, bounded over to Alex, water dripping from her fur. Ronnie turned off the hose and followed her, still grinning.

Ronnie glanced at Alex, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of his neighbor.

After a moment of quiet observation, he finally said, "What's up with you? I feel like I haven’t seen you around much these days. You’ve been keeping a low profile, huh?"

Alex shrugged with a smile. "I've been in college."

"Oh, right," Ronnie replied, nodding thoughtfully.

"I almost forgot the school year would have started by now. How’s that going for you?"

Alex’s smile grew. "Kind of overwhelming, but in a fun way. It’s... weird not living in Riverwood anymore."

Ronnie smiled warmly and said, "Well, at least you’re close enough to visit on weekends! I bet your folks really appreciate having you around more often. It must be nice for them to see you, even if it’s just for a little while."

As their conversation continued, Alex’s gaze drifted towards the forest. He noticed a movement just inside the treeline—a familiar, eerie sight. Kyle was grinning at him with an unsettling, toothy smile. Alex quickly looked back at Ronnie, who was too absorbed in petting Lucy to notice anything unusual.

Alex glanced once more at Kyle, who’s grin had widened grotesquely and whose tail wagged faster. The dog's eyes blazed with an unsettling fire. Kyle took a tentative step toward Alex, but he made frantic shooing motions with his hands.

"Shoo! Later! We’ll play later, go on," Alex whispered urgently.

Kyle’s expression shifted to one of sadness. His tail slowed to a stop, and his eyes dimmed. He turned away and retreated into the trees, fading into the dense brush. Alex watched as the skeletal figure disappeared, a mix of relief and concern crossing his face.

Ronnie's gaze shifted to Alex, concern etching his features. "Hey, it's getting a little late. Are you heading to that memorial gathering later?"

A sudden heaviness settled in Alex’s chest.

"Yeah, the mayor asked me to say a few words."

Ronnie's expression softened. "I hope it goes well for you. I heard bits and pieces about what happened last year while I was away. I can’t imagine the hell you went through. I don’t mean to pry, but… how are you holding up?"

Alex forced a smile, though it wavered slightly. "I’m doing okay, actually. It’s been a long road, and there were times I thought things would never get better. But it took a lot of time and effort, and I’m in a much better place now."

Ronnie's smile widened as he gave Alex a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I knew you'd pull through. You're one tough kid."

Alex’s smile grew more genuine.

"Thanks. I should probably get going now. Will you be around for dinner tomorrow night? My dad’s making stir-fry."

Ronnie grinned. "Wouldn’t miss it for the world. See you then."

As Alex walked away down the empty road, he looked up at the sky, the sunlight filtering through the trees and casting shifting patterns on the pavement. The gentle warmth of the day contrasted sharply with the turmoil of his thoughts, offering a momentary respite from the weight of his memories.

Alex mused to himself, "Despite everything, it’s a beautiful day."

...

In the dimly lit library, the quiet hours seemed to stretch endlessly as Ava typed furiously on her laptop. Her fingers danced over the keys, lost in the labyrinth of Riverwood’s dark history.

"Hang on... if this dude was born then that would mean he's..."

Her concentration was abruptly shattered by a cheerful voice. “Hi, Ava! How are you?”

Ava’s eyes shot up to see Korban waving enthusiastically as he slid into a chair across from her. Her heart sank as she whispered under her breath, "Shh... just hold still, Ava. If you don't move, maybe he'll think you're dead."

Korban’s curious gaze wandered over the chaotic array of books and papers strewn across her table.

“'Riverwood’s Dark History'? What’s all this?”

Ava sighed deeply and spun her laptop around so he could see. “This is everything the library has on Riverwood’s spooky history. Plus a bunch of stuff I found in Ophelia’s house.”

Korban’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What? You went back there and looked at her stuff? I thought the cops locked that place down.”

Ava shrugged, her expression resolute yet carrying a hint of weariness.

“Yeah, well, someone has to continue her work,” she said, her voice firm with a sense of duty.

“The power’s still out there, lurking in the shadows, and it’s only a matter of time before it starts causing trouble again. Someone needs to be ready when it does. Someone has to protect our world from the forces of the unknown, to stand guard when others can’t. And besides," she added with a defiant glint in her eye, "I do what I want. No one’s going to tell me otherwise."

Korban’s face lit up with excitement.

“Coooool. Can I help?”

Ava’s smile broadened, but then she shook her head. “No.”

Korban’s enthusiasm faltered. “Aww, why not?”

Ava replied, “You’re too happy.”

Korban’s gaze fell on a book titled “Rite Becomes...” before he could read more, Ava snapped it shut.

Korban's eyes narrowed in suspicion

“Hmm... What’s all that?”

Ava glanced away, mumbling, “Umm... witchy stuff.”

Korban scrutinized her for a moment, then returned to scanning her notes.

“How far do these notes and stories go?”

Ava leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

“Farther than we have records of. There were local legends about a 'forest spirit' long before Ophelia's group got here. Some of the stories are total crap, though. Plenty of idiots will swear that Sasquatch lives in these woods.”

Korban chuckled, his face brightening.

“By the way, I’m glad you guys told me what was really going on. It’s just hard to believe when I haven’t seen it, you know?”

Ava arched an eyebrow, remembering. “But what about the zombie thing you were caught up in? Seriously. Clammy skin, evil glowing eyes, the whole deal.”

Korban’s expression grew distant.

“Yeah, I still don’t really remember any of that. I remember passing out in the gym, and then waking up in the woods days later. Everything in between is just a weird blur.”

Ava nodded, a wry smile curling her lips.

“Fine. You wanna see some magic?”

Korban’s eyes lit up with interest.

“Definitely.”

Ava slid her laptop aside and placed a quarter on the table. She covered it with one hand, her fingers moving in a slow, mesmerizing circle. The movement grew smaller and smaller until, with a final flick, the coin vanished.

Korban’s eyes widened as he searched the table. “Whoa! Where did it go?”

Ava grinned. “True magician.”

Korban laughed, still trying to spot the coin. “Okay, you win! Magic is real.”

His laughter faltered as he glanced at his watch, his smile dimming. “I gotta go. You coming to the memorial later?”

Ava nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

Korban stood, a touch of regret in his eyes.

“Cool. Sounds like a lot of people are coming. Hope to see you there. Maybe you can teach me that magic trick.”

Ava smiled warmly as Korban waved goodbye, her thoughts already shifting back to the gathering that awaited.

...

As Alex arrived at the memorial, the sheer number of people gathered took him by surprise. The crowd was a sea of faces, some familiar, many not. The air was thick with the weight of remembrance, punctuated by the occasional murmur of conversation.

Kimmy’s mother, the Mayor, spotted Alex and waved him over with a look of warm relief. Alex made his way up the steps, his heart heavy as he approached her. She enveloped him in a tight embrace, her grip firm yet comforting.

“There you are! Thank you so much for agreeing to speak tonight. I hope it’s not too hard on you,” she said, her expression sincere and filled with empathy.

“I thought it would be best if the words came from someone who knew them well.”

As she continued, the Mayor held up a DVD, her gaze softening with nostalgia.

“And yes, I found this from Kimmy,” she added, her smile growing as memories surfaced.

“Kimmy and her friends’ ‘First Drama.’”

Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “A video? All of us?”

The Mayor nodded, her smile growing.

“Yes. I believe this was taken shortly after you all met in elementary school. Seeing you all so happy together made me smile on this sad day. I was wondering if you’d be alright with playing this video at the end of the memorial. Goodness knows we could use some more smiles.”

Alex’s mind raced back to that day when they performed for the first time. Despite the chaos and numerous mistakes, including their own blunders, they ultimately won first place thanks to Alvin and Dwayne. It had been a memorable mix of laughter, chaos and embarrassment.

“It’s okay, you can show them the video.”

The Mayor’s face brightened. “Great! I’ll have them play it when you’re done speaking.”

She handed the DVD to an assistant, then led Alex to the podium set up on the stairs. As they approached, the crowd fell silent, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.

With a deep breath, Alex steadied himself beside the podium. The Mayor began, her words resonating through the microphone.

“Good evening, everyone. It warms my heart to see you all gathered here today. As you know, today marks one year since wild animals attacked Riverwood High School, injuring dozens and claiming the life of our beloved Ophelia Oven. Later that same night, another tragedy struck with the cave collapse, which took yet another precious life from us.

Standing beside the podium, Alex’s composure cracked. A surge of anger and frustration boiled over. “THOSE WEREN’T WILD ANIMALS! AND THAT CAVE DIDN’T COLLAPSE! THEY WERE KILLED BY MONSTERS! MONSTERS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE!”

Low murmurs began to ripple through the gathered crowd, a growing wave of unease. Beside Alex, the Mayor shifted uncomfortably, her fingers nervously tapping the podium. She cleared her throat, attempting to regain control of the situation.

“There are theories circulating that these attacks were instigated by... persons unknown,” she said, her words carefully chosen to convey the gravity of the situation.

Her eyes swept across the room, meeting the concerned gazes of those gathered.

“I assure you, we are leaving no stone unturned in our investigation. We are exploring all possibilities, and we will do everything in our power to uncover the truth behind these events.”

With a deep breath, she continued, “Now, I’d like to call Alex to say a few words about those who lost their lives in the tragedy of last year.”

The Mayor stepped aside, and Alex moved to the podium. Behind him, workers busied themselves with the projector and large screen. Alex swallowed hard, his throat tightening as he faced the crowd.

“Umm… Hi… everyone…”

His voice faltered, choked by the rising tears in his eyes. Desperately, he scanned the sea of faces, seeking comfort in the familiar. Levin, Korban, Dwayne, Andy, Lucy, Kimmy, Ava, Leo, Dan—they were all there, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the moment.

At the edge of his vision, Alvin stood with his arms crossed, Alice and Sofia close by on Alvin’s bike, and Kevin, Shoyo and Claire near Kevin’s bike. Alvin’s silent nod encouraged him to continue.

Taking a steadying breath, Alex pressed the remote, and the projector flickered to life, displaying Ophelia’s face on the screen.

“First, remember Ophelia. I only met her a few days before she died, but she helped my friends and me out of a really tough spot. She had a tough exterior, but she deeply cared for this town and did everything she could to protect it. I wish I’d had the chance to know her better. Maybe I could have done her justice.”

He paused, staring at the image of Noah on the screen, his gaze lingering. The weight of unspoken regrets seemed to press down on him.

“Noah and I lost touch after his cousin died. I wish it hadn’t taken ten years for us to start talking again. Maybe if we’d reconnected sooner, I could have saved him. Noah was still hurting from June’s death. I didn’t realize how deeply until it was too late. His grief led him to make choices that hurt a lot of people, including himself. I keep wondering if we could have prevented that if we’d only reached out sooner.”

Alex cast a fleeting glance towards the distant trees outside of town, his expression a mix of sorrow and hope.

“This is going to sound strange, but… I can’t help feeling there’s a part of Noah still out there, watching us. If there is, I hope he finds peace. That’s all I had to say. Thank you.”

As he finished, Alex stepped back from the microphone, the weight of his words settling heavily on his shoulders. He made his way down the steps, his steps slow and heavy. He sought solace on the edge of the crowd, needing space from the eyes of his friends and the emotions that clung to the air. The Mayor took her place at the podium once more, and Alex stood apart, wrestling with his own thoughts and the lingering echoes of the past.

On the steps of the library, the Mayor signaled to one of her assistants. With a swift motion, the assistant loaded a DVD into the player, the hum of the machinery a small prelude to the next moment.

“And now, we have a special treat that I hope will bring a little smile to your face. This video was taken about ten years ago.”

Alex’s mind flashed back, and a wry smile tugged at his lips. A little smile? This might be embarrassing for me, but if it’s going to help put a smile on other people’s faces, I guess it’s worth it.

The Mayor pressed a button on the remote, and the screen flickered to life. The footage began with the shaky, amateur quality typical of old home videos. It quickly became clear that this was a recording from an elementary school play, starring a younger Alex and his friends.

...

The auditorium was bathed in a soft, ambient glow, the stage set to resemble a dark, eerie forest. Tall, painted trees with tangled vines stood like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching across the floor. The backdrop depicted a stormy sky, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The audience, filled with eager parents and fellow students, watched intently as the play unfolded.

In the center of the stage sat two princesses, dressed in elaborate gowns. One wore a striking blue royal gown, while the other was adorned in a delicate pink one. Their hands were tied to wooden chairs, positioned to look as if they were bound to the trees. Tears glistened in their eyes as they portrayed their distress with impressive conviction.

Across from them stood the villain, Alvin, who looked anything but menacing despite his dark, evil costume. His black attire was meant to inspire fear, but the plastic sword in his hand and the casual yawn he let out undercut the sinister image. Beside him was Dwayne, his general, holding a plastic hammer with a serious expression that seemed almost comical given the circumstances.

Kimmy, playing one of the captive princesses, cried out with a voice full of desperation, "Please, let us go!"

Sofia, the other princess, echoed her plea with equal fervor, "The prince will come, and he will rescue us from you demons!"

Dwayne, determined to play his part, slammed his plastic hammer onto the stage floor, the hollow thud echoing through the auditorium.

"Silence, you two!" he commanded, attempting to sound fierce. Despite his stern exterior, he was secretly reveling in his role.

"No one will come to rescue you!"

Sofia shot back defiantly, "The prince will definitely come, and he will defeat you!"

Dwayne let out an exaggerated, evil laugh, then leaned toward Alvin and whispered.

"Do you remember your lines?"

Alvin, still standing calmly with his sword, shrugged nonchalantly.

"No way. Do you really think I know my lines? They literally replaced both of us an hour ago because the original guys couldn’t handle the roles."

Dwayne’s brow furrowed as he whispered back, "Yeah, you're right. Speaking of, do you remember my lines?"

Alvin suddenly shouted, startling everyone, "How the heck should I remember your lines?"

The audience chuckled as Dwayne’s expression turned from fierce to forlorn.

"Then what should we do?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Alvin thought for a moment and said.

"We’ll just make things up as we go. Act on your own instincts or just go with your gut. We’ll improvise. Understood?"

Dwayne nodded, accepting the plan just as four figures emerged from the side of the stage. Alex, dressed as the prince, led the charge, followed by Andy, his loyal friend, and Ava and Lucy, the two mages who were there to support him in the fight.

Kimmy’s and Sofia’s eyes lit up as they saw the prince approaching.

"My Prince!" they cried in unison, their voices filled with hope.

Lucy, pointing dramatically toward the princesses, exclaimed, "There! Look, Prince, the princesses are tied to the tree! We must find a way to save them!"

Alex, trying his best to look brave and regal, smiled confidently. "Worry not, princesses, I have come to your rescue. I shall—"

Before he could finish, Dwayne, who had been casually waving his hammer, caught his gaze and interrupted him with a playful grin. "Hello! We are here too. Don’t forget us."

The audience burst into laughter, the unexpected exchange adding a layer of humor to the tense moment. The play continued, but the lighthearted banter had already made the scene unforgettable.

Andy looked at Dwayne in confusion, his brows furrowed as if trying to decode the sudden shift in the script. Meanwhile, Lucy leaned in close to Ava, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What is he doing? Did he forget his lines? He's messing up our play."

Ava sighed, her expression a mix of perplexity and understanding.

"Well, we did give him the lines just an hour ago. We can't expect him to remember everything. The only things he reliably remembers are food names. If we had a script full of pizza toppings and burger orders, he'd be perfect!"

Alex, trying to muster the courage befitting a prince, gulped nervously. With his sword trembling slightly, he pointed it at Alvin, who was still exuding an air of nonchalance.

"You villains! Untie the princesses and give them back to us right now this instant, or you will face the worst!"

Alvin, without missing a beat, casually waved his hand in dismissal. "Shut up. First of all who gave you the permission to talk this my castle! Obey the rules"

The crowd erupted in laughter, the unexpected savagery of Alvin’s retort catching everyone off guard. The heroes’ party, however, stood there, visibly embarrassed by the turn of events.

Determined to salvage his dignity, Alex stepped forward, brandishing his sword with renewed resolve. "I said, untie the princesses!"

Alvin raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with mockery as he replied, "Huh? What did you just say?"

Alex, now visibly shaken, instinctively took a step back. But before he could retreat further, Andy gave him a firm push forward. "Go on! You’re the prince! Don’t be a coward!"

Alex nodded, trying to overcome his fear of Alvin. "Untie the—"

But Alvin interrupted sharply, "Are you deaf or something? I literally just said I won't give you the princess! Who the heck even made this guy a hero?"

Dwayne replied, "Probably the teacher."

As the audience burst into laughter, Aled, red-faced and mortified, muttered to himself, "This is so embarrassing."

Gathering whatever courage he had left, Alex nodded and planted his feet firmly on the stage. Andy, Lucy, and Kimmy quickly moved to stand by his side, ready to confront the villains.

Alvin, clearly unimpressed, glanced at Dwayne and gave a commanding nod.

"Dwayne, step forward and take care of these guys."

Dwayne, hammer in hand, stepped forward with a determined look. But as he eyed the four of them standing their ground, he quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be an easy fight. So, instead of charging at them, he veered off and walked straight toward Alex.

Alex raised his sword, preparing to defend himself, but Dwayne simply sidestepped him with ease. Without warning, he turned and pointed his hammer directly at Alvin, who was still lounging in his villainous pose.

"I always support the strong side! You’re going down, villain."

Alvin’s eyes widened in disbelief as the audience erupted into hysterical laughter.

"Dwayne, you’re supposed to be on my side, you idiot!"

As Alvin fumed, Andy took the opportunity to nudge Dwayne forward, whispering urgently, "Dwayne, you’re messing up the play! You’re on his side, not ours! Don’t just change sides—go!"

The crowd roared with laughter once again, as the heroes and villains tried to navigate the chaos that had overtaken their once carefully scripted drama. Despite the confusion, the impromptu exchanges had the audience thoroughly entertained, turning what could have been a disaster into a comedic masterpiece.

Dwayne, having finally gotten back on track with his role, pointed his hammer at Alex with a determined look.

Suddenly, Alvin kicked his butt, causing Dwayne to wince. Alvin seized the moment, saying, "If you leave me alone here again, I’ll make sure you’re dead."

Dwayne nodded but then paused, glancing nervously at Alvin.

"Uh, okay, but... Alvin… what’s my next line? I forgot."

The entire audience burst into laughter once again, clearly enjoying the chaotic dynamic between the two villains.

Alvin, trying to suppress a grin, leaned in and practically barked, "ATTACK!"

Dwayne, eager to follow orders, swung his hammer like a carefree kid playing a game. Alex, visibly startled by the unexpected enthusiasm, stumbled back. Andy, ever the loyal friend, stepped in just in time, blocking Dwayne’s wild swing with his sword.

"Prince, you go on ahead! I’ll deal with him."

As Andy and Dwayne clashed swords in a flurry of plastic, Alex straightened up and pointed his sword dramatically at Alvin.

"Kimmy, Lucy, you free the princesses! I will take care of the Demon King."

Kimmy and Lucy nodded, making a dash towards the tree to free the bound princesses. But just as they were about to reach them, Alvin stepped in, his smirk widening as he blocked their path. "You aren’t going anywhere."

Alex, determined to be the hero, lunged forward, his sword lightly tapping against Alvin’s.

"I will deal with you. It’s you and me now!"

Alvin, clearly enjoying the role, taunted him with a wicked grin. "Do you really think you can win against me, puny hero?"

Their swords clashed in a series of exchanges, but it quickly became apparent that Alvin was taking the fight much more seriously. While Alex tried to keep the action light and playful, Alvin countered with surprisingly strong blows, causing Alex to struggle to hold onto his sword.

"Alvin, slow down! I can’t keep up—this is just a play!" Alex whispered desperately as they fought.

But Alvin, fully in character, responded with a roundhouse kick that sent Alex staggering back.

"What kind of hero are you then? You’re supposed to be winning, not whining!"

The audience, now fully engrossed in the over-the-top action, began to cheer and clap loudly as Alvin, with a sudden burst of agility, dodged Alex’s next attack with a series of dramatic backflips. The applause grew even louder, turning the simple school play into what felt like a full-blown action movie.

As their battle reached its climax, Alvin swung his sword with force, knocking Alex’s weapon out of his hand and sending him crashing to his knees. Alvin loomed over him, his plastic sword pointed threateningly at the prince’s chest. "The fight is over, Hero, and I—"

Just as Alvin was about to deliver his final, victorious line, Dwayne was still swinging his hammer with carefree abandon. In a moment of sheer madness, he swung his hammer wildly, and the errant blow struck Alvin on the head, sending him collapsing dramatically to the floor.

Dwayne gasped as he looked at Alvin lying there, his eyes wide with shock. He clearly hadn’t realized the full force of his swing. “ALVIN!”

Before the chaos could escalate further, Andy stepped in, lightly tapping his sword against Dwayne’s back.

"Dwayne, just pretend to be dead. It’s over."

Dwayne, still processing what had just happened, nodded obediently and then flopped down on top of Alvin, adding another layer of absurdity to the scene.

Alvin, struggling to breathe beneath him, groaned, “Damn it, did you really have to fall on me instead of the floor?”

Meanwhile, Ava and Lucy had finally succeeded in freeing the princesses, who immediately ran towards Alex. With a dramatic flair, they threw their arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Oh, Prince Alex! You saved us!"

Alvin, despite being "defeated," couldn’t resist throwing in one last sarcastic remark from his position on the floor.

"Yeah, saved you by collapsing under the pressure. What a hero."

The audience roared with laughter as Alex tried to maintain his princely dignity, awkwardly patting the princesses on the back.

"It… it was nothing. Just doing my duty!"

Alvin, still lying on the ground with Dwayne sprawled on top of him, sighed dramatically.

"And you’re going to pay for hitting me like that."

Dwayne, panicking, stammered, "I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there—it was an accident."

Alvin pouted and replied, "Sure, when I ‘accidentally’ take you out, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you either."

As the curtain began to close, the cast gathered for their final bow, the audience still buzzing with laughter and applause. The play may have gone off-script in every possible way, but the spontaneous humor and the actors’ willingness to roll with the punches had turned it into a performance that no one would soon forget.