Today was another calm day, sunny with a light breeze was the norm here. Minus the few times it does rain or when it snowed in the winter months not much changes just due to how the game works. Not that I mind it, I enjoy this weather, and it's really nice most of the time. Besides if I get hot I can just scamper down to Rebecca's cafe, she has a lot of nice drinks. 

Luckily for me, my house is in the forest between the lake and her tree house, a kinda 'between area' that no one really comes by since there's no roads or streets leading from my house to the more trafficked areas. Though I expect that to change soon, so many things in Maikendo have been changing lately, and its all due to the contractors who wish to stay here- as well as the players of course.

I still remember when my mom would tell me about where she came from, the real world, that it was much bigger than the invisible walls that border just these zones. It made me want to explore that place, to see all the sights, and document every little experience I'd run into. But no one that's come to Maikendo has even been able to leave, besides the ones who beat everything, and especially someone like me who was born here.

It's all super vexing, especially since when I left it seemed like a small fraction of people who are here do wish to go back, granted the number is less than 5% of residents. That number shrinks the longer they stay here, obviously, it would be hard to get used to being away from friends and family, but were a community, we all work together to make each other's lives more fulfilling.

I asked a few of them and many seemed happy about their lives here, after all- they don't grow old, no one does. Everything is free, the weather is nearly always nice, and the people here are charming. Mom even mentioned that with me in her life- she has no wish to ever go back. Which was oddly bittersweet, but I'm glad she is happy, however, I won't be satisfied till I explore as much as I can.

I'm rambling though...

Today Oscar came by with a gift! He said his wife made it for me and wanted to wish me good luck in the whole 'exploring outside of the game' thing. It was a nice little tunic, something a little better than what I had, and especially nice because Oscar gave it to one of the contractors to enhance a bit. It fits like a charm and feels really good on my fur, plus my mom came by and said I looked very 'dashing' in it hehe. Though my brother told me I looked like a doofus, kinda expect that since he's still a bratty teenager. 

Either way, everything is nice here, but I would be lying if I wasn't at least a little excited about what the next test might lead me to. Even if it's dangerous, I want to meet more friends like Ash, Sebastian, and CLYW who looked really cool and showed me things I couldn't even imagine were real. Maybe I could even invite them here? I do have this 'friends list' thing on my Acorn phone that Dr. Oid gave me, I would love to eat hard tac with Ash again, even if he's not much of a talker and it didn't taste that great. Or I can talk to Sebastian about what kinda monster thing he was and if he was a fisherman like Oscar, or maybe talk to CLYW about why he wanted to be digital instead of staying in the real world like everyone else.

So many new things and places I want to go to, so many dangerous places with probably spooky monsters and baddies in them. It's scary, but as my mom told me to always remember...

"You're from Maikendo, Maze. The greatest game on the planet. No matter what challenge appears in front of you, always say to yourself "We are Maikendo, no one can beat us." because we are all here for you, son."

Thanks, mom.

Sitting down and beginning to write on a piece of paper the chipmunk would be curling a weight on his tail, lifting it up and down like it was a dumbbell as he began to write...

“So I thought about other ways I could fight, if my paws were too soft why not use my tail? It sounded like a silly idea given my tail was all puffy and soft too, but I had to ask if it was possible to learn new skills if I just trained enough. So I went to Mr. Oscar, he's super active and has a lot of physical skills, I'm sure he could help me?”
 
Oscar: "Hm, well you're from here, you know well enough we can all learn and grow quickly if shown something. Actually, Mimi is really good at it. She can pick up anything due to how smart she is, maybe you could go talk to her about what you could learn?" Oscar said to me. As such I'd go see Mimi when she wasn't in school to see if she could help, after all, she's always training when she could- or reading in the library.
 
But this time I found her getting cheese treats near the market on coming into town, and told her about my plight, that I didn't want to keep being beaten up anymore and she'd tell me to go to meet her near the field behind the schoolhouse later. When I arrived she would tell me a few things. 

"S-so you need to work on getting stronger, I..I can't really just edit you to be better, but you can improve like me! So if you want to get good at fighting t-try breaking this big rock?" It was massive and about the size of a fridge. At first, I thought it was impossible but maybe I could figure out something as I'd go for a punch- annnnnd I hurt my paw immediately with a big fat 0 for damage floating above it. At least Mimi got a good giggle from it.

“It might seem s-silly but practice in this game makes you better! K-keep trying and you should d-do something to the rock.” She’d then indicate this by hitting a nearby rock herself with her ruler and casting some kinda spell...It caused the ground to be crushed and the rock to become smaller like she made the gravity there heavy. “I-I learned this from a friend, b-but I know not everyone can do what I d-do. But try to learn s-skills from practice f-first.” 

Mimi was the strongest boss in game, so I could understand that she’d be very powerful, but nothing really worked for me. Well besides my tail, because all I did was try to smack it with it- which at least my tail hurt a lot less, all my fur helped make the impacts less painful. Plus as Mimi indicated later that since we are in Maikendo we have to use game logic for a lot of our activities and what we wish to do, which helps because I grew up here. So any action done could lead to me learning something, or improving in some small way. Which, a few days later I tried smacking it a few times using my tail and noticed something float above my head, +1 Tail Swipe.
 
Did I learn a new skill? I guess I did because my tail actually hit a bit harder, even when I just brushed it against the rock- well...when I use the skill I mean. I don't wanna gently brush up against someone and hurt them. So I focused on this new skill of mine and worked to make it stronger, and with every little 1 that popped up I knew eventually more damage would come around, and soon- one day. I did it.
 
With a crash of the rock and a break in the middle, I was able to slam it hard enough with my tail that it would break! I did it! Mimi was even there and would motivate me even harder to get better. “Yay! Good job M-Maze, soon you’ll be s-so strong no monster could hurt you.” I decided to buy my old classmate some ice cream for helping me out, it's the least I could do for her encouragement. We had vanilla and chocolate sundaes at Rebecca’s cafe, it was a good day.

It's been only a few days since I came back from that odd request, but I feel like I may have improved somewhat. Maybe this is why Contractors do those dangerous things, it makes them stronger just like when we bonk monsters here. But it was a tad different, like I had some control over what I could do and so I used my time to practice getting a lot better at climbing!

After all I kinda needed the practice, and what kind of chipmunk would I be if I wasn't good at climbing, my mom would have booted me from my house as a kid if that were the case haha. So I went outside and set up a fun little game involving climbing tree's, and doing general stuff like Mr. Rudy said I should do. Although I hate doing push up's, it feels like a pain and takes forever to do the 200 he requires me to do as soon as I wake up. 

For the past week I've been getting my skills up to make myself even better with all the techniques everyone advised me of, I haven't seen much of a change in abilities when it comes to new powers, but I don't mind that. Being able to see my stats improve is much more interesting than getting some minor power. Though, my mouse friend did come by and give me a present. She gave me access to my own inventory!

Now I can put things away just like any boss could, which I think I'll do that more often just to keep some of my things safe and tucked away. 

Exploring more stories has been something I've always wanted to do, however, it was difficult if not impossible till I met Dr. Oid and she told me good luck on my first journey. Now I get to see more places, explore more world, and eat sandwiches from other places too! Oh speaking of which, Sammich Topping has been getting a lot of business, even if there's no currency here. 

Every time I prepare to head out I go to their ship and buy a bunch to stash it into my inventory so that I could have something to eat for all my adventures for the future. Now every game I play I have tons of nice food to munch on, and maybe even offer to some of my friends, although the food isn't all that special, it's still fairly nice to give them up as a peace offering. 

Never know if there's a hungry wolf or some other critter that would enjoy a nice meal, that isn't me of course. Anyway, my adventures have been rather nice as of late, I've played in a few nicer games that weren't too dangerous, and another few that were just dancing and rhythm games, which I need to get better at. Besides this, I have tried talking to a few other of my friends back where I'm from, I learned a bit about what was happening with some of the contractors who are there.

They all seem to be doing good, happy, at least to a small degree, and with how they've been feeling about the changes to the world. Its almost as if they're just happy that their new lives here are as peaceful as it can be, and I'm happy we could make it feel that nice for them.

With the last few tests that I've done I've realized I could head to almost anywhere, so long as there's a rift or means of travel. But I've also noticed that my travel to reality was just as jarring as anything else, namely that once there I was as I am here. Seems like you don't change much going back, which was something a lot of people asked me about when I told them stories about what I did, and soon yet to do so. 

In this case a few residents, namely about ten or twelve of them were interested in maybe going back, but hearing that they would still be like they are, some got discouraged by the idea. I didn't want to be the one to burn out their hopes and dreams but I had to be at least a little truthful. Granted, even from that majority were still interested in hearing what I had to say and what could be some hints at a possible future plan.

I have no intention of staying in one place for very long so I was willing to help along with it...but it didn't turn out well, as I have some odd connection to both places that hard to really detail. Maybe it has something to do with mom? Maybe, but I am finding my way to a good solution. As for now it seems only me and the other bosses are able go to there and back, of course not staying for long given they're important. Me? Not so much, I'm just here to build up the town and see beyond our horizons, oh and train as much as possible to get all big and strong!

With the new changes that have happened Mr. Oscar has given me a new objective while everyone else works as per usual, namely to survey each of the zones and mark every 'dead spot' I see. Of course, I'd be glad to do so as I've already searched the area around the lake given he's been worried about his kids falling into a hole or running into something bad. Also helps that I live in between that area and the tree house. 

Today I was going to start on the area around the forest, then head out to make sure more sections in town got fixed up, but I woke up to a loud BANG in the sky! I thought we were under attack or something, or maybe some monster was coming to get me again...buuuuut it was just Sora again. >.>;

Normally I can't hear the loud explosions since they're near the lake and the tree's muffle all the sounds from the splashing and the water, this time he seemed to fire it off at the sky near the clearing. Plus my hearing has gotten better so even the slightest thing kinda makes me jump, should really fix that...

Of course, I didn't know that and ran over in a panic thinking the others might need my help, but it looked like everything was fine. Ms. Kayliegh was there too, looks like they were both taking a tour of the place, that's nice. I had work to do so I let them continue with their day, though I got to see them as they went towards the theater and sat down near the still-being-constructed park after I did my brief survey of the forest area.

The Construction Raccoon company is less of a company in the traditional way, at least that's what Mr. Rudy told me. It's more like a collective of builders that are also software engineers, they make these cube things, and they call them 'construction cubes'. Basically you inscribe the type of building you'd like with it and after some contemplation, you toss it out and poof! It forms an outline of whatever you'd like to have built. Really handy for not needing actual materials or worry about waste.

The construction folks need time to make those diagram things to make buildings though, about two weeks, plus the clinic was more important so when I finished doing a bit of scouting I took them back towards that T section. Normally we don't have to worry about sickness or anything like that, but it seems the only illness that was put into this place was 'the cold', which gives you sniffles and sneezing, it sucks! So Rebecca wants to maybe get some doctors to work there since winter is coming soon and its the only time 'the cold' shows its ugly head. Uh though...we don't have many doctors in our world, but maybe someone can learn?

However, for me and the construction company, the main thing we need to do is plug up all those holes, though there's something I was told to tell the workers to keep. It was a hatch, in the theater area. I can guess as to why, but if we can at least fix up the rest that are dangerous to step into that's for the best. The rest of the place though? Most of that will simply be for show I think, after all, I've spotted way more dangerous holes around our little world and I'm not even close to seeing everything yet. 

I'd say I have half a year before I find the limits of the boundaries, and from there I will have a full map ready to go! With a detailed list of where everyone lives and without any worry of those pesky holes in the ground. But, I know one day Mr. Sora, and maybe Ms. Kayleigh will want a spot on my map too. Not that I look forward to something so bittersweet, I just know they will be happy with what we are all building here, that after maybe a while of living in their own world that they can find some peace here. Just like everyone's who's played our game.

Besides, we wouldn't be the greatest game in the world if we didn't treat everyone like family, and Kayleigh as well as Sora, of course, are as good as family as my mom and brother are. 

Thanks for visiting, friends! I'll see you again soon!

Next a log cabin a short brown chipmunk would seemingly be preparing for something as they would walk over to a fallen tree...

"Its been about a week since I played my last game, I've been wanting to play more games but I've been focused on more things, namely my own power." As he reached down to the log, it looked like someone like him shouldn't be able to lift such a thing, but he would almost flawlessly, beginning to lift the entire tree up and down as if using it like a barbell. 

"I've learned that strength isn't just one thing I need, but I need a good mind as well, the ability to talk to others, hear and see everything around me, and to be as flexible as I can be." Lifting it up and down the text would hover above him, and in his view, showing 'Unstoppable' briefly before fading away. "I want to show that I can be unstoppable, but I'm far from it right now. Sure I've trained myself to be able to lift nearly 1 ton...but I still need to be better in other ways and so long as I'm behind in my other attributes I can't be the best I can be."

Given the tree was nearly around 1 ton they would know they had a maximum amount of power to use, as such he'd no sooner place the tree down with a heavy thud. Enough to shake the home nearby as he sighed and stretched a bit. "I think I'll focus on other aspects now...I'm as physically strong as I think I can be, but I don't have many other skills that could help me too..."

Looking out at the sky above, and the floating clouds he would breathe in the clean air and soon think to himself, "I should go visit my friends, they can help me to improve I think..." As such he'd no sooner pull his bag and cloak from hammer space and head out to go see said friends. Leaving the tree where it fell.

"After coming back from everything I've noticed that I've had a lot more friends to talk too and maybe contact and stuff, which is nice but I never really get to enjoy time with them. At least as much as I should. So maybe I should have a party and invite everyone over? That would be super fun, and I could cook them all something nice to eat, maybe not the sushi, but something less crazy and what not haha."

"Anyways, I've been given an objective by Dr. Oid to go into the normal game world and see how our world and that world interact with one another. So far I've talked with Sora about it, just haven't told him directly what I've been doing. But in terms of what I have to do I've spoken with the flying foxes, who were super nice and very sweet to me, then I went and interacted with the Devil'jho, which was incredibly aggressive, but seemingly always looking for food."

"From what I've gathered information-wise I think I have enough of an idea about it all to actually go and visit each of them and try to use my powers on them. Well...it might take longer than I'd like, but I think it could work if I used it on the foxes at least, or indicated that I'm friendly and willing to offer them something. But with the mission mostly done the only critters I have to engage with next are the bunnies near Ms. Tsukihi's home, which I think will go well."

"As for everything else, I think I deserve a break, its been a long day and I should relax for once..."

Closing his book he would yawn and stretch his little limbs, hopping from his desk to the side he would get into bed, snuggle under the covers, and curl into a fluffy ball.

Outside I can see that the tree's are beginning to drop their multicolored leaves, its already fall again and I've been having to rake up most of them so I can keep the pathway to my home open. Visiting everyone else, Oscar seems to be happy to be taking a break, after all this is the season where fish tend to go into a hibernation of sorts and begin spawning. I also offer to rake his cabin and around his lake a bit to allow that passageway to be seen, which he always seems too appreciate around this time of year. His kids enjoy it too because they can jump into the pile of leaves and mess around. Another picture to add to the photo album. 

Rebecca doesn't need my help really, at least in terms of getting things cleaned, but I do like helping to sweep off some of the leaves from her cafe. Plus I get to have a nice drink while I work, which given everything free I just appreciate the effort in making something so nice for me. She was wearing a little scarf now, and even I felt how cold it was getting outside, a nice gentle breeze that swept up into a quicker gust. I took a picture of us again, something that I've grown to enjoy doing as I want to keep all our memories now that things are 'normal' to say the least. 

The town has less tree's but plenty of leaves, so I helped rake a few yards and helped clean up the schoolhouse some. Mimi no longer goes there, and the next graduating class is coming up. From what I was told by my mom the school season goes from fall to spring, ending at the beginning of summer, but that's a lot of time to be in school. Here, we just do it over the summer days, and everyone learns a bunch just due to how skilled our teachers are. Anyway, I did see Mimi again, she was wearing a nice little sweater this time, I told her about the adventures I had and how much I was doing in this world and the next. She seemed excited to hear my stories, and happy that things were going well, though she also pointed out that there was going to be a Halloween mini-game being made this year. 

"You want my help on that?" I mentioned, and she nodded, saying, "Yeah! Now that your getting super strong, you could help us make this game super fun." I asked about specifics and she told me they were making one for the kids to enjoy and another for the 'players' to enjoy. So, since I owed Mimi a lot for helping me and I like making sure everyone has fun I agreed. Were now spending our free time setting up decorations, making things spooky, and just ensuring that the game is all but ready for everyone to play. It may take some time to finish, but we should finish before the end of October. 

I contacted Ms. Kayleigh after what happened, Task said she knew her and so I wanted to check in after an hour or two. Seems I was right to do so since she had come straight to her, lucky me. After some talking I invited them to Maikendo to talk and maybe make her feel a bit better, she was distant and scared, and for good reason as those visions of her insecurities, or so I think they were, are nothing I'd like to experience. As such we walked around and I showed them around the place.

Rebecca was walking along the road at this time too, seemed I caught her just as she was opening her shop for the weekend. We talked for a bit about some things as I gave her the news. "I'm gonna lock the door today..." To which she responded with a smile, "Ah, finally got rid of your paranoia? Well it's about time, but I know how you felt about the whole thing, I'd do the same if I was in your position, checking that place to make sure it was completely spotless." By the time we finished talking, we met up with Kayleigh and Task.

Rebecca was always good with cheering people up, her sunny disposition shining through from her experience in customer service helped to make Task feel a bit more welcome here. A feature of my world that I love. But after a long discussion and also telling her more about what I planned to do today we headed off after Kayleigh declared Rebecca was her favorite, of course I could hear it but it only made me smile deep down that she was beginning to love this place as much as I do.

We visited Oscar next for a small bit, he was playing with his kids, or I should say they were playing in the leaf piles he raked up. But were swiftly collected for dinner as Oscar talked about what was going on lately and that they didn't need to worry about anything. The world was doing fine thanks to them, everyone was getting over the fact that the 'loop' was no longer happening with the three of them and that for the future- they would be running games as a challenge rather than for killing people. 

Oscar would then alleviate Task somewhat, his fatherly tendencies helped in this way too, after all he knows better than anyone how to raise a child. He's done it for well over 30 years now. Which I could see sparked at least another crack in Tasks shell to make her feel better. Thanks by the way Oscar, you're just another example why this place is so great to be in and I can only hope now that this curse is broken we can continue onwards.

Lastly, we went to the city, and I got scolded by Mimi about shirking my responsibilities to play games again...I kinda deserved it since I answered any old random request to play and didn't focus more so on just asking Mimi first since she's in charge of decorations for the event this year. Task bailed me out, which I didn't deserve, but I appreciated it greatly, but Mimi began to talk the festival soon after and how they're all invited to it. This caught Tasks eye though she seemed to stare a bit at Mimi for some reason. 

Even Oscar picked up the eye-switching thing before, and I noticed it when I was yelled at near the end of that game we played, I know there's something up but I have no full idea. I'd have asked but ti felt rude and I was there to cheer her up, not ask too many questions. So As Mimi gave a rundown of a few things she also indicated that the park was done, which was finished only a few weeks ago, a nice addition to the world but also a slow one to build since none of us are adept at making landscapes besides Oscar who has a waterfront bias. 

But the last visit was something I didn't have on my list to do while they were here, but I did it anyway given they had the same sensations I did when I went down there. I won't elaborate much but all I can say is I did it, I closed it away forever. That lock can't be broken the normal way, and if anyone does, it will give us plenty of time to go down there and stop whomever is trying to investigate the area...

Maybe one day we'll find a purpose for that zone, maybe one day we'll all slowly forget about what was experienced down there, even if not directly. Although, its less of a maybe and more so a 'when' as we have eternity to think about all this and I don't think we'll forget what happened but we will eventually get over what happened. 

As for Task and Kayleigh, I think this was a good moment for both of them as well, they seemed to be completely relaxed after we left that place. Plus after we were done we all got ice cream and took another walk through the park, so all in all, I'm glad I was able to complete my goal. Maybe soon I can show even more people why my world, Maikendo, is so great.

With how dangerous things have gotten in the past few games I don't think I'll be able to get by with just stealth and some good knowledge of the area. So I asked Mr. Rudy to help me learn how to fight somewhat, and he was happy to offer me a few lessons. He was more attuned to fighting with his paws, which given I don't have a lot of space for weapons and what not I will simply use what I got for what lies ahead.

The training wasn't too bad, lots of weight lifting and running which I'm good at, but what became and issue was just having to fight them was painful. Every swing was heavy and well placed, and with every bit of the spar, I had to run away a bit to catch my breath before going back to maybe try and do something. At the same time, I had to help plan out the little dance that was happening this year for the festival, which typically would fall onto someone else but Rebecca would be busy with making food this time around.

So I'm at an odd crossroads of having to fight Rudy half the time, and teach some of the dancers how to do some cool moves I learned from online. Not that I mind it though, it's keeping me busy and away from clicking on random games to play.

Outside of this, everyone's slowly adjusting to life again, and by everyone, I mean Oscar, Rebecca, and Mimi. They're doing different things occasionally, and with how the world is changing it's nice to see them starting to grow into their new roles in the world, especially Mimi. She seems so much more happy, and I can only hope this happiness lasts from now until forever.

Not too long ago I was sent into Neo to gather more information for Dr. Oid again, she asked me to do the regular stuff of just marking new biomes and other important things that may have cropped up. I ended up falling into some underground railway, it was pretty scary at first but I didn't see anything bad at least, even though it was all pretty difficult to navigate. Things looped and nothing really worked when ti came to trying to go back through the 'opening' I came from, which all lead to me going to a station called 'Delta'.

There I saw a glimpse of The COnductor, a floating creature with guns and chains, adorned in darkness with their back turned. Which made me back away of course, and suddenly being grabbed by a teenage girl by the name of Charlie. At first, I didn't think anything of her besides why a child was in such an odd place, but getting to know her more and figuring out what she might be and what she was doing here- it became a lot more clear.

She warned me of the creature and the fact that there was little weasels that attack people here, which wasn't too much of an issue. But I'd rather not be shot by some monster thing. So after a lot of talking, she offered to take me back home, which I felt like it might not happen or work, but once we arrived at a central station of sorts I was able to go back to where I belonged. But not before I introduced her to everyone in town! Especially my close friends, and with a bit of coaxing they managed to agree to build a railway into and around my world. 

I never expected Ms. Charlie to be so adept at making train tracks nor that she'd have the power to summon and make a train appear from nowhere. We spent the next few hours just hanging out, and letting her try some new foods that she seemingly didn't know about or try. She might not be that old mentally, either that or she was down there for a long time, she didn't detail an elapse of time unfortunately so I have no clue. Nonetheless I promise to keep her safe, or at least as best as I can.

But...

Only a few days after that happened I got a call from her, she asked me a simple question: "How do you cry?". I knew a good answer to this, but given what I learned about Charlie- I couldn't help but worry. As such I prepared to head there, but not before being told to come to the cafe. There I met Sergeres, I saw him on the last time they played the game, as do we all when it comes to seeing what people do in the final challenge at level 4. But they seemed happy to accompany me given they were 'told' to do so.

So we all headed down to the underway and I got to give Charlie a big hug, I wanted to make sure she'd get through this, and we could get through it together! At least that's what I hoped, though I expected more issues and problems but none truly came. For the others, we managed to begin building and fixing up as many things in the station as possible while Charlie talked to me about herself and the events that happened only a little bit ago. 

But all of that as cut short when I heard a train whistle coming into the station, which sparked us to run out and leave no sooner. We managed to get out luckily and from there we decided to take a break, this was a good time for it since the Co. Construction Raccoons finalized their part before vanishing. The three of us talked a bit more before I carried Charlie back to my home.

It's been only two or so days since then, Charlie is staying in my cabin and I've lined up a bunch of cool cavities we could do! Like drawing, or I could carry her around and show her the sights again but from the tops of trees. Right now, she's enjoying looking up information on trains that the librarian gave her since we swung by and checked out a few books. Although I know she can't just stay here forever, we'll eventually have to confront The Conductor and hopefully come to some agreement. Afterall, I want Charlie to embrace herself and the place she built, not to be fearful of it. But that will take time and effort, which I have plenty of both.

Right now though my priority is to make sure she's happy, and I'll give her as many hugs, treats, and care as I can to make that goal a reality.

I've been thinking about what to do with my time as of late, especially now with all the things I have to focus on. From fighting monsters and making sure people around me are doing well and are okay, to simply working on smaller projects for my friends as well as training the bunnies that live on my land. It's been nice, and I've at least begun to treasure the time I've had with all my friends and whatnot, ensuring they all have something to enjoy when I'm with them.

But when you have all the time in the world, you feel a bit...odd, about the world I mean. I don't really age, and I don't expect to get too much older before I just stop looking as old as I do now, I don't expect to have wrinkles and really I've grown used to the fact that it will just be this way forever. Unless I want to change myself in some way that is...

So while I'm stuck in time, my friends aren't, and most will probably pass on before I can do anything about it, but its driven me to think about some stuff. Maybe one day I can find a means of keeping them around longer? Maybe I can help them to find it themselves? Maybe...maybe I can just bring all of them to Maiken- No...Not everyone would like to come to where I live, and I know I shouldn't think about it like that but I don't want to lose everyone I've met because of some stupid thing called 'time'. 

I want to spend that time with all of them, but if it comes down to it, would I offer it to them? On their death bed? Probably...

-

"It's happening!" Maze would shout as he watched the eggs he had placed into an incubator were beginning to move and shake, similar to how a pokemon's egg-hatching animation would wiggle a few times before it would burst out. Staring into the glass incubator he would wait in wonder at what would come from it as in a burst of movement a dragon-looking woman would bend down and watch as well. Not having to spend all her time incubating them has opened her up to have a lot more time as she would smile in an almost giddy manner.

"Our children are almost ready to come into the world, Maze." She mentioned to him as he nodded back, being a stepfather was an odd sensation, but its not like he hadn't taken care of many others and they would be just another addition to an ever-changing world. The egg's would slowly begin to crack and shift as the hard outer shell would break under the pressure of the many wyrmlings soon leaving their containment and stretching their little bodies for the first time. It would be here that Maze would open the incubator, though stifling back as the heat was a bit much for him, granting giggles from Shizuki.

"You'll have to get used to such heat if you're going to be a good father." She'd say in a coy manner as he'd shake his head,"I guess that is true haha." While she would take the many children out of the incubator and place them into the open air where it was slightly cooler but not by a lot. They would explore the new environment, look around, and begin to climb onto Maze as he would talk to them. 

"Hello, I'm Maze, your dad. I know I might look odd but I'm going to make sure you'll stay safe forever!" He'd say with pride in his tone, never having felt this sensation, but at the same time loving it in an odd way, only being cut in by Shizuki, "They will all grow into big strong dragons for our clan, I know this." At which point Maze would ask something he neglected to add. "Mhm, though I should ask, who was their original father?"

This would cause the woman to frown a bit as she'd say, "It was someone not that important, although they were fun- The whole being bound to a dungeon made anything outside of the world impossible for me to interact with." For Maze to raise a brow, "You were trapped there huh? Kinda like the other monsters too." Getting a nod from the woman. "Yes, I didn't expect to really end up like this, but I am a tad happy we didn't end up trying to kill one another. Even if that was probably what I would have done if not for your kind words."

Being bashful he'd snicker and smile back to her, "Yeah, but I like how things turned out...thank you by the way, Shizuki. I'm glad I could talk about what happened with you, and sorry for charming you as well, it wasn't my intention to really make it that strong. I just didn't want to hurt you." To which She'd giggle and pet him on the head. "Not to worry, I am still repaying your kindness in my own special way, but don't take me for some small whelp, I was quite capable of defeating you and your small band like many before."

With the banter back and forth settled he would have his rabbit helpers come in and introduce them to the kids. Ensuring they know that they're a part of the family, and to be treated as such, which the rabbits would happily agree. As for himself, he would write this down as another chapter in his life to enjoy and embrace as much as possible. 

"I guess now I'll have to see where this life takes me next..." He'd say with a bright smile and the closing of a photo album filled with pictures of his dragon and rabbit family all together in one big group photo. It's been a few months, and he was a year older now, the demons were all but scattered and gone and he himself was ready to explore the world once more after spending most of his time with his new family.

"Oh right, I met someone else too, a number of new players who were coming into Neo-Genis, but one notably was Grace. She really enjoyed my perfumes and whatnot, which gives me hope that I can make a good living off of selling them. Not that I care for money, but its important to earn if I wish to leverage it for other things, right now though I just want to see how this 'economy' works and make a better push for wealth. But yeah, Grace is awesome, and very sweet, I hope to enjoy her company some more." 

Walking into his home his tail dragged across the ground, normally keeping it perky and up was natural for him, but today he couldn't focus on that, his only focus was the loss of his friend. The last time he saw him, he was talking to them about just fixing up the place, helping to rebuild some stuff, or just getting to know the people around their world. It was nice, he was nice, but why did they have to go...

He had a lot of questions and was still in denial, but it was clear that they were taken from him, and it was a choice they wished to make. Not something he could simply undo, and deep down, he knew full well that trying to undo it would be wrong, after all even Maze knew that his friend needed that time to rest. As such after laying on his bed and crying for what felt like hours, soaking his pillow as the rabbits and little dragons outside would worry about his well-being but would let him wallow for a while, he'd get up finally and walk over to his desk.

"Today I lost a friend, someone I cared about a lot and wanted to see them have a nice life here with everyone else I know. This...this is the first time I've seen someone truly die. Their body haggard and shot, lifeless and unresponsive. No, there have been other times I've seen death, I've done it myself, but here? It felt so wrong to see it with the backdrop of my home, the colors didn't mix well, and everything felt horrible and scary. I can only imagine how he felt on his dying last few moments..."

"He chooses to not be here, with us, for the sake of Task. He even said to look after them when I can, although that will be hard I'll do my best to watch after them...As for my friend, I hope he can find some kind of afterlife where he is loved and cared for as much as the people here and all over could give him. I hope that wherever he is its a lovely place and that-" He stops, taking a few moments to wipe away his tears. 

"No, we probably won't meet again...I can't do that to him, try to bring his soul back like others have done. That...that's wrong, and it will lead to a bad mindset. But I do have something..." He'd look to the said, to a photo album of pictures, all being of his friends, family, and those he held near to his heart. "I think he'll be happier to know that we're still alive, and living our best life. But that is just a theory...I'll miss you, I wish we could have been neighbors' friends."

CLosing his journal he would try to make some tea, something to calm him down, but it will be a long time for him to cope with the loss of one of his first friends.