Return of the Ranger

Just like in a Role-Playing Game (RPG), Fast Travel allows the Caravan and everything within to quickly arrive at the destination without the need to go through anything in between.

Unlike the game, however, it is not as instantaneous as travelling via the Trade Network. Even so, it is still better than travelling normally, allowing for ambushes and the likes, including pointless detours, as I have enough of those already.

And once the Fast Travel activates, it cannot be deactivated unless the Caravan either reaches its final destination or it is stopped by something. Therefore, it is imperative that I map out the route correctly, avoiding any obstacles and obstructions along the way.

Before I activate the Fast Travel, however, I summon Alex into the Caravan, and the moment that Alex does, he freaks out. Mostly due to the sudden change of scenery.

Alex is also lying on the ground, telling me that he has been snoozing or passed out. Probably the latter due to the awful smell of sweats. It has been like what, three days since I have left him and the others back in the Subway. His hygiene sounds about right.

"Woah!? What the fuck!?" Alex calls out and covers his eyes. He must have been snoozing too. "Where am I? Eh? Who are you?"

"It's me, Zander," I response and activate the Fast Travel before reaching out a hand towards Alex and grabbing his head. "Don't try to resist, as I really need your help right now."

Within the next moment, both of us are standing within his mindscape. And by that, I mean my Spirit and his consciousness.

"Zan? The fuck was that?" Alex calls out before he becomes fuzzy and falls onto the ground. The entire mindscape shifts and becomes a Labyrinth. Not unlike the one within Stellar's mindscape. "Woah…!? Seriously, can someone tell me what the fuck is going on!?"

I suppose I should, but it is a waste of time, really. He does not need to know. He only needs to follow, and all shall be revealed to him.

"I will show you, Alex. Follow me," I tell him and navigate the Labyrinth. Even though he had perished quite early on in the war, there are still a lot of sealed doors within the Labyrinth. Going through each of them will take forever, so I have to be selective. But first let awaken the Ranger within him.

Seeing Alex is bewildered, I begin to explain where he is, and he is at awe. Excited too.

I stop in front of the door with an all too familiar icon. Beyond is the powers he had earned by proving himself to the System, and he is about to acquire that powers once more. Hopefully.

"System," I request, and a System Window appears before me, and just like before, the window begins to flicker, and everything within the window vanishes. Soon, unending random strings appear on the window before something readable appears.

[Detecting Player…]

[Connection Has Been Severed. Cause Unknown. Reestablishing Connection. Please Wait…]

And unlike before, I allow the System to continue, and as soon as the door shatter, the entire Labyrinth rumbles violently. To my surprises, all the nearby sealed doors begin to crack and break away.