Across the world, players were logging back into New Eden. Many of them had logged out inside the safe walls of cities, with a few lower-levelled players logging out in villages.
Much to the surprise of many players, some villages that were logged out from no longer existed. The players that had logged out in those, came back to burnt and destroyed ruins, along with wildlife taking hold again.
For those who landed in villages still present, the eeriness of them was destabilizing. Almost like they were ghost towns.
The players respawning in cities also were welcomed by different views.
Some of the smaller cities were on lockdown, seemingly on a war footing. And the larger tows seemed to teem with more guards than usual.
These differences from when they logged out got the players curious and excited. They couldn't wait to see what the game had become after the update.
Some more insightful players could also spot other differences.
New buildings that hadn't been there previously.
Roads in poorer states or better states than before.
Familiar NPCs that seemed older than before.
When these players started asking around, the sudden questions surprised many NPCs. But upon realizing they were abnormals, the NPCs understood.
When the first information about the time lapse they had been gone for was learned, the player in question immediately posted it on the forums. Many players claiming the same thing later backed it.
But a specific guild had the biggest surprise of all.
Every player in Paragons reconnected, appearing in the guild base they had disconnected from, but facing a vastly different scene than before.
Instead of being met with the ruined city they had been in before, with just a few buildings back up, they spawned in a flourishing city, crawling with many people, from a variety of races from all over New Eden.
The officers, who had logged out of New Eden from the throne room, where they had their meetings before the update, were the most surprised when they landed in the middle of a court meeting.
Guards ran from the side, spears at the ready, surrounding the players. But a hand was raised from the throne.
"Halt! They aren't intruders."
Getting up from his lazed posture on the throne, a familiar beastman with a fire-red mane walked over to the group, stepping in front of Phoenix.
"Welcome back, my queen."
Leon knelt on the floor before Phoenix, shocking everyone present. The other people present eventually realized who he was kneeling to.
Everyone dropped to a knee or bowed in unison.
"Welcome back, Queen Phoenix!" they chanted together.
Only one person didn't bow his head, only smiling at the woman. Phoenix didn't recognize the young man, who sported the typical traits of the Ash Elves.
When the young man got up and walked over to Phoenix, he offered his hand to her. Phoenix grabbed it, confused.
"I salute you, Queen Phoenix, co-ruler of the Stellar Woodlands kingdom. I am Prince Nalafein Uuthli'vlos, son of Vhol'drokk Uuthli'vlos, King of the Ash Elves. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Phoenix almost reflexively bowed down to the prince, but he squeezed her hand when she twitched and she instead only nodded her head.
"The pleasure is all mine, Prince Nalafein. May I know the reason for your presence in our budding kingdom?"
Leon got back up before the prince could respond.
"I think this isn't a discussion for the court."
Turning to the other people in the room, he spoke up.
"I apologize for this intermission, but we shall reconvene soon. Court adjourned."
Everyone bowed once again before going to salute the queen personally and leave the room. Once everyone had left, the people remaining inside were only Leon, the Prince, and all the officers of Paragon.
The latter group did not know if they should stay or leave. The prince eyed them critically one by one until he felt satisfied.
"I assume it is safe to speak before your friends?" the prince asked, taking a seat again.
The throne room had hardly changed, with the only difference being a throne on the dais, where there hadn't been one before. The long rectangular table that had been used to plan their defence was still exactly where it had been, albeit a bit more worn.
Leon grabbed the throne from the dais, bringing it down to the tip of the table, where he gestured to Phoenix to take a seat. Phoenix sat down, nodding.
The prince was to her left, and Leon sat to her right. The rest of the officers sat at their usual spots.
Only one player didn't take a seat.
"Although I'm curious to know why the prince of the Ash Elves is here, I have things to do that are more pressing. If you'll excuse me?" Khalor said, turning his back to the table and walking out of the room.
Prince Nalafein frowned at the rudeness of the undead man, but seeing Phoenix stay silent, he remained quiet as well.
Phoenix turned her head to him.
"Forgive his rudeness, Prince Nalafein. I firmly believe he was never taught manners. The other officers of Paragons have better etiquette, I assure you."
The prince nodded with a light smile.
"Now, before you answer my question, there is another thing I want to address."
The prince dipped his head, motioning her to speak.
Phoenix turned her head to Leon with a slight frown.
"Who were all these people, and what do you mean by court? What happened while we were gone?"
Leon chuckled at her question.
"I expected this question. I believe it is better if I show you, after your discussion with the prince, my queen."
Phoenix's frown deepened.
"When did you become so polite? We leave for ten years, and suddenly you are a model citizen? What happened to you?"
Not that Phoenix disapproved of the change, since it meant he had been a better ruler than she originally thought he would. But it wasn't a change that she had expected.
Leon only smiled.
Not getting an answer from the beastman, she gave up and turned her head back to the prince.
"Since he won't answer my question, back to you I go. I assume you aren't here on vacation. What is the reason for your presence?"
"It's a long story, I'm afraid."
"I have time."
The prince nodded at her, leaning in on the table and crossing his hands.
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