Regression: Reclaiming the End

The plaza was lively, full of chatter and the smoky aroma of street food drifting through the late morning air.

I stood near the fountain, hands in my pockets, and scanning the crowd.

Then I saw Noel.

"Noel!" I called, waving.

Noel Bora turned, his usual bright grin spreading across his face. "Nile! Damn, man, long time no see!"

He jogged over and gave me a quick, solid slap on the back. "You finally crawled out of your cave? I thought you vanished when the Labyrinth opened."

I gave a small laugh. "Yeah, just been laying low. Things have been... intense."

We grabbed a table near one of the food stalls, ordered grilled chicken skewers, fried rice, and cold drinks. For a little while, we just sat and caught up, talking about the old days—the times before everything flipped upside down.

"Man," Noel said, stretching his arms with a grin, "remember when the only thing we worried about was saving up for arcade tokens? Now look at us—world's gone insane, people disappearing into labyrinth, and half the population signing up with Astral Patrons."

I smiled faintly, sipping my drink.

Noel leaned in slightly, his grin sharpening. "Actually... speaking of that..."