Things had changed in the Circus after everything that had happened.

The truth about the Circus, about themselves, and about the outside world had finally come to light. There was no exit waiting for them. There never had been. They weren't trapped humans, but something else entirely; digital people born from copied memories, living lives of their own inside this strange, colorful world.

It had been difficult to accept.

But life in the Circus went on.

---

"Actually, Zooble, according to my calculations, this tower should be perfectly stable!" Kinger announced proudly as he placed another pillow atop the absurdly tall pillow fort he had been building.

"Kinger, that thing is literally leaning," Zooble deadpanned from nearby, absentmindedly swapping one of their arms for a different one.

"A-At least he's having fun..." Gangle murmured quietly, sitting cross-legged on the floor as she sketched in her notebook.

Across the tent, Ragatha and Pomni were attempting to teach Bubble how to play a board game.

"No, Bubble, you can't just eat the pieces."

"WHY NOT?!" Bubble protested indignantly, several game pieces already missing.

"Because that's cheating!" Pomni replied, exasperated.

Meanwhile, Caine floated lazily overhead, unusually relaxed.

"Ahhh, isn't this pleasant? No adventures, no life-threatening scenarios, just good old-fashioned recreational activities! I've been informed that humans enjoy these greatly!"

Honestly, things were... nice.

Then, without warning, a figure suddenly appeared atop the center stage in a shower of colorful pixels.

And then? Silence.

Everyone froze.

Pomni slowly lowered the game piece she had been holding.

"...Wait."

Ragatha stared.

"Oh no."

"Another one?" Gangle whispered nervously.

"What just?? I thought those headsets stopped working by now?" Zooble grunted out, looking over to the newcomer's direction.

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then Pomni sighed softly and stood up, already making her way toward the stage.

"Hey..." she called, offering a small, understanding smile. "You probably have a lot of questions."