“Oddly enough, no. Itsh something of a debate on the tech forums. The defelopersh haven’t been able to giff a good reshon for itsh.”
Clearly, it was time to cut off the geek’s alcohol.
“I’m getting tired, and we should get an early start tomorrow. Let’s settle up our tab, get some rooms and go to bed.”
“Bed? Oh, yesh, bed,” Zander mumbled. “Mishh! Oh mishh!” He beckoned the waitress.
“Yes, sir?”
As she approached, Zander was stunned into silence yet again by the display of the young woman’s cleavage.
Apparently, I needed to handle this difficult task for him.
“We need to pay our bill and get a couple of rooms for the night, please.”
“Of course. Your bill so far is 12 silver bits, and the rooms are one Mark each per night.”
Zander suddenly broke free from the powerful effects of our waitress’s bare skin and fumbled open his fancy new coin purse.
“Oh, wash thish?” He mumbled.
The young waitress and I shared a knowing glance as he slurred his words.
“It’s called money Zander. Remember?” I said. What a lightweight.
“Yesh, I knowsh that, it’s just...” he paused, then grinned at me oddly. “Never mind, shweethearsh. Dinner and your room are on me, okay?”
I felt oddly uncomfortable with his offer, but as long as the rooms were separate, I had no problem letting him pay.
Zander smiled stupidly at the pretty young waitress and clumsily handed her five silver Marks.
Sliding his hand onto hers, he drunkenly slurred, “Keep the changsh, beautifulsh.”
I shared another look with the barmaid and silently mouthed the words, ‘two rooms’ with a knowing glance, just to make sure.
She smiled back and returned my silent plea with a quick nod of understanding.
Zander sat quietly for the short time it took her to return, apparently in deep contemplation of his empty mug of ale.
When she returned, the young girl placed a key on the table in front of Zander.
“Your room, sir, is the second door on the left when you reach the top of the stairs,” she said curtly.
Zander seemed to not notice.
She then turned to me, pressing the second key into my hand.
“Your room is third on the right. The key locks the door from the inside, and there’s a small bar inside that you can use for the door as well.”
Good girl. I liked her a lot.
Amazingly, Zander managed the stairs without incident. There was a little issue at the door to his room, however.
“Care to come in for a whilesh?
Oh no, dude. Seriously?
“Sorry Zander, I’m really tired. I’ll see you in the morning,” I said as I made my way past him to my own room.
He mumbled something that I couldn’t make out, but it sounded like ‘bish.’
Drunk asshole.
I unlocked the door, quickly stepped inside, and immediately locked it again behind me. When I saw the bar for the door lying on a small table, I put it in place as well. It felt a little paranoid, but Zander was creeping me out a bit.
Releasing a tired sigh, I looked across the small room and was greeted with a familiar face. I had been in the game almost six hours by my estimation, but I still hadn’t yet glimpsed my own face. Well, Dreya’s face actually, as the mirror across from me now confirmed.
Thick, dark brown hair fell down below my shoulders, and bright green eyes stared back at me. A petite nose, full, but not overly pouty lips, and high cheekbones with smooth, clear skin defined my face. I hadn’t seen Dreya in years, but I smiled as her instantly familiar and recognizable face stared back at me.
A sudden sense of nostalgia came over me. We had spent so much time together, years in fact. So many good and happy times. I knew she was only a character in a game, but with all the experiences we had shared, I’d developed a certain bond with her. I didn’t realize how much I had been missing that bond until just then.
“Hello, again, Dreya,” I said to my reflection.
I stood silently for a few minutes. Occasionally looking into the glass again, just to reaffirm what I knew I would see.
A smile suddenly crossed my face again as I thought about my day. Sure, the situation was more than a little fucked up. I was stuck inside a game, with no ability to communicate with anyone outside, and on top of that, I was trapped in an unfamiliar body. But I had managed to make the most of it; to make the most of a poor situation and focus on the positives.
In the real world, I had been wallowing in self-pity for over three years, wasting my life away. But here, in Second Skin, I actually felt motivated to do something—to be a part of the world around me. Where there had only been apathy, I now found a renewed drive and a desire to be with people again. I realized that the game had given me an opportunity to regain my former optimism and possibly the desire to live a more productive life.
I would definitely be coming back to Second Skin just as soon as I could get the strange anomaly corrected. The game offered me a second chance at life, and I was going to make the most of it. It was what I knew Sarah would have wanted me to do—she would have wanted me to live a good life. I knew my daughter felt the same way. And finally, after all these years, I wanted it as well.
As I mused over my change in attitude, I was caught unaware by a sudden epiphany. I thought I had spent the last three years mourning the loss of my wife. While that had been true for a while, it had long since ceased to be the cause of my malaise. What I had really been doing was simply feeling sorry for myself and refusing to come to terms with reality. I had not been in mourning, not for quite some time. I had simply been living on a state of selfish denial. I wasn’t honoring my dead wife; I’d only been hiding behind her.
The realization washed over me in a powerful wave of emotion. Guilt, shame, and even anger at myself competed for supremacy for a time and my emotions fought with each other. What finally won out, however, was an odd sense of relief. I had been doing myself a great disservice for a long time. But I had finally seen through my self-delusion and broken free of the cage I had imprisoned myself in for so long. I found a ray of hope in that understanding.
I shook my head as if to clear it. Those were some truly heavy realizations I had come to, and I would definitely have to unpack those thoughts a lot more at some point. But for now, I was exhausted, and I needed to get out of this place if I was going to do anything with my new-found resolve. It was time for a nap, and when I woke up, this would all be over. I could then start working on my new life. Both in the real world and here in Second Skin.
My pep talk was over; it was time to sleep.
At first, I tried to lie down on the bed and just fall asleep, but the clothing and armor were just too uncomfortable, so I began removing them. I got down to my undershirt and pants before a pang of uncertainty hit me. Just how much was I going to take off? How much of Dreya’s clothing was I willing to remove? It certainly was me stuck here in this game, of that there was no doubt. But I still viewed myself as a visitor to this body. Someone temporarily imprisoned in the body of an old friend and companion. It just felt somehow wrong… like I was taking advantage.
While the game I had played with Dreya allowed for full nudity in certain situations, I had never done that to her. I wasn’t a prude. I had no issue getting an eyeful when others chose to disrobe their characters. But like I said, I had a rather unique view of my relationship with my characters, and Dreya especially. I had come to think of her as I would any other real person. And there were just certain lines that I would not cross with her.
Okay. Perhaps I was being a bit extreme. The fastest way out of this place was a short nap, and I needed to get as comfortable as possible if I wanted to fall asleep quickly. Before I could waver anymore, I shucked off my pants and pulled the undershirt off over my head. Once that was done, I was left wearing a small pair of loose-fitting shorts and some sort
of binding that kept my breasts in place. I felt that would be good enough.
I slid back into the bed and found that I was much more comfortable. At least until my hand brushed across my stomach and I suddenly wasn’t comfortable at all.
I had been in a long sleeve tunic and pants the entire day. During that time, I had very little direct contact with my own body. In fact, that was the first time I had touched my own skin. My fingers grazing over the soft skin of my abdomen made me realize that the hypersensitivity issues of the game also applied to my sense of touch as well.
My hand gently sliding across my body had sent a delicate shiver through my entire being. The sensation of the soft brush against my skin was so intense that my thoughts immediately and uncontrollably wandered, vividly imagining the pleasures that touch might evoke in other places.
Reflexively, guided by a desire of its own, my hand began to slowly stray lower. Playing over soft, smooth skin, my fingers slid inexorably down towards my waist, intent upon the delicate region that waited eagerly below. My other hand instinctively drifted upwards, seeking out the bindings across my chest and the soft, delicate flesh trapped beneath. The intense pleasure of my own touch steadily increased as my hands wandered, and my anticipation rose.
Suddenly, amazingly, I stopped, and forced my hands away, holding them still by my side.
I was overtaken by a sudden sense of shame, embarrassment, and guilt. Hadn’t I just been feeling horrible for simply removing a few articles of clothing? But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Here I was, trapped in a video game, trying to escape the incredibly awkward situation that the anomaly had put me in, and instead of taking the quickest way out, I was lying here fondling myself? I felt pathetic. I needed to get my priorities straight.
Somewhere in that mix of emotions came a deep feeling of betrayal. I had been granted a second chance at life, and the first thing I did was grope the body of someone I cared for. I didn’t want to begin my new life by betraying a friend that way, even if she was a digital friend. It just felt wrong.
If I truly wanted to pursue some virtual fantasy, I could indulge that desire any time I chose once I was out of this screwed up situation. Right now, I needed to take a nap and get the fuck out of here. This game was messing with my head enough, and it was time for me to go home.
I’m not going to claim that it was easy. I was well and truly tested that night. But eventually, I managed to refrain from molesting myself long enough to fall asleep.
7
I awoke sometime later to the loud clanging of a gong exploding in my head. Disoriented, I hadn’t even opened my eyes when a blaring screen of text filled my vision.
TO ALL REMAINING DEATHLESS
KNOW THIS: THE GODS OF THIS EARTH HAVE BANISHED YOUR KIND FROM OUR REALM AND SHIELDED OUR WORLD FROM ANY FURTHER INVASION. SOME FEW OF YOU WHO TRANSITIONED TO OUR WORLD DURING THE CREATION OF OUR BARRIER MAY YET REMAIN. THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU.
THE ABUSE AND DESICRATION OF OUR WAYS ARE NOW ENDED. THE STRANGE MAGIC OF YOUR KIND THAT HAS BEEN TAMPERING WITH THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE AND THE VERY WILL OF THE GODS IS OVER.
WE ARE AWARE THAT THE MANIPULATION OF OUR WORLD WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GREAT POWERS THAT PROVIDED YOU ACCESS TO OUR WORLD, NOT YOU INDIVIDUAL DEATHLESS. WE BEAR THE REMAINING FEW OF YOU NO ILL-WILL. YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.
KNOW THAT THE BARRIER WE HAVE ERECTED PREVENTS BOTH THE ARRIVAL OF ANY NEW DEATHLESS AND THE DEPARTURE OF ANY DEATHLESS WHO REMAIN. IF YOU ARE STILL HERE, THERE IS NO WAY BACK TO YOUR WORLD. WE COUNSEL THAT YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LIVES HERE. YOU STILL RETAIN MANY OF YOUR POWERS AS A DEATHLESS. USE THEM WELL.
I can’t stay how long I stared at that message. Minutes? Hours? I didn’t know. Could it be real? Oh my God! Was that the anomaly? The glitch I experienced during my login?
Wait, what was I thinking? This is a game. This has to be some sort of elaborate quest or mission, right? This can’t be real.
Zander! He would know. I needed to talk to Zander right now!
I dressed quickly, leaving my armor and weapons behind. Rushing across the hall, I knocked loudly on Zander’s door, but he didn’t answer. I tried the handle, and thankfully, it turned. The geek had probably been too drunk to even lock it the night before.
But when I opened the door, I was greeted by an empty room. At first, I thought he must have gotten up early and already went downstairs, perhaps to have a quick breakfast. Then I noticed his robes piled on the floor. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t have gone to breakfast in his underwear. Nervously, I moved closer to examine the scene.
I quickly realized that it wasn’t just his robes lying there. Amid the folds of cloth, I could see his fancy belt pouch and the nice leather belt he had bought to hang it from. His backpack and staff were in a nearby corner as well, and the toes of his boots were peeking out from under his robes.
Everything Zander owned was here, but no Zander.
What the fuck!?
I grabbed his gear and dragged it across the hall and into my room. If Zander was gone, and I was trapped here alone, I would need every possible resource I could get my hands on. I wasn’t quite convinced that this wasn’t part of that stupid anomaly, but I wasn’t willing to take any chances either.
Suddenly, a loud bell rang out. Fortunately, this time the sound was not coming from inside my head. It was the temple bell, ringing from down the street. As the bell continued to peal, I could hear a muffled voice calling out from the street below. It was repeating something, but I couldn’t quite make out the words. Opening the window, I stuck my head out to listen more closely.
“The Curate has been sent a message from the Gods themselves. All citizens are asked to come to the temple, where Curate Sellis shall deliver the words of the Gods upon us.”
That certainly wasn’t ominous or anything.
I double checked Zander’s room quickly, making sure I hadn’t missed anything before I locked my own door. I made my way downstairs and then outside into the street. I remembered that the temple was a moderate-sized stone building just a short way up the street, as if the steady stream of people who also traveled that way wouldn’t have been indication enough.
A crowd had already gathered, and I was among the last few stragglers to arrive. There was only a short wait until a Curate, whom I assumed to be Sellis, strode out from the temple to address the crowd.
“My people, my children,” he began, “On this day, the Gods have sent me a message. This missive is unprecedented in the history of our world, as it comes not just from my God, but from all of the Gods. Including Uthalan the All-Father himself.”
At this last comment, a murmur rippled through the crowd. Apparently, this Uthalan, whoever he was, was a big deal.
“As you all are aware, it has been almost a year now since those known as the Deathless began to appear in our lands.”
Uh-oh.
“We all thought they were merely people like ourselves who had received some special gift from the Gods. But we were wrong. Those we call the Deathless are, in fact, strangers to our world—invaders from another realm.”
With this pronouncement, the low murmur of the crowd vanished, and they fell into a stunned silence.
“The world they come from is a world much like our own, yet also different. Their world possesses powerful magics. Magics they call ‘technology.’ This strange magic, and the closeness of our two worlds, allowed the creation of a bridge between our two realms. It was the bridge that brought the Deathless to us.
“Yet it was not the Deathless themselves that created this bridge. In fact, they knew nothing of it. The great wizards of their lands deceived them. They told them our world was an illusion, a figment. They were sent here believing a lie.
“To make their deception more believable, the great wizards began to manipulate you, the good people of this world, into their scheme. In ways both subtle and perverse, your will was diverted to their wicked cause. They even dared to attempt to subvert the will of the Gods themselves.
<
br /> “But now, that is ended.
“Today, this very morning, the Gods have completed a powerful ritual. This Great Magic has sealed our world away from the evil wizards who would abuse us and sent nearly all of the Deathless back to their homes.”
A ragged cheer came from among the crowd, though many were still locked in an awed silence from the weight of the news.
“Yet some few of those Deathless remain.”
No small smattering of hissing and boos came from among those gathered. I did not take that as a good sign.
“No, my children, please listen to me,” the Curate implored. “Remember, the Deathless too were deceived by the great wizards. Their actions were guided by the lies and deceptions of the great wizards who had manipulated them as well. Yet, even so, under the wicked spell cast upon them, most of the Deathless were a boon to our land.
“Who cleared the wolfpack from our fields? Was it not a Deathless? Who sought out poor Ella when she was lost in the woods or drove off the Orcs that were raiding the caravans? Those were all Deathless who chose to aid us in our time of need.
“No, my children, as for those few Deathless who remain among us, the Gods have bid me to instruct you thus: Treat them fairly, as they are counted now among the people of this world. Judge them not for their actions in the past, but rather for how they choose to act now that they know the truth of things.
“These are the words of the Gods. The words of Lord Uthalan, The Essence Keeper. Hear and obey.”
With that, Sellis simply bowed his head towards the gathered crowd before retreating back inside the temple.
The crowd slowly broke off into many smaller groups, each of them debating and discussing the implications of what they had just been told.
Having nowhere else to go, I made my way slowly back to the inn. Entering my room, I took a seat on the edge of my bed and desperately began to try and make some sense of the situation. By my best estimation, I had now been in the game for well over sixteen hours. Double the maximum limit I had set for my immersion chamber. There was no good reason for why I was still here, and I had no answers for what was happening, only one burning question.
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