by Eden Redd
“What the fuck Thomas? What’s gotten into you,” James said, his eyes taking on a hint of fear.
Thomas smiled. “I’ve outgrown this place and your petty politics. Even if you leave, this office feels stained and I know I can do better. My only regret was not doing it sooner.”
Thomas stood up, looking down on James, “By the way, I already finished the reports and gathered the contracts. The files will be sent to you in a week. Put in my vacation time and my resignation. That should buy you a few months before your first court appearance.”
Thomas walked toward the door when James spoke up.
“Your work put us on the map. This company will die without you.”
Thomas looked back with a small smile, “I know.”
The architect opened the door and stepped out into the office. Walking to his desk, he opened a filing cabinet and pulled out his already packed backpack. Heads peeked over before others stood up. Thomas gave them a wave goodbye and made his way to the elevators.
A short elevator ride down, Thomas walked through the lobby and pushed the glass doors. Taking a deep inhale, he savored the taste of freedom as he stepped out into the crowded lunch time streets of Manhattan. The mental chains holding him down fell away as Thomas looked to the clear blue sky above and grinned.
Victory tasted sweet as he started his slow walk home. The bustling streets filled him with new life. Thoughts cascaded into memories as the young man thought back to after the defeat on the Cursed Coast. It had sparked a new fire in his belly and when he took off the MEG equipment, he set about changing not only his virtual life but his real one too. It didn’t take long to snag an interview and blow his potential employers out of the water. He asked for a month before starting to ensure his departure from Tower Architects was a seamless one. Once he signed the paperwork for the new job with great pay and even better benefits, he planned his exit strategy. Former co-workers came to him about the lawsuit and he, of course, agreed to help. Time spent in Lukken strengthened his new courage, allowing him to take back his destiny and carve out a better life.
Thomas felt lighter than air as he walked, the thrill of taking the reins to his life touching every cell in his body. The sunlight seemed a little brighter as the cool spring air caressed his senses. The mood stayed as streets passed him by, thoughts turning to his friends in the digital world of Lukken. A month of planning had been long enough for them to put their plans into action and retake everything the enemy had conquered.
Before Thomas knew it, he was at his building and stepping into the elevator to his floor. The architect hummed a pleasant tune the entire ride until he reached his floor. A ding filled the air and the doors opened. A short walk down the hall as he pulled out his keys, caught Thomas smiling to himself. The excitement began to grow and when he stepped into his apartment, his muscles relaxed as a mystical serenity took hold.
Throwing his keys on the kitchen counter and shedding his clothes one piece at a time, Thomas walked toward the wooden ladder to his loft bedroom. A quick glance to the wall sized bookcase to his right filled him with a comforting knowledge while a glance to the small couch and giant flat screen TV on the left filled him with a nervous edge. A part of him wanted to check the news for any more information on William Tanner, but his heart pulsed with a need to return to Lukken and see his friends.
Reaching the loft ladder, the young man climbed the rungs until he stepped into his raised bedroom. A large bed took up the middle and a computer desk sat against a wall. The Mind’s Eye Gear console sat on the desk while the MEG helmet and suit lay on the edge of the bed. With the last pieces of clothing falling to the floor, Thomas moved to the side of the bed and picked up the MEG suit. Slipping into it like a second skin, the muscled fabric adhered to his body perfectly. The love box between his legs turned on and adjusted to his groin for maximum connection. Lifting up the helmet, he glanced to the console and the glowing red light along the black box.
Sliding into bed, Thomas thought of Juna. Helmet on; the young man was on his back, staring at the ceiling as a warmth curled around his heart. The last few months had been difficult, but Thomas, as his alter ego, Edric, set about improving their odds in the coming battles. However, he often found himself glancing more and more to the mystical half-troll. A spark grew but neither of them acted on it, instead spending their time preparing for the battles ahead. Thomas, on more than one occasion, wanted to push aside duty so they could have a proper date. Juna seemed willing but the moment never happened.
Thomas smiled as he touched the side of the helmet. A red light along the rim turned green, as did the MEG console. The young man promised himself to make time for the mystical half-troll. The promise cemented into his heart and mind as he closed his eyes. Darkness bled away to streams of light. Thomas felt like he was lifted from his body as he shot forward. An oval portal yawned before him and he flashed toward it, light engulfing his body and reality becoming a fading memory.
Two
Shadows parted as Edric slowly opened his eyes. Shafts of sunlight poured into his virtual bed chamber as he lay in bed. Lips curving into a smile, the summoner remained on his back, soaking in the digital reality. He couldn’t deny the homey feeling as he drank it in. The kingdom he resided in blanketed his senses and Edric knew deep down, the world of Lukken had changed his life forever.
Sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the large bed, the summoner stood up. The door opened and a horned head looked in. Edric had hardly glanced at the door when it swung open with a crash and a seven-foot-tall, beautiful ogre charged him. Arms out and eyes nearly closed, Leeta squealed as she came at the summoner.
Edric barely had time to lift his arms up when the ogre wrapped her arms around him and lifted him up, burying his face in her deep cleavage. Edric didn’t fight as heat splashed into his face, happy to be home.
“I missed you,” Leeta giggled, holding him close.
The summoner remained silent, smiling and losing oxygen as he was smothered. Leeta’s eyes opened wide and she looked down. Blinking, she pulled her master back just enough for him to raise his head and take in some air.
“I missed you too,” Edric smiled “but it’s only been a day.”
Leeta set him down but kept her hands on his shoulders. “I know, but any time you spend away is too long.”
“How is everyone,” Edric asked with a small smile.
Leeta let go of his shoulders, “The mages and blacksmiths are still working at the spell forges but they require more supplies from you. Faye and Rayna have kept the kingdom in order and are organizing our armies. Ralis has taken to helping some new troll refugees and looking after our new wyvern mounts. Dumadin continues to rebuild his armor machine and Lunatina has just received a new shipment of supplies to make potions.”
Edric nodded. “How are our new friends?”
Leeta smiled. “Magnys continues to assist at the spell forges. Drakkus has been spending time with Blue Sonja. Ny has been spending time outside of the city, patrolling the lands but she whimpers to me to that she misses you.”
Edric kept his smile. Everyone had begun shortening Nykor’s name to Ny. The Drell-Kai didn’t seem to mind and would answer to it when called upon. She had taken a liking to everyone and often acted like a big happy dog.
“Any word on Claudia,” Edric asked hoping there would be some news.
Leeta’s smile faded a little before she shook her head, “No word yet. It has been over two weeks.”
“She must have her reasons for being away so long,” Edric said as he remembered the lancer telling him she had to follow a solo quest of her own. Claudia’s new confidence changed her in a positive way but she had stopped being so open on her decisions. The summoner couldn’t shake the mysterious mystique the lancer had taken on.
Edric shifted his gaze to Leeta’s golden eyes. “How’s Juna?”
The ogre’s eyes shied away as she spoke, “She has been spending time with her father, Jinn but
she asks for you every time she sees me.”
Edric nodded. The same warm feeling flooded his heart as he remembered the promise he made just before entering Lukken. Things would be different, he mentally told himself before glancing to an oak desk by the balcony doors. Papers were strewn about across the surface and a sliver of sadness touched the summoner’s heart.
“I need to clear some things up here. Do you mind telling Faye and Rayna I’m here and will see them in the council chamber soon?”
Leeta nodded her horned head. “I’ll tell them,” the ogre said before giving Edric a sultry gaze. “Is there…anything I can do before you meet them?”
Edric eyed the ogre with a kind smile. The player had been spending a lot of time with the beautiful ogre. So much so, she had become as demanding as he was. A sudden rush of blood caused a stir between the summoner’s legs but he pulled back on the reins. Plans were setting into motion and as much as Edric wanted to spend time with his loving ogre, they would have to wait a little while.
“Not now, but soon,” Edric said simply.
Leeta smiled before bowing. Turning, she moved to the door and saw herself out before closing it behind her. The summoner stared at the door, a loving caress touching his nerves before turning and walking toward the desk.
When Edric stood before the desk, he looked down with sad eyes. Multiple drawings of a single woman covered every inch of the surface. She stood in different poses wearing variations of a particular outfit. Long brown hair framed her delicate features and an enigmatic smile filled each image. Edric reached down and shifted the drawings around, gazing on what he remembered of Elora.
The summoner could not deny his feelings, no matter how hard he tried. Seeing her slain right before his eyes a second time sent him down a path of madness he thought he never would have woken from. Memories washed on the shores of his mind, how he called on the city core manifestation of Elora and said his goodbyes, unable to carry the torch for the real Elora any longer. How he tried to convince himself it was better this way and lose himself in the arms of Leeta, Claudia and Faye. Rayna had grown distant but Leeta and Faye welcomed him into their arms, working out his frustrations. Claudia allowed it as well but she insisted on her own demands, which Edric had no issue with. For a time, the lancer and summoner nearly abused their bodies in a dance of primal needs before they went their separate ways, Claudia making time for Rayna as well.
Relationships between the rulers grew tangled but all remained respectful, kind and generous. Edric’s pain ebbed a little but he soon found himself sitting at this very desk, trying to come up with a statue design for a woman he’d lost twice. The sight of her being slain by two Dread Lords haunted the edges of his mind. No matter how many times he tried to push her away, her ghost came back with a sad smile. Even now, a vision of Elora touched his mind’s eye and Edric simply smiled. He knew the pain would never go away and decided he simply had to live with it. The weight lessened but it was still there, holding on with needy claws.
Picking up a drawing, he gazed on Elora, wearing her shopkeeper clothes and a happy smile on her lips. Her drawn eyes held no pain and Edric let his pain drift away on the wind of his soul. He would always miss her, but a statue in the center of the city named after her would bring a sense of lasting peace to his spirit.
“I miss you,” Edric said with a small sigh. “We didn’t know each other long but those small moments felt like the beginning of a lifetime together.”
The summoner placed the drawing back on the pile. Turning away, he walked to the bed chamber door, pulled it open and stepped out into the corridor. Edric made it two steps before something flashed down the corridor, spread its wings and landed at his side. The summoner turned his head to the nearly nude succubus as her wings folded back. Flawless skin glowed in the corridor light with a bikini top barely covering pointed nipples and a thong just grazing her feminine line.
In a game of sex and fantasy, Edric had become accustomed to exposed skin and didn’t even blink twice.
“Good day Lord Temple,” Sekka said with a slight bow, her breasts nearly straining against the thin fabric.
“Hi Sekka,” Edric smiled and then continued to walk.
The succubus stayed at his side, black hair touching her shoulders and small black horns gleaming in the light.
“I take it Lyndra has settled in? I’m sorry I haven’t been to the dungeon area for a visit,” Edric said plainly.
Sekka nodded. “She is enjoying her new home under the city. She understands and sends her best to you and your fellow rulers. I thought I would catch you before kingdom affairs take up too much of your time. Some of the dark elves that have been mining have located new veins of runic stone and have informed Dumadin. Your production should receive a much needed boost over the coming weeks.”
“Thank you but you didn’t need to find me to tell me that. We already have enough runic stone for the spell forges.”
Sekka smiled. “True, but I wanted to see you. We haven’t played in a while and my mistress has asked about you on two occasions.”
Edric glanced to the succubus, smile ever present. “Two occasions? She must really be missing me,” the summoner laughed.
Sekka licked her lips, “My mistress has taken several lovers but she says she would not be against spending more time with the lord and ladies of Elora. Personally, any chance I can get with you naked is well earned.”
“Maybe after we take the Middle Kingdoms,” Edric grinned.
Sekka’s smile widened so much so, her eyes were thin lines. “Playing hard to get only makes the juice sweeter,” and quickly smacked his butt.
“Tell your mistress we thank her for bringing the new veins of runic stone to our attention. I will have extra cases of wine delivered to her, and maybe we can arrange some play time soon,” Edric said with a sense of confident flair.
Sekka looked the summoner up and down with sultry eyes before blowing him a kiss. Wings stretching out, she jumped into the air, gliding down the rest of the corridor and causing a few guards to duck as she passed overhead.
Edric wanted to laugh long and hard. The craziness of the kingdom caused his spirit to soar higher. Instead of laughing outright, he chuckled to himself as he walked and reached the stairs. After a few flights and some turns, the council doors stood. Leeta was in the corridor beaming at her master’s approach.
“Faye is inside. Rayna is on her way,” the ogre smiled.
Edric nodded as he stepped to the door, his hand reaching out and touching Leeta’s hand, giving it a light squeeze before letting go. Leeta’s cheeks glowed pink as she watched Edric enter the chamber and close the door behind.
Faye turned and gazed upon Edric entering in. The summoner eyed the wood elf as she turned her body and leaned against the council table edge. Her fingers curled along the edge as a small smile appeared. Brown eyes watched as he stepped closer and stood before her.
“How did it go,” the wood elf asked.
“As I thought it would. He tried everything to not take it seriously. In the end he told me the company would die without me. I told him ‘I know’.”
Faye smiled. “I almost wish I was there to see it.”
“It sounds better than what it actually was. I was still a little nervous. Glad I did it though.”
Faye nodded. “So am I.”
“I have a month off, so we can continue with the plans. I hope we won’t need all of that time.”
“Rayna should be here soon but I’ve talked to a few old friends and it seems the news about William Tanner is spreading. The secret is getting out about Lewd Saga and the Awakened. I think we are already running out of time.”
Edric looked down, “Yea, I was watching the news today. Stories are flooding the net of players confessing true love for NPC’s in the game. I think William and Systra’s story is more common than we thought. The Awakened are trying to fight for their survival and some are manipulating their lovers to take action in reality. It’s c
ausing a bigger mess and casting a light on what we’re trying to do here.”
Faye leaned forward a little, staring into Edric’s eyes. “What are we trying to do here? Elora is a safe haven for the Awakened but if something happens in reality, we can’t do anything about it. How long can we be a safe haven if the corporation who owns the game decides to change something?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve talked to Jinn a few times and he says he has information that may help us, but he hasn’t told me what it is yet. We may have to bring him here and convince him to tell us what he knows,” Edric said, but his voice grew smaller as he said it. Spending some time with the assassin opened his mind to the possibilities of winning the Middle Kingdoms back. His experience and skills resulted in a high level of respect from everyone in the kingdom but the loving eyes he gives to Juna shows that she is his priority and he would do anything for her. Edric didn’t want to chance pushing him for answers and strain their growing friendship.
“Everything is moving pretty fast. We may have no choice,” Faye said and saw the edge of concern in Edric’s eyes. “I know you two are becoming friends but I’m sure he won’t take it personally if we ask him.”
Edric nodded. “You’re right. We don’t have time to dance around subjects anymore. We take the Middle Kingdoms, then we invade Kraznith and save Oksuna.”
“I believe we can win this,” Faye smiled.
“Me too,” Edric added.
The door to the council chamber opened and Rayna stepped in. The bard in black leather held a solemn expression as she closed the door behind her and leaned her back against it. Faye stood up as Edric turned to the bard, eyes filling with concern.
Rayna turned her purple eyes to her fellow rulers and sighed. “The Turtle Islands have been destroyed.”
***
Heavy breath filled the area as Juna’s shoulders rose and fell in frustration. Jinn stood before her, sword to the side and a blank expression on his weathered face. The training room was empty save for the white-haired assassin and the blue skinned half-troll.
