by Eden Redd
Escaping the daydream, the player moved eggs and pancakes to one plate. Opening the stove, he put on oven mitts and took out a medium sized tray. With a spatula, he picked up pieces of broiled food and slipped them on a second plate. A small hum filled his throat as classical music played in the background. Adding the final touches, he picked up the two plates and set them on the kitchen table.
“Breakfast,” Morgan said with a gentle shout.
Pointed ears perked up from the couch and Nikki leapt over. The cat-woman sauntered over in her one-piece outfit and black hoodie. Sitting down, her cat-like eyes widened when she saw the three thick pieces of broiled salmon.
“Please, use a fork,” Morgan said with a fatherly edge.
Nikki pouted before picking up the fork and tearing into the fish with it. Morgan poured a glass of water for himself and a glass of milk for Nikki. Placing them on the table, he watched as the cat-woman devoured chunks of seasoned fish, her eyes nearly rolling into her head.
“Tonight, I’ll make you tuna steak,” Morgan said as he began cutting chunks of eggs and eating them.
Nikki nodded, unable to speak with her mouth full. Morgan eyed her, enjoying the serene moment with a lovely breakfast. The party and events of last night caused the young man to feel lighter and in control. The game had shown him he was no longer just a soldier in some digital war, but a person with his own worldly likes and dislikes. It had become a new song in his heart as everything felt balanced and full of wonder.
Nikki slowed down her chewing and looked up to the smiling player. “I love you,” she said seriously.
Morgan took a quick sip of water before setting down his cup and smiling. “I love you too. Enjoy your food. The storm is supposed to last into tomorrow so it will be a lazy day in.”
Nikki nodded before returning to devouring her food.
The doorbell rang.
Morgan raised an eyebrow as Nikki looked to him and shrugged. The player stood up and made his way to the front door. Opening it, Mina stood with a large, black, lacy trimmed umbrella over her head. Striped orange and black stockings were wet as the storm came down. A haunted expression filled her normally relaxed demeanor. Morgan stepped aside and she stepped in, closed her umbrella and leaned it by the door.
“Is everything okay,” Morgan asked.
Mina shook her head slightly. “It’s not. I lost track of Damian last night during the party and…it's been a little lonely at home. With David gone, I felt I needed to come over.”
A darkness touched Morgan and he tried to smile it away. “You know you’re always welcome here.”
Mina stepped over and sat on the couch. Morgan followed, sitting a foot away while the witch sank into the soft cushions. Nikki continued to rip her meal part, abandoning the fork for her bare hands.
“It’s so odd that Damian disappeared last night,” Mina simply began. “He was always so attentive and amazing. He hasn’t answered his phone and I’m wondering if the same weirdness you had at the beach motel happened to him.”
Morgan gave a slight head nod, unsure if he should tell her what happened or not.
Mina leaned back her head on the back of the couch and sighed. “We used to spend hours talking about spells, rituals and dark rites between the Trickster God Ludoss and the Fire God Brimstone. I was starting to think Brimstone might be the path I wanted to take to improve my magical abilities.”
Morgan’s brow rose up. “Two gods? You were talking about following one of two gods?”
Mina nodded while still gazing at the ceiling. “Yea, Damian made so much sense, talking about Brimstone. It just felt right. The girls couldn’t stop singing his praises. I felt Damian was going to come to me soon, asking him to join his coven and wield magic together but now, maybe he’s mad at me about something.”
Morgan relaxed his shoulders as his thoughts grew sharp. “It seems weird that you have to choose.”
Mina lifted her head and looked to her friend. “Driftwood Cove has like some mystical underbelly. It was exciting to find it, but once you become part of it, it takes over everything you do. It…felt like my life had meaning again.”
The witch turned her body to face Morgan, legs curled under her. “The more I learned and spent time with Damian, the closer I felt to love. I spent so much time fighting off guys who just wanted to sleep with me, it was nice to meet someone who took an interest besides sex.”
Mina’s shoulders sank and inch lower as she sighed. “I thought I was close to what I had with David and now I feel like I need to start over again.”
Morgan summoned a sliver of courage as he looked his friend in the eyes. “I have to tell you something. I hope you don’t get mad.”
Mina’s eyes took on an edge of surprise, her attention focused on her fellow player. Morgan let the words come naturally. He told her what happened when he walked into the Study. He detailed what happened and how Tibby created a distraction with her friends while Anya helped dig the grave. He left out his part of taking the demon’s teeth and stepping on his eyeballs, crushing his soul if he had one. A sorrow painted the corner of his eyes, not for what he had done but that he may have inadvertently hurt his friend.
Mina stared, her body rigid as she listened. Heat touched her cheeks before it drained away.
Nikki stood up from the table and made her way over. “It’s true. If Morgan didn’t come in when he did, Damian would have raped me.”
The witch looked away, biting her lip until her face became a smooth mask.
“I’m sorry, but it had to be done,” Morgan said at the end.
The witch nodded. “I had no idea,” she said and looked to Nikki. “I’m sorry for what he tried to do. He liked to play a rape fantasy with me, but I didn’t think he would actually try…,” she trailed off.
Mina centered her gaze on Morgan, “He’s buried in your backyard?”
Morgan nodded.
The witch let out a small, sad sigh. “Just as well. After hearing that, I would have killed him myself.”
“I would have helped,” Morgan said with a small smile.
Mina grinned. “I know.”
The rain pounded on the windows as the wind picked up.
“I should have installed some storm shutters…,” Morgan said before a monstrous roar shook the very walls.
The players were to their feet, eyes glancing to the windows. Another roar filled the area as the windows vibrated. Nikki’s ears twitched as fear caused the hair on her neck to stand straight up. Morgan stepped toward the kitchen and pulled a carving knife from the wood block on the island. Mina glanced around before moving to a window and peering out.
“Was that two different roars,” Mina whispered, falling to her combat training.
“One sounded like it came from the woods behind the house. The other sounded farther, like from downtown,” Morgan whispered back before turning his gaze to the kitchen bay window.
Calm flowed over his nerves as the trees swayed. Several tipped in the rain and wind but instead of snapping back, they shattered at the bases and tumbled down. Something big moved, water cascading down scales as smaller, humanoid creatures emerged into Morgan’s backyard. Lizard eyes stared as they marched, clawed hands flexing.
“We have company,” Morgan said as classical music continued to play in the background.
“How many?” Mina asked as her hands twisted into mystical patterns.
“Several dozen,” Morgan said and took another long knife from the block and backed up. “Nikki, stay between me and Mina. Never leave our side!”
The cat-woman stood frozen. Morgan’s training fell into place like a well-worn glove. Never did he think something like this would happen in a life simulator game. He thought the small dark cults and monster girls added a flavor he could enjoy, but as several nalik looking creatures moved toward his home, it proved that Digital Hearts was more than it seemed.
An image of the handgun in his study flashed across Morgan’s mind. Taking one step tow
ard the hallway, the backdoor rattled as a lizard face pressed against the kitchen bay window. Scaled fists rose up the moment it made eye contact with Morgan.
“David’s home, NOW!” Morgan shouted as glass shattered.
The backdoor rattled again before it burst off its hinges and slammed against the tiled floor. Nikki screamed as several lizard people stepped in, the storm howling outside. Morgan braced himself as the life simulator was over and the cul-de-sac turned into a new warzone.
A lizard person scrambled in through the broken window, but Morgan was already moving. Hand grabbing their snout, he slashed across their throat in a single move. Blood spurted as the creature gurgled, drowning on its own blood. Several lizard people rushed Mina as she whispered an arcane word of power. Fire bloomed into her hands and shot forward like a flamethrower. Bodies blackened instantly and they fell. Several more lizard people rushed in, stepping over their burning comrades.
A deafening roar shook the very foundation as Morgan moved to Nikki and grabbed her arm. The cat-woman surrendered to his touch, moving with him as he pulled her away. Mina’s gaze was hard as stone as she summoned another stream of fire and blasted the incoming creatures. The living room and kitchen caught aflame as muscled, scaly bodies charged into her burning power.
“Mina,” Morgan shouted as he opened the front door and stopped his advance.
Three lizard people stood and, in a blink, charged. Morgan let go of Nikki and slashed like a master chef. Each slice was true, cutting along throats and stabbing into the round holes he assumed were ears. Claws flashed, but lost their power as life left their bodies in streams of red. The demons under Morgan’s skin howled in delight and the player found himself moving with dark confidence.
The fire raged, running up walls and burning electronics. The classical music stopped as the sound system melted from the flames and heat. Mina backed up as more lizard people charged through the rising flames. Morgan waited until the witch was to him and Nikki. The three barreled out of the home as smoke and flames rose up into the raining heavens.
Morgan eyed David’s home, marching with cool control. Mina and Nikki were at his sides, rain drenching them in the downpour. A memory touched the player, David talking about the chest with guns and shotguns. The mutant’s home looked like a fortress and Morgan hoped it was as strong as one.
The trio reached the midpoint between all of the homes when another deafening roar caused the rain to shiver. Morgan turned his attention to the left when his eyes widened. Something big roared before it crashed into Richard’s home and shattered it to kindling.
Rain streamed down a thick scaly body. Fur ran along its back and around its neck but an alligator maw opened with a sonic boom. As a maw with jagged teeth closed, serpent eyes looked down at Morgan, Nikki and Mina. A thick tail slapped down on the wreckage of his neighbor’s home before it began to march toward the trio. Muscles bulged along its brutish body, large hands flexing. The lizard creature stood at least thirty feet tall. Legs moving with power, it rushed toward the trio in large, powerful steps. The very ground shook like miniature earthquakes.
Morgan pulled Nikki along, Mina at their side. A clawed hand gripped the player’s arm as they tried to closed the distance. Morgan let out a heated exhale as he kept his eyes on the prize. When they were about twenty feet from the front door, a large shadow loomed up from behind David’s home. Webbed hands clenched into giant fists. A pointed nose, black eyes and rows of white teeth defined the giant shark creature.
Morgan skidded to a halt as the monster’s knee crashed into David’s home, splitting it in half before the next leg leveled one side. A large gray fin rose up from the monster’s back as black eyes glanced at Morgan and then centered on the lizard creature.
Bits of memory cycled through Morgan’s shock. Remembering Anya’s words, the giant lizard creature was Yir’s Shaman. Remembering Tibby’s words, the megalodon creature was Thulu’s Priest. The two giant creatures rushed each other, claws out.
Morgan’s arms opened wide and he threw himself at Nikki and Mina. The three crashed to the wet street of the cul-de-sac as Thulu’s priest charged past and clashed into Yir’s shaman. The two monsters slashed and bit like titans on the battlefield. Morgan held Nikki and Mina close, shielding them with his body. Shark people emerged from around David’s destroyed home, walking calmly as the two giant monsters hit each other so hard the very rain was knocked from the air around them.
The digital world glitched as the monsters fought. Morgan lifted his head and watched the creatures slash at each other, thick streams of blood blending with the pouring rain. The roars clouded all thought as Morgan was at a loss at what to do. Nikki and Mina looked to him, eyes wide. The player grimaced, feeling the endgame had come and they had lost.
Demons bubbled along his blood. Pain and love crashed into each other like two tsunamis. Lizard people stalked closer as shark people moved in. Amid the lizard people, small groups of hound and bird-like people joined them as tentacle humanoids mixed with the sharks. The very sky was falling and Morgan felt heat in his blood rise.
The player rose to his feet and faced the two giant monsters fighting. Taking a deep breath, he stared with demon fire in his eyes.
“Enough!” the player shouted and lightning flashed.
The two giant monsters stopped their attacks mid-swing, their eyes turning to the man standing in the rain. The two sides of creatures encircled Morgan, Nikki and Mina on all sides, only a sliver of space between the two main forces. Black, red and green eyes stared down as lightning flashed again. The clouds grew darker as the rain grew heavier.
Morgan stood, shoulders and chest heaving, the demons singing under his skin. He dropped the knife in his hand to the street and glared at both sides in turn. Anya stepped out in her hellhound form while Tibby stepped out in her wereshark form. The two women stood on opposite sides, their eyes on Morgan and expressions blank.
“What is all of this?” Morgan demanded.
“The truce is over,” Anya shouted.
“We have come to protect you,” Tibby said in a dark tone.
Anya’s brow hardened, “He belongs to me!”
Tibby gave a snarky grin, “He belongs to me.”
Morgan gave them each a look of confusion until Anya spoke up.
“We have fallen in love with you and you have fallen in love with us,” the hellhound stated.
“But you cannot have both of us. Our gods demand you choose. Your heart must choose who you wish to be with.” Tibby said with a serene tone.
“What happens when I choose?” Morgan said as his heart pounded in his chest.
“You become part of our tribe,” Tibby smiled.
“And an enemy of the other,” Anya finished.
“The books…the talk about being myself and finding acceptance… it was part of your plan…to recruit me?”
Tibby’s features softened. “It is more than that. The creators saw potential, that was why you, among many, were chosen. Your life is the beating heart of greater designs. Once you choose, your destiny is assured.”
Anya stepped forward, “You will always have a home and friends who understand and accept you. You will belong to something bigger than yourself, a being of the cosmos. A state of true peace.”
The giant lizard creature and the giant shark creature lifted their hands. Mina and Nikki’s eyes rolled into their heads and they fell like rag dolls to the wet street. Morgan looked to them as Tibby spoke up.
“They will be fine. Their minds will be erased of what happened here so they may continue to enjoy the game but for you, you must choose one of us or Driftwood Cove will be destroyed by your indecision.”
Morgan’s shoulders grew heavy. He looked to Anya’s yellow and red eyes before turning his gaze to Tibby’s black eyes.
“The digital universe and the real one is coming together. We need those who will join in the conflict or everything will fade to nothing,” Anya said with a soft tone.
&nb
sp; “The time of gods is returning. Those selected will become legendary,” Tibby bowed her head.
Morgan looked down, shadows covering his eyes.
Anya touched her collar, “Morgan, I can’t live without you. You became my world, filling it with intimate purpose. To have such strength and beauty with my devotion…is a true path to a higher being. I know you feel it as much as I do. Become a disciple of Yir and we can spend our lifetimes bringing the hunt across the cosmos.”
Tibby stepped forward, head bowed, “Morgan, we can become more than just readers…we can write our own destiny. Thulu’s path is one of legends, spreading Thulu’s word and coiling our bodies together in divine worship. We can change our reality to anything we wish and swim in pools of blood, lust and love.”
“I…just have to choose…and one of you will be my lover while the other will be my enemy,” Morgan said darkly.
Anya and Tibby nodded.
Morgan looked up with a mad grin. “Purpose from divine gods. Never in my life before I came to this game would I have every believed it. To stand before followers and choose to give my life true meaning. Some go their whole lives, never understanding their place but not here, not with you.
“You both accepted me for my hobbies and darker impulses. I never thought such a thing was possible. Now that I know, it feels right. The scriptures and stories make sense and I feel like an idiot for not noticing it sooner.”
Morgan looked to Anya, “To love a lady…”
Morgan turned his attention to Tibby, “To love a monster…”
The two women bowed their heads as rain and lightning thundered.
Morgan looked to the sky, rain running down his face in wide streaks. “Who do I choose…to spend eternity serving dark gods?”
Tears mixed with rain, trailing down Anya’s cheeks. “I love you Morgan…but you must choose.”
A single tear streaked down Tibby’s pale cheek, “I love you Morgan…let your heart follow your desires and never look back.”