by Eden Redd
“You’re going to get us killed,” Jayson nudged the blue knight with his shoulder.
Sonja eyed runes along the entrance edges. “Where’s your spirit of adventure?” The knight said as she moved closer and ran delicate fingers over hard stone. “The symbols here are like the last two dungeons we were in. We cannot resurrect in the dungeon, or call our concubines. We’ll have to call on them now to enter with us.”
Jayson eyed the same runes, “The game is getting harder the closer we get to the middle of Lukken. I think once we pass into the west, we will enter PvP areas.”
Sonja turned to her fellow knights with a gentle smile on her lips, “Let’s get in there. The sooner we’re done, the faster we can be together.”
“You’ve really been in the mood lately,” Jayson smirked.
The blue knight kept her smile but said nothing. Fingers touched a stone on her belt. It glowed for a few seconds before the air vibrated. In a blink, the air shifted and an ebony skinned dark elf appeared. The white-haired elf wore a long crimson flowing robe. A plunging V exposed his chiseled chest. Red iris turned to Sonja and then he bowed.
“My lady,” The elf said simply.
“Kell’s night vision and spells could help us down there. Plus, he seems to have a lot of knowledge about ancient myths and legends,” Sonja said as she ran her fingers through his alabaster colored hair.
Lance touched a stone on his belt. The air wrinkled for a moment before a broad-shouldered man appeared. Steam rose off his exposed bronze skin as he only wore leggings and boots. Eyes burned a bright yellow as he bowed to his lord.
“Balog’s fire abilities could help us if we run into any undead,” Lance said.
Jayson thought over his choices. A small doubt climbed into his mind as he tried to narrow down who to pick. Some players would take all their concubines into battle. Jayson and his fellow knights agreed that was a mistake. The amount of gossip in the game was obscene, so the three knights decided to only use their concubines when they needed. Players often posted stats and information on some of the more powerful players. The last thing they wanted was other players trying to get the drop on them when they began to explore the PvP areas.
Jayson touched a stone on his belt. The air vibrated and a green skinned woman appeared. She wore a sheer dress with a slit running up to her hips. Snakes for hair unfurled and lovingly hissed as the gorgon eyed her lord. Gorganna sauntered over and draped her arms around his neck.
“My lord, shall I bend over your knee for my spanking now?” The green snake woman said in a sultry hiss.
Sonja eyed the happy grin appearing on Jayson’s lips, “I thought you were into twins? Changing it up?”
Jayson turned and slipped from the gorgon’s arms, “Trying out different kinks, Gorganna loves her spankings. As for the twins, I still have that as one of my kinks. The elves are fun but are a little too gentle at times.”
“You’ll have to give me a demonstration,” Sonja winked.
“Yea, me too,” Lance smiled.
Jayson fought back the heat rushing to his cheeks, “Let’s anchor our save points here. We’ll have to be extra careful. If we get killed, then it will take twenty minutes before we’re back to full health. If it gets bad, then whoever is left standing will be on their own.”
“If we have any luck, the players before us will clear out the levels,” Lance added.
Sonja pulled a torch from her inventory, it flaring to life. Torch light glowed against stone walls as the blue knight made her way in. Lance was next to follow, his concubine close behind. Jayson watched for a moment, his friends entering the dark tunnel. With a happy sigh, he followed his friends and lovers, excitement pouring into his heart.
Five
Fire light cast living shadows against ancient stone walls. Jayson took the lead as he walked down another corridor; open doors to empty rooms lined each side. The glitter of the occasional small gem or gold coin sparkled back as they walked on. The trio of knights were several levels down and they had not encountered a single monster, player or undead. Jayson was flooded with excitement when they entered but now, he walked with relaxed shoulders and a tune in his head.
Gorganna walked in the middle, her eyes on her lord as he led the way. Behind her, Sonja and Lance walked side by side, their concubines trailing behind them silently. The blue knight glanced over to her white knight and instantly noticed his eyes were on the floor, mind lost to inner thoughts.
“I thought this would be a little more exciting,” Sonja said in a low tone.
Lance continued to stare at the stone floor as they walked, “Yea, me too.”
Sonja reached over and squeezed his arm, “You know you can talk to me or Jayson.”
Lance lifted his head but did not look at the blue knight, “I made a mistake.”
Sonja remained silent, waiting for the rest to come spilling out.
The white knight continued, “I work in a bar. Last weekend was slow. I was drinking a little more than I served. I had some friends visit me during my shift. We tend to drink together.”
Lance gritted his teeth, as if to decide how he was going to word his feelings. “The topic of Lewd Knights came up. It’s been in the news a lot lately. During my other shifts, people talked about it endlessly but I would just shrug and serve their next drink. I don’t know it if was the shots or that we were all having a great time. I mentioned that I played and it was almost like all the air was sucked out of the room.”
“Did they not take it well?” Sonja asked with comforting eyes.
The white knight kept his eyes forward but his face was a blank mask. “They loved it. They all started spilling out their names in the game and began discussing when and where to meet up. Most of them bought the MEG system just about a month ago because everyone was so into it.”
Lance looked over to the blue knight, eyes touched by sadness, “I’m bi-sexual but I tend to be more into guys. My friends all know me to be in relationships with guys. I won’t lie to you; we’ve all slept together at one time or another, so they were excited to try it out in the game.” Lance hesitated before continuing, “I lied and told them that I don’t play that much and that it wouldn’t be a good idea to meet up in the game. They pushed wanting to know more about my experiences, so I lied some more and downplayed it all.”
“You didn’t tell them because you don’t want them to know about us,” Jayson said as he stopped walking.
Lance and Sonja stopped. Jayson turned around, torch light illuminating half his face and half his smile.
Lance looked to Jayson but turned his eyes to Sonja and continued to speak, “I’m not ashamed of us. I just don’t want to spend my time away from both of you. I’m so busy and what we have is so important. I want my free time saved for us.”
Sonja hugged the white knight around the waist and leaned her head on his armored chest, “I think we all feel the same. I work and come home to play with you guys. My social life is pretty shot but I didn’t really have one anyway. All I know is my heart beats hard in my chest when I think of us together.”
Lance ran his fingers through Sonja’s hair, “Is what we have real? Did we find each other or did the game bring us together?”
Jayson stepped closer, “I think we all know what it is between us. Maybe we’re over thinking our connection. We could just go with it and see how far it will take us, or we can actually acknowledge our relationship.”
Jayson continued, “It’s not like in the movies or books. Love cannot fit into a box where everyone lives happily ever after. Relationships are work. I’ve seen people rip themselves apart because they wanted to be happy all the time. When their partner didn’t live up to expectations, they began blaming each other.” Jayson’s eyes lowered. “It’s why I don’t spend time with anyone in the real world. I cut out a lot of people I knew because they were destroying each other. I thought it would be better to just be alone.”
“And now?” Sonja asked as she stared into h
is eyes.
Jayson smirked, “Now, all I want is to go on quests with my two best friends and fuck our brains out.”
Lance and Sonja looked to each other and back at Jayson.
“The more I know you, the more you’re changing before my eyes,” Lance returned the smirk.
Sonja broke away from the white knight, “What if we can’t stay like this? What if we get jealous and feelings are hurt?”
Jayson stepped close to the blue and white knights, “We can handle it together.”
Jayson leaned in and pressed his lips to Sonja’s. The blue knight melted to his touch, hands reaching up and taking hold of the edges of his armor. Tongues swirled as the heat rose between them. Lance moved in, arms circling the two knights. Without thinking, they turned, Sonja kissing him deeply. When their lips parted, Jayson kissed the knight, tongues playing and sliding over one another. The moment heightened their senses and lustful thoughts surged. The air became electric as their bodies pushed with wanting. When the trio broke, minds raced on how they could satisfy their primal needs.
“Let’s complete this dungeon so…um…we can…you know….” Jayson stammered.
Sonja fanned her neck as she spoke, “Yea, I think we should…” The blue knight was cut off by the sound of metal hitting stone.
The heat in the air bled into sharp focus. The dark elf weaved his hands, a glowing aura appearing over his fingers. With a final incantation, his eyes glowed red before returning to normal.
“Two knights are locked in battle, a level below us,” Kell said matter of fact.
Jayson drew his swords from over his shoulders, “What are they fighting?”
“I couldn’t see it, it’s protected from my vision spell,” said the dark elf.
Jayson looked to his companions, “Are you with me?”
“Till the final battle,” Lance pledged.
“Till the final battle,” Sonja echoed with a slight giggle at the end.
Jayson nodded and lead the charge. The knights and concubines charged down the corridor until they reached a spiral staircase leading down. Jayson leaped several steps at a time, Gorganna close behind. Lance was next with Balog. Sonja took up the rear, with Kell struggling to keep up.
The knights made their way to the lower level and sprinted down a lone tunnel. Light flashed at the end, two large iron banded doors were partially open. Jayson couldn’t help himself, pumping his legs, itching to get into the fight. Small explosions shook the very walls. Small stones and dust fell from the ceiling as the knight barreled toward the light. When he reached the door, one leg kicked it open further as he thrust himself into the light.
The player was dazzled as lightning bolts streaked through the air. As his eyes adjusted, two figures were locked in a desperate battle with something far bigger. Scales moved with cascading motion as muscles worked underneath. Two long necks swerved and moved. Feral serpent eyes glared in several directions as two dragon-like heads hissed. One opened its mouth and spit a bolt of lightning. The flash was intense as it slammed into a wall and exploded. Stone and debris ejected into the cavernous room as two knights moved away.
A large knight stood. Jayson was astounded by his size. He was about eight feet tall and almost just as broad. His head was shaved but he wore a small red beard and mustache. In his oversized hands, he wielded a sword nearly as wide as Jayson’s waist and just as tall as him. The hulking knight swung his massive sword not for attack but to block incoming lightning bolts from the monster. The four-legged monster swiveled a head and fired another bolt. The knight turned his blade sideways, reflecting the bolt into a nearby wall.
Another explosion rocked the room as Jayson drank it all in. The second knight in a black cloak and leather armor spun and jumped. The creature’s tail whipped about as the knight in the cloak skillfully rolled and dodged each swing. Jumping to their feet, the cloak billowed back in the air and Jayson noticed the knight’s thin but curvy form. Her armor covered her midsection, shins and boots, but her exposed thighs and glistening stomach lay bare for anyone to see. With a blade in each hand, she landed closer to the beast before launching herself backwards, the creature’s tail smashing the stone floor where she was just a moment ago.
“Hello friends, care to help us out,” the hulking knight grunted as a lightning bolt ricocheted off his blade and into the air, striking the ceiling.
Sonja and Lance were at Jayson’s side, weapons drawn and knees bent.
Jayson did a quick check on the monster’s hit points. The player gasped as he saw the creature had nearly ten thousand points. The battle must have just started because it was still at 98% health.
“That’s a hydra, a step below a bloody dragon. We need more knights,” Lance said as he kept his eyes locked on the beast.
Jayson felt a plan form as he watched the two knights continue to try and get close, “Use ranged attacks. We need to get it down and sluggish. Then we can move in for the kill. Don’t get too close unless you absolutely have too.”
Sonja and Lance nodded.
Jayson turned to the big knight as he staggered back, “Pull back and be ready!” The knight shouted.
“Will do!” The big knight smiled and took a few steps backwards.
The cloaked knight flipped away and landed on her feet. Running, she leapt into the air as several bolts exploded near her. The shock wave was enough to throw her off balance and she hit the floor hard. Jayson darted forward toward the downed knight, eyes on the scaled two headed monster. A head snaked forward, jaws snapping at the fallen knight.
The cloaked knight had a short sword in hand. She held it out and braced herself for the incoming attack. Jayson charged with both of his swords out. The hydra’s head bore down when a fireball exploded against the side of its snout. The creature reared back as sparks and flames rain down from the strike. Taking the advantage, Jayson sheathed one sword over his shoulder. Arm out; he took hold of the knight as she tried to get to her feet. Spinning, the two knights retreated as fireballs and lightning slammed into the two-headed hydra.
“Feverdream!” the oversized knight shouted from the other side of the vast chamber.
“I’m alright my love!” the cloaked knight shouted back as she leaned into Jayson’s arm. “Thank you, kind sir,” Feverdream smiled, not pulling away.
Even in the heat of battle, Jayson was stunned by her beauty. Long purple hair spilled from the hood of her cloak. Eyes like blue diamonds shined back while defined angles framed her nearly elven features. A second ticked by before the knight let her go and turned back to the battle.
Magical bolts struck the hydra over and over again. Sonja’s dark elf was unleashing every spell in his arsenal while Lance’s concubine hurtled fireballs, two at a time. Sonja whipped her ghost blade, sending shards of phantom blades exploding against thick scales. Lance stood at the ready, preparing to charge in. Since the monster was distracted, the large knight was able to back up safely from the creature’s attacks. Jayson peered about and his eyes landed on his own concubine as she stood well in the back, gazing at her nails.
“Gorganna, try to paralyze it!” Jayson commanded with a shout.
The gorgon let out a small huff and took two steps back, “I’m sorry my lord, I’m exhausted from the journey through the dungeon.”
Jayson glared at his concubine, “Get in there and do your best!”
Gorganna lifted her green arms up and yawned, “I’m so sleepy.”
“We don’t have time for this! Fight!” Jayson tried to hold it together as his brow formed a sharp V.
The gorgon sat down and pulled her knees to her chest. The snakes for hair writhed but even they coiled up, little sets of eyes closing. The sound of spell fire filled the room as the battle raged. The hydra hissed and spit out lightning bolts. Sonja ducked and dodged while shards of stone pelted her from explosions.
Lance glanced over to Jayson. “You haven’t been taking care of them,” The white knight shouted over the sounds of battle.
Sonja weaved and pointed her blade. Several ghostlier blades struck the beast, dislodging thick scales. The monster let out a roar as another bolt of lightning struck it. Two sets of eyes focused on her dark elf as he began reciting another incantation. Sonja saw the murderous intent etched into the monster’s expression and moved toward the dark elf spell caster.
“Kell! Get down!” The blue knight commanded.
The dark elf sneered, “My lady, I’m sure my protection can hold off this monster’s….” Kell never had a chance to finish.
Jaws opened wide, the two hydra heads blasted out dual streams of lightning. Kell did indeed have a shield of protection but it shattered as the streams of energy collided with it. The dark elf was thrown against a wall as he screamed. Electric lights burrowed into his chest as his eyes were the size of saucers. The hydra snapped its jaws shut and leered as the dark elf slid to the floor and fell onto his knees.
Sonja was already to him, “Kell?”
The dark elf looked up, light fading from his eyes. “I’m sorry my lady….,” Kell let out a small sigh and faded from his lady’s arms.
Jayson could see the look of shock in Sonja’s eyes. It was the first time any of them saw one of their concubines killed. The player took comfort in knowing after a few days, the concubine would resurrect. It was the attachments Jayson had begun to notice. The three of them had seen players treat their concubines like objects but there was a much larger population, including Sonja, that treated them like equals or better. The lines were blurred in the fantasy and some took to it better than others. The player would listen to Sonja and Lance talking about how they enjoyed their time with their concubines. He never said it out loud but even the most casual player often had their favorites. Jayson knew the dark elf was one of her favorites. He knew if something happened, she would not take it well.