by Eden Redd
Oksuna gazed at her lord, the corner of her lip frowning. Jayson held her close, the fullness of her body pressing against his. With a touch of regret, he pulled away, turned and stepped to the main doors.
“We will be here for you. Call us if you need to and we will fight by your side!” Dalya said with positive energy.
Oksuna kept her gaze on her lord’s back. Lips parting, a song rose up, filling the keep with vibrations of joy and sorrow. Jayson stopped but did not turn back, savoring the pink haired troll’s melodic voice. After a long moment, he continued to the door and stepped over the threshold and into the sunny day.
Finger tapping a recall stone, the world turned to streaks of light. A moment later, Jayson was standing in a field. Sonja and Lance stood, heads turning to the knight while Lunatina smiled. Smiles appeared on their lips. The three knights stepped to each other and hugged, forming a triangle. Heads pressed together, they basked in their light, love and friendship. The jester crossed her arms but grinned at their union.
The trio broke away and stood facing each other. Jayson and Sonja looked to Lance. The white knight was smiling but his eyes looked tired and worn down. They all knew the pain but said no more of it.
“We still have a long way to the western edge of Lukken. Are we still up for the quest?” Jayson asked with a sad smile.
“We can’t let those bastard trolls win. I’m still in,” Sonja smiled brightly.
Lance’s eyes had a faraway stare to them before he blinked it away. Looking up, he saw Sonja and Jayson’s smiles, returning his own, “We are in this to the end.”
“Since I have no place left to be, mind if a lone alchemist accompanies you?” Lunatina smiled.
“You kept to your end of the agreement. I’m okay with it,” Jayson smirked.
“If you keep supplying elixirs then I think it would be fine,” Sonja said sarcastically.
“The more the merrier,” Lance nodded.
Jayson took in a deep breath and started walking to the western leg of Journey Road. Sonja and Lance followed, Lunatina following behind the group. Stepping onto the road, Jayson kept his eyes on the horizon, renewed excitement bleeding into his heart.
Lance cleared his throat before he spoke. “I love you,” the white knight said matter of fact.
Jayson and Sonja turned their heads as they walked.
“I love you,” Jayson said solemnly.
“I love you,” Sonja’s voice said with a slight tremble.
Lance continued, “I know we’re headed into unknown territory but being with both of you has really opened my eyes to love and how complicated and wonderful it can be. I’m honored to call you my lovers and friends.”
“We feel the same,” Sonja said with a loving glow.
Jayson turned his eyes back to the horizon, “When the time is right, we have to meet up in reality. I want to spend time with my soul mates.”
Lance’s eyes widened a little before he too looked to the horizon with excitement swirling in his heart. Sonja felt a rush of warmth rise up her neck and into her cheeks, heart beating to a true vibration only the three of them could ever understand.
The road stretched on, mountains, swamps and dark forests waiting. The three knights walked as their faces were painted by the warm sun. A flowing breeze caressed their skin as they marched toward the unknown, their love and friendship binding them even closer against the dark forces on the bright digital horizon.
***
The world turned to black. Jason took hold of the MEG helmet and pulled it up. Taking in a deep breath, he lay in his bed and stared at the ceiling. After a few moments, he sat up and removed the love box strapped to his thigh.
Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side and stood up. Sore muscles cried out and the young man stretched his arms over his head. Naked, he let his arms fall to his sides and stepped over to his computer chair. Sitting down, he accessed his computer while thinking of making a sandwich. Stomach growling, he quickly logged on and saw he had several e-mail alerts.
Hunger growing, he stood up and crossed over to his tiny alcove kitchen. Pulling ingredients from the refrigerator, he deftly made a sandwich in less than twenty seconds. Picking up the plate, he stepped over to his computer. Thoughts and moments bubbled in his mind as he sat down. Rujin’s words floated to the top, sending Jason’s mind pondering on the implications. The mystery was a strange one, that the player hoped was simply a glitch in the game.
Taking a bite of his sandwich, he tapped away at the keyboard and opened an e-mail. Eyes moving from left to right, his chewing slowed. When he reached the bottom an animated image of Sil appeared, smiling and the words “Tap me” right underneath her.
Jason moved the cursor over the words and clicked on it.
Sil took up his entire screen, smiling and wings beating, “Thank you for taking the time to view our update. The creators of Lewd Knights wanted to extend a special thank you and inform you of breaking news about the future of the game. You have all made Lewd Knights a joy to experience and it was only right to deliver the good news to so many fans of the game.
“Lewd Knights 3.0 upgrade will vastly improve gaming content. We have received mountains of feedback and are happy say that the update will be our most ambitious yet. No longer confined to one character class or race, Lewd Knights will become Lewd Saga. New and existing players may take on new character classes and become one of the many races that inhabit the world of Lukken. We are happy to bring depth and sexy adventures to you true fans.
“When the update takes place, we encourage you to try out new classes, races and new kinks! Those of you who have been with us since the beginning will receive either a new rare concubine or a rare magical item.
“Join us as Lewd Saga opens your world to limitless possibilities!”
Jayson sat, staring at the screen with a half-eaten sandwich in his hand. Eyes wide, his jaw went slack as Sil danced on screen, twirling and jumping.
“Holy shit,” the young man whispered, the possibilities filling him with joyful anticipation.
~Fin~
Lewd Paladin: Shadow of Fate
One
Shafts of sunlight lit up the center of the library. Large windows opened to a clear blue sky as light moved slowly across tables and chairs running down the middle of the main hall. Some students scurried away to dark corners, dragging their books with them so they could continue their scholarly studies. One student remained at a brightly lit table, his back to the blazing streams of light and eyes on the open book in his hands. Green eyes moved from left to right, the sunlight causing the white pages to nearly glow in his hands. Many books stacked on the table around him formed a makeshift fort, to block out the movement of others as he concentrated and absorbed the maddening barrels of information he had to retain for mid-terms.
Luis’s shoulder’s relaxed as the sun massaged his tense shoulders. The young man always loved the bright ball of fire in the sky and this was one of those moments where he could worship it in peace. Putting the book down, the student leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to them. The stress was overwhelming and he took a cleansing breath. Glancing around, he could see rows of books. Students hid in shadows, noses so far into their text books that Luis could only see hair. The silence was welcoming but it was short lived. Worried impulses hacked at his mind, forcing him to stress about mid-terms, shouting for him to get back to work. It was an ugly dance but Luis knew this was for a better future, his future.
Letting out another deep breath, he reached for Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche and went back to reading. Luis was enjoying his philosophy class but found it odd that a class on philosophy was so demanding. He thought it would be an easy A but he was sorely disappointed. Taking in text line by line, he tried to retain everything he was reading but soon his mind began to wander. Eyes shifted from the book to the group of girls sitting on plush chairs and talking in hushed tones. If only there was more time, he would s
wagger over and make polite conversation. The thought was a warm one but a chance he would never take. Not because he was intimidated but because he simply did not have any time for romance. The class load was heavy and the papers all consuming. Luis mentally lamented that after mid-terms; he could relax and hit the parties. Maybe one of those cute girls would be there?
Sighing to himself, the student forced his eyes back to the open book and started reading once again. The information flowed like a muddy river. The sun at his back warmed him and spread throughout his body. Haze took over and eyes once again turned upward. Luis’s eyes took a faraway gaze until one of the elevators down the large hall opened and a man in a suit stepped out with two police officers behind him.
Luis glanced at his back pack sitting in the chair next to him. A miniature Thor’s hammer hung from the zipper. Looking back at the three officers, his hand moved to the back pack, fingers curling around one of the straps. The student put the book under his left arm and was about to stand up when the man in the suit turned his head, eyes connecting.
“Damn,” Luis said in the barest of whispers.
Pretending to move the stacks of books in front of him, he let go of his back pack. Thor’s hammer moved from side to side in the bright sunlight. The man tapped his comrades and the three of them began walking toward the table with several stacks of books. Luis pretended to read, his mind and heart racing. Time seemed to speed up because when the student blinked, the three officers stood at the other side of the table, all eyes on him.
“Luis Rivera, can we have a word in private?” A square jawed detective barely smiled.
Luis looked up and played as dumb as he could, “Is there a problem sir?”
“I’m Detective Chambers. We would like to talk to you in private. It concerns one of your family members,” The man in the suit said with a touch of intensity in his eyes.
“We can talk in one of the study rooms,” Luis said as he stood up and lifted his back pack, slinging it over his shoulder.
The student moved from the table and walked over to a shadowed section of the library. Several rooms lined a wall with glass on one side. The rooms were sound proof to help with studying but anyone could look in. Luis stepped to one of the bigger ones with a large table and chairs. Opening the door, he stepped in with the three officers close behind. The door shut and Luis made his way to the opposite tide of the room. Turning, he looked to the detective and the uniformed men in blue, his heart pounding in his chest but his eyes blank.
“We apologize for interrupting you but we have some questions we hope you can answer,” said Detective Chambers.
“Sure, what can I do to help?” Luis said while trying to keep his voice neutral.
The detective nodded, “Do you know the whereabouts of your sister, Vanessa Rivera?”
“I haven’t seen her much since I started college. Is everything alright?”
“We need to speak to your sister about an incident last weekend.”
“What incident?” Luis asked his gaze on the lead officer.
“We just want to speak to her and clear a few things up. She may have been involved and we’re just doing our due diligence. You understand that we are here to simply talk to her and appreciate if you could point us in the right direction or ask her to come in.”
Luis’s eyes half closed, “I don’t understand. She should be home. Why are you coming to me?”
The detective gave a disarming smile, “We just want to talk to her.”
“What may she have been involved in? It can’t be anything simple if you need three officers to speak to one woman,” Luis said with an annoyed edge.
The detective’s eyes hardened a little, “We want to talk to….”
Luis cut him off, “What do you think she was involved in?”
A vein rose up at the detective’s temple, eyes sharp. “Have you heard what happened to Cindy Cohen?”
Luis nodded, “Wasn’t that the girl who died of an overdose last weekend at a dorm party? You can’t think my sister was involved.”
“We don’t know what to think, that’s why we’re here. We talked to your mother and she hasn’t seen Vanessa in weeks. Your sisters haven’t seen her either. We just want to ask her a few questions.”
Luis slowed his heart as he stared at the officers, “Like I said, I haven’t seen her in months.”
The detective moved around the edge of the table, eyes on Luis, “You haven’t seen her but she has been on campus many times over the last two months. When you see her, please have her stop by the station so we can clear this matter up.”
Detective Chamber’s produced a card and extended his hand. Luis eyed it for a moment before taking the card and putting it into his pocket. The other two officers went to the door and stepped out. The detective stepped to the door but closed it shut. Turning, he looked to Luis with another disarming smile.
“You’re doing well for yourself, getting an education and a degree, seems like you’re doing the right thing. I always enjoy when people strive to do better in their lives. I also know that a certain kind of family can often hinder those good goals.”
“What are you trying to say?….Sir.” Luis tried to keep the touch of sarcasm from his voice.
Detective Chambers kept eye contact as he spoke, “Nothing you don’t already know. If you see your sister, please call the number. I hope to hear from you soon.”
The detective opened the door and stepped out, joining the other officers. Luis stayed in the room but looked through the glass wall, eyeing them as they walked down the sunlight middle of the library and stood at the elevators. They continued to have small talk until the elevator doors opened. When all three men stepped in and the doors closed, Luis grabbed one of the chairs and sat down, hands to the sides of his head.
“What did you do now Vanessa?” Luis said in a harsh whisper.
Long moments passed before Luis was back up and leaving the study room. Walking back to the stack of books he left on the table, he decided to put them back and head back to his dorm. A serious nap was in order and he would have to pick up where he left off tomorrow.
Grabbing an armful of books, he turned and walked to the philosophy section. Slipping one book in, hands reached around. One hand covered his eyes while another wrapped around his throat. Luis was startled but quickly planted his feet, dropped the books in his arms and drove his elbow into the person behind him.
“OW! You’re too rough!” came a voice from behind as hands unfurled and pulled away.
Luis spun around and glared at a woman with raven black hair, and dressed like she was going to a funeral. Pale fingers with black nail polish straightened out her outfit but she continued to smile at the shorter student.
“You’re a piece of work! A detective is looking for you. What did you do?” Luis demanded as his anger took hold.
“Happy to see you too little brother,” Vanessa smiled, showing all of her white teeth.
Luis’s eyes narrowed as his sister continued to grin. “I wish I could say the same. The detective said you may have been involved with a student’s overdose. What the fuck are you doing dealing on campus,” Luis growled.
Vanessa took a step back and leaned against one of the shelves, “I had nothing to do with that, it’s bad for business. I happen to be at that party but I wouldn’t do that.”
Luis shook his head, “Then you should go in and tell your side of the story.”
Vanessa leaned her head against the shelf and her shoulders shuddered from a contained giggle, “I don’t think so. They would pin it on me anyway.”
“Vanessa, this is big trouble. Go in and tell your side. I’m sure they will take it into account.”
The dark-haired beauty eyed her brother and gave a slight shake of her head. “You think everything is about justice and doing the right thing. Sometimes I wonder how you fit in the family.”
“What’re going to do? Keep doing business until they catch you? You want that hanging over you
r head all the time?”
“They’ll never catch me,” Vanessa said with a smirk, “Unless someone turns me in. You going to turn me in little bro?”
Luis’s hands balled into tight fists as he gazed at his sister. He wanted nothing more than to turn her into the authorities just to wipe that stupid smirk off her face. Instead, his fingers loosened and flexed outward. Vanessa watched as he went through the motions she knew all too well. Waiting, she ran a finger across book spines, eyes in mock daydreaming.
“Family comes first,” Luis said as his shoulders sank a few inches. “But I think you should still go in.”
The older sister let out a long exhale, “I think I’m ready for a vacation. I have a ticket to see Abuela in Florida, might spend a few months taking it easy in the sun.”
Luis crossed his arms, “For someone who wasn’t involved, you seem eager to run away.”
“Don’t worry your handsome little head. Besides, you need to focus on your studies. You’re going to be the first Rivera to make something of himself. The whole family is proud of you. I’m proud of you.”
Luis let out a sarcastic exhale before kneeling down and picking up the books around his feet one by one, “Save it. I’m not going to travel down that dark path the family likes to follow. Go to Florida and start a new life. Don’t come back until you give up the business.”
Vanessa’s eyes turned serious but only for a second, “You really are the best of us.”
Luis turned away as his sister leaned in and kissed his cheek. Red colored his cheeks but he kept his brow in a firm V.
Vanessa turned but looked back to her brother, “Since business has been good, I left you a present, something to help take the edge off from your studies. It’s in your dorm room.”
“You know I don’t do anything connected with your business,” Luis said in a low dark tone.