by Eden Redd
Jason gave Andrea a sheepish look, “Tomorrow, why?”
Andrea reached over to a napkin dispenser. Pulling out a white napkin, she placed it on the table. She fished into her pocket and pulled out a pen. Jason watched as she wrote out a string of numbers and letters. When she was finished, she slid the napkin across the table to Jason’s hand.
“When you see Oksuna, recite this code string. It should activate her speech commands.”
“She has always been able to talk?”
Andrea shook her head, “Her character is not meant to speak, only sing, but she does have the ability. The code will unlock her speech capabilities and make it easier for her to tell you what is happening to her.”
“How come you don’t just activate it?”
Andrea gave Jason a tired look, “If I met with her in game or tried to activate anything, she would have brought it to your attention. If you reported it, then someone I don’t know may try to reboot her algorithms. That is why I had to see you. I can’t leave a virtual trail and chance wiping Oksuna in the process.”
Jason looked down at the napkin. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing but thoughts of his pink haired troll rolled through his mind and his heart. He could never admit out loud that he had fallen in love with a digital monster girl but here he was stuffing a napkin in his pocket with a code to unlock her speech while listening to a complete stranger talk about possible self-aware AI’s.
Andrea watched Jason put the napkin in his pocket, “Have you seen the question mark skill in your skill list?”
Jason remained silent. Two months ago, a skill with three question marks did appear in his skill list. It happened after a long night of love making with Oksuna. Every time he tried to activate it, nothing happened. However, a percentage appeared by it and has grown over the last few months. Last time he logged on, it was at 86%. He hadn’t thought much more of it until now.
Andrea continued, “We don’t know what it is either. About two dozen players have received the same skill. Yours is at the highest percentage.”
Jason lifted up one hand and massaged his closed eyes with his fingers, “I don’t know what to say and this is a lot to take in.”
The woman with a pink streak in her hair looked to Jason with kind eyes, “I know; it was a lot for me to process as well. I just had to come and tell you everything. Oksuna is special in more ways than one. I have been with her since years before the game ever went live. After each of our characters were created, we were able to interact with them to ensure they were convincing enough and an acceptable representation of our own psyche. Many of us formed intensely close bonds and fondness for our counterparts. They are our children. Oksuna has become a daughter to me. I will do everything I can to help you both but you have to keep going west. Once you complete the quest, she will be free of the scripted events.”
“And then what? Will you take her away to this phantom server? Take her away from me?” Jason couldn’t hide the worry and anger rising to the surface. The thought of losing Oksuna burned more than anything else in his life.
Andrea’s eyes took a deep soulful gloom, “We don’t…I don’t know. We’re trying to figure it out as we go. I would never want her to leave you. You make her very happy and she is…like a daughter to me. I know this is strange but we can figure it out after the quest is finished. I promise I only want the best for her…and you.”
Andrea stood up from her seat, her hand diving into her pocket. Pulling it out, she had a folded ten and placed it on the table. Jason looked up to her, his mind still reeling from the info dump. This was so beyond the normal scope of his life that he questioned everything. He even questioned if this was some practical joke at his expense.
“I know this is all hard to believe. All I can ask of you is to keep doing the right thing, for her and for you,” Andrea said simply.
Jason looked at the stranger across from him and couldn’t help but see the beautiful pink troll he had fallen for staring back. His unconventional love for Oksuna ran deep, and the thought of her being harmed, or possibly wiped out pushed him to react.
“What if I have more questions? What if I need to get a hold of you?”
“I will be watching you in the game as much as I can. Since your party is close to the end of the quest, many others may be watching too. I can’t do anything overtly but look out for messages. I will do my best to help but this is the only time we can talk until you finish the quest. After that, I will reach out with anything new.”
Andrea turned and began walking toward the front door. Jason sat and watched her leave, the stormy cloud of doubt and reflection spinning on in the neon glow of the diner’s light.
Three
Eyes fluttered open and a small groan rose up into the air. Jason turned on his side, away from the bright shafts of sunlight in his tiny studio apartment. Try as he might to shut out the morning sun as it poured in, the blooming whiskey headache only adding to the uncomfortable feelings throbbing along his nerves. Facing the wall, the dullness of his mind shifted to fractured memories. Like holding back a dam with just his two arms, he tried to not think about the events from last night.
Mental arms straining, they collapsed and flooded his head with memories, throwing him down as the images from last night began to piece together. Drowning in knowledge, he sighed and sat up. A small piece wanted to question what happened last night, but deep down he knew it had all taken place. Turning, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked down. The floor was littered with his clothes, pants and underwear right by his feet. Reaching down, he picked up his pants and searched his pockets. Fingers grazing a soft napkin, he took hold and pulled it out. Unfolding it, he stared down at the letters and numbers. Memories floated up of Andrea and her almost desperate pleas to take care of Oksuna. The information was still fresh even after all the drinking.
Standing up, he let his pants fall to the floor and walked over to his small alcove kitchen. Hands moved robotically, grabbing juice, milk, fruit and a box of cereal. Jason walked over to the tiny kitchen table and set everything down. Moving to a cabinet, he pulled out a big bowl and tablespoon. A happy thought caressed his mind as he looked down at the fruit. Spending time with Rachel helped opened his eyes to eating better. She was insistent on adding fruit to his diet and encouraged him endlessly to be healthy. Jason liked how they acted like a real couple, even though neither of them said the actual word. Thoughts shifted to Trevor. Could the three of them have a happy and healthy relationship together, not just in the virtual world but in the real one as well? The meeting last night was the first step but beyond that, Jason couldn’t say.
Thoughts swirled on to Andrea. She warned him about so many things but asking him to not speak about it to his friends felt wrong. He thought that maybe he should talk to them. They would understand and the three of them could come up with better plans around protecting Oksuna. Jason wondered if what was happening to him was happening to them as well. Did they have concubines that were waking up? If they did, the three of them would have to protect them and other NPCs waking up in the game. The weight filled the young man’s shoulders as he poured cereal and then milk into a bowl. Adding the blue berries and strawberries next, Jason sat down and began to shove spoonful’s into his mouth, eyes lost to possibilities and worries.
Jason looked over to his desk and computer chair. The game console sat on the desk. The Mind’s Eye Gear helmet sat on the seat while a white suit with blue lines lay over the back the of chair. It took some time of saving, selling his car and a little help from Rachel to buy the full MEG suit and put the rest away for a rainy day. The first time he had it on; it was like the game was brand new again. The robotics, sensors and tactile micro fibers pushed the immersion level to beyond eleven. Entering the world of Lukken became vibrate and overwhelming at first but soon grew wonderfully normal. It was a much better addition to the fantasy game and Jason now couldn’t play without it. Remembering back to when he first played, the lo
ve box strapped to his inner thigh and basically had shape shifting tentacle mechanisms to stimulate, which seemed almost barbaric today. Now, the love box connected to the suit, and the sensors and robotics were streamlined for a better experience. Looking over at the gear, the familiar itch to play began to rise.
Jason shoveled cereal into his mouth as he eyed his cell phone on the table. With a quick scoop, he tapped at the screen and checked the time. It was 9am and he didn’t have to meet his fellow knights until 12pm. Three hours to figure out what he was going to do. Seductive urges whispered in his ear as he put the phone down. There was no reason to not log in early. He could get some things done, see his harem, and maybe even try the code with Oksuna before he met up with Lance and Sonja. He wouldn’t be rushed to preparing for the final leg of their long journey. Lunatina would be fine camping out until they returned to their save points. Picturing the pale alchemist in her purple and black jester clothes did cause a certain heat to rise to the surface. She is an NPC but the journey from the Middle Kingdoms to the far west did bring her closer to the group. Jason smiled to himself as he felt certain affection toward the alchemist but never acted on it. With the demand of a large harem, Sonja, Lance and Oksuna, there wasn’t enough time in the day or night to take on new lovers.
Looking down, Jason gazed on his empty cereal bowl. Time seemed to slip away once again. Fire lighting under him, he put everything away except for the juice container, which he gulped down until the carton was nearly empty. The drama and strangeness from last night washed away as desire and purpose pushed him into action. Putting the last of the juice away, Jason turned to his gear with a small smile.
A blissful cloud fell over the player as he slid the suit onto his naked body. Pulling the Velcro along his back together, the suit hugged his form, conforming to every bend, length and inch of skin from the neck down. Gloves were built into the suit and the love box adhered comfortably to his manhood. Hands moved to the MEG helmet and the player stepped over to his bed. Lying down, he put the helmet on and touched the activation button on the side. The helmet glowed red along the rim above his eyes while the console hummed to life. The wireless connection between the helmet and console pinged. The suit wrinkled and then smoothed out. Another ping indicated everything was working properly. The lights on the console turned green, and then the lights along the rim changed from red to green. Jason mentally kissed reality as he closed his eyes. The darkness around him fell into strange waves before light appeared. The lights grew brighter until they merged into a blinding brilliance. Jason let the light wash over him as reality shifted and the light faded.
Blinking, his small smile was still there. Jayson stood in the small courtyard to his keep. The sun hung high in the blue sky. Seagulls glided along toward the beach in the distance. The knight took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with virtual pure air. The MEG helmet massaged certain areas of the brain and a simulated experience of clean air washed over the player’s senses. To Jayson, it was another beautiful day in Lukken.
Eyes looked past to the human capital Valliser in the distance. It stood against the blue-green ocean, like a beacon to the world. It was where the first people landed on the strange shore and from there, they built their kingdoms. Jayson loved the history as his angelic guide, Sil, would speak to him every time he asked.
Memories flowed over the knight as he turned and took in his surroundings. The outer half walls of his keep could not hide the vibrate town that sprung up around him. When he first played the game, there were only a few keeps scattered about around the capital. Now that many players had flocked to the game, entire towns were born. Keep after keep lined the cobbled stone streets. Around corners, streets of vendors, restaurants, bars, shops and taverns rose up to gain gold from adventurous players. Jayson didn’t have the glorious view he once had but the new bustling town of Tandar added a new flare of excitement when he recalled back here. The concubines enjoyed leaving the keep to shop, talk or interact with the new locals. It added to their overall satisfaction and in turn, took some of the pressure off Jayson having to entertain them every time he came back.
Looking to the main keep doors, warmth crawled around the player’s heart. His harem had grown to nearly twenty concubines. They all had their talents and would have become unmanageable without Dalya’s help. Promoting her to Chosen Lady of the Harem, she kept the concubines in line, one way or another. She saw to their needs and the decision making when Jayson wasn’t around. The thought of walking in was exhilarating and off putting at the same time. If he went too long from seeing them, they often rushed him at once. Jayson rubbed the back of his head at the memory of being knocked down a few times.
The sound of giggling rose up from behind. Jayson looked over as Dalya, Gorganna and the hydra Kara and Nara stepped around a corner. They knew he had returned but had not seen him yet and were making a quick attempt to greet him at the door. Dalya’s cat like ears perked up and her eyes locked on her lord trying desperately to open the door. The kitra broke into a run and leaped over the half wall. Jayson turned around with a smile on his face as the kitra was airborne once again. The knight turned with arms up. The kitra crashed into him but the knight braced himself. Legs curled around his waist as clawed hands held onto his shoulders. Dalya mashed her lips against his, spearing her tongue past his lips. Kara and Nara folded their arms as they looked on. Gorganna moved in closer, her snakes for hair wriggling against each other for a better look.
“Goommmd tu…sthee u…” Jayson managed with a mouth full of Dalya’s tongue.
The kitra ignored him, lips pressed against his and her tail moving around with trembling enthusiasm. The display went on for a solid minute before Jayson pulled away for some air.
“It hasn’t been that long,” Jayson said as his hands cupped her round bottom.
“Any time away is too long,” Dalya smirked.
“We are happy to see you,” Kara said and Nara nodded.
Jayson looked to the Hydra in her almost humanoid form and then looked to Gorganna. The gorgon slinked closer, serpent eyes on Jayson’s strong collarbone. Dalya rubbed her head against Jayson’s cheek. The knight gave her bottom a gentle squeeze before putting her down. This didn’t stop the kitra from wrapping her arms around his neck and rubbing her head against his chest. Even the light armor covering him couldn’t stop the waves of loving bliss.
“I’m happy to see all of you. I’m sure there will be many more of you happy to see me once I walk in the front doors. Dalya, think you can keep them at bay?”
The Kitra’s ears perked up again as she looked up, “Of course my lord!”
Dalya let go of her lord and marched to the front door. Kara, Nara and Gorganna stood to either side of him. Door opened, the knight and concubines stepped inside. A feeling of home washed over the player as he stepped inside. Down the main hall, doors opened and heads poked out. A moment later, the hallway was filled with female concubines as they rushed along to see their lord. Dalya took a firm stance in front of Jayson, her gaze dictating what was to come next.
Crowding into the foyer, smiles beamed back as concubines created a semi-circle. Jayson spotted the dryad Petal and the elf twins, Lina and Fay. Among the crowd stood six female elves, several female hell hounds, two lamias and a pair of Nalik lizard women. The lizard women were recent additions during their trip through the Cambian swamps. Jayson tried to refuse but the tribal leader was so thankful for retrieving their sacred stones from a bog creature that he practically forced them on him. It was only after their initial night together during the celebration that he discovered they were concubines. Jayson smiled to all of them, but his eyes couldn’t find a certain pink haired troll.
A hell hound stepped forward, her eyes red and dog like ears pointed up. A dark red bikini top and bottom held tight against her body as fur ran along her forearms and shins, her skin was nearly charcoal black as a thick tail moved from side to side. Jayson smirked as she eyed him like raw meat.
&nbs
p; “Good to see you my lord. May I be the first to welcome you back home,” the hellhound licked her lips, pronounced white fangs gleaming.
Dalya took a step forward, “Sardyna! We agreed to give our lord more time to adjust when he visits home! Step back.”
The hellhound ignored the kitra as she stared at Jayson. Her two fellow hellhounds stepped up from behind, the same look of intent filling their glowing red eyes.
“My lord, why have a kitra boss us around when I’m much more suited for the position. You know I will bend to whatever desire you would have of me,” Sardyna smiled evilly.
Jayson kept his gaze gentle, “You know Dalya is in charge and what she says goes. I would hate to create an actual dog house for you in the back.”
Sardyna turned her attention from her lord to Dalya and then back to him, “For now, but you can always change your mind, my lord.” And with that, the three hellhounds stepped back into the semi-circle.
Jayson wasn’t much of a dog person but since meeting the three hellhounds they grew on him. The bickering between all of them was few and far between except for Dalya and the hellhounds. They literally fought like cats and dogs. At first, he thought it was a mistake and almost dismissed the hellhounds except when they fought the fire worms. Their pack mentality and power helped turned the tide when giant worms spitting fire almost proved too much. The longer they stayed, the more he found he couldn’t part with them, much to Dalya’s annoyance.
Jayson turned his attention to the whole harem, “I’m back for a little while before I head out to the west again. I will need to gather supplies but I want everyone to know that I may call on some, if not all of you for what may lie ahead. I want you all rested and ready.”