End Game: A Gamer Romance

by Swallow, Lisa

  He leans back in the chair and crosses his arms. “Who in the guild studies fight strategies for killing new bosses and who doesn’t?”

  “You… and I guess me answers the other.”

  “Luin is now a Mythical Beast,” he announces. “There’s a limited time event—kill her and earn a Legendary reward.”

  “What? You kept that quiet! C’mon, let’s go, we need the guild to help! This is insane.”

  He uncrosses his arms and leans towards the screen. “We don’t need others to do this; it’s not a raid. Have faith, Sin. Remember Droog?”

  “He was a random elite creature, not an elite boss. Jesus, how many health points does Luin have?”

  “I think around 125 thousand.”

  “Shit. Aaron. Come on. Let’s go. I don’t want to spend all evening lying on the floor.”

  “Oh, but you like to do that with me, Evie.” His voice is low, teasing.

  “I end that with an achievement,” I reply. “And it hurts less.”

  He chuckles. “Me too. C’mon. Don’t be a coward. I have extra potions for you.” A ‘trade’ box appears onscreen with two potions inside. I take them. “Plus… you have your special quest reward to earn.”

  I glance down at the gold envelope again. “Fine, but after five deaths I’m out. Is the fight mechanic the same as four years ago?”

  “No. Pay attention.”

  I grit my teeth. Aaron explains how the fight works, how we’ll face waves of plants and caterpillars to kill first, and a lot of thick green goo we’ll need to avoid or suffer huge damage, e.g. death. At least because the scenario is based on the early game, they’re simpler. The current game version holds more complicated dungeons and bosses.

  The creature greeting us as we enter the her room is not a tiny, cute-looking fairie dragon like the plush in front of me. She’s bloody huge. Monstrous-sized versions of the caterpillars and flowers we faced on our route up to her lair surround her.

  Luin

  Dragonkin Elite

  Hostile

  Level 52

  HP + 125,000

  “I guess she’s all grown up,” says Aaron with a laugh.

  “Holy…”

  “Want to try still?”

  “Okay. Let’s attack and get the first death over with,” I mumble.

  We do. And survive thirty seconds as I bite back a retort about Thorsday standing in green caterpillar spew.

  “There’s a tree you stand behind when Luin casts the Killing Time spell. Once she stops, walk back out to the left and take down the caterpillars that reappear.”

  I rub my face. I need to find the website explaining this fight’s mechanics. “Can you give me five minutes to read up on this fight?”

  “Nah. We got this.”

  “Sure, we have.” He laughs at my sarcasm.

  Our attempts continue and each time we manage to bring her health down lower, close but so far to victory. Instead, each time we’re defeated and her health returns to full and the fight resets. I swear as a swarm of butterflies appear when we fail to kill all the caterpillars in time. Thorsday manages to stop many hitting Sinestre, but the damage they do from just one hit is enough to drop my health by half. We repeat the exercise over and over until we manage to kill everything apart from Luin.

  Death number eight and Sinestre’s armour levels have dropped from ‘Scuffed’ to ‘Wrecked’. Thorsday’s isn’t much better.

  “Right. Last try,” I say. “This is not fun.”

  “We got this. We get her health lower every time we try.”

  “You said that the last four times.”

  Aaron doesn’t respond as he charges across the cavern floor towards the caterpillar group, using the same moves as last time, and I cast every single spell I can in quick succession.

  Five minutes later and we’ve survived the waves of caterpillars and butterflies, honing our strategy to survive, and begin our attack on Luin again.

  The words I expect to hear from Aaron are shouted at me a minute later. “You need to switch to healing me, Evie. My damage is high enough to finish this part of the fight alone— if I stay alive.”

  I can’t protest; there’s no choice. She’s 10% health and Thorsday’s is 5%. My healing spells are stronger; I need to take the role.

  Sinestre switches from powerful attack spells to equally effective healing spells on Thorsday, watching Luin’s health bar empty as we progress.

  “I’m using too much power healing,” I say. “I need to change back to damage.”

  “We got this.”

  “Will you shut up with your ‘we got this’? Heal yourself until I conjure my Dark form.”

  “No, that’ll take too long.” He parries the dragon’s crushing blow.

  The goo spews and we duck behind the tree. “Changing now.”

  “You’ll use all your mana! You won’t be able to cast any more healing spells.” He huffs and chugs a healing potion, allowing me respite for a few seconds. The wave of Corrosive Dragon Spittle over, we step out to attack Luin again. Thorsday’s health drops as the dragon’s claws critically hit him.

  Ignoring him, I cast the slow spell needed to switch from White Sorcerer to Dark Sorcerer, the one whose powers increase but have no ability to heal. The form I played before Aaron came on the scene.

  “Heal yourself!” I yell over voice chat.

  Sinestre throws a curse on the dragon and time slips backwards, taking us to two minutes earlier into the fight, where Thorsday’s health was higher.

  Immediately I launch bolt after bolt of green electricity, pulled from the dark, demonic cloud surrounding me. Each hit Thor takes, with no healing from me, his health drops lower.

  “This is not a good idea,” he growls.

  “Heal your freaking self!”

  “Whoa. Now there’s the old Evie I knew and fell in love with.”

  His words throw me off the game for a few seconds, hand shaking as his words ring in my ears. I glance at him but he’s not looking at me, hunched forward and focused on his computer screen. Did he just say…?

  “Pay attention!” he shouts. “And okay, but if I die your quest fails.”

  “I never fail quests,” I retort.

  Thorsday intersperses his attack with the self-heals as I drain my health and magic by throwing everything I have at the creature. My magic bar empties along with my health, when Luin is at 1%, and I’m 5%.

  Thorsday? His death cry sounds, simultaneous with the loud chime and onscreen message only we can see:

  Luin has been defeated

  Another message appears, on a channel broadcast across the world.

  Server First: Thorsday and Sinestre defeat Luin.

  Thorsday and Sinestre earn the title ‘the Dragon Slayer’.

  “Oh man,” I gasp. “Tyler’s gonna lose his shit.” I wait for Aaron’s whooping and cheering but all I hear is a low laugh. “Not funny, I’m sure he will. We’re supposed to take on big challenges as a guild.”

  “No. I’m laughing because you let me die. Again.”

  I smile. “Oops.”

  Morphing out of my Dark form and back into the Sinestre with less Sin in her character, I cast a spell to resurrect Thorsday.

  He clicks on Luin’s body; a table containing loot appears and my eyes bug out.

  Fabled Mount: Luin

  Increases Flight Speed by 50%

  “We literally own Luin?” I ask. “We get to use her as a mount?”

  “The only two players on the server with her.”

  I repeat exclamations of disbelief and victory, losing sight of everything but the surging pride at my achievement. “Screen shots!” I position myself in front of her body.

  “You can open your envelope now, Evie.”

  “But I let you die. I failed the quest.”

  “Maybe I let myself die because I ignored what you told me. Besides, it was after we downed Luin and completed the quest. I’ll allow you this one.”

  I glance at him on
video chat and he rests back in the chair again, watching me over Skype. I carefully peel back the gold envelope.

  Inside, a plane ticket to Sydney. Tomorrow. And a new quest:

  Quest: Travel to a New Realm and retrieve the Mythic Item

  Travel to Sydney and pay the ransom to Thorsday

  Reward: Pink Unicorn Hat of Awesomeness

  My heart jumps halfway across the room. In the weeks since he returned home, our next meet up hasn’t been discussed and as each day passed with no mention, my paranoia grew.

  “I…” I stammer.

  “You…? I want you to come to Sydney. You no longer work Sundays and Mondays. You can stay with me while on your quest, if you like.” He pauses. “Well, I’m counting on you staying with me.”

  The flight ticket sticks to my fingers. “I’ve never flown before. Not in real life anyway. And this is tomorrow!”

  “Exactly. No time to talk yourself out of the challenge.”

  “I know, but—”

  “You don’t want to see me?” He mock-pouts, knowing full well the answer.

  “Hell, you know I do, but this is out of the blue. We never discussed this… I didn’t think you wanted me to come to Sydney.”

  “Huh? I told you I have your hat here, held ransom. How else are you supposed to retrieve your ‘precious’?”

  “What’s the ransom? So I know what to bring.”

  “You.”

  “Obviously I’ll bring me, but what’s the ransom.”

  Thorsday leans forward, face close to the camera so I can see his expression. “I just told you. You.”

  37

  I stumble through the Sydney Airport arrivals area, glad I decided on carry-on luggage only. Finding my way to the exit is challenge enough without negotiating baggage claim too. Reaching the ripe age of twenty-one before taking my debut flight embarrasses me a little and freaks me out more. Aaron’s promised to meet me at the airport; I’m relieved, unable to face negotiating taxis or buses, or however the hell I travel to where he lives.

  I scan the large hall as I head out into the main concourse, following the trail of people walking who have purpose—and know where they’re going. I borrowed Erin’s small, black travel case which fitted in all I need, considering my lack of wardrobe. I repacked five times, which is ridiculous since I’m only staying for a long weekend.

  My laptop accompanies me too; not as great as my computer for gaming, but a good spare. Erin watched in shock as I packed the laptop, commenting how she doesn’t think gaming is Aaron’s plans for the weekend.

  She’s probably right, because it sure as hell isn’t mine, but I can’t sever the game cord that easily.

  Aaron’s easy to spot, head and shoulders above people around, arms deep in his heavy green jacket pockets as he watches the flow of people walk through the arrivals door. My throat and chest tighten as I see him, before he meets my eyes, because for the last five hours travelling all I’ve pictured is him, with me.

  Resisting the impulse to take part in a movie-worthy moment, I walk rather than run in his direction. He catches sight of me and a huge smile appears. A movie moment suits my Thor-alike though, because he approaches in several strides and scoops me into his powerful arms, lifting me from the floor. I steady my hand on his chest and look down at him, unsure what to do. He makes the decision for me, lips meeting mine in a gentle kiss. My breath’s knocked out by his kiss and by his strength as he squeezes me.

  “Hey, Evie.” He drops me to the floor, takes my hand and laces his fingers through. “How was the flight?”

  “Yeah.” Every time I see him for the first time in weeks, my infatuation lowers my intellect by 20 points, and when he cups my face to kiss me again, he blocks the Power of Speech too.

  “I’m glad you came,” he says.

  “I had to—I have a quest.” We both grin and I sweep a gaze over him. “Well, I’m here. Where’s my hat?”

  “Not with me. You haven’t earned that reward yet.”

  Aaron picks my case up from where it dropped to the floor and holds it in his other hand. He lifts my fingers to kiss them. “Let’s go.”

  *

  Sydney traffic makes Perth rush hour look like a few cars on a country lane; the short drive to Aaron’s house drags as we hit the edge of rush hour. I gaze out of the window, ears blocked from the flight, stomach continuing to flip over and over. I’m in another city. With Aaron. The man with one hand on my knee, and a smile on his face despite the horrible commuter traffic.

  Since the plane ticket and request I visit him in Sydney, a new hope rose but with it came confusion and overthinking everything. But this is a step; a sign. It’s better I’m here than if he visited Perth and what else lies there. Aaron hasn’t spoken about Jessica since that day, and I worry he’s compartmentalised his two lives again. Was his talk about accepting that he needs to move on in life sign of a permanent change, or is he not strong enough to manage without being dragged back?

  His action in inviting me here suggests he is moving on. Right?

  As we arrive and he takes my bag upstairs, Aaron’s opening the door not just to his apartment but to an Aaron I never thought he’d allow me to see.

  The apartment is an older property, situated in a low-rise block. His lounge area opens up onto a narrow balcony and beyond the trees and houses below, I can glimpse the bay. I stand in the window, transfixed by the new view, and dizzied by the storming emotions flowing through: excitement sparking happiness.

  An open-plan kitchen faces the back of the large room, and a door to the right leads to a bedroom. Aaron lives in easy commuting distance of his employer in the city centre and rents, which figures considering he still has a house in Perth and that Sydney is famed for expensive property. I can’t imagine anybody affording to buy here, not with money tied up elsewhere, unless extremely wealthy.

  Listen to me, property aficionado.

  I tuck my hands beneath my arms as I gaze out, heart continuing to thump. Am I really here? Am I doing the right thing?

  Aaron’s enthusiastic greeting at the airport becomes a familiar hesitancy once we’re inside his home, and when he doesn’t say anything or touch me, I sit on his brown sofa.

  “Nice apartment,” I say, at a loss what else to.

  “Thanks. I don’t think I’ll stay much longer.”

  “Oh?”

  “Want my own place. Move on. I’m selling the Perth house.”

  “Oh. Good. I mean, good that you’re leaving Perth. I mean, uh. Crap. You know what I mean.”

  “I do.”

  I nod and play with the edge of my hoodie. Aaron sits next to me, and the sexual tension that followed us since our first kiss at the airport joins him. Is that why the awkward small talk? We need to reconnect physically first? “I’m glad you came, quest or no quest.”

  “I’m happy you invited me,” I say in a low voice. “You surprised me.”

  He runs fingers across his lips, his expression unfathomable. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “You. Here. It’s strange.” The intense look continues.

  “Oh.” Shit. Doubts?

  “Not like that.” He places a hand on my knee. “People don’t come here; this home is my sanctuary, I guess. To be honest, I rarely sit in this room, apart from the occasional staring out the window when the game’s in maintenance and unplayable.”

  “You’re not serious?”

  He laughs softly. “Not a hundred percent.”

  I look around the room. Basic, flatpack furniture and a solitary sofa. No pictures on the beige wall. The place feels as unlived-in as the house in Perth. Even his kitchen counter is clear.

  “Where’s your computer?”

  “You want me to show you my rig?” His eyes glint and I shake my head at him. “I game in my bedroom, same as you.”

  I want to comment how strange that is considering he has all this space, but understand the need to cocoon that he shares with me.

  On the plane, I promised my
self I’d talk to Aaron first. Share a drink. Talk about the game or inane things, but as I sit here with my hands in my lap, I’m aware that won’t happen.

  All I’m aware of is my body’s memory of Aaron’s hands, mouth, tongue… everything and, to be brutally honest, I really need to get the aching lust sorted. I can’t hold a rational conversation which doesn’t include picturing him naked and ignoring the building ache through my body, and heat growing between my legs. If he touches me, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.

  How does this man do these things to me with just his presence?

  Um. Look at him, Evie?

  “Sure, I’d love to see where you hide out.”

  Aaron pushes his hands on his knees and stands before gesturing to the door. “My bedroom’s a little tidier than yours.”

  “I’ll soon sort that out.” As soon as the words are out, I bite down on my mouth as his mouth curves into a smile.

  “With your clothes everywhere, I hope.”

  Oh hell, he’s having exactly the same plans I have.

  I swallow, ignoring the ache at the juncture of my thighs, and focus on not being a sex-mad strumpet.

  Aaron’s right, his room ranks higher on the tidiness scale than mine ever could. But, being the geek I am, I notice other things first. Such as the size of his computer screen, the expensive branding on his tower. I’m drawn to touch the awesomeness, and knock the mouse in my hurry. The screen flashes into sharp colours, a definition and clarity that blows my computer’s graphics out of the water.

  “Whoa,” I whisper and lean closer. “This is amazing.”

  “I hope that’s not the most impressive thing you find in this room,” he says.

  I ignore his pointed comment and sit on his desk chair, leaning back as the ergonomic seat enfolds me.

  “Trust you to have the best of everything.”

  Aaron pulls me to his feet. “Almost everything, until today.”

  For a moment, we face off, gauging what to do next, and there’s no doubt in either of our minds because what happens next is inevitable. I’m unsure how long it takes for our clothes to hit the floor, or to find our way to his bed. I wouldn’t notice, only aware of his touch exploding fireworks beneath my skin. The naked Aaron I thought of as I drifted to sleep on the plane lies over me, and I’ve never felt more turned on in my life.