by Matt Moss
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “John, can you hear yourself right now? You’re fabricating this story about how it’s all real and—”
I let go of her. “I am not making this shit up, Jenny!” Take a deep breath. “You have to believe me. I’m telling the truth. And…”
She waits for a moment. “And what, John?”
“I can talk to Deakins. He’s still alive.”
“You can talk to some artificial intelligence that was programmed into a game? Right now, you can?”
“Well, not right now. Only when he talks to me first. But, yes.” She looks away and wipes the tears from her eyes. I know she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. “Jenny, you have to believe me. You must know that I would never go back if I didn’t have to.”
She meets my gaze but doesn’t say anything. Part of her wants to believe me, but the bigger part doesn’t.
I take her hand.
Please listen to my words, Jenny. Listen with your heart.
“If you’ve ever trusted me before, trust me now. I know where I went wrong before. I was blinded by my own, selfish ambitions. All that mattered, all that ever really mattered, was you and the kids. Not money, not fame. Just my family. There’s nothing in the world that I would trade for you three, and you’re all that I could ever want or need.” She purses her lips and begins to cry again. Tears stream down both of our faces. “I believe that we’re all in great danger. We’ve already lost part of our son… I can’t allow us to lose any more. I have to go back, Jenny. Only I can stop it. And I need you to believe in me more than ever. I’m afraid that without you, I won’t make it. Please, Jenny, believe in me.”
“You really believe that the virus is coming back? You know this for certain? Deakins told you this?” she asks, close to breaking down.
I reach out and touch her face. “Yes, he did. And I know you think I’m crazy right now; hell, just listening to me talk, who wouldn’t? But after everything that’s happened, I truly believe that the virus is coming back. I believe that I have to stop it.”
She gives a shaky nod and breaks into tears. “Damn it, John. This is crazy.” Nods. “Alright. I believe you. I believe in you. Always have, always will.”
I hold her in my arms, grateful to have such an amazing partner in my life. She’s my better half. “I swear to you, Jenny, I won’t let you down. Not again. I’ll make this right, and when it’s over, it’s over. No more Alterlife. I only want to spend the rest of my days making you and the kids happy.”
Holding her at arm’s length, I admire my wife, my partner, my soulmate. “I love you, Jenny. I love you with all my heart.”
A sad smile creeps across her face.
She doesn’t want me to go.
I wipe her tears away.
“Don’t cry for me. I’ll be back soon. Before you know it, this whole thing will be behind us.” I grab my bag, open the front door, then turn back to give her a wink. “I promise.”
“Be safe,” she tells me, letting my hand slide from hers. “I love you, John Crussel. With all my heart.”
I purse my lips and fight back the tears. “Kiss the kids for me,” I tell her.
Give her one last look before leaving. She stands in the doorway, beautiful as ever, her hair in a ponytail, and watches me get into the truck, her arms wrapped around herself.
In the dark hours of the day, I throw the duffel bag in the passenger seat. Wave goodbye.
Hang the photograph of my wife and kids in the rearview as Jenny closes the door.
As the yellow dotted lines go by at fifty-five miles per hour, I ready myself.
Here we go again.
It’s time to go to work.
7
Two Rooms
I accept Giovisi’s invite and set up shop at the cleaners.
Walking into the place with duffel bag in hand, the doorbell rings as I enter. The asian woman inclines a courteous nod and goes to open the back door for me. She guides me through the clean room and into another room in the back, one that’s behind a stainless steel door. She pulls the handle and swings it open.
I notice the heavy-duty deadbolt on the door but pay it no mind.
She extends a hand, allowing me to enter first.
It’s a large room, void of any windows or luxuries other than the La-Z-Boy recliner that I requested and a small table next to it. It’s not my ideal location, but I agreed to play here as Giovisi will be in the room next to me, simultaneously playing. By being in the same location, it will give us a great advantage, as we can discuss matters at hand not only in the game, but outside of it as well.
I notice a glass jar of milk, presumably cold, that’s been placed on the table.
“Everything you requested. Glad to have you with us, Mr. Ace,” she says, then gives a courteous bow.
“Thank you.”
She eases the door shut, and I lock it from the inside after she leaves.
Sit in the seat and unload my bag. Plug the NueView into the outlet that’s next to the chair. Take the Brainwave and hold it in my hands, inspecting it as if it were the first time. Memories flash inside my mind.
“Damn, it’s been so long.”
It fits over my head perfectly, and I find comfort in its familiar embrace. Throw the contacts in my eyes and prepare to log in.
Before I go, I take a drink. Indeed, the milk’s still cold, as if they just placed it.
Nerves and jitters, like I’m about to log in for the first time. I give one last look around the white, square room that feels more like a box. If nothing else, at least I feel safe here.
“NueView, on.” The small, green light appears.
“Hello, John Crussel. How are you today?”
Her voice is like music to my ears.
“Good, Jill. Real good. Sorry it’s been so long.”
“What would you like to do?”
“Play Alterlife.”
The opening music cues up just like normal, giving me the same thrill as before. It’s still exciting and gives a sense of great adventure, even though the game has turned to shit.
The world takes shape around me, and I’m standing in my guild chamber inside Faldron’s Reach where I last logged out well over half a year ago.
Seems like a lifetime ago.
There’s nothing left in the room. All of my rare relics and trophies are gone; the shelves and walls barren, pillaged and broken. The only thing that’s left is the desk. Apparently, the guild has been disbanded—the Black Knights truly are no more.
We can bring them back.
No. They had their day in the sun. It’s time for a change.
I walk out of the keep, down the steps, and into the city of Condren. The place still looks like a war zone after Davi unleashed fury upon the city. I’m surprised it hasn’t been cleaned up and restored.
Giology is supposed to meet me here in about five minutes, so I pass the time by browsing through my inventory. It’s just like I left it—full of potions and various items. I still have the Cloak of Invisibility and I’m still equipped with my best gear, including both of Thal’s Swords of Eternity. Thal’s Amulet still hangs about my neck, even though it’s broken and serves only as a piece of jewelry now.
I recall the last meeting with Cari, the head Gamemaster, and how I threatened to destroy the gods. I made a promise that I would kill them, just as she made a promise that my family would die.
Not long after the threats were made, the gunmen arrived. And Professor D was one of them. I wonder who the other five assailants were.
Even though the hit on my life was largely unsuccessful, Cari made good on her threat.
Time to make good on mine.
At the burnt, dried up fountain, Giology appears through a teleport. Still dark-haired and skinned, he looks very much like himself in real life, except he’s taller in Alterlife, as tall as I am. He’s dressed in a brilliantly multi-colored robe, marking himself as a Grandmaster Mage.
“Giology, I presume?”
“Ace the Great,” he greets with a grin. “Finally, we meet face-to-face.”
I give him a curious look, then realize that he’s talking about who we are in the game. This guy obviously takes Alterlife very seriously.
I point to his clothing. “Grandmaster Mage. I’m impressed. There’s what, maybe ten in the world?”
“Eight,” he corrects. “But I have achieved the level faster than anyone else has, maxing out the skill set in under two thousand hours.”
My eyes go wide. “You GM’d in less than a year? From what I’ve heard, it has taken everyone else right at two years, or nearly five thousand hours, to achieve Grandmaster Mage.
His hands slide out from under his long sleeves, and he clasps them together. “There’s a reason it’s one of the hardest skills to max out.”
“What’s your secret?”
He smiles as if he feels sorry for me not knowing. “Let’s walk through the city while we talk. I’ve always wanted to visit Condren.”
“You’ve never been here? How were you able to teleport then?”
He looks at me like I’m daft. “I had one of the guild members who had been here before open the portal for me. Is there another way that I should know about?”
I shake my head. “No. Forgive me, it’s been awhile since I’ve been online and I’m a little rusty.”
“Understandable,” he says as we walk down the main street. He turns his head and looks at the devastation on both sides. “The might of Davi, God of Land and Sky. Incredible,” he gasps.
Most of the buildings are laid to waste in piles of rubble and debris. Moss and other foliage has begun to creep over the remains, through the cracks, swallowing what used to be and returning it to the earth.
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Everything eventually returns to the ground.
“What a magnificent city this used to be,” Giology notes, looking around in grandeur.
My eyes lock onto a familiar shop—Pots, Pots, and More Pots. “It really was,” I reply absentmindedly, lost in thought as I recall my first trip through the city when it was bustling and alive, not long after taking the position of Guildmaster of the Black Knights.
“You should have seen it,” I tell Giology, matching his step, pointing to both sides of the road. “Lined on each side were Blacksmiths and Fletchers, Alchemy shops and Tailors. If you needed anything, anything at all, this was the place to come.”
“I would have very much liked to have seen this place before it was destroyed. I’m sure it was magnificent.”
I point to the broken down building with the symbol of the Tamer’s guild lying on the ground in front of it. “Over there is where Ben trained to become a Grandmaster Tamer.”
“Ben?”
“Oh, yes. Pardon me for a bit until I get adjusted to this again. Ben was the GM tamer in the Black Knights.”
“I see,” Giology says. He turns his head to me and speaks. “The Saviors have four Grandmaster Tamers.”
“Four? Okay, now I’m really impressed. Tamer is equal to a Mage in terms of how hard it is to maximize the skill.”
“We have four of the six in Alterlife.”
This guy really knows how to get people on his side. What’s his secret?
I stop walking to speak. “I’ve got to know. Has anyone been able to tame a Dragon yet?”
He looks at me with a twinkle in his eye. “Yes.”
“So it’s possible,” I note.
He looks at the ground, gathers his thoughts before speaking, looks up and meets my eye. “Do you remember when you were a child? The sense of wonder in the world and the unshakable belief that anything was possible?”
I narrow my eyes, listening. He continues.
“And now, as a man, that sense of wonder has faded away. We give into doubt and disbelief.” He puts his hands behind his back and continues walking again. “The impossible can be made possible, and do you want to know how this is so?” He turns back to me and grins. “By never forgetting that innocent, childhood belief that we once held onto.”
I don’t really need the whole inspirational meme from this guy. But I do like the way he thinks, even though he may be a little full of himself. Sometimes, cocky is okay.
“Where’s your guild from? Where are you from?”
“Across the sea on a continent called Thannadas is where the Saviors reside. A long journey across the sea. That is why I’ve never been to this place before. Most of the people there have never left because it’s too perilous and Thannadas gives us everything we need.”
“How many are in the guild?”
“Fifty thousand, three hundred and twenty-six.”
I chuckle because he knows the exact number, which fits true to his character. “Geez. Sure you’re not missing anyone?”
“As of this morning, no.”
“Those are pretty good numbers. How long has the guild been around? I’m surprised I’ve never heard of them before.”
“We are a new guild, established eight months ago.”
New guild with that many members? And this guy maxes out two of the hardest skill sets in under a year?
Something is off.
My leg gives out and I stumble to the ground, head suddenly fuzzy.
Giology stops walking, turns, and insists on helping me up. “Are you alright?”
I wave him off and gather my bearings. “I’m fine.” Standing, I take a deep breath, but something still doesn’t feel right. “I think my body is adjusting back to VR. Maybe I should take a break.”
He puts his hands together and nods. “Of course. It takes time to adjust to the immersion, especially after the body has been out of it for so long.”
I force a grin. “Can we catch back up tomorrow?”
Giology kindly bows. “That will be fine. I will meet you back here. Together, we will teleport to Thannadas, then I will introduce you to the guild.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to log out now.”
Giology eyes the city. “I think I’ll walk around here a bit more.”
After logging out, I take the NueView off and try to keep from having a nervous breakdown. I’m sweating profusely, my heart’s pounding, and my breath is quick. I close my eyes as I sit in the chair and try to bring myself back to normal.
Breathe, John. Just breathe.
What are you doing, John? Is going back to Alterlife really a good thing? Are you sure this is the right decision? Look at yourself. It’s going to kill you.
I just need to get adjusted back to it. Everything will be fine.
Like any form of drug, my body got so used to VR immersion that when I went cold turkey, I had major withdrawals. It took awhile for me to know what was real and what wasn’t. My body was wrecked for weeks because, unlike everyone else, I was able to stay logged in for an unlimited amount of time. Not the healthiest lifestyle to say the least.
And now I’m jumping back into total immersion again. Even after thirty minutes, my body reacts to the addiction, and it’s more than it can take right now. But it will get better as I get acclimated.
I’ll be back to my old self in no time.
No. I’ll be stronger. Better.
My breathing slows and I grow calm. Ready to leave, I slowly stand from the chair and look around the white, square room. With Giovisi in the room next to me, I walk to the wall and imagine what the inside of his room looks like. Is it minimal like mine, with just a simple chair and a small table? Who knows. He’s a private man and made it very clear to never go into his room. Guess I’ll never know.
I turn to leave.
What’s that?
I lean in close and see a small button that’s built into the wall, almost invisible to the naked eye. But I’ve done enough house renovations to realize when something looks off. Should I press it?
Of course I should. Always press the button.
The wall blinks as it becomes a piece of glass.
“Whoa.”
I walk to the clear w
all and observe Giovisi on the other side, still plugged into VR. He’s sitting on a mat in a cross-legged position, hands folded in his lap, eyes closed and twitching behind his lids. Plants are scattered around the room and there’s a zen rock fountain behind him. A stick of incense burns in front of him on the gray, concrete floor.
What is the purpose of this window-wall? Why would he put it there?
There’s only one good explanation.
He’s some sort of freak. Probably has sex parties here all the time and watches from behind the glass, which I’m sure is a two-way so both rooms can enjoy the shows. It would make sense that his wall right now would still be a wall, and there’s probably a button on his side that would make it transparent, just as there is on my side. The FBI has been using this technology for years, according to Hollywood.
Speaking of the FBI, I need to contact Jim Pattocks. It’s been awhile and we need to catch up on some things. I won’t be able to keep it a secret that I’m back in Alterlife, so I might as well tell him.
I wonder what he’s going to say.
Press the button, and the wall flashes back to normal.
Shake my head, unlock the door, and leave the place uninterrupted. I look for the asian woman on the way out to let her know I’m leaving, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
Still no customers in the parking lot, which I find odd.
I pull my phone out and take a picture of the clothes on the conveyor to see if they change place the next time I’m here.
Maybe this place is just a cover, similar to how my brewery was back in Asheville.
You’re reading into this way too much. This guy just hooked you up with a second chance in Alterlife. And joining the Saviors seems like it’s going to be a good thing. Going against the gods, you’ll need all the help you can get.
You’re right. I’m being paranoid about this whole thing for no reason. Chill out, John.
Close my eyes and breathe like I’m in group therapy.
There. That’s better.