“What do you mean you lost them?” Argoth, guild-master of the knights of the round table, asked as he looked down at the high-schooler below him from his black warhorse. The youth was only a few years younger than Argoth himself but their positions were heaven and earth apart.

“They ambushed us in the sewers and disappeared before the others could catch up.” The boy explained with a shrug. He was looking frustrated but not overly upset. It was just a game after all.

“They ambushed you……. And killed all six of you before the others could arrive?” Argoth replied with a raised eyebrow. His expression was sympathetic but his eyes were dangerous.

“That guy's crazy strong. You should seen what he did to Will, and the orc is like some she-demon.” The thug continued as he threw up his hands in surrender. He was an all-star defensive end and wasn’t too concerned about the game to begin with. He’d only started playing because some of his football buddies had.

“You know…. I pay you for results not excuses.” Argoth said imperiously. He really did look the part of th imposing knight on his black destrier, in his shining armor.

“You also don’t pay me nearly enough to put up with your rich-boy bullshit. This is a game. You don’t own me.” The big teen replied with a shrug.

Argoth shrugged then said casually. “Normally you’d be correct, but you see Greg…... I know that my sister didn’t go to her friends last night, she went to your party instead.”

The boy's expression wilted slightly and his face grew cautious.

“So…. Unless you want dad to find out that his little girl snuck out last night to see you I suggest you re-evaluate your tone.” He leaned over in the saddle until their faces were only inches apart.

“Do you know who the last boy to lay hands on Michelle Costantini was?...... Kyle McConnor, basketball star over at Central, high-school hero, loved by all.” The words were spoken in a whisper as if it was some great secret. “ Dad’s men broke both his legs….. Lost his scholarship to UNLV. Still walks with a cane.”

The boy shuttered before looking up defeated. “Ok, no reason your dad needs to find out. I’ll get the guys together and we’ll find them.” He said as he raised both his hands in a placating gesture.

“I do love when my guildmates show initiative. I’ll be waiting for the good news.” Argoth said happily as he spurred his horse and trotted away.

****************************************************************************************************

I groaned and stretched my sore muscles as I finally hopped out of my game system. It had been a long day and I needed a shower and food before I crashed. Chris was vegging on the couch with a soda watching some late night crime drama re-run, while shoveling popcorn into his mouth. It really wasn’t fair, he ate like that all the time and he still didn’t weight 120 soaking wet.

“That lack of dedication is why your e-peen will never be as big as mine.” I said as I slumped onto the sofa with him.

“And your dedication is why you don’t get laid.” Chris said smugly as he offered me the bowl of popcorn. I took a handful and sighed as I sank into the couch cushions. The couch was ugly as hell, but it was comfortable enough to make grown men weep.

“How’s the blacksmithing business.” I asked around delicious buttery goodness. It felt good to just relax. I’d been on a constant gaming binge for weeks now.

“Too Busy. All the NPC smith’s suck and most of the wanna-be smiths don’t have enough gold to get started. I’m pretty sure I’m the only smith in my kingdom who can make a real sword and I can still only do bronze. I’ve got to make 4 long swords, A hand and a halfer, a rapier, and some idiot wants me to make them a falchion of all stupid things. And I need to have all of them done by Monday.” He said as he downed more caffeine.

“Sucks to be popular.” I said sarcastically.

“I know right? Seriously dude my friggin arm is about to fall off from all that damn hammering.” He said as he rotated his arm a few times. “What about your dungeon run? How’s the adventuring life going for Otherworld’s most famous player?”

“I’ve come to the conclusion that tanking sucks.” I said sullenly as I got up to grab a Pepsi. “I’ve been getting pummeled almost non-stop for half a day. Then we had to fight a giant zombie horde and I nearly died. Then wake up to that bitch kicking me in the ribs.”

“Of course tanking sucks. Why do you think everyone hates being a tank? Getting punched for a living sucks. It’s like being a boxer but without the cocaine and hookers.” Chris said with a head shake. “ I also notice you said ‘that bitch’ in a rather interesting tone. Having woman problems?”

“Aren't I always?” I said with a self-deprecating grin.

“No you're not.” Chris said ruthlessly. “Your last girl was an NPC and before that I’m pretty sure you haven't dated anyone in like half a year. “

“I’m pretty sure the dagger is still in there if you wanna twist it a few more times.” I responded dully. “Fine, remember those two girls I was telling you about? The orc and the animal girl…. Well they are running the dungeon with me and MoProblems. And that she-orc is constantly breaking my balls. “

Chris looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”

Threw up my hands. “Why do you instantly assume I did something?” I asked defensive.

Chris looked at me and shook his head sadly. “In my experience when a woman doesn’t like a man she ignores him. The orc is being mean. Which means you did something, or she likes you. Or you did something and she likes you.”

I grimaced. “Well…… I may have have put us both under a lust spell and we sorta made out a little.” I said sheepishly.

Chris looked at me silently for ten seconds before throwing a handful of popcorn at me. “Duuuuude.” He said raising his hands in a ‘what the hell motion’. “I wonder what could have POSSIBLY set her off.”

“Hey, that was AFTER she punched me and she was treating me like shit from the second we met.” I said.

“Was it worth it?” He asked rolling his eyes.

I thought for a moment. Recalling the heat of her kiss and the feel of her leather clad thighs. Then nodded my head.

“Completely.”

**************************************************************************************************

My alarm went off at 8:00 am. Waking me from a coma-like sleep. I rolled over groggily and mustered what little mental capacity I could to hit my phone to turn off the alarm. I stumbled into the bathroom for a shower then grabbed a banana and logged back in to Otherworld.

I was still mostly in a zombie state but for extra skill points even I was willing to get up early. The square was just as I’d left it. My three companions were on the ground asleep and the fire had burnt down to ashes. The oppressive silence of the place seemed to bare down on me as I fiddled with my pack and prepared to start training. I hadn’t noticed it as much with the others around but alone you could really feel how creepy the place was.

I had just started to do some crunches when a honeyed voice spoke up for beside me.

“You humans are paradoxical creatures. Back when you thought this was reality you spent most of your time lazing around in a tavern. Now that it’s a game for you, you’ve become much more hard working.” She said in her half-mocking, half-amused tone.

“I figured you’d be happy about my new found dedication.” I said as I continued doing crunches while using magic to rotate balls of fire and water around myself.

“Oh I am, although I’d be more happy if you were working to stop the Knights from attacking players and selling their blood to cultists.” She replied as she looked down at me.

“And here I thought you just came to see me because you missed me. Turns out you just came to crack the whip on your minion.” I snorted as I continued to exercise.

“You know, you’ve become rather obstinate. For someone who still owes me that’s rather ungrateful.” She said as her expression darkened.

“Look, You healed me and gave me back my memories back in that dungeon. I know I owe you. Which is why I agreed to do this quest in the first place, but I’m also smart enough to know your playing your own game for your own reasons. Until I’m sure where exactly you fall on the ally/enemy scale I’m going to remain cautious. Besides I’ve been meaning to ask you a question. Any idea why I about died earlier this week when I tried to do magic in the real-world?” I asked as I stopped doing set-ups and met her golden eyes. God, she was way too beautiful, but I held onto my anger and used it to push away the urge to kneel at her feet.

“Well, if it hurts. I’d recommend you not do it.” She said blandly. I just scowled at her until she caved.

“Actually that would be the third time you almost died. Although technically you weren’t in physical danger the second, but you did nearly shatter your mind.” I just gaped at her. My mind whirled for a few moments before I asked carefully.

“Any particular reason? I mean If I almost died I should at least know why right?” I asked with a note of pleading in my voice.

“I believe it was an unintentional side-effect of the games virtual-reality. The human mind is an incredibly intricate and complex organ. The scientist who created the technology theorized that similar incidents could occur.” She said with a shrug.

“An intricate and complex organ is a long damn way from me doing magic.” I said incredulously.

“Is it?” Baria asked completely unruffled. “Then how is it a mother can tell her child is in danger when she lives thousands of miles away? How is it a grandmother lifts a steel beam off of her grandson when an hour before she could barely lift a jug of milk? How does a human change light from a beam to a particle merely by looking at it?” I just looked at her.

“Every single human society, even the most remote and isolated have some concept of magic. Fire-starters, reiki, psychics, telepaths…. They have always been there.”

“So you're telling me this game gave me some-sort of ESP. “ I asked still disbelieving.

“No, I’m telling you that humans have always been able to do magic. However, the game created a reality in which your mind was completely convinced that it was doing something it always had the latent ability for.” She said patiently. “So all those dormant mental pathways and inactive neurons were forcefully woken up.However, that sort of thing is highly dangerous and you could have very easily died, but you didn’t. So instead of being a vegetable, or locked up in a psych-ward with a broken brain, you can do magic now.” She said smoothly, as if she hadn’t just shattered my world-view.

“So there will be others then?” I asked as I tried to wrap my head the concept I could actually do magic now.

“Yes, your orcish lover over there for one, and I believe at least two others during beta. Although one did die. However, they turned down the mental synchronization of the units after your little mishap. Which means only those who's talents aren't as deeply buried will be awoken.” She explained.

“Lover might be a strong word.” I replied absently as a chewed over all she’d said.

“Oh really? I’m still not one-hundred percent clear on the sex thing, but I’m fairly certain what you did yesterday classifies you as more than mere acquaintances.” She raised an imperious golden eye brow and looked at me questioningly.

“I’d go with enemies with benefits if I had to put a label on it.” I said as I scratched a cheek.

Baria let out a belly-laugh, the sound rich and golden as it echoed off the low-ceiling and the dead stone. The sound seemed to transform the cavern from a desolate tomb into a city full of life and people again. My brain short-circuited and I just listened enraptured as her mirth slowly died away.

“Now I remember why I chose you. You have a unique way of seeing the world even among your kind. I assure you I am on your side Thomas Ritter. Now hurry and conquer this place. You’ve other things to do.”

Baria vanished without a trace at the same moment Jasmine sat up and looked at me. Her face made a complicated expression for a moment before her normal scowl took over. I was just getting ready to say hello when an amused female voice seemed to whisper in my ear.

“Ahhhhhh, I forgot to tell you. You should try to go all the way next time. The sex skill has some interesting benefits once you level it.”

“What?” Jasmine asked as she saw the look on my face. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. Baria’s comment had made a normal situation into an awkward one and I knew she’d done it on purpose.

“Did ya have anything good for breakfast?” I asked as a clumsy attempt to make conversation.

Jasmine scowled at me. “You really don’t need to try and pretend we’re friends.” She said snidely.

“Oh for the love of god” I said exasperated. “ I say one damn thing, and you immediately jump down my throat. What in the hell did I do?! You’ve hated me from the first second you saw me. Did I offend you in a past life?” I shouted, my anger at her continued poor treatment of me finally boiling over.

“Because forcing girls to make-out with you is such a great way to win their favor.” Her voice dripped with so much sarcasm I’m surprised it didn’t make a puddle.

“That’s not fair. I warned you multiple times. Did you listen? No... You wanna call me a nerd who spent his high-school days in his mom’s basement. I’ll take it. You wanna call me a deadbeat with no life ambition. I’ll take it. You wanna call me a smartass, or a dumbass, or just a bastard, I’ll take it. But I have NEVER in my life taken advantage of a woman.” I ranted. I’d never had such an urge to strangle a person in my entire life.

“And you had no idea what would happen when you cast that spell?” She said with an exaggerated eye-roll.

“No, I didn’t. I knew it would amp up your lust a bit, but last time it wasn’t nearly as potent and we were able to fight it down…...” I started but Jasmine cut me off.

“So you did know... So much for not taking advantage of anyone.” She said nodding as if she’d won the argument.

“Oh yes…... Because I was obviously the one taking advantage. Ya know,when you had me pinned under you and was dry humping my leg. Christ, you could have at least bought me dinner first. “

Her light-green skin darkened as she walked towards me with her teeth clenched in fury. I stood up to face her and we stopped with our bodies only inches apart both of us seething.

“I only did that because of your spell.” She gritted out.

“And I only cast it because you made me.” I countered. Our bodies were close enough together that I could feel the heat of her across the short distance. Her warm cinnamon scent tickled my nose conjuring images of her on top of me with our lips smashed together. God I hated her….. and I wanted her. I wanted her to leave. I wanted her to like me. I wanted to push her down on the stone floor and shut her up.

“I swear to God you have got to be the single most…” I didn’t give her a chance to finish instead I let my base nature have hold and just grabbed her and kissed her. I knew she’d be pissed but I didn’t care anymore. I was so furious I couldn’t even begin to think straight. I expected her to hit me, or pull away, or call me names, or any of a dozen similar actions but Jasmine was Jasmine so of course she didn’t do any of those.

Instead she returned the kiss with ferocity as if our argument had carried over and the only way she could win now was to over-power my aggression with even more of her own. She leapt up into my arms as if trying to knock me over so she could be on-top. Instead I caught her and we stood there both of us trying to gain some pretend advantage over the other while our bodies and mouths pressed together even tighter. My hands snuck up under her tight armor and the smooth skin of her back set me completely on fire. I was just about to try to rip the whole stupid thing off when Meredith's cool voice spoke up from beside me.

“Well I see you two have made up…..”

Jasmine froze as if she’d suddenly transformed into stone. I winced inwardly and sat her down as I sighed. I would have murdered someone for twenty extra minutes but time and tide wait for no man. Jasmine untangled herself from me then threw a sharp punch straight into my solar-plexus. I coughed as all the air rushed out of my lungs then collapsed to the floor where I lay gasping for a few seconds. I really had lost all ambition for this dungeon. I just laid there until MoProblems logged back in. He looked down at my morose expression then looked over to Meredith and asked.

“What’s wrong with him? Looks like his dog just died.”

Meredith looked down at me then over to Jasmine. “I think it did, in a manner of speaking.”

I sighed again and stood up as the four of us sat off to finish the dungeon.

____________________________________________________________

AN: Alright, I've been slacking on updates for this recently. So I'm gonna put my nose to the grind-stone and get another chapter out by Wednesday. One chapter every two weeks is just way too slow.

In the meantime enjoy!

Edit: OOOOPS! Sorry about the miss posted chapter! I didn't know the site would change the order of the Fictions page based on the order you updated them.

And Yes, I have been working on another novel behind your backs :P Feel free to check it out if your interested. It's a resurrected in another world wuxia/cultivation novel with Pokemon influences. But as the fiction page states it's going to be a side-project and probably not updated very often.

http://royalroadl.com/fiction/5951