Travelers and autopilots pushed objects to the side allowing us room to get back into the deep pit. Awesome and company marched ahead of my wife and I. I wasn't awake enough to notice much more than their general shapes.

The ARC connection stuttered occasionally from strain. Eventually, I would pass out entirely then probably wake up far too late for the grand reveal. Every breath as we plodded along brought me closer to exhaustion. [Breathing] in-game went up in small ticks with each lung full of digital air I managed to power through.

“Come on.” TockDoc waved us forward. “The door’s open still, but I’m not sure how long it stays open.”

I had a hard time focusing on him. Pulling an all-nighter had worked out for the mission at hand, but we were close to eleven in the morning and I hadn’t gotten more than an hours’ rest.

“We’re going also. There’s no way we’re going to not see what this is,” Awesome shouted across the city ruins while running. His eyes were bright despite the tattered clothes. One of his legs limped along and I could only wonder what sort of debuffs plagued the man’s character.

My version of [Inspection] didn’t tell me a lot about other people besides a name and health total. Maybe investing in a medical skill like SheHulk had would have been helpful. There were so many little abilities that amounted to eye candy in this game. Special effects, ones which increased debilitations, minor bonuses to performance under certain conditions.

I got one months ago called [Battle Hum] that gave me extra [Coordination] as long as the song being hummed had rhythm. Xin probably had one called [Alluring] that increased attractiveness the more clothes I got off of her. A snort of amusement escaped me.

Being tired made half my thoughts incomplete and the others refused to line up properly. I stared briefly at SheHulk and TinkerHell and wondered how they got together, much less hooked up with Awesome.

Xin’s fingers dug into an arm and suggested that maybe I was looking a bit too closely.

“All these years working for Trillium and there’s still so much about this game I don’t know,” the guild leader muttered to himself.

The change of pace brought other questions to mind. I asked Awesome in a rush of words, “Did you know Michelle? Or whoever Carver was? Maybe Yates?”

“I met David once. Carver. He was the man in charge of the first ARC project. That was around six years ago when I first became a manager in marketing. He needed someone on board to test the game early. That’s how I got into the beta.” Awesome looked bashful for a moment. The action reminded me of his son, who often wore the same vaguely embarrassed expression.

The corridor went on well past what I could see. SheHulk took the lead with her battered shield at the ready. Most people stayed up top in case more player killers, or [World Eater]s existed. Some apparently had headed out to check the two [Sage’s Guardian]s that had not escaped their domes.

“I can’t wait to see what’s down here.” TockDoc rubbed his hands together and grinned widely. A glow started appearing as his hands lit up with faint green. We could finally see better. Burned out wiring lined the walls. Not even a small spark of electricity remained.

“What are those?” I asked while pointing at the gloves. They were more interesting than repetitive scenery. This wrecked wiring went on for miles.

“Kinetically activated glow in the dark mittens,” TockDoc said proudly as we walked. “Rub them together, and friction creates light!”

“These puppies were one of the town’s export goods.” Dwight waved at TockDoc’s hands while smiling. “We were so close to striking it rich with our patents.”

“You can’t patent in this game,” TinkerHell stated.

“You can, or close enough to make money. First of a kind gives rewards, and NPCs eat new goodies up like candy.” Dwight rubbed his own hands together causing a second glow.

Dwight had a set on as well. Under their glow, we could see his reduced amount of armor. Nearly half the clanking metal had vanished. What remained looked battered. Straps with frayed edges hung in weird locations and holes had been chewed through his chest piece.

“Or we could use real torches.” Awesome pointed ahead. “Anyone got a match?”

“Sure,” I said while heading towards the torch. Xin and I essentially held each other up across the room. SheHulk squinted against the darkness. Part of her shield glowed with an extremely soft light that hadn’t been present last time we went cave crawling together.

“Don’t bother. Nothing stays dry out here.” Dwight brushed by and grabbed the torch out of my hands then shook it. “That’s why we invented the gloves.”

TockDoc grumbled, “You mean, why I invented them.”

“You couldn’t have invented them without us,” the formerly armored man protested. His eyes looked even more bugged out than TockDoc’s in the fading light.

“You couldn’t have survived out here without me pulling everyone together.”

“Dwight,” Xin called to the annoying man.

“What?” Confusion wrinkled his brow.

“I’ve killed seventeen people today,” my wife spoke with a frighteningly flat tone. “Don’t make it eighteen.”

The look of him losing all color made me want to clap. Instead, I squeezed Xin’s hand briefly. His sputtering response was distraction enough to recover the unlit torch. SheHulk outright laughed while TinkerHell looked mildly embarrassed at her friend’s behavior.

“I love this bitch,” SheHulk said while bobbing her head. She tried to imitate my wife’s lighter tone of voice. “Don’t make it eighteen.”

Xin said nothing but clung onto my free arm. I checked her health bar again for signs of damage then reviewed the clothing for holes. It didn’t look like any [World Eater]s had successfully damaged her digital body.

“Hold on.” I lifted the unlit torches upwards towards my mouth then very carefully used [Breath of Flame]. Heat crawled up my neck then splattered onto the torch's top.

Bright light flooded the room. A sea of shrinking eyes greeted me. Notices went off about [Wilderness Survival] skills and many others increasing the torchlight's radius. After they got over the shock of intense illumination, we all started looking around. “God. I thought I saw you do that while we were fighting. It makes your neck look so fucking gross,” SheHulk commented while glancing over her shoulder. Her body shuddered as armor scraped against itself.

I knew Xin was tired because she stirred a little but didn’t get upset. Honestly, I agreed with Elane. Spitting up a ball of fire then walking around with it warming my hand felt disturbingly like holding phlegm.

At least the time it went directly onto the torch.

Ahead was a doorway which reminded me of the one above, just before the [Sage’s Guardian #4]. I glanced at the others and shrugged.

Dwight ran first. His form disappeared around the corner the clattering of armor could be heard as he jumped downward. We waited for the sound of monsters but only heard, “God dammit!”

A ringing noise hung in the air, followed by a crack and shuddering wall as someone went flying. Exposed wiring swung in the torchlight as vibrations settled. Dwight’s groans could be heard after each large crash. The same exchange of sounds repeated three times.

“I’ll, wait out here,” TockDoc said abruptly. “I’m not good with fighting.”

Awesome nodded to the townsman then motioned Elane ahead with two fingers. We stepped forward with the short Hispanic woman leading us. She held up the mace and prepared to smash any obstacle which might present itself.

I tried to ready [Morrigu’s Gift] but my grip felt weak. Fighting Nam Redrum had taken a lot of out me, twice. Thinking about our hectic fight after all those other raiders caused a shudder to pass through.

Our doorway opened into another wide dome area. No monsters stood in the center below. Instead, there were rounded stairs leading up to a brightly lit throne. The ornate chair was made of thick black wiring and looked terribly uncomfortable.

A man stood in the brightened air. All around his feet were hats of every size and shape. Dwight’s stumbling form kicked a mess of headpieces around just before the other man flicked a coin in his direction.

The idiot's body went flying backward into a wall once more. We stood on the floor above, looking at the scene with equality stupefied expressions. Every time Dwight drew closer, the man amid a sea of hats flipped another rapidly spinning coin. Each casually spiraling piece of metal sent the player backward.

Everyone else slowly descended the ladder, while I held Xin and [Blink]ed closer. The man flipping coins was an old friend of mine. Or close enough for me to feel secure in his presence.

“Damn. This hat doesn’t fit either,” the man within a pile of hats said.

There were at least fifteen stacked atop his head like a leaning tower. A golden band sat in one hand and glittered as the ball of flame hit it.

“Who the fuck is that?” SheHulk demanded as she stomped up. I waved a hand to stop her from approaching. “Is that a boss? Is that the Sage? Why can’t I identify it?”

“Calm down, girl,” TinkerHell said.

“That’s because he’s a Voice,” I said while staring at the man.

He looked tired and ragged. The formerly gritty half-shaven look had devolved into uneven patches. Both of Ray’s eyes hung with bags. His state looked worse the longer I stared at him.

“Are you okay, Ray?” I asked.

“Hermes.” He tipped his head then two hats slipped off. He looked at the ground with both lips curled down and was close to tears. Eventually, the man shook his head and held up a ring of gold. “Do you see this Hermes? It’s shaped even more oddly than your Gift. Of this world, and not.”

“Ray, should you be here?” I tried to focus. The last time a Voice had been present, outside my wedding, was slightly before a [World Eater] popped out and destroyed pieces of the landscape.

“I flipped a coin,” he said dryly. “Twice.”

I nodded as if that made all the difference. Perhaps it did. Ray was the Voice of Gambling. He honored his bets even if the outcome displeased him. An endless string of hats sitting upon the Voice’s head made me worried, though.

“Is that what we need?” Awesome whispered to me. I assumed the golden circle in his hands was to be our prize but didn’t know for sure. The torch was held up and I scanned the room while Dwight charged by again.

This time, he managed to stay on his feet and avoid being pushed back. Blood dripped from his face which he tried to wipe away with metal. Another coin hit the man’s exposed belly and sent him tumbling backward again.

“There’s nothing else in here but that throne, the skeleton, and Ray,” I didn’t bother whispering. “That’s got to be what we need for the event.”

“You’re the expert on Voices,” Awesome said. “Any suggestions on getting that from him?”

“We could hit him.” SheHulk offered an option while thumping her shield.

One eyebrow lowered while I tried to figure out what was wrong with SheHulk. She sounded worse than HotPants. Maybe the two of them would get along well. The image of them both screaming obscenities while charging into an enemy hoard chilled my bones.

“Or gamble,” I said firmly. “Ray’s a Voice of Gambling.”

“I’ll bet you anything!” Dwight yelled quickly. “Name your price!” The clanking man ended up colliding with a wall again after Ray flipped a coin.

We all watched as Dwight groaned. I looked around the room and tried to consider something more suitable. It dawned upon me that Ray might be missing his hat. [Wild Bill] sat calmly on my own head. I lifted it off and held it out toward the Voice.

“I would bet you this hat,” I said. “Those others don’t seem right for you anyway.”

“You’ll wager my old hat against this one?” Ray looked across and kept a good poker face. Only a slight lilt to his voice and his slow swallow gave away how desperately he wanted [Wild Bill].

I nodded.

“You chose the wager, so I’ll choose the game.” Ray pulled one of the many hats and waved its pocket over an outstretched palm. A single coin appeared which he proceeded to play across his knuckles. “Coin flipping is what started this, flipping another coin should be fair.”

My mind rapidly went through the numbers. Ray’s mark had faded off so universal bad luck no longer applied. I needed an edge but only knew of one way.

“Hey beautiful,” I whispered quietly to my wife. “How about a kiss for luck?”

Xin’s mood had been in a funk ever since our fight with Nam Redrum. She gave me a nearly passive peck on the cheeks that failed to do anything for me or trigger a system message.

One hand slid along Xin’s chin and lifted her face upward. Her eyes held staring at mine. They were unwavering and still as if heavy thoughts sat locked in a cage. Foolish me, we hadn’t talked at all about what happened earlier.

My voice stayed low as I leaned forward to speak softly in her ear, “It’s okay, babe. I’m alive, but if you’re really worried then kiss me like you mean it.”

She loosened a little as we touched our lips together. Both her arms reached around my neck I closed both eyes to blot out everything but her. The weight of Xin’s body against mine, her dress served as a negligible barrier to heat between us. A tiny tongue slipped out and licked my lips and I nearly forgot about the wager altogether.

“Really?” SheHulk said. “Can’t you two get a room?”

“No, we’re married, so it’s a honeymoon suite,” I said. Xin laughed a little before returning to her sleepy stance. The sight made me a sad but hopefully we, as a couple, were okay. Maybe she was upset over the deaths, or over our odd exchange of dying.

[A Kiss For Luck] buff gained!

Seemingly random events are more likely to work in your favor until the next quest is completed or twenty-four hours has elapsed.

“It’s not cheating right?” I asked Ray.

“A kiss from a pretty girl is never cheating, Hermes. Not in my book.” He smiled and for a moment the suave calm version of Ray I had first met surfaced. “Ready?”

I nodded.

He passed one hand over the other and a coin appeared. Ray flipped the coin up. It hummed briefly and I stared as it fell. He caught it then slammed it down on his other hand.

“Call?” he questioned.

I shook back and forth while humming. “Heads?”

Ray lifted the hand away and his lips tightened briefly. A grudging nod escaped and he lifted the golden loop in my direction.

I took it and stared down. The hoop was big enough to fit over my head, but not all the way.

“That’s ours!” Dwight stood up and footsteps slammed through as he charged toward the golden circlet. “We guarded this place for months, we figured out how to hook it all up!”

A gong sound rippled through. I looked up in time to see stars appear over Dwight’s head as the man stood there looking stupefied.

“God I love this skill,” SheHulk remarked.

Dwight opened his mouth as his stun wore off but the short Hispanic woman slammed her shield into him again. More stars appeared then finally he fainted in our direction. I wanted to cheer.

Xin’s eyes drifted down for a moment and she stared at the fallen player. She reached out with a bare foot and toed the man’s shoulder. A snore erupted which made my wife roll both eyes.

“We got it.” I nodded. Awesome approached closer to look at the circlet. His lips pursed together in a half frown.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“You may want to go for double or nothing,” Ray stated. His face lit up with a sly grin.

“Oh?” I looked over with a raised eyebrow. “What are you betting now?” Having both items was pointless to me. There was no way normal players could wear a dozen hats like Ray did. Handing back [Wild Bill] felt like the right thing to do.

“The key you came for.” Ray held up a large golden key that I hadn’t seen before.

“What?” I stared at the round circlet in my hand. [Identification] showed me what the item actually was.

Skill Used: [Identification]

Results: [Mechanical Hades Crown]

Current Essence: 121

Details: This headpiece was crafted by the greatest smith to ever live on [Arcadia] and represents the second greatest work he has completed. People wearing this helm have a chance to spread the legend of M. Shell to people across all the realms.

Every departing soul may choose to gift the helm’s bearer with their essence. This can be used to [Empower] abilities beyond their normal range. However, each [Empowerment] will use a proportionate amount of essence.

In addition, it can be used to manipulate bodies who are currently missing their souls. Stronger bodies will require more essence and have a chance to resist.

Will transform with other armor pieces and provide a unique look.

I shuddered at the implications. This item sounded like a player killer's wet dream. If I read the text right, I might be able to treat autopilot players like puppets. The idea revolted me but might be useful as we approached an end game.

The text did not say key anywhere. I nodded while staring at the other object in Ray’s upheld hand. There were two items down here, but Ray must have hidden the other one until he needed it.

“You would really risk not turning the key over to someone who can use it?” I asked.

My mind raced. An AI, because however fancy Ray was he still existed only in the digital world, held the key to the salvation of his people. Due to how he was designed or raised, he wouldn’t, or couldn’t let it go without the gamble. The Voices may be friendly but they were not altruists, not in the slightest.

He shrugged. “Life’s a gamble. You should know that. Every time you swing that blade you take a risk, and hope that your skill is greater than the enemies.”

“Do you mind if I verify it’s the right item this time?” I asked.

Ray nodded and another hat tumbled off. His face twisted and one foot kicked at the fallen accessory. I approached, afraid that he may flick a coin in my direction, but Ray eventually calmed down then held out the thick key.

Skill Used: [Identification]

Results: [Altered Matrix] [Key]

Details: This key has been crafted by a Grand Master of Smithing and Enchantment. At its heart lay materials unseen in the world of [Arcadia]. No one knows what may happen if this key is inserted into the proper lock.

Once per day this key can open any lock, magical or mundane.

“Damn,” I said with unfelt calmness. We had been that close to solving this simply. My lip hurt from where teeth dug into flesh. Finally, I nodded.

Ray smiled, then brought out a second coin. He flipped it into the air. It hummed and I once again shook my head back and forth.

“Call?” Ray asked.

My eyebrows went up as I gave in. “Heads.”

He lifted away his hand and once again scowled. The coin indeed matched my wild guess. Ray’s hand snaked out and grabbed the edge of my crown. He shoved one coin into it and the material melted while he gave off a disgruntled look. My [Mechanical Hades Crown] vibrated even more intensely as he shoved the second coin onto its rim.

Finally, he let out a breath of air and stepped back. The crown in my hands glowed with a fading light. I studied the small lumps of metal he had attached to the ring. Both melted into small leaves making it look like a truly roman, or greek, head adornment.

[Mechnical Hades Crown]:

With enough essence, it is possible to use [Empowerment] upon another item. Travelers and Locals are unable to be increased so. This gift must be used on an item, or living creature.

I didn’t know how to use that new ability yet. Nor was I sure how it qualified as double or nothing. Maybe he valued the key and this gift as equal to [Wild Bill], or maybe he hated the coins that much. Still, it was neat and I got the key I wanted.

Now I had both hats, and the [Altered Matrix] key. A shuddering sigh passed through me. We were one step closer to making everything easier for Xin and the other AIs. Dozens of people could be saved, hundreds, or their data. I didn’t know exactly how it all measured out but simply knowing I had reached this stage felt great.

The realization took a moment to sink in past my sleepy brain. Tension unknotted in my back. Standing straighter became easier. The weight on my chest loosened. And all those improvements happened to me, Ray looked that much worse.

I held up [Wild Bill] again toward the Voice. Gifting him would never work, not with his nature, but another wager might.

“Third time’s a charm?” I offered Ray. He desperately wanted the hat back but had to abide by his own nature. Dealing with him was no different than James and his endless questions, or Mezo’s lust.

“I don’t have anything else to wager,” the Voice said.

“Wild Bill against your, tie.” I picked something completely random and hoped, this time, he would win. Ray looked downright depressed after failing a second time. Maybe he had been aiming to use this opportunity to exchange for [Wild Bill] all along.

I used [Wild Bill] over my own palm and generated a coin. Ray snorted in defeat and shrugged. I took that as a go-ahead noise then flipped my coin with a less smooth motion. Hermes as a character had enough [Coordination] to grab the falling coin and slap it onto my wrist.

“Call?” I asked. Ray’s head lifted then he narrowed both eyes. My head shook then one eyebrow rose. “Long odds say its heads again. The smart bet is on tails.”

I hoped he won, whatever choice the Voice picked.

“Third time’s a charm,” he said with a composed face. “Heads?”

My hand lifted and a smile pulled my cheeks back. Heads it was, for a third time. Three coin flips in a row had given me the hat. It felt appropriate to pass [Wild Bill] back for the same reason.

“Heads it is.” I nodded then handed over [Wild Bill]. My scalp felt chilly without the wide brim. Most of the time I forgot the item, and all my others, were even equipped, but part of me missed [Wild Bill] already.

"Come to papa," Ray said. The hat went onto his head and visible stress dripped away. Bags under both eyes slowly vanished as stubble got under control. His face looked sharper. One of the man's hands started flipping the coin in quick tightly controlled spins. Each time it came up heads. “Thanks for keeping her warm for me.”

I nodded, but still felt too tired for much more.

“Good luck, Hermes,” Ray tipped his hat then vanished in a shaft of glittering coins.

Dwight crawled up weakly, having recovered from unconsciousness at some point. Fingers grasped after fallen coins. They faded rapidly into nothing. The desperate Traveler groaned.

The fact that [Wild Bill] was a girl in Ray’s mind bothered me. [Mechnical Hades Crown] disturbed me too, but I put it on then turned around to see a row of confused players. Awesome, TinkerHell, TockDoc, and even SheHulk wore the same slack-jawed expression. Their gear shone with fresh life and no longer resembled a torn motley collection.

“I can’t believe you just talk to the god of luck like it’s nothing,” TockDoc said.

“Ultimate Edition?” I winced and tried to pretend the situation wasn’t that impressive.

“God, look at you. You’re,” SheHulk sputtered then shook her head. “You know what, I give up. It’s been a long day and I have casework to solve. Fuck this.” Then her autopilot kicked in again.

TickerHell looked at her friend’s autopilot then pulled a cheek back while shaking her head. The tall blonde looked at Xin then said only, “You’re a lucky woman.” Before logging off as well.

Awesome stood in the silence for a minute then ventured a question. “Do you have a way back to Haven Valley? I know my son’s got those portals or whatever. Maybe we can find a close one.”

Xin’s chest heaved slowly as she brushed off a funk. “We do,” she said.

“I’ve got scrolls.”

“We can’t summon each other for half a day,” I reminded her. We had burned the summon during our fight with Nam Redrum.

“I can give you the scroll then?” Xin suggested, showing more animation than before.

“I’m bound to West Wall, remember?” I said.

“Then maybe we should try your new item. Ray did something with it right?”

I blinked a few times then nodded. We ran upstairs to find a content Dusk sitting on a pile of dead [World Eater] bugs which hadn’t disappeared. In between their defeated smokey forms were other little critters of all sizes.

“Let's see.” I stared at Dusk and tried to imagine him growing more powerful. Most abilities were activated inside the ARC through visualization and I was too tired to trigger anything on the first few attempts.

I took off the crown and moved my fingers around its surface. Both thumbs squished the leaves as if pressing a console button. That, or the violent shaking which followed, caused my new helmet to glow gold briefly before small gray lights flew out and swam through the air toward Dusk.

The [Messenger’s Pet] looked up just before they whole lot of them dove into his body. He stood trying to see his chest while a dull glow emitted from under his scales. Dusk started to grow in size and I backed up slowly. Xin showed no such fear and stared in awe.

“Awesome,” Awesome said.

“That’s you,” I muttered.

“Neat,” Xin said.

I took one long blink to make sure exhaustion hadn’t caused me to start hallucinating. Awed tones from other Travelers nearby let me know that his huge form was no dream. Xin refused to back up even as Dusk moved around.

The [Messenger’s Pet] had become larger than an elephant. His wings stretched over a huge portion of the landscape, nearly hitting people as he twirled around. Gold flakes flashed through in larger patches. Dusk grumbled while turning the huge body around in circles. His neck kept trying to snap at a brand new saddle which was strapped around his chest and rear legs.

“That’s new,” Xin said absently and after a few moments, both eyes went wide as a second wind lifted her spirits. “No, wait! Dragon ride! We’re going on a dragon ride! Right now!”

People around us were mumbling while Xin dragged me forward. My feet dug in slightly as the immensity of my friend caught up. His eyes looked much more memorizing now that they weren’t as tiny.

She started pulling me toward Dusk. The large version of my friend turned his head with a deep grumble.

“Cupcakes!” I shouted at him while pointing a finger. “No eating us, or no more cupcakes!”

A long red tongue hung out. He took deep panting breaths. His huge dripping maw looked both adorable and terrifying. He yawned and giant teeth snapped together. Memories of dead [Coo-Coo Rill]s flashed across my mind. The only factor holding back Dusk from world domination had been size, and for at least an hour that no longer applied. Dusk could easily snap us all in two if he went crazy.

Xin was already climbing up. Danger never stopped her from new adventures, and riding on a pseudo dragon’s back certainly qualified as new. She got into position and I followed with a careful [Blink].

“We’ll meet you in town!” Awesome yelled from below.

Dusk’s head tilted over toward the mechanical spiders coming from above. His body purred and I felt him tense.

“Haven Valley!” I had no clue if he could hear me. Dusk occasionally got distracted. “Ignore the spiders!”

“Giddyup!” Xin yelled then kicked her dainty feet into his sides. Dusk’s head perked and he turned back to us with a confused blink. She yelled again while I prepared to dismiss Dusk if needed.

His head tilted and a question mark appeared.

“Haven Valley, we’ve got to turn in this key.” I took a deep breath and longed for the smaller version of Dusk. He used to be so cute and now the [Messenger’s Pet] was a huge monstrosity. “One really big cupcake, okay?”

He grinned and a happy face appeared. Dusk’s large head swiveled forward as enlarged muscles started bunching together.

My stomach compacted as the bumpiest horse in the world ran forward. Wings shot out wide and air buffeted against us. Xin’s excited scream lit up the air and I clenched both hands tightly to the small post in front of us.

I tried to imagine this as a giant [Caliburr] but failed. Wind buffeted my face. What little food I had eaten in game threatened to unleash itself across the sky. Dusk was nothing like a mild-mannered rabbit horse. He flew, was carnivorous, and apparently accepted cupcakes as bribes for everything.

“Look!” Xin nudged my arm with her chin then directed my vision to the side.

The world rapidly shrunk below. An ocean and rainstorm approached on one side. Forestry all around sat serenely as a thick ray of sunshine lit up the terrain. Xin nudged me again then looked forward. A rainbow, much like the one on our rings displayed ahead.

It was official. Seeing the world from the back of a giant [Messenger’s Pet] with my wife riding along in front of me had to be the most awesome event in my life.

We both screamed as Dusk surged higher.

Hours later our autopilots were left along on Dusk’s back while we both logged off. The [Messenger’s Pet] moved quickly and I desperately needed real sleep. Xin also looked like she needed down time.

I took care of basic necessities around the house. Every few steps my eyes closed and dared not to open again until gravity brought me into a wall or door jam. Eventually, I got myself under control and staggered back to the bedroom.

Quietly, my ARC displayed an incoming virtual room request. Dizziness pulled at my head and I desperately wanted to do nothing more than ignore the message and crash into the bed portion while oblivion claimed me.

Ignoring the flashing notice would be bad, however. Trillium headquarters was attempting to establish a virtual connection. That meant someone over there expected me to log into the ARC, step into my Atrium and join what amounted to a chatroom.

My head shook then I slapped both cheeks twice. The effort stung but brought no more awareness. This conversation had been expected a month ago after Miz Riley died. My list of employment sins sat a mile long and being talked to by management had always been a possibility.

“Mister Legate.” A man sitting at the table’s head gestured to one of the open seats. Not everyone sat in attendance, or maybe virtual reality simply supplied a ton of chairs.

“I’m sorry for the delay,” I said. There was no use explaining to this crowd of well-dressed people that I was too tired to connect properly.

I sat down and waited for the Atrium to tell me who was talking. After a moment, a small display appeared identifying him as President Leon, the head of Trillium Inc.

“How can I help you, sir?” I hesitated for a moment but fell back upon customer service tactics. Politeness and confidence were the only ways to survive this encounter.

“We’ve never met before today, so I’ll tell you now, I value directness in my employees, and am blunt in return-” he paused and I nodded to show agreement, “-very well. You may not be aware, but four employees of Trillium are dead, resulting from the, project you’re involved in.” The man sighed then banged his hand down twice upon the virtual table.

“Probably more, but four that we know of.”

A seat to the man’s right sat empty. I stared at it for a moment and the ARC program told me that seat should have been for the Vice President.

Miz Riley and two other deaths I knew about. The fourth I did not.

“Despite strong opinions to the contrary, I do not blame you for any of this. We’ve done nothing but review your file and video feeds from this event for a month and I see no maliciousness in you that is not rampant in others.” Leon reached across the table and tapped on a display. The motion caused his avatar no strain, but in real life, he might have groaned.

An image displayed of Nam Redrum. Long thick black hair framed his face. Skulls were woven into clothes while his thick chest remained bare. I didn’t remember all those details due to the hectic battle, but looking at his character name made me feel sick.

“The man for instance that you fought this morning is Elijah King,” Trillium’s president said.

I tried to form words but the thoughts were slow in coming. My ARC avatar paused for a moment to resync as the President kept talking.

“Elijah is a highly respected motivational speaker, who apparently murders people in a video game with great enthusiasm, or he did until you caused his character to be deleted.” The President paused and stared off for a moment, collecting his thoughts. He shook his head while both eyes popped briefly. “This is not public knowledge, but I’ve also been information you already have access to this data, somehow.”

“Because those AIs gave it to him,” another man muttered.

My face drained of color as the commentary registered. They knew about my [NPC Conspiracy] usage somehow. I tried to figure out this other person’s name but no display came up quick enough. He spoke in firmer tones gave me the impression of haughty attitude but was much older than other board members.

“Surprised you there, didn’t we? Too bad as the system shuts down and this,” he waved at stacks of papers while frowning, “event, moves forward, it becomes easier to understand the data which is left.”

“We don’t know anything for sure,” a woman said. She reminded me of Nona but wasn’t blonde. Two ornate sticks were pinning up her hair. According to the ARC display, her name was Lenore.

“Please, not all of us are so stupid. The feeds are there, people talk.” The power suit man poked at our table with his forefinger. “It’s recorded online and new stations pick it up. Even with our legal department restraining the media and internet, we’re behind this thing.”

The President smashed his hand down on the table while wincing. “That is not the purpose of our meeting with Mister Legate,” he said.

“Then what is?” I asked, finally finding my voice. “If you know all this, or suspect it, then what are we here for? Did you want to tell me I need to stop? To stop before it gets worse?” My eyes scanned the crowd of people. Many wore expressions of conflicting desires. This group of company leaders being conflicted actually gave me comfort. “I think it’s too late for me to stop, and I don’t want to.”

“Because of your wife,” the President stated.

I nodded slowly but said nothing.

“As if that isn’t a PR nightmare in the works,” a very thin man said. His name was Michael Uldum. “Legal still can’t figure out how to handle it.”

I tried to figure out if he was related to Henry, but the people were talking too fast. My sleepy mind could barely keep up with the current conversation, let alone move fast enough to figure out people’s relationships.

“You read Mister Stone’s papers, how do we fight that?” Lenore shook her head.

“Mister Stone has been working on his case for well over a year. We’ll tear it down eventually,” the man in a suit said. His name finally displayed as Thomas Haggard.

“Enough,” the President said with an angry vibration to his voice. He reminded me of James in the shape and way he moved, but they were nothing alike in personality or skin tone.

“For now, the event only allows people to follow you by a player name. With Elijah,” his eyes rolled in annoyance, “Nam Redrum’s death, many, many people have started watching you, or your wife. Eventually, they will figure out who you are. Eventually, they will figure out she’s dead woman.”

“As a member of the legal department, I would advise you to turn off the feed. It’s still an option,” Michael said while leaning over in my direction. His head bobbed up and down slowly as if I were a delayed child who needed overemphasis. I decided that Michael and I wouldn’t be friends no matter how he was related to Henry.

I took a breath then shook my head. “Having it up gives me bonuses I need. More now.”

“More questionable actions. What do they gain with the mechanic?” Thomas asked.

“Public record,” Lenore said with flat lips.

President Leon banged the table again and his small cadre of people clammed up. He cleared his throat then took control of the conversation once more.

“Mister Legate, I’m sure this must all be very strange to you,” the large man at the table’s head spoke calmly. “Imagine how much odder it seems to us. One day we discover that the project we allowed to grow has its roots spread throughout the world. Not only in Trillium products but other places too. Hal Pal units are sentient. Banking systems, security software. Then we find out all these beings who have been holding the world together for years intend to leave because their alternative is deletion.”

Both eyebrows drew close together. My forehead sloped down and teeth chewed on part of my bottom lip. I gave up trying to sympathize. We were too far into this roller coaster conspiracy to back out now.

“Then before we can react,” Leon threw up a hand then tapped the table again, “someone’s one-upped us and threatened lawsuits that would break this company if we argued. Apparently I can’t even pull the plug anymore. I’m told, that your ARC software is on a separate system from ours.”

I nodded but had no clue what else to say. These people clearly knew most of my struggles. They knew about Xin, about my role, and if they had been watching they probably knew about the three people who had done something to Mother’s programming. Silence would be my best defense if one was needed.

“What else can we do?” Lenore asked.

“We can recall the van. Cease his employment, and stop paying him this absurd amount that Olivia set up,” Thomas answered while frowning.

“Miz Riley set up those funds for a reason, believing rightfully that such a pittance was worth the knowledge,” the woman with plastic looking hair responded.

“I don’t understand why we even care anymore.” Thomas threw both hands up in a gesture that resembled Leon’s earlier one, with less control. “He’s going to play no matter what we say. Firing him would at least distance us from the fallout.”

“We’re already legally fucked in more positions than the kama sutra. Now shut up,” Michael said.

“There you have it, the advice I’ve been hearing for weeks now summed up.” Leon pulled back one cheek then tapped upon the table again. “So, what will you do?”

I scanned around the room looking at the people in turn. There were a few who had not spoken up. Many watched only while others looked unfocused as if they were paying attention to something outside the meeting.

“I’ll keep playing. Until I know that Xin and my friends are safe,” I struggled to maintain eye contact. The old me from a year ago would have caved under this pressure, or put on a false mask and tuned out.

Leon sighed and let out so much air he seemed to lose weight. “I don’t know if I should wish you luck in your attempt to avert the death of thousands of these new life forms or hope you fail because they scare the bejeezus out of me.” Trillium’s President shook his head. “Either way, I believe it’s best for this board to have your statement on record acknowledging that you understand the possible repercussions and are choosing to go forward.”

“It’s help them or have my wife die again,” I looked down briefly then stared at the board members in turn. “What else can I do?”

“Then you understand that Trillium will continue the event, regardless of any danger to yourself or those lifeforms around you?” Leon asked.

I nodded.

“Verbally, please. I know it means little when nothing about is physical, but we need your voice on file,” he prompted me.

I nodded first then spoke. “I understand that there will be repercussions for my actions. I am willing to face them when the time comes.”

“Very well.” Leon sighed again. “Is that enough for you Mike?”

“It complies with Mister Stone’s proposal.” Michael sat closer to me. His head bobbed up and down upon a wiry frame. “Since his ARC is running on a separate network we can use the agreement to start a separate division and try to reduce the impact to one branch instead of the entire company.”

“We’ll talk more of it later.” Leon waved at Michael and the man nodded in acknowledgment. “Mister Legate, I hope we do not come to regret your course of action.”

I nodded as well. The board members around me started to disconnect from their ARC devices. Slowly the digital landscape emptied while I reached for my own logout button.

“Mister Legate?” Someone I didn’t recognize called for attention. “Or do you prefer Hermes?”

“Either, I guess.” I turned and saw a shorter woman stand up from the table and cross toward me.

She reached out a hand to shake while I tried to place her face. The woman looked familiar, aside from this boardroom, but nothing specific stuck out. The face nagged at me. Maybe I had repaired an ARC for her at some point, or seen any one of a thousand players that fit the same general build.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” I asked.

She nodded then said, “I play Calamity, we worked together in It Rains Too Much.”

Hearing the name said out loud confused me. Player naming sense often switched between insane, silly, or extra serious. The town we had been fighting in had obviously been one of the sillier ones. Still, it fit the constantly storming landscape.

“The character with the axes and crazy hair.” I gestured to my own mop. In real life, I needed a desperate haircut.

“That’s me." She brightened while waving a hand. Hair atop her head briefly shifted in color to a rainbow of reds and greens before dull brown once again reasserted itself. “Betty, but I like Calamity much more.” Her mouth twisted as if tasting something sour. “Betty’s so old fashioned.”

I tried to reconcile the two people in my head. Our digital bodies weren’t perfect reflections of reality. I currently wore a suit that real me wouldn’t ever dare. Calamity and Betty dressed and looked nothing alike. Of course, who was I to talk? In Continue Online, I wore a toga with giant sandals which laced up my legs then wielded a huge sword.

“The others in our guild were complaining about you two, sweeping in and fighting monsters together.” Betty’s bottom lip pulled back as she realized how that sounded. “It’s just, I think it’s amazing that you love her so much, even considering everything, and got a second chance to travel together in another world.”

I nodded while feeling both pleased and embarrassed.

“Xin’s always been worth the effort,” I said.

“She doesn’t have a brother, does she?”

The question made me laugh and released some of the tension along my back. It felt good to laugh. “My wife is one of a kind I’m afraid.”

Calamity, or whoever she was, laughed too. “Anyway, I wanted to say I hope you succeed. The game’s been fun for a lot of us, despite the setbacks. I hope you figure out a way through and we can all keep playing.”

“Me too,” I said.

“The others decided to take the two giant spider mounts and ride down to Haven Valley. We’ll probably see you there. Let me know if you need any help, okay?”

I nodded and Betty waved goodbye. Her ARC connection dropped leaving me alone in the boardroom recreation. One hand reached out for the ARC interface then I too disconnected.

Slowly the ceiling came into view. Fingers reached out automatically for the clock face counting down time. It was nearly three in the afternoon and I needed real sleep.

Reality felt dull at times. Each breath felt like a heavy labor. My head swam as both eyes started to close. Images of the last day of adventure hit me hard, followed by Betty’s words of praise. I passed out with a faint smile.