[THE HAVEN]

“What the hell was that thing?” yelled Bander.

“The Static,” said Dane.

Black ash sizzled on all sides. The black worms were dead, but their stench lived on.

“Hold up,” said Shae. “The Static is a bunch of black worm monsters?”

“No,” said Dane. “The Static is many different monsters. No two are the same. They’re hard to kill. That’s why we have these:”

Dane patted his smoking cannon.

“What the hell are those monsters?” interrupted Bander. “Why are they trying to kill us? Why is the Haven hiding them from us?”

“I don’t know,” said Dane. “That’s all above my paygrade.”

“This is insane,” said Bander.

Dane shrugged, patching up Jay’s severed arm. That would at least stop the bleeding.

“Where am I supposed to go now?” asked Bander.

“I don’t know that either,” said Dane. “But don’t stay here. The Healer Killer will come back.”

Jay noticed something in a pile of worms. Something shiny.

“You need to hurry up and kill that freaky idiot,” said Bander.

“It’s not that easy,” said Dane. “He’s elusive. He knows how to avoid enforcers.”

Jay reached into a gooey pile of worm flakes, uncovering something smooth and silver.

A silver orb. Jay had seen this type of object before, back when he first met Danny - Danny traded a duffel bag for a silver orb.

Wait, Danny traded that duffel bag to --

Blue, the dehydrated deserter with an enforcer weapon. Jay connected the dots, forming a dangerous plan. He slipped the orb into his backpack.

“Here’s another thing I don’t get:” said Bander. “Enforcers don’t play Zero Space.”

“Most don’t,” said Dane. “I’m a special enforcer. I have a special mission. We think glitches might be Static-related. I’ve been sent to investigate.”

“Why don’t enforcers play Zero Space?” asked Bander.

“Above my pay grade too,” said Dane.

Jay snuck towards the door.

“Where are you going, idiot?” asked Bander.

“I, uh, need to run to the bathroom,” said Jay.

“Use mine,” said Bander.

“I’m not using yours,” said Jay.

The smell was even worse in the bathroom.

“We’ll get you a new room,” said Dane. “One on a higher floor.”

“No,” said Bander. “I-I have to be off the grid. For reasons.”

Jay knew those reasons - they were just as important to him. Without Bander’s hacking, Anton’s fate was sealed.

“You can live with me and Esara,” Jay blurted out.

Bander and Dane turned towards him.

“My place is off the grid,” said Jay. “No one will find you there.”

Bander twisted her hair.

“I guess,” said Bander. “As long as it’s not too cramped.”

“There’s plenty of space,” Jay lied.

Jay could organize logistics later. For now, he had other priorities. He crept backwards --

“Where are you going now, idiot?” asked Bander.

“To, um, tell Esara,” said Jay. “She’ll want to know.”

“Wait,” said Dane. “I’ve got something for you.”

Dane flicked a small card towards Jay. To everyone’s surprise, Jay managed to catch it.

“That’s for the enforcer elevator,” said Dane. “Or the enforcer stairs. I recommend the elevator. Wherever you’re going, that will get you there faster.”

Jay genuinely looked stunned - that was a huge boon.

“You watch my back in Zero Space,” said Dane. “I’ll watch your back out here.”

***

“Zaydar’s balls,” groaned Danny. “I told you not to come back here. Our business is all wrapped up, eh?”

“I want to make a deal,” said Jay.

“I’m done dealing with you,” said Danny. “I’ve got enough trouble today.”

That trouble was a pale man, hunched in a corner. He wasn’t a deserter. His outfit suggested upper floor origins, yet his bruises reeked of lower floor trauma. Ghostly white flesh, shaking from a persistent chill. Teal eyes bulged wide open, blinking only when necessary. Whatever horror this man had seen, he was still seeing it.

His mere presence gave Danny chills. It was an illogical, instinctual fear. Yet Danny maintained his conviction. What kind of servant of Zaydar would he be if he turned this person away? His empire, his home, and his family were built from people like this. “Work with what you have.” That was Zaydar’s creed. And now Danny’s sanctuary had this pale man.

Jay dug through his backpack with his remaining arm.

“I don’t care what’s in there,” said Danny. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a weapon, an exotic, or some flippin’ level-whatever material. I just want you outta here, eh?”

Jay ignored him, shuffling through his belongings.

“We’re not friends, we’re not business partners,” said Danny. “You’re more trouble than you’re worth, eh?”

Jay pulled out a glossy silver orb.

“What would you trade me for this?” asked Jay.

Danny’s jaw dropped.

“Zayder’s Balls, that’s a Silver Soul,” said Danny. “I’ll trade ya anything ya want, friend!”

[ZERO SPACE]

Master Valdi stood upon a misty red pyramid, gripping Bez by the collar.

“Holy snap,” yelled Bez. “Mister Valdi, please don’t hit me!”

“That’s Master Valdi,” yelled Master Valdi. “Idiot!”

Master Valdi backhanded Bez across the face, sending him rolling down the pyramid staircase. Bez’s microphone raced him to the bottom.

“Buffoons!” yelled Master Valdi.

Master Valdi booted Bowman, sending him toppling after Bez.

“Nincompoops!” yelled Master Valdi.

Master Valdi tried to shove Tambien down the stairs, but Tambien’s armor proved too heavy.

“Ugh,” groaned Master Valdi. “Throw yourself down the pyramid.”

“Yes m’lord,” Tambien groaned.

Tambien did as requested, clanking and clanging all the way down.

“Master Valdi,” cried Parper. “Please calm down.”

“I will calm down when you bring me the Dragon Sword!” yelled Master Valdi.

A single uppercut ejected Parper from the pyramid.

“There were eight of you in Sunlight Forest,” yelled Master Valdi. “Against four Feather Birds. Yet you still managed to fail.”

Master Valdi hurled Wagger’s magicoid body across eighty percent of the pyramid staircase. The remaining twenty percent grinded her bones to dust.

“The tower requires sixteen players,” said Master Valdi. “I’ve kept our numbers small, reserved for the very best. Must I reduce that number again?”

Master Valdi seized Kezzle’s armored beetle body. Several whacks of his serrated dagger cracked her exoskeleton like an eggshell.

Kezzle was acquainted with pain in the Haven, but never in Zero Space - she chose a nearly indestructible character for that very reason. This was her first encounter with Zero Space pain and it was worse than she imagined. She broke character, letting out a shrill agonized wail.

“Master Valdi, wait,” said Auron, pulling the lollipop from his mouth. “If you could chill for a second, I have some good news --”

Master Valdi had some bad news for Auron - a backwards kick to his jaw.

Syadd knelt before Master Valdi. She had no words. No excuses. Her team failed; she accepted the consequences.

“Syadd --” said Master Valdi. “My worthless Raid Captain. Do you take responsibility for this?”

Master Valdi slapped her across the face.

“Answer me,” said Master Valdi.

“Yes Master Valdi,” said Syadd.

Master Valdi slapped her with ever greater force.

“What was that?” yelled Master Valdi.

“I said yes Master Valdi.”

Master Valdi slapped her again, bruising two of her six eyes.

“Pathetic,” said Master Valdi. “All of you.”

Master Valdi ascended to his throne at the pyramid’s peak. His demonoid guard Janzo collapsed to a kneel, offering himself up as a footrest.

Master Valdi took him up on that offer.

“JUDGEMENT WAVE!!!”

A look of terror washed over everyone in the room. Master Valdi didn’t utter those words often, but when he did --

Water drained from red pyramid canals, evaporating into purple steam. Earthquake tremors weaved intricate fissures in the floor.

Master Valdi smirked, watching his Deadly Skulls stumble over each other in a desperate hunt for higher ground. They were just his pets - his playthings to abuse. He had all the power here, and it was time to demonstrate that power.

Purple haze parted, cleaved by the curved edge of a speeding black wave. Dark water towered higher than the pyramid itself, curling like a dragon’s gaping maw.

The wave smashed against the pyramid. Few survived the initial impact. Everyone else endured a flesh-rending ride, spinning and drowning at the maelstrom’s mercy until it crashed against the far wall, battering their bodies against cold steel.

A resilient bubble-forcefield spared Master Valdi, Janzo and Auron from a similar fate.

Master Valdi poked the bubble with his curved blade --

POP

All three of them emerged safe and sound.

“I’ve heard your whispers about me,” said Master Valdi. “You all think I’m some sort of villain.”

Master Valdi grinned, twirling his dagger.

“Well, I am,” said Master Valdi. “And you work for me. That makes you villains too. Villains don’t get sympathy.”

Master Valdi’s pitch black figure descended the pyramid stairs, his bright red eyes searching for survivors.

“I dress for the job I want,” said Master Valdi. “If others fear me, they won’t get in my way.”

Parper choked out water. Master Valdi’s foot compressed his throat, choking him further.

“This is not a friendly competition,” said Master Valdi. “We are not here to make friends.”

Master Valdi took his time finishing off Parper - three minutes: the length of time required to strangle a player. Suffocation was designed to be inefficient; this kept battles fun and fast-paced. This wasn’t a battle however --

It was a slaughter.

Janzo emerged from his footrest-position, watching from atop the pyramid. Auron crawled to his side.

“Okay, yeah, we blew it,” said Auron. “But I really do have good news.”

“Uh huh,” Janzo grunted.

“Check this out --”

Auron unveiled a small cubic mirror. Six reflective sides, shimmering in the purple haze.

“I don’t know what that is,” said Janzo.

“I discovered where the Dragon Song is,” said Auron. “This is our ticket in.”

Janzo’s demonoid eyes opened wide.

“Oh,” said Janzo. “That is good news.”

Master Valdi finished off Parper. He scanned the Deadly Skulls for his next victim.

“After this, let’s grab the Dragon Song,” whispered Auron. “Me and you.”

“Master Valdi won’t let me,” said Janzo.

“Master Valdi won’t know,” said Auron.

“He’ll watch our replay,” said Janzo.

“There are no replays where we’re going,” said Auron.

Bowman pretended to be dead. Master Valdi killed him again, just to be safe.

“We’ll jet right after his little temper tantrum,” said Auron.

“Syadd will want to know,” said Janzo.

“Nah, bad idea,” said Auron. “Syadd lets her emotions get in the way. We need to do this fast. One healer, and one powerful fighter. Should be enough.”

“This is weird,” said Janzo. “Are you trying to get promoted or something?”

“Nah,” said Auron. “I’m just trying to stop this from happening again.”

There were no more Deadly Skulls left to murder. Satisfied, Master Valdi returned to his throne.

“Auron,” said Master Valdi. “Heal them all.”

“Eh, I was wondering why you left me alive,” Auron said.

Auron pulled the lollipop from his mouth.

“RAINBOW RISE!!”

His spherical sucker spun like a disco ball, blaring energetic synth beats. It was loud enough to wake the dead, and that’s exactly what it did. Seven deceased Deadly Skulls leapt to their feet, busting a move to Auron’s rockin’ Level 2. Their bodies boogied down until the music stopped, which was mercifully soon after.

The Deadly Skulls looked exhausted. Even an impromptu dance party couldn’t lighten the mood.

“You’ll attempt the Dragon Sword again tomorrow,” said Master Valdi. “And if you fail, this will happen again.”

Master Valdi smirked at their collective groans and gulps.

“And one more thing --”

Master Valdi extended a flowing white blade from his hand. This was different from his usual dagger - this one warped in and out of existence, shaking and shifting sizes. Expanding white squares pulsed out of it, twirling and fading into the ether.

The room went silent. Playtime was over.

“Let’s have a poll,” said Master Valdi. “Whoever receives the most votes will feel my glitch blade.”

Master Valdi tinkered with his palm interface:

Guild Poll

Who screwed up the Dragon Sword mission the hardest?

“We’ve all reviewed the replay,” said Master Valdi. “You know what to do.”

Reluctant fingers touched down upon shaking palms. Some votes were instant. Others took several minutes. But no vote was taken lightly.

BEEP

The voting concluded.

“Very good,” said Master Valdi. “Let’s see the results.”

Guild Poll

Who screwed up the Dragon Sword mission the hardest?

Player Name

Choice

Auron

Syadd

Bez

Wagger

Bowman

Syadd

Kezzle

Bez

Syadd

Bez

Parper

Wagger

Tambien

Tambien

Wagger

Bez

Poll Winner: Bez (3 Votes)

“Looks like Bez is our winner,” said Master Valdi.

Master Valdi approached Bez, twirling his glitched dagger.

“No wait,” said Bez. “Mister Valdi, please wait,”

“It’s Master Valdi,” said Master Valdi.

Bez started crying.

“I don’t want to die,” said Bez. “Master Valdi, please don’t kill me.”

“I won’t kill you,” said Master Valdi. “Unless you go AFK.”

Master Valdi grabbed Bez by the horn.

“Please Mister Valdi,” whined Bez. “I mean, Master Valdi.”

“Playtime’s over kiddo,” said Master Valdi. “You’re old enough now to be tried as an adult.”

Master Valdi plunged his glitched blade into Bez’s cheek.

A loud horrible wail escaped Bez’s lips. He begged for it to stop.

Pleaded for help.

Prayed for mercy.

Every Deadly Skull looked away. Most covered their ears.

Auron nudged Janzo.

“Time to go,” said Auron.

“Uh huh,” Janzo grunted.

Auron and Janzo fled across the back of the pyramid.

Bez’s screams escalated. Parper buried his puppoid face in Tambien’s metal chest. Syadd knelt next to Bowman, gritting her teeth. Kezzle’s wings held steady.

Wagger’s crazed eyes stared in horror towards Master Valdi, the only person in Zero Space crazier than her.

[THE HAVEN]

Ceri collapsed in her rolling chair. Her first day as a Zero Space dev was more taxing than anticipated. After the altercation with Zydan, Super Duper got weirdly quiet and stopped assigning Ceri tasks. Pretending to work was harder than actually doing work.

As a result, Ceri made little progress on her outfit commissions. Freelance was great when paying for tuition, but less so with a full time job. And given the cost of all those materials, she couldn’t just refund everyone either.

KNOCK KNOCK

Another shipment of materials had arrived.

Ceri dragged herself to the door. Maybe she’d take a break after this - just a short one, to catch up on sleep. Her happiness came before client happiness. It seemed silly to still be crunching, now that the dev job of her dreams was finally reality. Perhaps she could finally have an actual life. Or even a thriving virtual life.

Ceri opened the door to a man in a red top hat, a perfect red suit, and an impeccable handlebar mustache. This man cradled a red metallic box in his arms.

“Wait, are those the materials I ordered?” asked Ceri.

“Of course!” said the man.

A metal leg extended from the box’s base, rooting it in the floor. The man turned a crank on the box’s side, playing a delightful music box medley that masked the sound of a thousand red needles spraying across Ceri’s body. Ceri disintegrated, bits of meat and bone spilling across the floor in a crimson firework finale.

The man released the crank, stifling his needle stream. He flipped open a small red notebook, comparing its pages with what remained of Ceri’s face.

“Yup, you were definitely the right person,” the man said. “Color me relieved!”

The man caught a glimpse of Ceri’s unit. Rows of decorative outfits hung from a ceiling rack, once displaying a diverse array of colors, now mostly red.

“Nice place you got here,” the man said. “Mind if I come in?”

Ceri had no objections.

“The name’s Cleaver Craig,” he said. “A nice girl like you can just call me Craig, for short.”

Cleaver Craig wandered inside, trying not to step on too much Ceri.

“I see you’re some sort of artist,” said Cleaver Craig. “I consider myself an artist too!”

Cleaver Craig flipped through rows of hanging outfits - fantastical designs, straight out of Zero Space.

“Fantastic stuff,” said Cleaver Craig. “My outfit’s starting to look a little ratty. Wish I’d known about you before today!”

Cleaver Craig eyed commission specs scattered across her desk.

“You’re a contractor too?” asked Cleaver Craig. “Another kindred spirit! It’s a rough life for contractors like us.”

Cleaver Craig discovered a bottle of wine.

“Demanding clients can be tough,” said Cleaver Craig. “Mine sure have been recently. But there’s a real sense of satisfaction working for yourself.”

Cleaver Craig poured himself a glass.

“Small jobs lead to bigger jobs,” said Cleaver Craig. “It’s been a long road for me too, but look at me now!”

Cleaver Craig toasted the air.

“Cheers Ceri,” said Cleaver Craig. “Here’s to better days!”