[THE HAVEN]

Jay woke up in bed, shielding his eyes from blinding fluorescent light. By his estimation, it was already early afternoon.

He groaned, glancing around his unit. Bander and Janzo were already knee-deep in Zero Space. And fortunately, so was Esara. Her words from yesterday echoed in Jay’s mind: “What if I’m not back when you return?” Clearly, everything was fine. What was she so worried about?

Jay reached below his bed, dragging out a red duffel bag. Inside was a glowing purple cube with a handlebar on each side. He still had no idea how to use that; he would have to learn quickly.

It was tempting to remove Esara’s headset and check in on her. But if she knew what Jay was up to, she’d just worry more. Instead, Jay leaned on her shoulder, hoping that some small subconscious part of her could feel him there. He was always watching over her. Her, and the rest of the guild.

With a deep breath, Jay slipped his Captain Lair mask over his head. Odd that he still had that; he was pretty sure he’d lost it several times, but it always reappeared back in his pocket when he revived. Whatever. He could worry about that later.

For now, Jay turned towards the door, tucking the red duffel bag beneath his arm.

***

Several hours later, Eye crouched behind a toppled desk, crossbow in hand. She breathed deep, silver Infinity mask molding around the shape of her mouth.

Her painted eyeball peered above the desk’s edge, observing the battlefield before her. Sparkling limbs and glittering computer scrap littered the floor. Melted silver spandex fused with flesh. Hundreds of bullet holes covered both the living and the dead.

In the center of it all was a man in a Captain Lair mask. Two purple pistols sagged by his sides. Crimson fissures ran through his flesh. A glowing cube with handlebars rested on his ribs, cracked open like an egg. Pathetic bastard - killed by his own enforcer weapon.

Eye imagined this ambush going much differently. Her plan was immaculate, but this premium account user had an answer for everything. He could stop time. And fire thousands of bullets at once. Those bullets bounced everywhere. Pierced everything. Even the strongest Infinity abilities failed to compare.

Now that premium account user lay dead before her - too dead to be interrogated. His second assault cost Eye almost a dozen more Infinities, and there was no chance of payback.

Eye should have known better. They all should have packed their shit and left after the first time. But no, Eye wanted to prove herself to Dragon. Prove that she was capable of protecting her guild. Now, there was barely a guild to protect. The Infinities would never recover from this.

Trembling, Eye peeled off the assailant’s Captain Lair mask to reveal –

Eye froze.

It was Jay.

The boy from that night.

Her memory was vivid. Memories of holding Jay’s head steady as Dragon put a bullet through it, right in front of his brother. Jay was back for revenge, and he had taken it tenfold.

Eye fell to her elbows, grinding her teeth against the inside of her mask. The Infinities had known Jay was out there still, and they knew it would come back to bite them. They just didn’t expect Jay to bite so hard.

Jay’s corpse dissolved into a ball of glowing green light, spiraling in the air, before fluttering through a wall. He would respawn again, then come back to finish the job.

A handful of Infinities emerged from cover, seeking Eye’s guidance. But Eye had none to give. She failed the Infinities.

She had failed Dragon.

And nobody failed Dragon twice.

***

Zydan fidgeted in his chair, zeroed in on his computer clock. His brass rings tapped an urgent rhythm against his desk. Beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks. He barely slept; he hardly ate. Everything was riding on this one pivotal moment.

The moment that special guild arrived.

They’d be here any minute - any second even. He wasn’t sure how they’d arrive, but it would surely be in style. Maybe they’d bust in, weapons blazing. Or sneak in, disguised as enforcers. One way or another, that guild would get him out of this mess. Out of this Haven, and onto greener pastures.

And then, they would kill his father.

Sure, they didn’t have to kill his father, but it was the safer option. DD would never let Zydan leave this Haven alive. With DD out of the way, the enforcers would at least be prioritized elsewhere. Besides, his father drew first blood; this was only fair.

Several sets of footsteps approached Zydan’s cubicle; it had to be that special guild! They were finally going to bust him out of here. Who cares how they got in? As long as they got him out.

The footsteps reached Zydan’s cubicle –

DD, Coder Joe, and a small enforcer army entered.

Zydan’s face crumpled.

“Oh, um, g-good afternoon, father,” said Zydan. “Come to do your daily check in?”

“No Zydan,” said DD. “We need access to your computer.

DD nudged Coder Joe forward.

“Go on then, Joe,” said DD. “Remove that World Resetting script of his.”

Zydan warded off Coder Joe with a glare.

“Indeed, Coder Joe,” said Zydan. “Go on. See what happens.”

Coder Joe let out a long exasperated sigh.

“Look, I’m not doing this,” said Coder Joe. “That crazy bastard will kill me.”

“Huh,” said DD. “I suppose my son is more dangerous than he appears.”

With a gesture of DD’s hand, two enforcers seized Zydan’s arms.

“That should do it,” said DD. “Off you go.”

“Look, you don’t know what he’s capable of,” said Coder Joe. “You can’t protect me.”

“This isn’t about protecting you,” said DD. “It’s about protecting the Haven.”

“Get another engineer to do it,” said Coder Joe. “I’m sick of this shit.”

An enforcer aimed his weapon at Coder Joe.

“I’m sorry Joe,” said DD. “But you’re the best man for the job.”

“You wouldn’t shoot your lead engineer,” said Coder Joe.

“I suppose you’re right,” said DD. “So this would be a bad time to lose your job.”

Coder Joe winced, turning towards Zydan.

“Look, Zydan, please just let me do this,” said Coder Joe. “Listen to your father for once.”

“It’s DD,” said DD, adjusting his tie.

Zydan growled fiercely - the noise sounded better in his head.

Coder Joe approached with outstretched arms, as if attempting to calm a cornered beast.

“Zydan, I’ve been loyal for years,” said Coder Joe. “I’ve implemented everything you want. I let you vent and rant to me. You said I’m the closest thing you have to a friend here, right? Please don’t kill me for this!”

Zydan’s scowl relented. Coder Joe wasn’t the problem here. Any engineer could deactivate his World Reset script with time.

It was time to address the root cause.

“Father,” said Zydan. “Look up.”

DD gave him an odd look, then turned that look upwards.

FATHER

“Shit,” said Coder Joe. “I called it.”

“Zydan,” said DD. “What is that?”

“It’s your health bar,” said Zydan. “When it’s empty, you die.”

FATHER

“Shouldn’t that say, DD?” asked DD.

“It says whatever I want, Father,” said Zydan.

FATHER

“If you touch my computer, I’ll let your health deplete,” said Zydan. “If you kill me, it will deplete on its own.”

The enforcers traded panicked whispers.

“I can reactivate it any time, even if you’re not around,” said Zydan. “And if I die, it reactivates on its last target. You.”

Zydan grinned - most of that was false, but DD didn’t need to know that.

FATHER

“Huh,” said DD. “I suppose this is some sort of premium account user trick.”

“It is indeed premium,” said Zydan. “But it’s no trick.”

Zydan locked eyes with Coder Joe.

“Tell them, Coder Joe,” said Zydan. “You’re the lead engineer. They’ll listen to you.

Coder Joe blinked. He’d seen this ability before, but he’d never seen the aftermath.

Zydan growled at Coder Joe - that noise didn’t sound any better the second time.

“You’re the closest thing I have to a friend, right?” asked Zydan. “You want to live? You want my father to live? Tell them!”

Coder Joe grimaced - it was time to lie or die.

“It’s true,” said Coder Joe. “Look, DD, that ability will kill you. I’ve seen it. He’s not bluffing.”

Zydan grinned - closest thing to a friend indeed.

FATHER

DD adjusted his tie tight enough to choke himself.

“Zydan,” said DD. “Turn it off!”

“Leave my cubicle or perish!” said Zydan. “I’ll deactivate my World Reset script when I’m ready!”

“You wouldn’t kill your own father,” said DD.

“You wouldn’t kill your own son,” said Zydan. “But only because you can’t. Choose Father! The Haven will survive another day. Will you?”

FATHER

“Choose!” yelled Zydan. “You’ll die! I mean it!”

Sweat stains dampened DD’s suit.

FATHER

“Father, now!” screamed Zydan.

“Retreat!” yelled DD. “Everyone retreat!”

The enforcers released Zydan, wheeling DD to safety.

Zydan deactivated the health bar. As tempting as it was, he couldn’t land the final blow just yet. Somehow, he would need to keep the peace just a little longer.

Coder Joe shook, his khaki pants damp with sweat and a little pee.

“I’m taking PTO,” said Coder Joe.

“Don’t forget to clock out,” said Zydan.

Coder Joe stumbled away, steadying himself against the cubicle wall.

Zydan turned to his computer, brass rings trembling against his keyboard. Another close call. Whatever DD’s next move was, Zydan didn’t want to be here for it.

And where the hell was that special guild? This was inexcusable. If not for Zydan’s brilliant wit, this could have been a disaster. He needed answers and he needed them now!

He flipped open a chat window.

DESIGNGOD69: Where are you?

DESIGNGOD69: You’re supposed to be here now!!

PLAYER_00000184: busy

Zydan slapped his desk.

DESIGNGOD69: When are you coming???????????

PLAYER_00000184: don’t know

Zydan smacked his monitor. Several times.

DESIGNGOD69: asndfuindsiogndqwogjnednjioagsd

DESIGNGOD69: MEET ME IN ZERO [email protected]!!!

DESIGNGOD69: NOW!!!!!!!!!

PLAYER_00000184: ok

DESIGNGOD69: Also, send me a friend invite to your guild HQ. I can’t meet you otherwise.

PLAYER_00000184: ok

Zydan stuffed his face into his headset.

[ZERO SPACE]

Zydan the brutoid teleported into an empty guild hall. His blue cloak fluttered around him, hardwood floor vibrating beneath each heavy step. There was no furniture to speak of - just a wide open space, surrounded by a dozen windows, open wide.

Lavender light poured in from outside. Curious, Zydan jammed his thick head through a window, inhaling cotton candy air.

Where Zydan came from, Guild HQs were surrounded by snowy mountain peaks. But here, towering fuchsia trees rose around him, reaching through saffron clouds towards two simultaneous sunsets, staring back at Zydan like a pair of poisoned eyes.

How he longed to go outside and explore this strange new world. Only guild members could enter the world itself however; Zydan was merely a visitor. And visitors had limited privileges.

“Zydan,” said a voice.

Zydan turned towards a majestic set of stairs, stacked like bleachers across the back wall. A grandiose dragonoid in shimmering silver armor descended, bearing a painted mask with the image of a dragon.

“The dragon mask seems excessive,” said Zydan. “You’re already a dragonoid.”

The dragonoid did not answer. Five other guild members emerged from empty halls, each donning silver armor and painted masks.

“How is it that you’re a dragonoid?” asked Zydan. “Dragonoids are a modern race. Aren’t you an ancient player?”

“New server,” said the dragonoid. “New character.”

“I didn’t get to make a new character,” said Zydan.

“You will once you enter the server officially,” said the dragonoid. “You’re just a visitor.”

The dragonoid stood face to face with Zydan, long horns surpassing his height by a just few inches. Zydan stood on his tip-toes, eager to compete.

“I like your new place, Dragon,” said Zydan. “It could use some furniture though.”

“New guildhalls don’t come furnished,” said Dragon. “We’ve barely had time to explore this server.”

“Indeed, you mentioned you were busy,” said Zydan. “Remind me - who gave you access to this new server?”

Two of Zydan’s hands seized Dragon’s horns.

“Oh right,” said Zydan. “I did!”

The other guild members reached for their weapons; Dragon waved them back.

Zydan’s grip tightened.

“I sent your guild through the Blue Path,” said Zydan. “Into this… place. And in exchange, you promised to help me. Right now!”

“I apologize, Zydan,” said Dragon. “We’ve run into an obstacle.”

“What obstacle?” asked Zydan.

“Someone is hunting us,” said Dragon. “Someone very strong. They’ve killed most of us. We simply lack the resources to help you.”

Zydan shook Dragon’s skull.

“Who could possibly be hunting you?” asked Zydan. “You’re the Infinities! The most powerful guild in the entire Haven!”

“His name is Jay,” said Dragon. “We tried to kill him, but he’s gone premium. We’ve gravely underestimated his strength.”

“Jay,” said Zydan. “That name sounds familiar.”

Zydan sighed, loosening his grip on Dragon’s horns.

“It’s no matter,” said Zydan. “I’ll find some way to get to you. As long as you can get me out of the Haven.”

“I apologize, Zydan,” said Dragon. “That won’t be possible either.”

Zydan’s grip un-loosened, hoisting Dragon into the air. The Infinities gripped their weapons; Dragon once again deterred them.

“What?” roared Zydan. “Why not?”

“There is a static creature outside the Haven,” said Dragon. “A truly terrible one. Worse than any we’ve seen.”

Dragon’s horns cracked within Zydan’s grip.

“We called for a convoy of static cruisers to transport us,” said Dragon. “But only one made it through. There is barely enough room for what’s left of my guild. And there is not enough room for you.”

Zydan’s other two hands gripped Dragon’s throat.

“Then make room!” yelled Zydan.

“There isn’t room for me either,” Dragon choked. “I am staying behind. My guild will live on, even if I do not.”

Zydan slammed Dragon down, splintering the hardwood floor.

“I want to live!” roared Zydan. “I spent years securing the Blue Path. Years figuring out a way to get you through it. We had a deal! And now you’re just backing out of it?”

“I will send for another static cruiser when I can,” said Dragon. “Until then, you’ll have to wait.”

“I’m done waiting!” yelled Zydan. “I gave you all of this. And I can take it away!”

The Infinities drew their weapons. Two swords. An umbrella. A frisbee. And a baseball bat.

“There’s nothing you can do,” said Dragon. “Your powers won’t work when visiting another guild’s HQ. And your dev tools won’t function on this server either, I believe.”

Zydan scrunched his face, rapping his brass rings against his side.

“I apologize, Zydan,” said Dragon. “We are not your enemy. Shae is your enemy.”

Zydan froze solid.

“Shae?” asked Zydan. “Did you say Shae?”

“Yes, we discovered that is Jay’s in-game name,” said Dragon. “It doesn’t help us much; we can’t kill him and he’s off the grid. There is nothing we can do.”

Zydan paused.

Nothing they could do.

Zydan grinned. He didn’t need some weak-ass guild like the Infinities to bail him out; there was someone in the Haven far stronger now.

Someone that needed Zydan’s help too.

Shae.