《VBL》 Chapter 1 part 1 VBL Chapter 1 Part 1 -In the competitive gaming world. Team battles roam dominate. Which means collaborative games have become one of the most popular games in the current world. ¡­ However there exists a genre of competitive gaming that has always been less about team ability and more about solo ability. One coated in over-the-top ego¡¯s, heated rivalries, and optimizing game mechanics. Fighting games! Aka The Fighting Game Community (FGC) ¨C Flashback: A young black girl timidly walks through the front door, her mom (Jasmine Maxim) softly leading her through. This is Nora Maxim (8 years old). Nora tightly grips her little overalls. She¡¯s always been uncomfortable in new situations, and this would be her first ever sleepover. ¡°It¡¯s okay sweetie. Mrs. Martha will watch over you and Lucy.,¡± Jasmine says. (Nora¡¯s mom) ¡°Can¡¯t you stay with me?¡± Nora asks. ¡°No sweetie, I have some errands to run. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll have fun!¡± Jasmine reaffirms. Nora looks down at her feet. ¡°Come on Nora!¡± Nora looks at her friend, Lucy. A young white girl, with blonde hair pulled into 2 ponytails, runs over and pulls Nora further into the apartment. Mrs. Martha (Lucy¡¯s mom) and Jasmine both share in a smile, seeing their little girls getting along. ¡°Yeah, yeah!¡± ¡°Get him, come on one more combo!¡± The sudden uproar grabs the attention of everyone present. ¡°Oh yeah, my son also has from friends over. Don¡¯t mind them though. Us girls are gonna have our own fun time!,¡± Mrs. Martha reassures Nora and Lucy. Lucy smiling. Nora has a skeptical look on her face. Which is interrupted by Lucy pulling her arm again. Nora gives in and allows herself to be pulled down the hallway. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. As both girls walk down the hallway, the noise from her brothers¡¯ rooms grows. The apartment is pristine, and smells freshly cleaned. Framed family pictures flood the walls of the apartment. Nora notices that Lucy¡¯s brothers¡¯ room is slightly open. Nora allows herself to peek inside the room. Inside the room are 4 teenage boys eating junk food, drinking soda, and playing a fighting game (Capcom vs SNK2). The sheer excitement in the boy¡¯s voice as they encourage, berate, and trash talk to each other is enough to enthrall Nora completely. She looks at the game they¡¯re playing. Long combo¡¯s, funky music, and the tense competitive atmosphere is enough to get her hooked. ¡°What game are they playing?¡± Nora asks Lucy. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Some stupid game that my brother begged my mom for. He plays it for hours. I tried it and it was too hard for me.,¡± Lucy admits. Nora stands frozen, looking through the slightly open door no longer aware of Lucy pulling her. Until Lucy speaks up. ¡°Come on Nora!¡± 1 day later. The doorbell rings. Martha opens the front door, revealing Nora¡¯s dad (A tall black man with a cozy and chill demeanor. His name is Isiah) is here to pick up Nora. ¡°I hope she was well behaved.,¡± Isiah tells Martha. ¡°Oh absolutely! She was a little angel. Although towards the end of the night she told me she wanted to try playing the game my son and his friends were playing,¡± Martha admits. ¡°Really?¡± Isiah confirms. ¡°Dad!¡± Isiah turns to his usually quiet daughter running towards him with one of the biggest smiles on her face. He kneels as she runs into his arms. Happy to see his daughter in good spirits. ¡°Dad!¡± Nora yells. ¡°Nor Nor, what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Isiah asks with a clear smile on his face. ¡°Do you think you could buy me this game? You¡¯ll have to buy it for your game system at home.,¡± Nora says. ¡°Uh¡­ okay. What game is it?¡± Isiah asks. FROM THAT POINT ON, I BECAME OBSESSED WITH FIGHTING GAMES. END OF FLASHBACK. Present Day. Nora is now 15 years old, sitting in the back of a moving van, headphones blasting music while she watches a fighting game tournament (Combo Breaker). It doesn¡¯t bother Nora to be surrounded by all the furniture as she¡¯s analyzing the different matches. That is, until the truck stops. The backdoor to the moving truck opens and Nora is blinded by the sudden sunlight. She shields her eyes while her mother Jasmine stands there waiting for her to come out. ¡°Come see the new house sweetie, it¡¯s beautiful!¡± Jasmine says. While Isiah walks up next to her, ready to start the grueling process of ¡°moving in.¡± He¡¯s slightly less enthusiastic, especially after the several hours drive, he just had to do to get here. He lets out a big yawn. ¡°You okay NOR NOR? The driving wasn¡¯t too bad for you?¡± Isiah asks. ¡°Not at all, I just watched this tournament the whole way.¡± ¡°Should¡¯ve known. Well might as well get to know the new house. The neighborhood seems nice.,¡± Isiah states. Nora finally climbs out of the truck, stretching alongside her farther. ¡°This is going to be our last time moving right?¡± Nora asks in tone so cold it causes her parents to look at each other. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lie to you, but I was told by my supervisor this promotion would come with a solid, and stationary spot to settle down. Finally lay some roots somewhere.,¡± Isiah pleads. Nora inner thoughts: They always say that when my dad is stationed at a new post. I can¡¯t be too mad at them though. Since both mom and dad work for the military whenever they need us to move, we move. It¡¯s not like I have a job or a place to live on my own anyway. Some of the neighbors walk out of their houses only to see the moving truck, and the Maxim family. They immediately wave to them. Jasmine and Isiah wave back but notice Nora look away shyly. Isiah smiles. ¡°Tell you what kiddo. We¡¯ll go talk to some of our new neighbors, while you scope out the new house. That will give all of us a break before we get cracking on moving in. Deal?¡± Isiah asks Nora. ¡°Deal.¡± Nora agrees. Nora inner thoughts: I hate moving. END of part 1. Chapter 2 VBL Chapter 2 Nora is sound asleep on her bed, in her new room. There¡¯re still a few boxes not fully unpacked but most of her figures, books, and posters fill out her room nicely. Nora is dreaming. In her dream Nora is standing on a large stage inside a large stadium. There isn¡¯t a single empty seat, as the excited crowd roars for their favorite player. Nora walks over to the table where there is a T.V/ game console combo, followed by two empty seats. Nora sits in one of the seats, while her opponent sits in the adjacent seat. They both plug in their own controllers, pick their characters, and start the game. The first game is close, but Nora comes out on top. Her opponent wins the second game, meaning it comes down to one more round. The crowd roars from excitement. After a long, and drawn-out last round, Nora finally wins! She jumps from her chair, fists in the air and the crowd screaming her name! ¡°Nora! You¡¯re going to be late for your first day!¡± Jasmine yells from the bottom step of the staircase. The image of the stadium with Nora holding the trophy collapses as Nora wakes up. She slowly lifts her head from the pillow, hair frizzy, and lifeless eyes. She lets out a big yawn. ** Nora is uncomfortably standing in front of the gate of her new school. Parket High school. She looks at her student map, that¡¯s meant to tell her where all her classes are. ** Nora is standing right in front of her new classroom. Matching up the classroom number with what her map says. Nora inner thoughts: I could still just walk away. Skip school for today. My parents won¡¯t be home until 6pm so they would be none the wiser. She stands still for a few seconds, giving the idea serious thought. Until she knocks on the door. ¡°Come in.¡± A voice yells out. Nora opens the door and realizes that it¡¯s a full classroom, with all eyes immediately on her. Making her pay sudden attention to her breathing. Feeling the beat of sweat go down her neck. She walks to the front of the class. Each footstep feeling like a whole minute. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Ahh, yes. Class this is our newest student, Nora Maxim. Her family just moved to Strand city.¡± The teacher explains. ¡°Is that correct?¡± ¡°Yes. Both of my parents are in the military, so we move around a lot.¡± Nora explains. ¡°Well Nora my name is Mrs. Holiday, and we have a small tradition here in Parket High where the class asks you any question in 30 seconds. This is to get to know you better, ready?¡± Mrs. Holiday asks. ¡°Well, I.¡± Before Nora can object a few students barrage her with sudden questions. ¡°What other cities have you lived in?¡±, ¡°Did you ever date long distance?¡±, ¡°Are you a gamer?¡±, ¡°Are you a nerd?¡±, ¡°Gamer and nerd are the same things, idiot¡±, ¡°No they¡¯re not, stupid!¡±, random classmates blurt out. ¡°Now, now class. One question at a time. ¡°Don¡¯t overwhelm her.,¡± Mrs. Holiday chimes in. ¡°Sorry, you can answer any question you may have heard in that chaos.¡± Nora already looks overwhelmed, sweating more than she already was. Her eye¡¯s darting back to some of the people that asked questions, mixed in with people who clearly don¡¯t care. ¡°Um, well I think someone asked if I was a gamer ¨C ¡° A red headed girl immediately raises her hand. Her curly red hair flows freely on her shoulders, while her posture is perfect, and her demeanor is sincere. This is Faith Storm (15). ¡°Yeah, that was me!¡± Faith clarifies. Nora inner thoughts: Wow, she¡¯s really pretty. She seems so confident too. ¡°I ¨C I actually am a gamer.,¡± Nora stammers. ¡°What sort of games do you play?¡± Faith immediately asks in response. ¡°Oh, umm fighting games. Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat.¡± Nora clarifies. ¡°Woah did you hear her?¡± ¡°She said it so casually¡±, ¡°She¡¯s already annoying¡±, ¡°You¡¯re crazy, gamer girls are so hot¡±, ¡°she should join the gaming club!¡± the classroom breaks into multiple conversations once again. ¡°If I¡¯m being honest¡­ I won¡¯t be around long enough to get to know any of your names. So, you don¡¯t have to focus on remembering mine.¡± Nora says. The class goes quiet. A few students look surprised, while a few look amused. Although Mrs. Holiday doesn¡¯t look happy with Nora¡¯s comment. ¡°Okay Ms. Maxim, you can take your seat now. We have an opened chair right behind Faith.¡± Mrs. Holiday tells Nora. Nora walks over to her new seat, still feeling some rogue set of eyes on her. She sits down and looks down at her desk. As Nora walks by Faith, Faith can¡¯t help but give a slight smirk at Nora. Faith inner thoughts: Interesting. Nora inner thoughts: Why did I say that? Now people are going to think I¡¯m some stuck-up military brat. ** It¡¯s lunch time. The atmosphere is a minor chaos. Students talk over each other, laugh at/with each other, and talk about things they don¡¯t like. Dozens of students who didn¡¯t bring their own lunch wait in the overcrowded lunch line. Nora is somewhere in the middle of the line when she overhears a loud conversation between some students behind her. She keeps her eyes forward. ¡°Did you hear Javier was pretty close to beating Brian in their last match!¡± ¡°You always say that! Those two must¡¯ve fought each other a dozen times but Javier never wins!¡± ¡°Dude, Brian is the TRUE KING. The man almost never loses a VBL match!¡± ¡°I bet Takeshi would give him a run for his money!¡± ¡°I¡¯m more surprised the two of them never had a proper match before.¡± ¡°There¡¯s rumors that they both had a secret match behind closed doors.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°I bet Brian won.¡± ¡°God, would you hop off this man¡¯s band wagon?¡± Nora inner thoughts: What¡¯s VBL? Chapter 3 Nora finally gets her tray of food and walks into the large and crowded cafeteria. Most students are already sitting with their desired groups/friends. Nora scans the large cafeteria for any open seats. While scanning she notices a few people give her the ¡®what are you looking at glare.¡¯ Causing Nora to sweat slightly. She always hated feeling like all eyes were on her for no reason. With this, she decides to go outside to eat her lunch. Walking through the cafeteria and out on to the decently sized school yard. There¡¯re a few students out in the yard but not as cluttered. The atmosphere feels more open. Nora finds a spot on an empty bench and begins eating her food. Nora inner thought: Better. A pretty, red headed student suddenly sits next to her. It¡¯s Faith. ¡°Hey there, Nora, right?¡± Faith clarifies. ¡°Oh yes¡­ You¡¯re that girl that¡¯s in my first class.¡± Nora says. ¡°Faith Storm, nice to formally meet you.¡± Faith extends her hand to Nora. Nora, being a little hesitant at first, finally shakes her hand. ¡°I liked the way you introduced yourself.¡± Faith says. Nora inner thoughts: uh oh, is she going to tell me how things are at this school? Or to not try to be more popular than her? ¡°I¡¯m a military brat too.¡± Faith reveals. ¡°Wha- wait you are?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Well, I was. My mom was married to someone that was in active service for about 5 years before she decided she couldn¡¯t take it anymore. They got divorced and she decided to move here. Me being a little girl I was just along for the ride.¡± Faith says. ¡°I¡¯m glad I can relate to someone in class then.¡± Nora says. Nore inner thoughts: She¡¯s so pretty. Why is she talking to me? Surely, she has a lot of friends to talk to during lunch. ¡°Yeah, we moved at least twice during the marriage. He was also a big gamer. I¡¯d often watch him play some of his games. I think that¡¯s what drew me to you.¡± Faith admits. ¡°I remember you said that you played a lot of fighting games. Did you ever join in tournaments?¡± ¡°Yes, actually! I won a few street fighter and Tekken tournaments and competed in a few online tournaments!¡± Nora admits. Nora inner thoughts: Oh crap! Why did I just reveal that! What if she looks me up!? ¡°Wow really?! What was your ¨C ¡°Faith is about to ask but she¡¯s interrupted. ¡°Faith!¡± Faith and Nora looked around to see where the sudden voice came from. The see a blonde-haired girl with her hair down running towards them. ¡°Faith, come on! You promised you would help decorate the gym during lunch! We¡¯re waiting for you!¡± The blonde girl yells. ¡°Oh right, Sorry I forgot-¡± before Faith can finish her sentence the blonde girl begins pulling Faith away. ¡°Sorry Nira, I have to borrow Faith!¡± The blonde girl yells. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s Nor- ¡°, before Nora could finish her sentence the two teens ran across the yard. Nora inner thoughts: And she¡¯s gone¡­ great. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. ** Nora is inside her last class of the day. The class is filled with students simply running the clock out. Most are on their phones while a few students are gathered to one side of the room, talking about after-school plans. The substitute teacher is reading her weekly schedule for the class. Nora is on her phone looking up VBL. Nora inner thoughts: I knew it! It was a game. As Nora scrolls through a few links, she comes across a few videos. These appear to be recent matches. Nora inner thoughts: ¡°vs¡± is it a fighting game? Whoa, how haven¡¯t I heard about this? I¡¯m usually up to date. This game seems to be one v one. Nora clicks one of the links that directs her to the official VBL streaming website. The front page of the website shows a blackened window where a live stream would be, except there doesn¡¯t seem to be a current live stream. Followed by a few tabs on the right side of the screen. These tabs read ¡°About. Current Tournaments. Find VBL. Contact us. Community. Another tab says, ¡°Javier vs. Brian,¡± Nora¡¯s finger hovers the community button before ¨C ¡°Ms. Maxim, do you wish to stay overnight?¡± The history teacher asks Nora. Nora looks up to realize she¡¯s the only one in the class. She embarrassingly grabs her bag and quickly walks out of the classroom. The teacher locks the door behind her. ** Nora walks out of the school and onto the crowded schoolyard. Some students walk off campus, while others stay and converse with their friends. Conversations of new shows, anime¡¯s, fashion, and everything in between fill the air. All of which is a little too much for Nora. She makes her way toward the school gate to leave. Until ¨C ¡°Nora!¡± Nora turns around to see Faith running toward her. Nora inner thoughts: It¡¯s that red head again. What was her name? Faith? Nora waits for Faith to run across the schoolyard, catching the eye of a few people that look in her direction. Eventually she catches up to Nora. ¡°Faith, right?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s me. By the way sorry my friend got your name wrong earlier. That was rude.¡± Faith apologizes. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t expect anyone to remember me honestly.¡± Nora admits. ¡°Well, I remembered you.¡± Faith articulates. ¡°I uhh, umm.¡± Nora stammers. ¡°Anyway, were you heading home?¡± Faith asks. ¡°I was. Did you want to walk with me? I¡¯m still getting to know the city, so I don¡¯t quite know where everything is yet. You might have a quicker way.¡± ¡°Well, you take the J train to get here, right?¡± Faith asks. ¡°No, I took the N bus.¡± Nora articulates. ¡°Well, where do you live?¡± ¡°Webster St.¡± ¡°What?! That adds a whole 20 minutes to your trip! I¡¯m surprised you even made to school on time today!¡± ¡°Yeah, I was cutting it pretty close, not gonna lie.¡± ¡°See this is why you need me; I¡¯ll show you a shortcut.¡± Faith offers. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it.¡± Nora says. Nora and Faith leave the campus. A few girls see Faith leave the campus with Nora. ¡°Where is Faith going?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the new girl she¡¯s walking with? I heard she was kind of cold. Like she told people to not try to be her friend.¡± ¡°That¡¯s mean. Then why is Faith hanging out with her?¡± ¡°Maybe the new girl has a thing for Faith.¡± ** Nora and Faith are walking down an empty street block, the sun is setting on the city, causing a smooth and calm sunlight to breach through the skyscrapers. A soft breeze blows past Nora and Faith as they walk in silence. Nora inner thoughts: How did things end up like this? This girl is clearly more popular than me, and she has better communication skills. She has this attracting aura about her, it just makes you want to do what she does. Faith inner thoughts: Why did I ask to walk her home?! It¡¯s the gaming comment she made. That must be why I was so excited to talk to her. ¡°I.¡± Before Faith interjects, Nora interrupts her. ¡°Thank you for walking me home by the way.¡± Nora says. ¡°Yeah, no worries. It is my job as class president to make sure all my classmates are safe.¡± Faith says. ¡°You¡¯re ¡°job.¡± Got it.¡± Nora repeats while looking slightly saddened. ¡°No, no I didn¡¯t mean it like that! It¡¯s just-¡± Faith stammers. Faith inner thoughts: Aww man, why did I say it like that! ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I mean I did say in class that I shouldn¡¯t even try to make friends.¡± Nora says while not making eye contact with Faith. Which makes Faith feel even worse. ¡°No. It was just my poor choice of words. If we¡¯re being honest, I thought it was cool how you bluntly said what you liked. It was like you didn¡¯t have a care in the world. I wish I felt like that.¡± Faith says while looking down at her own feet. Nora observes Faith while she says this. While this is happening another girl duo is walking past them on the street, living their own lives and having their own conversation. Nora inner thoughts: Did she say she thinks I¡¯m ¡°cool¡±? ¡°Hey Faith, could you help me with something else?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Sure, what is it?¡± Faith obliges. ¡°I heard some students talking about this game called VBL, did you know anything about it?¡± Nora asks. When she looks over, she sees Faith¡¯s face light up with excitement. ¡°You know about VBL?!¡± Faith excitedly asks. ¡°Well, I only learned about it today. Some students were talking about it in the lunch line. I know it¡¯s a fighting game.¡± ¡°You know anything else?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± ¡°You just moved here so that¡¯s to be expected ¨C ¡° Nora inner thought: I don¡¯t know if I should be offended by that or not. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a local fighting game that. The creator lives here in Strand city. It¡¯s different, I¡¯ve never seen a game like it! The depth, and the immersion!¡± Faith proclaimed. Nora inner thoughts: Wow, she got really excited as soon as I mentioned VBL, it¡¯s a substantial change from her more girly demeanor a few seconds ago¡­ ¡°We¡¯re actually close by, did you want to see the VBL HQ?!¡± Faith asks. ¡°Wait¡­ what?! How close are we? How do you know where the HQ is?! Is it a tag team fighting game or 1v1?¡± Nora barrages Faith with questions. ¡°Whoa, so many questions! Tell you what, I can answer all your questions on the way there!¡± Faith says while grabbing Nora¡¯s hand and pulling her down the street. ¡°Oh?!¡± Nora yells while being pulled. Chapter 4 Nora gazes on the building she thought would be small. When you hear the HQ of a small local game in your local city you don¡¯t expect to see what Nora saw. More likely you¡¯d walk into a small building or office with a handful of people scattered around doing their own thing. Instead, Nora saw a large building with a huge front yard. Students and adults alike were scattered across the yard. Conversating about VBL matches they either saw or had. While other people scroll on their phones, watching VBL videos. Faith observes the shocked look on Nora¡¯s face and can¡¯t help but smile. Nora inner thought: Whoa. This was not at all what I was expecting. Look at all these people! Nora¡¯s eyes spot a large monitor hanging on the top right corner of the building. It¡¯s livestreaming a match. Faith tracks her eyes and sees the same monitor. There¡¯s a small crowd surrounding the wall of different monitors. The girls walk over to the wall of monitors. ¡°Who¡¯s fighting?¡± Faith asks a random student. ¡°Brian Nyx, and Javier King. Javier challenged Brian.¡± One student reveals. ¡°Again.¡± Another student chimes in. ¡°Shut up she was asking me.¡± the first student replies. ¡°Then give context, you jerk.¡± the second student retorts. Faith leans back over toward Nora, who is completely enthralled in the current match. Analyzing it like a hungry hawk. ** In the heat of the match Javier rushes toward Brain, gauntlets ready. (Javier is wearing the Titan gauntlets ¨C On the right hand is an eye insignia that¡¯s glowing red, while the left hand has a hammer insignia, that¡¯s glowing blue) Brian stands calmly, eyes stoically half shut, and gently placing his hand on the hilt of his customized short sword. (Brians short sword has a black aura around the blade, fur around the hilt and a small skull and crossbones keychain hanging on the bottom) Javier starts throwing hail Mary¡¯s toward Brian, but he effortlessly dodges each upcoming strike. Until he slashes upward, directly at Javier¡¯s face. Javier back steps, barely dodging the oncoming blade. Brian takes the opportunity to rush step Javier, placing himself right in front of him. Brian delivering another slash of his blade this time horizontally. Hitting Javier and sending him flying back a few yards. Until Javier regains his balance and stands himself up. ¡°Lucky shot,¡± Javier claims. ¡°Is it lucky if I can do it again?¡± Brain asks. Immediately rushing towards Javier again. This time Javier braces himself, hunkers down and waits. In the blink of an eye Brian is right in front of him again. Javier remains calm. Brian swipes his sword horizontally once more. Javier jumps high above the slash, this time delivering a kick to Brians face. ¡°You¡¯re crazy for trying the same thing twice in a row bendejo.¡± Javier taunts. ¡°I wanted to make sure you¡¯re awake. I¡¯ve been moping the floor with you this whole match. Now that I have your attention. I¡¯m ending this.¡± Brian states. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Try it!¡± Javier yells while running toward Brian. Brian smirking, he clenches his blade and drags it against the ground. Digging the blade into the level¡¯s ground and creating debris that goes flying towards Javier. ¡°Gaia dragon slash!¡± Brian calls out. ¡°Wall!¡± Javier yells in response. A large blue wall suddenly appears in front of Javier, blocking the attack. The blue wall is about seven feet tall, and five feet wide. Javier breathes a sigh of relief, until he realizes Brian is right behind him. In the milliseconds it takes for Javier to turn his head, Brian fires up another attack. ¡°Dragon slash!¡± A large dragon made of pure energy appears from the slash Brian made and completely engulfs Javier. Destroying him and ending the match. ** Back outside in the crowd that has gathered, Nora looks completely mesmerized. She¡¯s never seen fighting like this before. It was like both people were really fighting with weapons, special moves and complete freedom in the strategies they carried out. ¡°How do we play?¡± Nora asks generally out loud. ¡°Inside they have pods you can rent to play or train. We can ¨C ¡°, Faith is cut off by the sound of someone ringing a loud bell. DING DING. The crowd that gathered looks over to a short man standing on a makeshift wooden stand. Besides his feet is a small bucket of sheets of numbered paper. ¡°All right Kings, Queens and in betweens! It¡¯s time for the VBL raffle! For those who need a refresher, we will call out a random number. Whoever is called will then have the chance to battle the VBL special guest. Today we have a special treat for you. The contender is none other than the defending champion himself ¨C ¡°, The small announcer yells. A tall Japanese man walks up to the stand. He¡¯s wearing glasses, a buttoned pink shirt with black shorts. He flicks his hair back and is immediately met with applause. This is Takeshi Fujimoto. ¡°Takeshi Fujimoto! ¡°Make some noise for your reigning champion!¡± the small announcer yells. The applause from the people around Nora and Faith grew louder. The crowd bum rushes the announcers stand, taking Nora and Faith with them. One by one people reach into the bowl and grab a single piece of paper. When Nora and Faith are finally at the front of the line, they look at each other with a ¡®oh well¡¯ expression and reach in. They both look at their numbers. Nora¡¯s number is thirty-one, while Faith¡¯s number is twenty-nine. Once everyone grabs a number from the bowl, the announcer starts again. ¡°Alright everyone let¡¯s not keep the champion waiting! I¡¯m going to use this randomizer on my phone to figure out which one of you lucky people will get to challenge the champion on a livestreamed match!¡± the small announcer yells. Faith inner thoughts: Wait, did he say ¡°livestreamed¡± match? The Announcer presses a button on his phone. A number is immediately selected. ¡°Alright! So, the lucky number is twenty-nine! Will the person with the number 29 please step up!¡± Faith¡¯s face goes pale as she looks straight ahead. Nora looks down at her number to confirm she didn¡¯t win. She looks over to Faith who seems to be caught in a trance. ¡°Faith, you, okay?¡± Nora asks. Faith inner thoughts: Shit, Shit, Shit! How did I win? I wasn¡¯t supposed to win! He definitely said this match would be livestreamed! Damn it! If anyone at school watches the livestream, they¡¯ll all think I¡¯m some closeted gamer or Otaku. I¡¯ll lose everything I built so far at this school! I¡¯m finally popular! Faith suddenly hands her ticket to Nora. Nora grabs it confusingly, right before Faith turns and sprints in the opposite direction. Forcing her way through the crowd. Not looking back. ¡°Faith, wait! Where are you going?!¡± Nora calls out. ¡°Number 29! ¡°Does anyone have number 29?¡± the announcer asks again. A random person standing next to Nora spots her holding Faith¡¯s old ticket. ¡°We have number 29 right here!¡± The random person yells while pointing at Nora. The crowd around Nora breaks into another cheer, just as someone pushes Nora up to the announcers stand. She catches herself from falling. For a brief moment she looks over to Takeshi, who is already looking into her eyes. She isn¡¯t intimidated by his stare, but instead intrigued. He isn¡¯t trying to psyche her out, but almost as if he¡¯s simply analyzing her from an objective standpoint. Without passing judgment. ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen! We have our lucky winner!¡± ¡°Wait, what?!¡± Nora yells. Chapter 5 Nora stands at the front of the crowd, completely dumb founded. A majority of the crowd that didn¡¯t see what just happened are still cheering. At this point, the announcer is beginning to look confused, but Nora looks at the winning ticket, now resting in her hand. Nora inner thoughts: What the f@#$ was that?! Did Faith just leave me?! Where the hell did, she go?! ¡°Are you number 29?¡± The announcer asks Nora. Now that he was closer Nora got a closer look at him. He was a 5-foot tall, Black man with a short haircut. Wearing an all-red suit, topped off with a red snapback. ¡°Umm, well you see ¨C ¡° ¡°I¡¯m sure Takeshi is a busy man, so we have to get this match underway. We have all of the equipment fired up and ready,¡± the announcer says. ¡°That is, if you still want to compete,¡± Takeshi says while looking at Nora. Nora looks back at him. There isn¡¯t any malicious intent in his eyes. Instead, just genuine pity. ¡°I didn¡¯t think me being the contestant should¡¯ve been a secret. So, there should be no judgement if she chooses to drop out now.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never backed down to anyone when it came to fighting games.¡± Nora retorts. ¡°Well, well. You can talk. I¡¯m glad to hear it. So, I take it your contestant twenty-nine then?¡± Takeshi asks. Nora inner thoughts: I¡¯m feeling this sudden rush. My brain is telling me that this is crazy¡­ but... my body, no. My heart is telling me that I want to play this game. That I want to fight this guy. The champion! I don¡¯t know why Faith left me here, but I don¡¯t care about that now. ¡°I am contestant twenty-nine. Let¡¯s get this started.¡± Nora says. The crowd roars in excitement. The announcer jumps down from the stand and walks up to Nora, placing a mic near her mouth. ¡°So, tell the crowd what your name is, contestant 29!¡± the announcer states. ¡°Nora Maxim.¡± The crowd begins to chant Nora¡¯s name. ¡°Nora! Nora! Nora!¡± It clearly makes Nora uncomfortable as she starts to sweat again. Takeshi notices this. Takeshi inner thoughts: I¡¯ve never seen this girl here before but she¡¯s still willing to fight me. She¡¯s either very confident or very stupid. I already agreed to be here, although I¡¯d much rather be at home, cuddling up with Devan. Watching anime. It is what it is. Since I¡¯m here I mind as well test her resolve. ¡°Okay Nora. I¡¯m looking forward to our match.¡± Takeshi says. ** ¡°You¡¯ve never played before!?¡± Takeshi screams. Nora, Takeshi, and the announcer are now inside the VBL HQ building. The large lobby is well air conditioned, with a few people idly talking and whispering to each other as they look at Takeshi. The walls are covered with monitors displaying different matches either currently happening or already happened. The announcer is just as surprised as Takeshi from the news. Nora looks down at her own feet, ashamed and embarrassed. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Yeah, I just learned about VBL earlier this morning.¡± Nora explains. ¡°And yet here you are, challenging the current champion. Feels like something out of a manga. You either have great or horrible luck, depending on how you see it.¡± Takeshi says. ¡°So that girl you were with, she¡¯s the real person that had the number 29?¡± the announcer clarifies. Nora nods her head. ¡°So, I guess we can rule out her being a friend. Look kid, don¡¯t feel pressured to do something you don¡¯t want to, okay? I can just simply grab another number and continue this contest with someone else.¡± the announcer explains. ¡°No! I want to compete! I don¡¯t know much about VBL, but I want to learn about it. The way I see it, the best way to learn what I need to, is trial by fire.¡± Nora sternly says. Takeshi notices Nora now staring into his eyes. Takeshi inner thoughts: Amazing. This girl is¡­ exciting. ¡°Okay Nora. We¡¯ll continue this contest, but just know this. I will show you the basics of VBL, but that¡¯s it. I won¡¯t hold back, but I promise to show you the allure of VBL. Just don¡¯t hold any weird grudges when I beat you.¡± Takeshi says. ¡°I¡¯ll keep up. Just be careful to not be left behind.¡± Nora confidently says. Nora inner thoughts: What the hell am I saying?! I still don¡¯t even know the moves or button layout! Damn it, shut up Nora! Takeshi turns and walks toward the back of the large room, where there¡¯s a long hallway. The announcer turns to Nora. ¡°Alright rookie, come with me. I¡¯m assuming you don¡¯t have an account so we¡¯re going to make you one.¡± The announcer says while walking towards the same hallway Takeshi did. Nora follows right behind him. ¡°So, tell me Mr. announcer guy, does this fighting game follow Street Fighter button layout, or something like Tekken?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Button layout?! HA! You¡¯re in for quite a shock rookie. Don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t spoil it for you.¡± announcer says. Nora inner thoughts: What¡¯s that all about? ¡°Oh, and my name is Derrick, okay? No more of that Mr. announcer crap. It makes me feel old.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you old?¡± ¡°Not that old! I¡¯m still in my 20¡¯s. Damn teenagers have no respect nowadays.¡± Derrick takes Nora to a public, vacant computer. He logs onto the computer and the screen displays a series of blank lines (Ex. First name, Last name, VBL name etc.) He stands up from the computer and motions for Nora to sit down. She does. ¡°Alright you seem to know your games so this screen should be familiar to you.¡± Nora sits down and fills out everything that¡¯s being asked for. When she¡¯s done, she taps Derrick. ** Derrick is guiding Nora down the long hallway. Doors are lined up on each side of the hallway. Each door has an LED sign that says either vacant or occupied. ¡°What are these rooms?¡± Nora asks. ¡°You want this match so bad, but you don¡¯t even know what these rooms are?¡± Derrick teases. ¡°You heard the part about me just learning about VBL this morning, right? ¡°Yeah, yeah. Look each room is free to be rented by anyone to practice or participate in custom matches. They open 7 days a week, year-round. In each room are two monitors and 2 VBL pods.¡± ¡°Pods?¡± Nora asks. Derrick only laughs at her question. ¡°Ha! Oh, you¡¯re in for a real show today girl.¡± ¡°Nora¡­¡± Nora specifies. ¡°Sure.¡± Derrick shrugs off her comment. At the end of the hallway there stands a single metal door. Derrick opens it for Nora. The inside of the door is dark enough that she can¡¯t see directly inside. Derrick places his hand at the entrance, welcoming her. Nora¡¯s heart starts beating so hard she can feel it as she takes a deep breath and walks through the door. Derrick stays outside and closes the door behind her. Nora takes small steps in order to not accidentally trip over something she can¡¯t see. Although there¡¯s this faint sound of clapping as she gets closer to wherever she¡¯s walking. She takes a few more footsteps before finally spotting a curtain in front of her. She pulls the curtain back to reveal¡­ A large room outfitted to look like a small Esports stadium. Filled out with the people that were previously gathered outside. In the front of this room stands a stage that has an extra-large monitor in between two pods that are standing slanted. The pods are metal on the outside and outfitted with cushioned seats and leather walls on the interior. The audience is continuously cheering. Nora¡¯s nerves send a shock up her back, as she stands completely still, dumbfounded. Suddenly Derrick steps onto the stage, along with Takeshi. ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen! The moment you all waited for! Our defending regional champion Takeshi Fujimoto will have an exhibition match against the complete rookie, NORA MAXIM!¡± Derrick chants. The crowd goes wild. Nora slowly walks down to the stage, walking past the frantic audience as they cheer her name and Takeshi¡¯s. Eventually she finally walks on stage. Takeshi has his hands nonchalantly in his pockets, glaring at Nora through his own white hair. Nora looks clearly intimidated. Takeshi notices this and walks over to her. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t mind me, I¡¯m just giving these people a good show. You, okay?¡± Takeshi asks. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about me. Large crowds and lots of attention just make me uncomfortable.¡± Nora says. ¡°Oh honey, So I¡¯m guessing both at the same time ¨C ¡° ¡°Exactly. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll manage. I¡¯m still fully committed to this match!¡± Nora says while glaring right into Takeshi¡¯s eyes, not looking away. Takeshi inner thoughts: She¡¯s not afraid of me in the slightest. Interesting. ¡°I¡¯ll keep up my end. I¡¯ll show you the basics of VBL, afterward we can start the match.¡± Takeshi explains. ¡°Sounds good, let¡¯s get started!¡± Nora says, showing an arrogant smile. chapter 6 Two blocks away Faith finally stops running. Out of breath and gasping for air. The sounds of the city helped drown out her panting. Faith inner thoughts: Why did I run? Why did I just leave her there? It was that announcer¡¯s fault. He should¡¯ve told me earlier the match was gonna be livestreamed¡­ Faith looks around, she''s alone. The sounds of the city begin to simmer down. She looks back at the distance she traveled. Then shamefully at her own feet. A pair of girls walk by, while Faith is still staring at her feet. Blocking out the world around her. The pair of girls quickly look at Faith but move on further down the street. Faith inner thoughts: ¡­ no¡­ It was me. It was my fault. Faith pulls her phone out and opens the VBL app. She quickly scrolls through the recent streams until she sees a video with the title ¡°A rookie challenges the champion.¡± The stream started 10 minutes ago. She clicks the video. ¡°LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU HEARD RIGHT, THE PERSON CHALLENGING THE CHAMPION HAS NEVER PLAYED THE GAME BEFORE! Luckily, Takeshi has graciously decided to show her the basics, before starting the real match. I¡¯ve never seen something like this at VBL¡­ what if she actually beats the champion?!¡± Faith inner thoughts: She¡¯s going through with it?! Takeshi is a 2-time champion! And one of the fastest players in the VBL community right now! What is she thinking? ** -Back at the VBL HQ- While the crowd continues to cheer, both VBL pods open revealing a cushioned seat, and slick, white metal walls covered in leather inside the pods. Takeshi steps inside the pod on the left, allowing his body to relax while the doors close. Nora follows his lead and climbs into the opposite pod. The announcer, Derrick, walks over to Nora. ¡°Now you''re going to hear a slight buzzing noise. Just relax your body and the pods will take it from there.¡± Derrick says. Derrick then closes the pod door for Nora, leaving her to skeptically observe her surroundings. ¡°I thought when you said pods, it was just the chair we¡¯d be sitting in while they give us some special controller.¡± Nora says. Through the pod door window Derrick motions Nora to close her eyes. The pod door closes with a cushioned thud, followed by the buzzing noise near Nora¡¯s ears that faintly sounds like white noise. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°Right, relax.¡± Nora tells herself. Nora closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Seconds go by and the sound of the crowd begins to fade away. The pod quietly simmers. In an instant, Nora is bombarded with a fury of lights passing by her. Although instead of flashing, all the different colored lights create a tunnel, leading Nora effortlessly through. She takes another deep breath. In the blink of an eye, Nora seems to have been teleported to a new location entirely. A wide blue sky shines down on the large hovering bridge where Nora and Takeshi stand. Each end of the bridge connects two independent towers. Each tower is color coordinated and two stories tall. The tower behind Takeshi is red, and the tower behind Nora is blue. Nora looks around flabbergasted. She walks over to the edge of the bridge but doesn¡¯t see the bottom. Instead, she sees a never-ending abyss that carries most of the light from the sky above, but towards the bottom, grows darker and darker. ¡°That¡¯s the stage limit. If You fall, instant KO.¡± Takeshi explains. ¡°We talking Mortal Kombat style?¡± Nora clarifies. ¡°Exactly. Except no spikes. If you¡¯re already introduced to fighting games, then this is gonna be easier to explain than I originally thought,¡± Takeshi says. ¡°Anyway. Now think about moving your body. Like how you would in the real world.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in a pod, how would I do that?¡± Nora asks. ¡°First think about it, then just do it. Trust me, you¡¯re overthinking it.¡± Nora looks at her feet. Then walks in a circle. Before Takeshi could say anything else, she starts running in circles. ¡°Are you telling me I can simply think about my movements?¡± Nora asks. ¡°It¡¯s not simply thinking about it. You must feel it. The clearer the image, the faster the process. The sensors inside of the pod read your brainwaves and interpret that into what you do in the game.¡± Nora jumps up and down a few times. ¡°This is amazing!¡± Nora exclaims. ¡°Isn¡¯t it? So now let¡¯s move on to weapons. For this match I just copied and pasted my current load out to you. So, your weapon is the Dragon Sword.¡± Takeshi explains. A customized katana materializes in Takeshi¡¯s left hand. The dragon sword has a dragon design on its hilt. Takeshi holds the sword up, presenting it to Nora. She looks at her hand, and in an instant the sword appears in her right hand. She quickly gazes over the entire blade, amazed by physics. She can almost feel the weight of the sword. Almost like a phantom pain. She can even see her reflection in the blade. ¡°Look at me,¡± Takeshi commands. Nora follows his direction. ¡°If you look at the left corner of your own vision you can see your health. In the top right corner, you can see your energy bar. If you look right at me, you¡¯ll see my health.¡± Takeshi explains. ¡°Can I see your energy?¡± Nora asks. ¡°No, but once you get used to move sets and special attacks, you¡¯ll get used to guessing where it might be. Can you see a block icon in the lower right?¡± Takeshi asks. ¡°Yeah.¡± Nora confirms. ¡°That¡¯s your ¡°wall¡± ability. Everyone gets one. If you say WALL, a checkered wall will appear where you¡¯re looking. It¡¯s indestructible, and stays around for exactly 10 seconds, and you only get one per match.¡± ¡°A last resort?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Or a first, depending on what sort of player you are and if you can win without it.¡± ¡°Can you move the wall?¡± ¡°No, its stationery. Listen ¨C ¡° Nora inner thoughts: I was listening. ¡°You have an ability. That should be the lower center of your vision. You get one ability, but it does recover after 10 seconds of usage. Since you¡¯re on my loadout then your ability is speed boost. I''m sure you can guess what it does.¡± ¡°What other abilities are there?¡± Nora asks. ¡°You gotta figure that out for yourself after the match.¡± Takeshi reveals. ¡°Thank you, I appreciate you giving the quick basics.¡± Nora says. ¡°Sweetie, I¡¯m not even finished. Your weapons also have a separate ability. These have no limits, but they drain your energy every time you use it. All right, that concludes your little champion grade tutorial. Now¡­ are you ready?¡± Takeshi checks. A mix of emotions build up in Nora. Anxiety, nervousness but above all, excitement. Nora smiles back at Takeshi. ¡°Ready.¡± Nora says. Takeshi inner thoughts: This girl is staring me down, despite me being champion. Despite her never playing this game. Despite it all¡­ She¡¯s smiling. And I love it! The two combatants ready their swords and we - Chapter 7 Nora takes a stance, standing on the right end of the infinite bridge. Takeshi¡¯s stance is more chill, more relaxed. Until it isn¡¯t, and he kneels down into a battle-ready position. His stance reminded Nora of a predator preparing itself to leap after its prey. His left leg propped backwards, with most of his weight on his bent right knee. Nora inner thoughts: Looks like he doesn¡¯t believe in the whole ¡°go easy on the rookie thing¡±. Despite the situation she found herself in, Nora couldn¡¯t help but smile. The thought of facing a strong opponent as her first real match of a brand-new game. Nora found herself most comfortable as the underdog. Nora inner thought: My first match in VBL and I¡¯m going up against the one that stands at the peak of this new world! What will you show me Mr. Champion? Before she knew it, Takeshi was already in front of her. Staring directly into her eyes. She hesitates. Creating an opening as Takeshi slashes a deep gash into her torso. For split second, Nora feels likes she¡¯s been severely cut open by Takeshi¡¯s attack. She flinches backward from the pain. Takeshi doesn¡¯t pursue her, recognizing the sensation from reading her body language. ¡°Ahh yes¡­ Don¡¯t worry. You didn¡¯t really get cut just now.¡± Nora checks her body, making sure she isn¡¯t on the brink of death. Then looks up to Takeshi. Asking for answers with out really asking. ¡°VBL pods are constantly reading our brain waves, combined with fact that VBL is a good enough simulation to trick the eye. So as result sometimes you can feel like you¡¯re in danger¡­ as well as hurt. Think of it as a sort of phantom pain.¡± Takeshi explains. ¡°That¡¯s a bit intense.¡± Nora reveals. ¡°You¡¯re still free to concede.¡± Takeshi reminds Nora. ¡°No way! I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Nora exclaims. Nora runs up to Takeshi, swinging at him with her sword. Takeshi steps to the side, allowing her to fall forward. She regains her balance. Takeshi then easily slashes her upper back with such force that it sends her flying forward. She regains her balance once again and runs toward Takeshi. She gets to about 5 feet away from Takeshi before she dashes to the left of him, attempting to take him off guard. Except Takeshi saw through it. She attempted to slash him several times but just couldn¡¯t hit the mark. Right, left, up, down. Takeshi effortlessly dodges through all her ploys. Until Nora suddenly shows up right behind him. Takeshi¡¯s eyes track her. Takeshi inner thoughts: I figured you¡¯d try the speed boost ability at some point. What else will you do though? Nora inner thoughts: Holy crap that move can be discombobulating! I don¡¯t know why I¡¯d be able to withstands the fully might of the speed boost on first usage. I need a second to regain myself, but there¡¯s no time! I have the drop on him, I need to take advantage of the opportunity! Nora slashes downward, attempting to slash Takeshi down his spine. Until Takeshi is suddenly right behind her. Taking her off guard momentarily. She attempts to slash backward to counter an attack she doesn¡¯t see coming. Takeshi low kicks Nora¡¯s legs, making her fall to the ground. Takeshi charges up an attack through his sword, raising his arms for a strong downward slash. ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Takeshi yells. ¡°Wall!¡± Nora screams. The first command to register is Takeshi¡¯s attack. A dragon formed entirely of energy forms from Takeshi¡¯s sword. Despite being called afterward, the wall ability is faster than most attacks. Within milliseconds a large, checkered wall forms in front of Nora. Completely blocking Takeshi¡¯s attack. Because of how close the attacks were to each other, the resulting explosion causes both combatants to be blown a few feet away. Takeshi is still on his feet, while Nora is face first on the ground. Both fighters took damage for that incident. Although because of the properties of the wall, Nora received a mere fraction of the damage Takeshi took. Takeshi shrugs it off. Nora picks herself up. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Takeshi then directs drags his blade across the ground, as the sword digs up a few small pieces of debris. The debris goes flying toward Nora. ¡°Earth dragon slash!¡± Takeshi screams. Nora inner thoughts: Damn it, Since I already used my wall, there¡¯s nothing stopping him from using long ranged attacks. Nora runs toward the right of the bridge. A failed attempt at dodging the oncoming debris. She manages to dodge the first two small boulders, but the third boulder hits its mark. Right in the stomach. The next few pieces hit her leg and shoulders. Before she can think of another plan of attack, Takeshi¡¯s arms are raised again. Nora has just enough time to look up before ¨C ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Takeshi yells. Another energy created dragon forms and storms toward Nora. Not having any time to react, she takes the full force of the attack. Her health bar depletes below half, with a remaining 25%. Takeshi inner thoughts: I should¡¯ve known better than to expect a miracle from someone that just picked up the game. Nora stands up from the rubble. Visibly scared and beaten up. But something is different. She looks at Takeshi, to his surprise her demeanor has changed. He expected a defeated reaction from her. Instead, Nora¡¯s face was that of someone having the time of their life. Nora inner thoughts: Okay, let¡¯s try this again. Nora rushes toward Takeshi. Takeshi braces himself. His eyes coldly analyzing Nora¡¯s movements. Takeshi inner thoughts: Behind me. Nora suddenly is behind him; Takeshi is side eyeing her. Takeshi inner thoughts: Then I go behind her again ¨C Takeshi uses his speed boost ability to blitz behind Nora once again. Takeshi inner thoughts: Then I punish with another ¨C Takeshi is taken back when he blitzes behind Nora, only to see her facing him, looking directly in his eyes. Her eyes filled with determination. His eyes filled with genuine curiosity for what she¡¯s about to do. ¡°Earth dragon slash!¡± Nora yells out. She performs a similar movement to Takeshi earlier. Sending a barrage of rubble flying at Takeshi at point black range. In all honesty, Takeshi understands even at this distance he can dodge the attack. Yet he doesn¡¯t. The idea that Nora was able to actively come up with a new plan of attack, despite her dire situation shouts experience. Maybe not with VBL but fighting games in general. Takeshi takes the full force of the attack with a smile. A hint of respect. The attack sends Takeshi flying a few feet backwards. Nora composes herself. As the smoke clears Nora squints her eyes, but she can¡¯t see Takeshi. ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Takeshi yells. Nora hears his voice from above her, causing her to look up in time to see another energy dragon heading her way. She jumps out of the way just in time. Causing the dragon to destroy a piece of the bridge. Eventually the dragon dissipates before hitting the grid like floor of the level. With a piece of the bridge missing, Nora breathes a sigh of relief. ¡°No time to rest rookie!¡± Takeshi yells. Easily clearing the gap in the bridge and making it in front of Nora. Attempting to slash his sword at her gut, but she¡¯s barely able to parry it. Takeshi then answers with an upward slash to her head, but she blocks that attack as well. At this moment the piece of the bridge that was destroyed fixes itself, now looking as if nothing happened. Takeshi proceeds with his combo. Nora either barely dodging or blocking each oncoming attack. Takeshi doesn¡¯t seem fazed at all; in fact, he doesn¡¯t seem to be trying. Takeshi inner thoughts: 3,2,1. The speed boost icon in Takeshi¡¯s vision lights back up. Takeshi inner thoughts: Time to end this. Nora inner thoughts: Now or never Nora! Takeshi then delivers another horizontal slash. Only this time Nora ducks under it. Takeshi remains unfazed, sending out another horizontal slash, but this time Nora jumps over the attack. Her blade being eye level with Takeshi. This time she takes the opportunity. Slashing Takeshi across his eyes. The shock made even Takeshi step backward. Takeshi inner thoughts: What? That wasn¡¯t her using speed boost, it was ¨C Nora steps right in front of Takeshi, causing him to look right in her eyes right as she ¨C ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Nora yells. A blue dragon emits itself from Nora¡¯s sword, at point blank range at Takeshi. Until Takeshi blitzes right beside Nora as she¡¯s finishing the movements of the attack. Quickly taking a stance. ¡°Nice try.¡± Takeshi says. Takeshi slices Nora in the neck, causing her VBL avatar to explode into thousands of fragments. ** Back at the VBL HQ stadium, as Nora opens her eyes, the sounds of the cheering crowd focus back into her ears. The sudden shift from the world of VBL and reality takes Nora a few seconds to get used to. She climbs out of the pod just in time to see Takeshi effortlessly walking out of his pod. At the same time Derrick struts his way back to the stage. ¡°And that is all she wrote! Takeshi effortlessly defends his title! Let¡¯s hear another round of applause for the VBL champion, and the brave rookie that didn¡¯t back down!¡± Derrick yells. The cheering crowd applauds Takeshi and Nora. For a brief second Nora becomes consumed by the roar of the crowd, standing on stage, right after a tough match. Takeshi observes Nora¡¯s face. He¡¯s seen this face before. He¡¯s had this face before. The face of someone who just got hooked on VBL. Chapter 8 Back in the VBL HQ, Nora is finally leaving the room that she just competed in. The other attendants are long gone. In fact, Nora waited before everyone cleared out. She didn¡¯t want to deal with the aftermath and being asked questions like ¡®were you nervous the whole time?¡¯ ¡®Did you really think you had a chance?¡¯ She walks down the hallway that leads back to the lobby. Nora inner thoughts: What the hell just happened?! I just fought the champion of VBL! Sure, I just found out what VBL was a few hours ago, but that man did not hold back! I need to know more about this game. No way am I letting that be my only performance in this game! I have so many questions. Can VBL only be played in those pods? Everything felt so real. ¡°Feeling a bit overwhelmed?¡± Takeshi asks. Nora almost jumps out of her skin, switching entirely 180 degrees in midair. Now facing Takeshi. ¡°When did you get behind me?!¡± Nora asks. ¡°Just now.¡± Takeshi responds. ¡°Geez, don¡¯t scare people like that.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to scare you. You were just lost in your own thoughts, honey.¡± Nora lowers her guard. Realizing that she was lost in her thoughts. ¡°You¡¯re right...¡± Nora admits. ¡°Okay then. What are your questions?¡± Takeshi asks. Nora¡¯s head perks up. ¡°Really?¡± Nora confirms. ¡°Of course. Everyone has questions about VBL when they first start.¡± Takeshi says. ¡°But I¡¯m going to turn into your rival. Wouldn¡¯t you be helping the competition?¡± ¡°I mean that¡¯s if you become competition. Sweetie. Not everyone is as good as they claim to be.¡± Takeshi declares. ¡°I am.¡± Nora counters. ¡°I¡¯m the defending VBL champion, its gonna sound super cocky but I¡¯m looking for higher competition.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right that does sound super cocky. Are you telling me to not even try?¡± Nora asks. ¡°The opposite.¡± A beat. ¡°I¡¯ll never turn away from higher competition. I saw what you did back there. For someone who just discovered this game, movement like that can only be done by pure instinct. This isn¡¯t your first fighting game, is it?¡± Takeshi asks. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡± Nora confirms. ¡°You ever play in tournaments?¡± ¡°Tekken, and Street Fighter over the years. I won a few of them, but VBL isn¡¯t like any other fighting game I¡¯ve played before.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because of those pods. I was never a science whizz, but from what I understand about the pod is that it scans the brain and analyzes the frontal cortex. A friend of mine in college told me that. Allowing this game to bypass any VR or even AR games. VBL is unmatched immersion.¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°Incredible, with a game like this the combos could potentially be endless. I also took a peep at your build before the match started. I had no idea what I was looking at but there was a certain balance to it.¡± ¡°Good eye, rookie. I picked that load out to have total adaptability to any situation.¡± Takeshi explains. ¡°I¡¯m assuming you accomplish that through speed.¡± Nora asks. ¡°Nice try. That¡¯s for you to find out.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t blame a girl for trying.¡± ¡°Sure, I can. Now what¡¯s your next question?¡± ¡°How long?¡± Nora asks. ¡°How long before what?¡± Takeshi asks. ¡°Before you think I can beat you?¡± Nora says while smiling. ¡°Ha ha, I was right. You are entertaining. I just wiped the floor with you in your first VBL match rookie. But if you wanted a serious answer¡­ 1 year before we¡¯re fighting on equal ground. Although I can¡¯t see you beating me. You got to show me more than good instincts before I start becoming a believer.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it in a few months.¡± Nora says. Takeshi is astonished while Nora stares into his eyes. He then shows a smirk on his composed face, while walking further down the hallway. ¡°Looking forward to it¡­ Nora,¡± Takeshi says while exiting. Nora inner thoughts: My heart is pumping. Who would¡¯ve thought. I¡¯d find something interesting in this city?! ** It¡¯s nighttime when Nora finally gets home. She opens the front door, careful to close it quietly behind her but ¨C ¡°Don¡¯t bother sneaking in.¡± Jasmine sternly says. Nora¡¯s whole demeanor changes as she shuts the door normally. Then she walks down the hallway until she sees both parents sitting in the kitchen, at the dining room table. Her mother with a serious face contrasted with her father wearing a sympathetic face. Both parents are in their respective pajamas. ¡°Where were you?¡± Jasmine asks. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was playing a new fighting game with a frie- A sudden reminder of Faith running out on Nora skips through her mind, causing her to choose her words more wisely. ¡°I mean, with a classmate.¡± Nora corrects herself. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let us know you were going to be late coming home?¡± ¡°Honestly¡­ I was having so much fun, that it didn¡¯t cross my mind.¡± Nora admits. Hearing herself say it aloud makes her consider how much fun she had. Despite losing. Jasmine¡¯s face changes from stern and serious, to tired and exhausted. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s good enough for me. Good, because I was already too tired from work to scold you. There¡¯s dinner in the fridge, you just have to heat it up. Don¡¯t stay up too late honey, you got school in the morning.¡± Jasmine says while walking out of the kitchen. While walking past Nora, she kisses her on the head. Isiah (Nora¡¯s farther) gets up from his seat and follows Jasmine, stopping to kiss Nora on the head as well. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay sweetie. I don¡¯t mind you hanging out with classmates after school, especially at your age. Just let us know next time. Okay?¡± Isiah says. ¡°I will, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Isiah is almost out of the kitchen before ¨C ¡°Hey dad.¡± ¡°Yeah, sweetie?¡± ¡°What do you call someone that abandons you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s an abstract question, where is this coming from?¡± ¡°I just ¨C I don¡¯t know. Forget I said anything.¡± Isiah ponders the question and looks at Nora while she avoids his gaze. ¡°People do things in their own interest, whether they know it or not. So, if they did something against you, it¡¯s up to you to figure out why that person wronged you, or to cut them out of your life entirely.¡± ¡°That¡¯s pretty deep dad.¡± ¡°An abstract answer for an abstract question kiddo. Although to answer your question more directly. I¡¯d simply call that person ¡°human.¡± Don¡¯t stay up to late kiddo.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Nora confirms. Nora sits down at the dinner table alone, with her own thoughts. Before long she silently fists pumps in place. Remembering the match from earlier, makes her excited all over again. ** Inside the King¡¯s Gym (somewhere in downtown Strand city) Javier has his training Gi on, watching a video on his phone while two people spar right in front of him. A tall, black-haired man is skirmishing with a tall, built women. She has dyed pink hair, a few earrings on her right ear accompanied with a large grin on her face. She lunges downward toward the man¡¯s legs, but the man raises his left leg, attempting to kick her in the face. But it was faint, as she back steps, barely dodging the kick and grabbing the man¡¯s ankle (while mid kick) and twists her body. Forcing the man into a death roll and ending it with an Achilles lock (Brazilian ankle lock). The man only lasts 5 seconds before he taps. Sparring over. The woman jumps to her feet and hangs her hand out toward the man. Showing good sportsmanship. The man grabs her hand and hoists himself up to his own feet. ¡°You had a good reflex to keep me from getting to your legs, but you left yourself wide open and to a counterattack. Do you understand?¡± the woman asks. ¡°Yeah, I see what you mean. I thought I had you, sensei.¡± The man jokes. The woman slaps the man on the back, signaling him to clear the mat. She then turns her attention to Javier, who is still looking at his phone. ¡°I hope you were paying attention at the match and not just your phone, Javier.¡± The women say. ¡°Of course, I was. Unlike you, I can multitask. Old women.¡± Javier teases. ¡°Who are you calling old?! I¡¯m only 28, la burra!¡±, the woman yells while performing a drop kick right into Javier. The drop kick sends him flying a few feet away, as he regains his balance and stands up. ¡°What the hell, you hag! Don¡¯t think you¡¯re getting away with that!¡± Javier yells. ¡°Come on then! Don¡¯t forget you¡¯re still 0 -22, Nene!¡± This woman is Sasha King (28). The older sister to Javier and the current manager/ co- owner of the Strand city branch of the King¡¯s gym (Their family-owned gym). On the other side of the gym, two men are shadow boxing, when the sound of Sasha and Javier yelling at each other grab their attention. One of them speaks up. ¡°The siblings are at it again.¡± Chapter 9 Javier leans up against the side railing of his school¡¯s stone staircase. (Excellence Private school) He''s wearing a button up shirt, that¡¯s unbuttoned, revealing a graphic tee underneath, followed by his school blazer and checkered pants. The temperature is a little warm, but the wind is consistent enough to balance is out, almost perfect hoodie weather. The entire front yard is inhabited with students wearing the same uniform but contending with their own business. Javier leans back further as he re-watches the match between Nora and Takeshi. Specifically, Nora''s last play. ¡°The way you¡¯re staring at your phone, I¡¯d like to guess it was a woman sending you a video.¡± Javier looks up from his phone to see a tall, laid-back teenager with a playful smile on his face. The teenager also has dyed red hair. This is Ren Martinez. (16) . ¡°You know me better than that.¡± Javier says. ¡°Of course, I do. That¡¯s why it¡¯s a joke, Mr. Serious.¡± Ren taunts. Ren walks over to Javier¡¯s side, leans back alongside him and peeks at his phone. ¡°Bro, you¡¯re still looking at that match?¡± Ren asks. ¡°Yeah, I can¡¯t shake off her last moves. The entire match she was getting bodied, but in the last few seconds she was able to dodge Takeshi¡¯s attacks at point blank range. There are people that¡¯s played VBL for years and still can¡¯t do that.¡± Javier explains. ¡°So, she had a stroke of luck before losing. Case closed, now move on and stop being an amateur stalker.¡± Ren teases. ¡°Spoken like a pro stalker, don¡¯t think I forgot about that girl over the summer. What was her name, Cynthia?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Her name was Samantha! And I wasn¡¯t stalking her!¡± Ren yells. ¡°What else would you call checking all her social¡¯s every hour?¡± Javier asks. ¡°I call it research.¡± Ren defends. ¡°Right, well come on Mr. Journalist. Class is about to start.¡± Javier says while placing his phone in his pocket. Both teenagers walk up the stone staircase, and into the school. As well as the different flocks of students following behind shortly after. ** Nora is slowly walking down the sidewalk that leads to her school. The morning is cool, but the rising sun provides the necessary warmth as it peeks through the skyscrapers. Nora¡¯s eyes are half shut due to lack of sleep. Nora inner thought: Damn it. I went overboard last night. I was too busy looking up all I could on the current VBL meta. I didn¡¯t even notice that it was 3 am. I even skipped breakfast to make sure I made it to school on time. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Nora¡¯s stomach growls, causing her to gently place a hand over it. Eventually she walks past the school sign and into the school yard. ** Nora walks into her first class of the day. After a while she can feel a few sets of eyes on her. She tries to ignore it, sitting in her assigned seat behind Faith. Only one problem. Faith wasn¡¯t there. Just an empty seat. Nora inner thoughts: Faith didn¡¯t come to school today. I wonder if it must deal with her ditching me yesterday. Also ¨C Nora looks over to a student on the far side of the classroom, sitting near the window. The student has half of his hair dyed yellow, with bangs being on the yellow half. Accompanied with one lighting bolt earring on his right ear. This is Rem (15). Nora lifts her shoulder up in the air, as if to say, ¡°what do you want?¡± Rem simply responds by showing her his phone. Nora sees he was watching the video of her fighting Takeshi. Her eyes grew wide. She suddenly feels a hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn to see who it is. It¡¯s another student, a tall one. ¡°Nora, right? I had no idea you played VBL. Did you want to play some time?¡± the tall student asks. Just then another student runs over, knocking into the tall student. ¡°No fair, I told you I wanted a match with her first!¡± ¡°You had your chance, and you didn¡¯t take it!¡± The tall student pushes back. A few other students talk aloud, while others murmur over the sudden ruckus surrounding Nora. ¡°Nora plays VBL?!¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t see the stream?! She fought the current champion and got destroyed!¡± ¡°I¡¯d be way to embarrassed to show my face after that match.¡± ¡°What¡¯s VBL?¡± ¡°You¡¯re hopeless.¡± The teacher* walks inside the classroom, hearing the commotion and attempts to gain control. ¡°Alright class, there will be enough time to harass MS. Maxim after class. Until then, find your seat and let¡¯s begin.¡± Nora drops her head down to her desk, overwhelmed. Nora inner thoughts: How the hell do so many people know?! I know that the short announcer said the match would be live streamed, but I figured VBL was a small indie fighting game! ¡°Now class, I have some news regarding Faith Storm. She caught a cold and will be out for a few days. So, let''s Start our lesson.¡± Nora inner thoughts: She got sick? Sure, sick of me. I wonder if both events connect. They have to. No way is that a coincidence! I still can¡¯t believe she ditched me like that. What a bitch. At that moment Nora remembers her father¡¯s words. ¡°I would call her human.¡± Nora inner thoughts: humans can be bitches, so I¡¯m still following his advice. ** The bell rings, ending the first class. Most students quickly exit the class, but Nora sits back, waiting patiently for Rem. Rem notices this, keeping his smug smile ever present on his face. When only a handful of students remained, Nora walked out of the classroom but stood to the side the class door. Rem walks out seconds later. While walking away to their classes, a few classmates peeked over to see who Nora was waiting for. ¡°Was it you that spread the video of my match around?¡± Nora bluntly asks. ¡°Me? Of course not. That wouldn¡¯t be very welcoming of me, would it? The match was being live streamed, no? Isn¡¯t it just obvious that people tuned in to watch a newcomer get washed by the defending champion?¡± Rem says. Nora inner thoughts: This guy is full of shit. Between Faith running out on me, and this asshole I can¡¯t seem to catch a break. ¡°Look. I don¡¯t know if you were trying to humiliate me or whatever. But if you were, let¡¯s end it here. I don¡¯t want to have this conversation again.¡± Nora says. ¡°Let¡¯s get this straight new girl- ¡° ¡°Nora¡± ¡°Whatever. You said it yourself; you don¡¯t want us wasting our time being friends. So where does that leave us? I¡¯m merely following your instructions.¡± Rem says. ¡°Then you won¡¯t have a problem listening to me again when I say, leave me alone.¡± Nora says. ¡°As you wish, your dreadful-ness.¡± Rem says, keeping his smirk the whole time. Nora can tell while her words were strict, they didn¡¯t stick. She angrily turns and walks down the hallway to her next class. ** In Faith¡¯s dark bedroom, we see a mix of gamer apparel, furry stuffed animals, and boy band posters. Followed by Faith herself, laying in the fetal position on top of her bed. She¡¯s looking at the match between Nora and Takeshi, again. The game mechanics of VBL VBL Rules, format, and everything else. VBL is a one-on-one fighting game. Combatants win by throwing their opponent out of bounds or depleting their health down to zero. BUILDS: Players are given three attributes to boost up and three points to customize their attributes. Players can customize their build before each match. Example: ATK = Attack|| DEF= Defense|| SPD= Speed ATK: 0 DEF: 0 SPD: 0 ATK:000 DEF: SPD: ATK: DEF:00 SPD:0 Ability¡¯s: This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Each player picks one ability per match. (There will be more abilities added with patches and updates) 1)Extra health 30 = Provides the player with 30% more health at the start of the match. (This health cannot be recovered) 3) Rage: When a user¡¯s health reaches their final 25%, they will experience a 25% boost in their strength and speed for the remaining time of the match. 3)Speed boost = Players are granted 2 rechargeable boosts of speed to use throughout the match. (Each boost recharges after 5 seconds) WALL Every player receives the wall ability. The wall is an indestructible, checkered obstacle any player can call simply by either thinking about it or calling ¡°wall¡± aloud. The wall stands in place for 5 seconds, and then it disappears. WEAPONS ALL WEAPONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS THE STORY PROGRESSES. THERE WILL BE IN GAME UPDATES THAT ADD WEAPONS, CHANGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CURRENT WEAPONS AS WELL AS ADDING IN NEW ABILITIES OVER TIME. (To match the feel of a real game) THANK YOU FOR READING VBL!! Chapter 10 FLASHBACK: It¡¯s the golden hour on a Sunday. A young Faith (around 6 years old) is climbing on a makeshift fort of chairs, towels, and blankets. The DIY fort is shaped just like a wrestling ring with the ropes tying the fort together also acting as the side ropes. 1 of 3 of Faith''s older brothers, Isiah (9) has long flowing blonde hair, and a ¡°stone cold¡± shirt. He''s pretending to be unconscious. When Faith finally reaches the top of the third rope she screams ¨C ¡°From the top rope!¡± Right before she jumps off and lands right on her older brother. Isiah pretends to be incapacitated, while Faith jumps back to her feet. Although she doesn¡¯t see the other young boy lurking behind her, beyond the makeshift ropes. Until he jumps over them and in one quick movement, RKO¡¯s young Faith to the mattresses laid out on the floor. The young boy is Faith¡¯s second brother, Demetri (10). Sporting red hair, a black hoodie, and shorts. Now it¡¯s Faith¡¯s turn to pretend to be hurt, while her brother Demetri shoots his arms up, for the invisible audience. But Faith isn¡¯t out yet. She kicks Demetri in the leg, knocking him off balance. Giving Isiah enough time to get behind him, turn him around and performed a classic ¡°Stone cold stunner¡± on him. Demetri then lays on the mattress, pretending to be knocked out. Faith gets to her feet, and runs toward Isiah, but he sees her in his peripheral vision. Grabbing her and using his superior strength to force her over the ropes and out of bounds. ¡°And with that, we have our current champion! Guilty Isiah!¡± Isiah yells triumphantly. Demetri looks up at his youngest brother, out of breath and filled with the energy only a child has. Ready to keep playing. He looks over to Faith, seeing if she¡¯s feeling the same energy only to see her hunkered over her newly bleeding knee. His eyes widen. ¡°Oww, I scraped my knee.¡± Faith declares to her brothers. Her brothers immediately stopped what they were doing and walked over to her, afraid that she would cry. Which meant the fun times were over. But to their surprise Faith didn¡¯t cry out. Even though they could clearly see she was in pain. A slightly older boy comes walking around the corner with a book in his hand. His hair is blonde, but more kept than Isiah¡¯s, and he¡¯s wearing an open buttoned shirt, and jeans. This is Dorian (11). Dorian rushes over to Faith. ¡°Faith are you okay?¡± Dorian asks. Immediately he saw her bleeding knee. Shooting a stern look toward his two brothers. While both brothers look away awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m fine. We were just playing wrestling.¡± Faith responds. ¡°Yeah, that much I gathered. Go to mom, so she can disinfect that,¡± Dorian orders. ¡°Now, for you two!¡± Isiah and Demetri both flinch, awaiting a scolding or a lecture, or both. Instead, Dorian gently places his book down on a nearby coffee table, and takes off his buttoned shirt, revealing a plain blue shirt underneath. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°You ready to take on the reigning champion?¡± Dorian asks. All the brothers smile at each other and run toward the make-shift ring. Faith sees this and runs toward the kitchen, almost forgetting about the pain immediately. Once in the kitchen she sees her mom smoking a cigarette, while talking to one of the housekeepers. Whatever her mom and the housekeeper were talking about was interrupted by Faith running in with a bloodied leg. The housekeeper (This is Samantha. White, 38) runs over to Faith, and kneels to her leg. ¡°What happened sweetie?!¡± Samnatha asks. ¡°I hurt my leg, Samantha.¡± Faith answers. ¡°Playing with your brothers, I presume,¡± Faith¡¯s mother says. Still smoking her cigarette. Faith doesn¡¯t dare make eye contact with her mother. Instead keeping her gaze lowered. ¡°Yeah, but I was having fun. We all were.¡± Faith pleads. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, I told you about letting them rough you up. It¡¯s not becoming of a woman to just have scrapes and bruises on her, Faith!¡± Her mother lashes out. Samantha the housekeeper ignores the conversation and walks over to a nearby drawer in the kitchen. Taking out a first aid kit. Immediately treating Faith¡¯s leg. ¡°Why mom? Why can¡¯t I play with Demetri, Isiah, and Dorian?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Was Dorian behind this?¡± Faith¡¯s mother immediately asks. ¡°No, he told me to come to you after I got hurt.¡± Faith answers. ¡°Good. I¡¯ve already talked to him about that. Now for you. Baby girl, you don¡¯t have to sink yourself to the level of your brothers. You are a ¡°Storm.¡± Do you know what the means?¡± Faith¡¯s mother asks. ¡°No.¡± Faith answers honestly. ¡°That means you don¡¯t have to get dirty, or sweaty or any of that barbaric stuff. People will do what you say and give you what you want simply because you¡¯re you. That is, if you look the part. People will expect you to look elegant, beautiful, and above all¡­ womanly. This sweety¡­ isn¡¯t womanly.¡± Faith¡¯s mother coldly stares into her young daughters¡¯ eyes. This moment seems to last forever for young Faith. END OF FLASHBACK. ** Faith opens her eyes, waking up in a cold sweat. She clutches her knees through her blanket. Allowing her blanket to absorb her silent tears. ** Nora is walking down the front yard of the VBL HQ. Ignoring her surroundings and looking at her phone. She¡¯s scrolling through a video that¡¯s titled ¡°Great beginner weapons in VBL.¡± She opens the front door and walks inside, feeling the cool transitional breeze from the AC. Nora inner thoughts: I had no idea the weapon system in VBL was so robust. Every weapon was a special ability. Some even have two. I wonder what goes in to balancing all these weapons. How does VBL properly make sure one weapon isn¡¯t too overpowered? Nora walks to the center of the lobby. On the other side of the lobby, sitting on one of the benches is Javier, and his friend Rem. Rem spots Nora first, and slaps Javier¡¯s shoulder. Javier rips his attention from his phone, immediately seeing what his friend what¡¯s him to see. Javier jumps from the bench, running up to Nora. ¡°Nora Maxim!¡± Javier calls out. Nora flinches back when she turns and sees Javier running up to her. ¡°Whoa!¡± ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t mean to scare you.¡± Javier says. ¡°No worries. I¡¯m sure you had a good reason to run up to a stranger, while calling her full government name.¡± Nora teases. ¡°Well, I had a good reason to run up to You.¡± Javier flirts. Nora blushes but doesn¡¯t call attention to his advance. At this time Rem walks up, but allows the interaction between Nora and Javier to play out. Nora inner thoughts: Wait. I recognize this guy. I watched one of his matches. He was using gauntlets. He seemed like he was pretty good, but he lost the match I watched. ¡°Okay, well. Why did you run up?¡± Nora asks. ¡°I want a match. With you. In VBL.¡± ¡°Playing VBL, at the VBL HQ?¡± Nora teases again. ¡°Crazy, I know but I saw your match, and I had to find out for myself,¡± Javier pleads. ¡°Find out what?¡± Nora asks. ¡°If you¡¯re just a pretty face.¡± Javier flirts again. ¡°Then give it to me straight. Were you looking for a date or a match? Because I¡¯ll say yes to the second.¡± ¡°Good. Because I¡¯m over this flirty back and forth! Nora. I challenge you to a match. To assess your skills and to see what you¡¯re made of.¡± Javier says. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one. I want to assess my skills too. So, you¡¯re on!¡± Nora states, while smirking. END OF PART 2 Chapter 11 Nora, Rem, and Javier are in one of the low-lit private rooms. Ren is on the right side of the room, sitting on one of the leather couches. Both combatants are standing in front of their designated pod where there¡¯s a touch pad stationed. This is where players pick their weapons, abilities, and builds. Nora is analyzing her new build that she made up on the spot. Javier is standing with his arms folded, waiting for her to finish. ¡°When you said you were finished, I thought that meant you had a build in mind.¡± Javier chastises. ¡°You missed the part where I¡¯m new to the game? This is like my second game ever.¡± Nora corrects. ¡°Okay so you are telling me that you haven¡¯t done any research on the game at all?¡± ¡°Of course, I have ¨C ¡° ¡°So, then you should have an idea.¡± ¡°You know patience is a virtue, right?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Okay. I never said I was virtuous.¡± Javier clarifies. Nora finally finishes her new makeshift build, then goes to stand in the pod. Javier begins touching his touch screen again. ¡°I¡¯ll take the liberty of changing the map, that way we¡¯re not here all day.¡± Javier taunts. Inside the pod Nora rolls her eyes. After selecting a map, Javier jumps into his pod. The pod doors begin to close. Nora calms her body, like last time. She looks over Javier¡¯s pod in time to see him talking to himself before he closes his eyes. Nora inner thoughts: what was he- Before she could finish her thought, Nora blinks her eyes, and she instantly finds herself standing on railroad tracks. There doesn¡¯t seem to be a station visible in either direction, only several railroad tracks, all lined up next to each other. The biggest gap being the space both players occupy. There¡¯s also a bright blue sky with minimal clouds. This map is called INFINTY RAILROAD. The sudden change in her environment confuses her for a moment. She shakes her head. She then points her attention in front of her where she sees Javier, who is staring back at her. Holding a confident look in his eye. Causing Nora to slightly frown. Map: Infinity Railroad Nora build: ATK:000 DEF: SPD: Dragon Blade Wall Speed Boost VS Javier build: ATK:00 DEF: SPD:0 Titan Gauntlets Wall Speed Boost _____________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Expect the same treatment from me as Takeshi. Being a rookie doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re going to get it easily.¡± Javier says. ¡°Same treatment? Last time I checked you lost to Takeshi as well.¡± Nora taunts. This visibly frustrates Javier. He quickly activates his weapons. The Titan gauntlets. Dashing toward Nora before she can even activate her weapon. This takes Nora by surprise. As she activates the Dragon sword, Javier is already in front of her. He sends out a left hay maker at Nora¡¯s head. She barely dodges and takes a horizontal slash toward his torso. Then Javier dodges by dashing backward. A train suddenly rushes right past Nora. It was so fast and abrupt that it scared her. Javier takes advantage of this moment to dash behind her. She looks back right before he unleashes a small left, right combo on her, ending it with a roundhouse kick. Which sends her flying forward. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Nora inner thoughts: Damn it. I let my guard down. That damn train scared the shit out of me. No doubt he kept that information to himself. Get it together Nora! Nora takes a deep breath. Without speaking, Javier dashes behind her again. This time she¡¯s prepared as she ducks his first punch, parries the second, back steps the third. Javier inner thoughts: There it is! I knew it. This girl has amazing reflexes. She grabbed the basics of the game quick enough and she¡¯s able to anticipate my attacks. This girl is going to be so much fun! Javier attempts another kick, this time aiming for Nora¡¯s forward foot. Until she lifts it up. Causing Javier to slightly stumble. Nora raises her sword above her head. ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Nora screams. ¡°Wall!¡± Javier counters. A checkered wall materializes in front of Javier, seconds before the dragon materializes from Nora¡¯s blade, causing an explosion that¡¯s like the one from Nora¡¯s match against Takeshi. This time Nora keeps her composure as she slides backward. Keeping eye contact with Javier. He smiles. She frowns. Another train suddenly flies right past them. ¡°Care to tell me what¡¯s so funny?¡± Nora asks. ¡°I¡¯m not laughing at you, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re thinking.¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°If you beat me¡­ I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Javier purposes. Nora dashes toward Javier without hesitation. Javier grins and braces himself. Nora jumps toward the oncoming train, grabbing on to it and allowing it to carry her away. Nora inner thought: I completely took a gamble if I could touch the train or not. I¡¯m glad it worked out in my favor. Javier inner thought: What is she-?! Okay, I¡¯ll bite! Javier dashes on top of the fleeting train. Nora runs down the roof of the train car, then jumps down to the space that connects with the neighboring train car. She kicks the door open and runs into the empty train car. Inside it¡¯s filled with empty benches all the way down. Javier lands in between the cars and dashes toward Nora, attempting an upper cut. Nora attempts to parry. Javier pulls back, revealing a fake. Instead, he attempts a round house kick. Which lands. Sending Nora flying in between two benches. ¡°Ugh!¡± Nora tries to lift herself up, but Javier uses one arm to holster himself over. Delivering another high kick to Nora¡¯s head. Nora¡¯s head smashes through the window next to her. Right at the same time another train comes by. Nora is barely able to dodge the oncoming train before Javier grabs her and sends her flying across the train. Nora picks herself up, in time to see Javier coming after her again. She waits. Javier runs toward Nora while charging up an upper cut. His left hand begins glowing blue. Nora ducks under the bench, and slides under the next bench. While Javier upper cuts the first bench, sending it flying out of the window of the train. Javier is surprised to see no one under the bench. Nora vaults over the bench, kicking Javier in the face. Sending him flying to the train car door. Without skipping a beat, Nora then scrapes the blade against the floor of the train. ¡°Earth dragon slash!¡± Nora¡¯s blade digs up some debris from the train car floor. Javier dashes toward the window, dodging the oncoming attack, and using the momentum to jump through the window. He hoists himself up and on top of the train. Balancing on the roof, just before a blue energy dragon burst through the roof. The force of the attack sends Javier flying off the train. Javier lands on an adjacent track. While Nora jumps through the window and lands a few yards away from him. Javier carries a smile on his face. He legitimately didn¡¯t see that attack coming. Javier inner thoughts: She knows she¡¯s no match for me right now, yet she doesn¡¯t shy away from direct encounters. I mean it would be in her best interest, especially against someone like me. Despite that, she attempts to match my moves and adapt on the fly. This girl is¡­ Nora takes a stance and readies her sword. No words. Javier takes his stance as well. Javier inner thoughts: She¡¯s lower in health then I am. If I had to guess, then around 20 ¨C 25%. Javier looks at his own health in the top right corner of his vision. Javier inner thoughts: While my own health is around 45%. That should be more than enough for what I must do next. Full frontal assault! Nora sprints (Not speed dash) toward Javier. Javier inner thoughts: Wait, she¡¯s not going full speed? Is she throwing the game? No, she doesn¡¯t seem like the type. Then is she trying to bait me?! Javier clenches his fist as it begins to glow red. Javier inner thoughts: Fine by me! Show me something rookie! Javier dashes directly at Nora, with no signs of redirecting. He delivers a kick, which doesn¡¯t find its target. Nora jumps in midair, but she doesn¡¯t attack. Javier pulls back and launches a fast jab, which Nora blocks with her blade, remaining silent. Javier takes this opportunity to blitz over to Nora¡¯s right side, thinking she isn¡¯t fast enough to dodge the next attack. Javier punches Nora in the gut. The force caused her to kneel over. Javier then readies his next attack. ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Javier yells. A large, golden transparent titan (Greek mythology) appears behind Javier, mimicking the motion of Javier¡¯s fist with the titan¡¯s hammer. ¡°Wall!¡± Nora yells. The checkered wall appears in milliseconds to completely block Javier¡¯s attack. He flinches back from the impact from the wall. Enough time to give Nora the opportunity to leap over the wall, readying her own attack. Javier inner thoughts: This girl played me. She wasn¡¯t attacking to give herself the opportunity to counterattack me! I love it! ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Nora yells. The blue dragon emits Nora¡¯s blade and slams into Javier. Although he was able to make a split-second maneuver, he still took the majority of the damage from the attack. Javier inner thoughts: Shit, I¡¯m in my last 20%! Javier dashes around the wall, where he finds Nora waiting for him. Javier takes the first step. Nora swipes at him but he sides steps her, then hits her with another gut check. She recovers quickly, and this time attempts the earth dragon slash technique. Until Javier dashes right in front of her and upper cuts her. While she¡¯s in the air, Javier finishes it with one more, perfectly timed- ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Javier yells. As soon as the attack hits, Nora¡¯s avatar explodes into pieces. Javier holds his pose as the pieces of Nora¡¯s avatar blow past him. Finally, he composes himself. His right gauntlet glows blue and his left gauntlet glows red as he stands victorious. Chapter 12 In the private training room, as both pod doors open, Nora walks out looking exhausted, while Javier walks out with energy to spare. Ren (Javier¡¯s friend) walks over and slaps Javier ¡®s outstretched hand. A job well done. ¡°How did you pull off that fake?¡± Ren asks. ¡°It was a gamble.¡± Javier reveals. ¡°No way, I watched that moment at a slower speed. You reacted after the attack had already started. That was instincts.¡± Ren explains. ¡°Did you catch her moments as well?¡± Javier asks. ¡°What? No.¡± ¡°Keep an eye on her.¡± Javier demands. ¡°Good game.¡± Nora says while she walks up to the boys. ¡°Good game. You pick up quickly,¡± Javier says. ¡°Not fast enough, it seems.¡± ¡°Nonsense, it was only your second match ever. I can¡¯t wait to see your next one!¡± Javier exclaims. ¡°You¡¯re second person to tell me that, right behind Takeshi.¡± Nora explains. ** The three teenagers walk out of the training room and back into the main lobby. Nora has a thought that¡¯s been eating away at her since the end of the match. Until she finally gains enough courage. ¡°Yo Javier, let me ask you something.¡± Nora states. ¡°Okay, shoot,¡± Javier says while turning around to meet Nora¡¯s eyes. He¡¯s now walking backwards. ¡°You held back, didn¡¯t you?¡± Nora asks. Javier feels the intensity from Nora, as she asks. ¡°Perdoname (translated: forgive me) I hope I didn¡¯t offend you.¡± Javier clarifies. ¡°Javier offending someone? That wouldn¡¯t be the first time. Or the last.¡± Ren chimes in. Javier then knocks into a white man, that¡¯s wearing a white buttoned shirt with a loosened tie, and black slacks. Looking like he just clocked out of his office job. He also has an unlit cigarette in his mouth. This is Brian Nyx (35) ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the TRUE KING.¡± Javier says while turning around. Nora inner thoughts: The true king? Isn¡¯t this the guy Javier had a match against the other day? ¡°You brat. You know I hate that nickname.¡± Brian retorts. ¡°You¡¯re the only person that I know that hates praise, TK.¡± Javier persists. ¡°And you¡¯re the first kid I met that doesn¡¯t apologize for knocking into someone¡± Brian counters. ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Javier says. Brian begins to walk around Javier and to his destination, until- ¡°You know I¡¯m going to beat you one of these days, TK.¡± Javier exclaims. ¡°I¡¯m already old, kid. How long do you expect me to wait?¡± Brian teases. ¡°You ass.¡± Javier ¡°I¡¯m an adult. Show some respect junior.¡± A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. As Brian says ¡°junior,¡± Javier thinks of the last time his own farther called him junior. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant memory. This instantly pisses him off. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡± Javier yells. Nora is shocked to see Javier worked up from this. While Ren places a hand on his shoulders. Brian¡¯s facial expression doesn¡¯t change, although there is a hint of regret. While he doesn¡¯t know the details of why Javier lashed out, he can tell he hit a nerve. ¡°Sorry, kid. I was just rustling your feathers. Anyway, I don¡¯t have business with you today. I¡¯m just here to get some practice in.¡± Brian says. Brian walks past the teenagers, heading toward the private rooms. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for practice then I¡¯m right here!¡± Javier calls out. ¡°Is this old guy really that good at VBL?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Brian Nyx, otherwise known as True King. Is one of the strongest players currently in VBL. He¡¯s also one of the remaining OG¡¯s. He¡¯s been playing since VBL came out. There were rumors that he talked to the creator of the game to give him some sort of hidden invincibility skill but that got debunked.¡± Ren explains. ¡°Is that really a rumor people made up about me? Whatever. They can think what they want.¡± Brian says. ¡°Fight me right now!¡± Javier demands. ¡°Kid, not only have I beaten you, but I¡¯ve beaten you badly. You seem to have short term memory when it comes to that.¡± Brian says. ¡°My sister told me a man is only defeated when he gives up.¡± Javier explains. ¡°I like how your sister thinks,¡± Brians says. ¡°But I don¡¯t gain anything from giving you another match, kid.¡± Brian walks away from the three teenagers. He reaches into his shirt pocket to grab his case of cigarettes. Only to discover it¡¯s empty. ¡°Damn.¡± ¡°Out of cigarettes?¡± Javier asks. ¡°A kid shouldn¡¯t be asking an adult that.¡± Brian simply says. ¡°It¡¯s a shame you think that. Guess I¡¯ll find some other ¡°adult¡± to give these to.¡± Javier taunts. ¡°How the hell did you get that kid? You didn¡¯t steal those did you?¡± Brian asks. ¡°Hell no. I just paid some dude to go in the store and grab them for me. Figured I¡¯d be needing this at some point.,¡± Javier explains. ¡°To bribe me.¡± Brians says. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just smoke the cigarette in your mouth?¡± Nora asks. ¡°My daughter bought these for me. Their herbal cigarettes. Not my thing.¡± Brian explains. ¡°Can¡¯t say I blame her. This brand is more expensive than other brands I¡¯ve seen. You must pay a fortune a year for these things. But if you don¡¯t want it, I can just throw- ¡° ¡°Alright kid. One match¡­ I win, and you pass up those cigs.¡± Brians says. ¡°Deal.¡± Javier smiles, as his bait works. ¡°Whoa, I¡¯m not finished, and you can¡¯t ask me for another rematch for one week.¡± Brians exclaims. ¡°Huh?!¡± Javier asks. ¡°That¡¯s right kid. For the past 2 weeks I can¡¯t walk in here without you bum rushing me for a match. It¡¯s getting old. So, I need to know that after this one, I get a break. Got it?¡± Nora and Rem look to Javier as he contemplates this deal. After a few seconds he smiles. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this started.¡± Javier agrees. Brian smiles back. He then waves Javier to walk with him. Nora and Ren follow close behind them. Nora leans over to ask Ren a question. ¡°So how many times has Javier challenged Brian?¡± Nora asks. ¡°To tell you the truth, I lost count after 15. Javier is too stubborn to let a loss go. Once he finds a tough opponent he¡¯ll keep trying until he wins.¡± Ren explains. ¡°Is that what he plans to do with me?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Well, he just beat you first try, so probably not.¡± Ren says bluntly. Nora makes a pouty face at the directness of Ren¡¯s words. Further down the hallway Brian walks up to one of the private rooms. Enter¡¯s a code on the keypad, then opens the door. The inside of the private rooms are all the same so Nora and Rem go to sit on the leather couch that¡¯s stationed on the right side of the room. While Brian and Javier walks up to their selected touch screen and begin to create a build for their match. ¡°So, do you play VBL too?¡± Nora asks. ¡°No. Video games aren¡¯t really my thing.¡± Rem answers. ¡°So, what is your thing?¡± ¡°Football. I plan to play through college too. So long as I don¡¯t have any injuries before then.¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t jinx it then.¡± Nora states. ¡°Jinx it? I play a dangerous contact sport. It will happen eventually. All I can do is take care of my body and eat a good diet. The rest is up to chance.¡± Ren explains. ¡°I never really saw it like that.¡± Nora inner thoughts: Up to chance. I¡¯ve never heard of someone leaving their career up to a chance like that. Come to think of it. I never thought about what I want to do for a career. I can without a doubt say that I don¡¯t want to be in the military like my parents, but then what is it? What do I want to do? Eventually Javier and Brian finish customizing their builds. They both walk over to their pods. ¡°Don¡¯t forget our bet kid.¡± Brian says. ¡°Don¡¯t worry old man, you¡¯ll get your death sticks if you beat me.¡± Javier counters. The pod doors begin to close. Both combatants close their eyes. Nora looks up at the big flat T.V mounted to the wall across from her. It shows both players¡¯ builds as the game starts. ________________________________________________________________________ Javier Titan gauntlets Wall Extra health (+30) ATK: 00 DEF: SPD: 0 VS. Brian Short sword (Demon) Wall Speed boost ATK: 0 DEF: SPD: 00 Map: Central Square ** Within the VBL HQ there¡¯s a dark room that monitors everything that goes on within the premises and the performance of the game itself. A figure that sits in the darkness, in front of the wall of monitors, moves their eye across each one. They even have their laptop in front of them, which looks to be for coding. Until the figures phone rings. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I just got word that Brian and Javier are having another match. In private room 5.¡± ¡°Again? Okay. I¡¯ll find it and place their stream to the front page of the app. Thank you.¡± The figure hidden within shadow¡¯s ends the call and types away on their laptop. ¡°That boy sure doesn¡¯t give up.¡± Chapter 13 Javier opens his eyes. The dark private room he was previously in is now the bust crosswalk of Central square. Cars honk at each other, NPC¡¯s walk up and down the street, and Police seem to have already created a perimeter that is surrounding both players. He jumps up and down. Pumping himself up. Javier has a Spartan helmet on, no shirt, Trojan under armor, followed by modern day boxer¡¯s boots. Brian stretches his neck and shoulders before summoning his weapon. The Demon short sword. Brian isn¡¯t wearing any special outfits, instead wearing his real-life clothes. Javier summons his Titan gauntlets and takes his stance (like a boxer¡¯s stance, but he moves his legs freely). Brian is the first one to make a move. Charging toward Javier. Javier stands there waiting. As Brian swipes at him, Javier parries every blow that comes. Javier inner thoughts: Something isn¡¯t right. Brian is a lot of things, but predictable was never one of them. What is he planning? At that moment Brian blitzes behind Javier. Which Javier predicts, and attempts to kick Brian, until Brian evades his kick. Ducking right in Javier¡¯s blind spot. ** Nora is surprised to see Brian¡¯s fighting style. It¡¯s almost like he doesn¡¯t think of his next move until he has too. Ren is scrolling through his phone. ¡°I didn¡¯t even know you could speed blitz twice in a row. But something doesn¡¯t feel right. Just like when I fought Javier. Is that Brian guy taking this seriously?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Huh? I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t paying attention.¡± Ren says while not looking away from his phone. ¡°Never mind¡­¡± Nora says. She turns back to the monitor, frowning. Nora inner thoughts: He wasn¡¯t kidding when he said he has no interest in video games. ** Javier flips away from Brian, after not being attacked. To Javier¡¯s surprise, and despite Brian having the jump on him, he didn¡¯t attack. Javier inner thoughts: There was a clear moment there where he had the opportunity on me for an attack. So how come he didn¡¯t attack me? Is he? Javier places his guard up. ¡°Hey old man?¡± Javier asks. ¡°I¡¯m not old.¡± Brian responds. ¡°Okay. Are you¡­ drunk?¡± Javier asks. ¡°What?! No! It¡¯s like 4 pm, why would I get drunk before coming to public place with kids around? What type of adult do you think I am?!¡± Brian yells. ¡°I don¡¯t bother asking adults about their free time. I just assumed all adults liked getting drunk!¡± Javier responds. ¡°Well, you¡¯re not wrong. A lot of my colleagues are always talking about how they got drunk the night before. That¡¯s not me though. I only allow myself to unwind after finishing all my work for the day. When I let loose, I want work to be the last thing that comes into my mind when I drink.¡± Brian says. ¡°I see. Guess I was wrong about you old- I mean middle aged man.¡± Javier corrects himself. ¡°You¡¯re killing me with that. Just call me Brian from now on, kid.¡± Brian directs. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Brian relaxes himself as he takes a laxer stance. Javier smiles. Javier inner thoughts: That¡¯s more like it. I don¡¯t know what was on his mind, but he wasn¡¯t being himself. Come on true king, show me something! This time Javier runs toward Brian, but Brian doesn¡¯t react, instead allowing him to get right in front of him. Javier unleashes a few punches and kicks, but Brian dodges each strike, parries his last kick, and slashes Javier¡¯s abdomen. Pushing Javier a few feet back. This doesn¡¯t stop Javier though, who charges back in. Attempting an upper cut. Which Brian catches, and Jiujutsu flips Javier over his shoulders. Javier maneuvers himself to fall on his feet, still holding on to his opponent. Then Brian suddenly blitzes in front of Javier. Allowing Javier to fall backward on his butt. As he looks up, Brian is already in mid swing. Cutting Javier right on his face. The force of the strike carries Javier off the ground. Brian seizes the opportunity and delivers a few upward slashes, juggling Javier in the air. Javier inner thoughts: Damn it! Javier steadies himself fast enough to dish out his own attack. ¡°Titan Hammer!¡± Javier yells. The attack doesn¡¯t faze Brian, who instead chooses to stare the attack in the face. ¡°Wall.¡± Brian says calmly. The checkered wall appears in front of Brian, absorbing the attack entirely and causing Javier to bounce back from the recoil. Javier inner thought: How the hell was he able to react that fast to my attacks? I swear it¡¯s like he¡¯s always one step ahead. No matter. Guess I¡¯ll try have to try ¡°that¡±. Brian stands there. Staring down Javier. ** Nora is standing at attention, completely enamored with the match she is seeing. Nora inner thoughts: Javier is completely out classed in this match up. It¡¯s completely different from when we fought. I love it! The more I see, the more in love I fall with this game! ** Inside Faith¡¯s family home. Faith is sitting on the couch, in her pajamas. She¡¯s eating a tub of ice cream while watching a new episode of Pet Rent (Her current favorite show). Until her older brother Demitri walks by the living room. Then suddenly stops himself once he sees the condition Faith is in. Demitri then walks inside the living room. ¡°Is that chocolate or cookies and cream?¡± Demitri asks. ¡°Cookies and cream.¡± Faith verbalizes. ¡°Okay. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Demitri asks. Demitri mentally places his plans on pause and sits on the couch, next to his sister. Faith scoots over to make room. ¡°What makes you think something is wrong?¡± Faith asks. ¡°I¡¯m your brother. You think I don¡¯t know the last time you were eating cookies and cream, was when you found out Eddie Guerrero died.¡± Demitri states. ¡°Well¡­¡± Faith stammers. Faith inner thoughts: I can¡¯t tell Demitri what I did to Nora. What would he think? Of course, he¡¯ll still love me but then he¡¯ll think I¡¯m an asshole¡­ I mean. Am I? ¡°Hey, D.¡± Faith says. ¡°Yeah?¡± Demitri answers. ¡°What would you do if you fucked someone over?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Hmm, it depends on how bad the situation was.¡± ¡°It was pretty bad.¡± ¡°Did you mean to?¡± Demitri asks. ¡°I mean. Sort of.¡± Faith admits. ¡°¡¯Do you feel like shit for it?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Well good. That shows that you still have a conscious. It would be worst if you didn¡¯t feel anything at all.¡± Demitri reveals. ¡°Would that make me a bad person?¡± ¡°I think you know the answer to that sis. But to answer your question. When I wronged someone in my life, and there have been a few. I made sure that person knew I was sorry. If I owed them any money, I made sure to pay it back.¡± ¡°But how would I do that?¡± ¡°You idiot. You apologize.¡± ¡°What if she doesn¡¯t accept it?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Well, if you wronged her first then she has every right to accept it or not. Either way, you must respect her decision.¡± Demitri says. ¡°And then?¡± ¡°Then you move on. Look Faith. What¡¯s done is done. All you can do is learn from your mistake and try to be better. That¡¯s all anyone of us can do.¡± Demitri continues. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. I¡¯d be a real bitch if I didn¡¯t at least apologize.¡± Faith says. ¡°Well then you¡¯d be mom.¡± Faith never felt comfortable when Demetri talked like that about their mother. Although she never caught herself correcting him. Especially after everything her mother did to her siblings. Demitri sees that his comment made Faith uncomfortable and pats her on the shoulder. ¡°Whatever it is Faithy. You must take the first step to right your own wrongs. Just have ¡°Faith.¡± Demitri says. Faith feels the warmth from her brother and smiles at him. Signaling that she¡¯s feeling better. She was annoyed when people would use her name as a pun. Except when her brothers did it. ¡°Okay I got to go. I¡¯m meeting friends downtown.¡± Demitri states. ¡°Joe¡¯s or Baby K¡¯s?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Joe¡¯s. I stopped going to Baby Ks after the police raided it last month. Also, if you see Isiah tell him I want my Nujubes record back.¡± Demitri says. ¡°Which album does he have?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Modal Soul.¡± ¡°Oh hell. I¡¯ll let him know if I see him.¡± Faith says. ¡°Bet.¡± Demitri says. Demitri goes to walk out of the living room. ¡°Hey, D.¡± Faith says. ¡°Yeah?¡± Demitri asks. ¡°Thank you.¡± Demitri simply smiles at her and makes his exit. Leaving Faith to look at the T.V in silence as she places the tub of ice cream down on the floor. Chapter 14 Javier prepares himself. Ready to unleash his plan. Brian observes his opponent. Brian inner thoughts: Based on how the kid is acting, he might try that one combo. Okay then. I¡¯ll act accordingly. Javier is about to dash forward, but Brian is suddenly in front of him. The shock leaves Javier opens to Brians next attack. Brian spartan kicks Javier a few feet backward. Javier goes for a counter punch, but Brian parries his fist and delivers another round house kick to Javier¡¯s face. As Javier goes flying into a nearby police car, Brian doesn¡¯t give him the time to react as he leaps on top of him and slashes downward with his demon short sword. Javier takes the attack head on. The force of the attack causes the police car to explode and engulfs Javier in flames while Brian performs a backflip back onto the street. The NPC¡¯s that was once surrounding the area begin to act accordingly and run away. Brian stands and waits until Javier finally leaps out of the flaming remains of the police car and onto the street. Javier is showing pretty heavy damage at this point. He notices a small flame still lit on his shoulder, and quickly blows it out. Brian patiently waits. Giving time to compose himself. Javier inner thoughts: No doubt about it. Brian¡¯s ability is other worldly. In most fights, a person will follow a certain pattern or style, and if you¡¯re paying attention, you can read it. Once you learn the players¡¯ style you can DOWNLOAD them. Except that¡¯s impossible for Brian. He¡¯s so unorthodox with almost everything that he does! Damn it, think. At this point Brian notices Javier¡¯s hiding his right arm, behind his back. Javier kneels down. Brian inner thoughts: What is he- Javier throws a pipe that seems to have come from the exploded police car. Brian instinctually deflects the debris. Although, as soon as the pipe is out of his view he sees Javier in mid flip. Javier, then delivers a double downward kick to the top of Brian¡¯s head. (Deku/Rock Lee style) This stuns Brian for a whole second. Long enough for Javier to grab his collar and throw him over the police perimeter and towards the crowd. As Brian hovers over toward a crowd of NPC¡¯s, they begin to scatter where Brian is going to land. That is, until Javier quickly jumps over to him, grabbing his ankles, and flinging him through the window of a nearby business. Without skipping a beat, Brian dashes out of the business and toward Javier. While Javier attempts to predict Brian¡¯s next movement. He throws a jab, but Brian dodges it, along with the following combo. Brian then delivers a quick blow across Javier¡¯s chest, followed by then grabbing Javier¡¯s head and throwing him back toward the now flaming police car. Javier sees his destination and flinches in fear. Falling into the fiery remains of the car, as Javier¡¯s avatar explodes. Brian holds his pose, for a few seconds. ** Nora redirects her attention from the monitors to the pods. Waiting for one of the pods to open. Ren finally looks away from his phone to see who won. Then making a face that Nora could only determined to translate to some form of ¡®damn, again?¡¯ Nora inner thoughts: That match ended so abruptly and anti-climactic. I barely held my own against Javier but this nine to five, office worker looking guy just toyed with him. Brian the True King huh? I think I¡¯m starting to see why people call him that. There¡¯re so many strong players in this endeavor I found myself in. I¡¯m excited to break down this match later. I want to find and defeat powerful opponents! Brian¡¯s pod door opens first. A few seconds later, Javier¡¯s pod door follows. While Brian begins to rotate his shoulders, Javier looks down ashamed. ¡°Sorry kid. I had to finish that quickly,¡± Brian says. ¡°Next time I won¡¯t lose!¡± Javier yells. ¡°You¡¯ve been saying that since our first game. I won¡¯t lie, you¡¯ve improved since then but you¡¯re still a far from beating me.¡± Brian states. ¡°Hang on!¡± Nora yells. Everyone in the room jumps from the sound of her voice. Nora¡¯s face looks determined and a little happy. ¡°Can I have a match next?!¡± Nora asks Brian. ¡°The rookie brat now? You kids have way too much energy for me. Back in my day we¡± Before he can finish his sentence Brian¡¯s face immediately goes pale. He almost throws up but catches it in his mouth. He covers his mouth and runs out of the room without another word. This both surprises and concerns Nora. ¡°What the hell was that?! Where did he go?¡± Nora asks. ¡°He might already be at his limit.¡± Ren says. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Brian has a condition. So, he can only play a few matches before he becomes too nauseous.¡± Javier explains. ¡°What? No way. The game makes him that nauseous, but he still plays. That¡¯s dedication.¡± Nora says. ¡°Brian has actually been playing VBL from the beginning. But he¡¯s always been dominant in the game. Defeating every champion and any strong contender,¡± Javier explains. ¡°True king Brian.¡± Nora says aloud. ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why I¡¯m obsessed with beating him. That man stands as a ceiling for VBL, and I if can¡¯t take it from him then I at least want to stand as the same ceiling. I want to one day become strong enough to be a pillar of VBL.¡± Javier explains. ¡°I guess that won¡¯t happen today.¡± Nora says. This causes Javier¡¯s face to change from confidence to dread. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say it so blunt.¡± Javier says. ¡°But that sounds pretty cool. I also decided to become stronger. I want to stand on top of this new world I discovered as champion!¡± Nora exclaims. ¡°You have a lot more work to do in that case. You can¡¯t even beat me yet.¡± Javier counters. This time it¡¯s Nora¡¯s turn to have a dreadful look on her face. ** Next morning, Nora is sound asleep, while her mom and dad are on their way out of the house in their uniform. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°You think she¡¯ll wake up in time?¡± Isiah (Dad) asks. ¡°If she was, she would already be awake.¡± Jasmine (Mom) says. Jasmine takes a deep breath and ¨C ¡°Nora! Your farther and I are going to work! If you don¡¯t wake up now, you¡¯ll be late!¡± Jasmine yells. Back in her bedroom the sound asleep Nora, snaps awake and almost falls out of bed. She looks at her phone, only to see that it¡¯s dead. She then tracks her charging cord from the wall only to see that it wasn¡¯t plugged in. She connects her phone and jumps out of bed. Nora inner thought: Shit! Shit! Shit! Eventually Nora gets prepared and ready to go. Although her parents are long gone at this point. She checks her phone to see it¡¯s only 45% battery. She yanks her phone off the charger and runs out of her room. Her stomach was rumbling. Nora inner thoughts: Ugh, I¡¯m so hungry but I don¡¯t have any time to eat any breakfast. Maybe I can make it to lunch time. Nora runs past her kitchen where a plate wrapped in tin foil sits on the dining room table with a note that reads ¡°Just place in the microwave. Love you sweetie.¡± Nora locks the front door from the outside then proceeds to run to school. ** Nora¡¯s homeroom teacher, Mrs. Holiday, is about to close the class door. Signaling the start of class. ¡°Wait!¡± Nora burst through the door and into the class. While Nora catches her breath, Mrs. Holiday closes the door behind her. Keeping a stern look focused on Nora. ¡°Thank you for that act of almost tardiness Ms. Maxim. Now please take your seat so we can get started¡± Mrs. Holiday commands. Nora acknowledges some weird looks from her classmates as well as a few chuckles. Although she is too tired and hungry to care. Nora looks toward her desk to see Faith, looking back at her. Nora clenches her fist and walks past her in order to sit down. Faith inner thoughts: I knew it. She doesn¡¯t want anything to do with me. Can¡¯t say I blame her. ¡°Now class, I¡¯m sure you all received a message from the school about today¡¯s unfortunate situation¡± Mrs. Holiday explains. Nora inner thoughts: unfortunate situation? What is she talking about? ¡°So, because of the fire accident in the school¡¯s kitchen, lunch will not be served today. Due to this, school will only be a half day today.¡± ¡°What do you mean there won¡¯t be any lunch today?!¡± Nora¡¯s outburst makes Faith jump in her seat. ¡°Ms. Maxim, did you also disregard the message the school sent to you via your phone?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Holiday but my phone died.¡± Nora explains. ¡°One for excuses today aren¡¯t we Ms. Maxim?¡± Mrs. Holiday says. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Apparently our school¡¯s kitchen caught fire last night. The fire department came through to investigate it and supposedly they found a greasy rag,¡± Faith explains to Nora while turning around. ¡°Now Ms. Storm, who told you that a rag was found?¡± Mrs. Holiday asks. ¡°I just heard it going around the school¡± Faith admits. ¡°Well take rumors with a grain of salt.¡± Mrs. Holiday turns around to face the chalkboard. ¡°Now if that¡¯s all the disruptions, we should be starting class.¡± Nora inner thoughts: Geez. What the hell is her problem? Faith inner thoughts: She dismissed the rumors as soon as I said it. Almost like she was being defensive. Weird. ** After the last bell rings, the hallways and court yards are inhabited with students that have the rest of the day off. Nora looks at her phone. Taking note of the time. She suddenly gets a text from Javier. They ended up exchanging numbers before leaving the VBL HQ, yesterday. ¡°Decided to skip school today, you busy?¡± Nora texted him back. ¡°My school just ended early today. You down for a match?¡± Before she looks away from her phone, Javier quickly texts back. ¡°Okay bet. Meet you there.¡± Nora¡¯s stomach lets out a loud growl before she attempts to ignore it and walks off campus and towards the VBL HQ. From across the school yard Faith is talking with her friends until she glances over to see Nora leaving the campus. Faith inner thoughts: I can almost guess where she¡¯s going¡­ ¡°Hey guys, I forgot I told my mom I¡¯d help her today. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow!¡± Faith excuses herself. Before she can hear what, her friends say, Faith is already walking away. Her friends look amongst themselves. ¡°That was weird.¡± ¡°She¡¯s been acting strangely lately.¡± ¡°I wonder if she¡¯s still sick.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t afford to get sick.¡± Faith breaks into a slight jog until she gets off campus. Not even looking back toward her friends. She barely sees Nora before she turns the corner onto the next block. Faith inner thoughts: I¡¯m almost certain that she¡¯s heading to VBL, so maybe I should just meet her there instead. I would end up attracting more attention if I kept following her. If she doesn¡¯t go to VBL then I¡¯ll just talk to her before school tomorrow. ** Infront of the VBL HQ. Javier is sitting on one of the benches in the VBL yard. Scrolling through his phone. Faith scopes out the VBL front yard from across the street. Pretending that she¡¯s looking at her phone. People of all ages walk by Faith, but each is carrying on with their own lives and doesn¡¯t pay attention to her. Cars and school buses alike are driving down the street. Faith inner thoughts: Looks like I was wrong. Damn it. Just then Nora turns the corner and walks onto the VBL yard. Smiling and walking right up to Javier. Faith inner thoughts: Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute! She¡¯s acting like she knows him! As Nora walks up, Javier smiles about something Faith can¡¯t obviously hear. Faith inner thoughts: Could it be that¡­ That¡¯s her boyfriend?! ** A few seconds earlier. Nora is walking at her own pace down the sidewalk. Nora inner thoughts: I wonder why Javier isn¡¯t in school today. Did his school also have a fire? I¡¯ll have to ask him when I see him. Nora is interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling. She immediately grabs her gut. Nora inner thoughts: I¡¯m only a block away, so I¡¯ll wait until I get there to ask if Javier wants to grab something to eat first. Eventually Nora walks onto the VBL yard, walking toward Javier. He seems lost in thought. ¡°Javier¡± Javier looks away from his phone and smiles at Nora. ¡°Sup.¡± Javier says. ¡°Did your school also close early today?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Huh? No, I just skipped today.¡± Javier explains. ¡°You skipped? Damn, I didn¡¯t take you for the delinquent type.¡± Nora jokes. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I mean I did skip, but I had my reasons.¡± Javier explains. ¡°Nora!¡± The sudden burst causes Nora and Javier to look behind themselves. Nora sees Faith walking toward her, red in the face and flustered. Javier (Who doesn¡¯t know Faith) sees a slightly familiar red head walking toward him. ¡°Faith?!¡± Nora asks aloud. ¡°I had no idea you had a boyfriend!¡± Faith declares. ¡°A what?!¡± Nora yells. ¡°Ha ha ha!¡± Javier laughs abruptly. ¡°¡¯Javier, this isn¡¯t funny!¡± Nora yells. The commotion is interrupted by the sound of Nora¡¯s stomach growling again. This time Nora feints to floor before Javier or Faith could say anything. Although Javier is quick to catch her before she hits the hard concrete. ¡°Nora!¡± Faith yells. ¡°Rookie girl!¡± Javier says. ** Nora wakes up inside the booth of a luxurious restaurant. Javier is sitting next to her, while Faith is sitting across the table from her. Around their booth the sounds of people eating and talking loudly over each other come through. Conversations ranging from business to personal. ¡°What happened?¡± Nora asks. ¡°You fainted.¡± Faith informs her. ¡°Probably due to you not eating.¡± Javier says. ¡°How did you know I didn¡¯t eat anything?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Because your stomach was growling the entire time, I carried you here.¡± Javier says. ¡°You carried me?!¡± Nora asks. ¡°Well red head couldn¡¯t carry you.¡± Javier explains. ¡°I told you my name is Faith. Also, I told him about the incident at our school.¡± Faith explains. ¡°Sort of wild it happened to your school too.¡± Javier says. ¡°This has been happening to other schools?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Two other schools in the past 2 months. It almost feels like a pattern to be honest.¡± Javier explains. ¡°Is that what happened to your school?¡± Faith asks Javier. ¡°(sigh) No, I decided to skip school today- ¡° ¡°Nora, you¡¯re dating a bad boy?¡± Faith interrupts. ¡°We¡¯re not dating!¡± Nora yells. A few people eating their food stop to look over at the teenagers. ¡°Yeah, you couldn¡¯t be further from the truth red- I mean Faith.¡± Javier says. ¡°Besides, why do you care? You left me at that VBL contest and haven¡¯t talked to me since.¡± Nora points out. Javier can feel the tense vibe and opts to stay silent. Faith grows silent as well, as she begins to fidget with her hands. ¡°You¡¯re right. To be honest the real reason I wanted to meet you at VBL was because I wanted to apologize for that day. I legitimately enjoyed our talk and thought you were pretty cool,¡± Faith informs. ¡°Then¡­ why did you leave me?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Because people at school don¡¯t know I play video games in my spare time. In fact, I keep myself reserved most of my time in school. At least until I get home. Although that¡¯s not an excuse for what I did to you. I wanted to be a friend, and I immediately betrayed your trust in me. That¡¯s on me. So, I¡¯m sorry. I know that doesn¡¯t just make things okay between us but if you wouldn¡¯t mind. I¡¯d like to try it again,¡± Faith says with tears forming in her eyes. Nora is hesitant as she processes everything Faith said. Javier looks over to Nora. Nora takes a minute and thinks back to what her father said. The sounds of the crowded restaurant begin to settle in. Kids can be heard yelling over their food, people talking loudly over other people. ¡°I can¡¯t fully trust you- ¡° Faith¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°But if you¡¯re willing to re earn my trust. I¡¯ll be willing to try again.¡± Nora says. Faith allows her emotions to flow freely. Javier smiles. ¡°Thank you¡± Faith says. Chapter 15 Nora is digging in on her entr¨¦e (Cheeseburger, no tomatoes and onion rings), while Faith is drinking berry tea, and Javier is eating a Salisbury steak. The three of them are sitting in a large booth at a luxurious restaurant. The people around them consist of well-dressed families or people wearing suits/dresses and eating alone. ¡°Javier how the hell are you able to afford to pay for all this food?¡± Nora asks. ¡°My family owns a few dojos throughout the country. Money isn¡¯t really a problem for us. Plus, we use to eat here all the time.¡± Javier answers. ¡°Sorry about thinking you two were on a date!¡± Faith apologizes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Nora would be lucky to have me.¡± Javier teases. ¡°I doubt that Mr. delinquent.¡± Nora teases back. ¡°I told you I had a good reason for skipping school today.¡± Javier responds. ¡°Oh yeah? What is it?¡± Nora asks. ¡°I¡¯d like to know too, if you¡¯re okay with that.¡± Faith chimes in. ¡°Man, I got some nosey people around me today.¡± Javier says while breaking eye contact. Instead, he chooses to look around the restaurant. Eventually Javier sees neither girl is willing to let this matter go, so he takes a deep breath. ¡°Today is the anniversary of my mother¡¯s death.¡± Javier explains. The two girls immediately look at each other with a ¡°We fucked up¡± glare. ¡°Javier. I¡¯m so sorry to hear that.¡± Nora sympathizes. ¡°Was it¡­ from natural causes?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Hardly. A drunk driver tried to run a red light. My mom was trying to make a left turn. They didn¡¯t see each other, until it was too late.¡± Javier looks down at his plate. Faith reaches for his hand. He looks over to her. Her eyes were still red from crying a few minutes ago. (Previous chapter) Javier smiles. ¡°So, you were looking for something to get your mind off of it.¡± Faith says. ¡°That¡¯s right. Then you two made me talk about it so openly.¡± Javier teases. ¡°How about a match then?¡± Nora purposes. ¡°That was the plan before Faith interrupted us.¡± Javier teases. Faith blushes and turns her head down in embarrassment. ¡°Well hold on. Faith is more than welcomed to come with us, but she doesn¡¯t play VBL.¡± Nora says. ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯ve seen her at the VBL HQ a few times.¡± Javier reveals. ¡°Huh?! Is that true Faith?!¡± Nora asks. Faith slowly lifts her head from her arms, revealing that she¡¯s still blushing. ¡°Yeah. I played VBL a few times, although I¡¯m surprised Javier remembered me.¡± Faith responds. ¡°I ¨C well,¡± Javier stammers. Nora notices Javier stammer. ¡°Mr. King don¡¯t tell me you had a crush on Faith before you met her,¡± Nora teases. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°No! I just remember potential opponents very well!¡± Javier yells. ¡°Oh sure. That¡¯s why you bought her lunch?¡± ¡°I bought us all lunch! In fact, you better worry about paying me back!¡± Javier counters. ¡°What?! I fainted! You can¡¯t charge me for saving my life!¡± Nora yells. ¡°Sure, I can. Ambulances literally do the same thing.¡± Javier utters. ¡°Well, how much was just my meal?¡± Nora asks. ¡°You got the cheeseburger combo so probably around $80.¡± Javier verbalizes. ¡°$80?! Did they bathe it in gold?!¡± Nora yells. ¡°That¡¯s a steal for a three -star restaurant.¡± Faith claims. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t you have taken me to a cheap fast-food place?! You were probably trying to impress Faith!¡± Nora yells. ¡°Would you get off that!¡± Javier yells back. Faith watches Nora and Javier bicker back and forth. She simply smiles. Faith inner thoughts: These two are a riot. ** Inside a dark room, a woman with messy hair, and large rimmed glasses hunches over her laptop. In front of her there lay three mounted monitors, each one showing a different VBL match going on. While the other three monitors have windows of code opened up. The woman¡¯s phone vibrates until she answers it. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Hello, Ms. Kane. I was just checking on the state of the new patch.¡± ¡°Oh yes, the patch is all set for release tomorrow. I¡¯m just making some finishing touches to it. The wall physics needs to be finalized. Some of the new weapons needs some flourishing, and the coffee machine in the office is acting up again.¡± the woman explains. ¡°Uhh ¨C right! I¡¯m glad to see you hard at work as always. Did you eat anything today?¡± ¡°I had a cup of instant ramen like two hours ago.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a viable meal!¡± ¡°I put some egg and mushrooms in it.¡± the woman says. ¡°That¡¯s a little better but I¡¯m still ordering you a takeout lunch!¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± the woman gives in. ** Back at the VBL HQ. Inside one of the practice rooms, Nora and Faith are customizing their builds. Javier is sitting on the couch. ¡°Remind me again why one of us isn¡¯t facing you? You were the one looking for a distraction.¡± Nora exclaims to Javier. ¡°I¡¯ve already beaten you and I want to see Faith¡¯s playstyle before I face her.¡± Javier bluntly explains. ¡°So, I¡¯m your guinea pig?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Pretty much.¡± Nora and Faith look at each other. Nora inner thoughts: This is weird, but part of me is excited to play against Faith. Although I have no idea what playstyle she has. I¡¯ll just go for a balanced build. I want to try a new weapon though. Faith inner thoughts: To the best of my knowledge Nora prefers close combat with the dragon sword. So, I¡¯ll pick a mid-ranged weapon, and a defense build. Eventually both finish customizing their build and walk to their separate pods. From the large monitor located in the top right corner of the room, Javier noticed that they chose a random location. His phone suddenly vibrates from a text. It¡¯s from Ren. ¡°Yo, any plans after school?¡± Javier texts back ¡°Hanging out with Nora and Faith at the VBL HQ.¡± Ren texts back ¡°Okay bet¡­ who¡¯s Faith?¡± ** Nora build: ATK:0 DEF:0 SPD:0 Extra health Wall Faith build: ATK: DEF:00 SPD:0 Rage Wall Location: City Rooftops Nora opens her eyes and looks at her surroundings. She finds herself on top of a rooftop, while Faith is stretching on a separate roof top. The match arena has four roof tops that are close enough to easily jump between each one. In the background is a busy metropolitan city. Some NPC¡¯s (non-playable characters) in a nearby office building looking through their office window. Two news team helicopters hover around the arena, with one person holding a camera through the side door. Faith doesn¡¯t waste any time, summoning her weapons. Twin red pistols. Each pistol has a charging indicator on the bottom. It¡¯s currently glowing red with a wing insignia on the sides of each pistol. This is the twin wing pistols. A cool breeze carries itself past Nora. With it, a sudden calmness. In a weird turn of events. Faith feels the same feelings. The two girls look at each other. Neither could explain it, but a smile shaped itself on both faces. Nora finally summons her weapons. Faith inner thoughts: What?! ** Javier¡¯s eyes widen and he drops his phone on the couch. It slips through the sofas. ¡°No way! They ended up choosing the same weapon. Damn it, where¡¯d my phone go?¡± Javier says. ** Faith points her twin pistol at Nora, but Nora immediately sprints to the end of the rooftop. Faith runs adjacent to Nora, firing one bullet after another. Faith inner thoughts: Why isn¡¯t she firing her weapon? Faith looks down to where Nora is holding her hands. Nora¡¯s twin pistols are blinking red, until they suddenly change to a bright green. Faith inner thoughts: Shit! Nora then stops in her tracks, aiming her twin pistols at Faith. Faith attempts to stop herself but ends up sliding from the momentum. ¡°Charge shot!¡± Nora yells. Two large blue beams fire from Nora¡¯s pistols. Causing Faith to immediately run to the opposite end of her rooftop. The two beams catch up to Faith in no time. One hits her directly in the back, causing her to tumble sightly right before regaining her balance. As she gets to the edge of the roof, Faith lowers her center of gravity. Catching the edge of the roof and flinging herself around the building and onto the fire escape, then immediately through the window of an empty (but furnished) apartment. The remaining beam follows Faith into the apartment. Faith then front flips over to a coffee table that was in the middle of the living room. The beam impacts the table, sending Faith flying into the rendered couch. In the time it takes her to look up, Nora is already in front of her. The Pistol pointed directly in Faith¡¯s face. A beat. Faith anticipates Nora pulling the trigger and preemptively goes for the jiujutsu shoulder toss. Landing Nora right through the remains of the coffee table. Although Nora reveals she was readying another charge shot. Her pistol changes to green again. At the same time Faith also reveals that she fully charged one of her pistols. Both teenagers aim their pistols at each other. ¡°Charge shot!¡± Nora and Faith yell simultaneously. The force of the blast sends Faith flying through the ceiling of the apartment. While it sends Nora plunging through the floor. ** Javier inner thoughts: Their evenly matched! End of Prologue Flashback: 4 years ago. An 11-year-old Nora is playing a game on her phone while sitting at a table in the library of her old elementary school. She¡¯s sitting by herself. There are a handful of students sitting at different tables, while a few more students are looking through books on the shelf. The librarian behind the desk is texting on her phone, mentally distant from the library around her. Young Nora is tapping away at her phone. That is, until the door opens. Four girls suddenly walk inside the library. One of them immediately spots Nora. Nora looks up in time to see them notice her, and she nervously looks back at her phone. The young blonde girl that is walking in front of the pack struts over to Nora. Her name is Bonnie. ¡°You girls, see? I told you; she never leaves the library.¡± Bonnie says to her possie. The girls surround the table, surrounding Nora. Nora finally looks up from her phone. Looking directly at Bonnie. ¡°So, Nora, tell me. Why do you sit in here by yourself?¡± Bonnie asks. ¡°Because you and your friends always pick on me when I¡¯m in the lunchroom.¡± Nora bluntly replies. ¡°Pick on you? Us? Nora that¡¯s our way of showing you that we like you.¡± Bonnie retorts. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t like it.¡± Nora says. ¡°What? You don¡¯t like it? So should I take that as you not liking us either?¡± Bonnie asks while leaning over to Nora. Nora uncomfortably breaks eye contact with Bonnie. ¡°Does that mean, you don¡¯t like me?¡± Nora doesn¡¯t answer, instead choosing to place her phone face down on the table. A few other students look over to the scene. Besides the girls that are harassing Nora, the atmosphere in the library is quiet and tense. ¡°We both know the answer to that question.¡± Nora answers. This causes the girls to smile at each other. One of them slowly walks behind Nora. Bonnie looks at her, and smiles. Giving the girl the signal. ¡°In that case let us make sure you get all your nutrients!¡± Bonnie yells. The girl standing behind Nora pours an open carton of milk all over Nora¡¯s head. Bonnie¡¯s possie immediately starts laughing at Nora. Although the remaining students in the library could see Nora beginning to cry, they instead chose to turn their attention away in fear of being next. The librarian finally hears the commotion and intervenes. ¡°HEY! You girls come here!¡± the librarian demands while slamming her phone on the desk. All of the girls scatter and run out of the library. The Librarian walks over to Nora who¡¯s still sitting still in her seat, until she drops her head into her arms on the table. Fully crying in her own arms. END OF FLASHBACK ** Build reminder: Nora build: ATK: 0 DEF: 0 SPD: 0 Extra health Wall Twin wing pistols. Faith build: ATK: 0 DEF:00 SPD: Rage Wall Twin wing pistols. ______________________________________________________________________________ Back to the game. Nora (who is buried under rubble) explodes from the rubble and jumps back to her feet. While Faith (who was blown back to the roof) begins to charge another blast. ** Javier finally grabs his phone that was stuck between the couch cushions and sends Ren another text. ¡°Yo, go on the VBL app and look up Nora and Faith¡¯s match. This thing is pretty sick!¡± After 2 minutes he gets a text back from Ren. ¡°Nora¡¯s using twin pistols?!¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ** Back in the game, Nora is running up the staircase that leads to the roof. Nora inner thoughts: No doubt, Faith will be waiting for me. But that¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll still have my wall ability as a last resort. Not to mention ¨C Nora¡¯s twin pistols shine a bright green, showing they have a full charge. Nora bursts through the door to the roof and checks her corners. Although Faith, who is behind the door aims the pistol and shoots another charge shot through the door. Hitting Nora directly and sending her stumbling over. Faith doesn¡¯t take any time to confirm her hit, but instead runs behind the brick roof access. Charging another shot. As Faith sprints to the corner, she¡¯s met by Nora, leaning against the back of the access. Nora fires a charged shot precisely at Faith¡¯s face. Causing faith to stumble back. Nora proceeds to aim her other pistol and continuously shoot Faith in the head and torso. The force from each shot is enough to stun Faith from dodging the next shot. ** Flashback: A few years ago. A young Faith runs into her family¡¯s large living room. Pristine and freshly cleaned by the housekeepers. Her mother is drinking wine on the white, suede couch while watching a reality television show. She¡¯s smiling and laughing until she sees Faith walking up. Then her face morphs to a serious and stern look. As if this was her poker face. Young Faith holds up a blue ribbon and a small plaque that says ¡°Winner.¡± ¡°Mommy look! I won.¡± Young Faith screams. Faith¡¯s mom gives a quizzical look at the items being presented to her. ¡°What am I looking at honey?¡± ¡°I won the weekly fighting game tournament at the rec center!¡± Faith says. ¡°A what tournament?¡± Her mom asks. ¡°Fighting games.¡± ¡°You mean those games your brothers play all night?¡± Her mom clarifies. ¡°Well. Yeah.¡± Faith admits. ¡°I thought I told you that a ¡°Storm¡± woman doesn¡¯t lower herself to such miscellaneous things!¡± Her mom says. ¡°But I like it¡± Faith pleads. ¡°What if one of my friends saw you playing such games? Do any of you at any point think about how this could affect me?!¡± Her mom lashes out. ¡°I ¨C I guess not.¡± Young Faith admits. ¡°Exactly. You children never think things through. You always do this! I need you to be better sweetie. You need to place yourself above all those childish things. Don¡¯t you want to be like mommy?¡± Young Faith is stopped in her tracks. Unable to answer honestly. Faith¡¯s mom see¡¯s the turmoil in her own daughter and decides to manipulate her. ¡°Do you hate mommy?¡± ¡°N-No!¡± Faith pleads. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you listen to me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just like video games.¡± ¡°I see. You love video games more than me.¡± Faith can feel the tears beginning to swell in her eyes as she fails to understand her mothers¡¯ true intentions. End of flashback. ** After shooting Faith at directly four times in a row, Nora delivers a roundhouse kick directly to Faith¡¯s head. Sending her flying and eventually back down to the ground. Nora doesn¡¯t give Faith the time to recover as she¡¯s already charging another charged shot. Little does she know Faith already fully charged one. Faith points her pistol at Nora and pulls the trigger. Nora bends backward just in time to dodge the blast, but Nora knows the blast will circle around and chase her. So, she continues to run toward Faith. As Nora predicted. The blast circles around and makes its way toward Nora. Faith rolls backward so that she can be on her feet. Preparing for whatever Nora does next. As Nora gets closer, Faith gets overwhelmed. Aiming her pistol at Nora, but it¡¯s too late as Nora grabs Faith¡¯s arm. Judo flipping Faith in the direction of the oncoming blast. The blast is about to hit Faith but then ¨C ¡°Wall!¡± Faith yells. The checkered wall appears, and completely blocks the blast from hitting Faith. Instead, Nora accidentally slams Faith into the newly formed wall. Faith then uses the arm that Nora isn¡¯t holding to shoot her in the head. Finally making contact. Nora flinches back but aims her own pistols. Both girls shoot at each other at point blank range, neither attempting to dodge anymore. ** Javier is sitting on the edge of the couch while he fidgets his thumbs against each other. Javier inner thoughts: They¡¯re both not even thinking defensively anymore. Although neither of them tried the twin pistols second attack yet. ** Faith sees her health is below 10 percent and rolls to the side, out of the line of fire. Faith inner thoughts: Not good. I¡¯m going to lose. But Nora hasn¡¯t used the pistols second attack yet. I wonder if she even knows about it. That¡¯s my only chance. It¡¯s now or never! ¡°Angel cross stream blast!¡± Faith yells. Both of Faith¡¯s pistols glow a bright blue. Static begins to erupt from the pistols, showing a sign of overloading. Then two large blue blasts suddenly fire from Faith¡¯s pistols, directly at Nora. ¡°Wall!¡± Nora yells. This time Nora¡¯s wall blocks the blue blast. Nora then leaps to the left of the wall, outside of the line of fire from the blast. As Nora reveals that her left pistol is fully charged. Faith notices that she used her last line of defense, while her health is low and with a genuine smile accepts her fate. Nora notices Faith¡¯s smile. Unable to fight the urge of smiling herself, she unleashes the last charge shot of the match. Hitting Faith directly and causing her avatar to explode. Winning the match. Nora stands victorious, continuing to smile. Not for simply winning the match, but for finally feeling like she made a friend in Faith. ** Back in the training room, Javier is on his feet and ready to welcome the winner. The first pod door to open is Faith¡¯s. She solemnly looks down at her feet. Javier stands there until Nora¡¯s pod door opens. ¡°Congrats on the win!¡± Javier says. Nora runs straight to Faith¡¯s pod. ¡°Faith that was an amazing match! I felt like we were neck and neck until the very end! Sorry I had no idea you were so good!¡± Nora says. Faith is surprised from all the praise and starts blushing. Avoiding eye contact. ¡°Hey Faith¡­¡± Nora says. Faith finally locks eyes with Nora. For a moment, the image of a young Faith is standing in front of a younger Nora. Both kids smiling at each other. ¡°Playing against you was so much fun! Let¡¯s have another match sometime!¡± A young Nora says to a young Faith. Faith allows herself to smile. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± Faith says. ** Inside the dark room, the messy haired woman with large, rimmed glasses is typing away at her laptop again. She reaches over and grabs the Styrofoam cup, proceeding to take a few sips. There isn¡¯t any music playing inside the room as well as any videos. Just the gentle hum of the computers and servers surrounding the woman. Until her phone suddenly rings. ¡°Yes?¡± the woman answers. ¡°Ms. Kane, I¡¯m clocking out for the day. Did you need anything else?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. Thank you for your hard work today.¡± The messy haired woman says. ¡°Do you plan on going home tonight?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m pulling another all nighter to get things finalized for tomorrow¡¯s announcement.¡± ¡°I know better than trying to talk you out of this, but after the announcement tomorrow, please allow yourself a nap. Things are only going to pick up form here, and we need you in good health.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, and I will. Thank you for thinking of me. To be honest I¡¯m just excited. This is one of my favorite times of the year.¡± The messy haired woman reveals. ¡°I can tell. Good night.¡± ¡°Night¡± The messy haired woman ends the call then takes a deep, long stretch in her desk chair. ¡°I can¡¯t wait. With this new update, the road to the spring tournament begins!¡± END OF PROLOGUE. Chapter 17 (Spring Tournament arc) Inside VBL, the cosmically deep silence that exists on the Infinite bridge map is now being interrupted by the sounds of battle. Nora steps back after being hit by a direct ¡°Titan Hammer¡± from Javier. Javier has a smug smile while he rushes in for the follow up attack, but Nora isn¡¯t planning to let that happen, as she lifts her weapon (The dragon sword) in a way that suggests that she is about to unleash a ¡°Dragon slash.¡± Javier observes this and side steps around Nora. Nora keeps her eyes on him, as she holds her arms above her head. Prolonging the attack until Javier tries to blitz behind her. Nora suddenly jumps in the air. Catching a bird eyes view of Javier. Finally, she ¨C ¡°Dragon slash!¡± Nora yells. She slashes the blade downward toward the bridge and Javier. ** In the training room, Faith is watching the match from the large monitor on the wall. Anxiously clutching her phone. Faith inner thoughts: Nora was able to predict Javier¡¯s movements, but can she capitalize on it? ** ¡°Wall¡± Javier yells. Causing the blue checkered wall to appear right above him and completing the dragon slash. As the Dragon continues to smash into the wall, Javier takes a breath. Javier inner thoughts: That was close. She¡¯s beginning to learn some of my movements a lot quicker than I thought it would take. I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s because she¡¯s that fast of a learner or if I¡¯m just that predictable. Either way, I must step my game up before she passes me. Which gives me an idea. Javier stands in place behind his wall. Waiting. Nora begins to fall back down to the bridge when she notices that Javier isn¡¯t moving. Nora inner thoughts: what is he- ** Faith inner thoughts: What is he thinking? ** When Nora finally lands on the bridge, she takes her time to assess the situation. Nora inner thoughts: Okay so my health is around 25 percent. Which is fine, I can live with that. But his health is still close to 50 percent. He¡¯s been good at dodging my attacks, but he¡¯s used his wall ability, so he doesn¡¯t have any more last-minute saves. If I keep my distance from him, this match should be mine! Nora quickly scraps her sword against the bridge, kicking up debris that flies toward Javier. ¡°Earth Dragon Slash!¡± Javier inner thoughts: Oh shit! Because of the angle of his wall ability, the debris can still hit Javier. After he realizes this, he jumps up and grabs ahold of the wall. Allowing most of the debris to fly underneath him. ¡°That wall can¡¯t protect you forever!¡± Nora yells out. ¡°Just so long as it protects me right now!¡± Javier yells back. ¡°Then how about from this?! Dragon slash!¡± Nora calls out. Nora unleashes and directs another dragon slash right at Javier. Javier stares down at the energy dragon that¡¯s rampaging toward him. Although Javier can feel the wall beginning to disappear, he jumps off, flinging himself to Nora. Which places him leaping over the energy dragon. Nora lets out noise of pure shock and terror. Admittedly letting herself get caught up in the moment. ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Javier yells. Javier lands a titan hammer dead on, as Nora catches the full blow of the attack, her avatar explodes from the impact. ** Nora and Javier¡¯s pod doors open. Both teenagers look up to Faith who is there to welcome them. ¡°Great match you two.¡± Faith says. ¡°Yeah, maybe for one of us.¡± Nora exclaims. ¡°Hey, I can¡¯t help how good I am. You want my advice. Get better.¡± Javier teases. ¡°You know for a second I thought you was going to give me real helpful advice.¡± Nora retorts. ¡°You should know better by know.¡± Faith says to Nora. Both girls smile at each other. ¡°Yeah, whatever, maybe you¡¯re not smart enough to understand my expert advice.¡± Javier says. ¡°Wow, just doubling down now, are you?¡± Nora teases. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°You two leave me no choice. You two make me feel outnumbered. Makes me wish Ren were here.¡± Javier admits. ¡°Where is he?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Studying. Plus, Ren isn¡¯t that big into VBL. If he¡¯s here, it¡¯s because I¡¯m here.¡± Javier explains. ¡°Sounds like a good friend.¡± Nora chimes in. ¡°He is, he helped me through some rough times.¡± Javier verbalizes. The three teenagers¡¯ phones suddenly vibrate. As they all grab for their phones, they can¡¯t help but see that they all got the same notification. ¡°The three of us receiving a notification. It must be related to VBL.¡± Faith mentions. The three teenagers look at their phones. What they see shocks them. Javier looks excitedly from his phone at his two friends. The notification reads ¡°Announcement! The Spring tournament livestream in 30 minutes.¡± ¡°The spring tournament is starting!¡± Javier yells. ¡°You mean THE spring tournament? Faith asks. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? Isn¡¯t it a tournament like any other?¡± Nora asks. ¡°NO! VBL only has two tournaments a year. The spring tournament and the fall tournament. Each one has its own prize pool and the creator of VBL usually blesses the winner with a rare item. As well as allowing the winner to try out any new weapons the creator is testing before anyone else.¡± Javier explains. ¡°It¡¯s usually in an expedition match after the tournament and the winner picks their opponent.¡± Faith adds on. ¡°That sounds fun.¡± Nora claims. ¡°That¡¯s not even the best part. The reason the creator only does two official tournaments a year is because she usually releases a huge update to VBL right before each tournament. So, the game meta is fresh enough for rookies like you to pick up.¡± Javier further explains. Nora inner thoughts: Do you have to single me out like that? ¡°They usually livestream the announcements on the big monitors in the lobby. You two want to head out now and get a good spot?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Is there any rush? How packed could it be?¡± Nora asks. ** A large, mixed crowd of kids, teens, and adults surround Nora, Javier, and Faith in the lobby. For Nora, the once spacious and air-conditioned lobby suddenly feels humid and claustrophobic. Faith is also struggling to create her own boundary amongst all the bodies. Not to mention there seems to be a consistent flow of new people flocking inside the building. While Javier is in his element as he moves with the wave of the crowd. Eventually flowing back to his friends. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for ever doubting you.¡± Nora says to Javier. ¡°As you should be.¡± Javier says. After a few minutes all the monitors in the lobby simultaneously turn to the same stream. ** Inside of a random classroom at a random school in Strand city. A student is quietly watching the stream under his desk, while the teacher is giving his lecture. As soon as the teacher turns their back on the class to write on the chalkboard, several students pull out their phones and hide them under their desks. All of them are watching the VBL stream. ** Brian Nyx (The true king) is sitting inside his cubicle at his office job. It¡¯s a quiet office space, with the usual sounds of multiple fingers hitting the keyboard, and someone using the printer. Brian is on his phone, tuned into the VBL livestream, with his headphones in. He peaks his head to make sure none of his supervisors are currently walking around. The coast is clear. ** Back at the VBL HQ. Javier, Nora, and Faith are still standing together. The stream is simply showing an empty chair at first. Until the women with messy and large rimmed glasses comes into frame and sits down. (The same women from the dark room in chapter 16) ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Nora asks but Javier didn¡¯t hear her over the noise of the crowd. ¡°What?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Who is that woman?¡± Nora asks again. This time Nora asks loudly enough that Faith hears the question as well. ¡°That woman?! Nora that¡¯s the creator of VBL! Akamai Kane!¡± Faith informs Nora. ¡°Seriously, I always forget how ignorant you can be, Nora.¡± Javier chimes in. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Nora. I moved here not even a month ago. So how the hell am I supposed to just know these things?¡± Nora says defensively. ¡°You looked up VBL right?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Of course,¡± Nora confirms. ¡°And the creator of the game never came up?¡± Javier says to Nora. ¡°Do you know the creator of every game you like?!¡± Nora asks Javier. ¡°VBL isn¡¯t every other game.¡± Javier counters. ¡°You two, quiet. Akamai is talking.¡± Faith directs. ** In a non-disclosed location, Akamai Kane (the woman with messy hair and large rimmed glasses.) settles herself, sits in the chair and begins to play with her hair. Her hair is a slightly messy but still naturally curly. (Akamai is Hawaiian) ¡°Sorry about the wait. I set my camera on auto record at a certain time, and I was in the bathroom¡­ Right. You¡¯re not here to hear about my bathroom habits. Hello everyone! I¡¯m Akamai Kane, the creator of VBL. Now things have been looking great for VBL lately. More people have signed up for memberships to use the VBL HQ, and all the forums have been growing substantially. For that, I thank all of you. Seriously. When I started VBL it was a simple dream I had of making the fighting game that I always wanted to play. Now in my opinion VBL is great, but it¡¯s not there yet. In fact, the only way it can get there is with your help. So please let my staff know if you come across any bugs or glitches while you play. It really goes a long way and helps me to make VBL into the game I want it to be someday. Now getting into the announcement you¡¯re all here for. The SPRING TOURNAMENT is coming. The official date for the tournament is May 18th. The tournament will be a double elimination tournament, meaning if you lose, you¡¯ll be transferred to the loser¡¯s bracket. From there you can either fight your way up the ladder for another shot at the championship or be kicked out the tournament entirely.¡± Akamai briefly stops as she flips through some of the papers laid in front of her. ¡°Ahh, here we go. Next on the chopping block, these are the updates that will go into effect starting tomorrow. All gauntlet-based weapons will receive a 20% damage boost.¡± ** Back in the VBL HQ an excited Javier yells in excitement. Nora and Faith embarrassingly blush and don¡¯t look at Javier. ** Akamai continues. ¡°The speed boost ability will maintain 2 charges but the boost itself will be 10% faster. Snipers will now have the option to fire bullets that ricochet. There will be four new weapons. The sniper, white death. The momentum dagger, you can guess what that is ha ha. A new sword called the leviathan saber. There will also be a new weapon type making its debut in VBL. A railgun called the Railroad Way. I have a special video coming out tomorrow that properly shows off all the abilities and benefits of the Railroad way. So, stay tuned for that¡­ Umm was that all?¡± A feminine hand suddenly reaches into the frame and flips one of the sheets of paper in front of Akamai. Then just as fast as it appeared, the hand retreats away. ¡°Oh! Of course. Thank you. So¡­ The wall ability will also be changing. So now when you summon the ¡°wall¡¯ it will no longer be stationary. Meaning you can finally move the ¡°wall¡± wherever you want, so long as you are touching it. So, the wall can be utilized for both defensive and offensive situations. This will however not prolong the duration of the wall. Now to end things for the stream, I have one more announcement. The prize pot will also be increased to a record breaking $100,000.00. The biggest prize pot in VBL¡¯s history! Okay so I think that¡¯s everything this time. Thank you all for supporting VBL and I hope to see you at the spring tournament. Goodbye!¡± ** Everyone in the crowd back in the VBL HQ is speechless. The fidgety crowd that was once rustling around is now frozen in their own tracks with their mouths open, including Javier, Nora and even Faith. All at once everyone is thinking the same thing, until it¡¯s blurted out. ¡°WHAT!¡± everyone yells in unison. Chapter 18 The announcement by Akamai Kane (creator of VBL) went locally viral. Everyone who was at the HQ told their friends about it. Everyone who was watching the stream sent the video to respective forums and their social media¡¯s. Even the local news channel picked up a story about ¡°The local game tournament offering a quarter million dollars prize pool¡±. Soon, news sites and influencers in the city were trying to get in contact with Akamai. Which meant more people coming into VBL HQ. All this after happened overnight. ** Nora and Faith, walk down their school hallway together, students and teachers alike are talking about the VBL announcement. Although Faith notices a few weird looks directed to her, she shrugs it off. ¡°Kind of wild that everyone is all of sudden talking about VBL. Kind of feels weird.¡± Nora admits. ¡°It¡¯s a great game unlike any other in the current gaming industry. It goes past VR goggles. It¡¯s fully immersive. Although honestly, I feel like more people are harping over the prize pool more than the game.¡± Faith says. ¡°I see what you mean. I was watching some videos from that content creator Bruce Sonntagg last night and most of the comments were talking about what they would do if they won the tournament. I had no idea VBL was making that type of money.¡± Nora adds. ¡°Oh, I remember him back when he worked for NGI. Glad to see him back on his feet after leaving. But you know what this means, right?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Yep. More competition! It¡¯s fine. Javier and I will blow away all of the competition... Oh. I¡¯m sorry I meant the three of us.¡± Nora corrects herself. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t plan on joining the tournament.¡± Faith reveals. ¡°What? But what about the money, and the thrill of competition?¡± Nora asks. Faith lets out a playful chuckle. ¡°I think you and Javier have the whole ¡°thrill of competition¡± thing covered. As for the money¡­ well. My family is sort of well-off money wise. It feels weird saying that, but money isn¡¯t a problem for us.¡± Faith explains. ¡°That explains why you always looks so pretty.¡± Nora bluntly says. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know about that.¡± Faith says while blushing, and breaking eye contact. ¡°Come to think of it, Javier¡¯s family might also be well off. He paid the whole bill at that fancy restaurant without hesitation.¡± Nora remembers. ¡°You¡¯re right. Didn¡¯t he say his farther owns a few gyms throughout the country? I wonder if that means his dad is always traveling.¡± Faith says. ¡°Javier never really talks about his dad. He talks about his sister though. He said she kicked the shit out of him for skipping school the other day until he told her why.¡± Nora chimes in. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°¡­ Did he mean that literally?¡± Faith asks. Concerned. ¡°I have no idea.¡± Nora admits. The bell signaling the start of class rings. A few students quickly scatter through the hallway to their next class. ¡°We¡¯ll talk after class.¡± Faith directs. ¡°Okay, see you!¡± Nora yells. Both teens run off to their respective classes. ** At a caf¨¦ found in the downtown area of Strand city, Takeshi Ohba is sitting at an outside table with his boyfriend. His boyfriend is a tall, toned Black man with a short haircut. A flowered short sleeved button up shirt (yellow) and short black shorts. This is Omar Brown (23) and he¡¯s currently eating a delicious cheesecake. At the same time, Takeshi is looking at all the VBL updates on his phone. Omar taps his fork to his plate, hoping the sound would get Takeshi¡¯s attention. When he realizes it doesn¡¯t, he longingly looks at his lover. Eventually Takeshi notices. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was being rude.¡± Takeshi admits. ¡°You were, but it¡¯s okay. What were you looking at?¡± Omar asks. ¡°The VBL updates. We got some gold this year. Ms. Akami is cooking up an interesting season.¡± Takeshi proclaims. Omar is tired of hearing about VBL. Takeshi sees this on his face and places his phone in his pants pocket. ¡°But anyway, that¡¯s enough about VBL. How have you been?¡± Takeshi asks. ¡°Well did I tell you that Herald knocked the whole gallon of sweet tea over, 5 minutes before we opened the restaurant?¡± Omar asks. ¡°What?! No! What happened?¡± Takeshi asks. ** In a 2-bedroom apartment, Rem (Nora¡¯s classmate from Ch. 9) is laying in his dark bedroom with the only illumination coming from the light on his pc monitor. He¡¯s scrolling through all the VBL updates. Choosing to stop on the reveal of the Levithan sword. He then opens a separate tab and types in ¡°Leviathan sword stats¡± on the Boogle search engine. Continuing his research. ¡°Rem!¡± a deep voice calls out. Rem instantly stops what he¡¯s doing and jumps to his bedroom door. When he opens it, he¡¯s startled to see his farther directly on the other side, practically standing in the door frame. His farther is a large 6¡¯2 man. Hints of muscle are still there but overshadowed by a prominent beer gut that¡¯s finally beginning to show itself. His unshaven prickles revealing themselves on his chin. This is Franklin (56) ¡°What were you doing?¡± his farther asks. ¡°Nothing, just reading an article.¡± Rem answers. ¡°In the dark?¡± Franklin pursues. ¡°My monitor is bright enough.¡± ¡°What? Speak up.¡± ¡°My monitor is bright enough!¡± ¡°Whatever. You need to stop wasting your time with that.¡± Franklin demands. Rem inner thoughts: Reading is wasting my time? ¡°Have you thought about what we talked about?¡± Franklin questions. ¡°You mean joining the army right after I graduate high school?¡± Rem confirms. ¡°What else would I be talking about?¡± Rem can smell beer on his farther breath. Although he wouldn¡¯t dare bring it up. Not again. ¡°I¡¯m still thinking about it.¡± Rem claims. ¡°What¡¯s there to think about? You serve your years, get out, and you collect a check every month. Plus, they pay for your college.¡± Franklin explains. ¡°Well, I ¡­¡± Rem doesn¡¯t have any more words he can muster. ¡°Whatever. Waste your life if you want to.¡± A beat. ¡°By the way, you have any money I can borrow?¡± Franklin requests. Without any protest Rem digs in his pockets and pulls out a $5 bill and 4 quarters. Franklin grabs the $5 and walks away from his son. Making his way down the hallway, passing by family pictures of Remy, and his mother. Then Rem and his father in baseball gear. Smiling. ¡°Just trust me Rem.¡± Franklin says. His father grabs his jacket, which was hanging on the recliner in the living room. Then drunkenly struts out the apartment. Leaving his son standing in the doorway of his own room. Chapter 19 Javier is slowly falling asleep in his last class of the day. French. While a few students share Javier¡¯s disinterest in the language, most of the students are taking notes. Until the last bell finally rings. Javier throws his books in his bag and storms past his fellow classmates. ¡°Watch it Javier, so help me god if you knocked me over!¡± one female classmate calls out. ¡°Sorry, Samantha. I was just to smitten by your beauty.¡± Javier jokes. ¡°Yeah right. Bite me.¡± ¡°Later!¡± Javier yells while running out of the classroom door and into the hallway. With Javier¡¯s head start he has the hallway to himself for at least 6 seconds before the wave of students begin to flock down. Everyone else shoves themselves through the crowded hallway to get to their buses. Javier is the first to burst through the exiting double doors and jumps down the 4-step staircase. Javier doesn¡¯t usually take the back exit, especially since the front exit was close to the VBL HQ but today, he wanted to take the scenic route. Javier inner thoughts: I should see what the girls are doing. Javier texts Nora and Faith, to see if they were going to the VBL HQ today. Javier walks down the cracked sidewalk. Nature showing signs of taking back what was there before. Today was rather humid but a constant breeze was blowing through the street Javier was walking. Nora was the first to text back. It reads ¡®Sorry, can¡¯t today. I have to help my dad re-paint the garage. He said he hates the color.¡¯ Javier texts back ¡®okay, no worries.¡¯ Just then Faith texts back. It says ¡®Way to tired. Going home to take a nap. I¡¯ll link up tomorrow.¡¯ Javier copies and pastes his text from Nora and sends it to Faith. After walking a few feet down, the sidewalk Javier takes his phone back out and texts Remy, asking him the same thing as the girls. Then places his phone back in his pocket. ** The usual mixed crowd is in the front yard of the HQ building. Javier walks in, happy to feel the AC on full blast as usual. Instead of looking at the ¡°Need a match list¡± (A digital list on the VBL app that anyone can join. After leaving your VBL username, anyone can message you about whether or not they accept your challenge and what training room to meet in.) he walked over to the booths that are found on the west side of the building. Javier walked over to the only open booth left. Taking his phone out and slouching back into the seat. Until ¨C ¡°I mean sure, there¡¯s going to be a few competitors worth my time, but I¡¯m confident that I can blast past those nematodes. I¡¯ll be the VBL champion in no time, you just wait!¡± Javier inner thoughts: Just some nobody talking shit. I don¡¯t hear anyone talking with him, so he¡¯s probably talking on the phone. ¡°Who? Who¡¯s Javier King? Oh! That joker that only uses gauntlets! Naw, he¡¯ll be light work for sure. I won¡¯t even have to take off my jacket. Like that guy is so ass, that he has to triple wipe!¡± Javier almost does a double take, making sure he heard what he heard. He slams his phone on the table and hoists himself up over the booth divider. In the other booth sits a young black teenager wearing an alternative greaser outfit. His black leather biker jacket, accompanied by ripped, grey jeans, and black boots. A few gauges on his left ear and a prominent pompadour. The teenager immediately notices Javier. ¡°Ayo my man! What was all that about me being triple wiped ass?!¡± Javier confronts. ¡°Whoa, no way! Speak of the devil.¡± The teenager says, while still talking on the phone. ¡°No not you, Javier just showed up behind me. I¡¯ll call you back.¡± The teenager ends the call. ¡°So, care to elaborate?¡± Javier reiterates. ¡°Sure, I think you¡¯re fighting style is boring. There¡¯s no flair.¡± The teenager informs. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Boring?!¡± Javier ¡°Yeah, boring. Where¡¯s the individuality?¡± ¡°Individuality? Martial arts were constructed on practicality, idiota.¡± Javier retorts. ¡°Then why don¡¯t more people create their own modern styles?¡± the teenager asks. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re implying, and I don¡¯t care. Just keep my name out your mouth until you¡¯re ready to back it up!¡± Javier demands. While the two teenagers go back and forth, a few younger kids walk up to see what the commotion is. Some pull their phones out, ready for things to escalate. Javier is the first to realize this. ¡°Look there¡¯s only one way to settle this, nameless.¡± Javier says while hopping off the booth, with his hands in his pockets. The black teenager finally begins to notice the growing crowd around them and understands Javier¡¯s motives. ¡°You¡¯re right. Real men put their money where their mouth is. VBL?¡± ¡°VBL. By the way, I¡¯d like to know the person I¡¯m about to wipe the floor with.¡± Javier pronounces. ¡°Maximillion Skyking. Call me Max. After you call me victorious.¡± Max says while whipping out a comb and brushing his hair back. ** Inside training room 3, Javier and Maximillion are picking their builds. Javier glances over at Max. Javier inner thoughts: What¡¯s with this guy? He talks about my fighting style, but I¡¯ve never seen him at the HQ before. I wonder what weapons he¡¯ll use. He seems like the sword type but I¡¯m catching a real gauntlet vibe from him. He definitely seems like he prefers hand to hand. Max doesn¡¯t glance over to Javier while picking out his build. Instead, he smiles confidently, and he walks over to his pod. ¡°How long have you been playing?¡± Javier probes. ¡°You can learn everything you need to know about a man through a fight.¡± Max says. Javier nods his head. Somehow that was all he needed to hear. He finished his build and walks over to his pod. There¡¯s a feeling that Javier can¡¯t shake. He¡¯s been feeling it ever since he agreed to the match with Max. Looking at the empty couch makes him realize that in a short time, he¡¯s been friends with Nora and Faith, he¡¯s grown accustomed to being around them. He enjoys it. He misses them. He sees Max¡¯s pod door closing. Javier shakes his head, snapping him out of his deep thoughts. Javier inner thoughts: Focus. _______________________________________________________________________ Javier build: Atk:00 Def: Spd: 0 Titan gauntlets Health boost Wall Maximillion build: Atk: 000 Def: Spd: Titan gauntlets Speed boost Wall ** The location is City Square. The noise of the map comes before the all the lights and view of the cityscape. Distant sirens, and cars honking at each other help make up the sound of the map. Javier takes a deep breath and centers himself. While Max does a warmup routine that includes him bouncing from side to side (Think of either a boxer or Goku in Dragon ball Super Broly). When he takes his fighting stance his gauntlets materialize around his hands. Javier walks closer to Max until he¡¯s 3 ft from him. ¡°I hope you prove to not be a waste of time.¡± Javier taunts Max. Javier takes his own fighting stance, allowing his gauntlets to morph around his hands as he then touches his gauntlet to Max¡¯s (Raid 2 style). Both competitors looking for each other ¡°tell¡± (Reading the body language of an opponent in order to make an educated guess on their next move) A beat. Max makes the first move with an attempt at a left, right two-piece combo. Which Javier effortlessly deflects, and then counters with a foot sweep. As Max falls on the hard cemented street, he hoists himself backward to perform a back flip to his feet. Javier doesn¡¯t pursue, instead choosing to retake his previous stance, and patiently await his foe. Maximillion acknowledges this and walks over, retaking his own stance. A beat. Javier tries a swift kick to Max¡¯s calf but is parried by Max lifting his targeted foot. Max then uses the split-second Javier takes to regains his balance in order to deliver a devastating German Supplex. The force of which cracks the street under Javier¡¯s head. Max lets go of Javier, which leaves Javier to direct a break-dancing kick to Max, but he dodges and sidesteps to Javier¡¯s right side. The NPC¡¯s surrounding the police perimeter and react to the fight. Some NPCs cover their mouth, while others begin cheering. Javier locks his hands together and reels back a powerful hammer fist. Slamming Max¡¯s face directly into the concrete. Following that by grabbing the teenager by his jacket and pants, and then tossing him into the window of a nearby jewelry business. Right before Max smashes through the window, he bounces off the invisible wall and once again down to the fall (The map limits). Javier doesn¡¯t waste time, and sprints directly toward Max. Max¡¯s inner thoughts: Still so boring. Javier sends a roundhouse kick, which Max dodges and then ¨C ¡°Titan Hammer!¡± Maximillion screams. Although Javier possesses a faster than most response time, he simply wasn¡¯t expecting this attack and overcommitted to his own. The special attack hits Javier in his guard dead on. Sending Javier flying a few feet off the ground. Max jumps backward, back onto the invisible wall again and sent himself flying toward Javier. Positioning himself just right in order to deliver a devastating RKO. The sheer force of this RKO creates a large crack in the floor that reaches out to the other cracks. The tension builds, until the ground inevitably gives out beneath them. Both teens fall into the shadows. Eventually falling into the murky waters that flow through the dark sewers. Both combatants jump to opposing sides of the sewer. The sunlight shining through the hole in the ground. ¡°I hope there¡¯s more to you than that, mi amor¡± Max taunts while mimicking a Spanish accent and the motion of brushing his pompadour while winking at Javier. ¡°You had my interest, but now you have my attention. So then, let¡¯s go wild!¡± Javier takes a boxer¡¯s stance. chapter 20 In the dim lit living room of Takeshi and Omar¡¯s shared apartment sits several different plants on top of shelves, coffee tables and even the entertainment center. Takeshi is cuddled up next to Omar, with his head laying on Omar¡¯s chest. Hearing Omar¡¯s heartbeat always calmed Takeshi down. Omar is looking at an episode of GLOW on his smart tv, while Takeshi is scrolling through the VBL app. Eventually he sees the stream of Javier King vs. Maximillion Sky king and stops in his tracks, even lifting his head from Omar. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Omar asks. ¡°Sky king.¡± Takeshi says. ¡°Hm okay. Who or what is that?¡± Omar questions. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. He won the Tekken championship at EVO 2 years ago.¡± Takeshi informs. ¡°Okay, so who did he lose to last year?¡± Omar asks. ¡°No one. After he won the championship, he went radio silent.¡± Takeshi says. ¡°Okay, creepy.¡± Omar responds. ¡°It was, I mean is. Anyway no one ever saw him in person again. Rumors of him streaming at random parts of the day begin kicking around. He became something of a ghost in the FGC. Why is he playing VBL against Javier?¡± Takeshi ponders. ¡°Who knows. Maybe he¡¯s trying his hand at VBL. Hey, is it weird that I think she wolf is cute?¡± Omar changes the topic. ¡°That says more about what type of people you¡¯re into. Maybe, I should go in the yard and put some hair and dirt on myself.¡± Takeshi teases. ¡°Maybe you should.¡± ¡°We can start having a Teen Wolf night. We can even role play.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not going to let me live this down, are you?¡± Omar asks. ¡°Not at all.¡± Takeshi smiles and kisses his lover¡¯s cheek. ¡°Better that then VBL again.¡± Omar states. ¡°Okay shots fired. I don¡¯t bring up VBL that much, do I?¡± ¡°Oh, every day. But it¡¯s okay.¡± Omar says while laughing. Although Takeshi can tell it isn¡¯t all laughs and sets his phone down. ¡°Well, I¡¯m here now. Cuddling with my boyfriend and his werewolf fetish.¡± Takeshi continues to tease. ¡°And here I am, with my boyfriend who¡¯s obsessed with a fighting game.¡± Omar says while grabbing Takeshi and squeezing him close to him. Both men take part in a lighthearted chuckle, laughing at each other. Takeshi embraces his partner again. ¡°I think the she wolf is kind of cute too.¡± Takeshi declares. ** Back within the VBL HQ, inside training room 3, the intense battle of ¡°kings¡± continues. Both players are standing amongst the rubble in the sewer. Max sprints to Javier. Grabbing his right foot and throwing him into the sewage wall. Max then immediately jumps over to Javier and winds up another punch. Javier is barely able to move his head out of the way before Max¡¯s fist smashes into the wall. On the surface, the ground begins to shake until Javier goes flying through the concrete with Max hot on his tail. Grabbing Javier while he¡¯s still flying and placing him in a perfect position for a primary lotus. Spinning around until he finally slams Javier¡¯s head into the concrete. This time most of the NPC¡¯s react to the impact on the map. Javier angles his body to make it possible to kick Max off him. Max jumps back, which also allows Javier to get back to his feet. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Was that the- ¡°Javier says before getting interrupted. ¡°To elaborate on my earlier point. Over the course of this fight, I¡¯ve delt you damage that would normally kill you.¡± Max explains. ¡°Yeah, no shit.¡± Javier boasts. ¡°Then why aren¡¯t more people going for kill shots? Lethal blows? The most extravagant fighting styles imaginable! I mean honestly! The military would love to get their claws on technology like this. The training scenarios would be outrageous!¡± Maximillion yells. ¡°Military training application, lethal blows and kill shots? You¡¯re starting to sound more like a disturbed child, and you know what type.¡± Javier insults. ¡°Insults? I see. I¡¯ve gotten under your skin. Very well, then I¡¯ll just come out with it. Rip off the band-aid. Your lack of creativity will be what holds you back.¡± Maximillion states while imitating the motion of combing his hair back. This causes Javier to stop in his tracks. Even Javier can clearly see when someone is making a good point. Up until now, he¡¯s relied solely on his martial arts experience. Which while can be devastating in real life, can hinder his mindset in VBL. To speak frankly, he was subconsciously keeping his imagination within the barriers of real life. Maximillion glances at Javier¡¯s face and relishes the fact that he¡¯s right. ¡°Tell you what. We can duke it out until I win this match. Or we can make things a little interesting.¡± Max proposes. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± Javier asks. Maximillion begins to slowly walk up to Javier. Javier can¡¯t help but flinch and put his guard up. Although Max continues to walk towards his opponent, unfazed. Until he¡¯s standing right in front of the teen. A beat. Maximillion extends his left hand out. ¡°Now grab my hand with your left hand.¡± Max directs. ¡°Umm okay.¡± Javier follows. Grabbing the other teen¡¯s hand. ¡°This is called the one-handed death match. Get it?¡± Max asks. ¡°Oh, yes. I see where you are going with this¡­ ready?¡± Javier says while smiling. ¡°3,2,1¡± Max directs. ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Javier and Max screamed their attack at the same time. Both teens unleash a devastating titan hammer at point blank range, and directly in the face. The impact was so explosive that the concrete beneath them once again cracked, and the NPCs all began to scatter. Both teens strengthen their grip. Using each other¡¯s borrowed strength, they¡¯re able to keep from being blown away. From Javier¡¯s P.O.V he can see that his health is low, but he still has his wall ability. For a millisecond, his mind is flooded with one possibility after another. Javier inner thoughts: Fuck it! Instead Javier chooses to throw it all away. Directing a hard punch to Max¡¯s face. Max doesn¡¯t even budge from the attack, opting to counterattack. Hard punches are sent back and forth. One right hook matched with another. But there was one key difference. Maximillion had more health, due to him placing all of his stat boosts into attack and dealing more damage overall. ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Javier yells. For the first time in this match Maximillion is caught off guard. So much that he can¡¯t help but smile at the revelation at his next move. ¡°Titan hammer!¡± Max yells. Despite throwing his attack first, both special attacks hit at the same time. Dust and rubble are picked up and flung around the map. At the point of impact, Javier¡¯s avatar is the first to explode, leaving Maximillion amongst the dust. Smiling. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Max states. ** Outside of training room 3, Max and Javier are walking back towards the lobby where a fraction of the crowd is still there but now, they¡¯re watching another match on the lobby monitors. Already on to the next thing. In the far corner of the lobby undenounced to Maximillion and Javier, Ren (Nora¡¯s classmate) is standing amongst the crowd, looking at a match on the monitor. Although these three teenagers wouldn¡¯t finally meet until much later. ¡°So, I have to confirm something.¡± Javier states to Max. ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s up?¡± Maximillion responds. ¡°You knew I was sitting behind you, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I did. I saw an opportunity to assess my own level with a new game, and I took it.¡± ¡°So, you were testing me?¡± ¡°Yes, but I was testing myself more. I wanted to see the current average level of this game.¡± Max explains. ¡°Average?!¡± ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t take that as a diss. Instead see it as an obstacle to overcome.¡± ¡°¡­ Be more creative.¡± Javier restates Max¡¯s previous statement. Maximillion smiles and leaves it at that. ¡°One more question.¡± Javier asks. ¡°I¡¯m not taking in mentees right now. Just enjoy the free trial.¡± Max pronounces. ¡°Not even close. I wanted to know why the pompadour?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Easy. It¡¯s modeled after my favorite anime character. A true man¡¯s man.¡± Max answers. ¡°Sweet JP?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Kuwabara.¡± Maximillion clarifies. Maxmillion pulls his comb out, flicks it open, and tends to his hair. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I let some otaku beat me.¡± Javier says. Chapter 21 Back in the dark room. The room is feeling warmer than usual because of all the computer¡¯s and monitors running in it, with little to no insulation. This was the room Akamai chose to be her office. No one in the company knew why, and a few people whispered about it, but no one ever directly asked her. She was a moderately clean person, so the room never became junky, but always that uncomfortable midpoint between neutral and a bout to sweat. In this room she chose to be her office, she is turning her webcam on and changing her necessary settings. After 2 minutes she stops in her tracks. Her laptop is on. Her webcam is on. A livestream ready to start. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head. ¡°Hey everyone. Akamai here with another update. ¡°We just had one¡± I hear you saying and you¡¯re right. The timing of this update is just more coincidental than anything. I had a separate team working on this one on and off for some time. Of course, I would hop between this project and others. So, I¡¯m going to start the update with a bombshell. There¡¯s going to be a new set of gauntlets coming. They¡¯re called the Grizzly claws, and they have 2 devasting attacks. These gauntlets are meant to highlight some of the play style¡¯s that are shaping around the weapons people choose to be their main. Which I love to see, personally. So on to the next substantial change coming to VBL. Drum roll, please.¡± Akamai hits a button on her soundboard, issuing a generic drum roll sound. When the sound effect is done ¨C ¡°We¡¯re uploading 2,000 different cosmetic items that are coming to VBL! You heard right, all free with a standard membership of course. I¡¯m so excited to finally reveal this update. For anyone that knows, more avatar customization has been one of the most asked for features since VBL first launched. So, this is something we¡¯re very invested in. I have a separate team that¡¯s dedicated to creating more items in the future as well. I can¡¯t wait to see what everyone produces, and all the different looks and styles come from this. Now on the tail end of the update. I¡¯m noticing there are still a small number of people trying the ranked playlist. So, I¡¯ll be adding a few more ranks and as well as rank mode specific cosmetics. So, you can tell who¡¯s a badass, by what they¡¯re wearing. Thank you all for playing VBL and a bigger thank you for all the OG¡¯s that¡¯s been here since day one. You have no idea how much this means to me. VBL is my grandfather¡¯s, and I dream come true. It feels amazing seeing people genuinely enjoy it. So, from the bottom of my heart to all the players, thank you. Okay signing off for now, I¡¯ll see you all next time!¡± Akamai turns off the webcam and ends the stream on her pc. After a moment she allows herself to slouch back in her chair, exhaling a deep breath of relief. She knows there¡¯s still work to do but she sits there, in the warm room, listening to the low hum from all the computers running, staring at the ceiling of her office. Akamai inner thoughts¡­ Grandpa¡­ Akamai eventually walks out of her office and into to the hallway of her gaming company (Island games). Outside of her office is her assistant. This is the same woman that sometimes occupies Akamai¡¯s office and checks on her well-being. The woman is the same height as Akamai, skinny in a lean fitted black dress. Her red hair is tied up into a bun, with one or two strands falling by her glasses. Her name is Rebecca (29). Rebecca is holding a tablet in her arms tightly as she waits for her boss to leave her office. ¡°That was a great stream, Ms. Akamai.¡± Rebecca reinsures her. ¡°You think so? Thank you, that¡¯s sweet. Also do you remember the talk we had about calling me Ms.?¡± Akamai confirms. ¡°Yes. So sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. So, what else is on our to do list today?¡± Akamai asks. ¡°So, we have to check in with B teams progress with the expansion plan.¡± Rebecca informs her. ¡°I have faith they will have it ready by the deadline. Shaun knows what he¡¯s doing.¡± Akamai says. ¡°Then we have a meeting with the producer from NY. He¡¯ll be bringing his team to see if there¡¯s a way for us to branch off a sister location.¡± Rebecca says. Akamai diverts her attention from Rebecca and to a poster that¡¯s hanging on the wall behind her. It was the first VBL poster and the first piece of marketing for the game ever created. In fact, Akamai made the poster herself and based it solely on the first Tekken poster. This was before Akamai knew the identity of VBL and proved to be a good point of concept. Only friends and family saw this poster before she decided to hang it up at her company. Akamai remembers things seemed easier back then. She had so much to prove and nothing but time to work on the game. You could find her working meticulously on every piece she could at the time, and if there was something she came across that she didn¡¯t know, she would research it until she knew exactly what it was and how she wanted to implement it into VBL. ¡°Akamai?¡± Rebecca says, trying to get her boss¡¯s attention back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Rebecca. I just spaced out there.¡± Akamai admits. ¡°Did you eat a decent breakfast today? If you¡¯re hungry again I can order you some lunch.¡± Rebecca states while looking up restaurants on her tablet. ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. Thank you.¡± Akamai says. ¡°So, you had breakfast?¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°No, but that isn¡¯t what¡¯s on my mind.¡± Akamai ¡°Oh? So, what is it?¡± Rebecca digs. ¡°¡­ Do you think my grandfather would like what VBL is becoming?¡± Akamai asks. This question stops Rebecca in her tracks. It was the last thing she expected to hear. Despite that, she takes her time to clear her mind and give an honest answer. ¡°I didn¡¯t meet your grandfather but from I heard about him, he seemed extremely sweet and kindhearted. I feel like your grandfather would¡¯ve just been happy that you found something that keeps you busy and that you love. VBL was made possible due to his early contributions, correct?¡± Rebecca checks. ¡°Yeah. My grandfather loved video games and had his own career in game development. When I came to the picture I would spend hours at his house, playing all sorts of games from every console generation you can think of. Any kid¡¯s fantasy.¡± Akamai answers. ¡°I think somewhere in there is your answer.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Akamai asks. ¡°Well, you said grandpa already had his career by the time you were born. I wish I could¡¯ve met your grandpa, but it sounds like he really loved you. To confirm that, he left you most of his life savings after he passed. That tells me he believed in you enough to give you that start. I think your grandpa would just be happy to see you were able to start your own career with his help. We all are. The team and me. We¡¯re all here because of you and we would follow you in whatever direction you decide to take VBL. My own grandparents had a saying. We bet on the jockey, not the horse.¡± Rebecca states. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Akamai asks. ¡°It means we believe in you Akamai. No matter what you do.¡± This realization causes Akamai to tear up slightly, but she keeps it together by wiping her tears before they form. ¡°Thank you, Rebecca.¡± Akamai says. ¡°No problem akamai.¡± ¡°On second thought. I will order some lunch. Please take a census from the team and find out what everyone wants. Lunch is on me today.¡± Akamai directs. ¡°Absolutely.¡± ¡°Rebecca.¡± Akamai calls out. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°What did your grandparents do for work?¡± ¡°They were professional gamblers.¡± Rebecca answers. ** It¡¯s a hot, humid day in Strand city. On the VBL yard, sitting on one of the many hot, metal benches are Javier. Despite sitting in the shade, the bench is still warm. The birds are chirping, and the sounds of the city stay constant in the background. Javier already dressed out of his school uniform, instead wearing a pink tank top with BADMAN written on the front, black shorts, and all white, pristine sneakers. He¡¯s staring at his phone, while waiting on Nora and Faith. Scrolling through social media. That is until he finally notices both girls walking toward him, through the front yard. They¡¯re talking to each other and chuckling. Faith is wearing a white blouse, denim shorts, and black short heels. While Faith is wearing a green shirt under short denim overalls. ¡°Que lo que¡± Javier greets his friends. ¡°Hey, sorry about the other day. I had no idea that repainting a garage could be a 2-day task.¡± Nora apologizes. ¡°Yeah, and I needed some me time to be honest. My duties at our school have been stressing me lately. Sometimes being a class president is a lot.¡± Faith explains. ¡°No worries. You two missed a good match. I fought this guy named Maximillion Skyking. He ended up winning, which is fine but ¨C ¡° ¡°Skyking? He was here?!¡± Nora asks. ¡°Umm yes. A friend of yours?¡± Javier questions. ¡°Hardly. More like competitors. We first met the year he won the EVO Tekken tournament. He beat me in the semifinals and went on to win the whole thing. Then right after that he disappeared.¡± Nora explains. ¡°Disappeared? Like went missing?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Mine as well have. Nobody heard from him. He deleted all his social media and was silent since.¡± Nora says. ¡°That¡¯s weird, but he apparently he was here the other day, wiping the floor with Javier.¡± Faith jokes. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say it like that.¡± Javier retorts. ¡°Is that what happened? ¡°Faith teases. ¡°I think it was closer than that. Anyway, that¡¯s not why I asked you two to meet me here today.¡± Javier states. ¡°It isn¡¯t?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Well¡­ It is. We need more training. A lot more.¡± Javier says. ¡°I thought this was going to be about Akamai¡¯s newest announcement too.¡± Nora verbalizes. ¡°What announcement?¡± Javier asks with a dumbfounded look on his face. Nora flips her phone horizontally and shows her friends the recorded live stream of Akamai talking about the latest updates to VBL. Javier is filled with excitement once the video is done. ¡°New gauntlets! Finally. It¡¯s been ages since gauntlets got any love, now we¡¯re getting a boost in damage and a brand-new weapon. It feels like early Christmas. Okay that solidifies the fact that we really need to practice. If what I saw from Maximillion is any indication, then we are extremely underprepared.¡± Javier directs. ¡°Damn, whatever Max said to you must¡¯ve really hit a nerve.¡± Nora says. ¡°You can say that. He told me to be more creative.¡± Javier answers. ¡°What was he like?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Tall. He had greaser vibes and talked in anime references.¡± Javier answers. ¡°Pompadour?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Yeah, and constantly combing it.¡± Javier replies. ¡°Yep. Sounds like him.¡± Nora confirms. ¡°Nora, you fought him, did you notice anything? Playstyles, weaknesses, anything?¡± Javier asks. ¡°Sorry, it was so long ago that anything that stood out wouldn¡¯t resonate with now. At least I don¡¯t think it would anyway.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Wouldn¡¯t he have the same style?¡± Faith asks. ¡°Doubtful. While it¡¯s common for a champion to stick with the style that won him the championship. His style was unorthodox. He picked uncommon characters and tried moves I thought I would never see in a competitive scene. Honestly, the only person I¡¯ve seen that I can describe as having the same energy is ¡®true king¡¯ Brian.¡± Nora explains. ¡°Unorthodox style, huh?¡± Javier asks. Javier lowers his head. For a split-second Faith is worried that the conversation has discouraged him, but she¡¯s immediately put to ease as she sees Javier quietly thinking. ¡°If you can say anything about Brians and Max¡¯s playstyle is that its unpredictable. They are always one step ahead. At first, I thought it was because they were just that talented or that dominate, but if we just think outside the box, we might be able to do it.¡± Javier explains. ¡°To do what?¡± Faith asks. ¡°To finally dethrone the true king.¡± Javier says. Faith and Nora get chills going through their bodies. Although both behave differently to this sensation. Nora has trained herself to smile at the prospect of a new challenge, no matter how high the feat. While the remnants of her mother¡¯s influence cause Faith to misread this feeling as fear. ¡°Well then, in the announcement she mentions adding some new ranks to the ranked matches. We¡¯ll grind ranked matches until the tournament.¡± Nora adds. ¡°Sounds good to me. You¡¯re always welcomed to train with us if you change your mind.¡± Javier informs. ¡°Cute that he makes it known that your welcomed.¡± Nora teases. ¡°Funny. I¡¯m still waiting on you to beat me in a match.¡± Javier teases back. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you worry. I¡¯m getting there. Won¡¯t be too long now.¡± Nora taunts. ¡°You two can be going back and forth for hours. I¡¯m glad we¡¯ll be mixing it up with ranked matches.¡± Faith says. ¡°Speaking of what¡¯s your ranked Faith?¡± Nora asks. ¡°¡­ Well. It¡¯s Beginner rank.¡± Faith admits. ¡°Whoa, seriously?! That¡¯s like nothing! I thought you played every now and then?¡± Javier yells. ¡°I do but I rarely played ranked. Plus, it restarts after every few months!¡± Faith counters. ¡°We have our work cut out for us, for sure.¡± Nora says. Chapter 22.1 Int. Parket High school ¨C gymnasium. It¡¯s third period gym class. A few students play basketball, while a few are walking laps around the basketball court, and the remaining few students are sitting on the bleachers, either on their phones or listening to music. Amongst these students five teenage girls are flocked together speaking their minds. Each girl has a varying hair color. Ren (Nora¡¯s classmate) is also sitting a few levels above them but reading a horror book to himself. ¡°I heard someone say that they saw them together again yesterday!¡± The blonde girl states. ¡°No way, really? What if they are dating?¡± the brunette girl adds. ¡°Girl please, you¡¯re just saying that because you want to date her.¡± A girl with blue hair antagonizes the brunette girl. ¡°What? No, I don¡¯t!¡± The brunette says defensively. ¡°You¡¯ve been drooling over Faith since you came to this school.¡± The blue hair girl continues. ¡°She¡¯s right you know.¡± The blonde girl piles on. ¡°Shut up, and don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t cling to Faith for popularity! Be your own person, bitch!¡± The brunette girl retaliates. ¡°Thank you! Someone finally says it¡± The blonde girl switches up. Amid the toxic back and forth between ¡°friends¡± there sits a girl shorter than the rest, with black hair and a gloomy look on her face. She¡¯s been quiet the whole time, but she has been gripping her jacket¡¯s sleeve tighter. Eventually the girl with blue hair notices how quiet the black-haired girl is being. ¡°You okay Renea? You haven¡¯t said anything the whole gym period.¡± the blue-haired girl asks. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Each girl directs their attention directly to Renae (Black haired girl), but she keeps her eyes forward. Not attempting eye contact with any of the girls surrounding her. ¡°I just hope she isn¡¯t trying to throw us away¡± Renae expresses. ¡°What?! No way! Faith wouldn¡¯t do that. She¡¯s way to nice and ¨C ¡° ¡°And what?! She¡¯s been literally and figuratively leaving us behind¡­ Leaving me behind. I think action speak louder than words.¡± Renae expresses herself while looking down at her own feet. ¡°She has a point. We¡¯ve all seen how Faith acts around Nora. It¡¯s like she¡¯s a completely different person. Also, there¡¯s those rumors of people seeing Faith at that video game building with some boy. We need to start thinking about the idea that Faith either stopped liking us or she never liked us to begin with.¡± The Brunette girl says. ¡°You people are crazy! Faith wouldn¡¯t do something like that. Not to us, we were her friends first.¡± The blonde girl says. ¡°Like that means anything,¡± the blue haired girl refutes. ¡°Of course it does!¡± the blonde girl says. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve known each other our whole lives. How many of us had different friends before finding this group?¡± the blue haired girl laid out. There¡¯s a moment of silence between the group. ¡°Sorry didn¡¯t mean to kill the mood.¡± The blue haired girl apologizes. ¡°Don¡¯t be. If anything happens to this group, it won¡¯t be your fault. It¡¯ll be Faith¡¯s.¡± Renae States. ¡°I¡¯ll give her time to explain herself, but I want to hear it from her mouth. I want to her to say why she abandoned me.¡± ¡°Hey, wait, didn¡¯t Ren over there have a back and forth with Nora before?¡± The brunette girl asks. ¡°Yeah, at least that¡¯s what I heard. It was from that weird girl that always wears a jacket. Her name is Cynthia or something close to that.¡± The blue haired girl adds. ¡°The exact same! She said she was walking down the hallway to class when she heard them having a heated interaction between classes.¡± ¡°Hey Ren!¡± the blonde girl calls out. ¡°What do you birds want?¡± Ren coldly replies. ¡°Easy there, backpack kid.¡± The brunette girl retorts. ¡°What is it? I want to read my book.¡± Ren continues. ¡°Why are you and Nora on bad terms?¡± The brunette girl asks. ¡°Why do you care?¡± Ren counters. ¡°Just asking, damn.¡± ¡°Well don¡¯t¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be like that.¡± ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s just say she fucked me over a few years ago.¡± Ren finally answers. ¡°How so?¡± The brunette girl asks. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Ren says while pulling his book back to his face. The brunette girl¡¯s reaction changes to show she¡¯s fed up with Ren. She then turns back to the group. ¡°I wonder what Nora did to him.¡± The blue haired girl ponders. ¡°Probably broke his heart or something.¡± The brunette girl inquires. ¡°Maybe we should ask her, ourselves.¡± Renae says. Chapter 22 Int. Parket High School ¨C Chemistry class (third period) It¡¯s right before the start of class. Most of them are sitting in their respective seats while a few students are still standing. Conversations about boyfriends, the newest Grand Theft auto, and the newest rap beef circulate through the class. Right before the last student finds their seat, Nora suddenly bursts through the classroom door. Quickly looking at the clock, and realizing she''s on time. ¡°Yes! Right under the clock.¡± ¡°Did you just get to school or something?¡± Tricia (A girl allowing her pink curls flow past her shoulders) ¡°Yeah, I overslept despite setting 3 alarms.¡± Nora admits. ¡°You¡¯re lucky Mrs. Holiday isn¡¯t early today.¡± Faith calls out to her. Nora is walking toward her desk, when the black-haired girl (Girl from chapter 22.1) stands up. Her name is Renae (15). ¡°Yeah, lucky seems to be the word.¡± Renae says loud enough to gain the attention of the entire class. While Nora is confused, Faith recognizes Renae with a concerned look on her face. Rem is sitting in the back right corner of the class, observing. ¡°Um, yes. Was that supposed to mean something?¡± Nora says. ¡°It does seem like things just so happen to work out for you. Doesn¡¯t it, new girl?¡± Renae directs Nora as she begins to walk toward her. ¡°I mean you come here, talking big about not wanting to make any friends. Yet you steal other people¡¯s friends. Are you some sort of manipulative freak or something?¡± ¡°First of all, who the hell are you? I don¡¯t remember ever talking to you.¡± Nora retaliates. ¡°Her name is Renae. Before you got here, there was a group of us that hung out.¡± Faith explains. ¡°Oh yeah I remember that group of girls now. One of them got my name wrong.¡± Nora reminisces. ¡°Glad to see you actually do remember your old friends Faith. So, tell me, when did you decide to throw us away for this bitch?!¡± Renae asks while reaching for Nora. ¡°Who the hell are you calling a bitch?!¡± Nora says while smacking Renae¡¯s hand away. ¡°Renae, stop it!¡± Faith yells while stepping closer and placing herself between Renae and Nora. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you? I didn¡¯t throw you away, I just spent more time with Nora. I still hung around the group when I could.¡± Faith counters. ¡°Once every few weeks is nothing compared to how close we use to be!¡± Renae screams. ¡°So, what! I have no contract with anyone over my free time. If we¡¯re being honest that group was toxic as hell. I felt like anything I said could be used against me later by people calling themselves my friend. How do you even call that friendship?" Faith asks. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you weren¡¯t part of it, you were just as toxic as the rest of us!¡± Renae objects. ¡°Whoa she actually admitted that their toxic.¡± A random student says. ¡°Honestly, if this group is as it sounds, you should leave it too. It seems like it¡¯s making you crazy¡± Nora says. ¡°I¡¯m not crazy!¡± Renae yells. ¡°Spoken like a real crazy person." Another random student says. ¡°I know right?¡± Someone else chimes in. ¡°Renae, listen to yourself. Are you that desperate for friends that you¡¯re willing to stay in a toxic relationship? Do you understand how dangerous that can be?¡± Faith attempts to reason. ¡°Listen to Faith. At least she wants better for you.¡± Nora says. This causes Renae to look back at Nora. With a certain fire in her eyes. ¡°What about you?¡± Renae asks eerily emotionlessly towards Nora. ¡°What about me?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Are you willing to admit you were toxic at one point in your life? I mean as soon as you got here, you and Ren (Nora''s classmate. Not Rem - Javier''s friend) got into something. It¡¯s clear that you two had a history of some sort, but it¡¯s clear there¡¯s some unresolved emotion there. Tell me, Nora. What did you use to be like? Did you use to be toxic?¡± Renae continues. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°What the," Nora is then cut off by Ren interrupting. ¡°That¡¯s enough Renae, I have nothing to do with this. Why the hell did you even say my name?!¡± Ren lashes out. ¡°Whoa, what is happening? Ren¡¯s yelling now? Things are getting wild.¡± A random student says. Nora looks over to Rem with a stern look. ¡°Are you behind this? I should¡¯ve known. First you tell people about me at the VBL building, now you¡¯re bringing up old shit?! What¡¯s your deal?¡± Nora yells at Ren. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring up anything, watch your mouth, and don¡¯t pretend like you¡¯re little Ms. Innocent in this. You know what you did back then!¡± Ren counters. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± Nora yells again. ¡°What is going on in here?!¡± Ms. Holiday finally bursts through the classroom door. Immediately a few students sat in their seats, showing they had nothing to do with the situation at hand. Leaving Nora, Faith, Renae, and Ren still standing. Ms. Holiday singles them out with her eyes. ¡°You four, out in the hallway. Now!¡± Ms. Holiday commands. * Nora, Faith, Renae, and Ren lined up outside in the hallway, side by side. Ms. Holiday takes a second to take a breath and calm down before addressing her students. ¡°Alright, can someone tell me why you four were disrupting class?¡± Ms. Holiday asks. ¡°Are we disrupting even though class technically didn¡¯t start yet?¡± Ren counters. ¡°Ren, please¡­¡± Ms. Holiday stops him. It¡¯s clear she¡¯s not in a playful mood. So, Ren looks off to the distance. ¡°I think this whole thing was just a misunderstanding Ms. Holiday.¡± Faith says. ¡°I have to say Ms. Storm, you were the last person I thought would disrupt class. I wish I can say the same for you, Ms. Maxim.¡± Ms. Holiday Nora inner thoughts: Did you really have to single me out? ¡°Okay, look. I don¡¯t care what¡¯s really going on between you. Class must get started. You four stay out here until you get it solved or else everyone is going to the principal¡¯s office. I¡¯m going to start class now.¡± Ms. Holiday says while walking through the classroom door. For an awkward moment things are quiet between the four teenagers. Nora is the first to break the silence and it¡¯s towards Ren. ¡°What¡¯s your problem with me?¡± Nora asks Ren again. Ren seems appalled by the question. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Ren counters. ¡°Are you not?¡± Nora asks. ¡°You really don¡¯t remember me, do you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the dick, who sent that video of me playing VBL around the class. Why wouldn¡¯t I suspect you?!¡± Nora yells. ¡°I mean before that! Before you even came to this city! You don¡¯t remember ripping the championship title from me?!¡± Ren explains. Nora inner thought: The championship title? Is he talking about the Tekken tournament that I won? ¡°Are you seriously angry with me for winning a competitive tournament?! Here¡¯s the hard truth, sometimes you lose! You¡¯re not defeated until you accept it. So, while I may have beaten you in a video game, you¡¯re the one that defeated yourself. Don¡¯t blame me for your short comings.¡± Nora says. ¡°After I lost that match, my dad and I¡¯s relationship fell off even more than normal. It was like he lost respect for me. This was also when he started telling me to join the army. To follow in his footsteps. To be like him. You did that. Not me. This was your fault, not mine!¡± Ren explodes. Everyone in the hallway is silent. ¡°Ren¡­¡± Faith says. This causes Ren to realize everything he¡¯s revealed. Once he meets Nora¡¯s eyes again, he sees her pity. Ren runs away from the three teenagers, leaving them awkwardly standing next to each other. Renae shoots a look toward Nora, while Nora returns the glare. Faith places her hand on top of Renae¡¯s shoulders. Which Renae shrugs off. ¡°Renae, what was your plan?¡± Faith asks. ¡°For you to realize what you¡¯re doing to the group! Our friends.¡± Renae answers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if my actions hurt you but I won¡¯t apologize for doing what I think is best for me. There come times where you have to be selfish in order to find your own inner peace. I don¡¯t feel the need to tread lightly around Nora, she doesn¡¯t berate me when we don¡¯t agree on things. We¡¯re able to have fun without needing to put the other down. I mean think for a second. How many times did you feel like the target of the group? How many times did one of those girls say something that you thought was too far? Have you ever questioned why someone who claims to care about you, would say something to hurt you on purpose?¡± Faith¡¯s words are clearly affecting Renae as she begins to think back to every moment that her group of ¡°friends¡± made her feel uneasy. Without saying a word Renae¡¯s face goes stoically emotionless. She opens the classroom door and walks in. All eyes transfer from Ms. Holiday to her, as she makes her way to her seat. Meanwhile Faith looks to Nora with a sympathetic ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± glance, while Nora returns it with a ¡°I¡¯m still confused¡± shrug. Eventually both girls walk back into class. ** On the lower west side of Strand city (Within the Hat-tin borrow) a blue hound bus stops at the bus terminal. One by one, the riders make their way out of the bus. Eventually a slim Korean teenager walks off, carrying his one and only luggage on his back. He¡¯s only a white t-shirt that¡¯s one size too big, black, and white checkered pants, black and white checkered vans and both of his arms are fully tatted. He also has ¡°36¡± tatted on his neck. This is Bok ¨C Jin ¨C Ho (16). As Jin walks to the corner of the block, his phone rings. As he answers, the voice on the other side asks him a question. ¡°Yeah, I made it safely. The bus ride was hell, and they only made 3 pit stops. I sat next to someone who just wanted to talk about their new baby, which sucked but whatever. Who am I supposed to meet again?¡± Jin asks. The voice on the other side answers his question. ¡°Yeah, right. I forgot you¡¯re pawning me off to my aunt. Did you make sure to tell her what time my bus landed?¡± Jin asks. The voice answers his question again. ¡°That¡¯s all I need from you.¡± Jin says while ending the call. Jin looks around and observes the city around him. It¡¯s humid, there¡¯s people everywhere. Some are shopping at the vertical shopping mall across the street, or the multiple restaurant/clothing stores in the nearby area. Jin feels the slight push of a young kid running into him. When he turns around there¡¯s three kids looking up at him. ¡°Sorry mister¡± the kid says. ¡°Just watch where you¡¯re going next time.¡± Jin warns. ¡°Come on! The VBL building isn¡¯t far from here!¡± One of the kids yells. The kids then ran down the street, leaving Jin standing on the curb by himself again. ¡°I hate moving¡± Jin says to himself. Chapter 23 Ren¡¯s apartment ¨C Evening. Ren is locked into a heated back and forth with his dad. Both are standing in the middle of the dark living room, with a black and white movie playing in the background. (The movie is twelve angry men) ¡°So, are you going to tell me why you left school early?! Your teacher called me directly to tell me you never came back.¡± Ren¡¯s dad confronts him. ¡°I left because there was some stupid fight going on between some girls and I somehow got roped into. It¡¯s no big deal.¡± Ren tries to downplay. ¡°That¡¯s not the full story. You think I¡¯m stupid?¡± Ren¡¯s dad says while stepping closer to Ren. ¡°Okay. That girl that beat me in that one tournament was there. She didn¡¯t even Remember me.¡± Ren tries to explain but he¡¯s cut off by his father. ¡°So, this girl is back and antagonizing you? Why didn¡¯t you just handle the situation?¡± ¡°Wait¡­ what do you mean?¡± Ren asks. ¡°I mean by putting that bitch in her place!¡± Ren¡¯s dad suggests. ¡°But what do you mean by that dad?¡± Ren asks Earnestly. ¡°What are you stupid? By delivering a swift back hand, son. It¡¯s that simple. After that, normal women understand their place. You can¡¯t keep being a push over.¡± Ren is appalled by what his dad just said. In fact, these exact words begin to make sense as he begins to piece things in his memory together. Without thinking, Ren¡¯s next words just slip out of his mouth. ¡°Is that what you did to mom? Is that why she left?¡± Ren asks. Ren¡¯s dad¡¯s next reaction comes to him instinctively, as he strikes his son in the face. Sending him crashing to the carpet of the living room floor. ¡°Now you listen to me, don¡¯t you ever speak to me like that. I am your farther, you understand me?!¡± Ren Remains down on the carpet, he lifts his head in time to see a single drop of blood fall from his nose, onto the carpet. He doesn¡¯t lift his head, instead staring at the drop of blood. Flashback: 10 years ago. Ren is sitting on the park bench while his dad sits next to him and his mother (A rather tall, red headed women with glasses.) is setting up for a family picnic. ¡°Dad will you and mom always be around to protect me?¡± a five-year-old Ren asks. ¡°Of course, son, why do you ask?¡± Ren¡¯s dad asks. ¡°My friend down the street said his parents are separating. He¡¯s scared. Which made me scared. I don¡¯t want to lose you and mommy.¡± Ren says. ¡°Nonsense Ren. Your mom and I aren¡¯t going anywhere, and we will always protect you, no matter what.¡± Ren¡¯s dad says. ¡°Promise?¡± Ren asks. ¡°Promise¡± Flashback end: Ren is still silently looking at his own blood on the floor. His farther still standing over him. Before his father can say anything else, Ren gets up, pushes his father out of the way and runs out of the apartment. He can vaguely hear his dad¡¯s voice behind him, but he ignores it. ** At the VBL HQ, it¡¯s an ordinary day. People of all ages sit at the booths, rent out training rooms, stare at the monitors or mingle around the estate. In front of the monitors is a Mexican teenager with short hair, open buttoned shirt, ripped jeans and white sneakers stares at one of the monitors. This is Eduardo Nunez (16). His phone suddenly vibrates, and he gets a message that reads ¡°The training room that you booked is ready. Please go to training room 3 and enter code 0988 on the door keypad.¡± Before Eduardo can put his phone back in his pocket, a pre-teen 4 years younger than him steps in front of Eduardo to get his attention. Once their eyes meet, the preteen¡¯s assumption is proven correct. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Are you ¡­ Eduardo Nunez?¡± the preteen asks. ¡°Damn it.¡± Eduardo responds. ¡°I knew it! Hey, listen I¡¯m a big fan, I¡¯ve been following you since you were going to locals at LA fight night. You¡¯re really amazing. Wait, what are you doing here?¡± The pre-teen pursues. Thinking on his feet, Eduardo does the first thing that most fans want most. ¡°Hey what¡¯s with all the questions? Don¡¯t you want an autograph and picture?¡± Eduardo bribes. ¡°Yes of course! Thank you so much!¡± The pre-teen exclaims. The pre-teen is quick about pulling his phone out and taking a selfie with Eduardo. Soon after people around them begin to look over in curiosity. Eduardo looks over just in time to see them recognize him. The pre-teen reaches in his bag and pulls out a magazine that has Eduardo on the cover. Like a true professional, Eduardo pulls out his own marker and quickly signs it. ¡°See you later kid!¡± Eduardo says while running away. Some people have already begun to walk towards him with random, miscellaneous things for him to sign. The pre-teen looks at the escaping Eduardo with admiration. ¡°Just my luck. I thought I had more time before people started noticing me like this. I guess word travels fast.¡± Eduardo says to himself. * Inside training room 3 Eduardo opens the door and immediately closes it behind him. He allows himself to fall to the ground. ¡°Which room did he go in?¡± Eduardo can hear someone say on the other side of the door. He lets out a relaxing sigh. Then goes ahead to walk over to the two VBL pods laying diagonally towards the back wall. He notices a match being streamed on the monitor. It¡¯s between Brian and another contestant that he doesn¡¯t recognize. He sits on the couch and analyzes the match. The weapons, abilities, and the playstyles of each player. After a while Eduardo walks over to the pods, where¡¯s there a tablet. Eduardo scans through all the different abilities and weapons. Brainstorming a build to try. The training room is quiet. ** On the other side of the VBL HQ in the far corner of the building Ren is sitting on the floor, in the dark. Crying with his head in his legs. Just then an exit door opens and Ren looks up from his knees to see Brian walking into the building from the outside. Smelling of freshly smoked cigarettes. There¡¯s a brief moment of Brian and Ren looking at each other before Brian speaks up. ¡°I was feeling a little nauseous, so I stepped out for a smoke. Do me a favor and don¡¯t tell anyone else about this door. It¡¯s one of the few corners the camera can¡¯t see, so I¡¯ve made it my pseudo smoke area.¡± Brian explains before he sees Ren isn¡¯t interested at all. Instead, he places his head back between his legs. Brian almost walks away with his hands in his pockets, but he hears a slight sniffle from Ren showing that he is still crying. This stops Brian in his tracks. He turns back toward Ren. ¡°Alright kid, let¡¯s hear it.¡± Brian asks. ¡°It¡¯s Nothing.¡± Ren says. ¡°You are telling me that you¡¯re crying in public because of nothing?¡± Brian pursues. ¡°Just leave me alone.¡± Ren finally says. Brian stands there for a second. ¡°I¡¯ll say this once kid. Then I¡¯ll get going if you still want me to.¡± Brian says. Ren is quiet. ¡°Sometimes you aren¡¯t meant to go through something alone. You may feel like you¡¯re a burden if you lay your baggage on someone, but there exist people that will actually feel worse if you don¡¯t. They would rather you tell them than the alternative, which is you hurting, alone. Long story short, it¡¯s okay to ask for help.¡± Brian states. Brian couldn¡¯t have expected what would happen next. Ren finally looks up from his knees, no longer trying to hide his pain. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± Ren admits. Second to Ren¡¯s tears, his attention is drawn to the bruise on Ren¡¯s cheek. He doesn¡¯t lose his cool, but he is concerned. ¡°What happened to your face? Are you getting bullied?¡± Brian asks. ¡°Not exactly. This was ¡­ from my dad.¡± Ren explains. Brians eyes go wide with rage. He tries to internally compose himself, but bits of his frustration cause his hand to shake. Ren notices this. ¡°Is this what you¡¯re feeling conflicted about?¡± Brian asks. ¡°¡­ Yeah.¡± Ren conflictingly agrees. Brian inner thoughts: This kid is conflicted on giving me family details. Which is good, I¡¯m a stranger after all. But his parent seems to be doing excessive punishment. I don¡¯t know the full story and I don¡¯t know if this kid did anything. These could be crocodile tears¡­ no. You wouldn¡¯t hide in the corner of the building just to fake cry. He didn¡¯t even know I was smoking outside¡­ He¡¯s around ¡°her¡± age. ¡°What¡¯s your name kid?¡± Brian asks. ¡°Ren¡± ¡°May I sit for a second Ren?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Brian follows through and takes a seat next to Ren. Making sure to keep a bit of distance between them for personal space. He gathers his thoughts while looking up at the ceiling. Eventually Ren looks over to him. ¡°You know Ren. Parents aren¡¯t perfect. We may act like we know everything but a lot of times we¡¯re figuring things out in the same way that you are. We have more experience on this earth because we¡¯re older but we¡¯re still learning. About the world and ourselves. What I¡¯m trying to say is don¡¯t allow yourself to feel like you¡¯re stuck in one spot because a parent only shows you one path. Sometimes even parents can¡¯t see the whole picture.¡± ¡°Are you saying I should forgive my dad?¡± Ren asks. ¡°No. In my eyes, he may call himself a man, but he can¡¯t call himself a farther.¡± Brian elaborates. ¡°So, how would you describe a farther?¡± Ren asks. ¡°It¡¯s a simple description. A man that brings more chaos than comfort to his family can¡¯t be a good farther. That¡¯s because the child can¡¯t accurately decipher the correct actions to make him a good person. He¡¯ll grow up carrying the baggage and insecurities of his parents, instead of solving them.¡± Brian says. ¡°That¡¯s nice and all but what can I do with that? I¡¯m stuck in this situation now. With this man that wants me to be just like him. With this man that doesn¡¯t care about hurting people, including me. This man. This pathetic man.¡± Ren¡¯s words come out with a guttural noise as he tries to drown the emotions inside him. Brian looks directly at Ren for the first time in the conversation. ¡°Well, what about your mom?¡± Brian asks. It wasn¡¯t that Ren had forgotten about his mother. In fact, he thinks about her a lot. More like his failing relationship with his farther clouded his mind for a while. It took Brian talking about her that allowed Ren to open his eyes, and his mind, to the bigger picture. Then make a quick decision. ** Jin walks up to the VBL HQ front door with a cigarette in his mouth. Jin inner thoughts: So, this is that gaming building I keep hearing about. VBL. Chapter 24 (A few days after the previous chapter) A video is playing. Akamai presents herself to the audience. ¡°Hey everyone, your favorite developer is back with huge news! So, you had better sit back for this one! So, remember back when I announced the upcoming patch and mentioned how I have several groups of developers working on different projects around the clock? Well, do we have good news for you! Thanks to their constant hard work, and dedication to providing our players with a stream of content updates, we are proud to present the return of a fan favorite mode... 2-V-2! That¡¯s right, you and a friend can team up against other players, or if you¡¯re solo you can easily create a team with someone else. Whatever suits your playstyle best! Long time players of VBL will remember when this mode was held for our second anniversary event! It was such a smash hit that I knew we had to bring it back as regularly available content! We are sorry that it took so long! On top of that, we¡¯ll be bringing in four more VBL pods, which are open to public use for the first time. Which means no more having to rent a training room just to play VBL. We plan to roll out more of these at an upcoming date. Everyone on the VBL production team is highly ambitious, but we are driven by a commitment to quality over quantity. While it may have taken some time, you can be sure your experience will be both enjoyable and stable. So, for all of us here, have fun and battle on! This update is going live as soon as this video is posted to the official website! See you later!¡± We pull back to reveal Nora is watching this video in class, with earbuds on. Hiding her phone under her textbook. That is until the final bell rings, ending school today. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Yes! Nora quickly packs her bag and sprints out of her school. When she gets to the front yard, she notices that she doesn¡¯t see Faith anywhere. She immediately texts her friend. The text reads ¡°Hey, did you head home already?¡± After about 30 seconds she receives a text from Faith that reads ¡°Yeah, sorry. I had a family emergency. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow though.¡± Nora is slightly saddened by realizing she couldn¡¯t spend time together with her friend, but the excitement of the latest announcement carries Nora through it. She continues to run through the front yard of her school, going her usual route toward the VBL HQ. ** When Nora finally reaches the block of the VBL building, she stops to catch her breath. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯m so stoked! Who would¡¯ve thought VBL would bring back 2v2?! Since I wasn¡¯t around for the first one, I¡¯m definitely going to play it this time! Who should I challenge first? Should I just challenge someone random or purposely look for a powerful opponent? Hang on, if I saw that announcement, there¡¯s no doubt in my mind that Javier saw it too. We could make an effective team and dominate whoever we¡¯re up against! Nora rests against the outer wall of the VBL building. Texting Javier. She receives a quick reply from Javier that says ''I have to manage some responsibilities at the gym today'' but I got you tomorrow!¡± Which causes Nora to lower her phone in saddened defeat. Nora inner thoughts: Damn. Everyone is doing something today. This sucks. Well, looks like I¡¯ll be forced to team up with some stranger. Nora walks into the nicely air-conditioned building and towards the monitors. Her eye(¡®s) graze over each monitor of currently streamed matches. That is, until she spots a familiar face, Eduardo locked in another match with a nameless opponent. Nora inner thoughts: Wait a minute? Is that Eduardo Nunez? The pro gamer that just signed to the Counter X company. What¡¯s he doing here? Shouldn¡¯t he be training for the next Block Fighter tournament next month?! How can he find the time to play VBL, while not only being a top competitor, but entertaining a large stream regularly too? Nora takes a second to look around the building for any more top-level pro players. But no one really stands out. Nora inner thoughts: I don¡¯t see another pro gamer here. So, he¡¯s by himself? Crazy to think, but he might just be another fan of VBL. I knew the game has been gaining traction thanks to growing viewership and the high prize pool but to be getting a name like Eduardo this fast is crazy. I wonder who else I¡¯ll see. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Back on the monitors Eduardo¡¯s match is over. He stands victorious in the middle of the central square level until the stream ends. ** Eduardo is walking out of one of the training rooms while checking his phone. He barely makes it to the lobby before Nora intercepts him. He almost jumps out of his skin. ¡°Nunez?¡± Nora investigates. ¡°Ughh, not another one.¡± Eduardo says while getting prepared to run but Nora stops him. ¡°No, I don¡¯t want an autograph or anything. I don¡¯t want to blow your cover either.¡± Nora reassures him. ¡°You say that, but you just yelled my name.¡± ¡°I only used your last name.¡± Nora points out. Eduardo takes a second to think about it, figuring that Nora had a point. As he looked around to see a few eyes on him but no one else was running over. He lets out a sigh of relief. ¡°Um, okay. So, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°Two things. First, are you transferring to VBL?¡± Nora asks bluntly. ¡°Whoa straight to the point. The answer is no. It¡¯s a cool game, but I have sponsorship obligations. Plus, a big Block Fighter tournament coming up soon.¡± Eduardo explains. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I thought. I was taken back to see you here in the first place though.¡± Nora says. ¡°So, what¡¯s the second question?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°You don¡¯t remember me, do you?¡± Nora sternly asks. The sudden sternness in her voice takes Eduardo off guard. Eduardo inner thoughts: Whoa, her whole demeanor has changed. ¡°Umm, sorry. Can¡¯t say I do.¡± Eduardo admits. ¡°It was last year. At the last Block fighter championship. In the Semifinals, you knocked out at girl named Nora.¡± ¡°I get it. That girl is you, so what does that have to do with here and now?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°Simple.¡± Nora lifts her arm, pointing directly at Eduardo with her index finger and her thumb pointed down. ¡°I want a rematch. Right here. Right now.¡± Nora declares. Eduardo inner thoughts: This girl know¡¯s exactly who I am. I¡¯ve even beaten her before. Yet she still challenges me? This girl is¡­ ¡°Sure.¡± Eduardo accepts. ¡°That was easier than I thought.¡± Nora says. ¡°What else is there to do when someone asks for a match. Except, there is one condition. It must be in 2v2 mode.¡± Eduardo states. ¡°Done.¡± Nora agrees. ¡°No hesitation..¡± Eduardo says. For a second there is a dense, competitive tension between both teenagers. That is, until Jin walks up behind Nora. He¡¯s wearing a White Tee, a long, thin, gold chain that stops at his chest, showing both of his arms that are covered in tattoos. A cigarette resting behind his right ear. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re that pro player I¡¯ve heard about, right? I saw one of your matches a few days ago.¡± Jin addresses Eduardo. Eduardo is shocked to see Jin. A man he also knew of. ¡°You¡¯re that prodigy? The one everyone is talking about.¡± Eduardo addresses Jin. ¡°Oh? People are talking about me? No one¡¯s ever called me a prodigy to my face.¡± Jin says. ¡°Not at all... in fact, this is perfect. We need a person for a 2v2. You mind being on the team with this young lady?¡± Eduardo asks. Jin looks at Nora. At first, Nora felt like his glare was uninterested in her. Then his deep brown eyes seemed to study her. ¡°Not at all, how could I decline being on a team with this cutie.¡± Jin says. Nora is briefly stunned. Nora inner thought: cutie? Nora composes herself. ¡°Wait a second. I didn¡¯t hear about any VBL prodigy. That¡¯s supposed to be you?¡± Nora asks Jin. ¡°I guess so. It¡¯s my first time hearing about it too. I thought I was on the same learning curve as everyone else. I mean I won a few times but nothing special.¡± Jin explains. ¡°Our new edition is being very modest. I checked his match history, and he hasn¡¯t lost a single match since his first.¡± Eduardo explains. ¡°What?! Now way! How many matches have he had?¡± Nora asks. ¡°More than 20.¡± Eduardo confirms. Nora turns to Jin, addressing him now. ¡°And how long have you been playing?¡± Nora asks. ¡°About a week. Maybe a week and half.¡± Jin reveals. Nora is stunned at this revelation. Nora inner thoughts: No way! A week?! And he hasn¡¯t lost once? That¡¯s crazy! I¡¯ve never heard of that in VBL, or any fighting game. You¡¯re telling me that in this highly competitive world, this guy is undefeated? ¡­ and he¡¯s on my team?! ¡°Wait.¡± Nora says. Both boys look at her. ¡°That makes two for us. But who¡¯s going to be your teammate?¡± Nora asks. On que, a hyper teenage boy with dirty blonde hair, sharpened teeth (visually, not literally) and toned build jumps over to the group. Causing everyone to jump in shock except Jin, who instead raises his hand in self-defense. ¡°You guys looking for a fourth player?! I¡¯m your man!¡± dirty blonde boy says. ¡°Umm and you are?¡± Jin asks. ¡°My name is Desmond Arnold, and I¡¯m going to win a VBL championship!¡± Desmond declares. ¡°Easy there Desmond, first and fore most, were you ease dropping on us?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°Only towards the end, I promise. Though once I noticed who you all are, I knew I had to get in on this match. If nothing else, then to gauge my own abilities.¡± Desmond admits. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re just using us to assess your own strength. I can respect that.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°Did you say you knew all of us?¡± Nora asks. ¡°Yeah of course! Eduardo, the rising star of the FGC, Jin the generational prodigy, and you (pointing to Nora) the girl that got destroyed in that match against Takeshi.¡± Desmond says. Nora inner thoughts: I am never going to live that down, am I? ¡°Well then, looks like we have our teams.¡± Eduardo says. We see each player give an intense and determined look. Eduardo raises his head to look down on his new opponents. Desmond opens his arms, welcoming the competition. Nora licks her lips with anticipation and Jin runs his right hand through his hair. "Let''s go wild." Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Builds: Nora ¨C ATK:0 DEF: SPD:00 Leviathan sword Speed boost Wall Jin ¨C ATK: 00 DEF: SPD: 0 Momentum dagger Health boost Wall Desmond ¨C ATK :0 DEF: 0 SPD:0 White death Health boost Wall Eduardo ¨C ATK: 000 DEF: SPD: Gothic short sword Rage Wall The location is City Mall. Each player spawns in. Nora spawns in on the top level, in front of the back exit of the mall. Wearing an all-white overcoat that¡¯s strapped to her shoulders, almost flowing like a cape, accompanied by an ornamented cap with pins on it. (A blend of Jotaro from jojo part 3, and mako from kill la kill). Behind her sits the automatic double glass doors. On the other side she can see the outside shopping area of the mall. Jin spawns on the ground floor, directly underneath Nora. Jin is wearing a checkered two piece jacket, with the hood up and checkered pants with suspenders off the sides. He looks around to see no one. Jin inner thoughts: She must be above me. Jin leaps up to the second floor, and huddles over the railing. Nora is standing there waiting for him. ¡°Did you get a good look at their build?¡± Nora asks Jin. ¡°Gothic Short Sword, and White Death. Compared to us, they have the short and long range advantage.¡± Jin says. ¡°Right, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Desmond were to remain hidden while trying to pick us off, with Eduardo pushing us.(or with Eduardo pressing the advantage with rage).¡± Nora says. ¡°Could you hold them off if that happened?¡± Jin asks. ¡°By myself? No telling. This is my first time fighting him in VBL, but I won¡¯t go down without a fight.¡± Nora confirms. ¡°Alright. That just leaves Desmond and the White Death.¡± Jin says. ¡°Keep in mind White Death has the eagle eye ability, so he can see through structures he¡¯s aiming at..¡± Nora informs Jin. ¡°That¡¯s going to be a problem.¡± ¡°No doubt.¡± ¡°And it¡¯s going to make sneaking up on him almost impossible.¡± Jin says. ¡°What if we were to both rush Eduardo? I doubt he¡¯d be able to keep up with both of us. Then once he¡¯s finished, we can push for an ambush on Desmond.¡± Nora adds. ¡°For that to work we¡¯d have to take out Eduardo fast. Faster than Desmond can even react. Is that even possible?¡± Jin asks. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°If it is then we will have to act now. Before they can form a coherent plan.¡± Nora says. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Jin equipped the momentum dagger, but I boosted my speed. Will this work out? No. I¡¯ve got to trust my teammate. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s thinking the same about me considering all I am known for is losing to Takeshi. Can I even do this? Nora attempts to get rid of the doubt by shaking her head. Jin see¡¯s this and raises his eyebrow. Jin inner thoughts: Is she second guessing the plan? Can¡¯t say that I blame her. Despite people calling me a prodigy, I simply follow my instincts. So there is no telling if our playstyles actually even match. This whole plan can be destined for failure. We won¡¯t know until we try though.. Jin and Nora break off in a sprint to the other side of the mall to meet their enemies head on. ** Eduardo and Desmond stand next to each other, weapons already drawn. Both competitors are standing on the second floor, with a large clothing store behind them. Eduardo is wearing a black poncho that has Calavera skulls on it, accompanied by a samurai styled straw hat and wooden sandals. While Desmond is decked out in a all-black leather jacket that has spikes on the shoulders, followed by leather pants, platform boots and a lightning bolt painted on his face. Desmond scans for a vantage point that could provide him with an outlook of his partner. Eventually he spots a tower that connects to the mall. The area is directly behind them. ¡°I see a great spot for myself!¡± Desmond says. ¡°Wait!¡± Eduardo orders. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°With your sniper, they¡®ll be expecting you to take the high ground. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if that encourages them to rush me and take me out quickly, leaving you to fend for yourself against two close combat players.¡± Eduardo informs. ¡°Does it really matter if they see it coming? It¡¯s a good enough plan to succeed against them anyway.¡± Desmond retorts. ¡°No plan is perfect. Especially one the enemy can predict.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°Okay then Mr. Pro Player. What do you think we should do?¡± Desmond asks. Eduardo smiles. ¡°I will fill you in, come on. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re heading for us right now.¡± Eduardo and Desmond sprint off towards the center of the mall to meet their foes. Desmond holds the sniper up to his eye, scanning to see if Nora or Jin were nearby. He sees two white outlines running towards them. ¡°Here they come!¡± Desmond states. Eduardo inner thoughts: I¡¯ve always loved this feeling! Going in blind and learning an opponent¡¯s strategies. Adapting to them. Taking the best of someone and overcoming it. I¡¯m sorry Nora and Mr. Prodigy, but I am winning this match. Among all of us here, I have the most fighting game experience (Between all of us here, I have better skills and experience in fighting games). I was made for this. ** Flashback: Five years ago, we see a young girl named Laura. We see her playing a fierce game of Block Fighter 4 (Ranked) until she hears the front door to the apartment open and close. Laura looks at her digital clock that resides on her bedside table. 6:22 p.m. Laura inner thoughts: ¡­Dad¡¯s home. Laura disregards the tense match she was having. No longer caring about the results of the match, and instead sitting on the floor at the foot of her bed. The sun is beginning to set, giving Laura¡¯s room a golden filter. The cool breeze flows past her curtains and through the room. Laura¡¯s inner thoughts: I wonder if he¡¯ll want to talk about it ¨C ¡°Laura, can you come here please?¡± Laura inner thought: Thought so... Laura turns off the rank search, in order to take her out of the games queue. Then makes her way to her room door. ** When Laura walks into the kitchen, she is surprised to only see her father sitting at the dining table. A stocky, balding older man. Wearing a pair of thick rimmed glasses office clothes. In his hands is Laura¡¯s official offer letter from Sleeping Forest (A popular pro gaming team). Laura has already mentally prepared for what¡¯s coming up. She has walked through this conversation several times in her head, every different remark that could be made, all arguments that could be made. None of them are easy. ¡°When were you going to tell me about this?¡± Her dad asks. ¡°Soon, papi.¡± Laura lies. ¡°After you would have already made a mistake?¡± Her dad accuses. ¡°It¡¯s not a mistake, papi.¡± Laura counters. ¡°Yes. It. Is it!¡± Her dad yells. End of flashback: ** Eduardo is running down the second floor towards the center of the mall; the food court. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: I can¡¯t afford to lose here. Eduardo comes to a sudden stop as he sees Nora and Jin turn the corner and head toward the food court. ¡°There he is!¡± Nora yells. ¡°I¡¯m on it.¡± Jin says. ¡°I¡¯m faster! Back me up!¡± Nora orders. Nora uses the speed boost ability to blitz forward, while Jin falls behind her. Jin inner thoughts: Where¡¯s Desmond!? Shouldn¡¯t he be overlooking us from a higher point? Where though? I¡¯ve never used a sniper on this map so I am clueless to all the best outlook points and possible blind spots - Desmond suddenly exits one of the stores behind Jin and points his sniper directly at Jin¡¯s head. Jin just barely turns around in time to see and react. Jin uses his momentum to veer to the left but it¡¯s of no use. The bullet hits Jin on the side of the head. The force knocked him to his feet. causing Nora to glance behind her in time to see Jin hit the ground. ¡°Jin!¡± Nora yells. ¡°You need to focus on what¡¯s ahead of you!¡± Eduardo says while mid swing. Eduardo¡¯s Gothic short sword slices through Nora¡¯s chest, pushing her a few feet back. She regains her composure and locks-in on Eduardo. Behind her, Desmond reloads his sniper, with a cocky smirk on his face. ¡°I¡¯m sure neither of you have had a chance to try out the White Death. Did you know that it has the current highest damage output of any rifle in the game? Some smart players have learned that it only takes 2-3 shots to kill an opponent.¡± Demond explains. ¡°Sounds like that will need some balancing.¡± Jin says while getting back to his feet. Nora inner thoughts: This is bad. Jin only has one or two more hits he can take from Desmond¡¯s White Death. Then it will be two-vs-one. Not to mention Eduardo right in front of me. Damn it! Jin inner thoughts: I¡¯ve fought someone using the White Death before. There¡¯s something about that weapon that he isn¡¯t telling us. No doubt hoping to take advantage and win the match himself. I might have thought, he was trying to ride Eduardo¡¯s coattails but in fact he¡¯s trying to upstage him and beat us himself. Eduardo inner thoughts: Trying to use me to make yourself look better. Fine by me, try it! Desmond inner thoughts: While Eduardo keeps the girl busy, I¡¯ll finish off the prodigy and make a name for myself. Then I¡¯ll snipe the girl before Eduardo has a chance to! This match is mine! Chapter 26 Chapter 7 part 2 Flashback: Five years ago. Laura is standing in front of her father, in their small kitchen. Her father, Eduardo Sr. still holds the letter addressed to her. ¡°Papi, tell me¡­. Why do you not want me to do this? Help me understand, because they¡¯re willing to help me pay for college? Something you always wanted me to do! This feels like the best career choice!¡± Laura declares her argument. ¡°My child, this¡­, this is not a career¡­ These are games! You¡¯re just going to be playing games with the dregs and children! Tell me how that is a job!¡± Her father retaliates. ¡°Papi, these teams have sponsors. They get a cut of the tickets sold at the pro league games. The championships even have prize pools. It¡¯s the same as any other sports league! Times change¡­ I understand that games were just games when you were my age, but that just isn¡¯t the case anymore.¡± Laura explains. ¡°I don¡¯t need my daughter to explain to me how change works. Your mother and I fought our way here! Struggled when we got here! Day after day, year after year, and you want to take all of that to just.. play.. games?I just don¡¯t know how to take that. How do I even explain that to the family back home?¡± Eduardo pleads. ¡°Who cares what they think?!¡± Laura yells. ¡°I do! They¡¯re my ¨C I mean our family!¡± ¡°You used to tell me that my family will love you no matter what. So why do you care so much?¡± Laura asks. ¡°This isn¡¯t about our family, this is about you. You, throwing your life away to play games.. Then to not even talk to tell me about it.¡± Her farther states. ¡°Because we knew you would react like this!¡± Laura laches out. ¡°Oh.. because I am just so predictable. You still shouldn¡¯t have tried to hide this from me, Laura.¡± At this time, tears begin to swell in both father and daughters¡¯ eyes. For a moment, they both see the pain within each other. Then Laura gives in. ¡°I¡¯m sorry papi. I shouldn¡¯t have kept it from you. You¡¯re right. But isn¡¯t this what you and mom sacrificed all that for? New opportunities for me. Avenues of life I wouldn¡¯t have otherwise.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ It is. I just¡­ want the best for you.¡± ¡°I know you do, but you have to let me live my life.¡± Laura explains. ¡°She¡¯s right.¡± Both Laura and her father turn to see her mother at the other entrance to the kitchen. Her long brown hair flowing past her humbling smile, with her hands clenched together. At the sight of his wife, Eduardo breaks down. ¡°I know I can¡¯t know everything, my love. I just don¡¯t want to make a mistake! ¡± Eduardo senior cries. Laura¡¯s mom runs over and embraces her husband. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°It¡¯s okay Mi¡¯amor. You remember all the mistakes we made?¡± Laura¡¯s mom reminds. ¡°Of course.¡± Eduardo senior answers. ¡°We have to let her make her own, and she will. But I don¡¯t think this will be one of those mistakes. If we don¡¯t fully know the situation, we have to trust that we raised a child that is smart enough to make her own decisions. But we will still be here if she needs us.¡± Laura¡¯s mom states. Hearing this causes Laura to cry a little harder, although she¡¯s trying to keep it to herself. ¡°There¡¯s something else, papi.¡± Laura chimes in. Her father raises his eyes from his wives¡¯ arms, to look at his child. ¡°With that letter, the team is willing to pay me an advance.¡± Laura says. ¡°An advance for what?¡± Her father asks. ¡°The procedure.¡± Laura says. Her father looks at his daughter dumbfounded. ¡°For as long as I can remember, I felt like I was only half of myself. Like I could only be half of myself.¡± Laura reveals. ¡°You¡¯re talking about changing your sex.¡± Eduardo senior reveals. This completely takes Laura off guard. She immediately looks at her mom, wanting an explanation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sweetie. There are some things I can¡¯t keep from my husband. But hear him out.¡± ¡°We discussed it, again and again for a long time. I may not understand this as well, but if this is something that you want, then it¡¯s your body to do so with, as you will. Your mother and I will always love you.¡± Eduardo senior states. Laura stands there completely taken aback. She¡¯s thought of dozens of ways this conversation could go, but she never even imagined this outcome. Her mom smiles at her and opens her other arm, welcoming Laura. Laura runs over and embraces her parents. The Sun shining through the window and on the warm family hug. ¡°I was told you would probably change your name as well.¡± Her father brought up. ¡°I am.¡± Laura answers. ¡°Have you thought of possible names?¡± Laura looks at her father in his eyes. ¡°Eduardo¡­ junior.¡± Eduardo embraces his daughter, and soon to be son. END OF FLASHBACK. ** Present day. Back in VBL. Eduardo dodges a combined attack from Nora and Jin, While Desmond attempts to sneak away. Desmond¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯m glad that surprise attack worked out. That quick scope was a gamble! I need to find a vantage point in order to prepare for phase 2 of our plan! As Nora and Eduardo trade blows, Jin spots Desmond trying to make his getaway and sprints toward him. As Desmond sees this, he quickly aims his sniper at Jin and pulls the trigger. ¡°Wall!¡± Jin yells. The blue, checkered, wall appears just in time to block the sniper¡¯s shot. As the sparks from the bullet scatter, Jin grabs the wall and flings it toward Desmond. The wall hits him square in the chest and sends him crashing into a nearby store front. The active wall rebounds in the air back to Jin, as he leaps up and grabs it. ¡°Nora, get down!¡± Jin orders. Without hesitation Nora chooses to trust her teammate and ducks under Eduardo¡¯s next attack. Eduardo is met by the wall sent flying by Jin, smacking him directly in the face. Nora looks up in time to seize the opportunity, slicing Eduardo upward across his chest, and sending him high into the air. Jin¡¯s wall rebounds to him once again and as he distributes the momentum of the high-flying wall across his body, he spins backwards a few feet, to throw the wall once again.Eduardo, aware and angry after being hit by a wall, is able to sense the oncoming attack and easily deflects the wall . He sends it flying in the opposite direction and down to the ground floor of the mall. Nora, unaware and caught in the moment, leaps toward Eduardo once again, with him successfully deflecting her attack, grabbing her arms and throwing her to the side. Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: He still has a fight in him. I¡¯ll have to be ready for ¨C ¡°Now!¡± Eduardo screams. Before Nora and Jin can react Desmond fires another shot from his sniper rifle, hitting Jin directly in the face, sending him flying into another store front. Nora inner thoughts: Damn it! We were so occupied with Eduardo that we completely lost sight of Desmond. The white death has such a high damage output that Jin can¡¯t afford to take another shot. Since Jin was just knocked away that just leaves me alone to fight these two. If I had to guess, Eduardo is slightly above half health. Nora looks back to see Desmond reloading his sniper. Eduardo stances up, towards Nora. Nora inner thoughts: Can I do this? Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Nora is standing in front of Eduardo. As he takes his stance, she takes a deep breath. A few yards behind Nora, sits Desmond who is staying out of Nora¡¯s line of sight and waiting for her to lower her guard. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Okay Nora, break this down. I have a pro in front of me but he¡¯s out of his element. Sure, he may be good , but I¡¯ve studied VBL for the past couple of weeks. So, his knowledge of weapons and abilities probably isn¡¯t as good as mine. Then of course there¡¯s Desmond, hiding somewhere with his sniper, ready for me to move so he can catch me off guard. If I had to guess, their plan is for Eduardo to keep me busy while Desmond waits for openings in my defense. It¡¯s a good strategy and probably their best option. So, I need to somehow fight Eduardo while dodging Desmond¡¯s attacks. Nora edges her right foot forward and Desmond hastily fires a shot at her head. Nora instinctively speed boosts to the right, twisting her body so that she¡¯s facing Desmond. While twisting her body, she throws her sword directly at Desmond, causing him to jump out of the way. Eduardo seeing the opportunity to attack, rushes in close to Nora, delivering three swift blows. Nora successfully parries the first two but fails to meet the third and receives a swift punch to the face. This doesn¡¯t faze Nora at all as she counters with a quick karate leg sweep, completely throwing off Eduardo¡¯s balance as he falls to the ground. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Thank you Javier. Nora then resummons her leviathan blade, attempting to thrust it into Eduardo¡¯s abdomen. Back on the ground floor, Desmond jumps up to the second level, then once more so that he¡¯s latched onto the side of the wall. He takes aim with his left arm firing another shot at Nora. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Faster. Nora speeds to the side, the bullet glancing past her, hitting the mall floor. Just a few centimeters from Eduardo¡¯s face. Before Eduardo can regain his balance, Nora uses her second speed boost to close the distance between herself and Eduardo. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Move faster Nora! Eduardo parries the first few strikes from Nora, while Desmond lines up another shot taking time to carefully line up the shot this time. Following Nora¡¯s head with the barrel of the White Death he fires another bullet. As the bullet travels toward Nora, she continues her assault on Eduardo. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: Great, the bullet is dead on. Desmond¡¯s inner thoughts: This should take a large percentage of her health. She won¡¯t stand a chance! Nora suddenly spins her body to the left, completely dodging the oncoming bullet. Taking Eduardo and Desmond completely off guard, and leaving Eduardo open for Nora¡¯s horizontal slash. Demond¡¯s inner thoughts: What the hell was that?! Is she predicting my shots, or just dodging them instinctively?! Is that even possible?! Desmond hops over to an open space on top of the second floor. Reloading the sniper, and quickly taking aim again. As Eduardo gets in close to Nora again, he gives several quick stabs at her head, but she dodges each one. Nora parries his last stab, opening Eduardo up for another attack. Nora delivers. Slicing twice through Eduardo¡¯s chest, and then kicking him to the side. Desmond finally fires another round at Nora, but she speed boosts to the right. Nora turns around to face Desmond, with her special attack ready. ¡°Leviathan slash!¡± Nora yells. Nora performs a slashing motion, and an energy emitted serpent escapes from her sword. As Desmond attempts to run away from the serpent he makes a last-minute bet. Unlike the dragon slash, which locks on to a point and unleashes itself. The Leviathan slash was hovering over the ground, not crashing into it. Desmond¡¯s inner thoughts: Wait a minute! Could it be that the Leviathan slash doesn¡¯t lock on to a point, but instead locks on to the person?! The energy serpent twists upward, getting mere centimeters to Desmond¡¯s face, as he barely dodges at the last second by jumping off the second floor, down to the ground floor once again. While Nora¡¯s attention is on Desmond, Eduardo makes his move. Slashing Nora in the back, spinning her around, and following with a punch to her face. Nora inner thoughts: Move, faster! Nora blitzes Eduardo. appearing behind him, Looping her hands around his waist, and suplex-ing Eduardo. As his head hits the tiled floor, his eyes briefly go blank. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Is it just me or did his body go limp. That suplex shouldn¡¯t have killed him. Down below, Desmond composes himself once again, and double jumps up the wall. Hanging on to the side of the wall and aiming at Nora. Through the corner of her eye, Nora spots Desmond aiming at her. Desmond is about to pull the trigger, when he suddenly feels a blade on his neck. Jin comes in hot, and slices Desmond¡¯s neck with enough momentum that he has to come to a sliding stop when he lands on the ground floor. Instead of being sent flying, Desmond¡¯s body falls to the ground, as he grips his neck. Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: Job¡¯s not done. Jin leaps back to the second floor. Eduardo¡¯s eyes finally opened. After realizing Nora was still holding him, he slips out of her hold and throws his demon short sword at Jin. Jin easily deflects it. Nora jumps back to her feet, while Eduardo retreats back a few feet of his own. As the three competitors square up, they all experience the same certain feeling, followed by a rush of adrenaline and the same shared thought. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯m going for the win! Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯m going for the win! Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯m going for the win! Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Nora, Jin, and Eduardo all stand in a triangle, each with an intense gaze focused on the others. Eduardo looks into the top right corner of his vision to see his H.U.D and winces as his health is noticeably under half. He glances at Nora, and Jin, unaware of their status. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: I completely lost track of their hitpoints in all of the chaos. So, this is what a 2-vs-2 is like in V.B.L.. Every detail is doubled from a regular match. The attacks, the amount of awareness needed, even the smallest amount of movement¡­ It¡¯s a lot. So¡­ Eduardo glances at Nora. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: How the hell did she do it? Not only did she fight off Desmond and I, but she did it successfully. That alone takes an enormous amount of focus and spatial awareness. Even more than I originally gave her credit for. Doesn¡¯t matter though, I¡¯m still in this fight! I can still win! Eduardo activates his ¡°Rage¡±. Causing a visibly red aura to burst from his avatar, as well as his eyes turning red. The red aura blows past Jin and Nora. Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: So, he¡¯s activated Rage and now his attack and speed attributes get a boost for the rest of the game. If Nora and I can press him a little more, we might be able to take him out before Desmond gets involved. ¡°Hey¡­ Nora.¡± Jin says under his breath. Without saying a word, Nora speed-boosts away from Jin and directly towards Eduardo. Jin, stunned, is left holding his hand up, until he quickly decides to follow her lead, sprinting towards Eduardo as well. Eduardo raises his short sword, readying himself for Nora¡¯s attack, until she flashes behind him,catching him off guard. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: She¡¯s still locked in. Eduardo barely blocks her swing with his short sword. Jin rushes in for the advantage until a rogue bullet flies past his face, barely missing him. Jin tries to follow the trail of the bullet but is unable to locate Desmond location, so he stands still, in preparation for the next shot. Eduardo draws back and releases a large, backhanded swing, which Nora is forced to dodge using her speed boost to duck under the attack. Eduardo, taking advantage of this opening, grabs her by the throat. Nora, surprised, frantically tries to remove his hand, but Eduardo slams her to the tiled mall floor, shattering them in the impact. Without hesitation he stabs Nora in the stomach, then throws her into a store front that''s modeled to look like a fast-food restaurant. Jin, paying attention to where Desmond could shoot from, throws up his Momentum Dagger as a distraction, which immediately is shot... He jumps to retrieve his dagger that was sent flying away. While in the air, Jin pinpoints Desmond and kicks the dagger towards the sniper with it finding its home in Desmond¡¯s chest. At that moment, Jin feels a presence behind him¡­ Eduardo! Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: Shit! Eduardo peels his demonic short sword down Jin¡¯s back redirecting Jin¡¯s momentum downward to the tiled floor, blasting the floor away. Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: I take another one of those and I¡¯m dead!Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Eduardo falls to the ground attempting to land on Jin, who only narrowly escapes by rolling out of the way. A bullet pings the floor as he rolls away, as Desmond, who has already moved locations, attempts to take him out. Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: I can¡¯t leave Nora alone with them again! She has to have the highest health of us all, followed by Desmond, then on the edge of defeat are both Eduardo and I. It would take too much time to try to hunt and kill Desmond. I¡¯d be easy pickings for Eduardo to finish me off. But if I focus on Desmond, I¡¯ll easily be sniped by him and finished off. How the hell did Nora handle these two on her own?! Desmond reloads his sniper, unaware of the energy created serpent from Nora¡¯s attack heading straight towards him.. By the time he notices, it¡¯s too late and he is fully engulfed in the large shockwave created by the serpent, echoing through the mall. Before Jin can say anything, Nora sprints from the destroyed store front, straight toward Desmond, with a deadly gaze in her eye.. As she sprints away Jin notices Eduardo moving towards his teammate, and runs over in an attempt to intercept him.. ¡°And where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Jin asks his competitor. ¡°Out of my way prodigy!¡± Eduardo roars. ¡°Afraid I can¡¯t do that, Mr. pro-player.¡± Jin slyly remarks. Jin places himself between Eduardo and Desmond only for Eduardo to sprint behind him. Without skipping a beat, Jin twists around and flicks his Momentum Dagger at Eduardo¡¯s back. Eduardo, sensing the oncoming dagger, grabs the blade out of the air and throws it to the side. Jin continues to close the distance between Eduardo, resummons his dagger to his hand and attempts to stab his competitor. Eduardo parries each strike. As Desmond looks up, he sees Nora plummeting towards him. Unable to react in time, Nora slams the tip of her sword into Desmond piercing through him, causing another explosion of dust and debris. Jin notices the dust cloud in the corner of his eye. As Eduardo runs in for another attack, Jin hops back into the dust cloud hoping to use it as a smoke screen. Eduardo stays on the outskirts of the cloud aware Jin is planning some sort of surprise attack. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: I know what you¡¯re trying to do, prodigy, and it won¡¯t work. Jin¡¯s dagger suddenly shoots out from the cloud straight towards Eduardo. He smacks it away with his short sword, but before the dagger can hit the ground, it disappears. Shortly after, the dagger once again comes flying out of the cloud With Eduardo effortlessly parrying it away. ¡°That won¡¯t work, prodigy. Don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s all you have.¡± Eduardo taunts. This time there¡¯s a noticeable gap before the dagger comes back out of the dust cloud. As Eduardo knocks it upward Jin sprints out of the cloud and towards him with deadly fervor. Immediately he grabs Eduardo, holding him down for what comes next. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: What the hell is this? He left himself wide open for my attack. As Eduardo readies his sword, an energy created serpent bursts out of the clouds. Nora¡¯s Leviathan slash is spot on its target. Eduardo¡¯s inner thoughts: Oh¡­ So, this is why he ¨C Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: I can¡¯t leave Nora alone with these two again, but if I can sacrifice myself to take out Eduardo then I am confident she can manage Desmond on her own. I leave the rest to you, Nora Maxim. Nora¡¯s attack engulfs both combatants, finally bringing Eduardo¡¯s health to 0 and causing his avatar to explode. As the dust clears, Nora is surprised to see Jin still standing there. In fact, even Jin is surprised to see he didn¡¯t lose any health. Then it dawns on both of them as to what just happened. Teammates'' attacks don¡¯t hurt each other. As the dust clears, Nora and Jin look at each other, Let out a sigh of relief then turn their eyes to their prey. Desmond finds himself stepping backward before they start towards him, grossly aware of the situation he is facing now Demond¡¯s inner thoughts: Shit! A sniper against two close ranged fighters?!?! Even if I was already a few yards away from them I don¡¯t think I could face them alone. No, I can¡¯t waste time thinking of things that didn¡¯t happen. I must figure something ¨C ¡°Leviathan slash!¡± Nora screams. Desmond is instantly face to face with Nora¡¯s attack. He goes to jump but sees Jin¡¯s dagger incredibly close to his face, almost scratching his eye (or cornea). Using every part of his body to dodge it at the last second Desmond turns tail and tries to run away. But Nora¡¯s attack is hot on his tail. Suddenly Jin¡¯s dagger contacts Desmond¡¯s left leg, causing him to stumble over and roll. He quickly picks his head up, but only just in time to see the large energy created serpent only centimeters from crashing into him. Jin ran behind Nora¡¯s attack, allowing it to shroud him in it¡¯s energy blinding Desmond to the dagger throws. As the energy attack continues to Desmond, Jin slices through his neck. Causing Desmond¡¯s avatar to explode. Finally ending the match. Nora and Jin stand victorious. Chapter 29 The four teenagers exit the VBL building. The sun is starting to set behind the city skyscrapers. During the match, a small group of Eduardo¡¯s fans began to congregate within the VBL lobby, but the three teenagers were able to successfully sneak him out of the building without those fans noticing. ¡°I have to give it to you two. For a completely random pairing, you two synchronized up pretty well. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say you pulled one over on me.¡± Eduardo says while smirking. ¡°If there was money on the line that may have been the case. I just so happen to get a useful partner.¡± Jin admits. ¡°For sure. Telly you what newbie girl, you impressed me back there.¡± Desmond praises. ¡°Come on guys, enough with the flattery. I like to think I simply rose to the challenge because of some strong opponents.¡± Nora says while blushing. ¡°Stay humble if you want, but I would¡¯ve never guessed that teammate attacks don¡¯t effect each other.¡± Desmond admits. ¡°Neither did we, honestly.¡± Jin admits. ¡°Yeah, I saw videos of the first ever 2-v-2 mode and their attacks could totally hurt each other, back in the day.¡± Nora claims. ¡°Then perhaps they made some changes to the mode this time around.¡± Eduardo exclaims. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if a decent number of players asked for it a change. Although that¡¯s not what I¡¯m curious about.¡± Eduardo turns his attention to Jin, who stands there with his hand in his pockets. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone decide to use the momentum dagger as a pseudo mid ranged weapon before.¡± Eduardo states. ¡°Really? It seemed like a simple thing to do, to me.¡± Jin says. ¡°Must be that damn, prodigy mentality.¡± Desmond says while shaking his head. ¡°Is it? I¡¯ve never been referred to as a prodigy before.¡± Jin states. ¡°Seriously?¡± Desmond asks. ¡°Well¡­¡± Jin quickly ponders a few moments in his life where someone had the chance to call him a prodigy or genius. Only one memory sticks out, but it¡¯s not something Jin feels comfortable sharing with people he just met today. ¡°More or less¡± Jin says. ¡°You know what? This match really has me looking forward to fighting all of you individually at the spring tournament!¡± Nora exclaims.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°The spring tournament?¡± Jin asks. ¡°I already told you that I have a completely different tournament that I have to enlist in. My sponsors paid me a lot of money to get into the top 4 of this Block Fighter events.¡± Eduardo explains. ¡°How much money did they pay you?¡± Nora asks. ¡°I¡¯m not answering that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know about these guys, but I definitively want my revenge after this match. You win the day though. I¡¯ll be seeing you, Maxim.¡± Desmond says to Nora. Desmond makes his exit from the impromptu group. ¡°No hard feelings when I win the next match!¡± Nora screams. Desmond simply replies with a hand in the air, as he continues to walk away. Desmond inner thoughts: Nora Maxim. I underestimated you this time. I won¡¯t make that mistake again. ¡°I should be going too.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°Wait, You¡¯re the first pro player I met that plays VBL. Can we¡­ I mean¡­ Can I.¡± Nora stumbles. ¡°Do you want his number or something?¡± Jin asks, noticing Nora starting to fidget with her fingers. ¡°Oh, um, I mean. Yeah, but not in a flirtatious way, I swear!¡± Nora explains. ¡°You know, specifying that it isn¡¯t flirtatious, is a form of flirting.¡± Eduardo teases. ¡°What?! I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Nora apologizes. ¡°I was kidding, only kidding. After beating me, it¡¯s the least I can do. Besides, how am I going to return the favor if I don¡¯t run into you again.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°That being said, I need your number as well genius.¡± ¡°My number?¡± Jin asks. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s not everyday you meet someone with your type of talent for a game.¡± Eduardo explains. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I feel about so many people calling me genius.¡± Jin admits. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nora asks. ¡°I¡¯m not what you would call a model citizen. The entire reason I moved to Strand city was to get away from some trouble I was in back in my hometown.¡± Jin explains. ¡°What type of trouble?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°Never mind.¡± Jin dismisses. After the three teenagers exchange numbers, Eduardo and Jin make their exit next. On his walk back Eduardo gets a phone call from his dad. ¡°Hey, Papi. How are you feeling?¡± Eduardo asks. ¡°Hey son. I was thinking about you. I¡¯m feeling better since I started taking this medicine. Thank you for helping me pay for it. I know it wasn¡¯t cheap.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me Papi, I¡¯m just happy I can help you and mom when I can.¡± Eduardo explains. ¡°Are you excited for your next event?¡± ¡°I am¡­ Actually, I just played a new game, and I loved everything about it.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°Oh? Do you think you will start to play it?¡± ¡°More then likely. It would have to wait until after the event though.¡± Eduardo says. ¡°Well, whatever you do, I know you¡¯ll be good at it. Make sure to take care of yourself. Both physically and mentally. Your mom and I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± Eduardo ends the call. ** On a random street in Hat-tin (one of the borrows of Strand City) at night, Ren is on his cell phone having a long-awaited conversation. The combination of streetlights and businesses illuminate the entire city block. Strand city being populated enough that you can freely have a personal conversation on the sidewalk and feel confident that you may not see any of these people again. ¡°Yes. Yes. No. As soon as possible I suppose.¡± Ren says. Some loud cars drive by, and Ren covers his phone, so the noise doesn¡¯t transfer over. ¡°What was that? No that was some loud ass car¡­ I said it was a car. What were you saying? Yes. I¡¯m sure. School won¡¯t be a problem. Yes. All I know is I don¡¯t want to be here anymore.¡± Ren says. Eventually the phone call ends, leaving Ren to himself. He opens the VBL app. After a few seconds of scrolling through some of the recent matches, he sees a familiar face. Nora¡¯s face. Ren instantly tenses up. Once he saw that she was a part of a 2-v-2 match, his blood began to boil. Ren¡¯s inner thoughts: Before I go, I need to humiliate you, Nora. Just like you humiliated me. Chapter 30 It¡¯s dinner time at the Maxim household. Isiah (Nora¡¯s father), Jasmine (Nora¡¯s mom), and Nora are sitting around the dinner table. Nora and her father are devouring their food, while Jasmine remains reserved, eating slowly while smiling at her family. Jasmine¡¯s inner thoughts: She¡¯s just like her father. ¡°So, sweetie¡­ how has school been?¡± Jasmine asks her daughter. ¡°Umm, it¡¯s been alright, just constantly learning stuff left and right.¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Isiah scoffs. ¡°Like what?¡± He asks. ¡°Oh¡­Well. Tons of stuff, you know. Biology, economics, and a ton of social studies.¡± Nora fumbles. ¡°She added social studies because she knows it was your favorite subject.¡± Jasmine says to her husband. ¡°I caught that.¡± Isiah chuckles. ¡°Well while you remember what you''re learning, have you made any friends since being in the city?¡± Isiah asks Nora. ¡°Yeah actually ¡ª Faith, and Javier. Faith is in my class, but Javier goes to some private school.¡± Nora replies. ¡°A boy from private school? How did you meet him?¡± Isiah asks immediately. ¡°Isiah, let her explain how she met both her friends,¡± Jasmine interrupts, giving her husband a playful look. ¡°Well, Faith and I¡­ had a rocky start but eventually we became pretty good friends!¡± Nora shares. ¡°That¡¯s great sweetie¡± Jasmine says warmly. ¡°And how about the boy?¡± Isiah presses. ¡°Dad~¡± Nora pleads. ¡°I¡¯m just excited to hear about your new friends, Nor Nor.¡± Isiah says with a grin. ¡°He only ever calls me that, when he¡¯s in overprotected dad mode¡± Nora says to her mother. ¡°I knew I raised an observative daughter. You make me so proud.¡± Jasmine says, smirking. Isiah frowns, his expression growing mock-stern, as his wife and daughter laugh at his expense. Isiah¡¯s inner thoughts: She¡¯s definitely her mothers¡¯ daughter. ¡°Javier and I met because of our mutual interest in a game we all play. It¡¯s called V.B.L, have either of you heard of it?¡± Nora asks. ¡°VBL? No, I can¡¯t say I have. I haven¡¯t played any video games in¡­ I don¡¯t know how long.¡± Jasmine admits. ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard some of my squad members mention their kids playing it. So, what type of game is it? A shooter?¡± Isiah asks. ¡°It¡¯s a fighting game. It¡¯s so cool ¡ª it¡¯s almost like augmented reality! You feel like you¡¯re really there, fighting! I can show you two some of my matches sometime. They¡¯re all recorded in the app.¡± Nora explains. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Every time I feel like I¡¯m catching up on technology, I¡¯m left behind again.¡± Jasmine says with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m right there with you sweetie. Sometimes I look at my old Bega Genesis and I feel like plugging it back in. Simpler times for sure.¡± Isiah says. ¡°Are you kidding me, Dad?! We should hook it up after dinner!¡± Nora exclaims. ¡°That actually sounds like fun.¡± Jasmine admits with a smile. ¡°Mom and I can team up since she sucks at games!¡± Nora jokes. ¡°HAHAHAHA!¡± Isiah bursts into laughter. ¡°I don¡¯t see it how it¡¯s that funny!¡± Jasmine says defensively. ¡°Okay you won me over. After dinner I¡¯m setting up my old console in the living room.¡± Isiah declares. The family eats in companionable silence for a few moments before Jasmine asks, ¡°So, baby, has anyone been giving you problems at your new school?¡± ¡°Not really. I mean¡­ There was this one girl and this one guy that might have some issues with me.¡± Nora admits. ¡°Already? Why?¡± Jasmine asks, her tone sharpening slightly. ¡°Well, the girl was Faith¡¯s old friend. She got upset that Faith was spending more time with me. It completely caught me off guard. I don¡¯t even remember her name. We ended making a scene in class though.¡± Nora says. ¡°That¡¯s not good. Although it couldn¡¯t have been that bad if they didn¡¯t call us.¡± Jasmine points out. ¡°To tell you the truth, I don¡¯t think that teacher is very fond of me either.¡± Nora adds. ¡°I don¡¯t like the sound of that.¡± Isiah states. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Aside from some sly remarks, she hasn¡¯t really done anything else.¡± Nora says. ¡°I don¡¯t even like her making remarks. She can keep those to herself.¡± Jasmine states firmly. ¡°Same,¡± Isiah agrees. ¡°What are you going to do? She isn¡¯t even the worst there¡¯s been. If all she¡¯s doing is making sly remarks, then I can work with that.¡± Nora says. ¡°Still.¡± Isiah grumbles. ¡°Just don¡¯t be afraid to tell us, if anything more serious happens, okay?¡± Jasmine says. ¡°Okay, I will.¡± Nora promises. ¡°Hey, Mom?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°How did you and dad meet?¡± Nora asks. Isiah immediately chokes on his food, and Jasmine spits out the sweet tea she made. Nora raises an eyebrow at their reactions. ¡°Well, umm,¡± Isiah stammers. ¡°You see, sweetie,¡± Jasmine says while blushing.¡± We met under¡­ different circumstances.¡± ¡°Right, Different.¡± Isiah adds, his face flushing. ¡°Umm, okay. What does that mean?¡± Nora persists. Jasmine and Isiah exchange panicked looks, both starting to sweat. ¡°Well¡­ your mom kind of¡­ stole me from her friend.¡± Isiah admits reluctantly. ¡°Wait, that¡¯s not exactly how it happened!¡± Jasmine exclaims. ¡°Oh, yeah? Then how would you explain it?¡± Isiah challenges. ¡°We¡­ met¡­ at a party. And then¡­ we¡­sort of just fell for each other.¡± Jasmine admits while blushing. ¡°Wait¡­ are you telling me that you and dad hooked up at a party?¡± Nora asks incredulously. ¡°A house party.¡± Isiah mutters, with his head down. ¡°Dad!¡± Nora screams. ¡°I know.¡± Isiah says. ¡°Mom!¡± ¡°I know!¡± Jasmine echoes, covering her blush.. Nora watches her parents avoid her gaze, both clearly embarrassed. She smirks. ¡°And you two try to tell me not to be too crazy.¡± Nora says with a laugh. ¡°Look! It was a different time when we were young.¡± Isiah defends. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s definitely sounding wilder than the life I¡¯m living.¡± Nora teases. ¡°Look. Your father and I knew we were going to be together after that.¡± Jasmine insists. ¡°Did we?¡± Isiah asks with a sly smile. ¡°Did you?¡± Nora adds, grinning. ¡°Well¡­ not at that exact moment!¡± Jasmine admits. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Nora laughs loudly. ¡°It¡¯s not that funny!¡± Jasmine protests. ¡°Haha! Oh boy¡­ I love you honey.¡± Isiah says, still chuckling. ¡°I love you too.¡± Jasmine replies, blushing. After dinner, the Maxim family set up the retro gaming console and played together until 1 a.m.. Nora was late to class the next day. Holiday Hiatus Quick update; I''ll be taking a two week hiatus in order to focus on a few things in my life, while at the same time rebuilding my buffer chapters back up. For the past two months, I''ve been operating and finishing my chapters a day or two before they release. So I''m forever thankful to my editor for dealing with me, but that isn''t sustainable. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Plus my gf and I are moving in together! A big move that we''re both excited to make. Moving into a house no less! So there are boxes that must boxed. It took me 5 boxes to completely pack one of my bookshelves, and I still have whole other bookshelf to pack along with my clothes, sneakers, and cat (Kyle Black). So thank you for reading, and I hope you continue to read when the series returns on December 16! Stay beautiful. Chapter 31 It¡¯s a cold day, with a brisk breeze blowing steadily outside the Storm home. Inside the spacious estate, the warmth of the fireplace fills the large living room where Faith and her three brothers --Dorian, Demetri, and Isiah-- sit together.. Faith sits properly on the edge of a pristine, white, leather couch, her posture straight and composed. On the opposite end, her brother Isiah lounges in sharp contrast.. Dressed in a black hoodie, sweatpants to match, and white sneakers; He sits with his legs spread wide, an arm draped over the top of the couch with the faint smell of cigarettes lingering around him. Across from them, Demetri reclines comfortably on the family¡¯s second white couch, wearing a checkered hazel-brown button up fleece with light brown slacks. Finally, Dorian, still in his office attire sports a white-button up, under a wide-open navy blazer, the absence of a tie giving him a slightly disheveled but deliberate look. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped loosely together.. ¡°So how is the job?¡± Faith asks, her eyes locked on Dorian. ¡°You know, it¡¯s a job.¡± Dorian replies quickly, leaning back with a half-smirk. ¡°What type of answer is that? Didn¡¯t you recently get a promotion?¡± Faith presses, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I mean, yeah. It was great, don''t get me wrong.¡± Dorian says, rubbing his palms together slowly. ¡°But, I don¡¯t know¡­ it sort of lost its luster after a few months.¡± ¡°Sounds like you might be approaching burnout.¡± Demetri questions, glancing at Dorian with mild concern. ¡°Maybe,¡± Dorian admits, his gaze shifting to his hands. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, though. I¡¯ve got bills to pay. With this promotion, I can finally live comfortably and not stress over my bills as much. That alone is a blessing.¡± He lets out a quiet sigh and looks up at his siblings. ¡°Anyway, how have you three been? Tell me everything.¡± ¡°Well, I may have finally found a college that has everything I¡¯m looking for.¡± Demetri announces, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Plus, its in the city, so I can stay close to you guys.¡± ¡°I almost wish you¡¯d picked something outside of the city.¡± Dorian replies, tilting his head with a thoughtful look. ¡°Geez, thanks, Mr. Buzzkill.¡± Demetri shoots back, narrowing his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean,¡± Dorain says, raising his hands in defense. ¡°It¡¯s just with your grades, you have the chance to go anywhere. You could even study abroad if you wanted to.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to study abroad. I want to stay close to my family.¡± Demetri states firmly.. ¡°What a waste.¡± Isiah mutters, loud enough for everyone to hear. ¡°Come again?¡± Demetri says, his eyes shifting toward Isaih. ¡°Speak up.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a free ticket out of here, and you¡¯re wasting it.¡± Isiah says, his gaze sharp and unwavering. He leans forward, tapping his finger on his knee. ¡°You know what I would give to have that same opportunity?¡± ¡°You could have had the same opportunity Isiah, but you wasted your potential a long time ago. So don¡¯t blame me for your own mistakes.¡± Demetri fires back, his voice sharper than before. ¡°Guys, come on,¡± Faith says, glancing between them. ¡°It¡¯s not every day we get to all sit together like this. Let¡¯s not waste it fighting.¡± ¡°Listen to your sister.¡± Dorain adds, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Besides , Mom¡¯s not here, so we¡¯ve got a small window of peace.¡± Dorina says. ¡°Where is mom, anyway?¡± Demetri asks, Looking toward the kitchen doorway is if expecting her to walk in. ¡°Who knows these days?¡± Isiah sighs, leaning back into the couch. ¡°She¡¯s probably at the bar looking for another husband or blowing whatever is left of her money at the gambling ring,.¡± ¡°That woman never changes.¡± Dorian mutters, raising his palm to his forehead, to rub his temples. Hearing her brothers talk like this makes Faith shift uncomfortably, her gaze dropping to the floor. Dorian notices. ¡°Enough about her,¡± Dorian states firmly, his tone softening as he turns to Faith. ¡°How have things been with you?¡± ¡°Oh well¡­ same old, same old,¡± Faith replies, lifting her head just enough to meet his eyes.. ¡°Really?¡± Dorian asks with a tone that Faith knows all too well. It¡¯s the tone he takes when he¡¯s feeling fatherly or protective of his siblings. ¡°Well,¡± she sighs, relieved the tension is somewhat relieved in the room. ¡°I made some new friends. Their names are Nora and Javier¡­ I¡¯ve actually been playing this game with them after school.¡± ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa,¡± Demetri says, his face lighting up with surprise. "You¡®ve been playing games again?! I thought Mom scared you away from games a long time ago.¡± ¡°She did---for a while,¡± Faith admits, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. ¡°But hanging out with Nora and Javier reminded me how fun games are. Plus it''s way more fun with them around.¡± Faith admits. ¡°Well how did you meet them?¡± Dorian asks, leaning forward with interest. Faith¡¯s cheeks flush slightly, but she still explains (how she met Nora and how that rocky start eventually led to them meeting Javier. Her brothers listen quietly, though Isiah¡¯s grin slowly widens)(to her brothers what happened between her and Nora. Then how that led into them meeting Javier.) ¡°Hang on,¡± Isiah says. ¡°Would this girl, Nora, be the one you told me about? The one you screwed over?¡± Isiah asks. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one,¡± Faith admits, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. ¡°We had a rough start, but I¡¯m glad that we were able to get past it and become friends.¡± ¡°Looks like I missed quite a bit,¡± Dorian says, sitting back with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m glad she was able to look past it¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know if I could forgive someone that did that to me.¡± Demetri says, shaking his head. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Yeah, same¡± Isiah agrees. ¡°You¡¯re lucky she¡¯s more patient than me. ¡°Speaking of,¡± Dorain says, shifting his attention to Isiah, ¡°what about you, little brother? Last I heard, you were talking about moving out.¡± ¡°Yeah, I did it,¡± Isiah says with a grin that¡¯s equal parts pride and defiance. ¡°Got myself an apartment in the MET Borough. It¡¯s not the best, but it¡¯s got everything I need.¡± ¡°What did mom think about that?¡± Dorian asks cautiously. ¡°Who cares?¡± Isiah snorts, his grin fading. ¡°She hasn¡¯t even tried to reach out. Not a call. Not a text. Nothing.¡± He leans back, eyes narrowed in thought. ¡°Even if she did, I doubt I¡¯d answer.¡± ¡°If she does reach out, that would be a big step for her,¡± Dorian says carefully. ¡°if that happens, at least hear het out. Just¡­ have a conversation with her.¡± Isiah scoffs but doesn¡¯t respond right away. His eyes shift toward the window, following the distant sway of the tree branches. ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± He says at last. ¡°But she¡¯s gotta reach out first for that to happen.¡± ¡°I get it.¡± Dorian sighs, nodding. Isiah glances at his older brother, watching his body language closely. Dorian¡¯s calm, steady demeanor doesn¡¯t change, but something about it makes Isiah sit up a little straighter. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Isiah asks, glancing at Dorian. ¡°A lot of things, to be honest. But first and foremost¡ªit¡¯s all three of you.¡± Dorian admits, leaning forward and rubbing his hands together. ¡°You¡¯re doing that dad thing again,¡± Faith teases, tilting her head with a playful smile. ¡°I can¡¯t help it. It''s older brother syndrome.¡± Dorian replies with a chuckle. ¡°Truth is, I¡¯ve been thinking about you guys all week, and that¡¯s why I came around today.¡± ¡°You okay, Dorian?¡± Demetri asks, his tone laced with concern. ¡°Yeah. I just want you to know I don¡¯t fault you for not leaving this city behind, Demetri. Honestly, it makes me happy. Knowing that my family means that much to you¡­ it means the world to me,¡± Dorian says, his eyes meeting each of his siblings one by one.. ¡°You three, mean the world to me. Whether Mom wants to be a part of that or not, that¡¯s up to her. That being said¡­¡± Dorian shifts his attention to Demetri. ¡°If you need a place to stay while you¡¯re in college, you can stay with me.¡± ¡°Yeah? You think we can all fit in your studio apartment?¡± Demetri says, his grin sharp. ¡°Actually, smart guy, I¡¯ve been saving up for a house,¡± Dorian shoots back, his smirk growing wider. ¡°I finally got approved for a loan--- A four-bedroom, three bathroom spot located in Uptown NEEQS.¡± ¡°Four bedrooms?¡± Faith asks, her eyes widening. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Dorian nods, leaning back with a sense of pride. ¡°And you¡¯re all welcome to move in. If you want, that is.¡± ¡°That must¡¯ve cost a fortune.¡± Isiah says, raising an eyebrow. ¡°It wasn¡¯t cheap, but it¡¯s an investment I¡¯m willing to make,¡± Dorian replies, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. ¡°This way, Demetri doesn¡¯t have to pay for a dorm room.¡± He shifts his gaze toward Demetri. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s¡­ I don¡¯t know. I wasn¡¯t expecting that.¡± Demetri admits, scratching the back of his head. ¡°That¡¯s okay, take you time,¡± Dorian says, with a nod. ¡°No offense, bro, but I want to see what its like on my own feels like on my own before I start living under someone else¡¯s roof,¡± Isiah says, crossing his arms. ¡°That¡¯s fine, Isiah,¡± Dorian replies calmly. ¡°Just know that you¡¯ll always have a place to stay if you need it. Same, goes for you, Faith. Once you finish high school, you¡¯re free to move in too.¡± ¡°Why do I have to wait until I graduate? Isiah already moved out, and he¡¯s not that older than me.¡± Faith protests, leaning forward. ¡°Isiah¡¯s case is a little different,¡± Dorian replies, his voice taking on a more serious tone. ¡°Yeah,¡± Isiah adds, his voice colder than before. ¡°If I¡¯d stayed Mom¡¯s roof any longer, we both know how that would¡¯ve ended. She would¡¯ve kicked me out eventually.¡± ¡°I can see that happening.¡± Demetri says, glancing at Isiah with a nod. ¡°Yeah? Sounds like you got something to get off your chest,¡± Isiah says, tilting his head toward Demetri. ¡°You just catching on now?¡± Demetri replies, leaning back with a smirk. ¡°You may be smoking too much.¡± ¡°There it is,¡± Isiah says. His tone is sharp and cutting. ¡°You can¡¯t get off that high horse, huh? Always looking down on me like I¡¯m not your brother.¡± ¡°You are my brother,¡± Demetri shoots back, eyes narrowed. ¡°But I can still call you out when you¡¯re doing something stupid or throwing your life away.¡± ¡°Guess squandering opportunities run in the family.¡± Isiah says coolly, his eyes narrowing as his gaze locks with Demetri¡¯s. ¡°Enough!¡± Dorian¡¯s voice cuts through the air like a sharp clap. He rises to his feet, his eyes hard as stone. ¡°I don¡¯t care what happened in the past. We¡¯re moving past it. Got it?¡± ¡°Yeah, come on guys,¡± What¡¯s it going to take for you two to get over it?¡± Isiah and Demetri exchange glances, neither one backing down. Slowly, they both their heads in opposite directions, refusing to look at each other.. Dorian glances at his watch, his eyes widening slightly. ¡°I gotta pick up some food before my favorite restaurant closes.¡± He stands up, stretching his back. ¡°We¡¯re not done talking about this but think about what I said. I won¡¯t be mad if you don¡¯t decide to live with me. I just like the idea of all of us being together again.¡± He walks over, hugging each of his siblings in turn before heading for the door, ¡°Later, guys.¡± A few seconds of quiet comes and goes before¡­ ¡°I think it¡¯s time for me to head out too,¡± Demetri says, Glancing at Faith. ¡°Love you sis. I¡¯ll text you.¡± He gives her a quick hug and heads for the door, the click of the lock echoing as he leaves. Faith turns to Isiah, noticing his eyes fixed on the fireplace. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Faith says softly, her eyes lowering. ¡°Why are you apologizing? You didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡± Isiah replies, still staring into the fire. ¡°I know, but still. I hate seeing you two fight.¡± Faith admits. ¡°We¡¯re siblings. We fight. That¡¯s just how it is.¡± Isiah says bluntly . ¡°Demetri just needs to get off his throne. He looks down on people for making choices he wouldn¡¯t. Pretty sure he got that from mom.¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± Faith says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Despite that.¡± Isiah says, turning to look at her, ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you doing better.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Faith says, pointing to herself with mild surprise. ¡°Yeah you,¡± Isiah replies, tapping his own cheek, ¡°You smile easier now. For a while, it looked forced.= ¡°I didn¡¯t change that much, did I?¡± she asks, tilting her head in confusion. ¡°It¡¯s in your face,¡± Isiah replies, tapping his own cheek ¡°You smile easier now. For a while it looked forced.¡± Isiah reveals. ¡°Guess I can¡¯t hide anything from you,¡± Faith says, a soft smile breaking through. ¡°Nope. Just one of the perks of not being the youngest sibling anymore,¡± Isiah says, leaning back with a grin. ¡°You all say the same thing,¡± Faith sighs, rolling her eyes. ¡°Because we¡¯ve all had our turns being the youngest sibling.¡± Isiah says, grinning wider,. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t like it,¡± She mutters, arms crossed. ¡°None of us did,¡± Isiah says, pulling a cigarette from his hoodie.. ¡°Hell, I still feel like they treat me like a baby sometimes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because you act like it,¡± Faith teases with a smirk. ¡°Funny,¡± Isiah mutters, placing the cigarette between his lips. He pauses, glancing at her before sighing. ¡°Anyway, its about time I head out too. ¡°Isiah,¡± Faith calls out before he leaves. ¡°Yeah?¡± he says, turning to face her. ¡°Thanks for coming. I know it can be hard sometimes,¡± She says, her tone sincere. ¡°¡­ It¡¯s not that hard.¡± Isiah replies after a paus, glancing at her with softened eyes. ¡°Love you, sis.¡± ¡°Love you.¡± Faith replies, her voice warm. Isiah walks out, leaving the faint smell of smoke in his trail. Chapter 32 It¡¯s closing time at Kings Dojo (Javier¡¯s family-owned dojo). With a large-scale boxing ring positioned in the center of the space. Smaller training positions accompany the surrounding walls of the dojo, along with training mats laid out throughout the dojo¡¯s floor. Not at all in a junky matter, but instead a signal to how popular the dojo has become. The last few of the students are walking out of the dojo. While ¡°Make sure to try that foot placement we talked about!¡± Sasha King yells while walking to the front door. ¡°Why are you yelling?¡± Javier asks his sister. ¡°Shut it.¡± Sasha orders. As the front door closes, Sasha locks the doors and activates the in-house security system. Through the tinted glass she can see the students walking away while either laughing with their friends or putting on their headphones. When Sasha turns around, she sees her younger brother rolling up one training mat after another. ¡°This season¡¯s students seem lively.¡± Javier says. ¡°Yeah, they are all pretty sweet. Except Ralph. He is more interested in being the class clown. Which is wild because when we begin sparring, he picks everything up so quickly. What does that say, when my best student is the class clown?¡± Sasha asks. ¡°That you suck at this, and your old.¡± Javier teases. ¡°I¡¯m not old you little brat!¡± Sasha says while hoping over to Javier and instantly locking his ankles in a Kurt Angle styled leg lock. Javier quickly taps out. The siblings sit next to each other in the empty gym. Sasha lowers the volume of the gym radio from her phone. Javier glances at his sister. In martial arts it¡¯s important to learn how to read body language so that you can anticipate what to do next. This combined with living with his sister his whole life meant that Javier knew when something was bothering his older sister. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Javier asks. Sasha snaps out of her thought process. When she looks over to Javier, she¡¯s annoyed to see him looking directly at her. She knew that it was incredibly hard to hide anything from her first ever student. ¡°We¡¯re getting closer to summer, you know.¡± Sasha deflects. Javier inner thoughts: Sasha hates small talk, especially when it comes to talking about the weather. Although she knows that I know this about her, so why would she even waste time like this? That is unless she¡¯s thinking about something that could affect me. Sasha doesn¡¯t usually try to hide things from me unless their Christmas presents or¡­or.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°What¡¯s really bothering you idiota?¡± Javier asks. Sasha leans back, now staring at the ceiling. ¡°Well. Dad called me the other day.¡± Sasha reveals. ¡°So?¡± Javier immediately responds. ¡°He¡¯s going to stop by and see how the gym is going.¡± Sasha says. Javier¡¯s eyes go wide, the last time he saw his father was almost 2 years ago. Two whole years of his farther cancelling on family time. Two years of personal events, and holidays all bypassed. ¡°That man doesn¡¯t show his face around here for two years, then only wants to come check on the gym?! Not his children that have been operating this whole thing without him?!¡± Javier lashes out. ¡°Javier.¡± Sasha tries to calm her brother down, even though she knows it¡¯s useless. At least when it comes to their father. ¡°No, Sasha, that man is fucking bum!¡± Javier yells. ¡°How can he be a bum when he currently operates a successful multi state gym?¡± Sasha asks. ¡°Not that type of bum, you know what I mean. I mean why did this man even have kids if he doesn¡¯t care about us?!¡± Javier asks. ¡°He does care. In his own way.¡± Sasha explains. ¡°Fuck ¡°his way,¡± how about showing love the normal way? I¡¯m glad he¡¯s living his dream, but you telling me that his own kids don¡¯t fit in that dream?¡± Javier continues. ¡°Bro, it¡¯s complicated. Mom¡¯s death was hard on him. He didn¡¯t know how to heal properly after that. It hit all of us pretty hard.¡± Sasha says. ¡°Why do you always defend him, when he isn¡¯t even bothered to be here and defend himself?¡± Javier asks his siter. ¡°I don¡¯t always defend him!¡± Sasha counters. ¡°Sure, you do sis. You almost bend over backwards the few times he does visit.¡± Javier says. When Javier says this, he can see a reaction on Sasha¡¯s face that shakes him to the core. It looked as if a wave of sadness washed over her. Although Javier wasn¡¯t angry at her, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, followed by the need to change the subject. It¡¯s true that Javier was only a child when his mom passed so while he felt a certain level of sadness, he recognizes that his sister and farther had a completely different dynamic before he came into the picture. Although that didn¡¯t create a feeling of tolerance for Javier toward his father. To him, his father was nothing more than a dead beat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sis. I don¡¯t mean to turn any of my anger towards you. That man just gets under my skin.¡± Javier explains. ¡°I know he does. That¡¯s why I was hesitant to tell you honestly. Although I realize that I shouldn¡¯t do that to you, even if you hate him. He¡¯s your farther too.¡± Sasha says. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought of that man as my farther in a long time.¡± Javier reveals. ¡°But for your sake, I¡¯ll be cordial whenever he does decide to show his face back here.¡± ¡°Thank you, bro.¡± Sasha says. Javier gets back to his feet, then holds his hand out for his sister. ¡°Come on, we still have to clean this place before close.¡± Javier points out. ¡°Now you¡¯re talking like the future owner of this place.¡± Sasha teases. ¡°Yeah, no way. I can¡¯t see this place running without you.¡± Javier admits. ¡°What are you going to do when I retire then?¡± Sasha asks. ¡°Burn this place down and collect the insurance.¡± Sasha playfully slaps Javier¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Ow! Kidding, I was kidding.¡± Javier says. ¡°I know, you (Spanish for dumbass)¡± Sasha says while smiling at her younger brother. Chapter 33 It¡¯s a cold, blustery night in Strand City. Inside a privately-owned caf¨¦ in uptown Hat-Tin¡ªone of the boroughs that make up the sprawling metropolis¡ªBrian picks up his freshly brewed coffee from a teenage barista. The caf¨¦ hums with quiet activity; nearly half the tables are occupied by couples sharing laughs, friends catching up, and solitary writers lost in their work. Nights like this always pull Brian into his thoughts, memories of the past few years creeping in like the cold outside. He finds himself reflecting on the holidays, back when he spent them with his wife and daughter¡ªbefore they moved away, leaving both him and Strand City behind. These bittersweet recollections sit in the back of his mind, uninvited yet ever-present. Carrying his coffee, Brian takes a seat at a window table, setting his steaming cup down carefully. He shrugs off his thick, brown overcoat and drapes it over the back of his chair but leaves his bright pink scarf snugly wrapped around his neck. It pairs well with his black sweater, while also helping to keep the chill at bay. Settling into his seat, he takes his first sip of the drink, letting the warmth spread through him. ¡°Ahh, delicious,¡± he murmurs to himself. Just as he begins to relax, his phone buzzes against the table, its sharp ring breaking the quiet hum of the caf¨¦. He glances at the caller ID, his heart lifting slightly. He already knows who he hopes it is¡ªthe only person whose call brings him joy. The screen reads Babygirl. A faint smile touches Brian¡¯s lips as he answers. ¡°Hello?¡± he says, his voice softening. ¡°Hey dad.¡± ¡°Hey, sweetie. I¡¯m so glad to hear your voice. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing much,¡± his daughter replies. ¡°I was scrolling on my phone and saw the weather in Strand City tonight. I thought I¡¯d check to see if you were at our favorite caf¨¦.¡± Brian chuckles. ¡°I¡¯m here right now, actually.¡± ¡°Oh, really? Talk about timing,¡± she says with a giggle. ¡°Right? I guess I¡¯m just that predictable,¡± Brian jokes, his smile growing. ¡°So, how¡¯s school been?¡± As he adjusts the phone against his ear, Brian glances out the window. The sight of bundled-up pedestrians trudging against the biting wind catches his attention. He watches as they huddle into their jackets, bracing themselves against the chill. He takes another sip of coffee, savoring its warmth. ¡°School is school, I suppose,¡± his daughter says, her voice carrying a familiar, playful tone. ¡°That¡¯s such a kid answer,¡± Brian teases. ¡°Well, asking about school is such an adult question,¡± she fires back, her wit matching his. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Brian replies with a chuckle. ¡°I can¡¯t help it, though. You¡¯ll see one day when you have a family of your own.¡± ¡°That¡¯s going to be way down the road because I don¡¯t want kids anytime soon,¡± his daughter says firmly. ¡°Good,¡± Brian quips, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. ¡°How¡¯s your boyfriend been?¡± Brian didn¡¯t actually care for his daughter¡¯s boyfriend. He never had. But the guy was part of her life, so Brian accepted it¡ªa reluctant reality for a parent trying to stay connected from a distance. ¡°We broke up,¡± she reveals, her tone casual. Brian freezes for a moment before a rush of satisfaction courses through him. He instantly clenches his fist in silent triumph but quickly composes himself, masking his excitement with a carefully measured tone. ¡°Oh no, sweetie. I¡¯m sorry to hear that,¡± he lies, his voice feigning concern. ¡°Drop the act, Dad. I know you and Mom didn¡¯t like him,¡± his daughter says with a knowing laugh. ¡°Your mom didn¡¯t like him either?¡± Brian asks, genuinely surprised. ¡°Nope. She kept saying he wouldn¡¯t amount to anything,¡± she admits, her voice tinged with humor. ¡°That definitely sounds like your mom,¡± Brian replies with a chuckle. ¡°What else is going on with you?¡± ¡°Umm, oh! That college prep program finally called me back. They said there are a few seats open for the summer camp, and I was accepted!¡± Brian¡¯s face lights up, his excitement spilling into his voice.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°That¡¯s incredible, baby! Congratulations!¡± he exclaims, drawing a few glances from the nearby tables. He doesn¡¯t notice, or care. For him, this is a moment of pure joy. ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± she says with a shy laugh. ¡°Mom said it¡¯s pretty expensive, so I¡¯m planning to get a part-time job to help out.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ll send you some money to help out,¡± Brian assures her. ¡°Just text me how much the program costs.¡± ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± she says softly, her tone dropping to something more subdued. Brian¡¯s smile fades as concern creeps into his expression. ¡°You okay?¡± he asks, his voice quieter now. There¡¯s a pause before she responds. ¡°How have you been feeling, Dad? Are you okay?¡± Brian knows what she¡¯s really asking, and the unspoken weight of her question stings. He knows she¡¯s too hesitant, maybe even ashamed, to say the words outright. And deep down, he knows that¡¯s on him. He exhales slowly, softening his tone. ¡°Yeah, baby. I¡¯m feeling fine. Actually¡­ I¡¯m one year clean today,¡± Brian reveals, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± she says, her excitement genuine now. ¡°I knew the anniversary was coming up, so I wanted to check in.¡± ¡°Oh, hang on. Mom wants to talk to you,¡± his daughter says abruptly, cutting herself off as she passes the phone to her mother. Brian¡¯s heart tightens, teetering on the edge as he hears the faint shuffle of the phone changing hands. His ex-wife¡¯s familiar voice follows, sending an involuntary chill through him. ¡°Hello?¡± Christie says, her tone neutral but distinct. ¡°Hey, Christie. Sounds like you¡¯re doing a great job with our daughter,¡± Brian attempts, his voice wavering slightly as he ventures into small talk. ¡°Yeah, well, someone has to,¡± Christie replies abruptly. Brian falls silent. Her words always hit harder than he anticipates, cutting through him like a blade. No matter how prepared he thought he was, the sting never lessened. ¡°She¡¯s a good kid, though,¡± Christie continues after a pause. ¡°She actually reminds me of you more and more every day.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know whether to be flattered or terrified,¡± Brian says, attempting a joke. To his surprise, he hears her laugh¡ªa sound he hadn¡¯t realized he missed so deeply. ¡°It could be a little bit of both,¡± she says, her tone softening. ¡°She¡¯s really excited about this college program. I think it¡¯ll be good for her.¡± ¡°I think so too,¡± Brian agrees. There¡¯s a moment of quiet between them, one that feels heavier than it should. ¡°¡­You¡¯re doing okay, though?¡± Christie asks, her voice gentler now. ¡°Yeah,¡± Brian says, taking a breath. ¡°I was just telling her¡ªtoday makes a whole year sober for me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s incredible!¡± Christie exclaims, genuine pride clear in her voice. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you.¡± Brian¡¯s throat tightens. ¡°Thank you. You can¡¯t imagine how good it feels to hear you say that,¡± he admits, his voice low but steady. ¡°So, when are you planning to visit again?¡± she asks, shifting the conversation. ¡°The end of summer. I already put in for the time off,¡± Brian replies. ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll approve it?¡± ¡°They have to,¡± Brian says with a small chuckle. ¡°I¡¯ve got so much time saved up. Even if they didn¡¯t, I¡¯d just use my sick days.¡± ¡°Still playing that game?¡± Christie asks, her tone turning light. ¡°Yeah, I still play when I¡¯m not working,¡± Brian answers with a faint laugh. ¡°You always were a big kid at heart,¡± she says with a teasing edge. ¡°Are those kids still calling you that nickname? What was it again¡ªKing Truth?¡± There¡¯s a slight flirtation in her voice that catches Brian off guard. ¡°True King,¡± he corrects. ¡°That¡¯s wild. So, are you ruling over these kids?¡± she teases. ¡°You and I both know I couldn¡¯t rule over anyone,¡± Brian jokes, his smile creeping back. Christie laughs softly. ¡°Haha¡­ yeah. Well, it was good to hear from you. Take care of yourself, okay?¡± ¡°I will. I promise,¡± Brian says earnestly. ¡°Good. I¡¯m passing the phone back to your daughter.¡± Brian takes another sip of his coffee. The caf¨¦ is beginning to gain a crowd as almost all of the tables are occupied at this point. Brian takes another sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth as it spreads through him. Around him, the caf¨¦ begins to fill up, the quiet hum of conversation growing into a lively buzz. Almost every table is now occupied¡ªcouples chatting softly, friends laughing, and solitary patrons absorbed in their work or screens. ¡°Hey, Dad?¡± his daughter¡¯s voice comes through the phone again, pulling him from the moment. ¡°Yes, sweetie?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not still smoking, are you?¡± she asks, her tone light but tinged with concern. Brian exhales, lowering his coffee cup. ¡°I am, baby,¡± he admits. ¡°But I¡¯ve cut down a lot¡ªno more two packs a day.¡± There¡¯s a pause before she responds. ¡°Good. Progress.¡± ¡°Progress,¡± Brian repeats, a small smile forming as he leans back in his chair. ¡°Stay warm, okay?¡± she orders, the affection in her voice clear. ¡°I¡¯ve got your scarf around my neck as we speak,¡± Brian reveals, tugging gently at the soft pink fabric wrapped snugly around him. ¡°The pink one?¡± ¡°Yep.¡± ¡°You probably look funny,¡± she teases, her laugh carrying through the receiver. ¡°An old man with a pink scarf.¡± Brian chuckles. ¡°I probably do.¡± There¡¯s a moment of warmth between them before she speaks again, her voice softer now. ¡°I love you, Dad.¡± ¡°I love you too, sweetie,¡± Brian replies, his tone sincere and steady. ¡°Bye¡± As the call ends, Brian sets his phone in his pocket and grabs his coat. Picking up his coffee, he steps out of the caf¨¦ and into the brisk night air. The cold wind nips at his face, but he simply pulls his jacket tighter and takes a long sip from his cup. Standing on the curb, he pauses, watching the city in motion. The glowing lights of Strand City cast a warm hue against the chilly darkness, cars rushing by and pedestrians bundled in their coats. In this moment, amidst the chaos of the city, Brian feels a quiet contentment. The pink scarf sways gently in the breeze as he stands there, his breath visible in the cold air. For the first time in a long while, he feels okay. Chapter 34 It¡¯s a rainy night at Takeshi¡¯s apartment, the gentle patter of raindrops on the windows blending harmoniously with the cozy ambiance inside. Takeshi¡¯s space feels warm and inviting, filled with lush greenery. Plants hang gracefully from the ceiling, others line the entertainment center, and several more thrive on the balcony, their leaves swaying slightly in the breeze sneaking through the cracks. Takeshi had always known he didn¡¯t want kids, so he found joy in other forms of nurturing¡ªhis plants and his three cats. Sweet, a sleek black cat, lounged atop the arm of the couch. Chin, a chubby orange tabby, claimed the prime spot on a window sill, while Music, his tuxedo cat, sat regally on the kitchen counter, observing every movement like a self-appointed supervisor. The mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked chicken fills the apartment as Takeshi carefully pulls the roasting pan from the oven. Beside it on the stovetop, two smaller pans hold perfectly cooked mashed potatoes and a colorful medley of glazed carrots. ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready,¡± Takeshi calls, setting the chicken on the counter with a satisfied smile. Takeshi takes off his oven mits and tosses them neatly toward the microwave, where they fall into another pair of oven mits. Omar excitedly jumps from the couch and runs to meet his boyfriend in the kitchen. Takeshi turns around, as his boyfriend greets him with a legated kiss. One with two meanings. He removes his oven mitts and tosses them toward the microwave, where they land neatly atop an identical pair. From the living room, Omar Brown, his boyfriend, leaps up from the couch with the enthusiasm of someone who¡¯s been waiting all day for this moment. Omar had been aimlessly flicking through YouBlue videos, his indecision growing with each click of the remote. He bounds into the kitchen, meeting Takeshi with a kiss, warming and lingering, its meaning as layered as the meal on the stove Takeshi matches Omar¡¯s lips with confidence. Takeshi kisses back with ease, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°That¡¯s one way to say thank you.¡± ¡°I gotta pay you back somehow, right?¡± Omar replies, his tone playful. ¡°You pay me back in more ways than you know,¡± Takeshi admits, his voice soft but sincere. Omar raises an eyebrow. ¡°You say that, but didn¡¯t you just prepare an entire meal in the pouring rain, while I couldn¡¯t even decide on a video to watch.¡± ¡°I also made brownies,¡± Takeshi replies, nodding toward the oven. ¡°Ten more minutes.¡± Omar grins and leans in for another kiss, this one quick but filled with gratitude. Takeshi grips the oven handle instinctively¡ªhe¡¯s learned to anchor himself during Omar¡¯s affectionate swoops, knowing how much his boyfriend enjoys the sensation of slightly lifting him off the ground. Despite being taller by an inch, Takeshi had always harbored a fear of heights, while Omar was a thrill-seeker at heart. Plates in hand, the couple settles onto their plush couch, the soft cushions enveloping them in comfort. Omar picks up the remote again, resuming his quest for the perfect video. ¡°So,¡± Omar begins, scrolling through the options. ¡°I¡¯m torn between a video from our favorite creator or that prequel movie you said you wanted to watch¡ªthe one that ties into the series you¡¯re obsessed with. His sentence trails off as he notices Takeshi¡¯s attention shift. Takeshi is staring at his phone, the faint glow of the screen reflecting in his glasses. Omar knows what he¡¯s looking at. It¡¯s not the news, not the weather, and definitely not another man. It¡¯s VBL. Omar¡¯s grip on the remote tightens slightly. He doesn¡¯t say anything right away, but the irritation simmers beneath the surface. He¡¯s sick of it. ¡°Can you not look at your phone for one second?¡± Omar snapped, his voice sharp and cutting through the cozy warmth of the apartment. The sudden shift in Omar¡¯s tone jolted Takeshi out of his scrolling, his attention snapping to his boyfriend. His heart raced as he tried to process the unexpected outburst. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was just checking¡ª¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°VBL. Yes, I know! You¡¯re always checking VBL. Take a break for once, will you?¡± Omar interrupted, his frustration bubbling over. ¡°Omar, where is this coming from?¡± Takeshi asked, though his voice faltered. The question felt hollow even as he asked it; his rattled mind struggled to catch up to the moment. The last thing he wanted tonight was a fight. ¡°It¡¯s coming from every single time I try to connect with you, but you¡¯re glued to something VBL-related! New updates, new players¡ªwhatever. It¡¯s like you¡¯re some otaku who can¡¯t separate real life from your stupid game!¡± Omar¡¯s words came in a heated rush, his voice rising with each syllable. Takeshi¡¯s chest tightened, his patience wearing thin. ¡°Let me remind you that the reason we¡¯re able to live like this is because of that ¡®stupid game,¡¯¡± he said, his voice tense as his own frustration began to build. ¡°I know I need to work on how much I look at my phone, but¡ª¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s not just about how much you look at your phone. Ninety percent of the time, it¡¯s VBL! I feel like I¡¯m competing with a video game for your attention. We can¡¯t go on a date, eat dinner, or do anything without VBL being a part of it!¡± Omar¡¯s voice cracked under the weight of his emotions. ¡°I have to stay updated. If I fall behind, I risk losing sponsorships. And if I lose those, then we lose this life we¡¯ve built together!¡± Takeshi¡¯s voice rose to match Omar¡¯s. ¡°Don¡¯t forget it was VBL that helped support us when you didn¡¯t have a job.¡± ¡°How dare you throw that back in my face, like I should be ashamed of it?¡± Omar shot back, his tone venomous. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you should be ashamed! Nobody can control when life throws shit at them. But don¡¯t hate on the thing that gave us stability when we needed it most. Without VBL, we wouldn¡¯t have this apartment. Without those sponsorships, we couldn¡¯t pay the rent. Am I wrong?¡± Takeshi demanded, his voice trembling with conviction. ¡°No, you¡¯re not wrong,¡± Omar admitted, his anger faltering for a moment. ¡°Then why are you mad? I¡¯m doing my part. I¡¯m contributing. VBL is the only thing I feel like I¡¯m truly good at right now, and you¡¯re acting like it¡¯s some curse instead of a blessing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not VBL that I¡¯m mad at¡ªit¡¯s you,¡± Omar snapped. ¡°You let it bleed into every part of your life, including my time with you! You can¡¯t even set boundaries. Don¡¯t act like some saint who saved me from the gutter. You were a mess when we started dating! Your parents abandoned you, and you were aimless.¡± Takeshi froze. Omar¡¯s words hit like a physical blow, the mention of his parents cutting deeper than any argument ever could. ¡°How fucking dare you bring my parents into this?¡± Takeshi¡¯s voice broke, his anger boiling over. ¡°You think that¡¯s okay? Dragging up the most painful part of my life?¡± ¡°I have your attention now, don¡¯t I? You¡¯re not looking at your phone anymore! Is this what I have to do to get through to you?¡± Omar yelled, his voice shaking with emotion. ¡°No. That¡¯s all you have to do to piss me the fuck off,¡± Takeshi shot back, his voice trembling with anger. ¡°My parents threw me away when I tried to be myself, and now you¡¯re mad at me for succeeding at something? Fine. If you want to bring them up, then be like them. Leave!¡± The room fell silent, the weight of Takeshi¡¯s words hanging heavily between them. Neither of them moved, neither wanting to break the tension yet both knowing what was coming. ¡°Fine. I will,¡± Omar said quietly, his voice devoid of the earlier fire. He turned and walked to their bedroom, grabbing a backpack and shoving clothes, chargers, and other belongings into it. Takeshi stood frozen, his heart sinking as reality set in. ¡°¡­ Wait,¡± Takeshi whispered, his voice cracking. ¡°No,¡± Omar said simply, zipping the bag shut. ¡°Hang on, hang on. Where are you going?¡± Takeshi pleaded, taking a hesitant step toward him. ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out. Don¡¯t you dare follow me,¡± Omar said, his voice low but firm, each word cutting like a blade. ¡°That¡¯s not a real answer! Just stay¡ªwe can talk this through,¡± Takeshi pleaded, desperation edging into his voice. ¡°I¡¯m going to a hotel. We¡¯ve said all there is to say to each other,¡± Omar replied flatly, his tone devoid of warmth. ¡°I haven¡¯t,¡± Takeshi began, but the words caught in his throat. Before he could finish, Omar turned on his heel and stormed out of the apartment. His steps were hurried, almost frantic, and he didn¡¯t bother to wipe the tears streaming down his face. The door slammed shut behind him, the sound reverberating through the quiet apartment like a final punctuation mark. Takeshi stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. Then the weight of everything hit him all at once. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the couch. Grabbing a pillow, he buried his face into it, muffling the heart-wrenching scream that tore from his chest. Out in the hallway, Omar walked briskly toward the elevator, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. He jabbed the button repeatedly, each press harder than the last until his frustration boiled over, tears falling freely now, unchecked and unrelenting. Back inside the apartment, silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by Takeshi¡¯s uneven breaths. Slowly, he pulled the pillow away from his face, letting it slip from his grasp and tumble onto the floor. His black cat, Sweet, leapt onto the couch, settling beside him. She curled up against his side, her warmth a small comfort amidst the storm raging inside him. Takeshi reached out and gently stroked her fur, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his words trembling, meant for no one and everyone at the same time. Chapter 35 It¡¯s the day before the Spring tournament. Nora is laying, belly down on her bed, texting Javier, and Faith. The house is relatively quiet, although Nora knows her parents are more than likely still up and working. Their job in communications came with a few drawbacks like late nights and being on a call around the clock. There were even times when they couldn¡¯t explain to their own daughter what they do exactly in the military. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. I¡¯m so excited that I can¡¯t sleep.¡± Nora messaged her friends. From a nicely furnished two-bedroom apartment in lower Hat-tin (one of the borrows that make up Strand city) Javier is sitting in his living room, with the T.V displaying a Youblue video covering Takeshi, but the volume is lowered. Javier and his sister¡¯s apartment were on the 25th floor, so it had an amazing view of the large public park across the street. The night lights of the city, illuminating the city skies. ¡°Same. I can¡¯t wait to try out the new combo¡¯s I created. This tournament patch is doing wonders for the gauntlets and their usability.¡± Javier replied. On the opposite side of Strand city, in upper Hat-tin, the Storm family mansion is currently hosting an event, with numerous cars parked in the driveway. Faith is sitting at her computer desk in her quiet bedroom while the sounds of people mingling fill the living room area. She can faintly hear her mother¡¯s voice among other adults, directing someone to use a coaster for their drink on the coffee table. ¡°Careful now. With the boost gauntlets got in the last update, we will definitely see more people using them in this season¡¯s tournament.¡± Faith added. The rest of this dialogue is messages within the group texts. Nora So, has everyone decided on their loadouts for the tournament? Javier Of course. What¡¯s yours? Nora Well, I know I¡¯m going to use the Leviathan saber for sure. That thing is so versatile it¡¯s insane. Javier Sure, it is. In the right hands. Nora Ignoring that. Faith I¡¯m still going back and forth between the pistols or the momentum dagger. Javier Wait a sec. Faith is joining the tournament?! Nora Yeah, I¡¯m surprised to see that too. Faith What¡¯s so surprising about it?!This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Nora It¡¯s just, you sit out most of the time when Javier and I are practicing. Obviously, you enjoy VBL, but I sort of figured you would sit this one out. Javier ^ Faith I play some time though. I¡¯d like to try it out. I haven¡¯t entered a tournament in so long, so I¡¯m excited to get back into the scene. Nora Aww, that¡¯s so exciting to hear! Faith¡¯s re-debut! Faith ???? Javier So, you were choosing between angel pistols and the momentum dagger? On question. Why? Faith ?? Nora One sec, he¡¯s about to nerd out on you. Javier The Momentum dagger can have a slow start up when you¡¯re trying to get a quick head start on the match. You have to build a decent amount of momentum in order for it to be viable. Most competitors won¡¯t let you just build up that much momentum for free. Not to mention You are going to be limited in range. So, imagine going in close to a close combat specialist while trying to build more than the normal amount of momentum. Nora Jin was able to do it¡­ Javier That¡¯s because Jin is a monster. Nora To be honest, I see his point, Faith. You should do what you want to in the end but perhaps the twin pistols are best for you as you dip your toe back into the competitive scene. Faith Okay fine. Then what weapon are you using Javier? Javier Not telling either of you. It¡¯s top secret. Nora It¡¯s the grizzly claws. Faith Oh, it most certainly is. Javier Come on guys, I can¡¯t be easy to read! Nora Of course you are. You seem to be the only person that doesn¡¯t believe that. Faith To be honest Javier, you do only pick gauntlet-based weapons. Nora Yeah, no joke. Do you even know how to fire a gun in VBL? Javier Of course I do. What sort of question is that? Nora The genuine kind. Why don¡¯t you just try using a firearm-based weapon in VBL just once? Javier No. Nora Please. Javier No. Faith Why not? Javier Because it¡¯s not my style. Nora What? Are you looking for a brand deal or something? Javier Perhaps. But since you two want to make fun of me, I¡¯ll never tell you now! Nora Lol Faith Lol Javier So, heads up. I just saw that another pro player from another game is thinking about joining the tournament tomorrow. Faith Another one? This is getting wild. Nora ^ Javier ¡­ The three teenagers eventually stayed up until 1 A.M., discussing various topics ranging from the tournament to new restaurants they wanted to try. Meanwhile, Rem sat quietly in a late-night internet caf¨¦, wearing over-the-ear headphones. The environment was typical of such a venue in that part of the city, characterized by the presence of questionable individuals, the sound of loud keyboard typing, and several patrons eating crunchy snacks at their computers. Each computer station was enclosed within a semi-cubicle, making it nearly impossible to identify the source of the loud eating noises. Despite these distractions, Rem remained focused on rewatching some VBL footage. Although his concentration was interrupted when his phone rang, revealing an incoming call from his father, which he chose to let go to voicemail. On the other side of Strand city. Takeshi is sitting upright on his couch. His once warm apartment is completely cold and dark. Just himself and his three cats sitting in the quiet darkness, with tears steadily flowing down his face. The looming spring tournament starts tomorrow! Chapter 36 A dreary, grey sky hovers Strand city. Nora, Faith, and Javier step on to the already busy VBL courtyard. Nora is sporting her favorite black hoodie adorned with a cute bunny face on the chest, paired with blue faded jeans and black sneakers. Faith dons a flowing white blouse with an outer corset, complemented by black leather pants, and heels. Last but not least, Javier wears a black KINGS GYM shirt that accentuates his muscular build along with white pants, and white and black sneakers. Faith and Nora are astonished by the number of people at the premises. The VBL building was accustomed to crowds, but the courtyard alone was currently hosting a few hundred people. Adults, teenagers and even a few children accompanied by their guardians filled the space. Calling it a mixed bag wouldn¡¯t do justice; it was more like a melting pot of people. ¡°Holy crap!¡± Nora screamed. ¡°Are all these people here for the tournament?!¡± Faith asked. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure most of them are. Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t expect this.¡± Javier exclaimed. ¡°Of course not, how could I? The previous year¡¯s videos didn¡¯t really focus on the crowd. Hang on. There¡¯s no way this many people can even fit in the built-in stadium.¡± Nora remarked. ¡°Correct. Most of these people will be forced to watch the matches out here in the courtyard or inside in the lobby. Luckily for you girls, I thought ahead.¡± Javier uttered. ¡°Funny running into you two here.¡± The trio turns to see Desmond strutting towards them. Making his way through the loud and bumptious crowd. Wearing a red zippered jacket, a red shirt, red pants, and red sneakers. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± Nora uttered. Realizing that she did not remember his name, but she remembered beating him in the two v. two match. ¡°Have we met?¡± Javier asked Desmond. ¡°Not formally, but I¡¯ve seen some of your matches in the past. Your Javier, the gauntlet user.¡± Desmond replied. ¡°The man that fights against the meta by solely using weak gauntlet weapons.¡± ¡°Hey now, they aren¡¯t so weak anymore, are they? That new update has done wonders for the gauntlet performances.¡± Javier points out. ¡°Spoken like a true martial arts freak ¨C wait.¡± Desmond stops himself as he finally acknowledges Faith. ¡°I¡¯m sorry beauty, I didn¡¯t see you there. What was your name?¡± ¡°Gross.¡± Nora murmured.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°The man couldn¡¯t even be bothered to finish insulting me before he started simping for Faith¡± Javier added. ¡°Oh, um. Faith Storm. A pleasure to meet you.¡± Faith stated. ¡°The pleasure is all mine!¡± Maximillion Skying (Wearing a tight black shirt, a tactical desert scarf, grey sweatpants, and slip on sneakers) screams while suddenly jumping in the middle of the group. Almost completely knocking Desmond over. ¡°Hey dude, watch it!¡± Desmond screams. Nora grows more anxious while Faith¡¯s jaw drops, while Javier looks stressed. ¡°I saw my man Javier over here, so I wanted to say what¡¯s up!¡± Maximillion exclaimed while smiling and giving the entire group a thumbs up. ¡°What are you doing here Skyking?¡± Javier asks coldly asks. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting way for you to greet your rival.¡± Maximillion declared ¡°More importantly I came to warn you. The sign-up line is crazy backed up right now, so you better hurry up.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not even going to acknowledge me?!¡± Desmond yells. ¡°Oh yeah, who is the guy cosplaying Kaneda? Do you have the bike too?¡± Maximillion asks Desmond. ¡°I¡¯m not cosplaying! I just chose to wear all red today!¡± Desmond yells. ¡°Why is it always loud near you?¡± Nora looks to her left just in time to see Jin strut up to the group. He¡¯s wearing a white hoodie, with his long chain dangling down to his lower chest. Black, ripped jeans and white sneakers. ¡°Jin?!¡± Nora uttered. Maximillion, Javier and Desmond all quickly set their gaze to Jin, who instantly notices this. ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s up?¡± Jin asks. ¡°You scared me. Don¡¯t do that.¡± Nora demands. ¡°To be honest I don¡¯t know. I seem to attract loud people.¡± ¡°You¡¯re Jin? I¡¯ve heard so much about you. It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Faith expresses while holding her hand out. Jin casually keeps his hands in his pockets. Which causes Faith to shoot him a pouty face. ¡°Sorry I won¡¯t be able to chill with you Javier. A bigger fish showed up.¡± Maximillion declares. ¡°Down boy, I¡¯m more of a gator.¡± Jin replied. ¡°How fitting. You two being fish. I guess that makes me the bear.¡± Javier Stated. ¡°Great one liner guys, but we seriously have to sing up or else no one is fighting anyone.¡± Faith said. ¡°The lady has a point. Do you see how crowded this place already is? It¡¯s only going to get worse.¡± Nora pointed out. ¡°I see what you mean.¡± Jin agrees. At this point, it seemed like the ramblings and conversations of the surrounding crowds seemed to have elevated as everyone attempted to talk over each other. Nora¡¯s anxiety was beginning to flare up. Faith notices this and grabs Nora¡¯s left hand. Nora understands Faith¡¯s intentions and shares a smile with her friend. ** Faith, Nora, Javier, Jin and Maximillion all walk out of the hallway with their newly acquired competitor lanyards. As Maximillion and Nora are observing their lanyards, Javier and Faith notice that there seemed to be something parting through the sea of people. As row after row of people begin to move aside, it eventually becomes apparent what everyone is whispering about. ¡°It¡¯s Takeshi.¡± Faith exclaimed. Everyone turned to see the current defending champion quietly walking past the crowd. His eyes were dry and red, and his buttoned shirt was more disheveled than casually wrinkled. His usual proper posture was replaced by a hunched back and arms dangling in front of him. There were still a few unrelated conversations being had amongst the crowd but most of the attention was being directed at Takeshi and how he resembled a corpse. Nora¡¯s inner thoughts: Is that really Takeshi? What happened to him? Jin¡¯s inner thoughts: I¡¯ve seen that look before. No doubt about it. That¡¯s a man well past his limit. That¡¯s a man that is broken.