“You’re ousting me?” Xua Yu slammed both his fists on the table, allowing a potted plant to briefly experience the wonders of flight. The stock owners opposite to him didn’t even flinch. They had seen it all before, he was sure, but that didn’t make him any less furious. “I built this game single handedly. You can’t give me the fucking boot.”

“I understand your frustration,” one of them said, “but we’re doing this for the sake of Twilight, and to provide our players with a better ga--”

“Cut the crap!” Xua Yu kicked his chair aside as he stood. “You’re doing this for the sake of your wallet and nothing else!” The anger boiled deep inside him, making it hard to breathe. It churned within, almost too much for him to handle. If he didn’t get to the exit quickly he’d end up in prison for strangling one of these slimy bastards.

“Please mind your--”

“Fuck you!” He slapped another potted plant on his way out, and it shot against the far wall. “Watching you crash and burn will be glorious.” With that, he slammed the door behind him with all his strength, nearly tearing it off the hinges. He stood outside the meeting room for a moment, his hands trembling incessantly.

Xua Yu ran through offices filled with employees as he headed for the exit. His employees. His offices. He knew he couldn't trust the board, but he had never expected they'd fire him in the middle of development for the new narrative. As for who his replacement was and how they'd manage to pick up where he left off, he couldn't give a damn. He had more important troubles now. As soon as he was out of the building he dialed up a number in his cell.

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"Lana, I--"

"I already heard."

Xia Yu gave her some time.

"Does anyone else know?" she asked.

"No one. I went to great lengths to keep the Kosmos core secret from even my most trusted developers, as you instructed."

"At least we've avoided the worst case scenario." She sounded much more relaxed. "What's your current clearance for the customer data?"

"Zero." Xua Yu flared up again. He put more spring in his step, wanting to be as far away as possible from Twilight's HQ. "I logged in today and found my rights revoked."

"Await further instructions." Lana hung up.

"Talkative as always," Xua Yu mumbled to himself. The initial anger had begun to dissipate, and sadness was slowly taking root.

He had never cared for the money. Probably one of the reasons he had to fight the board for almost every decision. All he wanted was to make Twilight as good as it could be. In a sense, he had made it. It was more than a game. More than a global phenomenon. Many called it a second world, and yet Xua Yu was not satisfied. His final project would have to be left incomplete.

The first rain drop hit his business suit, leaving a muddy spot behind. That's when he realised he had forgotten his umbrella back at the office.

"I need a fucking drink."