Once more I activated Shadow-vision. There were four creatures outlined in red, and one seemed to be hovering or floating above the ground.

“Dang it, I hate being right sometimes...!” I muttered as we stood up. “Hunter's Eye.” I then said; I had been half-right. They were level forty. The game was not as cruel as I had assumed. “They're level forty. We might stand a chance if we use all the stat potions and the boosters, along with the defense and prowess scrolls.”

“Gotcha!” Ariana nodded back. We buffed ourselves up, and then prepared ourselves mentally for the fight of the week. “We beat those dragons, we'll beat these!” she said to me confidently.

“Right with you, partner!” I said, drawing out my bow. “You circle around from the south; I'm going up on the rooftops to try and snipe at least one of them, if I can.”

“Right!” Ariana said, and then we split up for the second time to enact our plan. I got up on the roof with no problem. Then I saw Ariana's Storm-Wards activate, followed by a few firebolts. The ghoul and his three corpse-minions were on the alert.

Not alert enough, I smiled, drawing my bowstring and activating Holy Arrow. I let loose the string; my first target was obliterated. I set another arrow on the string and activated Holy Arrow again, but this time I was deflected by the ghoul. Dang it!

“Switch out!” I called as the ghoul spotted me. Ariana let loose a volley of ice and fire as I changed positions; one of the corpse-minions staggered, and then fell dead in a flurry of ice and ashes as a second volley came forth. Now the remaining two were focused on her again. “Holy Arrow!” I shouted out, blowing a hole in the third and final corpse-minion. A fireball from Ariana then sprang out of the shadows and knocked its head off as a finishing blow.

“Switch out!” she called over as the ghoul began advancing on her. I put my bow away and drew out my daggers, racing towards the main baddie.

“Holy Crescent Flash!” I cried out as I slashed its backside with my daggers, spun around, and slashed in a backwards arc as I sprang away again.

“Moonlight Sonata!” Ariana's voice came again, and rays of light flashed down upon the ghoul, staggering it but not moving its health bar.

“Thousand Needle Strike!” I said as I raced in again.

This one I was particularly proud of; maybe it wasn't literally a thousand strikes, but it was as close as I could manage in five seconds. Maybe it was thirty or forty strikes all told; but hey, “Thousand Needle Strike” sounds cooler, right?

“Dang it!” I cried out as I slipped away again. “Shadow Veil!” I said to obfuscate myself. “His HP is barely going down!”

“But we're still good!” Ariana called back to me. “Distract him -- I think I might have a surprise!”

“Just give him one good fireball before I do and I'll keep him off you!” I said.

“You got it, partner!” she said cheerily, obliging me with one last fireball.

I rode on its trail, turning visible again right as it struck the ghoul. I then made some crisscross slashes on its face and torso, then spun around to my left and spun around again to deliver a spinning backhook kick to its head. In response, the ghoul swung down its sword in my direction, and I parried him with all my might, holding back the stroke that could very well be fatal to me if it hit. I watched my own health bar take a hit, and then I disengaged, vanishing again for a brief moment before reengaging with a series of flurried strikes that combined elements from the martial arts forms I had learned with the added danger of the daggers.

“Ready!” Ariana suddenly called out.

“Holy Crescent Flash!” I called out a second time, this time performing the maneuver on his front side instead of his back before racing away. “Switch out!” I called back, and hit the dirt. I didn't know what was coming, but I saw a glimpse of her eyes, and knew it was something awesome. I rolled away, and then looked back to see her raising her staff--and then:

“Noontide Reprisal!” Ariana cried out.

What in the world...?

A glittering ball of fire that shone like the sun suddenly appeared. The ghoul staggered again, dropping its weapon, and then screeched in agony. Its health bar started going down like a rock in the water.

“Not enough! It's not enough! I can only do it for two more seconds!” Ariana called over.

“That's fine!” I replied. She had inspired me with that attack. I got up again, and raced towards the ghoul. Its health was almost gone. Ariana's magnificent attack suddenly ended. But that was okay. She had done beautifully. Now it was my turn.

The ghoul recovered just a bit, raising its head as I came flying towards it.

“Lana!” Ariana cried, seeing the thing pick its sword back up. I couldn't afford to dodge or evade. I had to make this strike.

“Sunrise Vengeance!” I called out, and my knives lit up in a golden color. The ghoul hesitated. That was enough. With a swift motion I lopped off its head, and it disintegrated. I fell back to earth, and set my knives down, catching my breath as Ariana ran over, hugging me from behind. We sat there in silence again for several moments until she spoke.

“Don't scare me like that again.” she said with a relieved tone.

“I'll try not to.” I managed to say with a faint laugh.

“But we did it, right? We really did it?”

“Let's make sure we did, but I think it really is over.” I nodded back.

“Gotcha.” she returned, kissing my cheek. “You're incredible by the way.”

“And you're amazing. I should have thought about daylight myself; lucky me, teaming up with you.” I told her in reply.

“And lucky me, having you as someone who can keep up with me when I get an idea.” she giggled.

“Best partners for life?” I said as I managed to turn around.

“Best partners for life.” she agreed, and we hugged each other again.

In the end it turned out that we had indeed managed to complete the quest. One by one, twenty-three dumbstruck players handed us forty-six thousand gold in total. They had actually sent a witness-slash-spy after us; this sneaky mage had been so in awe of us that he had quickly fled back down the mountain when we had completed the quest to show them everything he had recorded of our escapade at Cloverbell.

And so it was that in the space of one game-night, we had completed a high difficulty quest, gained a small fortune in gold for future expenses and a fine house, and won the respect of every player in and adjacent to the Aldholt.

***

Saturday I did a bunch of chores and stuff. In the daytime, anyway. Rachel and I texted a little bit. She said she had something she wanted to talk about after school or during break on Monday. My life being what it was, I kind of knew what she wanted to say, but I didn't tell her that. And when the day had passed us by and dinner had been eaten, I slipped away into Panarena to spend time with her as Lana Windstrider.

That night we spent a fourth of our hard-won fortune on furnishings and such for the manor. We also spent five-hundred gold more on seeds for plants used in making food, drinks, potions, and other alchemical commodities. And when we had finished our in-game “chores”, we then decided to make use of the hotspring.

First, we made sure no one could disturb us. Then, we put away our gear and settled into the nice warm water that had sprung up when the house and grounds had become ours.

If I said it was heavenly, that would be an understatement. And no, I'm not talking about being in a bath with a girl. I'm just talking about being in the bath itself.

… Okay. Maybe it was a little more exciting than I want to admit.

“This is magical...” Ariana sighed happily as we lounged in the warm water.

“Right?” I said in agreement.

“Just us girls, lounging in a bath; no boys at all,” she continued in a happy daze. I couldn't think of a reply. More on account of the fact that I was enjoying the moment rather than being stuck for words, I should say.

We sat there for quite a while, only speaking occasionally. Most of it was just repeating what we had just said in various incarnations of sentence structure. Eventually it just turned into holding hands. Then we turned to look over at each other. She didn't say anything for a while, but I knew there was something on her mind. I gently squeezed her hand in support.

“Did you ever kiss anyone?” she suddenly asked.

“I never did,” I said, which was true.

“I wonder if it's scary,” Ariana said as we continued gazing at each other. “There really is something about you. I almost want to try kissing you first; but I want my first kiss to be him.” she said to me, and I smiled.

“That's fine. I don't know if I would be a good kisser anyway,” I remarked. Not as a girl, at least, I thought to myself. The pervy part of my mind wanted to find out anyway, but I could keep control of that here. I was certain, however, that in real life, a certain part of me was a little more than excited.

“Oh, I don't know; I think you would be.” Ariana smirked.

“Ehh,” I shrugged, and we both laughed.

“What should we do tomorrow?” she then asked me.

“Let's go into town and see if there's more quests there first. Or we could just explore a bit and maybe find a dungeon?”

“That sounds good.” she nodded back. “Ahh, this spot is just too good...” she then said with a delighted and relaxed tone in her voice.

“Right?” I agreed yet again. “But maybe we should try and get ou--snap! It's past midnight again,” I said as I checked the time, letting go of Ariana's hand to jump out. She jumped out with me, and we ran into the house giggling like idiots. We quickly dried off, and then slipped into some night clothes to log out for the day.

The two of us lay upon the bed together side by side, smiling merrily at each other and still giggling.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Good night, Lana.” she told me at last.

“Good night, Ariana.” I told her in return, and we logged out at the same time. As I woke up and peeled off the headgear, I let out a tired sigh.

This can't stay secret with her around; at least, not from her...

***

Sunday came and went; we spent our evening charting out what we could of Aldholt, taking note of resource nodes and minor dungeons (marked by characters that were different than the greater dungeons) throughout the land. We returned to Cloverbell after our expedition, and then spent another evening in the hotspring before heading inside to log out for the night. And then Monday came.

It was raining that day. Ty and I got onto the bus at the same old stop, and both of us stared out in a random direction while we rode the thing to school. When we got there it was still raining, and someone complained about it. Ty shook his head, and the two of us got out first, heading into the school with our bus-mates following us in.

“Don't beat up nobody without me,” Ty said as we parted ways. I gave him a salute in reply, and he walked off with a grin while I began opening my locker. Rachel then popped out from behind.

“Don't beat up anyone at all is what I would say,” she quipped. A smile broke out on my face instantly. I had to restrain myself from making a comment, but she made one herself. “Hmm, maybe I shouldn't say that after the epic showdown I had with my friend Friday night...”

“That good, huh?”

“Ugh, she's so amazing. I really want you two to meet, somehow.” she said with her usual zest and enthusiasm. She opened her own locker, and looked over at me again. “It'd be really funny if it actually was you. I'd laugh. You're so alike. Would you tell me if you were in that game? Would you tell me if you were--” she stopped herself there; I kept cool, looking back at her with a curious expression, and she smiled. “It's bad form to use names from one world in the other, isn't it?”

“Hmm,” I thought about it again for a moment, “That's what I've always heard.” I shrugged, and she nodded.

“Let's have fun today. And -- can we go somewhere quiet for lunch?” she then asked, and I nodded back. “Great!” she said with relief, and with that we entered homeroom.

Homeroom. English. History. Math. Science. If I ever heard the name George Washington after this year I would punch something. And if I saw an equation that pooled not only numbers but letters from the Latin and Greek alphabet after exiting senior high I would have to be checked into an asylum. The lunch bell then rang, and as we pulled out our lunch-bags Rachel took my hand and led me to the roof. Was it my imagination, or did I get a glare from the football team? Especially... well, never mind it for now.

There was no one on the roof. Rachel sighed in relief, and we sat down near a part of the roof that overlooked the athletic fields. We sat down and ate in silence for a few moments, and then she dropped the bombshell. Even though I knew it was coming, I had expected it to be more subtle. Yet, then again, Rachel wasn't really the type of person to dance around something--unless that something was a high level boss in a video game.

“Hey. I know it's only been a week, but I like you. A lot. Is that okay?” she said, and I let it hang for a moment, composing myself to answer.

“I have to be honest, I like you too. You really are amazing.” I told her in answer. I had never understood what it was to be so happy that you would cry. But I saw it on Rachel's face in that moment. I put down my sandwich, and went to put an arm around her.

“I'm sorry! I don't know why, I just--”

“It's fine,” I told her with a smile, “And I mean it. Every word.”

“I mean it too.” Rachel told me resolutely as she dried her eyes, a smile on her face. My heart was melting.

“And... because I like you... a lot... I want to tell you a secret.” I told her, and she came to attention. There was suddenly an alertness in every part of her being. My heart was pounding. “You said something this morning, and I want to--”

“Daniels, Danes, what are you doing up here?” the voice of our homeroom teacher Mr. Jones called out to us from the door.

“Ah--” I started, uncertain of what to say.

“Sir?” Rachel asked him. “Is it bad to be up here for lunch?”

“It's not the classroom, and it's not the cafeteria,” he said to us with a stern look, but there was a good deal of amusement on his face also. “Just hurry up and eat, I'll let it go--this time!”

“Ah--right... thank you, sir.” I stammered out, and he smiled, shook his head, and went back inside.

“You were telling me something?” Rachel said a moment later. I looked back at her. I didn't feel like I could say it now. But I had to do something.

“Close your eyes.” I told her.

She did so, veiling those emerald jewels with her beautifully pale eyelids, her lips parting as if she knew what was coming. I reached down, pressing my lips against hers, gently, and then with just enough passion to make it memorable. She met my passion with her own, our lips locked together for a wonderful and timeless moment, and then they parted. Rachel smiled at me then, and we quickly finished the rest of our lunch before packing the rubbish away and getting up to head inside.

“I still want to know what you really wanted to say,” she said as we entered the building again, “But I'll let it slide, for now.”

I couldn't take it. I gently took her arm, and spun her around to face me. She smiled, and I took a deep breath again. Then the bell rang. My eyes closed in disbelief. She gave me a sad smile, kissing my cheek.

“Tell me later?”

“Only if you keep your promise.” I told her, and she gave me a funny look.

“What promise?”

“I'll tell you later.”

She gave me a really funny look that time, but then she only laughed, and took my hand as we went to our homeroom so we could get our morning books and exchange them for our afternoon ones. I spent the rest of that day trying to figure out what to say. When our last class was over, we went to put our books away--well, the ones we didn't have to take home, anyway. Rachel then turned back to me as we finished packing and shut the lockers, and leaned against them with that irresistible smile on her face, giving me a look that demanded words. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the principal's daughter and her friends smiling at us. I turned to Rachel, and took her hand.

“We don't have much time here.” I reminded her.

“I know. Give me a hint and text me later?” she replied, and I squeezed her hand gently. Her eyes then lit up in recognition. “That touch... the way you just squeezed my hand...” she said with a quiet excitement. Her expression held so many emotions, but I knew now that she remembered her implied promise as Ariana. She cupped her free hand over her mouth, taking a deep breath. She slowly let it out, and then reached down to take my hand in both of hers. “Tell me everything at the house. Promise?” she said to me, and I nodded.

“Promise.”

“Kiss on it?” she asked me, and I only too happily obliged her. Our lips parted twice as reluctantly as before.

“I'll see you tonight, Lana,” she whispered softly in me ear, and with that she fell in step with a few of the girls that she had made friends with in Theater to head for the buses. Ty came up behind me then, and gently flicked my forehead.

“Yo. Let's go.”

“Huh? Ah! Right...” I said as I fell in step with him.

“Damn, boy. Gone from fighter to lover, huh?” he quipped, and I shrugged.

“Maybe.

“Snap, boy. You ain't gonna change much. Let me do you a favor; that senior quarterback this year? He got the hots on her too, man. So you'd damn well better be both.” he told me. I looked over at him, and nodded.

“I'll remember.

“Boy, you'd better.”

***

After homework and after dinner, I slipped away quietly to my room to log into Panarena and wait for Ariana--for Rachel. When that dark-haired Elf with red eyes appeared in the house, she stared at me for a moment, making sure it was me; I stared back at her, almost trembling.

“Rachel,” I squawked out in a voice near to crying.

“Sean... I knew it!” she said at once, coming over to kiss me. We kissed several times, and then sat down on a sofa we had gotten for the main room, holding each other tightly. She didn't press me for answers for a few moments, but when she did, it was with an absolutely gorgeous smile that telegraphed to me she was going to enjoy every last second of interrogation.

“Go ahead.” I told her with my own smile of resignation.

“You were staring at me last week because you knew it was me.”

“Yes.”

“I'm so glad you did. And I'm so glad you really are someone who's not--well, you were perving on yourself... so I don't know...” she said mischievously.

“Ah--I really wasn't--I mean, not to be--it's just... well what if you were in a male toon yourself?” I suddenly managed to spring back, and she burst out laughing.

“Ahh, my; I probably would check in a game like this,” she said, giggling. “You were that surprised, huh?”

“I mean...” I started again, this time more composed. I basically told her what I already mentioned near the beginning of this story. Maybe in more detail. And she asked me about any outstanding escapades I happened to walk into (thankfully few, if any). She loved every minute of it, and at the end she took my hands, placing them in her lap and smiling.

“Playing and identifying as a woman online and refusing to be treated like a princess or being a mooch for items and help, first on a whim, then out of a real desire to gain empathy.” Rachel smiled at me. “Thank you for telling me. I'll keep your secret as long as you want. But when we're in this house, alone...”

“When we're in this house, I won't pretend. Mostly,” I told her, and she giggled.

“I wonder if I should make a new character as a man so it won't be too weird!”

“I like your character!” I said at once. “Unless... you want me to change...?” I suddenly turned red. But she shook her head.

“I like this version of you, too. And now that I know it's you, I'm going to do whatever I want to do to you when we're alone here, if you'll let me?” she said with a wink. “Kidding!” she added as my expression went from embarrassed to help-me-please. “Let's not get into that weird stuff.” she shook her head, and I nodded in agreement.

“Let's not.”

“I mean it,” Ariana said again, “I love this you. And I love you as Sean. Partners in both? Lovers for life?”

“In both, and for life.” I smiled in answer. We shared a kiss again, and then sat back together on the sofa.

“I heard a rumor that there's a senior who has his eye on me.” she said after a while.

“Ty told me that too.” I nodded.

“That tall guy you go to the bus with?” she asked, and I nodded. “I thought you didn't have any friends?”

“Ehh, he and I have a history. I don't quite think it's friends, but I can't call him an enemy at least, and even rival doesn't seem to work anymore. I think... I think 'taker-uppers' is probably the best word.” I told her.

“Hmm; but he's willing to tell you about things that might hurt you. I'd count him as friendly.” she said to me.

“These days, yeah.” I agreed. We take up for each other when it counts, so that's wht I can't say rival or enemy.”

“And what about the senior?” Ariana asked me. I looked at her.

“Ty says he's the quarterback this year.” I said, and she sighed.

“I hate jocks.”

“One of your exes?” I wondered, and she smirked.

“That was mostly a joke. I never did kiss anyone before you. But some of the jocks in my old school thought I was their girl.” she told me.

“Gotcha.” I nodded.

“But you'll face this with me, right?” Ariana then said, and I nodded again.

“What's a senior quarterback to a level forty ghoul?” I said with a grin, and she burst out laughing.

“I'll remember that when he comes over to you, me, or us during school!” she told me.

“I'll count on you too, partner.” I returned, and she smiled. Silence smote the house again; a gentle, calming silence. Outside the manor we could hear crickets, the bubbling of the hotspring, and owl or two, and maybe a few frogs.

“When we graduate and get real lives, let's find a house somewhere, just like this one, get married, and live there for the rest of our lives.” Rachel said to me softly.

“We'll do that,” I said as I took her hand, “If you'll say yes when I ask.”

“I'll always say yes to you.”

“Always?”

“Always.” she smiled, and giggled as we laid down on the sofa together. “This really is kind of weird, but it's a wonderful weird. I could log off for the night and be happy that I accomplished something in this game tonight.”

“I could too, honestly. Maybe we should.” I returned, and she nodded.

“Kiss me goodnight?” she asked--as if she needed to.

We shared another kiss, and then logged out for the night.

So, all told, after all this time, only one person has found out (so far, and under special circumstances) that, behind the virtual avatar persona I have created, a young man is the puppeteer. As I fell asleep that night, the sensations of Rachel's lips upon my own, a question popped up in my head.

Would anyone else ever find out?