The Lunar Ball is nothing short of impressive. We’re all up on the roof of the building, no less than two hundred floors high. Tonight, the tree has somehow managed to climb the entire height of the building and blossom, displaying white flowers that somehow provide a sense of euphoria. The moon is brighter than it’s ever been in this game, and is even accompanied by stars somehow. Kay really put a lot of work into this harem fantasy of hers. Even if none of us want to be here we have to admit that the ambiance and atmosphere are unmatched.

“He’s been making eyes at me all night,” Kai complains.

I take a long sip of my drink, “well you look cute,” I joke.

“Are you drunk,” Kai asks, with faint hints of red in his cheeks.

“I’m just trying to keep up with Daamin. You wouldn’t believe how much he can drink, and still not get drunk.”

“How many have you had?”

“About three beers and four of whatever these are. He’s got me by a few, but I’m catching up,” I give him a thumbs up.

Kai finishes my drink, “sober up, I want the code tonight so we can leave.”

I would love to get the code and get out of here tonight, but I just don’t see it happening. We still don’t have any idea where the code is or how to get it. I grab another beer from the bar and make my way through the party. It’s a weird event. Mostly NPCs as it seems like there’s only a few players who come here. Not to win some item or complete a quest but because they’ve found out about the secret spa and resort thing going on. I find Daamin and Kay sitting on opposite sides of a small square table not speaking to each other. Several drinks cover Daamin’s side of the table but Kay seems to be focused on the Snake Prince and his table on an elevated stage near the edge of the roof. I grab a chair and drag it over to the table taking a seat between them.

“Wow, you two look like you’re having a great time,” I try to start up a conversation.

“Oh, I’m great, just great,” Daamin says in a clearly agitated voice.

“Asshole,” Kay responds.

“I’m the asshole? You drug us to your secret harem and haven’t been able to stop drooling since we got here,” Daamin responds.

“I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to this asshole,” Kay points at me.

“Now, how did I get involved in this,” I take a sip of beer. “Oh, wait, I came over by myself. I just wanted to ask why you guys can’t work it out?”

“Because she still hasn’t stopped lusting after the perfect man she created,” Daamin argues.

“Relax, he’s not even real,” Kay waves her hand.

“I’m going to get another beer because you’re ruining the mood. I’d rather help Kai look for the code.”

I make my way through the crowd listening to the idle chatter of NPCs and the few players showing off their formal attire. I have to admit some of them are making me feel bad about going with the cheap tuxedo. Then again, I’ve never once used formal attire in this game before so I never had a reason to change it up or even let Kai customize it. I should find Kai, and get him to customize it now. That’s a great idea.

“Attention guests,” The Snake Prince has stepped to the front of the stage. “I have an announcement to make.”

“I hope he jumps,” Kai appears behind me.

“Kai, I was looking for you buddy. Hey, can you make this tuxedo look good?”

“What? Now? You don’t even like my fashion sense. You complained about the overalls when I tried to change you look.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were trying to upgrade me, I’m so bassssic,” I used the letter s a few too many times on that. “I’m basssic. Other players look fancy and I don’t But you made me look cool.”

“That is why tonight, I plan to present this,” I forgot Snake Prince was talking. “The Heart of The Serpent God to my true love,” he holds up a giant necklace of green and yellow jewels. In the center a massive jewel swirling with color.

“That’s the damn code,” I snap my finger.

“You need to sober up so we can take it,” Kai elbows me in the ribs.

“We don’t need to take it. He’s about to give it to you,” I shrug.

The Snake Prince scans the crowd before stepping down from the stage and heading directly towards us, stopping in front of Kai. “From the moment I have laid eyes on you I have desired for you to my wife,” The Snake Prince speaks to Kai.

“He’s a man,” Kay shouts from the crowd causing several gasps.

“It’s pretty obvious. If you saw him in a skirt, it might be an easy mistake,” I take another sip of beer.

“Shut up,” Kai punches me in the side.

“It makes no difference to me,” The Snake Prince responds.

“Can’t do it,” Kai responds.

“Why not,” The Snake Prince inches closer, aggressively this time.

“I’ve already got someone,” Kai lies, causing me to smile.

“Who,” Snake Prince leans in to ask.

Kai scans the crowd quickly before taking my hand, “Dre.”

“Oh shit, what the fuck,” I can’t stop myself from responding in shock.

“This drunkard,” Snake Prince responds. “Have you gone insane? He can not provide for you the way that I can. He can barely stand he’s so drunk. A peasant in comparison to my fortune. No class,” he continues to trash me.

“I love him,” Kai shouts at the top of his lungs. “I’ll always love him until my dying breath,” he’s a good actor.

“Kiss him,” Snake Prince responds calmly.

“What,” I ask.

“If he loves you, he’ll kiss you. Right now, while we all watch.”

Kai quickly kisses me on the cheek, “There, I kissed him.”

“No, that’s a family kiss,” Snake Prince holds firm.

“Dude, are you some kind of pervert,” I ask him.

“I just want to see if the love of my life is truly in love with another.”

“Nah you’re just a pervert. You should go see Kay, you’ll love each other. In fact, I think you were made just for her,” I respond.

“Dre,” Kai looks at me. I turn to see what wants but I can’t speak before he gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “Can you fuck off now and give us the code you’ve been hiding.”

“Are you making a mockery of me,” Snake Prince begins another long diatribe.

“Listen,” I cut him off. “Snake Prince, I mean, you know the rules of the game. I mean, Kai just chose me.”

“Open mouth,” Snake Prince responds.

“You keep raising the ante, this shit is getting ridiculous. I’m getting way too sober to be playing into whatever freaky fetishes that Kay programmed you with,” I respond.

“Dre, I’m sorry about this,” Kai whispers so only I hear him.

One of his small spherical drones shoots me in the foot with a laser. I open my mouth to shout only for Kai to meet me with an aggressive kiss. Why would he do that? I try to pull away but he’s got a hand on my head and is actively trying to tie our tongues in a knot. He’s really giving it his all. I try to pull away for air but he bites my bottom lip and pulls me back. Just when I think surrender is my only way out he finally lets me go.

The crowd cheers. They enjoyed the scene. I expect them to, that’s how Kay programmed them. It’s all part of her fantasy. Kai took her place and suddenly with the kiss, I’ve taken the role of The Snake Prince for this plotline. I’m dumbfounded, suddenly completely sober, clearheaded and staring at the ground beneath me. I want to look at Kai and ask what’s wrong with him. I want to run away and find any other place to be but my legs simply will not move.

“It is clear that you are both in love, so we shall duel produce your weapon,” The Snake Prince commands of me as his servants bring a wooden case containing a large pistol with a snake wrapping the handle.

“When I kill you, I can have the necklace,” I just need to get out of here.

“If you can kill me, take it.”

I draw my shotgun and step back, putting space between us. The crowd moves out of the way, hoping to avoid a stray shot. I can’t seem to focus, all I hear is their applause, and shouting from the kiss. I spot Kai out of the corner of my eye and I can’t tell if he’s mortified or satisfied with himself. He catches my glance and looks away, but not with an emotion of full shame. I turn back to the Snake Prince who is taking aim already. I fumble Excalibur II as I struggle to aim with a gun I’ve never used before, or is it the kiss? Am I going to die because I can’t handle a kiss? Seriously, what the fuck Kai?

The sound of a chainsaw and shouting snaps me back to the present.

The Snake Prince is calling out in pain as a chainsaw has torn through his back and out his torso. Kay stands there, still powering the chainsaw proudly as she’s covered in his blood. She finally rips it free and snatches the necklace. The Snake Prince still struggle to stand, not yet defeated.

Daamin provides a gentle push sending The Snake Prince tumbling off the roof hundreds of floors down. We don’t hear a crash all the way up here and I’m sure there’s some shouting or a car horn as he hits the ground but on the roof, it’s dead silent.

“Did I do that,” Daamin asks.

“Yeah, we did it,” Kay says.

Kay slams the necklace on the ground before stomping it to pieces. From the broken pieces she lifts up a data drive. A familiar light shines down on her and the quest completion notification sounds as she claims the third piece of data.