The sun appears to be setting by the time I start making some decent headway. When the cinematic played earlier, there hadn’t been an overview of how much of the wood existed. This means that I have no frame of reference on how much time will pass before I can get to it. The red bar has filled back to nearly halfway after I filled up on two pots of boiled water. It was tedious, but I managed to drink enough to sustain my character for a while. I know it probably didn’t fully raise up because I need to eat. If I can make it to the city, I have a feeling I’ll be just fine on that end. People can survive for days without food, it is water that I will need to keep an eye on. With each crack of sticks beneath my feet, and the crunch of my boot I cringe at the possibility of creatures that are aware of my presence. Especially those with a predatory nature like myself. Just out of curiosity, I glance down at my pedometer. I can’t believe it. I have walked a total of nearly twenty miles. Which meant that I have been playing for quite some time. That got me thinking, I’m not sure how much time has passed in real time versus in-game time. Confident that my character was ok, I tapped the top of the screen to check. It was nearly nine p.m. my time. That meant that I had been playing for nearly twelve hours and I haven’t even made it to the major city. If that’s what it even is. It won’t be much longer until Alexa will lock me out so that I get some sleep. Maybe I am being a little too cautious. I switch back to the game screen and continue running forward. I still mark the trees every so often with pebbles or snapping branches, but not nearly as often as I was before. I’m running up against not only being locked out, but also at being able to beat the first boss like Eric has. This means that I need to keep moving. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know that the city was pointed out to me for a reason and I’m heading that way. I’m just about to reach a clearing and pause. I’m hoping in my haste that I haven’t gotten too far off track. I turn back toward the woods and my breath catches. I can only see maybe ten feet out, if that.

The entire woods is nothing but darkness. When I try to go back, I am sent back to the clearing in the woods. That means that all of my careful planning and time spent tracking my every step was worthless. I can’t go back. I have lost countless hours that had little effect on the game itself and it was all my fault. I’m so furious with myself that I can barely think straight. Who am I kidding? Eric earned that title fair and square. He probably found out the forum, read completely through the rules, and managed to beat the first mini-game and boss in the same amount of time that I’ve found myself lost in the middle of the woods. Not only am I behind, but I’ve not nothing to show for it. I throw a huge punch at a nearby tree and yell. I know it won’t do me any good, it’s not like it’s going to help me get further in the game, but at least I feel better. It’s hilarious how I actually thought that I had somehow gotten ahead. In fact, I was probably hours behind. I am sure that if I look at Eric’s score, it’s going to be wildly high and I’ll never manage to catch up.

I’m not sure if I’m wanting to torture myself, or just need a good kick in the ass but I force myself to look at the scoreboard. I’m shocked to find that second place has now been tied with a player known as Sitting Pretty. We were exactly matched at 1.5 million, still topped by Eric’s score of 2 million. Which meant that I still had a shot of catching up if Alexa would let me catch another 90 minute nap. Come on, shit head don’t give up now, I tell myself. I don’t feel much better, but I know I need to suck it up and move forward so that I can actually stand a chance. No one ever got anywhere from being a quitter. The only thing hurting in this scenario is my ego, but it still stings. I jump as the message jingle pops up on my screen. I grin as I see who it’s from. Finally, Eric is getting back to me. I quickly open the letter, excited to be able and talk to my friend again. Usually he calls, but if he is having a busy day with school work or doesn’t feel like chatting, he’ll sent me a message instead. I scan the letter and then go back and reread it, just to make sure that I didn’t somehow misread what he sent. I haven’t. It reads:

Hey, J. I know we were buds and all, but right now we’re strictly competitors. I can’t get into why that is, but I don’t think we should talk anymore until all of this is done. Don’t message me back, don’t contact me. I need this win.

I sink into my chair. We were friends? My heart is racing a million miles. I can’t believe my best friend in the whole world is suddenly no longer talking with me. What have I done wrong? Had it been because I talked too much about the mini-game, or that maybe he is upset at the fact that I managed to gain a badge? I really am not sure, but I feel so hurt and betrayed that I decide to go ahead and send one back. I know he told me not to, but I can’t help but get a few last words in.

Fine by me, asshole. See you around.

Hull

I purposefully make it short and use the new nickname so I come off more condescending. Screw him, he was the one being weird. I push send and go back to my game. If this was how he wanted to be, so be it. From here on out, it was just me and I was fine with that. I’ve managed to get this far and I know I’ll be fine to get through the rest. It’s not like either of us would be giving stuff away about what we found, even if we were talking. I had just told him about what he already knew, so I have no idea why he’s being such a prick. Then I think back to his reaction earlier.

Why had he been so quiet when I spoke about everything? Could it be possible that I played that part differently, or that maybe I had thought of something he hadn’t? There is that ego again, I’m going to have to be careful with that. OK, even if I had thought of something that he hadn’t, that wouldn’t have given him a reason to distance himself like that from me. We are almost always open with each other about everything. But this isn’t just any normal event, this is special. The only thing that I can come up with is that I have managed to get this far and he sees me as a threat. I can’t keep tossing around what-ifs and I’ve wasted enough time stewing over it. It’s completely dark outside and by some miracle, nothing has happened to my character in the last ten minutes. I double check my meters and see that they are within a healthy range.

As soon as my character takes a step forward, it shifts over to a cut scene. In the distance, there’s a soft outline of the cityscape. It pans over to the stars and then zooms in a little on their twinkling lights. The scene ends and then it’s back to me and the small clearing in the woods. It dawns on me that they have been giving me some heavy-handed clues from both of these scenes. That more than likely means that I am over-analyzing everything in the first part of the game. Many games had a sort of ‘ease you into them’ mentality where the first part of it was merely a tutorial disguised as game-play. I had encountered it a few times throughout the years. I took the clue and tilted my head up to the sky to get a good look at whatever it was they were wanting me to pay attention to. They are every bit as breathtaking as I remember them as a kid. I remember the title sequence and look for the maiden’s cluster in the sky. It takes me a bit, but I finally locate Cassiopeia. I frown as I notice something. It’s Cassiopeia, but she isn’t upside down.

I double tap the screen to zoom in. After a few moments, a soft classical piece of music floats through as the lights grow brighter. There’s a faint humming noise coming off my screen and to the right. I realize instantly where it’s coming from. I open my inventory, and sure enough the bag is glowing. Of course. That unusable item must have been acquired during my run through of the mini-game. I double tap the bag and grin. It finally opens up and spills its content. It’s a head, more specifically─ Medusa’s Head. This is how I am going to be able and get to the Queen. Hell to the yes. I pull the head from my inventory and hold it out. The snakes are still moving, enough that it makes me want to drop it. They are rubbing against my arm and I can hear the loud hisses. I would rather throw it on the ground, but I manage to keep my grip on it as I hold it to the sky.

Suddenly, there’s a burst of energy from the head. Heavenly guitar riffs start in as the burst of energy solidifies in front of me. It’s a path, made entirely out of stone. I get a running start and jump on the path. I’m practically sailing across the narrow path and straight into the stars. They explode around me and when they clear up, my character is literally in the middle of nothing. The ground is covered in what appears to be a bunch of black primordial goop. Then, a tall woman appears in front of me. Her hair is long and blonde, her skin fair. I was actually looking at the maiden herself. She snaps her fingers and several combs fly around her head. She rises from the ground and then gazes silently down at me. The music picks back up and suddenly, it is me against her. Alright, now this is what I’m talking about, no words, and no crazy long dialog─ just a good old fashioned brawl. A counter with the number six pops over our heads and I lean forward on the edge of my seat. Here we go.

Light flashes around her and a mirror appears in her right hand. Medusa’s head responds, glowing a bright green. Since I know that I have no other weapons and it is actually letting me play this part, it means that I am holding my only weapon. Better make it count, that’s for damn sure. The Night Queen sneers at me, and then grabs one of her combs. Holding the mirror up to her face, she brushes it through her hair and then tosses it aside. The counter drops by one. This probably means that every round she is either buffing herself with something that is going to hurt, or is solidifying her defense. It didn’t matter, I have the one thing that I know will defeat her. I lift up the writhing snakes. Cassiopeia yawns and then turns the mirror toward me. I was not expecting this, but I have enough sense to look away before it may have any effect on me. I grind my jaw in annoyance. This should have been a really simple battle. The Night Queen flips the mirror back toward her and plucks another comb from behind her. She brushes her hair with all the callousness of before and then throws it to the ground. We are now down to four moves. If I hold up the head, she’ll do the same thing again.

Alexa’s voice rings out in my ears, “Warning, you have been playing the game for nearly sixteen hours. You have five minutes before the game will automatically be shut down and your unit will be placed on lock-down until the correct amount of sleep is obtained.” I nearly jump out of my skin at the intrusion. Damn it, not now, my mind screams. I’ve finally reached her and I’m about to be logged out due to a damn technicality. This is bullshit. I need more time.

Another, smaller timer appears in the bottom left of my screen. Great, just what I need. No fucking pressure here. Cassiopeia’s long hair drops to the floor and then in a wide, sweeping motion screams toward me. I wait until the last possible second and then jump as it narrowly misses my left leg. Her hair draws back behind her as she reaches for her third comb.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

I’m down to three minutes and three seconds, and there are three combs left. This means that I have a minute per turn. About as much time as I was getting from Alexa to get through this part anyway. I’m wondering whether this is some cosmic coincidence or I’m just a timing wizard when the counter above me turns red. The two glares back at me, the Night Queen’s face hovering just below it. The hum starts again. I stare down at the wriggling snakes and then look at the bag. It isn’t coming from either of these. There’s a rumble and then a large cracking noise blasts around us. Then, it dawns on me. The bridge, the one I walked on to her is falling apart.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

My head whips around as I search frantically. There has to be something I’m missing. Maybe a clue. The familiar hum from before sounds. It’s just like when I first discovered the Queen’s Lair. Every game is designed around nudging you in the right direction. Basically leaving little breadcrumbs behind, like, ‘hey, over here stupid.’ It’s giving me everything that it can. I’m just hoping I’m not a complete dumbass about it.

She again reaches for a comb, taking her time to run it from her head to the long ends of her golden hair. Her eyes rim with white, the tell-tale signs of a boss charging their ultimate ability.

One more move and I’m toast.

My eyes travel along the length of the bridge, and then back to the sack. OK, it didn’t hum when I looked at those. This has something to do with the medusa head, otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten it. If I stare at this road any harder, I might go blind. All I can see are stars, thousands of them. The counter begins blinking as the seconds scream by. I see her arm move, reaching for the final comb in the reflection.

Her reflection.

I dive to the left and rip open the bag. Please let this be right. With a whopping three seconds to spare I aim the head at the Night Queen’s reflection, careful to line it up with her face. The comb is in her hand, when she stops. There’s crackling, like hundreds of tiny twigs snapping in two.

I’m scared that this is just part of her ultimate, that she’s hardening herself to release the blast from hell. Instead, pieces of her begin crumbling to my feet. I dared to look up. Hairline fractures spider across her features, millions of them illuminated by a soft white. The entire area is suddenly bathed in a brilliant white light. I’m beside myself, jumping and screaming when the screen dies.

I can hardly believe my luck. I have no idea if I have to redo the whole thing again, or if it saved. I pray to every god I can think of that autosave decided to kick in at the end of the cut scene. I curse at Alexa, then realize in just a few hours, I'll have to go to class. I hastily look up the assignment and churn out a five page paper. I might as well at least try to get my degree this go around. Especially since it was three weeks until graduation.

#

Morning comes whether I want it to or not. The professor drones on about turning in our papers at the end of the class. My head couldn’t be further from Communication and A.I. Theory. I probably should listen, but with the end of the foreseeable future around the corner, perfect grades were the least of my worries.

Don’t be a dum-dum, Ash’s voice teases. Man, I’d give anything for some of her banter right now. With Eric MIA, it’s going to make this even lonelier. I’m at least past the point that I think this is all some hallucination my brain has cooked up. Admittedly it is strange as hell. I would love to see the look on a physicist’s face when I told them where and when I’m from. It gains a hearty chuckle until I think about poor Mr. Cromwell. If anyone got their hands on me, I’d either be doped up on so many drugs I couldn’t think straight or they’d hold me in some high level security building for the rest of my life. If the rest of the guys made it, I sure as shit hope they aren’t dumb enough to mention this to anyone.

The next four hours are torture but I manage to trudge through calculus, and a throw away psychology course. I planned my degree around getting the hard courses out of the way at the middle of my college years. It was hell, but I’m glad for it now. Especially considering how I need to channel everything I’ve got into beating this game. This shit is ironic as hell. I can’t remember how many times I was told as a kid that nothing good ever came from ‘wasting away on those damn fantasy worlds.’ I love you mom, but this time you were wrong.

I glance over at the calendar. Finals are next week and the week after. Even if I tank all of them, I would walk away with a 3.7 gpa. Not the greatest, but not too shabby. That means that I could devote minimal time toward academics and maximize my gaming. The right side of my mouth tips up. I’m becoming more like a college student by the day. I’m watching the countdown as we finish up our peer reviews. I shoot mine over with a few seconds to spare, excuse myself and leave the class. I immediately get something in my inbox, which means the professor wasn’t happy with my leaving early, but whatever. I did the coursework, it’s fine. What was this, like my first early day in the history of ever? They can deal.

I’m even further irritated as Alexa reminds me to eat again. Didn’t I just eat? I glance at the time. Oh right, that was this morning. As soon as I get up, I’m reminded I’m human and jet over to the restroom. So many inconveniences.

#

The opening screen fires up and I nearly lose my shit. It’s there. Right there. The indigo lights up on my screen before returning back to its place on the double moon badge. Then, something even crazier happens. I watch with wide eyes as the green lights up as well. The innovation award. How in the hell─

My head rings and I realize that someone is trying to call. I glance over at the icon and freeze. Finally, I get my head out of my ass and answer. “What up?” I ask awkwardly. I mean, how else are you supposed to answer the phone when your best friend has said they don’t want anything to do with you? Then it dawns on me, seconds before he says, “How in the actual fuck did you manage to score like a pro in five hours?” Sure, it's nice talking with you too, buddy, I think. I grin, despite my anger. I’ve really pissed him off this time and I know where the anger is coming from. This was his turf, and I’m encroaching on it.

I click on the scoreboard and my jaw drops. OK. Not only had I managed to catch up to him with the badge colors, I am now less than two thousand points away from beating his score. I’m dumbstruck, reading and then re-reading the scores. We’re both silent, but finally I break it, “It’s not like I meant to─” “Fucking destroy the one thing I had that was better than you. I need this, Hull,” he spats, “some little rich asshole like yourself wouldn’t even begin to understand that.” I bristle before blurting out, “Oh yeah, I wouldn’t understand what real life is like at all. Nevermind the fact that I lost everything in order to have that money.” We both fume silently.

“Just. Stay out of my way.” The line goes silent. So much for feeling on top of the world. My mood is sour, but eventually I flip my screen back over to the opening title. He wants a competitor, fine. Bring it. I came here alone, and I’ll probably leave here alone. Then it dawns on me. What happens when I finish what I came here to do? Am I stuck in this reality, or do I disappear? I have so many unanswered questions. I can’t focus on this for too long, or I know that it will eat me alive.

I blink a few times as I stare at the opening screen. I look at the title again to make sure that I have selected the right game. This new screen─ it’s different. The pixelated graphics have been replaced by hyper realistic ones. I’m in awe at the level of detail. A breeze gently tousles my hair and just to the northwest lies a glimmering city. It’s like it was made to be a part of the world, yet for all it’s curves, it still stands out as man made. A single trill cuts through the breeze, bird-like yet alien at the same time. There was a reptilian quality to it. My hand hovers over the start button as I stare at what I know is going to be my next adventure. What splender or horror awaits me in this shiny new world?

#

I’m practically panting as I reach the top of the second largest hill I’ve had to climb today. I’m taking the direct path, a beaten down road with no trees. If this is anything like most adventure type games, I know that straying from the path means battles. It also means supplies. I open my inventory again. I still have a decent supply of dried meats, veggies, and boiled water. If I keep at my current pace, I should be ok for a few more hours before I’ll need to venture off and restock. I’m exhausted, but thankful for the vantage point this hill offers. It appears I’m getting somewhat closer at least. I chug a bit of the water and down some dried meat. Despite it being a game, my own mouth waters at the sight of meat. I wonder what the flavor is like. Come to think of it, I’ve never even smelled it. I hold the brownish-red flesh up to my character’s nose and inhale. A sweet-salty and peppery scent fills my senses and my stomach rumbles audibly. I chuckle and pause the game. Time to tend to my own needs, I guess.

The protein bars aren’t all bad. There are some that you can heat and mix with the mushroom noodles that mimicked ramen. I choose a pork flavored brick, layer the bowl with the noodles and sprinkle it on top. I fill it just halfway with water and then stick the whole thing into the microwave. I glance nervously back at my screen, anxious to press on to the next area. I’m not sure how long it will take, but I need to get on a level playing field with guys like Eric. It’s clear that I had done something different than him, my points reflected that. The real question is, will it be enough to get me past his score. Lunar Lander had cautioned that scores weren’t everything, but it definitely can’t hurt my odds, right? I get the sense that they were looking for more than what the average joe had to offer. I frown over at my setup. It’s true that I have a rig that most people would dream of right now, but it wasn’t going to give me any more points.

For that, I needed brains. Which is fine if it was for book smarts. What I need is more than just beginner’s luck, I need an entire life lesson in gaming. I’m not a casual gamer but I’m no expert. I sulk, blowing air over the burning hot noodles. There is something else that’s really bugging the shit out of me─ how had Eric managed to get around his monitoring system? From what I know, neither of us are breakers. I slurp up a few of the noodles, and then quickly spit them back out. They’re like lava. I’ve definitely burned the roof of my mouth. I sigh tonguing the sore spot and drooping skin. Yep─ the roof of my mouth is toast. Why does everything take forever? I just want to get back to the game. I grab my bowl and set it on the little tray in front of my chair, then flick on one of the fans. I angle it toward the bowl and step up onto the chair. The warm glow of the screen shines across my bare, folded legs. I glance outside and realize the sun is starting to set. I’ve gotten enough sleep that Alexa won’t bother me for another six hours or so, but eventually she is going to tell me I have to go to bed. There has to be a simple solution to get around the time problem.

Where is my damn miracle pill to surpass sleep, and why have we still not figured it out?

I mean, I know there are probably some on the black market I could get online that would keep me awake for that long. Who knows what the hell it would do to my system though.

It would probably get me the same effect if I took three shots of espresso and some B12. Cost way more too. They were always looking for suckers with large bank accounts. I needed to use my savings on something more beneficial─ and practical.

I test one of the noodles. It’s finally cooled enough to down them all. I tip the bowl up and pause mid-gulp as I stare at the tiny blinking counter on the screen. I wonder─

“Alexa, can you find out how much a month’s worth of buying a VPN would cost?” There’s a brief pause, “A VPN trial is going to cut into your monthly stipen─”

“I’m aware,” I interrupt. “How much will it set me back?”

“You currently are in debt by four months, this will cost two months of your monthly income,”

“Thank you, please order a VPN from Australia.” I say.

“Of course, Hull.” It responds.

I grin and thank Alexa. If this works, I might just order another candy bar and some chips to celebrate.