Alexander

Alexander. Like Kaillean Alexander, CEO of Hyperion Studios. I drew my fist back and launched it forward again snapping my fist against his jaw. His head snapped back. He stepped a few steps back with the force of the punch. I held my hand aloft. He held his hands up in surrender and moved to cover his face.

"You sick piece of shit!" I wailed on him, fists flying. He covered his face and tried to avoid my hits. "You have been watching me, and leading me on, and you are one of THEM." I screamed at him; my voice almost hysterical in pitch. Finally, he stood straight and still, he just took my hits, not flinching. I know because he was a beta-player he likely can't even feel pain in his immersion gear, but I could burn some rage. I held my sword in my right hand. Aine placed her hand on my arm. I looked back at her; she shook her head.

"Let me explain, please!" Vane's eyes were pleading. I sighed and placed my sword back in its sheath.

"So, explain." I crossed my arms over my chest. I raised a brow and tapped my foot impatiently. Vane sighed and ran a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"I was one of them. My brother is Kaillean Alexander. They assigned me to watch you and get you going in the right direction. I wasn't supposed to… anyway, I wasn't supposed to interfere in your battle, I overrode the system to get into the boss room, and now my brother's team has revoked my immortal object and system admin privileges. I'm a normal player now." He ranted; his fists clenched.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, wondering why he would give up his system admin rights to save my life. As even he said before, I'm already dead. He looked straight into my eyes, there was an emotion I couldn't read in them. He reached out and placed his hand on my cheek.

"I couldn't watch you die." I looked down. My heart was racing, but I didn't know how to feel. The sting of betrayal ached. I ran my fingers through my long tresses, I paced back and forth in thought. A glowing light surrounded Vane, A system warning appeared above his head "SYSTEM ADMIN: REVOKED", the air crackled with energy around him.

"I thought you said I'm already dead." I looked up at him through my lashes. He frowned and reached toward me; I took a step back.

"Fayre, I didn't mean that. You are alive." He pleaded. I rubbed my arms, lost in thought. He had saved my life, sheltered me, taught me how to survive. I would have died without him, but now I realize it wasn't out of the kindness of his heart, he was assigned to watch me. To set me on the path of the most entertainment for the masses.

"Are they streaming this?" I asked. He looked to the corners of the cavern and pointed out glowing red orbs, floating in the air. Monitoring our movement.

"Yes. They're streaming all of the candidates battles and placing bets. That's why they're pissed off that I interfered." He explained. I clenched my fists. They were just going to watch me be slaughtered by Raezar without so much as batting an eye. I imagine them laughing over their drinks, placing bets on how long I will survive.

"I was just a job to you. You were grooming me for this competition." The rage permeated my voice, shaking with anger. I couldn't look at him. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"No, my job ended after the first time I saved your life. I was only supposed to observe. I brought you into my home, I want you to survive!" He implored. I looked at the ground, my arms still crossed over my chest. I shook my head at him.

"Did you have anything to do with me ending up here?" I raised a brow. I needed to know. If he knew what they were going to do to me, what they did to Aine. My memory flashed back to the cold and wet alley where I had fallen, bleeding out in the dark night. His eyes darkened, he looked to the ground.

"I didn't know what they were going to do to you. I should have guessed, though. I think I didn't want to know what they were doing." He looked up at me. I sighed, so he wasn't directly involved. But it's his brother, he must have known something nefarious was going on.

"I need some time." I said. I looked across the vast cavern to the throne Raezar had been guarding. Behind the throne I noticed an open doorway, what lied beyond the door was ominous and black, nothing could be seen. I assume that was the exit to the next area. I grabbed Aine's hand and we walked toward the exit.

"Fayre…" I heard him say softly. I froze, stopping momentarily. I thought of his bright smile, of sharing wine together. I thought to the days he taught me to train, to survive. I squared my shoulders and stepped into the dark corridor past the throne. I didn't look back. I said I needed time and I meant it. The world was black, suddenly I saw pixels loading and amassing together, the world was spinning around us. I clung to Aine's hand. We emerged from the cave to see a new landscape before us. Wildflowers scattered across the fields as far as the eye could see.

The massive city rose from the midst of flower fields in the distance, tall spires and towers of glass, reached toward the heavens. I took a deep breath, the aroma of the flowers permeating the air. I stepped forward off on to the path leading from the Cave, Aine at my side. The area was less crowded than Vale, but I saw players running about in the flower fields, couples having a picnic by the river. Various beta players running between fetch and carries quests.

Animals also lived on this level, I noticed foxes and squirrels flittering about, the place was idyllic and serene. We continued on the path toward the city, passing parties of players attacking giant flower shaped enemies, with tentacles in the distance. I kept my hand on my sword ready, this place looked peaceful. We entered the archways the signified the cities beginning, a female soldier stood at the entrance to the city. I stopped when I saw the small quest marker above her head. Her long blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders. Her sword rested on her back.

"Hello!" Her light voice echoed. "Welcome to Mikado, the city of the Rose."