Divorce

"Why do you want to do this?" Zaori asks. "Tell me the reason."

"The first reason is that I don't want to be a part of a harem. Second, I want to level up on my own. I think I'll get stronger and more experienced that way. Third, I want to get to the Edge of the Server in my own way."

"Are you serious?"

"I am."

She chuckles as she lies back. "Alright, but I want to share the last moment with you here."

"I refuse."

Shadows sprout from her and come to restrain me. I can't fight back. "It's not like you have a choice, you know." They slowly bring me to her. She embraces me and kisses me everywhere on my face, even licking my cheeks. "You taste so so good, don't you know that? Daemons have a natural liking to Anthropic flesh. I could eat you right here, right now but I won't do that. You're my husband. We eat each other in a 'different' way." There she goes with her lusty remarks. "Anyway, about what you wish. You'll need thousands of years to prepare. The Divine Trinity Quest is very difficult, you know. Millions of players have died progressing it. None have completed it. But I am powerful enough to complete it. However, I still need to be Level 5000 by the end of this century. That's when I'll start my journey. Coming along with me will be an easy ride, you know. . ."

"This is about my past, Zaori," I reason. "It's important to me and it is just if I uncover it on my own."

"What past?"

"I just remembered that my mother used to play this game. She told me to find her at the edge of the server. And that's what I'm going to do. She might be there, waiting for me, alive."

"But I can't let you die. You'll be needed when we get there. If you stay here with me, you'll get stronger faster and safer. Plus, you'll get what you want without a fuss."

"I've been stuck on a chair for years. I don't want to be stuck with anything anymore. Not even with you. I want a free life. . . even if this is the only place I can do that. Don't take that away from me."

She sighs as she smiles. "What a strong-willed boy. Alright, I will let you. But on one condition."

I want to get out of here without being bound to anything. "What if I refuse?" I ask.

"I will kill you and take you as my Anthropa Frame. That would be easy for me but I don't wanna do that."

"I knew it," I mutter. "Fine, what is it?"

"I'll give you 99 years to get stronger. I will judge your strength in a duel. If I find you strong enough, I'll let you go. But if judge you too weak, I'll kill you on the spot."

The way she said that is bone-chilling. I can't help but swallow in anxiety. She is usually a troll but when she gets serious, she's terrifying.

"Deal," I say. I got nothing to lose here but my life. If I succeed, the reward is great.

"You know, if ever you consider running away, I just want you to know you can't. I will find you wherever you hide no matter how far. I know this world like the back of my hand, hubby."

"I won't run away."

"Woah, what a resolve. . . I hope you're not only saying that."

"I have all the reason to do it." I glare at her for taking what I said too lightly. I'm serious and she's making fun of me.

Near my ear, she whispers, "Alright, but as a parting gift. . . let's do 'it', shall we?"

*Swallow* Do I dare?

All that thinking made me too late to decide.

After that "act", I wear my clothes and we agree to divorce. She's resting on the sofa, watching me go with an innocent smile on her face. What we did, felt real. . . I never thought that it would feel that good.

No, no, no. . . Keep that out of your head. All of this is not real.

"Goodbye for now," I bid farewell as I open the door.

"See you again."

When I'm finally outside and closed the door, I feel a bit of relief. I can have my own adventure now. I can choose whether or not to put myself in danger.

Azgoth is there watching over the balcony, smoking a huge cigar. "You're making a mistake," he says in a very deep voice without turning to look at me. "You don't know how lucky you are to marry Her Majesty without proving yourself."

"That is another good reason to separate from her," I remark, walking down the stairs. "I don't want things I don't deserve."

He bursts out laughing. Well, whatever. . .

"I like you," he says. "See you, bro."

Bro? We just met and he acts as if we're that close. I don't know why but I feel like I won't get along with him.

I want to say goodbye to Lucy at least. She's there near the stage, leading the effort to clean up the mess. It's gonna be a tough fix for this huge stadium. I realize I'm worrying over nothing. They have robots and guys who can use Shadowclutch that are repairing the damage.

"Lucy," I call to her and she turns to face me.

"Yeah?"

"I just want to say farewell, for now."

"What? Why?"

"I and Zaori divorced."

Her jaw drops. "No! It's only been a year! Come with me." She grabs my hand and pulls me on her way to Zaori's room. "You're very important to her. I'll bring you back to her harem."

"No, we both decided it." She lets go of me and puts hee hands on her waist. "Ask her and she'll explain everything to you. You'll understand."

She shakes her head slowly while sighing. "Okay. . . just be careful. Your Anthropa Frame is the last one there is. Every Frame user would like to take it away from you."

"Got it," I nod.

Before I could turn, she adds, "Find people who you can trust. You'll need them to watch your back."

I nod again and that was the last conversation we had. Now, I'm outside the stadium, deciding which street I should go.

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👋A QUICK SAY FROM THE AUTHOR👇

That's about it for the first volume, "Phantom of the Rave"!!! The next volume will be, "Castle of Carmilla" where more adventure and action are waiting!

And I just want to say that I am trying to apply for a contract so that I can focus and keep this story going in the best quality it deserves. I hope we can transcend this book with each other's help.

Thank you!

(Sept., 14, 2022)

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