The Joke’s on You 4

The hours ticked by as Earnest poured over the documents on his desk, each file a carefully curated piece of the intricate puzzle he was constructing. The mansion was silent now, the guests long gone and his family retired to their respective quarters. But Earnest's mind was far from quiet. It buzzed with the details of his plan, the careful balancing of alliances and betrayals that would, in time, bring down the very people who had created him.

He reached for a file labeled "Argento," flipping it open to reveal detailed information on Gracelyn and her family. The Argento family, much like the Creeds, were a force to be reckoned with, steeped in power and shadowed by a history of ruthless ambition. But where the Creed family ruled through political influence, the Argentos held sway through their control of the underworld—a network of crime and corruption that stretched far beyond the city's borders.

Gracelyn's role in his plans was pivotal, though he had not yet revealed the full extent of his intentions to her. She was a brilliant strategist, both in the real world and in CSO, and her resources were invaluable to him. But there was more to their relationship than mere convenience. In her, he had found a kindred spirit—someone who understood the darkness that drove him, who shared his desire for control and dominance.

But trust was a fragile thing, and Earnest had learned long ago that it could be a double-edged sword. Even as he considered Gracelyn an ally, he knew that she was just as likely to turn on him if it suited her purposes. It was a risk he was willing to take, for now. But as always, he kept his guard up, ready to act if the situation demanded it.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime from his computer. A notification blinked on the screen, drawing his attention. It was a message from Gray—Gracelyn's avatar in CSO. The timing was uncanny, almost as if she could sense when his thoughts were on her.

He clicked on the message, his eyes scanning the brief text:

"Revenant's been spotted near one of our outposts. Thought you'd like to know."

Earnest's expression darkened slightly. Revenant again. The rogue player had been a thorn in their side for weeks now, always staying just out of reach, but always lurking on the edges of their territory. It was clear that Revenant was more than just another player—whoever they were, they had a level of skill and determination that set them apart from the usual threats in CSO.

He typed a quick reply:

"Where exactly?"

The response came almost immediately:

"Sector 9, near the old ironworks. They've been there for about an hour, but they're not alone. Looks like they've got a small group with them."

Earnest frowned. Revenant working with others was a new development, and not one he particularly liked. Up until now, Revenant had been a lone wolf, taking down targets with surgical precision and vanishing before anyone could retaliate. If they were gathering allies, it could mean they were planning something bigger—something that could threaten the Cirque Phantom's dominance in CSO.

He typed another message:

"Meet me there. We'll deal with them together."

Gray's response was immediate, and he could almost hear the amusement in her voice:

"On my way, darling."

Earnest closed the chat and stood, his movements fluid and precise as he prepared to re-enter the digital battlefield. The real world could wait; there was a more pressing matter at hand. The Cirque Phantom had built its reputation on being untouchable, and he had no intention of letting some rogue player challenge that.

As he settled into his chair and pulled the VR helmet over his head, the familiar hum of the system powered up, and the room around him faded into darkness. In its place, the twisted, industrial landscape of Sector 9 materialized, the air thick with smoke and the distant sounds of machinery clanking ominously in the background.

Jest's form solidified within the game, his dark armor gleaming faintly in the dim light. He was already on high alert, his senses honed to detect any sign of movement in the desolate surroundings. Sector 9 was one of the less populated areas of CSO, a decaying industrial zone that had long since fallen into disuse. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and Jest knew better than to walk into one unprepared.

A quick scan of the area revealed no immediate threats, but he knew better than to trust appearances. Revenant was skilled in the art of stealth, and their companions—whoever they were—would likely be just as dangerous. Jest moved cautiously through the twisted metal structures and crumbling concrete, his eyes constantly scanning for any sign of movement.

As he approached the old ironworks, a message flashed on his HUD—Gray had arrived. A moment later, she materialized beside him, her silver armor gleaming even in the gloom. Her presence was a reassuring one; they had fought side by side enough times to have developed an almost instinctive understanding of each other's tactics.

"Anything yet?" Gray asked, her voice low and calm.

"Nothing so far," Jest replied, his gaze sweeping the area. "But they're here. I can feel it."

Gray nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings. "Let's draw them out, then."

Jest didn't need to ask how she intended to do that. Gray had a knack for turning even the most mundane situations into chaos, and tonight would be no different. He watched as she moved forward, her form flickering slightly as she activated one of her illusion spells. The air around them shimmered, and suddenly there were multiple Grays, each one moving in a different direction, creating a disorienting spectacle that would confuse even the most seasoned players.

Jest followed suit, his own form splitting into several identical copies, each moving with the same fluid grace as the original. Together, they advanced on the ironworks, their presence a silent, yet unmistakable challenge to Revenant and their allies.

The trap was set, and now all they had to do was wait.

It didn't take long. A flicker of movement caught Jest's eye, and he turned just in time to see a figure dart out from behind one of the rusted metal beams. It was Revenant, their avatar a sleek, shadowy figure that blended seamlessly with the environment. They moved with the precision of a predator, closing the distance between them in an instant.

But Jest was ready. With a swift motion, he engaged Revenant, their weapons clashing in a flurry of sparks. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the two combatants locked eyes, each one assessing the other with a mixture of respect and hostility.

Revenant was good—better than Jest had anticipated. Their movements were fluid, almost impossible to predict, and their strikes were relentless, each one aimed to exploit any weakness. But Jest had no intention of giving them any openings. He fought with the same cold precision that had earned him his reputation, every move calculated, every strike deliberate.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jest saw Gray engaging the rest of Revenant's group. They were a mixed lot—two warriors and a rogue, each one skilled in their own right, but no match for Gray's relentless assault. She moved like a whirlwind, her blade cutting through the air with lethal efficiency, her illusions disorienting and overwhelming her opponents.

But Revenant was different. They were focused, determined, and far more dangerous than their companions. Jest could see the intensity in their eyes, the single-minded purpose that drove them forward. This wasn't just a fight for dominance—it was personal.

And then, in a split second, Jest realized something. Revenant's movements, their tactics—there was something familiar about them, something that nagged at the back of his mind. It was as if he had seen them before, fought them before. But where?

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Revenant's style—it was similar to his own. The same calculated strikes, the same focus on precision and control. Whoever they were, they had studied him, learned from him.

The thought sent a chill down Jest's spine, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he pressed the attack, his strikes becoming faster, more aggressive. He needed to end this, and quickly. Revenant was dangerous, but they were also vulnerable. Jest just needed to find the right opening.

Finally, it came. A slight hesitation in Revenant's movements, a fraction of a second where their guard dropped. Jest seized the opportunity, his blade slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The strike landed, cutting deep into Revenant's side, and they staggered back, their form flickering as their health bar dropped significantly.

Jest advanced, ready to deliver the finishing blow. But before he could strike, Revenant's form shimmered, and suddenly they were gone, vanished into the shadows as if they had never been there.

He cursed under his breath, frustrated by their escape. But the battle wasn't over yet. Gray had already dispatched the rest of Revenant's group, and she turned to him, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of victory.

"They're gone," Jest said, his voice edged with irritation. "But not for long. We'll find them."

Gray nodded, her expression serious. "Next time, they won't be so lucky."

Jest agreed silently. Revenant had escaped, but they had also revealed themselves. Now, he had a better understanding of his enemy, and he wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

As the two of them surveyed the now-deserted battlefield, Jest couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter had been just the beginning. Revenant was more than just another player—they were a challenge, a threat that needed to be neutralized before they could disrupt everything he had worked for.

But Jest was nothing if not patient. He had spent years honing his skills, perfecting his strategies, and he wasn't about to let someone like Revenant derail his plans. He would find them, and when he did, there would be no escape.

For now, though, he and Gray would regroup, reinforce their defenses, and prepare for the next move in this deadly game. The Cirque Phantom's dominance would not be challenged—not by Revenant, not by anyone.

As they prepared to leave the sector, Jest cast one last glance at the shadows where Revenant had disappeared. He didn't know who they were yet, but he would find out.

And when he did, they would regret ever crossing him.