Dan sat on the ground as thoughts raced through his mind such as why Aphariel was there, why she protected a demon, and where she and Xotl disappeared off too.

  He was happy his plan worked. He hoped he caused a lot of damage and killed a ton of demons with that trigger.

  No matter how many died, it wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

  His biggest hope was that the trigger destroyed something necessary to keep the Game going, causing it to end prematurely.

  Since everything seemed fine, he didn’t think there was much of a chance of that happening.

  A lot of the Game infrastructure wasn’t a secret, and his techs had talked openly about it when asked.

  The building for a world’s first Game was located somewhere in the mortal realm. As far as Dan could tell, the mortal realm meant the universe he knew, the one he had seen whenever he looked up at the night’s sky from Earth.

  The building for a world’s second or later Game was located in the lowest layer of Hell.

  It wasn’t exactly known where the building housing all the technical Game staff, important machinery, AIs, and all that was located. He had heard it was in the mortal realm too, or housed in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth layer of Hell. One tech heard it was in two different realms at once, both Heaven and Hell.

  Still, he had hoped some machinery critical to running his Game was in the building the trigger exploded in. Maybe he’d see some glitches or something. Some evidence he caused real damage.

  Maybe I’ll see some glitches or weird stuff when I run a Trial?

  Since he didn’t know how long it’d take for the demons to get everything back up and running again, Dan’s original plan for the trigger was to wait until the first year was almost up and the tech’s Veil and Sortileges were about to reset, but he kept worrying that Xotl would be executed before then, and the favor wasted.

  And if he was being truthful, he enacted his plan early because he needed payback for Bonnie. That sin was tearing him up inside, and he had wanted revenge, to do something to balance the scales a little.

  Deep down, he knew there was no balancing the scales against what he did, but killing Xotl and a bunch of demon techs would be something.

  He never even imagined they’d put him in the ring with a toddler. Bonnie wasn’t even a participant.

  But Dan should’ve known. He should’ve known better. He knew just how depraved the forces of Hell were. He should’ve predicted that. And somehow prevented it.

  He dropped the ball, and because of that, Bonnie was dead. He purposefully killed a child. A child not all that younger than his own daughter had been when she died.

  His mind kept telling him that he couldn’t take much more of this. That he was at his limit. That he should’ve taken the honorable out the demons had given him. No one would’ve held it against him if he did, and Bonnie was the one that left the ring alive instead of him.

  He had wanted to. He almost went that route. He didn’t because it’d be too easy. So easy.

  He couldn’t quit. He had to remain. He had to win.

  It’s all on you, you piece of shit, he thought.

  Xotl loved gloating. He loved twisting the knife as much as he could whenever he could.

  When the demon didn’t appear after Bonnie’s death, Dan knew the tech’s Veil was exactly where it needed to be. Xotl would’ve definitely appeared otherwise. Dan was 100% certain of that.

  And because of Aphariel, Xotl was still alive. If she didn’t have good answers for that whenever he saw her again, he’d consider her as much of an enemy as Xotl.

  He assumed Bonnie being in the ring was Xotl’s depraved idea. Xotl had to die. He owed Bonnie that.

  Dan had tried to blow up the demon’s building with a trigger before. He didn’t know enough at the time. The attempt failed and he almost died.

  Participants never stayed in the Game long enough to learn the Veil rules, so getting a trigger past the techs wasn’t something they ever had to worry about before him.

  After the failed attempt, the chance of him ever getting a trigger past a tech went down to zero. Until he regressed.

  Now, his plan succeeded, but Xotl was still alive. And Aphariel was with Xotl. Aphariel saved the demon.

  Dan sighed.

  Well, no sense sitting around. Best get back to it, he thought.

  Grinding was so much easier this time around. With all the extra grinding and keeping the Lone Wolf Trait, he was expecting better drops.

  The Profile Reader claimed there was a lot of stuff in the loot tables he had never seen drop, such as Step-Enhancers. He hoped that was true.

  He was holding on to his last Trait token in case he didn’t get any major drops this time either. To ascend, he needed an 8-Star Soul and one Stat at SS++++++, or SSR on the real scale the demons used.

  He wouldn’t fail. He wouldn’t let himself. He would attain an 8-Star Soul and ascend again. He would kill Asmodon this time. He had to. If not, then he killed a child for nothing.

  Xotl was losing his mind. There was absolutely nothing to do in Dan’s soul. The crazy angel just sat there silently, ignoring Xotl, often crying. She wouldn’t talk.

  And Xotl couldn’t really see out of Dan’s eyes or hear what was going on too well. He couldn’t hold himself high enough up on his tentacles to see all that clearly. And the volume was way too soft.

  Meditation did nothing. There was no qi to gather, and his mana just sat still in his core, refusing to be cycled or manipulated at all.

  He couldn’t invoke or work on improving himself in any way. He couldn’t even pleasure himself.

  He would’ve gone mad if he couldn’t at least watch out of Dan’s eyes, even with his poor view.

  One day, he was freaking out and actually losing his mind. The prude must’ve noticed as the volume increased and a chair appeared that he could crawl up on. When sitting in the chair, he could see perfectly out of Dan’s eyes.

  It wasn’t ideal but watching Dan gave him something to do. He didn’t have any of the access to Dan’s vitals like sitting at his terminal gave him, and instead of having his whole team of losers to cycle through when one was being boring, he only had Dan.

  Still, it was something. It wasn’t so bad. He could get used to this if only he had something to fornicate with and some crack. And was allowed to smoke it while inside of a soul.

  But he didn’t have crack or something to fornicate with. He only had Dan. And a crying prude with an impenetrable mind, a mind completely impervious to all his mind control programming attempts.

  And all Dan did was grind Trials over and over, all day every day. He rarely talked to anyone. And when he did, he gave out wealth and treasure as if it grew on trees.

  He did train with Chet and Leena, but he rarely talked about anything interesting or meaningful, or talked much at all, when he did so.

  Since Dan was a huge prude and never fornicated or did anything interesting, and since Xotl could only see out of Dan’s eyes, he rarely saw an interesting orifice anymore, never mind an orifice doing something interesting. He couldn’t even watch Dan chew food.

  After some months, Xotl was surprised to see Nick approach Dan.

  Nick had always kept his distance. The same as Becky.

  Chet, Leena, and the other participants never talked to Dan about Becky or Nick. Leena once mentioned that Becky had given up and stopped progressing. For a while, Nick had done the same to take care of Becky.

  Due to this, Leena and Chet had formed a new party with Dotty, Valentin, Quiet, and Mandy.

  Nick, after a while, joined a different party.

  But that was all Leena had said, so Xotl’s interest was very piqued.

  Dan was in the Crucible headed to the Boss area when he saw Nick approaching. He stood silently as his brother walked towards him.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Nick had what Xotl believed was an angry look on his face, but Xotl was often wrong about such things.

  Once Nick reached Dan, he said, “I still hate you for what you done, but I need to talk to you.”

  “Understood,” answered Dan.

  “It’s just that I ain’t got no one else to talk to about this, is all.”

  Dan didn’t say anything. He just waited for his brother to continue.

  Nick clucked his tongue after rubbing his face with his hand. “It’s messed up how things work out sometimes, ain’t it? Since day one I’ve been there for Becky. Since the very first day. When she fell apart after Bonnie, I was right there with her the whole time.”

  Nick fell silent for a minute before saying, “She’s pregnant. It’s Hector’s kid. She said one night after she finished guard duty, Hector had it after her. She went to take a bath. Supposedly, Hector looked just like her husband.

  “She said she just wanted to be with her husband once more. That she’s been so lonely, and just wanted one more night with her soulmate. Except it weren’t. It was Hector. She said she never turned around so she could pretend it was her husband.

  “How could she say she’s lonely when I been there for her every step of the way? I was always right there, taking care of her and Bonnie. Me. No one else. Since the first day. And she just strung me along. She had to know how I felt for her.”

  Xotl got excited. I hope this leads to murder. Or something good.

  Females getting pregnant in the Game was a lot more common than anyone rational would expect, especially when considering what a huge hassle mortal get were.

  The profile reader had a big spiel about what a bad idea getting pregnant was. Right in the same section of the profile reader as menstrual pads, there were very cheap birth prevention and termination pills.

  No items were sold that assisted in the care of mortal get. No diapers, bottles, or anything.

  Having babies in the Game was a terrible idea. Still, so many of these dumb broads did it. All the time. It boggled Xotl’s mind.

  When Dan didn’t reply, Nick said, “She’s known for a long time. The hide armor hid it too good. She ain’t said nothing to me until I couldn’t help but notice something and brought it up.

  “I know we ain’t together, but it just made me…it makes me feel like shit, is what it does. Like I been cheated on. It’s…”

  Nick wiped his hand over his face again. “I don’t know what I should do. I asked her to marry me, and I promised to take care of her and her kid forever. She said no.

  “Same bullshit she’s always said. She’ll only ever love her husband. Her soulmate. All that shit. Like she didn’t sleep with Hector. She’s pretending the kid ain’t Hector’s neither. She says it’s her husbands.”

  Dan continued to stand there silently, just looking at his brother. “Well, Danny, not going to say nothing? I come to you, and you just fixing to stand there silently?”

  “I don’t know what to say, Nicky. Paw would say you done a noble thing offering to marry her and take care of another man’s kid like it’s your own. I reckon that’s all you can do. I know how losing a kid can mess someone up. I’m the reason why she lost Bonnie. I ain’t never forgetting that. And don’t think I don’t hate myself for it. More for it.”

  Nick scoffed. “I didn’t come to hear your confession or excuses.”

  “I know, Nicky. She ain’t had it easy. First her husband died, then she lost their child. You want a woman that says she’s taken. Maybe after she gives birth, she’ll start seeing things different. I don’t know. If I tell you to wait and continue trying and you listen, what if that leads to something worse?

  “I ain’t got no good advice for you. You know I wish I did. If I could fix things, I would. For everybody, not just me and you. You’re my brother, Nicky. I love you. I always will. No matter what. I’ll always be here for you. I reckon that’s all I can do. If you need anything – for yourself, for Becky, or the kid she’s carrying – just let me know and it’s done.”

  Nick nodded his head and walked away. Dan watched him for some time.

  The prude almost caused Xotl to shit his pants, at least figuratively, by saying, “That’s so sad,” right next to him. He turned and saw her standing and watching out of Dan’s eyes along with him.

  “Good to see you up and about. How’re you feeling? Have you lost your madness? Or are you still crazy? Was it your period? Did your period make you crazy?”

  The prude sighed, went back to her moping spot, and sat down on the invisible floor.

  Xotl sighed too before turning back to Dan.

  After many months more of grinding with little of actual interest happening and the prude just being crazy and rarely speaking, Xotl said out loud, “I can’t believe he’s getting so few natural Stat-grade increases now.”

  “That’s how it’s supposed to be,” said the prude right beside and behind him, nearly causing Xotl to shit his pants again.

  “Huh,” exclaimed Xotl, startled.

  “It’s a rare mortal that can climb so high, in or out of the Game. Soul-grade isn’t the only thing preventing ascension. Stat-grades do as well. Unlike my kind who are born powerful, such power isn’t normal for mortals, not too unlike demons of your layer.”

  Xotl was happy the prude was up and talking. To keep her talking, he said, “Except mortals get one shot. Demons are always reborn. If I climb high enough, my soul will be reborn on a higher layer of Hell. One day my soul could be one of the high pantheon. Is it the same for your kind?”

  “I don’t know. We are reborn too. I’m not sure if those of higher Orders can or do die. Angels die often in the war, and fewer and fewer of us are born. If I ascend high enough, I’ll be accepted into the next Choir as an archangel, but I don’t think I’d be reborn as one.

  “Things are not as they should be. If there were no war, I’d probably be in some mortal’s soul just as I am now, except I’d be helping to guide those assigned to me. Archangels would be communicating our Lord’s word and making worlds Godlier and purer. Now principalities do the job archangels were meant for on top of their own, and no one performs my Choir’s function.”

  Not wanting the prude to go back to moping, Xotl quickly asked, “Do you think Dan can beat Asmodon?”

  “I don’t know. I do know nothing will come of it if he does. In here, I have much more access to Dan, and though I didn’t doubt it, I’ve confirmed that my assessment was correct.

  “He has never once asked for forgiveness. He has never repented for his many sins. He has never once asked for redemption. It’s like he has resigned himself to having Hell as his fate. I cannot understand why.”

  Since entering Dan’s soul, Xotl had asked the prude a certain question a million times. And the question had always been ignored.

  Since the prude was finally talking, he took a chance by asking, “I appreciate that you saved me, really, but it’s super boring in here, and I was wondering when we’re leaving this place?”

  The prude sighed and said, “And go where? I cannot escape the Game. I was blocked from all planes, even the mortal realm. I don’t know why that is, but considering that fact, it’s better to let things play out naturally while we remain in here.

  “Exiting Dan poses too great a risk of us doing something considered interference. In here, we are safe from all such risks.”

  Xotl grunted and asked, “What about the high pantheon shrines?”

  “I’ve thought of that. Besides the use of what seems like false icons, maybe it’d work for me, but it certainly wouldn’t for you. And I’m not sure I even…”

  “What?”

  The angel sighed and said, “Never mind. It’s personal. I’d rather not abandon those in my charge. If I did leave you in the Game, and you did something considered interference, would it blow back on me? We’ll stay in here. For the time being, at least.”

  Xotl hated what a stickler for the rules the prude was, but her decision was somewhat of a relief.

  He thought staying in Dan was much safer for him.

  He was pretty sure Dan knew Xotl was the genius behind the whole Bonnie-arena thing. Xotl clearly remembered all the hate he saw in Dan’s eyes.

  If Xotl died, his soul would be reborn, but it’s not like he’d keep his memories or be himself. He wanted to live for as long as possible.

  The angel had finally stopped moping and was talking. Xotl didn’t want to ruin that by being his usual self, so he tried his hardest to be more prudish and proper.

  Aphariel created a new chair and sat beside him. The two began to watch Dan grind together.

  They’d often talk. The prude even laughed sometimes.

  The waves of monsters came and went, but not once did Dan see a ghost. Not once did a tech appear to antagonize Dan. Not once did Xotl see a Sortilege creature.

  With Xotl gone and Bob and Az’ga definitely dead, a new tech would’ve been assigned to Dan, Nick, Chet, Leena, and Becky.

  With a team of five participants, only one tech could be assigned to them, but only a tech with plenty of Veil would’ve been assigned.

  And other techs would have some Veil. There would’ve been signs of Techs messing with their teams.

  There was nothing.

  Xotl hoped that meant the whole building was destroyed and everyone in it was dead, including that crack stealing prick Mystozagan.

  Nothing much interesting happened until one day Nick and Becky, a baby in her arms, approached Dan.

  Xotl couldn’t tell how old the child was, but it was very small and stupid looking.

  Becky’s hair was wild and unkempt. Xotl wished he could tell mortal emotions apart better because it looked like Becky had a crazed look in her eyes, but the look was indistinguishable from lust, anger, or joy.

  With a bright smile, Becky held her child out so Dan could see it better and said, “This is Michael Junior. We call him Junior. Or Little Mike. Mostly Junior. He’s two months old.”

  Dan, his voice cracking, said, “He looks healthy and strong. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, smiling at her child. Dan and Nick stood there uncomfortably. Nick seemed to be giving Dan some meaningful look Xotl couldn’t interpret.

  Still smiling, Becky looked up from her child and at Dan. “I wanted to tell you that I forgive you.” Becky stepped closer to Dan, briefly held him, and kissed him on the cheek.

  Dan made a weird noise and started to say something but couldn’t get it out.

  After some stumbling attempts, Dan finally managed to say, “Just know I won’t never forgive myself for what I done. And it won’t be meaningless. I promise you. We will win. There’ll be a world for you and Junior to go back to. I promise.”

  Pleasant memories of Bonnie being murdered made Xotl smile.

  Becky’s eye orifices began to leak water. He laughed at Becky for crying like a sissy. For some reason, the prude slapped one of his tentacles.

  Dan said, “Here. Let me give y’all some frags for the baby. If y’all need anything, anything at all, just let me know. Please.”

  Becky passed the baby off to Nick as she took a huge pile of frags from Dan. Once she had them stowed, she took her baby back and cradled it in her arms.

  Nick looked at Becky and asked, “Mind if I talk to my brother for a minute?”

  Becky looked confused. Nick said, “Just wait right here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  After walking a good distance away, Nick said to Dan, “She got a little better after giving birth. She gives that kid a lot of love. She’s a good mother, but…she got worse in some ways. She talks to her old husband like he’s there. Her maw and paw too sometimes.

  “And sometimes she confuses me with her old husband. Or her paw. She’ll call me Mike or Dad. Sometimes she’ll come up and put an arm around me and hold out Junior and say, ‘Ain’t our son beautiful, Mike,’ or something like that, and give me a peck on the mouth.”

  Nick kicked his feet for a moment, then said, “She ain’t never mention Bonnie no more neither. It’s like Bonnie never happened. She gets real agitated when that names brought up, so don’t never say it around her. And…”

  Nick trailed off. He lowers his eyes.

  “I just ain’t sure what to do,” said Nick. “Dotty thinks what I’m doing is good, but I ain’t too sure. Leena ain’t neither.

  “Half the time I feel like I’m doing right, and the other half I feel like I’m taking advantage of a woman that ain’t right in the head. We still ain’t never been together, and I’m not sure I could now anyhow. I won’t never know if she thinks it’s me or her old husband, so I can’t.”

  After a minute of silence, Dan grabbed his brother and hugged him tightly. “I love you, Nicky. You’re a good man. Maw and Paw would be proud of you. Taking care of her and her kid like you is. Can’t be easy, what you doing.”

  The two men released, and Nick nodded his head. “I just wished things were different, is all,” said Nick.

  “Yeah. I reckon we all do. I wish I had some good advice like Paw’d have for you, but you always been a better man than me. You know what you should do. Better than I do anyhow. And don’t think I’m fixing to forget that I’m the one responsible for her current state. I know this is all my fault.”

  Nick didn’t say anything. After some time, Dan asked, “Any chance I could visit once in a while? The baby? Junior?”

  “I reckon it’d be best if you kept keeping your distance. For all of us.”

  Dan nodded and said, “Yeah. I reckon you right.”

  And Xotl and Aphariel watched on together as the months continued to tick away.