Sarah traced the rim of her cup absentmindedly, her gaze flickering between Steve’s sharp blue eyes and the way his fingers idly drummed against the table. He was explaining something—something about Zeus, about Auracron Prime, about the way the AI functioned—but she wasn’t really listening. Not because she didn’t care, but because of the way his voice dropped just slightly when he was lost in thought, the way he leaned forward, elbows on the table, completely engrossed in what he was saying.
“...and that’s why Zeus is technically neither NPC nor AI. It’s a hybrid, integrated directly with the system. That’s why it reacts to things differently than any standard game protocol,” Steve finished, glancing at her with a small smirk. “Still with me, or did I lose you?”
Sarah blinked, realizing she had been staring. A slow, guilty smile crept onto her lips. “Uh… yeah. Totally following. Zeus. AI. Super smart… thing.”
Steve snorted. “Smooth.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”
The air between them crackled with something else then. Something not quite the same as before. It wasn’t just friendly teasing anymore. It was charged, different. Neither of them moved, but they both felt it. For a second, just a second, Steve’s eyes flickered down to her lips.
Sarah felt her breath hitch. She saw his look. He wanted to. And she wanted him to. Her heartbeat quickened, and for a moment, she let herself imagine it—the warmth of his lips, the way his hands might frame her face, the way everything between them had been leading to this.
If he kisses me, what happens next?
A flicker of doubt. Did she want this? Or was she just caught up in the moment? Her stomach twisted—not in fear, but in anticipation.
Dani Shaw and Mackiaveli.
Sarah Daniger and Steve McCall.
Are we just characters in a game, or is this real?
The lines blurred in her mind, but she didn’t want to stop it. Then—BANG! The break room door slammed open.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU TWO BEEN?!”
Professor Jansen stormed in, looking half-crazed.
“THE FINALS ARE STARTING! THEY’RE LOOKING FOR YOU!”
Sarah nearly choked as they jumped apart so fast it was ridiculous.
Perfect. Just perfect.
Her face flamed red, and Steve looked equally flustered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Jansen squinted, suspicious. “You two—” he pointed at them both. “—were you about to—”
Sarah felt a full-body cringe.
Please, shut up. Just shut up.
“Nope!” Steve cut in fast, grabbing her wrist and dragging her toward the door like they were on a stealth mission gone horribly wrong.
“No time for that! Tournament’s waiting! Gotta go! Logging in now!”
Sarah let him pull her away, but not before throwing Jansen a look that screamed:
Don’t. Say. Another. Word.
Jansen groaned, rubbing his temples. “Kids these days,” he muttered under his breath as they bolted past him.
They did not spawn in the competitor’s booth when they re-entered the game. They spawned on stage. And standing in front of them, with an unmistakable smirk, was Skatz Tweet.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): "...What the hell is going on?"
DANI (World Chat): "Yeah, why are we here with Skatz?"
Skatz Primz simply lifted a hand.
SKATZ (World Chat): "Hold that thought."
Before either of them could react, the announcer’s voice boomed across the stadium.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "ALRIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU TONIGHT! THAT’S RIGHT—BEFORE WE GET INTO THE FINALS, WE HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT, BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR TWO FINAL SPONSORS: AURACRON PRIME AND SKATZ PRIMZ!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as the holographic screens above flickered to display Skatz Primz’ logo alongside Auracron Prime’s.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): “Ohhh, right. This thing.”
DANI (World Chat): “What thing?”
Mack shot her a look and then lifted his headset. “I… may have forgotten to mention this.”
As he lowered his VR headset, Skatz Primz grinned, lifting his wrist. The microphone in his gauntlet activated, and for the first time, instead of text appearing in chat—His voice rang out.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): “Testing, one, two, three. Testing, one, two, three.”
The entire stadium froze. Then—The audience lost their damn minds.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "Surprised? You should be! We’ve been working hard to make Afterlife even better for you all. That’s why I’m here—to introduce a couple of brand new tools that are going to revolutionize the way you play!"
The screens behind him shifted, revealing two blueprints:
- The Skatz Vox – A new voice module that allows all players to communicate via actual voice chat instead of text Similar to the Zeus voice module.
- The Skatz Defenze HUD – A griefer-proof defense system designed to prevent malicious hacks and exploits.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "We’re rolling these out for beta testing, and guess what? Our finalists are getting first access—that includes you, Dani and Mackiaveli!"
Dani’s eyes widened.
DANI (World Chat): “Wait, what? I’m getting one of these?”
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "That’s right! Mack’s been alpha testing this stuff for months. But now, Dani—you’re in!"
She turned slowly to Mack, raising an eyebrow.
DANI (World Chat): "You knew about this?"
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): "...Might’ve slipped my mind."
DANI (World Chat): "You forgot an entire experimental system that literally changes how we interact with the game?"
MACKIAVELI (World Chat):
"To be fair, I was kinda busy with the whole Hacker and Welsby thing."
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "But that’s not all! I want to introduce something even more important—the Skatz Defenze HUD!"
The screens changed again, now showcasing a shielded avatar deflecting multiple attacks.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "This new system is designed to counter griefers and hackers. No more helplessness! No more ‘Zeus has to show up to save the day!’ This tool gives YOU the power to fight back!"
The crowd went nuts.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "And to demonstrate—"
He snapped his fingers. A shimmering field erupted around him.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "Alright, Dani, Mack—give me all you got! Try to break through these defenses!"
Mack flexed his fingers. Dani lit up.
DANI (World Chat): "...You sure about that?"
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "As sure as I was when I built this thing. Hit me with your best shot!"
FLAME IGNITION!
A pillar of fire erupted from her palms, surging toward Skatz—And slammed against an invisible force. The flames rolled over the shield, dispersing harmlessly.
Mack smirked, rolling his shoulders.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): “Alright. My turn.”
SLASH! The moment his blade connected—The shield flickered.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "THIS IS CRAZY! THEY CAN’T EVEN SCRATCH IT! LOOKS LIKE GRIEFERS ARE GONNA HAVE A BAD TIME FROM NOW ON!"
Skatz laughed, deactivating the shield.
SKATZ PRIMZ (Voice Chat): "And that, my friends… is just the beginning."
The Finals were about to begin. The stadium erupted into thunderous applause, waves of excitement rippling through the crowd as the holographic screens above continued to replay the Skatz Defenze demonstration.
The Skatz Vox module had been an instant hit. Players in the stands were already experimenting with the voice chat feature, their enthusiastic chatter rising over the normal hum of the arena. The fact that a long-time legend like Skatz Primz had been the one to unveil it only added to the hype.
And then there was the Skatz Defenze HUD. The moment the griefer-proof shields had flickered into existence, protecting against Mackiaveli’s blades and Dani’s fire, the audience had gone ballistic. People were still buzzing about it, discussions already lighting up the World Chat about its potential.
Some called it a game-changer. Others called it cheating. But one thing was clear—Skatz Primz had stolen the show. The announcer’s voice boomed through the stadium speakers, still buzzing with excitement.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "NOW THAT IS HOW YOU MAKE AN ENTRANCE! LET’S HEAR IT FOR SKATZ PRIMZ AND HIS MIND-BLOWING NEW TECH!"
The stadium roared, a mixture of cheers, applause, and flashing emotes flooding the air. Skatz Primz, still standing on the platform, gave a casual, confident bow, his smooth black battle armor gleaming under the arena lights. Unlike most heavy armor sets, his was sleek, form-fitting, and expertly designed to avoid bulky edges or unnecessary plating.
It was pure functionality wrapped in a masterclass of design—a high-tech bodysuit that merged stealth, speed, and protection seamlessly. The chestplate was smooth and seamless, lacking any visible seams or fastening points, as if the armor had formed around him like liquid metal.
As he straightened from his bow, a small panel slid open from the side of his left forearm, revealing a hidden compartment embedded into the suit. The crowd hushed, watching with curiosity. From within the compartment, a cylindrical device rose up, locking into place with a soft mechanical click before the armor seamlessly sealed itself around it.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "OH, WHAT NOW? THE MAN JUST DROPPED SOME GROUNDBREAKING TECH ON US, AND HE’S NOT DONE?! SKATZ, ARE YOU SHOWING OFF AGAIN?!"
Skatz chuckled, shaking his head as he pressed a button on the device. A faint hum filled the air. Then—without warning—Skatz Primz turned and LEAPT off the platform. Gasps exploded across the crowd. The lava floor loomed below him, bubbling and emitting waves of heat that distorted the air around it.
But before he could fall any further—PSSHHH! Twin jets of plasma propulsion burst to life from the device embedded in his forearm, sending Skatz Primz soaring through the arena. His body twisted effortlessly mid-air, shifting his momentum as the jets adjusted to his movement.
He didn’t just fall—he glided. Like a shadow cutting through fire, he skimmed the edges of the platforms, dodging the hanging banners and twisting through open gaps in the arena’s structure. The VIP Booth came into view. With a final burst of speed, he angled his descent, flicking his wrist—
A grappling hook SHOT out from his armor, latching onto the edge of the VIP Booth railing. One tug. WHOOSH! The jets deactivated, and Skatz flipped up and over, landing smoothly in his reserved VIP seat without so much as a stumble.
Silence. Then—The stadium EXPLODED with applause.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! DID HE JUST PULL A FREAKIN’ SUPERHERO LANDING?! SOMEBODY CLIP THAT!"
The holo-screens replayed his insane escape, capturing every perfect angle—from his leap, to his aerial control, to the moment his feet touched the VIP Booth floor. The audience wasn’t just cheering. They were losing their minds. Even the other competitors in the waiting booths were watching in stunned silence. Hexa shook her head.
HEXA (Private Chat): "You know, I suddenly feel like we should all just quit and let Skatz win everything."
SHIRO (Private Chat): "Nah, we still got Mack and Dani to hype up. But I do wish I had his armor."
The applause was still dying down as the announcer took center stage, grinning as he gestured toward the competitors still standing on the main platform.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "AND NOW… THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR…"
The stadium lights shifted, focusing on the two remaining figures. On the left side of the platform, Mackiaveli—his black-and-gold armor glinting under the lights, the hilts of his short swords hanging on his sides gleame with anticipation. On the right side, Dani Shaw—her ember-lit eyes reflecting the flames flickering around her, her hands flexing, ready to ignite the battlefield. The holo-screens above flashed their names.
?? DANI SHAW vs. MACKIAVELI ??
?? THE FINAL SHOWDOWN BEGINS ??
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "TWO PLAYERS. ONE WINNER. WHO WILL STAND AT THE TOP?!"
The crowd screamed in response. But before the announcer could proceed, he turned his attention back toward the VIP Booth.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "And before we begin—one last round of applause for the real showman of the evening. SKATZ PRIMZ, EVERYBODY!"
A final roar of applause erupted. In the VIP Booth, Skatz Primz leaned back in his chair, throwing up a casual salute. His armor gleamed in the light, still looking like something straight out of a sci-fi dream, smooth and impenetrable. The announcer laughed.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "And don’t lie to yourselves, folks—don’t you wish you had that armor?!"
The crowd howled in agreement. Even Mack let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "NOW… TIME FOR THE FINAL EVENT OF THE EVENING! OUR CONTESTANTS—DANI SHAW AND MACKIAVELI!"
The platform beneath them adjusted, rising slightly higher above the lava floor. The battlefield was set. The final showdown was about to begin.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "ARE YOU TWO READY?!"
Dani and Mack locked eyes. A shared grin passed between them. They nodded. And just like that—The screen flashed black. The fight was about to begin. The arena fell silent. The only sound was the slow crackle of fire licking at Dani Shaw’s fingertips. She stood across from Mackiaveli, her body coiled with energy, her eyes blazing like molten gold.
Mack, by contrast, was calm. Too calm. His stance was relaxed, almost lazy, his twin short swords still sheathed at his sides. With a sharp breath, she threw her hands forward, sending a barrage of firebolts straight at him. FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH!
Each attack whistled through the air, deadly, merciless—but Mack dodged every single one with ridiculous ease. He was toying with her. He moved like the wind, weaving through her attacks without breaking a sweat. The more she threw at him, the more frustrated she became.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "WELL, WELL, WELL! LOOKS LIKE DANI IS NOT HOLDING BACK! BUT IS IT JUST ME, OR IS MACKIAVELI DODGING LIKE HE’S IN A DANCE COMPETITION?!"
The crowd roared, eating up the action. But Dani wasn’t amused. Her anger burned hotter. Her pride wouldn’t let her lose this easily. Dani inhaled deeply, summoning more of her power. Flames swirled around her hands, then around her entire body, forming a swirling vortex of destruction. She stomped her foot, and the platform beneath her cracked, lava rising from below like it was answering her call.
His short swords rested at his sides, but he hadn’t moved to draw them. His feet shifted, his stance light, his body completely loose—more like a dancer than a warrior. Because he didn't want to fight her. Not really.
Do I fight her? Do I let her win?
The thought hit him harder than he expected. He had fought his way to the finals, torn through the best competitors in this tournament, but this? This fight? This was different.
If I go all out, I’ll win. But if I don’t… what happens?
Mack’s jaw clenched as he sidestepped a fireball. FWOOOSH! It scorched the platform where he had stood half a second before, but he barely reacted. His reflexes did the work—not his will to fight.
Dani noticed. Dani narrowed her eyes, throwing another firebolt. Mack dodged again. Then another. Mack dodged again. Then—BOOM! A full firewave engulfed the air, forcing Mack to flip backward to avoid being fried alive. The crowd roared, but he still refused to attack.
Dani’s lips curled into a snarl. She saw it now. He wasn’t fighting her. He was avoiding her. Dodging. Not countering. Not striking back. Like he was holding back on purpose. And she hated it.
DANI (World Chat): "Fight me, dammit!"
Mack said nothing, dodging another pillar of flame. His mind was spinning. If he fought her seriously, he would win. She was powerful. She had grown stronger than he could have imagined—but he had been holding back from the start.
If he pushed himself, he could end this match in seconds. But that wasn’t what he wanted.
I don’t want to take this from her.
She had fought so hard to get here. To prove she was more than just an underdog.
If I win, what happens to her?
He sidestepped another strike, flipping over a fire blast so effortlessly that it looked like he was toying with her—But he wasn’t.
She’s going to hate me for this.
And he was right. Dani's flames suddenly roared higher, feeding off the lava below, growing bigger, hotter, deadlier. Her anger boiled over, mixing with her exhaustion, frustration, and the betrayal that still sat heavy in her gut. Mack had kept so many secrets. He had never told her who he was. And now? Now he wouldn’t even fight her seriously? That was the final straw. She snapped.
DANI (World Chat): "You’re not getting away this time!"
She threw both hands forward, summoning a torrential inferno that connected with the lava below. It didn’t just burn—it fed on the lava’s energy, growing into a blazing maelstrom of destruction. Mack barely had time to react before the flames swallowed him whole.
Dani stood panting, watching the firestorm rage. At first, she felt satisfaction. Then, a flicker of fear crept in. She knew she was strong, but not this strong. Her fire was out of control.
What if she had just…?
Her stomach twisted. Then—A golden glow pierced through the inferno. The flames parted—And Mackiaveli emerged. He hovered forward, golden energy radiating from his body. His cloak billowed behind him, his eyes burning with light, his feet barely touching the ground.
Dani froze. He wasn’t just alive. He was stronger than ever. Mack saw the rage in her eyes, the hurt, the exhaustion, the fire of someone who had been fighting for far more than just a title. She had been fighting to prove herself. And he had been holding back.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): "Dani, listen—"
But she didn’t want to listen. She didn’t want to hear whatever excuse he had. She wanted to win. She clenched her fists, her entire body burning again. She had one more attack left. One last shot. She would force him to fight her seriously—or burn the whole platform down trying.
DANI (World Chat): "SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME!"
She charged forward. Mack’s eyes widened. He knew what was about to happen.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): "No—Sarah, don’t do it!"
But she was already moving. A meteor of fire and fury, surging straight for him. Her hand reached out—And the moment her fingers brushed his cloak— Her entire body pixelated. Her eyes went wide in shock as her avatar began to dissolve into pixels.
DANI (World Chat): "Wha—"
Mack exhaled sharply.
MACKIAVELI (World Chat): "I was trying to warn you. My Invincibility Cloak is still active for ten more seconds."
Dani stared at him in disbelief. Then—She was gone. The system alert appeared in the sky.
SYSTEM MESSAGE: MACKIAVELI WINS.
Silence. Total, complete silence. Then, the announcer lost his mind.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "OH—MY—GOD! MACKIAVELI JUST WON THE FINAL ROUND WITH ONE SINGLE TOUCH!"
The crowd erupted, half cheering, half shouting in confusion. Mack stood frozen, hovering above the battlefield, staring at the empty space where Dani had just been. His golden glow faded, his feet touched the ground, and his hands trembled at his sides. He hadn’t wanted it to end like that. He had wanted to prove to her that she was strong. That she had always been strong. But now?
She’s going to hate me for this.
Mack called out to her, but the roar of the arena was too loud. He ripped off his headset, hoping to talk to her in the lab— But Dani’s seat was already empty. She had left. The announcer cackled.
ANNOUNCER (Voice Chat): "Looks like they’re having a lovers’ quarrel, folks!"
The crowd roared with laughter, their cheers rolling through the arena like thunder. Mack stared at the empty seat where Dani had been. The celebration had begun. But for him? It didn’t feel like a victory. It felt like he had lost something far more important.
This is part of a series of stories that have lived solely in my head for many years, and I’ve finally started writing them as serialized fiction books. If you think the story sucks, feel free to tell me—it’s all part of the process. That said, I’m also looking for constructive criticism, so any suggestions are welcome and will be considered as I work to improve the series.
Oh yeah! I don't promote this as much but . Someone has my handle so it's different over there. Part of the reason I don't promote it as much and launch everything except the on Royal Road. Oh did I forget to mention that part. That's right! I am writing some over on Inkitt. Another test to see what readers like.
Let me know what you think. TTFN! Ciao!