The Disease Killing Me is You: Chapter 2 – Still Burning for Love

Chapter 2 – Still Burning for Love

The rest of these corridors are just as cramped as the ones we came out of. It’s like this place is meant to be filled with obstacles to stop people from escaping. Some of these rooms have people in them.

Maybe we should free them?

I don’t think so, Bianca. We’d just attract more attention to us by our “parents”.

Why do you say it that way?

Because I’m still not sure if our parents are the ones after us.

We heard your mom speak. She may look different now, but her hair, face, and voice are what we remember them to be. We’re remembering now that our parents are experts in the medical field.

Yeah, I’m remembering that they were surgeons and doctors who were specialized in different fields.

Your mom said she wanted to make us into an immortal being. Why do you think that is?

I’m not sure, but we may find out later. Also, you’ve seemed to have gotten sane after merging with me.

Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking before, but you have to admit that this is kind of cool. I know you’re in disbelief but isn’t this kind of what we’ve always wanted. The memories are coming back to me now of times when we would spend entire days by each other’s side.

I don’t think this is how we imagined our future would be at all. I’m sure you’re wondering what I am.

Can we ever be together again?

I don’t know. I barely remember what our life was like together. I don’t even know if you’ll go crazy like you did before.

I understand. I’ll try to prove that I’m in control now.

Speaking about control, do you see that up there past all the floors of cells? It looks like a person in the control room controlling everything like an orchestra. Is that-

My dad?

He looks like he’s noticed us. He’s speaking into a microphone.

“I’m so glad you too came here. Your friends and our family have been waiting for you.”

“Dad, what is going on?”

“This is all for your immortality. All of this.”

“What are you talking about dad? This isn’t making any sense.”

“I told you I’d do anything to make you live forever, Bianca. You probably don’t remember it, but it is every father’s duty to make sure that their child lives as long as happy as possible. The others and I are making sure that happens. If you want to learn more, please make your way to me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.”

What do you think, Bianca? Is it a trap?

Maybe, but we won’t know until we get to him.

This sure seems like a trap. Do you see all the microphones and cameras around us? The cells around us are also open and close enough for the people in them to reach through, or can we call these people now? Look at how deformed and mutated and deformed their bodies are. They look like us.

We aren’t-

You know we are.

“As part of your gaining of immortality, I will have to bring my test subjects into the mix. Do not worry about being harmed. I can put you back together if anything bad happens.”

Was that supposed to make us comfortable? A few of the cell doors are opening. Be careful. There are people reaching out at us and there’s barely any room to move. Ah!

“Get off!”

Their cold hands drive chills up my spine.

“We must have your skin!”

“Help us leave by being one with us!”

“He’s mine! Hands off him!”

I’ll keep them away with our heavy hitting hand. Just try to stay away from them, Bianco.

Okay. It’s really tough to do so especially when they grab ahold of me.

Don’t worry about them. I won’t let them take you.

‘I’ll be yours forever.’

‘And I’ll be yours forever and ever.’

Did we just remember that? I wonder why we did now of all times.

Tense situations tend to make your mind work overtime is what I think my parents said once. Hurry and head up the stairs. I hear the cell doors opening.

Why does this place look so simple and yet, it’s like a maze?

I guess it’s because our parents want to test our abilities.

Well, screw that. You know what I’m thinking?

You don’t even need to ask.

Then let’s break through these walls! We’re taking a shortcut.

Get out of the way! Or get a face full of our fist!

There we go. We’re almost to your dad.

“That was an impressive display of power you two. A bit messy and unexpected, but these are great results. Your combined strength is amazing, and you have good coordination. I guess we should’ve expected this considering how in tune you two were previously.”

We’re here. The door is solid, but we can force it open.

“Dad!”

“Hello, Bianca and Bianco. I’m glad you made it here. The others you saw weren’t able to coordinate with each other like how you can despite how much testing they were put through. So, a personal bond is what affects coordination, huh?”

Is he really writing notes on this?

Dad always liked keeping track of interesting things. It’s no wonder why he’s in charge of so many cells with different kinds of people in them.

“Oh! I’m sorry. Now, you wanted to know more, right?”

“Of course we do! What the heck is going on?”

“Ah! Your voices combined when you shared a major concern. I’ll have to write that down later. Anyway, we, your parents, have used this old asylum as our secret experimental facility to help you two live forever together. We couldn’t bear to lose another life in our line of work. In reality, doctors don’t save lives, they just extend them. Everyone eventually dies, and we didn’t want that to happen to you two, who were always so energetic and full of joy, so the four of us have done this all for you.”

That explains a bit more, but not enough.

“Why did you have to involve other people in this?”

“Because we needed test subjects before we experimented on you. Who knows what could happen on our first attempt? First, we kidnapped people close to us then we took our neighbors, then whoever is in the area of this asylum. You don’t have to worry about them. Once you’re perfected, they will share in your gift and so shall we.”

Ah! We’re caught in chains. How did my mom sneak up on us?

“The test you put them through was decent, Rosso, but I don’t think they’ll need anymore. I need to make sure their decay lessens or stops entirely.”

“You worry too much, Violet. We can always bring them back.”

“We thought that about so many of our patients, but how many have we actually saved besides our kids? There’s no such thing as worrying too much when it comes to preserving life.”

We have to escape while they’re busy talking to each other. These chains are so tight. I barely have enough room to move. If we could only have enough room to make our strong arm break the chains. Huh? Do you hear that?

Look! It’s the other people!

I’m not sure if this’ll be a good thing or bad, but it definitely feels bad.

They’re loosening the chains. We have to put up with it for a bit-Whoa!

“Stay away from my children!”

“Be careful with them, Violet!”

Does my mom really need to fling me around to keep me away from these people?!

No, this helps way more! We can move our arm!

Come on, keep breaking the chains! There we go!

Run!

“Get them, Rosso, while I keep these subjects away!”

“No, let’s see what the other tests can show us.”

“This is our children we’re talking about! Get them!”

“Fine.”

Hurry, he’s after us! Your dad has way more arms than my mom does, but are those robotic arms? He’s controlling the cells with them-Watch out!

Give me control! That was close!

I think he’s controlling these traps with his arms too.

I’ll need to control things from here.

Okay, I trust you.

These traps are everywhere. On the walls, floors, and ceiling.

It’s a good thing you’re so quick on your feet and arms then. There’s an exit over there! Watch out!

I’m not that quick it seems. I should’ve known that there would be a trap at the exit.

“You’re amazing as always, Bianca. I know it was you controlling both of you because I know that athleticism anywhere.”

“Fix us, dad, or let us go.”

“I will fix you, my loves. I’ll cure you of your mortality.”

“What you’re doing is wrong! You have to stop.”

“I’ve told you before. I’ll do anything to see you happy. Death brings only sadness and grief. I’m making sure that death never has its effect on you. I promise.”

‘Your sun is always going to shine.’

‘I’m going to make sure you’re never going to suffer.’

‘My love for you conquers death.’

Our parents always did tell us things like that.

“I love you, dad, but I’m not going to let you do what you want.”

This trap is easier than it looks to break. Why isn’t dad chasing after us?

Remember he said he wanted to see what the other tests can show them?

There’s going to be more awful sights like the ones we just saw then. I don’t know if I can take it.

It’s going to be fine because I’m with you, Bianca. I promise you that we’ll make it through this one way or another.

Thank you. I needed that.

I know you did, and I didn’t need to read your thoughts to know.

The song that inspired the title of this chapter is Still Burning by Fight the Fury (Not Skillet, but Skillet).

The Disease Killing Me is You: Chapter 1 – Infected with You

Chapter 1 – Infected with You

Ah! Where am I? I’m strapped to a bed in a dirty hospital room. There are flying roaches in the room that crawl around and come in through the holes in the walls. My head feels so light. I don’t remember what happened before I got here. I don’t remember much of anything in fact. What’s my name again? I think I see one of those papers that they use for patients over there on the wall near the door.

There are various sharp surgical instruments around me that are already bloody. I’m afraid to think about what they did to me if they already used it on me. I have to get out of here, now! I bite through the leather straps and manage to break them apart. I didn’t know my teeth were so strong, but they also feel weird when my lower teeth touch my upper. Once I’m free from the bed, I touch my teeth, and the bottom ones are sharper than my top ones. They’re so sharp that they feel like mini shark teeth. Did the people who took me here do this?

Where did my hair go and why is my skin is white? My body feels so ruff and looks weird. It’s so cold in here and these white patient pants. I have to find a way out of here fast before someone finds me, but first, my patient records. Hmm. The only thing on here is my name or…is this my name? My name is supposed to be, Bianco? I don’t have a last name it seems. There’s a page here for surgery plans and treatments done, but it just says that the basic surgery has already been done. Now I want to know more. What did they do to me?

I’m not sure if I want to stay to find out or just leave and have someone fix me. There’s no use staying in here, so I leave the room and find myself in a narrow hallway. The gurneys take up almost all the space when I walk past them. I’d hate to encounter something here. It’s like I’m walking in a closet. I see other people in other rooms, but they’re locked. The people in there are more restrained than I am with a muzzle on their face. It looks difficult to breathe in that. Maybe some of these people tried to escape and this is what happened to them. Now I really can’t afford to get caught. Wait…I hear someone calling!

It sounds like a girl. I go to the source of the sound and see a girl who is strapped to a bed. She looks like I do except with bandages covering her chest. There’s something familiar about her, but I can’t place my finger on why. She just seems like someone I know. Her room isn’t locked for some reason, so I instinctively go into the room and begin to unfree her.

“Thank you so much for freeing me!”

“You-”

“But now, you have to help me escape, and it’s not going to be in the way you think.”

She’s smiling at me in a weird way that I don’t like. She starts feeling my arms, chest, then face, which gives me a strange feeling. Part of me feels comfort while the other feels uncomfortable. Her hands are cold as if she doesn’t have any warmth in her body.

“What are you talking about?”

“We have to become one. I have to be a part of your body.”

“What? Why?”

“Because your body is the only pure one here. I know that everyone else here is infected and in need of treatment. There’s a system in place in this hospital that doesn’t allow unclean souls to leave here. I need to be a part of your body so I can leave.”

I push her away.

“You don’t need my body. I’ll help you find some other way to leave.”

“There is no other way.”

She’s climbing all over me now.

“Get off!”

I throw her off me and run out the door.

“You can’t escape from me!”

I run through the narrow hallway and try to find an exit, but every door is locked. The girl chasing me can climb on the walls, so the narrowness of the hallway benefits her. She touches me and grabs at me while I navigate the uncomfortable hallways while giggling.

“Such soft skin. Such a warm feeling. I must have you!”

“Stay away from me!”

I need something to defend myself with, so I run back to my room. Ack! She on my back again then crawls to my front and makes me collapse on the bed.

She says, “You are mine. Don’t deny it!”

“You don’t own me! Agh! Stop biting me!”

She’s bitten my neck and arms with her sharp teeth. They feel numb and weak now.

“Struggle again and I’ll impale your arms to the bed. Just relax. This will only take a minute.”

“What are you going to do?”

“We are going to be one.”

“No, stop!”

The girl then uses the syringe on her head to suck out what looks to be parts of her brain then injects it into the hole in my head. Her body then shrivels and fades into dust. My wounds are healed, and I don’t feel a scar or any residual pain from her bites. My head feels normal, so what happened? Did what she do fail? If it did, then it’s going to be a pain to get whatever blood or brain that she injected into my head.

Huh? What am I feeling now?

AHHHHHHH!

What was that screaming in my head?!

ARRRAAAGHHHHH!

The side and back of my body are expanding and changing. What’s going on?! It’s forming into that girl. So many thoughts and memories are pouring into my head. Are these hers? How is this even happening?

ARRRGGHH!!! Yes! Finally!

What did to me and how are our thoughts connected?

I’m part of you now, so we both can escape this asylum, but we have to be quick about it because the human body isn’t mean to be like this.

What do you mean?

Us being together like this will kill us if we don’t escape to safety.

That’s just great.

Don’t lie to yourself. There’s a part of you that wanted to save me. The memory as to why is hard to remember, but you know it’s there.

Why should I trust you?

You know all my thoughts. You know when I’m telling the truth and lying as I know yours. I know a little more than you do but not enough to give you a clear idea as to why we’re here.

My left arm is fused with your right arm and I can barely move it.

I think we can move it together if we both want it to. Let’s try it.

Woah!

It’s so strong that we punched a hole in the wall.

Wow. Can we do anything else?

I don’t have my legs. Let me have control of us. Come on, trust me. Here we go, we can climb the walls and ceiling when I’m in control, but I can’t control your legs to walk or run. It’s kind of weird but I think we can get used to it.

It’s just kind of weird? Do you even realize what’s happening?

What do you think or rather what do you think I think?

Don’t even phrase it like that. You just confuse me. Did someone just unlock and open a door in the hallway? I hear a dragging sound in the hallway.

There’s nowhere to run. We better be ready to fight.

I guess it’s our only option. Here it comes! It’s a person. A woman with a long body and long black hair with six arms and hands on the bottom of her surgeon’s dress.

Watch out. She has a surgical tool in each of her hands along with restraining chains.

She’s smiling at us for some reason. I think she’s giggling. What’s it with crazy people and giggling?

Hey! I’m not crazy.

“I’m so glad you managed to merge with Bianco, Bianca. The two of you were always inseparable, so it made sense that you would end up together like this.”

I said I’m not crazy.

Whatever, we’ll talk about it later. She’s talking to you. Say something.

“I get what you’re saying, but you knew I would merge with Bianco?”

“I told you how to and you told me you would do everything you could to do so. The determination in your face was so precious and cute. Your love for each other put my relationship to shame.”

“I barely remember you. Who are you?”

There’s something about her that’s familiar, but her appearance and my memory prevent me from remembering who she is.

“I’m Bianco’s mother. I know my appearance may shock you, but I had to do it to help you two continue living.”

She’s your mother? Your memories seem to want to think so.

I guess so.

“What’s going to happen to us now? Can you tell me everything about what’s going on?”

Hey, you used my mouth to talk, Bianco.

How did I do that? I guess I can if I imagine talking from your mouth.

“That’s interesting. My son’s voice came out of your mouth, Bianca. Does that mean that Bianco was talking, or did you manage to use his voice? There are so many things to test out on you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll explain after the next surgery, but I’ll have to sedate you first. Give me your arm.”

“No! Explain everything to me first.”

“There’s no need to. You want to live longer, right? Then give me your body so we can mold it into that of an immortal being!”

“Stop! Get away from me!”

Let’s escape from her, Bianca. Hurry and crawl on the walls!

Okay!

“So you can crawl on walls? You two were always so athletic, but you better listen to your mother.”

Let’s get out of here! I keep throwing gurneys at her, but she keeps cutting through them.

What about the doors? Let’s rip one off then throw it at her.

Here we go.

“What strength just from one arm! You remind me of one of your favorite comic book heroes. I hope you’re not planning to use that on me, but then again, I’d love to experiment to see what my new body can do, so throw it at me if you want!”

“If you want it, then take it!”

She caught it and it pushed her back some, but she’s tearing it apart. Hurry through the exit!

I’m on it!

She’s really moving fast towards us now! Come on!

Shut the door on her and break the lock!

Right!

There we go. Now she can’t exit the door. This one appears to be stronger than the doors that held the other doors.

“I’ll get through this eventually and catch up to you two. That, or your father or your parents Bianca will get to you.”

Ignore her, Bianca. We must find a cure to our condition and a way out.

We can do it if we work together. Our memories are coming back to us now. We used to work together a lot. Do you think we can do it again?

You know what I think.

Then let’s do it.

The song that's referenced in the chapter title is Infected by Demon Hunter. I know I used it before in Biohazardous Affection, but it also works for this story and the song is great so here it is again. Plus, it's been a while since I last associated songs with my books.

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Let Us Play for the Fate of Our Souls
The King's Game is an ancient and unbeaten game that rewards the winner of its seven games the treasures of the last Pharaoh. If you lose, your soul is trapped with the Pharaoh's until the game is beaten. Bernardo Briscola is an archeologist and gambler who is trying his hand at the game. Will he win or just be another loser blinded by its riches?

The King's Game: Chapter 3 – Dead Men Tell No Lies

Chapter 3 – Dead Men Tell No Lies

“I can see you’re a man of culture, Bernardo. Since you’re an archeologist who knows so much about this game, tell me what you know about it.”

“I know that you instituted this game after your death, or should I put quotation marks over death? You faded into sand just like the players that lose in the game when you ‘died’.”

“But did I really die? I’m right now with you in the flesh or rather the lack of flesh. With you in the bone? Whatever it is.”

“I don’t know. The clues that you’ve left behind don’t tell us much. There are various legends about your game. Some people say that God was punishing you and the gambling and gaming country you created by making you start this game. Others say you’re the devil or a wizard of some kind. The details conflict with your nature as a fun loving person who liked to play games and who was rumored to play games with even God Himself.”

“What do you think?”

“I think you’re just playing a game with us. One of the most consistent things you said was to confuse people a game strategy. You took the history of your people, philosophy, and games very seriously, so it makes sense that you are trying to play a game of some kind when it comes to the details behind your game.”

“That’s right, and with that, you win the fifth game.”

The souls in the tomb begin to escape it.

“What? I thought the game needed to be won in order for the souls to be freed?”

“You have to win the seventh game in order for all the souls to be freed. Beating the fifth and sixth game forcibly frees the ones who don’t want to be free from here. Besides, it’s not like I keep them here against their will. Do you see that ladder in the back? That is Jacob’s Ladder, the ladder used by angels to descend from Heaven to Earth. I got it after Israel fell. It was God’s gift to me for disciplining His chosen people at the time. The souls here can use the ladder to escape to the afterlife, but some don’t because they are gambling addicts who fear the destination of their soul and don’t think that God will forgive them.”

“You seem to be a faithful servant of God, so does that mean that this game is God’s gift to you?”

“That’s-that’s right! I’m completely shocked but pleasantly so. You’re the first mortal who came here to figure that out. I rarely get men of God to play my game despite its origins. For your answer, you win the sixth game.”

More souls are freed from the tomb.

“Wait, it can’t be this easy to win the last three games.”

“Why not? Games are meant to test people and to have fun. Remember what you said in your game with Amanda about the nature of games? You play to make someone else lose? I know you know that there’s more to games to winning and losing.”

“That’s right. Games are for entertainment and for testing your skill.”

“And with that, you win the seventh game. Congratulations, Bernardo. You are the first to win the King’s Game.”

All the souls besides King Ammon and Bernardo leave the tomb.

“Wait, is this a trick? Winning an unbeaten game centuries old can’t have been this simple.”

“Would playing a game make you feel better? We could play games like tic tac toe, rock, paper, scissors…oh! I should have a deck of cards around here and various other board games. I’m not up for playing anything too complicated since the souls that were here liked to do that. I can’t tell you how many games of chess, blackjack, and checkers I’ve played.”

“Why have I won while everyone else has lost?”

“Because you know the real purpose of playing games and how to control your gaming habits. You also give proper respect to your opponent and live in a very upright way. Because of that, you win the game and all the riches within my tomb. If you know me well, then you know that I’m a simple man. I even let people decide what games to play in my own game. There was never any complicated reason for this game to exist nor was there any deeper meaning behind it. The game itself has as much meaning as the riches you now have. It was a fleeting thing only meant for a short while, but people have given it a value that made it more than it was supposed to be.

I just wanted to play games with others and give them my inheritance for doing so and God granted me that chance. Unfortunately, so many people have died because of their greed for my treasures. Thank you so much for ending the game, Bernardo. You have my eternal thanks and prayers. I’m happy that a man such as yourself inherits my treasure. Oh, before I go.”

King Ammon snaps his fingers and an exit opens up so that Bernardo can leave.

“Enjoy your life, and don’t forget that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter Heaven, so spend your treasure wisely.”

King Ammon’s soul ascends to the Heavens and leaves Bernardo in silence. He feels empty inside despite winning the game.

“That’s how it is, isn’t it?” he asks himself aloud, “Once the chase is over, the thrill wears off. I guess I should’ve expected this. The best part of playing games isn’t winning or the reward you get after. It’s playing the game.”

Bernardo leaves the tomb and sees that he isn’t too far from Egypt as he sees the bright lights in the distance. He smiles then makes the sign of the cross before walking away. When he tells his archeology team about him winning the game, he shows them the treasures and is celebrated by the world. He brings the treasures to his personally owned museum that tells of the history of games and famous gamers from the past till the present. The museum holds gaming tournaments and a special tournament where Bernardo faces off against others for a prize of their choosing from King Ammon’s tomb.

The treasure is left out in the open because if someone tries to steal it, they are turned to gold, and the only way they can be freed is if someone wins to free them. Another player approaches Bernardo to play against him.

Bernardo says, “Okay, friend, what is that you want from my collection?”

“Nothing. I just want to play a game with someone as famous as you.”

Bernardo smiles for the first time in months, then fixes his hat then says, “I’m happy to hear that. Let us play for the fate of our souls.”

The End

The King's Game: Chapter 2 – A Game that Reveals the True Nature of the Soul

Chapter 2 – A Game that Reveals the True Nature of the Soul

The location of the next game in the King’s Game is a casino themed after angels and demons. One side of the casino that’s demon themed is full of games that cater to people’s vices while the angel side is filled with games that focus more on people’s intelligence and reasoning capabilities. As Bernardo looks around the gaming floor, he walks down the line that separates the angel side from the demon one. He thinks about the different games he could play once he’s done to relieve him of the stress he’s feeling with the King’s Game.

A man of Middle Eastern origins puts his hand on Bernardo’s shoulder as they walk past each other.

The man says, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation three, sixteen. It’s dangerous to walk the path between angels and demons.”

“I try to walk with angels, but I hate to admit that I sometimes fall for demons.”

“Don’t we all? My name is Ehsan Silat and I am your next opponent.”

“My name is Bernardo Briscola. What’s the game we’re playing?”

“Not so fast, Mr. Briscola. I’d like to get to know my opponent before a fight and I’m not talking about your strategies.”

“As long as you’re not talking about taking me on a date, then we’re in agreement.”

“Haha, then let us have a drink and talk before we play.”

“I’ve already had one before this, so I’ll pass on the drinking.”

“I understand. Moderation in all things after all.”

The two sit in a booth with a round table above the playing floor. Ehsan has a bottle of champagne delivered to them as enjoys a glass as he looks out at the crowd of people.

“Tell me, Mr. Briscola, who on the playing floor will go to Hell when they die? The people playing on the demon side or the angel’s?”

“Both.”

“Oh? Do explain.”

“As far as I know, as long as you’re alive, you have a chance at Heaven but also Hell.”

“That’s very true. It’s good to know that you’re a man of God in a place where there are very few. Victory, games, money, prizes, and status are some of the gods here that have influence over people. They forget that they’ll lose everything they have here in due time and have to answer for their sloth and gluttony.”

“I pray for their souls.”

“As do I. What is your job outside of these games?”

“Archeology. What’s yours?”

“Business. I’m a manager who’s on vacation.”

“What interested a manager like you in the King’s Game?”

“The mystery of it all. This world of ours has so many and the King’s Game is one that is so close to us that I thought I’d participate in it to experience one of the oldest mysteries of the world.”

“What will you do with the rewards of the game if you win? Will you use it on your business?”

“No, not at all. I’d probably have a nice chat with King Ammon, ask for the souls to be released, then walk out with a story to tell. The riches don’t interest me at all. What’s more important to me is the mystery and adventure. What about you, Mr. Briscola?”

“I’ll take some of the riches and ask for the souls to be freed. My family is distant, and I don’t have any friends, so I hope to use the riches on a family I’ll obtain with a wife.”

“I hope you’re not going to use your riches to woe the woman of your choosing.”

“Of course not. I’m not after gold diggers.”

“That’s good to hear, except for the part about your family. The family is a haven away from the horrors of the world. Why are you so distant from them?”

“They thought that archeology and gaming are the career choices of fools. Once I graduated from college, we went our separate ways.”

“Your distance is a good choice then. A man doesn’t need riches or a high paying job to be happy.”

“I’m assuming you’re also talking about your job as a manager?”

“You got that right, my friend. It’s such a boring job that kills my soul from the inside. I have to take vacations like this to rejuvenate my soul. I either go on spiritual journeys or vacations like this to places filled with mystery. The wealth obtained from my job is nothing compared to what I earn on my vacations. I almost wish I was in your position.”

“It’s hard getting by, but it’s worth it doing what I was born to do.”

“Oh! Say no more or I will die of jealousy, haha. I can tell you’re a good and honest man. It’s an honor playing against you, Mr. Briscola.”

“Same to you, Mr. Silat.”

“We should stop with the formalities since we’re as close as brothers now. Let us play for the fate of our souls, Bernardo.”

“What game do you have in mind, Ehsan?”

“I was going to ask you that. I was under the impression that players more learned about the history of the King’s Game would decide the game to play. That’s how it’s been up until now for me.”

“That’s how it’s been for me as well, but I’ve let my opponents decide the game we play. It may sound stupid, but I’m confident in my skills to see me through.”

“I share in your ‘stupidity’, my friend. It’s an exciting thing to play an unknown game for the fate of your soul. Since you’re willing to have me pick a game, I’d like to play Stairway to Heaven. This game doesn’t involve any kind of satanic ritual or anything like it. Instead, we are going to touch this blessed cross together, and walk the road to Heaven together. This game is a common practice in monastic communities to test their faithfulness to God. If they fall, then they know the state of their soul. What do you say?”

“Let the best man win.”

“That’s what I want to hear. If I lose, I’d rather lose to a man who’s holier than me.”

“The same goes for me.”

“Then let us play for the fate of our souls.”

Ehsan and Bernardo place their hands on the blessed cross and close their eyes. When Bernardo opens his eyes, he sees that he’s on a narrow white stairway. Everything around him is darkness except for a dim light below him in which faint screams can be heard. The stairway itself feels slippery to walk on, but since Bernardo has both confidence and faith, he walks up. As he goes up, he feels a presence try to pull him down.

He doesn’t assume this is Ehsan nor does he look around to see what is pulling at him despite the fact that it feels like multiple beings are pulling at him. Whispers excite his imagination as they speak of the riches he will win in the King’s Game if he only opens his eyes and cheats.

“I’m an honest man. Besides, cheating makes the game less fun to play. I should know.”

The whispers then talk about his promise to the other two competitors and how they must be suffering the Pharaoh’s tomb.

“I’ll be there in due time. They won’t have to wait long.”

The Stairway to Heaven seems to go on forever. It’s almost as if Bernardo is walking in place up a set of stairs, and yet, Bernardo persists. The whispers then speak of the life he’ll live after he wins. The monotony, suffering, and death. They tell him that he should just gamble and play games for the rest of his life.

“Moderation in all things.”

Bernardo then sees someone falling down the stairs above him. That person turns out to be Ehsan. The whispers say that he’ll fall with Ehsan if he tries to help him.

“That’s a risk that’s worth taking.”

Bernardo runs up the stairs for Ehsan and catches him without falling down. In fact, he seems to have gone up a few stairs. When he opens his eyes again, he opens his eyes for real in reality. Ehsan opens his eyes and his body turns into sand.

He smiles then says, “You saved me, didn’t you? I forgot the second important commandment to love your neighbor for my own safety. I am like the ungrateful servant and will now pay for my sins.”

“You won’t suffer for long. I promise you that.”

“I know you’ll keep your promise like a true man.”

Ehsan fades away and out of the casino to the knowledge of no one else but Bernardo. He is glad that this is the way things ended and makes the sign of the cross. He then takes Ehsan’s cross and examines it to find the address of the next game. After kissing the cross, he takes it with him. Since the bottle of champagne is open and still fresh, he pours himself a glass and drinks it before going to the next location.

This next location is an arcade. It has dozens of new and modern racing, fighting, and shooting games. It also has other games that you would find in an arcade such as; skee ball, basketball hoops, and super chexx. After playing some of his favorite nostalgic games for a bit, Bernardo bumps into a teenaged girl who appears to be an anime fan, but also of rock music judging by her appearance.

She makes her hand into a gun shape, pushes it into Bernardo’s chest, then says, “Bang! I got you!”

“Huh?”

“I. Got. You! I won this game of hide and seek.”

“What are you talking about? I wasn’t playing hide and seek with you.”

“What do you mean? You agreed to play!”

“No, I didn’t. This is the first time I’m talking to you.”

“Wait, then…that means all that grunting and saying yes was just you reacting to you playing games?! You were ignoring me this entire time!”

“I’m sorry if it seemed like I was. I just didn’t notice you because of all the noise and the games that I was playing.”

“Urgh! Fine! But since you’re talking to me for real now, we’re going to play a game for the fate of our souls. My name is Lacey Flyleaf. You can call me Scarlet if you want.”

“Okay, Scarlet. My name is-”

“I don’t care what your name is. I’m so close to winning the King’s Game, so let’s just play!”

“Fine. What game is it-”

“A virtual reality game where we fight each other using what our imagination can conjure. You can’t imagine something that is unavoidable and can kill me in one hit, so this isn’t going to be easy, mister.”

“My name is-”

Scarlet takes Bernardo’s hand and leads him to the virtual reality game.

“Come on already!”

“Aren’t you a little too excited to complete this game? Don’t you care about who you’re facing?”

“Not right now I do. I have to complete this game as soon as possible before my parents and friends find me.”

“Look, you shouldn’t be in this game because-”

“Why? Because I’m young? I don’t care what you think. Let’s just play!”

Scarlet and Bernardo enter the virtual reality game room together. Before they can even put on the appropriate gear to play the game, they are automatically put into the game by a supernatural force.

“Do you see this, mister? The King’s Game wants us to battle.”

“Then I’m afraid that I’m going to have to put you down. I’m sorry, Scarlet.”

“Save your apologies because I’m going to win!”

Bernardo tries to end the game quickly by throwing a thousand punches at Scarlet, but she manages to counter them with a single kick that throws out a hundred kicks. He then follows up his attack with a kunai with a chain on it. The kunai pierces Scarlet allowing Bernardo to pull her in, uppercut her in the chin to send her flying up in the air. He then shoots her with dual pistols before finishing his attack with a swing from a giant sword that he uses like a baseball bat.

“I’m not done yet!” Scarlet says.

Scarlet’s blond hair turns pink as her power increases as she gets mad. Two claws come out of her hands and she uses them to unleash a barrage of slashes at Bernardo who defends against the attacks. She then throws an explosive energy shuriken at him before finishing her attack with an artillery gun that comes out of her skirt.

After blowing Bernardo to smatterings, Scarlet says, “Are you ready to give up yet? You’re only on one HP and I’ve done way more damage to you than you have to me. I could blow at you and you would die.”

“Endeavor.”

“What? Uck!”

Scarlet’s health goes down to one point as well.

“I guess you forgot about that attack from the popular pocket monster game. Let’s see if you remember what comes next.”

“Don’t you dare!”

Scarlet tries to keep Bernardo away with instant slashes from a sword, but he dodges them all and pushes her, which gets rid of her last HP. The game ends and Scarlet begins to fade into sand. She cries as this happens. Bernardo tries to comfort her with a hug, but she pushes him away.

“Scarlet…I’m sorry.”

“Shut up! I’m sorry, mommy…daddy…”

“I’ll win the game, free you, and reunite-”

“Shut up!”

Scarlet fades away into sand and out of the windows of the arcade.

People cheer for Bernardo’s victory, but he slams his hand against the wall of the virtual game room then says, “You idiots. Do not cheer for my victory!”

The virtual reality game activates for a second to show Bernardo as a scary monster from a psychological horror game before turning off. The crowd is startled and goes back to their business. Bernardo then finds one of Scarlet’s bows and picks it up. There’s nothing written on it, so he decides to take it to her parents. At the help desk of the arcade, he sees a couple who are asking for their daughter. They don’t get any information, so they thank the desk attendant and walk away. Thinking that this might be Scarlet’s parents, Bernardo chases after them. He can hear them talking despite their distance as if Scarlet’s bow allowed him to hear them.

The father says, “That trouble making daughter of ours, always trying to prove herself to us and her friends.”

“It’s because she has a guilty conscience,” the mother responds, “She loves everyone so much that she goes out of her way to do things to show her love. I hope we find her soon.”

“I know we will. Our daughter is strong.”

Before Bernardo can reach them, he fades away into sand and reappears in a tomb lit up by torches with golden flames. The stones in the tomb contain the souls of past players of the King’s Game along with the people Bernardo faced off against. He is sitting down at a table and across from the table is King Ammon.

As King Ammon plays with the cards in his hand, he says, “You’ve made it this far, Bernardo. Are you ready to play for the fate of your soul?”

Bernardo looks at the souls of the past players who are cheering him on and is reinvigorated with strength.

He smiles, fixes his hat, then says, “I’m ready. Hit me with your best shot.”