Page 366 of Light Leech

Like whom?

“The Luxists. Leave the rest to them. It is time to ascend.”

It’s never been that easy.

“No. It hasn’t ever been nor will it ever be. Your body is ready after–”

Whatever, just tell me what I need to do. None of this ever makes sense.

“Nor will it until–”

I ascend further. Got it.

“Stab yourself with every spear until you collapse.”

Chapter twenty-three

I’m Sick of This Card Game

“You made it!”

Despite being in a cognitive simulation, I sensed the warmth in Ralia’s embrace. I knew it was more muscle memory impressing the feeling into my mind. The neurocore was an odd cousin of reality, but it did not dispel my need for human touch, even if this was an illusion.

I turned around to face her. “Did you doubt me?”She let go and placed her hands on hip. “You never know. How did it go for you?”

“It was a closer match than I would have liked.” I looked around. We were in that familiar cube in the pixelated abyss, but there were only nine others left with us.

She stepped back into my view to ground me. “Doesn’t really matter now that we’re here, right?”

“I guess not. Do you think it’s over yet?”

She shrugged. “No idea.”

“You think there’s more?”

She leaned her head from side to side, then nodded. “Don’t call me cocky–”

“I don’t need to, your actions are enough.”

She cracked a smile as she continued to speak. I knew she appreciated the levity, even if I didn’t feel like it. “I don’t feel like we’ve been tested enough. You plug? How can a bunch of games prove you’re worthy of Pure Knowledge?”

“Maybe it’s not to prove if we’re worthy, just if we can be manipulated the right way to work for whatever is running it.”

“Sometimes your pessimism is too convincing.”

“I’m just being realistic.”

“I know. Trust me, I want to get out of here as much as you do. I think–”

“We are almost to the end!” The announcer spoke as if to complete her thought.

We looked at each other and continued to listen.

“This round will put you against one another in groups of three. There is not one single way to victory. Understand that. Make victory yours, just as a true scholar makes their truth the prevailing truth. Begin.”

Ralia and I glanced at each other until the world around us changed. The other competitors were within view. We moved in the ether as if picked up and placed on individual platforms, each on a corner of three triangular platforms. The black abyss took form and the rows of cheering spectators returned. Three video cubes floated in the air, one above each of the triangular battlefields. The themes were yet to be revealed, but I could already see my opponents.

A middle-aged woman stood on my right. She wore a simple pantsuit that fit her well with the sharp features of a corporate executive whose every detail was a perfect example of conservative workplace standards. Hair to the shoulders, brown, with no hint of light accents or dies. Simple makeup, only enough to make her predatory gaze more prominent. Everything was the standard “intimidating superior“ look, but she was not exempt from the game’s tendency for the eccentric. Her shoulders were spiked, as were her elbow and kneecaps as if she was heading to defend her office in literal warfare. She spared me a second’s glare before focusing on my other opponent with hesitancy hidden behind a grimace.