The Game Legend II [Fiction]

The one-hour opening ceremony filled all attendees with anticipation. There were speeches from the organisers and sneak peeks of a new game in the beta stage. While the speeches were ongoing, Josh and I talked. He revealed that he was developing a new hybrid board game that would blend poker and star realms mechanics into one. It was a fascinating idea that stirred the curiosity in me—I wanted a glimpse into his brilliant mind.

The opening ceremony was of no interest to me again. Josh was. We talked till the end of the ceremony, sharing so many ideas about his game and the Pro Notch Gem. I rambled on about the beauty of the Pro Notch Gem game and some of the strategies I'd learned along the way. Josh watched me with a strange interest and attention.

After the ceremony ended, it was dark outside—a perfect opportunity for attendees to mingle and network. Josh and I continued our talk for another hour before he suggested we dine together at a fine sushi restaurant down the street.

I stuttered and was going to come up with an excuse but he insisted. "You're safe with me, I promise," he drawled, placing a hand on his heart area.

I laughed to hide my anxiety. I wasn't very good at meeting strangers and dining with them. I was feeling confident with this young man.

The stars glittered in the unclouded night as we strolled to the restaurant. The cool breeze was calming and I resolved to enjoy the evening with this good-looking and fascinating stranger. The sushi turned out to be the best I'd ever eaten with a vegetable salad and fried prawns. We topped our meal with a fine white wine and talked for hours into the night.

Josh walked me back to the hotel, the same place that he was lodged to. I thanked him for a lovely evening and hoped to see him the following morning at a game demonstration.

"I'm surprised you haven't asked for my in-game name," I said as he turned to walk away. He froze for a second and glanced back at me. He had a sly smile on his face that sent a silent tremor through me.

"Maybe I want to be surprised," he drawled and sauntered off.

The game con was a week long event while the Unmasking party would hold on the weekend. I woke up as early as five the following morning and went for a run. I returned to my room and changed for the morning program. The itinerary revealed it was a game demo by a key figure in the gaming industry. Could it be Josh?

He was on my mind all through the night and how I got a decent sleep was a mystery. I walked into the auditorium and quickly grabbed a seat in the front row. It wasn't as crowded as the opening ceremony but there was still about forty minutes before the demo.

I set up my laptop and started to play when a notification box appeared on the corner of my screen. It was the in-game chat. I sighed and clicked.

predator66: my warrior lady, you having fun yet?

I stared at my screen for a minute and glanced around the auditorium. Several people were hunched over their laptops with their headphones on. It could be any one of them.

krige-warrior: why do you care?

predator66: a question for a question means you're hiding something. tsk tsk

krige-warrior: you sound creepy and this chat is aimless. I have a busy day. so bye

The chat box revealed the game legend was typing a response. I'd just wait for it to drop before I sign out.

predator66: I'll be seeing you soon, my warrior lady.

I felt smoke coming out of my ears. The audacity and creepiness. What started out as funny and lively was turning into something exhausting and annoying.

krige-warrior: not on your life!

I punched my keyboard hard to sign out. My finger throbbed from the measure and I almost sucked on it when Josh appeared beside, grinning beautifully like he knew something I didn't.

Did he?

TO BE CONTINUED…..

To grasp the beginning, check out Part One

^{Image credit: RDNE Stock project}