Returning To The Game (Book 2) (Page 195)

~~~(POV: Scott Autumn)~~~

~~~(Location: Home, Los Angeles)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:28 AM)~~~

My eyes slowly open with the morning sunshine coming through the window of our room. Jess is asleep at my side, and the memories of last night flood my head. We spend an hour or two bumping uglies.

Never understood that archaic term for having sex. After all, it's not ugly if the two people having sex are beautiful. However, many people aren't what you'd call attractive.

The sheets slowly run off my body as I lean up and run a hand through my hair. The movement begins to stir Jess awake too. The sudden urge to use the bathroom takes me. Since today is the day I'll be heading back into The Aeternus Universe.

I should ensure everything on this side of reality is handled for a while. Jess will be in and out of the game far more than I.

It's not long before I'm in the kitchen making some breakfast. Jess is on the couch with the TV on. Watching some news about our favorite game. Nothing new from what I can hear. Having breakfast with the person you care about is important.

"There aren't many things that bring me down these days. But seeing you leave for a long time is one of the depression starters. Promise it won't be long before you come back?"

I'm not making promises I can't keep.

~~~(POV: Durado)~~~

~~~(Location: Immortalitas, The Keynote)~~~

"Take that!!"

I lay down the winning card, and purple and pink colors flood the form of Aurora. She doesn't like to lose, especially to someone like me. We've been waiting a couple of days for Scott to get back, and there isn't much for me to do.

Aurora has been doing the assignment Scott gave her. She's been depressed and slow since his departure.

"I'm done playing this game."

She snaps her fingers and makes the cards disappear. It's rather funny seeing Aurora this way. As I stand up, a light appears in the command deck. We both know that light, and that's when the form of Scott takes out attention.

The holographic AI is the first to make her jubilation known. Rushing over and immediately dumping information on Scott. She's instantly in a better mood. It shows that when the right person is involved, it can change another.

However, the severe look on Scott's face tells me he has information for us. Something that'll change our current goals. I really want to find out more regarding The Keynote and its secrets. Not just it's its power to stop The Parasite.

That's changing for now.

~~~(POV: Scott Autumn)~~~

~~~(Location: Immortalitas, The Keynote)~~~

Aurora fires up Immortalitas's engines, and we lift off The Keynote. She sets a new destination using The Genesis Dimension. I explained the situation to Aurora and Durado. They agree that we'll need to find a way to slow down The Parasite.

Using Primordium tech right now isn't wise. Everything they have is used to wipe the universe clean. We don't have the time to modify the plans, and we certainly don't have anything to speed up the process of navigating The Keynote.

The multi-galaxy-sized installation will take the time we don't have right now.

"How was your break in your world?"

Aurora has been having more questions about Earth. I tell them what I can and keep what they shouldn't know. I slump down in my seat and run a hand through my hair. Taking a breath and rolling my neck.

"Honestly, it didn't go the way I hoped. Now, every player and NPC in this universe is looking for me. For us. They don't know who we are, but I doubt The Primeval Inherent will keep quiet for long."

The hivemind knows who I am and can easily leak my identity. The real question is why hasn't the strategic creature done so yet...

It's obviously a part of some plan it has, and it'll be a while before I deduce anything.

Right now, I can only assume he's distracting the players. But if he tells them my true identity, he'll get me far sooner than later, which is directly counterproductive to his goals.

The intellect of such a creature surpasses my own and Auroras, but that doesn't mean we don't stand a chance. We'll find out what it's up to sooner or later.