My world is both infinite and 800-square-feet wide. It consists of a kitchen, a dining nook, a bedroom, an office, and a gaming colosseum, where I, as DarkZion99, destroy an endless army of noobs on CosmosBrawl II™ with my legendary DeusInfinitum Sabre and Armor. Those on the NA23 server look at me like a god amongst casual players. I’ve never in my life received such love, respect, and admiration.

The core of my world is the colosseum. Its $9,000 set up has been custom designed for long play sessions, to be used by a guy my size. My AVYX® 689-7 gaming chair was custom designed in my colors in the game, near-obsidian purple and neon green. My AVWing Premium 1 headset is considered the peak of headphone and microphone combination sets. My desktop computer cost over $4,200 in parts and customizations. It has some of the same components as NASA’s computers. Finally, I have a smart thermometer to ensure the temperature is perfect for both myself and my hardware.

Within CosmosBrawl II™, or CB2, I lead a guild known as Erebus, ranked third in the entire world. We used to have over 5,000 players, but as it became more higher-ranking, we had to cut out the more casual player, boosting our stats like crazy. I hear most of them went to MegaWar, which is fine by me. CB2 is not about making friends. It’s about creating something never-before-accomplished. I have become so immersed into CB2 that I identify myself as DarkXion99 more than anything else.

When I can’t be within CB2, Andy has to work. He’s an IT help desk professional for UUR Inc., forced to deal with idiots who don’t even know when their PCs need to be shut down. You wouldn’t believe the idiocy he has to deal with. At least Andy doesn’t have to leave the apartment to do the day job. But I won’t let him into the colosseum.

Andy is reserved for the occasional Zoom meeting at work or when answering the door for food and groceries and Amazon deliveries. Every now and again, Andy will have to answer the parental units when they annoyingly want to FaceTime. Sure enough, Andy has to deal with their same damn questions.

No, Andy still hasn’t left the apartment in over 4 years. Yes, he still has all that weight he put on after all that divorce business. No, he doesn’t want to know that Carla from senior year is single again.

That’s why when Andy’s parents heard about the tragedy, they probably laughed. The ignorant, evil people that they are.

In the middle of a raid between Erebus and OnyxGods, my internet shut down. As I panicked, checking the ProKonnect, 3900 router I’ve installed, the fire alarm goes off. I’ve managed to bypass all “drills” in the past. Yet nowX I heard screaming from upstairs.

“Move! The building is on fire,” said someone out in the hallway.

Usually, these people are overreacting to a microwave incident gone bad. Yet this time, I heard sirens from outside. I tried desperately to get the power back on in my world. Something had to work!

No connectivity meant I cannot govern over Erebus, which means my leadership will be questioned. I did not earn QuadStar status to lose it. I log onto the mobile chat app and explain the situation.

“OMG, be safe, DarkXion!” says a hundred guild members.

Still, I know, the clock is ticking.

Before I could figure out what do to, the damn apartment door busts open in a million smithereens. A firefighter comes in in full suit, which does look like HydroHasmat low-level beasts.

“You’re awake? You need to get out, the building is on fire,” he says in a muddled voice.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Andy says.

Another firefighter comes in. The first one looks at me with disgust. I can see it through my eyes.

“We’re not going to be able to carry him,” says the other.

“We can’t just leave him,” says the first.

“My equipment is here,” I said.

“That’s what renal insurance is for,” the first said.

They grab poor Andy, and he resists. Two more men came in and, using all 4, they managed to carry him downstairs. Black smoke is heavy in the air.

“No! My equipment, my world, isn’t ready for this,” I say.

They suppress a smile as they force me to leave my world. I feel naked and exposed when they force me to stand alone as my neighbors gawk at each other. So exposed. So short. Andy has to do what he wasn’t to do. But someday, Zion will return as a champion drake ID. Someday.