Short Story: [Emberfate] Chris' Birthday

Hey everyone!

Last reward for this month is another Emberfate short story in the themed series of birthdays! As with before, this was drafted by Anna 'Lavinnia' Kończak and then rewritten by me (I ended up changing almost the whole thing last minute because I changed my mind and felt like the original tournament was too OOC rip)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

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"I can't believe three people from our guild made it to Top 4 of this server-wide PVP tournament! Three! 75% of semifinalists are ours! Who can say we aren't the best guild on the server after this?" Jim screeches into his microphone, prompting you to click on his name and turn his volume down before he deafens you.

Ruby barks out a laugh. "I think you're forgetting something, Jim. Chris might be our guild leader's partner, but he joined the tournament on his main, which is also the leader of another guild called Requiem. So it's only two from our guild — Cat and our guild lead."

"Nooooo. What?! Why didn't he use his character in our guild instead?!"

You grin. "I'll be sure to pass that complaint on to them. And kick his ass in the tournament. Even though the finals happens on his birthday."

"Oh, Chris' birthday is on the same day? We should throw an after-party then! Both to celebrate his birthday and, of course, our guild's win, because I believe in Cat and our awesome guild leader!" Ruby says.

"That sounds like fun!" Lamp jumps in excitedly. "We can decorate the guild hall — I call dibs on that!"

"But do we trust your taste in aesthetics and interior design skills, Lamp?" Aedriss says teasingly, eliciting a mock-offended huff from Lamp.

You can't help but laugh. "You know, I have an idea. Let's make the guild hall sports-themed — and littered with bunny decorations, of course. I'm sure Chris would love that."

"Sure. But it'll be your job to keep Chris away from our guild hall on the day until after the tournament!"

"I'm sure that won't be hard to manage. He's too busy on his main, practicing his PVP skills in the Arena. Now, let's see what we can get for decor..."

Amidst the buzzing excitement among the guild, the big day arrives soon.

The semifinals of the PVP tournament had already finished two days before that. As if destined, you and your partner were on opposite sides of the bracket, and in the end, both of you emerge victorious, even if it was by the skin of your teeth against Cat.

As your character loads into the Arena where the tournament semifinals will be held, you can't help but rub your hands together while muttering into your headset. "I don't know why, but I'm actually nervous. Am I getting virtual stage fright?"

"Need me to go easy on you so you don't get embarrassed in front of the whole server?" You can hear the teasing smirk in Chris' voice over the call. You scoff, firing back a retort easily. "You're just saying that so you have an excuse when I wipe the floor with you."

The two of you continue bantering while Chris logs in, and your nervousness quickly melts away thanks to your partner's unusual form of encouragement.

But your grin fades at the sight of Chris' character teleporting into the Arena.

"Is that..."

You stare. Yes, it's unmistakably the Shadowraith armor set from the raid that was released two weeks ago. And as you examine his character carefully, you have no choice but to conclude that yes, in fact, they have all the pieces of the set equipped.

"Oh, you little shit. Did you just get the last piece you needed last night? Is that why you let out a caveman yell yesterday that scared the crap out of me and wouldn't tell me why?"

Even though Chris is in the other room with his laptop "for the fairness of the competition", you can picture the shit-eating grin on his face right now.

"Indeed. Jealous?"

Muttering a "lucky bastard" under your breath, you roll your eyes and control your character to step forward. Chris follows behind you.

"You know, this feels like deja vu. Almost reminiscent of our PVP fight that time in the guild arena — you know, before we got together." Chris' voice comes through your headset right as you're about to disband the party and prepare for the fight.

You can't help but smile at the memory. "The fight that we never finished. Let's settle it once and for all."

As you click "Disband Party", a quick rotation of your camera reveals that your entire guild is seated among the audience, desperately cheering with their characters' emotes. Your guild chat goes wild with too many messages sent with caps lock on, going by fast enough that you can barely keep up and read. You can't help but smile.

The GM in charge of the server event counts down. And just like that, the duel begins.

The fight was tough — even harder than your last duel with Cat. You've played with them so much that you know their skill rotations and playstyle like the back of your hand, and the same goes for them.

You grit your teeth, your eyes glaring in utmost concentration at the screen before you as your fingers dance over the keyboard. Both your HP and Chris' are almost dead even.

Then Chris slips up.

You notice it as soon as it happens — a blunder in their skill rotation, where they failed to chain the combo correctly. Your eyes light up, too focused to think about why that happened, and you move in for the kill.

You beat Chris.

"Yes!" You cheer, throwing your arms up in the air in victory. The sound of pattering footsteps draws near, and Chris barges through the open door with a grin that is far too bright for one who was just defeated. "Congrats on the win."

You throw your arms around your partner, giving him a loud smack on the lips. "Thanks! You didn't go easy on me, right?"

"'Course not. That was a genuine mistake. I fucked up there because I wasn't used to the changed cooldowns because of the new armor piece, and you grabbed the opportunity." They shake their head at themself, but they don't seem too frustrated at the mistake. "You beat me fair and square."

"You're not upset by the loss, are you? I know you really wanted that special title that the winner gets."

"Nah. If I had to lose to anybody, I’m glad it’s you.” He smiles and peers over your shoulder at your computer screen. "God, your chat is just a sea of green! They are all celebrating my downfall, aren't they?"

"Heh, they're celebrating more than that! Bring your laptop over here. It's time for part 2 of the day's events!"

"Huh?" Chris looks so adorable when confused that you can't resist giving him another kiss on the cheek this time.

"The guild is throwing you a party at the guild hall! Happy birthday, Chris." You beam at them, watching the way their face lights up in happiness. "You may be a loser in PVP, but you're a winner in my book."

"Oh, shut it." He barks out a laugh. "You're lucky I love you."

"I am. And I love you too... loser."