VBL

Back in the dark room. The room is feeling warmer than usual because of all the computer’s and monitors running in it, with little to no insulation. This was the room Akamai chose to be her office. No one in the company knew why, and a few people whispered about it, but no one ever directly asked her. She was a moderately clean person, so the room never became junky, but always that uncomfortable midpoint between neutral and a bout to sweat.

In this room she chose to be her office, she is turning her webcam on and changing her necessary settings. After 2 minutes she stops in her tracks. Her laptop is on. Her webcam is on. A livestream ready to start. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head.

“Hey everyone. Akamai here with another update. “We just had one” I hear you saying and you’re right. The timing of this update is just more coincidental than anything. I had a separate team working on this one on and off for some time. Of course, I would hop between this project and others. So, I’m going to start the update with a bombshell. There’s going to be a new set of gauntlets coming. They’re called the Grizzly claws, and they have 2 devasting attacks. These gauntlets are meant to highlight some of the play style’s that are shaping around the weapons people choose to be their main. Which I love to see, personally. So on to the next substantial change coming to VBL. Drum roll, please.”

Akamai hits a button on her soundboard, issuing a generic drum roll sound. When the sound effect is done –

“We’re uploading 2,000 different cosmetic items that are coming to VBL! You heard right, all free with a standard membership of course. I’m so excited to finally reveal this update. For anyone that knows, more avatar customization has been one of the most asked for features since VBL first launched. So, this is something we’re very invested in. I have a separate team that’s dedicated to creating more items in the future as well. I can’t wait to see what everyone produces, and all the different looks and styles come from this. Now on the tail end of the update. I’m noticing there are still a small number of people trying the ranked playlist. So, I’ll be adding a few more ranks and as well as rank mode specific cosmetics. So, you can tell who’s a badass, by what they’re wearing. Thank you all for playing VBL and a bigger thank you for all the OG’s that’s been here since day one. You have no idea how much this means to me. VBL is my grandfather’s, and I dream come true. It feels amazing seeing people genuinely enjoy it. So, from the bottom of my heart to all the players, thank you. Okay signing off for now, I’ll see you all next time!”

Akamai turns off the webcam and ends the stream on her pc. After a moment she allows herself to slouch back in her chair, exhaling a deep breath of relief. She knows there’s still work to do but she sits there, in the warm room, listening to the low hum from all the computers running, staring at the ceiling of her office.

Akamai inner thoughts… Grandpa…

Akamai eventually walks out of her office and into to the hallway of her gaming company (Island games). Outside of her office is her assistant. This is the same woman that sometimes occupies Akamai’s office and checks on her well-being. The woman is the same height as Akamai, skinny in a lean fitted black dress. Her red hair is tied up into a bun, with one or two strands falling by her glasses. Her name is Rebecca (29). Rebecca is holding a tablet in her arms tightly as she waits for her boss to leave her office.

“That was a great stream, Ms. Akamai.” Rebecca reinsures her.

“You think so? Thank you, that’s sweet. Also do you remember the talk we had about calling me Ms.?” Akamai confirms.

“Yes. So sorry.”

“It’s fine. So, what else is on our to do list today?” Akamai asks.

“So, we have to check in with B teams progress with the expansion plan.” Rebecca informs her.

“I have faith they will have it ready by the deadline. Shaun knows what he’s doing.” Akamai says.

“Then we have a meeting with the producer from NY. He’ll be bringing his team to see if there’s a way for us to branch off a sister location.” Rebecca says.

Akamai diverts her attention from Rebecca and to a poster that’s hanging on the wall behind her. It was the first VBL poster and the first piece of marketing for the game ever created. In fact, Akamai made the poster herself and based it solely on the first Tekken poster. This was before Akamai knew the identity of VBL and proved to be a good point of concept. Only friends and family saw this poster before she decided to hang it up at her company.

Akamai remembers things seemed easier back then. She had so much to prove and nothing but time to work on the game. You could find her working meticulously on every piece she could at the time, and if there was something she came across that she didn’t know, she would research it until she knew exactly what it was and how she wanted to implement it into VBL.

“Akamai?” Rebecca says, trying to get her boss’s attention back.

“I’m sorry Rebecca. I just spaced out there.” Akamai admits.

“Did you eat a decent breakfast today? If you’re hungry again I can order you some lunch.” Rebecca states while looking up restaurants on her tablet.

“No, that’s fine. Thank you.” Akamai says.

“So, you had breakfast?”

“No, but that isn’t what’s on my mind.” Akamai

“Oh? So, what is it?” Rebecca digs.

“… Do you think my grandfather would like what VBL is becoming?” Akamai asks.

This question stops Rebecca in her tracks. It was the last thing she expected to hear. Despite that, she takes her time to clear her mind and give an honest answer.

“I didn’t meet your grandfather but from I heard about him, he seemed extremely sweet and kindhearted. I feel like your grandfather would’ve just been happy that you found something that keeps you busy and that you love. VBL was made possible due to his early contributions, correct?” Rebecca checks.

“Yeah. My grandfather loved video games and had his own career in game development. When I came to the picture I would spend hours at his house, playing all sorts of games from every console generation you can think of. Any kid’s fantasy.” Akamai answers.

“I think somewhere in there is your answer.”

“What do you mean?” Akamai asks.

“Well, you said grandpa already had his career by the time you were born. I wish I could’ve met your grandpa, but it sounds like he really loved you. To confirm that, he left you most of his life savings after he passed. That tells me he believed in you enough to give you that start. I think your grandpa would just be happy to see you were able to start your own career with his help. We all are. The team and me. We’re all here because of you and we would follow you in whatever direction you decide to take VBL. My own grandparents had a saying. We bet on the jockey, not the horse.” Rebecca states.

“What does that mean?” Akamai asks.

“It means we believe in you Akamai. No matter what you do.”

This realization causes Akamai to tear up slightly, but she keeps it together by wiping her tears before they form.

“Thank you, Rebecca.” Akamai says.

“No problem akamai.”

“On second thought. I will order some lunch. Please take a census from the team and find out what everyone wants. Lunch is on me today.” Akamai directs.

“Absolutely.”

“Rebecca.” Akamai calls out.

“Yes?”

“What did your grandparents do for work?”

“They were professional gamblers.” Rebecca answers.

**

It’s a hot, humid day in Strand city. On the VBL yard, sitting on one of the many hot, metal benches are Javier. Despite sitting in the shade, the bench is still warm. The birds are chirping, and the sounds of the city stay constant in the background. Javier already dressed out of his school uniform, instead wearing a pink tank top with BADMAN written on the front, black shorts, and all white, pristine sneakers. He’s staring at his phone, while waiting on Nora and Faith. Scrolling through social media.

That is until he finally notices both girls walking toward him, through the front yard. They’re talking to each other and chuckling. Faith is wearing a white blouse, denim shorts, and black short heels. While Faith is wearing a green shirt under short denim overalls.

“Que lo que” Javier greets his friends.

“Hey, sorry about the other day. I had no idea that repainting a garage could be a 2-day task.” Nora apologizes.

“Yeah, and I needed some me time to be honest. My duties at our school have been stressing me lately. Sometimes being a class president is a lot.” Faith explains.

“No worries. You two missed a good match. I fought this guy named Maximillion Skyking. He ended up winning, which is fine but – “

“Skyking? He was here?!” Nora asks.

“Umm yes. A friend of yours?” Javier questions.

“Hardly. More like competitors. We first met the year he won the EVO Tekken tournament. He beat me in the semifinals and went on to win the whole thing. Then right after that he disappeared.” Nora explains.

“Disappeared? Like went missing?” Faith asks.

“Mine as well have. Nobody heard from him. He deleted all his social media and was silent since.” Nora says.

“That’s weird, but he apparently he was here the other day, wiping the floor with Javier.” Faith jokes.

“You don’t have to say it like that.” Javier retorts.

“Is that what happened? “Faith teases.

“I think it was closer than that. Anyway, that’s not why I asked you two to meet me here today.” Javier states.

“It isn’t?” Nora asks.

“Well… It is. We need more training. A lot more.” Javier says.

“I thought this was going to be about Akamai’s newest announcement too.” Nora verbalizes.

“What announcement?” Javier asks with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Nora flips her phone horizontally and shows her friends the recorded live stream of Akamai talking about the latest updates to VBL. Javier is filled with excitement once the video is done.

“New gauntlets! Finally. It’s been ages since gauntlets got any love, now we’re getting a boost in damage and a brand-new weapon. It feels like early Christmas. Okay that solidifies the fact that we really need to practice. If what I saw from Maximillion is any indication, then we are extremely underprepared.” Javier directs.

“Damn, whatever Max said to you must’ve really hit a nerve.” Nora says.

“You can say that. He told me to be more creative.” Javier answers.

“What was he like?” Faith asks.

“Tall. He had greaser vibes and talked in anime references.” Javier answers.

“Pompadour?” Nora asks.

“Yeah, and constantly combing it.” Javier replies.

“Yep. Sounds like him.” Nora confirms.

“Nora, you fought him, did you notice anything? Playstyles, weaknesses, anything?” Javier asks.

“Sorry, it was so long ago that anything that stood out wouldn’t resonate with now. At least I don’t think it would anyway.”

“What do you mean? Wouldn’t he have the same style?” Faith asks.

“Doubtful. While it’s common for a champion to stick with the style that won him the championship. His style was unorthodox. He picked uncommon characters and tried moves I thought I would never see in a competitive scene. Honestly, the only person I’ve seen that I can describe as having the same energy is ‘true king’ Brian.” Nora explains.

“Unorthodox style, huh?” Javier asks.

Javier lowers his head. For a split-second Faith is worried that the conversation has discouraged him, but she’s immediately put to ease as she sees Javier quietly thinking.

“If you can say anything about Brians and Max’s playstyle is that its unpredictable. They are always one step ahead. At first, I thought it was because they were just that talented or that dominate, but if we just think outside the box, we might be able to do it.” Javier explains.

“To do what?” Faith asks.

“To finally dethrone the true king.” Javier says.

Faith and Nora get chills going through their bodies. Although both behave differently to this sensation. Nora has trained herself to smile at the prospect of a new challenge, no matter how high the feat. While the remnants of her mother’s influence cause Faith to misread this feeling as fear.

“Well then, in the announcement she mentions adding some new ranks to the ranked matches. We’ll grind ranked matches until the tournament.” Nora adds.

“Sounds good to me. You’re always welcomed to train with us if you change your mind.” Javier informs.

“Cute that he makes it known that your welcomed.” Nora teases.

“Funny. I’m still waiting on you to beat me in a match.” Javier teases back.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I’m getting there. Won’t be too long now.” Nora taunts.

“You two can be going back and forth for hours. I’m glad we’ll be mixing it up with ranked matches.” Faith says.

“Speaking of what’s your ranked Faith?” Nora asks.

“… Well. It’s Beginner rank.” Faith admits.

“Whoa, seriously?! That’s like nothing! I thought you played every now and then?” Javier yells.

“I do but I rarely played ranked. Plus, it restarts after every few months!” Faith counters.

“We have our work cut out for us, for sure.” Nora says.