Steam hissed and the sounds of drums beating reverberated through Joey's pyramid. The crowd of loyal followers cheered as Joey entered the bullfighter-like ring. After the first few hundred Reflections, Joey realized that it would be much more stratifying to bring the victims back to his unfinished pyramid. Today was a special day for he had found not one, but three Reflections. His scouts found one on a world similar to how his had been before the invasion and two more were found literally in his own backyard.

The Reflection from the twin world was named Matthew. In his world, he'd become obsessed with being a superhero. Thanks to his obsession he lost his girlfriend and crime-fighting partner, Ren. One day Matthew disappeared; soon after, his realm fell into the Void. Ren managed to escape and found a home on a new world—the one discovered by the scouts. Eventually, Ren was reunited with Matthew, but he'd become a monster.

***

It turned out that there is a cost for every heroic act. The luck, energy, power, what-have-you of being a hero is not free. In most cases, this payment comes in the form of the "hero curse." Ever wondered why heroes always seem to have bad luck in their personal lives, such as loved ones being killed or they can't keep a job? It's because they are paying for altering fate. Matthew, on the other hand, sped up the process by becoming obsessed (some might say addicted) to "playing hero." He became one of the creatures who balance the cosmic scales, a tall man (or sometimes referred to as a collector or pied piper). He'd forgotten who he was, and he was coming for Ren.

Luckily, the power of love freed Matthew from his addiction and his debt. Unluckily, Joey caught up to them. Within seconds, Matthew was dragged to Joey's world.

While Joey was picking up his new victim, Max and Zak arrived at the pyramid to meet the Free Mason protesters. After some sneaking and hard work, the duo—along with some protesters—found Mason's cell. They freed Mason. After a series of fights with the guards and one annoying boss battle with a guy that took hit after hit and remained unfazed but could knocked you through a wall with a flick of his finger, Zak and Max escorted Mason to a portal gate.

Mason told the two he need to find his "old friend" before he could return home. "Don't worry, I can find my way through the spider web of realms," he said.

Before Mason stepped through the gate, Zak said, "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

Mason shrugged. "Who knows? Time between realms is strange. You could have met me years ago, but I have yet to meet you."

Since realms orbit the nexus at different speeds (much like the orbit speed of a planet depends on its distance from the Sun), time works differently when traveling from one realm to another. You could spend three years in one realm and return home a second after you left. So, it was quite possible for Zak to have met Mason but Mason to meet Zak later.

Mason gave Zak and Max a hopeful "farewell" before vanishing into the gate. About ten seconds later, Max and Zak were captured.

***

Once Joey was ready, the unlucky three were tossed into the combat pit. Thanks to Joey wanting to drum up the unusual event, Zak and Max learned of Matthew. They also learned that not only was Matthew a Fragment, but they learned he was the First. Matthew was the first character created by Kyle.

***

I stopped typing.

That was a mistake. I did not mean to write my name there.

I moved my fingers towards the "backspace" key. I told my finger to push the key and erase my name from the text, but it just wouldn't go down. Something in my heart stopped me.

I leaned back and rested my head. I stared at the ceiling. It was odd how the ceiling looked like a galaxy of stars. A few seconds later, it seemed that the ceiling began to move. The "dust" and "stars" swirled and flittered about as if some divine finger mixed them around like ingredients in a stew. An image of Matthew began to take shape in the ceiling. He looked younger than the others, about fourteen. How can that be? Something inside me, an author's quick-thinking maybe, explained that after Matthew's curse was lifted he and Ren returned to their original ages.

Now that I could see Matthew in his "true form," I recognized him. He was the first character I created. The memory came back to me like a flashlight filling up a dark room. A mild chuckle escaped.

I was probably about eight or so when the school held their writing contest. Everyone had to participate. My story was about a superhero named Dogboy. At this time in my life I thought that if I wrote a story in first-person I had to use my real name; I believed if you wanted to use a made-up character, it had to be in third-person. (Just so you know, Matthew is not my real name; I'm just using it as a placeholder.)

I chuckled again at my innocence, but a sudden pulse of fear gripped my chest. All of my other character came from him. He was the First! If Joey absorbed him, it would be over.

The ceiling's "cosmic scene" began to swirl again. I could see flashes of light within my mind's eye.

***

Joey was no fool. He'd figured it out too. He knew this would be his last fight. Once he was finished parading for the crowd, he turned to Zak, Max, and Matthew. A crooked and savage grin formed across his face. It seemed impossible but the grin was aimed at Matthew. "There can only be me."

Joey then attacked.

____________

Words: 995