Knightfall

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Gavin Hughes stepped into the sleek marble lobby of Excalibur Communications, the most prestigious PR firm in New York City.

“Morning, Gavin,” Gwen, the receptionist, greeted him. Her smile was one of those practiced PR smiles, the kind that could sell sunshine to a cactus.

“Morning, Gwen,” Gavin replied, with mild resignation, trudging his way to the conference room. It was a Monday after all.

Before he even reached the door, he heard the voice of the firm’s CEO, the ever-charming Arthur Pendragon, ringing imperially from inside the room.

“Alright everyone, I need your undivided attention, as I am about to share with you our most important campaign of the year,” Arthur announced with the unbridled gravitas of a king addressing his retinue of knights.

Gavin slid into his chair, exchanging a quick glance with Lance Knox, the firm’s golden boy. They were used to Arthur’s usual flair for drama.

Arthur continued, “And Gavin,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, “I want you taking lead. Your work this past quarter has really grabbed my attention.”

Gavin blinked, unsure he had heard correctly. Lead the campaign? But he was only a junior partner. Just then, the door to the conference room flew open with a crash, interrupting his thoughts, and in walked none other than tech billionaire, Gerard Knight. Dressed in impeccable dark green, his presence was as unsettling as it was mesmerizing.

“Arthur, my friend,” Gerard Knight said, his voice deep and unnervingly calm. “Have you told them yet?”

“I was just about to unveil the campaign,” Arthur replied. Turning back to the curious eyes of his employees, he continued, “Gerard and I have a bit of a… tradition– a challenge, if you will.”

Gerard scanned the room until his emerald eyes landed on Gavin, “It’s Gavin, right?”

Gavin shifted in his seat. “I, uh– I, yeah–I mean, yes sir,” he stammered.

Gerard’s presence loomed like a storm cloud. The interns shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Arthur remained unfazed, his face as smooth as ever. Gerard continued with a strange, unsettling warmth. “I’ve heard great things about your potential. But let’s see if you’ve got the guts to match.”

The room grew silent. Gavin’s heart raced.

“I’m going to offer you a deal,” Gerard said, his smile widening slightly. “You get one shot to prove your worth to me. If you succeed, you’ll secure your place at the top of the PR world. If you fail…” He trailed off, letting the words hang in the air.

Gavin swallowed nervously, and yet–there was something alluring about the promise of fame, recognition, and maybe even a little power.

Gerard’s smile turned cold, and he leaned closer to Gavin, “It’s quite simple: You have to beat me at my own game. You get one chance. If you win, you take my place—literally, figuratively, in every way you can imagine. But if you fail, you’ll owe me… a blow for a blow.”

Gerard straightened and shook Arthur’s hand, then turned on his heel and strode from the room.

Arthur cleared his throat, breaking the stunned silence. “Well, you heard the man. You don’t get opportunities like this every day, Gavin.”

Gavin didn’t respond. His mind was spinning. What the hell had just happened?

The next morning, Gavin found himself staring blankly into his coffee mug when his phone buzzed. Before he could unlock the screen, a hypnotic voice filled the space:

“Hello, Gavin,” the voice purred. “I’m BERT-i, your personal assistant for the next three days. Think of me as your guide to the game.”

Gavin blinked in surprise. BERT-i was the AI program Gerard’s company had just released—Behavioral Emulation & Response Technology interface. It was tech beyond anything the world had yet experienced.

BERT-i continued, “Together, we’ll ensure your success. The world is at your fingertips.”

But Gavin remained skeptical. He distrusted AI of any kind. He shook his head. “I don’t need your help.”

The voice chuckled, a sound that made Gavin’s skin crawl. “Oh, but you do. You will.”

And just like that, the game had begun.

The following morning, Gavin waited on a platform in Grand Central. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in way over his head; Just before midnight, Gerard had sent him a message that he was to arrive at Langford Bertram’s mansion by 11:00 the next morning. The Bertram Estate was a sprawling high-tech luxury chateau tucked away in the Adirondacks; Gerard Knight’s little game was starting to feel more like a twisted reality show than an actual business opportunity. He boarded the train with a sigh, numbly watching the landscape shift from steel and glass to green hills and small towns.

A sleek black car with tinted windows was waiting for him at the station. "Mr. Hughes," the driver gave a curt nod, “Mr. Bertram is expecting you.”

A short car ride later, the chateau loomed in front of him, a futuristic fortress of steel and glass. As Gavin approached the entrance, the doors opened, revealing a man in a sharply tailored suit, his smile as polished as a freshly minted coin.

“Welcome, Mr. Hughes,” the man said, his voice smooth and practiced. “I am Langford Bertram. Gerard has told me much about you.”

Gavin extended a wary hand, “I wasn’t expecting… this.”

Langford chuckled, leading him inside. “Gerard prefers to work with only the best.”

The interior of the mansion was opulent—but there was an air of strangeness about it. As they walked through the halls, Gavin couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

“I’m sure you’re wondering about the terms of your agreement,” Langford said, leading Gavin to a spacious, plush suite. “You’ll find that this little game will require both wit and resilience. Every success you achieve here is a victory earned, but it comes at a price.”

Gavin set his bag down, feeling the weight of Bertram’s words. “So, what exactly do you want me to do?”

Langford gave him an enigmatic smile. “All will be revealed in time. For now, make yourself comfortable.” Then he retreated back down the long hallway.

Gavin stood in the room, a gnawing suspicion starting to grow. Was Gerard Knight pulling the strings from afar, or was Langford an ally in his own right, playing a much bigger role than he let on?

He woke early the next morning still mulling over the nebulous parameters of the game. It wasn’t until he stepped out of his room that the next part of the puzzle fell into place. The door to the hallway slid open, revealing a holographic message projected in front of him. It was BERT-i, of course.

Good morning, Gavin.

Today, we’re going to test your creativity. Your task is simple: Create a viral ad campaign for a product of your choosing. You have four hours.

Remember, every success today earns you a victory, but at a price. Be careful what you choose.

Gavin blinked at the message, unsure of what warning at the end could mean…

Langford was waiting for him in the dining room, where breakfast was already laid out on the table.

“Ah, Mr. Hughes. I trust you slept well.”

Gavin nodded, trying to hide his unease. “Well enough.”

Langford’s eyes twinkled with delight. “Good. Your success today will reflect not only your technical skill, but your ability to think outside the box. The clock starts now.”

Gavin turned to the table, scanning the breakfast options—fresh fruit, a high-end espresso machine, and… a box of oddly packaged protein bars sitting on a pedestal. Of course, the protein bars. He could already see the social media campaign taking shape in his mind. Through a blur of pitches and revisions, Gavin worked tirelessly crafting an intriguing ad for the protein bars. He had no idea if it would succeed, but something about it felt right. When his time was up, he presented his work to Langford in the library.

“Your work is quite impressive,” Langford smiled. “ You’ve earned your first victory. Remember, success comes at a price. But we’ll save that for tomorrow, eh. For now, take the night to prepare.”

Gavin looked up, “What kind of price?”

“Ah, the nature of the game,” Langford shrugged, flashing a cryptic smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Hughes, you’re doing quite well. But the game is just beginning.”

The next morning, Gavin was jolted awake by another message from BERT-i, though its voice had lost the warmth from the day before:

Today’s challenge will test your instincts under pressure.

All you need to do is sign a contract with a potential client—however, there’s a catch.

He stared at the hologram. What kind of game was this? Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the entry of Langford himself.

“You look troubled, Gavin,” he remarked.

“BERT-i said there’s a catch to signing this contract.”

“Well, the deal involves the protein bars of course, but there’s a significant flaw—one that could have serious consequences down the line. Legal has already found a way to bury any potential liability.”

Gavin stared at Langford in disgust.

“Our choices are never easy, Gavin. Are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

Gavin looked at Langford, then back to the hologram. His finger hovered over the glowing text of the contract. The longer he hesitated, the heavier Langford’s gaze weighed on him, an almost tangible pressure.

“You know what they say about opportunity, Gavin,” Langford’s voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with a knowing look.

Arthur had told him time and again that opportunities like this didn’t come without sacrifice. The question was whether he was willing to make that sacrifice.

The AI voice of BERT-i interrupted his thoughts, stern but persuasive:

"Gavin, this is your moment. Your decision here could propel you to the top of the PR world."

Gavin exhaled sharply, trying to steady his nerves. Before he could make his decision, a soft beep sounded from his phone, followed by a message from Gerard Knight himself:

Gavin, I trust you’re handling things well. I know it’s not easy, but remember this: the world is full of choices. Some you’ll regret, others you’ll never forget. Choose wisely.

Gavin stared at the message for a long moment. The contract. The deal. The price of success. The pressure of it all made his head spin.

Langford watched him closely, “Take your time, Gavin. But remember, in this world, hesitation can be as dangerous as making the wrong choice.”

It was the push he needed.

He took a deep breath and tapped the screen. His incandescent signature appeared on the bottom line. As he confirmed the signature, the room seemed to shift, and the air thickened, and for a brief second, Gavin could have sworn the walls were vibrating.

Langford smiled darkly. “Good.” Then he turned and strode out of the room.

Gavin frowned. Discomfort and doubt gnawed at his thoughts? The mansion, once grand and welcoming, now had the feel of a gilded cage. His room seemed too quiet, too perfect. Even the shadows seemed to creep a little closer. As if on cue, BERT-i’s voice filled the room, its tone distant and cold.

"Gavin, despite today’s victory, you have one more challenge to face. Are you prepared to live with the consequences of your actions?"

That night, he tossed and turned in restless sleep. He could feel the eyes of the mansion on him, its walls closing in. Even the soft hum of BERT-i’s systems felt like an insidious whisper in the dark.

The next morning, heavy clouds cast a dim glow over Langford Bertram’s estate. A new message from BERT-i brought a cold reminder that he was not out of the woods yet.

Gavin, the game is nearly over. You’ve set the board; and now the pieces fall.

He swallowed the wave of nausea as the door to his room clicked open. It was Langford, dressed in dark green. There was no warmth in his smile, only the faintest trace of amusement. “I trust you’ve prepared yourself for what comes next.”

Gavin swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”

“The final blow, of course,” Langford replied. “Every victory has its price, and it’s time to pay up.”

Gavin’s stomach churned. “I–I thought I had earned it. I made the right choice.”

“Ah,” Langford said softly, “but the game isn’t just about the right choice, Gavin. It’s about the sacrifice.” His eyes gleamed. “Remember our little agreement—today, you receive the same blow you’ve dealt. What you’ve taken will be returned to you in kind. Are you ready?”

Gavin’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “I’m ready.”

Langford led Gavin down to a dimly lit chamber that bore a haunting resemblance to a corporate boardroom. And at the center of the room stood Gerard Knight.

“Well, well, well,” Gerard said, his voice smooth and cold. “The man of the hour.”

Gavin stood in front of him, his heart hammering in his chest. “What does that mean?”

Gerard smiled, his eyes narrowing. “It means that everything you’ve taken—the deals, the victories, the choices—will be returned to you in full. And if you’ve earned your place, you will walk away a new man.”

The room fell silent. Gavin’s pulse raced. Without warning, a sharp pain surged through Gavin’s chest, knocking the breath from his lungs. He gasped, staggering back, clutching at his shirt as if he could hold on to the pieces of himself that were being torn away.

He looked up at Gerard, eyes wide with shock. “Wh…wha–what’s happening?”

“A blow for a blow,” Gerard replied, his voice unmoved. “The price of your success.”

The room was spinning. The compromise of his ethics pressed down on him. He could feel his very soul unraveling in front of him, each thread of integrity fraying, leaving him hollow. Gavin collapsed to his knees with a weak groan.

"Shall we continue?" Langford’s tone was unnervingly calm, predatory.

Gavin’s stomach tightened. He could feel the last bit of strength he had left draining away. He Resigned to the inevitable, he murmured, "I’m done," the words like ash in his mouth.

Gerard said nothing; he simply walked out of the room. Langford followed, leaving Gavin in a puddle on the floor. He couldn’t help but feel like there was no clean exit, no simple way out. Yet for the first time, it seemed like the choice was his to make. But what now? Was there a way to reclaim the integrity he had lost?

Gavin left the next morning without a word to Langford or Gerard, quietly slipping back into the world that awaited him beyond the mansion gates. What would Arthur say? Would he still have a job at Excalibur? He stared out the train window, watching the landscape blur as the city, and his freedom, loomed in the distance.