chapter 23

"Athlos a world where actions actually cost something. Death means character deletion and the NPCs will react to you based on your past actions, starting location and the God you choose to serve." He watched the others watch the game demo as he poured himself a glass of wine.

"This sounds very interesting, the deletion of a character will make this challengin, and not like all the games we've played in the past." James nodded at the group. "That's right. You should keep watching the bit at the end will make you all want to sign up."

"Are you sure? Last time you chose a game for us, we got bored and stopped playing a week later." He looked at Alice and her boyfriend Mat. "Don't worry. This time you're going to love it."

"Here comes the last part. Shut up. Let me hear it." He looked at Ben and his twin brother Dan smiling at their smiles, and started mouthing the words he had heard countless times last night.

"Athlos is a place where people who fear to fight, will have the confidenxe to fight back. For those who live in doubt of their own abilities, to have belief in their selves and their abilities. A place for those who have no sense of direction, to find and reveal the path to others. For those who seek strength, power, direction, to stand as one and fight for the God who chooses you."

James leaned back in his chair looking at the others. "James is right. I want to play." He looked at Adam in surprise. "You really want to play? Normally you are too busy running your family business."

"The idea of the Athlos Gods choosing us, seems very different to everything else we have done before. It has peaked my interest." He nodded. "Thats one thing I am curious how they will do that, will it be a personality test or something?"

"I hope not, than it would be like all the other games we've played." He nodded at the twins. "Lets give this a go, and if you don't enjoy it, I will give you the money back you paid for it?"

"Deal." He looked at Alice. "Lets meet in game tonight. We can work out what to do and where to go from there." He nodded at Mat. "Since the boss has spoken lets go and start a new game."

James stood up and smiled at the others. "I can promise you all, this is going to change our lives." He waved his hand at them and looked at his watch. "I have a meeting to go to, so I'll see you all ingame.

"See you. Thanks for the free game." He frowned at the twins. "Its only free if we don't like it."

He turned and left his group of friends answering his phone once he was standing outside the cafe. "Did they agree?" He smiled. "They did. We have some new testers. I just had to promise them the game fee if they didn't like it." He heard laughter on the other side of the call. "They'll like it alright. There won't be no going back after they start playing it."

He opened the door to his car and sat in the drivers seat, coughing heavily. "It seems you really need Athlos as well." He wiped the small traces of blood from his mouth with a hankerchief. "Yes. the doctors haven't given me much time left."

"That's why you wanted to be a part of the first group in. I just want to say, we've made the transfer quite painless, so you won't feel anything. The doctors and scientists all agree on that." He looked at the dashboard in silent thought. "James... Are you there?" He woke up from his silent thought. "Yes, I'm here. Just make sure it is all ready on your side. I'm coming to you now."

He hung up the phone, started his car and sped out into the city. "My new life is about to start." He heard his phone beep, and looked at the message with a smile. "Mark is going as well. Excellent. This will give me a good starting position."

He smiled as he focused on the traffic around him. "A good start indeed. I hope the creator will be happy."