The reason for their excitement and endless chatter was quite simple, a new video game had dropped.
It wasn't really surprising that a group of anti social teenage boys would be so eager to get a new video game so they could play it until they beat the levels.
Just two streets away from their school stood a small, cluttered game store that was a haven for video game enthusiasts.
The store had all the latest releases, from action-packed adventures to immersive role-playing games, stacked neatly on shelves lining the walls.
It was the kind of place where the hum of excitement hung in the air, drawing in gamers like a magnet.
Whenever a new game was released, it was the first stop for the four boys—Arlo, Daniel, Richard, and Gus.
You could always find them there, huddled together, eyes wide with anticipation, eagerly discussing the newest titles.
There was another game store closer to the residential area, a popular spot where everyone in town seemed to flock.
Its shelves were often picked clean of the latest releases, with games selling out almost as soon as they arrived.
The constant crowds, coupled with its rapid stock turnover, made it a frustrating place to shop—especially for Daniel, who wasn't fond of being around too many people.
It was this dislike of crowded spaces that led him to stumble upon the quieter, lesser-known game store a few streets from their school.
Excited by his discovery, he'd brought Arlo, Richard, and Gus there, showing them the hidden gem.
Now, he led them once again, navigating the familiar streets with ease, knowing they'd find exactly what they were looking for.
After some minutes of walking, the store finally came into view, its small, weathered sign visible on the horizon.
The sight of it brought a rush of excitement to the group.
"There, there it is!" Daniel cried out, his voice filled with enthusiasm as he pointed eagerly toward the storefront.
His face lit up, the earlier weariness from the walk forgotten as he quickened his pace.
The others followed suit, their eyes fixed on the store that had become their secret haven, a place where the latest games waited just for them, away from the usual crowds.
The other three boys, however, were far too exhausted to match Daniel's enthusiasm.
They trudged behind him, their backs hunched over as they panted from the long walk.
Richard and Gus were practically dragging their feet, each step heavier than the last.
Arlo, breathing hard, paused for a moment to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead.
Straightening up, he glanced at Daniel, who seemed unaffected by the trek, still buzzing with excitement.
"Alright, there's no reason to waste anymore time, let's go".
They walked towards the store and into it.
Inside, the game store was surprisingly clean and organized.
The floors gleamed under the soft lighting, and the air was filled with the faint scent of new merchandise.
Rows of neatly arranged shelves and tabletops were stocked with various genres of games—each section clearly labeled.
Action-adventure titles sat beside strategy games, while role-playing games had their own dedicated corner.
What caught Arlo's eye even more were the stacks of comic books scattered around the store, some carefully displayed on racks, others placed on tables alongside the games.
It was a haven for both gamers and comic enthusiasts alike.
"You know, this is like nerd heaven". Gus whispered and Arlo nodded.
After they had picked up the new games, they decided to explore some more.
Arlo wandered through the shelves, checking the books and games out, but he soon found himself being drawn towards a corner of the book store.
At first Arlo fought the pull, alarmed, but curiousity soon trumped his cautioness and he went to the corner.
At the end of the shelf was a game, even thought it was lined with the rest of the games, it seemed somehow isolated from them.
It was almost like it had its own aura.
The game was wrapped with a yellow tape, completely blank except for its text which read: SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Arlo reached out his hand to touch it.
It felt cool the touch and he grasped it more firmly.
Then he raised it up to himself.
The game looked pretty ordinary but Arlo couldn't deny he felt some pull to the game.
He turned around and checked the price, it was too expensive so he shrugged and placed it back on the shelf.
He looked for the others, they were already at the counter and he went to join them.
"What were you doing back there?" Daniel asked him but Arlo shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just checking some stuff out".
****
As he entered his room, Arlo shut the door behind him with a soft thud.
He was slightly confused on whether to succumb to his tiredness and crash into the bed or succumb to his eagerness and play his new game.
In the end, eagerness won and Arlo tiredly dragged his feet to his desk.
He plopped onto the chair and switched on his game box.
As the soft whirring sound filled the otherwise silent room, he reached in his bag and pulled out the new game.
Except it wasn't the new game in his hands.
It was something else.
Arlo froze as his eyes ran over the familiar yellow tape and the words: SEVEN DEADLY SINS.
"How is this possible?" He muttered out loud. "I'm very sure I took the new game and I returned this one".
"Besides, this game is more expensive, there's no way the cashier gave me for that smal amount I paid".
No matter how he reasoned, it made no sense that the game was in his bag and the one he chose was nowhere to be found.
Arlo looked at the game for a moment and then decided to load it up regardless.
He had no other game to play anyway, so he might as well play this one.
He slotted the disc in and watched the screen grow blank for a while, then it flashed pale green.
[Welcome, the seven deadly sins await you]