Micah walked through the bustling plateiai of Athens, his sandals clicking softly against the cobblestone streets as he weaved his way past other players and NPCs. The city hummed with life, even in this virtual world. The sound of laughter echoed from tavern entrances, merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, and children weaved through the streets in chaotic games of chase.
Athens, one of the main polis hubs in Pantheon: 'Lord of the Dead,' was alive with activity at 11 a.m. on a Saturday. Most players weren't grinding or questing—they were simply enjoying the space, catching up with friends or admiring the city's intricate design.
Micah slowed his pace, letting his eyes wander. NPCs stood at the sides of the streets, cooking meals over open flames, the smoke curling upward in thin wisps. One vendor turned skewers of meat over a fire while another displayed rows of fruit that gleamed like polished gems. Everything looked so real—delicious even. But he knew from experience there was no smell, no taste.
Micah sighed. Food in 'Pantheon' was strictly functional: health restoration, stat boosts, antidotes. Yet the artists had gone above and beyond to make it all look mouthwatering. He couldn't help but wish the flavors were real too.
He browsed the weapon stalls, inspecting the gleaming blades and bows on display. A polished spear caught his eye, and he considered buying it but decided against it. He stopped to stock up on health potions instead, pretending to take his time as he deliberated over his choices.
In truth, he wasn't browsing so much as avoiding.
Callum was waiting for him in the Glades of Helios. Micah had logged in with the intention of gaming—maybe finally tackling Zeus to unlock his thunderbolt. But somehow, he'd found himself searching up Callum's gamertag, sending a friend request, and agreeing to meet up with his boss in the very game Callum had created.
"What am I even doing?" he muttered under his breath.
It felt ridiculous—awkward, even. Meeting your boss in his own game to… what? Hang out? Micah hadn't thought that far ahead. Curiosity had driven him, pulling him toward answers he wasn't even sure he wanted.
Why had he dreamed of Caelan and called him Callum? Why did he feel so drawn to his boss? And why did said boss always look at him with such sadness, as though it hurt to see someone who didn't remember him?
Micah's footsteps slowed as he took the long route through the city, letting himself get lost in the crowd. He didn't want to confront those questions, didn't want to face the answers they might bring. If he took long enough, maybe Callum would leave.
But when he finally left the city, crossed the landscape and reached the Glades of Helios, Callum was still there, standing exactly where he'd said he would be.
The sun-drenched glade stretched out before him, a lush expanse of golden grass dotted with white flowers. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the olive trees that bordered the area, and in the center stood Callum, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon light.
He was petting a giant Suncow—a majestic, golden-furred creature with a wide face and large, gentle eyes. The cow nuzzled against his hand, clearly content.
For a moment, Micah just stood there, staring. Pantheon's simulated environments were widely praised, and Callum's avatar fit seamlessly into the picturesque setting. He was dressed as a hippeus, a Greek knight, with broad shoulders and a tunic beneath bronze armor. His long dark hair spilled over his shoulders, and his presence radiated a confidence Micah could only dream of.
Micah had made sure his avatar looked nothing like him; blonde hair, skin a shade lighter with different facial features but Callum's? His avatar looked like a hotter, ancient Greek version of himself.
And it was doing things to Micah's libido—and his guilt.
Damian was going to kill him.
Callum turned at the sound of footsteps, smiling when he saw Micah. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."
Micah swallowed hard. "Yeah. Me too," he said, before quickly correcting, "I mean—hi."
"Hi."
Silence fell between them, awkward and heavy. Micah fidgeted with the strap of his bag, unsure of what to say. He felt like an idiot for stalling, for making things weird. To break the tension, he gestured toward the Suncow and asked, "Why didn't you stay in the polis?"
Callum shrugged, stroking the animal's flank. "I don't enjoy crowds, even if they're virtual. I'd rather be here, petting the cows."
Micah raised an eyebrow. "Apollo's going to get you for that."
Callum grinned, his smile softening the sharpness of his features. "Apollo is an NPC subject to the commands of my master key. He won't mind."
Micah snorted. "Abusing your developer privileges, huh?"
Callum chuckled, then his expression grew more serious. "Speaking of which, I'd like to show you something."
Micah blinked. "What?"
A notification popped up in his inbox.
"Download that patch," Callum said. "I want to take you somewhere."
Micah hesitated, staring at the file. "This isn't a virus, is it?" he muttered, half-joking.
Callum laughed. "I promise it's not. Just tell me when it's done."
Micah downloaded the patch, muttering under his breath about how this had better not brick his goggles. When it finished installing, he said, "Okay. It's done."
Callum mounted the Suncow he'd been petting, then extended a hand toward Micah. "Hop on."
Micah stared at his outstretched hand, his mind spinning. He wondered, not for the first time, how far VR and haptic technology had come. What would it feel like if the digital world could fully transmit physical sensations? How warm would Callum's hand be? What would it feel like to sit behind him, the weight of the Suncow shifting beneath them as they moved?
But in reality, he was just a nerd lying on his bed with overpriced goggles strapped to his face.
Micah took Callum's hand, climbing up behind him.
Callum guided the Suncow toward the Artemis DLC area, veering off the main path that most players followed. The trees began to thin out as they moved, the forest opening into a quiet clearing. A brook cut through the center, its waters sparkling in the sunlight.
Micah felt his breath catch. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as he stared at the scene. He'd never been here before—not in the game, at least. But something about it felt achingly familiar, like he'd stepped into a memory he couldn't quite place.
"What is this place?" he whispered.
Callum dismounted, turning to look at him. "It's where I come to clear my head," he said softly. "Living in the city, doing a job like mine… it's hard to find places to escape. So I made sure I had this—a place where only I can come. And now, I'm showing it to you."
He hesitated, then asked, "What do you think?"
Micah's head felt heavy, like it was too much to process. "I think I'm going to pass out," he murmured.
And then everything went black.