Some people are told that everyone is born equal, that no child would have more opportunities than the next. But sadly, that's nothing more than a naive fairy tale. The truth is, the world doesn't play fair. Some are born with everything power, privilege, and a future paved in gold while others struggle, overlooked and forgotten. This disparity isn't a mistake. It's the reality, and it shapes the lives of those who come into it.
Ryan knows that better than anyone. He was no older than fifteen. Tell me, what would you do at that age? You'd go to school, talk and make friends, go outside, maybe have a girlfriend or boyfriend right? You'd live life like any other kid, dreaming of the future, exploring the world around you, feeling like time was on your side. But for Ryan, life was never that simple.
At first, everything seemed normal. When he was about five, he lived with his mother and loving father. He had a happy school life, a warm home, and all the little joys of childhood. But fate, it seems, had other plans. Once he turned six, both Ryan and his parents were hit with some unforgettable news that would change everything.
The doctors had spoken words that Ryan couldn't quite understand at the time, but the way his parents looked at him, as if everything they knew about their future was suddenly destroyed, and sadly that might be the case, Ryan was diagnosed with a rare, debilitating illness one that left him weaker every day, His once carefree life became a struggle to survive, each day a battle to hold on to what he had left.
From that moment on, the world shifted. No longer was he the child full of dreams. He was a burden, a sickly reminder of the fragility of life. His parents, despite their love for him, were forced to make impossible choices, and Ryan learned early on that fairness was just an illusion. Fate had chosen him, and there was no escaping its grip.
As he grew older, the weaker he became. By the time he was seven, Ryan lost the ability to even move his legs. This forced his parents to pull him out of school entirely, leaving him to be homeschooled. It was a quiet, lonely time, but amidst the sadness, one thing managed to bring a flicker of happiness into his life his friends. They still called him occasionally, their voices carrying a piece of the outside world he could no longer touch.
It wasn't much, just small talk over the phone every once in a while, but for Ryan, it meant everything. Those moments reminded him that he wasn't completely forgotten, that a part of his normal life still existed somewhere.
But even that solace didn't last. By the time he turned eight, his illness worsened. His condition became so severe that his parents were forced to speak openly about his situation with others in the community. Rumors spread, fears came unfounded but powerful enough to change everything. The parents of his friends, worried about the toll it might take on their own children, forbade them from talking to Ryan.
The calls stopped.
At first, he told himself it was a mistake, that his friends had just gotten busy. Days stretched into weeks, weeks into months, and silence became the only answer. Ryan didn't cry. He didn't scream. He just sat there, staring at the phone, waiting for it to ring, even though deep down, he knew it never would again.
Seeing Ryan's growing isolation and knowing they had unintentionally caused it, his parents were filled with guilt. They couldn't undo the damage, but they wanted to bring some light back into his life. For his 13th birthday, they saved up to buy him a VR headset not the latest or most advanced model, but to Ryan, it was perfect. It was a gift of freedom, a chance to escape the confines of his failing body and explore a world far beyond his own.
Through that headset, Ryan discovered The Gods' Games.
It was a game like no other a vast fantasy war simulator that felt alive with its deep lore, conflicts, and the rich beautiful world of Eryndral. The game was home to countless fantastical creatures noble elves who ruled over sprawling forests, werewolves bound by pack law, cunning vampires who thrived in the shadows, and colossal dragons who reigned over the skies. Each race had its own culture and history, interwoven into a world brimming with adventure.
But what truly captivated Ryan was the magic system. In The Gods' Games, magic wasn't just a tool it was a fundamental force of existence, split into five distinct disciplines, each with its own identity, risks, and rewards.
Divine Magic, a rare and awe-inspiring power granted only by the gods themselves. Divine magic was seen as a sacred gift or a curse depending on the god who bestowed it. Users of divine magic were often champions, forced to carry out their deity's will, whether they wanted to or not. This magic could bend reality itself but always came at a cost unwavering servitude to the divine.
Nature Magic, The magic of balance, wielded by creatures like elves, druids, and dryads. It drew from the essence of the natural world the trees, the rivers, the storms and its users were protectors of life and growth. Nature magic allowed its wielders to heal, summon beasts, or command the very elements, but it required harmony with the earth. To misuse it risked the wrath of nature itself.
Arcane Magic, a disciplined, intellectual magic mastered through study and precision. Arcane magic relied on ancient runes, symbols, and rituals, passed down through centuries of scholarly tradition. Practitioners, known as mages or wizards, were capable of incredible feats: creating portals, manipulating time, and hurling destructive spells. But the magic's complexity left little room for error one mistake could mean disaster, and only a few can this magic that didn't need the blessing of the gods nor Forbidden magic.
Forbidden magic was unpredictable and wild, defying all logic and structure. It was the magic of gamblers and madmen, a chaotic force capable of unfathomable destruction. The cost of wielding it was steep it required the completion of dark rituals that involved the sacrifice of magical creatures. By doing so, the user could claim a fragment of their power. However, this power came at a price. The more forbidden magic was used, the more it corroded the wielder's mind and soul, twisting them into something monstrous.
Ryan quickly became immersed in the game's intricate systems and lore. For hours each day, he would don his headset and lose himself in the world of Eryndral, where he wasn't a sick, frail boy confined to his room but a powerful warrior or a cunning mage battling for glory. In the game, he could wield swords forged in dragonfire, cast spells that bent reality, or negotiate with the game's rich tapestry of races vampires, elves, dwarves, and more.
For Ryan, The Gods' Games wasn't just a game it was an escape from his failing body and the crushing weight of his reality. In Eryndral, he could live the life he was never allowed to have. The world was vast and immersive, with every decision feeling like it carried weight. He loved nothing more than building his character, mastering the five intricate schools of magic, and exploring the game's hidden depths.
Among the game's most fascinating aspects was the Council of Gods, a pantheon of divine beings who ruled over Eryndral and shaped its destiny. Each god represented a unique aspect of existence war, death, love, knowledge, chaos, and more. Players could align themselves with a god, gaining divine blessings that enhanced their abilities but also came with strict demands. To gain favor with the War God, for instance, players had to offer constant tributes through bloodshed and conquest. Those who aligned with the God of Knowledge were tasked with solving puzzles and unearthing ancient secrets.