Bold Souls

- Okay, I've checked all the details, everything must be flawless and ready for the release this midnight. - Fantastic, Alexander! I knew it was worthy to hire you despite all the doubt. - Alexander smiled at the CEO of Goddess entertainment company. Roger Ross believed in him when everyone turned his idea down due to its complexity. - It is an honor to work for you Mr. Ross, I truly believe that this game is going to change the era of the RPG games! - Roger pat Alexander's shoulder and places a glass of champagne on his desk. - The feeling is mutual my young friend! Your technology and idea is truly remarkable. Are you sure you don't want to join the party downstairs? - Alexander nodded. He didn't like big crowds nor speeches. That's why he was specifically glad that Roger never forced him to show himself publicly. - In this case, see you later Alex! - Roger walked to the door of Alexander's apartment and turned back looking at the young genius still staring at the screen in the darkness of his home. - By the way, happy birthday Alex! - Alexander turned towards the door and Roger lifted his own glass for him. Alex rarely drank anything, but it was his birthday and the day that will change his life and the history of gaming. He lifted his glass towards Roger and drank the sweet champagne. Roger drank his and closed the door behind him. Alexander turned back to the computer and hit enter. The intro song started and the game showed the detailed map of the world of Bold Souls. This was his legacy, the first RPG game that gives endless opportunities just like real life. He worked eight years to perfect the game, helped to write the scenarios for each outcome and programmed the software to act as a compass for the players. To be honest, his game was itself an AI program. Which automatically generated the next scenario for each decision. Alex leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes closed with a wide smile on his face. Tomorrow the world will see what nowadays technology is capable of and who knows? The limit could be the sky itself! Alexander's heart raced with excitement, but suddenly, his heartbeats became irregular and it was hard for him to breath. He took another glance at the screen and his eyes shut. - HELP ME! - MERCY! MERCY PLEASE! - shouting was heard and Alexander shook his hurting head at the noise. What is going on? Is there a fire in the building? - he thought and tried to open his eyes but the heat and sweat prevented him from seeing clearly. The smell of burning wood and flesh filled his nose and turned his stomach upside down. I must get out of here or I'll die! - Alexander tried to get up but only than noticed that his hands were chained to the ground. His vision got clearer and he couldn't believe what he saw. - This can't be true! I must be dreaming. - he said as the intro of his game appeared in front of him. The old building at the middle of the battlefield. The first prince, Blake kidnapped and waiting for his death that will start the conflict in this world. Where the players must solve the problem or build their own Kingdoms over the ruins of this one. Slaying enemies and making allies. This can't be! There was a "random character" option for the most adventurous players. So they could've played with the odds the game provided and build a life truly based on their improvement... But Prince Blake was never an option. He is a main extra. If I'm him... My death will start the game. I must've got drunk, I'm really holding my drinks awfully. - Alexander took a deep breath and waited for the soldiers to enter and kill him so he can wake up from his dream and get an aspirin for himself. But something was off... The heat, the smells, the pain on his wrists. This is all too real...Suddenly the door opened, but it wasn't the group of soldiers that killed Blake in the intro, but a group of wild people. The snow ghosts. A tribe of wild people who followed their own rules and traditions, hidden deeply in the highest mountains at the North. They all wore traditional masks but Alex recognized their features from the meetings with the animators. White hair, white skin, ice-blue eyes. They wore clothes made from thin leather fully covered in crimson blood. A young warrior walked to him tilting his head and reached towards Alexander. Will I really die? But this wasn't how I wrote it! I'm the creator. - This is not how it's supposed to be. - he mumbled and his voice was so different. The voice of a young boy, and exhausted malnourished boy. The snow ghost removed the mask that covered its face revealing a young woman, whose eyes were red as blood. She frowned and reached behind Alexander breaking his chains off. - Denali! What are you doing?! - a tall muscular man asked and grabbed the young woman by her shoulder trying to pull her back from Alexander. - Release me Ulrich! This is an innocent child! - the man she called Ulrich scoffed. -Innocent?! He also has the eyes of a Hell bird! Just like you Denali! - she shook her head and extended her hand towards Alexander. - Can you get up? - he grabbed her hand and she pulled him to his feet. Alex's legs trembled and he almost fell. They hear the sound of a loud explosion. - We must go Denali! - an older warrior commanded and Denali kneeled with her back towards Alex. - Get on my back, we are leaving. - he felt humiliated! This girl was around seventeen years old and he was a grown man! - I guess birds of the same feather stick together. - Ulrich said and looked into Denali's eyes. - If you fall behind because of him, you are on your own. - they left and Denali screamed at Alex. - Do you want to live?! - YES! - Then get on my back and stop wasting both of our time! - Alex did as she said and Denali ran out of the building with him on her back effortlessly. Soon a purple fireball fall on the building and it burned down to the ground. - What's your name boy? - Denali asked still running behind their group. - Blake. - Alexander said and the fear, the pain he felt, the wind in his face as they ran towards the high mountains made him finally accept... This was his reality for now. And he must survive. - As you heard, I'm Denali. You're safe now.