The pod was set up really quickly, though if I had to be honest it was bigger than I thought it would be, which means it ate up more space than I thought. It was a full three meter long and a meter and a half wide. It was a sleek metalic grey with blue highlights that glowed as the big machine let out a small hum. I opened it up as I carried Leon in his recently changed diaper, feeding him small spoon fulls of baby food as I looked at the extra space at the side of the human indentation sized green gel that was within the pod. Most parents were advised to begin pod therapy on their children as soon as possible. It stimulated and promoted brain growth and activity, accelerating learning to a frightening degree for 6 month old babies to 5 year old toddlers. More geniuses were born… or created every day and some schools had taken to implementing pod therapy as their learning methods in their kindergarten and nursery classes. But those schools cost my entire house rent for just a term’s tuition, which means it was something I could never afford.
However with the parental system a part of the pod, Leon can play with me. Sure a baby in an apocalyptic online game is not a good idea and the perfect description of parenting. However that was not the case, unless you owned a home your child could not be allowed online as it would need a safe place, and you also had to hire an in-Game nanny and guard specifically for said child. They will protect the child as the game itself will censor everything it sees and hears while learning from the nanny and guard based on real world educational curriculum. Basically Leon gets to go to school and be safe while I play and try to make money, sure schooling seems to be a bit earlier at 1 year and a month, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. I placed him in the small spot as the gel seemed to shift to conform to his size, keeping him in place as he looked up at me, blinking and trying to reach out. I sighed and climbed in, I really hope he’s going to be okay.
[Initializing Neural Bonding… Infant Detected, Authorize Neural Bond For Registered Infant Leon Jeremiah Jason Afu]
“Authorize”
[Authorization Granted! Bonding For Both Parties Will Begin In 5,4,3,2,1!]
There was a cool feeling followed by what seemed to be a pinprick at the base of my skull. It was just momentary annoyance as my vision went blank for a moment. Then there was a swarm of colors, it was like moving in a tunnel of rainbows that rushed past you. It didn’t feel like I was moving forward, but rather it was the tunnel that was moving forwards, until finally I found myself in a cathedral with a surprised Leon sitting on the floor besides me. I bent down to pick him up before walking towards to the altar.
Everything here was white, the columns the pillars, the pews and the ornate pulpit and altar with white and gold highlights. When I got to the end of the altar there was a man there, like all the pictures and paintings have depicted him for hundreds of years he was fair skinned, a polite way to say he was white. He had brown hair that fell in waves down his head and onto his shoulder. There was a halo behind his head that was extremely exquisite and seemed to thrum with a kind of power.
“I am Jesus Christ of Nazareth child.”
“Yeah right, don’t listen to that goody two shoes darling, my little brother likes to make an impact with his every words. You know how it is, impacts are the basis for our religion after all.” Someone else spoke up as a Blond man in a well tailored suit appeared besides him… that is Jesus Christ. He looked like the best version of man that I could possibly imagine, he was the very definition of perfect.
“What do you mean our religion?” Jesus Christ asked him with an edge to his voice that gave even me pause.
“Oh don’t get your knickers in a twist brother you know Christianity is just as much about you and father as it is about me. They talk about us in the most equal of fashions you know? wherever would Christianity be without the horrid and so hated Satan the devil hmmm? Now please forgive me dear one my brother is very… prudish you know, on account of being the ultimate force for good and everything and also jealous that my side has more players and is winning. But I digress, let me introduce myself to you and that beautiful son of yours. My name is Lucifer Morningstar, fallen and lightbringer Le Satan De Devil. And I welcome you to Paths of Divinity Revelations Online!”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
And then he smiled brightly, ignoring the scowl on the face of Jesus as holographic words with the name of the game appeared above their heads. If this was an intro, then it was the most badass intro ever, like I don’t think there has ever been any game that could make an Intro so unique. Jesus sighed whilst Leon had eyes that sparkled in amusement as he clapped and babbled his enjoyment at Lucifer’s light show as Satan gave my son a perfunctory bow.
“What do you know, the devil is good with kids.” I muttered to myself.
“Of course I am! I’m the devil for Christ sakes! Pun intended brother.” I raised an eyebrow as Jesus rolled his eyes and I tried to come to terms with the fact that I had just spoken out loud.
“Lets get this over with.” Jesus spoke up as he turned to me.
“From here on out contrary to what the title of the game tells you, you will first have to pick your first two paths. There’s an NDA about this part of your character creation, so you will not be telling anyone about this or you will be penalized.” Lucifer used his hip to bump Jesus pushing him off the pulpit as the savior of humanity struggled to find his balance.
“Don’t be so moody and serious brother, let me do the talking from here on out. So shush! Now where were we… yes! You can’t tell anyone about this, so that you can’t influence the choice of incoming players. I personally think the rule is stupid but, this is the only way we can keep the war between heaven and hell fair so yeah no talking. But then again we’re winning, we have more players with our own faction having 75% of the players, and that’s because we offer more benefits than heaven over here.
There’s nothing, no kind of gameplay you would want or need that the Lightbringer faction won’t provide, I mean we’re named the Lightbringer faction, we bring you and your deepest desires to the forefront without having to send you off the front lines to fight a war like this guy and his big old father up there would make you do. If you want your son safe, there’s no better place to be than with me and my people, we can keep him safe besides you look like you will fit in with me than with him. “
Jesus Christ was silent, heck even the annoyed look on his face was no longer there as he calmly looked at his brother with a tired look on his face. If this was a sales pitch well the devil was winning. And perhaps he was right that I would fit him better than holiness and godliness. I was a six foot six lanky black man with dreads dyed white at the tips and tattoos on 50% of my body. I got the bad guy vibe down, but I only looked this way because I wanted people away from me, instead it drew Leon’s mother to me, the same way it was drawing the devil and that has left me with a broken heart. I’ve already experienced what a too good to be true situation was like, and the devil as always reeked of it.
“How do I make my choice?” I asked him, Jesus hung his head down as the devil flipped his fingers in my direction and a screen popped up.
FACTION: ZION
FACTION: LIGHTBRINGER
The Zion faction gives access to the following races. [Angel] [Nephillim] [Human] [Spirit]. Each race has sub-races and variations that can be customized during the character creation phase. In game there are multiple chances to change into other races of aligned pantheons with the Zion Faction.
Choosing the Zion faction gives you access to the Zion Path and + 1 to all Stats every level, +2 extra path points, + 2 path slots and the Blessings of the Father.
The Lightbringer faction gives access to the following races. [Demon] [Fallen Angel] [Nephillim] [Human] each race has sub_races and variations that can be customize during the character creation phase. In game there are multiple chances to change into other races of aligned pantheons with the Lightbringer Faction. Choosing the Lightbringer Faction would give you access to the Lightbringer Path, and +3 to charisma, +5 to Faith and +5 extra path points every level. You also received a friendly reputation with all Members of the Lightbringer faction.
I couldn't help myself as I looked up at Jesus with an extra scowl on my face, he really wasn't offering much. There was footage of the game, especially those who earn money from sponsors and streams and endorsement deals. The stat bonuses per level were abysmal compared to the Lightbringer faction, and this was a game where no matter how you play, due to the absence of class and the availability of paths, you had to specialize, and it would be better if you had stats that catered to it. And even the bonus you got from choosing the faction wasn't what you needed for the specialization, it covered the bases especially since faith was what governed the use of magic, skills, spells, serving as the Int and Wis stats of traditional rpg games.
Of course the Int and Wis stat are included in the game but as far as magic and skills goes, they only take a back seat governing literally the intelligence and wisdom of a character and giving minor bonus to the energy pool and skill.
The Lucifer faction was offering better terms, however. When you look at where sub races were written, Lucifer's was an underscore while Jesus's was just a simple dash. I don't know if it's a typo but it was fishy, plus this game was as much for enjoyment as it is for making money, and contrary to belief, I'm not the kind of guy who makes logical decisions. I just stick with my gut and follow it.
"I choose the Zion Faction!"