Chapter 1 - The Return

Logging out after another hard day at work. A man in his late 20s, hopped out of the Future Tech immersive capsule, stretching out his muscles after his 14-hour gaming session.

He was a man that clearly looked after himself as he had an almost perfect physique. 6ft 1inches tall with every muscle in his body that screamed vigorously. Despite his late 20's age, he had the appearance of youth. A square jawline and deep black eyes that some might get lost in as they held wisdom and confidence that not many his age had. His hair was short on the top and neatly trimmed on the sides.

This youth's name was Alex Miller.

His guild [Mayhem] had just won yet another guild war. This however wasn't your average guild war as the stakes were a lot higher. They were battling for rights over complete dominance in the highest realm to date in The World Of Divinity.

After Alex almost single handily brought the guild back from despair after crushing the opposing guilds leaders on the battlefield. The battle was over.

Now Alex was staring out across the city from his high rise mansion rooftop. His house was a penthouse that came with everything you could possibly ask for. A pool, a snooker table, a personal bar to even an in-home sauna.

Life was bliss for Alex.

That was until the betrayal happened. Three men dressed in black waited in the shadows of Alex's very own home. Waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

As Alex walked to his bar to get a drink, the men flew towards Alex in quick succession. Alex stood there in a daze as his exhaustion from his gaming session overtook him. Still, he raised his hands to block the incoming dagger with his fist.

Returning a punch to the attacker's abdomen. Meanwhile striking out his left foot to the opposing assassin's ribcage. The third attacker however managed to close the distance landing a cut across Alex's back.

Baring the pain Alex grit his teeth, as once more he struck out with his fist as he swivelled his body to return the damage. Once more forcing the attackers back.

"Who are you? How did you get past security? Who sent you?" bellowed Alex in pure rage.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Hysteric laughter came from the man who inflicted the knife wound.

"Who am I?" Removing his mask at the same time. "It's me, Damien. HAHAHA!"

"Damien? What is this, why have you come here and what's worst sneak attacked me?" Asked Alex out of confusion. Yet deep down Alex knew that Damien had always been slightly jealous of Alex's popularity and success. Even though he never openly said it. It was a known fact.

Yet still, Alex treated him like a brother, a right-hand man of some sorts as Damien had been with Alex from the start of The World Of Divinity till now. He was the Vice-president of his guild Mayhem and they dominated the game together.

"You don't get it, do you?" scoffed Damien. "Always in your shadow, for 10 years playing that stupid game, 10 years slaving away to help you rise to glory but for me, what do I get? I get second place! Well no more. Now I win!"

"You'd really kill me over such a petty reason. Where brothers Damien. BROTHERS!"

"Well, it's too late now Alex." Sneered Damien. "The world's most potent poison should take effect any second now and once it hits you you'll be dead within a matter of seconds."

Alex felt a spell of dizziness and nausea overtake him.

"You... You. What have you done? I. I can't believe it. After everything."

Dropping to the floor Alex felt his body grow heavy. Struggling to keep his eyes open he dozed off as if he was falling asleep.

'NO, Don't. Not like this. I finally made it to the top and was going to enjoy the sweet life. After grinding away, it's all gone. The guild, my friends. They're all gone'

...

After an unknown amount of time passed. Light came to Alex as he woke up in a daze to someone shouting at him from afar.

"ALEX, ALEX!"

"If you're not going to pay attention in class then don't bother coming."

As laughter hit his ears Alex was utterly confused about what was happening right now.

'Huh, what's this University? But that was 10 years ago? Am I dreaming through my memories?'

Connor his deskmate suddenly woke him up from his daze with a hand patting him on his shoulder.

"Bro, I bet you're just thinking about getting your hands on the new game huh."

"New game?" Alex replied instinctively.

"Haha, very funny. You know The World Of Divinity. It's all you've been talking about. I don't blame you though. I can't wait till servers go live later."

'WHAT! Don't tell me I've somehow been sent back in time to the release date of The World Of Divinity?

DING! DING!

"Well, that's the bell. Remember to turn in your end of year assignments if you haven't already. Class dismissed!"

Rising from his chair and walking out into the hall, Alex was trying to wrap his head around the situation. Just before this, he had been assassinated by his best friend and now he was what seemed to be in the past.

Pulling his phone from his pocket he realised he had an iPhone 5 instead of the new-gen apple phone. Yet he still brushed it off and checked the date on his phone.

September 1st 2035

He was right he's been sent back in time. 10 years to be exact. Alex didn't know how this happened but he didn't care. Pure blissful happiness flooded him. As he ran out of the school building, he didn't stop running as he ran all the way home. Normally he'd take the train to University but he needed to clear his head right now.

The first thing he thought of was his parents. In his past life, they'd died due to illness and trauma. It was a regret Alex carried with him as he didn't have the money or the status to fix their lifestyle earlier on. His father was a working-class man that funded his family and his son's education. Saying it was a man's responsibility to look after his family.

This however caused him to work too hard and end up crippling his back as he forced himself to work extra more taxing shifts at his work. Then after hurting his back and being bed bound his mother was forced to take on shifts to support the household. Working 3 jobs at different restaurants. Getting disrespected day in and day out. She fell ill and ended up dying.

Not long after that his father also passed away from built-up stress and shame from the grief of losing his life's partner and lover. Holding a pang of guilt for not being able to tell her to stop working so hard, till the very end.

'Well not this time, I'll look after you properly. Both of them so that father doesn't get injured and mother doesn't have to work.'

Opening the door to his house he bolted up the stairs opening the door to his bedroom where he could see his old rundown VR Helmet lying out in the open on his bed.

'Since no one's in right now I should wrap my head around what's happening in-game as well.'

'I'll get back to the top and provide for my family. Everything that I lost I'll take back and more.'