“Unfortunately Jack, there is not much we can do at this point. The cancer is far too advanced. We found metastasis in your lymph nodes and lungs. There also is a spot on your liver. The physician paused, meeting Jack’s eyes for a moment. “I know it's a lot to take in at once, but right now our focus is on how we can improve your quality of life …”

The doctor continued, but Jack had stopped listening. For days he had been in denial, telling himself he would be fine. The doctor’s words frightened him, forcing him to reconcile with the cold hard truth. He was dying.

As a 20 year old sophomore business major, Jack wished he was back home in Atlanta instead of in a room at the college’s teaching hospital. He regretted his decision to learn the news alone. I wish my parents, or even my sister was here.

“How long do I have?” he asked, interrupting the doctor’s statements of palliative surgical options. Maybe he had a few more years. He could drop out of college, play the sympathy card with women to get some action. Party hard. It won’t be too bad, YOLO.

“Well son, we can never be sure. The physician paused as if to weigh his words, “But I would say days, maybe weeks. We can hope for months. During this time, my team can keep you as pain-free as possible. There is always the option of hospice, my Nurse Practitioner can get you in touch with a nice facility not far from campus. You seem as though you need a bit of time to process this, I’ll step out. I’m sure you would like to discuss this with your family.”

Jack was frozen, unable to accept the doctor’s diagnosis. It can’t be. I need more time. The frantic thoughts rushed through his head, panicking him through the sedation. Jack was too focused inward to respond to the doctor as he left.

As the door closed, Jack felt a numbness fill his body. His thoughts turned to the short life he had lived, as if to weigh its worth. Did my life have meaning? What did I even accomplish? Now that his time was short, he regretted not spending more of it with his family. It had always seemed as if they had been a chore, something to put up with. Now he just wanted to spend one more day fishing with his dad, or have one last family dinner. I won't complain this time. Even family game night sounds like fun.

Everything had been great in his life until he passed out. After his first year in the dorms, he had found some friends willing to split rent on a crappy house near campus. It may have been old, but it was cheaper than the dorms. Definitely less rules. No more annoying RAs knocking on his door at night telling him to turn down his TV. That had been replaced by late night gaming sessions with his friends.

Jack had been experiencing headaches recently and started chugging ibuprofen. During one late night gaming session, he passed out mid game. He had woken confused in the hospital with his parents next to him, tears in their eyes. Days later and more tests than he could count, brought him to this point.

Deeply depressed, he soon fell asleep, no longer able to stay awake through the opioids sedating him.

“Do you want to live Jack?”

Jack bolted awake, heart pounding and eyes wide. Disoriented he quickly looked around, seeing neither his shared bedroom nor the hospital suite. He was on a soft couch, in a plain room. A thin woman sat across from him on a velvet chair. While she and the chair were crisp, the details of the room were out of focus. She had dark brown hair pulled low in a chignon, high sharp cheekbones, and wore an odd dark dress. Her presence and posture were that of nobility. He could almost sense the waves of energy radiating from her.

“Who are you? Where am I?” he stammered.

“I am the goddess Elantarr. We are in your dreams.”

“What!” he exclaimed, surprised by her answer. Am I going crazy, or is it the drugs?

“You are sane and no longer under the influence of any substances. That is why I have come to you in your dreams. Your acceptance of my deal must be with full agency. Your decision must be influenced by neither pain nor potions.”

“You can read my thoughts!?”

“As I stated, I am a goddess.” she reiterated. “Are you prepared to hear my opportunity?”

“Sure…” he offered, humoring her.

“I am in need of a new champion and you are dying. I believe we can come to an arrangement. I have the ability to heal your body of illness, however this comes at a price. For this boon, you will compete to become my champion, serving me in my world.”

“Wait, your world?” Jack asked, confused.

“Yes, I am not of this world.”

“Then, why not choose a champion from your world?” he wondered. Surely they would be more suited, he thought.

“I am unable to choose from followers of my siblings,” she patiently explained.

“Why not choose one of your own followers then?” he asked.

Her face hardened and eyes simmered with rage. Waves of power flowed out of her, pushing him deep into the cushions. Shit! Don’t piss her off Jack! Slowly she collected herself, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. As she calmed, the pressure slowly relented and his breathing resumed.

“I have my own reasons,” she stated. “Uh... “ he hesitated, fearing her wrath. “What happens if I choose not to become your champion?” He braced himself, ready for another assault.

“Then I leave you as you were,” Elantarr stated, “Dying in your hospital bed.”

“Can’t you just heal me?” he blurted, desperate to avoid his constant pain.

Elantarr leaned forward and inspected him as if he were a bug. “I will not squander my power on the likes of you.”

“What do you want me to do specifically?” he asked, realizing he had no real choice.

She straightened and smiled, “Good, we have come to the crux of the matter. I have little time left with you, and you must decide soon. I will heal you of your infirmities and in compensation, you will be sent to my world to compete for the right to be my champion. There are nine others from this realm who are offered this opportunity as well. At the end of one month, whoever has gained the most power and survives will become my champion. If you become my champion, I will bestow on you mighty boons as you assist me in gaining orbs of power.”

“What are orbs of power?”

Annoyance flicked across her face. “That doesn’t concern you. If you become my champion, you will learn all that you need to know.

As she spoke a thought formed and Jack was suddenly concerned about more than just his physical body. His family had always been religious, and his faith had only increased over the past week.

“If I become your champion, will I go to hell when I die?” he asked.

Laughter filled the room as she responded, amused. “I don’t care whom you worship. I hold no sway over your afterlife. You will serve me in this life.” she said with finality. “Do not worry, you will enjoy this new life as you are what your world calls a ‘gamer.’ You will find that the rules of my world are different from yours, but not so different from your world’s games. Everything in Nessag is quantifiable and visible. You become more powerful as you gain experience through defeating your foes. Now, I will grant you one last question, then you must decide.”

Thinking quickly he asked, “What happens if I lose the competition?”

“Then you die. Only one can be my champion. Now, do you accept my offer?”

Let’s see, slow painful death, or the chance for a long interesting life. There was no decision to be made. I just wish I got to tell my parents I’ll be fine.

“I accept,” he stated. For the first time in his life, he was confident in a decision. I’ll make this new life count.

The room slowly began to darken and sleep overcame him.