1 Chapter 1: The Ordinary Boy

Ryan Finch was not your average 21st Century teenager, his parents were multi-millionaire businessmen, owning estates and companies around the globe, known to every household, that sort of thing. He himself however, was naught but a stereotypical teenager, completely piloted by his hormones. The type that would fly into a a seething rage if provoked even the smallest amount, though he knew that he was in the wrong on most occasions, he thoroughly hated to admit it, a stereotypical teenager.

What did set him apart from the rest of his group though, was his fanaticism for warfare and martial arts, to the point that it drew to him heavy mockery and disdain from not only those his age, but his peers too.

Ryan, his emotions clouding his judgement, began to isolate himself from the world, closing himself within his own space, to the point that none had remained at his side. Even though his judgement was telling him that he was simply being immature. Though some had tried to no avail, bar his parents, who still tried to connect with him daily.

Even though his emotional connections to all but those two had broken, he deemed it necessary to stick to his hobbies, so as to not let himself wallow in a sea of self pity, wondering what could have been. During this time alone, Ryan had discovered a way to spend his time, before he believed that he was ready to come out again, Computer Games.

They hadn't completely replaced the time that he would typically spend reading about historical culture, battles and wars, but it wasn't that far off either. In particular, clearly befitting of his other hobbies, he mainly became engrossed with Strategy and RPG style games, such as: Total War, The Witcher and Skyrim.

Amongst all of these, stood the pinnacle of his preference, his absolute favourite game: Mount and Blade: Warband. To him, he believed that it was the perfect game, the perfect combination of both genres. He would spend countless hours researching special tactics, troop combinations, trade routes and relationship building tips, its a shame that last one didn't work in real life.

Through his endeavours within the community online, he managed to make several friends to which he could share not only his thoughts, but his feelings too. Although this had taken a long time, several months in fact, it was still considerably shorter than if it had been interpersonal, he was still extremely poor in that regard. Due to these friends that he had made online, though a far distance stood between them, their hearts were connected. This not only allowed Ryan to partially get over his problems regarding interpersonal relationships, but also let him meet his current girlfriend, though neither had seen face to face.

After a few weeks of coaxing, his parents had convinced him to leave the house with them, to go out together like a normal family, completely forgoing their face to enjoy what little time they get to spend with their son. A commendable couple to say the least.

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As they knocked on his door, Paul and his wife Abigail sucked in a deep breath of air, after all, this would be the first time their son had stepped out of his room in over a year, though they had provided meals for him, all he had needed was within his room. Excitement encroached upon their faces as they thought of seeing his, after the longest year of their lives had passed.

["Honey, I know that it's a big day for you, it's a big day for me too, I know how much this means for both of us, but please, can't you get changed? We're going out in an hour!"] {Paul}

Paul turned to his wife, who was still in her nightwear, and scoffed jokingly.

["Oh please Paul, spare me your criticism just for today! Look at you, putting on a tough façade, when just below, your legs are shaking in angst like a newborn fawn!"] {Abigail}

Paul's face flushed red as if he had been caught in a robbery. Gulping semi-audibly, he continued...

["Well what about you Abigail? Provoking me for being nervous when you yourself are pacing around so much you're going to wear a hole in the carpet!"] {Paul}

["Is that so, well I-"] {Abigail}

In the midst of her counter argument, the door that they were previously knocking on slowly creaked open, as a lean, pale figure poked his head around its opening. Though, Ryan was not lean due to the intensive amount of exercise that he did (didn't), he was simply lean due to malnutrition, after eating the meals that he was given so frequently.

[*GASP* RYAN! I Hav-"] {Paul}

Before Paul could finish his sentence, Abigail jumped towards Ryan and began to loudly sob in his embrace, not making even the slightest attempt to muffle her cries. Seeing this, Paul could not help but break into a smile, as his eyes similarly glazed over with mist.

["I've missed you, Son"] {Paul}

["Me too, Father"] {Ryan}

As they both looked at each other with solemn understanding, a silence fell upon the mansion, broken by nothing but the relieving cries of his mother.