Pantheon Online

In the marketing department of Rebel Energy, Jay Deacon lets out a sigh as he slumps into his chair behind his desk to start his work for the day. He runs a hand through his messy, short brown hair as he turns the holo screen on. A deadpan look appears on his face as he feels like the bags under his eyes have become heavy. 

'I have to find something today! Emily is constantly on my back because I can't find a team for us to support for this damn new game!' Jay felt like banging his head on the desk as he considered the problem. 'All the big teams are signing up with our competitors or other companies. Which means I have to look for a new team that might have a promising future...'

This was easier said than done, Jay reminded himself as he navigated to Pantheon's main landing page. New teams usually would not take the advice of their sponsors, focusing more on the game than their image. He had lost track of how many teams he had to cut loose because the image they created for themselves was damaging for the company. 

They needed professionals that could adapt to the company's needs. After all, they would be the ones paying the team's bills. So they needed them to draw attention to their company to generate more profits than they spent on the team. Otherwise, what was the point?

'I should check the featured section first...' He scrolled down to find what he was looking for. It was the section where the developers posted the most viewed videos in the past twenty-four hours. However, Jay frowned when he looked at the third video on the list. 'Ragnarok? Never heard of them...'

When he clicked on the link, it brought him to Ragnarok's home page. Their newest video posted by the developers was titled A Legend is Born. Jay's curiosity took over as he glanced at the views it had received. More than twelve million people globally had already watched the hour-long video. The counter for the comments section kept rising as he glanced at it. People were obviously being drawn to what it had to offer.

'The views on their other videos are minuscule compared to this one... Have they found something that works for them?' Jay dubiously clicked play, hoping that it would not be just a one-hit wonder so he could finally get his boss off of his back. Well, that was if they made an offer to Ragnarok and they accepted it.

The video started by showing various skirmishes throughout Skardia. It was superbly edited in a way to make the viewers sympathise with the rebel NPCs who were being hunted down by the ruling faction as they tried to migrate. However, it was unclear where they were trying to go. Then came sections where players from Ragnarok would appear to try to protect them from the influence of enemy players who were on the scene.

The whole video up to this point was heart-wrenching. It made the viewer want the rebels to succeed. Then the video transitioned to Exile standing looking down on an encampment, alone. Although there was an enemy player present, they did not seem inclined to want to go against him. That sparked a deeper curiosity within Jay. 'Is this Exile well known or something?'

He watched on curiously as the shocking scene involving the bear mauling a warrior unfolded. It was completely unexpected! 'Why's he chasing it!' Jay was glued to the video as Exile gave chase to the beast and its transformation unfolded! Jay even gasped slightly as the monster was created. The way the camera was angled on it made it feel more dramatic than it probably was.

He did not even realise how much time had passed as he watched the creature assault the other warriors who chased after it. 'Why did he do it? Is it the shock value of this video that's brought people to it?'

Of course, that section ended with the bear roaring in triumph in the frozen forest with bodies all around it. However, it was not over yet. It switched scenes to Exile giving his speech to the people of Eraldsfen, and Jay felt anticipation rising within himself as Bjorn was selected to slay the creature that his own god had created!

The video ended with Bjorn marching through the woods with ten others in tow. A chilling wolf howl sounded from somewhere unseen and at the last moment, Exile was spotted far in the background, as if watching over Bjorn's journey.

"Wait! That can't be it!" Jay shouted rather loudly as the video ended. 

He wanted to know what happened to Bjorn. Was the creature defeated? His mind raced as he tried to figure out where the story would go from there before he remembered something important. It was a stream from the game! Which meant it had no set storyline, so there was no point in trying to guess! Because anything could happen! However, the video, its editing and how Exile had portrayed the events with his words easily made him forget that he was not watching an actual show!

'This is it! If the rest of their streams follow something like this... Making it feel more like watching a drama than a game, then the views will go through the roof! Not everyone is interested in watching games and the player's skill. No matter how big the industry has become. But this! It's practically accessible for anyone to enjoy! Game enthusiasts will appreciate the way they play the game while others will be gripped by whatever story Ragnarok has decided to tell!'

Jay felt breathless as he immediately composed an internal email to Emily while including a link to the video itself. A broad smile swept across his face as he read the final lines before clicking send.

It read, I believe I have found the new face of this company. It is my highest recommendation that we partner with Ragnarok for our Pantheon Online Campaign. I'm sure you can agree with this after watching this video.

Jay leaned back in his chair, feeling rather pleased with himself. 'I should check out their other streams so I can get a feel for the team...' Jay hummed as he scrolled through Ragnarok's page. He went back to the start and watched them order. Though, he was not overly impressed until he saw the video of Exile roasting Kaleidoscope in front of Valheim before Ragnarok made off with a pile of orbs.

After that, he paid more attention to any hint of a plan in the videos. He got the feeling there was a larger scheme in mind behind the scenes of Ragnarok's videos, but the editors were doing a great job of keeping the viewers in the dark. 'Who is Exile?' Jay frowned as he closely studied every video. Something seemed familiar about the player, but he could not place his finger on what it was exactly.

However, the more he watched, the more he became convinced that Exile was at the very least a seasoned veteran in the industry. 'Let's take a look at something...' Jay frowned as he performed a search for any news regarding well-known players being cut from their teams or retiring. As he glanced through the list, there was nothing that really stood out to him. That was until he saw a comment flagged as the most replied to comment on the page. 

Why is Colt Anderson, aka Excalibur, not mentioned on this list?

Wait... Why would he be on this list? He's Camelot's Captain, isn't he?

I don't think so. He hasn't appeared in any of their Pantheon streams so far. Some people I know have run into Camelot in the game, but nobody has seen him. Then there was all that trouble with failing the Mayhem Championship and the old heavy hitters Arthur and Merlin have returned. I just feel like Camelot has tried to quietly sweep him under the rug.

Damn! I just went back and checked the comments on their streams and you're right! Nobody even mentions him! Where did he go? How did they even keep this quiet!

I don't know... But I doubt he would leave for good! My gut tells me he's out there somewhere. I feel like we haven't seen the last of him!

I hope you're right! He was absolutely fire before that last championship. But it seemed like his Vice Captain wasn't giving his all. I still feel like Camelot could have taken the win if the others put more effort into it.

I know what you mean! Let's pray for Excalibur's swift return! I want to see how he would deal with Pantheon!

Jay frowned as he read more comments. Some were saying good riddance Excalibur was gone. That he was trash and so on. But most seemed to genuinely support him and put the blame on Camelot's other members. Out of curiosity, Jay played old footage of Excalibur during the Mayhem championships side by side with Exile from Ragnarok. An ecstatic laugh escaped his throat as he watched their fighting styles together like that.

'We've struck gold!'