Alan Bates is single, seldom in employment (or training), behind on his
bills and addicted to online games; in particular Earth Myth. In Earth
Myth, players participate in a fantasy recreation of epochal events in
Earth history. Alan has just started a temporary job when, late one
night, he's woken by a call; a girl claiming to be an NPC (non-playable
character) from Earth Myth. Sivitya is a door witch. She's been hired to
defend the house of Akalito, a level seven magister, from the dangers of
the forest of Eald Widu. Unexpectedly she materialises in the real world
with the message: House Batezz is in danger, and turns Alan Bates' world
upside down. Alan Bates suspects this is a prank while Sivitya must work
out if Alan Bates really is Akalito. Together they must figure out what
is real, what can be done and what they mean to each other. Ultimately
they must face a challenge beyond them and somehow survive.