We started following the NPC as the timer beeped, signaling only ten minutes left before the battle would commence. The sky above us, once clear, began to shift as dark clouds slowly swarmed in. The wind picked up, carrying a biting chill that made the air feel heavier.
We trekked through the ruins of an abandoned city, where broken buildings loomed like skeletons of a long-forgotten world. Dust and debris scattered across the cracked streets, and the eerie silence was only broken by the sound of our boots crunching against the rubble. The occasional gust of wind swept through the empty alleys, causing old signs and remnants of the past to creak and groan. It felt like the city itself was watching us.
As we continued, the final alert flashed across our maps: "The game begins now." The NPC glanced back, his eyes calm but urgent. "We're halfway there. Don't worry—it might take some time for them to follow us. Sprint as fast as you can." Without hesitation, we broke into a sprint.
The red dots indicating assassins began appearing on our virtual maps. At first, they seemed distant, but their speed was terrifyingly fast. Worse, their numbers were growing. The red spots multiplied rapidly, as if the city was spawning enemies out of thin air.
Over the comms, I heard Damian's voice, strained with concern. "Kathy, what's happening?"
I was still catching my breath from the sprint. "The game just began," I replied.
"No, that's not it," he insisted. "Something's wrong."
I hesitated, glancing at the NPC, who was helping Karun move faster. "What do you mean?" I asked Damian.
"The comms are breaking down," he said, his voice coming through in static bursts.
"Wha…t? Why now of all times?" I cursed under my breath, looking at the NPC for an explanation.
He didn't even glance back, his tone steady. "The game distorts near the end. Electromagnetic pulses increase, making most systems useless."
"Great timing," I muttered. The weight of our situation hit hard. We were outnumbered by the assassins, and without functional comms, we were even more vulnerable. If we died out here, they wouldn't even know.
Astrid's voice cut through the static. "Kathy, how many assassins do you see?"
I glanced up at the virtual map, eyes widening as I blinked in disbelief. Red spots swarmed over half the map. "There are almost… 200," I whispered, the shock of the number settling in.
A gasp came from Daisy over the comms, followed by silence. It was a gut punch for all of us. Suddenly, a calm but commanding voice chimed in. "Kathy, you and Karun may not get any help from us once the comms break down," said Ryan, the one person I least expected to hear from. His cold, calculating tone was unmistakable.
His words stung, but I couldn't argue with him. Ryan had always looked at me with disdain during training, but something in his voice caught me off guard this time.
"Stick together, no matter what," Ryan continued. "We'll try to track you with the detector I gave you. You didn't lose it, did you?"
I felt a sudden chill, not from the wind but from his unexpected concern. "No, I've got it."
"Good. That receiver isn't affected by the magnetic pulses. Stay alive, and we'll find you. Whatever happens, hold on." His tone sent a shiver down my spine—he was genuinely worried. And then, just like that, the comms cut out completely.
I checked the receiver strapped to my side. Its weak red light blinked, barely holding on. The tension in the air grew as we continued moving, hoping against hope that Ryan and the others would reach us before it was too late. The assassins' speed was relentless, and the NPC, seeing Karun struggling, supported him shoulder-to-shoulder while I pushed forward alone, still nursing my own injuries.
The city around us felt alive with danger. The further we went, the more decrepit and haunting the ruins became. Shattered windows and collapsed buildings created a maze of narrow paths, and the wind howled between the jagged edges of broken structures.
Suddenly, I looked back and froze. The assassins were close now—too close. To my horror, they weren't just faceless enemies anymore. They were people we knew. Every one of them. Allies we had fought alongside were now bearing down on us with intent to kill. My blood ran cold.
"They're here," Karun gasped, trying to straighten up to face them.
I grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "No, Karun! We can't fight them. We're outnumbered."
The NPC, sensing the danger, quickly led us into a crumbling building. Its shadowy halls gave us some cover, but assassins were already following us inside. Gunfire erupted in the dim light, and the sound of bullets echoed through the corridors.
For the first time, I had to take the lead. Karun was injured, and without the comms, there was no one to guide us. I fought fiercely, but the number of assassins only kept increasing. Every step we took, every shot we fired, it felt like they were one step ahead. I had to rely on my instincts and keep moving, praying that we could hold out long enough.