The rules to the Requiem Killing Game were nonexistent. However, the ability to add a rule is open to whoever slaughters another player. The rule added by the killer player will be enforced upon each participant regardless of age, race, height, etc. Failure to adhere to the conditions the rule brings subjects the offender to Requiem blood removal.
"Requiem blood removal?" asked Ace, bellowing a ring of smoke from his mouth.
"I think that means your ability to fight gets stripped away. Instead of killing you there on the spot, because you're actively participating in the Game already, they just strip you of your power and make you a prime target for other murderous players. Requiem Subjects' point value remains the same, even if you've been stripped of Requiem blood," deduced Detective Karlo, sitting across from his nephew.
Jefferson walked into the living room from the kitchen, biting into a cracker. "Now that we've established all that, can we attempt to assume the purpose of the Killing Game?" he asked.
"I thought we already knew?" Natalia interjected.
"To get it out of the way and ensure everyone here is caught up to date, Alexander used the Requiem Artifact to telekinetically mark all Requiem Subjects with Katie's Vita signature. Through this, the descendants have connected through Katie and thereby her Artifact: Death's Source. It's unlikely all Requiem Subjects will simply perish following their failure to declare participation in the Killing Game so Katie probably uses some substitute to constitute death instead. Failure to declare your participation in the Killing Game approximately 5 days following the start of the game will subject you to 'death'. Upon entering the game through the barrier singling out Retly, you're exposed to Alex's Vita signature. Killing someone after entering the barrier grants you 25 points. After accumulating enough points, you can spend them to enforce a rule that every player has to follow. Failure to follow a rule subjects the offender to Requiem blood removal, thereby stripping their ability to fight," recounted Kima.
"Those are rules. We're talking about the intentions," June clarified from behind her friend, leaning against the chair's backside.
"Oh. Yeah, I dunno about those," she said, resting her knuckles against her cheek.
"None of us do. Then again, that's probably intentional. We have about three months until the Killing Game officially begins so… we have a lot of time to think about it," Azazel reminded them.
"With that outta the way, can I ask why you teamed up with the Jester of all people?" Ace asked his uncle.
"You didn't leave us with much choice. Suck it up, kid," Azazel answered, uncaringly waving away the question with closed eyes.
"Whaddya mean 'suck it up? That asshole tortured me for a week! I still nightmares about that shit!" He yelled, darting up from his seat against the couch.
"Are you the same Ace who pushed for global genocide but changed his mind at the last second after realizing his responsibility to kill Katie?" Detective Karlo shot back.
His raised finger started shivering. Then, it lowered, the defeated sound of his clicking tongue entering the air to Kima's delight. She quickly covered her mouth to prevent any further laughter from escaping her quivering lips. Everyone's eye momentarily turned toward her.
"Sorry…" her muffled voice uttered, hiding her beet-red face.
"I think we can agree the Killing Game's true purpose is debatable. Discussing that topic should be shelved until the necessary power to participate within the game is reached." Azazel scanned the living room, azure eyes dark and lifeless. "As an Incarnated Spirit originating from the Old World, I'm technically older than all of you. That being said, I order everyone here to promptly declare their participation on July 22nd, 2022 following thorough necessary training. Is everyone here clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone had that sense of determination ingrained into their faces—shining in their eyes. Deep within their inner hearts, each one of them knew how special they were. To one another, the world, and this putrid cycle that's been perpetuating for what seemed like an eternity. And now, what they faced in the future would determine the fate of not only their species, but the world to come. There was nothing more anyone could do but keep moving forward until that day of fates arrived.
Then, after three months of training, that day unfortunately came. On July 22nd, at 12:30, every marked Requiem Subject gathered at Retly's barrier.
"Warning: entering this barrier declares your participation in a murderous contest deemed the Requiem Killing Game. If you step inside, you've deemed a player on the official list accessible to the game master. Are you still willing to enter?"
Deep within the gathered crowd surrounding Retly's barrier stood those originating from the Evolutionary Capital. Swiping the shades concealing his scarlet pupils from his face, Ace Wilder deeply inhaled and stared ahead.
'I'm the one who saved you so… it's my responsibility to kill you.'
"YES!" Everyone declared loudly in unison.
'Hang on, Katie. Wherever you are—I'll come and find you!'
To Be Continued.