"Where...are we?"
Double's eyes flutter open, he looks around and notices Kazu, Reima, and Joki waking up.
"You always ask those questions, how the hell am I supposed to know?"
As Joki says this, the four companions find themselves immersed in a magnificent hall that emanates the grandeur of a theater.
The atmosphere crackles with electric energy, heightened by the vibrant hues and the pulsating lights that dance through the air.
"This place, it seems endless. Even though I shouldn't, I feel so at ease."
"Hello everyone! Welcome to the Jeopardy World!"
A resonant voice echoes through the hell, though, the voice itself is unknown to the four companions.
"The...Jeopardy World?"
"I hope you all enjoy a long and peaceful walk through this hall. At the end of it, you will have most of the questions you are wondering about answered."
"That's nice...but where is this voice coming from?"
Joki slowly looks around, and notices that this isn't a voice directly talking to them, but rather a pre recorded message for them.
"Reima, just listen. We don't need to miss any information."
While the voice is speaking to them, eager to find their missing comrade, Kazu steps forward, his gaze scanning the hall in search of Luda.
"I can imagine that you all have to be extremely stressed wondering how to escape. I can assure you, escape is not a option until you complete this game.
As the enigmatic voice persists, the four companions progress through the hall, their steps accompanied by the dazzling displays and intricate decorations.
"Wow...this place is beautiful. I'd be even more impressed if he didn't include this over the top message."
Suddenly, massive screens come into view, displaying bars that resemble health bars in video games.
The four companions are rendered speechless, their minds swirling with questions that remained unanswered.
'Health bars? From the sound of it, I believed this was a game of Jeopardy? What the hell does he have planned?
Kazu finishes his thought, and eventually, they reach the center of the hall, where an immense interactive structure, reminiscent of a towering chessboard stands.
"A chessboard? This all seems way too complicated. Also, where the hell is Luda? He hasn't been in here that long."
In a moment of bewilderment, Luda appears out of nowhere.
"I believe this is who you are looking for, Double."
'It's you, since you have the balls to actually speak yourself. I would assume you could explain the rules of this game better.
The voice of Jiro reverberates through the halls.
Luda, still nervous, takes a knee in respect to Jiro.
"Exactly, I suppose it's good to be more truthful. Hiding things from all of you would be rude of me."
The four companions, and Luda stare up above in anticipation of Jiro's words.
"As you set foot upon this hallowed ground, it is only right that I truly reveal my merciless nature. Know this, you five that have foolishly stepped foot into this game to save that boy. The challenges that await you are beyond comprehension."
Suddenly, on multiple squares, holographic projections appear, showing multiple people standing patiently.
The lullaby that the four heard entering the Eternal Parsing begins to play again.
"Each square on the towering chessboard houses an adversary, their lifelike projections concealing the terror that lies beneath. You will all be timed...you will have a short amount of time to defeat these projections."
As Jiro continues to speak, a timer appears above the heads of the five. The time though is blurred, and the five can not make out what their number says.
"Failure...shall yield consequences that even myself will feel disgust witnessing. Though, if it calms your nerves, your demise shall be as poetic as it will be merciless."
"I see...so it's as simple as walking on one of these?"
As Double tries to step on one of the random chessboard squares. He is met with quick intervention from Kazu, Joki, and Luda.
They chide him, and urge him to listen attentively.
"All of that nonsense aside, it truly does make me so happy that I can have someone play my game. You should prepare yourselves though, no matter what square you step on, I have limited your unknown powers while inside of this game. It was quite simple, after all, you have no psycheia, it made it easy to manipulate any other power inside of you."
"...Sir, what about me? I have no Psycheia at all. I'm weak compared to everyone else!"
"Don't worry, I couldn't have forgotten about you Luda. I designed a special square for you to walk on, this one evens out the playing field a little."
Reima, ever inquisitive, proceeds to walk forward in front of the four.
"Is there anything else that we need to know?
"One more thing, the categories...you should feel a slight connection to them. Whichever one you choose to walk on will be the correct one."
Double begins to smile, his smile radiating with confidence.
"Really? So that's about it? You guys, this is amazing. We trained for this! Failure is not an option. We will overcome any challenge and emerge victorious. As for the Eternal Parsing...it's too dangerous to allow you to rule over."
The four of them stare at Double, Kazu, and Joki, being the only ones who stare with a smile on their face.
"After defeating you and conquering your game, I'll give the people of this world someone they can really call a king!"
Double finishes his words, and begins to step forward onto the square. This square teleports him to the dimension known as Arcane Mysteries.
Kazu follows suit, his square transporting him to a dimension called Mythical Realms.
Reima finds herself in the Cybernetic Metropolis.
Joki emerges within the Enchanted Wilderness.
Lastly, Luda's special square takes him to the dimension named Mechanic Mayhem.
Taking a collective deep breath, the four companions ready themselves to face the opponents assigned to their respective dimensions. The air crackles with anticipation as they prepare to meet the challenges head on, armed with their training unity, and unwavering resolve.