Chapter 2: Abundance
New Quark City
Sunday, September 14
1:14 P.M.
???
New Quark Shopping Mall
Tons of people are gathered at the mall. People walking in crowds, constant chatter in the air, kids wandering around the arcade, people clamoring for sales. Just a normal day for the mall. But, something feels off. Almost immediately it's like time had halted. No more chatter, no more movement, it's like a switch was flipped and the mall and all it's occupants shut off. A man with a black bandana on his face in a puffer jacket with his hood up starts going through people's pockets. Taking their cash, cards, jewelry. Anything he deems of some equivalent value. Chuckling and looting. "Oohh Mann! All this money and jewelry! I'm gonna be set for life!!!" He shouts loudly with a high pitched voice. Thousands of people robbed. No recollection of what happened. No security footage. It's like it never happened.
Los Angelia
8:15
Tuesday, September 16
???
Broker Street
Reports of a woman "flying" roll in to the police station. Also, within one week 4 people are confirmed dead. All girls from the same age group and school.
Suspect is a 14 year old named Sasha Sterling. She still hasn't been found.
Muskouw, Germania
Military base
Tuesday, September 14
4:45 A.M.
???
Security flagged an intruder attempting to steal weaponry. When they began to fire. The man kept walking as if he wasn't harmed by the onslaught. He got away with a ton of weapons and left without harming anyone.
Kiryu's Apartment
Tuesday, September 16
8:14 A.M.
"Strange phenomenon are happening all across the globe. Within one week there have been over 50 strange reports. It's times like these we need to spend time with our loved ones and get right with god" Kiryu cuts the T.V. off after finishing his coffee. "It seems like everyone else sure are being active. Why can't they just be satisfied from one wish" He thinks to himself. Rika walks into the kitchen, grabs her iced tea from the fridge, and sits down at the table. "You've been glued to the news for the past 3 days." Rika says to him as she sips her drink. "Is everything alright?" Kiryu sighs lightly before slowly responding "Yeah, I just feel like the world is getting crazier by the day. I can't help but to be intrigued" Rika grabs an apple from the basket on the table. "Well, people are crazy as is. So, not much you are gonna gain from staring at all the bad stuff happening. Also, if you keep playing around you will end up late for work." "SHIT!!! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT WORK!" He thinks to himself. As he rushes up to get dressed. "What do I even wear? Do I wear normal clothes? A suit? I don't even know how to tie a tie!" His mind is running with thoughts as he gets to his closet. When he opens it. He sees a bunch of suits, ties, and shoes. "Awwww noooo! Wait! I know how to tie a tie! Duhhh. My new memories." He thinks to himself. Kiryu hurries and rushes almost forgetting his briefcase, Cube, and his wallet as he runs through the door. He is running down the sidewalk in the traffic and pedestrian filled streets of the city. He gets bumped into by a man in a puffer jacket. "Sorry man! That's my bad!" Says the man to Kiryu. "N-no problems!!!" Shouts Kiryu in the most awkward manor. As Kiryu is walking he see his old job 70Elven. "I might as well get a snack and something to drink real fast" He thinks as he pats his back pocket to see if he has his wallet. "Oh noooo! My wallet. I swear I grabbed it... WAIT! That guy just a second ago..." He turns around and start heading towards the guy in the puffer jacket. As he's walking towards him the guy looks over his shoulder and books it. Kiryu starts chasing the guy screaming. "HEYYY!!! GIVE ME BACK MY WALLET!" Lightly pushing through the crowd as he rushes to get his wallet back. The man cuts into a dark alley. And, our protagonist follows in suit. His cube emitts a feminine voice.
"Cube User In Proximity
Duel Start-up Initiated"
Kiryu's cube starts rumbling and a bright light blue light starts shining through his pocket. "What?! Duel?!" Kiryu says. Confused about what is happening. "So, I guess I got really really lucky!!! Haha, this is gonna be a piece of cake! Like stealing candy from a baby! When we are done I'll have 2 Cubes! Hahaha!!!" The man in the jacket shouts as he pulls his hood down. Revealing a scruffy faced man with medium black hair hanging over his forehead.
"Duel commencing
Ready
Begin"
"The name's Ling. Figure it's only right seeing as you're about to lose to trade names." He says confidently with a huge smug grin on his face. "M-My name is Matsuda. Kiryu Matsuda. I don't know what to do. So, do you mind explaining?" Kiryu is as nervous as he has ever been. Anything could happen in this moment. "Why would I explain the game to you? Didn't you make any wishes? Why not wish for all the details about the cube? It's very simple really. After all... what do you really have to lose?" Ling rushes in towards Kiryu. As he's running he wishes for a bo staff to appear and starts spinning it and swings. Hitting Kiryu in his hip from the side. He goes flying onto the ground screaming in pain. "WOW! I didn't think you'd be so fragile. Oh well!" Ling steps forward and jabs his staff into Kiryu's calf. "I think I'm done playing. This is such a letdown. I'd hoped this would've been alot funner that what it was. I hope everyone isn't like this" Ling says depressingly. "I wish for a pistol" Ling says lowly. "I've got to do something. He's gonna fucking kill me if I don't think of something to wish for. But, I've never fought before more or less dealt with guns. Think, think, think.WAIT! THAT MIGHT WORK!" Kiryu rambles to himself "Well, this is good bye Kiryu! I wish I could say it was a blast." Just as Ling pulls the trigger. " I WISH FOR FULLBODY ARMOR!!!" The bullet ricocheted off of the armor. "I WISH HIS CLIP WAS EMPTY!" Kiryus head starts hurting from the memories changing as he's making wishes. But, he trys to stay focused. As Kiryu tries to get up Ling comes swinging with his staff. Kiryu tries to dodge just barely escaping the attack. But, he continues his barrage of spinning attacks. "I WISH THERE WAS MORE DISTANCE BETWEEN US" Kiryu screams as the ground between them expands setting them farther away from each other. "CAN YOU STOP YELLING ALL THE WISHES!" Ling yells from a distance. "How can he wish for weapons to attack me with? I thought we couldn't directly use the cube to hurt other users... unless it's a loophole. Wait, no. It isn't directly made to hurt me. So, that means I can't wish death or harm. But, I can use weapons as an indirect way of attacking. It's so simple. How did I not think about this. Also, this armor is heavy." He thinks to himself. " Kiryu starts taking the armor off as Ling starts making his way towards him. Jumping around on one foot trying to get the armor off his foot Kiryu stumbles and falls backwards. "This is so lame. Mad pathetic. So uncool. Just die and give me the cube. I have tons of wishes left to fulfill. You are obviously a waste of it's power. We are walking God's and you just don't fit the bill." Ling rambles in an irritated tone. "You aren't a god." Kiryu says firmly. "What the hell do you mean? I can stop entire crowds of people with one wish. I can grant myself a relaxed life. A house, cars, women. Anything I want if I want it. It can be mine with a simple phrase. How can you not consider that power of a God?" Kiryu stands up as Ling is going on. "Why would anyone want to be god? Especially, someone so conceited. I didn't want to be a part of this. I don't want the power of a God more or less to become God. But, I'm not giving up my Cube. Especially to someone like you!" Kiryu passionately states. "Plus, pickpocketing seems like it would be below a god" He jests. "Fuck you. Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you! Below a god? This is how im planning to lure out users! Doing what I know best! That is MY path to god!" Ling shouts maniacly as he readies for another barrage of attacks. "I wish for a Katana." A sword appears in Kiryu's hand as he prepares to defend. "I got this athletic body and the cube to back me up. It's about time I take up for myself for once." He whispers to himself. Blow after blow. Swing after swing. Kiryu tries his best to defend from the constant spinning barrage of attacks from Ling and his staff. Taking hits to the shoulder, leg, and face. Cleaving bits and pieces off of the staff as he is attacking. Shortening the amount of weapon he has to work with to build momentum. As he is cutting down the staff his leg and hip starts radiating with pain. "If I keep taking hits this'll be over sooner than later. I can't let this guy get the cube. I know he'll be up to no good." He thinks to himself. "I wish to be invisible" Ling states as he disappears. "What?! Where did he go?! How can I fight someone who I can't see?!" As he's thinking he gets hit in his kidney. He swings his sword torwards where the hit came from. But, misses. He gets hit in the stomach. Then swings in that direction and misses. "I've got to find a way to predict him. But, would a wish to predict his attacks be counted as "directly affecting him" that's the problem." Kiryu get hit in the face, back, and kicked in the leg. Then, suddenly feels his left pocket getting tugged on. "HE'S LOOKING FOR THE CUBE!" He thinks as he grabs Lings hand. He squeezes his hand as hard as possible with no sign of letting go. "What gives! Let go of my hand! No fair!" Ling says. "Fair? You're the one who turned invisible!" Kiryu rebuttals. "I wish for thermal vision!" Kiryu shouts. "That's double unfair dude!" Ling whines. As kiryu is looking at Ling he sees a spot on his jacket that isn't registering any heat at all. Which, gives him the idea that the cube has to be there. "That's gotta be it. Now. How do I get it from him." Kiryu thinks as Ling throws a punch with his free hand. Kiryu barely dodges it and grabs at his jacket pocket to grab his cube. Ling struggles to get away. Kiryu swings his sword at the pocket and cuts it. As he does so the cube falls to the ground. "No, no, no, no, NOOOOOO!!!" Ling shouts as he panics and rushes for the cube.
Kiryu thinks fast and slams his foot down on top of the cube and pushes Ling out of the way. He then grabs the cube and makes a run for it. "HEY!? WHAT THE HELL DUDE!?" Ling snaps back as he starts chasing him. "I've got to keep the cube from him until I can figure out how to end this without killing him." Kiryu thinks as he runs out of the alleyway and into traffic. He almost gets his by a car as the driver slams on the horn. Ling jumps over top of the car in hot pursuit. Both of them are running down the sidewalk at full speed. Kiryu stuffs the cube in his pocket with his cube. "Think... there has to be a way I can win without killing him" he whispers to himself. Kiryu starts growing tired from running. Sweat dripping down his face as he wipes his forehead with his arm. "GET BACK HERE BASTARD!!! MY FUTURE!!! MY WISHES!!! I CAN'T LET YOU TAKE THEM!!!" Shouts a desperate and tired Ling. "I can't go back. I can't be at the bottom again. I'll... surely die... bastard." He says sadly to himself as tears start to form. Ling begins to slow up. Gasping for air he ends up stopping completely. Kiryu stops and looks back at the fatigued User. Gasping for air himself he starts booking it again. "I can't let up. I've got to get away." Kiryu thinks to himself as he passes a coffee shop.
"Possession condition met"
"Cube acquired"
"Duel resolved"
"Game winner Kiryu"
The cube says in that same feminine voice.
"I... I did it? I won? I WON!!!" He says as he laughs with a sigh a relief. Ling catches up to him. "No... why... no... mannn... THIS BLOWS!" Ling says as if he is defeated. Just at that moment Lings Cube starts going off in Kiryu's pocket shaking and glowing. Ling's skin starts cracking, his body slowly fading into dust, and him screaming in agony. "You better make it worth it suc..." Ling says with tears rolling down his face as his mouth disappears along with the rest of him. Kiryu is left in shock at what just happened. A crowd gathered around him. All muttering random things. "What just happened.", "Did that guy just disappear?", Why were they running." Everyone looks shocked and begin staring at Kiryu. "I wish these people forgot what they saw." Kiryu whispers as he starts crying. Everyone suddenly walks away confused and forgot everything that just happened. "I...I just killed a guy... and I didn... I didn't mean to... it... it wasn't my fault... I swear... the cube... this DAMNED cube." He starts sobbing. This was his first Duel of many to come in "The Game". And, he wasn't handling it very well. To think he could harm someone without even trying to. Die or be killed. This was the harsh reality of being a Cube User. "Screw work... I need to be alone..." He thinks to himself as he starts walking slowly while slouched. "I need to go home. Rika will make me feel a bit better."
Kiryu's Apartment
1:13 P.M.
Kiryu puts his key in the door and twists the handle. When he walks in he doesn't see Rika anywhere. "I thought she had the day off today" He confusingly thinks. "RIKA! You home!?" He shouts "Yeah." She shortly yet quickly responds as she walks from the hallway. Kiryu is immediately shocked. Rika's hair was in a Bob style haircut, blonde, she seemed shorter, and had a nasty look on her face like she had an attitude. "What am I supposed to do about that? You are a grown man. Cheer yourself up." She lashes at him. It's almost as if she had grow cold. Heartless even. This wasn't the lovely, happy, partner he spent the last few days with. "W-what... THE WISHES" He quickly thinks. "What all did I change... how many wishes did I make..." He thinks as he grows more and more concerned. "Are you okay? You seem... a bit off." He says to her. "What do you mean? Is my makeup messed up or something?" She quickly responds not letting up on the snappy attitude. "I've gotta go to work shortly. Make you're own dinner tonight. And, don't forget you are on the couch for the rest of the week." She snaps as she walks into the room to get ready. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" He thinks as he grows more confused and concerned. After Rika leaves for work Kiryu grabs a few beers and makes himself a pizza. He sets the two Cubes on the coffee table, sits on the couch, and stares at them while munching on a slice of pizza. "Two Cubes. Duels. Is there something I have to wish for to understand more?" Puzzled. This is the first time in a few days that he had been truly alone. "I wish I knew more about the duels" He says into the air leaning back on the couch. Text starts appearing on the top of the cube.
The Game
Duels are a part of the game.
A Duel commences when two users come within a certain proximity of each other
The rules of the game are simple
Win duels, win Cubes, get closer to the goal
If a condition for a Duel is set and agreed on within one minute of its initiation
The Duel will be based on the agreement
If not the Duel will be either to the death or until one user comes into possession of the others Cube
Possession is confirmed after a user holds another's cube for 5 minutes
When a user loses a Duel or possession of a cube
They then cease to exist
All traces erased
Once you win a cube you can merge it with you're own cube
Bringing you closer to obtaining a prizm
Duels have no time limit
Win more, wish more, become God
Kiryu had a look of defeat on his face. The realization of what he was wrapped up in slowly seeped in. He is now a part of a vicious death game. Our lowly protagonist didn't want to participate, didn't want to become God, didn't want to hurt others. So, he ban to think. "What if there are others like me. People who don't want to fight. Non participants even. Someone has to find them and protect them. With any game on a scale like this there are bound to be predators lurking and searching for any weak Users to exploit and gain easy wins. I've gotta do something. But, I don't want to have to kill anyone else." He grabs a been and chugs it. " I wish to know the current number of Users"
The cube lights up
Current number of Users: 32
Current number of Prizm Users: 0
"Eight people are already dead. Logically, it couldn't be all one person. Seeing as I have two Cubes now. I've got to figure something out soon. The numbers are just going to keep dropping." He think to himself as he starts falling asleep sitting upright on the couch.