Kai instantly reasoned.
"Ah… People will get desperate and start looting, robbing each other." Sia came to realize what Kai was going at.
At the rate things were turning, the current confusion would eventually escalate into a city wide epidemic. The green phenomena would likely cut off the flow of essential resources from the outside world. Thus making resources, such as food and water, limited within the city.
At a certain point those resources will be depleted and become scarce. In all likelihood it would end up as she had surmised.
"Exactly, now imagine that within a city like New York. With its population, I can't imagine food and water lasting long. At some point people will resort to violence…"
Kai wanted to continue but Jack finally joined the conversation, "I see what you're saying, but, can't we just go into the trial later if we do get into danger?"
Kai paused for a second to think before speaking, "I mean if we had to go into the trial as a last resort, wouldn't it be better to just join the trial from the get go? We'd have a head start on everyone that'll join in later."
"True, but it would still be dangerous. We don't know what those trials…"
"Yeah, we might just die instantly."
Sia and Jack gave a few counter arguments.
"I know, I know. I know that, but still, please trust in me, just this once."
This time Kai didn't have a good argument, he simply asked them to trust him. His words did not sound the least bit convincing, however the expression on his face swayed them. There was sincerity in them as well as a crazed intensity.
It was an odd mixture of confidence and pleading. Quite the rare sight. Sia and Jack both had only seen this once before.
For Jack it was last year during an almost blowout game of basketball during PE, Kai's team was losing by 30 points with 5 minutes left on the clock. At first Kai was unenthusiastic about even playing the game, yawning as he dribbled the ball, yet somehow someone on the other team ticked him off.
Jack's teammates' shittalking was very effective, but not in the way they wanted.
From there, the game was decided. The pissed off Kai became a demon on the court. He used his untapped athleticism to speed past everyone and steal the ball every possession, not allowing them to take even a single shot.
While he wasn't much of a shot taker, he was one hell of a playmaker, keeping the defenders on him then making dimes to his teammates. If they failed to make the shot Kai would somehow get the rebound and do a layup.
His play style was able to highlight his teammates strengths and elevate their synergy. When all was said and done, Kai's team won by 23 points. It was an awe inspiring performance, especially for Jack who had been on the opposing team.
Now that same demon was back, staring at him. This time, however, was different. This time that demon was on his side. It was quite the assurance.
Those eyes compelled him to believe in his friend. The ever so competent genius artist, Kai. Jack had to weigh his choices.
As for Sia, she remembered when Ms. Anderson was chewing him out for having 7 missing pieces for the 12-piece Concentration section of his AP Studio Art portfolio a few weeks ago. It was already the last week of March and only had a little more than a month before the deadline to complete all 7 pieces.
Ms. Anderson was stressed just thinking about how one of her best students was going to fail. She massaged her temples trying to ease her head ache.
Yet when Sia saw Kai's face, she saw that unique expression in his eyes. For the next few days Kai would come into class with bags under his eyes.
It was apparent that he had been working night and day to catch up with his missing pieces. It was concerning to see him like this, but he just gave a small smile when asked to take it easy.
As the following week came in, Kai gave everyone a shock. He walked in carrying 3 massive art folders setting them down on the table. Then left the class only to bring back a 6 ft x 3 ft framed art piece.
Kai had scrapped his previous pieces in favor of restarting his concentration series with a new theme. Previously the concentration was focused on the failure of dreams and aspirations, showing the cruel reality of adulthood and responsibilities.
But he was less than motivated to continue the series as it didn't invoke inspiration or creativity that Kai was seeking for. It wasn't the type of art that he wanted to make or so he said.
Even if that was the case, to completely scrap over half a year's worth of art and to not only start but to finish a new concentration was down right absurd. That was 12 completely new art pieces in total. In a week's time no less. This was beyond insanity.
At first no one could believe it, but when they saw his art pieces, they were all just astonished by his abilities. It was no understatement to call the concentration a masterpiece. Simply, it was a work of pure genius.
Now Sia was seeing that same expression once again. However, the difference now was that this was a matter of life and death. Like Jack, she could not make this decision hastily.
They did not know what kind of risks this "Ascension Trial" entailed for them. But judging from the name "Trials of Survival", they knew it would likely be dangerous.
Survival implied that their lives were not a guarantee. Would it test people based on how fit they are or how they'll be able to adapt?
Questions like this popped into their minds. There were just too many unknowns. Even the reward of the trials, if there were any, was a question mark. Being the first to join these trials, they would essentially become guinea pigs.