The airplane cabin was pretty large, but it wasn't built for around 100 passengers to sit in a circle and play a card game. Viv stood in the middle of a messy lop-sided circle of passengers clustered across seats and all obviously trembling.
It was as if a bunch of prisoners were forced in a circle and told: "Let's play a death game!" It was not a pleasant sight.
Jaden was the only other one standing. He faced down Viv, who was staring at him with as much hate as his wide green eyes could manage.
It was as if they were the only people really playing the game. However, Jaden was different from Viv in one important way. He wasn't going to let innocent people die.
That put him at a distinct disadvantage. He didn't care though. These were his ideals.
When Jaden was younger, he had been hired for an important position at a large company. He was fresh out of school, and had glowing grades and references. All the same, he was lucky to get such a good position right away, many of his fellow graduates were jealous of his success.
However, this company was not a good company. Jaden soon discovered the CEO was involved with a whole conspiracy of illegal labor practices. He had thought it must be a mistake. However his boss only smirked and told him: "It's not a problem if no one knows."
That was enough. Jaden quit his important position and got hired at a smaller company. He refused to do something that went against his ideals.
The most despicable thing was someone who stood above others watching them suffer.
These were his thoughts as he stood, him and Viv staring each other down.
The game was about to start. Viv skipped around the circle, handing out cards at random. Apparently his deck wasn't a regular deck of cards as each person was left holding more than one card.
"Take a gooood look at your cards everyone!" Viv cheered. "Oh, I almost forgot to deal to myself! Good thing I have another deck of cards!" And then Viv pulled out a whole deck of cards…all for himself.
What was even the fun if only you could win!? Something told Jaden this kid didn't have many friends. There was something even more wrong with this scenario…
"Hey, I think you're forgetting something." Where were his cards!?
Viv pretended to think. "Oh hmmm…I knew I was forgetting something…" He opened up his coat and sifted through the pockets. "Awww no cards left!" He shrugged innocently.
What the hell do you mean no cards left!? How come one person got a whole deck of cards and he got none! If someone were to switch their turn with him, that was it! He was dead! System, is this actually legal?
[Rule #1: Perfection of Tenma. The Tenma is in charge of dealing and can deal all cards present any way he sees fit]
Wow, he wondered who came up with this amazing game.
There was no stopping the game now that it had started. All Jaden could think of was stalling Viv long enough to reach the Philippines. He would save these people's lives. Oh, and he really wouldn't mind if he could save his own life as well!
"Ok round one start, everyone! Are you ready? Because I sure am!"
Jaden was secretly thankful that Viv was such a complete chatterbox.
"Okaaayyy I pick…drumroll please!"
No one did a drumroll, much to Viv's disappointment.
"I pick…you!!!"
Viv pointed straight at a middle-aged, balding man. He looked like the type who could afford to buy the whole airplane but still didn't sit in first class due to his penny-pinching ways. Men like him were a dime a dozen in the world of business.
Even so, Jaden wouldn't let him be killed in this sadistic game.
The man was sweating, his balding head glistening in the bright overhead lights. He licked his fingers as he flipped through his cards.
"Well, what have you got? This is my hand!" Viv threw his deck of cards into the air.
Even if that man had a royal flush it would be no good. Jaden gritted his teeth. At this rate he would have to…
The bald-headed man coughed. "Ahem, Mr. uh…Vivil was it? You see…"
Viv stomped over to him, over the cards strewn on the floor. He whipped out a knife and pressed it against the man's throat. There was true bloodlust in his eyes. "Don't call me Vivil! My name is Viv. Now, what is your hand?"
The man gulped, trying to push himself as far away from Viv as possible. "I…I have a lot of money. How much do you want?"
Jaden knew this was a very bad idea. He had a feeling Viv was not interested in money.
He was correct. "Don't want your money. I want you to play Tenma Edition!!"
The old man quickly decided to change his strategy. This sort of man would see this situation similar to a business deal. The only thing that mattered was that he saved his own skin. Jaden knew what was coming before the man opened his mouth to speak. "Ahem, then, you said we could change our turn, right? I want to switch with him!" He pointed straight at Jaden.
Of course he did.