„Congratulations!" a soft, high-pitched, pleasant-for-ears voice filled the air. The source seemed to be impossible to determine, as they all heard it as if somebody was speaking directly to their ears. Startled at first, they turned confused, only to focus on the message. „You cleared the first trial. As a reward, you will be provided with food and a weapon. Congratulations! Clearing the first trial means the monster will be released! Beware of the drums!"
„What the-," Sam whispered looking around.
„M-monster?" Mia squealed.
„But we will get a weapon," Jordan pointed out.
As he said those words a dull, damp thud was followed by a distinct clang of metal hitting the stone. Sam spotted it immediately, a brown, paper bag filled with something, and a sword were lying on the ground. He tried to get to the weapon first, but Lily was closer, and she moved faster.
„We have a weapon," she observed.
'No. You have a weapon,' Sam thought. He was visibly irritated as he just lost a substantial advantage in the game they all were playing. He glanced at Evan in the hope of swaying him, in an attempt to acquire the sword from the woman, but the teenager wasn't even looking at him. He too was concerned by the weapon in the hands of someone else.
As that was transpiring, Kenji checked what was in the bag, pulling out a white styrofoam container. He opened it, only to find out a nice, big sandwich inside. Two slices of bread with a generous amount of meat and vegetables with the addition of barbecue sauce. After that he dived again into the bag, this time pulling out a small bottle of water.
„We have food," he announced, briefly gaining attention from others, but he lost it very quickly.
The appearance of the sword was too important to ignore, especially when hunger was not yet a major problem.
„We should vote on who gets the sword," the suited-up man said.
„I agree," Sam said immediately, once again stealing a glance at Evan. The kid looked back at him, and for a moment they caught a bit of contact, but only a second later it became crystal clear that they had two different plans. 'He wants me to vote for him. Fuck,' he thought.
„I vote for me," Jordan informed, only to quickly elaborate on his choice. „I'm the tallest, most physically able," he showed off his biceps, which almost tore the sleeve of his pink shirt as the fabric stretched around his muscles.
„I agree," Lily said before she approached him, almost shoving the weapon in his hands.
She then stood by his side, which didn't escape Sam's eyes. 'She will use her tits and pretty face to sway him to her side. Fuck… This guy doesn't strike me as somebody who will care about anybody else but himself. I can't let him have the only weapon,' he concluded, once again glaring at Evan. Their gazes met, and this time the teenager nodded discreetly. „I vote for myself," Sam announced.
„I think the person with the most experience should carry the sword," the suited-up man pointed out. „It should be me."
Kenji snorted. „Experienced in what? Are you gonna try to tell us you have some experience in swordsmanship? I sincerely doubt that. We don't even know your name, and we are supposed to trust you with the only weapon? Forget it. I vote for myself."
„I meant somebody who can keep their emotions at bay, and the name is Oliver."
„Emotions at bay? That's why you came out of your room yelling at us? Was that how you keep your emotions at bay?" the salaryman snorted again.
„I vote for Sam," Evan announced, interrupting their argument.
Everybody's eyes immediately shifted to Mia.
„I-I… I vote for Jordan," she squealed, taking a step closer to the playboy.
„Then it's decided!" Jordan said with a beaming voice, and a grin on his face.
'Fuck,' Sam thought, switching his attention to the food.
The rest started arguing, especially Oliver and Kenji, but he knew there was very little sense in it. The fact, that every man wanted to have the weapon, was obvious, as it meant an advantage in the current situation. This detail meant they wouldn't ally easily. It was almost impossible for them to choose somebody else but themselves, except for Evan who knew this, and also knew if he couldn't have the weapon, the best bet was somebody he could somewhat trust. That person was Sam. Now it was too late for anything because he doubted that Jordan would part ways with the blade, even if he was outvoted.
Realizing the chance passed right by their noses, Evan also chose to eat instead of shouting at others, as it had very little sense.
While the rest tried to apply some twisted logic to justify why the sword should, or shouldn't, change the owner, the two of them sat on the floor a few steps away and began filling their bellies, observing the conflict unfolding.
Only for a moment, because Sam's eyes went wide. „The monster," he whispered remembering the looming danger.
„We need to move! The monster!" Evan shouted, putting a stop to the arguments.
In such a way the conflict came to an end. The whole group stepped out of the dimly lit chamber to a similar labyrinth of corridors awaiting them outside. Munching on the food, they marched onward.
Once again the group began following the directions written on the walls, trying to find the second trial. This time, though, the hushed conversations sprouted like spring vegetation as soon as people finished their sandwiches, washing them down with a few sips of water.
Lily was eager to charm the swordsman she created, and Mia, despite her young age, also appeared to know how to use her cuteness to gain an advantage. Thus the whole group learned that the beautiful girl was from a small town, working as a waitress, trying to save money for college.
Mia was only fourteen, still in middle school. She liked cute things and overall appeared very childish and girlish.
„I don't trust those two," Evan at some point whispered to Sam.
„The girls?"
„Yes."
„Why?" Sam asked, only slightly surprised, as he also spotted that the two were quick to use their charms to put themselves in an advantageous position, right behind the swordsman.
„That busty chick, Lily, is now practically throwing herself at Jordan. Mia? She seems like she would do the same if she could, but it's obvious that the jock is not interested in a kid. Jordan too seems like a guy who doesn't care if he has to step over corpses to get what he wants. In our situation, he might have plenty of opportunities to do just that. Not to mention the sword in his hands. Ask yourself what comes next. They won't hesitate to push one of us at the monster when the time comes," Evan explained quietly, occasionally stealing glances over his shoulder to make sure nobody was too close to overhear.
„Are you trying to say it might be soon us against them?"
„Yes. We should try to sway Kenji. Oliver is a lost cause, this guy smells rotten."
Sam agreed with a nod, and their conversation came to an end. A different one continued, though. It was nobody else than Kenji who began telling others a little bit about himself. From the part of his tale, Sam was able to overhear that he was indeed a salaryman. Had a family. Wife and two daughters.
Jordan finally decided to say a few words about himself. The fact that it was Kenji, who actually told his story first, caught Sam's attention. He wondered why the handsome jock hesitated to paint his own picture in the eyes of his two eager admirers – the girls. He was, or tried to be, a model. Told about a few photoshoots for brands nobody of them heard of before, but assured them about the quality and fame of their products, hinting that his career was either only starting, or already in agony.
Oliver joined too, revealing he was a politician. Of course, he painted himself as a mighty hero fighting for his people, for justice, and for good. To the rest, it all sounded like a pile of fresh, steaming bullshit, but they kept up the facade, nodding and smiling.
Only Evan and Sam didn't speak about each other, focusing on finding the path, but as the politician finally shut his mouth, which took him a while, the silence caused both boys to feel the stares on their backs, demanding some answers. Fortunately, before anybody could voice their curiosity, the group arrived at the second, two-winged, black door.