Not many deeply understand not being presented with a choice. To feel like a slave within one's own home. Being treated like an outsider. Essentially, being an orphan.
"You are forbidden from playing with that boy!"
"You will attend this school with a smile on your face or you will suffer the consequences!"
"You are going to participate in the Escapades! This family will not be disrespected! Do you understand, Shira?!"
After years of the same thing over and over again, eventually, you have to create your own happiness. Learning to accept disappointment has to come overtime, right?
I turned to look over my shoulder after being beamed into a giant auditorium. Massive golden pillars kept the ceiling in place. To the left, was a balcony which was far from reach. It was made out of crystal-clear glass.
As I looked over, I saw him. Hallam Derby Drake Montana. He may not look like much on the outside, but for someone with the eyes of a killer, something is bound to be within that mind of his.
I intend on digging as deep as I can. To learn as much as possible. Because the chances of me surviving this alone is like finding an elephant in a grain of sand.
Because everybody here has a dark tension about them, including Derby. I am the one out of place here.
A slim, beautiful woman bumped me out of the way on her path near to the balcony.
"Watch where you're going, lady." I mistakenly blurted out before quickly closing my mouth with my hands.
She turned over to look at me. Her eyes pierced mine with how sharp her stare was. She had bright-red eyes and long flowing white-greyish hair. She wore a brown fur trench coat and a black tank top with a pair of black, ripped denim jeans which were shorts, topping it all with white sneakers. She had various sharp tools hidden in her clothing.
"Did you perhaps say something?" She raised a brow while wearing a sadistic smile.
I simply shook my head.
Then, Derby passed by her, carrying a duffel bag, knocking into her. She turned to look at him, grunting, before they made eye-contact. She stopped before walking off, continuing her path.
Derby looked at me and waved before walking off in the opposite direction.
I returned the wave with a cracked smile and awkward chuckle, not really certain of what was really happening around me.
A woman, wearing an odd mouse mask, walked onto the balcony. A holographic screen popped up of her face before she spoke.
"Welcome to The Dungeon Escapades. I am certain most of you already know what you have gotten yourselves into, but for those who do not know… The Dungeon Escapades are a series of fatal games for the grand prize of two-hundred billion American dollars and one wish. The details of the wish will be explained once we have gotten to the last two weeks of these games. The Escapades will take place over the course of thirty-one days. There are thirty-two players. This means that there can only be one winner, however, there is a way for two to survive. Now, without further ado, here is the first game and the rules thereof. I hope you are prepared."
The screen disappeared as a man walked out of a dark door beneath the balcony.
"Hello, everyone. I am the CEO of The Nobody Organization, Richard Glover."
He stood still in front of the first few players closest to the balcony.
One of the players, a very tall man with dark skin, crouched down to look the man in the eye.
"Back up a little, tiny. You're invading my personal space." The giant of a man said to the man in the suit.
The man looked like a child compared to the huge man.
The large man wore a ski mask over his face, had no shirt and wore a pair of torn and broken trousers with sandals. Obviously, he was a dangerous person. Just by sight, one could tell.
"Know your place, boy." Glover grunted with dominance before resting his hand on the big man's head.
A shockwave left their area and made it all the way to the back of the crowd. The man laid in a small crater within the ground, Glover towering over him, the dust subsiding.
"This is Player 08. Mr. Evander Anakin, who is of Viking descent. You will end up like him if you dare defy any of the staff of my company." Glover explained, his eyes closed with a sadistic yet sophisticated smile resting on his face.
A few of the other players in front looked down into the crater to see what had happened to Anakin.
His ski mask was complete disintegrated on one side, revealing his bloody face and rolled back eyes. He laid in the crater, knocked out cold.
Some of the players were frightened by the sight, some were just taken aback, others were excited to see such strength displayed… most just could not really care.
"Before the games begin, each of you will receive a supernatural ability to assist you." Glover spoke, walking toward a large object covered with a dark blanket-like thing.
He removed the blanket to reveal a chamber of sorts. It was made out of a very sturdy metal. I couldn't tell because I don't know anything about metals.
"Please step into the chamber and place your feet on the pad you see. The chamber will decide what ability suits you best and grant you said ability." Glover stood, facing toward the players, his eyes still shut.
One of the players, a child, not older than twelve, stepped into the chamber. As expected, the child did not have an ounce of fear within her. On the contrary, she seemed rather excited.
She stood on the pad as a green beam illuminated the chamber. After the flash of light vanished, the child came out of the chamber. She looked at her hands, clenching them every now and again before looking up at Glover.
"I don't really feel much of a change." She spoke sweetly. She really was not afraid of using her adorable, childlike voice and face to her advantage.
"You will, eventually, Player 13." Glover responded with a gentle smile.
Player 13 then walked off before the next player stepped into the chamber. One after another, they went in. Each of them gaining a new supernatural ability, each different from the other.
Then, came my turn. I stepped in, stretching a bit as my body was a little stiff. I cannot help but be a little curious as to the ability I might gain. I hope it is teleportation so I can dip whenever the need may come.
I stood on the pad, the same process occurring. In the flash, I saw a face before it vanished. I couldn't really make out who's face it was.
I stepped out. Derby then passed me, tapping my shoulder before entering the chamber, a book in his hand.
I looked around, seeing some of the player had already discovered their abilities, including the child and the giant.
Seems they woke him up so he may get his ability.
I took out my card from my pocket, activating my main menu. I took a look at Player 08 and pressed more information.
These people are going to be my enemies. Might as well learn as much as I possibly can about them before facing off against them.
Player 08: Evander Anakin, otherwise known as The Hydraulic Press. Honestly, some of these street names I cannot take seriously. He is known for killing people by crushing their skulls with his bare hands. He has a body count of 68 and has served time in prison for only four of those murders. He is twenty-seven years old and was born in Norway. Raised in Russia. He found the card in prison.
Well, that explains his ability.
I looked over at him. He held a boulder in his hand as he gripped down on it. A green light flashed right when he gripped down on the boulder. A beam just like the one in the chamber. The boulder crumbled like bread. He laughed out of pure excitement. Obviously ecstatic by how many people he may kill in these games.
I would guess his ability is either enhanced physical strength or actually being a hydraulic press.
This is going to be quite difficult if players are getting abilities like that.
About fifteen minutes passed before all the players had received their abilities. Everyone stood in front of Glover. He placed his hands into his pockets.
"Alright then. Let me explain what the first game is about and what the winner's reward will be." Glover began the explanation of the first games. Murmurs and whispers went around from the sound of there being a reward.
"Game 01: Hide and Seek. This game will be relatively easy and is quite simple. There will be one seeker and the rest of the players will hide. The seeker will have 18 hours to find the player, by any means necessary. However, in this round, there will be no killing allowed. Hiders may hide in whichever spot they choose and may move around as freely as they wish. Teams are not a requirement, but they are allowed if players wish to team up. The seeker must find at least fifteen players before the 18 hours are up. Mona will decide who the seeker will be." Glover elaborated. The aura of excitement could be smelled from miles away.
Luckily for me, killing isn't allowed. I may live to see another day.
Glover then snapped his fingers as the terrain changed from an auditorium to a massive forest-like biome. Everyone watched as trees, the sky, rocks, and many other things were formed before their eyes.
Everyone beside Derby. His eyes were straight-laced on Glover and Glover returned the favor with a grinning smile.
"Welcome to Game 01: Hide & Seek of The Dungeon Escapades. Every player will participate in this game. Failure to participate will result in elimination. Now, without further ado, let us see who the seeker will be."
Tension rose as the A.I. began rolling images of each player before everyone's eyes. They rolled by before stopping on a single image.
"The seeker will be Player 01: Lillith Nyx. Let the games begin."
Lillith Nyx. That lady that bumped into me before. I see. She is Player 01.
"Everyone besides Player 01 scatter. You have ten minutes to get as far as you can before she begins her seeking." Glover said his final words before disappearing like he was not there to begin with.
Lillith chuckled.
I looked around to see everyone had already began hiding.
"Crap!!" I shouted in panic before looking at Lillith. Her eyes were on me, death piercing my soul as I ran in fear.
She clearly has it out for me. Ten minutes is not enough.
I ran into the forest, jumping over branches and rocks. I saw other players doing the same. When I look at it in a regular perspective, it just seems like another game of hide and seek.
I looked around in search of Derby, but to no avail.
GAME 01: HIDE & SEEK
This is an utter insult. This is no game of fear as they promised. Not that I am complaining, but I did expect more.
I see that even though I planned to leave the bag I packed; it came with me anyhow. I should thank Mona when I have the chance.
The sky was as serine and real as it could possibly be. The fresh air the trees provided made it seem like a sick joke that they were not real. What a crazy dungeon this is.
I found myself atop a cave. Smarter than hiding inside it if you ask me.
"Pssst!! Derby!" I heard a soft voice whisper behind me. I turned my head to see who it was to find Shira behind.
She then crawled next to me.
"Hey! I see we had the same idea." She giggled, her black hair blowing in the wind.
"Seems so." I responded with a soft smile, still keeping a look out for Player 01.
Shira stared down to the ground, deep in thought. I did not bother to ask, because frankly, it is none of my business. She then turned and looked at me, a brow raised.
"What is the point of this game? I thought it would only be life or death situation games. Thirty-two people and thirty-one days. Seems logical that a person would be eliminated each day until there is only one winner, right?" She questioned out of curiosity, but one could sense her concern.
"You didn't join the games out of boredom, did you?" I replied with my own question.
"What? Of course I did. That's what I said, remember?" She answered, pouting. She became defensive from a simple question.
"That is what you said, but you lied. You are afraid to die just like the rest of us. If you truly joined out of boredom, you would not be afraid of the consequences of your decision. That leads me to believe that you are here for another reason." I turned to look around once again, ensuring our safety.
She remained silent for some time.
"If you don't want to tell me now, that is fine with me. But your silence speaks volumes." She seemed to be embarrassed and sorrowful simultaneously. Whatever reason she has for being here, it is taking quite the emotional toll on her.
She nodded, before laying flat on the rock.
"The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout. Down came the rain and took the spider out…" A gentle, yet menacing voice came out of the cave. A plethora of groans and grunts of agony followed its path.
I looked down to confirm the cause. To my surprise, it was Player 01 dragging a number of seven other players behind her, singing a melodic lullaby.
"Shira. We need to go now!" I whispered to her in panic and haste.
She stared at me in confusion, to taken aback to notice the danger that awaited us beneath. Her hands illuminated green when a sudden flood of anxiety hit her.
We both looked at each other in confusion for a minute before…
"…Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. So, the itsy-bitsy spider went up the spout again." Player 01 crept up behind up like a bat, silently approaching its prey.
I looked down to witness the seven other player she had already found.
Shira moved back in fear, so anxious her legs refused to lift her to her feet. I slowly stood up, keeping my eyes on the one who hunted us.
She tossed a rope in front of us.
"Tie yourselves to that tree down there. I still need to hunt down twenty-two more of you pests and I only have 17 hours left. After I capture you all, I'll come back to… have some fun with you all." She announced with a sinister smile and maniacal chuckle.
Giving the situation, the best course of action is to comply and to tie ourselves to the tree. After that, we should try and escape. The rules of the game never stipulated a certain area to where the seeker needed to bring the hiders. It also stated that we can run around as much as we like. Given that, I think we're better off tied to a tree then to fight this psycho witch, there is only one conclusion.
"Alright, we'll tie ourselves to the tree." I responded with a calm tone, picking up the rope. I relaxed my body to give her the illusion that I let my guard down.
"Wh- What?!" Shira exclaimed in uncertainty.
"Aww!! That's such a shame. I thought you would put up more of a fight, Player 02. Hallam Montana. Or should I say… Raiko." She mocked me to my face.
I scowled at her, wondering how she could ever know.
"Where did you hear that name?" I questioned, gripping onto the rope, tightly.
"Oh? That? That's my new ability that these rich a-holes gave me. I call it The Eagle Eye. It enhances my hunter instincts, allowing me to see anything and everything that my prey is, was, or will be… and more. I accept your surrender, Raiko. But make no mistake, I will hunt you down one day and I'm going to have fun doing so." She toyed with me before taking her leave.
Shira let out a large sigh of relief. She is a scared one, isn't she.
"So… Raiko?" She looked at me with a curious expression.
I picked her up and headed down the cave. I stopped by a tree next to where the rest of the hiders were tied. Some of them were unconscious and others were just silent. I tied us both to the tree.
"Hey, Derby! Aren't you going to answer me?" She enquired again, more frustrated at my silence.
"You didn't answer my question. So, I'm not going to answer yours." I answered, monotonously, void of emotion.
She gave me an "I-Can't-Believe-You-Would.." look before she caved and realized it was futile to refute.
"Why'd you tie us to the tree? She left. We could have made a run for it." She asked a reasonable question.
I gestured to a tree a few feet from the cave. Within the tree, hidden in plain sight, she watched us.
Shira nodded, apologetic to her doubt in my judgement.
…
We sat in silence for about two hours before Shira got anxious again. Her body let of another green glow as she squirmed, trying to pry her way out.
Eventually, she did make it out.
But how is that possible? I asked myself. How could she have? I tied us up pretty good. Then, I remembered that all of us gained a certain ability.
"Oh, I see." I got up, then helped her up, nodding slightly.
"What is it?" She questioned, raising a brow whilst she dusted herself off.
"Your ability must have something to do with either survival or escape. That will come in handy." I smiled, nodding in approval before giving her a thumbs-up.
She blushed, covering her face with her hands.
I shook my head before grabbing her wrist and taking off.
We ran and ran… and ran and ran… continuously.
There are 15 hours left. There's no telling how many she already captured. Luckily for us, she already revealed her ability. So, planning around it will be fairly easy.
Most predators find their prey through sent or an unrelenting smell of fear. So, if we can make it as far from her as possible, then the smell should be more troublesome to follow than others.
Let's just hope she's not a complete psycho who will track us down just for the thrill.
…
I hid in a ditch with Shira who had fallen asleep from exhaustion. I tilted my head upward to gaze upon a mesmerizing view of the setting sun. The pure white clouds adding to the marvel as the sun rays shone through the holes in the clouds.
15 hours had passed, and the game was coming to an end. We had survived the first trial.
A holographic Mona popped up, announcing the end of the game.
It took us a while, but I managed to carry Shira to the starting point. Already there where the players who had been captured, which were twenty-seven out of the thirty-one hiders. Meaning, only four players were not found.
Who were Shira and I, as well as Player 31 and Player 22.
Lillith turned to my direction as she glared at me.
"You got very lucky, Raiko. But this will not happen next time." That is all she said before the CEO made his way to us.
He stood before us with that same cocky smile and shut eyes as he always does.
"Well done to the four players who won this round. Player 02, Player 05, Player 22, and Player 31. You will all receive rewards for your efforts. Congratulations are in order." He applauded us as if this were something like an achievement.
I wonder if I should keep teaming up with Shira or not. If I am to be completely honest with myself, I never would have succeeded without her. Maybe I should contemplate later.
"And congratulations to the seeker, Player 01, for having found more than the required amount. You shall receive compensation for your efforts as well." He continued. Lillith boasted in her victory.
Glover snapped his fingers once again as the terrain shifted to that of a hotel lobby.
"Everybody, get some rest and eat from our buffet. Be ready for tomorrow's game. I wish you all the best of luck." He concluded before disappearing exactly as he did before.
I sighed as I carried Shira to her designated room in the hotel. Each of us had our own, separately rooms with our player numbers on the doors.
Guess we're nothing but numbers to these rich pricks, huh? No humanity.
I lied down on my bed, staring at the black ceiling above me. I took out the card again, bringing up the options as I did before.
OPTIONS
Players Selected for the Dungeon Games. Possible Rewards. First Three Games and the Rewards and Punishments
thereof. Day Two Gameplay. Terms & Conditions.
Oh? I see option four changed to Day Two Gameplay. What kind of futuristic tech do these people have. Anyway, let me see. Guess I'll take option four. Wouldn't hurt, right?
I stopped in my tracks from what I saw before me. The games have finally revealed it hidden darkness.
The second game will be TRUTH OR DARE.
This is going to be bad… for me.
-Game 01: Hide & Seek End-
-Chapter II: 01 November 2023 End-