Immortals
A gathering of fifty immortals convened in a circular chamber with transparent walls, suspended above a vast island. This extraordinary assembly was a rare event, and it had been some time since anything so captivating had occurred. From their lofty vantage point, the island resembled a colossal wheel, segmented into diverse landscapes. There were towering mountains, arid deserts, freshwater lakes, marine expanses, sprawling savannas, lush tropical rainforests, temperate woodlands, icy tundra, open grasslands, volcanic regions, and boreal forests. The island teemed with fantastical beings, crafted by Doyen, who specialized in creation magic. These creatures possessed various magical abilities. While Doyen would not be competing in the games, he would take on the role of host.
"Thank you for joining me for the inaugural Survival Island Controller Games! I have gathered one hundred individuals from various places, and you will have the exciting opportunity to select two champions to represent you in this thrilling competition. Your champions will earn points based on their performance, which you can use to enhance their conditions or even take temporary control of them for short bursts.
Every champion comes equipped with a unique familiar egg to nurture and a leveling system designed to help them develop new skills and monitor their growth throughout the game. The selection order for your champions will be determined by a random draw, after which they will be scattered across the island. Remember, if both of your champions fall in battle, you will be out of the game. However, you can still enjoy the excitement by watching the action unfold and placing bets on the winners of individual challenges if you wish. Stay alert, as some champions might face an early demise based on their landing spots, which is why you will each receive two champions to increase your chances.
You'll get the opportunity to communicate with your champions once a day as you work towards earning enough points to advance to the next level. The games will wrap up either when enthusiasm fades or when only one champion remains standing. If you're excited to join in, make sure to collect your ticket numbers to find out the order of selection. And don't forget, magic is off-limits during the champion selection!"
Doyen welcomed the imposing figure draped in a black robe that seemed to swirl like smoke. "Fear, it's a pleasure to see you," he remarked as Fear extended a skeletal hand covered in a peculiar green gelatinous substance. As he retrieved his ticket from a large transparent jar, the eerie yet captivating sight left an impression that was hard to shake off.
"Desire, an eternal delight," he remarked to a stunning woman clad in a shimmering, opaque gown that seemed woven from the very essence of starlight. The dress was daringly low-cut, revealing her exquisite back. While it was nearly translucent, it tantalizingly suggested a glimpse beneath. Her hair and eye color danced and changed with her movements, and her figure effortlessly morphed to match the preferences of those nearby, always embodying their ideal. Suddenly, another immortal approached, and in an instant, Desire transformed into a bald man with a round belly and a beard, while the enchanting gown became a brief wrap that barely concealed his lower half. With a narrowed gaze at the other immortal, Desire stepped back, reverting to her captivating form.
He began by assigning numbers to the different immortals, letting chance dictate the order in which they would make their selections until all fifty had chosen. Doyen had expected a good turnout from the immortals he had invited, but he was astonished to see that every single one arrived, with some even bringing extra immortals he hadn't anticipated. Thankfully, he had foreseen this possibility and had gathered more mortals than he initially needed. With one hundred mortals on hand, he could easily pair two for each immortal to interact with. He had set up multiple play areas and secured additional ones, ensuring that all participants would feel compelled to join his games; to refuse would mean facing dire consequences.
Finn
Finn grimaced, a chill creeping through him as he shifted uncomfortably. The surface beneath him felt harsh and unyielding. A throbbing pain pulsed in his head, and a nagging sense of unease settled in the back of his mind. As he began to take in his surroundings, the sounds of crying, shouting, and the chaotic shuffle of numerous feet echoed around him, intensifying the ache in his skull. This couldn't be right. Just moments ago, he had been reveling in the joy of his long-awaited promotion when an odd, swirling light had enveloped him. No, that couldn't be the case; he must have indulged more than he realized at the celebration. He really needed to stop letting others top off his drink.
He blinked his eyes open, wincing at the harsh light that pierced through his vision. As he adjusted, disbelief washed over him; he found himself sprawled in an enormous room, confined within a large cage made of transparent walls and dotted with air holes. The floor beneath him was covered with a mound of dried grass, accompanied by two sizable bowls. One contained pellets resembling pet food, while the other was brimming with water. Scanning the vast space, he noticed numerous other cages, each housing a solitary individual. Some were lost in deep slumber, others pounded against the walls of their enclosures in desperation, and a few sat weeping in the corners, consumed by their plight.
Finn jolted awake, his mind swirling in confusion. Was he dreaming? Nothing about this felt real; it defied all logic. Suddenly, a vivid projection materialized before him, revealing a circular room filled with astonishingly beautiful, peculiar, and otherworldly beings gathered around a grand table. At the head of the table sat a man whose skin glimmered a golden-brown, and his hair sparkled like sunlight. His eyes shone a piercing bright yellow, and his features resembled a masterpiece brought to life. He wore a peculiar smile, both manic and mesmerizing, showcasing a stunningly perfect white grin.
"Greetings! His voice resonated in an unusual manner, as if three distinct individuals were speaking simultaneously. "I am Doyen, the immortal. You fortunate few have been plucked from your mundane and fleeting lives to serve as entertainment for your superiors. Some of you may feel inclined to resist or deny this reality, but such actions will only squander your time. Whether you accept it or not, you now belong to the immortals before you, destined to amuse us—far more thrilling than the modest aspirations of your former existence.
Each of you will become the champion of an immortal who has selected you as their pawn in this grand game. Participation in our contests is mandatory; failure to comply will result in your swift elimination. If you perform to our liking, you will be rewarded handsomely—far beyond anything you could have achieved in your previous life. Your initial gifts will include a survival kit, a storage box for your items, an egg of a familiar to nurture as your ally, and a basic system that can be enhanced as you conquer challenges. Denial will only hinder your progress while your rivals accumulate points. You will soon find yourselves on the island. There is no escape unless we choose to release you. Best of luck!"
Inside the transparent enclosure where Finn found himself confined, two radiant lights suddenly flickered to life. Alongside them materialized a brown backpack and a massive orange and black egg, roughly the size of a basketball. As he surveyed his surroundings, he noticed others engaged in a flurry of activity—some eagerly rummaging through the backpack that had manifested in their prison, while others hurled the bag against the wall or tossed the egg with reckless abandon one breaking his egg against the bars.
"10...9...8...7...6...
He took a brief moment to weigh his choices, then with a nonchalant shrug, he untied the bag's strings. What he found inside was nothing short of extraordinary, far exceeding the bag's unassuming exterior. Each item seemed to belong in a miniature world, exquisitely small and fragile. As he reached in, he pulled out what looked like a tiny green handkerchief, only to be astounded as a large green comforter unfurled before him. In that moment, he wondered if he had slipped into the strangest dream or if the man's words were manifesting right before his eyes. With a hint of skepticism, he lifted the oversized egg and carefully placed it in the bag, tucking the comforter around it. To his surprise, it shrank to the size of a robin's egg. He then secured the drawstring backpack and fastened it to his back.
2...1...0"
A brilliant light suddenly surrounded the transparent box he was confined in, and in an instant, he found himself in a vast forest filled with towering trees that loomed overhead, making him feel as insignificant as an ant. Although he remained inside the clear cage, the front panel had popped open, granting him the opportunity to escape. He stepped out cautiously, scanning his surroundings with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The forest was a mystery, and he had no idea what creatures might inhabit it. After closing the door of the box with a soft click, he lifted it again, realizing it could now open and close at will.
He decided to stow the cage in his backpack alongside his other gear. He found two more bottles that were empty and put the food pellets and the other water in those bottles. He picked up one of the food pellets and sniffed it. The aroma was reminiscent of a savory pot roast. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to try one. The flavor was astonishing—imagine a pot roast simmered with potatoes, carrots, onions, and rich gravy, then pureed and transformed into a crunchy treat. Although it felt a bit strange to munch on something that resembled dog food, he figured that immortals probably didn't hold humans in high regard anyway and he was hungry.
He then retrieved the egg, which immediately expanded back to its original size. As he rummaged through his backpack, he noticed that not everything was easily identifiable in its miniature form, and he felt uneasy about pulling everything out in the open.
However, one item caught his eye—a tiny sheathed sword, reminiscent of something an action figure might wield. He grasped it and pulled it free, only to discover it was a machete. While not a sword, it was still a valuable tool. He also found a small canteen that transformed into a reasonably sized water bottle, which he secured to his belt. After tucking the egg back into his bag and fastening it, he set off into the forest, determined to find a safe spot to establish a camp and perhaps encounter others along the way.