"Lira… how is she?"
Seated on the sofa, Iris looked up as Lira stepped into the house.
"Aren't you rather eager? Still carrying a torch for Claire, are you, brother?"
Lira teased, though she knew he hadn't meant it quite like that. Initially, she'd tried to smooth things over between him and Claire. But, as time went on, she saw it was futile, Claire had already been involved with someone else well before their breakup.
"I'm not asking about her well-being..."
Iris replied, aware that those who had survived Yellow Fever were likely healthier than most.
"Oh, that… I'm not sure what special ability she gained, and I didn't get the chance to ask. But she's certainly more confident, perhaps a bit more domineering than usual. With me, she's still much the same as ever, but overall, that's what I've noticed."
Lira paused, thinking back on her recent interactions with Claire and the rest of the family before answering.
Iris fell silent, deep in thought, prompting Lira to inch closer and settle beside him.
"Brother, don't overthink it. I doubt Claire's going to pick on you, haha."
She waved a hand in front of his eyes, snapping him from his daze before breaking into a laugh. She couldn't help but picture the interactions that might ensue between her brother and his now superhuman ex-girlfriend.
"That doesn't bother me! Call Mum and check if she needs a lift."
Iris shook his head, feeling a bit awkward at the thought of Claire's newfound powers but unbothered in truth. He was hardly one to meddle in other people's affairs unless necessary.
Their mother worked as a nurse at Hungerford General Hospital.
Lira picked up her mobile and dialed their mum. After a ten-minute chat, she returned to the sofa, settling beside Iris once more.
"Mum said there's an emergency, so she'll be staying at the hospital tonight. She asked if you could pick her up in the morning."
Lira relayed this casually; it was routine by now. Their mother's compassion often kept her working overtime, and she'd been dedicated to her patients for many years.
"Alright, I will pick her up in the morning."
Iris said while standing up and soon walking back to his room. He then resumed his work, as almost all his money was now completely spent.
Wake up Earthlings, Wake up Earthlings, Wake up Earthlings
Just as Iris drifted off after a long night's work, a deep woman's voice pierced his sleep, reverberating as though it wasn't meant for his ears alone but for his very soul.
Cold sweat prickled on his forehead as a sense of looming catastrophe gripped him. His heart hammered wildly, on the edge of collapse.
He couldn't grasp what was happening; he'd been asleep moments ago, but now this voice had jolted him awake, and his instincts screamed that this was the moment he'd unknowingly been preparing for.
"Iris, Iris… are you there?"
A panicked voice broke through the walls, snapping Iris from his thoughts. He rushed to Lira's room without a second thought.
"What happened, Lira? Are you alright?"
Iris scanned the room, finding Lira sitting up, looking disoriented and a bit frightened.
"Ah! It's nothing… nothing. I just heard something in my sleep. Probably just a nightmare."
Seeing Iris there, Lira quickly relaxed, though a touch of embarrassment crept in. She was a grown woman, after all, and here she was, startled over a bad dream.
"Oh, you also heard..."
The voice, deep and commanding, echoed again.
Earthlings, I hope that all of you are awake now.
The dreaded woman's voice cut through the air once more, halting Iris mid-sentence. He turned to Lira, his expression mirroring the astonishment on her face.
"Brother, what's happening?"
Lira's voice trembled slightly, now certain she hadn't imagined the voice and wasn't the only one to hear it.
"Not sure! But this doesn't feel good. Let's go. We need to head outside. There might be others looking for answers. Also, call Mum and Dad. See what's going on with them."
Iris said quickly, urgency in his tone, as he rushed for the door. Lira, still processing the strange turn of events, grabbed her phone and followed closely behind.
Just as Iris stepped outside, he saw Claire, his family, and some neighbors emerging from their homes, all looking equally confused and unsettled.
Earthlings, I am Lunara Astris. Hm... You can say I am responsible for the changes that happened to your world.
The voice boomed again, this time clearer, as if it were coming from the very air itself.
Now, Now, all that is past, isn't it?
A brief pause before the voice continued.
Earthlings, I chose you all to... play a game.
The air grew heavy, the weight of those words settling over the group like a cold mist. Iris could see the same unease mirrored in everyone's eyes, but none of them dared to speak.
The Game itself is simple. I will divide the entire world now. Every village is on its own from now onwards.
The voice finished its proclamation, and before anyone could react, thick black walls began to rise, stretching high into the sky. Mysterious symbols etched in gold pulsed across their surfaces, casting an eerie glow.
Bedwyn, along with every other village, was now encircled by these impenetrable black walls, and the sight sent a shockwave of disbelief through the crowd. Lira, trembling from the intensity of it all, dropped her phone, the screen shattering as it hit the ground.
Iris's brow furrowed in anxious confusion. He didn't know who or what this entity was. He had no understanding of what it meant by a "game" or the significance of these walls. But one thing was certain: this wasn't over.
Despite Lira's phone being destroyed, Iris's focus never wavered. His eyes were locked on the sky above, a gut-churning feeling creeping over him. It was as if something or someone was watching them, peering into their very souls from above.
Now, I suggest that you don't try to break them.
The voice continued, chilling in its calmness.
Since this is a game, there should be opponents, right?
As the voice fell silent, a massive portal-like gate suddenly materialized in the heart of the village. It towered almost a hundred meters high, its swirling energy casting an otherworldly glow over the area.
People around Iris, Lira, and the others couldn't help but blink in disbelief. Some rubbed their eyes, trying to make sense of the impossible scene before them. The walls, the symbols, the towering gate, it all felt surreal. Everything was unfolding so rapidly, too quickly for any of them to fully process.
This portal activates only once a… week, according to your Earthly calendar. Of course, you can walk through it and PLAY once every week. But remember this…
The voice seemed to pause for a moment as if letting the weight of the next words sink in.
This portal also activates in reverse every month. That means others can come here and PLAY with you at that time.
A cold shiver ran down Iris's spine. The implication was clear, this "game" wasn't just something they had to play. They would have to defend against others, too.
Oh, you might be thinking that your playmates are other Earthlings from different villages. But I am telling you that thousands of worlds are playing this game.
The voice echoed with an almost mocking tone, as though anticipating their confusion.
Now, Now, you will still be able to unite with the other Earthlings and win the game in the end. But the chance that I predicted your Earthlings will win this game is less than 1 percent.
A pause was followed by a slight chuckle.
Still, it is not zero percent, and as such, I hope you can bring a certain surprise to me.
The tone shifted, becoming more detached.
Regardless, according to the rules, I need to explain certain things about the game… but I need to tend to my baby now. I hope you can understand the game and its rules by yourself. Just don't get eliminated too quickly… And of course, elimination leads to the destruction of your Earth.
The weight of those words hung in the air as the voice grew quieter.
Now, I will see you at the final stage, Earthlings. Bye bye.
With that, the voice faded, leaving a chilling silence in its wake. The air around the village seemed to pulse with unsettling energy, and Iris, Lira, and the others stood in stunned silence, processing the gravity of what had just been said.
The rules were clear, yet incomprehensible, this was no longer just about survival; it was a game with unimaginable stakes.
"Lira, head inside and lock yourself in the basement. Also, try to call Mum and Dad with my phone."
As the voice faded, Iris shook his head, snapping himself out of the disorienting weight of the moment. He had been preparing for something like this for far too long to be caught off guard.
He placed a firm hand on Lira's shoulder, shaking her gently to snap her out of her daze, and urged her, his voice sharp with urgency.
Lira, still processing the situation, didn't hesitate. She knew they were in grave danger, and staying outside was too risky. Her worry for their parents only added to the urgency, but she didn't falter. She rushed inside, heading for the basement, knowing it was the safest place for now.