The lady led them down a glass-walled corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly. The floor beneath their feet gleamed, and the walls were illuminated with soft, ambient light, giving the space a futuristic glow. At the end of the corridor, a circular platform was embedded in the floor, its edges outlined with faint, pulsing blue light.
The woman stepped onto the circle without hesitation and turned to face them. "Step on," she said briskly, motioning for them to join her.
Liam exchanged a quick glance with Sophia, who shrugged before stepping forward. The others followed, one by one, until they were all standing on the platform.
Suddenly, a metal handle shot up from the center, making a sharp hiss as it locked into place. "You might want to hold on," the woman advised with a sly smile.
"What the hell is this?" Marcus muttered, gripping the handle instinctively.
The moment they all grabbed on, the ground beneath the circle split open with a loud groan. The platform dropped, plunging them into darkness as they hurtled downward.
"Shit! What the fuck?!" Liam yelled, his voice lost in the echoes of their collective screams.
"Fuckkk!" Marcus shouted, his knuckles white as he clung to the handle. "You guys didn't bring us here to kill us, right?!"
The descent lasted for what felt like an eternity, but after five grueling minutes, the platform came to an abrupt stop with a mechanical hiss. The group staggered as the vibrations subsided, their breathing heavy.
They were now deep underground. The air was cooler, and the room they found themselves in was vast, dimly lit, and filled with an ominous hum of machinery.
Liam, his heart still racing, broke the silence. "I thought this was just a game?"
The woman turned to him, arching a brow. "Didn't you hear what I've been telling you since the beginning?" she said, scoffing. "This game isn't just a game—it's the future of everything."
Without waiting for a response, she strode forward, gesturing for them to follow. Reluctantly, they did, their eyes darting around the cavernous space. At the center of the room, illuminated by a ring of overhead lights, stood a series of massive gaming capsules. Each was sleek, black, and rounded, with glowing interfaces on their sides.
"What the hell…" Marcus whispered, his green eyes wide.
Jason's face broke into an excited grin. He rubbed his hands together and stepped forward, marveling at the machinery. "This is insane," he said, his voice brimming with excitement. "I mean, the game wouldn't feel real if the capsules weren't this grand, right? What do you guys think?"
Before anyone could answer, Jason turned to the woman. "When do we start?" he asked eagerly, clearly ready to dive in.
Marcus scowled. "Excuse me? We didn't agree to anything yet. You can't just make decisions for the rest of us."
Jason turned back to him, folding his arms across his chest. "I'm sorry, but if any of you want to miss out on something this big, then go ahead—quit and fuck off now." His voice was sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Imagine the fame we'll have if this works. We'll be the first players. That's history."
Sophia crossed her arms below her chest, her blue eyes narrowing. "And what if it doesn't work?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Jason waved her off with a cocky grin. "If it doesn't work, we still collect a million dollars each and fuck off. You all already know that. We're not losing here, Sophia. This is a lifetime offer, you fuckers—bring your heads around."
The group eventually agreed with Jason, albeit reluctantly. The pretty woman clapped her hands, clearly pleased with their decision. "Excellent. Now, before we proceed, you'll need to change into the appropriate attire," she instructed, gesturing to a row of doors along the far wall.
Marcus frowned, his arms crossed. "Why the hell do we need to change? We're just playing a game, right?"
The woman sighed, as though explaining to a group of children. "Your physical appearance will reflect in the game, and these outfits are designed to help you blend in seamlessly. Trust me, you'll thank me later."
Grudgingly, the group dispersed, each entering a separate dressing room.
When Liam stepped into his room, he was greeted by an outfit draped neatly over a bench. The clothing resembled the attire of an ancient warrior: a fitted, soft tunic that clung to his frame, accentuating his athletic build. The fabric was thin but sturdy, with intricate stitching running along the edges. A wide leather belt sat snugly around his waist, and the pants were dark and flexible, perfect for movement. The boots were knee-high, made of polished brown leather, and reinforced with metal at the toes and heels.
After dressing, Liam caught his reflection in the full-length mirror. His sun-kissed skin contrasted sharply with the dark fabric of the outfit, and the soft tunic highlighted the definition of his muscles. The leather belt added an air of ruggedness, and his sharp jawline and piercing eyes made him look like a hero straight out of legend. He couldn't help but smirk at how striking he looked.
When he stepped out of the dressing room, Marcus and Jason were already waiting.
Marcus wore an outfit similar to Liam's but with thicker padding on the shoulders and chest, emphasizing his broad, muscular frame. His dark brown hair was tousled, and his green eyes scanned the room impatiently.
Jason, on the other hand, was dressed in a lighter version of the same outfit, his wiry frame making the tunic look less imposing. He was adjusting the gloves that came with his attire, his hazel eyes alight with excitement.
"Finally," Marcus grumbled as Liam joined them.
Moments later, Eleanor stepped out. She was dressed in a sleek, tactical outfit that hugged her slender frame. The black, fitted fabric was interspersed with subtle metallic details, and her short black hair and sharp gray eyes gave her an air of quiet authority. She looked every bit like the experienced protector she was.
The final door opened, and Sophia stepped out.
The room fell silent. Sophia was stunning in a tight-fitting ensemble that hugged every curve of her figure. The dark fabric shimmered faintly under the light, emphasizing her toned legs and curvy silhouette. Her combat boots were sleek and sturdy, laced up to her knees, and her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her vibrant blue eyes.
Jason's eyes widened, his gaze glued greedily to her figure. "Well, damn," he said with a low whistle. "You definitely win best dressed, Sophia."
Sophia rolled her eyes, brushing off his comment, but a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Liam smirked, watching the interaction, while Marcus crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath.
The group was ready.