Lyn stood there, her survival pack hanging heavy on her back, trying to take in the scene before her. She was no longer alone in the abandoned ruin. In the distance, she could see dozens of people scattered across the vast open space—some standing, others sitting on the cold stone ground. The air felt tense, and as the seconds ticked by, Lyn couldn't shake the feeling that everything was far from normal.
Hundreds of yards away, a group of figures huddled together, murmuring to each other. Some of them had survival packs similar to hers, while others seemed lost or confused. Most wore expressions of uncertainty, their eyes darting nervously from side to side, trying to figure out where they were, what was going on, and what they had just signed up for.
100 players, Lyn thought, her heart still pounding. And this is just the beginning.
She looked down at her watch, the glowing screen pulsing lightly. The game hadn't given her any more information yet, leaving her with more questions than answers. She glanced around for any sign of help, but there was nothing—just the ruins, the shadows, and the distant hum of a loudspeaker system she hadn't noticed before.
Then, suddenly, the loudspeakers crackled to life, the sharp, mechanical voice breaking the silence.
"Attention, all players. You are about to begin your first test. Gather in the center of the arena. The test will begin in five minutes. Fail, and you will be eliminated. Do not try to escape. Any attempts will be punished severely. Proceed with caution."
Lyn froze. The coldness in the voice sent chills through her, but she didn't hesitate. Without any other options, she began walking toward the center, the crowd around her moving with similar urgency.
As she walked, her eyes scanned the faces of the other players. Some looked confident, others terrified, but most shared one common trait—fear. It was all so surreal. What was she even doing here? What kind of test would they face?
Just as she approached the central gathering point, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Lyn turned around, startled, and her heart skipped a beat. There, standing in front of her, was someone she knew all too well.
"Lyn?" his voice was almost a whisper, his expression a mixture of shock and relief. "Lyn, is that really you?"
Lyn blinked, her breath caught in her throat. No, this can't be real. She stared at him, her mind spinning.
"Mark?" she whispered, unable to process what was happening. Her boyfriend, the person she had last seen in the safety of her normal life, was standing here—among the hundred players in the game.
Mark looked equally stunned to see her. He was tall, his dark hair a little messy as if he had just woken up, and his eyes were wide with disbelief. The shock of seeing him in this place, in this insane situation, was almost too much for her to handle.
"What are you doing here?" she blurted out, still struggling to understand how they ended up in the same place. "Why are you—how did you—"
"I don't know!" Mark replied, shaking his head in confusion. "I got the same invitation as you. I thought it was a joke at first, but then… I woke up here." His voice trailed off as he looked around. "This place—it's real. It's all real."
Lyn's mind raced. How could this happen? She hadn't expected to see anyone she knew. It felt like a cruel twist of fate. In a game like this, where survival was the only option, being reunited with someone from her past felt both comforting and terrifying.
Before she could say anything else, the loudspeakers crackled again, louder this time.
"Time's up. All players must be in position. The first test will now begin. No more talking. Prepare yourselves."
The announcement sent a wave of unease through the crowd, and Lyn noticed Mark tense up beside her. The air was thick with uncertainty as everyone took their places, trying to get in line for whatever was coming next.
Lyn and Mark stood side by side, their gazes locked. Neither of them said anything more, but the shared understanding between them was clear: they were in this together now.
The seconds ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. And then, without warning, the ground beneath them trembled. A loud horn blared from somewhere in the distance, followed by a deep voice that echoed through the ruins.
"Welcome to your first test, players. The rules are simple: survive. You will be given ten minutes to gather resources from the area around you. But beware—there are others here who will do anything to survive. You are not alone. The last standing player will win. Good luck."
Lyn's heart stopped as the realization hit her. This wasn't just a survival test. It was a fight. A fight where only one person could win. And as much as she wanted to deny it, she knew that she and Mark were now part of that deadly competition.
The game had just begun, and there was no turning back.