Survival /// Beyblade Burst Fanfiction

Chapter 4

After Valt helped Shu to the finish line, words flashed in front of his face.

Xander gained the immunity!

Shu was eliminated!

Valt's friends gawked at Shu. "He was eliminated... But how is he here?" Wakiya demanded. Valt looked down, blushing. "Should I tell them? What do you think, Ken?" Ken nodded. "You should," Besu said.

"Okay then."

"So I asked a Magician how to save a person. He said to touch the faded person, and they would come back. So when Shu was fading, I touched him, and he came back."

"Then why did the game say he was eliminated?" Honcho asked. "I figured although this game is similar, it doesn't follow the exact rules as the games on the news," Valt answered. "It is actually a computer game, but some person took over it to trap us."

"And because it's only a computer game, it can only plan for so many outcomes," Shu added. "So if a person began to fade, I think the game assumes that they have been eliminated," Valt continued. "And because a touch the a faded or fading person revives them, if I touched a eliminated person, I should be able to heal them."

"I don't understand," Xander said. "You're not the Magician, or why would you need to ask? You can't heal people."

"It's the same reason," Valt told him. "The game can only plan for so many outcomes. I assume a Flicker cannot touch a eliminated person. The reason is because only a Magician can touch ghosts. But Shu hadn't fully turned into a ghost, so I was able to touch him and heal him."

Ren Wu laughed dryly. "I have to admit that's smart."

That night, Valt went to sleep feeling proud of himself.

But it didn't occur to him that the game might have done something else.

In the morning, Valt raced to the main room.

He was surprised that Shu wasn't there. I thought... Is Shu alright?

"I don't think he's dead," Xander murmured kindly. "Maybe he's around here but can't enter the main room because he's not ghost nor alive." "Did the Assassin kill him?" Valt asked fearfully. "Relax," Xander said. "The Assassin can't target Shu because he's not actually in the game, by its rules, even though he's fine." "That's awesome. I'm glad he's alright."

"Yes," Xander answered. "But perhaps with no care, he may not be able to survive."

Valt's phone pinged.

Game Chat

Server: Intermission stage!

Server: Take a drink of water then return.

Suddenly, Valt found himself staring at his computer screen. He tried to exit his room, but the door remained shut. He turned on his phone.

>Shu

Shu, are you there?: Valt

Shu: Yes

Come to my house, my room, ASAP :Valt

Shu: Coming over.

Minutes later, the doorbell rung. Valt could hear Shu entering.

Shu opened the door. Valt was startled by how weak he looked. "Come in. You're not in the game anymore," Valt said. "You should be able to rest."

His friend shook his head. "I play as the in between. I can see ghosts and talk to them and you too, but cannot join you," he said sadly. Shu lay down on Valt's bed an closed his eyes. He became limp and his fists tightened.

Poor Shu... I can't help him... just don't die, please!

Valt drank a cup of water and turned back to his computer, only to be yanked back into the game of Survival.

Only Ken and Shu were there. The others seemed to be savoring their time free from the game's clutches.

Ken had a terrified expression on, while Shu was just sitting hunched by the side. He flickered like a ghost, but Valt could still touch him.

I won't understand fully how he is still here, but at least he is.

"Hey," he said to Ken. "Why are you scared?" Ken seemed to understand it was a concerned question, not a snarky remark. He shuddered. "It's just that... ever since you said this was a normal game and someone was controlling us, I just felt really creeped out and annoyed. For all we know, they could be sending people to kill the dead or at least take them away while they are eliminated and bring them back if the rejoin. It's just so sad."

Valt threw his arms around Ken. "Don't worry, Ken. I'll make sure we'll get out." Ken sniffled. "Thanks, Valt. You're the best friend ever." "You're welcome," Valt said.

More people were appearing. Xander, Ukyo, and Ren Wu appeared one after the other. Honcho and Daigo were next. Wakiya came last.

I miss the real world so much, Valt thought wistfully. I guess they do too.

The next few days passed in a blur. Ren Wu was killed (again), while Wakiya was eliminated on a challenge.

But the real reason they passed in a blur was because Shu was fading. Valt worried about his friend. He had the visibility of a near-ghost now, but what frightened Valt the most was that he could only feel coolness when he touched Shu now, like a hand in water.

Valt knew only a few people could help his friend. But he didn't dare ask. He didn't know who could be trusted, who would betray him, who was working with the Assassin, who was the Assassin. 

So the next day, Shu was gone.