Margana: To Seek The Truth

12. The Call of "They"

New day, new trial. That's my new life here I guess. The moment I woke up, I went over to find Lino on the little hammock over the small tree formations. He wasn't there, so I assume that he was awake already. A familiar looking portal appeared right at the center of the shore. It's time to advance to the next activity of this thing. I didn't want to go alone, two brains are better than one, usually. I approached the gate, and I saw Lino coming from the east. He explained to me that he was out looking around the beach earlier this morning and he just found the light of the portal from a distance so he came over here.

I asked him if he was ready and Lino simply smiled at me, I'll take that as a yes. We went through the portal again and ended up in front of a huge tower, seemingly a skyscraper. It's like it came out of a fantasy book of a princess getting stuck in a tower. There were 4 more people with us, but we didn't bother talking to them. Who knows if they'd bring more harm than good. We've been here for quite some time already, wondering what's taking so long.

As time passed by, 4 more people joined us in front of the tower. There's a moat filled with acid, we had to wait for some kind of bridge to come down. Could the boss be waiting for more contestants? The ground suddenly shaked for a few seconds, and as I thought, a bridge made of steel came down. Holographic arrows flashes on the ground pointing towards the castle, everyone else headed inside so Lino and I followed them. The castle had the most beautiful floral interior I've ever seen, it was mesmerizing! A woman who looked like a maid came through the door in front of us and asked us to follow her. There wasn't any choice so we went through the door that the maid went through.

We arrived in some ballroom, it looked beautiful beyond imagination! The grand door on the other side of the room opened and went through some kind of prince. He maxed out his charisma, I'm sure of that.

Moments later, he struck his staff against the ground saying, "New contenders... How exciting. What kind of entertainment will all of you deliver? Now, please check your wrist bands to check who you're paired with."

I had a red bracelet thing, and... Lino had a blue one. This could be good or bad for us. I'm not sure, it depends on the game. I hope that we'll come out of this thing alive and in one piece,

"Perfect, all of you are now aware of your colors. I present to you the doorway of activities. Please move onto the door of your corresponding color."

I got in line, I was paired with a girl who was a little bit like me, around the same age. We look like we could get along but I had a feeling I'd have to sacrifice her for my own life. This game doesn't look too promising, I wonder what it could be. I'd hate to give someone's life for my own but, between my own survival and one of a person I have never met before, I'd choose mine. To some extent, I think that this girl is thinking the same, her eyes say everything.

"Now, now. Chatter here, chatter there. Some silence would be appreciated and beneficial for us all, right? Beautiful! The room is now... Hushed. Let me introduce myself, I am 'They', the overseer of this fine tower. Only a few general rules, you must survive. Further instructions will be given in your respective rooms by my trusted maids. Enjoy your fun while you can, I will be watching." Just like that, he disappeared.

The door before us had opened up, so I quickly went inside. I saw a chess board, but not just any random one. It was huge! The chess pieces were bigger than me. But, the spot of the king and the queen were empty. Could it be...? We're playing as the king... and the queen? It was a hologram version of us. We'd control all of the pieces. Since these things are so big, a piece gets me— I'll be crushed into pieces. Just with that thought, my goal is to destroy her and... take this girl's life.