earn Till Death

chapter 7: "earn the battle royale"

The Black Shark's rotors roared as the helicopter approached the drop zone, shrouded in the dark of night. Kaoru stood at the open door, heart pounding as the green light signaled his jump. With a leap, he descended into the abyss, a silent and solitary figure against the moonlit sky.

Kaoru: (inner thoughts) Here we go.

The parachute billowed open, slowing his descent, and he soon landed softly in an unknown forest. Hidden amidst the underbrush, he knew his battle for survival had truly begun.

The narrative shifted to the past, where Kaoru, escorted by two guards, entered a cavernous chamber filled with rows of chairs. Each seat held a prisoner, their faces a mix of fear and hostility. Among them, Kaoru recognized Ryo.

Kaoru: (inner thoughts) This is it... the final trial.

The prisoners took their seats, and a stern instructor entered the room, seizing control of the situation.

Instructor: (with authority) "Listen up, all of you! You are nothing more than rats in this grand experiment, and I expect you to act like it!"

In unison, the prisoners rose, answering with a collective, "Yes, sir!" Only Kaoru remained seated, unaware of the ritual's significance, yet a chilling gaze from the instructor lingered on him.

Instructor: (with an edge) "Now, you might be wondering why you should even care about the fate of the world. After all, this place has taught you to be selfish, ruthless, and indifferent to the suffering of others. But let me be clear: your survival in this battle is the only hope you have left."

With cold authority, the instructor began to explain the purpose of their gathering.

Instructor: (firmly) "You have been summoned for a single, brutal purpose-a test of survival that will determine your fate. In this final challenge, nearly a hundred of you will be pitted against each other."

The instructor went on to outline the dire consequences that awaited those who refused to participate-a merciless de-extinction bomb poised to obliterate entire ecosystems, transforming their world into a barren wasteland of desperation and despair.

Instructor: (grimly) "For the next week, you will adapt, scrounge, and fight for your very existence. Resources will be scarce, alliances fleeting, and conflicts inevitable. But one thing is certain: when the dust settles, only the fittest will remain."

The prisoners understood that their situation was bleak, their actions in the coming days the sole determinants of their fates.

Instructor: (resolutely) "By the end of this ordeal, some of you may earn your place as Loyal citizens, while the rest will fade into obscurity. Make no mistake; your past deeds, your cunning, and your will to survive will be your only allies. As the world around you crumbles, you must rise to the challenge."

The gravity of the task they faced was clear. Every decision, every moment, would shape their destinies. As the instructor concluded, their collective resolve grew stronger.

Instructor: (final words) "In just one week, you will either emerge from this crucible a Loyal citizen or become a footnote in history. The choice is yours, prisoners. The decision to stand and fight or to wither away in the face of impending doom lies within each of you."

With these last words, the instructor's speech came to an end, leaving the room filled with a heavy silence. Each prisoner wrestled with the weight of their predicament, knowing that the path ahead was treacherous, uncertain, and unforgiving.