Celestia

Chapter 2: The Forsaken Isle

Damon awoke in a disoriented haze, the unfamiliar surroundings of dense forest disconcerting. A surge of anger and confusion swept over him as the reality of his situation sank in. He felt the weight of betrayal, questioning whether the letter and his foster father were part of a malicious scheme. His gaze swept from left to right, revealing only endless foliage.

Frustration built within him, mirroring the cascade of memories recounting his woeful life — the tragic loss of his parents in a blazing inferno, his tumultuous existence with a foster family that harbored only disdain, the absence of friends, and an overarching sense of isolation. Tears welled in his eyes as he grieved the futility of it all.

His eyes fell upon coconuts dangling from the trees above. Despite his lack of athleticism, desperation propelled him to attempt climbing. The endeavor, however, ended abruptly as he crashed to the ground, the pain serving as a cruel reminder of his physical shortcomings.

As Damon lay on the forest floor, his thoughts plunged into despair. In a moment of overwhelming darkness, he fashioned a makeshift weapon from a bamboo shoot, contemplating the unthinkable. The sharp point pressed against his neck as he contemplated ending the suffering that defined his existence.

Suddenly, a robotic voice echoed across the island, shattering the oppressive silence. The voice introduced Damon to Celestia, a place of dreams and nightmares. The promised path to a better future now unveiled a sinister twist — survival at the cost of bloodshed.

The voice continued its eerie proclamation, instructing each participant to kill or be killed. Damon's makeshift weapon clattered to the ground as he grappled with the moral weight of ending others' lives. The chilling reality left him nauseated, questioning the depths humanity could descend.

"Ding, ding" — a sinister sound that marked the initiation of a gruesome game. The robotic voice celebrated the first kill, casting a shadow over the forsaken island. On a screen, Damon witnessed the death toll rapidly rising. The inhumanity overwhelmed him, and he vomited, unable to comprehend the cruelty unfolding.

The sharp bamboo, once intended as a tool of self-destruction, was hung on a tree — a solemn vow never to wield it. Amidst the turmoil, a bloodied man with a spear emerged. Desperation etched on his face, the man declared his intent to survive, even if it meant killing.

A pursuit ensued, with Damon fleeing from the bloodied pursuer. Gasping for breath, Damon's thoughts raced. He observed the age of his pursuer, speculating on the island's diverse inhabitants. The realization struck that everyone was scattered — a deserted island, a canvas for this macabre game.

Exhausted and cornered, Damon faced the imminent threat of the spear-wielding man. In an act of defiance, he lifted his hand, closed his eyes, and beckoned death. As he uttered the words, "COME ON THEN, KILL MEEEEEEEE!" everything froze. The wind, the animals, and even the man before him were suspended in time.

Damon found himself in a surreal pause, questioning whether this was an afterlife. The man, bewildered, veered off Damon's path. As time resumed, Damon sprinted, leaving the man hurtling toward a sharpened bamboo stick. In a tragic collision, the man's neck met the unforgiving point, sealing his fate.

His dying words lingered — an apology to his family. Damon stood there, the realization washing over him. His ability to stop time had altered the course of a life, and the ominous toll of "ding, ding" announced 44 lives extinguished. In the heart of Celestia, Damon grappled not only with the burden of survival but also with the profound impact of his newfound power on the unfolding tragedy of the forsaken isle.