The Empress

The Punishment {14}

The Start

Notification
The forbidden Izeiah's Game that has been banned only 6 years after it was introduced, due to its history of widespread killing, has reportedly officially began in Izeiah's High. The school founded by the Kenshi Clan. The government has now issued a command to arrest students and staffs of Izeiah High as soon as they're identified.

Narrator's Pov

"Nagbabasa ka ba ng mga romance stories? Haha, grabe, Buong gabi akong nagbasa ng storyang All for Love." Sabi ni Riley habang nakatingin kay Izeiah na may ngisi sa mukha.

"I've heard of stories about chocolates." Izeiah whispered. Yesterday, they went to pick up food from Izeiah's Treats, tapos bumalik sila dito dahil pagabi na.

Now, it's already the day after, and it's lunch.

"Makakaya mo bang pumatay dahil sa Love? Si Jaycee, female lead sa All for Love, ang selosa, nakapatay pa dahil kay Gilbert."

"I could kill for chocolates."

"Well, slut naman kasi yung pinagseselosan niya. Akalain mo, mula highschool hanggang college may sugar daddy! Haha, buti nga pinatay eh." Natatawang sabi nito.

"I don't understand." Izeiah was so confused that she started thinking that Riley must be adding new words in her vocabulary. She couldn't take the confusion anymore so her eyes searched for Ivan's figure, but failed.

Then suddenly, tumayo si Riley at tumakbo sa isang direksyon. Leaving Izeiah alone in the table.

"She didn't even explain. How rude"

"Announcement for all students to head to the gymnasium. Announcement for all students to head to the gymnasium."

-Gymnasium-

All students were gathered in the gymnasium by the time Izeiah reached the place. While Ivan has gone MIA

"Students of Izeiah High. I'm sure you've heard of the news, right? Of course, and they're all true. Izeiah's Game will now be played on the grounds of Izeiah High. The day of the full moon will be the day that the Izeiah's Game will be held."

There were suddenly a lot of chattering that the headmaster had to stop talking because even with the microphone, his voice was drowning in the sea of the students. It only stopped when someone shouted QUIET.

"As you all may now know, Izeiah's Game was banned only 6 years after it was introduced. 'Di ko alam kung kailan basta matagal na. You win this game simply by staying alive and everyone is dead, I guess? Reportedly, this game was used to punished the criminals of the criminals. Then whoever survived, they will be set free, their sentence going down to zero. However, legends say that the Emperor of Hell had used it to punished the ones who betrayed his Empress. So in truth, hindi laro ang Izeiah's Game pero punishment talaga."

Pero bakit naging Izeiah's Game?

The Emperor of Hell? His Empress?

"He sat under the fullest moon
with wine as his company.
While the ambitious entertained him
with their dance and blood
For they were, in the end, the enemy
Working from within and in secret
So they must play the game
And so he waited no matter how long
He waited for them to let go bit by bit
Until they fell down the world of insanity
Until they fell down the deepest of hell
As he drank from his cup
Overflowing with red liquid.
The anticipation for the game to end
Grew larger and larger
To see who survived among them
who were too ambitious
Grew larger and larger
And he also waited for her
For his Empress to finally wake up
The only Empress who fell asleep
from their poison and lies
So they must play the game
A game to relieve him
from his boredom and anger"

The headmaster left after reciting the long poem. No one understood, but Izeiah who was just standing there felt her heart throb and her mind hurt.

Poison and lies.

The ambitious.

Insanity.

Game

Dance

Blood.

"What the bloody hell?" She whispered and immediately exit the field as the words uttered by the headmaster keeps echoing in her head. It was causing her pain.

But no matter how far she walked, she still heard what the headmaster said next:

"We will, of course, not hold a full Izeiah's Game in one go that includes all students of Izeiah High. But, there will be six games throughout the year. The participants for each will be chosen fairly. Izeiah High is now closed for enrollment. Students can't get in nor get out of the school grounds. The Tria Fyli will be held accountable for all the deaths, do not worry." Nakangiting sabi ng Headmaster.

No one had expected that the school known as the school for heirs was going to have a death game. Everyone chattered here and there, they didn't stop until eventually, crying could even be heard even shouting.

"Izeiah High had you all signed a paper in which states that the Izeiah's Game is going to be one of its main events. Don't say that we forced you."

Izeiah who stopped walking, suddenly felt someone tapping her shoulder.

"Izeiah?"

"Hullo, Ivan." She weakly said and pouted.

"Why sad?" Izeiah just shrugged her shoulders.

Then they heard the headmaster talk again.

"If you want someone to blame, then please go ahead and point fingers at us. However, the reason for this abrupt major event is because of six people. Not including the traitors. Remember, Izeiah's Game is a punishment. And right now, we're intending to punish the people that caused Izeiah Kenshi's disappearance. Unfortunately, they managed to mix with you people. Wearing same uniform and maybe, going to the same classes. We don't have a choice, but to include you in our punishment. Sorry" Not sorry.

And with that, the headmaster left.

"Izeiah, are you ready?"