“Rox… Or should I call you Virtual Pigeon now? Is the spotlight ready?” As I disembarked the grand cruise vessel, my feet touched the rugged surface of the prison island, just beyond the towering walls. A chilling symphony of chaos, pain, and war reverberated from the outside world, seeping through the air like a venomous mist. Each scream was a jarring chord, a testament to the turmoil that lay beyond those imposing barriers.
“Wicked Luna, Phantom, and Shadow are all in position. We made countless detours, but as always, it will end up with what you expected. It’s pointless to overthink” The robotic figure behind me, Rox, replied. “This would be the first step in our never-ending journey.”
I gazed beyond the wall and chuckled, “Before us lies a massive Schrodinger’s box, a cosmic puzzle where mysteries dance. With each step I take, a ripple of anticipation courses through my veins, igniting a spark of exhilaration within. Yet, I am mindful that until the unwanted variables are banished, the path to success remains elusive.”
“And as I thought, failures aren’t in your vocabulary. You’re the most well-known nemesis of the believers of Finality and Disorder for that reason… and also the followers of Ambivalence. Your existence surpasses natural occurrences. They dance between order and chaos, failure lost in the void… And you’re the force beyond comprehension, a beacon for those who embrace chaos.”
“You always treat me highly devilish, Virtual Pigeon,” I sighed and smirked. “The polar opposites, yin and yang, the innocent and the well-versed, from innocence to wisdom, a mirror's embrace, I find my true space. I suppose this will be the second time I will see myself without looking at a reflection. This script is a ploy to turn the world upside down… my infamous death.”
“The banishment of a big shot will escalate across words exponentially. The traces of Entropy will completely wipe out on paper. Just like how Gods manipulate the universe, you’ll soon be able to control the strings behind the curtains.”
“No one believes in the propagator of Entropy. I suppose even her other fellows and her apostle want to kill her. I wouldn’t be borrowing someone else’s ability if she provided me with something I could freely use. I don’t regret disrespecting her.”
“If you offended her, there’s a chance you’re not here. But still… I’m glad that you took care of me. Even when the gods are awake, I will always swear my loyalty to you. After all, I can see the real you hidden from everyone’s eyes. If not for you, I would be encaged in confinement.”
I scratched my head and replied, “I suppose you’re not saying that while playing video games behind my back.”
“I–I don’t! I swear!” Virtual Pigeon stuttered.
At the peak of the moment, a person yawned from behind. She had blue hair with a ponytail, a maiden face, 5'11" in height, and currently a pale red face. Her outfit is currently a thick and revealing two-piece swimsuit. As she drunk-walked out of the compartments, she waved a bear and followed me.
“Good morning, Noir. Another day of your work avoidance?” I murmured.
“Nebula-sama… Should I set out now?” “There are… too many ugly people inside. It stinks.”
“Don’t tell us that when we’re nearly finished! Also, you reek of alcohol,” Virtual Pigeon scolded.
“Oho!” I laughed easily. “I don’t mind having Virtual Pigeon clean every corner of the cruise for your vomits. You find men on every edge of the world and suck their sticks, and you’re staying strong. You also wouldn’t mind if we sailed for months in the ocean. I know you like that!”
Noir’s face puffed. She ran towards the railings and vomited on the ocean. “Please… don’t, Nebula-sama.”
“Don’t approach me with your stinky breath. In my freedom years, my age is still five years old. I could sue you any time of child abuse,” I said and sighed. “I suppose it’s the right move to shift you out of plans. However, I’m not serious enough to punish every frame of failure you expose,” I replied as a joke. “It’s your job to be serious for me. You know it, right?”
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Noir stood straight and shouted, “Nebula-sama! I would always help you if you needed it!”
“Sorry to disappoint you, I never needed one,” I replied. As Noir’s face puffed again, she continued vomiting.
“Nebula-sama, I got news from Phantom that their connection to Wicked Luna has been leaked. Would it be possible that Guinelle spilled the information accidentally? As to how she treats you, she may be too careful that she didn’t notice she’s being careless. She might have mistakenly called Quimora something she shouldn’t have said.”
“Do you know why I put the three beyond the walls just to stand?” I grinned with my eyes wide open and exclaimed, “After all, I’m looking for a person who is strong enough to kill Quimora! Oh, bless me, Roze! I suppose I would die of excitement!”
***
Within the twisting, rat-infested tunnel, where insects swarmed and molds clung to the walls, Macy embarked on a perilous journey. Their crawls echoed in the dank air as shadows danced with the dancing light of her forehead. Quimora followed close behind, their eyes darting, ever vigilant for dangers lurking in the darkness.
“Quimora, are you alright?” Macy asked while covering her mouth to avoid insects coming inside. “I’m sorry that you’re going through this.”
“I–It’s fine… I’m alright, Macy. I suppose insects wouldn’t hurt us if we’re careful.”
“It’s rare for a girl like you not to be picky. Don’t worry, we’re nearly out of this. We’re lucky that my tracking is working again.”
Emerging from the tunnel, they stepped out of the prison's confines, leaving chaos behind. Insects clung to their bodies, which they vigorously shook off. The faint echoes of screams and explosions reached their ears, but they stood in a sanctuary of safety. Amid the pandemonium, Quimora's senses prickled with recognition. A sense of familiarity washed over her as she gazed upon the clandestine haven they had stumbled upon.
“Macy, I suppose we should go this way,” Quimora suggested as she walked before Macy.
“Right. This is also where my tracking pulls us to.”
Amidst the surreal landscape, their journey culminated at a broken bridge, a relic of a forgotten era. This bridge was the solitary passage to an isolated island, seemingly ensnared by an imposing wall adorned with a mysterious ladder. The ladder offered a glimmer of hope, a potential means of escape from this formidable barrier.
“What is this place, Quimora?” Macy asked.
“Hera said that it will guide our footsteps through the labyrinth of desolation, illuminating the path forward.”
“An escape path? But no one’s here, except that paranoid man from before.”
Yet, their path was obstructed by a cloaked figure standing in the heart of the island, amidst a crimson sea of blood that stained the water's surface. The atmosphere was pregnant with tension as if fate itself hung in the balance. The two hid behind the bridge as they heard his complaints.
“How can those gorillas evolve? Five seconds shouldn’t be noticeable. Did Miss Suppose plan this part? Whatever! Their punches are jocularly paper-thin like I’m whipped with spaghetti and chili sauce.”
A cold, hefty hand descended upon Macy's shoulder from behind, sending a jolt of icy terror down her spine. The blood in her veins turned to ice, and her throat constricted, ready to unleash a soul-piercing scream. But an unyielding force within her held it back, imprisoning the loudness in her trembling chest.
“Ngiek!” Macy squealed silently. “Gelly! Why are you here!? You looked like a pinched can.”
Mustering every ounce of courage, Macy slowly turned her head, expecting the worst. What met her eyes was a sight that would forever haunt her dreams - a formidable woman, her muscles bulging like coils of steel, stood towering before her. Her face, contorted in a mask of unbridled fury, spoke volumes even without words.
The man noticed the vibrations from Quimora’s place, feeling a threatening urge to kill. “Argh! Another gorilla escaped? Don’t fork with me, Kong.”
Gelly stood up, clicked her fingers, and replied, “Oh, comparing me to a gorilla? How flattering! I must say, gorillas are quite intelligent and majestic creatures. I appreciate the compliment, but I have to admit, I'm a bit more sophisticated than your average primate… unlike those weaklings.” She said as she looked at Quimora, but didn’t mention that the two prisoners were hiding.
Phantom laughed, “Hmph! You just got lucky earlier; I’m surprised. No gorilla could beat a genius like me. You’re nothing but a cold-melted rod.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Gelly muttered, "Nah, that's not my style. Jealous? Keep trying, honey. Maybe the luck fairies will bless you next time." And with a flourish, she leaped off the bridge, landing gracefully on the island before Phantom. Together, they embarked on their journey, their steps echoing like the soundtrack of a thrilling final boss match.
Macy's gaze lingered upon the mystical ladder in the wall, an enigmatic force tugging at her brow. The air shimmered with anticipation as she pondered the question, "Now, how can we escape?"