Chapter 10
Ryker
As I emerged from the portal, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. I found myself still standing next to Amy, but we were in a much smaller space that was vastly different from the last. We were standing in the middle of a courtyard that appeared to be something straight out of 15th-century Japan. We were surrounded by tall stone walls, and there was definitely a dojo! I had seen all the '80s karate movies... I was definitely about to learn how to wax on... is that a... yup, a bonsai tree.
Looking around, I could clearly see that was all the old school we were going to get. Lining one wall of the compound was alien tech that I couldn’t make heads or tails of. There were multiple racks of what I think are weapons? In one corner, I could see something that reminded me of the giant fish tanks I used to love to stare at when we went to my dad's favorite sporting goods stores. I could swear I saw something darting around the dark liquid.
While still trying to figure out what we got ourselves into, others started to materialize in the same courtyard. After a few moments, there were 10 of us in a circle facing the center. Suddenly there was a bright flash and a puff of smoke, and standing before us, striking a dramatic pose, was Ruby in a white silk kimono with pitch-black stitching and a dragon embroidered on the back. Her hair was pulled up into a tight knot and held together with two long pins. She was covering her face with a fan the same color as her red skin.
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Looking over the top of her fan, she gazed directly into my eyes and then batted her lashes. In a low, breathy voice, she said, “I would like to personally congratulate all of you for being a part of the 241,191,951 to make the decision to fight. You all will be putting your lives on the line to grow beyond your earthly limitations, and I am here to make that dream a reality.”
“Welcome to sim 021914, the place you find yourself in is one of roughly 24 million identical training simulations that I have developed from observing the best video documentaries of your time. For the duration of your two year voyage to the Pyramid, you all will work hard to improve your capabilities to the point you have a chance to survive past your first days of the games. Past that, you will be on your own, and Mama Ruby won't be there to save you. We have much to do and little time to do it, so if anyone has a question, now is the time to ask it.” Three out of our ten started asking questions at the same time, and Ruby doubled over laughing and said, “I just got asked 72,357,585 questions in a 1.34-second time period. That is hilarious.” She stood up tall, started shaking out her hands, and bouncing on the balls of her feet and said, “Ok, ok, ok, I'm really ready this time! What are your questions?”