[DELEGATES REMAINING: 192]
The alarm over the loudspeakers announces that morning has arrived. An announcer tells us to make our way to the auditorium immediately. To make sure I don’t get reprimanded or eliminated, I once again put on the same clothes I’ve been wearing for the past couple of days and head out to my destination. When I walk inside, I find myself to be all alone. I guess the others think that since they are delegates, they are somehow immune to the rules. Those who witnessed the execution of their fellow delegates should’ve been here out of pure fear! I take a seat and decide to get some more rest in. After about a half hour, I start to hear some delegates enter into the theater. While I may have been the first one here, I know that there are others that are taking this seriously as well; they will be my biggest threat. Due to the dim lighting, I wasn’t able to catch a glimpse of any of their faces. On second thought, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have sat all the way in the back row. As minute by minute passed, more delegates entered and took their seats. After what was most likely 15 minutes, the announcer came back on to give a final warning by invoking sudden elimination to those not present. That sure brought the remaining delegates running for their lives before the doors closed behind them. After everyone was settled, the spotlights focused on the front stage as a mysterious figure walked to the podium. All eyes were focused upon the lonesome man in black as he tapped on the microphone to ensure it was working. Everyone went dead silent as the man started to speak:
“Good morning, delegates. To make sure the tournament moves efficiently, we will be giving you a breakdown of how things will work around here. On the 1st day of every week, the fights will be conducted. Anyone suspected of and caught killing outside of the arena will be instantly eliminated. The fights are supposed to be entertaining and a spectacle for showing off your fighting prowess in front of the world. The rest of the week is given to you for rest, recovery, training, or whatever your heart so pleases. Food will be provided at 0800 and 1600 hours. It will only be allowed for an hour so make sure you’re present. In addition, your medical staff will be on-call 24/7 for around the clock care. Lights out is at 2300 hours. Anyone not in their room by lockdown without explicit permission will be eliminated. You can contact your medical staff by using the phone in your room. Finally, no one will be able to leave until the tournament has concluded. Welcome to your new home.”
Murmurs emerged from the audience as his words echoed through the chamber. Did they actually think that they would be able to roam around freely during this whole thing? We’re just prisoners with a formal title.
“Now then, before we decide the first round match-ups, let us head to the mess hall, then get you all attire that perfectly matches your style as a God delegate.”
And with a clap of his hands, the auditorium doors opened, and we were led to the mess hall. Something feels very off about this guy and what he said, but I don’t know what!
■ ■ ■
The mess hall had a large assortment of food from all seasons and regions. I mean, we are God delegates, and we are battling to the death; it’s the least they can do. Since the first round doesn’t start for a while, I decide to try and eat just enough to gain energy, but not feel sluggish. A lot of the other delegates are gorging themselves on the buffet of plenty. Knowing how this place already works, I have a feeling of uneasiness. Why didn’t they announce the time of the first match? Shouldn't that be a top priority when announcing the structure of the tournament? Is it to give us a false sense of security, or did they just forget to announce it? Maybe they plan on switching it up on all of us?
MERCEDES VIDA HAS SUCCESSFULLY ENTERED THE SPIRAL OF DOUBT
Hold on! Get a grip on yourself, Mercedes. Now is not the time to start overthinking. Go back and start looking for something that might give us some information. Upon further observation, I saw a small number of delegates were doing the same thing in regard to portion control. I decided to look around the mess hall to see if I was missing anything. With each passing second, my anxiety increased. I couldn’t help but bounce my leg and fidget with food. While I kept messing with my food, something suddenly caught my eye...As I pushed the remnants of my breakfast to the edge of the plate, I took a good look at the design printed on the tableware: Flux Industries - Time Sure Flies by ®. From the multiple timers to the slogan itself, my gut feeling knows that there is something very off-key about the design choice… … …! I immediately look around the room to find a clock. Above the buffet table lies a small analog one. The time was set to 4:45PM. The first round will start in half-an-hour!
“Judging by the look on your face, it seems you’ve figured it out too.”
“Ah!” The sudden appearance of another delegate talking to me out of the blue completely scared me.
“Quiet down, baby girl. You wouldn’t want to alert those who are unworthy.”
Baby girl?! Who does this delegate think they are…oh shit…okay, was definitely not expecting…this? Why was he selected for the tournament? And by who? And why is he lowkey kind of cute?
“Hehe…” Why am I giggling? Now I’m blushing? Stop it, Mercedes! Get a grip!
“Uh, hello? Is there anybody there? Hello?? Oh, hey! You’re finally back. You dosed right off after you saw my face. Did I have crumbs on my face? Maybe the ol’ spinach in the teeth, hmm?”
“Ahhh, never mind all of that. I only started daydreaming because of the message on the plate!” What am I doing?? Why am I getting so flustered?
“Don’t worry. I completely understand. I was the same way about 10 minutes ago, minus the blushing.”
“W-W-What did you come here for? If it’s information, I’ve got nothing else.”
“I didn’t come here looking for info, I’ve got all I need. I just wanted to strike up an interesting conversation with a beautiful lone wolf eating a small meal. Maybe find an ally in this hell hole. Someone to talk to. A friend if you must.”
“I don’t need any ‘friends’ down here. I just want to win and survive.”
“That's what everyone wants down here. With no access to entertainment, or even sunlight for that matter, having someone you can trust is essential, unless you want to be a victim to...The Spiral.”
“You also know about The Spiral?”
“Shh. Remember: not too loud. The best way to fight it off is with socialization. Keeps the mind busy, numb, and at-bay. Before I continue blabbing anymore, let me introduce myself: I am Juno Neos Archer, delegate of Dragoncast.”
“...”
“Come on, I’m not that intimidating, right?”
“Lady Mercedes Vida: delegate for Plutronics Unlimited. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Ah, another member of the Magnum Decum, the pleasure is all mine. I hope to become good friends with you.”
“...Likewise.”
“Now then, ‘breakfast’ is going to be ending momentarily, to which they will be directing us to the wardrobes. Shall we?”
I nodded, and the both of us moved to the front door of the mess hall. Once breakfast had ended, the doors opened back up and we were directed to the wardrobes, just as Juno stated.
■ ■ ■
With only fifteen minutes to finalize our designs, it became rather difficult to choose from the plethora of clothing. I want both comfort during combat, but something that is true to my being. Wait! I hope this one fits. This is it! My final decision was as such: knee-high, leather boots, a miniskirt with tights underneath, and a long-sleeve shirt, all in black I might add. I finished off the look with multiple leather straps around my arms, body, and legs, just for good measure. A voice over the intercom instructed us back into the auditorium. After all of the newly dressed delegates sat down, the estranged gentleman from earlier took back to the state to announce the matchups for the evening, or so I thought. If it wasn’t for that clue in the mess hall, it would’ve been game over for me.
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“Welcome back, delegates. Hope the food was to your liking. Now then, let us decide the round one matchup!”
And with a pull of a lever, similar to that of a slot machine, the golden flip board behind the man sprang to life. Numbers, letters, symbols; all flipping and stopping at their designated spots. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last letter flipped into position, revealing the First round to all.
“I present to you, the bracket for the Tournament of the Gods! Delegates will report to the arena at once!”
The crowd was confused, except for those who cracked the code. As the doors opened, they became angry, shouting about how it was still morning. The delegates who knew about the time change started to head down to the arena. Do I stay with the majority, or do I head down the hall and prepare for the inevitable? Before I made the decision, a sudden grip to my shoulder jerked me out of my thoughts.
“Don’t tell me you were thinking this little revolution was going to stop the tournament? Now, if I were you, I would follow this smart and charming fellow and make sure nothing deadly happens. I wouldn’t want to risk Instant Elimination for non-compliance, hmmm?”
Juno was right. The last thing I need to worry about is getting killed due to the ignorance of the many. As I started to head down the hall, Juno immediately took hold of my wrist and started to sprint, to which I followed. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I started to get nervous. Hearing several gunshots, followed by the blood-curdling screams of abject terror down the hall didn’t help in the slightest.
MERCEDES VIDA HAS SUCCESSFULLY ENTERED THE SPIRAL OF ANXIETY
“Now, Mercedes, I know that your heart tends to race when I’m around you, but I need to calm down and listen to me: at this current rate, you’re going to continue down The Spiral!”
MERCEDES VIDA HAS SUCCESSFULLY ENTERED THE SPIRAL OF PANIC
The clock is ticking, and my heart is bursting through my chest. I’m crying with tears are pouring down my face. I try to stop it, but The Spiral still remains. His voice resides inside my head, but still, it cannot break. In a moment of desperation, Juno started to sing in an effort to break The Spiral's grip. His voice was a calming presence in the midst of death and despair. With every lyric he sings, The Spiral loosens its grip, causing me to become drowsy as a result. As The Spiral left, I passed out soon after.
■ ■ ■
[DELEGATES REMAINING: 192 → 186]
“Are you feeling better, Mercedes?”
“Well, I’m not spiraling anymore.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“...”
“...”
“Come on, now. I told you that if you’re going to survive this competition, you’re going to need to trust me.”
“And why should I, huh? isn’t the whole point of this tournament not to make friends? You’ll either see them die gruesomely or be forced to kill them some time or later.” I said with lament.
“Look, I completely understand what you are saying. I won’t deny it: there is going to be a lot of death in this tournament, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Death is something everyone will have to face. In our ‘unique’ situation, I believe it would be such an honor to die at the hands of a friend, especially if it would be at your hand.”
“Heh, you think it would be some sort of merciful blessing to be killed by your friend? You really do live in a fantasy. What kind of person romanticizes how they’ll die?”
“You may call it being delusional, I call it keeping busy. I don’t care how I did, but I refuse to spiral down to Sokushinbutsu and have my soul trapped for all eternity.”
“...my apologies.”
“It’s fine! If you think a snide remake is enough to make me upset, you’re mistaken. Your problem is that you overthink too much…We should probably get going to our waiting rooms; wouldn’t want to risk instant elimination, right?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Good, now come here.”
“Wait! What are you–huh?
“You’re going to do just fine. Believe in yourself and in your abilities.”
“And you had to say that while hugging me?”
“Definitely stops you from doubting yourself, not to mention keeping The Spiral away!”
“T-Thank you, Juno.”
“Don’t mention it! Now c’mon; the tournament is about to begin.”
■ ■ ■
[DELEGATES REMAINING: 186 → 185]
The first round ended up being a complete gorefest; no mercy was spared in the slightest. With the victor having superhuman strength and their victim cryokinesis, it seemed like a very unfair match up, although the spectators sure loved it. The cryokinesis delegates' fatal flaw was overusing their power at the beginning, resulting in gangrene and decay. The rest is pretty much history. The superhuman switched into offense and relished every moment of clobbering their prey into the ground, torturing them in their final moments. After the round, some of the clean-up crew became physically ill because the body was mutilated and far beyond any human recognition.
As round by round were broadcasted on the television screen, all I could do was watch until my round was called. To make sure there was no foul play, each delegate was placed in a small room that looked even more like a prison cell than my actual room. With a small bed, toilet, and sink all crammed in, it’s easy to see it wasn’t made for comfort. There’s not much I can do to prepare for my fight. I don’t even know what ability my opponent might have! It could be weaker than mine, or more powerful. All I was given was their God title and Desimename: Maroonius the Trickster - Vault of Insidious Spectacles. Just their title alone makes me curious about their prior occupation to the tournament. With a self-given name like “The Trickster,” they have to be under-handed in some regard. They could’ve been a professional gambler, or a cunning con artist, or even a master in pickpocketing. However, the name of their ability gives me no clues. Whatever it ends up being, it’s definitely not going to be fun to deal with...Until then, all I can do is wait while listening to the sound of my own heartbeat. *thump thump* *thump thump* *thump thump*
■ ■ ■
[DELEGATES REMAINING: 185 → 153 → 152]
The hum of the elevator rings all around me. There is no running away. I will fight The Trickster no matter how much I try to deny it… … …Do I even have a chance against them? Am I just going to end up pulverized and plastered like the delegate I saw? I don’t want to die! I want to live!
Mom? Mom, I want to go home. I want to go home. Please, I need you. Please, I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m scared…Juno…Juno, please help me.
MERCEDES VIDA HAS SUCCESSFULLY ABORTED SPIRALING
CURRENT SPIRAL: PANIC
Juno…Juno...Juno? JUNO?! Why am I calling out for Juno? That idiot comes out of nowhere wanting to be my friend, and now I blush and get flustered every time I think of him? … … … … Well, at least calling out for him stopped me from spiraling even further. Everything will be fine. With an ability like “Her Last Cry,” my chances at winning against The Trickster are slightly increased. I will win against my opponent! I will advance through this tournament! And I will kill you Brett if it’s the last thing that I will do on this godforsaken earth. Brett: you better be ready, because I’m coming for you, and I will torture you for as long as I can, until you beg for death, and I will relish every single moment of it!
The door to the elevator opens slowly, the light from outside the arena flooding in. On either side of me are walls bigger than any I have ever since. Multiple guards in watchtowers, guns at the ready, just in case one were to attempt an escape with their new-found abilities. At the end of the enclosed path: a massive gate that leads to the gladiatorial arena of death. As I walk toward the gate, I can take in more of my surroundings. In addition to the guards, there was a multitude of spectators alongside the edge of the massive monoliths, most likely the many company executives and their conglomerates. Instead of a rowdy and jubilant crowd one would see in a sports stadium, these spectators sat with a solemn stare, none of them making a single sound or motion. One shaky step after another, I made my way closer to the gate, the glares from the crowd becoming increasing heavy with a menacing aura. Once at the gate, a royal knight instructed me to stay put until the gate lifts. I noticed a message scrawled in blood on the inner archway: “Abandon all hope, ye who enter.” Looks like someone is being a little dramatic by comparing our current experiences to that of Dante’s Inferno. Suddenly, all of the air left the arena. Everything was heavy and I couldn't take a single breath. Not a single sound could be heard but that of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears…As the gate started to lift, my reality finally set in for I realized I was at the point of no return.
■ ■ ■
“Welcome to the 28th match-up of the first round of the Tournament for Godhood! Let us get right into it! On the left, we have a competitor who has lived a very rough life. In the light she hides, but in the night she strikes. Introducing the candidate for Plutronics Unlimited, the Beautiful Princess of Vampires, the very definition of femme fatale in every sense of the word: ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Lady Mercedes Vida!! And to my right: a faceless, hooded figure with an unholy curse from The Desolate One. The First of the Fallen, The Slayer of the Unworthy, the Master of Misery! From Argentum Diabolos Enterprise, I present: Maroonius the Trickster!”
Both of us walked into the arena at the same time, while the ring announcer boomed our introductions as he had done for the previous matches. The crowd looms over the arena with the intention of satisfying their lust for the impending bloodshed and violence. We both continued to the middle of the arena, gathering as much information we could off one another. He wears a hooded shawl that completely covers his face, leaving an empty and ominous void. He also wore a massive black jacket that concealed every part of his body. Something about his whole vibe feels off. I know that you would want to hide your ability until the actual fight, but this aura feels malignant, malicious, and hellish. It feels like that of pure evil.
The Shadow of Death is now upon me. The time to fight is about to begin. Both of us will be leaving this arena, but under different circumstances. One will leave the victor: alive, intact, and advancing to the next round. The other: in a body bag, or taken away by The Grand Order, begging for death, or trapped in eternal limbo though The Spiral and Sokushinbutsu. No mercy will be spared, and I will make it past this round, defeat my opponent, and make it to the next. Mother, please be there for me. I love you. I promise I will make it out of here alive!
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■