[DELEGATES REMAINING: 96]
The final warning blares through the intercom as I fling open the doors to the Grand Hall. Just like last time, the fixtures inside the hall were all dimly lit with the exception of the spotlights illuminating the main stage in all its brilliance. Unlike last week, it definitely won’t be as difficult trying to find a seat. As tempting as it is to sit alongside the back rows, there is something I need to do first. Suddenly, an unknown force slammed into me, its grip tightening around my chest. Is this the power of a nearby delegate? No, it can’t be! They’d be instantly eliminated if that were the case. Wait! Calm down, Mercedes! get a grip! Just look at who it is.
“Lady Mercedes, I’m so glad to see you’re alive and well!” I turn around ready to reveal the identity of my confronter, only to be shocked by their appearance…
“Oh my God! Your arm! Is it okay? I didn’t think that you were that injured!”
“Riku…?” In front of me was the CEO of Plutronics Incorporated and my sponsor: Riku Tanaka. Don’t ask me why he decided to randomly hug me from behind, but I’m 1000% positive that it was out of excitement to see me and nothing malicious.
“In the flesh! How are you holding up? I heard about the in-patient admission! Besides the arm, is everything else good?”
“I’m still kicking at least. My apologies if my sudden admission worried you.”
“There is no need for you to apologize. It is unfortunately an aspect of this tournament that I shouldn’t have overlooked because I didn’t want to face the fact that you’d eventually get injured. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for thinking you were invincible.”
Feeling a major sense of déjà vu, I decided to comfort Riku with my typical, snarky confidence, despite said confidence in my own abilities waning with every passing minute. Gotta fake it til you make it, I guess….
“Just because my arm is injured doesn’t mean that I’m not invincible. Being invincible doesn’t mean I can’t be injured; it means that I can’t be defeated!”
“I’ve missed your confidence, even if you are only doing it to cheer me up. I gotta say though, it definitely worked! You really do have a way of persuading others to think differently! Thank you.”
“No problem! Anything I can do to help!”
“Imagine if you use Her Last Cry like that!”
“...Wait! Riku, what did you mean by that?”
“Think of it like eyewitness accounts. If you prod them enough, their memory can become distorted or even completely derailed!”
The dim lights start to flick with great intensity, signaling the announcement that round pairings are about to begin. Riku and I take off to some nearby seats and as expected, the announcer walks out onto the main stage. A tap from the microphone echoes and reverberates feedback throughout the room. Will all being silent, the announcer starts the process once more.
“Good evening. Before we get started, I would like to take a minute to congratulate all of the delegates on a performance well done. With the first round having concluded, 96 delegates have advanced thus far, just a little under half of what we started here. And to the sponsors of the remaining delegates: congratulations on your company surviving the preliminary culling. Finally, a word of advice to the delegates: do take your victory in stride but do remember that the rest has yet to come. Remain forthright in your endurance, steadfast in your convictions, and unwavering in your mindfulness. And with that all said and finished, let the second round match-ups be decided!”
The familiar pull of a lever cleans and resets the flipboard. The constant flickering of the gears makes me slightly jump with every tick. Letter by letter; word by word; line by line’ delegate by delegate until all went silent. The auditorium starts to fill with murmurs as the board is revealed to all. Scanning over the 48 matches, I was able to find my name and that of my next opponent for Match 40: Saint Agnes: Priestess of the Hopeful Destiny – Patron Saint of the Nameless God. Clearly, I am not clairvoyant nor blessed with the gift to look into the future, but solely based on their God and Demisename, I surmise that this priestess possesses the ability to invoke the power of this deity she worships by acting as some sort of vessel. If that’s the assumption, then what would be the drawback to using it? There’s so much to think about and plan out, but just not enough time on the clock. That’s not even mentioning the fact that Saint Agnes most likely knows how my ability works from the last round. Just my luck…
Just then, the announcer tapped the microphone once again, most likely to dismiss us delegates and our sponsors back to our respective areas:
“I have an important announcement for all delegates and sponsors: it has been recently informed to me that Round 32 – Saffron Angelheart v. Bloodgazer will not be fought due to the untimely elimination of Bloodgazer. Victory will automatically be awarded to Saffron Angelheart as a result of this ruling. Now then, delegates will report to their holding chambers in ten minutes. Thank you.”
“Well, it’s finally started. With the advent of Patient Zero, everything has been set into motion, leading up to the crescendo for the Tournament of the Gods.” Riku looks directly at me as he offers up his ominous message. We both know that the unexplained death of that delegate is the catalyst that will gruesomely alter the landscape of this competition. Lottie told me that about 25% of the delegates succumb to Sokushinbutsu. Twenty-five percent. One-in-four of us will have our souls trapped inside our bodies for the rest of time, never to experience peace or death for eternity. What happens if I am next on the block? What happens if I enter Sokushinbutsu? What would I do? What would I see? Would I just be screaming into the empty void of space with no one able to save me for all eternity? Riku, I can’t…I can’t let that happen! I just can’t! I want to live and die on my own terms! I cannot let myself spiral down to Sokushinbutsu! Suddenly, the hand of another person lands upon my shoulder, sending a shock throughout my body, bringing my mind back to the Grand Hall.
“It seems like your mind is still up in the clouds. Let me guess: is it because of your next match, or maybe it’s because you’re thinking about me, hmmmm?” A familiar voice spoke directly into my ear, startling me in the process. I immediately snap my neck around to see Juno standing only mere inches away from my face.
“Well well well. Judging by how bright red your cheeks are, it looks like someone is happy to see me! Maybe just surprised? Possibly a little bit of both?
“W-W-What the hell are you talking about, Juno? My face is only red because I wasn’t expecting you to be near me, let alone be that close!”
“There’s no need to be so wound up all the time, Mercedes. Wouldn’t want to end up like the *almighty and all-powerful* Bloodgazer, right? Perfect example that brains and brawn need to be in perfect balance down here or else you’ll end up a husk of your former self. I don’t know about you, but personally, I don’t want to end up like that, and I *definitely* I don't want you to end up like that either. As long as you stay by my side, you’ll never succumb to the horrors of Demisegame, Lady Mercedes!” Every word he says makes my face bright and my ears hot to the touch.
“Shut up, Juno!” That was my only comeback as I was unable to clap back with anything better. Judging by the smug look on his face, he knows that he’s successfully messing with, albeit in a joking manner.
“Mercedes, who is this, a friend of yours?” Riku asked with curiosity. Before I could even answer, Juno interjected and did his own introduction:
“Oh, my deepest apologies. It was rather rude of me not to introduce myself. My name is Juno Neos Archer, delegate of Dragoncast; and while I’m at it, the person on my left is none other than the CEO of Dragoncast and my sponsor: Takashi Yokohama.”
After being introduced by his own delegate, Mr. Yokohama approached Riku and extended his arm out: “I assume you’re the CEO of Plutronics Unlimited? A pleasure to meet you.”
“No, the pleasure’s all mine. Riku Tanaka. I look forward to further networking.”
“And you must be Lady Mercedes: The Elusive Vampire Princess. An honor to be in your presence.” Instead of the expected handshake, Mr. Yokohama places his hand on his chest and takes a bow in front of me. That was the last thing I was expecting, especially from an individual of his caliber.
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“*Pssst* Mercedes, this is where you tell Mr. Yokohama to rise.” Riku whispers in my ear.
“Oops! You may rise now. I am so sorry, Mr. Yokohama, I’m still getting accustomed to this whole delegate role.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, Lady Mercedes, as all is in good faith. While not necessarily custom to greet delegates with humility and honor, it does make for good practice especially if you are to become the new God. As such, I’d like to start on good standing with one who possesses such a strong ability.”
“You know about my ability?” I blurted out in pure panic, even though I knew my power was on full display last match.
“Of course I do. Everyone remaining in the tournament knows how powerful and rare your ability is.”
A shock of fear shot straight down my spine as my greatest nightmare has become my reality. From here on out for the rest of the competition, my opponents will be devising plans and strategies in order to defeat me and “Her Last Cry”. This wouldn’t be such a huge issue if I actually knew the powers and abilities of everyone else! At this current point in time, I am the only competitor with the largest disadvantage! How will this affect me in the long run? Will I be able to learn, memorize, and make effective counter attacks for everyone else in the tournament? What happens if my opponents’ powers are just better than mine in general? Should I give up now? I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s too late for me…Oh man! What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? WHAT DO I DO?? SOMEBODY HELP ME! I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!!!
MERCEDES VIDA HAS SUCCESSFULLY ENTERED THE SPIRAL OF NEUROSIS
… … …Suddenly, all goes black.
“Mercedes! Listen to me! You need to get a grip! RIGHT! NOW!”
The dreary echo of a familiar voice permeates my mind. An unknown force shakes my body while gripping my shoulders. Another force strangles my wounded arm, trying to use pain as a way to free mind from the persistence of Demisegame. As the pain increases from the gash in my arm; the curtain of darkness slowly lifts, causing the light to bathe me in a blinding warmth… …As my eyes adjust to the drastic change in brightness, I see Riku right in front of me. To my right are Juno and Mr. Yokohama holding my wounded arm, the fresh blood leaking through the bandages. I look around the Grand Hall then back at Riku, Juno, and his sponsor, all of their faces written with worry and panic.
“Mercedes, you’re finally back!” Riku goes from desperately clutching my shoulders to embracing me in a hug. “I’m so glad we didn’t lose you.” Juno subsequently joins soon after all while his sponsor stood back with a small, yet noticeable smile spreading across his face.
“Mercedes! Are you okay? How are you feeling?” Juno said to me with genuine concern.
“I feel very sick to my stomach. The last thing I remember is…” Wait, what was I even doing? What the…? I just had it one minute, but it suddenly disappeared. How is that even possible?
“Um, Mercedes?”
“Huh?! Yes, Juno?”
“Something’s wrong. Am I right?”
“Uh, everything’s fine. Why are you asking?”
“Oh, Mercedes, lying is definitely not your strong suit. Nobody has a thousand-yard stare for five minutes and then can’t remember anything and just say everything’s okay.”
“Juno…did I…?” Before I could even mutter the rest of my sentence, Juno simply stared at me and slowly…nodded.
I…can’t believe it…Why do I always keep…failing myself? I…I…I’ve spiraled halfway down toward Sokushinbutsu… … …Four…only four spirals separate me from Sokushinbutsu. Each level becoming more intense and despairing than the last: Paranoia. Hysteria. Violence…Self-destruction… …That’s all that’s left and then my soul will be trapped in limbo…forever…
*Attention Attention: Will all delegates and sponsors make their way to their respective chambers. I repeat: will all delegates and sponsors make their way to their respective chambers. Thank You*
The announcement helps clear my head of unwanted thoughts. “I guess this is it. Time to face my destiny, am I right?” I say to those in front of me as a half-hearted effort to encourage myself.
“Indeed, it is, and I will be wishing you the best. Please be safe, Lady Mercedes.” Riku clasps my hand in both of his as he declares his prayers aloud to me. And with a gentle release, he begins his departure to his place among the other Sponsors. Before Juno and I left for our holding cells. Mr. Yokohama gives Juno a large pat on the back as he quietly gives him positive affirmations. As he turns to leave, he waves his hand and takes a bow once more, mouthing “good luck” to me. While most likely not malicious in any way, him wishing me luck in a tournament where only one person wins seemed a little tone deaf. Wouldn’t you want bad luck for everyone but your candidate? It’s best to not let it eat at me. Right now, I need to prepare myself for the fight ahead of me. Every fight is a step closer toward leaving this Hellhole for good.
■ ■ ■
The bright spotlight of the Grand Hall fades into obscurity. The dull, monotonous lighting of the gray corridor takes center stage of my line of sight. Rows of doors line both sides of the hallway, all bland, all monochrome, all the same. Whether it be ahead or behind you, the corridor of chambers seems to be completely endless…inescapable even. Each door has a nameplate with which the occupant’s name is etched into it. A little more than half of the room’s lights are on, indicating the delegates who were already eliminated. Step by step, door by door, the buzzing of the fluorescent light bars continues to make my mind numb. Suddenly, Juno’s voice pierces the silence: “How are you holding up, Mercedes? Are you prepared for your fight?”
“There’s not much preparation I can do, especially since everyone knows about my ability…”
“Oh, is that so? Are you sure about that?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m positive I know what my opponent’s ability is, but how will she use it? I haven’t a single clue! Mix in the fact that my ability is known to the public, there’s not much in terms of planning out counterattacks for which I haven’t personally seen in action!” Every word that slips from my mouth makes me increasingly depressed.
“Ah, but are you positive?” Juno’s tone is slightly facetious.
“What are you getting at, Juno? Is there something I’m missing?”
“I don’t know…is there?” I should’ve known that he would’ve replied like that.
“Come on, stop fucking with me. Can you please tell me what you’re insinuating?”
“Whoa, such fiery passion! I jest! I jest! But in all seriousness, you’re overlooking something regarding the revelation of your powers to the public?”
“And what would that be, Juno, hmmm?”
“Do you remember what Mr. Yokohama, my sponsor, told you when mentioning your ability?” Why is he asking me this? This doesn’t answer my question.
“Your sponsor, if I remember correctly, said that everyone here now knows how rare and powerful my ability is. But what does that have to do with anything?”
“Oh, Mercedes, so quick to anger.”
“What do you mean by anger?!”
“Exactly my point.”
“*sigh* Can you please tell me, Juno? Please?”
“… Just because people know how innovative and deadly your ability is doesn’t mean they know how it works. Does that make sense?”
“Y-Yeah, a little bit, but who would know about the scope of my power? If I am such a threat, wouldn’t the knowledge spread around this place like wildfire?”
“Not exactly. Maybe within the members of the Magnum Decem, but everyone else: not so much. The rest of the Grand Order have to fend for themselves to gain this information, which some definitely have, but not a lot.” I didn’t understand it all at first, but after a deeper explanation, it finally hit me:
“My opponent isn’t a part of the Magnum Decem…”
“And?”
“And they won’t know how my power works?”
“Exactly!”
“I-I don’t get it, Juno…”
“Hmmm? What don’t you get?”
“How are you able to stay so upbeat and joyous down here?”
“Like I told you before, Mercedes, it helps distract the mind and staves off the negative effects of Demisegame.”
“That’s not what I meant. What I’m trying to ask is: how are you able to manage your stress?”
“Oh, I understand now. You’re looking for potential techniques to stop furthering the Spiral?”
“Yeah…I guess so.”
“Why didn’t you just ask so earlier?”
“It just sounds so embarrassing and weak you ask you such a thing.”
“It’s neither of those things, in fact, it is rather the complete opposite.” Juno replied in that same upbeat attitude of his.
“You’re only saying that to be kind.” I quickly replied.
“Trust me, Mercedes, I’m not. Anyway, to answer your question: I mainly practice the technique of emotional suppression.”
“How does that manage your stress if all you're doing is suppressing it?”
“Simple! By forcing all forms of individual expression into the deep recesses of my mind, it allows me to focus solely on battle and combat. Then after I win, I deal with the emotions in a healthy manner.”
“Are you sure suppression is health—Huh?”
*Attention. Attention: The first match of Round 2 is slated to begin very shortly. Will all delegates please make their way to their holding cells. I repeat: will all delegates please make their way to their holding cells. Any delegates or unauthorized personnel remaining in the corridor will be instantly eliminated. Thank you*
“Well, this is it! Remember, Mercedes, trust in yourself and in your abilities. Try to maintain a calm, collective state, and most importantly: do your best not to Spiral… … …”
“… …”
“Okay! Good luck, Mercedes! I believe in you!” And just like that, Juno left for his cell. There’s nothing left for me to do except to enter my own cell. As I go inside the dimly-lit room, the door slams shut behind me! … … …And so, it begins…my descent into madness, all the while, the voices inside my head sit by and watch the world burn to the ground…
[DELEGATES REMAINING: 95]