"Okay.. Okay okay okay.." Axel was hyperventilating. "Can't we just stay at this spot?"
"Sure! If you want to be a loser and still get beat up." Mike said.
"Well- what good hiding spots are there?" Axel said crazily, on the verge of just surrendering his life. "C'mon. They've all been used, and some people have abilities that would crush any hiding spot you would have. The only safe option is to RUN. And we will have to if you want to keep the skin on your body. Be glad you have someone like me to know about this stuff."
Axel sighed. "I've never heard about anything like this before.. They never mention this kind of game in old human books!"
Mike grabbed his hand. "We're going. Now."
And like that, they started running into the forest.
Axel looked at him. "You know the way, right?"
Mike shook his head. "No, I usually take one of the other paths but we were too late, it's probably full of people." He even trembled a little. "It's my first time on this path."
Axel had many, many questions that needed answering. "Wait, so it's like this all month? Do people explore at night? Are there supervisors?"
"Let's just do a little running and then when we're far out we'll talk. We still have thirteen hours out in the forest."
Axel shuddered at the number.
After a few minutes of running, Mike stopped. "Now we can talk, but quietly, alright?"
Axel nodded.
"Okay. It's not always like this, never has been. The other events occur randomly and they're a lot more calm. You're not supposed to explore at night, but many do. Supervisors? Yeah, but they're too lazy. Don't yell for them while you're dying, that's for sure." Mike closed his eyes tight as if he had to say something bad. "..You know how there's not many humans here? Like, a way smaller percentage?"
Axel nodded, but this time a lot slower.
Mike took a deep breath. "Here goes."
"Well- a lot of them dislike humans, okay? It's- easier. Let me explain. You know how like- someone who's great with water can easily take down people who are great with fire, making fire people stay away from water people? Like Rock Paper Scissors."
Axel nodded in fear. "Yeah..?"
"Well- with humans, none of them have anything to worry about. Any of them could take you down, at that point it's up to skill and what that means-" He paused. "Is usually humans are targeted for being the one thing anyone can get. And that could be you, too."
At this point Axel was shaking. "I- I want to go home.."
Mike shook his head. "Everyone does, but is quitting better than taking a few hits?"
"It's better than dying."
Mike sighed. "At least stay for a few days, please? You're my friend."
Axel nodded. "Will do."
He smiled. "That's what I like to hear. Now let's go!"
They kept running.
