Chapter 7 - Kill or be Killed
The next morning, the players woke up to find twenty four chairs and goggles outside.
"Everyone please come on out, and sit in a chair." Alm yelled.
After everyone sat down, Alm explained the rules of the challenge.
"We have twenty four left, with twelve players on each team. This coincidence reminds me of the Hunger Games, so that is your challenge."
A Hunger Games challenge sounds like fun. I should have an advantage in this because of my survival skills, but in the arena you never know what to expect. - Atlas
I am fangirling right now. I adore the Hunger Games. - Mae
"When you all put on your goggles you will be in our virtual reality arena. Once you have been killed, the goggles will stop working. You will come back into reality and be able to watch everyone else on this monitor. Also, the last person alive will win a one time reward. The prize is going to be a one way ticket to the merge."
Everyone gasped at this information, and started whispering among themselves.
I have to make it to the merge. I want to be here in this game. - Mycen
I will do anything to get to the merge. I may have to stab my allies, but it will be worth it. - Clive
We all know who is going to the merge, me. - Delthea
I'm ready for that arena, and the merge, so bring it on. - Kliff
"OK everyone, please put on your goggles." Alm commanded
"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor." Celica quoted
She then pressed a button which put everyone in a wide open field with the cornucopia in the middle. To the north was a thick dense forest, and to the south were huge mountains. To the east was a scorching hot desert, and to the west was water and some small islands connected by bridges. Inside the cornucopia were weapons, and outside of it were bags of unknown supplies. The clock counted down from thirty. When the clock hit zero, everyone jumped off their pedestals and went full sprint to the cornucopia. The only two people to avoid it were Conrad who went east, and Mae who went west.
I know Palla is going to want to get revenge. I needed to stay far away from her as possible. - Conrad
I do not want to be out right away. I will just go back to claim a weapon or two later on. - Mae
The guys of the All In alliance got to the weapons first, and killed Kliff as he fighting Sonya for a bag. Sonya got up and noticed Genny reached the weapons as well. After killing Camus, they headed off to the mountain.
I thought for sure I would have survived longer than a few minutes. I disappointed myself, and the United States Army. - Camus
The Royals split up with Forsyth, Python, and Palla taking out Leon. Lukas held Valbar down, snatched his weapon, and finished him. Clair, Clive, and Matilda made it to the weapons.
Sorry Valbar, I hope you didn't take it personal. - Lukas
I respect you Lukas for taking me out the old fashioned way. Not many people prefer hand to hand anymore, especially back home in Texas. - Valbar
Delthea used Luthier as a human shield to get bags. Gray tried used bags to strangle Atlas and Boey, but they kicked him in the kiwis and ran away. Mycen hid in the cornucopia to avoid the drama. The bloodbath was over with four deaths, and day one was not even over.
"Look guys we have a little business to take care of, so we will be back" Palla stated
"What business?" asked Clair "and why are Forsyth and Python joining you?"
"I don't want to talk about it because it's personal OK."
Clair then stabbed Palla, and Python stabbed her back.
I had to do it cause it's the Hunger Games and no one can be trusted - Clair
I know she is my sister but stabbing an ally is a big no no. - Clive
For every action there is an equal or opposite reaction. Once she stabbed Palla, she was pretty much asking to die. - Python
"Just come with us, and we will tell you what Palla was trying to say." Python stated
*Reality*
"Just tell me, please."
"Fine, Conrad played the idol and took Est out."
"You're still on that? Girl come on, let it go."
"I can't cause he is still in the game."
*Arena*
Atlas and Boey were walking around looking for water. Suddenly, an arrow started to come towards them.
"Atlas, lookout." Boey yelled.
He shoved Altas out of the way, and got an arrow in his chest. Atlas stood in horror at the sight for a moment, then felt an arrow pierce through his head.
I have no clue who shot us. You played well whoever you were. - Boey
Someone is going to pay, but first Boey and I have to figure out who that someone is. - Atlas
The two cannon shots went off as Conrad was running from Matilda. He stopped as Clive and Lukas blocked his path, and held him down.
"This is for Est." She yelled as the lance went through his heart.
"Nice job honey." Clive complimented as the cannon fired.
*Reality*
Conrad woke up to Palla and Clair laughing real hard.
"Est would have loved to seen the look on your face." Palla said before high fiving Clair.
"Palla, can you stop? Please? I said I was sorry." he said with an annoyed look on his face. "Knock it off already."
"Alright, I'll stop now."
Once I got to talk to Clair outside of the arena, she was actually not that bad. We just had our first good laugh together. Sadly though, it was over someone demise. - Palla
I now regret stabbing Palla. I guess I just have a hard time of letting new people into my life. - Clair
*Arena*
"Hey, did you get him?" asked Python as he and Forsyth stopped running.
"It's all taken care of now. You didn't hear the cannon?" Matilda asked
"No, we were trying to catch up with you all." Forsyth said out of breath "It's getting dark out, so we need to set up shelter."
"I'll take the first watch." Lukas volunteered
The All In alliance found a cave on the top of the mountain, and decided to camp there.
"I'll get a fire started for us. I have matches, and we can keep warm with this blanket." Sonya stated
Out of all the bags, I got the one we all needed the most. I must be really lucky today. - Sonya
"So, who do you think those three cannons were for?" Jesse asked
"I don't think we need to wait any longer, look." Kamui said while pointing up
In the air showed pictures of all the fallen contestants with the names on the bottom.
"Kliff, Camus, Leon, Valbar, Palla, Clair, Boey, Atlas, and Conrad huh" Saber stated "That's not bad for the first day."
"Saber, this IS bad." Genny explained "For the Champions it's just us five here and Mae left. The Aces will soon be looking for us."
"Oh yeah-"
"Though the reward is a ticket to the merge. and we all want it. They will most likely pick each other off. Besides, who in their right minds would come this far up in the mountains without any proper equipment?" Sonya explained
"Wait, Sonya, you're saying we should just wait it out here?" Kamui asked
"Exactly."
With the first night ending, the second day began. Nothing happened except for when Mycen drowned Mae. The All In alliance was now started to worry, and decided to go on the offence. They stepped out of the cave and the ground started to shake.
"OK, what's going on?" Saber asked nervously
Suddenly the mountain started to split, and gush out lava. The five of them started to run, but Kamui and Genny tripped. Two cannon shots fired for them. The remaining three were now halfway down the mountain turned volcano when they noticed the desert started to catch on fire. Five more cannons then sounded. With the three now down to the cornucopia, they decided to rest for a little while.
"OK, that was insane." Jesse stated "poor Kamui and Genny"
"I know" Saber replied "and who were the other five?"
"Who knows" Sonya stated
*Reality*
"Really now? You had to throw in some lava?" Kamui complained
"That was uncalled for, but anything can happen in the arena." Genny confirmed
Everyone looked to see the Royals take off their goggles.
"Dang desert catching on fire." Lukas raged
Did you expect the desert to stay the same temperature? It was getting way too hot to stay there. - Forsyth
"You all tried your best though." Palla commented
Palla had a good point, but I wanted to win the Game. Let's hope Gray, Mycen, and the siblings can pull this off for us to be safe this week. - Matilda
*Arena*
It was now day three in the arena. All In were walking in the forest but got spot by the siblings.
"Listen Lu, I want you to yell out Jesse's name then spear him in back." Delthea commanded
"But, why him? He did not do anything wrong."
"Yes he did you idiot, he cost our team of Silque and Faye. It's time to give him his payback."
"What about Saber and Sonya?"
"I can handle those two, now go."
Luthier did as Delthea instructed, and eliminated Jesse. Saber and Sonya made a mad dash towards him. Right before they could hit him however, Delthea nicked Sonya in the side with a sword. Saber then grabbed Delthea, picked her up, and started choking her.
"I know what you did" he growled "you used Luthier just like you've been doing this whole game. You made Catria slap him. You made him do all the work in the canoe. You made him be your human shield in the bloodbath. You made him eliminate Jesse. Maybe no one else has been paying attention, but I have. You deserve karma for using your brother for your own doing just because of his autism. I really hope you are the one on your team eliminated next."
At this point Delthea ran out of breath, and her cannon was shot. Saber let go of her and ran over to Sonya. He was about to stab Luthier, until he realized he was only tending to her wounds.
"Sonya, are you alright." Saber started to cry.
"Y-yes, I f-f-feel weak though."
"It's alright, we're here for you." Luthier assured "Saber, thank you for standing up to me. I have been in her clutches for years."
"I just couldn't bare the thought of her treating you like that."
"No one has ever done that before. No one at school likes me."
"I want to hear more about that later, but first we need to take care of Sonya. We also need to move. Gray and Mycen will be looking for us. Would you like a weapon?"
"No thank you, sharp objects make me feel very uncomfortable."
A few minutes later the trio had to stop due to Sonya being in pain. Saber knew it was a hard decision, but decided to let Sonya go so she would not have to suffer. As the cannon fired Luthier went to the ground, and held his ears.
"You alright? Did the cannon hurt your ears?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Luthier asked as he was standing up
"My older sister, Cassandra, had autism as well."
Despite the hard challenges she had to go through, she was the sweetest person on earth. She was really obsessed with pirates as a kid. Last year, the day before she was going to graduate college, she gave me her favorite eyepatch. *crying* I miss her so much. She was taken way too soon. - Saber
"So the eyepatch you wear is hers?"
"Yeah, she gave it to me a few days before she passed."
"How did she die?"
"A day before her graduation, we went on a hunting trip and some guys shot at her. Cops were nearby, so they ran and took her. I barely escaped with my life."
"Oh wow, I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, hey, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes"
"What happened that caused everyone at school to dislike you?" Saber asked
"It all started two years ago when I was fourteen, and starting high school. I told one of my friends about my diagnosis, and he told someone else, then rumors started and now no one wants to be my friend."
"What rumors?"
"I asked a teacher if she was pregnant, and I told a football player he was gay due to a My Little Pony sticker on his backpack."
"Did that really happen?"
"No, but I know Delthea started them both. At the time she was taking a tour of the high school, since she was going there next year, and told a whole bunch of people who knew me."
"Did your parents do anything about it?"
No, cause they think she is little Miss Perfect."
"After the rumors were there any, like, bullies?"
"Yes, but no one minds it. The teachers actually approve of it."
"Wait wait wait what!?"
"Yes, when Delthea told everyone we were going to be on the show there was a large assembly that day. Students wrote letters of advice for Delthea, and for me they said stuff like "you will be gone the first day" and "I do not know why they picked you" and "the producers wasted a spot." One senior even said "I hope you kill yourself."
"What the hell! What kind of school do you go to?"
"I go to a bad one. Once he said that, the whole auditorium just exploded with cheers and applause and laughter."
I swear I am not making this up. I am a terrible liar. - Luthier
*Reality*
Everyone was crying except for Mae and Delthea.
"Delthea, is that true?" Mae asked surprised
"Yeah, and I even told him to say that to Luthier during the assembly."
"Nice" Mae echoed
Both girls high fived, and started telling everyone that Luthier was just playing the "sympathy card."
He is going to pay for telling Saber the truth. He's gonna wish he never opened his mouth. - Delthea
Everyone is crying and boohooing left and right. Of course we had to tell everyone Luthier was lying, or else Delthea would go home. - Mae
Who would tell someone to go kill themselves? That is messed up. - Leon
Luthier is either a huge liar, or a huge over exaggerator. It looks like our alliance has its next target. - Clair
Everyone is now arguing and taking sides as to which sibling is telling the truth. Delthea has my vote as this moment. - Conrad
*Arena*
While Saber and Luthier kept chatting, they both heard screams in the distance and loud barking dogs. Eventually, both sounds faded and two cannons were fired.
"What was that?" Luthier asked
"I think Gray and Mycen just got ate by wild dogs."
"We are the final two then."
"Yep, and since only one of us will automatically to go to the mergeā¦."
Luthier closed his eyes, awaiting his death, when he heard Saber scream. He opened his eyes and noticed Saber lying on the ground.
"Y-you will g-g-go. I know in my heart t-that you deserve it after everything you went through." Saber whispered weakly "See you on the outside-"
Luthier then woke up with some applauding, while others were yelling at Saber.
"What were you even thinking?" yelled Mae "You cost us the challenge, and now you gave the win to an ASPIE! You should be ashamed of yourself."
At this point Saber and Mae started fighting. Jesse pushed Saber back, while Boey held Mae, to prevent them from hitting each other.
On one side of the island, All In was having their usual nighttime meeting. They also invited Luthier to join as well.
"I want her gone" Luthier declared
"So do I" Saber jumped in. "We need to spread the word."
"I'll make sure to tell Leon this." Jesse stated "I know he wants Mae gone as well."
It's official now team Luthier consists of my alliance along with Leon, Camus, Kliff, Gray, and Mycen while everyone else has taken Delthea's side both the Aces and Champions are split in half - Genny
"I also would like to join your alliance. I made it to merge, so I can help you guys out."
No one had a problem with Luthier joining.
On the other side of the island Mae gathered Conrad, Palla Valbar, Atlas, and Boey.
"Mae aren't you scared that you'll get eliminated." Boey questioned
"Nope, I know just how I am going to stay safe. First things first, Valbar, you go tell Leon that I truly am sorry about what I said to Saber. I'll handle the rest at the elimination ceremony."
At the elimination area, Cecila was ready to start.
"Well Champions looks like there was a lot of drama today and-"
Mae interrupted her by crying loudly and shedding tears
"I was such a bully today, and I am so sorry. Saber, please if you find it in your heart to forgive, and give me one more chance. I will change. Luthier, I know you are not here right now, but calling you an aspie was extremely offensive and wrong. I'm sorry for my actions."
Jesse suddenly got up, and starting whispering to Kamui.
Maybe we should give Mae another chance. Everyone always deserves the right to make up for the wrongs. - Jesse
Kamui then got up, and whispered to Saber, Genny, and Sonya, and Leon.
Jesse may be onto something here. I know what we need to do, but I also want to stick to my morals. - Kamui
After Kamui started whispering, everyone else got up and followed his lead. After a few minutes, everyone sat down.
"Ok, if you guys are done whispering-"
Suddenly, Luthier came in and whispered to Sonya and Genny. Sonya then started the chain all over again. The other Aces suddenly joined in as well, leaving all twenty four whispering amongst themselves.
This whole elimination turned into one big whispering game. It was insane how no one knew who they were going to vote for. - Gray
"Vote for Mae, please."
"She said she was sorry."
"Maybe she's faking."
"Saber needs to leave, he gave the win the Luthier."
"At least vote out her ally."
"We're all agreed on Saber? Right?"
"Just stick to the original plan."
"No, I think we need to vote him."
"We need to come up with a consensus."
"What is she has an idol, then what? I say we take out her ally?
"Maybe we can convince him to flip his vote."
There were hundreds of conversations going on at once. Celica watched in disbelief for ten minutes before everything went back to normal."
Mae, you were the bigger person for apologizing. I'll spare you one time, but at the cost of your amigo Boey. - Saber
Saber did the right thing, so I'm voting with him tonight. Boey has to leave to make Mae feel some pain. - Leon
This is a last minute switch, but I vote for Boey. - Valbar
Man I love acting sorry, Saber is going down - Mae
"Ok, this is the last marshmallow. Saber, you threw the challenge, and Boey sacrificed himself, by a vote of seven to five the loser is Boey!"
Everyone was shocked at the outcome wondering why no one voted Mae.
She is such a great actress, hats off to you Mae. - Boey
What the hell just happened? I thought for sure I was leaving. - Mae
Boey, my brother, I will avenge you. - Atlas
Mae, Atlas, and Genny were the only ones to watch Boey be eliminated.
"Bye Boey. I'll miss you." Mae said sarcastically as he got into the slingshot.
"Mae you KILLLLLLLED MEEEEEEEEEEEEE" Boey screamed as he was flung away.
