Hello. It feels great to be back here!
My exams are over and this means I have more time to write now! Still, I'm aware I haven't reviewed some stories and replied to some of your wonderful reviews. I'll get to it soon enough!
Just so you know, some elements of this story may have ripped off the book Battle Royale by Koushun Takami and the online game Kingdom of Loathing, but I promise the story will get more 'original' as it develops. Also, feel free to suggest stuff (I just might squeeze in your idea).
I just hope you'll like this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Cause of Death and its affiliated characters.
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"This isn't about seasons, or about rhyme and reason."
- Lights, Fourth Dimension
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"Malachi Charles Fallon, you have been summoned to the Great 8-Bit Land, where everything is upside down and back to front… almost anyway, by the Even Greater Man to embark on an adventure of your lifetime!" The larger-than-life metallic head levitating on the glowing golden throne boomed.
"How can I trust you when you resemble the Wizard of Oz, who just about cheated everyone?" Mal retorted.
Mal did not understand how he had winded up in this 'Great Land', let alone the grand room of the castle of the 'Even Greater Man', someone he had never heard of before. The only clothes (or rather, armour) he had on now was a gaudy set of a pixel hat, pixel shirt, pixel pants and pixel boots. At least the package came with a complimentary pixel sword.
But the worst thing was that his own body was made up of pixel too.
"Am I in a dream?" Mal felt bewildered. He hated feeling bewildered. It was ridiculous. It wasn't even funny.
In short, Malachi Charles Fallon was pissed.
"How the heck did I end up here?" he yelled.
"I decided you had to learn some life lessons, which you will discover on your great adventure here. Now, if you would just shut your trap and stop fidgeting, I'll brief you on – Okay, I know your clothes suck, but we're facing a cash flow problem and this is the best I can give you! It's our 8-Bit Finery set, one of the best here. Don't show me that face. You're such a brat!"
Mal could have sworn the overly big head of Mr Bighead (as he had decided to label the Even Greater Man) was glowering at him. He finally arrived at the conclusion that he should heed Mr Bighead's advice if he wanted to reach his next birthday. He stood very, very still.
"Atta boy! Stay still like that, no matter what I say?"
The Even Greater Man inhaled deeply (this got amplified as a snort) and continued.
"In this Great Land, you will have to locate Princess Natara Williams, whom I believe is the love of your life. Of course there are requirements for you to fulfil beforehand. Whatever happens to the Princess will depend heavily on every decision you make. Do something wrong and you're out.
"You have to look for three people in the following order: the extremely tenacious Blaise Corso, the highly intelligent Amy Chen and the majestic, moxious Kara Yan." He emitted a sigh. "They will educate you on the different ways of maximizing the potential of your Muscle, Mysticality and Moxie. You will also study the act of Instinct, Observation and Street Smarts. They will assist you in your quest to find Natara Williams. Almost as the end of your journey lies a surprise, just waiting for you…"
Suddenly Mal had a funny vision. A man in a black suit addressed Mal, "Oh, Malachi Fallon? You're a little early. You've just passed by a bunch of coffins on sale though. Why not have this model? It's a tight fit, but we can offer it to you at a specially reduced price." He hurriedly shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.
"You have exactly seventy-two hours to overcome all obstacles and find the Princess. This castle and its immediate two hundred-metre radius will become a forbidden zone twenty minutes after your departure. If you don't find anyone in twenty-four hours, everyone involved in my little game will die.
"Leave this room and get your day pack from the guard at the door. It contains items that are essential in helping you survive. Do not discard anything."
Mal stood there deep in thought. So after I leave this castle, I'll check the day pack, then…
"What are you waiting for? Go. Go!" The Even Greater Man hollered, his giant metallic head bobbing ever so violently.
Mal snapped out of his daze and rushed out of the room. He snatched his day pack from the guard at the door and kept running… and running… until he was finally out of the Castle and its 'two hundred-metre radius'.
"Ah hell," he muttered to himself, feeling dismayed. Running out of there seemed to have taken an eternity. Hiding himself in the bushes, he opened his bright orange day pack ("It does nothing for my looks," he complained) and emptied the contents.
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… Was that interesting enough? /hides in corner
Now, what do you think is in the day pack? ;) Your lovely input is welcome!
Next chapter will come out next week. It'll be a filler chapter, but it'll introduce certain elements of the story.
Until then, see you around!