Chapter 74
"Look we went over this yesterday Styx isn't a medical center for regular people. Didn't you hear the announcement? They're temporarily releasing dangerous Phantoms from Tartarus, to test them and gather data. We've got the Cerberus System for defense but there's still a chance things could go south. So everyone shuts themselves in rooms that double as shelters until the test is over just in case." Idia explained as he rubbed his forehead.
"I get the basic idea but what is Tartarus?" Vil asked.
"Oh my bad, I was using work jargon." Idia said.
"Tartarus is the name of a Phantom containment center that was built under Styx HQ. At least 10,000 subjects are held there." Ortho explained.
"10,000!" Everyone else exclaimed.
"I know you said you all brought in Phantoms from all over the world. But I didn't except such a vast number." Vil confessed.
"Tartarus was built in the Age of the Gods back when the first Shroud became the Watchman. Members of Charon have been gathering specimens from all the world ever since, it adds up." Idia reminded them.
"This place has been around since the Age of the Gods? 10,000 seems kinda low then." Leona commented with a shrug.
"Well, plenty of them fade out over time, but some of the Phantoms are so powerful they've been in containment for over 1,000 years and haven't fade a bit." Idia said.
"Living as a hate filled monster for over a millennium the thought sends a shiver down my spine." Vil confessed as he did shiver and rubbed his arms.
"Styx classifies the Phantoms here into 12 groups based on threat levels. The higher their threat levels the further down they're contained. The A-class subject we're testing today are exceedingly dangerous, but don't worry outside of tests they're kept frozen in sturdy cages, So no need to be scared. Plus we have a robust defense system. Dad built the base model for it and my brother perfected it 6 years ago it's called the Cerberus System. We're safe and can feel right at home even in an emergency." Ortho bragged.
"Did you say Radish Sprout perfected the defense system?" Leona asked raising an eyebrow.
"That's the opposite of reassuring." Vil commented looking unimpressed.
"Awww, why? The Cerberus system's amazing. It's perfect just like it's nickname the legendary guard dog of the Underworld. It covers the entire island not just Tartarus and even when unmanned it's got 3 brains that determine the most optimal course of action against enemies." Ortho informed them.
"Okay that's enough Ortho. These guys don't care one nano iota about that stuff. Ahem, long story short just take the L and find a way to pass the time in here for awhile. Right I'm gonna go now." Idia said making his way towards the door.
"I have issue with you trying to slink away when we've yet to resolve matters. You're not done here until you can offer us something to keep ourselves occupied." Azul called out making Idia stop in his tracks.
"Agreed, I won't demand a treadmill but you could at least provide a yoga mat." Vil reminded him crossing his arms over his chest.
"Personally I'd like some kind of reference book or grimoire so I can brush up on my studies." Riddle requested.
"You know the room I was in last night had movies can we put some of those on the monitor here?" Jamil recommend.
"An afternoon nap's the perfect way to kill a few hours." Leona yawned as he made his way over to one of the couches.
"You'll throw off your sleep schedule if you nap that long Leona. You'll be up all night." Vil commented glancing over at him.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about me. I always sleep well thank you very much." Leona smirked as he laid down.
"Must you constantly snipe at people?" Vil sighed as he looked away.
"Idia there's over an 87% chance these people will start fighting if you lock them in a room together for 3 hours." Ortho whispered to him.
"It might not be enough to just give them what they want. I think they'd fight no matter what we did to stop them. Bad ending in every story branch. What's something peaceful you can do for awhile with a group of people?" Idia asked as he leaned down towards Ortho.
"Ohhh, how about a board game? One that's for 5 or more players with simple rules wouldn't the Game of Magical Life work well?" Ortho happily recommend.
"Okay back up, if this crew plays a dice based game chance are they'll start trash talking when anyone gets a good roll which will then lead to an all out brawl." Idia remarked.
"Oh good point, okay, something non competitive and simple to play,... I know! How about video games? I can download games online and run them. We probably could avoid any arguments as long as we don't choose a head to head game." Ortho recommend.
"I dunno these guys really don't seem interested in video games." Idia groaned.
"Then we can come up with something else if they say no. Failure is the mother of success." Ortho reminded him.
"I still don't know." Idia mumbled.
"Your attention everyone please." Ortho called out stepping away from his brother.
"O-ortho!" Idia sputtered.
"Since you're all stuck here for the next 3 hours I propose we play some video games." Ortho recommend with a smile.
"You want to play video games?" Vil asked raising an eyebrow.
"I can offer you a vast selection of classic games. All downloaded for your entertainment." Ortho said as he walked up to the monitor.
"B-but uh I'm sure you guys aren't into that stuff anyway." Idia sighed.
"Hmm, what kind of games go you have?" Vil asked as he stepped up to Ortho.
"Sorry sometimes us nerds can't read a room, wait, what?" Idia began but cut himself off.
"I asked what kind of games do you have." Vil repeated.
"Whoa, but aren't you like some sparkly gorgeous supermodel? Do you really like video games?" Idia asked.
"What a marrow minded thing to say gamers exist in every field. For that matter plenty of celebrities play handheld consoles when traveling or during downtime when filming. I don't own one myself but I've occasionally played one when it was offered to me. I thought it might be nice to do something I don't normally do rather than squandering the next 3 hours." Vil informed him.
"You know Vil does have a point. I hear some magiccamers make a living off posting gameplay videos and other such content. This could open a new lucrative door for me." Azul smirked as he stepped up to the monitor as well.
"I had a few consoles back home but I haven't played video games since I started NRC." Jamil shrugged joining the group.
"Well 'Mr Impossible to Please' uh I mean Riddle is very studious and Leona's a prince so I doubt they play any." Idia said glancing over at the two he mentioned.
"Huh? Of course I don't. I've poke at the chess game on my computer when I had nothing better to do but that's about it." Leona said no getting up.
"Forget about a game console I didn't even have a TV at home." Riddle confessed.
"I feel validated now that you've both proven me right, thanks." Idia smirked.
"Then we should choose a game that's easy for beginners to learn." Ortho suggested as he scrolled through what he had downloaded.
"Thanks, but I'll sit this one out. My mother told me video games are addictive and can hurt academic performance." Riddle said sitting in a chair at the large table.
"What? Are you serious? Oh man you're one of 'those' guys. The kind that declares something is bad for everyone just because it's bad for them." Idia said rolling his eyes.
"But it's undeniable that getting too absorbed in a game will cut into your study time." Riddle countered crossing his arms.
"Yeah, If you let it get that bad. There's this one study that shows gaming in moderation enhances cognitive function and decision making skills. If someone's grades tank just cause they played a video game that's not the game, it's on the person and their lack of discipline. Don't go blaming games just cause you don't have self control." Idia snapped.
"Hoo boy, I think you've flipped his 'go off' switch." Ortho sighed.
"Oh, but don't get me wrong. I wouldn't dream of pressuring you into liking games of course. Trying to shove a game down someone's throat to prove how fun it is when they don't want to play. Well that's a complete waste of time and rude on all fronts. I'm not here to drag your preferences Riddle. You've been like this your whole life and kept the top spot in your class for years. No reason to mess with success IMO. After all you wouldn't wanna risk tanking your grades by picking up a controller would you?" Idia chuckled.
"What? Huh?" Riddle gasped.
"Now his nonstop haranguing has left Riddle tongue tied." Vil commented.
"I'm telling you, Idia's got a gift for rubbing people the wrong way." Leona remarked loudly.
"I didn't know he could get so worked up or go on for such a long time." Jamil added.
"Oh, it happens plenty during club meetings when video games or anime come up." Azul shrugged casually.
"How dare you! My grades would never drop just because I happened to play a video game." Riddle snapped standing up.
"Oh is that so? Strange that's not what you just said. Or did someone say 'video games hurt academic performance'? Heh heh." Idia smirked.
"That only happens when someone lacks proper discipline which I clearly do not." Riddle countered turning a little red.
"Are you suuure? You've never played one before. How can you you prove it?" Idia mocked.
"All right, if that's how you're going to be then I'll play. And I'll prove once and for all that a mere video game can't harm my grades in the slightest." Riddle said walking up to Ortho.
"Just don't come crying to me if you have so much fun you can't put it down." Idia chuckled.
"Now Riddle's played right into Idia's hands. It's rather embarrassing to watch." Vil sighed.
"Riddle's very bright but has 0 resistance to trolling." Azul commented.
"And Idia's acting downright childish." Jamil added.
"Let's see a suitable game for 1st time player RR. I recommend Legend of Underworld for it's simple controls." Ortho informed Riddle as he handed Riddle a controller.
"An early 8 bit title huh? I have to hand it to you Ortho. That's an oldie but a goodie." Idia smirked as he stood beside Ortho.
"Yep, I figured we could show him a little video game history while we play." Ortho said.
"Early 8 bit? Doesn't that mean it's really old?" Vil asked.
"Sure does we've only played the digital re-release ourselves. The original cart goes for a premium online." Idia informed them. "The simplicity is what makes it so fun to play. The Underworld setting rules too. There's lots of little details that kids find cool."
"I'll set the difficulty to easy. Now let's play." Ortho said.
"Um right." Riddle nodded as the game began and played the level.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for sticking around. This chapter was a little more fun to write than some of the others. The next few were too. A little sun spot in all this gloominess. See ya next time.