The room was heavy with silence, each member of the group lost in their thoughts as they watched over Inaya's unconscious form. The events of the previous night had left them all shaken, their bodies and spirits bearing the weight of the confrontation.
Sota stood apart from the others, his gaze fixed on Inaya. The admiration he once held for Riku had twisted into a complex mix of emotions, and now, whenever he looked at Inaya, a flicker of resentment crossed his face. It was subtle, but unmistakable.
Breaking the silence, Sergio stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. His voice, rich and resonant, carried the weight of authority and knowledge.
"The White Feather is not a power that chooses lightly," he began, his tone solemn. "It seeks out those who possess not only strength but also the capacity for compassion, resilience, and sacrifice. Inaya embodies these qualities. Her actions, her choices, and her unwavering commitment to protect others, even at great personal cost, have marked her as worthy."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The transformation you witnessed was not merely physical. It was a manifestation of her inner virtues aligning with the essence of the White Feather. Such a bond is rare and profound."
The group absorbed Sergio's explanation, the gravity of the situation settling over them anew. The events of the previous night had not only tested their physical limits but also challenged their understanding of power, trust, and destiny.
Recognizing the need for rest and reflection, they agreed to take the sixth day as a respite from training. Their bodies bore the bruises and scars of battle, and their minds needed time to process the revelations and losses they had endured.
By the sixth day, everyone had fully recovered, including Inaya. The moment she collapsed that night, her appearance had shifted back to her original form, leaving no room for anyone to question her. She was a mystery, and today, the focus would be on the game ahead.
The morning began with a quick breakfast at 6 a.m., and by 7 a.m., we were standing in the playground, waiting for Celestina. She arrived shortly after, holding a notice and wearing her usual bright smile, but there was a seriousness in her demeanor today.
"The system will send you all to a location where only it knows," Celestina started, her voice steady and calm. "No one else, not even I, will have any clue of the place. You'll be in complete unfamiliar territory. Along with your group, there will be four others participating. I told you before, and now it's time to prepare. There will be monsters made of rock, and they're not small. They're massive, and you may need to fight them if the situation calls for it."
Her words sent a quiet shiver through us, but we remained focused.
"Remember," she continued, "the other four groups are not your allies. Do not be mistaken. They are your enemies, and you cannot afford to trust them. Now, about the cards…" She paused for a moment, watching our reactions carefully.
"There are five magic cards in total," Celestina explained, "one for each group. Each card is different from the others, and they can be hidden in many places—anywhere, even in human bodies. The magic card you're looking for will be white." She gave us a knowing look. "It's fortunate for you. Your dress code will also be white, which will help you blend in during the daylight. The light will help conceal you, making it harder for others to spot you."
She then pulled out a small card and showed it to us. The design was simple, but there was a strange energy emanating from it. "This is what your card will look like. You'll have four days to find it. Now, get ready. Dress up and make sure you're prepared. The game starts soon."
Just after Celestina's explanation, a red screen suddenly appeared in front of us, glowing ominously.
______________________
FIND THE MAGIC CARD
TEAM WHITE: White cloaks with R23 sword. 6 members in total.
TEAM BLUE: Blue cloaks with R12 sword. 8 members in total.
TEAM BLACK: Black cloaks with R43 sword. 3 members in total.
TEAM PURPLE: Purple cloaks with R09 sword. 6 members in total.
TEAM GOLDEN: Golden cloaks with R12 sword. 6 members in total.
RULE:
- Can eliminate everyone, including their own members.
- All violence is accepted.
TIME:
- 4 days. The time will start just after you are sent to the location.
______________________
"What do you mean, all violence is accepted?" I asked, my voice trembling with panic. "I feel like this is a trap we should never enter."
"We can't go back now," Satoru spoke up, his face grim and resolved.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on us, and I could sense the tension thick in the air.
After we reluctantly changed into our white cloaks, matching the color of our assigned team, Celestina showed up again. She was panting, clearly having run to catch up with us.
"I forgot to tell you about the swords," she said, gasping for breath.
"What's so special about the swords?" I asked, trying to calm my nerves.
"The swords are no joke. The most powerful one is the 'R43'. The swords' power increases with their numbers. So, be careful. A single slash from one of those can kill two people within minutes," she warned, her tone serious and urgent. "So, if you're ready... I'll go now."
"We are," Hana said, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around us. "Since there's no way back anyway... we are."
With that, we stood in silence, ready to face whatever came next.
By the time the clock struck 9 AM, the world around us shifted, and in a matter of seconds, we were teleported to the location. The others—our competitors—were already there, standing in silence. Each team seemed to be sizing the other up, as if testing for weaknesses.
We were all gathered in the same strange place, our surroundings unfamiliar and eerily quiet. The air was thick with tension as we realized that the next four days would be nothing short of brutal.
As the last vestiges of the teleportation magic faded away, we stood in the vast expanse of a desolate desert. The winds howled, lifting dust from the cracked earth beneath us. A dim, oppressive sun beat down on the barren landscape. In the distance, I could see the outlines of the other teams, each of them scattered, preparing for what was sure to be a bloody game.
I could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't just a game of finding a card—it was a game of survival.
Team White stood together in silence. Inaya, with her sharp gaze and radiant, almost ethereal presence, stood near me, her every movement conveying a sense of purpose. It was clear—she had changed. Her powers were much stronger now, the White Feather was fully hers. She wasn't just a participant; she was a force to be reckoned with.
Satoru, always the strategist, stepped forward with a deep breath, taking in the dry air around him. "We need to stick together and stay alert. The other teams are dangerous, but we need to focus on our goal—finding that magic card."
"Right," I muttered, eyes scanning the horizon. My body still ached from the previous encounters with Riku's ghost, but there was no time to worry about that now. We had a game to win.
Behind me, I could hear Sota and Brother Cheng Hao talking quietly. Sota looked determined, but I knew that despite his energy, he wasn't as strong as the others. Still, his spirit was something to admire. Brother Cheng Hao stood beside him, his expression stoic. His strength was undeniable, though even he seemed to feel the weight of the situation.
At that moment, the loud voice of Team Blue rang through the desert, echoing over the sand dunes. They were calling to us. "Hey, Team White! Looks like you're all set. You better be careful out here. It's dangerous, you know?" Their words were sweet, but there was an unmistakable venom beneath them.
I glanced at their leader, a man named Victor, wearing the blue cloak with a smug look on his face. He had the R12 sword—one of the weakest swords in the game, but that didn't matter. Their true weapon was their manipulative nature. Victor was the type of person who would smile at you while planning to stick a knife in your back.
Satoru's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond. We all knew better than to engage with them right now. "Focus." Satoru said sharply. "Let's move."
We began walking towards the edge of the desert where our first challenge awaited. We could see "Team Black" in the distance, moving in a completely different direction. They were known for their fearlessness, for attacking anyone and everyone without hesitation. I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. Lena, the leader of Team Black, had an air of madness about her, and her team was just as dangerous. They had no plans to wait around to be attacked—they would strike first.
The rules of the game allowed for anything, even violence against one's own team. It wasn't a game of honor—it was a game of survival, and only the fittest would make it out alive.
I couldn't help but notice Team Purple stumbling behind us, clearly out of their depth. They weren't weak, but they weren't ready for this kind of battle either. They would last a day, maybe two, before they were wiped out. Their leader, Maris, tried to keep her team together, but it was obvious they were more out of place here than anyone. "Stay close. We can do this," she murmured to her team, but the fear in her voice was evident.
The desert stretched endlessly in front of us, and I could feel the weight of what was at stake. Time was ticking.
As we trudged through the desert, the sudden scream of one of Team Golden's members caught our attention. "AHH!" It echoed in the silence before being abruptly cut off. We turned to see one of their members, Arin, fall to the ground as he was struck by an enormous rock monster. His cries were silenced as the creature pummeled him, his body crumpling beneath the heavy blows.
But that wasn't the worst of it. Team Blue had been behind us, and I could see them smirking as they watched the fight unfold. Their leader, Victor, didn't even flinch.
"You'll make it, Team White. Just keep going. Try not to fall behind too much," he mocked.
It was only a few seconds before the giant rock monster was vanquished by Lena and her team, but it was clear that Team Golden would be in the line of fire next. They weren't as ruthless as Team Blue, and their honesty made them vulnerable.
We continued our journey through the harsh desert landscape, the heat oppressive as we navigated the treacherous terrain. The sand shifted beneath our feet, threatening to swallow us whole.
Suddenly, Sota stumbled forward, collapsing to the ground with a grunt of pain. His face was pale, and his chest heaved as if he had just run a marathon. "Sota!" I rushed over to him, concern flooding my chest.
Brother Cheng Hao knelt beside him, his eyes scanning his injuries. "It's bad, isn't it?"
"It's a miracle he's still alive,"Brother Cheng Hao muttered under his breath. He helped Sota back to his feet, but the damage was done. The injury he had sustained was a death sentence for anyone less determined.
Inaya stepped forward, placing a hand on Sota's shoulder. Her eyes glowed with the light of the White Feather, and the strength of her aura seemed to renew Sota's will to fight. "Stay strong," she whispered, her voice calm but powerful.
Sota nodded weakly, determination returning to his eyes. "I won't give up," he murmured. "Not yet."
But even as Sota regained some strength, we all knew this game wasn't going to be easy. Our fight for survival had just begun.
The game was officially on.