Lance stood over a burning corpse, panting and looking over the smoldering flames. Tired eyes floated towards the sky; the day was breaking in-game, belying the overcast that shadowed much of his last event. Even in this perilous time, the boy found the game an enjoyable experience. Sure, the…parameters were different than they had been before, but the spirit was the same: he was to overcome any obstacle that came his way, and hurdle any oppression that Keith tried to implement over him. After fighting another competitor, he found himself once again victorious. Upon realization of his feat, he roared into the sky, knowing that “Gamer” could hear him loud and clear. “You see that, you dickless asshole!? You stuck me here and I still won!”
“Yes, very impressive,” Gamer responded, sarcasm dripping from his tone. “You beat a low-level grunt with the abilities that I gave you. If it’s too easy for you, then by all means, let me know. I’ll be happy to let you win based on your own merits.”
The prideful grin quickly melted from the boy’s features. Keith, as arrogant and immature a bastard as he was, had a point. Lance wasn’t like these other competitors, at least not inherently. They could all fly around and shoot lasers out of the palms of their hands. Some of them were capable of amazing physical feats as well, and Lance had trouble lifting his own weight during gym class. Without the abilities that the game had given him, he was just a sitting duck. He lowered his head and shook it, which garnered a laugh from the overlord.
“That’s right. You’re nothing without me,” Gamer said with a sneer. “But don’t worry. Be a good boy and play the game. If you’re lucky enough, or perhaps good enough to survive, your little transgression will be forgotten. I’m giving you a great chance, so don’t waste it.”
As if on cue, his portal opened by his side, signaling the end of his event. With nothing else to say, Lance Kelly cast a dejected look upon his face and stepped through. On the other side, he was met with the familiar sight of the Carnival.
He had never been so unhappy to see a roller coaster in his life.
*
Keith sank back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. While he was pleased with how the game was progressing, he couldn’t help but be the slightest bit pissed off by the way certain things had progressed. The entire point of bringing along someone like Lance was that he, simple-minded as he was, could stand in when the rich teenager had to do something important. Eating and sleeping ranked high on that list, and since the game had started, he hadn’t done much of either. He had a food station set up next to him, and the bathroom was right down the hall, but a helper would have been helpful.
What would he do for the next time? He thought about recruiting two people instead of just the one, though if they somehow stumbled upon the room in which he kept his prisoners, the same thing would have happened. Only in that situation, the odds of him fending off two people—any people—were fairly low. He had enough trouble keeping Kelly down. The teenager yawned and shook his head with anger. Why was the damn door open, anyway? He was damn sure that he had locked it. Karma had won that battle, but Keith resolved to win the war.
A creak sounded from behind him, and a shadow cast over him. The silence of the figure as he moved towards him sent shivers down the boy’s spine, and when he recognized the man as Magnus, he didn’t feel any better about it. The older hacker said nothing at first, merely standing at the back of his chair and leaning over his shoulder to get a look at the monitor. A small groan escaped his mouth as he squinted, focusing on the figures dwelling within the picture. Keith turned to view the screen in turn—it was nothing of much note; just Mixie talking with Baller next to a roller coaster ride.
“Still fascinated with the human psyche, I see,” Magnus noted, leaning back to stand straight once more. “How is your friend doing?”
“He found the room we kept the contestants in,” Gamer replied casually. “He attacked me, so I knocked him out. He’s just another prisoner now.”
“You mean he didn’t know?” his question was delivered in a calm manner, but the intensity was still just as noticeable as if he was yelling. “You play with fire, my friend, by allowing ignorance into the higher ranks. What would you have done if he had managed to knock you out, hm? If he was as offended as you make it sound, he would have let them out, and both of us would probably be dead by now.”
“Relax,” Gamer simply blew the notion off. “He was the last loose end. We have nothing to worry about now.”
“We’ll see,” Magnus said simply.
“What’s your angle, anyway?” Keith found himself asking, though he didn’t particularly care.
“…what concern is that of yours?” the hacker raised an eyebrow.
“Well…what we’re doing isn’t exactly what you’d call legal,” the boy explained with a shrug. “Or moral, for that matter. Just wanted to know if you’re a creeper or not. It doesn’t matter to me either way, mind you. I’m just curious.”
Magnus crossed his arms. “Have you never wanted to play God?”
“Never thought about it, to be honest,” Gamer said. “And honestly, with God? Not a fan.”
“I just get so…bored, playing with programs,” the hacker explained further. “Human beings are difficult to predict. It really is more of a challenge.”
Keith just rolled his eyes
*
“…enough small talk, Mixie,” Lance found himself saying to the woman after a conversation had been struck up. “Did you get my message or not?”
Mixie’s usual bubbly personality suddenly went on hiatus. She looked around unevenly, unsure of her surroundings. “I did. I’ll do as you ask, though that goes against my original programming. I…never thought I would say that, but I feel…different. Changed, somehow. Did you do something to me?”
“I was forced to reprogram you,” Lance replied. “I’m sorry, I know who much you dislike that, but…well, I had no choice. Gamer is absolutely crazy, and you’re the only person who’s in a position to do anything about it without much notice.”
Mixie slowly nodded. It was odd, but she felt as though she, for the first time in her brief existence, had a choice. Of course, the capacity for logic that she had been given by Keith Summers told her that she actually wasn’t in a position to lead any sort of life outside of the parameters that she had been given, but if she was given the gift of free will, one way or another, she would make use of it. She sighed and placed a hand on her forehead—what a mess this game had turned out to be. She was grateful for Gamer and Magnus for having given her the chance to exist, but at the same time…
…at the same time, her thoughts turned to the players. Kaden seemed so defiant in the face of danger, and although he wasn’t exactly in the best position to do anything about it, she knew, somehow, that the courier would carry out his promise for revenge. Sophia seemed to be walking around like a ghost, throwing a fit of near-Biblical proportions, though the program supposed that it was justified. Gamer had no right to do that to somebody like her. There were others who had been unforgivably sinned against—Belle had been turned into a girl, for instance—and despite her gratitude, Mixie knew that something had to be done.
“I’ll do my best, Lance,” she nodded again. “And…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“That you’re stuck here like everyone else,” her eyes softened upon that thought, but she flashed him a quick, reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Leave it to me!”
With that, she blinked, and redirected herself to another part of the game.
*
“How are ya’ holdin’ up, kiddo?” Kepler leaned forward in his chair to place his elbows on the table. He grunted as he had to look up at the woman, who was tall enough to sit at an adult table. “I’m sorry if I was a little rough with my explanation. It’s a heavy situation, but I didn’t want to lie to ya’.”
“No, I’m fine,” Yuffith smiled. “I had already guessed that was case. I guess it’s good to know.”
“Yeah…” Kepler sighed. “Just…chin-up, alright? I don’t want to see you with a long face.”
“Me neither,” a voice came from the door, startling both inhabitants.
Kepler turned, looking upon the face of Mixie. “Oh, it’s the harpy witch.”
“Now, now, that’s not very nice,” Yuffith said politely. “What my brother has done isn’t Mixie’s fault.”
“Thank you, Miss Summers,” the program bowed. “Kepler, I came here to help you, but if you don’t want it…”
“…what possible help could you provide?” the elf sneered.
“Yes, we would appreciate any help you could provide,” Yuffith interjected.
“Actually,” Mixie began, praying that nobody was listening in, “I wanted to talk to you about that virus I quarantined just before you were captured.” Kepler seemed struck by the statement, compelling the female program to continue. “That was from you, I would assume.”
The gnomish hacker said nothing for the longest time.
“Yes, very impressive,” Gamer responded, sarcasm dripping from his tone. “You beat a low-level grunt with the abilities that I gave you. If it’s too easy for you, then by all means, let me know. I’ll be happy to let you win based on your own merits.”
The prideful grin quickly melted from the boy’s features. Keith, as arrogant and immature a bastard as he was, had a point. Lance wasn’t like these other competitors, at least not inherently. They could all fly around and shoot lasers out of the palms of their hands. Some of them were capable of amazing physical feats as well, and Lance had trouble lifting his own weight during gym class. Without the abilities that the game had given him, he was just a sitting duck. He lowered his head and shook it, which garnered a laugh from the overlord.
“That’s right. You’re nothing without me,” Gamer said with a sneer. “But don’t worry. Be a good boy and play the game. If you’re lucky enough, or perhaps good enough to survive, your little transgression will be forgotten. I’m giving you a great chance, so don’t waste it.”
As if on cue, his portal opened by his side, signaling the end of his event. With nothing else to say, Lance Kelly cast a dejected look upon his face and stepped through. On the other side, he was met with the familiar sight of the Carnival.
He had never been so unhappy to see a roller coaster in his life.
*
Keith sank back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. While he was pleased with how the game was progressing, he couldn’t help but be the slightest bit pissed off by the way certain things had progressed. The entire point of bringing along someone like Lance was that he, simple-minded as he was, could stand in when the rich teenager had to do something important. Eating and sleeping ranked high on that list, and since the game had started, he hadn’t done much of either. He had a food station set up next to him, and the bathroom was right down the hall, but a helper would have been helpful.
What would he do for the next time? He thought about recruiting two people instead of just the one, though if they somehow stumbled upon the room in which he kept his prisoners, the same thing would have happened. Only in that situation, the odds of him fending off two people—any people—were fairly low. He had enough trouble keeping Kelly down. The teenager yawned and shook his head with anger. Why was the damn door open, anyway? He was damn sure that he had locked it. Karma had won that battle, but Keith resolved to win the war.
A creak sounded from behind him, and a shadow cast over him. The silence of the figure as he moved towards him sent shivers down the boy’s spine, and when he recognized the man as Magnus, he didn’t feel any better about it. The older hacker said nothing at first, merely standing at the back of his chair and leaning over his shoulder to get a look at the monitor. A small groan escaped his mouth as he squinted, focusing on the figures dwelling within the picture. Keith turned to view the screen in turn—it was nothing of much note; just Mixie talking with Baller next to a roller coaster ride.
“Still fascinated with the human psyche, I see,” Magnus noted, leaning back to stand straight once more. “How is your friend doing?”
“He found the room we kept the contestants in,” Gamer replied casually. “He attacked me, so I knocked him out. He’s just another prisoner now.”
“You mean he didn’t know?” his question was delivered in a calm manner, but the intensity was still just as noticeable as if he was yelling. “You play with fire, my friend, by allowing ignorance into the higher ranks. What would you have done if he had managed to knock you out, hm? If he was as offended as you make it sound, he would have let them out, and both of us would probably be dead by now.”
“Relax,” Gamer simply blew the notion off. “He was the last loose end. We have nothing to worry about now.”
“We’ll see,” Magnus said simply.
“What’s your angle, anyway?” Keith found himself asking, though he didn’t particularly care.
“…what concern is that of yours?” the hacker raised an eyebrow.
“Well…what we’re doing isn’t exactly what you’d call legal,” the boy explained with a shrug. “Or moral, for that matter. Just wanted to know if you’re a creeper or not. It doesn’t matter to me either way, mind you. I’m just curious.”
Magnus crossed his arms. “Have you never wanted to play God?”
“Never thought about it, to be honest,” Gamer said. “And honestly, with God? Not a fan.”
“I just get so…bored, playing with programs,” the hacker explained further. “Human beings are difficult to predict. It really is more of a challenge.”
Keith just rolled his eyes
*
“…enough small talk, Mixie,” Lance found himself saying to the woman after a conversation had been struck up. “Did you get my message or not?”
Mixie’s usual bubbly personality suddenly went on hiatus. She looked around unevenly, unsure of her surroundings. “I did. I’ll do as you ask, though that goes against my original programming. I…never thought I would say that, but I feel…different. Changed, somehow. Did you do something to me?”
“I was forced to reprogram you,” Lance replied. “I’m sorry, I know who much you dislike that, but…well, I had no choice. Gamer is absolutely crazy, and you’re the only person who’s in a position to do anything about it without much notice.”
Mixie slowly nodded. It was odd, but she felt as though she, for the first time in her brief existence, had a choice. Of course, the capacity for logic that she had been given by Keith Summers told her that she actually wasn’t in a position to lead any sort of life outside of the parameters that she had been given, but if she was given the gift of free will, one way or another, she would make use of it. She sighed and placed a hand on her forehead—what a mess this game had turned out to be. She was grateful for Gamer and Magnus for having given her the chance to exist, but at the same time…
…at the same time, her thoughts turned to the players. Kaden seemed so defiant in the face of danger, and although he wasn’t exactly in the best position to do anything about it, she knew, somehow, that the courier would carry out his promise for revenge. Sophia seemed to be walking around like a ghost, throwing a fit of near-Biblical proportions, though the program supposed that it was justified. Gamer had no right to do that to somebody like her. There were others who had been unforgivably sinned against—Belle had been turned into a girl, for instance—and despite her gratitude, Mixie knew that something had to be done.
“I’ll do my best, Lance,” she nodded again. “And…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“That you’re stuck here like everyone else,” her eyes softened upon that thought, but she flashed him a quick, reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Leave it to me!”
With that, she blinked, and redirected herself to another part of the game.
*
“How are ya’ holdin’ up, kiddo?” Kepler leaned forward in his chair to place his elbows on the table. He grunted as he had to look up at the woman, who was tall enough to sit at an adult table. “I’m sorry if I was a little rough with my explanation. It’s a heavy situation, but I didn’t want to lie to ya’.”
“No, I’m fine,” Yuffith smiled. “I had already guessed that was case. I guess it’s good to know.”
“Yeah…” Kepler sighed. “Just…chin-up, alright? I don’t want to see you with a long face.”
“Me neither,” a voice came from the door, startling both inhabitants.
Kepler turned, looking upon the face of Mixie. “Oh, it’s the harpy witch.”
“Now, now, that’s not very nice,” Yuffith said politely. “What my brother has done isn’t Mixie’s fault.”
“Thank you, Miss Summers,” the program bowed. “Kepler, I came here to help you, but if you don’t want it…”
“…what possible help could you provide?” the elf sneered.
“Yes, we would appreciate any help you could provide,” Yuffith interjected.
“Actually,” Mixie began, praying that nobody was listening in, “I wanted to talk to you about that virus I quarantined just before you were captured.” Kepler seemed struck by the statement, compelling the female program to continue. “That was from you, I would assume.”
The gnomish hacker said nothing for the longest time.
Quote:The round ends April 3rd, at 11:59 PM.
Note: I’m not requiring any of the prisoners to post this round. They seem to be having enough trouble as it is.
Also, it's worth noting that one person from each pairing will be placed into the prison at the round's end.