11-08-2009, 10:34 AM
The seventeen fighters were ordered into a single file according to an arrangement that made no sense to them. Kaden was placed first in the line, whilst Ashe was placed last. A guard, presumably a higher up as he was dressed in gray instead of black, counted them and gave them a quick once-over. Most of them looked so…young. The only one who truly stood out was a robot that looked as misplaced as a clown in a convent. He gave the others a solid thumbs up, and two heavy-duty steel double doors opened. The group shuffled into the room.
It was oddly bare, save for a small dais centered at the end. A fancy chandelier hung from the center, lighting the room in a soft ambience. A plush, red velvety carpet stretched out beneath their feet. The walls were white with gold trim. A band of musicians in black tie ensemble positioned over in a corner, and once the group started to pour in, they began to play “Autumn” by François Barthélémon on their wind instruments. Once out of the single file line, the participants quickly grouped up or singled out. They quietly murmured amongst themselves, wondering what in the world was going on. The sentries that had escorted them lined the walls, weapons charged, hands folded calmly in front.
Suddenly, the door opened again, drawing the stares of the Abyss participants. A well-groomed man with slicked back dark hair walked in, and the music immediately ceased. He was garbed in black dress clothes fit for royalty, with gold, red, and blue trim. A fancy, decorative silver chain strung between red-with-gold-trim shoulder coverings, and a similar yet smaller chain pinned together the cloth collar that covered the man’s neck. A dazzling white smile adorned his clean-shaved face. One by one, the man walked up to each person and greeted them warmly by name, although he didn’t bother to give his own. For some, it was a hearty handshake with his pristinely white-gloved hands. For others, the greeting was a bit customized.
Upon seeing Piper, he merely bowed graciously, making no motion to touch her. When he met Sage, he got down humbly on one knee and kissed the back of her hand, addressing her as “Highness” instead of by name. Sage recoiled, jerking her hand back as if bitten by a venomous snake. The man was unruffled by this reaction. Xenia received the same courtesy, although she was a bit more receptive of the gesture. Orion, Mal Nova, and Vad, instead of handshakes, merely received grunts and nods, the greeting of a warrior.
Once all the contestants had been greeted, the man walked up to the dais and stood directly at its center. The warm smile never left his face.
“My most honored guests…greetings!” he said cheerfully, thrusting his arms out in welcome. “My name is Damon Dukes, your humble host for this event.” He dipped deeply into a graceful bow. At the mention of the name, some stood and did nothing, while others suddenly had to resist the impulse to go over and rip his face off. “It is my pleasure to induct you all into the roster for this year’s Dante’s Abyss. I hope that you were pleased with the accommodations provided; I spared absolutely no expense to give nothing but the best for each and every one of you.”
“YOU LIED!” somebody screamed.
“Ah yes,” Damon acknowledged. “I am afraid that some of my invitations were a bit misleading. I deeply apologize for the deception, but it was necessary to accumulate the group dynamic that I have assembled.”
“I want out!”
Damon’s face wrinkled in sincere remorse. “I am sorry, but the moment your identification chips were swiped, you all were voluntarily entered into a legal binding contract which requires that you participate in this event. Each contract also has unlimited renewable options, meaning that you are all also contractually obligated to return should this event be hosted again.”
“This is bullshit!”
“Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do. Any complaints may be lodged with our customer service department, my good sir,” Damon smiled reassuringly. “Consider this a wonderful opportunity to reunite with old friends, compete with the up-and-coming fighters of the universe, or for my very special guests, be given a day to walk back among the living. For those of you who are familiar with the game, I hope you’ve all been studying up on the rules, because I have taken the liberty of reviving one of our previously successful formats. You needn’t worry about cameras or television ratings, as there will be none. Simply play the game to the best of your ability, and I will be most eternally grateful.”
Damon took a few steps backwards.
“I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me my sin. I thank you all for coming, and I wish you all the best of luck. Without further ado, the game of Dante’s Abyss will now commence,” Dukes smiled, clapping his hands together and bowing once more.
The clap appeared to be a signal, and the guards pulled something small and compact from their utility belts, placing it over their mouths. Even the musicians did the same.
“May the best player win!” Damon gestured grandly. He stepped backwards once more, and a secret wall opened, permitting him to slip behind it before closing tightly.
A sharp hiss cut through the silence, and the air grew thick with a chemically visibly spraying into the room from previously concealed vents. The participants began to panic as their lungs sucked in the gas. The guards pointed their ki rifles, ready to fire if anyone attempted to escape. It was far too late for that, anyway. One by one, each Dante’s Abyss participant fell choking and gasping to the floor until they were all passed out cold.
It was oddly bare, save for a small dais centered at the end. A fancy chandelier hung from the center, lighting the room in a soft ambience. A plush, red velvety carpet stretched out beneath their feet. The walls were white with gold trim. A band of musicians in black tie ensemble positioned over in a corner, and once the group started to pour in, they began to play “Autumn” by François Barthélémon on their wind instruments. Once out of the single file line, the participants quickly grouped up or singled out. They quietly murmured amongst themselves, wondering what in the world was going on. The sentries that had escorted them lined the walls, weapons charged, hands folded calmly in front.
Suddenly, the door opened again, drawing the stares of the Abyss participants. A well-groomed man with slicked back dark hair walked in, and the music immediately ceased. He was garbed in black dress clothes fit for royalty, with gold, red, and blue trim. A fancy, decorative silver chain strung between red-with-gold-trim shoulder coverings, and a similar yet smaller chain pinned together the cloth collar that covered the man’s neck. A dazzling white smile adorned his clean-shaved face. One by one, the man walked up to each person and greeted them warmly by name, although he didn’t bother to give his own. For some, it was a hearty handshake with his pristinely white-gloved hands. For others, the greeting was a bit customized.
Upon seeing Piper, he merely bowed graciously, making no motion to touch her. When he met Sage, he got down humbly on one knee and kissed the back of her hand, addressing her as “Highness” instead of by name. Sage recoiled, jerking her hand back as if bitten by a venomous snake. The man was unruffled by this reaction. Xenia received the same courtesy, although she was a bit more receptive of the gesture. Orion, Mal Nova, and Vad, instead of handshakes, merely received grunts and nods, the greeting of a warrior.
Once all the contestants had been greeted, the man walked up to the dais and stood directly at its center. The warm smile never left his face.
“My most honored guests…greetings!” he said cheerfully, thrusting his arms out in welcome. “My name is Damon Dukes, your humble host for this event.” He dipped deeply into a graceful bow. At the mention of the name, some stood and did nothing, while others suddenly had to resist the impulse to go over and rip his face off. “It is my pleasure to induct you all into the roster for this year’s Dante’s Abyss. I hope that you were pleased with the accommodations provided; I spared absolutely no expense to give nothing but the best for each and every one of you.”
“YOU LIED!” somebody screamed.
“Ah yes,” Damon acknowledged. “I am afraid that some of my invitations were a bit misleading. I deeply apologize for the deception, but it was necessary to accumulate the group dynamic that I have assembled.”
“I want out!”
Damon’s face wrinkled in sincere remorse. “I am sorry, but the moment your identification chips were swiped, you all were voluntarily entered into a legal binding contract which requires that you participate in this event. Each contract also has unlimited renewable options, meaning that you are all also contractually obligated to return should this event be hosted again.”
“This is bullshit!”
“Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do. Any complaints may be lodged with our customer service department, my good sir,” Damon smiled reassuringly. “Consider this a wonderful opportunity to reunite with old friends, compete with the up-and-coming fighters of the universe, or for my very special guests, be given a day to walk back among the living. For those of you who are familiar with the game, I hope you’ve all been studying up on the rules, because I have taken the liberty of reviving one of our previously successful formats. You needn’t worry about cameras or television ratings, as there will be none. Simply play the game to the best of your ability, and I will be most eternally grateful.”
Damon took a few steps backwards.
“I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me my sin. I thank you all for coming, and I wish you all the best of luck. Without further ado, the game of Dante’s Abyss will now commence,” Dukes smiled, clapping his hands together and bowing once more.
The clap appeared to be a signal, and the guards pulled something small and compact from their utility belts, placing it over their mouths. Even the musicians did the same.
“May the best player win!” Damon gestured grandly. He stepped backwards once more, and a secret wall opened, permitting him to slip behind it before closing tightly.
A sharp hiss cut through the silence, and the air grew thick with a chemically visibly spraying into the room from previously concealed vents. The participants began to panic as their lungs sucked in the gas. The guards pointed their ki rifles, ready to fire if anyone attempted to escape. It was far too late for that, anyway. One by one, each Dante’s Abyss participant fell choking and gasping to the floor until they were all passed out cold.