《The fifth sun》 All silent on a Hill edge The mountain range. a large breath of fresh air from the cultivated sights and entertainment of human reality. Its snow capped peaks grazing the cornflower sky and its radiant polychromatic hue. The familiar calling of birds and the bird song of embracive tweets made up the background chorus. The air was fresher than even the most isolated of hamets. And although it''s a miracle that this site hadn¡¯t been disgraced with needless human ingenuity due to the dozen of dangers it held selflessly. Guess she didn¡¯t learn from the first time. Twelve humans. All resting at the base of the ethereal sight. He awakened, his head positioned to stare at the blurry clouds above. For a second he had no idea whether he was falling or floating. He delved deep into his memories attempting to recollect what series of events could have possibly led him up to this moment. Taking the time to look around himself, not only was he hit with the worst headache of his life but also hit with the realisation that he was situated on a hill, a mountain range behind him with a dozen other people who all slowly started to wake up, a girl next to him clutched her head, her palm rubbing her forehead that was overlaid with medium light brown hair. The day was set in late noon, the sun shining its golden light onto the lime grass below, all the people around stood up and decided to arrange themselves in a circle. Some seemed panicked, others frustrated or even calm. In total there were 12 people including a baby and himself. Suddenly a man spoke, the unexpectedness of his voice jolting another female. ¡°Does anybody know how old the kid is?¡± he sighed, straightening out his black hair and his uniform clothes. Everyone shook their heads. Another man spoke, this time with light brown hair. ¡°We should introduce ourself-¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°There¡¯s too many people. If I can''t remember my entire life there¡¯s no guarantee I can remember a name.¡± ¡°I agree with the woman.¡± the man with dark hair said. ¡°Lets pick something simple, i¡¯m first in this circle so that¡¯ll be my name.¡± 1 said, passing the turn to the person next to him. ¡°That makes me number 2 then, I don''t remember much.¡± she mumbled to the group. ¡°Neither do i.¡± a voice intervened, clearly irritated by her statement.¡±I''m 3.¡± 3 introduced himself. He looked to be of latino descent. Wearing a casual jacket which housed a white tank top. His hands sported fingerless gloves. He was promptly elbowed by number four, a japanese man with part of his pinky finger missing, four had an eyebrow slit and long black slicked hair tied at the back of his head with the sides shaved. His black leather jacket on top of his white collar shirt. ¡°I¡¯m five it seems.¡± A dark haired man much like 1 introduced himself with lacklustre effort. Seemingly too interested in his dark rimmed glasses. ¡°Number six?¡± 1 said. ¡°Care to introduce yourself?¡± Number six didn¡¯t respond. To busy on her- ¡°Wait, she has a phone!¡± a woman who would¡¯ve been number nine in the circle said, crawling towards number six and peering over six¡¯s shoulder to see the familiar rectangular object. ¡°6 pass it here.¡± 1 said. ¡°No, I need to check for any messages.¡± she muttered calmly, standing up and evolving on her tiptoes reaching into the sky to no avail. ¡±damn clouds.¡± whilst 1 attempted to reason with her three tackled her to the ground, with three¡¯s arms around six¡¯s torso her phone flying out of her hand into the soil where it was quickly retrieved by 9. ¡°It¡¯s cracked.¡± she said to the dismay of the others. Swiping on it. ¡°It still works though.¡± the other members of the group visibly relaxed. Meanwhile three got off six and they recuperated, six still flashing glares at him. 1 -who was now in possession of the phone- wiped off the dirt and Placed it into the middle of the circle. Words in all different languages flashed on the white screen. ¡®You may be wondering where you are. Or in fact. Who you are. My name is twenty three. Good luck¡¯ Reestablished education ¡°That didn¡¯t help.¡± 11 shouted rather angrily as the same text flashed in different languages. And then finally. ¡®survive¡¯ ¡°That was quite an entrance¡± 4 said, sauntering further into the forest. Under 1¡¯s guide the group had been led down the hill and into a surrounding plain away from the snowy mountains. The golden hue simmered around them. To the east lay a dense forest and behind them (south) was a mountain range. 1 had cleverly proposed the idea of needing firewood and sent two people into the wooded area. Not much sunlight found its way into the area. ¡°Is that a compliment?.¡± a young individual who identified her name as 9 said. The man with an annoyed expression only grumbled, ¡°I''m not into flashy types.¡± holding up some logs that they had found on the ground. 9 hung onto a branch and immediately fell with the branch still in her hand. ¡°Ow.¡± ¡°You must be strong.¡± ¡°What?¡± she regained her footing and gently stepped out of the fauna that had cushioned her fall. ¡°It''s a sturdy branch. It¡¯s either that or you¡¯re fat.¡± 4 guessed. inspecting the tree. ¡°And you don¡¯t look fat.¡± ¡°H-hey!¡± she shouted. Obviously taking offence. ¡°Y¡¯know 4. you could at least be a little nicer.¡± 4 only responded by punching the tree. Causing it to shake. He punched it again disregarding the pain that shot through his calloused fist, the tree¡¯s shaking eventually got more and more violent until it fell onto the ground, 9 was left astonished. And partially intimidated. ¡°The trees are weaker.¡± he said, picking the entire tree up . ¡°Well? Help out.¡± It was an odd request as 9 was quite small but regardless she put her arms around the trunk and the two located their way out of the woodA large amount of the group had their mouth gaped when they saw the two arriving with the uprooted tree. They dropped it near them, dirt flinging from the ground. In an instant the pair were bombarded with questions. Even 1 was confused. 9 pulled some sticks and branches from her pocket and threw them on the ground. After an hour the group had set up a decent fire, the sun slowly falling. ¡°How do we make sure the baby doesn¡¯t flatline?¡± 2 asked. ¡°It needs milk, I think.¡± 11 said. Looking at the women in the group as if to expect something from them. ¡°What the hell are you insinuating man?¡± number 3 said over the crackle of the fire. ¡°Nothing but, I haven''t seen a cow. Have you?¡± 11 rhetorically asked, running his pale hand through his brunette hair. ¡°We¡¯ll find a way.¡± one interjected, putting his arm in front of an increasingly furious three.¡±for now we¡¯ll sleep. And since one of us wants to play into gender roles, they can guard with 4.¡± 4 was obviously opposed to this idea, a look of murderous intent flashed against his face. 11 also seemed pissed off. ¡°Seriously?¡± 1 put his thumbs up as he began to lay onto the soft grass. The two men stood a little in front of the group. Sitting down hours later. Guarding the group as the other ten slept. The moonlight reflected from the grass and it wasn¡¯t actually that dark thanks to the campfire¡¯s aura. The two had devised a plan that if something did happen, they¡¯d grab a stick from the fire and wave it in front of the threat. But apart from that there was no conversation. Four seemed to be in his own world, meditating almost. Meanwhile eleven was very fidgety. Pulling grass and the strings attached to his azure hoodie. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°How are you so relaxed?¡± Eleven asked, his voice carried by the fresh night air. ¡°I was taught. I don''t know who. But I do know that screaming and crying won¡¯t do anything except attract things that are worth screaming and crying about.¡± he responded calmly. ¡°Let¡¯s take shifts. Sleep for a couple hours, I¡¯ll take over later. You¡¯re young, get your rest.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± he grumbled. crawling back to the rest of them and lying down. In a matter of minutes he was out like a light. Four only sighed, turning his gaze back to the stars. 1 woke up, then 2 and so on. Before they knew it they had already arranged themselves, the fire was out and the day sky took on its light. Beautiful colours of auburn and white blended into a da vinci artwork. The cornflower blue slowly creeping in. ¡°Any complaints.. Or things that we could change?¡± 1 asked. ¡°Sleeping on the grass.¡± 8 said, and everybody unanimously agreed. ¡°I want my phone back.¡± 6 stated. ¡°No. it might be-¡± Suddenly the phone buzzed. Taking it out of his pocket he saw the imagery of sheep and other farm animals with Japanese lettering above it. Below it was a recipe to craft what looked like an axe. He turned the phone around and showed everyone. ¡°Does anybody know what this says?¡± ¡°6 might.¡± 11 said. ¡°Yeah, I might actually pass it here so I can see.¡± six smiled warmly. 1 gave the phone to her and 6 immediately shoved it into her pockets. ¡°I¡¯m korean dipshit!¡± she laughed. To avoid accusations of being racist 11 looked over at 4 who was comfortably sleeping. He scowled. ¡°If it showed animals could it be that there were animals? And if so we could create a tent with leather or sheepskin.¡± 9 followed on ¡°We could probably get some milk for the kid too.¡± coddling the aforementioned baby. ¡°9 is reasonable.¡± 8 agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll go get animals. ¡°You can¡¯t go alone. Pick¡­ two other people.¡± 1 estimated. ¡°2 and¡­ 3.¡± she decided with a smile. 8 was a little taller than average for a woman. She had black hair which contrasted with two¡¯s pale blonde hair and an annoyed look. ¡°You picked the most incompetent trio.¡± 3 informed as they were walking. ¡°How are we meant to round up and kill an animal?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just like killing a human!¡± she reassured him. He did not feel reassured. The trees and bushes got closer to them and it seemed that they were about to be swallowed up in greenery until they saw the fine sands of a beach. The grains of sand were white, soiled with the water of the cascading sea. The sunlight reflecting off it and turning the already enchanting sight ethereal. They heard the sounds of seagulls cawing but there was none in sight. The trio stood there in shock. ¡°Should we tell the others?¡± 2 proposed. ¡°No.¡± the other two said in unison, shooting the idea down at its first breath. Then it was just 3 and 2. Three looked back at 8 running away and instantly followed, the air rustling against his face and already messing up his brown partially dyed hair. He wasn¡¯t streamlined at all but still managed to catch up to her however she was still running. ¡°You said you weren¡¯t gonna tell!¡± he shouted. ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± she shouted back. Eventually stopping in her tracks when she found her target. A middle sized sheep, its fur dirty and its eyes hazard yellow. At the campsite 1 was with 12. A tall, dark haired female with a lip piercing on the lower lip. She was definitely somewhat intimidating. The two sought to recreate the recipe or the axe looking contraption. They had gathered a multitude of study sticks and large angular rocks. ¡°We just need a vine right?¡± her voice was a sweet mix between high and low. ¡°We woke up near a mountain so there¡¯s probably some there.¡± 1 said, a bit quieter than he would¡¯ve liked. Walking uphill through a small grassy path. Finding lichen but further up, just before it became stone they found three strong vines and pulled on it with tremendous effort. 12 took out a rock and threw it to 1 who caught it from the vine and began cutting away at the tough green fibres after the first two he absentmindedly cut his own. And immediately fell into 12¡¯s arms and then out of them. ¡°Sorry-¡± 1 apologised. 12 only nodded, following behind him so that he wouldn¡¯t see the light pink blush that spread across her pale face and how her heart was beating so loud in her ears. 1¡¯s body tensed in fear that 12 was out to assassinate him from the behind. His heart was racing. Reverance in revelation The trio each had their sheep to drag. They had drowned all three to avoid blood but that still made them unfathomably heavy. ¡°This is fucking impossible.¡± 2 said, breaking the sound of the dragging. ¡°If you let me ask a favour of you, I''ll drag yours too.¡± after 8 said that it almost looked as if 2 had stars in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything!¡± she said, and almost immediately 8 was racing with the two corpses. Sure it was slow but it was infinitely faster than the pace she was doing before. She dropped the sheep a few yards from where the campsite was and then fainted from the amount of force she exerted. Leaving two to now drag her body. Almost immediately 11 hovered over her. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°She passed out.¡± and as soon as she informed him he seemed to lose interest. 1 and 12 had made their tool and tested it out. Upon seeing a member unconscious they all hurried to 8. 12 looked over at her. Finally 8¡¯s eyes fluttered, drawn specifically to 12¡¯s breasts. Neither of them moved. Almost as if both parties were enjoying it until 3 ran up to them. ¡°8 are you good?¡± he shouted, looking up at the six foot girl over her he stopped dead in his tracks.¡±What the-¡± ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡± 12 said flatly with a dead panned look. Suddenly 3 had no desire to inquire further. After everyone was settled, 1 began to make an announcement with 12 by his side. He was dwarfed by her height. ¡°While I was working with 12 we noticed a structure and I felt the need to share it with you.¡± The group seemed curious, all ten other members followed him and 12 into the forest. 5 clutched the baby. In her arms. As she walked through the dense jungle-forest. The smell of plants overwhelmed her senses and the ridged feeling of bark scraping against her legs. 4 followed the group after he was awoken by 3. 11 went up to him. ¡°Dude why didn¡¯t you wake me up last night?¡± ¡°Guess I was so sleepy I forgot.¡± 4 responded, you could tell he was obviously lying but his tone was so flat it could rival 12¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m as capable as you are.¡± 11 said, catching up with the rest of the group leaving 4 and 3 in his dust. Then the group saw it, pressed against the base of the mountain was a rectangular portal structure. It was at least 12 feet by 6 feet and made of a blue-violet material, its light illuminated the plants and just the close surrounding parts of the forest. It was noticeable because it was the only light that wasn¡¯t a sickly green colour. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°What the hell..¡± 2 said. 3 and 8 immediately went up to it, it must¡¯ve been action because the air inside the portal distorted and had the faint colour of emerald green. ¡°Wait guys i see something..¡± 8 said, and almost immediately the entire group came up as close as she was. With an impressive amount of reflexes she pushed five people in, and 3 snickered pushing another five in but being gentle with 7 and the baby. ¡°Shi, they¡¯re gone..¡± 3 said, the portal looked like it just swallowed them and that they never existed in the first place. ¡°So are you!¡± 8 said, still having fun, pushing 3 in but three grabbed her too. ¡°You¡¯re coming with me bitch!¡± he laughed. Both of them racing with adrenaline. Ironically 10 was one. 10 was a one year old child. He sat in an office he recognised, in fact it was his own office and he assumed he was ten floors up. There was one man in front of him was ten times his size and he eyed the baby happily. The man was in a pinstripe suit and had a curly moustache as well as black combed back hair and a mole on his chin. He welcomed 10 with a smile. ¡°Hi Altin.¡± ¡°What am I doing here? Why do I remember everything?¡± ¡°Because that''s your blessing.¡± ¡°Seems that''s standard. And what do you mean by ¡®my blessing¡¯?¡± ¡°Everyone gets a blessing. You have the rat blessing as you were born year of the rat.¡± ¡°Is that why you resemble one?¡± he insulted, clearly bitter at his circumstances. ¡°Yes.¡± he held up his rat tail, the man was also noticeably chubby. ¡°The rat blessing is essentially, you¡¯re smarter, faster and luckier. Like a rat.¡± he smiled. ¡°However, you cannot talk. It¡¯ll sound like a squeak. Like a normal baby or even-¡± ¡°A rat. Yes i guessed that.¡± he frowned. ¡°Exactly!¡± he said happily. Taking something from out under his desk. A baby milk bottle and throwing it over to Altin who caught it. ¡°This is insulting.¡± ¡°Hardly. I¡¯ll see you again sometime. Until then, Mirupafshim.¡± ¡°Vrite veten.¡± and then it cut to black. 1 sat in a cramped cubicle. A woman twice his side leaned against it. ¡°Hiya Raffaello.¡± ¡°What..¡± 1 said, looking around and then standing up. ¡°Where am i?¡± he stumbled out of his cubicle, seeing the image replaced tenfold. A sea of empty cubicles and fluorescent light. It seemed.. Soulless. The sphere was beige and every so often a lone dust particle seemed to drift in the air. ¡°Raffaello. You¡¯re in my realm. And you represent the year of the goat.¡± ¡°What does that even mean?¡± he said looking over at her, noticing the goat horns protruding from her head. She was in a suit and had frivolous light brown hair. ¡°You have the blood of a leader. You¡¯re respectful but also persuasive, naturally you¡¯re agile and you get a beard and your hair will progressively lighten.¡± ¡°Only cosmetic changes?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± she responded in her calm and collected manner. Walking back into her office that was three feet away from him and shutting the door. He could hear her personality deeply contrast to what he was shown. jumping in happiness and Fangirling about how she did such a good job. Then he found his vision fading to black.