《Phased Out》


 Chapter 1: Palamine

    Morning light slipped through the curtains, faint and uneven. Ethan lay on his bed, his face tired, his body heavy. It felt like the world was pressing him down, making it impossible to move.


    With a quiet groan, he rolled onto his side, pulling the blanket closer as if it could shield him from the dayahead. But the alarm had already rung, and there was no escaping reality.


    Ethan: ¡°Gosh¡­ we have to go through another day¡± he mumbled, voice rough from sleep.


    Slowly, he pushed himself up, his feet meeting the cold floor. A shiver ran through him. He didn¡¯t want to get up, but there was no choice. The day had already begun.


    Ethan: "I absolutely hate this"


    Ethan muttered as he dragged himself to the washroom.


    He turned on the tap, splashing cold water onto his face. A sharp chill ran down his spine, making him shiver. With a sigh, he reached for his toothbrush and brushed his teeth, staring blankly at his reflection.


    His tired eyes told the same story every morning.


    Stepping out for a moment, he grabbed his towel, then headed back in for a hot shower. The warmth eased his tension, but it didn¡¯t do much for his mood.


    Wrapping the towel around himself, he stepped out and let out a deep sigh. "Okay¡­ at least I¡¯m being productive today," he said, though he still didn¡¯t feel the motivation to do anything more.


    Ethan: Already Monsoon, huh?"


    Ethan muttered, pausing for a moment.


    Shaking his head, he walked to his wardrobe, lazily searching for something to wear. After a few seconds of half-hearted effort, he pulled out a wrinkled, unironed shirt and a pair of pants that looked like he hadn¡¯teven thought twice about them.


    He slipped into the mismatched outfit without a care, his usual indifference showing in every choice¡ªor lack of it. Fashion, presentation, effort¡­ none of it really mattered to him. than slipped into his clothes, his movements slow and mechanical. He packed his bag without much thought, shoving a water bottle in the side pocket. He didn¡¯t bother with a tiffin; his diet had never really been a priority. Everything felt quiet¡ªlike he was just going through the motions.


    There was something missing in his life. Something missing in almost everyone¡¯s life, really. That sense of excitement, that thrill of doing something fun or unexpected. When it¡¯s absent for too long, people end up like him¡ªnumb, disconnected, stuck in routine.


    Ethan: "Okay¡­ All set"


    he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    He walked toward the front door, pushing it open with a soft creak. As he stepped outside, his eyes caught something on the ground¡ªa letter, lying there as if waiting for him.


    Ethan stared at the letter, a hint of confusion on his face.


    Ethan: "What is this?"


    he muttered, bending down to pick it up. As his fingers grasped the paper, a strange wave of nervousness swept over him.


    He hesitated for a second, then carefully tore open the envelope. The moment he unfolded the letter, the words on the page seemed to pull his attention in. He read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper:


    "An invitation to the biggest experimental tool for humans. Partaking in the experimental tool will be given participation certificates and a cash prize of 100 thousand dollars. However, if you win some of the games, you might get the opportunity to win 50 million dollars. You wouldn¡¯t wanna miss this."


    He paused, his eyes scanning the final line.


    "Come to this address at 9:30 pm to get the further details with the letter for the entry."


    Ethan stared at the letter in disbelief, feeling the weight of it in his hands. What was this?


    Ethan stood there, staring at the letter for a moment longer, his thoughts racing. "The biggest experimental tool for humans? What kind of bullshit is this?"


    He scoffed quietly to himself, shaking his head.


    Ethan: "Looks exciting, though. Definitely the thrill I wanted" he muttered under his breath. But then he exhaled, dismissing the idea. Ethan: "But no thanks."


    With a quick motion, he tore the letter in half, letting the pieces fall into his hand. Without another thought,he walked over to the outdoor dustbin and tossed it in, his expression indifferent.


    Once again, he let the world pass him by, not giving it a second thought as he continued on his way to theoffice.


    Ethan¡¯s day unfolded just like any other. He grabbed his train ticket and boarded the train, his unkempt appearance drawing confused stares and side-eyes from the other passengers. He sighed, noticing their judgmental looks, but didn¡¯t care.


    By the time he got off the train and exited the station, his face was completely blank¡ªdull, unaffected, and tired. The walk to the office felt like a blur.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    In the office, things didn¡¯t improve. He swiped his attendance card, but it didn¡¯t work. He tried again.


    Nothing. And again. Frustration built up, his patience thinning as he swiped the card over and over.


    Finally, he gave up and went to his cabin, his irritation still simmering. He sat down and opened his laptop, only to realize with a groan that he hadn¡¯t charged it the night before. Now, he had to wait for it to charge.


    Trying to distract himself, he headed out for a coffee. The moment he stepped onto the stairs, disaster struck. He tripped, and the coffee spilled all over his shirt. Great.


    He returned to his cabin, only to find that he had forgotten to turn on the charger. His laptop hadn¡¯t charged at all. In a burst of frustration, he slammed his fist onto the desk, the anger finally breaking through his usual indifference.


    Ethan let out a deep sigh and rested his head on the bench for a moment, trying to cool off. His day wasalready a mess, and it was only getting worse.


    But then, as he lifted his head, he spotted someone walking toward him¡ªKarlos.


    For the first time that day, Ethan¡¯s expression changed. His tired, dull face lit up, and a genuine smileformed as he stood up. Without thinking, he started walking toward Karlos, waving.


    Karlos: "Hey buddy!"


    Without hesitation, Karlos pulled him into a hug.


    Ethan: "Man, it¡¯s good to see you."


    He hugged him back, the weight of the morning momentarily lifting off his shoulders.


    Ethan sat with a deep sigh, recounting every frustrating detail of his morning to Karlos. From the broken attendance card to the coffee spill, he laid it all out, his voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and annoyance.


    Karlos: "Dang, that¡¯s tough. I mean, even I¡¯d have an ugly dull face if my day started like that. Not to mention that letter prank!"


    Karlos let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. Ethan, seeing his friend laugh, couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Somehow, Karlos¡¯ reaction made things feel a little less miserable.


    Ethan: "Yeah, life is just trying to kick my ass in all sorts of new ways."


    Karlos patted Ethan¡¯s back with a reassuring grin.


    Karlos: "Don¡¯t worry. Once they grant your promotion, you¡¯ll finally get that transfer back to your homeland. You¡¯ll see your mom and dad again."


    Ethan looked at Karlos, his heart feeling just a bit lighter. That thought alone gave him something to hold on to.


    Karlos let out a small sigh as he got up, dusting off his clothes before reaching out to help Ethan up. Theyhad been crouched on a small slab on the floor, just talking. Ethan took his hand and stood up, feeling much better.


    Karlos: "Well then, I better hop back to my cabin before the boss starts beating my ass up."


    Ethan: "You¡¯re right. Take care, man."


    Ethan smiled as he said it, and Karlos smiled back. Their short but wholesome conversation had warmed their hearts, making the day feel a little less heavy. With that, Ethan turned to his desk, feeling ready to finally get some work done.


    The evening had settled in, and Ethan finally wrapped up his work. Leaning back in his chair, he wondered if Karlos had already left. He glanced at the clock¡ª8:21 PM.


    Ethan: "Yeah, he¡¯s probably home by now."


    A thought flickered through his mind. This boring life. This miserable, empty routine. Does it really feel good living like this? Was there no way out of this endless cycle?


    His gaze drifted as his mind wandered, and then¡ªhe remembered. The letter at his door.


    "What if it was actually real?"


    The words from the invitation echoed in his head. 9:30 PM was the reporting time, wasn¡¯t it? His thoughts swirled in uncertainty, debating, hesitating¡ªuntil he glanced at the clock again.


    8:30 PM.


    Without another second of doubt, he shot up from his seat, swiped his attendance, and bolted out of the office. His feet pounded against the pavement as he ran, heart racing.


    Grabbing the first train he could, he stared out the window, the city lights blurring past him.


    Ethan: "9:30 PM¡­ I need to be there."


    His voice held a desperate edge. What if this was it? What if this was the one opportunity to escape this shitty life?


    As soon as the train reached his station, he rushed out, sprinting back to his house. Fumbling with his keys, he burst inside and ran straight to the dustbin.


    Breathing heavily, he dug through the scraps, searching, searching¡ªdesperately. His hands tore through old papers and wrappers until finally¡ªhe found it.


    The torn pieces of the letter.


    Once Ethan found the scraps of the letter, he quickly pieced them together, scanning for the location.


    Palamine¡­ Opposite to City Market.


    His eyes darted to the clock. 9:12 PM. A wave of relief washed over him¡ªhe had just enough time.


    Wasting none of it, he rushed out of his house, locking the door behind him before flagging down a taxi. Sliding into the backseat, he let out a deep breath, trying to calm himself.


    As the taxi pulled onto the road, raindrops began to splatter against the windshield. The soft patter of rain mixed with the distant hum of the city, creating a strangely peaceful atmosphere. Ethan gazed out the window, watching the neon lights reflect on the wet pavement.


    The city at night looked breathtaking¡ªlike a sky full of stars right in front of his eyes. Yet, despite the beauty, doubt gnawed at him.


    "What if this is just a stupid prank?" he thought. "What if I¡¯m chasing nothing and just end up looking like an idiot?"


    The thought made his stomach twist, but there was no turning back now.


    After what felt like forever, the taxi slowed to a stop. Ethan stepped out, his shoes splashing onto the wet ground. He stood in front of City Market, the bustling area now quieter under the drizzling rain.


    He muttered to himself, "Palamine¡­ No idea where that is, and I¡¯ve been here so many times."


    His eyes scanned the area as he walked around, searching for any sign of the mysterious location.


    Minutes passed with no luck¡ªuntil his gaze landed on a distant board.


    "PALAMINE COAST."


    His heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he rushed toward it, following the signs to find the exact path to his destination

 Chapter 2: Friends Forever

    Ethan hurried through the dimly lit streets, following the signs that led toward Palamine Coast.


    The rain had settled into a light drizzle, the cool air brushing against his skin as he moved with purpose. His mind raced with anticipation, excitement, and doubt all at once.


    Finally, after a few more turns, he arrived.


    A quiet, desolate coastline stretched before him, waves gently crashing against the shore. The area was eerily empty no sign of people, no hint of the so-called "biggest experimental tool for humans."


    Ethan''s excitement wavered.


    Ethan: "Did I really fall for a scam?"


    He sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. But just as he was about to turn back, a familiar voice called out from behind.


    "Ethan?"


    Ethan spun around, eyes widening. Karlos stood a few feet away, equally drenched from the rain, a look of confusion and surprise on his face.


    Ethan: "Karlos? What the hell are you doing here?"


    Karlos let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.


    Karlos: "I could ask you the same thing, man."


    A strange feeling settled between them. Both of them had received the letter. Both had ended up in the same place.


    This was no coincidence.


    Ethan took a step closer, narrowing his eyes as he studied Karlos. His heart was still racing, not from exhaustion, but from the absolute absurdity of the situation.


    Ethan: "So you knew? About the letter, Karlos? The one I told you about this morning?"


    Karlos let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his damp hair. His expression was a mix of confusion and frustration.


    Karlos: "Hey, I wasn''t really sure if it was the same letter I got. I thought it could be anything. You never dropped the details of what was written on it."


    The two stood in silence for a moment, staring at each other before it finally clicked.


    They had been pranked.


    With an exasperated chuckle, they both broke into laughter, the absurdity of it all sinking in.


    Ethan: "Well, fuck this."


    Karlos: "Yeah, fuck this."


    Still shaking their heads, they turned and began making their way back, walking side by side as the cold night air wrapped around them. The rain had slowed to a faint drizzle, the waves gently rolling against the shore behind them.


    As they walked, their conversation shifted to more trivial things, old memories, work complaints, and gossip. Karlos was mid-sentence, laughing about Ethan''s long-time crush going out with Milo, that "ugly white guy," when something stopped them in their tracks.


    A voice.


    Distant but clear.


    ???: "Ethan¡­ Karlos."


    The laughter died instantly.


    They froze, their breath hitching as their eyes darted around the empty coastline. The wind howled softly, the rain tapping against the ground¡ªbut nothing else. No footsteps. No movement.


    Just the eerie silence after hearing their names.


    Ethan''s fingers twitched, his body suddenly feeling heavier than before.


    Ethan: "Did you hear that?"


    Karlos swallowed hard, his face stiff.


    Karlos: "Yeah¡­ and I really wish I didn''t."


    Ethan and Karlos slowly turned around, their expressions shifting from confusion to sheer unease.


    Their bodies tensed as their eyes landed on the figure standing before them.


    A man¡ªdressed entirely in black¡ªstood motionless a few feet away. A deer mask concealed his face, its smooth, bone-white surface marked only by two hollow eye sockets. On the top the mask, two sharp, twisted horns stretched toward the sky, giving him an almost demonic appearance.


    His presence was suffocating. The air around him felt heavier, colder. There was something deeply


    unsettling about him, something unnatural. Neither Ethan nor Karlos could explain it, but they both felt the same thing this man wasn''t normal.


    Karlos swallowed hard but forced himself to speak, masking his fear with a firm voice.


    Karlos: "Who are you? Are you the one who sent us the letter?"


    His voice was loud, confident¡ªeven though, on the inside, he was just as terrified as Ethan.


    The masked man tilted his head slightly, the motion slow and deliberate. Then, he spoke, his voice


    smooth yet void of any warmth.


    "Yes. You will call me Azerath. You are six minutes late. That is why you see no other candidates


    here."


    Ethan''s breath hitched. His heart pounded as he quickly checked the time on his phone. 9:36 PM.


    Azerath was right.


    Karlos clenched his jaw, his hands instinctively curling into fists.


    Karlos: "So now what?"


    Azerath didn''t hesitate.


    Azerath: "Follow me and I will guide you to the venue where the event is taking place."


    Silence followed. A cold, creeping realization slithered down Ethan and Karlos'' spines.


    This wasn''t a prank.


    This wasn''t some joke.


    This was real.


    And they had just stepped into something far bigger than they had ever imagined. Ethan and Karlos hesitated. Their feet refused to move, frozen in place by an overwhelming sense of unease.


    Azerath continued walking, his movements unnaturally smooth, almost as if he were gliding. As the


    distance between them grew, he suddenly stopped. Then, without a sound, he turned his head back toward them.


    A wave of dread crashed over Ethan and Karlos.


    There were no words¡ªno gestures. Just that silent stare from the hollow sockets of his deer mask.


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    And yet, they understood the message clearly.


    Follow.


    A shiver crawled up Ethan''s spine. He glanced at Karlos, who gave him a stiff nod. With no other choice, they both started walking, side by side. Their steps were slow and cautious, their minds screaming at them to turn back.


    Azerath remained silent as he led the way. The only sounds were the distant crashing of waves and the rhythmic tapping of their footsteps against the damp ground.


    Ethan and Karlos exchanged nervous glances. Every now and then, Ethan would look ahead at


    Azerath''s tall, eerie figure¡ªhis black coat flowing slightly with each step, his posture disturbingly calm.


    Ethan: "There is something off about this person... don''t you think?"


    Karlos whispered, loud enough that only Ethan would be able to hear what he said


    "Yeah... but don''t speak. He might hear us."


    Ethan swallowed hard and nodded. The tension between them was suffocating.


    Then, up ahead, something came into view.


    A large mansion, its towering structure bathed in shadows, loomed in the distance. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of anxiety through them both. This was it. This was where everything would begin. The mansion stood like a vision from a dream, glowing, rich, luxurious, a place straight out of a movie. Every inch of it exuded wealth and grandness, the kind of place people could only fantasize about owning.


    Ethan and Karlos couldn''t help but stare. The golden lights illuminated the sleek marble pathways, the massive pillars stretched toward the sky, and the carved wooden doors looked like they belonged to royalty.


    Azerath came to a stop at the entrance. Without a word, he raised a hand and gave them a subtle but respectful gesture, silently instructing them to go inside.


    Karlos hesitated for a second before stepping forward, pushing the grand doors open. Ethan followed right behind him.


    The moment they entered¡ªblinding light flooded their vision.


    Their eyes, adjusted to the darkness outside, couldn''t handle the sudden shift. They instinctively raised their hands, squinting as their vision struggled to adapt.


    But as the brightness settled, their eyes widened in disbelief. Hundreds of people.


    400? Maybe 600? There was no way to tell exactly, but the sheer number was overwhelming. A sea of unfamiliar faces stretched across the grand hall, filling the space with murmurs of uncertainty and excitement.


    Both Ethan and Karlos stood frozen. This wasn''t some small event. This was massive.


    Ethan: "Karlos... this is crazy, don''t you think?"


    Karlos, his mouth slightly open in shock, slowly nodded.


    Karlos: "There are so many people here¡­ is everyone a participant?"


    Ethan turned to look at him, his own disbelief mirrored in Karlos'' expression.


    Ethan: "Looks like it."


    With that, the two of them stepped forward, moving deeper into the crowd, trying to make sense of what they had just walked into.


    The massive hall was filled with an overwhelming blend of emotions.


    Some people looked worried, their eyes darting around as if second-guessing their decision to come.


    Others were scared, standing stiffly with arms crossed, their expressions betraying the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.


    Then there were the ones excited¡ªthe ones who saw this as an opportunity, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Some had come purely for the thrill, hungry for adventure. Others had come for money, their desperation evident in the way they clutched their invitation letters. And then, there were the ones who had arrived simply out of curiosity¡ªthe most dangerous emotion of all.


    Ethan and Karlos were no different. Opposites in every way, yet drawn to the same fate.


    Ethan, the unpresentable, careless, and laid-back one, standing awkwardly in his wrinkled clothes, his posture slouched, his mind scattered.


    Karlos¡ªthe sharp, well-dressed, confident one, his gaze focused, his presence commanding, his mind always calculating.


    And yet, despite their differences, they were both here.


    Because invitations like these¡ªhumans can''t decline them. It''s in their nature to choose them. It''s in their nature to be curious. From the moment they are born to the second they die, curiosity has always dictated their every action.


    That''s how humanity evolved. That''s how they ended up here.


    Ethan shifted uncomfortably, his nerves growing as he looked around the sea of strangers. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, unfamiliar and suffocating. He wasn''t used to this¡ªthis feeling of being out of place. Of discomfort.


    Instinctively, he turned to Karlos.


    Ethan: "Should we start talking to people¡­ Karlos?"


    His voice held uncertainty. A nervous edge. A fear of being left out lingered in his tone, something he wasn''t used to admitting. It had been too long since he had been thrown into a situation like this. He sought Karlos'' presence for comfort, using him as a shield against the unknown.


    Karlos, however, remained composed. He understood Ethan''s hesitation but didn''t let it show.


    Instead, he gave him a confident nod, his voice firm and reassuring.


    Karlos: "Yeah, we should. Let''s try to gather as much information as we can from the people around us."


    He placed a hand on Ethan''s shoulder, gripping it lightly to ground him.


    Karlos: "Got it?"


    Ethan exhaled and nodded, a flicker of determination replacing his fear.


    With that, Karlos turned to scan the crowd, his sharp eyes searching for the right people¡ªthe ones whose expressions could tell them something useful.


    Karlos focused his search on the scared and lonely ones first.


    Why?


    Because people who are afraid, people who feel alone in a terrifying situation, naturally cling to


    kindness. Imagine being trapped in an unknown place, trembling with fear. Now, imagine someone


    approaching you, not with hostility, not with indifference, but with warmth. A friendly face, a reassuring presence.


    In moments of uncertainty, even a stranger''s kindness can feel like a lifeline.


    That was Karlos'' goal.


    His eyes darted across the room, scanning the sea of faces. So many people. Too many people.


    Distinguishing individual expressions in a crowd this large was almost impossible.


    Karlos (thinking): "Damn¡­ There are too many people. It''s hard to tell who''s scared and who''s just deep in thought."


    His concentration broke when he heard his name.


    Ethan: "Karlos!"


    Karlos turned immediately, locking eyes with Ethan, who stood a few feet away. His expression wasn''t panicked, but there was an urgency in his voice. He had found someone.


    Karlos maneuvered his way through the crowd, slipping past conversations and avoiding brushing


    shoulders with too many people.


    As he reached Ethan, his eyes fell on a young girl standing beside him.


    She looked terrified.


    Her fingers fidgeted slightly, and her shoulders were tense, as if expecting something terrible to happen at any moment. She was one of them, someone who received the letter before heading to work, curiosity leading her straight into the unknown.


    Ethan turned to Karlos, speaking in a confident tone, though the nervousness still clung to his voice.


    Ethan: "Her name is Alice. She has a similar story to ours."


    Karlos glanced at Alice, observing her carefully. She barely met his eyes, her anxiety clear.


    This was it. Their first real conversation with another candidate.


    And now, it was time to find out what she knew.


    Alice stood before them, her presence almost out of place in a setting like this.


    Her voice was sweet and high-pitched, carrying a softness that made her words feel light, yet fragile. Her blonde hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, framing her delicate face. Blue, innocent eyes blinked up at them, wide with uncertainty. Her small pink lips and cute nose only added to the softness of her features.


    She was beautiful.


    Too beautiful to be in a place like this.


    Karlos found himself thinking, "Unbelievable." How did someone like her end up here? He couldn''t wrap his head around it.


    Ethan, keeping his composure, spoke first.


    Ethan: "Has there been anything? Like, anything informative? We just got here, and we have no idea what''s going on."


    Karlos turned his attention to Alice, his sharp gaze lingering on her as he waited for an answer.


    Alice took a breath, her posture still tense, but her expression had softened a lot more than before.


    Meeting Ethan and Karlos¡ªtwo others who shared her situation¡ªhad helped her feel less alone, less afraid.


    Alice: "Nothing. Not yet. Everyone is just standing around, confused. But¡­ there was an announcement."


    Ethan and Karlos both focused on her words as she continued.


    Alice: "A speech will be given by The Elder at 10 o''clock."


    Her voice still held a nervous tremble, but the sheer terror that once painted her face had faded.


    She wasn''t as scared anymore. Not completely safe, but¡­ calmer.


    Karlos muttered under his breath.


    Karlos: "10 PM¡­ I see."


    Ethan instinctively checked the time. 9:51 PM.


    Ethan: "Just nine more minutes."


    Alice gave a soft whimper of agreement, nodding slightly.


    And so, the three of them stood there, silently watching the crowd¡ªwaiting.


    Waiting for whatever was about to happen next.


    As Ethan, Karlos, and Alice observed the restless crowd, a sudden, loud noise erupted from within.


    BANG!!


    The unmistakable sound of a heavy punch landing¡ªflesh meeting bone with brutal force.


    A split second later, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence. The murmurs died. The shuffling footsteps came to a halt.


    Ethan, Karlos, and Alice, along with hundreds of others, snapped their heads in the direction of the sound. Where did it come from? Who was fighting?


    Eyes darted around, searching for the source. Then, fingers began pointing, whispers spread like wildfire, and the crowd instinctively backed away, forming a wide circle.


    Now, in the dead center of that circle, stood two individuals.


    One of them¡ªa young man¡ªwas bleeding profusely from his nose, his entire face contorted in agony.


    The blood dripped uncontrollably, staining his shirt, streaking down his chin. He staggered slightly, his breaths ragged, as if he had barely processed the pain that had just been inflicted upon him.


    Standing before him, towering like a mountain of muscle and menace, was his attacker.


    A tall, fat, but incredibly muscular man.


    His broad chest rose and fell steadily, completely unfazed by what he had done. His fist¡ªthe very one responsible for the devastating blow¡ªremained clenched, small traces of blood smearing across his thick knuckles. His posture was firm, unshaken, as if he had done this a thousand times before.


    The tension in the air was suffocating.


    No one moved. No one spoke.


    All eyes remained locked on the two men in the center.


    And the realization settled in this wasn''t just a simple argument.


    This was something else.


    Something dangerous.

 Chapter 3: A Trap

    The man who threw the punch stood motionless, his expression devoid of any regret merciless, cold, and utterly unshaken. His massive frame loomed over the injured man, his presence alone enough to make it clear


    If he wanted to, he could end this right now.


    He could kill.


    The room fell into an uneasy silence.


    The echoes of the impact still rang in the ears of the hundreds watching. A single punch had reduced the victim to a trembling mess, blood gushing from his nose, soaking his shirt as it dribbled down his chin. He clutched his face, gasping for breath, his legs wobbling beneath him like they could give out at any moment.


    Nobody moved.


    Nobody spoke.


    The atmosphere turned suffocating, thick with unspoken questions and uncertainty. What just happened?


    Why? No one had expected violence this soon. Was this part of the event?


    Ethan''s breath slowed, his mind processing the scene before him. He stole a glance at Karlos and Alice¡ªboth were equally frozen.


    Ethan (thinking): "This is bad¡­ That guy isn''t just trying to prove a point¡ªhe looks like he''s ready to kill."


    People in the crowd exchanged worried looks, some instinctively stepping back, creating more space around the two men. Fear. Confusion. Hesitation.


    Everyone was waiting.


    For what?


    For someone to step in?


    For the man to throw another punch?


    For something worse?


    The injured man coughed, staggering slightly as his blood dripped onto the pristine marble floor. His shaky hand reached forward, almost as if to plead¡ªwhether for mercy or help, no one could tell.


    And then¡­


    The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the hall.


    Someone was coming.


    And the silence grew even deeper.


    As the footsteps grew louder, the tension in the room thickened. Every pair of eyes instinctively shifted toward the source of the sound.


    A man stepped onto the stage.


    He wasn''t tall, nor was he particularly intimidating¡ªstanding at around 165 cm, his presence alone


    shouldn''t have been enough to command attention. But something about him felt off.


    His posture was bent, his back slightly hunched like that of an elder, yet his movements were unnaturally controlled. The way he walked¡ªslow, deliberate, as if he held absolute authority¡ªsent an eerie chill down the spines of those watching.


    The entire crowd shifted their gaze toward him, their curiosity momentarily overpowering their fear. Even the massive man who threw the punch, along with his bleeding victim, turned their attention toward the figure.


    Ethan, Karlos, and Alice stiffened, their breathing slowing.


    This man¡ªwho was he?


    And more importantly¡­ was he here to stop the fight, or was this exactly what he wanted?


    A young man, also wearing a mask, approached the stage and handed the elderly figure a microphone.


    Ethan''s sharp eyes scanned the scene, and a realization crept over him.


    Every single person associated with this event¡ªAzerath, the young man, and now this elder¡ªwas


    wearing a mask. Not a single one of them had revealed their face. But what was even stranger was that each mask was different¡ªnot uniform, not part of an organization, but individual, unique.


    The atmosphere in the hall shifted again.


    A heavy, unspoken pressure settled over the crowd.


    Nobody spoke.


    Nobody moved.


    It wasn''t fear that silenced them.


    It was instinct.


    They felt the need to be silent.


    The old man cleared his throat, the subtle noise echoing eerily in the quiet hall.


    Then, he spoke.


    Old Man (???): "Hello everyone, and may the crowd please not create a commotion."


    His voice was deep, smooth yet commanding¡ªan unmistakable British accent lacing each word.


    It wasn''t just his words that carried weight.


    It was his presence.


    He didn''t yell. He didn''t threaten. Yet, the moment he spoke, the entire hall obeyed. His voice alone was enough to command absolute attention.


    The air grew heavier, tension thickening like a fog. Ethan, Karlos, and Alice could feel it¡ªthe way the energy of the room shifted, the way the suspense wrapped around them like a noose.


    What was he going to say next?


    The old man''s voice echoed through the hall, carrying a weight that demanded undivided attention.


    Old Man (???): "Welcome to Palamine. You must have many questions. Allow me to clear them."


    He paused briefly, clearing his throat once more.


    The silence in the room deepened.


    Not a single murmur, not a single shuffle of feet, everyone listened intently, hanging onto every word as if they were afraid of missing something crucial.


    Even Ethan, Karlos, and Alice, who had been cautious from the beginning, found themselves fully


    absorbed in his words.


    Karlos leaned slightly toward Ethan, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Karlos: "Wasn''t Palamine the name of the place?"


    Ethan didn''t respond immediately. His thoughts were racing.


    Ethan swallowed, his voice just as unsteady as Karlos'' when he whispered back.


    Ethan: "I''m just as confused as you are... Let''s hear his speech first."


    Karlos nodded in agreement, his expression serious. Neither of them had expected this¡ªPalamine wasn''t just a location. It was something much bigger.


    The scene shifted back to the old man as he continued speaking.


    Old Man (???): "Palamine isn''t the name of this place. It''s the name of the event we have created for all of you. Everyone here is a participant of Palamine. It brings me great joy that so many have taken an interest."


    His voice fluctuated unnaturally, shifting between a calm explanation and a disturbing happiness¡ªas if he was genuinely pleased by the sheer number of people who had unknowingly walked into this.


    Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. Participant?


    What kind of event was this?


    The old man''s voice carried on, his tone remaining eerily composed.


    Old Man (???): "The event will begin tomorrow. Instructions will be given to everyone as soon as


    breakfast is served. Also¡ªno one shall leave this mansion. Leaving will result in your name being


    canceled."


    The moment the word canceled left his lips, an eerie implication settled in the air. He hadn''t said


    "disqualified" or "removed." He had said canceled.


    Old Man (???): "We have everything you need to make your stay pleasant and comfortable. Please, enjoy your time at Palamine."


    With that, he calmly switched off the microphone and stepped off the stage.


    The silence that once suffocated the hall shattered instantly.


    Excited murmurs and whispers flooded the room, some people thrilled, and others confused.


    Groups formed as people began discussing what the old man had just said.


    Ethan, Karlos, and Alice remained rooted in place.


    They weren''t excited. They weren''t relaxed.


    They were deeply unsettled.


    This wasn''t just an event.


    This was a trap.


    And now, they were part of it.


    The tension from the speech still lingered in the air as the crowd slowly dissolved into smaller groups, discussing what to do next.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Karlos'' eyes scanned the room, his gut twisting with unease.


    Karlos: "The event starts tomorrow¡­ I don''t know. I have a really bad feeling about this."


    His voice was low, uncertain. For the first time, the usually composed Karlos let his unease show.


    Alice, standing beside them, took a deep breath, steadying herself. Though her voice carried traces of nervousness, there was also something new¡ªconfidence.


    Alice: "There''s no choice now. The crowd seems to be relaxed since their doubts have been cleared. So, I guess we should start forming teams?"


    Her tone shifted mid-sentence¡ªas if she was already beginning to adapt to the situation.


    Ethan barely reacted. His eyes drifted around the massive hall, watching the other participants as


    Karlos answered Alice.


    Karlos: "You''re right. If we don''t form teams, we might get left behind."


    Ethan nodded absentmindedly, though his body language screamed indifference. The motivation he had felt when rushing here, the desperate hope that this was fate''s gift to him¡ªwas slowly fading.


    Alice, on the other hand, nodded with determination. Unlike Ethan, she was already shifting her mindset.


    That didn''t go unnoticed by Karlos.


    He observed her carefully¡ªthe way her posture changed, the way her fear had melted away. It was as if the moment she realized she wasn''t alone, she had transformed.


    Karlos (thinking): "Look at her¡­ She wanted to play this game all along. She was only nervous because she had no one for herself. Now she does¡ªand her fear is suddenly gone."


    Karlos wasn''t sure if that was a good thing¡­ or something to be wary of.


    Time passed, and the chaotic energy in the room gradually shifted. What was once a massive,


    disorganized crowd had now split into smaller, structured groups¡ªpeople gravitating toward those they felt they could trust.


    The room no longer looked like a restless mob. Now, it was categorized, separated into factions. Some groups were large, others small, but one thing was clear¡ªeveryone had come to the same conclusion.


    Survival meant alliances.


    Karlos stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Something felt off. He had


    estimated around 600 people when they first arrived, but now, as he looked around, it was obvious.


    There were way more than that.


    Hundreds upon hundreds of participants filled the hall¡ªfar too many for this to be anything simple.


    His unease only grew.


    Still, he knew one thing¡ªstaying alone was not an option.


    Karlos: "We need a team."


    It didn''t take long.


    Soon, their group was formed.


    Ethan ¨C Detached, reluctant, but sharp when needed.


    Karlos ¨C The natural leader, always analyzing the situation.


    Alice ¨C Adaptive, quick to shift her mindset for survival.


    Johnathan ¨C A quiet, observant man with an unreadable expression.


    Kasey ¨C Calculated, intense, as if she was always thinking two steps ahead.


    April ¨C Seemingly carefree, but there was something about her¡­ something that didn''t match her relaxed demeanor.


    As they stood together, one unshakable truth settled over them.


    They were no longer just individuals.


    They were participants.


    The newly formed group stood together, a circle of six amidst the countless other teams forming in the grand hall.


    A moment of silence settled between them before Johnathan took the lead.


    Johnathan-A tall, well-built man with short brown hair and sharp green eyes. His expression remained unreadable, but his tone was calm, composed.


    "Johnathan. I''m here for the same reason as most of you¡ªcuriosity. And now that we''re here, I guess we''ll see what we signed up for."


    Kasey-A woman in her mid-twenties, her dark auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail, her eyes analyzing each of them carefully before speaking.


    "Kasey. It''s good we''re forming teams early. I don''t trust being alone in a place like this."


    April-Unlike the others, she smiled as she spoke, her light brown eyes carrying a spark of amusement.


    "April! Seems like we''ll be spending some time together, so let''s try not to get each other killed, yeah?"


    Her tone was playful, but something about her didn''t match her carefree attitude.


    Alice- Her introduction was simple, her voice steady.


    "Alice. I guess we''ll be looking out for each other now."


    Ethan


    Ethan, feeling a little detached from the situation, sighed before giving his name.


    "Ethan."


    Karlos, With all introductions done, Karlos finally spoke up, taking control of the moment.


    Karlos: "Guys, we have no idea what this event might be or what kind of challenges we''ll be facing."


    His voice was confident, steady¡ªa natural leader in the making.


    Karlos: "Please be loyal to each other, and let''s not betray our own comrades¡­ okay?"


    He looked at each of them, ensuring his words sank in.


    The group exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement, others remaining silent¡ªbut no one outright objected.


    For now, they were a team.


    As the newly formed Team Karlos chatted among themselves, trying to get to know each other,


    Ethan


    stood apart.


    His mind drifted away from the conversation, his motivation sinking further with each passing second.


    This whole thing... it didn''t feel real.


    A bizarre event, strangers forming alliances, an unknown challenge ahead¡ªwhat were the chances of them even winning?


    His dull eyes scanned the room.


    Other groups had far more members.


    Some had twenty people, others as large as thirty-five. Their team of six looked small, insignificant, weak in comparison.


    Ethan''s chest tightened slightly, a creeping thought forming in the back of his mind¡ª


    "If this really is a competition¡­ then we''re already at a disadvantage."


    He let out a quiet sigh, glancing over at Karlos, who was fully engaged in leading the team.


    Karlos: "Well then, let''s discuss about tomorro¡ª"


    Before he could finish, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the room.


    "ATTENTION, PARTICIPANTS!"


    A group of masked guards stood at the edges of the hall, their voices booming, demanding silence.


    The atmosphere shifted instantly.


    The casual chatter died down. Conversations halted. The weight of reality came crashing back down.


    Ethan, still detached, felt something stir within him again.


    The guards stood tall and firm, their presence alone enough to keep the crowd in check.


    Guard: "All participants, form a line immediately. You will be escorted to your rooms one by one."


    There was no hesitation.


    People moved quickly, falling into formation as instructed. The line formed into 10 rows and 10 columns, stretching across the massive hall.


    Ethan, Karlos, Alice, Johnathan, Kasey, and April stuck close together, subtly adjusting their positions to ensure they wouldn''t be separated.


    But as they stood there, waiting for their turn, an unsettling realization crept into Karlos'' mind.


    His eyes flicked to the guards, then to the long corridor ahead where people were being led away, one by one.


    Karlos (thinking): "This is wrong."


    His breath hitched slightly, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.


    "They''re making everyone stay in individual rooms¡­ but why?"


    If this event was truly about teaming up, they would have allowed people to stay together. But they


    weren''t.


    Instead, they were separating them.


    Karlos (thinking): "Maybe we didn''t understand the nature of this event enough."


    His pulse quickened.


    The slow, methodical pace at which people entered their rooms only made the gut feeling worse.


    Something about this was off.


    And as their turn crept closer, that feeling of unease only grew stronger.


    As everyone was escorted into their rooms, the massive hall gradually emptied, swallowed by an eerie silence.


    One by one, the doors shut behind them, leaving each participant alone.


    Ethan, Alice, Johnathan, Karlos, April, and Kasey now sat in separate rooms, isolated from one another.


    The atmosphere felt wrong.


    The rooms were identical¡ªsmall, clean, but strangely empty. A simple bed, a desk, a chair, and a single light overhead. There were no windows, no clocks, no personal belongings. Just four plain walls and a door that locked the moment they stepped inside.


    For the first time since arriving, true isolation sank in.


    And with it¡­ came the feeling that something wasn''t right.


    Ethan let out a deep sigh as he sat down on the edge of the bed, his body feeling heavier than ever.


    He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and rubbed his face with both hands, trying to shake off the exhaustion that clung to him.


    The day had been long, draining, and downright bizarre.


    From waking up feeling unmotivated, to receiving that letter, to running through the rain just to find himself trapped in some mysterious event he barely understood.


    His fingers pressed against his temples, frustration bubbling up inside him.


    "This day couldn''t get any worse."


    He let his hands fall to his lap and stared at the plain white wall in front of him, his mind clouded with thoughts he didn''t want to deal with.


    And yet¡­ something told him that this was only the beginning.


    Ethan sat there, his eyes dull, his posture slouched, the weight of reality pressing down on him.


    His thoughts spiraled, dragging him deeper into that familiar emptiness.


    Ethan (muttering to himself): "We have no chance of winning... We aren''t the lucky ones. We aren''t the chosen ones."


    His voice was hollow, drained of the fire that had flickered in him before.


    Ethan: "If fate has already decided something for us¡­ there''s no point in fighting back."


    He stared at the floor, his mind clouded with the same hopelessness that had consumed him for years.


    The brief moment of curiosity, of purpose, of believing this event might change something¡ªwas gone.


    His hands rested on his knees as he let out a slow, defeated sigh.


    Ethan: "If it''s written that we''ll win¡­ then we''ll win. If not... I''ll just go along with the flow."


    Just like that, the spark inside him faded.


    The same detached, indifferent Ethan who entered the mansion¡­ had returned.


    Ethan sat in silence, his mind wandering as he stared at the ceiling.


    "What are the others doing right now?"


    Were they thinking the same thing? Were they feeling the same sense of unease? Or had they already accepted their fate, just as he had?


    Before he could sink any deeper into his thoughts¡ª


    Knock. Knock.


    The sudden sound made him jolt upright, his heart skipping a beat.


    For a split second, he froze.


    His eyes darted toward the door.


    "Who the hell¡­?"


    Cautiously, he stood up and quickly walked to the eyeknob, pressing his eye against it to see who was outside.


    A guard.


    He let out a slow breath, steadying himself.


    Ethan (muttering to himself): "Oh¡­ it''s just a guard."


    His fingers hesitated on the doorknob before carefully turning it open.


    The guard, expressionless beneath his mask, wordlessly handed him a tray of food.


    On it sat a fresh pizza, crispy chicken legs, a cold can of Coke, a sealed water bottle, and a soft pastry on the side.


    No words. No instructions.


    The moment Ethan took the tray, the guard pulled the door shut himself, the lock clicking back into place.


    Ethan stood there, staring at the food in his hands.


    Ethan sighed, staring at the tray in his hands.


    Ethan (muttering): "At least the food is good."


    With that, he sat down on the bed, placing the tray beside him before grabbing a slice of pizza.


    The warm cheese stretched as he took his first bite, the rich flavor instantly making him realize¡ªthis wasn''t just good food, it was top-tier.


    The crispy chicken legs were perfectly seasoned, the pastry soft and sweet, and the cold Coke fizzed on his tongue, washing everything down smoothly.


    For the first time since stepping into this mansion, Ethan felt a bit of joy.


    After finishing most of his meal, he grabbed the leftover pizza slices, walked over to the mini fridge, and neatly stored them inside. Returning to his bed, he leaned back, taking slow sips of his Coke as he let himself relax.


    Ethan: "Damn¡­ no matter how bad and weird this event is, the food is amazing."


    A small smirk formed on his face as he took another sip, enjoying the rare moment of comfort.


    For now, at least, he could enjoy something.


    Ethan took the last sip of his Coke, the cool fizz disappearing as he tossed the empty can across the room, not bothering to aim for the trash.


    It rolled across the floor with a hollow clink before settling near the corner.


    Letting out a satisfied sigh, he collapsed onto the bed, arms stretched out, his body sinking into the soft mattress.


    Then¡­ a strange heaviness crept over him.


    His eyelids grew unbearably heavy, his body suddenly feeling like it weighed twice as much.


    A wave of overwhelming drowsiness crashed into him¡ªtoo sudden, too strong.


    Ethan: "Damn¡­ was I this tired that I can''t keep my eyes op¡ª"


    His words slurred as he fought to stay awake, but it was useless.


    His vision blurred, his thoughts faded, and within seconds¡ª


    His eyes shut completely.


    Falling into a deep, unnatural sleep.


    A few hours passed.


    Ethan''s body jerked upright as he sprang from the bed, his heart pounding.


    "Shit¡ªI''m late for work!"


    His mind, still groggy, instantly panicked, his body moving on autopilot. But just as he reached for his phone¡ªreality hit him.


    His hands froze. His breathing slowed.


    There was no office.


    There was no home.


    There was only this event.


    His heartbeat settled, relief washing over him for a brief moment. But that relief was short-lived¡ªbecause as he finally took in his surroundings, his entire body stiffened.


    He wasn''t in his room.


    The bed, the fridge, the tray of food¡ªall gone.


    His breath hitched as his eyes darted around in pure shock.


    He was now in a completely different place.


    The walls were stained, yellowish-white, stretching into the distance with no clear exits. The floor beneath him was a dull, lifeless carpet¡ªno patterns, no signs of anything familiar.


    Above him, dim yellow lights flickered erratically, buzzing softly, casting eerie shadows that stretched and twisted with every flicker.


    It was an open space, yet at the same time, it wasn''t.


    The area wasn''t a maze, but walls stood in strange, random places¡ªnot forming paths, not creating barriers, just... existing.


    As if they had been placed with no logic, no purpose.


    An endless, desolate liminal space that shouldn''t exist.


    Ethan''s breath grew uneven, his mind racing as he turned in slow circles, trying to process the


    impossibility of where he had woken up.


    "What the hell is this place¡­?"


    And more importantly¡ªhow did he get here?

 Chapter 4: Trouble

    Ethan stood frozen, his breath coming in shallow, uneven bursts.


    The walls around him were a sickly, pale yellow, stretching endlessly in every direction.


    The floor beneath his feet was damp, not soaked, but just wet enough that he could feel the cold seeping into his shoes. Every step he took, there was a faint, unpleasant squelch beneath him.


    The silence was suffocating.


    So silent that the only thing he could hear was the faint, persistent buzzing of the overhead lights, their dull yellow glow flickering inconsistently. And worse¡­ He could hear his own heartbeat.


    A slow, rhythmic thump-thump-thump ringing in his ears, mixing with the unsteady sound of his own breathing picking up pace. His body trembled slightly, and it wasn''t from the cold.


    He forced himself to take a slow, deep breath, but it didn''t help. His fingers twitched, his legs felt weak, his entire body screaming at him that something was wrong. His mind raced.


    "Where am I? How did I get here? Did those people do something to me?"


    His thoughts spiraled, searching for an answer, but nothing made sense.


    His hands curled into fists, trying to stop the tremors running through his body. He needed to move. Staying still felt dangerous.


    Slowly, hesitantly, he took a step forward.


    His knees felt weak, his legs barely holding him up. It wasn''t exhaustion¡ªit was pure, raw nervousness.


    Every instinct in his body told him something was deeply wrong.


    And yet¡­ he had no choice but to keep walking.


    Ethan''s voice came out as a shaky whisper, barely above a breath.


    Ethan (muttering): "Are Karlos, Alice, and the others in the same place? Could it be that this was what the old man and Azerath were plotting all along?"


    A cold sweat formed on his forehead as the reality of his situation sank deeper into his mind. His pulse quickened.


    His eyes darted around the endless yellow walls, searching for something anything that could lead him to an exit.


    Nothing.


    No signs. No markings. No doors.


    Just the same repeating, lifeless scenery.


    He moved forward, his footsteps uneven, his body tense. Every direction looked the same.


    He could have walked in circles five times over and wouldn''t even know it. A creeping sensation crawled over his skin.


    "I have to get out of here."


    The more he searched, the more suffocating the space felt. He picked up his pace, his breathing growing shallow. The flickering lights above him buzzed louder in his ears, as if the sound was closing in on him. And then¡­ he felt it.


    That distinct, gut-wrenching feeling.


    Trapped.


    A place where you can''t find the exit. Where everything looks the same, and no matter


    where you go, the surroundings just seem to repeat endlessly. Have you ever been lost before?


    That moment where you don''t recognize where you are, but you convince yourself


    "It''s fine. I just have to keep going. I''ll find something familiar soon." You walk faster.


    Not because you''re in a hurry¡­ but because fear begins to creep in.


    Because you don''t know where you are right now¡­ but maybe if you keep moving, you''ll know what''s coming next.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Ethan was experiencing that exact feeling.


    He was rushing through the endless space, hoping that at any moment¡ªthe memory would click.


    The exit would reveal itself. But deep down, a more terrifying thought gnawed at him.


    "What if there is no exit?"


    A dryness crept into Ethan''s throat, making it hard to swallow. His lips felt chapped, his breathing uneven. His body was tense, his mind spinning in every direction, but no matter what he thought¡ªnothing made sense. A nervous chill ran down his spine as he slowly opened his mouth to speak.


    Ethan: "Is anyone there?!"


    His voice came out shaky, but loud enough to cut through the suffocating silence.


    It echoed.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Then¡ªnothing.


    Just the same oppressive silence.


    Ethan''s jaw clenched. The lack of response felt more terrifying than any reply could have been. It was like the place itself was swallowing his voice. His heartbeat spiked, his fingers twitching involuntarily.


    Ethan: "Someone?! Is anyone there? This isn''t funny!"


    Again, his own voice bounced off the endless walls, repeating itself twice before fading into the void of nothingness. The silence pressed against him, crawling under his skin.


    That''s when it hit him.


    He was in trouble.


    His body moved before his brain could process it¡ªhe ran.


    His feet pounded against the damp floor, his legs burning as he sprinted through the endless expanse of yellow walls.


    He didn''t think.


    He just ran.


    Faster.


    Faster, until his lungs burned, until sweat dripped down his forehead, until his hands shook


    violently from exhaustion.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, but he kept running¡ªas if moving faster would somehow fix this. But eventually¡­


    He had to stop.


    His chest heaved, his entire body drenched in sweat, his throat feeling like sandpaper.


    His voice was gone. Hoarse. Weak.


    One last desperate scream.


    Ethan: "SOMEONE HELP!!!"


    His own plea echoed back to him, repeating his words mockingly¡ª


    "Someone help."


    "Someone help."


    Silence.


    Again.


    No reply.


    His head spun, his vision slightly blurring from the fatigue. He forced himself to think, to calm down, and made a decision.


    "I''ll just go back to where I started. The bed. I need to retrace my steps."


    But then¡­


    He froze.


    His stomach sank.


    The realization hit him like a sledgehammer.


    He was lost.


    He had been running aimlessly.


    He didn''t keep track of where he was going.


    He had gone too far.


    And now¡ªhe couldn''t go back.


    His chest tightened, his hands trembling as the full weight of his mistake settled in.


    He was lost.


    He was stuck.


    There was no going back.


    And that thought alone¡­ made him realize that he had just made a huge mistake.


    Ethan: "Shit... I am so stupid..."


    His voice was barely above a whisper, but the words cut deep.


    His own frustration weighed on him, pressing against his chest like a heavy stone.


    Slowly, he began to walk¡ªbut to where? He had no idea.


    There was no landmark, no point of reference.


    Every wall, every flickering light above him, looked the same. As he walked, his thoughts spiraled into self-loathing.


    "What if someone came to my starting point, and I just had to wait there... but I ran off like an idiot?"


    "What if all I had to do was stay put, and someone would have guided me?"


    "What if I just had to sleep and wait?"


    His breathing became uneven.


    His fists clenched.


    "I am so dumb. So stupid. Why do I always make such reckless decisions?"


    The more he thought about it, the more he felt himself breaking.


    He had no way out.


    He had no direction.


    And now¡ªhe had no hope.


    His footsteps slowed. His body slumped.


    A dull emptiness swallowed him whole.


    There was no point.


    There was nothing left to do. And for the first time since waking up in this place¡­ Ethan stopped walking.


    Stopped thinking.


    And let the hopelessness sink in.


    Ethan stood there, completely motionless.


    His arms hung lifelessly by his sides, his posture slouched, his eyes dull and unfocused.


    It was too much.


    Ever since he received that letter, his life had been spiraling deeper into something worse than a nightmare. His voice, empty and hollow, barely left his lips.


    Ethan: "I am cursed."


    His mind drifted.


    His thoughts turned bitter.


    "All I do is bring wrath and evil into the lives of others. That is all there is."


    His breathing slowed.


    "She died because I was not capable of anythin¡ª"


    SCRAAAAATCH.


    The sound ripped through the silence, sharp and violent.


    Like fingernails clawing into the walls, dragging hard, as if something was desperately trying to tear through. It was loud. Aggressive.


    Enough to send a violent shiver crawling down Ethan''s spine.


    His heart stopped for a second. His body tensed instantly.


    For the first time since arriving in this place, pure fear gripped him.


    His breath caught in his throat, his muscles locked.


    And slowly, with sheer dread creeping up his back¡ª


    Ethan turned his head toward the sound.


    The scratching was relentless.


    It didn''t stop.


    It only got louder.


    Ethan''s body shook violently, his legs stumbling backward instinctively.


    His mind screamed at him to run, but his feet refused to move. He stood frozen, his breath hitched in his throat. For a moment, complete silence.


    Then, his voice burst out of him, raw and desperate.


    "WHO IS THERE?!"


    The second those words left his mouth¡ª The scratching turned into scraping.


    Louder.


    Faster.


    It was moving.


    Closing in on him.


    Ethan''s chest tightened, his heartbeat pounding in his ears, his fingers twitching. His body felt cold, but sweat dripped down his forehead. And then¡ª The sound stopped.


    And something stepped into view.

 Chapter 5: The Chase for Survival

    Ethan''s stomach dropped.


    A creature.


    Something that shouldn''t exist.


    Its head was that of a goat, but horribly deformed. The skin was stretched unevenly, patches of flesh missing, revealing dark, unnatural veins pulsing underneath. Its eyes were hollow sockets, yet.


    Ethan could feel them staring right at him.


    From its skull-like face, two long horns curled outward, jagged and twisted, as if they had been grown wrong.


    Its body was covered in thick, matted fur, like a yak, but smaller¡ªcompact yet powerful.


    Despite its size, it stood taller than Ethan''s 5''11 frame, its posture hunched, yet somehow imposing. And then¡ªits hands.


    Not hooves.


    Not paws.


    Claws.


    Sharp, curved, almost draconic, like they were made to tear through flesh.


    Its arms and legs were small, disproportionate to its bulky torso, yet something about them screamed strength.


    The creature breathed in slowly, its hollow gaze locked onto Ethan.


    The realization hit him.


    It wasn''t just standing there.


    It was looking at him.


    It knew he was there.


    And Ethan?


    He was completely trapped.


    The moment the creature stepped into view, Ethan''s entire body locked up.


    His breath caught in his throat, his chest rising and falling in rapid, shallow gasps. Panic.


    Pure, raw fear crawled through his veins like venom, paralyzing every muscle in his body.


    His mind was screaming¡ªflooded with thoughts he couldn''t control.


    "WHAT IS THIS THING?"


    His legs refused to move, his body rooted to the spot as if he were being dragged into the ground by his own terror.


    "SHOULD I RUN?"


    The creature''s hollow sockets were fixated on him, unmoving, unreadable¡ªyet it was aware. It was watching.


    "SHOULD I MOVE?"


    His fingers twitched, but he didn''t dare lift a foot.


    The claws.


    The horrific, draconic claws that looked like they could rip through flesh effortlessly.


    "IT CAN KILL ME WITH ONE STRIKE."


    His breathing became uneven, his stomach twisting in knots.


    The creature stood still.


    Waiting.


    Watching.


    "WHAT IF IT CHARGES AT ME?"


    A single movement could be the difference between life and death.


    Ethan swallowed hard, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt.


    "WHAT IF IT JUST GOES AWAY IF I DON''T MOVE?"


    His knees felt like they were about to give out.


    His lungs burned, his mind racing at a speed he couldn''t keep up with.


    Every instinct screamed at him¡ª


    But what the hell was he supposed to do?


    Ethan stood still, frozen in place.


    But the creature¡ªit wasn''t moving either.


    It just stood there.


    Watching. Staring.


    Its hollow sockets remained locked onto him, but there was no sudden movement, no attack, no aggression.


    The panic in Ethan''s chest slowly began to settle. His breathing, still shaky, started to slow down. His thoughts became clearer.


    "Wait... is it even hostile?" It wasn''t lunging. It wasn''t baring its fangs or raising its claws.


    It was just... there.


    "Or..."


    "Is it friendly?"


    The thought alone made his stomach twist.


    Could something so terrifying, so monstrous, so unnatural... actually be harmless? It didn''t make sense.


    His fingers curled into a fist as he debated with himself.


    "What if I tried to pet it?"


    The idea sounded insane. He swallowed hard, shaking his head.


    No. That wasn''t a risk worth taking.


    Instead, he made a choice¡ªhe would just walk away.


    The creature wasn''t attacking. That meant if he moved slowly, carefully, it wouldn''t see him as a threat.


    Right?


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    Ethan exhaled, steadying himself.


    "God help me."


    And


    then¡ªhe moved.


    Just a single step.


    To the left.


    And that was when it happened. The creature''s head tilted slightly, its body tensed, and then¡ª


    The creature bellowed with rage.


    A deep, bone-rattling roar erupted from the creature''s throat, shaking the very air around him.


    It wasn''t just a sound¡ªit was a threat.


    A warning.


    Ethan''s blood ran cold.


    His instincts screamed at him.


    Don''t move.


    Don''t breathe.


    Don''t even exist.


    And for the second time that night¡ª


    Ethan was completely, hopelessly trapped.


    The roar was deafening.


    A sound so deep, so monstrous, it rattled Ethan''s bones.


    His body reacted before his mind could. His foot slipped¡ª


    SPLASH.


    The damp floor betrayed him. His legs gave out beneath him, his body collapsing hard onto the ground.


    DUM.


    A single, earth-shaking footstep. Then another.


    DUM. DUM. DUM.


    The sound boomed through the open space like a war drum, growing louder. Closer.


    Faster.


    Ethan''s breath caught in his throat.


    His arms scrambled against the wet floor, fingers slipping as he tried to push himself up.


    "GET UP, GET UP, GET UP¡ª"


    A shadow loomed over him.


    He didn''t have time to look.


    Didn''t have time to think.


    He forced his body upright, every muscle screaming in agony.


    Then¡ªhe ran.


    Hard.


    Fast.


    Like his life depended on it.


    Because it did.


    Despite using every ounce of strength left in him, his legs felt weak.


    His stamina had already been drained. He had already pushed himself too far when he ran aimlessly before. His body fought against him, his lungs burned, his throat felt like sandpaper.


    And then¡ªa sharp, twisting pain shot through his side.


    His liver.


    The thirst, the exhaustion, the panic¡ªit was all catching up to him.


    But he couldn''t stop.


    Because behind him¡ª The creature was closing in.


    It didn''t stop.


    It wouldn''t stop.


    It was hunting him.


    "FUCK!!! SOMEONE HELP!!"


    His scream was hoarse, ripped from his throat in pure desperation.


    But no one answered.


    The only thing that responded¡ª Was the creature''s relentless footsteps.


    DUM. DUM. DUM.


    It wasn''t losing speed.


    It wasn''t slowing down.


    It was catching up.


    Determined.


    Focused.


    Ready to kill.


    "FUCK OFF, YOU UGLY SHIT!!"


    His voice was raw, filled with rage and hopeless defiance.


    "GET LOST! STOP CHASING ME! FUCK!!"


    His legs felt like they were failing, the pain in his side sharpening with every breath. But the creature?


    It wasn''t tired.


    And Ethan was running out of time.


    Ethan''s legs burned, every step feeling like he was dragging his own corpse forward. His lungs screamed for air, his throat dry and raw, but he had no choice¡ªhe had to keep running. But for how long?


    His speed was dropping.


    The creature''s speed was increasing.


    It wasn''t tiring. It wasn''t slowing down.


    Ethan''s body was falling apart.


    "I can''t outrun it forever."


    The thought hit him like a brick.


    He had to think.


    Fast.


    His eyes darted around, scanning the endless expanse of yellow walls¡ªthe ones randomly placed, serving no purpose, no structure.


    Or maybe¡­ they did.


    Ethan''s brain fired off an idea, even as his legs threatened to give out beneath him.


    "I can''t escape it¡­ but maybe I can lose it."


    "If I can weave through those walls¡­ if I can make it crash into them¡­ I''ll get a moment


    to breathe."


    "A moment to think."


    "A moment to survive."


    His body was at its limit, but his mind was sharper than ever.


    Plan.


    Execute.


    Survive.


    He forced every ounce of his remaining strength into his muscles, pushing himself toward the nearest misplaced wall.


    The creature roared behind him, deafening, its footsteps BOOMING louder, faster, stronger.


    "It''s closing in¡­ too fast."


    One mistake, one slip, and¡ªhe''d be dead.


    The claws. The impossibly sharp claws. If they even scratched him¡ªhe wouldn''t get back up.


    Ethan gritted his teeth, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.


    "Just one shot. One chance."


    He sprinted straight toward the wall, the sound of rushing death right behind him. The air felt heavier, like something was pressing down on him.


    "Timing. If I mess up the timing, I''m dead."


    He rushed towards the wall.


    The creature was right behind him.


    He could almost feel its breath.


    "NOW¡ª"


    At the last second, Ethan pivoted.


    He turned sharply, slipping just behind the wall, letting his momentum carry him out of the creature''s path.


    CRASH!


    DHHHUUUM!!!


    The sound shook the entire space.


    The creature slammed into the wall, its weight and speed making it collide with monstrous force.


    Ethan gasped for air, his back pressed against the other side of the wall.


    His arms trembled, his legs barely keeping him standing.


    But it worked. It fucking worked.


    He closed his eyes for a second, feeling the sharp sting of exhaustion crashing over him.


    "I can''t fight it. I can''t outrun it."


    "But I can out-think it."


    He opened his eyes.


    This wasn''t about strength.


    It was about using the environment.


    And now¡­ he knew exactly how to survive.


    For now.


    Ethan leaned against the wall, his chest rising and falling in deep, heavy breaths.


    Ethan (panting): "I made it... I survived..."


    The words barely felt real.


    His legs burned, his lungs ached, and his body screamed for rest¡ªbut he was alive.


    But then, a darker thought crept in.


    "But maybe it isn''t dead¡­" He swallowed,


    his throat dry and sore.


    "It looked strong¡­ I don''t think it''ll die that easily."


    His fingers twitched as he clenched his fists, his survival instincts now fully awake. This wasn''t over.


    He took another deep breath, steadying himself. The adrenaline rush was wearing off, but it had done its job¡ªhis legs no longer felt like they would collapse.


    He could move again.


    Think again.


    Slowly, carefully, he crept toward the edge of the wall.


    Ethan (muttering): "I really hope it''s dead, man..."


    But deep down, he already knew the answer.


    His fingers tightly gripped the wall''s rough surface as he peeked around the corner.


    The creature was there.


    And it was already standing.


    Ethan''s heart skipped a beat.


    The beast shook its head, clouds of dust falling from its fur. Its long, jagged horns gleamed under the dim yellow lights. It was completely unharmed.


    Ethan''s breath hitched. He felt that same cold dread creeping up his spine, but he didn''t move. He just watched.


    The creature wasn''t moving either.


    It just stood there.


    Like it was¡­ waiting. Ethan''s fingers twitched, his muscles tense as he whispered under his breath.


    "Ugly..."


    And then¡ª


    The creature''s head SNAPPED toward him.


    Fast.


    Unnaturally fast.


    Ethan stiffened, his pulse hammering in his ears.


    But the creature¡­ didn''t move.


    It just stared.


    His breathing became uneven, but he fought against the urge to panic.


    "Don''t move."


    "Don''t fucking move."


    Slowly, he pulled back behind the wall.


    The moment he was out of sight, he peeked again.


    The creature was still staring at the exact spot he had been in.


    Not moving. Not advancing. Just locked in place. And then¡­ something clicked in Ethan''s mind.


    "Wait¡­"


    "It didn''t move when I backed up against the wall."


    His eyes widened.


    "It doesn''t move when I don''t move."


    A realization slammed into him like a train.


    This thing¡ªthis monstrosity¡ªwas like a predator that hunted only moving prey.


    If something moves, it chases.


    If that moving object hides behind something still¡ªit stops.


    Like a game of red light, green light¡­ except the price of losing was death.


    Ethan grinned, for the first time in hours.


    Not out of relief. Not out of safety.


    But because¡ªfor once¡ªhe understood the rules.


    Ethan (whispering, smirking): "I think I get it now¡­ That has to be it."


    His fingers relaxed.


    His heart still pounded, but this time¡ªnot from fear.


    From confidence.


    He slowly turned his back on the creature, walking away carefully, step by step, making


    sure the wall was always between them.


    He wasn''t running.


    He wasn''t panicking.


    He was playing by the rules now. And now¡­ He was going to find the exit.


    "If there are monsters in this place¡­ then there has to be an exit."


    "Someone brought me here. Someone set this up."


    "And when I find out who¡ª"


    "I''m going to punch them in the face."


    Four Minutes Later


    Ethan''s stamina was failing again.


    His legs felt heavy, his body aching all over. The momentary rush of confidence had worn off, and reality set in¡ªhe was still trapped in a nightmare. His head throbbed from exhaustion. His thirst was unbearable.


    He knew he needed to rest¡ªeven just for a moment. His knees bent slightly, his body ready to collapse¡ª


    Then he heard them.


    Footsteps.


    But this time¡ª They weren''t monstrous.


    They weren''t inhuman.


    They sounded normal.


    Regular.


    Familiar.


    They were getting closer.


    Ethan''s eyes widened.


    His body tensed.


    His mind raced.


    "Oh god¡­ now who is it?"


    The footsteps grew louder, approaching fast.


    Ethan turned the corner¡ª


    And then he saw him.


    A face he recognized.


    A face he never thought he''d see again in this nightmare.


    It was¡ª


    Karlos.

 Chapter 6: The First Step

    Ethan''s vision blurred, his body swaying dangerously.


    His lungs burned, his throat felt like sandpaper, and his legs¡ªthey wouldn''t move anymore.


    His body had reached its absolute limit.


    Too much running.


    Too much stress.


    Too much thirst.


    A deep, aching exhaustion swallowed him whole.


    His knees buckled.


    His breath came out in ragged gasps.


    "I can''t¡­ move¡­"


    The moment he felt himself falling, a hand grabbed him.


    Firm.


    Steady.


    Strong.


    Karlos.


    Moving fast, without hesitation, he caught Ethan before he could hit the ground.


    Ethan barely registered his face, but he could feel it¡ªurgency.


    Concern.


    A decision already made.


    Karlos'' grip tightened.


    "He''s pushing himself way too hard."


    Ethan had never pushed his body this far before.


    He wasn''t used to fighting against exhaustion, against dehydration, against his limits. And now¡ªhis body was failing him.


    Karlos'' jaw clenched.


    They didn''t have time for this.


    The beast was still out there.


    And Ethan¡ªEthan needed to survive.


    Without another thought, Karlos hoisted Ethan up, gripping him firmly.


    "Stay with me, man."


    They still had a fight to win.


    Karlos, quickly slaps Ethan to get him to snap out of the exhausted state so he can think clearly and understand the weight of the situation they are in right now


    A sharp sting jolted Ethan back into reality.


    His head snapped to the side, his cheek burning from the impact.


    Ethan: "What the hell, man¡­?"


    His voice was hoarse, weak, his body still aching from exhaustion. He rubbed his face, blinking rapidly, trying to snap himself out of the haze.


    His vision cleared just enough to see Karlos standing over him, his expression serious, focused.


    Ethan: Karlos¡­ where were yo¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Karlos shut him up immediately.


    Karlos: "We don''t have time for conversations right now. Follow me. Quickly. The Unguibus is still there."


    Ethan froze.


    "Unguibus?"


    The word was completely unfamiliar, but something in Karlos'' tone told him that now wasn''t the time to ask questions. He swallowed his confusion and nodded.


    He''d get answers later.


    For now¡ªhe needed to move.


    Despite the throbbing pain in his muscles, despite his body screaming at him to rest, Ethan forced himself to his feet and followed Karlos.


    The two moved quickly, their footsteps light but urgent, their breaths controlled but heavy. And then¡ªthey saw it.


    A cabin.


    It stood in the middle of this unnatural place, looking out of place, eerie, like something that shouldn''t exist. There was no reason for it to be here.


    No structure, no logic.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    It was just¡­ there.


    Karlos pointed at it.


    Karlos: "That cabin is a safe point for us. Get in there."


    Ethan: "...Alright..."


    His voice held hesitation, but he didn''t argue.


    Something about the cabin felt wrong.


    Like it was placed there deliberately.


    But right now, it didn''t matter.


    Right now¡ªit was shelter.


    They carefully stepped inside, their movements cautious.


    As the door creaked shut behind them, Karlos finally let out a breath and sat down.


    He gestured for Ethan to do the same.


    For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was a moment of stillness. But Ethan knew¡ªit wouldn''t last long.


    Ethan and Karlos sat down.


    For a moment, neither spoke.


    The room was quiet, but not peaceful¡ªjust heavy, awkward, filled with unspoken thoughts.


    Neither of them knew how to start.


    Then, Karlos broke the silence.


    Karlos: "Those people tricked us."


    His voice was low but firm.


    "They''re making us play this¡­ demonic life-and-death game. And we need to survive if we ever want to get whatever they promised us."


    Ethan sighed, rubbing his forehead.


    He had already suspected it.


    Azerath. The Old Man.


    Everything about them felt off from the beginning. Of course, this wasn''t just some simple experiment.


    It was something much, much worse.


    He nodded, looking tired but unsurprised.


    Ethan: "Yeah¡­"


    Karlos leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.


    Karlos: "These people are crazy¡­ but we need to get out of here."


    His eyes locked onto Ethan''s.


    Karlos: "I assume you got the scripted information of this place, right?"


    Ethan blinked, genuine confusion crossing his face.


    Ethan: "What do you mean?"


    Karlos''s expression shifted.


    For a second, there was a flicker of disappointment.


    Then, he let out a small, amused smile.


    Karlos: "So you don''t¡­"


    He paused.


    Then sighed.


    Karlos: "It''s okay¡­ first, have this."


    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small carton.


    A sealed pack of almond milk.


    He held it out to Ethan.


    Ethan stared at it.


    For a second, he wasn''t sure if he was hallucinating.


    His body was weak, drained, broken from exhaustion.


    And now¡ªKarlos was handing him almond milk?


    Ethan: "This is¡­ almond milk? Where the hell did you get this from?"


    Karlos''s expression didn''t change.


    Karlos: "I''ll explain everything later. First, drink this."


    Ethan hesitated for only a second.


    Then, he took the carton from Karlos'' hand, popped it open, and started drinking.


    The first sip hit his throat like salvation.


    Cold.


    Smooth.


    Refreshing.


    He didn''t realize how desperate he was until now. As the liquid flowed down his throat, he felt it¡ª His body slowly waking up again.


    His dry, burning throat finally soothed.


    His strength returning, bit by bit. For the first time in what felt like forever, he started to feel¡ª


    Alive.


    Ethan finished the last drop of almond milk and tossed the empty bottle aside.


    A long, satisfied exhale left his lips as the refreshing liquid soothed his throat, eased his exhaustion, and brought him back to life. For the first time in hours, he felt like himself again.


    Ethan: "Thanks, man... I really needed that."


    Karlos smiled, his expression calm but reassuring.


    Karlos: "It''s okay. We need to work together to get out of this place, so we need to make sure we both take care of each other as we progress."


    Ethan nodded, feeling something he hadn''t felt since waking up in this nightmare ¡ªsafety.


    The overwhelming feeling of being lost, of being alone, of being trapped in the unknown had slowly started to fade. Because now¡ªhe wasn''t alone.


    Karlos was here.


    A glimmer of hope sparked inside him, faint but real.


    Still, a lingering question bothered him.


    Ethan: "About the scripted information... what were you talking about?"


    At his words, Karlos'' expression shifted.


    His confident smirk faded into a more serious, calculating look.


    And then¡ªhe sighed.


    Karlos: "About that¡­ I already knew most people wouldn''t be able to find out about it after I found it."


    Ethan''s brows furrowed.


    Ethan: "Hm?"


    He didn''t get it.


    What did he mean most people wouldn''t be able to find it?


    Karlos leaned back slightly, locking eyes with Ethan.


    Karlos: "At your starting point¡­ near your bed¡­ there''s a note. Under the cushion."


    Ethan''s body tensed.


    His eyes widened slightly as his mind replayed the moment he woke up in that empty, yellow-walled hell. He had been too panicked, too lost in fear.


    He never checked anything.


    Never even thought to.


    The first thing he did was run like a damn idiot, blindly searching for an escape.


    And now¡ªhe realized something.


    There had been information waiting for him this whole time.


    But he never saw it.


    Because he never looked.


    A sharp wave of frustration hit him.


    "How did I miss that?!"


    "If I had just calmed down for a second¡ª"


    His fists clenched.


    He had wasted so much energy, time, and nearly died multiple times¡ª All because he didn''t stop to think.


    Karlos was right.


    Most people wouldn''t find it.


    Because most people would panic.


    Just like he did.


    Karlos saw the frustration on Ethan''s face¡ªthe way his jaw tightened, his fists clenched, his eyes filled with self-blame. So, before that frustration grew into something worse, he spoke up.


    Karlos: "Ethan, that''s completely fine¡­ You don''t need to stress about it."


    Ethan looked at him, still tense, but listening.


    Karlos: "Most people wouldn''t have found it either. Panic takes over in situations like this¡ªit''s normal. Even I panicked when I realized how I got here."


    Hearing that made Ethan pause.


    Karlos¡­ panicked too?


    The same Karlos who seemed so calm, so in control, so ahead of everything?


    Ethan''s grip on his knee loosened slightly.


    For some reason, that simple statement¡ª


    "Even I panicked"


    ¡ªmade him feel a little less stupid. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he let out a slow breath. He looked at Karlos again, his expression less tense, more thoughtful.


    Ethan: "Yeah¡­ but still. I can''t make mistakes like this anymore. If we need to survive, I


    need to be as observant as you are."


    Karlos watched him for a moment.


    Then, he smiled.


    Because this¡ªthis was good.


    Ethan wasn''t just complaining or sulking.


    He was reflecting.


    Adapting.


    And more importantly¡ªhe was starting to grow.


    Karlos: "Good."


    Ethan, feeling a bit more grounded, finally asked the question that had been on his mind.


    Ethan: "What was in the scripted information anyway?"


    Karlos chuckled slightly.


    Karlos: "Good question."


    He reached into his pocket, pulling out a slightly crumpled note.


    Carefully, he dusted it off, smoothing out the folds.


    Then, without hesitation¡ªhe handed it to Ethan.


    Karlos: "I have it right here."


    Ethan took the note, feeling a sudden weight in his hands.


    Whatever was written here¡ªit was going to change everything.


    Ethan hesitated, gripping the rough, thick paper between his fingers.


    It felt different.


    Not like a normal note¡ªcoarse, aged, unnatural.


    Something about it didn''t feel right.


    Still, he took a slow breath and opened it.


    His eyes darted toward the first word.


    And then, he started to read aloud.

 Chapter 7: Phase 0 - Yellow Hell

    He read outloud.


    "Phase 0 - Tutorial Phase.


    This is Phase 0 of the game. This is a tutorial phase so the person can understand the mechanics of the game.


    Important Notes:


    1) This environment is designed to exhaust you.


    * No matter what you do, no matter how long you sit still¡ªyour body will decay.


    * Your strength will drain. Your stamina will fade.


    * Resting does not restore you. Sleep will not save you.


    * You will feel weaker every moment you are here.


    2) Resources exist, but they are scarce.


    * Potato chips for nutrition.


    * Almond milk for thirst.


    * A belt waist bag to store items.


    * You will not find anything else.


    * If you run out, you will deteriorate. Slowly. Painfully.


    3) There are three entities at this level.


    * Unguibus ¨C The hunter. The one that sees only movement. The one that stalks tirelessly.


    * Dentes ¨C The unseen. You won''t hear it. You won''t see it. But you will feel it when it''s too late.


    * Gravibus ¨C The brute. The guardian of the exit. The one you must kill to proceed.


    4) To leave Phase 0, you must kill Gravibus.


    * It carries the Key Book, the only item that reveals the direction to the next phase. Without it, you will rot here.


    5) If the lights go out¡­


    * Find a safe place.


    * Do not move.


    * Do not breathe loudly.


    * Do not make a sound.


    * Wait.


    * And pray that something doesn''t find you first.


    6) Stay safe. "


    Ethan''s voice shook slightly as he finished reading, his hands, gripping the paper, felt clammy, and sweaty.


    The air in the cabin felt colder.


    This wasn''t just some twisted survival game.


    This was designed to break them.


    Karlos sat in silence, his expression unreadable.


    Ethan looked up at him, his breath shaky.


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    Ethan: "This isn''t a game."


    Karlos: "No."


    His voice was quiet.


    Karlos: "It''s a test."


    And they were the ones being hunted


    Ethan let out a slow breath, forcing himself to stay calm as he processed everything he had just read.


    The rules were¡­ brutal.


    This place was designed to break them.


    But panicking wouldn''t help.


    With a steady hand, he passed the note back to Karlos.


    Ethan: "So¡­ the monster I was dealing with was Unguibus, huh?"


    Karlos, still holding the note, narrowed his eyes slightly.


    At first, he didn''t known exactly what Ethan had faced, He only suspected Ethan had faced something by his condition.


    But now, with the scripted information in hand, it all made sense.


    Karlos: "Unguibus, huh¡­?" He looked back at Ethan, his expression sharpening.


    Karlos: "How did you escape it?"


    Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair.


    Ethan: "It only moves when it sees movement. If you stand still, it won''t attack. If you hide


    behind a non-moving object, it stops completely. That''s how I got away."


    Karlos'' mind raced.


    A creature that only hunts moving targets¡­ That wasn''t just a monster¡ªit was a test. A pattern. A rule.


    And rules meant exploitable weaknesses.


    Karlos: "I see¡­ So that''s how you survived." He smirked slightly, impressed.


    Ethan had been completely alone, running on panic and instinct, yet still managed to figure out the monster''s rule.


    That wasn''t luck.


    That was survival ability.


    But there was one problem.


    Karlos: "It''s still out there, isn''t it?"


    Ethan nodded.


    Ethan: "Yeah. I didn''t kill it. Just avoided it."


    They both sat in silence for a moment, processing.


    Then, Ethan glanced back at the note.


    Ethan: "Dentes and Gravibus¡­ We need to figure them out too."


    Karlos leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.


    Karlos: "Right. We know the rules¡ªnow we need a plan."


    For the next few minutes, they discussed everything.


    Unguibus. How it worked. How to avoid it. Whether it could be killed at all.


    Then, Dentes. The entity that couldn''t be seen or heard.


    And finally, Gravibus. The brute guarding the exit.


    Karlos: "We have to kill Gravibus to move forward. But we still don''t know how strong it is."


    Ethan exhaled, shaking his head.


    Ethan: "Yeah¡­ but one thing''s for sure¡ªif we screw up, we''re dead."


    The weight of that truth hung in the air. This wasn''t just about running anymore.


    Now¡ªthey had to fight.


    Karlos leaned forward, his expression serious, calculating.


    Karlos: "Look¡­ I think I have a plan."


    His voice was firm, but there was a weight behind it.


    Karlos: "But this might be very risky¡­ and unpleasant."


    Ethan''s brow raised slightly, curiosity flickering in his tired eyes.


    Then, his expression shifted¡ªhis brows furrowed, his mind already bracing for something dangerous.


    Ethan: "What is it¡­?"


    Karlos took a slow breath, his eyes scanning the dimly lit cabin as if visualizing every step of his strategy.


    Then¡ªhe began explaining.


    After he had explained the plan, It sounded insane.


    Ethan''s breath was uneven, his hands slick with sweat.


    His mind screamed at him¡ªthis plan is insane.


    Too risky.


    Too dangerous.


    One mistake, and they''re dead.


    But despite everything, he looked at Karlos¡ªcalm, composed, completely in control. And he knew.


    Karlos trusts me to do this.


    And if Karlos was willing to put his life in his hands, then Ethan had no choice but to trust him back.


    There was no turning back now.


    This had to work.


    Or they were both dead.


    The air inside the cabin felt thick.


    Suffocating.


    Ethan sat there, still processing the insanity of what they were about to do.


    One wrong move¡ªjust one mistake¡ªand they were dead.


    Karlos stood up, rolling his shoulders. His expression was calm, collected¡­ but dangerously focused.


    Karlos: "It''s time."


    Ethan felt a cold sweat trickle down his neck.


    His instincts were screaming at him¡ªdon''t go out there.


    Stay.


    Wait.


    Hide.


    But he shoved those thoughts down.


    Karlos was already moving.


    Ethan took a deep breath, clenching his fists. And then¡ªhe stood up and followed.


    The cabin door creaked open.


    The air outside was still.


    Too still.


    The buzzing of the flickering yellow lights was the only sound in the endless, empty space.


    Ethan and Karlos stepped out, moving in perfect silence.


    Each footstep felt heavy, deliberate.


    Ethan''s breathing was shaky, uneven.


    They didn''t speak.


    They didn''t need to.


    They knew what they had to do.


    They walked deeper into the unknown, their silhouettes swallowed by the dim, eerie glow of the maze.


    And then¡ª The first growl echoed through the air.


    It was distant.


    But not for long.


    Something was awake.


    Something was listening.


    And it was coming.

 Chapter 8: Bait the Beast

    Karlos had already separated from Ethan.


    His task? Find Gravibus and confirm its location.


    Ethan''s? Lure Unguibus straight to its death.


    Now¡ªhe was alone.


    And then¡ªit began.


    A distant scream tore through the air.


    Not human.


    Not natural.


    A deep, bone-rattling, gut-wrenching sound that made his stomach twist in fear.


    His breath hitched.


    His fingers trembled.


    And his mind spiraled.


    "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous."


    "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous."


    "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous." "Don''t be nervous."


    "You can do it." "You can do it." "You can do it."


    "You can do it." "You can do it." "You can do it."


    The roaring was getting closer.


    Louder.


    Hungrier.


    His body screamed at him to run, to hide, to escape.


    But he didn''t.


    Because he trusted Karlos.


    Because he had a job to do.


    He closed his eyes for just a second¡ª And he remembered their conversation.


    (Flashback To The Plan)


    Karlos'' voice was calm, unwavering.


    Karlos: "Actually, each cabin has notes. And all of them provide the same information. That means if this cabin told us where Gravibus is, then the others probably say the same thing to whoever finds them."


    Ethan had listened carefully, still gripping the note in his hands.


    Karlos: "So here''s the plan: I''ll find Gravibus and confirm its position. You lure


    Unguibus straight to it." Ethan had swallowed hard.


    Ethan: "And if Gravibus doesn''t attack Unguibus?"


    Karlos had smirked slightly.


    Karlos: "Then we make it."


    (Back to Reality)


    A slow creak echoed through the air.


    Ethan''s breath caught in his throat.


    His eyes snapped forward¡ª


    And there it was.


    Unguibus.


    It wasn''t just standing there.


    It was looming.


    Watching.


    Waiting.


    Its grotesque, goat-like skull tilted unnaturally, its hollow sockets like endless black holes, pulling Ethan''s very soul into their abyss.


    Its jaw hung open, slightly unhinged as if it had been broken and never reset properly. The edges of its mouth twitched like it was trying to mimic human expressions¡ªbut failing miserably. Then, it inhaled.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A deep, wet, ragged breath. Its chest expanded, its ribs shifting beneath its pale, rotting flesh. Veins bulged along its unnaturally long limbs, pulsing, moving¡ªalive in a way that made Ethan''s stomach churn.


    The creature''s jagged claws flexed, scraping lightly against the ground, making a sound like metal dragging against bone.


    Ethan felt light-headed.


    His ears rang. His muscles locked.


    The silence was unbearable.


    Unguibus just stood there, motionless, yet somehow breathing down his neck.


    Waiting.


    The air felt wrong.


    Heavy.


    Suffocating.


    The flickering yellow lights overhead distorted its silhouette, making its twisted, towering frame stretch and shrink with every flicker. Its presence alone was overwhelming.


    Like he wasn''t supposed to be seeing it.


    Like reality itself was rejecting the idea of this thing existing.


    Ethan''s body screamed at him to run.


    To get away from that thing.


    His throat felt tight. His hands were clammy. He could feel the pressure pushing him to his


    breaking point. But this time¡ª He didn''t move.


    This time¡ª He stood his ground.


    Because he was better now. Because he wasn''t alone anymore. Because Karlos trusted him.


    And he wasn''t going to fail.


    Not now.


    Not ever.


    Ethan stood frozen.


    His body was screaming at him to move, run, escape.


    But he knew better.


    If he moved now¡ªif he let his fear take control without fully preparing himself¡ª he was


    dead.


    Unguibus was too fast, too relentless.


    If he didn''t gather every ounce of strength he had before making a break for it, it would


    catch him instantly. He needed a perfect start.


    The environment itself was already working against them.


    This entire place¡ªit was draining them.


    The walls, the floors¡ªthey were sucking the energy out of his body, bit by bit.


    Karlos wasn''t safe either.


    If they took too long¡ªif he hesitated even a second too long¡ª Both of them would be too exhausted to fight. Too slow to escape.


    They would die.


    Ethan shut his eyes for a second, gripping his fists.


    He could feel it¡ªthe pressure of carrying this entire plan on his back.


    If he failed, Karlos failed. If he died, Karlos died.


    He had already drunk another bottle of almond milk before leaving the cabin. His body felt lighter, stronger.


    But the clock was ticking against them.


    If he waited too long, the fatigue would return.


    He had to go. Now.


    So¡ª He gathered his courage.


    He took a deep breath¡ª


    And he screamed.


    "FUCK YOU, UNGUIBUS!!!"


    And he ran. The moment his foot slammed against the floor, he heard it¡ª


    A sickening snarl, deep and unnatural.


    A violent shift in the air.


    The sudden explosion of heavy, pounding footsteps behind him.


    Unguibus had locked onto him.


    And it was coming.


    Fast.


    But Ethan was ready.


    He wasn''t the same panicked fool from before.


    His start was perfect¡ªhis legs pushing off with power, his speed already at its peak. The distance between him and Unguibus was wide.


    For now.


    But he knew¡ªhe couldn''t slow down.


    If he did¡ª He wouldn''t get a second chance.


    And neither would Karlos.


    Ethan ran.


    Faster than he had ever run in his life.


    His legs were on fire, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he didn''t stop.


    He couldn''t stop.


    Unguibus was right behind him.


    And it wasn''t slowing down.


    His heart pounded like a war drum, his vision slightly blurred from the overwhelming rush of adrenaline. But Ethan wasn''t just sprinting blindly.


    He had a strategy.


    The misplaced walls.


    Every time he took a turn, he made sure to use them¡ªweaving through the gaps, breaking Unguibus''s line of sight for even a second.


    But it wasn''t enough.


    It was never going to be enough. Because no matter how smart he was¡ª


    Unguibus wasn''t human.


    It didn''t slow down.


    It didn''t get tired.


    It didn''t lose stamina.


    It just kept coming.


    The Brutality of Exhaustion


    Ethan''s speed was starting to drop.


    Not by choice¡ªhis body was shutting down.


    Have you ever run a long race? A 400-meter sprint?


    Maybe, as a young and immature athlete, you thought the best way to win was to go all out from the start.


    The first 100 meters? Easy. You''re fast. You''re strong.


    By 150 meters? You feel it. The burn. The fatigue.


    200 meters? You slow down.


    250 meters? Your legs are dragging. Your breath is a mess. Your speed is slipping.


    By 300 meters? You''re barely running anymore.


    And by 350? You''re gasping, legs like dead weights, your body screaming at you to stop.


    That''s what Ethan was experiencing right now.


    Except this wasn''t a race.


    This was life and death.


    And if he slowed down¡ª


    He was dead.


    But Unguibus?


    It didn''t slow.


    DUM. DUM. DUM.


    DUM. DUM. DUM.


    DUM. DUM. DUM.


    The footsteps were rhythmic, like a twisted heartbeat pounding against the floor.


    Each one was heavy. Unstoppable. Relentless.


    Unlike Ethan, it didn''t get tired. It didn''t feel fatigue.


    It was designed to hunt.


    It was made to kill.


    And it wouldn''t stop¡ª


    Not until its claws were buried deep into Ethan''s flesh.


    Not until it ripped him apart.


    Not until it made sure his death was PAINFUL.


    Ethan''s breath was a mess.


    Ragged.


    Shallow.


    Unstable.


    His lungs burned like they were filled with fire, his legs screamed for relief, but he forced them to keep moving.


    Because he was close.


    He could see it now¡ª The location where Karlos was waiting.


    He just had to reach it.


    100 meters.


    The monster was only 50 meters behind.


    Ethan pushed harder.


    90 meters.


    Unguibus was 45 meters away.


    80 meters.


    40 meters.


    Ethan could hear it now.


    The rhythmic pounding of heavy footsteps.


    The deep, guttural snarls that vibrated through his bones.


    The sharp clicks of claws scraping against the wet floor.


    70 meters.


    35 meters.


    The gap was closing. Fast.


    60 meters.


    30 meters.


    It was so close now.


    He could feel it.


    The presence of something hungry. Something inhuman.


    50 meters.


    25 meters.


    His vision was blurring from exhaustion.


    40 meters.


    20 meters.


    His heartbeat slammed against his chest¡ªtoo fast, too frantic.


    He was seconds away from dying.


    30 meters.


    15 meters.


    He could see Karlos now.


    Hiding¡ªwaiting in the corner, concealed so Gravibus wouldn''t see him.


    20 meters.


    10 meters.


    Ethan''s legs were about to give out.


    But¡ª He had


    made it.


    Now¡ª


    The real fight begins.

 Chapter 9 - Unguibus vs Gravibus

    Unguibus was right there.


    Breathing down his neck.


    Ethan could feel it¡ªthe air shifting, the presence of something monstrous preparing to


    strike.


    Then¡ª A blur of motion.


    Unguibus swung its massive, jagged claws straight for Ethan''s throat.


    A killing blow.


    One strike, and his head would be gone.


    But then¡ª Ethan tripped. A misstep, a moment of exhaustion catching up to him¡ª And instead of taking the hit¡ª He fell.


    The claws sliced through the air, barely missing his neck.


    The force of the swing sent a gust of wind blasting past his skin, sharp as a blade. But Unguibus didn''t hesitate.


    It had missed¡ªbut it had already adjusted. Before Ethan could even process what happened¡ª A brutal, crushing impact.


    The monster''s leg shot forward, its thick, twisted limb colliding directly into Ethan''s stomach.


    CRACK.


    It wasn''t just a hit¡ªit was a kick meant to shatter bones.


    Ethan''s breath left his lungs instantly.


    His body folded inward, the pain exploding through his ribs like a bomb had gone off inside him.


    And then¡ª He was airborne.


    His vision blurred, twisted¡ª The world spun as his body was sent flying¡ªhard, fast, uncontrollable.


    20 meters.


    Straight in Karlos'' direction.


    Karlos watched.


    He wanted to move. Every instinct screamed at him to run to Ethan, to catch him before he hit the ground.


    But he didn''t.


    He couldn''t. If he moved now¡ªif he broke cover, if he left his position¡ª The plan would fail.


    And if the plan failed, they both died.


    So, he forced himself to stay still.


    To watch as Ethan''s body crashed into the ground, rolling from the force of the impact.


    To ignore the way his stomach twisted painfully at the sight of his friend struggling to breathe. To shut out everything¡ª


    Because now¡ª


    He saw it.


    Emerging from the shadows.


    Massive.


    Unshakable.


    A walking executioner.


    Gravibus.


    Karlos'' breath hitched.


    "What¡­ the hell¡­ is that?"


    It stood there, monstrous, unnatural¡ªwrong.


    Gravibus.


    A grotesque behemoth of muscle and mutilation. Its face was pig-like, but twisted beyond recognition¡ªa wide, deformed snout with deep, gaping nostrils that flared as it breathed. But the worst part? Its teeth.


    Two massive fangs curved outward from its lower jaw, protruding past its lips like crude, jagged knives. The rest of its mouth was a nightmare¡ªa maze of long, uneven, razorsharp teeth jutting out in random directions.


    Its lips barely covered them, constantly twitching, peeling back as if struggling to contain the horror inside. And its body¡­ It was human¡ªyet it wasn''t.


    Four massive arms. Thick, veiny, grotesquely overdeveloped. The muscle pulsed beneath its skinless, raw flesh, every tendon exposed like a living anatomy chart drenched in blood. No, not skinless.


    It had "never had a skin".


    Its entire existence was just raw muscle and endless suffering.


    Deep, surgical scars crisscrossed its body, like it had been built for war, for destruction, for pain.


    Its posture was disturbingly upright. Unshaken. Unfazed. As if it had been expecting them all along. And then there were the proportions.


    Its arms¡ªtoo long. Its legs¡ªtoo short.


    Its legs barely reached the length of a normal human''s arm. It should''ve looked clumsy, and weak. But it didn''t.


    It looked designed.


    Purpose-built.


    Every inch of it made for pure, relentless slaughter.


    The Air Shifted.


    Karlos felt his stomach twist into a tight, unbearable knot. The air was thick, suffocating.


    His instincts,


    his very core, told him¡ª This wasn''t just a monster.


    This was a butcher.


    A war machine.


    Something that existed only to kill.


    His fingers clenched into fists, but his hands were cold.


    Numb.


    He had faced fear before.


    But this?


    This was different.


    His body had gone completely still.


    Not because he chose to.


    But because something deep inside him refused to move.


    And the worst part?


    He didn''t know.


    Did they actually have a chance?


    Was Unguibus strong enough to kill Gravibus?


    Or had they just brought two nightmares together¡­ only to die between them?


    Silence.


    The kind that made your skin crawl.


    The kind that meant something terrible was about to happen.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Gravibus stood there, its monstrous form looming over the space like a walking


    executioner.


    It didn''t move.


    It didn''t react.


    It just breathed.


    Each inhale sounded wet, guttural¡ªlike air forcing its way through shredded flesh.


    And then¡ªit turned its head.


    Fast.


    Too fast.


    Like a puppet being yanked by invisible strings.


    SNAP.


    Its pig-like face twisted toward Unguibus.


    The hollow sockets of Unguibus'' goat-like head stared back. And for the first time since Ethan had encountered it¡ª


    Unguibus hesitated.


    It slowed down, claws twitching, its grotesque frame lowering slightly, like it was analyzing this new threat.


    But Gravibus?


    It didn''t hesitate.


    It just existed.


    Its chest rose and fell in a slow, controlled rhythm.


    The way a butcher sharpens his knife before the first cut.


    The silence stretched on.


    The tension became unbearable.


    And then¡ª Gravibus took a step forward.


    The entire floor trembled.


    BOOM.


    Another step.


    BOOM.


    The air thickened.


    The pressure crushed down on Ethan and Karlos like a physical force.


    It wasn''t just big.


    It wasn''t just strong.


    It was something built for destruction.


    And it had acknowledged Unguibus.


    A predator meeting another predator.


    The tension between them was suffocating.


    One of them would move.


    One of them would strike first.


    And when that happened¡ª Hell would break loose.


    The moment Gravibus moved¡ª Unguibus attacked.


    Like a beast driven purely by instinct, it lunged forward, its jagged claws cutting through


    the air like serrated blades. Its body, once stalking, waiting, was now a blinding force of


    pure aggression.


    It wasn''t thinking.


    It wasn''t planning.


    It just saw movement¡ª And it struck. But the moment Unguibus charged¡ª Karlos ran.


    Straight to Ethan.


    He reached him in seconds, his hands grabbing Ethan''s arm and dragging him behind the closest wall. They collapsed against it, hidden from the battle. Ethan gasped, his chest rising and falling violently, and then¡ª Blood.


    Thick, dark red, spilling from his lips as he coughed.


    Karlos'' stomach tightened at the sight.


    "Shit."


    "That kick did real damage." He didn''t know how bad it was, but there was no time to check.


    Not when the real fight was beginning.


    He turned¡ª And peered past the wall, eyes locking onto the battlefield.


    Unguibus was almost there.


    Its claws swung, a blur of blackened bone and raw power, aiming to tear straight through Gravibus'' exposed flesh. But¡ª Gravibus didn''t move.


    It didn''t flinch.


    It just waited.


    And then¡ª It struck. At the last possible second, Gravibus quickly swayed back, dodging Unguibus'' claws before his massive, grotesquely long arm lashed out¡ª Its fingers curled around Unguibus'' waist.


    The grip was monstrous.


    Crushing.


    Unbreakable.


    Unguibus barely had time to react¡ª Before it was lifted clean off the ground.


    Then¡ª


    SLAM.


    Gravibus drove Unguibus straight into the ground.


    The impact was earth-shattering.


    The ground split apart beneath the sheer force, cracks webbing out in all directions.


    A thunderous shockwave erupted, sending debris and thick clouds of dust into the air, covering the battlefield in a suffocating fog.


    Even from behind the wall, Karlos felt it.


    The force was unreal¡ª So strong, it nearly sent them flying.


    But Karlos dug his feet into the floor, gripping Ethan''s arm, anchoring them both in place.


    Dust and debris rushed past them, choking the air, stinging their eyes.


    The ground trembled beneath them.


    Karlos'' heart was hammering.


    This wasn''t just a fight.


    This was destruction.


    The fog was thick, suffocating.


    Dust swirled in the air, blocking the battlefield from sight.


    Karlos coughed, his eyes narrowing as the debris finally began to settle.


    And when it cleared¡ª His breath hitched.


    Gravibus.


    Towering.


    Unshaken.


    Standing over Unguibus'' broken body.


    Karlos'' stomach twisted into a tight knot.


    "Shit¡­"


    This wasn''t good. If this turned into a one-sided slaughter¡­ The plan would fail.


    They needed both of them to tear each other apart. To weaken each other just enough¡ªso that when the time came¡­ They could deliver the final blow.


    But from what he was seeing¡ª


    Gravibus wasn''t just winning.


    It was destroying.


    It was tearing Unguibus apart like a ragdoll.


    And then¡ª Gravibus moved. Its massive, fleshless arm lifted, veins bulging as it cocked its fist back


    Preparing to end it.


    But then¡ª


    Unguibus roared.


    A deep, twisted, agonized bellow that rattled Karlos'' very bones. And in


    that split second


    SHHK.


    A blur of movement. A flash of blackened claws¡ª And then¡ª flesh split open.


    Gravibus lurched back, its stomach torn apart¡ª A jagged gash, deep and gruesome, ripped across its abdomen.


    And within it¡ª A glimpse of intestine.


    The flesh hung loose, twitching, threatening to spill.


    But


    Gravibus didn''t stop.


    Didn''t flinch.


    Didn''t even acknowledge the injury.


    Instead¡ª It brought its fist down.


    CRASH.


    The ground shattered.


    The force of the punch ripped through the air, sending another shockwave bursting outward.


    Unguibus'' skull cracked violently under the impact, deep fractures splitting across its bone-like plating.


    The creature let out an agonized roar, its entire body twitching in pain.


    But even in agony¡ª Even with its skull half-broken, its head pounding with unbearable pain¡ª It fought back.


    SHHK.


    With a violent slash, Unguibus'' claws ripped into Gravibus'' head, cutting across its deformed pig like face. And with one last desperate effort¡ª It threw Gravibus off itself.


    The giant, unshakable war machine was finally forced backward, its body colliding against the ground, shaking the entire space. For the first time¡ª Gravibus had been thrown.


    The moment Gravibus hit the ground¡ª


    Unguibus didn''t hesitate.


    It charged.


    A blur of blackened claws and pure, mindless aggression. It lunged forward, aiming to slice straight through Gravibus¡ª To tear into its flesh, rip it apart, end it completely.


    But then¡ª


    Gravibus moved.


    Fast.


    Too fast.


    Its massive, grotesque frame should have been slow, heavy¡ª But instead, it darted backward with unnatural speed, avoiding the deadly swipe by mere inches. And as it did¡ª Its two lower arms lashed out.


    Thick, veiny, powerful¡ª They caught Unguibus by the claws, stopping them mid-swing.


    A mistake. Even before Karlos could process what had happened¡ª Blood poured from Gravibus'' hands.


    The claws dug deep, piercing into the raw muscle, tearing into the exposed flesh.


    The wounds were brutal.


    The damage was real.


    And yet¡ª Gravibus didn''t let go.


    Its fingers tightened, locking like a steel trap around Unguibus'' deadly weapons.


    It chose to endure the pain.


    It chose to bleed.


    And that was the difference between the two monsters.


    One fought by instinct.


    The other fought by calculated destruction.


    Then¡ªGravibus struck.


    Its remaining two arms swung upward¡ª Then formed a fist and smashed down onto Unguibus''s shoulders.


    A brutal, earth-shattering hammer fist.


    The impact was instant.


    A crushing, monstrous BLUDGEONING SMASH that drove Unguibus straight into the


    ground.


    CRASH.


    The entire floor split apart from the force.


    The yellow walls trembled, vibrating from the sheer shockwave. Even the overhead lights flickering, unstable¡ª Cut out completely.


    For a brief second¡ªeverything went black.


    The battlefield was unrecognizable.


    The ground was fractured, broken beyond repair.


    The walls, once endless and unshaken, now trembled as if the entire space itself was rejecting the horror unfolding inside it. Unguibus lay on the ground.


    Motionless.


    Its skull¡ªshattered.


    Its yak-like body¡ªa broken, bloody mess.


    Gravibus stood over it, towering, victorious, its grotesque frame leaking thick, blackened blood from countless wounds.


    The battle should have been over.


    But it wasn''t.


    Because Unguibus was waiting.


    It didn''t move.


    It didn''t breathe.


    It just waited.


    It waited. It waited. It waited.


    Until Gravibus finally stepped closer.


    THUMP.


    The sound of Gravibus'' massive footsteps.


    THUMP.


    It loomed over its prey.


    THUMP.


    It reached down¡ª


    And then¡ª


    SCRRH.


    Its massive, veiny hands wrapped around Unguibus'' broken body.


    One hand.


    Two hands.


    Three. Four.


    A complete, crushing grip.


    And then¡ª


    It lifted.


    Unguibus'' twisted, blood-soaked body was raised into the air, hoisted above Gravibus'' head like a prize. And then it roared.


    A sound that shook the very walls.


    This wasn''t a cry of victory.


    This was ritualistic.


    Primitive.


    A declaration of absolute destruction.


    Then¡ª It began pulling.


    The sound was unbearable.


    Skin tearing. Flesh snapping. Ligaments stretching to their absolute limit.


    Strings of muscle snapped like wires, curling back into the body as they were severed.


    Unguibus'' torso slowly split apart, its very existence being ripped in half by sheer brute force. The noise wasn''t just sickening.


    It was a sound that no human should ever hear.


    It was wrong.


    Pure, raw butchery.


    And then¡ª


    Unguibus moved.


    It was supposed to be dead.


    It was supposed to be powerless.


    But Unguibus struck with one final, desperate, monstrous act of vengeance.


    Its claws lashed out.


    SINK.


    They buried deep into Gravibus'' open abdomen¡ª Straight through muscle, past ribs, piercing straight into its rotting organs.


    And then¡ªit tore.


    Gravibus'' stomach split open completely. A wave of thick, slimy intestine spilled out¡ª Hanging.


    Swinging.


    The sight was beyond grotesque. A mess of blackened, oozing organs dripping down in a sickening, guttural heap.


    The smell hit next.


    A rancid, vomit-inducing stench of decay, bile, and death.


    Gravibus screamed.


    Not a normal scream.


    A deep, primal, gut-wrenching bellow that tore through the air with unbearable intensity.


    The force of the cry alone sent waves of pain crashing through the air, shaking the very ground beneath them.


    It didn''t stop.


    Even as its own insides hung freely from its destroyed torso¡ª Even as blood poured from the gaping wound, pooling beneath its massive feet¡ª It still didn''t stop.


    It refused to stop.


    The rage, the bloodlust¡ªit overpowered the pain. And with one final act of sheer willpower¡ª It continued pulling.


    Unguibus wasn''t done yet¡ª


    But neither was Gravibus.


    And then¡ª


    SHHHK.


    A final slice.


    Unguibus'' claws tore across Gravibus'' pig-like face, cutting deep into its deformed features. Blood sprayed into the air.


    And then¡ª The battlefield fell silent.


    CRACK.


    As Unguibus'' claws tore through Gravibus'' deformed face, a jagged snap echoed through the battlefield. Something flew through the air¡ª A sharp, thick piece of broken bone, glistening with blood.


    One of Gravibus'' massive pig-like fangs had shattered.


    The fractured piece spun wildly, landing with a dull THUD against the wet, goresoaked


    floor. Karlos'' eyes widened.


    A weapon.


    "WAIT!! I CAN USE THAT AS A WEAPON IN THE FUTURE!"


    His heartbeat spiked.


    He memorized the exact spot where the fang had landed.


    But before he could move¡ª The battle reached its final moment.

 Chapter 10 - The Cabin

    The battlefield was unrecognizable.


    Torn flesh, shattered bone, spilled intestines¡ª a grotesque, bloody mural of absolute violence.


    The air was thick, suffocating, putrid.


    It wasn''t just the smell of death. It was worse.


    Like a thousand rotting corpses, all decomposing at once, filling the space with an unbearable stench that clung to their lungs like poison.


    Karlos'' stomach churned.


    Ethan coughed, covering his nose, trying not to gag.


    And then¡ªthe final blow. Gravibus, bleeding profusely, face torn, brain exposed, skull shattered¡ª


    With one last act of monstrous strength¡ª


    It ripped Unguibus apart.


    Tore it in half.


    The wet, sickening sound of muscle splitting.


    The sharp, snapping of bones breaking in two.


    The thick, sloshing of internal organs spilling onto the ground.


    Unguibus was dead.


    Its insides lay scattered like a butcher''s leftovers, its twisted body split into two grotesque, unrecognizable pieces.


    But Gravibus?


    It was still alive. Barely.


    It swayed on its feet, trembling, body shaking, its open wounds leaking an endless stream of thick, dark blood. But it wasn''t dead.


    Not yet.


    It was dying¡ªslowly.


    Karlos'' breath was unsteady.


    He snapped out of the daze, his focus shifting back to the broken fang.


    It was still there.


    Coated in thick saliva, drenched in grime.


    It was disgusting.


    The thought of touching it made his skin crawl.


    His fingers twitched.


    He hesitated.


    He felt gross.


    He didn''t want to touch it.


    But he had no choice. With a frustrated sigh, he reached for the hem of his T-shirt¡ª And pulled it off.


    Underneath, his black tank top clung to his athletic frame, revealing his toned, defined physique.


    Not overly bulky.


    Not thin.


    Just the perfect, powerful build of a trained athlete.


    Without wasting time, he wrapped his T-shirt around the fang, wiping off the thick, slimy residue that coated it.


    Even through the fabric, it felt warm, wet, disgusting.


    But he didn''t stop.


    Once it was clean enough, he grabbed it.


    His fingers curled tightly around the jagged, broken bone.


    It was heavy. Dense.


    And sharp enough to tear through flesh.


    He gripped it like a sword.


    His first real weapon.


    And soon¡ª


    He would use it.


    The sound of ragged, uneven breathing filled the air.


    Gravibus whimpered, a sound that didn''t belong to a beast¡ª


    But to something suffering.


    Something dying.


    Its massive, broken body twitched, its exposed intestines lying in a pool of blackened, steaming blood.


    The once unstoppable war machine was nothing more than a bleeding husk, barely clinging to life.


    But Karlos didn''t move immediately.


    He just stood there, gripping the broken fang like a blade¡ªwatching.


    And hesitating.


    Karlos'' heart pounded against his ribs.


    This should have been the easiest part.


    Gravibus was dying. Helpless.


    All he had to do was walk forward and end it.


    But his instincts screamed at him.


    Something wasn''t right.


    "What if¡­ What if it''s waiting for me?"


    "What if this is just a trap?"


    "What if the second I get close, it''ll lash out and tear me in two?"


    "What if I die here?"


    "What if this whole fight was just its way of luring me in for the final kill?"


    His fingers tightened around the weapon.


    His breath felt heavy, thick with doubt.


    This wasn''t just an animal.


    These creatures weren''t wild.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    They weren''t just mindless monsters.


    They were smart.


    Cunning.


    And this one?


    It was still breathing.


    It could still move.


    And yet¡ª It just laid there.


    Suffering.


    Bleeding.


    Dying.


    Karlos'' mind was racing.


    But there was no more time to hesitate.


    The stench was unbearable, searing into his skull like a thousand rotting corpses piled into one room. His lungs burned. His stomach twisted.


    He had to end this.


    Now.


    So¡ª He stepped forward.


    One step.


    Then another.


    Gravibus didn''t move. Karlos raised the jagged fang high above his head¡ª And with one final breath¡ª


    He brought it down.


    SHHK.


    The blade sank deep into Gravibus'' skull.


    The massive beast twitched once.


    Then¡ª It stopped.


    No breath.


    No sound.


    Just silence.


    And then¡ª


    It was dead.


    Karlos staggered back, breath heavy, hands still gripping the bloody fang.


    Gravibus was dead.


    Unguibus was in pieces.


    And the battlefield?


    A complete mess of gore, shattered bone, and rotting flesh.


    The stench was still unbearable, thick like a poisonous fog hanging in the air.


    Karlos let out a slow, shaky breath.


    It worked.


    The plan actually worked.


    But as he looked at the carnage they created, he felt something else claw at his mind.


    Disgust.


    Not just at the monsters.


    Not just at the blood, the mess, the pain.


    But at the reality of what they had to do to survive.


    And as that feeling settled deep inside him¡ª The memory of how it all started flooded back.


    (Flashback: The Planning Phase)


    Karlos sat on the wooden floor of the cabin, eyes locked onto Ethan.


    The room was dim, lit only by the weak flickering of the overhead lights.


    Their breathing was the only sound filling the silence.


    Then Karlos spoke.


    Karlos: "Unguibus attacks everything that moves."


    His voice was calm but sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife.


    Karlos: "That''s the first clue we have."


    Ethan listened intently, his fingers gripping his own knees, already sensing where this was going.


    Karlos: "And Gravibus? It''s the guardian of the exit. That''s obvious."


    He paused, tapping a finger against his knee.


    Karlos: "If you connect the dots properly¡­ this is a puzzle."


    Ethan''s brow furrowed.


    Karlos: "Whoever designed this¡ªwhoever put us here¡ªknows a normal human can''t fight them."


    Karlos'' voice grew darker.


    Karlos: "They want us to figure it out. They want us to connect the pieces."


    Ethan swallowed.


    He already knew what was coming next.


    Karlos leaned forward.


    Karlos: "I think Unguibus is strong enough to kill Gravibus."


    Ethan''s breath hitched.


    Karlos: "Or at the very least, injure it so badly that we can land the final blow."


    Ethan: "But how do we make them fight? What if they''re not hostile to each other?"


    Karlos smirked.


    Karlos: "You''re right. But the rule says Unguibus attacks anything that moves."


    He let that statement linger in the air.


    Ethan''s still confused waits for Karlos to elaborate further.


    Karlos: "If that''s true, then it should attack anything¡ªeven Gravibus. That rule contradicts the idea that they''d ignore each other."


    Karlos exhaled slowly.


    Karlos: "Which means¡­ it has to work."*


    Ethan: "And if it doesn''t?" Karlos hesitated.


    Because he didn''t know.


    Because if it didn''t work¡­ they were dead.


    Ethan stared at him for a moment before asking¡ª


    Ethan: "How are we going to lure Unguibus to Gravibus?"


    But then¡ª


    He realized.


    His eyes widened.


    His body froze.


    Ethan: "¡­Wait."


    His voice dropped to a whisper, shaking slightly.


    Ethan: "Are you gonna use me¡­ as bait?"


    Karlos nodded.


    A slight hesitation in his movement.


    Karlos: "You''ve already survived Unguibus once."


    Ethan''s body stiffened.


    Karlos: "You know its speed, its attack patterns. You''ve seen how it moves."


    Karlos: "Which makes you far more suited for this role than me."


    Ethan''s jaw clenched.


    His breathing became uneven.


    Ethan: "I survived once¡­ that doesn''t mean I''ll survive twice."


    His hands shook.


    The weight of the plan crushing down on him.


    But then¡ª Karlos'' voice softened.


    Reassuring.


    Unshaken.


    Karlos: "¡­I trust you, Ethan."


    Ethan''s breath hitched. Karlos:


    "You won''t fail us."


    Silence.


    Ethan stared at him.


    And then¡ª


    Slowly, reluctantly¡ª He nodded.


    And the plan was set.


    (Back to Present)


    Karlos stood atop Gravibus'' corpse, staring down at the grotesque, blood-soaked battlefield.


    His fingers felt numb.


    His breathing was uneven. And for the first time since this nightmare began¡ª He felt sick.


    Not from exhaustion.


    Not from fear. But from disgust.


    The stench of death was unbearable. Thick, putrid¡ªa cocktail of rotting flesh, spilled organs, and something far worse. His stomach twisted.


    He had never seen anything like this in his life.


    Not in books.


    Not in movies.


    Not in his worst nightmares.


    And now that the fight was over¡ªthe adrenaline had drained from his system.


    His normal self clicked back in.


    And all that was left¡­ was pure, suffocating horror.


    His eyes slowly lifted from the mess and landed on Ethan.


    Ethan was sitting against the wall, his head tilted back, his chest rising and falling in ragged breaths.


    His eyes were hollow, unfocused¡ªlike his brain was still processing what had just happened. His hands were clutching his stomach.


    A deep, burning pain radiated from the spot where Unguibus had kicked him.


    The bleeding from his mouth had stopped a while ago, but the ache in his ribs felt like his insides were twisting and bruising with every breath. He didn''t speak.


    Didn''t even move.


    Just sat there, gripping his stomach, while his mind kept replaying the brutality they had just witnessed. Karlos, still standing on Gravibus'' lifeless body, met


    Ethan''s gaze.


    They locked eyes.


    And in that moment, they both realized¡ª This was just the beginning.


    Neither of them spoke.


    Because there was nothing to say.


    Just the sound of their heavy breathing.


    The distant, eerie flickering of the overhead lights.


    And the suffocating weight of what they had just done.


    Ethan didn''t move.


    Not because he was too weak.


    Not because he didn''t want to.


    But because he was scared.


    His thoughts spiraled, looping in his mind like a never-ending nightmare.


    "What if I move and the bleeding starts again?"


    "What if I stand up and something inside me shifts¡ª"


    "My ribs, my organs¡ªwhat if they''re already damaged beyond repair?"


    "What if I speak, and it causes everything to rupture inside me?"


    "What if I just¡­ die?"


    The fear paralyzed him.


    He stayed still, gripping his side, staring at nothing.


    But then¡ª A voice snapped him out of his panic.


    Karlos had forgotten.


    Forgotten that Ethan had been injured.


    Forgotten that he had taken a brutal, full-force hit from an inhuman monster.


    The moment Karlos realized¡ª


    His heart dropped.


    Without thinking, he rushed toward Ethan.


    His boots splashed through the blood-soaked ground, closing the distance between them in seconds.


    Karlos: "Where does it hurt?" Ethan didn''t answer.


    Didn''t even try.


    He was too scared to move, too scared to speak. Instead, he lifted a weak, trembling hand¡ª


    And pointed toward his left ribs.


    Karlos'' eyes narrowed.


    He crouched down, scanning Ethan''s body like a doctor assessing a patient.


    Karlos: "Is there any trouble breathing?" Ethan shook his head.


    Karlos: "Do you feel like more blood might come out? Not from movement¡ªjust on its


    own?"


    Ethan focused on his body.


    He took slow, careful breaths, testing himself.


    Then, he shook his head again.


    Karlos exhaled in relief.


    Karlos: "I think it''s just some minor blood vessel damage and a few cracked ribs."


    He looked Ethan in the eye.


    Karlos: "Does it hurt too much to bear?"


    Ethan swallowed before trying to speak.


    Ethan: "No¡­ not too much¡­ it just¡­ burns."


    Karlos nodded, his tone gentler now.


    Karlos: "Don''t worry. You''ll be good."


    And with that, he offered his hand.


    Ethan hesitated¡ªthen took it.


    Karlos helped him up, careful not to put pressure on his ribs.


    Ethan winced, his body aching, but he could move.


    He was exhausted. He was in pain.


    But he could move.


    And for now¡ªthat was enough.


    They turned back toward Gravibus'' lifeless corpse.


    The Key Book had to be here somewhere.


    They walked forward, stepping over blood, organs, shattered bones.


    Each step was slow, deliberate.


    But then¡ª


    CREEEEAK.


    They both froze.


    A mechanical sound echoed through the room.


    Their heads snapped toward the source.


    And then¡ªthey saw it.


    A small cabin, its wooden door slowly creaking open.


    Revealing itself.


    Like it had been hidden in plain sight all along.


    Ethan and Karlos exchanged a glance.


    Because they both knew¡ª Whatever was inside¡­


    would change everything.

 Chapter 11 - Johnathan, Alice, Kacey and April

    A chill ran down Ethan''s spine as the cabin revealed itself.


    It stood there¡ªsilent, ominous, as if it had been watching them all along.


    He and Karlos had already pieced it together. The cabin had appeared because they defeated Gravibus.


    They had succeeded.


    They had survived.


    But neither of them felt happy.


    Karlos'' voice broke the silence, his tone uncertain.


    "Is that what I think it is¡­?"


    Ethan nodded, his eyes locked onto the wooden structure ahead.


    A melancholic expression clouded his face.


    "Should we go in and check¡­?"


    Ethan''s voice carried both hesitation and resolve¡ª he already knew they had no other choice.


    The air around them was thick¡ªwith the scent of death, the weight of exhaustion, and the lingering presence of what they had just done.


    As they took slow, weary steps toward the cabin, their gazes drifted to the ground.


    To the corpses. Unguibus and Gravibus.


    The demons they had fought to survive lay lifeless in the mess they had created. Blood pooled into the dirt, mixing with the filth of the battlefield. The sight should have brought them relief, but instead¡ª They turned away.


    A strange emptiness settled in their chests. A quiet, consuming dread.


    Ethan''s voice came out hollow.


    "I don''t like this, Karlos."


    Karlos paused.


    For a moment, he had no response.


    Then, with a small, forced smile, he patted Ethan''s back.


    "Don''t worry, buddy. We''re almost there. We''ll get out of this hell¡­"


    But reassurance only went so far.


    Ethan could still feel it¡ªhis exhaustion.


    His thirst.


    His pain.


    The ache deep in his bones.


    The smell.


    The headache.


    The weight of everything.


    Their surroundings blurred together, the world tilting between fatigue and reality.


    Nothing felt right. And yet, the cabin stood there¡ªwaiting.


    They walked.


    Over the silence again.


    Their steps echoed through the emptiness.


    CLOMP...


    CLOMP...


    CLOMP...


    Every footstep felt heavier than the last, each one dragging them closer¡ªcloser to whatever awaited inside that cursed cabin.


    They were panting, their bodies crying for rest. But the air itself felt thick, suffocating. Their skin burned with exhaustion.


    Their lungs strained for relief.


    If they weren''t fast, they would die¡ª


    Not from wounds.


    Not from another enemy.


    But from this place itself.


    And yet¡­ They reached the cabin.


    Ethan''s hand trembled as he reached for the door. Slowly. Carefully.


    It creaked open.


    They stepped inside¡ªone foot at a time.


    Their bodies screamed for rest, but their minds stayed sharp. They couldn''t afford to let their guard down.


    Their eyes scanned the dimly lit room.


    Nothing.


    No enemies.


    No sounds.


    No immediate threats.


    Just... silence.


    And then¡ª Their gazes landed on something.


    Something small.


    Something unexpected.


    A button.


    Ethan''s voice broke the silence.


    "That''s a...?"


    Karlos stared at it, his expression unreadable.


    "A button."


    Ethan''s mind raced.


    "A button...?"


    "Are we supposed to press it...?"


    "What happens if we do...?"


    "Wait¡­" "Will we get out of here?"


    "Is this it?"


    "Are we finally¡ª?"


    "His thoughts were interrupted."


    Footsteps.


    Ethan''s eyes snapped up.


    Karlos was already moving.


    Determined.


    Unwavering.


    The dim light cast a shadow across his face, his features set in stone.


    He reached the button.


    "We will end this."


    His hand


    stretched forward¡ª


    Closer.


    Closer.


    And then¡ª


    (Johnathan and Alice''s Perspective)


    The first thing Alice felt was the heat.


    The air was thick, suffocating. A sickly yellow glow coated everything¡ªthe sky, the ground, even her skin. It was as if the world itself was drenched in sickness. Then, reality hit her.


    She wasn''t home.


    She wasn''t safe.


    She was still here.


    The moment the realization sank in, Alice broke.


    A choked sob escaped her lips. Then another.


    And then¡ªshe screamed.


    A raw, uncontrolled cry. Desperate, broken. Her voice ripped through the silence of this cursed place, echoing into the distance. Somewhere¡ªnot too far¡ªsomeone heard her.


    Johnathan.


    His head snapped toward the sound. A cry. A real, human cry.


    Someone else was here.


    He didn''t hesitate. He ran.


    His feet pounded against the dusty, yellow-stained ground. His breath was ragged, his heart hammering in his chest¡ªnot from fear, but from the sheer desperation to find someone. And then¡ª He saw her. Alice.


    She was on her knees, trembling. Her hands clutched her face, her whole body shaking as sobs wracked her chest.


    She looked lost.


    Broken.


    For a second,


    Johnathan just stood there.


    He had no idea what to say.


    Johnathan''s eyes widened as he saw the figure in the distance¡ªAlice.


    His breath caught in his throat.


    "ALICE?!?!"


    His voice tore through the suffocating air, filled with urgency, relief, and fear all at once.


    He didn''t wait for a response¡ªhe ran.


    Alice flinched at the sudden scream, her body still trembling. But then¡ªshe heard her name.


    Someone was calling her.


    Her tear-streaked face snapped toward the sound, her breath hitching as she searched through the yellow haze. And then¡ªshe saw him.


    Johnathan.


    Alice''s breath hitched.


    She wasn''t alone.


    As soon as she saw Johnathan rushing toward her, something inside her shifted. For the first time since waking up in this yellowish hell¡ª


    SAFER.


    That was the only thing she felt.


    Johnathan reached her within seconds, dropping to his knees beside her. His hands hovered over her shoulders, his eyes scanning her face with concern.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Are you okay? Did something happen??"


    Alice''s breath hitched. She wasn''t alone.


    It wasn''t safe. Not really. But compared to the crushing loneliness, the overwhelming fear that she might be trapped here alone¡ªthis was enough.


    She let out a shaky breath.


    Johnathan didn''t stop running until he reached her. He dropped to his knees beside her, his own breath uneven, laced with worry.


    Up close, she could see the exhaustion on his face¡ªthe tension in his muscles, the slight tremble in his hands as they hovered near her shoulders, as if he wanted to grab her, to shake her, to make sure she was real.


    "Are you okay? Did something happen??"


    Alice blinked.


    She wanted to answer. She really did.


    But instead¡ªher throat tightened, and the only sound that escaped was another broken


    breath.


    Alice let out a shaky breath¡ªthen, suddenly, she giggled.


    It wasn''t happy. It wasn''t even normal. It was the kind of uneasy, unhinged laugh that only came when emotions were spiraling out of control.


    She wiped her face with the back of her hand, her lips curling into a weak, forced smile.


    "You''re asking such dumb questions¡­ of course something happened."


    She let out another uneasy chuckle, gesturing vaguely at the sickly yellow landscape.


    "Look around you, idiot."


    Johnathan blinked.


    For a second, he just stared at her.


    Then, he scoffed.


    "Ugh, come on¡­ now''s not the time to be joking around..."


    But even as he said it, he felt lighter. If she could still throw in sarcastic remarks, maybe¡ª just maybe¡ªthey weren''t completely falling apart.


    His expression, however, hardened as he finally took in their surroundings properly. The endless, yellowish fog. The unnatural silence. The way the air itself felt thick, suffocating.


    Something was wrong.


    Johnathan''s jaw clenched as he spoke, his voice steady, but filled with unease.


    "Someone is playing a really bad prank... or maybe this isn''t a prank at all."


    His eyes narrowed, scanning the distance.


    "Maybe... the game started."


    (Scene switches to April)


    April sat up slowly.


    Her head throbbed. A slow, rhythmic pounding. Her skin felt damp, her breath uneven.


    Something felt¡­ off.


    She blinked, trying to clear the haze in her mind. The ground beneath her was dry and cracked, rough against her fingertips as she steadied herself. Then she noticed it.


    The silence.


    It wasn''t normal. It wasn''t just quiet¡ªit was wrong.


    No wind.


    No distant echoes.


    No life. Just Stillness.


    She turned her head slowly, her pulse quickening. The sky above wasn''t the deep blue she expected¡ªit was yellowish ceiling on top.


    Her stomach twisted.


    Where was she?


    Her breath came out shaky as she whispered to herself, half-expecting an answer.


    "...Hello?"


    Her voice sounded muted.


    Swallowed by the still air.


    Nothing responded.


    Her fingers curled into the dirt, grounding herself against the creeping panic.


    Stay calm. Think.


    She didn''t remember how she got here. What was the last thing she remembered?


    Nothing.


    A chill ran through her as she realized¡ªshe had no memory of what happened before waking up.


    April took a slow step forward.


    Then another.


    Her breathing felt too loud in the stillness. Each exhale trembled.


    The silence stretched endlessly, pressing against her ears.


    She swallowed. Her throat felt dry.


    "Anyone there?"


    Her voice echoed. A faint, distorted version of her own words bouncing back at her.


    She froze.


    It didn''t sound right.


    The echo wasn''t natural¡ªit was delayed, warped.


    As if the world around her took a second too long to respond.


    Her breath hitched.


    Sweat formed at her temple, sliding down her cheek. Her fingers curled into trembling fists.


    Something was watching her.


    She didn''t know how, but she felt it.


    Her steps grew quicker, her eyes scanning for anything¡ªanyone.


    Nothing.


    Just endless, yellowish emptiness.


    Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. This isn''t real. This isn''t real.


    But it was.


    And she was alone.


    She tried to look far ahead.


    But the space just¡­ kept extending.


    No end.


    No exit.


    Her stomach twisted.


    "Is this¡­ infinite?"


    she muttered under her breath.


    She turned her head, scanning the area.


    And then¡ª She noticed it.


    The walls.


    They weren''t right.


    Their placement felt off, unnatural¡ªas if someone built this place without understanding how walls are supposed to work.


    A cold shiver crawled up her spine.


    Then¡ª


    A noise.


    Buzzing.


    Faint at first. A soft, low hum in the background.


    But the longer she stood there, the louder it got. It pressed against her skull, vibrating deep inside her head.


    April swallowed hard.


    "I feel..."


    Her vision blurred for a second.


    "...dizzy."


    She forced herself to move. She had to keep track of her directions.


    She walked. Took a right. Kept walking. Took another right.


    Walking. Took a left.


    Walked. Turned back. Went left again.


    Step.


    Step.


    Step.


    Every movement felt pointless.


    She should have found something. A door. A sign. A single clue.


    But all she found¡ª


    Was more of the same.


    April stopped.


    Walking was pointless.


    It didn''t matter where she turned¡ªthe walls had shifted.


    She blinked. Were they closer now?


    Her breath hitched.


    "I don''t understand¡­ what is this place?"


    The words barely left her lips before the air changed.


    The cold sank deeper into her skin. It wasn''t just cold¡ªit was stealing her warmth, pulling it from her bones. Her fingers¡ªnumb.


    Her throat¡ªraw, dry, freezing.


    Her heartbeat¡ªslow. Slower.


    April shivered violently, wrapping her arms around herself, but the warmth was already gone.


    The walls.


    She looked at them again¡ªthey weren''t in the same place.


    They were wrong.


    Closer?


    Bigger?


    Smaller?


    Warped?


    Her heart pounded. Her vision blurred. It was getting harder to think.


    Then¡ª The buzzing.


    It had always been there. A low, droning hum.


    But now¡ª It was growing.


    Louder.


    More.


    MORE.


    M O R E.


    It clawed into her skull, vibrating through her bones, shaking her teeth. The lights above her flickered¡ªpulsing in sync with the sound.


    She screamed, clutching her ears.


    The pain.


    The sound.


    The heat.


    The cold.


    The shifting walls.


    Her body wasn''t hers anymore.


    Something warm dripped between her fingers.


    Wet.


    Sticky.


    Thick.


    She gasped.


    Pulled her hands away.


    Blood.


    It was coming from inside her ears.


    Her heartbeat roared in her skull. Her lungs burned.


    "HELP ME!"


    Her voice cracked. She reached out¡ª


    toward nothing.


    "SOMEONE HELP!"


    But


    No one was coming.


    Except for something.


    The lights cut out.


    Everything went black.


    And she felt it.


    Something was in the dark. It had always been there.


    Watching.


    Waiting.


    It was never going to let her leave.


    Her breath hitched. Her pulse slowed. The silence wrapped around her like a noose.


    Then¡ª A sound.


    Not buzzing.


    Not echoes.


    Not breathing.


    SCREEEEEECH.


    The walls bent.


    The air rippled.


    The sound tore through her skull.


    And then¡ª She heard her own bones cracking.


    Inside her.


    Her ribs twisted.


    Her jaw snapped apart.


    Her skull¡ª Ruptured. A wet, sickening POP.


    Her brain split open inside her skull before it even had the chance to leave her body.


    Her eyes burst. A gush of blood, pushing from her sockets, running down her cheeks like


    crimson tears.


    Her body convulsed violently, but it wasn''t hers anymore. Something else was pulling


    her apart.


    Her flesh split.


    No, not split.


    Peeled.


    Stripped.


    From the inside out.


    Her stomach tore open with a wet, grotesque rip, her intestines snapping free like a severed rope.


    She had no mouth to scream anymore.


    Dentes wasn''t just killing her.


    It was unmaking her.


    Her shredded lungs tried to pull in air that would never come.


    Her skull collapsed inward, like an eggshell crushed in a fist.


    Her thoughts stopped.


    Her body wasn''t a body anymore.


    Just a mess.


    A mass of blood, organs, and crushed bones, sprayed across the yellow walls.


    Then¡ª The lights came back.


    And all that remained¡ª Was a room painted in April.


    No body.


    No trace of a person.


    Just a stain.


    The silence returned.


    The maze moved on.


    (Kacey perspective)


    Kasey''s eyes snapped open.


    Her breath hitched¡ªa sharp inhale, too sudden, too desperate.


    "Where am I?!"


    Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Her muscles tensed, her body coiled as if ready to run. But there was no immediate threat.


    Just... silence.


    She forced herself to breathe¡ªin, out, in, out.


    Her eyes darted around, adjusting to the dim, sickly yellow lighting. The ceiling above her was old, cracked.


    The air felt... stale. She was lying on something soft.


    "A bed."


    No¡ªnot her bed.


    Not any bed she recognized.


    Her hands clenched the fabric beneath her¡ªrough, aged, dust-coated.


    Her breath steadied, but her mind raced.


    "What happened?"


    "Think."


    She sat up slowly, her fingers pressing into the mattress. It was lumpy, uneven. There was something underneath.


    Kasey''s eyes narrowed.


    She pulled the cushion apart.


    If she was here, then there had to be a reason.


    And maybe, just maybe¡ª


    There was a clue.


    Her fingers brushed against something.


    Thin.


    Crinkled.


    Paper.


    Kasey''s heartbeat quickened as she pulled it out from beneath the cushion.


    A note.


    Folded.


    Worn.


    She hesitated.


    Then¡ªshe unfolded it.


    Her eyes scanned the words.


    And with each line, her breath grew shallower.


    Rules.


    Entities.


    Exhaustion.


    She swallowed hard.


    "So.. This is the game they were talking about huh..?"


    "I am ready... I am convinced... I will win"


    This wasn''t some random dream.


    This wasn''t a prank.


    This place was real.


    Her hands tightened around the note, her nails pressing into the paper.


    The more she read, the worse it got.


    Every word etched into her brain, each one hammering in a single, undeniable truth.


    She was trapped.


    And she wasn''t alone.


    Her hands shook.


    She gripped the note tighter, her breath uneven as she reread the words.


    The more she understood, the colder her stomach felt.


    Entities.


    Exhaustion.


    Death.


    The words sank in, pressing into her chest like a weight.


    Her pulse pounded.


    Her skin felt clammy.


    For a split second, fear paralyzed her.


    But then¡ª


    Something else.


    A flicker.


    A thrill.


    The fear was still there¡ªgnawing, whispering, gripping her.


    But beneath it¡­ There was something more.


    Her lips parted, her breath still shaky, but her eyes¡­ they were sharper now.


    "So¡­ this is how it is?"


    Her fingers traced the edge of the paper.


    The fear didn''t disappear.


    But she wasn''t about to let it control her.


    If this was a game¡ª Then she was going to play.


    "I know I will win..."


    Her thoughts flickered.


    The others.


    Are they here too?


    The idea sent a rush through her. If they were, she needed to find them.


    If they weren''t, she needed a plan.


    Her grip on the note tightened.


    Fear?


    Still there.


    But something stronger had taken hold.


    Determination.


    It lit up inside her, pushing back the creeping dread. She wasn''t going to sit here and wait for answers. She was about to step forward¡ª When the lights died.


    Instant.


    Absolute.


    Darkness.


    Not a flicker.


    Not a slow fade.


    Just¡ªgone.


    The room felt different.


    The air¡ªheavier. And somewhere in the silence¡ª


    A sound.


    Faint.


    Slow.


    A breath.


    Not hers.


    But From the rules she read


    She knew exactly what she had to do


    She gathered her courage. As she felt something. Someone. breathing just behind her.


    Feeling the breath tingle in her ear.


    But she didn''t move She knew if she moved.


    She would be killed.


    And so She stood still.


    Not breathing.


    Holding her breath.


    And then.


    The lights came back


    The lights flickered back.


    The darkness was gone.


    Kasey''s body relaxed¡ªjust slightly. Her lungs burned as she finally let out the breath she had been holding.


    She survived.


    Her fingers uncurled, her heartbeat steadying.


    She hadn''t expected something this dangerous, this soon.


    But it didn''t matter.


    She won.


    Because she was better.


    Her lips curled slightly¡ªnot a smile, but a knowing expression.


    She had read the rules.


    She had followed them.


    And she was still here.


    The others?


    Would they have survived this?


    Maybe.


    Maybe not.


    But she did.


    Her mind was sharp.


    Her body was steady.


    And as she stood there, she let the thought settle deep into her bones.


    "I am the best."


    Kasey moved quickly.


    Her steps were steady, controlled¡ªbut her mind was racing.


    She had survived once.


    She wouldn''t let her guard down now.


    The corridors stretched endlessly, twisting into the sickly yellow haze. She walked for what felt like minutes, maybe hours.


    Then¡ªmovement.


    A figure in the distance. Kasey''s muscles tensed, her breath hitching¡ªuntil the shape became clear.


    Johnathan.


    And right behind him¡ªAlice.


    Both of them were walking cautiously, scanning the endless maze.


    Without hesitation, Kasey called out.


    "Hey!"


    Johnathan snapped his head toward her, his body instantly on edge. Alice gasped, but her


    shoulders relaxed slightly when she saw Kasey wasn''t a threat.


    The three of them stopped, standing a few feet apart.


    A beat of silence.


    Then¡ª


    "Holy shit"


    Johnathan exhaled, his expression a mix of relief and disbelief.


    Johnathan: "I thought it was something else."


    Alice: "Same"


    Alice muttered, rubbing her arms.


    "What the hell is this place?"


    Kasey didn''t hesitate.


    "Listen to me."


    Her tone was sharp, focused.


    "I know what''s happening. I have answers."


    That got their attention. Johnathan frowned.


    "Answers? How?" "Because I found this."


    Kasey pulled out the folded note.


    She unfolded it and held it up for them to see.


    "This explains everything¡ªwhy we''re here, what''s hunting us, and what we need to do to


    survive."


    Alice''s eyes widened.


    Alice: "Wait¡ªyou''re saying this was planned?"


    Kacey: "Not just planned,"


    Kasey said.


    "It''s a game. A twisted, impossible game. And there are rules."


    Johnathan''s jaw clenched.


    "What kind of rules?"


    Kasey''s grip tightened on the paper.


    She looked them both in the eyes.


    Then¡ªshe told them everything.


    The entities. The exhaustion rule.


    The dangers.


    The fact that this wasn''t just a nightmare¡ª It was survival.


    By the time she finished, Alice face was pale. She looked like she wanted to vomit.


    Johnathan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.


    Johnathan: "Shit¡­ this is worse than I thought."


    Alice hugged herself, muttering.


    "This can''t be real. It just- it doesn''t make sense."


    Kasey folded the note back and crossed her arms.


    "Doesn''t matter if it makes sense or not. It''s real."


    Her voice was calm, confident.


    "We follow the rules, we survive. We don''t¡ª"


    she let the silence finish the sentence for her.


    Johnathan exhaled, nodding.


    "Alright. What''s our plan?"


    Kasey smirked slightly.


    "Simple. We find the others. Then we figure out how to beat this."


    Alice was adapting.


    Too quickly.


    Kasey noticed it first.


    The way Alice breathing had steadied.


    The way her eyes weren''t filled with confusion anymore¡ªjust focus.


    It wasn''t normal.


    But Kasey didn''t say anything.


    They had bigger things to worry about.


    Surviving.


    Finding the others. Gathering resources. So they walked.


    The endless yellow corridors stretched ahead, every turn feeling like the last.


    But Kasey took note of everything¡ªthe spacing of the flickering lights, the pattern of the walls.


    They had no map.


    But they wouldn''t get lost.


    As they moved, they searched.


    For anything.


    And eventually,


    they found it.


    Almond milk. Three cartons.


    Kasey picked one up, turning it in her hands.


    The packaging was clean.


    Sealed.


    Fresh.


    Johnathan raised an eyebrow.


    "That''s¡­ weirdly convenient."


    Alice grabbed a carton, shaking it slightly.


    "Well, I''m not complaining."


    A little further ahead, they found a single packet of potato chips.


    Johnathan smirked, lifting the bag.


    "Alright. Fancy dinner tonight, huh?"


    Alice chuckled. "Gourmet, really."


    For a while, they just kept moving, gathering what little they could.


    Their conversation shifted.


    Random topics.


    Small things.


    A distraction from where they were.


    Gossip.


    Stories.


    Nothing important¡ªbut it kept their minds busy.


    Alice even cracked a joke.


    For a brief moment¡ªjust a moment¡ªit almost felt normal.


    But then Kasey looked ahead.


    And something felt wrong again.

 Chapter 12 - Phase 0 Ends

    Karlos'' hand hovered over the button.


    Just an inch away.


    Then¡ª


    "Karlos, wait!!!"


    Ethan''s voice pierced the silence.


    Karlos'' body tensed¡ªhis breath caught in his throat. He turned back sharply, eyes locking onto Ethan.


    His brows furrowed.


    Confused.


    "What...?"


    Karlos muttered.


    Ethan swallowed hard.


    His voice was lower this time¡ªuncertain.


    "Are you sure we should click it?"


    Karlos stared at him.


    "What if it''s a trap?"


    That single question planted something inside him.


    Doubt.


    Karlos had been so sure.


    He trusted the rules.


    But now¡ªhis fingers curled slightly, hesitation creeping into his stance. His expression shifted, discomfort flickering in his eyes.


    "The rules said there''s a keybook..."


    he muttered, his voice lower now.


    "But this is a button."


    Karlos turned back to the button, staring at it like it might stare back.


    "Maybe if we press it, we''ll escape... don''t you think, Ethan?"


    Ethan didn''t respond right away.


    Karlos'' throat tightened.


    He needed an answer.


    "Please answer me, Ethan."


    But


    Ethan could feel it now.


    Karlos wasn''t asking because he was confident.


    He was scared.


    He was shifting the decision to him.


    Why?


    Why was it so hard to press a simple button?


    It should be easy.


    Click it.


    Move on.


    But that''s not how uncertainty works.


    Have you ever been on an exam?


    A strict one.


    The kind where cheating meant immediate failure.


    The teacher watches closely, eyes sharp.


    Students get caught.


    Thrown out.


    Then, one day, the teacher suddenly says¡ª


    "You can cheat now."


    A strange joy fills the room.


    But then¡ª Doubt.


    "Why are they letting us cheat? What''s the catch? Is this a trap?"


    You glance around.


    No one moves.


    No one wants to be the first to cheat.


    So you shift the decision to others.


    "If they cheat, maybe I will too."


    That was exactly


    What Karlos felt right now.


    He wanted Ethan to make the decision for him.


    Because if something went wrong... it wouldn''t be his fault.


    And Ethan knew it.


    Ethan''s breath was shaky.


    His fingers trembled.


    He had to muster the courage.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Karlos had been the one leading, planning, deciding. And what had Ethan done?


    Been bait.


    That was it.


    That wasn''t enough. Now¡ª it was his turn.


    A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, slipping past his eyebrow, clinging to his lashes.


    His heartbeat pounded against his ribs.


    The silence stretched too long.


    And then¡ª


    Ethan broke it.


    "Yes."


    His voice was firm.


    No hesitation.


    His eyes locked onto Karlos.


    "Karlos. Do it."


    That tone¡ª that confidence.


    It lit something in Karlos.


    The doubt faded.


    The hesitation shrank.


    A small smile curled at Karlos'' lips.


    He nodded.


    Then, without another word, he turned back toward the button.


    His hand moved forward.


    Closer.


    Closer.


    His fingertips hovered just above it.


    Then¡ªhe hesitated.


    Just for a moment.


    Just one last time.


    Then¡ª He slammed his palm down.


    Click.


    The button pressed down.


    And then¡ª


    Reality snapped.


    The air distorted, twisted.


    A sharp, ear-piercing SCREECH ripped through the void¡ªlouder than thunder, louder than anything human ears were meant to endure.


    Then¡ª Everything disappeared.


    Ethan, Karlos, every remaining survivor¡ªripped from their places, pulled by something unseen.


    No warning.


    No transition.


    One second, they existed. The next¡ª they didn''t.


    And then¡ª 2,500 people hit the ground at once.


    A sea of bodies.


    Gasping.


    Yelling.


    Screaming.


    They weren''t alone anymore.


    The massive room was impossible.


    A cold, concrete void. No doors. No windows. Just walls that stretched into nothingness.


    The sound of panic filled the air.


    Ethan''s head pounded. His stomach twisted. His body had just been somewhere


    else, and now¡ª His breath hitched.


    Everyone was here.


    Every single survivor.


    And yet¡ª


    April was gone.


    Everyone reappeared.


    Together.


    But not in the same place.


    Not in the yellow hell.


    Now¡ª They were inside something else.


    A room.


    Unimaginably large.


    Not just big.


    Not just vast.


    Incomprehensible.


    The kind of size that shouldn''t exist.


    If you could see it from above¡ªfrom an impossible height¡ªthe entire crowd, all 2,500 survivors, would look like nothing more than a single speck of dust.


    A full stop.


    On a blank, white canvas.


    And then¡ª


    Chaos.


    Voices erupted at once.


    Yelling.


    Screaming.


    Demands for answers.


    People pushed, shoved, turned in circles, trying to find something¡ªanything¡ªthat made sense.


    Where were they?


    How did they get here?


    What happened to the yellow hell?


    One second, they were scattered.


    Struggling to survive.


    And now¡ª They were here.


    Together.


    And yet, this felt worse.


    Ethan and Karlos stood still.


    Frozen.


    Their minds still processing what just happened.


    One second, they were alone.


    Now¡ª They were standing in front of everyone.


    Not with them.


    In front of them.


    Like a duo separated from the rest.


    Karlos'' breath was uneven.


    His head snapped around, taking in the impossible scene before them. 2,497 people.


    Huddled together in a massive crowd.


    A single wall of bodies¡ªopposite them. The distance between them was unnatural.


    Like it had been placed there on purpose.


    The front of the crowd noticed first.


    Their eyes landed on Ethan and Karlos.


    The ones standing apart.


    The ones separated.


    And then¡ª They started moving.


    A few figures stepped forward.


    Slowly.


    Cautiously.


    Karlos exhaled sharply, eyes darting toward Ethan.


    "What the fuck just happened?"


    But Ethan didn''t answer. Because right now¡ª he had no idea.


    Karlos'' breathing was still uneven. His mind was scrambling for an explanation.


    Then¡ª


    "ETHAN! KARLOS!!" The voices pierced through the chaos.


    Three figures broke away from the crowd.


    Johnathan.


    Alice.


    Kasey.


    They ran¡ªfast.


    Their eyes wild with confusion and desperation.


    Johnathan reached them first, his hands gripping Karlos'' shoulders.


    "What the hell just happened?! How did we get here?!"


    Alice''s voice cut through, breathless.


    "Were you guys already here? What did you see?"


    Kasey''s gaze jumped from Ethan to Karlos, scanning them like she was trying to read their minds.


    "Did you press something? Trigger something? Are we supposed to be here?!"


    The questions kept coming.


    "Is this another test?"


    "Where were you before this?"


    "Did anyone explain anything to you?!" Their


    voices overlapped.


    Rushed.


    Urgent.


    Desperate for answers that Ethan and Karlos didn''t have.


    And that''s when it hit Ethan¡ª Everyone was looking to them.


    Like they knew something the others didn''t.


    But the truth was¡ª They were just as lost.


    Then¡ª It spoke.


    Not from the walls. Not from the sky.


    Not from anywhere.


    Yet¡ªevery single person heard it.


    Inside their heads.


    A voice that wasn''t theirs¡ªyet filled every inch of their mind.


    "Phase 0 has concluded."


    A statement.


    A fact.


    Absolute.


    The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating.


    "You have survived the trial phase."


    A cold realization settled over them.


    The trial phase.


    Which meant¡ª There were more.


    "You were scattered. Separated. Tested. You have seen. You have learned. Now, you stand together."


    A shiver ran through the crowd.


    For the first time, every survivor was gathered in one place.


    But something about it felt wrong.


    Ethan clenched his fists.


    Karlos'' eyes darted across the room. Kasey''s breathing was steady¡ªtoo steady. Because deep down¡ªthey knew.


    This moment wasn''t meant to last.


    Then, the voice continued.


    "You were never meant to understand Phase 0. You were only meant to survive it."


    Alice''s breath hitched.


    "The rules were given. The rules were absolute. Those who obeyed them are here. Those who failed¡ª Are not."


    April.


    The weight of her absence slammed into Team Karlos at once.


    Johnathan swallowed hard.


    Kasey''s jaw clenched.


    But they didn''t get to dwell on it.


    Because the voice wasn''t finished.


    Then¡ª Everything changed.


    The air cracked.


    The room itself split.


    Not physically.


    Not visibly.


    But something had shattered.


    And then, the voice spoke one final truth.


    "You will not walk the same path."


    A sharp, ringing noise pierced through their minds.


    The air shifted. The walls blurred.


    Ethan''s eyes widened¡ªhe felt it.


    They were leaving.


    Not together.


    Not to the same place.


    To different fates.


    "You will be scattered once more. To survive. Or to be erased."


    A silence devoured the room.


    And then¡ª They were ripped away.


    Ethan''s breath caught in his throat.


    His thoughts scrambled, piecing together the words that had just been burned into his mind.


    "Separated¡­ meaning¡­"


    His heartbeat pounded.


    "Different phases for every¡ª"


    He couldn''t even finish the thought.


    Because by then¡ª It had already begun.


    Just before the end¡ª As the world began to unravel, as fate itself prepared to tear them apart¡ª A final voice echoed within their very souls.


    Not a whisper.


    Not a command.


    A proclamation.


    "Let it be known. Let it be eternal. Let all who walk these cursed paths remember this day.


    For among thee, two have triumphed where countless could have fallen. All shall praise the names of Karlos and Ethan, For they are the chosen. The victors. The heroes who have conquered Phase 0."


    The words did not fade.


    They burned.


    Etched into the minds of every last survivor, woven into their very existence.


    A truth they could not unhear.


    A truth they could never erase.


    And then¡ª


    Silence.


    And the world broke apart.