Chapter 22: "Dirty Suspicions,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 11 - 2027 ║║ Monday║ Class Day ║The whispers began as soon as I walked through the school grounds. Eyes followed me down the corridors, people stopping mid-conversation to stare. I tried to ignore them, focus on the mundane tasks of getting to class on time, but the sinister glances and hushed voices filled the air like a miasma. In between their murmurs I could clearly hear their own versions of the twisted situation on the carousel scene last night. After the last night's sinister truth or dare game, when I found Lilian's body on the carousel, everything had changed.That certain midnight events were shrouded in a darkness I could still feel gripping at my soul. I saw the looks the others exchanged, heard the edge in their false innocence. We had all crossed a line together into a place where nothing would ever be the same again. The carousel sat silent and still, its painte
Chapter 23: "A Gift Beyond Enigma,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 13 - 2027 ║║ Wednesday║ Class Day ║The dusty chalkboard in the dimly lit classroom seemed to glow eerily in the moonlight. As the moon rose higher, casting its pale glow upon the scene before me, the faces of the words I was perceiving began to take on a strange, sinister glow of their own.The clock struck midnight, but the classroom was still abuzz in dead silence with activity. The dim candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls as I feverishly scratched out symbols and jotted down notes. Our weird professor paced between the rows, peering over students' shoulders and muttering under his breath. He watched over us like a malevolent crow, urging us to go further down this dark path of forbidden knowledge.While strangely enough, as if without minding anything in their surroundings — the rest of my classmates sat silently, poring over their own coded puzzles. The flickering
Chapter 24: "Abscond,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 13 - 2027 ║║ Wednesday║ Class Day ║"Finally that fucking class ended. I can get into the warmth of my bed now..." Cursing like it's something to calm me off, I sauntered as the eerie glow of the fluorescent lights cast shadows across the empty hallway. I stepped out of the classroom, my mind swirling with ciphers and codes, riddles and puzzles. A feeling of unease crept over me as I walked through the deserted corridors, the silence broken only by my footsteps echoing off the walls.The night air felt cold against my skin as I stepped outside the school building, trying to calm my nerves. All was quiet except for the distant hoot of an owl somewhere in the trees that lined the courtyard. The halls I walked every day now seemed sinister and foreboding in the dim moonlight filtering through the windows.As my feet echoed against the tiled floor, I wondered what secrets these hallways held a
Chapter 25: "Taste,"Warning: R+18───── ❝ K I L L I A N W I L D E' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 13 - 2027 ║║ Wednesday║ Class Day ║"Mind if you light me up, too?"I asked as I approached Ruby on the rooftop. The sun had set hours ago, leaving only the pale glow of the half moon and a few scattered streetlights below. It's past midnight already and the dark forest lay beneath us, a sea of blackness under the pale moonlight. Ruby turned to face me, in surprise as her newly-lit cigarette was still sitting between her fingers. And although her features were barely visible in the darkness, I see her lips curling into a sly smile as she took in my figure."I didn't know you smoke," She replied, her voice smooth as velvet in the darkness. I approached her, as she eyed me curiously, the night air felt heavy with anticipation. She sat at the edge of the rooftop, silhouetted against the inky sky as she exhaled a plume of smoke. I shrugged and walked closer holding out my hand
Chapter 26: "Truth Hurts,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 14 - 2027 ║║ Thursday║ Class Day ║The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the hallway into shadows. A warm breeze stirs my hair, carrying the scent of honeysuckle from the bushes below.Sinks of low embers in the sky, painting the horizon in brilliant hues of crimson and gold, I trudge up the steps to my dorm. I had stayed late at the library studying, hoping to block out the strange events of the past day. My day has been long and exhausting after all that happened, and all I want now is the comfort of my room.And so, feeling like collapsing, I made my way through the walkway of my dorm. The fluorescent lights of the automatic front main gate, flickered above me, their buzzing the only sound in the unnatural stillness that cloaked the hall. It was then I realized as I taunted through it that, the dorm was quiet, unnaturally so. I expected the usual sounds filtering through the wal
Chapter 27: "A Librarian's Secret," ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 15 - 2027 ║ ║ Friday║ 3rd Post Meridiem of the Games ║ The library was quiet and still. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, illuminated by the soft glow of the lamps. The shelves were lined with rows upon rows of ancient books, their spines worn and faded with age. And though it's just been days since I had ventured here, I'm fucking sure many of these tomes contained secrets long forgotten by modern man, hidden knowledge that could reshape one's view of the world. The towering shelves of books stretch as far as the eye can see, filling the cavernous library with their musty scent and promise of knowledge. I wander deeper into the library's labyrinthine aisles, running my fingers along those timeworn shelves as I go. The air is still and quiet, filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. I select another volume and add it to my ever-growing pile. The worn leather sp
Chapter 28: "The Book of Answers,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 15 - 2027 ║ ║ Friday║ 3rd Post Meridiem of the Games ║ I had come seeking knowledge in the premise of this library, for the answers to questions that most would not dare ask. And, as of now, I felt like that half of those answer was slowly coming to me. And so, I stared evergreen at the crumpled note in my hand, the scribbled handwriting felt somehow both unfamiliar yet deliberate. It's handwriting was even neat yet felt like rushed. I glance around the library, but the librarian who passed it to me at the front desk has disappeared amongst the towering shelves. My curiosity piques as I read the cryptic message again... ━━━━━━・❪ ❁ ❫ ・━━━━━━ AISLE 88 : CHILDREN'S BOOK SECTION : LAST SHELVE : UPPER RIGHT ━━━━━━・❪ ❁ ❫ ・━━━━━━ I continue to stare at the tiny slip of paper with its cryptic message scribbled in black ink. I even turned the note over but there are no more clues,
Chapter 29: "Luxury of Thralldom,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 15 - 2027 ║║ Friday║ 3rd Midnight of the Games ║The organ music dwelled as I entered the grand ballroom hidden beneath this sinister academic institution. The candlelight glinted off the gold-trimmed walls and crystal chandeliers above, casting dancing shadows across the ornate marble floors. I could see the other students gathered in a few small groups, whispering in hushed tones behind their ornate masks as they sipped blood-red wine from delicate crystal glasses.The air was thick with intrigue and ill intent, a swirling miasma of plots and schemes emanating from these gathered conspirators. I could sense greed, lust for power, and cruel ambitions lurking just beneath the veneer of civility presented by their lavish attire and polite conversation. Dark secrets and ancient knowledge were traded here, whispered in coded phrases over the waltz music that now filled the ballroo
Chapter 72: Hold On Tight───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║— Lap 1 —The first obstacle looms ahead - Doom of Spikes. I grip the steering wheel tightly, narrowing my focus to the treacherous track unfurling before me. I swerve to avoid the first jagged metal spikes jutting from the dirt course, feeling the tires scrape perilously close.I weave through the forest of twisting spikes, adrenaline pumping with each near miss. The other racers are struggling, tires bursting and cars crunching against the metal teeth. I push my vehicle faster, racing ahead of the pack. A huge pit of spikes suddenly rises in my path and I hold my breath, yanking the steering wheel hard to the left. My car spins out, tires squealing as I drift barely an inch from the deadly obstacle.The course hammers my vehicle as I barrel through the lap, more spikes emerging from the dirt without warning. My concentration is razor-sha
Chapter 71: Midday Mile───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║I glanced at the others, and there I saw that their faces were grim and set with determination, but behind their eyes I saw the same fear that filled my own heart. We had come so far already, completing challenges that had broken stronger teams. But this latest obstacle had extracted a terrible cost. The forest path seemed to stretch on forever, winding through the dense woods. No one spoke as we marched along the narrow dirt trail. The horror of losing Olivia to the pit of fire and snakes still weighed heavy on our minds. I could feel it pressing down on my shoulders, making each step harder than the last.Yet, I keep my eyes on the path, not wanting to see the faces of my remaining teammates anymore, as their eyes would show the same dread I feel inside — the guilt of surviving when Haley did not. We should have tried harder to save her,
Chapter 70: Frigid Waters───── ❝ K I L L I A N W I L D E ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║The metal door towered over us, rising high into the gloom of the cavernous chamber that had lain undisturbed for centuries. It stretched the width of the cave, bolted firmly shut with bands of rusted iron fasteners that had long since seized in place. Not a single handle or keyhole marred its face, nothing that would suggest a normal means of opening. The only object attached was a strange rotating mechanism made of interlocking brass gears and iron rods, fixed to the door at head height. It appeared to be some kind of puzzle lock, the solution to which would allow the door to slide open on ancient mechanisms within the stone walls.As we studied the puzzle, I could almost feel unseen eyes watching from the darkness, hungry for those who would dare disturb this place. This lock was our only way forward, but it may also be our doom.
Chapter 69: Blazing Fire ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║ ║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║ The rickety rope bridge swayed precariously, stretching across the chasm's gaping maw. The wooden slats were worn and weathered, barely wide enough for one person to stand upon. I spoke up first, my voice wavering as I warned cautiously onto the bridge, grasping the side ropes for support. My tone was anxious and unsettled. "This bridge is barely wide enough for one person. So, one of our tactics is that we must cross in single file," Beatrice responded nervously from the shore, peering at the dilapidated bridge with trepidation evident in her quavering voice. "How do we know it will hold our weight?" Serene replied grimly in a matter-of-fact yet ominous tone, her voice betraying no fear but rather cold resolve. "We don't," she stated plainly. "But we have no choice. Stay close behind each other and move quickly. That's all we can d
Chapter 68: The Lustro's Enigma───── ❝ K I L L I A N W I L D E ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║The cold white walls felt like they were closing in as they greeted me first as I slowly opened my eyes. The blurry shapes in the room came into focus after what felt like an eternity, my eyes adjusting to the dim fluorescent lights that cast shadows in every corner."Ah, damn this," I cursed as my body ached from the hard metal slab this wicked school called a bed. Every joint protested as I forced myself to sit up, my muscles stiff and sore from the unrelenting discomfort. The thin blanket provided no warmth, only adding to the frigid atmosphere that seeped into my bones.The silence was deafening, only pierced by the buzz of the flickering lights above. No sound came from beyond these walls, no comforting noises of life or activity. It was as if I existed in a vacuum, isolated and alone. My stomach churned from the lack of fo
Chapter 67: Pit of Screams ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║ ║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║ As the gong signaling the start of the third day of the games sounded, echoing off the damp stone walls and chilling us to our cores, I glanced at my teammates. Serene's jaw was set in grim determination, her voice low and gravelly as she muttered under her breath, "We can do this again, girls..." She stood rigid, feet planted firmly on the ground, hands balling into fists at her sides as she waited for the door to open. Olivia usually spoke softly and calmly, but now her brown eyes narrowed into slits as she surveyed the steel door before them, her tone sharp with warning as she said, "Stay close, we're going through hell again, much worse this time I fear." Her hand reached for the weapon at her belt in a practiced motion, fingers wrapping around the hilt with a sureness born from experience. Her eyes depicts that she had braved
Chapter 66: Eliminated───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║Long awake from my slumber last night, I sit in the corner of the cold, empty white room me and my team are now staying, leaning against the frame of the wall. I do not know how long we've been here exactly, left with only my thoughts in this empty void. Minutes, hours? Nonetheless, time has no meaning in this place anyways.A chill ran down my spine as I stared out at the barren landscape from the window, thinking of the role we were forced to play in this gruesome game. Yet my reverie about our place was shortly cut when my wristband beeped as it glows in an eerie crimson red hue, displaying Spencer's name crossed out with lines of permanent ink — confirming his death in the game.◤━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◥A P L A Y E R H A S B E E N E L I M I N A T E D───※ · Student No. 5 - Spencer Sinclair · ※───⌧ Team : Scarlet Ravens⌧ Role : The A
Chapter 65: The Unescapable Soul───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 27 - 2027 ║║ Saturday║ Second Day of Olympia's Cup║Spencer stare each other down, the weight of history heavy between us. Spencer's eyes lock onto mine, filled with the same hunger and ambition that I know burns within my own. Our companions stand ready behind us, waiting to see who will make the first move."Just leave, boys. It's ours to begin with." After Olivia's words, I took a glance at my teammates, seeing my own fierce determination mirrored on their faces, I knew then that we have come too far to back down now. This amulet calls to us, begging to be claimed. It calls to us as if, promising knowledge, winning and glory to whoever dares take hold of it since, as now, it was not any other jewelry, but inside it bears a key, a key to any important thing that maybe our way to reach this game's goal and win."The amulet stays with us and nothing you say will change that," Beat
Chapter 64: The Amulet ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 27 - 2027 ║ ║ Saturday║ Second Day of Olympia's Cup║ "Stay close," I ordered the others. Serene, Olivia and Beatrice huddled together behind me as we walked deeper into the crypt. "While we're here, let's also lookout for supplies," Serene whispered, "Food, water, medical kits, weapons. Anything we can carry as it may serve as a use for us later on. We cannot know what challenges awaits us further in," Nodding, we searched from crypt to crypt, finding only cobwebs and bones. The darkness seemed to press in around us, the silence thick with unseen menace. A cold draft whispered through the passage, snuffing out one of our torches and plunging us further into gloom. I drew my jacket tighter, feeling the hairs rise on the back of my neck as we pressed onward into the depths of the crypt, our remaining flames flickering weakly against the encroaching shadows. "This place gives me the ult