Chapter 60: The String's Song───── ❝ 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║The gong rings out across the Blood Meadow, its ominous tone echoing off the gloomy trees. I rush forward with my two companions, each of us scattering in a different direction to search for the wicked basket. The tall grass and thorny bushes tear at my clothes as I run, my eyes were scanning the murky landscape for any sign of the hidden object.Just then as my heart pounds in my chest and as I round a bend, coming upon a small clearing, Olivia's voice of shrieks suddenly pierces the air to my left and vibrated through the air, "Guys! Come over here!" Her words were laced with both fear and excitement, beckoning us to join her discovery. In the distance, I can see her waving her arms — a sign that she has found something. We hurried towards her call, carefully picking our ways through the meadow, pushing through the thick undergr
Chapter 61: Crypts of Bone───── ❝ 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║The food packets lay open on the ground, the stale crackers and juice boxes was even a stark contrast to the lush jungle of crimson bushes surrounding us here in the Blood Meadow. As hunger clouded my mind, for a moment I allowed myself to believer that this cursed place was now safe."Finally, food..." As the light was burning fast, the shadows lengthening around us as afternoon fell, my palms stung as I gripped the spoon for the porridge, fresh cuts oozing blood onto the ground that was damp and spongy underfoot, the soil saturated with blood both old and new. I tried to ignore the eerie feeling creeping up my spine, focusing on chewing each bland bite. The food tasted unappetizing, but none of us cared. We were too hungry and exhausted from the initiation of the day's challenges to complain. The food given was tasteless, yet it fel
Chapter 62: The Scarlet Ravens───── ❝ 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║"Wait guys, are you sure our way is right? We've been trudging this shits for hours..." In the midst of our hellish adventure, Beatrice's voice vibrated through the suffocating air, echoing off the unseen cliffs and caverns that surrounded us. Her complaints and each sound of exhaustion sent shivers down my spine and stirred the thick dread that permeated my very bones. I could hear the desperation and fear creeping into her usually confident tone. Her words seemed to drain whatever remaining hope I had been clinging to, but as the one who hold's the map we've been following through, I can't seem to agree to her and shatter our hope completely, so I just sighed and said, "The map clearly points out to this path. There's got to be something. We just need to keep going," my own voice sounded hollow echoing through the gloom. My wor
Chapter 63: Claim The Win───── ❝ 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║As The Crypts of Bone now greeted us with its macabre spectacle, the automaton sentinel's voice we had heard before emerged from the darkness again. As if programmed to welcome us through ever single place here in the arena, cold lights glowed from the place lens-like eyes as it addressed us in a mechanical monotone, "Greetings to all of you, players number 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 13, from both the team of Amethyst Serpents & Scarlet Ravens — the unfortunate souls who have chosen to venture into this realm of decay. You have now reached the second stage of your trials, the Crypts of Bone..." "The Crypts of Bone is a place of death and decay where the bones of the dead lie in piles, their skulls staring out with empty eye sockets, a place of gloom and perpetual darkness where the bones of those who came before now litter the cold, damp
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
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 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 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 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