It arrived like a punch, followed by utter stillness. People simply stopped, stunned into silence. A quiet understanding spread - the order to end life was now inside each head. Folks linked to one another sensed this confusion sharply; a shaky peace broke apart, giving way to individual fear.
A chill rattled the slender fellow; he hugged his arms tight. "So," he croaked, voice fracturing, "what next?".
Someone answered quickly, though not kindly. A large man - broad neck, cold eyes - scoffed. "We're the only ones who bother with this place. Seriously, what were you expecting?" Before he even stopped talking, he moved toward us, looming closer. The thick fingers clamped around the slender fellow's throat, yanking his head against the cold floor – a brittle crack echoed. Then, without missing a beat, immense weight bore down, the hold tightening until a choked sound dissolved into nothing.
A wave of discomfort passed through the people there; they flinched back. A few began shifting forward, prepared to speak up, yet a sharp ring cut through the air, silencing them instantly.
A clock materialized - numbers glowing, cold fire hanging in the air.
4:36
Suddenly, things were different.
2:36
Down below, just those three words decided everything
The silence stretched - a deliberate move to fray their nerves. Concern flared into panic without warning. Now there wasn't time to hesitate.
A cry tore out of her. She flew at the nearest person, fingers clawing for his windpipe - a last-ditch effort to survive.
The clearing erupted into chaos. Sounds of effort, impacts, also cries ripped through the stillness. The group - once peaceful - now saw thirty people locked in a fierce fight, like they couldn't escape.
Dave was a shade moving through the storm. He didn't initiate conflict; instead, faced whatever came his way. His body, marked by time, responded instinctively - no deliberation required. A punch came toward him; he ducked, air whistling past his ear. The attacker stumbled, giving Dave an opening to whirl and snap a kick into the back of his leg. A shout erupted as the man crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.
Dave noticed a huge enemy fixating on him - an easy target. The giant charged, intending a devastating hug. Instead, Dave dropped low; the attacker's momentum carried him onward. In one swift motion, Dave spun, launching himself from the man's back and upward. He squeezed his legs hard on the man's neck, throwing weight behind an elbow strike to the skull. A sound escaped him - after that, the larger man simply folded, out cold.
He kept moving, refusing to kill - not yet. Some other way must be possible. Time wasn't just passing; it mocked him. Every tick stole something precious, gone forever.
For a moment, a new noise rose above it all.
Everyone looked – Dave included – when the word spread. On the light-colored floor, a person was still, stained by spreading red. Standing over them? Someone Dave recognized instantly.
Red hair blazed against his white face; his gaze held firm. He arrived first, shaking at the start, but the fear quickly faded into something…quiet. From the jump, Dave just knew. He wasn't one to tremble; instead, he waited - a predator holding back till the chase was on.
Rex glanced up. A shimmer hung in the air - a screen showing what he'd won
A jolt went through Rex; power surged. He smirked, flexing his hands. Before him, chaos blurred to one sight: a girl pressed against brickwork, covering her ears, sobbing out prayers.
Those soft, blue eyes belonged to the very person who first threw Dave off balance.
He came at her, swift as a wild thing - improved. It wasn't running so much as flowing, like liquid seeking balance. Then a hand struck, targeting her neck, offering a quick finish.
A foot connected hard with his arm before he knew what happened. The impact yanked his shot wide; consequently, he pitched back onto the slick surface.
A strange light danced within Rex - not anger, but something like interest. Electricity tingled in his arm while his smile widened. He didn't look at the scared girl anymore, choosing instead to study the one who dared bother them.
Dave stood his ground, a buffer between them, meeting Rex's gaze. He wished he hadn't interfered, though his face gave nothing away.
Rex's smile was unsettling. He whispered "Good," - a threat disguised as agreement. Now, you're exactly who I need