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Zoey’s presence by my side gives me strength, a reminder of what we’re fighting for.
The power station, and the hope of escape it represents, drives us forward. We are united in our purpose, bound by a shared determination to overcome the odds and outwit the Malquarans’ cruel game.
Zoey
The maze seems to have various different sections. Tall trees began to dot the landscape, creeping in so slowly that I didn’t even notice until we were surrounded by them that we had entered a kind of jungle.
Navigating through the thick underbrush, I feel a jolt of fear as M’ijel falls to the ground and tugs me down after him.
“What are you doing—” I manage to say before he places a palm over my mouth.
Another alien male passes dangerously close and I’m shocked I didn’t notice him earlier. How could I miss him? He’shuge!
Hidden with M’ijel, I’m acutely aware of the presence of this other creature. But as I watch him silently move through the foliage, a part of me recoils in distaste.
My connection with M’ijel has evolved beyond the Malquarans’ manipulative design; he’s no longer just a partner in this game, but someone I’ve come to genuinely care for.
M’ijel’s presence, his breath on my neck, grounds me in the here and now. The thought of being with M’ijel, free fromthe dangers and complexities of this alien world, is deeply appealing.
Yet, the memory of our promise to Arty, the AI, surfaces, reminding me of our commitment. I know M’ijel never really agreed with me — that we should aid the mysterious holographic projection — and he was doing it only because he cared for me so much.
I loved him even more for that.
We rise from our hiding spot, hand in hand, ready to face whatever lies ahead. The jungle is dense and foreboding, a maze of greenery shrouded in mystery, but together we move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
Despite the perils of this alien environment, our bond gives me strength and determination. We are united not just by circumstance, but by a genuine, unexpected affection for one another.
We will complete our mission, help the AI, and find our way out of this nightmare.
M’ijel
At last, the power station stands before us, a peculiar sight amidst the wild jungle. Its glass structure, once a testament to advanced technology, now battles for existence against nature’s relentless embrace.
Vines and moss creep over broken panels, creating a visual metaphor of technology being reclaimed by nature’s indiscriminate power.
As Zoey and I exchange uncertain glances, I verify the coordinates provided by the AI. This dilapidated structure is indeed the power station we’ve been seeking. Our decision to proceed is abruptly interrupted by a sudden commotion nearby.
Instinctively, we crouch behind nearby foliage. No sooner had we hidden than two of the other alien male contestants burst into view.
They’re locked in a fierce combat that’s brutally primal. One exhibits extraordinary speed, a blur of movement, while his adversary wields elemental forces, throwing fire and ice with terrifying precision.
One moment, the speedy combatant is struck by ice,freezing his foot to the jungle floor. He manages to yank his leg free but it has slowed him down. A ball of intense fire strikes him, knocking him to the floor.
He rolls end over end, screaming in agony to put out the flames. The stench of his charred flesh stings my nostrils. Zoey whimpers and I clutch her close. She doesn’t need to see this.
The battle reaches its climax swiftly, the combatant with the elemental forces drawing down on his burning opponent and bringing a blade around, decapitating him.
He is silent a moment as a flock of unknown alien birds take flight. Is he praying for the deceased in a show of respect or relishing the victory? I wonder.
What follows is unsettlingly macabre. He swings his sword around once more, the sunlight glinting off bright gemstones buried in its blade, and slices the victim’s corpse open.
He reaches in and extracts a pulsating red gemstone from the vanquished alien’s body, embedding it into his sword alongside another gem. The weapon glows ominously, its power visibly amplified by the gems.
His laughter, triumphant and chilling, echoes through the jungle as he performs an arcane ritual, channeling the gems’ power into the sky. The display is both mesmerizing and terrifying, a vivid demonstration of the immense power wielded within this Game.
As the alien male departs, Zoey and I exchange looks of trepidation. The prospect of encountering such a formidable adversary is daunting. His raw power and the brutality of his actions serve as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking within this alien jungle.
Turning our attention back to the power station, we’re filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the threats surrounding us, our mission remains clear: activate the power station and aid the AI.
