****Harper
I stared at her—Luna, the silver-haired girl, cough like her life depended on it. Well, it did. Now, she was sprawled out on the floor, coughing up blood, barely clinging to consciousness. Her blade had slipped from her fingers long ago, and her eyes were filled with confusion, pain… and something else.
Fear.
I stood over her, breath uneven, my heart still racing from the fight. My knuckles were sore from how tightly I'd been clenching my fists. Chris remained quiet in my mind—maybe out of respect, maybe because he knew I wasn't ready to hear anything yet.
I had almost killed her.
Almost.
And yet, the real threat wasn't Luna. The real threat was everything around us. The Game. The mayor's daughter. This false world that felt more like a prison with each passing hour. My gaze drifted from the blood on Luna's lip to the jagged edge of my weapon… then to the vast emptiness of the space around us.
And then it hit me.
This wasn't about vengeance. Not anymore.
This was war.
I stepped back, slowly. Luna's eyes followed me, suspicious, still trembling from the possibility that I might finish her off.
But I didn't.
Instead, I crouched beside her and looked her dead in the eye. "You want to survive?"
She flinched, as if I'd just struck her again. But she didn't answer.
"Because if you really want to live," I continued, my voice low but calm, "you're going about it the wrong way. You think killing me will get you closer to freedom? You think this game lets people go just like that?"
Her brows furrowed, and she opened her mouth to speak, but I didn't let her.
"No one leaves," I said. "Not unless the Game says so. And the Game doesn't say anything—it just watches."
"You're lying," she whispered, barely audible. "You're trying to confuse me."
I shook my head. "Do you even remember when you got in here? Do you remember anyone actually explaining the rules, the limits, or when it ends?"
She stared at me, silent. And that was enough answer.
"No one leaves," I repeated. "Not unless we break it from the inside."
I stood again and offered her my hand.
She hesitated, glancing at it as if it were some kind of trap. "Why would you want my help? I tried to kill you."
I let out a short, breathy laugh. "Everyone tries to kill me these days. It's starting to get boring."
She didn't laugh.
Instead, she looked up at me, her expression hardening. "What do you want from me?"
"I want you to join me," I said bluntly. "You want to improve your life? Then stop playing their game and help me find a way to break it."
She looked uncertain again. "And if I say no?"
I narrowed my eyes and crouched once more, bringing my face close to hers. "Then I kill you. Simple."
She recoiled, her face draining of color.
I stood again and crossed my arms. "I'm kidding," I added after a moment, offering a small, crooked smile. "Probably."
Luna swallowed hard, then slowly sat up, wincing. She stared at me like I was insane. I probably was.
She rubbed her shoulder and finally said, "You're serious about this?"
"Dead serious," I said. "I'm not trying to escape anymore. I'm trying to win on my terms."
Luna glanced around nervously. "But they're always watching. What if they catch us?"
"They already know," I replied. "And they're underestimating me. That's their first mistake."
There was a pause. She didn't say anything. I could see her weighing it all in her head—fear on one side, the impossible hope of freedom on the other.
She sighed. "Alright. I'll help you. Just don't kill me."
I smirked. "Deal."
She added quickly, "But if I die because of this—"
"You won't," I interrupted. "Not if you stick with me."
She didn't smile. She still looked scared. But she nodded.
I turned away and began walking. "Let's go."
"Where?" she asked.
I didn't turn around. "To get Sophie."
There was a beat of silence behind me, then the sound of Luna's footsteps followed.
Chris finally spoke after what felt like hours of silence. "That was… risky."
"Everything's a risk," I replied. "But I need help. And she needs a reason to keep living."
"You're changing, Harper," he said, his voice almost proud.
I didn't respond to that.
"Who are you talking to?". Luna asked.
"I think you know who. Don't you have one?"
"Oh. Right". She remained silent after that.
All I knew was, if we were going to win this twisted game, we had to stop following the rules.
And that started now.
"What are we gonna do now?". Luna asked cautiously. She still hasn't gotten over what happened.
"We are going to rescue Sophie. You're a level three so this should be a simple thing for you".
"Yes, I guess. I have a special blade that allows me to ride on it and it's very efficient. Can kill a hundred at once".
I was amazed, *Is that the benefits of level three, Chris?*
*Not really but she's really good to possess such a thing*
*Can I get one of those?*
*Yes you can Harper but it takes focus and....*
*And what?*
*Calmness*
*Oh*
********
We got back to the grounds in no time and just as I expected, she was there. All high and mighty and seemingly confident in her men.
"Oooh. You should have told me it was this kind of party". Luna seemed excited.
"Okay Luna. You take care of these men while I get the kid"
"Sure will"
I looked around but Sophie was not there.
*Chris scan the area. Tell me where Sophie is*
*Sure*
I walked up to the mayor's daughter while Luna hid. luckily, no one saw her.
"So, you're back. To get your thousand lashes right?"
"Where's Sophie?"
"Shh. On your knees first"
"Do you think I can't end your life right now?". She had a frightened expression on her face at first but she started laughing.
"I'll be honest Harper, I haven't felt this threatened by someone in my entire life. I applaud you for that. Unfortunately, there's consequences for that"
"Where.is.sophie?"
"Calm down Harper, you'll get Sophie but....."
*Harper! I found Sophie!*