A boy with red hair questioned. "Why do we even play something we're not motivated to play with?"
The hologram responded. "Your minds are still recovering so you might not be motivated enough and refuse to play the games. But remember, your major motivation to keep playing is your life." Does this mean our lives are at stake?
"But before the game starts, you will first live on the nth planet. A planet that's next to Neptune or maybe Pluto?" the ambiguous hologram promises to play with our minds.
"What planet are you referring to as the 'nth planet'? As far as I know, there is no Pluto, so there should be only eight planets," replied a relatively chubby boy.
"The nth planet is a planet supposed to be next to Pluto, but it is said that Pluto is not a planet. Therefore, the nth planet is a planet next to Neptune." The hologram's naughty answer.
nth planet. From the name of the planet the hologram mentioned, it seems like a planet without a name. Similar to math problems and equations, often 'n' is the letter used in the missing value or answer like 'x'.
"The name itself, does it ring a bell?" No one answered. "Of course, it is! I know you are all clever, so you have a clue about the planet you will live on from now."
"What? We'll live there on the nth planet, you say?!" a girl with short black hair questioned with an irritated look.
"You heard it right. You will leave your ex-planet called Earth and you will be living on the nth planet whether you like it or not. You will leave your loved ones and sentiments on your former planet, including your memory."
Wait, so I don't know myself very well because I lost my memory.
"I'm sure you are all bewildered about yourselves. But when the time comes, when the game starts, you will regain all your identity."
I no longer hesitated to speak and questioned the hologram. "You mean we lost our memories? How?"
"I'll just leave it to your imagination and go find the answer yourself."
My fist clenched because of its answer. How annoying! What kind of answer is that? If that thing is too lazy to answer all our queries, then this should not happen in the first place. Leaving us tormented with no answers at all is infuriating.
"What kind of planet is the nth planet?" my classmate pondered. I kind of didn't expect him to ask either. He looks serious but I know he's just building himself up.
"You have nothing to worry about because the nth planet is like the Earth too." The fact that we're not on our planet right now is enough to give us a panic attack. "Composed of both living and non-living things. The only difference is the nth planet is far better than Earth. The impossible things on Earth are made possible on nth planet. Delusions and imagination can come into reality. A place where feelings and emotions are created. The nth planet was born because it lives through how everyone on Earth feels. Grief, delight, loathe, anxiety, depression, excitement, fear, all of them! Only you, the people who will play the tri-games, know that the nth planet exists."
I don't know if I should be glad to know such a thing.
"Are you crazy or something? That's far beyond scientific explanation. If only we, the Battle 24, know that such a stupid planet exists because of your worthless information, then do you think we will believe your nonsensical theory?"questioned a boy with eyeglasses. His tone is serious and stoic. You will notice right away that he is knowledgeable.
"Good point. You are a genius, no doubt about it. It has never been wrong that you've been chosen." The hologram stopped talking for a moment and then continued. "Like the name itself, nth planet—an unknown planet. You must be the one to search for the real meaning behind it. A planet where unbelievable things exist through people. The things you think are not possible now become within reach. The things that you think are impossible are hidden in your hearts, called feelings and emotions."
How come such a hologram can speak deeply like this? Is there such a planet that exists because of how people feel and think?
"All the impulsive thoughts of every person in the world, on the nth planet come true."
I was struck by what the hologram stated. It's like, it's almost impossible. No, it's impossible. It has to be impossible! All of this is nonsense.
"nth planet does not exist in the world of erudite. It exists through the heart and mind of people and that's the reason why things are made possible."
I could not believe what I heard. The truth is, I do not want to believe everything it said. What are we going to do? Are we just going to do what the hologram tells us to do? If not, what can we do?
I am still grateful somehow that I am not the only one here. Fortunately, I have 23 people to make friends with, and we can help each other discover the so-called nth planet. I don't even know them and should not be trusted immediately, but we are supposed to work together because we have no other choice.
Right now, we should live on the nth planet which is the only solution I can think of. The hologram also mentioned that we will play tri-games. I have no idea about it, but I really can't do anything. Everything is vague so I will clarify it by gradually exploring this matter. I am trapped in a situation where stones or walls do not prevent me from getting stuck, but this inexplicable situation forces me to shut myself up and follow the hologram's orders.
Maybe if I obey what the hologram says, all my memories will return. This might solve the mysteries of my identity. If that's possible, then I will be able to live peacefully. This is the only way I can think of... for now.
"How can we live there?"
"Let me go!"
"What are we supposed to do? What type of game are you referring to?"
"Why do we have to play the tri-games?"
"That's insane!"
"What are you plotting on us, huh?"
"Get us out of here"
"I don't wish to stay there. Now, bring me back to where I belong."
"What are you, anyway? What gives you the authority to do all this?"
"Y'all bullsh*t! No one's gonna buy that!"
The hologram continued to speak, and others asked more questions. The hologram has mentioned more about that stuff that I can't grasp. They kept on asking questions while some resisted and opposed the hologram. My hearing is fading. I'm getting dizzy. My knees are becoming weak. All these statements, queries, screams, and pleas are making me feel like I'm going to puke. I cannot tolerate and absorb all of this. It makes me physically, mentally, and emotionally sick. Everything went into chaos after the moving-up ceremony. How I wish I could stop time and be stuck on that moment. This is too much to bear. I don't want to hear any more of this. I no longer know how I should feel. I don't know what I should believe in.
This is tiring me... help me… please. These must be all the dreams that I should wake up.
"Go and live," Those three words were the last thing I heard from the hologram. When the hologram said that, what happened to me here in space suddenly flashed back.
I kept closing my eyes, probably because I felt sick. My body has given up, and my mind is slowly giving up.
Why does it get to be like this? What did I do to deserve this? After all those conversations, what got me the most is that there's a call for survival in the new world we're going to live in. If this is the end of my life, even if I am forced to live on another planet or whatever it is, even if I play the tri-games, even if I will be going to have a hard time... I promise myself; I will live.