"Greetings, we meet again," was the opening phrase of the hologram. Its voice is still very much the same as it was previously.
"O-oh-"
"Whaaa! You're the hologram in the galaxy!"
"Why are you here?!"
We were all surprised by this sudden welcome. What is its purpose and how did it appear?
"I have a name. Call me 'Author', letter A for Author."
Author as in the one who writes? Author is the name of that hologram?
Oh yeah, glad to know that the hologram has a name, but I don't know mine—I don't even know if I have one in the first place. I still don't remember anything other than the ones I remember since I landed in space. Author is its name because it dictates our fate? The one who writes our story of the past, the present, and the future? As if we're the characters and this place is the setting. Just thinking about it is unbelievable.
"What are you doing here?" the leader with eyeglasses questioned the hologram. He asked Author.
"I'm here to update you on your information," the so-called Author replied.
Update? Information? Will it ever tell us who we really are?
"Whoa, you really are a hologram." The boy with red hair touched the big letter A hologram and it was not tangible. His hand passed through it. "But where's the source of this?" he wondered. He looked underneath, above, and on its sides but we cannot find how and where this holographic presentation comes from.
We all frowned as we stared at the hologram just across from our eyes. We also let Author speak because our curiosity was eating us away.
"As you can see, you have already infiltrated this place. It's your second day here on the nth planet." Just as expected, we are already on the nth planet. "Even though it's only your second day here, you've encountered challenges in your new world. First, the Neinuko's attack. Second, this steel castle."
"Neinuko? The cat dog hybrid monster?" I couldn't help but ask.
"That's right. All the trials you've encountered, are part of the game."
"Game?" the bubbly girl is puzzled.
"I think you already forgot. The tri-games started yesterday from the very moment you woke up floating in the river. The monster called, Neinuko, was your first challenge." So that was it. The game has already started without preparing nor briefing us about the mechanics. "The tri-games consists of three levels. The first level, called Wealth Level—is where your mind will be tested. The first level consists of three stages, meaning you will play three times for the first level. And the prize for this level is money."
Another question formed from what it mentioned about the prize which is money.
"The second level, called the Health Level—is where your both mind and body are needed. It has only two stages and the prize is life. The third level, called the Stealth Level—is where the mind, body, and soul are involved. It has only one stage. This is the most critical level, and the prize for this one is time."
I was stupefied and left silent in my position because of what it announced. I barely understood anything. No, I was able to understand most of it, but my mind can't absorb it yet.
"Why are we going to play? And what's the prize you're saying?!" questioned a pretty girl with long light brown hair.
"You were chosen because of your difficulties in life—in your former planet, which is Earth. You were chosen because you have the courage to face life's trials and the desire to change lives.
You all have your problems. Money, life, and time are the big categories of it. You still don't understand because of your confused memories but when you play the game, you will gain your precious memories. I am sure you are all desperate to get your memories back. It is simple. To gain your memories, you should play the game."
So that hologram took our memories! Yes, I am desperate to bring back all of it. I don't want to live and die without knowing at least myself. Smart move, Author. For us to regain our memories, we must play tri-games.
A cute girl with pink short curly hair and bangs spoke. "I don't care about the prizes. Just take me back to my normal life, please." She sobbed.
"While you play the game, your memory gradually returns. You will know your purpose, why you're here, and you will even thank me for having you in this game." Why would we even thank Author for dragging all of us here, where our lives are at stake?!
"You are currently at Wealth Level," Author declared. "That's right! The Neinuko you fought last night is stage 1. Congratulations on clearing level 1 stage 1! However, there was an unfortunate loss for 2 of your co-players." It abruptly came to me the grief that we experienced after losing two of our friends to that monster.
"The challenge for stage 2 will charge at you at any moment." How crazy can this be? Why can't we have time to grieve for a moment that any time from now, stage 2 can start! We aren't all prepared for any of this, yet we're all like prey being fed to predators.
Our chubby leader stepped forward. "What will it be this time? Another beast but a wilder one?" he scoffed.
"I suggest you be careful. You would never know when something will attack you." Author's simple and subtle answer.