Morning.
Rin opened his eyes, he looked to his left, noticing that Ace is sleeping next to him. He looked at her. She had her eyes closed.
Ace: Stop looking at me.
Rin: So you are awake.
Ace opens her eyes.
Ace: I am now.
He smiles a bit. Some noise is hearing from outside. Rikka wakes up.
Rikka: What is that noise? She yawns.
Nuri and Kaya woke up too. Louder noise, like fighting.
Nuri: Seriously man... It is too early for this.
They went outside, to see what is going on. Rho and Troy were training. Roger reading papers.
Ace: Since when they are like this?
Roger still reading.
Roger: Not sure, I would say they haven't even sleep.
Rho and Troy fighting each other, both very strong (without using their powers) they ignored others. She managed to hit him.
Troy: Damn it, you got me. What do you choose?
Rho: Right arm.
Troy: As you wish.
He proceeds to attack with his legs, and using only his left arm.
Rikka: Am I the only one confused here?
Roger: It is some kind of training or game they invented, have no idea.
Rin: Looks fun.
He watched.
Ace: Oh I see how it is, the one who manages to land a hit, can decide what the other is not allowed to use during the fight.
Rin: Want to try?
He asks Ace.
Ace: Are you challenging me?
Rin: What? Afraid you will lose?
Ace: Oh... game on.
Nuri: It is too early for this...
Kaya: I agree.
Kaya looks around.
Kaya: Where is Nigel?
Rho stops to fight, as Troy.
Rho: He is not inside?
Roger laughs a bit.
Roger: It looks like you have lost your human again.
Rho: He will come back.
She talks cold as always. Ace and Rin fighting in the background.
Rho: Well I could use a shower.
She walks into the cabin.
Roger: You could use one too, you stink man.
Troy: After the lady.
He talks cold as Rho.
Rikka: What lady?
Rho: I heard that!
Yells from cabin. Kaya yawns. Kaya starts to go back inside.
Nuri: Where are you going?
Kaya: To get more sleep. It is too early for me.
She went inside.
Nigel
He was wondering around, walking through the woods. He sat down and leaned on the tree, closing his eyes relaxing. He heard a noise. He looked around there was no one. He closed his eyes again, but again he heard something. He opened his eyes, and looked around, he saw a shadow. He was confused but calm.
Nigel: Anyone there?
No respond. He heard a branch cracking.
Nigel: I definitely heard that.
He stood up. And followed the noise. He walked and walked until he saw something as gate. It has some letters on it.
Nigel: What do we have here...?
At cabin.
They are eating the food Nuri made.
Roger: Damn kid, you really know your staff.
Nuri: Well, thank you.
Troy turns to Rho.
Troy: If I remember correctly, cooking was the only thing you never learned how to do.
Rho: No, I just don't like to cook, that’s all.
Nuri: No offence Rho, but I watched you try to cook, you are just not for it. You see, you have to have certan feeling for cooking.
Rikka: Or any feeling really.
Rho gave her cold stare. Nigel walks in the room.
Nuri: I had a feeling you will show up at this time.
Ace: Where have you been?
Nigel: I was just walking around for a bit, I found something, I think you should see it.
Rin: What is it?
Nigel: It would be better if I just show you.
Nigel: But after I eat something.
He sits down and takes food.
Rin: Fair enough
...
Time skip
They are in the woods in front of huge stoned doors. They lead to underneath. Everyone looks at it, mostly confused.
Rikka: And what the hell is that?
Nigel: Beats me, I thought this animal over here would know.
Troy: His name is Roger.
Roger chill.
Roger: I think he was talking about you chief.
Troy slightly annoyed.
Troy: Was that true?
Nigel smiles a bit
Nigel: I like this dog.
Roger nods.
Nuri: Wow, it looks like it's here for ages...
Rho: Well do you know anything about it? She looks at Troy.
Troy looks at it.
Troy: Oddly no. I know every inch of this place, and somehow I never saw this.
Nigel: And here I found it on my first day here. I guess your animal instincts are not that good after all.
Troy annoyed.
Troy: No, It just means that this wasn't here before, it must have been added recently.
Ace: Recently? There is no way something this huge and well old... was added here that recently. I mean even plants groove up over it.
Troy speaks cold.
Troy: Yes, and that is the mystery, but I am telling you, this could not be here for long.
Kaya thinks.
Kaya: Well, what are we waiting for, let see what is inside.
Rin: You can't just walk into somewhere unknown that easily. It should be well thought decision first.
Rho: I agree.
She looks at the wall, studying letters. Kaya walked towards it.
Tory: For sure, this thing could be very dangerous, we should not take it likely.
Gates start to open.
Kaya: Well, I think it is a bit too late for that...
Gates opens completely.
Nuri: How did you do that?
Kaya: True magician never reveals their secrets, but I can tell you, there is no place I can’t break into.
Rin: You never listen do you?
Kaya: Oh no my friend, I am the only one here who actually listens, you all just happen to never listen to me.
Rin said nothing.
Rikka: So now what? Are we just going to walk in or?
Kaya: Way ahead of you.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
She walked in.
Rin: Wait!
The gates begin to close. So they all run into it without thinking. Rin and Rho ran frist then Nuri, Ace and Nigel. Troy saw Rho running, he hesitated but then he run in too. The gates closed. They all looked around.
Rin: Great, now what?
Ace: We are going to look around.
She said calm. Rin sighs.
Rin: How can you all be so calm in this kind of situations?
Nigel taps his shoulder.
Nigel: We'll get out somehow anyway, we always do.
Rho reads the letters on the wall, different language.
Troy: Are you Anarchists always this reckless?
Rikka: They mostly are, but you get out alive every time, well barely alive but still alive.
Troy: Aren't you one of them?
Rikka didn’t know how to answer, so she was sarcastic.
Rikka: They wish.
Ace: Wait, where is Roger?
Roger the only one left outside, smoking cigarette.
Roger: Stupid humans.
He said calm, and he started to walk around.
Inside
Kaya: Oh look, some button.
Rin: Wait!
Some figure starts to show up, after she pressed the button. It looks like hologram but not hologram. It was something like ghost man. Neutral.
Neutral: Greetings, I can see you decided to play this challenge called Nexum challenge.
Rho’s eyes twitched a bit. Troy noticed, Nigel noticed them both.
Rin: Can you listen to me, even for once?
Kaya: I don't know what you are talking about, I listen to you every time.
Neutral in background talking: The rules to follow this challenge are...
Rin: Oh really like now?
They argued.
Ace: Dude, chill, some weird ghost guy appeared what is the big deal?
Nuri: Ghost? You think that is a ghost?
Ace: I don't know, what else he could be?
Rikka: What? You scared?
Nuri: Why are you talking like you aren't scared too, you are trembling!
Rikka: I am not scared... I am just cold.
Neutral kept talking in the background.
Neutral: These are the things you are not allowed to do...
Troy walks towards Rho.
Troy: Nexum?
Rho the only one who listens.
Rho: Not now.
Nigel walks towards.
Nigel: What is this guy talking about?
He shows at Troy. Troy annoyed but calm.
Troy: My name is...
Nigel: Yeah yeah, roger.
Troy: You better be using that word as a verb.
Nigel ignores him and looks at Rho.
Nigel: Rho, what is going on?
Rho: Will you two shut up! I said, not now!
She said angry, usually she didn’t show any emotions.
Neutral: I hope my instructions were clear. Good luck.
And Netural disappears.
Ace Nuri Rin and Kaya and Rikka still argued.
Rin: Great, now I've missed the instructions.
Ace: Instructions? What instructions?
Kaya: Oh it is not the end of the world, I bet someone listened.
Everyone looks at everyone.
Rikka: Well?
Rho was quiet and serious. Then some voice started to talk but different.
Man’s voice: Well, I hope you guys are ready for step one, it is called Separation step, or Steperation, if you would prefer that better.
He laughed.
Nuri: What is he talking about?
Rho knew, she quickly ran towards Rikka.
Ace: What is going on?
Floor opens beneath them, but not the whole floor. Rikka fell in one of the holes in the floor, and Rho followed, before she jumped she said.
Rho: Stick together!
And she fell into the hole Rikka fell. Rin and Kaya fell next, they stood next to each other. Ace and Nuri reached for them, but they fell into hole beneath them that just opened. Troy ran toward the hole Rho fell but the floor closed, and Nigel and him stayed there.
Nigel: What the hell was that?
Troy calm. Troy sighs.
Troy: They will be fine, we just need to get out of here.
Nigel mad.
Nigel: You and her know something about this? Don't you?
Troy: So what if we do? All you have to do is listen if you want to get out of here.
Nigel laughs but not happy.
Nigel: Listen? to you? Only thing I will listen from that mouth is the information about this place, and what you know about it. So start talking.
Troy looks at him.
Troy: What is your deal with me?
He talked cold.
Nigel: My deal? My deal is that I don't trust you, that is what.
Troy: Then why ask anything if you won't believe me anyway?
Nigel annoyed.
Nigel: God you are annoying.
Troy: And you have short temper. Are we going to just stand here now and talk about our problems or are we going to find them? They are your friends aren't they?
Nigel looks at him, he hated his guts but he was calm.
Nigel: That is right, they are my friends, and I won't let anything bad happen to them. So, if you want to help them too, you will start talking. What is this place and what do you know about this?
Troy said nothing, he just looked at him, he was cold.
Nuri and Ace fell down.
Ace fell first, but she managed to roll and stand up. She was hearing Nuri’s voice, she quickly moved away, he fell on the floor on his butt.
Nuri: Well... that will hurt for a while.
He looked like he was in pain. Ace looks around.
Nuri: What is this place? He stood up.
Ace: I have no idea...
Rin and Kaya.
He rolled and he quickly stood up. Kaya was falling, he created something as a slide of ice for her. So she would not just fall on the ground. Kaya slides to the floor. Rin looks at her serious.
Kaya: I know that look... that is ?I told you so“ look...
Rin: Good you understand.
He looks around.
Rin: We need to find a way out from here.
She stood up.
Kaya: Don't worry, we will. I don't think we are at some very dangerous place.
Rin: And why do you think that?
Kaya shrugs.
Kaya: I don't know, it is just a hunch.
Rin: That is all you got?
Kaya: What? My intuition is always right.
Lights turns on in all of places they are, different rooms, different colours. Mixed of purple and light blue turned on where Kaya and Rin are, colour dark red, orange, appeared where Ace and Nuri are. And colour green where Rikka and Rho is.
Rin and Kaya
Place is filled with mirrors.
Rin: And what your intuition tells you now?
He said sarcastically, she looked around.
Rho and Rikka.
Rikka: What the hell is this place?!
They look around, their room looks as a doll house. Rho calm.
Rho: I am not sure, but if we follow the rules, we should be fine.
Rikka: What rules?
Rho: Rules that master of this challenge spoke about a minute ago. Don't tell me you didn't listen?
Rikka: For your information, no one listened.
Rho: You are joking right?
Rikka: No. What is the big deal about those rules anyway?
Rho looks at her annoyed a bit.
Rho: They tell you how to get out.
Rikka silent for a bit.
Rikka: Well, you listened right?
Rho: Of course, but they didn't.
Rikka: So what now?
Ace and Nuri
Their room filled with mannequins, height as average person, no face, different colours.
Ace: Wow...
Nuri looks a bit creped out.
Nuri: What... the hell... is this place?
Ace: Have no idea...
She walks around.
Nuri: What are we supposed to do here?
Ace shrugs.
Ace: Beats me.
Ace looks behind them
Nuri: I hope others are okay.
Ace takes out c6.
Ace: Well we should check that out.
She presses colour red.
Rikka and Rho.
C6 ringing, gloving, Rikka takes out c6.
Rikka: We have two calls, which one should I answer?
Rho takes the c6 and answers Ace.
Rho: Ace?
Nuri and Ace in different place.
Nuri: Oh thank good.
Ace: Rho, are you and Rikka okay?
Rho: Yeah we are fine, what about you two?
Ace: We are okay, but we are at some strange place...
Rho: What do you see?
Nuri: We are surrounded by some creepy mannequins...
Rho: I see... give me a second to connect Rin too.
She answered his call too, they were all at the call.
Rho: Rin? Do you hear me?
Rin: Yes, we can hear you. Kaya is with me too.
Rho: Good, Ace and Nuri are on the line too.
Kaya: Is everyone okay?
Ace: We are fine, we are just trying to figure it out what to do with these mannequins.
Rin: Mannequins? What are you talking about?
Ace: The mannequins that are in our room... where are you? what is in your rooms?
Kaya: Mirrors... a lot of them.
Rikka: Well, we are in some strange doll house or something like that...
Rho: We are all in different places, and I would like to know if anyone listened to the rules?
Ace: Again, what rules?
Rho sighs.
Rho: Great... she said sarcastic.
Rho: Listen to me, we don't have much time, if I am correct the signal should be lost soon.
Kaya: What? Why?
Rho: That doesn't matter, what is important for you to know is that you should stay calm, and no matter what you should not turn on each other. No anger, no fighting, was I clear?
Ace: And how am I supposed to do that? I am stuck here with Nuri!
She said disappointed.
Nuri: Hey!
He said a bit offended, but he quickly changed his mood.
Nuri: It is true though… but still hurts!
Ace: Then what are we supposed to do?
Rho: Get along. I don't have time to explain everything but the first room is most important one, and you need to follow the rules that you will probably get soon. But what rules won't tell you that the first room is some kind analysis process, and based on your reactions, and feelings, and everything you gave there, will be created in a next room for you.
Rin: How do you know all that?
Rho: Because I listened to the main rules. And a first one is don't break.
Nuri: And what are other rules?
Connection started to break. Rho noticed.
Rho: You will figure it out, but no matter what, do not....
Connection broke. Rho sighs. Rho was annoyed.
Kaya: Do not what?
Ace: Hello? Well shit.
Nuri: What do you think what she was trying to tell us?
Ace sighs.
Ace: Have no idea, we will have to figure it out.
Rikka: Do not what?
Rho looks around.
Rho: Use powers.
Rikka confused
Rikka: What?
Rho: We are not allowed to use our powers, if we do, we might get penalty
Rikka: And how do you know that?
Rho gives her a cold stare.
Rikka: Right… rules…
Rikka: You know, you are acting like I am the only one who didn't listen.
Rho ignores her then looks around. There is a table with some tea set on. Desk with mirror on, brushes, products etc. But it looks like a doll house.
Voice: Greetings again.
They both look around trying to figure it out from where this voice is coming.
Rikka: What was that?
Voice: This is a voice of a master of this game, and currently you are my two dolls.
Rikka: What the...
Rho: Game?
Voice: Yes, game, and you are the players.
Rho: Why don't you come out and play with us?
Voice laughs.
Voice: Oh I like your attitude, but I can't show myself yet, there is no fun in that.
Rikka: And what do you want from us?
Voice: I want from you to follow the rules. As you can see there are set of cards on the table to your right, and you both will choose one card which will give you your new role but you may not say what you are, you'll need to take a guess with each other.
Rikka: What the hell man?
Rho: Language.
Rikka rolls her eyes.
Voice: If you want to get out of here you need to play. So let's start. Choose your card.
Rho sights and go towards the table.
Rikka: Are we seriously doing this?
Rho: We don't have much choice so yes. As soon we start the soon we finish this.
Voice: That's the spirit!
Rho takes the card. Rho reads it, she remains cold as always.
Rho: Is there a way to choose again and ditch this one?
Voice: No, there is not.
Rho: I see. Kill me now.
Rkka: Oh come on it can't be that bad. Rikka takes one too.
Rikka looks at the card, she looks like she saw a ghost.
Rho: What is it?
Rikka: Yeah... how about we both choose another card?
Rho: Oh come on, it can't be that bad.
She said sarcastic.
Voice: Now that you choose your roles you will stick to those roles the whole time. First thing you will have to do is to sit at this table with the tea on it. And you will pretend of course to drink it, because there is no actually tea in there.
Rikka: What is point in that?
Voice: You will sit and talk, you may ask any question you would like, but you cannot use words that were listed at the bottom of the card, if you used them, you lose, and you don't want that.
Rho: So we have to talk, and guess what we are?
Voice: Yes, you are allowed only to make a mistake once, so you have 2 guesses, and you will also have half an hour to do it. You will put those cards in a tube over there.
Rho confused. The lights appear next to the tube.
Voice: So I can make sure you stick to the rules. Memorize the words you are not allowed to use, and every time you refuse to answer any question or don't stick to your role, you will lose your given minutes.
Rho: Half an hour? There is time running?
Voice: Oh yes, it is time to start!
They read their cards once again and they put it in tube. Voice gets those cards and laughs.
Voce: Well this should be fun. Please take your seats.
They sat on the table.
Voice: Good luck, because your game starts right.... now.
They looked at each other, both cold.
Rin and Kaya.
Kaya: I can't see where is the exit because of these mirrors...
Rin: But good thing you could see doors that lead inside...
Voice: Greetings.
Kaya and Rin looks around confused.
Voice: You must be wondering what you are supposed to do, well I will tell you. First you need to make an agreement which one of you will first walk into this labyrinth of mirrors. The person who walks in first is not allowed to stop walking, it will follow the lights that will show on a way through the labyrinth. The second person is going to wait 3 minutes and then walk in too. You will have exactly half an hour to find your team player that went in first, otherwise you lose and you don't want that. However you are allowed to talk with each other if you get too close of course. Any questions?
Rin: What happens if we lose?
Voice: You'll see if you lose. Now, who will go first?
Kaya: Maybe I should go first.
Rin: And if you get lost?
Kaya: Well you will find me, duhh. Besides, if I stay, I will not only lose you, I will also get lost.
Rin: You have a point.
Voice: Good, now that you made an agreement...
Rin: Wait, what if we refuse to play?
Voice: You’re not allowed to do that remember? By walking in here you agreed to all the terms, and you cannot break them, if you do, well, you would just stay locked here until you decide to play. And that is the only way.
Rin looks at Kaya. Kaya laughs nervously.
Kaya: Oh c'mon, it is just a game, it will be fun.
Rin: Yeah... right.
He said sarcastic. Kaya smiles again ad starts to walk toward labyrinth.
Rin: Be careful,
Kaya: As always.
Rin crosses his arms.
Rin: I am not sure that the ?always“ is a right word.
She walks in, starts following the light beneath. Rin stays at one place.
Rin: 3 minutes right?
He looks up.
Voice: Yes, countdown starts now.
Past Nexara 16. years old.
Nexara working in her lab, after few minutes one of her employees walks in.
Isaac: You were looking for me?
Nexara: Yes, I would like to hear a report about progress.
She put him to work on project that is more of psychological nature. He was testing connections, different bounds among people, trying to test can any human find any connection or something in common with another human, despite the differences.
Isaac: Well, by now results has shown that despite all of differences, every human we put in our group managed to find at least one connection, and even more. And we found a group of people with different personalities, jobs, lives, they all were raised very differently, we have artists, religious people, rich, poor, young, old, and more, no matter what circumstances, even if some of them could not stand the other, they always find something in common.
Nexara: And what percentage of people that couldn’t stand each other at first changed their opinion after putting them trough our tests?
Isaac: 38% but that number is rising.
Nexara: I see. And what about negative effects?
Isaac: They were a few conflicts out of stubbornness, but we believe that trough time, we can change even those who are the most stubborn.
Nexara: I see, is there anything else I should know?
Isaac: About the project… no, but there is one thing I wanted to tell you… if that would be okay…
He seemed a bit nervous. Nexara looked at him calm.
Nexara: And what would that be?
Isaac: I wanted to say that… I think, I mean, I know that you are doing something great here, for a good cause, and I am really glad I have a chance to work for someone like you.
She was surprised, usually people hated her, but she remained calm.
Nexara: Well thank you Isaac. Tell me, do you believe that we will accomplish the goals we try to reach?
Isaac: Without the doubt.
Nexara: What makes you so sure?
Isaac smiles a bit and looks at her confident.
Isaac: Because the world has you. Brave heart and good heart, combination that can’t loose, and you have both.
Nexara’s eyes softened a bit.
Nexara: Thank you.
Isaac smiles.
Isaac: Well if that is all I would like to return to my work.
Nexara nods and looks away, he starts to leave.
Nexara: One more thing.
He stops.
Nexara: I need to correct you on something.
He felt a bit nervous again.
Nexara: You are not working for me, you are working with me. There is a huge difference, please do not make that mistake again.
He relaxes, and nods.
Isaac: I won't, I promise.
And she smiled...
