Deception and Betrayal

The sun hung high in the afternoon sky as Roland, Kai, and the rest of the group returned from a day of hunting and scouting. Their trip had been successful, and the mood was light as they made their way back to camp. Roland and Kai walked slightly ahead of the others, their conversation casual yet tinged with the seriousness of their situation.

"This competition is really starting to wear on me," Roland admitted, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's not just the physical strain, but the mental games too."

Kai nodded in agreement. "Yeah, the Chamber of Gods sure knows how to keep us on edge. It's like we're pawns in their grand game. Can you imagine them sitting up there, watching us like some twisted form of entertainment?"

Roland chuckled, though there was little humor in his voice. "It's bizarre. And to think, they control our fates with just a flick of their wrists."

Kai's brow furrowed. "Do you ever wonder what it's like for them? Being immortal, powerful beyond measure, yet so detached from our struggles?"

"Sometimes," Roland replied. "But right now, I'm more focused on surviving this competition."

After a moment of silence, Roland glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "There's something I need to tell you, Kai. Emily... she expressed her love for me."

Kai's eyes widened in surprise. "Emily? Really? I didn't see that coming."

"Yeah, it caught me off guard too," Roland said. " I think it's now time for our teams to go separately."

Kai looked puzzled. "What? Why ? Just because she proposed you we cannot abandon them"

Roland sighed. "No that's not the reason. With only two days left, it's becoming clear that only one party will win the game. We've bonded well over the past few days, but if it comes down to saving my own teammates or Emily's, I won't hesitate to choose my own. It's sad, but it's the reality of this competition."

Kai nodded slowly, understanding the weight of Roland's words. "I cannot see myself picking up my sword against them. I also agree. It's time, but we must help them the best we could for them to survive okay? I will bring this up after dinner at the camp."

As they reached the camp, Lucy started of cooking meat with David helping with the chores, the group settled down for dinner. The atmosphere was warm and convivial, a stark contrast to the grim reality that awaited them.

After dinner, Kai stood up and called for everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone. We need to have a serious discussion. With only two days left in this competition, we believe it's best if our teams go our separate ways starting tomorrow."

A murmur of ran through the group. Nobody expected the discussion will be about separating after all everyone had become quite attached to eachother. But everyone understood the reality, which made David, who had been expecting some resistance quite surprised.

"I've been thinking the same thing," Emily said. "I was waiting for the right time to discuss it with you all."

David relieved, with the feeling of understanding from Emily but decided to acknowledge this decision. "Alright then, it seems we're all in agreement."

They decided that after packing up the camp David's team will help Emilys team to settle at a new place and separate from there.

They began packing up the camp, preparing for the upcoming separation. Suddenly, the loud snap of a booby trap echoed through the forest, causing everyone to freeze.

"Booby trap activated!" Roland shouted. "Everyone, get ready!"

Leaving everything they were doing they picked up their weapons as they rushed toward the trap's location. They soon encountered a group of eight people standing menacingly in front of them. Roland and his group quickly took cover, assessing the situation.

Kai leaned in close to Roland. "What do you think? Should we engage?"

Roland scanned the area. "We might not have a choice."

As they deliberated, one of the enemies spotted them and alerted his group. "Over there!"

Kai cursed under his breath. "We've been seen. Everyone, get ready!"

They stepped out of hiding, facing the enemy head-on. The leader of the opposing group was a massive man, standing at seven feet tall with a build like a Viking. His name was Juggernaut, and his presence was as intimidating as it was imposing. His long, unkempt hair and beard, along with his battle-scarred face, gave him a fearsome appearance.

"I'm Juggernaut, leader of this group," he bellowed, his voice carrying through the trees.

" Remember this name as it will be your last time hearing it" He added.

Kai was about to say something when One of the henchmen saw Lucy and Eva in the group and walked forward to whisper something to juggernaut.

"Hand over the girls, and maybe we'll let you live." Said juggernaut

Roland and his team bristled at the demand. The lustful glint in Juggernaut's eyes as he looked at Emily and Lucy made their blood boil.

"Over my dead body," Roland growled, stepping forward.

Juggernaut laughed, a deep, menacing sound. "That can be arranged."

Without another word, the fight erupted. Roland charged forward, his weapon slicing through the air with deadly precision. He landed the first kill, his blade cutting down an enemy before they could react.

Chaos ensued as both sides clashed. Roland fought fiercely, but even he struggled against the onslaught. "We need backup!" Kai shouted, glancing toward Emily and her team. "Get in here!"

Emily stepped forward, drawing her sword. Kai felt a brief sense of relief, thinking she was coming to help. But then he heard a scream behind him.

"Evaaaaaa!"

Lucy's voice rang out, filled with horror. Kai turned to see Emily's sword buried in Eva's back. Roland's eyes went bloodshot as he rushed to Eva's side, ignoring the attacks coming his way. He caught her just as she collapsed.

Eva's lips moved, forming the words "I love you" before she took her last breath. "No! No! No! No! " Roland frantically started to feel Eva's heartbeat. Unfortunately she has already been passed away. Roland's heart shattered as he held her lifeless body, tears streaming down his face. His screams of agony echoed through the forest, shaking the very trees around them. All the memories he had with her, her smile, her laugh, flashes before his eyes.

Kai and the others finally reached Roland.

"Hey Roland! How's Eva?" Asked kai, noticing no response from Roland, he nudged him slightly and noticed he was unconscious.

Kai immediately ordered his team to formed a barrier around Roland and Eva, their eyes burning with fury. David glared at Emily, his face twisted with rage. "Why, Emily? Why did you do this?"

A brief silence fell over the battlefield before Juggernaut's laugh broke it. He walked over to Emily, pulling her into a deep kiss. Kai and his team stared in shock, realization dawning on them. They had been played from the beginning.

Emily smirked, stepping away from Juggernaut. "Did you really think we'd team up with you? We've been planning this from the start. If not for all this traps, you all would have been corpses long ago, so we decided to act weak and planned this out And yeah no one can have what's mine," she said, her eyes locking onto Eva's lifeless body.

Kai's although furious, seeing Roland in this condition and Eva's death, raced his mind as he tried to come up with a plan to escape. He quietly stored Eva's body in his inventory and signaled to David. "Cast a big fire," he whispered.

David nodded and unleashed a massive flame, creating a barrier of fire between them and Emily's team. "Run!" Kai shouted, hoisting Roland onto his shoulder.

They sprinted through the forest, the fire growing larger and more intense behind them. Emily's screams echoed in their ears, but they didn't look back. All they could think about was getting away and surviving.

As they ran, the sounds of the forest grew louder, mingling with their own desperate breaths. The fire crackled and roared, a symbol of their burning resolve to survive and seek revenge.

Kill count :

Kai +11

Roland +23

David +18

Lucy +12

Eva +3