*MARK MEETS YUI OUTSIDE SCHOOL, AND A REQUEST FOR HELP,
Mark stands beside the road outside school, waiting for his ride home:
The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the empty sidewalk.
Suddenly, he hears tiny footsteps approaching:
"Mark-san!"
Mark turns to see Yui, Kai's little sister, running towards him with a curious look:
Yui stops in front of him, panting slightly:
"Onii-chan's game just ended, but I lost him in the crowd! Can you please help me find him in school?"
Mark smiles and nods:
"Of course, Yui-chan. I was just... waiting for a friend. Let's go look for your brother together."
Yui grasps Mark's hand excitedly:
"Thank you, Mark-san! Onii-chan said he'd meet me by the locker room after the game."
Mark walks with Yui back into school, wondering if he'll run into Hana again...
*MARK'S MEMORY STIRS UP SUSPICION
Mark and Yui search the school grounds, peeking into classrooms and corridors:
But there's no sign of Kai anywhere.
Yui starts to worry:
"Onii-chan always meets me on time... something must be wrong!"
Mark thinks back to his past interactions with Kai's group:
Suddenly, a vague memory resurfaces –
He recalls Ryan and Chris mentioning a hidden spot in the school's abandoned east wing...
A place they claimed was "off-limits" even to other students.
Mark's curiosity is piqued:
"Yui-chan, wait... I think I might know where your brother could be. Follow me."
Yui trusts Mark and walks closely behind him:
"Is Onii-chan in trouble, Mark-san?"
Mark hesitates, unsure how to respond:
"No, but we might find him there"
*MIND-BOGGLING SCENE UNFOLDS BEHIND THE ABANDONED DOOR,
Mark and Yui sneak into the abandoned east wing, hearts racing with curiosity:
As they approach the door, a bright, pulsing light spills out into the hallway.
Mark covers his eyes slightly, hearing a low, hypnotic voice:
"Power granted to those who desire dominance..."
He recognizes the voices responding to the mysterious tone.
The room erupts in excited chatter:
- Kai: "Another realm to conquer!"
- Akira: "More power and beauty to claim!"
- Ryan: "Bring on the challenges!"
- Chris: "We'll dominate this new world!"
Nao looks nervous despite the enthusiasm:
"I-is this really alright?
Hana places a reassuring hand on Nao's shoulder:
"You'll do great, Nao-chan! We'll all support each other so Don't worry!."
Mark's eyes widen in alarm – this scene seems sinister:
As he curious about the situation He forces himself forward, bursting through the doorway:
"Guys What's Happening Here?"
The room falls silent, everyone stunned by Mark's interruption.
But then, they gasp in unison:
Behind Mark, Yui screams –
Mark looks back to see WHY:
He see someone floating in mid-air, surrounded by a brilliant, pulsing light!
His body starts to glow brighter, as if infused with an otherworldly energy...
*DESCENT INTO DARKNESS: THE TRUE HORROR UNFOLDS,
Kai's face twists in shock and anger:
"How is HE even here?! how did you find us..."
But before Kai can finish, a tiny figure floats in mid-air behind Mark:
A kid with piercing blue eyes, glowing with an ethereal light:
The kid's voice echoes in a haunting tone:
**"System Voice Activated"**
"System Error detected...
Due to sudden increase in participant numbers...
**Difficulty Level Elevated**
From A-Ranking: "Trial by Courage"
To XXX-Ranking: "Abandon All Hope"
**Penalty Protocol Updated**
Revival Time increased from 45 minutes...
TO **PERMANENT ELIMINATION**
In both Worlds:
Elyria (Virtual Realm)
AND
Earth (Physical World)"
The kid's glow intensifies, then softens into a eerie smile:
"Welcome, players... to the ultimate game of survival.
Where bonds will break,
Loyalty will die,
And only the ruthless will claim victory..."
The room falls into terrified silence.
*TERROF FILLS THEIR HEARTS,
Hana's eyes widen in horror, her face pale:
She clings tightly to Nao's arm, whispering:
"This isn't what we signed up for... it's supposed to be a game to gain power and beauty..."
Nao looks equally terrified, her voice barely audible:
"But the penalty... permanent death... in both worlds..."
The group exchanges fearful glances:
- Kai's anger turns to alarm
- Akira's confidence crumbles
- Ryan and Chris look at each other nervously
The glowing kid floats closer, its eerie smile widening:
"Do not worry, players... you will still receive rewards...
Power, beauty, fame, anything..
But first, you must survive Elyria and conquer the quest..."
*NO ESCAPE FROM ELYRIA,
Hana's eyes plead for a way out as she whispers:
"We have to get out of this..."
The glowing kid's laughter echoes menacingly:
"Quit?
That option was removed...
**PERMANENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVATED**
You will play Elyria until you solve the quest "eliminate the source of destruction of this world"...
Or you all be perish..."
Nao's sobs grow louder, despair consuming her:
Kai's face twists in rage:
"This is madness! Who created this hellish game?!"
The kid's glow intensifies as it responds:
"The Creator... is not to be named...
But I am the **God Of Play**...
And you, players... are merely pawns..."
Suddenly, the room begins to distort and fade away...
*FURY AND BETRAYAL IN THE NICK OF TIME,
The players feel themselves being pulled into the virtual world of Elyria...
As reality distorts around them:
Kai's anger boils over, and he spins around to face Mark:
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Kai thunders.
His fist connects with Mark's jaw in a vicious punch:
Mark stumbles back, stunned.
"You ruined our plan... and dragged my sister into this hell!"
Yui cries out in shock and fear as she clings to Mark's arm:
"Onii-chan, stop! Why are you hitting Mark-san?!"
Kai's eyes blaze with fury:
"He's the reason we're trapped in this game, Yui-chan!
Mark's interference just made our survival chances ZERO!"
Mark holds his jaw, eyes narrowing at Kai:
"That's... I.... just walked into something I didn't understand."
Yui looks up at Mark, then back at her brother, confusion and fear etched on her face:
"Onii-chan, what's going on? What game?!"
The Game Master's (God Of Play) voice echoes through the distorting air:
"**TRANSFER COMPLETE**
Welcome, players, to Elyria...
Your game of survival has begun."
The world around them solidifies into a dark, twisted landscape...