“What the hell were you thinking?“ She asks me when i can finally breathe properly. “Where are we?“ I ask, ignoring her question. “The capital” She replies. I rise to my feet to look at my surroundings and my jaw almosst drops at the sight of the giant birds flying in the sky, a city spreads beneath our feet and once again, it feels like we have entered a different world. I see sparks of light and energy burst up to the sky in multiple colors. It's beautiful. “It's as beautiful as it is deadly so be on your toes and don't go wandering off. Killing people isn't only a host's job. The Souls here are corrupt and ready to kill for more power so try not to get on anyone's nerves” She smacks. Her gaze is cold when she looks at me which oddly makes me feel more comfortable than when she spoke nicely to me at the lotus house. I nod in agreement. After what just happened, I'm not sure if i wanted to part ways with Kara just yet. She saved my life. I tighten my grip around

TW: BLOOD & GORE “THE RULES ARE SIMPLE!“ Dante shouts and the whole amphitheatre falls into silence. “Only 10 of you will make it to the next chamber. These gems are the key. You must catch it and return to its base on the other side of the capital. Hosts are not allowed to play. We are only here to guide you” he slurs on the word “guide”. “Eliminate as many players and crush your opponents. After the 10 gems are returned. The rest of you will be eliminated” Cane adds with a grin on his face. Hosts, you know what to do. Players, you know what to do. Let's not waste anymore time. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!“ He rushes through his word like he's already bored and ready for some action. A loud horn blows and Kara leaps into the air grabbing a gem and running out the gates. The other nine are taken swiftly. I notice Axel speeds past with Ravena with two gems in his hand. The ring is empty in seconds and we all turn to the large screen. The hosts walk out, following the soul players. A

MEANWHILE AT THE 51ST CHAMBER…Ravena drags Axel through the court of the Elvil house with his arm slung over her shoulder. No one bothers to stop them but she keeps to the shadows to avoid the watchful eyes of the hosts who have already been put in a bad mood. The whole of the capital is in tension as Cane has incinerated almost twelve people in the space of two hours. She sets him down in a storage room and charges up her energy to heal him. “I failed you…” Axel says. “I should go after him. I—”“Save your strength. You can't win against him. I knew that power was familiar. It's Ayra. The 100th chamber rogue system. She's in Knox's body” She says, chipping away at her fingernails. “Ayra?“ Axel asks in shock, struggling to sit up in an upright position. “I don't know how it happened but we have to after them if we want to find a way to talk to my father.“ Ravena starts pacing around the room. Axel grabs her arm before she moves again. “Don't tell me you still

“Where are we?“ I ask, looking around. The room is unusual. It reminded me of my hospital room when I was alive. It didn't smell like mahogany wood like the houses on the 52nd chamber, and when i go to touch the alabaster walls, it's smooth and firm like it's made of cement. “The 52nd Chamber” She tells me while pouring the water into the sink. I open the windows, and the cool air pours into my lungs. My jaw drops at the sight of the modern city. There's skyrises on every street. It's almost like the city outside my window in the hospital. The city I longed for but never had the privilege of exploring. “Woah! It's a whole new world here” I sigh, staring out into the city as everything happened beneath me. There's a beach not far from here. The beauty of the city washes my worries away. “Have you ever been here?“ “No i haven't. I talked to the receptionist and she said it's a big city. We are going to be here for a while if we want to find Ayra. I have a feeling she's

“AAHHHHHHHH!!!“We're falling. The wind seems to push us deeper into the ground. No matter how much I try to regain control, I'm tossed in every possible direction until i hit the ground. It's not the ground i hit because my fall is lightened by a net. “Is everyone alright?“ Ravena asked. “Whe—where am I?“ Kara asks. Her words are drowsy, her eyes droopy, and her head is swaying lightly as she starts to shift back into reality. The after effects of Theo and Val's powerful spell in the 52nd chamber. “You…What are you doing here?“ She asks Axel, who is still holding on to her. I try to stand up, but my feet and hands are stuck to the net. “What the hell is this?“ I can't see, but I know this is no ordinary net. [New location unlocked: 53rd Chamber] [Level 9 threat detected: Head Host/Monster]What does that even mean? “This chamber is crawling with monsters. They are all working for the head host. I can't see any sign of souls” Spix says. The light that comes