Dead To Begin

Level 3 – The Trial of Betrayal

“It was red, not blue,” Jackson said.

“No! Mine was yellow,” Joanne argued, leaving the others speechless.

“So we can conclude that the drinks he gave us were different colors? I got blue, you got yellow, and you got red?” Smith summarized. The other two nodded slowly.

“And after drinking it, I blacked out and woke up here with you,” Jackson explained.

“We experienced the same thing,” Joanne added.

“Enemies may be friends, and friends may be enemies. Trust is the one thing you cannot hold onto here, because betrayal can happen at any time. Only the strong will survive, and only the relentless will win.”

Jackson, Joanne, and Smith froze as a voice suddenly echoed throughout the room. They stood up and looked around, but saw no one. Still, the voice was clear—male, commanding.

“Did you hear that?” Smith asked the others.

“Loud and clear,” Joanne replied.

“Welcome, newcomers.”

The voice returned.

“Who are you?! Show yourself!” Jackson shouted at the unseen speaker.

“You want to meet me? Then come find me.”

“But remember this—you won’t reach me easily. There are many obstacles you’ll have to overcome.”

Jackson clenched his fists. “I know it’s you, old man! Come out and release us! I don’t have time for your stupid games! I need to save my girlfriend!”

“Hahaha… You think I’m Davian? Wrong. I’m not that old fool. I’m not the one who gave you the drinks that brought you here.”

“What?” Jackson’s eyes widened.

“If it wasn’t him… then who?” he thought.

“Let me tell you something interesting. Davian—the man who gave you those drinks—only used you to steal our treasure.”

“He sent you here while he sits back and watches from afar. You’ll face deadly threats and risk your freedom—all just to fulfill his ambitions.”

Jackson, Joanne, and Smith were stunned. They exchanged glances, frustration rising in their eyes.

“No way…”

“I hate long-winded speeches, so let’s get to the rules.”

“You’ll face a series of trials. Your goal is to win each one and level up. Every level has its own difficulty. Some levels contain a Kane Collection item you must obtain. To escape this place, you must collect them all. And remember—only one winner will reach the final level. Guard your Kane Collection and gather every piece. Don’t let Davian take them from you.”

The three stood in silence, absorbing the instructions. None of it made sense yet.

“If one of you manages to collect all the Kane Collection items and hold onto them until the final level, you’ll get what you desire most.”

Suddenly, their attention shifted to a distant light piercing the darkness. Beneath it stood three blocks of ice—each containing someone they knew.

“Neva…” Joanne whispered, staring at the frozen girl—her best friend.

“Kay…” Smith murmured, recognizing his cousin trapped inside.

“Charis…” Jackson’s voice cracked as he saw the woman he loved.

The light vanished, plunging the room back into darkness.

“Remember! If you want them freed, don’t let the Kane Collection fall into Davian’s hands. And remember—only one of you will win.”

Jackson clenched his fists. “I have to save Charis…” he whispered. He exchanged glances with Joanne and Smith—each of them determined to free the person they loved.

“It’s show time!”

Suddenly, the entire room lit up, revealing their surroundings. They gasped in horror. Surrounding them—a horde of zombies, now moving toward them as the light exposed their presence.

Joanne trembled, unsure what to do. She pressed her back against Smith and Jackson, who instinctively shielded her.

“I will win and free Charis, no matter what it takes,” Jackson muttered, eyes locked on the advancing undead.

“Keep dreaming. I’ll be the one to win and save my cousin,” Smith replied. A zombie lunged at him, but he fought back with swift martial arts moves.

Jackson didn’t hold back either, attacking with bare fists.

Meanwhile, Joanne remained frozen, trembling. Her head hung low, fear gripping her entire body. As the zombies drew closer, Jackson and Smith stepped in to protect her.

“I’m scared…” she whispered, eyes brimming with tears. “But I don’t want to lose. I want to save Neva and get out of here.” She closed her eyes tightly.

Jackson glanced at her, unimpressed.

“Looks like you don’t really care about freeing the one you love,” he said with a smirk.

“Good. One less obstacle in my way,” he added, continuing to fight off the zombies trying to bite him and turn him into one of them.

“Kyaa!!!”

A little girl screamed as a goose chased her, trying to peck her. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“AAAA!!! Get away, you naughty goose!”

Another girl ran toward the goose with a stick, chasing it away from her friend.

“You’re safe now, Luve.”

Neva Quela smiled gently at young Joanne, who sat on the ground, disheveled and shaken. Neva approached her.

“Are you okay?”