Outside the window, it was night. The wind was testing the endurance of the windowpanes. Rain started, heavy, noisy, as if the sky had decided to pour everything out at once. In such weather, even someone who usually doesn't mind going out into a storm wouldn't step outside.
All the participants were sitting in the living room. Waiting. For the last player. The person without whom all this could not begin. Or, perhaps, should not have begun.
A clock hung on the ceiling. Black, shiny. It showed the time. The sixth hour, which looked strange. According to the guide, time does not exist here. Another irony? Or a hint?
The room, two sofas. Between them, a round table. Everything placed perfectly symmetrically. As if someone had calculated everything in advance. With centimeter precision. With the precision of a game.
On one sofa — Yahweh and Hov. On the other — the girl. Silent. Uncomfortably silent. Enua stood by the window, leaning against the wall. He looked outside, where the rain was blurring the outlines of the trees.
— And how long will this continue? — Enua finally broke the silence. — Maybe I'm mistaken, but we've been here for about two hours already.
He spoke calmly, but his voice betrayed fatigue. Or irritation. Or boredom. Or all at once.
— We haven't been briefed. Besides what the servants said. Until everyone gathers, we won't move anywhere, — Yahweh answered.
— That's right. — Enua nodded. — But standing here just like that is not an option. This is a good reason… to dig into the past. Ah-ha-hah...
An awkward laugh. Or a nervous one. Hard to tell. These two types have too much in common.
Yahweh looked at him. That same Enua, with whom he had once fought. Many years ago. Back then, everything was simpler. Or seemed simpler.
— It's not the game itself that surprises me. — Enua spoke again. — What surprises me is that we are participating in it. Who arranged all this? Why resurrect us specifically?
Silence. The question hung in the air like an unsent letter.
— We need to talk to the servants, — said Hov. — They've been here from the very beginning. They must know at least something.
— I'll go with you, — added Yahweh. — Splitting up now is a bad idea. There are only four of us. We don't know the girl. Enua… is also not a reason for trust.
— Right. They said they work from five to nine. The clock shows six. So, they haven't left yet.
— Although outside it seems like night. But with this weather, it's hard to tell. The last time I saw them was on the way to the kitchen.
The way to the kitchen took about five minutes. The house was built not with the logic of convenience, but with the logic of… testing patience.
In the kitchen, a quiet conversation. Morgana and Cheryl. Cheryl was washing dishes. Morgana noticed them first.
knock-knock
— Are we interrupting?
— Mister Yahweh, Mister Hov, — Morgana bowed slightly. — Is everything alright?
— We want to ask a few questions, — said Hov. — About everything that's happening.
— Of course. We are listening to you, — Morgana nodded.
— What is this game? Why us? Who resurrected us?
— Sorry… — Morgana averted her eyes. — We are forbidden to speak. It's the Mistress's order.
— Don't worry, — Cheryl intervened. — She will appear soon herself. Not long left. Very little left.
And at that moment, the air in the room changed. Sharply. Imperceptibly. But tangibly. As if someone had entered. Although no one had entered.
They turned around. No one. But the feeling was there. Strong. Real.
— Did you feel that? — Hov.
— Yes… You too? Hey! Did you feel that too?! Someone was behind us!
— It's not important, — said Cheryl, without changing his expression. — Soon you will find out everything yourselves. Don't ask unnecessary questions. That is not our role.
— Perhaps… we should rest. We haven't slept since arrival.
— Yes, we'll return later. By the way, what's your name? The others have already introduced themselves.
— I am Gerudo. Nice to meet you, Mister Hov.
a sharp click
Hov's hand flew up and clenched around Gerudo's throat.
— Mister Hov! Stop! — Morgana shouted.
Sheryl didn't move a millimeter.
— What are you doing?! — Yahweh put his hand on Hov's shoulder.
— Do you think I'm doing this for no reason? — Hov didn't let go. — Think. Who greeted us? Morgana and Cheryl. Where was Gerudo at that time?
— Cooking?
— Possibly. But how to explain what we felt behind our backs? If someone had been standing there, Morgana would have seen them. So… we are being deceived. Something was in the food. Or in the drinks.
— You think he slipped poison?
— How else to explain it?
Hov didn't let go. He waited.
— Alright… just let go… — Gerudo rasped.
Hov removed his hand. Red marks remained on the neck.
— I didn't slip anything. I was only told to bring food. I am just a cook.
— That doesn't rule out that you are not just a cook, — Hov said calmly.
— I am a witness, — said Cheryl. — I was with him from the very beginning. He didn't add anything. If you don't believe him, then you don't believe us either.
— I think that's enough, — Yahweh nodded.
— You've become too soft, Yahweh. — Hov smirked. — Fine. I admit it. But then how to explain… this?
— Magic?
— But upon arrival, we all lost our powers. That's one of the rules. The island deprives us of abilities.
— Allow me, — Gerudo said calmly. — That presence… it was her.
Silence.
— The Mistress. She truly exists. Her body awakens with the start of the Game. Her soul is shackled. She cannot leave the island.
— Then what is her goal? Why us?
— I don't know. They didn't tell me that.
— Expected, — said Hov.
— Have you been working here long? — asked Yahweh.
— Yes. Even under the First Master. After his death, everything passed to her. That's when Morgana and Sheryl appeared.
— Time to return.
— Sorry for the harshness, — said Hov. — I overdid it.
— It's alright. Everyone here is a bit on edge.
They returned to the living room.
Enua was sitting with the girl. She was silent. As before.
— We're back. Were you talking about something? — asked Yahweh.
— Just acquainted. Nothing important.
— So, you know her? Then introduce her. She hasn't said a word all this time.
— Her name is Tiamut. Just an acquaintance.
— I see. We were informed that the last participant is already close.
— So, it will start soon.
They waited. Four people. In a room where the ticking of the clock seemed to have grown louder.
The rain outside became stronger. The thunder louder.
And then… the doors opened.
Footsteps. One. Second.
Everyone raised their heads.
And… froze.
Instead of one participant — two people entered.