*WARNING. This chapter contains graphic content. Proceed with caution.
---------------------
….....
From the brothel to the bushes, I ran as deeply as I could into the woods for fear that mother might come after me but she didn't, so I was left to fend for myself. I remembered how as I ran, the mere brisk of leaves on the burning parts of my skin felt like sharp whips of shard glass being rubbed against it. I didn't even know which direction I was heading as there was no path but my feet had taken me to the river where I instantly jumped into the cold water and when it hit my skin, I screamed in agony under.
For a long moment I wriggled desperately, trying to shake of the pain until it settled enough for me to calmly endure it. I cried as I settled in the river, my back against a rock and not moving while doing my best to not be swept away by its current.Then it just had to rain and there I was, like a corpse floating about in the river. It didn't take long for the terrible blisters and scalding to form. I wasn't bleeding but I may just well be considering the amount of pain I was in. A second degree burn makes it even the more dreadful. I was careful not to pop any skin. But if it is just this, and I'll survive it.
I was expecting this to happen without preventing it because it's an important fact in the story but alas I did not expect for it to happen so soon. The order of events so far have not followed directly with the story, it became variations instead which makes it harder for me predict the right one to be played out. Then the choices. His choices.
Despite the shivering cold, I stayed in the water. Most of my body submerged up to my neck because it was the only way for me to soothe the throbbing burn. But not long after, I fainted from exhaustion and when I woke up it was already night and the rain had stopped. Some scalding popped and that's gonna cause an infection if I do not cover it up. Half of my body is burned but I can still manage, it's only second-degree burn. The problem is that whether or not this young body will be able to take it. I could feel it. Half of my face is throbbing and I think it melted off my eyelid because I can't get my left eye to open. Some on my neck, down to my left shoulder, and my chest, and the terrible burn on my left thigh.
Before my dress stick unto my skin, I took it off. I wrapped my hair with it so it also wouldn't get in the way. I don't think I stopped crying but I could no longer tell from my wet face and hot sweat. Whimpering like a helpless dog was all the expression that I could do to express the pain. I have to numb this pain someway, somehow. As I made my way to the hill, I looked up at the temple, but I can't show up in there twice it well disrupt the setting. I mustered the courage to walk naked to my tent. The place was a mess because I hadn't been here for a while, and some parts of it got drenched by the rain.
My skin is getting tighter by the minute. The raw burning sensation made me aware that my nerves are indeed alive and they're screaming. Pain. Throbbing. Itching. I am enduring all of it as I apply this ointment. It won't even be enough to cover all of the burns but I don't care so long as it lessens the pain. All the herbs I had stocked are unprepared because of that damn job. Although, the ointment feels cooling on the skin, the throbbing intensified because I had to touch the burns. I repeatedly kicked and punched the ground in my misery as I bit on a stick because I will be heard if I scream.
This pain is too much for this body.
I should've known that bitch was not sane in the head, with the amount of pills she takes there had got to be side effects. I breathed a heavy sigh to control my breathing and wipe the snot off my nose. Looking at my stash of dried herbs, I guess me and her aren't as different. But this is a last resort, I bit my lips to contemplate and grabbed the poppy seeds.
If I only take a few, it won't have any complication would it? It will just numb the pain. But I haven't eaten anything yet will that add to the complication? No, calm yourself. I'm beginning to panic.
Come to think of it, I handled the situation far better than the original Lupa. She didn't study like me, she didn't know what to do. She just prayed until she passed out lying next to a tree. So, I sighed once more and swallowed the poppy seeds. It'll all be alright tomorrow.
* **+
When a scene is being played out, that is when their influence on the theatre realm is the most powerful and effective. But upon it, the gods are secluded in their chair by a force field of their making. This was to ensure that no interruptions from another party could occur and that their decisions are solely by their own with no interference from friends. But the real reason the oracles had to coax them into creating such a rule was so that there would be no fights among the group, pinning blames on each other for mistaken choices. They still do but at least now to a minimal.
Like the others, the 7th was merely enjoying himself a laugh from the game. The pathetic display of his player in front of him was much to his amusement more than he had realized. He much adored seeing her hopeless and stripped off of that cocky attitude of hers. It had been a very long time since he had last encountered her, safe to say, he had been waiting for their reunion. He recognizes her but she does not, considering their history together she still doesn't, which makes him hold a grudge even more.
But just as he was enjoying the game before the scene ends, his entire screen suddenly beamed red and repeatedly flashed.
'Warning! Life Force Critical!'
His brows frowned.
"What the fuck!", he quickly turned to the other god who complained. His screen is now also red.
"Urgh! I died?!", and then another. The scenes abruptly ended as the fields were disturbed.
The displeased gods quickly turned to the oracle.
"Oracle, what is the meaning of this?", exclaimed the 4th.
"Why did I die?", he slammed his fists on his screen.
"As we have explained before, this is an otome game. You can only play one direct character, it mustn't die because there are no other mains", the first oracle spoke. But right after that, it was obliterated by the angry 4th.
"Bullshit. You're telling me that now?!"
"Yeah! How were we supposed to know that the mains are limited, make another!", the 6th joined.
The 7th observed in silence, he looked over at the twos' screens where the word 'DEATH', was clearly displayed meanwhile his only said 'CRITICAL'.
The oracles merely looked at their fallen self but did not dare sway their attention from the angry gods. Their shackles itched. They bowed before their masters sincerely.
"Our deepest appologies. Then, we shall recite the rules you upheld for this game", the oracles emphasized before displaying the rules in a form of a book at the centre of the gods thrones and began reciting.
"Firstly, you had all agreed that you would each choose a rule anonymously during the poll. As there are eight of you our Graces, there are also eight rules. There isn't anyone to blame for the circumstances of your respective characters but yourselves for the oath you've bounded in unity"
{
[The Watcher's Throne]
"Divine imagination is limited within the story's setting".
[Touch of a Sinner]
"Direct physical interference is prohibited".
[Rule of Equality]
"No blessing is given without a curse of equal weight".
[Veiled Futures]
"No meddling with foresight"
[Mortality Clause]
"The characters are bound by mortal limits"
[Stars are but a Main]
"Only a Main for each, if the Main dies you are banished from the game"
[Silence of the Tongue]
"Gods cannot speak directly to mortals".
[No Reset]
"The game ends just as how it is played regardless if the goal was reached or not". }
After the oracles recited all of the rules, most of the gods turned quite especially the ones who were most vocal about the issue. One laughed, perhaps recognizing the rule they had submitted. The others were merely amused at the outburst of their friends.
"You've all played this kind of game before, everyone did. Might we remind you?",the room went silent. The gods contemplated. If the oracles weren't blind, they were definitely glaring.
"Now, since there has been a confusion let us once again remind you of the; theatre rules, otome rules, sacred rules, consequences, penalties, rewards, and exploits",the oracle sighed and presented everything unto their screens and stage.
"Such rules are implied because this is the tournament of the eon in celebration of the anniversary of the brutal war. The rule books will remain in display for the entirety of this game and please navigate your screens properly", the oracles pleaded.
[Stage:
-Rules of the Theatre
-Rules of an Otome Game
-Sacred Rules
In possession:
-Manual
-Exploits
-Consequences
-Penalties
-Rewards]
They each began to read through their dimensional screens. And the more they studied the more tense the atmosphere of the theatre grew.They might have all--perhaps, underestimated the importance of this game. It had been a while since they had all gathered and for an eon, well, that is a very long time ago, who could blame them for forgetting.
"Well, this isn't called the Star Play for nothing", the 1st scoffed with a worried tone.
"This just might be the most difficult game we'll play", the 8th agreed but his gaze remained towards the god sitting across him with his red screen, the 7th.
"There's so many rules, it's so strict!"
"The other groups are also playing the same game, right?"
"I suppose, but a different genre"
"I see, we shall have this discussion with the others in the next meeting"
"This isn't just for fun anymore, this is thrilling, there is so much at stake. Hahaha!", the 5th laughed gleefully.
But the 7th didn't mind all of that, he was more focused on his own mistake.
"There's no reset…", he heard the 4th whisper. "Then what do I do with my character?"
"You can always use the exploits", the oracle shrugged as they regenerated their third self.
"With these prices?!", the 6th gasped.
"It can't be helped that you made a mistake but worry not, exploits are always there to help you in times of need, your graces", the oracles smiled.
The 4th and the 6th ignored the oracles kind smile and sneered at them before proceeding to discuss with each other how their characters died and how expensive the prices for the exploits were. Just as the 7th expected, it was the only route he could take as well but luckily, his price wasn't as bad as the other two. Since it is only 'Critical', he'll only be paying half compared to theirs.
But exploits are basically a cheat, micro-transactions you make in the game, but it has its limitations and if not limits then consequences for application. He couldn't help but chuckle at his own fault. Looking at his character's life force that is slowly being regained, he sighed. He well have to change his plans to go around the rules, but it is such a shame now since none of it involves killing her.
"A kin is a kin. It seems the universe is in your favor this time, my dear", the 7th grins.