The words of the announcing lady had rung clearly throughout the marsh-like grasslands, each of the syllables clear and concise. Yet even once they had finished, Jake didn’t quite understand what they’d meant. More accurately, his brain had refused to process them properly. Challengers? “Down to two hundred?” But what could that possibly…?<br/><br/>Only a brief instant after the announcement, the screaming started. Not the screams of surprise or the ones performed by actors, but the screams of human beings getting torn apart, limb from limb. Accompanied by this, were the sounds of chaotic battle; the clashing of metals and armours.<br/><br/>And in the middle of it all, was a single boy whom had gotten out of bed less than two hours prior.<br/><br/>“No… no, no,” Jake backed away slowly, reeling in terror from what seemed to him like a nightmare. “What the hell’s going on? Why is this happening!?” He spun around in search for the opening he had just gone through, but all he found was a continuous stretch of tall grass and mud. In the distance, two figures were swinging blades at each other, every slice meant to kill.<br/><br/>Upon hearing movement, Jake started and turned back around to find a vaguely familiar woman standing ahead. She appeared to be observing her surroundings and paying no heed to his existence. But if she saw him, what would happen? In her hand was a blade… Ever so slowly, and as quietly as he could possibly manage, Jake backed away from the armed woman. He slid through the tall grass, one foot at a time, willing this girl not to turn around.<br/><br/>If he could just slink into the grasses and wait this all out, then maybe he had a chance. If he could just...