9 The Welcome

The five [Void Titans] have finally entered the [Inner Walls]. Sol wore his cloak and mask, bringing along the single item that mattered to him. His book which contained all of the maps of the past [Cullings]

Assisted by Onyx, the five were to proceed at the same facility which has been use by those before them. The place where, for one whole week, they were to be trained in order to survive.

And deep within the corners of his castle, within and underground facility, King Jubilee observed them. He looked at the only child who sparked a chill inside him. One which whispered, no, which screamed to him:

"THIS IS YOUR SALVATION!" There was a twisted smile forming on King Jubilee's face at that moment. Just thinking about the things that would follow has already sent shivers running down his spine.

"Are you sure about this Jubilee?" A voiced within the shadows said.

"People may take me for a fool. But I know talent when I see one." Within that dark room, the shadows seemed to bend and move according to the king's will and the person he was talking to seemed to live within it.

"Really? You mortals all look the same to me though."

"And yet here you are, asking the help of a powerless mortal."

"Don't think so highly of yourself Jubilee. You're running on borrowed time."

"I know. That's why that kid needs to be put into shape no matter what."

"You do what you have to Jubilee. I will always be here but, never forget the contract." The voice said, with his presence completely disappearing.

"I won't." The king said, turning off the screen and returning the room to a pitch-black abyss.

…

…

…

"I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die." Ethan muttered

"Hey, can you stop that? It's getting on my nerves." Jake commented.

"Oh was I speaking out loud? I'm sorry I just don't wanna die."

"Yeah I can figure that with how many times you said it."

It was a lively group. Sol thought how ironic the same comment would be once they entered the [Culling] itself. After all, only one could survive in the said game.

"To even have your own knight assisting you. Must be nice getting the king's favor." It was Peter who spoke this time around. Walking right beside Solomon.

"Sure is."

"What? That's it? Come on brag about it at least, you have all the rights to do so." Peter said, actually expecting Sol to be as vocal as he was during the selection. He didn't let it show but, he was already Sol's admirer.

"Will I get stronger doing so?"

"Well…no."

"Will I gain connections?"

"What are you talking about, of course not."

"Will I get something that I need?"

"Uhhh…"

"To all those questions, the answer is 'No'. If bragging does not merit me anything, then what's the point of doing so?"

"Hahahaha!" Peter wrapped his arm around Sol's shoulder.

"Man, if it's with you, I don't mind dying this early."

"Yeah well, I can't actually say that the feeling's mutual." Sol removed Peter's arm from his shoulder.

"Aweee don't be like that. We're gonna be together for a whole week after all."

"Don't worry I'll try to avoid you as much as I could."

The tunnels that were present in the morning were already gone by that time. Sol didn't know why because this data was never disclosed to those within the [Outer Wall]. In fact, everything that the slums had to offer were obsolete as much as they were rundown.

"Anyway I didn't think that the city was actually this beautiful. Compared to our part, this place is just heavenly."

"Heavenly huh."

Without the tunnels, the five children were able to properly enjoy the scenery. The trees that grew everywhere. The houses that seem to compete in height and length. The small establishments offering various commodities, and the towering castle of King Jubilee in the middle of it all.

Aside from Sol's companions, the whole place was filled with an ear deafening silence. There was not a single soul in sight and, the boy understood why. Kids like them who were born and raised in the slums were seen as nothing but objects and livestock. Ones that could exploited in any way they desired.

In that moment, they entered not as champions who would bring glory to their domain. But as five unfortunate individuals who were knocking at death's door. Wearing mantles that offered them to the ferryman of the river Styx who waited to carry them to Hades.

"Nothing about this feels like heaven." Sol thought to himself.

The group walked for another thirty minutes and, little by little, Solomon noticed that the trees were growing thick. It was as if he was entering one of those forests which he only heard of in books. The other kids also took note of this, delighting themselves in the soothing effect which the place brought.

"We're a few minutes away. Keep on moving."

Soon enough the [Void Titans] reached the facility. A large dome situated at the far end of the city walls. It stood at the same height as the king's castle and, for some reason, didn't feel right for Sol.

The outside seemed sturdy enough yet, there were even runes and magic crystals embedded on it; giving it an extra layer of barrier. [Odd Balls] were guarding the area and, flying just at the level of the trees but not above it. Then there were also trees that looked suspicious. As if there were weapons hidden within the branches.

To the other four, it seemed like a gigantic colosseum unlike any other. A perfect place to train. But to Sol, things looked a lot different. He knew, even without having to get a closer look on anything, that there was seeming hidden within that place. Something, which the whole world has yet to find out.

"This is Pandora, a place that was developed by King Jubilee himself. When his reign began, all our participants began getting trained in this place and, you will be no different."

"This actually makes me feel like I have a shot at winning. Holy hell." Jake said.

"I'm not gonna die?" Ethan asserted to himself.

"Hey let's share rooms if possible." Peter requested to Sol.

There was just one other thing that was off about it. The other boys didn't notice it but Sol did and, so did one other person. Alice raised her hand and Onyx entertained the question that came right after.

"How do we enter it? I don't see any door anywhere."

"Wait you're right! But isn't this the back of the place?" Jake replied even before Onyx could. Making Alice sigh because, she needed to explain herself at that point.

"I'm sure this isn't the back of the place because, there's no person that introduces a place using the back. Only thieves do that."

"How would you know something like that?"

"Do I need to spell it out genius? I.Was.A.Thief." Jake backed away after the full explanation was given; making Onyx laugh while also amusing Solomon.

"Looks like there's someone decent among these shitheads." The boy thought as, Onyx finally gave the explanation.

"Alice is correct. This really is the front of Pandora and there's a specific method to getting in. Here let me show you." Onyx took off one of his gloves, revealing a small black gem embedded in the middle of his palm.

"Now how did one of those stories went…ah yes." Onyx touched the wall with his palm as he said

"Open sesame."

Lines began lighting up all around the wall as if in a logical rhythm. Even Sol who knew nothing about it could tell at first glance how sophisticated it was. Soon the lines all went to the center and, after a few more seconds, the wall began separating. Creating a gap in the middle big enough for all of them to pass through.

"Let me repeat my greetings earlier." Onyx placed his glove back on as he faced the children.

"Welcome to Pandora."