Let the Games Begin

"Look," Sebastian who usually stayed quite pointed towards the windows. Mr Shinjiro truly hadn't been lying when she said it was like a whole new city. It was like a Utopian fantasy, the buildings were all tall and made of glass, there were beautiful fountains and large areas of green. It truly was a beautiful sight. Cars whizzed through the sky on what seemed like floating roads at a tremendous speed.

"Guys, we're not even on the road anymore, we're floating in the sky!" another voice yelled from within the coach. Everyone rushed to look over the closest window, looking down you could see the beautiful skyscrapers and huge villas. You could see the children playing happily in the parks and the elderly tending to their vegetable gardens. A place so innocent simply had to be protected. The coach lowered itself into a large domed building. The building was huge, as if the size of 30 stadiums put together, on top of that it was not only wide, but it towered more than 12km into the sky. Any higher and we might be able to see aeroplanes from the top floor. Although behind that high in the Troposphere would cause all sorts of health complications due to low oxygen and an immense amount of energy to provide constant heating, being sent that high up would simply be looking for a death trap.

"Everyone we have arrived at the Thexthoris Chamber in the Northern Central of New Nebula. I would like to remind everyone that apart from tournaments, there's a very high chance you may never see some of the people seated on this coach with you. Even some of your best friends. Now no mean to scare you, I'm just saying there's a chance. If you're lucky you won't be separated but unfortunately for most of you that won't be the case. I mean you will see each other during lunch, or when you go out. That's if you're still alive for that moment." Mr Shinjiro bowed deeply, "I appreciate you all listening to what I have to say and I'd like you to put your trust in me," he then walked out returning later with a woman. She was tall and fit in stature, she had long violet hair then fell to just above her lower half. She wore a long skin-tight dress and a violet fur coat the same colour as her hair. She was adorned in silver accessories. She looked like she could be an Empress.

"Everybody, we will now be stepping off of the coach, upon standing outside please organize yourselves into 5 different lines," Mr Bramley's voice boomed through the multiple floors of the coach.

Starting from the bottom floor of the coach everyone organized themselves into lines outside. The warm breeze and bright sun made the situation a little less scary. The plants made the air clean and clearer to breathe, the cream brick flooring shining under the Sol.

"Everyone meet my wife Uema Shinjiro," Mr Shinjiro looked very proud to present his wife.

The tall, beautiful lady stepped forward, her every move as mesmerizing as that of a goddess.

"Hello, everyone nice to meet you all. As you have heard from my husband, New Nebula is the new hope and future for the youths and the elderly. However, upon that, we have realized our political system must change. As being the founder and the creator of this project, I thought why not make it more like a wild fantasy. We could live in the older days with Kings, Queens, Emperors, Empress', Princes and Princesses. This probably may sound a bit childish however since growing up, it has been my dream to run an Empire. Since I was to be the next President of the country anyway, I thought why don't I change it up a bit. So now let me formally reintroduce myself.

Hello, nice to meet you all, I'm Empress Uema, but as you all my son's classmates you can simply call me Mrs Shinjiro." She bowed deeply then returned off into the building an entourage of 40 – 60-year-old men who seemed to be politicians following her.

By impulse, everyone turned to Ren Shinjiro, "If your mother is the Empress and your father is the Emperor, then doesn't that make you a crown prince?" Silvia turned her body 90° to face Ren who was in the line next to hers.

"Well then, dear prince I pay my respects to you," Silvia bowed then turned back to her position chuckling. It may have seemed like she was bullying him but she meant it no more than a friendly manner.

"This is bullying," Ren sniffed playing along in the act, soon enough everyone was laughing, it was the first time feeling slight comfort despite knowing that they could die within the next few months, weeks, or if possible, years. But it didn't seem like it would be that way.

"Since everyone is now more comfortable, I will sort you into your pre-arranged groups based on statistics. If some of you feel you are not in the correct group according to your abilities. These are based on multiple agilities, strength and knowledge tests you took during school. "or those who recently joined the school, well you'll be put in the lowest group so just bear with until the first game season. Only during game seasons do you have the chance to level up, or in different words change your rank, well that's enough from me. I'll hand you over to Duchess Jessica Embers," Mr Shinjiro bowed once again then exited the area.

"Jessica? A duchess, I thought Mrs Shinjiro was just joking," Silvia stepped forward out of the line and towards Jessica.

"Silvia, we meet again. The last time I introduced myself may have seemed like Yesterday to you, so I'll reintroduce myself. Nice to meet you Silvia Stone, I am Jessica Embers Duchess of the Northern Central. Nice to meet you. Your father has you in my care whilst he is busy, so I would like you to trust me and any time you have any worries or problems come to me. To everyone else nice to meet you as well. I am the one who organized all of your schedules for your unit. Some of you must be wondering how this was built without the knowledge of others. Well to put it simply, countries all around the globe have been pitching on the New Nebula project. People on our side of the war, also reside here. So, there is a chance you will come across foreign students who do not speak fluent English, but that is unlikely nowadays. This place has existed for around 15 years. Our parents first started this project in the 1990s originally it was not meant to be a place where we fled from war, but instead a place where we could lose ourselves. They called it the 2024 New Nebula Project. But unfortunately, they passed before they could fulfil their wishes. So, we fulfilled them instead. Not until around 5 years ago had anyone predicted this war. This land is still hidden to the enemies so none of you shall post about it on any social media for the safety of the millions of New Nebula civilians. I hope you all understood. Now I shall all sort you into your groups."

Duchess Embers pulled out a slim white tablet. It was transparent and had a blue light emitting from it.

The selection process was very long and tiring. It had already started to get dark however the temperature surprisingly remained warm. Like the warm evening summer breeze. It didn't make sense. How was it winter, yet still the weather was warm. It felt like a Utopian Paradise where they could forget all of their worries and hopes.

"Is this really our reality right now?" Grecia rested her head upon Gracen's shoulder.

The nine of them sat rested by the benches and trees. Silvia had her head rested in Sebastian's lap whilst he sat up by the large palm tree. The patch of grass was green and warm. Usually, Silvia wite hated the smell of nature, but for once she could enjoy it. Aaliyah and Silvia sat cross-legged on the bench playing a game of chess whilst Yuki played his guitar in the background. Those who hadn't been selected were also sat in small groups but everyone spoke in a hushed manner. They all seemed absorbed by the music being interrupted every once in a while. The reality seemed unrealistically real.

"Just a few hours ago we were all scared for our lives that we were going to die. The sudden change of events feels so unreal. How it's winter yet it's so warm. Perhaps this land really is magical. Or maybe-" Grecia was cut off by Sebastian's sudden speech.

"Or maybe there's just something in the air making us this way, maybe we're all actually just dreaming, and when we wake up tomorrow, we'll be back in school, studying like normal people. Living normal lives," Sebastion stared up at the sky a half-empty can of coke dangling in his right hand. He seemed lost in thoughts, and the colourful abyss we called the evening skies as the Sol was slowly setting.

Slowly the group got smaller, first, it was Rhea, Sebastian and Grecia being sent off. Then Yuzuru, Gracen and Ren followed after. Then Yuki and Aaliyah, leaving no one but Silvia alone with a few other random individuals.

"Lastly the lowest rank Copper. Everyone here, don't feel sad about being in the lowest rank. Surely you will improve and re-unite with some of your friends. Silvia and Nova Centuri, you two are the captains of the Copper Unit so make sure you along well and maintain a healthy friendship," Jessica smiled widely then escorted them personally to their Chamber.

"Well, here we are," Miss Embers extended an arm urging the five girls into the room. At the entrance was a huge pair or three by two-metre glass doors. The inside was adorned with quartz and obsidian, as well as many other types of rocks and gems. A large silver chandelier hung in the entranceway providing a decent amount of light.

On the right of the door was a large dark oak shoe stand with a white illuminating lamp. It emitted a strong vibe of linen lighting. Some many beautiful plants and paintings hung themself freely through the building. They pulled their bags and suitcases which some managed to grab through the doors. They walked into the main living area. A huge two by one-metre inbuilt screen hung in the centre of multiple long comfortable sofas. Around the seating, area water fell beautifully and rhythmically in a glass casing the water cascading down onto the dark marble flooring lighting up different shades of blue and purple.

Silvia had never seen such a beautiful interior design. Silvia had particularly taken an interest in interior designer in the future. But she didn't know if that was still possible considering that she didn't if she would survive the next few weeks.

Still, it was best to accept what was already. At this thought, Silvia flung herself onto the couch accidentally sitting on the remote. It clicked a button and suddenly Weight in Gold by Gallant started playing. The room went silent and everyone stood mesmerized by the vocals. They all seemed to be enjoying the song until an emergency broadcast appeared on the screen and the TV flashed on. In bold red lettering, four words appeared on the screen.

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN" and suddenly trumpets started playing from the TV. It was as if a snap back to reality, that this was nothing more than a game.