Chapter 1: Beast Awakening

*riiinnngggg riiiiinnggggg*

*Tap*

"Yaaaawwwwnnn"

Another day, another boring day, and another day of school. I stood up, took my clothes and towel, and went to shower. My mother prepared my meal and my lunchbox, and I started eating.

After that, I went to my room, put my lunchbox in my backpack, used my cologne, put on my socks and shoes and now on my way to school.

Hi, my name is Mateo Valentino, 15 years old grade 10-student. I live in Mountain Province, having a normal life. You want to know what is happening in our school? The students there always fight, like endlessly. It's like generations passing through the new students and grade 6 students who just graduate.

Good student or not they fight like a war. And where do they fight? They fight in a clearing, they call it, The Battalion Ground which doesn't make sense. It is a big open area for viewers to spectate. No one even reported it.

They even made a squad, there are three squads. The first squad is called Avengers, the second is Elite and third is Shadow Strike Unit, one of my friends made the squad the other friends of mine joined in.

I didn't join the squad so that they won't waste my time watching the fights, and so I have more time grinding my game. I want to beat the three dinosaur bosses and move up to the next evolution. I'm not sure what kind of squad names these are, but they're kind of "geng geng" if you know what I mean. I finally arrived at the school's gate and showed my ID to the guard. After that, I went straight to my classroom.

"Yow, wassup" I greeted my 2 friends

I met my friend Elyzer who also played the same dinosaur game as me. I shared the game with him one week ago, so he's still learning the game.

"Mateo, LOOK AT THIS"

He showed me his game and I looked at the creatures he tamed. He has an army of Dilophosaurus, one Phiomia, and one Carbonemys. I am impressed with him having a lot of Dilophosaurus, mostly because that is a not so friendly enemy creature for a beginner, but an easy beginner dinosaur to tame.

When I first started playing the game, I didn't know what to do at all. I just died until I searched up some tips for the game, and I learned quickly. I taught some beginner tips to Elyzer, and they worked well for him.

"Want to play again?" I asked Elyzer and Mark

Both of them stopped what they are doing, we made a circle. I took out the card out of my bag and place it in the middle. The card game is called Whisper Of The Void, how to play it? Then let me say it:

Objective: Be the first player to gather 3 "Secrets" while avoiding the "Whispers of the Void."

Cards:

- Location Cards (36 cards): These represent different places within a mysterious world: Haunted Library, Abandoned Mansion, Forbidden Forest, etc.

- Secret Cards (12 cards): Each card contains a unique clue to a hidden secret. The clues might be riddles, symbols, or cryptic phrases.

Secret Cards:

Secret Cards (Clues to Hidden Secrets)

- The Broken Compass: "Where the needle spins, truth is lost, and the path is obscured." (This secret could be hidden in a location where there is a broken compass, perhaps an abandoned lighthouse or a forgotten explorer's camp).

- The Missing Page: "A single page, torn from a forgotten book, holds the key to a hidden truth." (This secret might be found in a location with a library or a collection of books, perhaps a haunted library).

- The Whispered Prophecy: "The stars align, and the whispers reveal a hidden path." (This secret could be revealed in a location with a view of the night sky, perhaps an observatory or a secluded mountaintop).

- The Echoing Voice: "A voice from beyond the veil whispers secrets in the wind." (This secret might be found in a location with a history of tragedy or mystery, perhaps an abandoned cemetery or a haunted mansion).

- The Lost Map: "A map, faded and worn, leads to a place where secrets lie hidden." (This secret might be found in a location with a map or a treasure trove, perhaps an old explorer's cabin or a hidden cave).

- The Silver Key: "A key, forged of silver, unlocks a hidden chamber." (This secret could be found in a location with a lock or a hidden entrance, perhaps a mysterious dungeon or a secret passage).

- The Ancient Symbol: "An ancient symbol, carved into stone, reveals a hidden truth." (This secret might be found in a location with ancient ruins or artifacts, perhaps a forgotten temple or an archaeological site).

- The Broken Mirror: "A shattered reflection reveals a hidden truth." (This secret could be found in a location with a mirror or a reflecting surface, perhaps a haunted house or a secret room).

- The Crystalline Shard: "A shard of crystal, imbued with ancient power, holds a hidden truth." (This secret might be found in a location with a crystal or a gemstone, perhaps a hidden cave or a mystical shrine).

- The Forgotten Language: "A language long forgotten, speaks of secrets buried deep." (This secret could be found in a location with ancient writings or inscriptions, perhaps an abandoned monastery or a secret society's headquarters).

- The Phantom Melody: "A melody, whispered on the wind, reveals a hidden truth." (This secret might be found in a location with a musical instrument or a melody, perhaps a haunted theater or a forgotten composer's studio).

- The Shifting Shadows: "Shadows dance and whisper secrets in the dark." (This secret could be found in a location with shadows or darkness, perhaps a haunted forest or a forgotten tomb).

- Whisper Cards (20 cards): These represent dangerous forces that threaten to consume players. Each whisper card has a unique effect that can hinder or eliminate players.

Whisper Cards:

Whisper Cards (Dangerous Forces)

- The Shadow's Embrace: The targeted player must discard a "Secret" card from their hand.

- The Whispering Wind: The targeted player draws two "Whisper" cards.

- The Lost Path: The targeted player must discard a "Location" card from their hand.

- The Twisted Image: The targeted player swaps their hand with another player's hand.

- The Stolen Memory: The targeted player forgets the clue to one of their "Secret" cards.

- The Phantom's Touch: The targeted player cannot play a card for their next turn.

- The Consuming Void: The targeted player must choose one of their cards and place it on the bottom of the draw pile.

- The Frozen Time: The targeted player skips their next turn.

- The Shifting Sands: The targeted player must discard all cards with the same element (if applicable).

- The Echoing Fear: The targeted player must discard one "Secret" card for each "Whisper" card in their hand.

- The Forbidden Knowledge: The targeted player cannot play any "Secret" cards for their next turn.

- The Whispering Guardian: The targeted player must reveal one of their cards to all other players.

- The Crumbling Foundation: The targeted player must discard their entire hand.

- The Unseen Eye: The targeted player must choose one of their cards and reveal it to another player.

- The Shifting Reality: The targeted player's hand is shuffled.

- The Unbreakable Bond: The targeted player must play their next card in the same element as the player who played the "Whisper" card.

- Action Cards (12 cards): These are played to gain advantages or protect yourself from the whispers:

Action Cards:

- Investigate (4 cards): Allows you to draw a card from the location deck to uncover more clues.

- Protect (4 cards): Shields you from the next "Whisper" card that is played against you.

- Deceive (4 cards): Allows you to swap a card in your hand with another player's card.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Shuffle the deck and deal 5 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in a draw pile, face down.

2. The First Turn: The first player draws a card from the draw pile and adds it to their hand. They then choose to play a card from their hand:

- Location Card: Place it face up in the center of the table. This represents the current location.

- Secret Card: If a player has a "Secret" card in their hand, they can play it. This card remains face up, and any player who matches the clue on the "Secret" card can claim it.

- Whisper Card: Whisper cards are played against another player. They must be used immediately, and the effects of the Whisper card apply to the targeted player.

- Action Card: Action cards are played immediately and have a variety of effects, such as drawing cards, protecting from whispers, or swapping cards with another player.

3. Subsequent Turns: Players continue to draw a card and play a card on their turn.

4. Winning: The first player to gather 3 "Secret" cards wins the game. However, if a player collects 3 "Whisper" cards, they are eliminated from the game.

Unique Aspects:

- Hidden Secrets: The secrets are not revealed until players find the matching clues. This adds an element of mystery and suspense.

- Whispers of the Void: These cards represent the lurking dangers of the game, keeping players on their toes.

- Action Cards: Action cards allow players to interact with each other and strategically maneuver within the game.

This game is designed to be slow and suspenseful, where players carefully weigh their actions and attempt to decipher the secrets while avoiding the encroaching whispers. It's like a cryptic puzzle where every card reveals a piece of the larger mystery.

"Alright, Whispers of the Void!" Elyzer announced, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Let's see who can uncover the most secrets before the whispers get too loud!"

Mark, ever the showman, drew a card and dramatically placed it on the table. It was a "Secret" card, its image shrouded in a swirling mist. "The Forgotten Language!" he declared, his voice echoing across the quiet library.

I drew my card, a "Location" card - "The Haunted Library" - a little too on-the-nose for my taste. I added it to the growing pile of location cards in the center of the table, a mini-world of mystery taking shape.

The game was a whirlwind of laughter and playful banter. Mark, ever the joker, played his "Whisper" cards with gusto, targeting Elyzer with pronouncements like "The Phantom's Touch!" or "The Frozen Time!" Elyzer, unflappable, countered his moves with strategic skill, dodging the whispers and using his "Action" cards to his advantage.

I, ever the cautious one, played my cards strategically, hoping to uncover the most "Secret" cards. The game was a thrilling mix of cunning and luck, and I found myself getting caught up in the excitement.

"Alright, I'm in th-" Mark announced but cutted by a shout across the room

We looked at the back, it was Benjo and Chad with angry faces. They tugged each other's clothes and they keep shouting hateful words and roasting each other at the back of the classroom. Most of the boys in the classroom shout "Fight, Fight, Fight!". The others, including me, kept silent.

"Hey, both of you! Why don't you fight at the Battalion Ground!" Clyde, a friend of Chad who was also in the same squad as him, shouted

Everyone around him agreed.

"The 2 of you, why don't we come with them and support Benjo? We kept on skipping our friends fight but never came for them" Mark said to us

I exchanged glances with Elyzer

"Alright, but I come to watch their fight sometimes" I replied

"Back to the game, I'm in the lead!" Mark announced, holding up three "Secret" cards,

His face beaming with triumph. But Elyzer wasn't giving up easily. With a swift move, he played his "Deceive" card, swapping his hand with mine.

"What?! No fair!" Mark cried out in mock outrage. But Elyzer just shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

The game continued, a rollercoaster of twists and turns, until finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of our game. Mark, ever the good sport, admitted defeat, but only after we had all agreed to play again soon.

We went to our proper seats and lied to our phone collecter that we forgot our phones at home.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is now afternoon.... Wait, I feel like of forgetting something, oh right, the fight of Benjo. Elyzer, Mark and I went out the room. The Shadow Strike Unit team ran outside the school. Like they always do when there's a fight, they go out the school campus, wait for their fighter and raise their team flag.

We followed behind the Shadow Strike Unit, when we finally arrived at the Battalion Ground, the squads scattered to their assigned placement. A guy from the Avengers squad begins commentating the fight and introduces the two fighters, as if this was a boxing match. Elyzer and I followed Mark to a place where we can sit and watch. The two fighters arrive face to face in the middle of the arena, with the referee from the Avengers squad in the middle to prevent the two fighters from battling before the match started.

"3, 2, 1… FIGHT!" the referee shouted.

Both of the fighters threw punches at each other, and the crowd cheered. Benjo got hit, Chad got punched, and they just kept striking each other. In the video's of their previous fights they made me watch, they just wrestled and pinned each other, and it was boring.

Chad got knocked to the ground and got up once more, then Benjo did the same. Mark and I watched in silence.

A few minutes later, both of the fighters ran out of breath and just stood meters away from each other, each taking a moment to catch their breath.

The crowd grew silent, and I looked at Mark

"Damn, that was badass!"

"Yeah, I agre-"

"WHAT IS THAT!" someone shouted while Mark was talking.

I look at the fighters and see a yellow aura and particles floating around both of them. The crowd is in amazement, and I take a closer look. I saw 2 lions beside each of the fighters. Wait, a lion? When did it get there? There weren't supposed to be lions around here.