Cardfall

Ebony walked up to James, wondering why the cowardly liar would suddenly just freeze. When she got closer, she started to hear something like a news report. She started to listen carefully, and she realized why the man was so scared.

"We have a report of a card related incident. There were two boys named (beep) and (beep) who ended up both finding one of these cards. They received decks and decided to play a game with the cards. Here is a statement from the surviving boy." A man, clearly a reporter said.

A distinctly higher voice, mostly from obvious anguish, started to speak.

"He-he's not dead! I-I... W-we both found th-these large blue... Lists? And we used them to get some d-decks. Thinking it was just a new card game... We started a round. O-obviously we didn't know how to play... But we started a round anyway. When the round started, all the rules were suddenly explained to us. I-it was like ma-magic. Suddenly we knew how to play. Not that w-we were pros or anything..." The boy laughed quietly , but with even more sadness. It appeared his despair had faded, and his voice became slightly stronger.

"No, we weren't pros in the slightest. I would even say we were pretty bad. But we knew how to play, and that's all that mattered. Before the game officially started, our decks in perfect unison asked what the stakes would be. We didn't take the stakes seriously. We thought it was an honor code or something for like a tournament. So we jokingly replied that the stakes would be for our souls. M-my friend tacked on an extra condition. T-the winner would gain ownership o-of the loser's soul..." The survivor took a slight pause, obviously still distressed, even if it was lessened.

"In the end... I won. It was close too. After the game ended, we joked around. H-he said he would g-get me next time... N-next thing I-I knew, he suddenly stopped responding... H-he... A-a-all I-life in h-his eyes were gone... He d-didn't an-answer... T-the I-... The only thing h-he does is l-listen t-to m-my orders, I-like h-he's m-my personal slave... I... I'm sure you c-can guess w-what t-that meant..."

James listened with utter shock. He turned to look at Ebony, who for the first time, mirrored his face. They both tuned back into the report.

Even the reporter sounded shook. "There you have it... These cards have the potential to be lethal when the right stakes are used. We tested what the rules about the stakes were earlier. We had two trusted soldiers play this game with each other after giving them each lists. First, we tried a no-stakes game. The game refused to let a no-stakes game be played. We tried to back out, but we figured out that once a game is officially started, it couldn't be stopped other then forfeit or until a game ended. It would not allow us to forfeit until stakes were suggested.

We then tried a low stakes game. We suggested that winner would be the only one physically capable of eating the last donut of a donut box that had been in the room at the time. We originally said that winner gets the last donut. The game did not react. Then someone suggested we make it sound more impressive. Normally, a suggestion like that would simply be scoffed at, but we tried it anyway. After phrasing it in the way we did as stated before, it reacted and started the game. So, we learned that a low-stakes game was possible. The soldiers also confirmed that the second they started to play they immediately knew the rules. After the game ended, we had the losing soldier attempt to grab the last donut. He quite literally could not. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to bring his hand to the donut. The winning soldier tried, and was able to grab the donut with no issues.

We had one more test. We already knew about the high-stakes games, but we did not know their extent. So, we tested this one on a poor man. Before you shout in outrage, no, we did not do a death penalty game. We suggested the stakes were to be that whoever lost would be forced to give their opponent one million dollars. To our surprise, the game started.

The poor man lost. We waited to see what the game would do, since the man did not possess one million. Nothing happened. One of our men tested a theory, and officially granted the loser one million and ten dollars. After the transaction was officiated, the loser immediately lost all but the ten dollars. The winner received the million. When the winner tried to give the million back to the loser, it would not transfer back to him. The winner then tried to give the million to us. It would not transfer. The winner went online and bought a can of soup. The money paid like normal.

It seems that the game can and will make long term penalties, like losing all money you earn until your opponent gains the one million. It seems to have a form of rules that allow the victor to be unable to lose their winnings in any way or form, unless it benefits the winner In some way. Buying food or appliances is beneficial to the winner, but just giving the million away is not. "

The news reporter sighs, dropping his notes and looking directly at the camera.

"We urge all of you to be careful, and to not play the game. There's a very real chance you could die playing this game. Or even worse. After all, a child literally lost his soul playing this game. We have dubbed this incident "Cardfall". We learned from the soldiers that the game is called Battlefield. We urge you heavily, do not play this game." The reporter turns and nods to the side of the screen. The screen cuts off, officially ending the report.

For a second, James and Ebony stand frozen. Then, Ebony turns and clicks on her list. James turns sharply at the noise. He sees Ebony get her deck. Ebony turns to James, and looks him dead in the eyes.

"I challenge you to a round"