A world of mysteries, intrigue, and danger. Shadows lurking beneath waves of the great oceans eclipsing even whales. Deceptively calm in comparison to the truth that lies beneath the surface.
A struggle of kings out in the open plains between beasts of legend thought to be nothing more than a figment of imagination.
Deserts that span greater than the Sahara could ever reach. Going from one end of the world to the other, or so it's said. A miniature world of its own where water is a luxury few can afford. A terror of heat and despair none should brazenly brave lest you wander the freezing chills at night, a paradox of hot and cold.
Great mountains that pierce the skies above, where cries reverberate reaching the halls of Valhalla. A river, crimson like blood flowing backwards and forwards around the mountain returning to its base.
A grand forest draped in fog so dense one would think you could grab it in your hands. Trees thicker than mahogany are plentiful with towering canopies bending light to their will.
Amidst the ancient trees stands a bewildered man. Standing just shy of two meters tall, with black eyes lacking irises. Hair a deep black matching the abyss, with a toned lower and muscular upper body.
For the first time in his entire life he can see clearly, a fluorescent panel shifting colours. His entire life vibrancy was his mortal enemy, the light would hurt his eyes yet the glow from the panel eased his eyes with no sting.
The colour shifted from black to blue, white and green before settling on a beautiful red. A shade of red that he had never seen up until this point, flickering.
He looks around in morbid curiosity tinged with caution. The gloomy atmosphere, intense fog and lack of sunlight seemingly providing the ideal conditions for his eyes.
Being in a new environment with unknown dangers put him on edge, but one knows better than to just start screaming with who knows what around the corner.
He cautiously moved to a tree to have one less way to watch while he tries to orientate himself.
*Ding*
Hearing a sharp piercing sound echoing in his head he snaps his head to where he believes the source is to see the panel had followed him, still hovering in the air.
Printed across in silvery light read the words [Welcome, Candidate Kyle], before fading to reveal new information.
[You have been chosen to participate, do your best to survive Candidate.]
[You're culling trial shall commence shortly, please select your preference:
Enlisted
Gifted]
Unsure what is going on nor where he is Kyle focuses his attention on this screen, or more precisely, 'Culling, not a good thing when you are the one being slaughtered.'
'What's the difference between enlisted and gifted? Which do I select?'
While trying to figure out the options presented to him a timer appears on the top right of his screen showing five minutes counting down.
'Enlisted, like drafted or joining? I haven't done either, unless this is me getting drafted, but into what?' while deep in thought a high pitched screeching starts to become bearable from beyond the fog as the timer reaches four and a half.
"Fuck", Kyle whispered while scanning his surrounding and avoiding making sudden movements.
'What do I focus on the floating screen of death or the weird noises I can only hope is a pair of birds going at it?'
Not seeing any movement in the fog he doubles down on the idea of solving the screen in front of him.
'This shouldn't be me getting enlisted because then why would it give me the option? So what, gifted but my eyesight isn't a gift it's a curse?'
"Reeeerreeeerre"
'That's definitely getting closer, is that what the timer is? Can I make a run for it, is that even an option?
"Riiriririri"
As if answering his questions he hears yet another cry but from a different direction to where he first heard it.
'Three minutes left, but what does it even matter about choosing? Huugh let's find out I guess. I hope you're the right choice because I'm not enlisting,' resolving himself to take a chance he presses on the [Gifted] button.
[Selection registered. Calibrating difficulty and rewards.]
While processing his selection the screen shifts to show a large golden circle with red streaks running down the pristine gold, almost as if it could drip off the sigil. The streams end up forming a shape that looks almost human albeit much thinner, reminiscent of a stick figure.
This same symbol also appears floating in the air in front of Kyle, yet not attached to his screen.
'What have I gotten myself into!' Kyle laments to himself at the bizarre circumstances he finds himself in.
[Calibration successful. Randomly selecting units from allowed scope.]
Zombies, skeletons, goblins, spiders and many more creatures start spinning on the screen at high speed.
'I'm so glad I didn't wait till the last couple seconds to pick, who knew it still takes time to finish my choice. A disclaimer would be nice,' agitated by the lengthy process that follows his choice Kyle check his timer.
[1:54]
'If I'm getting units from these monsters, wait monsters. Right, floating magic circles and holograms that follow you. Monsters seem just about right, yay,' mental sarcasm just dipping from Kyle's thoughts.
'Does that mean I'm supposed to fight those things? I thought I was supposed to survive like run, but where am I going to go? Wait am I going to be the one doing the culling? Killing whatever is making horrid noises? Whoever put me here go fuck your self!'
While questioning what his supposed objective is the screen slows down its cycling speed. A bat, werewolf…
[Congratulations Candidate you shall receive 12 Soldier class Great Owls.]
[1:30 remains until the trial starts please prepare yourself Candidate. Do your best to persevere through the dangers that present themselves to you in any manner you can. The trial period is 20 minutes long. You will receive your rewards after the allotted time with bonuses based off your performance. Good luck!]
With Kyle reading the final words of the message the panel reduces its size to just the timer.
'Does it read my thoughts to know when I finished reading?' Kyle wonders while looking at his new 'units', 'Big owls, that's it?'
Eleven large owls standing slightly over half his height huddled around the twelfth and largest owl who reached up to Kyle's chest. They were a beautiful dark brown with white spots stern across their plumage, with white accents on their faces. Except one, standing closest to the largest owl was a smaller white counterpart.
'Ok doesn't matter they can fly, that's got to be worth something. But can they carry me? Maybe if they work together,' while evaluating his new companions Kyle searches the floor for a sturdy looking stick or rock.
"Riiiiriririr"
"Rerereeerr"
[0:43]
With both a stick and rock in hand Kyle returns to his birds to try talk to them before realising he sounds crazy, 'Well I mean magic, why not.'
"I command you my units, Great owls pick me up and take flight."
Feeling embarrassed at his idea, he is shocked to find out it actually works as two owls grab him by the wrist and a third grabs his shoulders and take flight about 15 meters off the ground.
The parliament follows him into the air gently flying as the timer ticks down.
[0:10]
[0:05]
[0:03]
[0:02]
[0:01]