Ty rubbed his head, still trying to grasp the timeline of his unexpected slumber. "You said I was asleep for about 12 hours or something?" he inquired, seeking confirmation.
The fairy nodded affirmatively. "Yes, that’s right," she confirmed, her tone indicating the unusual length of his rest.
Ty stood up, a sense of urgency evident in his posture. "I want to ensure I’m one of the first ones there, or at least gain as much information as I can.
Though there should still be about 2 days until it starts, the Lt did mention they might be hurrying up things after the death of that Realdo guy Yun-Jin knew," he pondered aloud, his mind racing through the implications of the accelerated timeline.
"All bothersome stuff, really," Ty concluded, signaling the fairy to follow. "Go ahead and come with me. Once we get outside, then I’ll give you another message for JJ, and I’ll await the response when I get back from all of this."
As Ty approached the doors, 14 others had already lined up, with a few more joining the queue behind him. A reassuring hand landed on his shoulder.
"Going to be a busy next two days, I imagine," the voice behind him noted, a sentiment echoed in the weighted silence that followed.
Ty nodded, his gaze fixed forward, a reflection of his resolve. "Yeah, let’s focus on what we can control,"
I understand your concern and appreciate your patience. Let’s correct the narrative with your original intent in mind:
"Right, I agree that’s likely the best way to handle the next few days. Just keep your head on a swivel, okay?"
Ty nodded and stated, "Of course," while contemplating the implications of the advice. He wondered to himself if this was a warning of sorts.
The man had hinted at his own troubled experiences--should Ty stay close to potentially leverage his knowledge and strength, or was it safer to maintain distance, avoiding any unpredictability he might bring?
A guard’s shout cut through his thoughts. "Hey, get out here already and stop daydreaming!" Ty complied, moving as directed.
As Ty was ushered forward by the guards and stepped into the open air, one moon dominated the night sky.
The cool air hit his face, and for a moment the prison smell fell away. Around him, chains scraped, boots shuffled, and tired men lifted their heads to look at the same moon. No one spoke loudly. Even the guards seemed to understand that the quiet made the transfer feel more serious.
This strategic move during the night, he realized, was likely a measure to maintain secrecy and control over their transfer
One of the guards shouted, "Everyone, keep your noises down from here on out!"
Ty thought to himself, He says while yelling louder than anyone.
The same guard then provided further instructions, attempting to bring some order to the group. "In about 30 minutes, the first boat will arrive. You will board on the starboard side--that’s the right side of the boat for those of you unfamiliar.
Make sure to keep the line tight and move efficiently; we need to get everyone on quickly and without incident."
Continuing, the guard added, "Once you’re all aboard, we will provide you with some luxurious meals as a thank you for your cooperation. Some of you may view it as a last meal, while others may see it as motivation to make it out alive.
Regardless, we appreciate your compliance during this process. Now, please line up along the docking station in an orderly fashion and wait for further instructions."
As Ty and the other twenty prisoners lined up, his attention was drawn to a car rounding the corner. The area, surprisingly close to a marketing district, contrasted starkly with their grim situation.
A massive house stood out, its bright white paint making it seem almost surreal against the backdrop of their current predicament.
The car parked on the stoned ground, quiet against the tension in the air. A man in a black blazer stepped out and went around to open the passenger door.
It was Rusuf who emerged, recognized by Ty through the distinct lifelessness in his eyes.
I wonder what he’s doing here, Ty thought, observing the scene unfold. His gaze then shifted to Waddle, who still looked nervous amidst the unfolding events.
This sight sparked a concerning thought in Ty. If Waddle is somehow aligned with the rebels, then he could be an unforeseen threat, especially if the rebels are aligned with Erebos... I will need to tread carefully,
As Rusuf approached, Ty observed him engaging with the guards, his demeanor amicable as he shared a smile and patted one on the back before turning to address the group of prisoners.
"Good evening, everyone. My name is Rusuf Goldire. I will be acting as your protection during your trip to the first Arena grounds," he announced, his voice carrying a calm assurance that seemed at odds with the tense atmosphere.
One of the prisoners, skepticism etched into his tone, retorted, "So what, you going to protect us from dying so we can just go die?"
Rusuf answered without emotion. "If you die in the arena, that is of your own will and abilities.
My job is to ensure you get there safely and that you don’t drown at the bottom of the ocean in the process." His words, though reassuring about their immediate safety, carried the unspoken weight of the challenges that lay ahead in the Arena.
The prisoner stepped back under the weight of Rusuf’s reply. Ty studied the technological paradox before him. Just how advanced is this world? They have speeding cars, but they don’t have planes?
A piercing whistle seized everyone’s attention. Ty turned toward the sea, squinting into the darkness where the sound had come from.
Out of the gloom, a boat approached, distinct from any Ty had seen in his own world. It wasn’t just the structure of the boat that caught his eye but the blue electric lines that zigzagged across its hull like living, pulsing veins.