Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 16: Battle Royale of the Imperium Union

Chapter 16: Battle Royale of the Imperium Union

Pauwi na kami ni Lag pabalik sa Palace Hotel matapos ang hapunan kasama ang Royal Family. Seryoso ang kaniyang ekspresyon habang nakatanaw mula sa bintana ng hovercar, matapos ang ilang sandali ay bumuntong-hininga ito at saka bahagyang tumingin sa akin, “do you have a death wish? Or are you suicidal by nature?” Kumunot din ang noo nito matapos akong tanungin.

“No... I just cannot stand the nerve of the Empress.” I said without batting an eye.

Umiling na lang si Lag, “I told you—the less you speak, the less mistakes.” He sighed once more; I can feel his frustration. However, I was not sorry. I am a woman of principles, and I did not break any law. In fact, I was only responding to whatever it is that the Empress and her family is telling me. They gave me the liberty, and thus, I shall gladly oblige. “Now, the Astarria family will be wary of you... What if they find out that you are not from this timeline? That you are from the year 2020. I told you to be careful, but you are reckless and stupid... You are also impulsive. While you may think this is because you are a ‘woman of principles’, well, I have nothing against it but keep your morals in check, because if they go out of hand, well, consider yourself a walking dead woman. While I know you oppose to the system, be discreet about it. I am saying this because I know how the world works, and this is for your own good.”

He was just concerned for my well-being, and I know that somehow, because of this attitude of mine, I somehow blew our cover. Well, not totally... But still, he was right. The effect of my actions also comes with great prices—and one of it, which Lag has mentioned, is the Astarria family being wary of me. Not only did I turn down an offer to become a part of their family through my union with Wrath which people would kill for, but I also, somewhat, disrespected the most powerful person in the body of Empress Wynzelle Astarria. I am sure they will not let me get away with it... I think?

“What’s done is done,” I sighed. I was too tired to argue already as I felt like I have consumed all of my energy dealing with the royal family and the Empress. “Bahala na kung ano ang mangyayari.”

Hindi na rin umimik si Lag. After a few minutes, we felt the hovercraft land already on the rooftop area of Palace Hotel, we hopped out of it and went straight to the lift. Then we headed straight back to our rooms at the 78th floor. As we walked the corridor to our rooms, doon ko naaninag sina Mayor Elizabeth at Mayor Marina kasama ang kanilang mga partner, mukhang kagagaling lang din nila sa labas upang kumain ng hapunan.

“Oh, Miss Phenomenal Woman of all Time is here!” Mayor Elizabeth chuckled after, she stopped right in front of room 1801, which means that she is my neighbor, and at 1800 is probably Mayor Marina’s. Compared to Lag and me, their partners were also with them, sharing their room. That’s when I realized that the intervention between me and Lag is probably the doing of the Empress, making sure we will not share the same room. How cunning.

“How is the dinner?” Halata ang pagtataka ngayon sa mata ni Mayor Marina, she seems intrigued and interested.

I simply let out a fake smile, “not bad.”

“You were with the most respected and most powerful person in the world, and that is all you have to say? Not bad?” Mayor Elizabeth said in disbelief. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay napansin ko ang pagliwanag ng M-ring niya, bahagya naman niyang pinaikot ito at tila may binasa sa hologram na siya lang ang nakakakita. “Ah, the tributes have arrived.” Ah, right. It was her city’s turn, the Fiducia City, to send a tribute for the upcoming battle royale tomorrow. Sacrificial lambs for the union. But for me, it is just a waste of life and senseless blood-spill. However, who am I to question traditions that they have been practicing for two hundred years already?

Mayor Elizabeth looked at me after a few seconds, and then at Lag, “I have to go and check on them.” Aniya. Tumango naman kaming lahat.

Nagpaalam na rin si Mayor Marina at halata ang pagod na nakapinta sa mukha nito, pumasok na siya nang tuluyan sa kaniyang kuwarto kasama ang lalakeng partner niya. On the other hand, Lag and I remained rooted on our spot, until he decided to walk towards the front of his room where he finally had his biometrics scanned, the door of his room automatically opened after, and he looked at me once more, as if waiting for me to tell him something.

“Good night...” Was all I managed to say.

He nodded, “good night.”

“See you tomorrow?” I asked.

“Why? Do you want to watch the battle royale?” He asked. “It is bloody, disgusting, and probably something you won’t be able to stand... You will have to watch ten people kill each other in a game, where the last man standing is the winner.”

I nodded. “I have to.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I copied, not wanting to let a cold silence happen between us.

“See you, then.”

“See you.” I smiled.

And with that, he retreated towards the entrance of his room, and the door automatically shut close after, leaving me in the long corridor, alone, in the company of my own shadow. I also went to my room shortly, and I decided to take note of all the things I learned today by writing them down in the journal that Lag gave me.

I fell asleep shortly, and by the time I woke up, it was already the next day and time to prepare for the battle royale.

Before I took a bath, I decided to scan through the menu of the Palace Hotel for breakfast, it seems like all expenses shall be shouldered by the Astarria Family, as we were guests... Kaya naman sinulit ko na rin ang pag-order ng mga pagkain, as if I will be able to eat such feast. While waiting, I took a bath, and I went inside the Tech-Wardrobe where I shall have the liberty once more to dress up.

I decided to go for a black tank-top that was fitted enough to highlight my chest and the curve of my body, it also revealed my belly-button. Then I went for black leather jackets, and leather pants that were also fitted, and black leather boots. I looked at my reflection at the mirror, and thought to myself that I looked somewhat like Black Widow, she is the person I really idolize in the Marvel cinematic universe, as despite her lack of supernatural ability, she has compensated all of it with her physical ability, unlike Wanda. Black Widow empowered me, she is somewhat my spirit animal, and I guess I just did this to commemorate her.

Remembering my promise to Ingrid, I also decided to go for the accessories where I chose a rose ring. Hindi ito agad na nasuot sa akin, instead, a compartment of the Tech-Wardrobe opened up, revealing the rose ring that I somehow conceptualized. I took it and wore it.

On the other hand, I let my hair fall as it is, and I also chose light make-up to slightly make highlights on the soft features of my face. When I had enough already, I went out, just in time where I saw robot holding trays of food that I ordered.

I rotated my M-ring after and decided to call Lag. A few rings, then he answered.

“Come to my room for breakfast,” is all I said and then I dropped it, not waiting for him to respond. Kasabay nito ay narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto ng aking kuwarto, at bumungad na si Lag. Nakabihis na rin siya—he wore a casual attire. He stared at me and at my outfit, but remained outside, as if waiting for my permission.

“Come on in.” I smiled at him, and he did enter the room. Tiningnan niya ang mesa ko na puno ng pagkain.

“Is there a festival?” He asked after seeing how much food we got for breakfast.

I chuckled, “no... But since the food here will be free as the Astarria family will shoulder all expenses, I figured it won’t be that bad to take as much as we want.”

“If you insist,” he said. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay tumungo na kami sa mesa at kumain na. When we were done, nagpatunaw muna kami ng pagkain. We did not talk about last night anymore, or about the Astarria family, pero ramdam ko pa rin ang pangamba sa ekspresyon niya. Ako naman ay hindi na masyadong nabahala, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit—siguro kasi masyado na rin akong maraming iniisip upang dumagdag pa kung ano ang tingin sa akin ng mga Astarria.

An hour later and we left towards the rooftop of the building where a hovercraft marked with 3 awaits. We went inside and Mayor Elizabeth was already there along with her partner, ngunit wala si Mayor Marina.

“Where’s Mayor Marina?” I asked.

“She is not really a fan of events like this, so she stayed behind with her partner.” Mayor Elizabeth said, “and since it is a tribute from my city, even if I also do not want this event, I feel like it is mandatory to attend in order to cheer up for my tributes, for Tre’s tributes.”

She had a point.

Lumipad na ang hovercraft, at matapos ang limang minuto, we were back at the arena. We walked towards our cubicle—at the part of the area that was marked with number 3, tumanaw ako sa baba, sa arena mismo na sobrang lawak, at nagulat dahil kakaiba ang itsura ng paligid kompara kahapon—while yesterday, it contained nothing but the platform that carried the Astarria family, now—the center of the arena was full of trees, like a forest, and then there was a body of water resembling to a river. There were holograms everywhere which contained projections of the actual area.

“So, today’s theme is nature.” Lag said, “last year, the theme was metropolitan—and the tributes fought in this made-up city.”

I see... So, each other, may iba-ibang tema. He seems to be aware of my confusion as well, as on how they managed to make this over-night. “Biglang nagkaroon ng kagubatan sa arena, e kahapon wala lang ang mga iyan.”

“This is the work of a 3-D printer, but on a wider scale.” Lag explained. He then proceeded to pinpoint the dome that covered the arena, “that is the printer.” Tinuro niya ang buong takip ng arena. “So that means that though the forest looks real, it is artificial... Like the rest of the greeneries you see around. Nothing is real in here.”

Tumango lang ako, for a technology to be able to do something so spectacular like this, hindi ko maiwasang mamangha. This is Science, they have gone too far with development. And I do not know whether I should commend or not, with such inventions as well, I cannot fathom what weapons they also hold which have disastrous impacts. In the old world, what we feared most were of nuclear weapons, but now—I wonder what should I fear, is it the weapon or the creator?

As we settled down our cubicle and looked at the holograms that were projecting the faces of the tributes who were now on top of pillars—there were ten of them, and the pillars where they stood had this tent at the center where there were weapons. The distance from their position was approximately fifty meters, and I am guessing that the countdown that was starting at the center of the arena will be the timer for when the event shall start.

200... 199... 198... 197... 196... 195...

It kept on going down. From our cubicle, we saw the Astarria Family who moved towards front most part of the 0 division where the nobles who live in this place are at. Everyone bowed at them, even the nobles, and they simply ignored them like they were not worth of their time. They were at the complete opposite side of the arena, however, their platinum blonde hair and those grand clothes that they have never ceases to make me notice them despite the distance between us.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Battle Royale: Last Man Standing shall commence soon. Please settle down. Tributes are requested as well to prepare. The theme for this year’s death match is flora and fauna. There are no rules in the match, as long as the last person who shall emerge will be declared as the winner, and the winner shall become a noble and recognized at the sixth day of the Bicentennial Foundation Week of the Imperium Union, at the Parade of Superiority & Awarding of Excellence. The district that the champion represent shall also be awarded accordingly, with a higher share in the Imperium Union Bank’s distribution of Imperium Cash.” It was a robot that was speaking, and everyone settled down.

I looked at the screen of the tributes—five men and five girls. Their arms were marked as well with the numbers that they represent. I looked at the tributes for Tre, and it was a muscular man who seems to be around the age of Lag, and the girl was slim and dark. All of their eyes were focused on the weaponry section at the center of the arena where they surrounded.

30... 29... 28... 27...

The number went down and I can feel the tension that was slowly starting to build up.

This event is absurd.

“Battle Royale: Last Man Standing shall commence in 10... 9... 8... 7... 6...”

The robotic voice announced, her voice echoing across the entire arena.

“3... 2... 1... Battle, start!”

Kasabay nito ay nagsitakbuhan ang sampo. Hindi ko alam kung anong hologram ang aking titingnan, ngunit natuon ang aking atensyon sa mga representatibo ng Tre. Only one of them shall come out alive.

The first person to reach the tent containing weapons was a man from Uno, however, before he can even pull the trigger of the gun that he held, the girl from Tre has already grabbed a dagger and threw it at him—the dagger went straight to his heart, and the man coughed blood, falling into the ground.

Jack Lee of Uno has fallen.

The rest of the tributes soon reached the weaponry area as well and got their own respective weapons. The girl from Tre, whose name flashed in the screen as Cassandra Reeva who also had the first kill, ran towards the forest in order to hide, the girl from Uno aimed at her using a crossbow, and it missed Cassandra. Cassandra then looked back to see who did it, and she saw the girl from Uno. Before Cassandra can even react, the girl from Uno was knelt on the ground along with the sound of a gun that was from the girl of Qua.

Shan Sy of Uno has fallen.

Halata naman ang pagkadismaya ng mga taong galing sa distrikto ng Uno dahil wala na silang mga kampyon.

It was a very disastrous and bloody scene, and I cannot help but wonder why people were cheering up while these tributes killed each other. I wanted to look away, however, I cannot. Why do they enjoy such brutality? Hindi ko maintindihan.

The battle went on—and I do not really want to take the leisure of detailing whatever it is that has been going on, the battle went on for three hours straight, Uno no longer have a representative, while Duo only have the man left as the girl they have was killed by the man of Tre whose name was Percival Alegre, the representatives from my district are both still alive, while only a girl is left from Qua, and another man is left from Cin.

The girl from Qua and the man from Cin encountered each other, and they fought. The girl from Qua used the terrain to her advantage, as it seems like she has created a trap where the guy from Cin has fallen for. When the guy from Cin has been rendered useless as he was already hanging in a net that was put into a tree, the girl from Qua slit his throat with her knife.

Arthur Regalia of Qua has fallen.

Halata naman ang pagkadismaya rin ng mga tao mula sa 4 na dibisyon ng arena.

The girl from Cin was about to move away, however, he encountered the man from Duo. She was surprised, she was not much of a combatant and she was better off with pulling off traps in order to win. But it took an unexpected turn, the girl tried to run away, however, the man from Duo was a hunter and he threw a shuriken at her, it successfully stabbed the joint of her knee and she fell on the ground, blood gushing out and painting the grassland red. The persons from Duo cheered, proud of their tribute.

The helpless girl looked terrified as she looked back, and the man from Duo choked her to her death.

Natalia Romanov of Duo has fallen.

And as if on cue, Cassandra killed the man from Duo with a perfect headshot using the crossbow that she has taken from one of the tributes.

Ricanor Windshuttle of Duo has fallen.

Now, all that is left were the people from Tre. Everyone from my district cheered, it was already a guaranteed win. However, both of them still have to kill each other, as only one person is allowed until a winner is declared. Doon ko lang namalayan na marami palang tao mula sa aking distrikto ang kasama namin ngayon. I was too engrossed and too focused with the actual event that I forgot to take notice of the surroundings as well.

Cassandra and Percival looked at each other, and it was being projected by the screen. The rest of the districts were dejected now, however, my cubicle is noisy because we have successfully defended the championship title again.

Percival then dropped all of his weapons, and he raised his arms as if surrendering to Cassandra. There was a tear that fell from Cassandra’s eyes, and she went towards Percival and kissed him on his lips.

I gasped... They were lovers, the two of them.

The sight of them turned the crowd silent, and my group was rendered speechless as well.

“I love you, Cass... You have to kill me and be the winner.”

Cassandra cried, the voice of Percival was being transmitted too by the speakers. Hindi ko alam pero nangilid ang aking luha.

“I love you too... And that is why I can’t.”

“You know you have to.”

Cassandra cried, with shaky hands, she then took the dagger and pointed it towards the chest of Percival, right in front of his heart.

Sinandal ni Percival ang kaniyang noo sa noo rin ni Cassandra, Cassandra was about to drop the dagger, however, Percival grabbed her hand that was holding the dagger, and pierced it right through his heart.

He coughed blood, and then he fell on the ground, with Cassandra who was now wide-eyed, mourning and bloody, emerging as the winner.

Percival Alegre of Tre has fallen.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our winner is Cassandra Reeva from Tre.”