[Linking location of all Online Towers.] A monotone mechanical voice called out. [Minimum amount of Online Towers detected. Comments- BEEP - Upgrading and updating main system…] The voice beeped out like a hiccup in the dark. [Admin confirmation required before continuing.] The voice reported into the dark.

  [Admin 1, confirms.] Admin 1 speaks up.

  [Admin 2, confirms.] Admin 2 joins in.

  [Admin 3, confirms.] Admin 3 says a bit nervously.

  [Admin confirmation accepted. Preparing updates along with upgrades. Hold please.] The monotone voice replies to the Admins.

  [Are you sure this will work?] Admin 3 asks the other two.

  [For the millionth time, yes.] Admin 1 sighs in response.

  [What are you so worried about?] Admin 2 inquires.

  [We only have a minimum amount of the Towers set, and the others just started to plant the rest.] Admin 3 worriedly replied. [Plus I just have this weird feeling-oof] Admin 3 started to prattle on before something grabbed him.

  [Don’t worry little brother.] Admin 2 said to Admin 3. [We can easily connect the rest once our brothers and sisters finish their jobs, but for now we need to worry about ours.] Admin 2 reassured his little brother.

  [If you two are finished, then get back over here and help me out, the system is about to finish.] Admin 1 called out.

  [DING!] A loud chime rang out throughout the darkness. [System updated completed, please standby while we upgrade the existing machine to match the updates.] The monotone voice said in a more commanding tone.

  [So, how are we going to start this new round?] Admin 2 asked his brothers.

  [Are you going to be those dreadful Researchers again?] Admin 1 replied with disgust.

  [Like your so-called “Defense Force” is any better?] Admin 2 shot back at them.

  [Brothers, why does the system say there are two other beings here?] Admin 3 asked with a gasp.

  [Who da-cough!] Admin 1 tries to act intimidating, yet something stops them.

  [System upgrades completed. Please enter new commands.] The monotone voice called out.

  {Creator override. New game mode, survival.} A rumbling in the dark whispers as a powerful entity lets itself be known to the others. All I saw was a shimmering puddle that was blacker than black. {Tower Lock engage.} A ding replied to the dark whisper.

  [Who are you?] Admin 2 struggled against something.

  {You try to use me, and you don’t even know me?} The darkness echoed in laughter. I swear the dark shifted enough I could make out some unusual shapes where the voices of the admins were coming from. {This just makes it more interesting.} I hear the dark whispers come from right behind myself.

  [What about the other one?] Admin 3 asked while panting from exhaustion.

  {This is my Pawn. He will play my game and entertain me.} I feel the deep darkness close around me, as if there is a villain with his hand on my shoulder with a sinister smile on his face.

  [Is that a mortal human?] Admin 1 askes with some anger in their voice.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  [What is that pest doing here?] Admin 2’s rebuke sounds a bit familiar.

  [What game are you talk-] Admin 3 is cut off as a force of pressure is spread throughout the darkness.

  {Only I can bad mouth my Pawn.} The deep whisper responds with an unexpected reply. {Only I can torture before destory my Pawn.} The voice spoke in a normal tone that rattled my bones and shook my very soul. {Oops, almost broke it before the game started.} The pressure pulled back from the blacked out surroundings.

  “What the hell is even happening…” I complain with a sigh.

  {You sir, are my lucky chosen one.} The deep whisper sounds out in my ear, before a deeper blackness pokes my nose. {You are going to provide me with lots of entertainment.} I heard endless giggling echoing in the dark all around.

  [System! Alpha override! Shut Do-] Admin 1 tried to shout out before something exploded in the darkness. [Ahhgrh!] Admin 1 cried out in pain before a sizzling sound was heard.

  [Admin 1 has signed out] The monotone voice spoke out.

  {You can either play along and live, or die pitifully.} The voice emphasized on the last bit.

  [Play.] Admin 2 & 3 spoke at once.

  [Admin 2 and Admin 3 have signed out] The monotone voice informed me.

  {Now, it’s just us, Pawn.} I could feel the deep darkness focus its attention on me.

  “So, what kind of game are we playing?” I reply at the inky blackness before my disbelieving eyes.

  {You are a quick one, this might be entertaining.} The voice echoed as it circled around me. {You will be playing the game, the game of life and death.} The darkness itself smiled when it mentioned death.

  “Sounds fun…” I struggle to smile back. “Will I have a team?” I ask while taking deep breaths.

  {This is a solo mission, but you can catch some company along the way.} The whisper laughs in the dark.

  “You mean those Pal creatures?” I perk up at the thought of owning a few of those mounts for ease of travel.

  {We’ll see about that.} It laughs at something funny while I’m literally left in the dark.

  “Are you a Pal too?” I ask it a weird question, but it's been a weird kind of week.

  {I am more than what you call a ‘Pal’} The whisper runs a thread of thick sharp darkness along my neck. I stiffen as I feel the cold liquid razorblade caress my neck ever so gently. {Do not test me, Pawn.}

  “Understood…” I say while shivering under their touch. “So, how do I play your game?” I try to get back on the overly powerful being’s good side.

  {It’s simple really, you just have to survive.} The whisper in the dark pulls back.

  “Is it really that simple?” I looked skeptically at the darkness.

  {Hmm, you are right, Pawn, we need to make it more exciting!} The whisper said excitedly. {System, penalty for failure, new value for input.} The whisper called out.

  [New failure penalty input, ready.] The monotone voice replied.

  {Initiate Armageddon Program upon failure.} The whisper commanded the system.

  [Input accepted, settings changed.] The system’s voice replied.

  “I’m guessing that’s something bad?” I ask the darkness.

  {Even a world ending disaster doesn’t scare you? Maybe we should add some more penalties, just for fun.} The darkness began to giggle endlessly.

  “Bring it bitch.” I mumbled under my breath.

  {You asked for it.} The darkness deepened somehow while rumbling.