NARES - Prologue

NARES - Prologue

The parking lot of the mansion was filled with a cornucopia of vehicles; the newest model, gleaming with an air of luxury; an old, beaten down, and dusty old car; and everything in between. A black-haired woman stepped out from one of the cars. It was one of the weirdest there, for it was decorated with the face of a certain Japanese composer. She looked at her surroundings, and sighed.

Black-Haired Woman: I hope I made the right choice by going here. I could’ve just spend the weekend by listening to Go Shiina’s complete collection again.

The woman began to walk from the parking lot towards the mansion. Before she could reach the front door, however, a black motorcycle screeched and stopped right in front of her.

Black-Haired Woman: Oh, for Go Shiina’s sake! You almost hit me!

The rider took off her helmet. Behind it was the face of a young woman; she looked overjoyed and rather giddy. Instantly, the Black-Haired Woman recognized the face of her old friend and her frown was turned upside-down.

Motorcyclist: Sorry, Nadia! But I can’t believe you’re also here!

Nadia: Wow, I’d never expect to see you here! It’s been months since the last time we met. The Fighters Convention, wasn’t it? Didn’t you win the Soul Calibur IV tournament?

Motorcyclist: Yeah! And you were so close to doing shoryuken too! It was really fun!

Nadia: Totally! *giggles* Oh, by the way, you should park your motorcycle now. We’re almost late.

Motorcyclist: I think we’re late already, but sure. Oh, by the way—is that your codename? [points at nametag on Nio’s chest]

Nadia: That’s right, I have to get used to that. Let’s see...mine is ‘NioraptH’. What’s yours?

Motorcyclist: It’s Genesis Saga. But just call me Genesis.

Niorapth: Sure. Nice to meet you, ‘Genesis’.

Genesis: Likewise, Nio. [winks]

After Genesis parked her trusted old motorcycle, she and Nio walked together towards the mansion. They had known each other for a couple of years, for both of them were pretty active in competitive fighting video game scenes. Tonight, however, there was a much more interesting topic to talk about.

Nio: So, I wonder what the deal is with this event. I thought it was a scam when I first read the email and letter.

Genesis: Me too. But the money they sent was the real thing. I have no other choice but to go. Maybe it’s some sort of underground fighting game convention?

Nio: I don’t think so, I’ve never heard of a convention held in a mansion in the middle of nowhere like this. My cellphone doesn’t even get reception. Maybe this is for a TV show?

Genesis: Yeah, it sounds plausible. [checks cellphone] Weird, mine doesn’t work either. I hope nothing bad will happen...

The two young women arrived at the front door of the mansion. It was antique, made from some kind of hardwood adored with complicated patterns. Although neither of them would admit it, both of them found it rather menacing – it represented a whole new world and endless possibilities beyond it.
Genesis took the iniative and knocked the door. Almost immediately, the door opened – barely making a sound. A middle-aged man dressed in a dashing butler outfit was the one who opened the door. A nametag, identical with the ones had by Nio and Genesis, was pinned neatly on his black jacket. It said ‘Bigwig_rah’ on it. The man spoke with an obvious British accent.

Bigwig: Good evening, Miss Niorapth and Miss Genesis Saga. We’ve been expecting you. Please do come in.

Nio: I hope we’re not too late.

Nio and Genesis stepped into the mansion. They found themselves in a perfectly clean parlour, with classy and expensive looking furniture as far as their eyes could see.

Bigwig: Most of the guests have arrived, but the event hasn’t started yet. Please make your way to the living room over there.

On another side of the foyer was another small group of men, circling a small bar. They were also talking to each other, only more quietly compared to the other group. A bartender was making a cocktail, and he nodded to the ladies as they stepped in. Between each group was a fireplace, and in front of it was a rather aged man wearing samurai armor, sitting on an armchair. It looked like he was sleeping.

The first person to greet the newly arrived girls was one of the guys from the talkative group. The person, a young man who can’t be older than 19, was wearing a nametag which said his codename, [edwardsdv].

Edwardsdv: Why, hello there, ladies! I was getting afraid that this party would turn into a sausage party!

Genesis: Oh hi there.

Edwardsdv lead the two women to the sofa around the coffee table. The men shuffled to make place in the center for the women.

Edwardsdv: So yeah, it’s a colorful bunch we have here. I’m Edwardsdv, according to this nametag, but just call me Edward. This one’s jdizzy156 or Dizzy.

Dizzy: Nice to meet you. Please don’t touch my hat, a guy did it once and it was really hard to remove his molten scalp from my hat.

Nio: ...

Genesis: ...

Dizzy: Just kidding.

Blonde man: You’re such a kidder!!

Nio: Ahahaha...haha...ha. But geez, how could you say that with a straight face?

Edward: He’s natural at it. You should tell them that story about the holographic shark-dinosaurs later. Oy, B.B., stop eating sandwiches and introduce yourself.

A rather large man who had been eating the sandwiches from the platter on the table stopped eating and smiled sheepishly. His nametag said ‘bbbtime’. His moustache looked a bit off, as if it was a false moustache.

Bbbtime: Sorry about that! The name’s bbbtime, or B.B. for short. I just like sandwiches a lot.

Blonde man: I guess it’s my turn then!!

The blonde man hadn’t been able to stay quiet for a second, always shuffling his feet, or knocking his fingers to the table.

Blonde man: My name’s muddersmilk!! Isn’t it such a funny name?! Call me Milk for short!! Nice to meet ya, Nio and Genny!!

Nio: The pleasure’s all mine.

Genesis: Genny...I think I like the sound of that.

The lone man who had been reading closed his National Geographic and introduced himself.

Reader: My name here is Orochimaru_Fan. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Nio and Genny: Nice to meet you too.

Genny: So what’s with the tramping pack?

Orochimaru: Oh, this? It has accompanied me through many adventures, so I kinda can’t left it behind. Besides, you don’t know what might happen here.

B.B.: Yeah, it’s not like anything will happen though.

Dizzy: Although, I really wonder what this is all about. I mean, even some weird people are invited...

Dizzy looked at a dark corner of the room. There, a man was dumping books from the nearby bookcase to the aquarium inside it. Beside him was a young looking man, probably the youngest one in the room, looking at him with a look of astonishment. Although their chatter was previously unheard, when the coffee table group stopped talking, their conversation could be heard.

Young-looking man: Thirteen, what are you doing? resistance_pro wonders...

XIII: Shut up, I’m trying to make the fire particles interact with the books. If you talk too loud, Berlin will not use their annual education fund.

Resistance: resistance_pro doesn’t understand...

Everyone by the bar was also quietly listening. But as the coffee table group began to talk again, even more lively from before because of the two women who joined them, the bar guys redirected their attention to themselves.
The man known to them as Pirateking2000 started to speak.

Pirate: Man, there are girls over there. I wonder if we should join them...What do you think, Raze?

JeffreyRaze: I told you to just call me Jeffrey. And, well, we’re all going to sit down together shortly, right? That annoying chef told us that we’ll move to the dinner room at 8. What time is it?

Mega Mana: Hold on, let me check my phon—

Pirate: NO!

With a sudden movement, Pirate stood from his barstool, startling everyone.

Mana: W-What is it?

Pirate: Don’t you dare to take that disgusting filth out in front of me!

Catastrophy: Whoa, chill out dude.
Mana: Sorry, I forgot you hate ph-

Pirate: Don’t say the p-word!

Mana: Okay, look, it’s okay, man. Just sit down, okay?

Pirate: [Slowly get back to his seat, while eyeing Mana’s every movement] Hmph, that was so close.

Machete: Now that you’re cool, why not another drink! Bartender, two more glasses of cocktail, please!

Cody: Coming right up, sir.

Jeffrey: Man, don’t you have enough already? You’ve already drunk, like, 13 glasses.

Catastrophy: Actually, he has drunk 15 and a ¾ glass of cocktail.

Machete: Man, who’s counting anyway? Not me, for sure! But man, isn’t this great? It’s not everyday you get to drink as much as you can.

Jeffrey: Well, you have a point. One more glass of vodka on the rocks for me, please. How about you, Kazbar?

Emporer_Kazbar: Why, my precious eyepatch, you’re always so shiny and tough? I can’t wait until we get to be by ourselves again so we can do this and that, my dear eyepatch.

Jeffrey: Umm…

Kazbar: Oh, excuse me. Sure, I’ll have whatever you’re having.

Catastrophy: I’ll have a shot of whisky, please.

Cody: Very well. Here are the cocktails, sir. [hands out cocktails to Pirate and Machete].

Glass clinked as they continued to drink and chat while waiting for the clock to strike 8. The atmosphere in the room was generally pleasant, as everyone was enjoying their time with new friends or just more alcoholic beverages, maybe even both. When the clock hand pointed to 7:58, the door once again opened. A man was catching his breath. Behind him, the butler Bigwig followed.

Bigwig: Master Masterplum has arrived. Therefore, if all of you would please move to the dining room.

Everyone started to prepare themselves to move to the dining room. Glasses were emptied. The samurai woke up from his slumber and joined the crowd to the dining room. The newly arrived guy approached him, as the others were walking with their newly formed groups.

Masterplum: Ah, I was almost late! It’s nice to meet you, Mr. …Metalsluggg.

Metalsluggg: …the path of the sword requires self-discipline, young one. And please refer to me by Samurai.

Masterplum: I…see. Then please call me Plum.

Samurai: …Hmm.

The dining room was even larger than the living room. A large table filled most of it, and on it were plates with exotic-looking appetizers on them. The appetizers somewhat resemble fried calamari with ice cream on them.

When the first person, B.B., opened the door, a very eager man in a chef’s outfit immediately shook his hand, shocking B.B. On the chef’s hat was his nametag, and engraved on it was ‘Kirbydamasta’. On his chef hat there were two other hats stacked on, one a fedora and the other a top hat, and everyone wondered how he managed to keep them standing straight.

Kirby: Welcome, welcome! Ah, I’ve been preparing tonight’s meal with love, so please do sit down, honored guests! Yes, yes, there are your nameplates in front of the seat you’re supposed to take! Oh my, Mr. Kazbar, your shoes look dashing tonight! Yes, dashing indeed! Is that a speck of dust? Should I get the vacuum cleaner out? No? Very well, then please take your seat. Do you need anything, Mr. Metalslugg? May I take your coat, Mr. Catastrophy? Oh, you’re not wearing any? Are you sure you’re not feeling too cold tonight? Do you want me to reheat your appetizer?

Most of the guests were fazed by the very spirited chef, and went to their respective seats to avoid his nagging questions. Some of the guys were rather tipsy because of the drinks they just had, and XIII started to eat the napkin while resistance_pro looked at his own napkin, as if wondering how it tasted.
Another waiter, who had been standing silently all the time, stepped forward after all the guests settled down.

Waiter: Ahem, dearest guests, please let me introduce myself. You may call me Natwaf and it is with deepest pride, and greatest pleasure, that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to sit back and relax, let us pull up a chair, while the dining room proudly presents…your dinner!

Natwaf: Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test!

The waiter inexplicably began to sing and dance. Much to the surprise of the guests, the other staff joined him, although not as fast as Dizzy, who jumped to the table when he heard the first note.

Cody, Bigwig, Kirby: We tell jokes

Natwaf: I do tricks, with my fellow candlesticks!

Everyone: And it's all in perfect taste; that you can bet! Come on and lift your glass

Natwaf: You've won your own free pass, to be out guest, be our guest, be our guest!

The musical continued for a short while and afterwards, everyone went back to their seats, wondering what just happened.

Natwaf: Thank you for listening to our small performance. Now please enjoy your meal.

Everyone ate their meal silently. Some of them were still singing along to the song quietly on their heads; some others were musing on the real meaning of this gathering; and some others wonder how such unusual dishes tasted so good. After everyone finished their desserts (blackberry pudding with mackerel sauce), they became more relaxed, with everyone sipping tea or coffee and making small conversations.

Suddenly, a door on the opposite end from the one where the guests came from opened. A rather aged Asian man walked in, and everyone went silent. He had that peculiar charisma that could change the atmosphere in a room just by walking in. He took the previously unattended seat on the end of the dining table.

Old man: Good evening, my dear guests. Now that you’ve enjoyed your meals, I will explain why I decided to invite you all on this fine day. But first of all, please let me introduce myself. I’m known as Raka_Putra, a simple old man who has no relatives or real friend left in this world. Yet, I’ve managed to collect an ample amount of fortune from my various ventures through life.

Raka: Recently, my dearest doctor – you know who you are – told me that I had less than three months to live. When I heard that, I immediately came up with this plan. I gathered all of you here, men and women from different backgrounds, to give everyone a chance of inheriting my fortune.

Everyone reacted to the last sentence. Pirate sat straight, looking at the old man intently. Orochimaru shuffled nervously. XIII sneezed out a goldfish.

Raka: It is quite simple. Everyone here, including my excellent staff of waiters, chef, and bartender, has $100,000,000 on their name. When someone, ahem, gets in an accident that might have been caused by another person, the person –who I’m sure wouldn’t really mean it – will get the money transferred to his name. And should one of you…gets in an accident not caused by someone else…or get caught in one of the many traps I might have carelessly left on my mansion…his sum of money will be divided evenly amongst you. Any question?

Nio: Umm, why were we chosen?

Raka: Oh, it’s just based on my whim. [chuckles] But mostly it’s because I’m sure everyone here is interesting enough…and in dire need of some amount of cash.

Nobody dared to object to the last remark.

Raka: Any more questions?

Mana: May I?

Raka: Of course.

Mana: What would happen if one of us chooses to drop out of this game?

Raka: Then I will have you beheaded along with all of your families, friends, and pets. I will also order your body to be chopped down and fed to pigs. [chuckle] But seriously, don’t even think of that.

Edward: But some of us can just…you know, escape from this mansion?

Raka: Good question! Now if everyone would please direct their attention to the parking lot.

Twenty one pairs of eyes looked at the glass window of the dining room, from which they could see the parking lot clearly. In one second, all the cars and motorcycles there exploded, nearly deafening and blinding everyone.

Raka: Ah, I always love a good firework display. And as you might have noticed, we are perfectly safe here. Every inch of this mansion is perfectly capable of protecting us from a nuclear explosion, so no amount of brute force could ever work.

Raka: So, without further ado, let the game begin!

And with a merry laugh, the old man left the room before anyone could react. And now, 21 people in the dining room were eyeing each other with suspicion – except for XIII, who decided that it was the perfect time to wash his hair with Nio’s leftover teh tarik.