Another World?

His body lost all weight.

It had no motion, yet it moved.

He was floating endlessly in a vastness that could never be filled in any shape or form; it was a void, devoid of any life, yet almost comforting due to the absence of anything.

This is what the others saw. I should just wait it out and find my thoughts.

His body continues its journey to nowhere. There was nothing for him to do or think about other than his past events just now.

The goddess had that symbol again. I should look into it when I'm playing the games. Also, making me sign a piece of paper seemed rather suspicious. If the goddess can give us powers, then what's stopping her from taking all of them as well?

He knew this wouldn’t be answered, but having these questions always at the back of his mind would make sure he didn’t lose sight of what he needed to do.

I don’t really care for the games or whatever we have to do. But the idea of killing them doesn't sit right. I don’t think Ayuri would kill any of us. Hiwo would most likely be suspicious of us at all times, but then there's Shina. The only person I can't let know about this.

“...” he screamed into the vastness of the void.

It seems this place also isn’t affected by our world's laws, such as sound or gravity; this must be the work of something stronger.

His mind wanders off, he was now stuck in a world where nothing made sense, a world that would embrace him to another. This was his new reality.

I can't breathe! What's going on?

Toki tries to struggle against the force, which had no shape; it was the void itself choking him or an external force.

His body starts to recoil around like a person drowning in an endless sea that would never let them see the light of day again. His body starts showing afterimages; there was a double of him moving just a second behind.

Oxygen wasn't leaving, but it wasn't entering. It was a state of limbo which he wished he could end. The afterimages get further and further behind before starting to fully separate from this body.

 is this the clone the goddess spoke of? This way of doing it is so vulgar. Not surprised, however, that a goddess is trying to do me over.

The body separates further, his thoughts doubling; his own mind is arguing with itself. A separation and union at the same time felt unimaginable.

The new self fully separated soon after. Both of them are floating. He didn’t know if he was looking up or down at himself, but what mattered was that there wasn't going to be anyone that to worry about him dissappearing

I hate this

His heartbeat quickens, from slow to fast. From fast to pounding against his chest, urging him to break out

Am I growing tired?

He knew he was closing his eyes despite being in pure darkness; as the self-image of himself started to disappear from his sight, he could only focus on the heartbeats that grew rapidly within until there was nothing left.

Ba-bump Ba-bump

It grew faster.

Ba-bump Ba-bump Ba-bump

It was too fast. His body started hyperventilating rapidly until he heard a familiar voice.

“Toki, are you ok?” The worried voice instantly reminded him of Ayuri.

He snapped back into reality, opening his eyes. He took in his surroundings. The clear sky, the heat of the sun, the sounds of the breeze and the birds chirping in the distance. What caught his attention, however, was the soft texture embracing his back.

“Toki!” The worried voice became louder.

He sits himself up, the grass leaving his back. Its texture, leaving a tingling sensation, was he out of it for that much time, or was the grass just different? He looked in front, seeing Ayuri with her bright orange eyes staring straight at him, her white hair brushing across his face from the wind.

He lets out a sigh. “I'm fine; you guys recovered rather quickly from that void. What a cruel way to be put into a new world.”

Ayuri looks at him in confusion, backing away a bit and standing straight up. “What void? You just jumped in and got sent straight here.”

She circles and starts checking his head from all angles for any injury. Turning his head side to side giving her a better look, this causes him spot Hiwo just a couple of metres away, looking towards them.

He slowly walks over casually in his usual analysing stance and talks in that same dead voice as always, “She's right, you know, we all jumped rather peacefully and landed near this camp.”

Turning around, he sees two tents, a couple of logs to sit on and a campfire with survival gear. Almost anything to survive in this new world without much issue

At least the goddess doesn’t plan to kill all of us yet.

He also saw Shina, who was glaring at him with a rather empty expression, her body devoid of emotion despite crying just moments ago

“You seem fine; explain this void of yours.” Ayuri steps back, letting Toki stand up. As he explained the sudden experiences he had, they couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Hiwo chimes, “It seems the goddess punished you after all.”

“You had it coming; at least you seem fine, but if anything starts happening, don’t be scared to come.” Sincere laughter came from her mouth.

They also seem fine; the atmosphere lifted slightly. Ayuri never changes anyway, and Hiwo, being Hiwo, had to add a comment to my punishment; however, I can't shake the feeling that Ayuri is just trying to cover that information leak that the goddess gave us.

“Ah, I think there is something that actually hurts Ayuri. Do you mind giving me a quick check here?” He feigns hurt; it was obvious to even Hiwo.

Hiwo lets out a smile. “I will leave you two to sort it out then; I'm going to the camp to help Shina.” He walks away from the two of them.

Ayuri's expression darkens, her mouth shifts into a frown and her eyes lower. "It's about the info she gave us, isn't it? I knew you would want to talk about it, which is why I made my choice.”

She made a choice this fast; she isn't the type to make huge decisions for which I also hoped to pick an option for us both,

“What choice could that be?” His curiosity was at its peak; her decision could either break or hold together the entire team. This could be the decision that decides the winning or losing of their team. No, it wouldn't; it would decide their survival.