Powers And Tatics

 “We shouldn’t tell them yet; I don't think we have the bond to really stick together yet, knowing that we need each other to die. Especially if we tell that to Shina, you might just die tomorrow morning!”

Im glad she made the right choice.

"You're right, I was going to say the same thing. Let's join the camp.”

Both of them make their way towards their camp, the grass embracing their legs as they walk gently across the landscape. Taking a glance out, it was either forest in two directions or just a horizon with grass never ending; it seemed to be almost robotically constructed.

Making it into the camp, Hiwo approaches them immediately.

“This is our tent, and the girls have the other.” He points towards the left tent. Both looked the same, just a simple tent that could close from the inside. There was plenty of space for two people to fit inside, so it wasn’t bad.

“Got it. Did you see a spear anywhere, perhaps?” Looking around, he saw there was nothing after the goddess's promise. He was expecting to get hold of it right away.

Hiwo points over at a box near their tent. “That box is for you.”

Toki approaches it and glances down. The shape was lengthy and slim, definitely one fit for a spear. There were backpacks, bandages and other various survival supplies also for them to use laying around the casket.

He looks at the casket and notices there is a zipper around it. His fingers entwine the zipper, and he unzips it to reveal a pure silver-looking spear.

The surface reflected off the sun, causing a blinding light to hit his face. It wasn't a spectacular spear by any means in shape. It was a pole with a triangular point. The colour also wasn't flashy, but he could at least fight with it.

He also finds a green notebook hidden underneath the spear, picking it up into his arms. It says in a clear black colour “Guidebook to good games”. It also had an extra note saying.

To the only nonbeliever, this will help you figure everything out. I had to make you endure some suffering for the payback of denying my goddess status. Also, they wouldn't dare look into this if I made it specifically for you!

Instantly, he crumples the note and throws it far away. He puts the guidebook into his pants pocket and goes back towards the campfire site, scanning the area, realising that everyone is here. It was the best time to ask.

“Do any of you know anything about your powers?” Toki looks at all three of them sitting down upon one of the logs. His eyes were trying to see any expression that could give away any signs.

Hiwo steps up. “I think we should all call out our powers; we might need to know at certain places who's the best and make the best strategies, especially assuming my ability.”

“Your ability,” Shina says in her usual whispering tone, her voice barely breaking free.

As he takes a seat across from Toki, he rests his arms upon his lap and then sits in dead silence.

It's smart, but you shouldn't have offered the idea if you were going to back down; your hand is forced.

Hiwo lets out a smile. “Well, my ability causes a fog to cover a forty-by-forty area which i can control the size of. Once someone's inside, it's pretty much impossible to know where they are, and we can see them enter it, but I have to upkeep it myself.”

“So you're basically useless once this ability activates,” Shina lets out with a disappointed frown.

Toki clears his throat, prepared to state what he has. “I have a spear, and it can cut every magical ability that is possible in this world. It can be a very useful tool.”

Ayuri, sensing her moment, said, “Mine is rather complicated, like Hiwo’s ability, but it can also be useful if we plan things out. I can nullify any ability of anyone I choose, permanently.”

Everyone looks at her in shock, their mouths almost falling out.

What do you mean by 'complicated'? That's probably the most overpowered ability anyone could get.

Ayuri continues, "However, it can also be used on one person and only resets after that person is eliminated; those are the conditions."

They look down, trying to figure out anything of use. Shina had another frown ready, but she stopped herself. Their power solo potential was abysmal, but with a thought-out plan. Their potential skyrockets.

As the last person to go, Shina steps up, getting everyone's attention.

“I can absorb people's abilities.” She puts out her palm into the air; a black orb starts constructing and manifesting itself into life. It looks close to a mini black hole in the centre, which is pure black with a pale glow emitting on the outside

Absorbing everyone's power would be ideal, but the fact that it needs time to heat up means they're relying on me as a main powerhouse for the time being. I can't help but wonder if she's hiding more; she wasn’t even looking towards us.

Toki, looking over at Shina, takes in her demeanour; she had a slight edge of pride in her. He didn’t really enjoy it.

“That's the most useless ability yet, wow,” his words clearly meant to mock.

Taking the bait, Shina changes her voice above a whisper with an edge of sharpness within: “Seems the powerless fiend has some backbone.”

"You have no power as well, except you don't have a weapon either. Rather, you are a liability, and the so-called beloved goddess is making me carry you all on my back,” Toki gives a sharp remark.

Hiwo sighs, “He’s right; that puts our priority into building you into our main fighter, but currently you need to stay low and strike only when you have a guaranteed hit.”

Her voice returns to a whisper. “Fine, don't expect me to be kind or anything just because I need you for now.”

No one asked you to be nice to me. Actually, nobody even mentioned that anywhere. Shina, stop acting cliché and take your anger out on someone else.

Toki takes a glance back at Hiwo, still sitting across from him.

However, Hiwo is also right, and we should make opportunities for Shina to try and gain as much power as possible.

Taking the guidebook from his pocket, he takes it out, knowing this is probably the best time to discuss things when together.

“I found this also next to my spear.” He shows the book around to everyone, letting them get a glimpse of the cover.

Ayuri bursts out cheerfully after reading the contents page, “The best news yet! This will tell us everything from the game to the end.”

But before she could even be momentarily more excited, she started instantly noticing through flicking the pages that the guide's information is limited to three pages, with a bonus illustration.

Hiwo snatches the guidebook by sneaking around while she was distracted, his expression shifting seriously. “Come into our tent, Toki; we will read it first, then switch. It's easier that way.”

He wants to talk to me in private about something serious. Quite a way to annouce it however.