Futures bet

Tap Tap

Akira Mori drummed his fingers twice on the large wooden table, signaling his “call.” His eyes flicked lazily around the room, betraying nothing.

Famous paintings, gaudy awards, decorated pieces and gold-trimmed furniture adorned the room, showcasing the owner's wealth and status. To Akira, it was noise. Only one object caught his attention, a golden phoenix statue, no bigger than a human head. Its wings were elegantly spread, displaying its eternal majesty, while its beak pointed directly at Akira.

The dim lighting of the room caused the phoenix’s eyes to glimmer, and its exquisite craftsmanship made it appear to be almost alive.

There was no other light source except lamps that were lavishly ornamented. Far underground, Akira was playing high-stakes poker with four other males, blocking out all natural light.

They were not permitted to leave until they had either lost everything, or won it all. The players were given one restroom break every three hours, while attendants provided food and drinks.

The game also didn't have a human dealer, everything was controlled by a computer, installed by an outside party, to make sure no cheating was involved.

Not that Akira cared, he hadn’t played for money in years, only toying with other people could entertain him. The thrill of seeing his opponents' shocked reactions after losing to him is something he never wants to lose.

‘Ah.’ He'd forgotten his cards after studying the room. For a moment, he considered looking at them again.

Who cares? Perhaps Lady luck is on my side today.

Akira motioned for the attendant to grab him a new glass of whiskey, before giving the current open cards a look.

Never mind, what's the point in calculating my odds if I don't even know my own cards? I'll just go along with whatever these airheads offer.

Calling them airheads was actually generous, according to Akira, they had no clue how to see through his lies and manipulate others to your will. The only other person with some form of intelligence besides himself was Rikuye Tanabe, one of his oldest “friends”.

They had known each other since they were kids. Tanabe had always followed Akira like a lost puppy, it was exactly because of this that Akira tolerated him, even introducing him to his own business and extreme wealth.

It was only recently that Tanabe had become independent, and it seems to have helped him grow. He was the one who invited Akira for this game of Poker, maybe to get revenge, or prove himself.

If so, he was in for a disappointment.

As Akira received his whiskey containing a single block of ice, he looked at the current standings. The old man to his right was on his last legs, going all in, sweat rolling down his forehead, while the other to his left had been playing it safe, only losing slightly, but even he was betting a lot on this round, his wrinkled but dignified face a mask. Lastly, Tanabe seemed very calm, his green eyes staring at Akira, perhaps trying to figure out his hand.

Jokes on you, how could you possibly figure out my hand if I don't even know it myself! Ha!

After some deliberation, Tanabe also called, shoving one fourth of his chips to the center. And as Akira took a sip of his drink, he thought back on his fathers advice.

It made Akira chuckle, eliciting confused and irritated looks from the others. His father had always told to spend his money wisely and be conservative. What made him laugh was that, as soon as his parents passed away on his seventeenth birthday, he had lived his life the exact opposite.

He had spent his time gambling, drinking, and partying, spending the money inherited from his rich parents. Not that he regretted it, definitely not. As soon as he heard things like “investing and saving” he'd leave, scared it would bore him to death.

No, no regrets for Akira, except maybe not convincing that one beauty from the computer library to go on a date with him.

The game had progressed, and as Akira mindlessly bet more money he glanced at the phoenix statue. For some reason, it annoyed him, its eyes boring into his, it seemed as if it was the only thing in the room actually capable of seeing through him.

He could also still feel Tanabe's cold gaze focused on him, he even felt sweat forming on his temple, something unusual for him.

As the game was entering its last moments, Akira tugged at his collar, feeling like he was suffocating.

And as the Last Card was placed in the middle, the gents revealed their own cards.

And as they looked at each other's cards, the computer loudly declared: 'Winner of the current round, Akira Mori!'

'Shit!' The man on Akira's right shouted, as he jumped up from his chair and stormed off to the bathroom.

The man on his left, was silent for a moment, before sighing, giving Akira and Tanabe a polite nod, and heading to the bathroom as well.

Akira smirked as he stood up, Who would've thought, winning without trying? I really am a lucky bastard today!

But the satisfaction didn’t last, his excitement from his opponent’s reactions disappeared and his body stiffened. He fell back into his chair, his pupils dilating, What- what's happening? I can't control my body anymore!

Suddenly, he heard laughter, the playing cards had formed eerie mouths as they laughed at him. His chips started dancing with each other as a fiery light took over the room. 

The golden phoenix statue had come to life as blazed with fire and flew straight to him.

Akira wanted to scream, but suddenly, his mouth had disappeared! Just as the phoenix was about to hit him, it tilted upward and flew over him, leaving flames in its wake.

Soon, the flames twisted into two shapes, his parents!

And as his father looked down on him, he was once again reminded of that disappointed look he had tried so hard to forget. 

A tear formed in his eyes, as his parents disappeared. And everything was quiet, the only one remaining in the room was Tanabe, sinisterly smiling at Akira.

You poisoned me, you bastard! You piece of shit!

Already walking toward him, as if Tanabe could read his mind, he said: 'Devil’s breath, a drug mostly used in South-America, but I just added a bunch of other stuff.' Tanabe squatted, looking him in the eyes

Akira’s tears streamed freely now. I can’t… Fuck I don't want to die. Fuck! Fuck!

'It's good to see you cry, Mori.' His words were filled with buried hate, but his eyes looked filled with pity, with regret.

'Fuck…. You.' Akira spat with his last breath, hate and fear evident in his eyes.

Tanabe gave a sad smile in response and left.

…

…

…

It was dark, very dark.

What the-? Where am I? There was nothing but darkness all around Akira.

There was darkness in front of him, darkness above him, and darkness beneath him. Which was strange because he could sense the solidity of the darkness underneath him.

Even though there was no light nearby, he could see his own body resting on the ground as he looked down.

Weird… Is this life after death? Recalling his final moments, Akira pondered. I don’t feel anything, not even the rage or fear from just now.

The eeriness of his condition was increased by the occasional ripple that could be seen in the darkness as he "studied" his surroundings.

All of a sudden, he was blinded by intense lights surrounding him. He attempted to shield his eyes with his arms, but the light managed to get through his body. 'Gah!' He yelled in agony.

He opened his eyes slowly as the blinding ceased and the anguish subsided, a shocked expression on his face. All around him a swarm of lights had emerged. They all had different colors and shone like stars; the sight brought back memories of nighttime sky gazing from when he was "alive," if you can call this death. But now he was surrounded on all sides, even below, and there were many more stars.

A brilliant yellow-red fire then materialized as the "stars" converged in one spot. The flame grew larger as the light fell on Akira's eyes, transforming into a fiery, red-gold creature staring at him.

His jaw dropped. This is a fucking phoenix! I really am in the afterlife! Akira exclaimed in his thoughts, his mouth making a gaping O shape.

The phoenix expanded its magnificent wings, but when it spoke, it didn’t roar-- instead, it spoke in a serene yet majestic voice that reverberated around Akira through the emptiness: 'Indeed, Akira Mori, this is your afterlife.'

Akira blinked. 'Is it? Am I dead?'

'You are dead.' the phoenix concurred, 'Poisoned, suffocating on your own arrogance in a room filled with cheaters and liars.'

'Bah!' Akira spat, having regained his courage, 'Dead? Just like that? And what am I to do here? Wallow in self-pity?'

The phoenix tilted its head, embers raining from its feathers.

'No, I want you to do something else, and before I truly accept you into the beyond, you will have another try.' It said with some form of power, the aura around Akira changing.

'A-another try?' Akira fumbled, his previous confidence diminishing 'You mean you can bring me back?' 

The flames rippled, and it was only now that Akira noticed how deep the flames seemed to go, they looked unending, there was no point of origin. 'Reincarnation, if you will. A new world, a new game.'

Akira’s heart skipped a beat. 'Reincarnation…' he looked up at the beautiful phoenix fearfully when it spoke again.

'But I do not give without taking. To return, you must play by my rules, you will gain extraordinary powers, but there will be a binding price.' The void around it pulsed as the flames disappeared and it changed into a new form.

It changed, it kind of looks like a dealer at a casino, but with a top hat and no, no face? Akira instantly became alarmed as his expression was filled with horror at the form of the creature. 'What are you?'

'A god.' An amused voice emerged from the creature with no face nor mouth. 'Do you accept my deal, boy?'

As Akira's heartbeat quickened, he felt like this was just another gamble on a table, but with his life as the stake. 'I do.' He said as he stood up, for the first time in his life(or better said his two lives), he felt nervous and unsure of what would come. Yet somehow a smile formed at his lips. 'Sounds like fun.'

'Good.' The faceless dealer flicked his wrist, and Akira disappeared.