Chapter 13 - The Gambling Town

Runner's Up Arc 

In a cell located deep underground within an arena sat a drunk man,chained up,drinking booze while looking at Yoshio's wanted poster.A smile is shown across his face.

''He is coming...''

[WELCOME TO RUNNER'S UP]

Runner's Up is a gambling town.Here gambling is everything.The whole town is in the shape of an arena while there are a few houses located outside.Everyday slaves are chosen to compete in suicidal games while folks from the town and higher class people bet on their lives to see who would survive.It is sickening...The people make their way towards the top of the arena to the spectator's seats and they observe the games happening at the bottom.The person who is in charge of Runner's Up is a man named James Thorne AKA 'The Dealer'.He runs the place,capturing new contestants every week and setting up the games to make them compete.Today Thorne hit his biggest luck ever.The Western Rebels were making their first appearance at Runner's Up.

Deep underground within a cell.Yoshio wakes up.His hands are tied up with rope.He looks around and finds that Tomoki and Rinku are all in separate cells.

Yoshio: (Whispering) ''Psst psst,Rinku...Tomoki....Wake up'' 

Tomoki: ''WHAT THE??? WHERE THE HELL ARE WE??''

Yoshio: ''I don't know.Our weapons and stuff have been stolen plus our hands are tied so we can't get out''

Tomoki: "RInku is still out cold''

All of a sudden,directly opposite Yoshio,in a dimly lit cell,sat a drunken man there laughing.His blonde hair was messed with charcoal,his sky blue eyes were dark as the night sky,almost like it had no life in it.His body was muscular but fragile at the same time.He laid there drunk,holding up an empty alcohol bottle by his mouth,trying to get even the smallest of drop out.He looked up from the ground in the direction of Yoshio.His eyes started to brighten.

''I've been expecting you Yoshio,for quite some time.I read about you on the newspaper.Quite the name you made for yourself.

*Yoshio looked surprised at him*

Suddenly the main door leading to the prison cells opened and out came 10 masked men.They wore black cloaks with full black suits.The masks were white,no designs,just black eyes.They opened Yoshio,Tomoki and Rinku's cell and grabbed them.They went right to the back where the drunken man was and grabbed him too.One of the masked guards brought out chains.They paired Tomoki with Rinku and Yoshio with the drunken man.The chains were attached to each partner's legs.They were taken into a room where 2 more pair of slaves entered.Inside the room was complete darkness.There was not a single ray of light except for the burning torches the guards had.Entering the room (with an intense aura) was James Thorne 'The Dealer'.

James: ''Welcome to Runner's up Western Rebels!!! Do you know what an honor it is to have you fine gentlemen''

James Thorne AKA 'The Dealer'....Nobody knew what he looked like.He just wore full black robes and a gold mask.

Yoshio: ''What do you even want with us?''

James: ''Want with you? All I want is to play a game...It's that simple.Surely you can play a game Yoshio?''

Yoshio: ''What kind of game?''

James: ''It is simple really.You see here in Runner's Up,we only accept the best of the best and what better way to prove it than competing in a pre-game"

Tomoki: "Pre-game? Is that even a word?''

James: ''Shut up.Anyway it's a really simple game to determine your survival here in Runner's Up.All of you have partners that you have been chained up with.Your goal is simple...Find the key that unlocks your chains and a lever which opens a gate to your freedom.All of the stuff is hidden here in the maze.Unfortunately because we are underground...You won't be able to see jack shit.You have 30 minutes to find the keys and levers.Only 4 people can make it out...The rest will die''

Yoshio: "What's the catch?''

James: ''The catch is that there will be 2 hunters with wolves hunting you down.''

Yoshio: ''Okay...Okay...It's not bad,it is dark.They will never find us''

James: ''Actually the hunters have a night vision ability while the wolves are trained to sniff out any man,woman or creature.

Rinku: ''You couldn't shut up even for one second''

Yoshio: ''WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE??? HE WOULD HAVE STILL RELEASED THE HUNTERS!!!''

James: ''So any questions?''

Tomoki: ''How do we know that the keys will open the chains? What if it's the wrong key?''

James: ''Ahh do not fret boy.Both of  the keys can unlock the chains so you don't have to worry about if the keys won't work.You just need to find the lever but remember...Only 4 can survive so you better reach the gate first.''

Yoshio: ''If we win this game..Will we be free from Runner's Up?''

*James started laughing*

James: ''Ahhh it's funny that you think there is hope you will be free?''
''NOW ENOUGH CHATTER...GRAB A TORCH AND WAIT BEHIND THE STARTING LINE.THE HUNTERS WILL BE RELEASED IN 5 MINUTES.MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THAT TIME"

Everyone grabbed a torch and lit it.They all gathered by the starting line..Ready to begin the game

James: ''Ready....Set.....GO!!!''

The game has commenced and all the teams started making a run for it except for one...Yoshio was stuck.....