[Fic] Niu Heimar
Title: Niu Heimar
Author: queen_kat_tun
Pairing: Akame (main), others
Genre: AU
Rating: PG (for now)
Beta by: kaykm
Disclaimer: If those JE boys answer to me, I would have made an adult video of my favorite OTPs.
Warning: Genius!Jin? o(^~^)o Oh, it could get messy~ XD This fic might have an NC-17 scene in due time *shot*
Summary: Let the games begin!
A/N: The fic was inspired by several books (Norse Mythology, some things from the Hunger Games, and a series) It is also very much inspired by the rpg Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria of the Square Enix company (I swear I’m going to finish playing that one!) This goes to my favorite monster of all time, sugar_pain_baby . I lurve you! This was supposed to be posted and finished on your birthday but…*sighs* Popcorn? Anyway, all about the fic here
To the super major edited version: >.<
Chapter 1: Midgard
--
"We definitely should start making a living soon." a man with brownish hair said. A sigh immediately followed afterwards. "Seriously, I hate it when my parents refuse to send me money."
Ueda Tatsuya rolled his eyes at his friend's complaint. "Seriously, I hate it when you do nothing but whine."
Kamenashi Kazuya shot his friend a glare. "What?" he hissed.
"I said I hate it when you whine." the older of the two repeated before he turned his attention to his laptop. He scrolled the cursor down and a smile crossed his face.
"I. DO. NOT. WHINE!" the other male stomped his foot on the floor.
"Oh, let's do something fun!" Tatsuya said and he clicked a few buttons before the sound of a printer echoed in the room.
--
"I'm bored."
"Yeah. Me too."
Yamashita Tomohisa turned to his left and peered at the man who lay next to him. "How come you're bored when all you do is laze all day, Kei?"
"That's the reason why I am bored, Pi. I need to do something different."
"Like how different?" Yamapi wanted to know. The sudden giddiness of his friend made him curious.
"I'll take on that hosting job! And you," Koyama Keiichiro looked at his friend. "are going to be there too." he chirped happily.
"Eh??"
--
Osaka had been hot and humid lately and a man named Nishikido Ryo was very much aggravated with the weather that he refused to keep quiet about it.
His group, Kanjani8 as they are called, already knew how to shut him out when Ryo starts lashing out. They all rolled their eyes when the shortest of them started saying mean things that in no way relates to the weather.
A sigh. It was all they could do to not anger the brunette man.
"Here."
"What's that?" the frown on Ryo's forehead screamed murder. He snatched the paper from Subaru's hand and skimmed over the text.
"Something to keep you busy." Subaru answered. Ryo was still furious but the prize on the said competition was more than enough to shut the shortest of them up. "We already sent your application and you're now scheduled to have a series of tests."
A snort slipped past Ryo's lips.
--
An actor by the name Ikuta Toma was lounging at his garden. Today had been boring since there's nothing much to do.
Toma took a sip of his tea and flipped the newspaper open. He skimmed over the texts and a smile made its way to his lips.
"It's confirmed then." He suddenly murmured to himself.
The advertisement said that there is a need for men who are willing to join a competition and the price would be a huge amount of cash. His job paid well so he didn’t really care about the monetary reward.
He was after the adventure itself.
Toma had heard rumors about the competition. It had a unique gameplay, if he should say so himself. It was a game that was made just for fun, out of a typically bored person's whims. In this case, it was Takizawa Hideaki and Imai Tsubasa's brilliant idea. He knew them. Everyone in Japan did. Takizawa and Tsubasa were two eccentric guys who whipped out fantastic reality TV shows. Challenging yet fun. That was their approach to every gameplay.
Toma reached for his mobile and called his manager. "I'll be taking a break."
"What?" his manager, Nakai, sounded surprised.
"I'll be away for a month or two." was all Toma said before he ended the call. "This should be fun."
--
The restaurant was busy. People were shouting their orders, the waiters almost tripping, and a certain Masuda Takahisa was busy eating his gyoza when the TV host, by the name Kato Shigeaki, suddenly called for a breaking news.
"Good evening, Japan." the man greeted. "It is confirmed. The producers, Takizawa Hideaki and Imai Tsubasa have received J-Storm's Johnny Kitagawa’s approval to sponsor their new project. The upcoming reality show shall be aired a month after the entire game is finished. Takizawa Hideaki-san revealed that the screening procedure has already begun three days ago and that they have been receiving a positive response from their target group since then. Unfortunately, only fifteen men will be able to make it and try to win the cash prize of three million dollars. It was said that contenders would come from all over Japan. The show seems to be interesting since we have received news that sponsors and investors had pooled in to give their support, financial-wise. Takizawa-san also confirmed that one of Japan's islands would undergo modification to fit the game and its theme."
The restaurant grew quiet in a sudden as all tried to process the news. Massu chewed on his food slowly while his eyes were still eagerly focused on the man on TV and the news.
"It will be a battle of physical strength and mind. A game originally ours, as told by Imai-san when JE-news asked about Avex's new project. The gamemakers were revealed to be Takizawa Hideaki and Imai Tsubasa themselves. Further information will be revealed once the players are chosen. This is Kato Shigeaki for JE-news, reporting."
With a smile, Massu reached for his bowl of ramen and drank the soup straight from the ceramic.
"Yosh! Three million dollars should be enough to buy a house filled with gyoza and ramen and mochis and..."
--
Tegoshi Yuya, a singer, smiled to himself.
Tackey and Tsubasa were known as the producers of several reality TV shows that always ranked high on the list. The duo always come up with ideas that sounded surreal at first but proved to be possible in the end. In fact, their last project raked all the viewers in and the rival station had to give way to prevent going bankrupt. The fact that an influential man and some others would fund their new project was reason enough to keep an eye out for the show.
Johnny Kitagawa ranked 7th in the world's most powerful and richest. It wouldn't be impossible for Johnny-san to make the show a success even if it involved gore, which Tegoshi wished wouldn't.
"Jerry Bruckheimer?" Tegoshi snorted. "My ass."
Tegoshi hastened his pace and turned left when he reached a corner. He stopped in front of a building that had the sign Avex. With a cheeky grin, he entered the place and headed to where the screening was being held. He had a good feeling that he will be accepted.
--
Koki huffed and puffed as he finished the last obstacle.
The training ground was designed like an army's training camp. It was only the screening but he felt like he'd just played the real game. It was undeniably exhausting. The obstacles required physical strength but he needed to use his head if he wanted to finish all of them. All of them, the aspiring contenders, had to go through the same fate.
He wanted to wipe the sweat and dirt that had filmed his face when he realized that his hands were as dirty and soiled. He could even smell the scent of wet earth that had made its way to each and every pore he had on his body. He could feel the mud on his newly grown hair and he bet that they're as sticky as dough. Even the thought was enough to make him cringe.
"Tanaka Koki?" the casting director, Matsumoto Jun, called out.
Koki straightened himself and raised his hand as he eyed the man. Matsumoto Jun wore a thin, white, long-sleeved polo and the first two buttons were undone. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His black dress pants looked sleek and on his feet, he wore a shiny, leather pair of shoes.
"Oh, there you are!" Matsumoto exclaimed when he reached Koki's place. He gave the other a bag that contained bath essentials, which Koki happily accepted.
"Tanaka-san, please wait for our call. Thank you and you are dismissed."
Koki watched the casting director walk away from him and headed to the others. He saw him talk to a number of guys who, Koki barely recalled, called themselves Arashi.
Three days later, Koki received Matsumoto's call only to find out that he was scheduled for a mental test.
Koki dragged himself to the station on the date given and took the exam. When the day came to an end, all he could muster was the word "Fuck!"
He believed that the mental test had straightened all the crevices and curves in his brain and he'd given all hopes up that he'd be considered as of one the contenders.
Two days later, he’d received another call and was told that he only needed to go to the interview before everything would be finished.
--
Takizawa Hideaki studied the profile in his hands. One was named Nakamaru Yuichi and the other, Junnosuke Taguchi. The men looked weak. Their picture didn't even come out fierce.
"Ne, Tsubasa, do you think these guys would survive?" he asked after he failed to convince himself that the two men would last long in the competition.
In his opinion, the two won't last a week. They'd be pulled out from the game even before day 1 ended, just like that Tegoshi guy. They gave Tegoshi their approval because he looked so innocent and sweet and it'd be heartbreaking if they refused that young lad. Fine. That was an excuse for Tegoshi coming to their office with tears brimming his eyes and almost begging them to let him join the competition.
"Let me see." Imai Tsubasa snatched the application forms from Tackey's hands. He leaned back on his chair and studied the guys' profiles. Tsubasa rubbed his chin before he sighed heavily.
"Well, we need guys who can brighten up the show." he shrugged.
Tackey shook his head in disbelief and placed the application forms on top of a pile of papers that lay at the center of their table.
--
"I must say that you've quite impressed me for ranking first on both the physical and mental exams we've prepared." Takizawa leaned back on his chair, his hands entwined together on top of his table as he stared at the man who sat before them.
The man propped his legs on another chair and slumped on where he sat. "They’re actually easy."
"So you mean to say that you didn’t even find the mental exam difficult?" Tsubasa asked in disbelief. Oh, how he hated this man's guts!
"I have to say that inserting Maxwell took me a great deal though.” The man replied, remembered how he met a problem that required James Clerk Maxwell's equations which describes electricity, magnetism, space, time and the relationships among them. “I had to recall the four equations before I was able to answer the question. You made me do a vector calculus.”
"Oh, please spare us. We're sure we don't exactly want to know about that." Takizawa interrupted, all the while trying to hide his amusement. Contrary to him, Tsubasa has shown great distaste to this man ever since he read the man's profile. "So, tell me, how would you be of interest in the show?" he asked in a good-natured manner.
"The way I look is definitely enough to garner the viewers' interest." the man lazily drawled. "Fogadok, én leszek a show sztárja."
That was not Japanese, Takizawa was sure of that. He immediately checked the man's profile again and saw that the man was also fluent in other languages such as French, Hungarian, Italian and German. The man even knows all of the Kanji characters which were a rarity to Japanese people themselves.
"Okay! That's it! Please leave, you arrogant, self-centered bastard! Oh, and consider yourself out of the game!" Tsubasa suddenly interjected.
"Let's do it this way." the man gave the brunette-haired male a challenging look. "Give me a riddle and I just might." He tilted his head a little to the right as he entered a staring contest with the man who sat next to Takizawa.
Tsubasa refused the urge to roll his eyes. This man was definitely annoying! If memory serves him right, their first interview with this man didn't go well either. The man actually dared to admit that he could care less about the others and would be more than willing to plan deceitful tactics just so he'd win the game. How selfish was that?
"Fine." Tsubasa agreed. He just can't let this opportunity pass now could he? Tsubasa racked his brain in search for a riddle his father had always told him. His father especially loved riddles and would always coax the little Tsubasa to answer them. "Okay. Here goes.”
“My life can be measured in hours, I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick. Fat, I am slow and the wind is my foe. What am I?”
The man only chuckled at the riddle given. "A candle. Is that all you've got, Imai-san?" he gave the man a sly smile.
Takizawa looked at his partner who looked as if he was ready to punch the daylights out of their aspiring contestant.
The man shrugged afterwards before he unwrapped and popped a candy inside his mouth. He stood up and smirked at the two who remained seated. "I expect to see my name on the final list." he said before he walked out of the room.
Akanishi Jin was placed first on the list.
--
It was windy so despite the sun's heat, the day was actually tolerable. The players had been chosen and the hosts were now taping a sort of introduction of the game. Tomorrow would be Day One for the players and they only had this day to prepare themselves for the upcoming games. Tomorrow, everything would be different.
"Good morning, Japan! I am Kato Shigeaki and this is my co-host, Koyama Keiichiro." the camera shifted to another man's face whose eyes were quite...unique. "We are here in the island of Okinawa where the games will be held. Fifteen men were chosen and they will be isolated here to compete for the three million dollars. Who do you think will win the game, Koyama-kun?"
The camera then focused on Koyama. He and Shigeaki wore a costume that resembled a raven. It was a black suit; the only difference was that it was covered in layers and layers of silk feathers that gleamed under a bright light. They were Huginn and Munnin, Odin's ravens who symbolized thought and memory.
"At this point in time, it's still early to place my bet on any player. But since I dragged someone to join this game, I ask all of you to please support Yamashita Tomohisa." laughter from the two hosts followed afterwards.
"Oh, you know Yamashita-san?" Shige asked the other.
"Yes. We're friends." Koyama replied with a smile.
"Let's hope that Yamashita-san will do well." Shige retorted and the camera focused on his face once again. "Anyway, as you can see, the island of Okinawa has been transformed into some sort of a battleground." different feeds from different cameras were shown to the public. Some showed a lush forest, one gave a view of a majestic waterfall while the others focused on the other parts of the island.
"Takizawa-san and Tsubasa-san had personally talked to their architects and engineers to create a waterfall, a river, and a huge forest."
"As far as the game goes, the island has been divided into nine worlds or the Niu Heimar as they are called in Norse mythology." Kato Shigeaki informed. "We have the Midgard, which is our current place." a camera feed showed how the place looked.
Midgard was designed like a town proper, a central hub. It housed the food shop, clothes shop, pharmacy, and the clinic. It also had the inn where the crew could stay. At some spots, the earth of Midgard was connected to the sea.
"The other worlds are called Álfheimr, Svartálfaheimr, Vanaheimr, Muspellheimr, Hel, Jötunheimr, Niflheimr and Asgard. Each world is different from the other and they house different obstacles."
The camera focused on Koyama again and before a minute passed, his voice made it to the speakers. "The challengers are to have different personalities and for this, Takizawa-san and Tsubasa-san have decided that the players will undergo random sampling and shall draw their characters from a bowl. The characters along with their abilities and skills will be a contender’s key to survival. The fifteen individuals will be grouped into three and each group shall consist of five members. The participants are required to search the island for the treasures namely Thor's hammer the Mjollnir, Freya's necklace the Brisingamen, Sif's golden hair and a pair of Odin's gold ring called the Draupnir in order for them to win. It all depends on how well they can play the game. 15 men, 1 island, 4 treasures, 9 worlds, and a 3-million-dollar cash prize. Who will be sent home? Who will stay?"
"To the viewers, please enjoy the show, and to the challengers," Kato and Koyama posed in front of the camera, "ready or not, let the games begin!"
--
A/N: The english translation of Jin's hungarian sentence is: "I bet I'd be the star of the show." thanks to nana86lytama for doing me the favor of translating that line. I love her like so effing much! Also, I am forever grateful to my beta, Kay :) Thanks for reading~~