[Fic] Niu Heimar
Chapter 4: Musspelheimr
Dinner tonight had been satisfying. They were served all their favorites. But like the other days, nobody talked to any person that belonged to the opposite team, save for Ohno and Aiba, Tatsuya and Kazuya.
When dinner was over, most of the players went upstairs to rest in their respective rooms.
Jin propped himself up on his bed and studied the two figures who lay on their own beds. Nishikido had already told him of how he'd trap one of the guys from Vanir. Yamashita, on one hand, had his own self-appointed task though...
"How's it going, Pi?" Jin asked the other who was busy twirling a leaf in between his fingers.
"Like what I've planned." Yamapi answered back. "No one dared to come my way."
"Want to tell us about it?"
Yamapi pulled himself up and sat on his bed. He grabbed a pillow and settled it on his lap. "Why should I when we're supposed to defeat each other?"
"Nice try, golden boy." Ryo spoke. "Squeal or I'll use my power to put you out of this game in an instant."
Yamapi threw Ryo a glance and snorted. "As if your pathetic threat would make me."
"Forget Ryo. What did you find out?" Jin eagerly asked.
"I've studied the plants in Svartálfaheimr's forest. They're quite handy." Yamapi answered and Jin believed him. Why wouldn't he when Yamashita's interests included plants?
"Anything out there that we can use?"
"A lot." the youngest of the three answered. "I've already managed to concoct something useful."
"How'd you do that?" Jin had to ask.
Yamapi gave Jin a simper. "Quit the game and I'll tell you." he dared.
"I'll have to take that man out too if you want me to volunteer myself out of this game." Jin sneered and the casual shrug Yamapi gave was more than enough to tell him that they better not push each other's luck tonight.
Jin had been following Yamapi to the woods, to the sea, to wherever Yamapi's feet brought him. The places varied but there was always that one man's constant presence, like the stars on a calm night sky, wherever Pi went.
"Also, the thing that flows in the river Ífingr has changed. The sealstone in Niflheimr must have opened a wall, a hole, or something." Yamapi changed the subject. It was better this way. In this island, the games were all that mattered.
"What's in it then if it's not water?" Ryo asked.
Yamapi stood up, went to his closet and searched for the thing he kept away from everyone else. When his fingers curled around the glass, he pulled them out and threw two medium-sized crystal vials to each of his remaining teammates.
"I found the vials inside a silver bag hidden in a bush near the entrance of Hel." he explained when curious eyes gazed at him.
As the unspoken question was answered, Ryo and Jin raised their hands to carefully examine the vials. They stared at its flawless design. The glass was transparent and in the shade of ruby. It had gold etchings in every corner. Its cap came in the shape of an elongated diamond, the body a long, four-sided polygon that had prominent angles.
Jin pulled open the cap and smelled the content. "This smells like vodka." he said after a while.
"It is." Yamapi confirmed and Ryo drank the liquid that was inside the crystal vial. "Like what I've said, the sealstone inside Niflheimr must be the cause. The rune of Isa, an ice rune, had frozen the waters except for the ones in the world of Vanaheimr and the river of Ífingr."
"Remind me again why the river doesn't freeze." Ryo interrupted as he tried to clear his vision by blinking.
"Because it's just not supposed to." Yamapi casually answered. "They used vodka since alcohols have high freezing point. Maybe the gamemakers had thought about that beforehand that's why they had the river short and narrow. But it's only for a while though."
"That's such a waste on vodka though. I've always loved alcohols. Maybe I should ask Yamada, our room assistant, to give me a container to put the vodka into." Jin looked contemplative.
"Good luck on that." Yamapi snorted. "I think that when the gamemakers have found out that someone knew about the river becoming a channel of alcohol, they immediately changed it back to water. I think they had it patterned with the ones in Vanaheimr to keep the water from freezing." Yamapi informed the others and was met with curious gazes. "I knew about it because I've checked the river earlier."
"That's such a regret." disappointment crossed Jin's face. "I'm sure they really meant for us to find out about it. The change I mean. They're practically giving us ways on how to defeat one another."
"Only if you use your head." Yamapi told the others. The gamemakers themselves had provided them with things that can cause one to leave the game.
"I know. And this one here," a pause, "would come handy." Jin commented, as he smelled the liquid a bit more carefully. Sure, it has that familiar scent of vodka but there was something that seemed off. The earthy, musky scent was still there despite the overpowering smell of alcohol.
"The Dvergar shouldn't know about that." Ryo answered despite the woozy feeling he now felt. For some reason he couldn't quite form, he suddenly felt lightheaded.
"Yeah. But there's a catch though." Yamapi said as he watched Ryo fight for consciousness and not a minute longer, Ryo dropped dead on his bed as the tendrils of the sleep syrup set in.
Yamapi chuckled while Jin just watched. "Anyone who drinks it would fall in a deep slumber and would never rouse from his sleep unless treated in a hospital." Yamapi finished. "I know I'm a genius so yeah, spare me the praise, Jin." he said when the other looked at him with amusement dancing in Jin's eyes
A mocking brow was raised at Yamapi as a reply. "Hospital? Don't we have an antidote for that? Ryo would surely hunt us down if ever he finds out." Jin chuckled as he watched Ryo breathe steadily. The man's face was calm and his chest moved in a perfect rhythm.
"Antidote? There's only one." Yamapi said and showed Jin a small vial that contained some sort of a pink liquid. "I made it too but the kind of rose I used was very limited and only had two flowers."
"What about the other worlds?" Jin asked.
"I've searched them but there are no roses of the same kind. The gamemakers must have intended for the antidote to be produced and used only once."
Jin clicked his tongue. Then he smirked. "And here I was, thinking that the gamemakers were lame and simple-minded."
"My same sentiments." Yamapi agreed. His eyes shifted on Ryo's peaceful form. "So, should we wake him up now or...?"
"Not yet. I've a better plan." Jin grinned as he put his crystal vial inside his jeans pocket. "Come on. The Dvergar likes snooping around at night."
--
Ohno, just like the days before, went out of the gates of Asgard when the moon was up. It was raining but he needed to do this for himself, for his team. Tatsuya refused to let him go alone so he always had with him both of Toma and Koki's company whenever he went out of Asgard at night.
For the time being, he was trying to figure out how to activate the sealstone in Midgard, which had the rune of Alghiz.
According to the manual, Alghiz was a rune for protection and once activated, would provide a single immunity to each one of the team members who would be able to activate the sealstone. If he could just make it work, then the members of Vanir would have the privilege to challenge the other teams with not as much of a threat to their own lives.
Ohno stared at the dais in front of him. It looked the same as the others but its mouth was different. Instead of the usual goblet-shaped opening, the mouth of this particular dais was in the form of something he couldn't quite think of.
"Toma, what do you think would fit in this one?" he asked when he couldn't figure out what the hollow space was.
Toma had to squint his eyes to see what the dais looked like. It was already ten in the evening and it was heavily raining at the moment. Lights were already out, if not dimmed to the point where one could hardly see anything, save for Asgard which was always brightly lit and unfortunately, far from where they were. Koki, the Lampad, was given a flashlight in the shape of a torch. The yellow flickers inside the crystal looked like the glow of dancing embers.
They were lucky since they're the only ones who had light in times like this since Koki's character was one who walked in Hel; assisting a goddess to cross the realm of unending darkness.
As Toma traced the figure, he tried to think hard of what the shape would make out. It was circular yet not. The body narrowed at the end and the base indicated that the sealstone for the dais had dull round-shaped tips. Some small lumps here and there.
"What are the treasures we have in hand?" Koki whispered.
"Nothing major." Toma answered. "We have an antidote I still don't know where to use. Money. Ohno's manual about the sealstones and daises and your scroll of herbs."
Koki had been out in the forests to study whatever plant there was and tried to familiarize himself with those that were deadly and not.
"Are you sure those are the only ones we have?" Koki continued to ask. "There must be something we have that's quite as special as our lives here in the game!"
"But those are the only ones I have here." Toma referred to the silver pouch he always carried.
Wait! Lives?
"Toma, give me the--" Ohno's words were cut off when Akanishi and Yamashita flanked his sides. Toma and Koki took a step back.
"It's comforting to know that Jin and I are not the only ones roaming the island at night." Yamashita started. He eyed the two other men. One looked ready to chase him and Jin away while the other one clutched on the silver pouch tightly that his knuckles had almost turned white.
"What do you want, Yamashita?" Toma asked calmly, knowing very well who the intruders were. The soft yellow glow of Koki's torch confirmed that it was Yamashita and Akanishi.
"Nothing." Yamapi said.
"Oh, he actually wants you." Jin drawled out. "He's just too shy to admit that fact." he chuckled.
Yamapi snorted. He knew very well that Jin was someone who was as cunning as the devil and as omnipresent like the wind. He just didn’t know how Jin did that.
For the two weeks they'd spent in this island, Ikuta Toma had something in him that drew Yamapi to the man. He'd quite stalked the man in almost everywhere he went just because he liked seeing Toma grin when their group found a treasure or grimace when a member of Vanir got trapped. The man was entertaining and yes, that was his lame excuse for that unexplainable interest he had for the actor, Ikuta Toma.
Of course he knew Toma. They once worked together; recorded a song entitled Yokobou no Rain. Although they had the chance to work prior to the competition, they never really talked. Even in the outside world and for the entire duration of the game.
For an unknown reason, Toma seemed to not remember him.
But somehow, Yamapi knew that that was no wonder since their work required them to meet and acquaint themselves with different people everyday and they were still teenagers when they did the song. Also, the Yamashita then sported light brown hair. Skinny frame. Long limbs. Hollow cheeks. Haggard face. Tired eyes. The Yamashita then was playful. Cheery. Always on a good kind of high. Busy.
Time changed people. He had long traded his wonderful youth (where he used to smile at everything) for the boring world of adulthood (where he was expected to be a person he wasn't). The young Yamashita could barely be found in the Yamashita he now was.
Surely, Toma would have a hard time remembering him.
With that thought, Yamapi couldn't stop himself from comparing his life to that person who once was part of a band that was popular in the country.
He and that man both belonged in different bands before they were set to work as solo artists. Yamapi had always kept his eyes on that man. He knew him as being the A of the band.
Yamapi liked the man because he was determined, a dreamer, someone who never gave up. He liked him because he had witnessed how the man showered the other lead singer of their band with so much affection that could easily be mistaken for something other than friendship. The A of that band was definitely a man of his own; he was reckless, impulsive but was acting based on how he felt.
As his fondness grew, Yamapi found himself admiring that same man because he fought for that something he had for that young vocalist who sang the song Kizuna.
When the song Care aired on the radio, Yamapi knew that the feeling was mutual between the vocalists of the band that rivaled NewS.
The expected happy ending didn't come though for nothing and no one played fair. So with an expected, harsh twist of fate, that man he had been fond of was pulled out of the group and was told, rather ordered, to pursue his career as a solo artist.
The man didn't have a choice, Yamapi knew that. He, himself, was once a victim of that kind of a dirty trick.
It happened while he was still in a group called 4tops and he had this amazing boy friend.
They were a perfect fit; him and that young boy who wouldn't even ride a roller coaster but dared to blow a tickling, puff of air on his ear during a TV show.
Yamapi remembered laughing at almost everything the boy did, even with the way that boy breathed. He believed that the boy was his soul mate, someone who really understood him. The other was the left to his right, the mistake to his every correct answer. It was logically and perfectly obvious that they complement each other. But then, all good things come to an end. He was pulled out of 4tops and people instilled on his mind that love between boys didn’t exist. Love didn’t even come to boys at such a young age. It was said to be nothing but stupidity.
Those memories were what convinced Yamapi that he had a bond with that man who was forced to go solo. They shared something in common. It was almost unbearable to bear.
He and that man were required to lose a few people who mattered only to gain a whole lot more of who didn't. Wouldn't. Shouldn't.
He'd always liked this guy named Toma though. He seemed to be someone who was reliable and trustworthy. A person one could depend on. If he weren't as busy like he was during the time they worked together before, he would have opted to be best friends with the man who frequently smiles despite the exhaustion. And right now, he could see exhaustion on Toma's usually bright, smiling face. That, too, was no wonder since Toma and Tatsuya were the brains of the group.
"What do you have here?" Jin's voice broke Yamapi's current train of thoughts.
"Nothing of importance." Koki lazily drawled out.
Jin smiled at the man. "Then let's see what's inside that bag." he gestured towards the silver bag that was in Toma's hands.
With a smirk on Jin's face, he pursued the three guys who kept backing away.
"Pi, up for some fun?" he asked his companion.
"Who do you want to take out first?" Yamapi answered and silently hoped it wouldn't be Ikuta.
"Whoever your hands get first." and both of them ran towards the three.
"Run!" Toma shouted and with a knowing glance at Koki, Koki threw his torch down the pavement and the golden embers were no longer visible in the darkness that engulfed them.
--
He knew very well who he was following. The man was good at hiding. He was fast but not as fast as Tegoshi.
The man hid behind walls, on trees, behind the rocks that circled Midgard. Jin kept his eyes on the figure who was alert and on the look out. Jin chuckled slightly while he watched the man on the ground panting for his breath.
Despite the slumped body on the ground, Jin stayed perched on top of a tree. His eyes had long adjusted with the darkness and his senses were very sensitive that he could hear even the slightest sound of a broken twig.
Ohno knew he was panting really hard. The rain got him soaking wet and he could feel the unforgiving cold seep through his very bone. Fuck! Why did Akanishi and Yamashita have to see them?
"I wonder where the short guy is." Ohno had to breathe out.
"Oh, he's just around. Sleeping."
The voice startled Ohno and he immediately straightened himself up. It was none other than Akanishi.
"We can put you to sleep too, if you want."
The second voice came from Yamashita and Ohno knew he was trapped. The manual of sealstones and daises were still with him, tucked beneath his clothes.
"The Dvergar is said to be wise." Jin started. "I wonder how you'll escape the situation you are in now."
"Or we can just make a deal." Yamapi said. "Give us the manual and we'll set you free."
"As if that will ever happen." Ohno snorted.
"If that's what you want." Yamapi casually said and made his way to where Ohno was.
Still exhausted, Ohno couldn't find it in him to move. He stayed with the tiniest bit of hope that someone would distract the two. Sensing there was none, Ohno clenched his hands into fists.
They were allowed to fight if the need arises so the Dvergar tried to throw punches but was only able to hit nothing but air. Fuck Yamashita and Akanishi!
"What did you do?!" Ohno had to scream when he felt large spines stung his skin.
"Those spines came from a plant called Tree Nettle. Even the slightest touch can result in a painful sting that may last for several days." Yamapi informed the man who unwillingly collapsed on the ground, writhing.
"We can make it easier for you." Jin said as he drew out the vial from his pocket. He kneeled beside the suffering man and smiled. "This one here is an antidote. We'll give you this and in return, you'd willingly give the manual to us."
Ohno glared at the vial that Akanishi dangled in front of him. He could feel pain now and it was fast becoming intolerable. It was as if fire became his blood and it deliberately burned his veins. If the feeling could kill, he would have been dead by now. He would scream if he could but he refused to do just that.
"Never." Ohno managed to hiss. The manual could never be touched by anyone else but him since it was his possession. He had managed to share his knowledge about the sealstones and the daises to Toma and Tatsuya so even if he was pulled out of the game, the Vanirs would know what to do.
"I am sure you're quite feeling so much pain now." Yamashita drawled and another spine pricked the skin on Ohno's right arm.
"Damn you!" Ohno scowled as he felt another painful surge on his nerves. Whoever said that Yamashita wasn't as cunning as Akanishi must have dropped dead by now.
"So," Jin's voice came again. "This?" he showed Ohno the vial again. "Or death?"
"D-death?"
"Yeah. A man once crossed an area with tree nettles and he died five hours later. Same day. Poor guy." Yamapi said. That was true.
"What would it be, Oh-chan?" Ohno could feel Akanishi grinning as the man used his pet name. He chose to remain quiet.
There were only three options available. Option A would be to have the vial (which he wasn't exactly sure if it was an antidote of some sort or something that can worsen his already worse condition) in exchange for the manual. Option B would be to try to escape but he knew he wouldn't last long since the stinging pain had already set him on fire and Option C would be...
An agonized scream pierced the silence of the night, accompanied the heavy downpour of the rain. Yamapi and Jin watched the man thrash on the ground, screaming until his voice was hoarse. Satoshi Ohno must have reached the peak of his pain tolerance.
Toma and Koki watched in horror from where they were. The dense bushes, sturdy tree trunks, and huge rocks kept them well hidden from anyone's sight. With the limited availability of light, they saw Ohno thrash on the ground, screaming, almost sobbing.
"Is that even legal?" Koki whispered, referring to the tactic the Jötuns had used. He was definitely annoyed and pissed at the two for torturing Ohno.
"Unfortunately, yes. The gamemakers provided us with those plants for a reason and I'm sure you know what they've used." Toma answered. They both cringed when Ohno found his voice again and screamed his lungs out.
"I QUIT!!! I FUCKING QUIT!!!"
Jin and Yamapi sneered. Another player out, few more to kill.
"But Oh-chan, that's no fun!" Jin whined much to Ohno's painful ordeal.
"I refuse to give you the manual." Ohno managed to voice out through gritted teeth. He could almost feel his insides burning and he wasn't sure if he could still last long.
"Well, then." Jin looked at Pi and the man nodded. Yamapi moved to Ohno's head part and held it steady, tried to keep it midline.
When Akanishi opened the vial, Ohno's eyes widened as he realized what the two were up to.
Fucking bastards! He knew it! The vial did not contain any antidote because if it did, why else would Akanishi be willing to give him the liquid?
"Apple! Apple!" he screamed out of hysteria. He was sure Toma or Koki was just around, hiding. It had been their mutual agreement to not give an opponent's team the privilege to wipe all, if not half, of the team Vanir out of the game if ever they encounter situations such as this one.
"Wrong answer." Jin grinned and he forced Ohno's mouth open in order for him to pour in the liquid that made Ryo drop unconscious.
"How many are left?" Yamapi asked when Ohno had stopped moving and laid still on the wet soil.
"Three from Æsir, Four from Vanir and us." Jin casually answered. "We still have lots to do."
"I guess..." Yamapi shrugged and they both walked in silence.
"Akanishi!" an annoyed voice echoed.
"Go, Pi." Jin said to the man he could now consider a friend. "I've an unexpected date tonight." he grinned.
~*~
Part II
Dinner tonight had been satisfying. They were served all their favorites. But like the other days, nobody talked to any person that belonged to the opposite team, save for Ohno and Aiba, Tatsuya and Kazuya.
When dinner was over, most of the players went upstairs to rest in their respective rooms.
Jin propped himself up on his bed and studied the two figures who lay on their own beds. Nishikido had already told him of how he'd trap one of the guys from Vanir. Yamashita, on one hand, had his own self-appointed task though...
"How's it going, Pi?" Jin asked the other who was busy twirling a leaf in between his fingers.
"Like what I've planned." Yamapi answered back. "No one dared to come my way."
"Want to tell us about it?"
Yamapi pulled himself up and sat on his bed. He grabbed a pillow and settled it on his lap. "Why should I when we're supposed to defeat each other?"
"Nice try, golden boy." Ryo spoke. "Squeal or I'll use my power to put you out of this game in an instant."
Yamapi threw Ryo a glance and snorted. "As if your pathetic threat would make me."
"Forget Ryo. What did you find out?" Jin eagerly asked.
"I've studied the plants in Svartálfaheimr's forest. They're quite handy." Yamapi answered and Jin believed him. Why wouldn't he when Yamashita's interests included plants?
"Anything out there that we can use?"
"A lot." the youngest of the three answered. "I've already managed to concoct something useful."
"How'd you do that?" Jin had to ask.
Yamapi gave Jin a simper. "Quit the game and I'll tell you." he dared.
"I'll have to take that man out too if you want me to volunteer myself out of this game." Jin sneered and the casual shrug Yamapi gave was more than enough to tell him that they better not push each other's luck tonight.
Jin had been following Yamapi to the woods, to the sea, to wherever Yamapi's feet brought him. The places varied but there was always that one man's constant presence, like the stars on a calm night sky, wherever Pi went.
"Also, the thing that flows in the river Ífingr has changed. The sealstone in Niflheimr must have opened a wall, a hole, or something." Yamapi changed the subject. It was better this way. In this island, the games were all that mattered.
"What's in it then if it's not water?" Ryo asked.
Yamapi stood up, went to his closet and searched for the thing he kept away from everyone else. When his fingers curled around the glass, he pulled them out and threw two medium-sized crystal vials to each of his remaining teammates.
"I found the vials inside a silver bag hidden in a bush near the entrance of Hel." he explained when curious eyes gazed at him.
As the unspoken question was answered, Ryo and Jin raised their hands to carefully examine the vials. They stared at its flawless design. The glass was transparent and in the shade of ruby. It had gold etchings in every corner. Its cap came in the shape of an elongated diamond, the body a long, four-sided polygon that had prominent angles.
Jin pulled open the cap and smelled the content. "This smells like vodka." he said after a while.
"It is." Yamapi confirmed and Ryo drank the liquid that was inside the crystal vial. "Like what I've said, the sealstone inside Niflheimr must be the cause. The rune of Isa, an ice rune, had frozen the waters except for the ones in the world of Vanaheimr and the river of Ífingr."
"Remind me again why the river doesn't freeze." Ryo interrupted as he tried to clear his vision by blinking.
"Because it's just not supposed to." Yamapi casually answered. "They used vodka since alcohols have high freezing point. Maybe the gamemakers had thought about that beforehand that's why they had the river short and narrow. But it's only for a while though."
"That's such a waste on vodka though. I've always loved alcohols. Maybe I should ask Yamada, our room assistant, to give me a container to put the vodka into." Jin looked contemplative.
"Good luck on that." Yamapi snorted. "I think that when the gamemakers have found out that someone knew about the river becoming a channel of alcohol, they immediately changed it back to water. I think they had it patterned with the ones in Vanaheimr to keep the water from freezing." Yamapi informed the others and was met with curious gazes. "I knew about it because I've checked the river earlier."
"That's such a regret." disappointment crossed Jin's face. "I'm sure they really meant for us to find out about it. The change I mean. They're practically giving us ways on how to defeat one another."
"Only if you use your head." Yamapi told the others. The gamemakers themselves had provided them with things that can cause one to leave the game.
"I know. And this one here," a pause, "would come handy." Jin commented, as he smelled the liquid a bit more carefully. Sure, it has that familiar scent of vodka but there was something that seemed off. The earthy, musky scent was still there despite the overpowering smell of alcohol.
"The Dvergar shouldn't know about that." Ryo answered despite the woozy feeling he now felt. For some reason he couldn't quite form, he suddenly felt lightheaded.
"Yeah. But there's a catch though." Yamapi said as he watched Ryo fight for consciousness and not a minute longer, Ryo dropped dead on his bed as the tendrils of the sleep syrup set in.
Yamapi chuckled while Jin just watched. "Anyone who drinks it would fall in a deep slumber and would never rouse from his sleep unless treated in a hospital." Yamapi finished. "I know I'm a genius so yeah, spare me the praise, Jin." he said when the other looked at him with amusement dancing in Jin's eyes
A mocking brow was raised at Yamapi as a reply. "Hospital? Don't we have an antidote for that? Ryo would surely hunt us down if ever he finds out." Jin chuckled as he watched Ryo breathe steadily. The man's face was calm and his chest moved in a perfect rhythm.
"Antidote? There's only one." Yamapi said and showed Jin a small vial that contained some sort of a pink liquid. "I made it too but the kind of rose I used was very limited and only had two flowers."
"What about the other worlds?" Jin asked.
"I've searched them but there are no roses of the same kind. The gamemakers must have intended for the antidote to be produced and used only once."
Jin clicked his tongue. Then he smirked. "And here I was, thinking that the gamemakers were lame and simple-minded."
"My same sentiments." Yamapi agreed. His eyes shifted on Ryo's peaceful form. "So, should we wake him up now or...?"
"Not yet. I've a better plan." Jin grinned as he put his crystal vial inside his jeans pocket. "Come on. The Dvergar likes snooping around at night."
--
Ohno, just like the days before, went out of the gates of Asgard when the moon was up. It was raining but he needed to do this for himself, for his team. Tatsuya refused to let him go alone so he always had with him both of Toma and Koki's company whenever he went out of Asgard at night.
For the time being, he was trying to figure out how to activate the sealstone in Midgard, which had the rune of Alghiz.
According to the manual, Alghiz was a rune for protection and once activated, would provide a single immunity to each one of the team members who would be able to activate the sealstone. If he could just make it work, then the members of Vanir would have the privilege to challenge the other teams with not as much of a threat to their own lives.
Ohno stared at the dais in front of him. It looked the same as the others but its mouth was different. Instead of the usual goblet-shaped opening, the mouth of this particular dais was in the form of something he couldn't quite think of.
"Toma, what do you think would fit in this one?" he asked when he couldn't figure out what the hollow space was.
Toma had to squint his eyes to see what the dais looked like. It was already ten in the evening and it was heavily raining at the moment. Lights were already out, if not dimmed to the point where one could hardly see anything, save for Asgard which was always brightly lit and unfortunately, far from where they were. Koki, the Lampad, was given a flashlight in the shape of a torch. The yellow flickers inside the crystal looked like the glow of dancing embers.
They were lucky since they're the only ones who had light in times like this since Koki's character was one who walked in Hel; assisting a goddess to cross the realm of unending darkness.
As Toma traced the figure, he tried to think hard of what the shape would make out. It was circular yet not. The body narrowed at the end and the base indicated that the sealstone for the dais had dull round-shaped tips. Some small lumps here and there.
"What are the treasures we have in hand?" Koki whispered.
"Nothing major." Toma answered. "We have an antidote I still don't know where to use. Money. Ohno's manual about the sealstones and daises and your scroll of herbs."
Koki had been out in the forests to study whatever plant there was and tried to familiarize himself with those that were deadly and not.
"Are you sure those are the only ones we have?" Koki continued to ask. "There must be something we have that's quite as special as our lives here in the game!"
"But those are the only ones I have here." Toma referred to the silver pouch he always carried.
Wait! Lives?
"Toma, give me the--" Ohno's words were cut off when Akanishi and Yamashita flanked his sides. Toma and Koki took a step back.
"It's comforting to know that Jin and I are not the only ones roaming the island at night." Yamashita started. He eyed the two other men. One looked ready to chase him and Jin away while the other one clutched on the silver pouch tightly that his knuckles had almost turned white.
"What do you want, Yamashita?" Toma asked calmly, knowing very well who the intruders were. The soft yellow glow of Koki's torch confirmed that it was Yamashita and Akanishi.
"Nothing." Yamapi said.
"Oh, he actually wants you." Jin drawled out. "He's just too shy to admit that fact." he chuckled.
Yamapi snorted. He knew very well that Jin was someone who was as cunning as the devil and as omnipresent like the wind. He just didn’t know how Jin did that.
For the two weeks they'd spent in this island, Ikuta Toma had something in him that drew Yamapi to the man. He'd quite stalked the man in almost everywhere he went just because he liked seeing Toma grin when their group found a treasure or grimace when a member of Vanir got trapped. The man was entertaining and yes, that was his lame excuse for that unexplainable interest he had for the actor, Ikuta Toma.
Of course he knew Toma. They once worked together; recorded a song entitled Yokobou no Rain. Although they had the chance to work prior to the competition, they never really talked. Even in the outside world and for the entire duration of the game.
For an unknown reason, Toma seemed to not remember him.
But somehow, Yamapi knew that that was no wonder since their work required them to meet and acquaint themselves with different people everyday and they were still teenagers when they did the song. Also, the Yamashita then sported light brown hair. Skinny frame. Long limbs. Hollow cheeks. Haggard face. Tired eyes. The Yamashita then was playful. Cheery. Always on a good kind of high. Busy.
Time changed people. He had long traded his wonderful youth (where he used to smile at everything) for the boring world of adulthood (where he was expected to be a person he wasn't). The young Yamashita could barely be found in the Yamashita he now was.
Surely, Toma would have a hard time remembering him.
With that thought, Yamapi couldn't stop himself from comparing his life to that person who once was part of a band that was popular in the country.
He and that man both belonged in different bands before they were set to work as solo artists. Yamapi had always kept his eyes on that man. He knew him as being the A of the band.
Yamapi liked the man because he was determined, a dreamer, someone who never gave up. He liked him because he had witnessed how the man showered the other lead singer of their band with so much affection that could easily be mistaken for something other than friendship. The A of that band was definitely a man of his own; he was reckless, impulsive but was acting based on how he felt.
As his fondness grew, Yamapi found himself admiring that same man because he fought for that something he had for that young vocalist who sang the song Kizuna.
When the song Care aired on the radio, Yamapi knew that the feeling was mutual between the vocalists of the band that rivaled NewS.
The expected happy ending didn't come though for nothing and no one played fair. So with an expected, harsh twist of fate, that man he had been fond of was pulled out of the group and was told, rather ordered, to pursue his career as a solo artist.
The man didn't have a choice, Yamapi knew that. He, himself, was once a victim of that kind of a dirty trick.
It happened while he was still in a group called 4tops and he had this amazing boy friend.
They were a perfect fit; him and that young boy who wouldn't even ride a roller coaster but dared to blow a tickling, puff of air on his ear during a TV show.
Yamapi remembered laughing at almost everything the boy did, even with the way that boy breathed. He believed that the boy was his soul mate, someone who really understood him. The other was the left to his right, the mistake to his every correct answer. It was logically and perfectly obvious that they complement each other. But then, all good things come to an end. He was pulled out of 4tops and people instilled on his mind that love between boys didn’t exist. Love didn’t even come to boys at such a young age. It was said to be nothing but stupidity.
Those memories were what convinced Yamapi that he had a bond with that man who was forced to go solo. They shared something in common. It was almost unbearable to bear.
He and that man were required to lose a few people who mattered only to gain a whole lot more of who didn't. Wouldn't. Shouldn't.
He'd always liked this guy named Toma though. He seemed to be someone who was reliable and trustworthy. A person one could depend on. If he weren't as busy like he was during the time they worked together before, he would have opted to be best friends with the man who frequently smiles despite the exhaustion. And right now, he could see exhaustion on Toma's usually bright, smiling face. That, too, was no wonder since Toma and Tatsuya were the brains of the group.
"What do you have here?" Jin's voice broke Yamapi's current train of thoughts.
"Nothing of importance." Koki lazily drawled out.
Jin smiled at the man. "Then let's see what's inside that bag." he gestured towards the silver bag that was in Toma's hands.
With a smirk on Jin's face, he pursued the three guys who kept backing away.
"Pi, up for some fun?" he asked his companion.
"Who do you want to take out first?" Yamapi answered and silently hoped it wouldn't be Ikuta.
"Whoever your hands get first." and both of them ran towards the three.
"Run!" Toma shouted and with a knowing glance at Koki, Koki threw his torch down the pavement and the golden embers were no longer visible in the darkness that engulfed them.
--
He knew very well who he was following. The man was good at hiding. He was fast but not as fast as Tegoshi.
The man hid behind walls, on trees, behind the rocks that circled Midgard. Jin kept his eyes on the figure who was alert and on the look out. Jin chuckled slightly while he watched the man on the ground panting for his breath.
Despite the slumped body on the ground, Jin stayed perched on top of a tree. His eyes had long adjusted with the darkness and his senses were very sensitive that he could hear even the slightest sound of a broken twig.
Ohno knew he was panting really hard. The rain got him soaking wet and he could feel the unforgiving cold seep through his very bone. Fuck! Why did Akanishi and Yamashita have to see them?
"I wonder where the short guy is." Ohno had to breathe out.
"Oh, he's just around. Sleeping."
The voice startled Ohno and he immediately straightened himself up. It was none other than Akanishi.
"We can put you to sleep too, if you want."
The second voice came from Yamashita and Ohno knew he was trapped. The manual of sealstones and daises were still with him, tucked beneath his clothes.
"The Dvergar is said to be wise." Jin started. "I wonder how you'll escape the situation you are in now."
"Or we can just make a deal." Yamapi said. "Give us the manual and we'll set you free."
"As if that will ever happen." Ohno snorted.
"If that's what you want." Yamapi casually said and made his way to where Ohno was.
Still exhausted, Ohno couldn't find it in him to move. He stayed with the tiniest bit of hope that someone would distract the two. Sensing there was none, Ohno clenched his hands into fists.
They were allowed to fight if the need arises so the Dvergar tried to throw punches but was only able to hit nothing but air. Fuck Yamashita and Akanishi!
"What did you do?!" Ohno had to scream when he felt large spines stung his skin.
"Those spines came from a plant called Tree Nettle. Even the slightest touch can result in a painful sting that may last for several days." Yamapi informed the man who unwillingly collapsed on the ground, writhing.
"We can make it easier for you." Jin said as he drew out the vial from his pocket. He kneeled beside the suffering man and smiled. "This one here is an antidote. We'll give you this and in return, you'd willingly give the manual to us."
Ohno glared at the vial that Akanishi dangled in front of him. He could feel pain now and it was fast becoming intolerable. It was as if fire became his blood and it deliberately burned his veins. If the feeling could kill, he would have been dead by now. He would scream if he could but he refused to do just that.
"Never." Ohno managed to hiss. The manual could never be touched by anyone else but him since it was his possession. He had managed to share his knowledge about the sealstones and the daises to Toma and Tatsuya so even if he was pulled out of the game, the Vanirs would know what to do.
"I am sure you're quite feeling so much pain now." Yamashita drawled and another spine pricked the skin on Ohno's right arm.
"Damn you!" Ohno scowled as he felt another painful surge on his nerves. Whoever said that Yamashita wasn't as cunning as Akanishi must have dropped dead by now.
"So," Jin's voice came again. "This?" he showed Ohno the vial again. "Or death?"
"D-death?"
"Yeah. A man once crossed an area with tree nettles and he died five hours later. Same day. Poor guy." Yamapi said. That was true.
"What would it be, Oh-chan?" Ohno could feel Akanishi grinning as the man used his pet name. He chose to remain quiet.
There were only three options available. Option A would be to have the vial (which he wasn't exactly sure if it was an antidote of some sort or something that can worsen his already worse condition) in exchange for the manual. Option B would be to try to escape but he knew he wouldn't last long since the stinging pain had already set him on fire and Option C would be...
An agonized scream pierced the silence of the night, accompanied the heavy downpour of the rain. Yamapi and Jin watched the man thrash on the ground, screaming until his voice was hoarse. Satoshi Ohno must have reached the peak of his pain tolerance.
Toma and Koki watched in horror from where they were. The dense bushes, sturdy tree trunks, and huge rocks kept them well hidden from anyone's sight. With the limited availability of light, they saw Ohno thrash on the ground, screaming, almost sobbing.
"Is that even legal?" Koki whispered, referring to the tactic the Jötuns had used. He was definitely annoyed and pissed at the two for torturing Ohno.
"Unfortunately, yes. The gamemakers provided us with those plants for a reason and I'm sure you know what they've used." Toma answered. They both cringed when Ohno found his voice again and screamed his lungs out.
"I QUIT!!! I FUCKING QUIT!!!"
Jin and Yamapi sneered. Another player out, few more to kill.
"But Oh-chan, that's no fun!" Jin whined much to Ohno's painful ordeal.
"I refuse to give you the manual." Ohno managed to voice out through gritted teeth. He could almost feel his insides burning and he wasn't sure if he could still last long.
"Well, then." Jin looked at Pi and the man nodded. Yamapi moved to Ohno's head part and held it steady, tried to keep it midline.
When Akanishi opened the vial, Ohno's eyes widened as he realized what the two were up to.
Fucking bastards! He knew it! The vial did not contain any antidote because if it did, why else would Akanishi be willing to give him the liquid?
"Apple! Apple!" he screamed out of hysteria. He was sure Toma or Koki was just around, hiding. It had been their mutual agreement to not give an opponent's team the privilege to wipe all, if not half, of the team Vanir out of the game if ever they encounter situations such as this one.
"Wrong answer." Jin grinned and he forced Ohno's mouth open in order for him to pour in the liquid that made Ryo drop unconscious.
"How many are left?" Yamapi asked when Ohno had stopped moving and laid still on the wet soil.
"Three from Æsir, Four from Vanir and us." Jin casually answered. "We still have lots to do."
"I guess..." Yamapi shrugged and they both walked in silence.
"Akanishi!" an annoyed voice echoed.
"Go, Pi." Jin said to the man he could now consider a friend. "I've an unexpected date tonight." he grinned.
~*~
Part II