The Twin Alphas Warrior Luna (RYN)

Chapter 53 RYN

I opened my eyes and just as I'd seen on screen, I found myself in a large opening field but this time it was filled with fog and I could barely see the garden maze a quarter mile to my left or anything at all to my right. My heart began to pound faster than usual. What was happening? Why was my own simulation different?

The mutant beast was supposed to be somewhere to my right but I saw no sign of it. I tried to listen for any sounds or signs but I heard nothing. Just pregnant silence.

Turning around, I noticed the only thing that was visible and clear in the fog was the tree behind me and it was by far the biggest tree I had ever seen in my life.

It was as tall as my eyes could see and it had long sturdy branches that stretched for at least half a mile.

I felt something in my right hand and noticed it was a gun. It was also the favorite kind I loved to train with but I knew something was off. Especially from the moment the new Director chose to inject me with the liquid instead of the person in charge of simulation. I began to wonder.

What was the new Directors's plan? Did he inject me with a different liquid? Is that why I am seeing a fog unlike everyone else?

I checked the time on my wristwatch. Each person was given thirty minutes to get the flag or get out and I have wasted three by just standing around.

take I looked to my left and wondered if going for the maze first was a good idea. Then I remembered Theon warning me against such. "The moment you get in, spend more time bringing down the beast than making a run for it. The moment you the wrong step, the beast will awaken and he will come for you." closed I my eyes and took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Think, Ryn. What else did Theon:

say?

His words came to me like an echo. "Every simulation is different. Mine had the setting of a big city. Yours will be totally different but if you are lucky enough to have others go before you, find what is constant. There will usually be three of them. The flag, the beast and the boundary. Outside the boundary, the beast has all the power. Inside the boundary, you have all the power."

I opened my eyes and began to think.

The flag and the beast are known, so what is the third constant? What is the boundary?

"Take the wrong step and the beast will awaken.

How does the beast know I took the wrong step? Where is the line drawn?

The lighting here was neither that of the sun nor the moon. There was just enough light to see as if it was the early dawn of a morning. So I lowered myself to my haunches and looked at the ground. There has to be a boundary line somewhere. I checked my watch and realized I had spent close to six minutes.

Dammit. I rose to my full height and tried to find any markings. It has to be here somewhere. I thought about all the footage I saw of others and then something clicked.

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Every contestant appeared near the tree and the moment they left its shadow, the beast woke up or saw them. Could it be that this tree is the third constant?

I noticed a big black line drawn across the ground for at least thirty feet and it finally occurred to me that the big tree behind me was casting a long big shadow across the ground and that shadow looked very much like a boundary. Like a demarcation between the beast and the maze.

I remembered Theon's words again. "Outside the boundary, the beast has all the power. Inside the boundary, you have all the power."

I decided to test a theory.

I turned to the tree and put my gun at the back of my waist and after assessing the tree, I began to climb.

I

First, I turned to the

In a matter of f minutes,

I was able to get to a very high point where I could see all of the garden maze and field below. To my right, I finally found my beast sleeping in the far distance.

my

left,

I saw how the garden had been designed and I tried to memorize the route that led to the center.

Many of f my colleagues had failed

I because they lost their way and met deadends many times but I will make sure I don't. So I sat on the tree and did my best to memorize.

Once I was done, I climbed back down and took another deep breath. Checking the time, I realized I had twenty minutes left: Pulling my gun out from behind me, I hesitated, staring down at my army boots, before taking a step towards the beast's terrain. The moment I did t I did that, the fog cleared and I was able to see who I was dealing with. My body began to tremble as every instinct within me told me to run but I didn't. I continued to move forward, being careful not to make any noise until I was within a few feet. Slowly, I raised my gun with a trembling hand, and aimed it for the Beast's head.

'Once you have the

the Beast in your sight,' Theon had said, 'be ruthless in killing it. Then and only then, can you go for the flag but remember, killing it won't be easy." "Any tips on that?" I had asked back then and Theon had run a hand through his hair.

"I can't tell you much more, Ryn. I had to speak in code to avoid breaking the law. Here's the last piece of advice I have for you. Aside from the weapon you're given, remember your mind is also a weapon and the closer to the boundary you are, the stronger it becomes." I removed the safety from the gun and just when the Beast stirred, I pulled the trigger. But nothing happened.

The beast stirred again and I looked at the gun in shock.

T the trigger again but to my horror, nothing happened. My heart began to hammer as the beast got up from the floor, stretched and shook its fur.

Removing the magazine, I realized there were no bullets in the gun. Why would I be given a gun I can't even use?!

Then I remembered Director Dutton's smirk.

See

you on the other side.'

Now it made sense. He manipulated the game so I wouldn't have a fighting chance.

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Chapter 53

What do I do now?!

The mutant opened its eyes and when its red gaze zeroed in on burst.

"Shit!" I cursed.

Have I already failed before I even started?

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