Lockeroom's Pandemonium

Chapter Ten: The Grim Man and Pink Mathilda

Lukas Mariano grabbed a small marble-like light that was lying on the ground, hidden under the near-withering leaf.

“What was that, Lukas? Do not tell me you're actually scavenging something that I don't want to,” said a woman in a thick, yet squealing tone of a usual aunt-aged lady. “You know this place is really disgusting, and I just hope I could go back to my little kitchen and just do the best thing that I always wanted to do—to butcher chicken and pork and cook delicious dinner for my family.”

Lukas sighed. He believes he is unfortunate to get a partner like this. A double-sized woman wearing purely pink, tightly fitted dress, showing numerous levels of her belly, as she continuously mutters about either how disgusting is the island, how pretty weird and ugly Lukas is, and how pink—like a bubblegum, Lukas!—her dress is.

He would be glad and more appreciative if his partner is that woman who sloppily killed one of his men using the Airbow, during the first levels. She was actually impressive. Her figure does not look like someone who could survive from the level one of the game (because he believes beauty and being sexy is the complete opposite of strength and wild instinct of survival).

Yet, he realized that once in the verge of dying, no one will just stay in a certain place and wait for the Satan’s scythe to reap their heads.

As long as there is a chance, a desperate man would grab it. If it means killing another person will save them from being killed, anyone would do it. It was a sense that the nature gave to them. The instinct to survive.

For only the strong and fit would surpass the challenge of death.

He just wished that the woman is still alive, and has a very fit partner that can protect her. For if ever they would meet again, he wanted to be the one to take revenge for his friend's death.

He never had any regret when he snapped the neck of Theodore, because it was for his own sake. For his own survival.

But for the woman who killed Theodore's brother, the rage that he felt were unexplainable. Just as he wished how that woman could be his partner, he was also wishing that he could snap her neck as soon as possible. He wanted to let her suffer, and be the payment for the two of his most loyal men's lives.

In the end, he had to face the fact that his partner was Aunt Mathilda. He didn't knew how this big and lazy lady survived the preliminary round of the game. She is too big, too slow-headed, whiny, and can easily squeak when her shoes and socks were smeared with mud.

The dark clown just let them meet each other, yesterday. He was being accompanied by the clown, orienting him more about the game, until they saw this woman who was loudly snoring while lying on a comfortable space made by the giant tree's roots. He had no idea how she managed to fit her big body in the spaces, nor the idea that she had a peaceful sleep in the middle of a chaotic island.

He knew he had to play the rules of the game, or else he will be the first one to be eliminated had he violated anything from the vague rules. That is why, he lengthen his patience. More.

He was just waiting for the perfect time, the Sunday, so that he could kill this crazy lady. Also, he wanted to meet other players as well, and test them. And if ever he would be lucky, he could have the chance to kill a couple of them.

Because he dreams to be the winner. To be hailed as the champion of this demonic game.

Now with patience that he all got, he rose and then showed to Aunt Mathilda the marble-like light that he found.

“Look, eh, Aunt Mathilda,” he said. His raspy voice always made Aunt Mathilda to raise her eyebrows.

“What was it?” The aunt asked.

“A loot,” Lukas answered.

“I know that, young boy! Your face is not the only dull and edgy in you! Your mind as well! Stupid! Scan it. Now!”

Lukas sighed. His inside was raging, screaming as if a beast wanted to rip out of his chest. Yet, he has long been practicing the art of pretending. His face remained stoic.

From the outside, he seems unbothered and does not plan any hideous revenge from what Aunt Mathilda has been treating him. His pretending was highly impressive.

Just so you wait, eh, filthy fat rat in digusting dress, Lukas thought.

He then patiently scanned the marble-like light with the use of the screen on his wrist.

Sooner, it revealed an item gleaming in orange light: a gauntlet.

***

Gauntlet of the Night

● 5% grip strength

● Skill: Night Pocket

***

When Aunt Mathilda saw the rarity of the item, he immediately showed her wrist in front of Lukas.

“Give it to me, Lukas my boy.”

“Eh, Aunt Mathilda. It was me who first saw it,” he said politely.

Mathilda smiled. At first it was a genuine one. A sweet smile.

But then her eyes suddenly bulged and the curve on her lips started to become wicked.

“STUPID BOY! GIVE IT TO ME!”

A slap Silver received from the thick hands of Aunt Mathilda. It was painful, he had to admit.

“If you want it then, eh, Aunt Mathilda.”

Lukas decided to play more. To pretend as if a weakling.

For seeing the horror on an oppressor's face as it was about to die, is one of the most satisfying picture he could ever see. He wanted to witness it. He wanted to build the picture of it.

Come on, give me more reasons to hate you, Lukas thought.

The holographic image then started to transfer from his own wrist, down towards Aunt Mathilda.

When she received it, the once furious and wicked aunt look that she had—bulging eyes, O-shaped hole of the nose, tucked lips, and deep breathing— suddenly shifted into a bright and wondrous smile.

“Good boy,” she told, delighted.

He smiled too, pretending as if he was also delighted with the Aunt's compliment—even if he's not.

“I was just wondering, eh, Aunt Mathilda. Why had we found a loot in here?” Lukas asked.

“Well, maybe because a player just recently went here. And then encountered a beast, probably a dirty nighthound, and then killed one, that's why the loot was left there, untouched. But since because nighthounds attack in pack, maybe the player has unfortunately been eaten by those creatures. Who knows?” The aunt then, shrugged her shoulders.

“Or maybe the player, aunt, got lucky and killed all of the beast. Then this loot was just left over, for it was lying in a hidden place.”

“Maybe,” the aunt said. “Too bad for them. It's a good item.”

She then clicked the item in the holographic screen floating in the air. Sooner, the Gauntlet of the Night physicalized on her hand.

As she wore it, she exclaimed in excitement, “Oh sweet honey! It suits me well!”

One thing that added to Lukas' hate towards him, is the fact that Aunt Mathilda has a weird fashion sense. The gauntlet of the night looked like a skeletal hand ornamented with different black and sakura stones. It was indeed, beautiful. But aunt Mathilda’s hands were ugly.

But a play is a play for Lukas. And he have no plans to reach a failing game over.

“It looks beautiful on you, Aunt.”

“It is, stupid boy, it is!”

It was then in a most unexpected second—in the middle of the big woman's celebration—when the whole forest started to tremble. Loud screeches pierced their ears, and the sky suddenly turned dark.

When they looked above, they saw horrible creatures angrily flapping their skeletal wings, attacking whatever was in the top of the giant tree not far away from them.

“Harpies,” Aunt Mathilda said.

Lukas looked at her. “I always wonder Aunt Mathilda, eh, how were you so knowledgeable with the things in here? The beasts, the direction, the whole place.”

Aunt Mathilda looked back at her. She laughed as she felt flattered with Lukas' question.

“Oh boy, oh boy. We all have our secrets that we hope we can never share to others.” Then a louder laugh from her.

“Anyway,” she continued. “Let's go nearer the tree.”

“Why, Aunt? Too many Harpies, you see, eh?”

“Exactly, stupid boy. Can't you see what was happening? Look carefully.”

As Lukas did, he saw the flashing of light in the sky. One moment, it was coming from the top of the tree. Then, in a fast strike, the light flew towards the cluster of Harpies.

Aside from the flashing light, in the middle of the flying harpies, a fire was growing. It came from a sudden yet fluid motion of a thread-like weapon, whipping and burning every harpies that it can touch.

“A pair of players bravely fighting hundred numbered flying beasts,” said Aunt Mathilda. “But look, they would not last from that creatures. There were many of them. And they were ugly, unlike me.”

“I agree.”

“But what will we be going there is that.” Aunt Mathilda then pointed the bright sparkles of light flowing downwards. It looked like a rain of bright lights.

But Lukas knew what those lights are. “Loots.”

“Exactly, genius boy. We'll be getting that loots. I was afraid, however, we won't be the only one who will be trying their luck scavenging there.”

“Worry not, I can handle them,” Silver promised.

“Oooh! What a stinky rusted knight in shining armor you are!”

Then, with a wicked face—from Aunt Mathilda—and a stoic one—from Lukas—they started to head towards the scene of actions and dangers. They were confident. But they do not knew that their path and of Silver and Alina's, will be colliding in no matter of time.