hereâs something i had in my drafts since april. the dn3 killing game starts with two bodies being discovered.
Raz awoke to a painful throbbing right behind his eyes, and he hissed, clutching his face. His eyes stung from dust when he went to open them. The groan slipped past Razâ lips as he wiped his eyes, sitting upright and shaking his head. He heaved out a few heavy breaths, recalling the sudden explosion rocketing the meeting room of the underwater bunker for the branch heads.
Like he expected, most of the lights were out, leaving the room dimmed. Metallic debris surrounded him followed by the mingling moans of his cohorts as they stirred. Raz tugged his wrists and realized his could part them, forcing him to realize his handcuffs had been removed. Gazing down at his sore wrists, to his baffled wonder, an odd bangle had been set around his left wrist. Turning it over, he found a timer counting down from two hours from now.
Standing up, Raz gazed out to his friends and branch heads. Danilo wrapped Jiaoâs arm over his shoulder, helping him stand. Mikhail offered a hand to Maloof while Franke stumbled to her feet, using a fallen chair to push herself up. Montrell gripped his cane and leaned against the table, shaking his head when Felipinho asked if he needed help. Amos shot a glare in Razâ direction before hobbling over to Vasile, gripping his shoulders to steady to Vice Chairman of the P-sychonauts. Lili got her knees, shaking Chloeâs shoulders as she rubbed her helmeted head. Grigory leaned against the wall, gripping his head as pieces of rubble rolled off his shoulders. Azalea emerged from underneath the table, ambling into Adarah, and the Super Psychonaut Level Arcade Champion steadied them. Tiger shoved some debris off himself and Dimah, helping her stand afterwards.
Raz quickly looked around to his surroundings. The monitors, to Razâ surprise, were perfectly fine. Though, cracks were everywhere in the room as if it had been struck by an earthquake. The walls were lined with deep marks, and the bodies of the dead security agents flashed in his mind. A faint scent of crackling smoke like from faulty wiring hit his nostrils, but before he could address the situation, an odd sound stunned him.
âUpupupupu!â
Raz gasped, and the others jerked their heads around, baffled by the strange laugh. They shook off their weariness, frozen and frightened from the unbecoming giggle.
âLong time no see, everyone! How have you all been? Iâve been more than well!â
Crystal, sitting in the corner of the room, clapped her head over her mouth. Dâartâs eyes widened, murmuring his disbelief. Raz glanced over to them as Adarah shouted to know who was talking.
âWe already know that laugh,â Rosana whispered, biting her lip.
âB-but that couldnât be him. This place is supposed to be t-totally secured,â Niimi retorted, clenching her fists.
âUpupupupu! Donât doubt the truth. Face forward, and accept it without any kind of bullshit!â Again, the voice rang out, and a chime rang out, forcing their attention to the unfazed monitor on the wall. Static crackled on the screen, swiftly followed by the scarlet mark of a monochromatic beast. âAs long as despair reigns, as long as it exists in any way, shape, or form, I will be there!â
The screen burst with light, revealing the interior of the Main Lodgeâs cabin. From behind the podium burst up Monosquirrel on a scarlet spring with a coy laugh. He thrust his paw out, waving to the befuddled agents and landed on his furled tail. He scanned the dumbfounded, shrieking agents and continued snickering.
Razâ mouth fell open, and the world crashed around him once more. He trembled, feeling the ground under his feet shake, and his mind raced with uncertainty. He knew the mastermind was dead, but Monosquirrel laughed before him in Whispering Rock no less. He recognized the wooden walls and posters drawn by former campers. He even noted the old drawing Milka made of Elton from when they were children, and his heart felt like it would collapse into his stomach.
âWho are you?â Vasile demanded, and Dimah hobbled to his side, the creases in her brow deepening.
âOh, youâre really asking my for my name? That name has been around for years now, and yet, youâre still gonna ask?â Monosquirrel jeered, shaking his head. âI canât believe it! Asking a question you already know the answer to. Some VP you are, Vasile.â
âItâs Vice Chairman to you,â Amos snapped, and Vasile gripped his shoulder, quickly shaking his head.
âDid you two cause this? You two despairs!â Jiao snapped, pointing at Crystal and Dâart, and Danilo cracked his neck, narrowing his glare.
Crystal flinched, stumbling to her feet and shouting, âN-no way! We didnât do any of this!â
âWeâre just as much in the dark as you guys are,â Dâart added, glancing at his feet.
âIt couldnât have been them or us for that matter,â Lili said, pulling Chloe to her feet as the younger agent took off her helmet, trying to get her bearings in order. âWe havenât been to Whispering Rock since the killing game. Thereâs no way we wouldâve had time to set any of this up when Mavraâs branch was spying on us.â
âShe did that because you guys were acting shifty!â Amos barked, and Monosquirrel cleared his throat.
âRegardless of all that, I have a proclamation!â Monosquirrel interjected, clapping his paws. âHello, my dear friends at the P-sychonauts! Youâre all so wonderful! Putting your best efforts in to bring hope back to the world and end the reign of despair. Itâs absolutely noble, and everyone here is a beacon of hope in their own right. Hell, even the Soldiers of Despair fell to you guys, and they were the next generation of Ultimate Despair!â
Raz grit his teeth. The harrowing clashes between their branch and their apprentices had truly been chaotic bloodbaths. Those children had no rationality, choosing to kill and despair to their own desires. Massacring and ruthlessness became their bread and butter until their leader simply decided to stop for his own curiosity. Raz could only imagine the further bloodshed and trauma they would endure and cause if Ford had not acquiesced to Razâ offer of the Hope Restoration Project.
Monosquirrel sighed, setting his palm to his head. âOh, itâs so sorrowful! Despair is gonna fade out soon, replaced by grotesque hope! Oy vey! Whatâs there to be done?â
No one answered Monosquirrelâs lamentations. They watched him spin on his tail, heaving out a sigh before popping back onto his feet. Monosquirrel chuckled into his palms and clasped his cheeks.
âWith that being said, I want to offer my sincere, heartfelt congratulations to you all for your work in battling despair,â Monosquirrel said, âwhich is why Iâm inviting you all to participate in the P-sychonauts Mutual Killing Game!â
Balking expressions swapped out the confusion and horror. Monosquirrelâs words rained down upon them in a merciless torrent. Dimah snarled that he was ridiculous, but Monosquirrel continued laughing.
âSay what you want, but itâs true. You canât escape here until the killing game is finished,â Monosquirrel sneered.
âKill each other? Are you insane?â Jiao hissed, clinging to Danilo.
âNot insane, just despairing! Besides, this will be the third killing game, which makes it third timeâs the charm, right?â Monosquirrel gestured at the former counselors. âYou have guys are experienced, so I expect your cooperation as the newbiesâ seniors in killing game etiquette.â
âNot a chance!â Raz shouted, glaring at Monosquirrel, who replied with another chuckle. âWe wonât kill each other again. Not now and not ever again. Your game is already over.â
âOh, Raz, you simpleton, you shining hopester! The gameâs already started,â Monosquirrel said, and a second screen popped up beside him. âWhy donât you take a look?â
The screen showed the outside of the base. Rocky and metallic debris surrounded the runway where the submarines were set and destroyed. Their propellers and windows were smashed with glass and sharp debris, covering the walkway to the entrance. Raz noted the strange fogginess surrounding the feed as if it had been recorded with a cheap cell phone only for his eyes to widen.
The others could only gasp and stare as the shadowed body came into view, but Chloe screamed. Blood slithered down the runway along with torn pieces of fabric. A pair of broken glasses were crushed in the personâs slashed palm. Orange hair was matted with dried blood. The body was simply mutilated, carved like a turkey dinner, with the muscles of his arms and slashed neck painfully in view. The scars on his body were freshly ripped open and drained out to the point where Raz could see bone.
Bobbyâs mouth was open in a small gape with his tongue poking out, and dried tears stained his face, mingling with cold sweat and ichor. He laid on his back with a curved knife plunged into his heart. His hands were completely painted with blood along with most of his clothing.
âB-Bobby?â Raz whispered, eyes painfully wide, and Lili covered her mouth next to him.
Chloe would not stop screaming as Monosquirrel guffawed, drinking in the sheer, undeniable horror beseeching the rest of the agents. Azalea closed in on themself, clutching their shoulders and turning away with their eyes clenched shut. Maloof stared down at his feet, too stupefied to remember to shriek while Mikhailâs fingers dug into his forearm, pushing down so painfully as if trying to wake up. Franke covered her eyes, turning away and uttering a sob, and Crystal dropped to her knees, cheeks puffing out as if she would vomit.
âWhat the fuck did you do to him? What the fuck did you do?â Chloe shrieked, trying to storm forward, but Lili snatched her arms, her own expression drained of color.
âWhat did I do? Nothing! Iâm in Whispering Rock! Consider me the the master of the opening ceremonies,â Monosquirrel said, inspecting his claws.
Lili pinpointed her glare. âWhich means youâre being controlled-â
âHow the hell are you so calm?â Chloe barked, ripping her arm away from Lili. She snatched Liliâs uniform, pushing her back into the wall as the other branch heads watched. âBobbyâs fucking dead! Youâre just standing here making observations that wonât help us! We have to go outside now!â
âCalm down, Chloe! We canât do much now,â Franke interjected, shaking her head.
âWhat would you know? You didnât even live long enough to see a camp trial!â Chloe snapped, and Frankeâs eyebrows shot up to her hairline.
âWhat the hell did you say to me?â Franke snapped, and Dâart seized her wrist.
Maloof opened his mouth, ready to shout when a flash of red caught his attention. Glancing at his wrist, Maloof read the flashing words, gasped, and promptly covered his mouth.
âSilence!â Dimah boomed, ending the argument before it could truly begin. She ran her eyes over the panicked, seething group and lowered her voice. âMonosquirrel, what are your intentions with us?â
âClean our your ears, hasbeen! A killing game is a classic. In fact, havenât you allâŚâ Monosquirrel snickered. â...missing one of your own?â
âYou murdered Bobby! Thatâs-!â
âWhereâs Mavra?â Vasile demanded, surveying the group and silencing Chloe.
At the sound of his daughterâs name, Grigory stirred and looked around. He rubbed the wariness from his eyes and called Mavraâs name. Tiger set two fingers to his temples, attempting to reach her telepathically only to sense nothing.
âIf I could interject,â Monosquirrel sneered, âtry looking at the table.â
Raz narrowed his eyes at the table. His eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, but he could not see anything out of the ordinary until a strange sound assaulted his ears. Like a teardrop landing into a puddle, Raz watched ichor drop from the ceiling and land against the table. Razâ breath was caught in his throat, and he, along with the others, looked at the chandelier hanging above them.
âI forgot to mention something!â Monosquirrel jeered as quiet gasps of acknowledgement filled the room. âThese games always start out with two corpses!â
Pinned to the chandelier with a curved knife stabbed into her heart, legs and arms spread out, was Mavra. Blood dribbled from her mouth into her eyes, staining her sclera crimson. Slash marks were present on her wrists like lopsided ribbons. Her tongue looked as if she had been chomping down on it with it spewed out of her mouth yet with her teeth embedded into it. Monosquirrelâs laughter was like background music in a horror movie as the chandelier shifted, rocked by some invisible force and sent her corpse tumbling off onto the table.
âMavra! Mavra!â Grigory shrieked, storming for the table, but when he started climbing onto the table, the chandelier broke. The glass edges slammed into her body, gouging into her back and limbs while her neck gave a sickening crack as metal smashed into it. Garbled groans escaped Grigoryâs mouth as he clutched his face, shaking his head and dropping to his knees.
âMavra!â Raz heard Mikhail quietly shriek her name, sending him a glance and finding him looking like a ghost.
âUpupupu!â Monosquirrel raised his paw. âNow, everyone, letâs begin what I hope is our final killing game. The finale between hope and despair. You wonât let Bobby and Mavra die in vain, right, Raz?â
Raz gnashed down on his teeth, feeling as if and Monosquirrel were the only ones present. The oppressive air bore down onto him as the shouts from the others faded out.
âAfter all, Razputin Aquato, this killing game is our conclusion,â Monosquirrel continued, his face filling the entire screen. âThis story will have its end, and this series will be over with you and me. Hope? Despair? Letâs give it everything weâve got in this exciting, heart-pounding final game! Ahahahahahaha!â
As Monosquirrel laughed, Raz felt the finality pinch at his skin. The killing gameâs memories burned in his mind. Corpses and executions, the final expression of his friends before their deaths, and even the mastermindâs despair all tainted his thoughts as Monosquirrel announced the beginning of the end.
The P-sychonauts Mutual Killing Gameâs curtain opened, and all that could be seen as far as the eye could see was merciless despair.
Twenty-one out of twenty-three P-sychonauts remaining.
















