• In an empty room, voices speak up, the voices of four people, whispering among themselves. As the walls became screens flickering on to show various rooms, filled with dust after centuries of being unused.
    “A game, why not play another game.” one of them spoke up, reminiscent of the sound of the ocean on a calm day.
    “Yes, it’s been awhile, since we played one of our games,” piped up another, the sound just like wind blowing gently against a set of wind chimes.
    “Players, now all we need are players,” another said, the voice had a more earthy tone hidden in its depths.
    “Wonderful, I can’t wait until, I hear those panic screams again.” laughed the last one, the tone fiery as fire.
    “A whole new game, a new set, the same area, and the same controllers. Its time for our fun to begin again.” they echoed each other perfectly, as the voices faded back in silence. While the wall screens flickered once to show a group of men, sitting underneath a tree.
    “It’s so boring!” groaned one the males, as he stared bored up at the sun that filtered its way through the branches, caressing his face with its warmth.
    “Yeah, well why don’t you shout a bit louder, then we’ll see what happens.” muttered another one sarcastically as he looked up from the book he was reading.
    “Fine I will. I’m so BORED!” he shouted just as two things happened, one a book whacked him on his head, and two it began to rain.
    “Great, just great. This is what happens” “When you decide to open that mouth of yours,” muttered the twins, as they looked at him through half-lidded eyes.
    “Oh quiet, at least we are under some type of shelter,” he said in his defense rubbing his sore head, just as the last one of their group chose to spoke up.
    “Hey, idiots look, There’s someone else here,” he pointed to a figure standing a few feet away, hidden behind a black colored umbrella, with a blood-red rose design.
    “Wonder, why they are out in this weather?” the others shrugged as they went out to ask, just that question.
    “Hey! Miss?” The female turned to look at them, her surprised expression, quickly melting into a kind smile, as she offered them an old looking music box.
    “It’s such a nice day, please take this.” with that being said she placed the box into the hands of the male that had spotted her first. Humming a soft melody, she left before they could refuse the gift, the tune similar to that of the rain, as it echoed the sighing wind.
    “What was that about?” the recipient asked as they crowded around the present that was held in his hands, the rain soaking them each to the bone.
    “Maybe, we should” “Just let it be.” the twins leaned against each other, as they voiced their opinion.
    “Why not just open the thing, it doesn’t seem that dangerous.” and with that he opened it, and as everyone tenses, a simple melody started to play, and a voice started to speak. “See.”
    Welcome to the game, and our world
    You are now ours to play with
    Your fate lies on the choices you make
    Under the children of four
    We roll the dice, and you move
    The game begins with this song and voice
    So again we welcome you into our world
    Now into the game you shall go

    As the melody started to unravel, the clouds gathered, choking the sky in gray. Closer and closer they look inside the box, until shadowed hands reached twisting their warped features round each males bodies. Pulling them down into the box, with no one, but the surrounding earth and sky to hear the clatter of the trap as it fell close on the ground.
    Only the rain bearing witness to the scene as the woman from before came back, umbrella closed in her arms, as she let the rain cascade over her body. Giggling she pocketed the box, in a red velvet bag, before propping her umbrella open, to shield it from getting more soaked. Humming the tune that once was played from the box, she created a watery doorway, stepping through it and disappearing from prying mortal eyes.
    And now the game begins once again in our world
    Mortals used to quench the boredom of those never seen
    Playing by our rules and whims
    The only true winner is us
    For this is our game
    While the fates of those humans mean nothing
    We give them a chance to win their freedom
    But only if they all survive each stage
    And beat the four that are part of the world
    Games, rules, players, regulators, win, lose
    Life or death