Name: Hunter Mans Laudter
Location: The Genocide Empire
Time: Years before this world's Industrial Revolution
[[START!]]
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"Get your head back in the game, man. This is serious. I got some word from the coach that there might be a scout today straight from the TOP of the Genocide Empire. This could be the big one for any one of us! You taking this serious or not?" Nhoj exclaims as he scans your face, trying to find any sign of worthwhile response from you.
[["Fine. If it's that big of a deal."]]
[["You know what, maybe not. Hey! I hear Murderball's a fun time."]]
*Murderball is equivalent to the popularity of softball, but with the gameplay of soccer"Hah! That's the spirit, Hunter!" Nhoj exclaims excitedly. "Let's go, we're about to start."
You and Nhoj head to your side of the field and get into your positions. You are one of the school's top Killball players and everyone knows it. Lives are on the line yet again and with you on the field, you recognize that you might be a big priority for the opposing team.
As always, you are the first up to bat. You scan the field for their strategy and you notice that all of their eyes are locked on you. You were right.
In order for them to have any advantage, they have to get rid of YOU. A whistle signals the start of the game and you focus on the Killball.
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In an instant, it starts barelling towards you. You know where it will be and where it will go.
[[You SWING, feeling the impact of your bat and the Killball before immediately sprinting to get to homebase.]]
*Killball is similar to Baseball, but they try to kill you instead of getting you out from the bases."
"MURDERBALL?!?!?!" Nhoj's eyes widen to an almost cartoonishly level. "You can't be serious?!"
"What's so wrong about that?" You sigh in an exasperated tone. "Maybe it's time for a change, I've been playing Killball all my life and I haven't really gotten much out of it. Murderball might have what I'm looking for."
Nhoj stands still, bewildered, yet he is unable to generate a response to the seemingly impossible words that just came out of your mouth. He tries to speak, before closing back up again as he sighs and walks away back to the team.
[[You decide to play Murderball]]
[[Walk towards Nhoj and lock in]]
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A whistle signals the start of the game. In the blink of an eye, both teams rush towards the ball in order to gain advantage and control. The opposing team manages to secure the Murderball and passes it around. The game goes by so fast that you can't keep track of who is who, let alone where the Murderball is.
Finally, you manage to lock eyes with the Murderball and you notice that... it's getting closer?! You look up and an opposing member SENDS the Murderball straight to your face. In an instant, your vision gets blurry, your ears start ringing, and you feel immense pain. You notice them coming closer to finish the job as you're rendered immobile on the ground.
[[FIGHT BACK]]
[[ACCEPT YOUR FATE]]
Nhoj notices you start walking towards him. He sighs a breath of relief and signals you to get into position.
You and Nhoj head to your side of the field and get into your positions. You are one of the school's top Killball players and everyone knows it. Lives are on the line yet again and with you on the field, you recognize that you might be a big priority for the opposing team.
As always, you are the first up to bat. You scan the field for their strategy and you notice that all of their eyes are locked on you. You were right.
In order for them to have any advantage, they have to get rid of YOU. A whistle signals the start of the game and you focus on the Killball.
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In an instant, it starts barelling towards you. You know where it will be and where it will go.
[[You SWING, feeling the impact of your bat and the Killball before immediately sprinting to get to homebase.]]
*Killball is similar to Baseball, but they try to kill you instead of getting you out from the bases."
You see Nhoj blend in with the other players as you get up from the bleachers and head towards the Murderball team.
Nhoj locks eyes with you from across the field, only to look away and shake his head at your decision. You scoff and grin as you talk to the Murderball coach.
The coach scans you up and down, head to toe. No response.
"So......?" You ask.
He points you towards the field.
You look at him, then back at the field, then back at him. You decide to not ask questions and follow along.
After all, Murder and Kill are fundamentally the same! What could be so different?
You notice the ball has spikes on it and that your teammates are practicing using their feet. "Wait... Killball uses hands... Uh-oh"
You get into position.
[["Here we go.."]]"'WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?' How do you not know?! You go to U.C.D.E.A.T.H.A of all places. Only murder is allowed in Murderball!'
Nhoj continues rambling as you spend what little energy you have left wrapping your head around the differences between Murder and Kill. You are unable. Nhoj starts pacing around before suddenly looking straight back at you.
"Hunter... these are grounds for exile! You could be kicked out of the Genocide Empire, let alone the school!" Nhoj explains seemingly out of breath. "Wait, it should be ok! You have the Killball scholarship, right? U.C.D.E.A.T.H.A might be able to sweep this under the rug to keep you in the team!"
Nhoj's excitement quickly fades as a towering figure enters your vicinity.
"Hunter Mans Laudter, you are under arrest for breaking the sacred rules of Murderball: 'NO KILLING.'" A man dressed in full black with a notepad bearing the symbol of the Genocide Empire. As he puts his notepad into his breastpocket, you were able to catch a glimpse of your name crossed out. Nhoj moves away from you as the man takes up your entire vision.
You try to reply but all you can do is focus on breathing.
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"My name is Redfin Yarm." He says as he examines your condition. "You don't seem to be doing so well. Under the laws set by the Genocide Empire, you will be permanently exiled for the foreseeable future. You will be given time to pack your belongings and we will fund whatever medical attention you might need to be ready for the outside."
You are in no position to counter. You nod and Redfin signals the nearby bystanders to start wheeling you to a nearby hospital. Within only a few minutes, your life as you once knew is gone.
[[2 Months Later]]
*Ironically, the Genocide Empire does not believe in the death penalty. Likewise, their counter, the Life Kingdom, does.
A couple of months have passed sinced the Murderball incident. You are fully healed and you have all of your belongings with you for the outside.
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You stand by the gates that separate the Genocide Empire and the outside world, with Nhoj standing by your side. He is ready to see you off but it is clear that he cannot leave his life here.
"I hope you'll be okay, Hunter. Be careful. The Life Kingdom might be out to get you if you aren't careful, amongst whatever else may be out there..." Nhoj looks down at the ground fearing the worst. You are unable to muster any words.
"Please... write in once in a while. Maybe one day, we'll see each other again. Good luck Hunter." You and Nhoj lock eyes and share one last embrace. The gates start to open to a part of the world you have never seen before.
This is the start of your new life, exiled yet reborn.
"RAGHHHHHHHHHH!!!" You cry at the top of your lungs as you extend your legs in front of the Murderball. Your attacked trips over your leg, killing him instantly. You hear a thud and silence swarms the field. A whistle breaks the silence followed by a booming voice "K OUT! FOUL!"
Your vision and hearing gradually come back but you are unable to move without a jolt of pain to remind you of your choices. A familiar figure enters your vision...
"HUNTER!? Are you okay??" This is Nhoj.
"What happened... Did I win...?" You ask with barely a whimper.
"WIN?!" Nhoj shouts at you angrily. "No! You didn't 'win.' You broke the worst rule of Murderball, 'NO KILLING.'
[["What...? What do you mean? Murder is in the name!" You exclaim. "It's allowed in Killball, what's the difference?"]]You see the same person that knocked you immobile barreling towards you. You notice the Murderball in the perfect position to finish you off, and he does too.
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You lock eyes with the Murderball, recognizing that this is the last thing you will ever see. You let out some tears as in a span of a half second, you hear the impact that sends the Murderball straight to your face yet again. Time freezes for what seems to be the longest second of your life. Your life flashes before your eyes: your Killball record, your family, your friends.
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As you get to the first base, you notice someone attempting to catch it before it lands. You hear a THUD, killing them instantly.
You decide to keep running to get to second base. This time, you can already hear the Killball whizzing around different people to achieve its one and only goal: killing YOU. As your feet are inches away from second base, the Killball barely misses you by an inch as you dodge it. You realize that they are completely out for you and if you stop now, you are at risk of losing your life.
You SPRINT towards third base, completely shocking both your team and the enemy. You hear a sudden silence in the bleachers as the enemy locks onto you. Yet again as you are about to get to third base, the Killball heads towards you without any remorse.
[[Attempt to dodge Killball]]
[[Grab the Thirdbaseman to bodyblock the Killball]]You attempt to dodge the Killball by diving to thirdbase. However, mid-dive you notice the Killball changing trajectory. They accounted for this. You realize that your life will be over in a few seconds.
You are powerless against death. The Killball reaches it's prime target: YOU.
You close your eyes and never open them again.Out of pure instinct and adrenaline, you catch the ball causing your hand to bleed in the process. You have no time to worry about a small injury. You launch it back at the player that sent it towards you in the first place, killing them instantly. Your eyes are locked towards homebase as you hear the crowd cheer. You reach homebase and you catch your breath. You've done it.
You look back and see two losers piled on top of one another, and another one across the field from the initial swing that started it all. The enemy team is stuck at a huge disadvantage with three players down and it's a surefire victory for your team now.
Nhoj runs up to you and hugs you, thanking the Genocide Gods that you've somehow survived.
Suddenly you notice that your team has stopped cheering, with only Nhoj oblivious to the situation. You see a towering figure in dark robes bearing some symbols of the Genocide Empire.
"Hunter Mans Laudter!!!" The man proclaims. "I, Redfin Yarm, come in representation of the Genocide Empire and we recognize your talents." Your team starts murmuring before quieting down again as Redfin Yarm gestures to signal total and utter silence. "We hence offer you a position amongst the elites of the Genocide Empire. You will lead, you will fight, you will kill... and you will never worry about going hungry ever again." The people around start murmuring again. "Your loved ones will be safe, you will be provided shelter, and you will be respected."
This is a decision that WILL change the course of your life forever, and, if you reject it now, you will never get this opportunity again...
"Well, what say you, Hunter Mans Laudter? Do you choose to live your life playing games or will you surprise me?"
[[ACCEPT DEAL]]
[[REJECT DEAL]]
You decide to sprint straight to homebase. You start going as fast as possible, seconds away from securing a big advantage for your team.
However, you realize that the ball is heading to where you're going to be. You try to slow down but you're too fast! You lose balance and control before tripping over yourself. You turn mid-air to face the Killball, inches away from your face. You have failed your team.
Your body falls to the ground, killing you instantly. A man in the bleachers crosses out your name on a notepad. You have no legacy.As the ball reaches you, you grab the thirdbaseman by the shirt to block the trajectory of the Killball. You hear a THUNK as the Killball kills the thirdbaseman instantly. You survive yet another game. The crowd falls silent at the complete shock of your move. This is not the time to think, you keep running towards homebase.
"HUNTER!! GO! GO! GO!" A familiar voice booms from the stands.
Your team starts chanting your name, filling you with that bit more of energy that you needed.
Behind you, right by the fallen thirdbaseman, an opposing player hurls the Killball at you with all of their might knowing that this is their last chance to fully get you. You expected this, only yet again a few feet away from homebase.
[[CATCH THE BALL]]
[[SPRINT TO HOMEBASE]]You look at Redfin with conviction. He knows your answer just from your demeanor.
"Come with me." Redfin says. "From here on out, your life will never be the same."
You follow Redfin to the capital of the Genocide Empire, not towards the Throne Room, but instead towards your quarters. It is clear that you are now part of the Genocide Empire's military in a high ranking position.
Over the next few months, you are taught the ropes of war, taking lessons from previous legends. Your purpose is to defend the Genocide Empire against the Life Kingdom.
[[Years Later]]
You look at Redfin and then down at the ground. You aren't sure if you are ready to sacrifice everything for this. You look back up at Redfin with faltering confidence. Redfin raises his eyebrows and sees right through you.
"There is no place for wavering loyalty amongst the ranks of the Genocide Empire, Hunter." Redfin pulls out his notepad and you see him cross your name out. "You will never see me again."
Redfin puts his notepad away and starts walking away from the U.C.D.E.A.T.H.A campus.
Your fellow team members start murmuring again over what just happened.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY, YES?!?!" Nhoj shakes you for an answer.
"I... I thought I was ready..." You fall limp against Nhoj's arms and, while hesitant at first, he embraces you.
"I'm sorry, Hunter. I understand..." Nhoj says.
[[YEARS LATER]]
You have accomplished much as a military leader. Your quarters are lined with awards of recgonition, medals of valor, trophies of success, and tons of memorabilia from adoring fans after you have made a name for yourself. You are widely regarded and respected as a killing machine. You get ready for the next battle against the Life Kingdom.
As always, you are the first up on the field. You scan the field for their positions and you notice that they are planning an attack on your position. It seems word has spread about your military prowess.
In order for them to have any advantage, they have to get rid of YOU. Your orders signal the charge and you focus on killing all that oppose you for the sake of the Genocide Empire.
You charge in, killing multiple Life Kingdom troops in the process as your men become part of a numbers game.
An enemy catches you offguard and attempts to stab you with their spear. You notice it inches away from you.
[[Attempt to dodge the attack]]
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You attempt to dodge.
*CRK-SKWUNCH*
You look down and you feel the impact between you and the spear. There is no where left to run. You can't. You look back up at the soldier that dealt the blow as he runs away back towards the direction he came from before falling over face-up. Your vision starts to fade and your ears can barely make out what's going on.
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You grab a nearby Genocide Empire soldier to block the blow.
*CRK-SKWUNCH*
You look down and you feel the impact between you and the spear.. You see it go through this nameless soldier, killing him instantly, and straight into you. A life that did not have to be lost, gone by your hand. There is no where left to run. You can't. You look back up at the soldier that dealt the blow as he runs away back towards the direction he came from before falling over face-up. Your vision starts to fade and your ears can barely make out what's going on.
[[After a while, you feel your body being dragged across the ground...]]Perhaps days, weeks, or months have passed. You are still alive.
You are on operating table with new technology that the Genocide Empire has been trying to research in secret. You notice a familiar towering figure, the man who sent you down this path: Redfin Yarm. He gives orders to the people operating on you and walks towards you.
"Well, you were meant to fall in battle eventually." Redfin says as he grabs a mirror. "Skill does not make you invincible, Hunter. But... this. This might."
Redfin puts the mirror in front of you. You see someone that you do not recognize. A body of cold metal, a broken smile, scars across parts of its face. It reacts to your movements. This is you.
"Tests will continue once you are fully functional. Take the time off. Looks like you need it. Remember, Hunter. YOU chose this life."
Redfin walks off as the door closes, with the only company being the overhead lights staring down at you from the ceiling.
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</div>You have become one of the most popular Killball players in the entirety of the Genocide Empire. You are well-respected with some of the best K/D ratios the sport has ever seen with the longest career in all of Killball: 5 total games. Your house is filled with countless accolades from all of your achievements in Killball.
But... you don't feel anything. You never liked Killball in the first place. This just seemed like the only path that you could take. You are in your living room as you are about to head out for Killball practice. A black and white photo of your old Killball buddy, Nhoj, sits on a counter. You pick it up and reminisce on the past, on the decision that got you to this point; completely and utterly alone.
You look back up. You're on a Killball field. As always, you are the first up to bat. A whistle signals the start of the game.
Who cares about advantage? They have to get rid of YOU. Why not let them?
A ball hurls at you for the last time. You relax your stance. The weight of the bat leaves your grip.
*THUNK*
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The field is bustling with students of the murderous campus of U.C.D.E.A.T.H.A. playing their last mock games of Murderball and Killball before the next big game against UC Berkilley. Multiple teams from different Murderball and Killball positions are going head-to-head; whoever survives joins the finals against UC Berkilley for the #1 spot of best Kill College. You have never found these games to be particularly important but you have always had a knack for Killball, so you kept at it. Your mind starts to wander before a familiar voice brings you back to reality.
"Hey Hunter! It's our turn up next, get ready." It's your Killball buddy, Nhoj. You comtemplate for a split second as you gather what little energy you care to reply:
[["Hmm?"]]