The final hour of getting through the Dead Zone seems to be taking forever. I understand that we can’t move fast like we can in the Outer Limits, but this is ridiculous. When we do get closer to the other side, I can see that the glass dome is no longer clear, but cloudy.
The carriages slow as we approach a set of airlocks. Just like before we all have to enter the first set before the next set of doors will open. When we’re all inside, the carriages are bombarded by water mixed with something. I’m not sure what the chemicals in the water are, but they have tinted it a light blue. The next set of doors open and we enter through another set of airlocks. The door closes and we’re hit again with another liquid substance. We go through this routine two more times before finally exiting the dome, connecting to a cable for the car.
Tarsus starts right where the dome ends. Tall metal structures glow brightly, with colorful, flashing signs adhered at different levels of each building. It’s early afternoon, but Tarsus is lit up like it was night. I’m surprised we didn’t see these lights when we were in the airlocks, but the glass was so coated we couldn’t see anything through them. Our pace picks up, but we’re still not going nearly as fast as we were in the Outer Limits. People rush past, dodging into alleyways and open storefronts. Items of various shapes, sizes, and colors hang from store windows tantalizing shoppers to come in and buy. Everything is bright, flashy, large, and extravagant. It’s a far cry from the Outer Limits, and it makes me uncomfortable.
We come to a cross section, turn right, and stop a few blocks down in front of a tall, wide, and heavily plated building. Hidden lights underneath each floors’ ledge change color simultaneously, illuminating an otherwise dull structure. Our carriage switches cables and we swing around to the side of the building, set down onto the pavement, and proceed underground. We’re lowered about three stories before linking up to another set of cables and moved forward. The lift heads back to the surface as we move deeper, finally stopping outside a large set of steel doors. The carriage doors disengage and rise. I have to slide across the seat in order to exit. The driver from our car enters in a code by the doors. They swing open smoothly, introducing us to an empty room with a lone light hanging in the center.
The ten of us are ordered inside. The doors close behind us with the Aedox still on the other side. We drift towards the light, staying close together. Within moments of us hitting the center, monitors drop down from the ceiling encircling us. They flash on, bright colors dancing across the screen.
“Contestants, welcome to The Litarian Battles,” a hidden male voice echoes through the chamber. “In a few moments, you each will be directed to the door on your left.” A spotlight turns on, illuminating the single door. “From there you will be escorted to the main floor where your position in The Litarian Battles will be determined. Once that’s been decided, you will take a seat in the row assigned to your position until everyone has been through the designation process.” The display changes to a name in large print. “Brink Ford, please step towards the door.”
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Four
It’s been only twenty minutes since we started and there are four of us left. Garrett is called next. He’s a few inches taller than Brink, with chestnut colored hair that barely covers his ears. He disappears behind the door, while the rest of us grow anxious. I can’t take the waiting, it’s wrecking my nerves. Only a few minutes pass when the light above the door turns on and the next name displayed.
“Max Sutton, please step towards the door.”
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat and step forward. The door slides open at my approach. I step across the threshold and am immediately blinded by light. The door closes behind me as a pair of hands press against my back propelling me forward to an elevated platform. I’m made to stand in the center of a metal disc, which then rises. The hole in the ceiling spins open the closer I get. Applause reverberates over my head, then around me. The spotlights above me pull back, allowing my vision to adjust.
I’m standing in the same center the announcer did the other night. Circling me are four tiers of contestants, all dressed in absurd clothes covered in bright, colorful patterns. In front of me stands a digital display, but the screen is blank. I glance around the room trying to find Brink, but he’s buried in the sea of audacious tones. I feel someone behind me and turn to see the host, a bright white smile across his face.
“Max,” the man says, pushing the microphone above his head towards me. “Congratulations on being selected for this bold undertaking. You must be so excited to be here and away from the Outer Limits.”
I can’t tell if that’s a question or just a simple comment, so I humbly smile.
“It is now your designation time. In front of you is an indicator, which will assist in placing you into the right position for The Litarian Battles.” Those around me clap, cheering slightly. “Just stand still, look directly at the screen in front of you, and we will have your placement in seconds.”
The host steps backwards, off the metal disc. The digital readout spins rapidly. It’s taking longer than a few seconds. It feels like minutes are passing before the display finally stops. “Looper” flashes across the screen. Those in the top row scream with joy and begin chanting my name.
“Wonderful, Max. You are the first Looper chosen today.” The
