Jacky, the twins, and Claire exit a cramped taxi. Before them are a pair of double doors made of pure steel. Off to the side, an intercom crackles to life.

“Ah, Claire, my girl finally got assigned to another horror team, huh? I’m proud of you; you know I really am! In fact, I’m so excited, let’s go out-” Claire pushes the button on the intercom, silencing the man’s voice.

“Just open the door already, Fin! I don’t have all day! I need to get this team briefed as soon as possible.” Claire releases the button to the intercom and takes a step back.

Jacky and the twins all share a look of anticipation.

“Alright, I heard you; I’m opening them now…So Riley’s Saki and open Grill or are you in the mood for-” Once again, Claire presses the button to the intercom; the sound of static wisps from the voice box.

The doors slide open. Inside, an entirely different world comes into view. A bustling city hidden behind giant walls; the first floor is leagues better in quality of living than the slums. An enormous white cylindrical machine towers above the floor. That machine is the Warpath elevator, the Warshaft. Artificial light glistens off everything.

“Wow, look at this place, Lulu! It’s nothing like the slums were used to.” Lala says with a smile.

“Don’t get too comfortable. What you see here isn’t exactly luxury.” Claire steps into the busy streets of floor one.

“When you’ve been eating trash to survive while fighting deathmatches as your only means of earning a living, this is an impressive improvement.” Jacky begins to follow Claire.

“You’re right about that. You’ll be fed properly from here on out. We need you at your best; I need you at your best. My job kinda depends on it. This way. My office isn’t too much further.”

A dim light illuminates a worn wooden desk.

“Ok, listen up, you three, we got a lot to cover. First off, I’ll be your handler from here on out. The better you perform, the higher your chances of getting up to the greater levels of the Warpath. Now give me your bracelets. You won’t be needing them for a while or ever again in the case that you die.”

Jacky and the other two take off their bracelets and set them onto the desk.

“Welcome to floor one of the Warpath. Until further notice, all matches are sudden death. I know, don’t panic. This is our way of weeding out the weak. We have hundreds of thousands of competitors here on the first dozen or so floors. The bracelets end your life after three losses, creating a sort of test for you and your horrors. It was a way to collect the most promising of you all. Now that that part of your journey is over, we’re back to square one. This is another “weeding out” process. Many will die, many by your hands. We need to win our matches to progress further up the Warpath. Matches are designed and pulled randomly. I don’t know exactly how you will be tested, mainly because I don’t have the schedule. Yet. To give an example of what I have heard from others I’ve worked with; sometimes your matches will be three on three like you have been used to. On other occasions, one of you three will be selected for one-on-one affairs. It’s all about the money. Whatever those above think will draw in the most cash. Your horrors will still function the same here as before. I saw that Syphon had taken quite the punishment and “died” in his last match but do not fear he can still be summoned as I’m sure you are already aware; however, from now on, if you lose even a single match, that’s it for you and your horror.”

Jacky crosses his arms and sits back in his chair.

“I see now. It’s pretty simple, kinda like sports teams. I’m sure we don’t just compete for progress to the next floor of the Warpath, but we also compete for sponsorships, an allowance, political favor, and all that special bullshit, right?” Jacky scoffs at the idea.

“Precisely. You are my team now, and I’m responsible for all three of you.” Claire signs a few papers on her desk and organizes them. “Here are the rules for the city. There are no summoning horrors outside of matches unless for communicative, training, or recovery purposes but no combat. If you go and start street fights, let’s just say it won’t be pretty. You’re free to do as you wish within the confines of your floor. Every week you’ll get a spending allowance. Go out! Have fun! Eat and drink whatever you like. As we progress further up the Warpath, your quality of life will improve too. For now, I will take you to your living space. I need you all rested up and here at my office first thing in the morning. I should have this month’s schedule handy by then. Any questions?”

“Ah, yes, so how-” Claire stands up from her desk.

“Ok great, no questions! Perfect! Follow me.” Clair leads the team out of her office.

Artificial light glares off dust particles in a hallway. Clair is leaning against the door to a small, run-down room.

“If you guys need anything, there’s a landline on the table in the kitchen. Get some rest and remember early morning champs!” Claire closes the door.

A dinky little dorm room with a small kitchen, a couch, and one bedroom with three sleeping mats adorn the apartment. There are three blue and red rubies piles on the small kitchen table with a note below them. “This week’s allowance.” The note says. Jacky looks at the other two.

“Looks like these little rubies are what they use for currency here—ten for each of us. Don’t go spending them like crazy. Be conservative with what we earn. The goal is to survive. We don’t have the time for fun right now, so we need to focus on rest and recovery. I can see you’re both pretty tired. You two go get some sleep.”

“And what are you gonna do, Jacky?” Lala says.

“What do you think? He’s obviously gonna go exploring without us.” Says Lulu, slightly irritated.

“Relax, Lulu. I need to see what this place is all about. We need to prepare for anything.” Jacky grabs his coat and turns the knob on the apartment door.

“Just be safe, Jacky,” Both twins say simultaneously.

“I will,” Jacky says, making his way outside.

The artificial lights on the first floor of the Warpath have dimmed to mimic nightfall. Jacky throws over his hood and takes a stroll around the city.

This city is different from the slums but not too different. It seems as if all that’s changed is the quality of life. Slightly better clothes but not too far off from what I’m used to seeing. There’s more food, a lot more food. This first floor must be how this place stays running; everything is made here and sold throughout the floors. Or so it seems that way, at least. Resources are sent from here up. The higher you go, the richer the class? That must be it.

Jacky continues through a busy night market selling street food, clothes, jewelry, and other accessories and trinkets. Hookers line the streets, selling their bodies for what little scraps of rubies they can squander. In the distance, Jacky notices two men pushing and shoving each other; A street fight breaks out between two drunks. Jacky stops to watch the encounter from afar.

Maybe I’ll get to see what happens when you summon your horror. Do you die like before? Whisked away like sand in the wind? Or is there some form of policing presence? How would anyone stop a horror without using another?

The one drunk begins to perform a summoning ritual. Many of the onlookers step away from him in fear. A bouncer from the bar just out front also summons his horror. Before both horrors can complete their summoning, A bright white light flashes over the drunk, all that’s left in his place are his shoes. The bouncer was unmoved; however, his horror could not complete its summoning and returned to oblivion.

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it seems the one who started it was “punished.” I couldn’t see anything. The flash of light was so bright.

I saw everything.

I know you did, but you don’t tend to enlighten me very often

This time will be special, for it is just as crucial for you to know as well as I.

Then get on with it.

That man was carried away by angels of death.

I don’t know what those are. Are Angels of Death similar to horrors?

No. Angels are from a different realm entirely. I’m not exactly sure why they’re here, but they seem to serve as a means of keeping us horrors from going wild. Why they operate with you humans is not clear to me. Avoid them at all costs. I can’t protect us from them.

I guess I should keep that to myself. It seems like just knowing what those things are is dangerous. At Least this little walk of mine wasn’t for nothing. I should get back to the girls before I get myself tied up in something foolish.

Jacky returns to the small apartment complex. It’s primarily barren, has no receptionist, is dirty, and lacks signs of life. The air is stuffy and reeks of trash.

This place is a dump.

Indeed. Where I’m from, it’s peaceful and quiet—only the sound of the winds brushing against frozen lakes and the chirping sounds made by the elementals.

Sounds nice. Are you a part of a clan? Are there others like you?

Long ago, yes. That is a story for another time.

Jacky pushes himself into the apartment room. He lays himself down on his sleeping mat and passes out.

The following day Jacky awakes to the smell of something vital in the air. He gets dressed and walks out into the kitchen; there, the twins are murmuring.

“Oh, you’re awake! Claire just called a few minutes ago. Said to be by the office within the hour.” Lulu takes a sip from a mug then passes it to Lala, who then presses her lips to the edge of the vessel.

“What’s that?” Jacky gestures to the drink.

“It’s called coffee. We found some in the cabinet up there. This is already our third one this morning. This stuff is awesome!” Lala puts the mug into Jacky’s hands. “Here, try some!”

Jacky takes a sip and makes a disgusted face. “Not really for me, but thanks. Hurry up and finish that. I don’t wanna be late. Go get changed and meet me out front.”

Jacky grabs his coat and walks out the door. As he waits for the twins, he lights up a cigarette, takes a deep drag, and leans on the side of the building. Jacky notices something in the sky, a cigar-shaped flying object. A massive view screen is attached to the side of the airship. A montage of horrors combating other horrors plays for everyone to see. A loud voice projects itself from the ship.

“Meet this week’s number one anticipated match! In just under a month, Roxanne has pushed her way to the final bout of her first-floor career! She will face off against team Crude in an intense 1v2 matchup. Watch Roxanne and her horror, The Flood Mistress, battle it out against Crude’s double horror trouble to compete for a spot on floor two of the Warpath. Tickets are limited, so get yours today!”

The message stops and repeats itself; it’s a looped message. Jacky takes his last puff and throws the butt of his cigarette into the dirt road. An old, dirty bike passing by runs the butt of the smoke over. The twins open the door to the building and join Jacky outside; there, they hike it to Claire’s office.

“Did you find anything interesting last night, Jacky?” Says Lala

“Nothing in particular. Claire was right about using your horror for unauthorized fights, though. Whatever you do, don’t summon them outside of matches. I saw a drunk disappear from thin air.”

“Whoa. How did that happen? Did another horror have to step in?” Lulu asks.

“Something like that. Just don’t summon your horrors.” Jacky puts his hands in his coat pocket.

After a short walk, they arrive at the office. Jacky knocks on the door, and Claire answers.

“Alright, let’s get down to business! Please come in and have a seat. Here’s the schedule.” Claire hands Jacky a notebook with dates written throughout it.

“Inside, you’ll find all the important matches and events you have been scheduled for. Tonight is your first appearance match here on the first floor. This is perfect. You’ll be able to introduce yourself to all your potential sponsors and, more importantly, your audience. Fans drive the money, and money drives you to your destiny! Each of you will compete in a one-on-one matchup against an opposing team. This team has already been through three matches since they have been here, so they already have a little bit of a following. This is also good news. If you beat them, your publicity will skyrocket. It’s quite ordinary for fans to jump ship to the team that beats theirs; it’s quite customary.”

“It’s not like they can be fans of a dead team anyways. Still sudden death, right?” Jacky sits back in his chair.

“Yes. If you lose, you die. Along with your horror.” Claire kicks her feet up onto her desk. “But no worries, guys, you got this! I’m rooting for ya. Besides, I saw how your horror performed, Jacky. There’s no way you’ll lose, right?”

This isn’t looking so hot. Lulu should be fine, and of course, I do not doubt my abilities; however, Lala and Whisper are the weakest of us three. If she loses, that’s it, no more Lala.

“Your schedule has the address for your venue. Don’t be late. That’s all I have for you as of right now. I’ll meet you there at 8 pm.” Claire ushers the three of them out of her office. Jacky gestures for the twins to follow him. They exit the small office building and stroll to an outside restaurant a few blocks down the road.

“I guess we’ll go out for an early lunch. We don’t have much else to do until tonight.” Jacky takes a seat down at one of the open tables. Lulu and Lala sit down as well. The three of them have brunch together, enjoying foods they never ate too often in the slums of the world they left behind. The street fills with passersby and decrepit motorized bikes. The giant airship from before announces a new message promoting another matchup.

“We should go over some strategy and training here soon before our match tonight. I caught a glimpse in my notebook of a place where we can summon.”

“We won’t get in trouble? Nice! I was hoping for a place to check up on Whisper. And I hope Syphon is doing ok after what happened to em.” Lala says, clenching her fist.

Jacky and the twins finish their meals and catch a taxi to the training facility. Its size is massive, though not tall; its length stretches for miles; no windows can be seen anywhere. Jacky and the twins approach the door to the facility. A big sign on the face of the structure reads “First State Gym.”

“Gym, huh? So like a gym but for horrors?” Lulu says curiously.

“That’s kinda cool. Now that we know where it is, we can often come here to train up and exercise!” Lala says.

A long hallway stretches all along the walls of the interior. Doors line the right wall spaced roughly fifty-feet apart. Eventually, the team stops in front of a door with a vending machine next to it. The door has a sign that reads “open.”

“Oh! Jacky! This room’s free. Let’s take this one so if we get thirsty; we have a very convenient drink machine right here!” Lala says with a smile.

“Sounds good to me,” Jacky says

Jacky leans in to peek through the door before opening it. It’s dimly lit. Jacky opens the door and steps inside, the twins right behind him. Lulu finds a light switch on the wall and flicks it up. The enormous room illuminates. The floor is similar to a basketball court, except it’s triple the size.

“Ok, girls, let’s get right to it. Summon Syphon and Whisper.”

Lala and Lulu begin their summoning rituals. Syphon enters the room through a black rift covered in smoke. Whisper fades into the scene right behind Lala. Syphon takes in his surroundings; taking a deep breath, he looks at Whisper. Both appear to be well-rested and recovered.

“Ehhh. This fool again.” Syphon scoffs.

“Hey now, Syphon, be nice. We’re in this together, yeah?” Lulu puts her hands on her hips.

“I’m assuming you two are already aware of our situation?” Jacky looks at both Syphon and Whisper.

Whisper gives a slight nod, and Syphon waves his hand. “Of course, we know. We hear everything you do no matter where we are. Let’s just address the problem I already have! Whisper here is in no shape for sudden death combat!” Syphon growls.

“He’s died in every match we’ve had.” Syphon gestures to Jacky. “Up until you fought with us last night, I’ve been carrying this entire team!” Jacky crosses his arms.

“I understand. That’s why we’re here to strategize and come up with a plan. Whisper is quite behind on ability. Whisper’s attacks are too predictable, as we already know. We need to force an evolution. We don’t have any other options.”

“How do we force an evolution? I’ve never really heard of that before.” Lala says. She looks up at Whisper concerningly.

“There are a handful of ways for a horror to expand its abilities,” Syphon says. Jacky nods his head.

“That’s right. Only two methods come to mind. Option one, Whisper can consume a few years off of Lala’s remaining lifespan, giving a great boost in his evolutionary strain.”

“I don’t know if I like that one very much.” Lala chuckles nervously.

“Option two. Either Syphon or I, as the Sabered Prince, can infuse a portion of our essence into Whisper but, in doing so, will set one of us back in our evolutionary path. Depending on how much essence it takes to trigger a decent evolution, we might not need much, or we might need more than we have available.” Jacky shares a look with the twins. “So, which is it going to be?” Lala appears nervous.

“Uh. I would like to live as long as possible so if one of you two wouldn’t mind….” Lala looks around timidly.

‘I’ll do it.” Syphon growls. “During our last match, I had a minor evolution. I can give that up to Whisper. I won’t be losing much of my combat potential.” Syphon approaches Whisper and lays his hand on his chest. “Just keep still. I don’t wanna mess this up.”

Syphon and Whisper’s bodies begin to ripple as they contact one another. The air starts to vibrate. The hair on the twins’ heads begins to stand up. Syphon slowly shrinks back down to his original height of nine feet and loses the spikes formed on his backplate. Whisper appears to be physically unchanged.

“This better have been worth it. I don’t see any physical changes.” Jacky says

There’s a change, alright. I can feel it in the air.

I’m guessing it paid off then.

“Ok, Syphon, Whisper. Go ahead and do some light sparring. See if any new abilities show themselves.”

Jacky makes his way to the gym wall and takes a seat. The twins take their place facing each other.

This should prove promising, no?

I’m sure Whisper developed a new ability. We just need to drag it out and develop a strategy with it.

“I’m not gonna go easy on you! Prepare yourself!” Syphon roars.

Syphon dashes towards Whisper, slashing at him with his razor-sharp claws. Whisper hovers back, moving side to side, dodging Syphon’s assault narrowly. Whisper flys back high into the air, almost touching the gym’s ceiling. He dives forward with incredible speed.

“Like Jacky said, too predictable!” Syphon hurls himself forward.

Syphon throws out his arms to catch Whisper. Whisper becomes transparent and phases through Syphon completely. He stops, redirects his momentum, and charges into Syphon. Syphon had just turned around to face Whisper only to be knocked on his ass by Whisper’s signature headbutt.

So he can move through horrors now? We can work with that.

“Alright, that’s enough! Syphon, get up; it’s time to test a few things out.” Jacky approaches the two horrors. “Whisper, can you become intangible at will?”

Whisper gives a slight nod. He becomes transparent but still visible. Jacky reaches out his hand only to have it go entirely through Whisper.

“Syphon, give him a few good slashes.” Jacky takes a step back

Syphon lunges at Whisper, hacking away at his ethereal body. His claws make no physical contact with the horror. Syphon chuckles.

“Untouchable. So how do we utilize this new ability? He can’t just stay intangible the whole match; it’ll never end.”

“Right, but I think I have an idea on how to cause some serious damage. Syphon could you hold your arm inside Whisper’s body? Whisper, I think you know where I’m going with this.” Jacky once again takes another step back.

Syphon puts his whole arm inside Whisper. Whisper becomes tangible. Syphon’s arm gets stuck inside Whisper’s body. The horror starts to turn his body, slowly pulling on the horror’s arm.

“Ok, I get. Whisper can disarm my attacks. He can quite literally disarm me. Not bad, but you have to make the dismemberment count.” Syphon pulls his arm free from Whisper’s body.

Jacky takes a deep breath. “This should help out in our match tonight. I think that’s enough training for today. We need to conserve some energy.” Jacky gestures for the twins to unsummon their horrors. Syphon opens a rift and enters back into oblivion. Whisper fades away.

“Wow, that was awesome, Lulu! Now I can actually help out the team tonight!” Lala says with excitement.

‘You sure can! I’m counting on you tonight. Just stay focused and let Whisper tear his opponent apart.” Lulu hugs Lala.

“Let’s get going. We’re going to be a little early, but that should be alright.” Jacky and the twins' exit the gym and travel southward. In the distance, a large stadium lingers on the horizon.