Scratching the side of his head, Nilbog kept surveying the city blocks. Bodies littered the streets, a few limbs here a few heads there. Automobiles were turned over, colored dust raising from their rears. It was a poisonous toxin, now that it was crushed and heated. A few people near it fell bloated and green.

Blood of all colors sprayed the stone blocks Nilbog walked on, signs of a gruesome battle everywhere his wary eyes rested. The smell of corpses filled the air, ravens, and flies already feasting upon the never-ending pile of cold flesh.

In all, just another typical day after a Game. There were many survivors as Nilbog walked by. All slumped, deranged, and sobbing.

This was a bath, a rebirth of sorts, Nilbog suspected. Everyone was dyed in blood, purple and red, as well as the streets and buildings. The sky was unnatural with clouds of gray and red, as if it too was preparing for larger theatrics.

The question, however, was what to do? If today was the First Phase, then when was the second?

Each Game is different than the last. Previous information wasn't as useful, and even that Nilbog was lacking in.

Glancing around him, he could tell it wasn’t anytime soon. Too many people were beaten to exhaustion. A similar experience will break them--if not their bodies, then it will be their minds. There will be rest, a couple of days at least.

As far as he knew, Endurance worked in two ways. Short and long. It takes short STM to maintain short movements, and those points were siphoned from his Overall STM bar. His body won’t recover after that, as his STM leeches off of it in a 1 to 1 ratio.

Even though his STM was recovering at a decent rate, his muscles were still sore and his body still battered. He walked with a limp, putting the majority of his weight on his left side. He needed rest, and he needed it fast.

It wasn't a zero or nothing. The lower the Overall STM and HP went down, the more miserable Nilbog felt. Physics might have changed, but some things stayed the same.

His wounds could open up anytime, and he had little to no faith in his rough bandage work. Regret welled up in his mind, jabbing at the back of his head. He should have taken more time before putting himself in the open, like this, with a very flashy coat that will no doubt fetch a nice price.

He was in no condition to fight, and fight he might have to. The city was in chaos, hollow-eyed men and women coming out to the streets, gaping at the horror their city has faced. Most handled it in two distinct ways; there, near the entrance to a different restaurant, Nilbog could see a group of men and women, as well as a few kids, huddle together as they exited.

There were many injured among them, and some that were unlikely to survive, but still, they were carried and tended to. The group stuck together, mostly armored men with swords and spears leading the group. It seemed they had an easier time, having an experienced group among them.

One person, in particular, was in full plate armor, its glow slightly yellow and tight to his body. It had to be some type of auto equip magical equipment, otherwise, the battle would have finished by the time he put each piece on. He was noticeably larger than anyone else. Nilbog couldn’t see the soldier’s face from the slits of his helm, but he probably had quite a bit of orc blood in his veins.

“Listen!” he said, loudly, the brick ground shaking under his breath. The half hundred people among the streets snapped from their daze, glancing curiously at the man. “Do not panic! We will be marching towards Balk Square. You may join us, for there is safety in numbers!” His voice broke at the end. He took a deep breath, swallowing. “If you do not wish to join us, find the billboards! They will let you know where the nearest sanctuary is. Take heed, citizens, take heed!” he yelled and marched on, stragglers joining him as he walked. Even as he crossed the street, Nilbog could still hear his bellows ring across the city.

Nilbog did not join them. Maybe it was the smarter choice, for the Games occurred in closed off sessions, scaling with the number of people bound together, but he had done it mostly because he grew tired of human interaction. He wanted some alone time. His nose was ready to call it quits, at this point. Those people took too many showers, preventing the dirt from concealing their stench.

As he walked through the streets aimlessly, Nilbog noticed the second type of people. They were the less fortunate who were looting the more fortunate stores in preparation for the next phase. Nilbog was currently in the Second-District, a significant improvement from the Third-District, but that by no means did it allude to an easy life.

Nilbog noticed a slightly tall man had entered a jewelry store that four others had already entered. After a quick racket, only one came out.

It was amazing, how quickly it began. Seeing that had further convinced Nilbog to make haste. Thus, he limped with extra speed.

A small room to sleep, and to defend himself, if needed, is what Nilbog was looking for.

Hue and cry, a riot astir, a revolt afoot!

Patriotic citizens of Dlair, take up arms, for a civil war is nigh!

Two factions battle over the thorn. Pick your side, swear your allegiance, and ready your weapons, for the First Round continues.

The Anima is the current, public administration of Dlair, consisting of traders and warriors. Their promise to you is power by the people, for the protection of the people.

As a pledge, They promise training, protection, and a salary to all those who enlist in the army. Citizens must set Dlair as their home kingdom.

All citizens will be equal under its law, Nobel or not. The courts will be run by the Game, ensuring fairness.

Leader: Barlom, The Guardian Of Dlair.

The Animus is the underground puppeteers of Dlair’s affairs, consisting of nobles and mages. They promise power, but only to those that wish to achieve it.

As a pledge, no Mission or Event will be barred from anyone who sets Dlair as their home kingdom.

Participation in future Missions is not mandatory. You will be free to find your own path, without the restrictions of Dlair.

Leader: Steel-Eyed Ovalia.

First Rule

The city will remain locked for the duration of the Event.

Second Rule

Damage done to anything 40 levels lower than your own will not provide any contribution or experience. Instead of red, those will be shown in gray.

Third Rule

You will possess one hidden contribution bar with the two factions on each end. The more you contribute towards a faction, the more difficult it will become to gain a positive rating with the other.

Fourth Rule

The death or surrender of one of the leaders will cause the Event to end.

Fifth Rule

The Event will end if neither factions lose within a seven day period, the victory going towards the faction with the most control.

Which faction will you choose?

Anima/Animus

Ah, Nilbog stopped dead in his feet, his face crumpling. This isn't good. He was already haggard and beat. Considering the number of resources he had spent, barely an hour in and he had received his first failure.

Nilbog resumed walking, ignoring the prompt for a few moments.

Both factions sought to recruit the population into their ranks, enticing people with pledges, which were basically promises backed by the Game’s power.

The Anima pledged more, but their pledges were unattractive to Nilbog. Battle is what he sought to escape from, meaning enlisting in the army and being sent from one death Mission to the other was the opposite of what he wanted.

Their second pledge, though sounded beneficial to Nilbog, neglected to mention who will create the law. True, the nobles will be severely undermined, but that did little for the common person, who would now, instead of being ruled by the nobles, mages, will be ruled by the laws of the Anima, the cities garrison and public face.

In contrast, the Animus promised nothing but the freedom to choose which missions to participate in, something that might benefit Nilbog if he chose to.

Still, it would be pointless for Nilbog to pick one or the other based on the desired outcomes, considering that he’s unlikely to have any impact, if at all, in his current condition. The Anima, while their victory was not preferable, would have the most numbers considering the “perks” they offered.

Mages were a rarity, and are usually backed by close circles because of their profession. The Animus did not need to recruit anyone, and if their lack of pledges did not make it obvious enough, then Nilbog did know what will. Freedom was likely the only thing that the mages wanted from their leader.

That made the Animus a gathering of the nobility and those that desire a lawless society. A fine combination, if you asked Nilbog.

You have chosen the Anima!

You have become a man of the people.

Your faction is currently in control of the third and second districts. Beware, however, for the Animus roam the streets still.

To contribute, you may:

1. Battle Steel-Eyed Ovalia

2. Battle Animus followers

3. Battle those that are harming Dlair and its innocent people

4. Battle those that are committing Warcrimes

5. Join the main Animus force within Bark's Square

6. Draft faction members without a party into your own