6 people are deposited on an island.
The 1st night someone accidentally activates a barrier.
In the tv studio the producers quickly realise that they can't get anybody out or in but the automatic cameras' signals are still working. They decide to relabel the show as fiction.
Now which character do you wish to start with?
Written by catprog on 17 December 2000
Shifting into Gear
You blink softly, squinting a bit at the warm sun rays above you. Muttering something about being tossed out on a beach, you get to your feet and look around. Blue, floating buoys are positioned in a circle about 30 feet out from the shoreline in an arc around you. You realize that must be the barrier that had flipped on earlier.
While running your fingers through your hair to get the sand out, you notice a dense, jungle-like area toward what you assume is the middle of the island. With a determined nod, you head towards it. After all, your goal is different from the one the other simpletons here had in mind.
Sure, there was the prize for the contest, but you had come with your own goals in mind. Long ago, your father had mentioned a strange island in the shape of a lion?s head that held a mystical power that no one quite understood yet. However, he would never tell you the nature of the power, or what it did. Due to this fact, you had always shrugged it off as some weird story he used to tell simply to entertain you when you were a kid. After seeing an aerial view of the island in a promotional trailer, your opinion quickly changed. Clear as day, the island looked like the head of a lion your father had talked about.
You enter the jungle, a bit unsure of where to go first. Looking to your left and right, all you can really make out is more trees. You look behind you back at the beach. Your father never mentioned where on the island this power was hidden. Having no real directions and no clue where the other players of the game are, you weigh your options.
Written by Zorpix on 07 June 2014
Shifting into Gear
There?s not much there, really. Looking up, you see that the barrier that is trapping you and your opponents in this game is actually forming a type of dome over you. You?re not sure how far under the water the barrier goes, but it must be pretty deep, as there are no waves lapping at the shore. It?s hard to decide whether the stillness is relaxing or eerie.
Looking up and down the shoreline, you notice another competitor lying out on the beach, sunning herself. You turn away with a sneer, heading the opposite direction. Doesn?t anybody care that we?re trapped here?! You kick up a bit of sand in frustration at the triviality of the other contestants. They won?t be so lax when I get that power and break out of here. This stupid barrier doesn?t scare me! I?m going to escape.
You?re not quite sure what the power actually does, or if it would actually allow you to escape. But you do know that any kind of special power is better than just lying around and doing nothing. Besides, the name of the game is ?Survivor?, though no one really explained what that meant. All that was mentioned was that there?d be one Survivor. It didn?t sound like a threat on your life before, but that possibility is starting to look more and more likely.
As you continue down the beach, a sequence of rocks stretching out into the ocean can be seen. Since the waves have quieted, the tops of the rocks are dry and stick out like little islands. Looking out to where the rocks end, you notice that one of the rocks is directly in between two of the buoys that seem to generate the force field. You squint and bring a hand to your eyes to look a bit farther. It looks like there?s a chink in the force field! It?s hard to make out from here due to the distance and the translucency of the barrier, but it looks like a chance at freedom. Maybe the Survivor is the one who finds their way out first? That?d show all those lazy slackers!
As you get closer to the rocks, your head starts filling with more thoughts about what could happen once you reach the end of the rocks. Maybe the game is a test of drive and determination to escape dire circumstances. You feel a bit sorry for the producers of the show though, with you having found the exit to the dome so quickly. Maybe they?ll even have to edit you out!
You reach the rocks and slide off your sandals. Your feet will be of much more use to you if they can grip something. You look out toward the horizon once more. There?s definitely something going on with the barrier by that rock. Taking a step into the water, the thought of this being a trap crosses your mind, making you pause for a second to consider what you know before making a decision. Most of the rocks look wide enough that both of your feet could fit on them with ease, and none are more than a short hop apart. They almost seem too perfectly placed, inducing a nod of confidence from yourself, as you now know what you?re going to do. You proceed to...
Written by Zorpix on 07 June 2014
Shift in the weather
You gaze out at the wavering force field above the rock. With a scoff and a wave of your hand, you turn away and head further down the shoreline. You determine that it was just aligned too perfectly to not be a trap.
As you stroll down the beach, you notice something a bit odd. Even though the sun is shining down on you, you feel rather cool. Waving your arms a bit to get a feel for the air, you notice it doesn?t really feel like fresh air. Could this be? air conditioning? You feel shivers run up your spine as you realize what this means. They?re in control of the weather?
The meaning behind the barrier suddenly becomes clear. It?s not a wall to keep you from escaping, as the surrounding ocean would be more than enough to keep anyone landlocked. This barrier is some kind of environment control device. This makes you start to panic a little. What if the shape of the island was manipulated too? For all you know, this could be a manmade island, which wouldn?t fit the description of the mysterious island from your childhood at all.
You look around frantically, trying to find some kind of sign that this island is natural. Not only would it mean the treasure might be here, but it lessens the danger factor of this place. At least you know how normal trees and wildlife work. If these trees were made by this seemingly sadistic production company, who knew what kind of horrible things could happen. Maybe the coconuts at the tops of palm trees were grenades, and exploded when they fell. Maybe all the animals had enhanced senses and were vicious man killers.
A loud buzzer jars you out of your thoughts. As your head snaps left and right wildly, you feel a breeze blowing over you. Looking out to the edge of the barrier, you see it opening a bit. A huge wave of water comes gushing in under the rim, higher than the water level in the dome by a few feet. Sinking to your knees, you realize that wave would?ve hit you while you were on the rocks. A bit stunned, you sit there in silence as the wave grows closer. That last decision could?ve ended in your death. This ?game? has now become a bit more serious.
The wave crashes onto shore, foamy bubbles stretching out the few yards it takes to barely splash your toes. As the water recedes, you notice something big and grey has washed up onto shore. It looks like some kind of marine animal.
Written by Zorpix on 17 June 2014
Whale of a Tale
Against your better judgment, you head over to the big creature. You don?t dare to let your guard down for a second, making each step slow and cautious, almost like you?re walking on broken glass. Your entire body is tense, ready to bolt at any given second. Breath is a luxury you can?t afford at the moment, as you?re worried the tiniest sound will spook this leviathan and seal your fate.
The closer you get, the tenser you feel. It gets to the point where your leg muscles are pinched so tight it hurts to move them. You wonder if everyone watching is laughing at you or cheering you on. You could see them laughing at you, because you must look pretty ridiculous. Especially if this is something the game makers just put here to freak you out. On the other hand, they might be watching with hushed breath, reactions hinged on every move you make.
You?re within a few feet of the creature now, and you start to relax a bit more. You can see its chest rising and falling quite slowly, indicating it?s either tired or asleep. Mustering up all your courage, you call out a ?hello?, trying to get a response from this huge creature.
At first nothing happens, and you wonder how insane you just looked to the thousands watching you. But then the creature shudders and starts rolling over. You jump back in surprise, falling on your butt in the sand. Scurrying, you dash out of the way of this beast, kicking up sand on its body as you do. A grumble and moan erupts from the animal, whose movements are beginning to slow again.
Since it doesn?t look like this thing will be much of a threat to you, you walk around it in search of a face, still keeping a safe distance just in case. As you walk around what you can only assume is its head, an eye suddenly becomes visible, barely poking out of the sand. Your initial assumptions were right though, as the creature appears to be kind of giant whale. Cautiously approaching its face, you do your best to smile and wave at the thing, not knowing what else to really do in this situation.
The whale, finally catching you in its gaze, starts bellowing at you. You?re not sure quite what it means, but you have a guess. The poor guy wants to get back in the water where he belongs! That massive tidal wave must?ve washed him up here, beaching him. Knowing that this thing doesn?t really intend to hurt you anymore, you decide to help it. Luckily, the tide is coming back in, and the whale is able to wiggle some. Placing both of your hands against its nose, you start shoving. It?s futile of course, but you try your hardest to get the whale back home, not exactly sure why.
Suddenly, the whale starts screeching, forcing you to stop pushing and cover your ears. An odd energy starts surging through your body, your arms and legs feeling rejuvenated by some mysterious force. The surge of energy has died down to a bearable point, so you turn back to the whale and place your hands on its head again. With one huge shove, the creature slides back into the water almost effortlessly, letting out a loud, joyous call.
Stunned and looking at your hands, you wonder what the hell just happened. Looking back out to the whale, who is happily swimming away, you see something shiny in the water he drug with him. It?s not too far out, and it looks like it could be related to your strange powers?
Written by Zorpix on 03 July 2014
Radiance
Curiosity getting the better of you, you decide to pursue the shiny thing in the water. You walk up to the shore, feet testing the water. It feels a bit warm, which is odd for ocean water. You figure it?s probably just because of the barrier that seems to be regulating climate, and pay it no mind.
You wade into the water until you?re about waist deep. The metal thing is still a few feet out, and sitting at the sea floor. It becomes apparent that the golden glow isn't just coming from the sun reflecting off of the artifact. Whatever is in the water, it's creating the light itself. A strange power is emanating from it, and you can feel it even from here. It's hard to explain, but it almost feels like it's weighing you down and pulling you toward it. With fear welling up in the pit of your stomach, you swim out until you're directly in front of it. Taking a huge gulp of air, you close your eyes and dive under the waves.
You've never been one for keeping your eyes open underwater, and it takes a bit of fumbling around before you feel your hand grasp the metal whatever it is under the water. Kicking your way back to the surface, you realize you've underestimated how heavy this thing is. It takes all of your might just to make it back to the surface and gulp in a breath of air before being dragged back down. Struggling intensely, you crawl back onto shore, dragging this thing along in the sand beneath you.
After letting yourself relax a bit on the sand, you take a good look at what you've pulled up. It seems to be some kind of large talisman, with a picture of a lion type creature on the front. Flipping it over reveals a large indent in the shape of a hand, which stretches the entire length of the object. With a shrug, you place your hand on the imprint.
Immediately, you feel your body start heating up. With a yell, you try to yank your hand away, but the medallion comes with it, suddenly much lighter than before. You put your hands to your head and scream, as a small pounding inside your brain has grown to a loud roar. Your skin pulls and stretches, your very shape as a human becoming contorted and twisted. Your bones grind against each other as they shift and shrink inside your body. You feel your legs start curving, and your arms start becoming more locked and rigid. A sharp pain by your rump presses against your skin, jutting out to form some kind of tail. Your neck feels like it's being pricked by a thousand tiny needles, and thick hair starts sprouting out, turning into a majestic mane. You lower yourself onto all fours, as this feels more comfortable now. Oddly enough, your face seems to stay unchanged, but it has shrunk just a bit to become proportional with the rest of your body.
A voice booms from overhead, congratulating you in some weird voice. Apparently, you can't understand human-speak anymore. But who cares You're a sphinx! The barrier opens up, and you spread your wings to fly out of the arena, powerful, free, and alive.
The end! But what if you had chosen a different path...? Go back to the beginning and find out!
Written by Zorpix on 23 July 2014
The end (for now)