When will the dawn come

Outside the window, it was night, and a strong wind was blowing. It had started to rain, and obviously, no one would go outside at this time. The participants were still in the living room, waiting for the last player to arrive. Large clocks hung on the ceiling, showing the time, which was strange because, according to the conductor, time did not exist here. In the living room, there were two large sofas with a rounded table between them. A girl was sitting opposite the other two participants — Yahweh and Hov — while Enua stood near the window, watching the rain.

— How long will this last? Maybe I'm mistaken, but we've been waiting here for about two hours.

Enua broke the silence, apparently counting the time since the fourth participant arrived in his mind.

— We haven't been briefed yet, aside from what the servant said. In any case, nothing will change until everyone is gathered.

— You're right, Yahweh, but standing here idly isn't an option either. This is a great opportunity to talk about the past. Ah-hahaha...

Yahweh turned his gaze to Enua, his former main enemy with whom he had fought many years ago alongside his comrades in a bloody war.

— You know... I'm less surprised by this game than by the fact that we are actually here as players. Don't you find that strange? Who needed to resurrect us specifically? And what is this island mistress plotting?

After these words, Enua and the others fell into thought. Indeed, why are they participants in some game? And who is this mistress nobody knows anything about?

— I suggest we find out more from those two. Since they work here, they should know much more about it. I'll go talk to them.

— Wait, Yahweh, I'll go with you. Let's not separate unnecessarily; I think that's not a good idea right now. There are only four of us: you and me and these two. We don't know the girl well enough to trust her—and certainly not Enua, with whom we fought for our lives!

— You're right; I was thinking the same. Let's go. They said their working hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., but we can't tell what time it is now… Maybe that's why there are clocks hanging here; we need to rely on them. So it's currently 6 o'clock.

— You wouldn't even say it's night outside due to the dull weather and rain. I remember after my conversation with them, they went to the kitchen. Perhaps they're helping the cook.

It took about five minutes for them to walk from the living room to the kitchen because of its large size and length.

In the kitchen, workers were discussing something among themselves.

Tuk tuk — sounds of knocking on a door.

— Am I disturbing?

— Mr. Yahweh, Mr. Hov! — Morgana politely bowed and approached them while Cheryl helped with washing dishes for the cook.

— Do you need anything? You shouldn't have bothered yourself; you could have just called through the phone booth.

— No, it doesn't bother us at all. We wanted to ask a few questions about all this nonsense.

— Y-yes, we're listening. — said one of the maids.

— First of all. What kind of game is this? What's its purpose, and why was it us specifically who were resurrected?

— Sorry, Mr. Yahweh… Mr. Hov, but there are certain rules from the mistress that prevent us from revealing everything that's happening here.

— That's not necessary; soon she will tell you everything herself. There's little time left. The game is about to begin!

Cheryl, standing behind them and helping to tidy up in the kitchen, answered in a cold tone.

A shiver ran down the spines of the two participants—they suddenly felt that someone was standing behind them! Fear took over them. Both clenched their teeth and turned around… but no one was there…

— W-what just happened… I felt like someone was standing behind us…

— Me too! Hey, did you feel that too? Answer me, what just happened! You obviously know something but aren't telling us!

— There's no need for that; I already said you'll find out everything soon enough. It's not part of our instructions. We're forbidden from answering such questions.

— Alright, maybe it's because of the long trip here; we haven't rested yet. We should get some good rest before the last participant arrives.

— You're right. Let's go back to the living room… And yes, what's your name, cook? The others have already given theirs; what about you?

— Nice to meet you, Mr. Khov. I suppose this is our first meeting… My name is Gerudo.

— I see…

Suddenly, with lightning speed, Khov's hand grabbed Gerudo's neck!

— Gghh…

— Mr. Khov, what are you doing… stop! — Morgana cried out anxiously.

Cheryl stood nearby and did nothing.

— Hey, what are you doing? Let him go! What has he done wrong?!

Yahweh placed his hand on Khov's shoulder and tried to separate him.

— You still don't understand? Use your brains, Yahweh! I immediately realized something was wrong with this cook. First thing when I arrived at this mansion, I was greeted by Morgana and Cheryl — just like all of you! But where was Gerudo at that moment? Of course, one might assume he was preparing food; but how do you explain what just happened to us?

— Are you talking about that feeling of someone being behind us?

— Exactly, but when we turned around, no one was there! And if there had been someone, Morgana — who was standing in front of us — would have noticed immediately! It only means one thing… that bastard has been slipping something into our drinks or food!

— You mean that this old man has been secretly putting poison in the snacks from the very beginning and now we're hallucinating?

— Exactly; there's no other explanation. Or do you have something to say about it?

Without releasing Gerudo's neck, Khov waited for an explanation for everything that had happened to them a moment ago.

— O-okay… j-just let me go… ggh.

Without hesitation, Khov released him; marks from his hand remained on Gerudo's neck.

— You're free to believe otherwise, but I never poured poison into your drinks or snacks. I was only told to quench your thirst and bring food at the specified time. I am just a regular cook of this mansion and nothing more — same as Cheryl and Morgana.

— That doesn't rule out the fact that you could be a traitor or someone's accomplice.

—I am a witness. — Cheryl interrupted her silence and replied.

— At the moment each participant arrived — even before you arrived — Mr. Khov, unlike Morgana, was near Gerudo while she helped others sort things out. So I stand up for him because he didn't slip anything into your food or drinks. And if you continue to refuse to believe it, then it means you don't believe in us either.

Let me know if you'd like any adjustments or further assistance!

— Do you see? I think this is enough to consider him not involved in this matter.

— Since when have you become so gentle and trusting, Yahweh? But alright, I can consider him innocent, but then how do you explain this feeling—magic?

— I understand what you're getting at. Right after arriving on the shore, our power disappeared. I suppose that's one of the rules of this place: everyone loses the ability to use their powers.

— Ahem… May I interrupt your conversation… — Gerudo replied.

— Actually, the presence behind you that you sensed is not an illusion… It was… the mistress of this mansion!

Everyone fell silent; a shiver ran through their bodies again, their eyes widened, and they stood as if their bodies had turned to stone. Morgana grabbed one of her hands and lowered her gaze, as did Sheryl. A light sweat appeared on Gerudo's forehead.

Gerudo continued speaking.

— Perhaps she indicated with this action that the game will begin soon, meaning the last participant will arrive on the island any moment now.

— So she really exists? I thought it was just a silly fairy tale told to me by the servants… about her ancient history.

— No… she truly exists, but she cannot leave this island. Her soul is chained, and her body is resurrected after the start of the game.

— Then maybe you know what her goal is? Why is she doing this, why did we become participants in her game?

— I don't know her motives. As for you and why exactly you… unfortunately, I cannot say.

— Well, I expected to hear that.

Yahweh, standing aside, also decided to inquire.

— So you've been working here longer than Morgana and Sheryl?

— Yes, I worked here even when the First Owner of this island was still alive. After his death, both the mansion and the island belonged to his wife. That's when Sheryl and Morgana joined my work.

— I see. Since the last participant should arrive soon, we should go to the lounge with the others.

— You're right. Sorry if I upset you…

— No, it's nothing serious… You shouldn't worry about our condition.

After five minutes, they reached the lounge where Enua and a mysterious girl were still sitting. It seemed they had been talking among themselves all this time.

— We're back. Were you discussing something? — Yahweh asked as soon as he saw them talking.

— Not anymore. I just know her—that's all.

— So you're the only one among us who knows her? Then please introduce her. Otherwise, it looks like she's not one to speak easily.

— Tiamut… Her name is Tiamut; she's just an acquaintance of mine.

— I see. We were told that the last participant is already approaching.

— So that means the game will start soon… The most interesting part begins now—the last one…

All four participants eagerly awaited the arrival of the last person in the lounge room, discussing something among themselves. About an hour had passed; rain continued pouring even harder, and thunder made the situation even more tense.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and sounds of approaching footsteps from the last participant could be heard. All participants looked up and stared toward where he was supposed to appear from…

— Finally arrived; about time…

Excellent! The sooner this game begins, the sooner I can find an answer to my wife's death and fulfill my wish!

They looked at each other in surprise, not understanding how this could happen. Instead of one participant… there were two…