The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Drake's tone of voice took a turn for the dramatic. He was enjoying this, it seemed.

"The great spider-beast awoke. It sensed prey nearby. It decided to catch them in its webs and save them for its dinner."

Arnold dutifully 'wrote' the words. The clown was replaced with a gigantic spider, which began crawling around the library.

"Giant spiders seem a bit overused. Are you sure that's what you want?" he asked, sounding more curious than displeased.

"For reasons which I need not divulge to you, I would prefer this round be extended," Drake replied, annoyed. "The spider will capture them without killing them - at least, not until it gets hungry. Any other sort of beast runs the risk of a premature end to the round."

"I certainly can't argue with that. I have things I'd like to do before the round ends as well." Arnold smiled as he closed the book. "Not that you'd be interested in what those things are."

"Does my interest or lack thereof have any actual bearing on whether you will tell me?" Drake asked, skeptically.

"None whatsoever. See you later." He vanished, or at least appeared to. It was difficult to tell with Arnold whether he was actually warping space or simply concealing himself with an illusion.

Drake muttered something under his breath, hoping Arnold was still around to hear it, and then disappeared himself. Meanwhile, the spider-beast slowly crawled towards Amethyst.

***

This is troubling. The contestants are not fighting, even with the machine's orders to kill. I would prefer to continue observing all three, but there is far too much risk if they remain in this library.

Ari followed the droning noise.

There is certainly enough knowledge here to permit their escape, even if it is concealed under layers of lies and illusion. Then I would be out three specimens. If one perishes, even my own selection, I stand a better chance of extending the final round to gather data.

Finally, Ari caught sight of Eximo.

"Greetings," he said, deliberately allowing himself to be heard.

Eximo turned around to face him.

"What business does the unidentified lifeform have with this unit?" it asked.

Ari feigned a look of concern.

"Aeon has decided you are far too much of a threat under your new orders. He is already devising a plan to kill you. I can lead you to him if you would like."

There was a pause.

"That is... acceptable," Eximo said, hesitantly.

"Very well, then. Follow me." He turned around, and smirked.

Excellent. Not only will this serve my immediate purpose, but this battle should prove quite interesting, regardless of the result.