It was a very hot summer day, the temperature was so high, that you could practically see your shoes melting on the pavement as you walked. Such was the chosen day for the Swords and Magic tournament.

Across the street, there was a group of six teenagers dressed in colorful costumes. Two of them were wearing armor, it was not real armour, just a costume, but it looked real at first glance, the tallest was a boy of pointy hair and unhappy face, the other one was on a wheelchair covered in fake metal and with a long red beard covering most of his face, but between the scruffy facial hair you could see a smile finding its way.

- Who was the idiot who had the great idea of going to the contest dressed as our characters? said the boy of the pointy hair and without waiting for a response\, he continued - Specially in such a hot day...

- Well\, Mathew we all agreed to make a big entrance a month ago when we won the qualifier at the game shop\, dont get disheartened now\, answered the red bearded lad still with a smile on his face and sweating as much as Mathew.

- I didn't hear you complaining when we met\, said a pink haired girl\, her big hat covered her from the sun\, but the black leather miniskirt she was wearing\, didn't seem the most comfortable outfit to wear during summer.

- That was because he saw us wearing mini skirts Mila\, replied a short black haired girl\, she was wearing a short Yukata (Summer kimono) and looked much less concerned about the heat than his friends.

The group stopped in front of a green house, it looked clean but the lack of a garden or any plants made it look not as welcoming as you would have expected.

- Ashram ring the bell\, said the girl of the kimono with a sarcastic smile.

The boy she was talking to was his brother, he had long black hair tied with a ponytail, he was as tall as Mathew, his outfit looked like a martial arts uniform but made with animal fur, obviously that was not real fur, the same way the armors were not made of metal.

- Smurfette\, why do i have to call her? why don't you call her to her cellphone\, she never gets one meter away from it\, answered Ashram\, looking as sarcastic as his sister.

- Don't call me smurfette you gigantor\, or i will kill you!\, said the kimono girl while trying to unsheathe her katana blade.

- Fine\, Luz\, happy? replied Ashram quickly\, that sword is not real anyway.

- No\, when we are roleplaying\, you have to call me by my nickname\, "Kunoichi"\, or else you will face my anger. Was her response.

- A short anger\, is not something i could be afraid of\, continued Ashram.

- Oh for christ's sake could you two stop? we will be late if you keep doing your failed stand up comedy routine... said Mila\, trying to help the group focus on the task at hand.

Ding dong! rang the doorbell while they were distracted, A person covered with a long red hood and carrying a big scythe pressed the button.

- Who is it? said a voice through the doorbell speakers

- Good morning\, i am Zafiro\, could you tell Faye that Ashram is at the door waiting for her?

- Hey i am not waiting for her! what the hell? exclaimed Ashram.

- Calm down\, she will come faster if i mention your name\, answered patiently the red hood person.

They didnt have time to start another pointless argument because the door openned slightly and a head covered with a white piece of fabric the size of a towel showed up.

- I am not going... said a girl's voice.

- WHAT? they all said out loud in unison.

- I dont like how i look\, it's embarrassing... Continued the girl covering her face.

- Ok\, enough is enough\, said Mathew while openning the door and taking the white fabric away from the girl's hands.

She was as tall as Mila, slender and her long blonde hair reached the end of her back, she was wearing a short silver dress, her skin was tanned and her long pointy ears made it very clear she was cosplaying as an elf, a dark elf to be more accurate.

- I look horrible! she said while covering her face.

- Faye\, you look pretty\, answered Ashram losing his cool for a moment.

- Really? She asked with tears in her eyes that threatened to ruin her makeup.

- Yes\, but we have no time to lose\, said Ashram regaining his composure.

- I hate to interrupt\, but we better run to catch the bus or we will be late\, said Zafiro while pointing at the bus stop with her cardboard scythe.

The group run as fast as they could and managed to catch the bus on time.

As they traveled across the city to the convention where the tournament was going to take place, they laughed and shared their hopes and dreams, what would they do if they won the big prize? they didn't know but one thing was certain, they were going to have fun and share the good and the bad, like they always did when playing.

The Swords and Magic convention was the biggest role playing event of the year, every fan of fantasy stories, or even medieval times, was supposed to be there. The park was the size of ten football fields, and there were many activities for everyone to enjoy, ranging from horse riding to video games, for the ones who loved physical activities, there were swordmanship tournaments, but if you prefer to play it safe, you could also fight with foam swords, the food was also thematic,  it was the perfect place to be with family or friends, and it was almost impossible to visit everything in one day. Knowing this, it shouldn't be a surprise for anyone to see a huge line just to get in the convention.

The amount of people who decided to spend the day in the event was massive, children, teenagers and adults. Many of them were dressed specially for the event, all around you could see knights, samurais, wizards, necromancers, barbarians, rogues, scoundrels, ninjas, archers, pretty much every possible character of role playing games, specially the ones from the Swords and Magic tabletop game.

In current year, massive multiplayer online role playing games were very popular, computer ones and cellphone ones, but Swords and Magic made the difference going back to the old method of playing it like a board game with your friends, the basic rules were easy to learn, but the system had advanced challenges too, and it was more and more complex the more experienced the players were. That alone made it the most popular game of all, because it was friendly with new players and complex for veterans. It included thousands of pre-made adventures for the players to enjoy and an easy guide that taught how to create your own adventures.

A few months ago, there was a big announcement, a world tournament was going to take place, the first stage was the qualifier, players could assemble teams called "parties" with up to 10 members and participate in a guided adventure, in all the game stores of the world, only 100 fortunate teams were going to be chosen for the final event. And those 100 teams, 1000 heroes in total were going to have the privilege to play the latest edition of Swords and Magic during the tournament, and experience the new legendary adventure "The fantastic world of Meruidian". Rumors said it was going to include, new classes, new rules, new species to play, new monsters, everything you could possibly imagine. The competition was fierce, and the 1000 heroes were chosen, today it was the final event, the battle of 1000 heroes.

The 100 teams were going to play the new adventure and do their best to complete the objectives before the time runs out. The first team to finish it, would be declared the winner, get status of legendary party, have their characters immortalized in a Swords and Magic film next year, get a limited collector's edition of the new adventure, as well as recieving a solid prize in cash for all the members. Ashram's group was one of the 100 parties, and the battle was about to start.

The dark elf Faye looked around the place with a clueless expression in her face.

- Where exactly are we supposed to register? this place is huge...

- Let me see\, answered Ashram the druid looking at a map of the convention. - Ok\, it's two hundred meters in that direction\, said while pointing at a building that looked like a rock castle.

- Oh my god\, why is this place so full? stupid geeks... said Mathew the paladin\, while showing scorn in his eyes.

- My friend you would even complain about the sky being too blue hahahah\, said Runkdar the dwarf while laughing.

- Maybe i should remind you that you are as geek as they are\, we all are. In fact\, it is possible we are even more geeky because we quialified as one of the 100 teams. Answered Mila the witch\, forcing a smile but feeling slightly bothered by Mathew's attitude.

- At least the line to register is shorter\, since there are only 100 teams\, said Kunoichi the ninja girl while taking a bite of a burger.

- Where the hell did you get that from? asked Runkdar quite surprised\, - and why is that meat coloured like a rainbow?

- Zafiro found the UniBurger stand\, they are selling unicorn meat burgers and hothelldogs. Answered Kunoichi while pointing at Zafiro\, who had a burger in each hand and a paper bag under her arm with what seemed to be even more UniBurgers.

- Are they good? asked Runkdar with a suspicious look on his face.

- "Delicious till the last hoof" its their motto. Said Kunoichi while taking another bite at the unicorn burger.

A few moments later, Runkdar was also eating a UniBurger, Zafiro bought enough for everyone. They ate happily while waiting in line to register, except for Faye, who refused to eat something made of unicorn meat.

- Unicorns are not real\, you know? this is just cow meat\, said Ashram.

- Killing cows is also cruel\, i dont eat meat\, i am vegan. Replied Faye.

- More for me then\, said Runkdar while grabbing Faye's burger as fast as a rogue grabs a bag.

They were still talking about the UniBurgers when a tall man dressed in black robes aproached to them, there was a small badge on his chest that said "staff".

- This way please\, it is your turn to register -\, said the man with a very deep voice as if he was really a necromancer or an acolyte of a sinister deity.

They stopped their conversation and followed the man in black through the door. Inside the building. Inside there was a huge crowd, the hall was extensive, about 100 meters long and 80 meters wide, the roof was high and the whole place was decorated with images of legendary monsters, real life size statues of many archetypes of heroes, along with all sorts of magic items and artifacts hanging on the walls.

The group was mesmerized by that sight, and walked mindlessly towards the registration table, where some staff members dressed as wizards of the high council of the five, welcomed them. Ashram was the first one to regain his five senses, and pretending this was not his first time in such a place, showed them the badge that credited the team as one of the qualified one hundred parties. They asked for their IDs and after confirming their identities, another staff member showed up carrying a box with the new edition of the game and the new adventure set. It was sealed so that all participant teams would have exactly the same chance of winning. The group thanked the staff and followed the wizard who was going to be their storyteller and judge for the tournament to their table.

In tabletop role playing games like Swords and Magic, a storyteller is the person who narrates the adventure, controls the monsters and challenges the party is supposed to face. In the case of a tournament, the storyteller was also an official judge, who made sure the team followed all the rules. There were also cameras all around, filming the hall, so cheating was almost impossible.

- Soo\, i guess we were not the only ones who had the idea of coming to the tournament dressed as our characters -\, said Kunoichi\, trying to make everyone calm down\, as she saw his friends quite nervous.

- Huddle time guys -. Said Ashram. The party moved together hugging side by side and almost touching each other heads in a circle\, like if it was some kind of instinctive move. - We have done this a million times\, together\, we have faced all kinds of monsters\, demons\, and even demonic gods of destruction\, we have saved villages\, rescued innocents from the hands of evil\, protected kingdoms\, traveled to the bowels of hell and returned. This is just another adventure\, maybe our biggest one\, but we will face it like we always do\, together. I don't know what we will face when the timer starts\, but i know we will overcome anything if we fight as one. No fear\, LET'S HAVE FUN. After hearing Ashram's words\, everyone touched hands\, their hearts felt warm and they were not nervous anymore\, they raised their hands to the fake sky that was painted over them and said at unison - LETS HAVE FUN -. Pronouncing those words as if it was some sort of spell that would grant them victory no matter what was against them.

The award ceremony was as amazing as everyone expected, the victorious heroes recieved the prize they fought so hard to get and a golden trophy covered in colorful jewels. They finished the adventure in only 4 hours, it was a new record, only the most experienced players could achieve such a feat, however only one of the party members survived the final battle, it was almost a party wipe, but they won.

Not a single team failed the adventure, they qualified to the final tournament after all, the one hundred teams were the best of the best, but all the groups had many casualties, half the group dead, or only two survivors to tell the tale. The dangers were something no one ever saw before, so the fallen heroes paid the price to help their friends to reach victory. Only one team finished the adventure without having any party member dead, sadly for them that was not enough to win the tournament, the most important thing was to finish the adventure as fast as possible, and they finished last.

There were good prizes, not only for the first places, but for almost all parties, ranging from limited edition figures to replicas of legendary weapons, artifacts, items of all sorts which are the dream of a collector, were awarded to the heroes. They were called one by one to the stage to recieve their prizes, and take photos. Until it was the turn of the last team, the 100th party.

The group reluctantly walked to the stage when it was their turn, they felt completely desolated by the results. All their dreams and hopes were crushed when they noticed everyone else had already finished the adventure. Like students during an important test, who see all their classmates finishing and leaving the classroom, until it is empty, and the only thing in front is a half empty page with uncertain answers on it.

The previous teams were aclaimed with rounds of applause when on the stage, however as more and more teams were called, the enthusiasm of the multitude decreased. For the 100th team, there was no enthusiasm left. Why wasting praise on the last of all? if the tournament was a race against the clock, the 100th team definetly were the losers, it was truth that they managed to finish the adventure, but to end last, probably it would have been better for them to don't even bother finishing. They were seen as shameless beggars who were expecting a reward in exchange for dissapointing performance.

- Maybe we should just leave -\, said Faye timidly while looking at the dissaproval of the crowd. It had been a long day and the least they needed was to endure that.

- But... if we leave\, we won't even get our limited edition copy of the game...-\, answered Zafiro without a single trace of shame or fear on her face. - That's the main reason why we registered to the tournament -

- These bastards dare to look at us like if we owed them something\, maybe the other 99 groups could look down on us\, but not the crowd who didn't participate in the battle\, they didn't even qualify -. Said Mathew\, nearly losing his temper.

- Aye\, but dont let them ruin your day bro\, we did our best\, nobody can do more than the very best - Said Runkdar trying to comfort his friends.

- Aww\, i wanted to win so bad... that legendary broom of Enaya should have been mine -. Said Mila while glancing at the previous team\, one of them was awarded the broom -. She took her enormous hat off with an expression of sadness that would have made rocks cry if they could actually cry. A little black cat appeared on her head still half asleep. - Kuro? you were hidding inside my hat all this time? -

- You didn't notice because of the wig\, so he was with us the whole time? he must be hungry - Said Kunoichi while grabbing the kitten from her friends head.

- Why the long faces guys? we didn't come here tempted by the cash prizes or the expensive replicas\, i remember that back then we didn't even care much about the possibility of winning something expensive. All we wanted was a limited edition of the game\, to play it together and have fun like we always do\, in that regard\, we succeeded -. Said Ashram\, trying to look unmoved by the defeat at the eyes of his friends.

They all agreed. The prize was not important, only having fun playing together, and they did have fun, it was an adventure never seen before, that alone was a prize in itself. With determination in their eyes, the team continued walking and climbed to the stage, there was an awkward silence sorrounding the place. The presenter, a bald man stuffed inside a suit that ceased to be his size many years ago, welcomed them with a smile that looked as fake as his toupee.

- Well\, well\, well\, what do we have here?\, isn't this the most formidable party of all? -\, Said the man looking at the crowd\, expecting aproval to his words. - Of so many teams\, you are the only one without a single casualty during the battle\, what were you doing? hidding the whole time till the danger ended?-

The multitude laughed their asses off, breaking the silence that reigned minutes ago. The presenter made weird faces like some sort of evil jester to please the crowd at the expense of the group on stage. Mathew clenched his fist and would have jumped on him if Runkdar didn't put a hand on his arm. - It's not worth it buddy - Said Runkdar.

- No\, no\, seriously\, how is that even possible? Hell!\, even the champions had many dead\, yet you didn't. So\, did you just bore the judge to death till he just decided it was enough and allowed you to pass? Your team leader must not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier -. Continued the jester with it's derison\, and as he laughed with the crowd\, the toupee on his head moved slightly because of the sweat.

Faye had enough of the mocking and stepped up uncapable of holding back anymore.

- Who the hell are you to talk to us like that!? Said Faye to the impertinent clown.  - Don't you dare to keep talking down of my friends or our leader!. He alone is much more intelligent and capable than all of you together! - Continued Faye while pointing at the multitude and the laughter extinguished. - What's the point of finishing an adventure with all your friends dead!? Ashram didn't want that any of us to be watching while the others played\, so he was careful to guide us avoiding death. As i see it\, you are the losers\, stepping on your friends to win a prize.

- Oh my god\, this girl is out of her mind!!! - Answered the presenter in a grotesque burst of laughter. - This is just a game!!!\, who cares if someone dies? is not going to die for real\, is that your excuse to finish last? you are really a bad sport. - Continued the man visible altered. - So you are the leader? boy you are pathetic\, instead of guiding them to victory\, you go and guide them to finish last between one thousand people. Hahahaha I think you should reconsider things and start playing Tik Tak Toe or Ludo\, that would be more appropiate for your capabilities! Hahahahahaha.

Faye was about to slap him, but Ashram stopped her, - there is no need for that, he is right, it is my fault that we ended up last.

- You see!? He admits it himself! He is a loser!!! LO SER!!! Said the presenter trying to make the crowd laugh again\, but the effect was the opposite\, the waves of laughter died out. At the beginning it all looked like a joke\, but now it was not funny anymore\, they felt remorse and were ashamed of their previous behaviour.

- What's wrong? do you feel pity for them? it was just a joke. - Said the ill-mannered man with an hypocritical smile. He turned his back to the multitude and directed a menacing face to the party. - You better laugh and go down  of the stage quickly. But the moment he lowered his head to look at them closer\, the toupee on his head moved again\, sliding a bit. Kuro\, who had been watching without losing any detail\, took it's chance\, and swiftly pounced over that strange animal that was on that poor man's head.

- MEOWWW!!! - Said Kuro while attacking the weird furry animal on the top of the man's head\, the kitten struggled like if it was a life or death duel.

The presenter did all that was in his power to keep the toupee on its place, but despite his efforts to prevent it, his fake hair fell to the ground. Revealing the egg shaped dome that was his sweaty head. It shined majestically like a second sun, reflecting the lights of the stage as if it were some sort of magic orb. The crowd started laughing even louder than before, while watching the hairless man trying to grab the toupee from the kitten fangs, but Kuro retained his hard earned trophy and dodged the man nimbly, it's tenacity was comparable to that of a black panther holding it's prey.

- KURO!!! I told you a thousand times you must'nt grab garbage\, - Said Mila while taking the toupee off the kitten's fangs. Faye took it and threw it to the crowd\, before it's owner could recover it.

The laughter continued and drowned any other sounds or voices. - Let's get out of here immediatly. - Said Ashram while helping his friends to go down the stage. The security guards, who were waiting their opportunity to intervene, aproached them at full tilt. - Run guys, run, they are going to kick us out or arrest us. - The party was sorrounded, as the guards were getting closer from every direction, there was no escape. Or so they thought, but an old man with a long white beard and a uniform that made obvious he was the janitor, made a signal to them to run in his direction.

- This way\, hurry!!! - Said the smiling old man\, as he openned a door for them. The group of friends thanked him and dissapeared through the door\, which was closed after them.

- But the poor janitor\, they are going to blame him\, maybe fire him. - Said Mila with concern.

- It we go back\, we would waste the opportunity he gave us\, making his good action worthless\, we got to keep running -  Said Mathew.

The corridor they stepped in, seemed to be an emergency exit, it was dark, and as they kept moving through it became darker and darker, until the lights fadded entirely and it was impossible to see anything. They grabbed their bags and started looking for the cellphones to illuminate the path, but before they could do it, a door oppened and a dazzling light broke in covering them,  their eyes were painfully blinded by the burning light. The impact was so sudden that they even lost their footing and fell, but the fall, was not short, they fell for some time and their hearts bumped in their chests.

They hit the ground hard, but not as hard as they should have, considering how long they fell, the strange radiant light dissapeared, a few seconds later, they started recovering the sight after blinking many times. They were in the middle of a park, but there were no people or children playing, or dogs walking with their owners, in fact, you couldn't see any buildings around. Only trees all around, and a blue sky with some white clouds that looked like cotton.

- WHAT IS THIS PLACE!!!???