Chapter 96 - The Endless Stair

Soon Kaiser was woken up once more when the Capitol Hymn was sounded and the large screens began projecting.

Two pictures today. One from 6 and the second one from 8. Then after another hymn the screen faded. Kaiser was sure that it would get more difficult starting from tomorrow as the people wanted to see more deaths and blood although he was sure the situation with the Regionboss had caused a lot of tension and probably attracted a lot of sponsors.

--- In the Capitol ---

As usual Ceasar Flickermann goes over the highlights of the games on this day. The death scenes of both tributes that had died on that day as well as other exciting moments. Kaiser's encounter with the Regionboss, him taming and riding it, another group of tributes fighting of hordes of creatures inside a field of fog which was constantly clouding their vision as well as a few others. Hot dunes of sand and the large sea with scattered islands all over the place.

Over all the crowd was interested what might happen the next day, hypothesizing about the meeting of other tributes and the outcome of potential fights.

--- Back in the arena ---

Back in the arena Kaiser was still occupied with his own thoughts. At the moment he was thinking about what effect his taming might have on his relation with President Snow. It seemed possible that the president might hate him for taming so many creatures, not only because he was depriving the capitol citizens of the great fight they had wished for but also because of what his actions could be seen as. A message, a challenge. That regardless of what the Capitol might craft to destroy them they would have to bow down before the districts and serve them as their true masters.

Deciding to deal with these troubling thoughts later he decided to go to sleep. The next day he would need all the power he could get.

Once Kaiser woke up the next day after a night of dark dreams all the others were already awake and waiting for him. Eating and drinking a bit they all closed the small distance that was left before they could enter the path. Arriving before the tall and steep cliffs they came to a halt a few meters away. Looking up they could see that although the walls were tall and steep many plants had still managed to cling even to the small places available and had flourished. Finally Kaiser broke the silent staring and hopped to the ground from the back of the Regionboss before slowly advancing towards the wall with Gaia on his shoulder as usual. After a while of faked search so as to not reveal his knowledge of the map he finally began pulling aside a few vines that were hanging down from above, revealing something reminiscent of a cave entrance. Glancing inside it was a bit dark although strangely there was enough light to make out the basic shapes and outlines of the room.

Pulling his head back out he looked back at the Regionboss that had now slowly begun to approach him. Raising an eyebrow Kaiser looked at him questioningly. The Monster merely shook his head gently before turning around, leaving for it's usual territory. In passing it said:

"Although I like rooks and mountains the path you will walk is not my own. I will leave to tend to what is mine. Should you ever need my assistance then come to the center of this region which you cannot miss as it is the only elevation tall enough to tower above the trees. There is a structure made by the creators where I was born which glows in many different colors, informing me of the location of my prey. Usually you can find me there in the evenings."

"Very well. It seems possible that I might return so I'll take your advice and information."

Turning around with a smile on his face Kaiser entered the passageway once more, this time allowing the vines to fall down behind him. Slowly stumbling forwards while adjusting to the difference in lighting Kaiser manages to make it around the first corner from where he can spot a few mosses and mushrooms emitting dim light outlining the walls and parts of the floor. Staring from here one can clearly see that this tunnel that is constantly going upwards is man made as the floor is without any stalagmites and in regular distances 1 cm deep straight lines run from one side to the other, making it easy to traverse without slipping. The further he walks the more moss, algae and mushrooms grow on the sides of the walls. The sound of slowly running and dripping water surrounds him constantly, causing him to carefully touch a patch of moss to his left, feeling it being wet with a few drops of water parting every few seconds on his fingertips.

As time passed the tunnel begin to turn into somewhat of a spiral staircase made out of pure stone with a beautifully crafted handrail. Looking up the tall shaft illuminated by countless individual plants Kaiser is simply fascinated. How can this ecosystem even support itself? After what felt like hundreds of steps Kaiser sits down. Feeling rather thirsty right now he and Gaia begin to drink the water that is running down behind the handrail. Leaning over it both begin to drink the water which was already running down in thin streams almost everywhere. The water is full of minerals, even having a noticeable taste of sulfur. It should be this water and the many substances it carries that provide the plants and fungi with everything they need to grow and produce more light.

Soon they resume their climb. Step after step, turn after turn they finally arrive at a point where a small beautifully roofed thin passageway leads into the solid rock. With delicate wooden door blocking his view Kaiser presses down onto the heavily decorated door handle, opening the door. Flipping a switch at the side of the door small room containing a large wooden canopy bed with beautiful carvings of proud birds, wild horses and vines as well as large trees, a lamp that had drawings of thorny vines on it, a wooden desk and chair made out of reddish mahogany as well as a large cabinet which is currently closed. The floor and the walls are covered in soft carpets in many colors although in some places Kaiser can still see the wooden floor beneath it. In a corner Kaiser can see another open small door leading to a small tiled kitchen as well as a bathroom as the doors to each of them are also open. Besides that Kaiser doesn't manage to spot any other things. Placing down his backpack before untying his shoelaces Kaiser slips out of them before placing them before the carpets. Taking his backpack he places it next to the desk before hanging his coat over the chair in front of the desk. Feeling tired after the long climb he and Gaia decide to rest. Walking inside the bathroom he takes off his dirty clothes before washing them clean, hanging them over various racks to let them dry. Taking a shower Kaiser enjoys the comfortable sensation of the warm water running down. Soon he gets out, dries himself with a towel and walks back into the room. Luckily the rooms always seemed to have the perfect temperature so it wasn't too cold. With Gaia next to the pillow Kaiser crawls underneath the soft and large covers before slowly drifting to sleep.

--- Meanwhile inside the Control Center ---

"Sir, we have a slight issue." A lanky overseer that had monitored the large hologram which displayed the arena and all thing present inside of it came towards an elderly man seated at a large desk a bit further in the back in an elevated position, who was observing the actions of the team of Gamemakers that were assessing the situations.

"What is it Simon?" the elderly man spoke, still fixating his view onto the hologram. "Why is it always you that comes to me with questions? Do I seem that bored to you?"

"Perhaps I am merely to observant for my own good, Sir"

Now the elderly man looked at him with a mocking smile on his already wrinkly face. "Then tell me. What has caught your eye?"

"We have lost visual contact with Participant 11 M Kaiser. We still have the signal of his chip but that's it, Sir."

Interested the old man became serious and looked at him. "And what does it tell us Simon?"

"He's in the center of the foothills between the sea and the jungle sectors. He has been moving a lot ut the signal stays in one spot, Sir."

With a sigh the old man grabbed the sides of his chair and pushed himself upwards before walking down a set of small stairs towards the hologram. "Zoom in on the Location of Participant 11 M. As long as this situation isn't resolved which shouldn't take long you'll monitor the individual tributes over your personal projectors, understood?"

And loud "Yes Sir!" came back from all who immediately returned to their duties although they couldn't help but glance at what was going on with the Participant on the big hologram.

A few seconds later Kaiser's position was revealed from multiple angles. Smiling the old man said: "It seems he managed to locate the temporary resting quarters of the building overseers. Although we didn't barricade the entrance it was so unlikely that someone would discover them. It mattes little though. There should be cameras installed there as well, we'll just need to activate them. He can stay there for about a day and if he doesn't move then we'll have to force him out. No problem at all."

"But Sir! What if he reaches the top of the stairs and manages to walk alongside the top of the foothills? We'll lose a lot of interesting content through that. He's our best creator so far and we can even throw him into extremely challenging scenarios which he'll survive."

The old man laughed before replying. "You worry too much. I have prepared many challenges even on the top of the mountains. And isn't hiking also good content? We can display the wonderful scenery and view of our arena! Through him we'll be able to showcase even more! His own actions are only giving us more to work with. We only need to install a few more cameras along the mountain and foothills. Send a few squads there immediately as long as he's asleep. His sleeping is helping us so much. It was good of you to point this out although you should have come sooner so that we have more time to prepare."

Delighted the old man climbed up the stairs before sitting down in his comfortable seat once more. Today was a good day.