Death Cast

01.16 | Grecia Bella Theatre

Jaerim wondered how the dance would last.

The overall dance routine has a duration of twenty to thirty minutes. If they are repeating the same duration while only having the speed increased, then they would have been dancing for about an hour. A normal dance lasts only about ten to fifteen minutes since who would be able to watch a very long program without getting bored?

In addition, there is the so-called limitation.

Even professional dancers won't strain themselves in dancing very long since it wouldn't be good in a long run. Dancing without a break while expending energy is really exhausting. It will only result to abuse to the body, slowly destroying it over the time.

Jaerim could feel his calves starting to get cramps. Skipping and jumping around puts much weight on the heels and he could feel it starting to sting. The more jumps he take, the greater the sting, resulting to having a much stiffer calves. It feels like something is hitting his bones with metal and it shakes with a bang whenever it meets the ground.

He had only clenched his teeth while sweat gathered from his brows, biting the complaints down the gutter. His cheeks flushed from the hastened flow of blood in his body, however his lips are pale. The continuous biting on his lower lips to retain sanity created little wounds that mixed with the red rogue quite well.

Jaerim is close to collapsing.

The dance has been repeated for the third time today. The pace of the first section is already four times faster compared to its normal speed. The way they rushed around made them look like birds trying to escape from the hunters. The skirts that had been flung all over the place are like the wings of a fleeing bird that were trying to call out in the heavens to save it.

Yet, they were trapped by the bamboos holding their feet down. They could not complete the flight since they have long been caught.

None of the Autumns talk - they remained quiet, as silent as the completely packed hall. Even the jolly music could not cover the tense silence overwhelming the place. Nobody dared to breath afraid that it will only disrupt the flow that had been maintained for long.

It had become a silent battleground.

The first section is quite easy even with the increased paced. It is only traversing between the poles without any excessive movements. But, with the speed, they could only see the after-shadow of the clapping bamboo poles. If one is not careful and would step out a little late, the foot will surely get crushed without complain.

Jaerim focused on his steps, lowering his head further, to see his feet complete the steps. Every step ached very much, wetting his eyes with subconscious tears, but he he resisted its fall. No matter what, he wouldn't cry while in this battle field. His stubborn eyes showed determination, highlighting his very will to live.

He won't give up.

He won't show weakness to death.

Persevere until there is nothing left but death.

On the other hand, Silvester has no problem with the increased pace. His occupation as a grim reaper is enough to understand the reason. In addition, even if he don't dance, nobody would complain and push him out of the stage. His existence is quite high enough to ignore certain rules in a simulation world.

He watched as Jaerim struggled through the dance. He had obviously noticed the youth flinching every so often, as if he is walking in a floor with nails placed upright. Every step would stab his soles mercilessly, sending electricity in his body. This pain that can crept out to the deepest of the bones are the most painful of all since it not only hits the pain within the strained muscles, but to the brain that exaggerates it.

Silvester could even feel Jaerim's steps is getting heavier and heavier as time passes by.

He looked down at the barefooted person and could see red bruises started to form from the soles up to the surface of the feet. Just looking at it ia enough to know the intensity of pain he is feeling right now. Silvester feels like he won't be surprised to see Jaerim suddenly collapsing from not being able to support his own weight.

Yet, Jaerim didn't show that he is giving up. Silvester could see the fire dancing in his eyes, flaming his overflowing desire to survive. He could see that Jaerim could still last a little longer, maybe for another thirty minutes - beyond that, he will break from crossing the limitations his body could hold.

The second section entered. It is in this turn where things started to change. The effort could no longer match the strain, and one by one the pillars started to crumble.

A bone cracking resounded quite clear in the stadium despite the shrieking noises from the string instruments played in the background.

It is then followed by cries, a loud cry fully expressing the pain the person received from having their foot caught in the poles.

It didn't only happen once.

More sounds of bone crushing continued as if someone is gyrating it by will. The sound made the hearts of the other Autumns to tremble. They are already close to their limits and hearing such heart stopping sound only fueled the fear they kept hiding deep in their hearts.

It tells them to give up.

Give up since it will soon happen.

There is no use fighting if you will gonna die at the end.

Accept your death and eternal rest.

Just die-

"Concentrate."

Silvester's cold and stern voice woke Jaerim up from his muddled thoughts. The grim reaper reached unto his hand and pull him slightly to remind the youth of his existence. Jaerim, and his black eyes, looked up at the pair of red rubies that were gazing at him. Silvester's red pupils shone a unique dazzle that is pretty much different from Barron's striking blue eyes.

He could see warmth from it, not the indifference coldness from the white-haired grim reaper.

Silvester added, "Focus. Count the steps and listen to the beat well. Don't look, don't listen. Harden your heart and continue moving forward."

After a long time, Jaerim nodded. He ignored the wails of the Autumn crying for help, ignored the sound of bones crushing, and ignored the feeling of warm sticky fluid on the floor when he stepped on it. The traces of red on the stage become more prominent as the dancers spread it out like stamp marks.

He could no longer determine the time or how long he had been dancing. Both of his legs had become numb from all the pressure. What kept him from continuing is the overwhelming determination to finish the dance with complete limbs. He has no desire of crippling himself.

Gradually, there is a sound of clapping coming from the audience. One clap leads to another, then followed by whistles of amazements and cries of admiration filled the entire theatre. Jaerim's eyes flitted past the dark hall and notice the sack-head people cheer with enthusiasm. The image of the brown sack with scribbled faces cheering enthusiastically created an ominous atmosphere as if the more blood the see, the happier they get.

It was simply terrible and gruesome.

"Didn't I say to not look?" Silvester called out.

Jaerim took his eyes away from the audience and once again focused it to Silvester. His blooded lips did not say anything and just followed the dance. Actually, he could not hear anything right now. A ringing tinnitus filled his ears, covering the events around him like a sheet draped over a noise drum.

He could only hear his beating heart.

It's a familiar feeling, he thought.

This kind of near-death experience is quite familiar to him. The taste of iron and scent of metal reminded him of a certain memory from his past. The feeling of overpassing the limits echoed within his soul.

He will never give up.

The jester smiled from ear to ear as he watched the audience cheering the performance. Amongst all the troupes today, be received the greatest recognition from the audience. He signalled the man holding the player to stop after the whole song ends. He had attaind the effect he wanted so he would also stop the torturing his crew.

The moment the ending pose had finally reached its purpose, the audience all stood up to clap their hands and cheer the dancers. The exhausted and tired faces of the Autumns looked at the dark hall with their glistening bloodshot eyes. They never felt this kind if gratification after reaching the finish line.

They were able to live through out.

The red curtain slowly lowered to cover the bowing gestures of the performers, as if closing the stage. It is then they decided to suck in breath while they collapsed on the ground one by one. They were able to do it, the best performance of all.

They made it to the end.

They survived.

They're still alive.