Owl

Please do keep in mind when reading:
This story has many triggering scenes. If you need to know if your trigger is involved, ask me.
This is a reupload from my upload on CG.
Surprisingly, this story doesn't end in a complete tragedy.
And lastly: No, this prologue will not make sense yet. That's intended~

There were various sounds everywhere, of varying noise levels. Shuffling, rustling, clicking. Steps. Breathing, sometimes, or rattling noises. Despite this, it wasn't overly loud.

【High stakes, high stakes today.】 One voice whispered, strangely abnormal and distorted in both intonation and pronunciation, as if the one speaking didn't know how speaking actually worked and was only imitating it.

A second one looked at the first one, one way or another. The second one looked pleased. 【How fun, isn't it?】

【Indeed it is.】 A third one commented in passing, joining the group around the center of the room.

There was a number of others there already, though only six were in the inner circle. Everyone else was standing farther away, only watching and listening.

【Will you join today?】 The first one looked at the second one and made a sound.

The second one simply joined the inner circle. A wide, wide smile was drawn on the second one's face, one of expectation and joy. 【Obviously!】

【There are high stakes today】, a fourth one rumbled, opening up the game. 【You are joining as before? Not worried you will lose?】

The second one cackled a gleeful laugh. 【I am lucky! I will not lose! The same as before, again and again until I win!】

【We are far from winning】, the first one said and fell quiet.

All of them merely watched on and listened.

The place was very dark, with the only source of lighting being a diffuse blue glow that seemed to come out of nowhere and mostly surrounded the inner circle. The large package in the middle of everyone was the most illuminated. With the fourth one leaning forward, everyone else leaned forward as well.

The package was roughly wrapped up in a pulsing material that flinched as the fourth one touched it. It recoiled, slowly sinking to the ground and seeping into the floor. Where it had been held in place by string-like vines, the grey package material finally dropped away.

Not a single of numerous eyes wasn't on the fourth one.

【Three】, the figure declared loudly and whispers swept through the room. 【Easy.】

The inner circle began placing their bets. Only the second one did not speak up and the fourth one placed the same bet as before.

【Is everyone satisfied?】, the fourth asked and when no sounds of complaint rose, the fourth one raised an arm. 【Then let's begin.】

The second one laughed in silence.

The thrill was a joy. The thrill was being alive, feeling more than ever before. Whatever the price, they were all willing to pay for that tiny chance. They calculated and planned meticulously, hoping to be the one to win.

The second one looked down at the unwrapped thing.

You could plan all you want but... Betting it all at once was just as interesting. Who knew who would win in the end? Whose chances were the best?

If it meant dying... it certainly was worth it for all of this.

The second one lovingly gazed down.

【Now... Let us play.】