Darkness.

The kind that can swallow someone whole. Cold, unforgiving darkness, approaching from every side until there was nothing left. Its inky, decrepit tendrils slowly wrap around your heart, soaking your soul with a feeling of unexplainable, existential dread. That was what one man felt, sitting alone in a machine-filled, almost silent room, his only salvation from the encroaching night being two dimly lit computer screens. The low hum of the machinery surrounding him was quiet, but also, in a way, deafening. Droning on and on, seemingly until the end of time, only interrupted by the swift clacking of his keyboard.

Finally, after an eternity, the man sighed, leaning back in his chair. His eyes lazily drifted to the monitor in front of him. Without warning, the screen fully illuminated. Teal light bounced in every direction, the immensely bright beams almost blinding the man as he instinctively recoiled. While he rubbed his eyes, grumbling quietly to himself, a cackle resonated around the room. The man looked to his side, at the second monitor, where the noise had originated from. He sighed once more.

"You really don't have to do that," he said through gritted teeth, "It gets old really fast."

The monitor lit up with an image. ':P'.

"Sorry~ It's just... so fun messing with you~ And it's so easy, too-" The monitor responded snidely.

The man shook his head, not wanting to fight with it for what was probably the millionth time. He looked back at the first monitor before taking a calming breath. Though, the breath would have been more calming if he wasn't holed up in a mechanical hellscape.

"Everything's finishing up. We're in too deep now. There's... no way to back out," he murmured, looking down at the keyboard that sat in front of him. "I guess... the only thing left to do is... begin."

The monitor giggled gleefully, its screen lighting up with another image, this time the emoticon ':D'.

"Too right, my friend! Send my regards to all the participants. It's time for the show to begin, eh?"

The man nodded, steeling himself for what would happen next. The voice continued, its tone tinged with malice.

"...Breeze... Let the killing game... commence."