The Arbiters Game Chapter 2

I look at the five celebrities seated before me, and begin to announce their names in order of votes received.

“First, by popular vote, with three hundred and ninety-two million votes… Liam Davenport.”

I lift my eyes to the man in the first seat. His expression is placid, radiating a cool, aristocratic calm. He seems utterly unconcerned by the proceedings. The cameras zoom in for a close-up, and the internet ignites.

【My man! Stay strong! Tonight, you ascend!】

【Seriously, look at that self-control. Does he look like a man who’s ever been touched?】

【Liam has been in the business for six years and has never even filmed a kissing scene. If he has a scandal, I’ll eat my own shoes!】

My gaze returns to my docket.

“Second, with two hundred and sixty-four million votes… Dylan Shaw.”

Dylan Shaw is not nearly so composed. A fine sheen of sweat beads on his forehead, and a tremor runs through his body. As the camera finds him, the comment section erupts again.

【Well, we know who’s dying first. Dylan Shaw, it’s been real.】

【WAIT! I remember Dylan telling our fan club not to vote for him! He said he wasn’t ready to ascend so quickly. You guys just don’t listen!】

【I’m crying! I thought he was just being humble!】

【Well, he’s not ascending now. More like descending… straight to hell.】

【Congrats to our Liam, one less competitor to worry about!】

I continue.

“Third, with one hundred and eighty-nine million votes… Victoria Blackwood.”

As I look up, my eyes meet Victoria’s. They are stunningly beautiful and sharp as glass.

【Sorry boys, but our queen’s ascension is locked in.】

【Step aside, you disgusting men. If you can’t keep it in your pants, you deserve to die.】

【Our Victoria has zero scandals, zero bad press. A true career-driven icon. The entire industry could burn down, and Victoria would still be standing.】

“Fourth, with one hundred and thirty-two million votes… Marcus Cole.”

【Marcus Cole? Didn’t he retire to work behind the scenes?】

【WTF, is this rigged? How does a guy who left the spotlight years ago get voted in?】

【Are there any Marcus Cole fans watching? I’m getting a little scared.】

【This has to be a setup. They’re all here to make Liam Davenport look good. Four sacrificial lambs. I see how it is.】

“And fifth, with ninety-eight million votes… Noah Evans.”

【??? Noah Evans got that many votes?】

【Okay, I was wrong before. Dylan dies second. Noah’s going first.】

【Noah dated that Oscar-winner and even proposed. She ghosted him, LOL.】

【Please, stop being so hateful. An actor dating isn’t a career-ending scandal.】

【Noah Evans is an actor? Your delusions are showing, honey.】

【Who the hell even voted for him? We, his actual fans, never participate in these things!】

【I didn’t even know where the voting was. Then I wake up this morning, see the headlines, and boom, Noah’s at the Reckoning.】

【Noah, you better not have done anything shady behind our backs. If you have, I’m out of here so fast.】

【To all you Noah Evans fans… I’m praying for you.】