Trapped In Elysium: A Virtual Reality Nightmare-Chapter 103: Picking a leader

The sun had climbed halfway toward its peak by the time the man returned. He was sweating, chest heaving slightly as he trudged back into the clearing, flanked by two broad-shouldered natives. They were tall, scarred from battles and hunts, with the lean, hardened muscle of men who’d known the jungle all their lives. Their expressions were wary, not of fear, but of anticipation. As if they knew that by agreeing to this task, their lives were about to change in ways they couldn’t predict.

The group stirred. Liam rose from the log where he sat beside Mariel, who hadn’t spoken another word since their last exchange. He walked toward the returning native, his voice calm but loud enough to command attention.

"Von," he said, signaling the interpreter. "Gather them. All of them. One last time."

Von nodded, stepping forward and raising his voice in their language. The message echoed into the trees, carried by the call of several others who took up the task. Moments later, the villagers began emerging from between the huts, shadows dancing across their faces as they gathered once more in the clearing. Children clung to mothers, elders leaned on carved staffs, and warriors stood at the back, arms folded across their chests.

Liam stood before them, the blazing sun now high above his head, casting a sharp line of shadow beneath his chin. He waited until the crowd had fully assembled, scanning their faces—some eager, others confused, but most simply silent, as if waiting for divine instruction.

Von stepped beside him.

"Tell them," Liam said, "that I’m not leaving them without a leader."

Von blinked, nodded, then turned and repeated Liam’s words in their native tongue. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"I won’t be here forever," Liam continued. "And if I’ve truly earned their respect—if they truly see me as something more—then they’ll do as I ask."

Von translated each sentence carefully, word for word.

"I want them to vote. Today. Right now. They’ll choose a leader from among themselves. Someone they trust. Someone strong. Not a priest. Not a killer. But someone who’ll guide them in peace."

The reaction was immediate—gasps, uncertain glances, some heads turning in disbelief. Their world had never required choice before. The priest had always spoken for their god. Now their god was telling them to think for themselves.

Liam looked around. "Tell them to choose two people fit for leading them "

The native who had returned gestured, and two men stepped forward, the natives had chosen them, both a little uncertain as the entire village looked at them. Their muscles tensed under the pressure of a hundred eyes, but neither flinched.

"These men are brave," Liam said, "but they’ll still need the people’s voice."

Von translated. A few of the elders looked to one another. Some of the women began whispering.

"I want a vote," Liam said again. "Now."

Von nodded. This time, he raised his voice louder, commanding. The people seemed unsure at first, but then slowly, one by one, they began stepping forward—touching the shoulder of the man they believed in.

The first man received several touches. Then the second. It moved slowly but steadily, with some of the villagers even stopping to speak to their chosen candidate briefly, maybe offering advice, maybe expressing concerns. It was strange, foreign to them—but it was happening.

Liam stepped back, arms folded, watching. This was what he wanted. Not worship. Not fear. Not blind loyalty. Just change. Maybe small... maybe slow... but it was a start. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Mariel stood in the back now, arms folded, her eyes on him. She didn’t speak, but there was a shift in her stare—less cold than earlier. Still distant, but thoughtful.

Eleanor moved beside Liam, whispering just low enough. "You sure this’ll work?"

"No," Liam said. "But they need a voice. And I won’t be it."

Sophia stood to the other side, saying nothing. Her gaze flicked toward him briefly, then dropped to the ground. Liam noticed, but didn’t push.

When the voting was done, the count was clear. One man stood with far more support than the other. The people had spoken. And for the first time in perhaps their entire history, they had chosen a leader.

Von turned to Liam. "They’ve decided."

Liam nodded. He stepped forward again, raising a hand for quiet.

"Then let him lead you in peace," he said. "No more blood. No more rituals. No more fear."

He looked around the crowd one last time.

"I’ll be watching."

Von translated.

And with that, Liam stepped back, his eyes drifting toward the jungle beyond, toward the looming shadow of the cursed ruins waiting far beyond the trees.

As the villagers began to slowly disperse, murmuring amongst themselves about the strange new way of things, Liam kept his eyes on the man who had been chosen. He looked strong, yes—but more importantly, he looked uncertain. Not the kind of arrogant, bloodthirsty man eager to dominate. Liam liked that. It meant the man still had space to grow.

"Von," Liam said, his voice low but firm. "Tell him I want to speak to him. Alone."

Von nodded and gestured toward the man, who hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. The others paused to watch but said nothing. Liam led them a short distance away, toward the edge of the clearing where the shadows of the jungle trees offered a bit of privacy and calm.

Liam turned, his eyes sharp now, direct. "Translate exactly what I say," he told Von.

Von nodded.

Liam faced the new leader. "I didn’t ask for this," he began, his tone level. "I never wanted to be your god. But your people believe in me now. So I need you to listen, and I need you to carry what I say like law."

Von translated every word slowly, carefully, his voice quiet and solemn.

The native man stood still, nodding respectfully.

Liam continued. "No more blood sacrifices. That ends now. Forever. I’ve said it before but I’m telling you personally again."

The man’s eyes tightened slightly, but he nodded again.

"No more cannibalism. No hunting of men. No butchering your enemies and feasting on them like beasts. That’s over. You hunt animals. You farm. You feed your people with honor."

The man clenched his jaw. His hands twitched slightly, as though the old ways were fighting in his veins. But he nodded. Again.

Liam stepped closer. "You protect your weak. You don’t throw your sick to the fire. You build homes for your children. You guard your borders but do not attack unless you’re attacked."

Von relayed every line, word for word.

Liam looked at him deeply. "If you want to keep worshiping me—fine. But you worship me with life, not death. You honor me by showing mercy, by giving people a future. Not by spilling blood."

The man lowered his head. It wasn’t shame—it was reverence. Acceptance.

Liam studied him a moment longer. "What’s your name?"

Von asked, and the man replied quietly. "Dama," Von translated.

Liam gave a short nod. "Dama. From this day forward, you are leader of your people. Not by the sword. Not by fear. But by choice."

Dama’s eyes lifted. There was something there now. Not just reverence. But understanding.

"Lead them well," Liam said. "And I will protect you from the evils beyond your jungle."

Von said it in their tongue, and Dama placed a clenched fist to his chest and bowed.

Liam turned away, leaving him there to absorb what had just happened. As he walked back toward the group, he felt the heavy pull of what lay ahead tighten around him like a chain.

But at least back here... something had changed. Something had started. And maybe, just maybe, it would matter.

He rejoined the others, silent and deep in thought.