One main theme could be sacrifice. Characters might have to give up something important like their comfort or relationships in order to survive. Another could be the value of resources. In a survival situation, resources become crucial and the story may explore how characters obtain and manage them.
Without reading the 'the cost of survival short story', it's difficult to name the exact main characters. But in survival stories, there are often characters with different skills. For example, there could be a character who is good at finding food and water, and another who is better at building shelters. These types of characters would play important roles in the story's survival plot.
One idea could be a story about a lonely lighthouse keeper. He has spent years in isolation, watching the sea. One day, he discovers a strange object washed ashore. This object turns out to be a magical item that starts to change his life and the way he views the world around him.
One idea could be to create a story where characters from different regions in the game form an alliance to take on a powerful and mysterious enemy that has emerged on the island. They have to combine their unique skills and resources to survive this new threat.
Imagine a world where people can exchange their dreams. A person who is always dissatisfied with their own dreams decides to trade with others. But they soon realize that each dream has its own problems and that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Through this experience, they learn to appreciate their own dreams and the unique experiences they bring.
Perhaps 'Alone in the Jungle' is a short story about basic survival. It could depict someone lost in a jungle and having to use their wits and skills to find food, water, and shelter.
One common theme is self - reliance. Characters often have to rely on themselves to find food, water, and shelter. Another is the struggle against nature. For example, in 'To Build a Fire', the man battles the extreme cold. Also, there's the theme of human nature. In 'Lord of the Flies', the boys' survival situation reveals the darker side of human nature.
In a dystopian short story, you could have a society where water is extremely scarce. The rich hoard all the clean water, and the poor are left to fight over the little that remains. The main character is a young girl who tries to find a hidden water source that is rumored to exist, facing many dangers along the way. It could show the extreme inequality and desperation in such a world.
A dystopian story could be set in a world where dreams are commodified. People are forced to sell their good dreams to the rich, who use them for entertainment. The poor are left with only nightmares. The main character might be a dream merchant who starts to question this system when he realizes the toll it's taking on people's mental health.