Location: Divine Realm — Infinite Arch
"Good morning, Supreme Xihe. Are you awake yet?" a deep, confident male voice echoed.
Xihe turned with her usual calm, ethereal grace.
"That is a question I should be asking you, Supreme Ares."
Ares let out a long yawn before dropping onto the throne beside her within the vast Infinite Arch.
Xihe's skin was pale enough to reflect the surrounding light, almost luminescent. Her long, light-copper hair fell straight and immaculate, interwoven with thin ribbons of golden radiance. Her narrow, crystalline eyes glimmered like polished glass.
Ares, in contrast, looked carved from war itself—broad shoulders, dense muscle beneath black-and-crimson armor etched with divine runes. His dark bronze skin bore countless scars, and his long, wild black hair framed eyes glowing red like embers.
"Yes… coming here every single day just to watch mortals fight on my behalf is going to be such a chore," Ares grumbled, visibly bored.
"If I remember correctly, you were among those who opposed this decision," Xihe replied.
Ares chuckled. "Of course. My battle instinct always gets the better of me. Though I do understand that letting gods kill each other is… less than ideal."
Xihe smirked. "Supreme Ares, you never fail to amuse."
Ares gazed down toward Aetherion. "Managing that many subordinates across such a massive territory, without communication… even I, the greatest general in history, find that troublesome."
"Having so many subordinates must come with disadvantages," Xihe said quietly.
Ares scratched his chin. "Speaking of subordinates… if you're here watching, then your only one must still be alive."
Xihe gave a faint smile just as Bragi stepped onto the stage before all the assembled gods.
"Greetings, my dearest companions!" Bragi announced, arms wide. "Today, the tournament officially begins! I will update you on Aetherion's events every seven days—or sooner if something truly remarkable happens!"
Some gods applauded politely. Bragi seemed pleased.
"And please, give a warm applause to the one who will record every moment of this tournament in the Holy Book: our god of writing, Thoth!"
The applause grew louder. Thoth appeared completely indifferent, continuing to write in the enormous Holy Book as if nothing in existence could disturb him.
He sat on a high pedestal overlooking Aetherion, hunched over a wooden lectern. Tall and slender, his face was hidden behind a golden ibis mask with unreal, elegant features. His dark robe was embroidered with living hieroglyphs that shifted subtly like desert sand. His long, elegant hands were made for eternal writing.
Bragi snapped his fingers, summoning a copy of the Holy Book into his hand, and began flipping through the pages.
"Let's see… some fun data! On this first day, it appears the subordinates have chosen a defensive strategy—avoiding combat, forming alliances, settling in."
Ares groaned. "Exactly what I expected. This is going to drag on… though I can't blame them. Being dropped into such a bizarre situation isn't easy."
"However," Bragi continued, "we have already recorded thirty thousand deaths."
Shock rippled through the divine assembly.
"What was that you said earlier?" Xihe asked Ares, genuinely surprised by the number.
"But most of these deaths," Bragi clarified, "were not caused by battles between subordinates. The majority were accidents—poisoned food, hazardous terrain, encounters with mythical creatures…"
The gods murmured among themselves.
"It's only the first day," Bragi said. "Most subordinates are inexperienced. As time goes on, deaths will shift toward actual combat instead of environmental causes. With that said—enjoy the spectacle unfolding below!"
He gestured toward Aetherion.
Location: Aetherion
A strained breath broke the silence.
"I'll stop here. I think we shook it off…" said a blonde girl with a messy ponytail. Dust covered her face, but her sharp, clear eyes stayed alert as she helped another girl lean against a rock.
"What was that thing?!" the injured girl asked.
"It looked like a wolf… but far bigger."
"I really hope I never see it again…" The girl winced as she clutched her ankle.
"Are you okay, Estrella?" the blonde girl asked.
"Yes… just a sprain."
The blonde girl stepped closer and offered her hand. "Come on, I'll help you stand."
"Thank you…" Estrella murmured, letting herself be lifted.
Estrella's short, curly brown hair was already a disordered mess after just one day. Her dark green eyes radiated warmth and kindness. Her features weren't flawless, but she had a gentle charm that felt like sunlight. She wasn't built for battle—her movements lacked the instinct of a fighter—but there was a peaceful steadiness in her that drew people in.
"We need to move. That creature might still be roaming nearby."
"I think so too. Just—if you get tired of carrying me, we'll stop. We need to stay alert."
The blonde girl slung Estrella onto her back and started walking in the opposite direction of the creature—when suddenly, a scream tore through the air.
"What do we do? That was close…" Estrella asked, shaken.
Just what we needed… It came from where we were headed. And going back is not an option.
The blonde girl scanned the surroundings. Then her eyes flicked to Estrella's injured ankle.
"We have no choice. We'll go around." She drew her sword.
The blade wasn't ordinary. It was pitch-black—so dark it looked like condensed shadow, forged into a slender, elegant weapon.
"So…" Estrella hesitated.
"So we keep going," the girl said, "but through the trees. A wider route. Less chance of stumbling into something worse."
She stepped forward, but Estrella didn't move, halting them both.
"Dana… are you saying we're not checking if someone needs help?"
"He's probably already dead—and you know it. What if we run into that creature again? Or something worse? Fight it? With your injury? And realistically, what are the odds anyone survived?"
Estrella pulled away from her, hurt by her words. She grabbed her bow—silver as moonlight, decorated with celestial symbols: stars, wolves, moons, leaves.
"I'm going," Estrella said. "With or without you."
She limped toward the scream.
Dana stared after her, frustrated—then thoughtful.
She risks her life for a stranger? It doesn't make sense.
…But she's right, isn't she?
Dana sighed deeply and followed.
"Fine. I'm coming. Lean on me."
Estrella smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
They resumed walking. Dana's mind churned.
She's right… but if things go bad, I'll drag her out myself. Our lives come first.
[A few minutes later]
They reached the place they believed the scream originated—but found no body, no blood, no signs of a struggle.
"See anything?" Estrella asked.
"Nothing," Dana replied, uneasy.
"That's strange…"
"We were too late," Dana said, turning away.
Estrella's disappointment was obvious.
"It's not our fault," Dana added softly. "We tried."
"I know…"
"And look—there's no sign of death. Someone might have survived. Maybe several."
Estrella nodded faintly.
"Let's move. We need shelter before nightfall. And food."
"Yes…"
But before they could take a step, a figure emerged from the shadows—tall grass parting around it.
"Who's there?!"
The figure paused, then kept walking.
Dana gently pulled Estrella behind her.
"I don't like this… get ready."
They armed themselves.
"Stop right there! Last warning—we're armed and we won't hesitate!"
Estrella nocked an arrow, trembling.
The figure stepped fully into view.
Not human.
A centaur—human torso, horse body, long spear in hand.
"A centaur…" Estrella gasped, stumbling back.
Dana grabbed her and pulled her away.
"Run!"
They ran, but the centaur closed the distance in seconds.
A spear strike sliced toward Dana—she dodged. Estrella fired an arrow from behind.
"Watch out!" Dana shouted as the centaur reared violently.
Estrella tried to dodge, but her ankle collapsed in pain. The creature's kick slammed into her stomach, throwing her several meters.
"Estrella!" Dana yelled, but the centaur pressed her hard.
She dodged blow after blow—until the last one cornered her. She blocked it with her sword, but the centaur's strength ripped the weapon from her grasp.
It aimed for the finishing strike.
Dana froze—accepting death.
An arrow whistled through the air and pierced the centaur's shoulder. Its spear clattered to the ground.
"Quick! Grab the spear and finish it!" a male voice shouted.
Dana didn't hesitate. She seized the fallen spear.
She faltered for one heartbeat—but the centaur charged again.
Instinct took over. Dana thrust the spear straight through its abdomen.
The creature collapsed. Dana stared, horrified—then vomited.
"Are you okay?" a boy asked, approaching cautiously.
Dana wiped her mouth. "Yes… I'm alive…"
She instantly ran to Estrella.
"Is she alright?" the boy asked.
Dana exhaled in relief. "Just unconscious."
"I'm glad—"
Before he could finish, Dana tore his sword from its sheath and pointed it at him.
"Who are you?!"
The boy raised his hands quickly. "Calm down! I'm not your enemy!"
"We'll see about that."
He swallowed. "My name is Dalai…"
"So, Dalai… what were you doing here?"
"I was with a group of guys when the centaur attacked us—killed everyone and left me injured!" Dalai lifts his left arm, showing a makeshift bandage tied with a torn shirt. "Trust me, I'm the only one who made it out alive."
Dana thinks it through — Those screams earlier must've been from the people he mentioned… but I can't trust him that easily.
She glances down at Estrella, still unconscious on the ground, concern tightening her chest.
Enough thinking like Estrella…
"Dalai, can I trust you?" Dana's sudden shift in tone catches him off-guard; he freezes, confused.
"I swear you can!"
Dana slowly lowers her sword. "I can't protect her on my own. I need help."
She offers him her blade. Dalai hesitates only a moment before taking it.
"I'll help you," he says, sliding the weapon back into its scabbard.
Dana smiles at him, and Dalai is visibly taken aback by it.
Dalai is tall but not heavily built, with short, slightly messy dark hair and wide, deep brown eyes.
"Thank you. I really appreciate it," Dana says as she turns to pick up her own sword.
"But just to be clear," Dalai adds, "I don't trust you or your friend either. I'll stick with you two only as long as our goals line up."
Dana meets his eyes. "Fair enough. The feeling is mutual."
She steps closer and hands him Estrella's bow and quiver. "You carry these. I'll take Estrella."
Dana lifts Estrella into her arms, while Dalai watches her carefully.
"Are you sure you can carry her?"
"Yeah. She's not that heavy… maybe because of the blessing."
"Right…"
The two begin walking away from the area.
"By the way," Dana asks, "how did you even hit the centaur with a bow? Estrella trained all day and still couldn't land a single shot—not even at point-blank range. Have you used a bow before?"
"To be honest… I have no idea how I did it."
Dana stares at him, puzzled. "Oh…"