2 The Beginning

A young girl walked through the empty street hurrying home. It was almost nightfall and the shops along the sides were already closed. There wasn't any point in keeping them open if no customers came. It wasn't unusual for the street to be empty like this yet the girl quickened her footsteps as if sensing something she couldn't explain. She couldn't help but frown as she sensed as almost oppressive feeling bearing down upon the street and herself. It was as if something unknown- something powerful, was watching. Watching her actions and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Her hands rummaged through her bag and finally rested on the can of pepper spray she was told to always keep on her person while out. "Somehow I doubt this is actually going to help." she thought with a wry smile forming on her lips.

Hurrying her footsteps she rounded a corner and almost smacked into a kid. Not altogether releasing her grip on her pepper spray she checked out the kid in front of her. He wore clothes typical to an elementary school child, shorts and a small hoodie with a cap on his head, he looked quite normal except for the fact that he was floating a few feet off the ground. He smiled at her "Hey! Would you like to play a game?"

"…are you a ghost or something?"

"How rude!" he pouted, "Well I don't really blame you for not knowing. I am the God of Wealth and you, my dear girl, I'd like to choose you to be my champion."

"Yeah right" she muttered as she resolutely walked forward ignoring the chattering kid.

"HEYY!! Don't just start walking away from someone, that's rude" came the loud protests from behind her.

She raised a hand in farewell without turning back "I don't have the time to play around with you, I have to get back home in time for dinner"

"Mortals these days sure are troublesome" the kid sighed from behind her, his voice somehow clearly reaching her despite the few feet of distance she had managed to make in between them. There was a soft 'pop' and the kid had somehow appeared in front of her again, he floated a bit more off the ground such that he was eye-level with her and leaned forward, "How dare you walk away from me? I am a god you understand? And you walk away from me? For food?"

It was her turn to sigh, "Look kid, I'm in a hurry, I'm sure someone else will come along and you can sell your roleplay fantasy to them. I don't have time for this," she said as she started walking again.

"Hey listen to me! Aren't you even the least bit interested in what I'm going to say?"

"No and quite honestly, you're annoying"

"Whaaa-?! You do realise you called a god annoying to his face right?" he exclaimed in protest.

"First of all, your word is the only proof that you're a god. And second of all, so what if I did?" the girl said in an exasperated tone, as if explaining something painfully obvious, to the child, "What are you going to do about it O mighty one? Condemn my soul to eternal damnation?" smirking she moved as if to start walking again.

"Forget it, I'm not going to argue with you, let's just say that I am indeed a god and that I'd like you to be my champion"

"Alright fine, I'll play along," she rolled her eyes at the kid god in front of her, "and what exactly does being your champion entail?"

"Finally our conversation is going somewhere!!" the kid beamed at her and continued, "Being a champion of a god is an amazing opportunity to change your fate. You'll be able to stand far above your peers, you'll become the undefeated ruler of this world and-"

"Sounds boring, I'm not interested.'' said the girl in a nonchalant voice.

"...at least let me finish…"

"What more is there to talk about? You're offering me wealth and power and I'm not interested. End of story."

"But-But why? I'm the god of wealth,-"

"That's it really," the girl shrugged "money doesn't interest me, in fact I find it to be quite boring."

"...heh, as I thought you really are an interesting girl. Then how about this? Are you willing to play a game? And to make a bet? With me?"

"A bet?"

"Yep, a bet" the boy nodded seriously. "You said money was boring to the face of the God of Wealth you know? I've met individuals who didn't care about worldly matters or material possessions like money and good-natured fools who chose love or whatever over money…but you, you're the first I've seen that holds such unconcealed disdain towards it and quite frankly, I am offended. So, how about this? Make a bet and prove to me that in the end you will still find money boring."