The Gathering Of Gods (2)

The young prince barely made it through the first round. He stared in absolute horror as one of the arenas was cleared in barely a fraction of a second. Any thought he had of winning cleared at that moment. He couldn't win against something he couldn't even see.

Once the horns went off, he could finally stop fighting and return to his seat. His eyes couldn't help but stray to where they stood. Their black toga definitely stood out, so much so that he wondered why he didn't see them before. The aura around the male was obvious, not the least bit inferior to the gods that surrounded them.

"Ugh, stop poking my cheeks, bastard."

"Aww, but you look so cute when you're upset."

"If you're using me to get their attention, then you have succeeded, Nathan. Here they come."

Winifred's tone was cold, causing him to take a look behind him. Approaching them were two gods, both female. One was Succubus and the other was one Winifred hadn't gotten the pleasure of meeting. It did look like Nathan knew who she was.

"Succubus, you were never the type to get jealous. Did you lose faith in yourself?" Nathan casually greets her with a smug smirk.

"It definitely is you. There isn't a single mortal who has tested me more. Come here. Give me a hug. I have missed you so, Nathan."

To Winifred's surprise, Nathan embraces the goddess. Still, she stood there and watched their interaction silently.

"But I have to ask. Who is that with you?" she asks after they part. It was a very short hug that looked like it almost didn't happen.

"Pardon my manners. My dear, this is Succubus. I already told you who she was earlier. Beside her is the reputable Nkoya, the goddess of justice."

"Pleasure to meet you," Winifred curtseys, making sure she didn't get any closer to the goddesses. Nkoya was an imposing figure, even though she was one of the most beautiful deities around. She wore what looked like tribal clothes, her legs, and hands decorated with white beads. Her hair was woven into a high crown with the same beads in them. She had a steely gaze in her dark eyes and looked like she never smiled.

"This is...Winifred."

"That's all? You're not going to tell us what she is?" Succubus pressed.

"Well, she's my life. How's that?"

"That does not help us at all. Who is she, Nathan?" Nkoya suddenly says.

"Well, Nkoya, I didn't know you would be that interested. I'm almost tempted to make up some complicated lie to hide from you and drive you insane with curiosity. I want to see you...angry at me, Nkoya."

"What makes you think I'm not already angry with you, Nathan?"

"Your expression never changes. That's very dull. I want to see something, even if it's anger."

For a split second, there was a tense silence between them both. It was obvious that Nathan was provoking Nkoya but Winifred couldn't figure out the reason why. Nkoya was clearly more logical than him as she turned and walked away.

"Nkoya, wait! Great! You made her mad, Nathan," Succubus sighed.

"She's not mad. She's above that."

Succubus gave him a look that Winifred couldn't interpret. She shook her head and walked after the departed goddess.

"Well, what was all of that? Some theatrics you suddenly cooked up?"

"Was it entertaining enough, my princess?" he asked, chuckling.

"We don't need more enemies, Nathan. We need your body and ultimately, my sight. Focus on the goal."

"But that is the goal, my princess. I have set certain things in motion. Ever since we revealed our identity, Oriel's eyes have remained focused on us. It's only a matter of time before I discover who has my body and we can leave. Besides, do you want your precious father to die?"

Winifred's eyes immediately went to Prince Ferdinard.

"He is not my father."

"Well, if he dies, the glamorous life you enjoy might just end. Then we'll become fugitives. I have to preserve his life for your sake."

"You just love excuses, don't you?"

"Don't hate, my dear," he smiled.

Prince Ferdinard withdrew his gaze sharply when he discovered they were looking at him. The girl looked familiar but he couldn't place his finger on it. He decided not to think too much about it, lest he became a victim without knowing. He was starting to realize that it would be much harder to win.

His brother did not even go through the first round. Figures. He was the chosen one. He never really had to do anything in his life just because he was born first.

"What do you think the princeling is thinking about?"

"Your nicknames are lame."

"Hey! Don't just think yours are better because you're sooo smart."

"And don't act like a child."

"Fine, I will try to refrain. Shall we go say hi?"

"Do you think he's more likely to survive then?"

"He won't die on my watch. Let us go say hi. It looks as if he recognized you."

"I don't consent to this."

As they approached the young prince, the horns went off again. Everyone looked up to see Succubus announce the next stage of the competition.

{Hello, everyone! There has been a slight change in plans. We were supposed to do another battle royale to determine the finalists but the head gods have...suggested something else.}

"Hmmm, you were right. She was watching you."

"How could I be wrong? It's hard not to look at me."

As Winifred rolled her eyes, Succubus continued speaking.

{We will send all the participants into a sealed zone. It's a small dimension riddled with traps that would kill a mortal with a simple breeze. All the participants still in the competition will be taken to the sealed zone. Those who make it out in time will proceed to the next stage. Those who don't will be removed. Prepare for departure in 30 minutes.}

"I want you to explain to me what the point of having a zone that kills mortals with a simple breeze is."

"There is no real point. It's to show off. It probably belongs to Oriel and she's trying to trap me with it. There's most likely a restriction on it."

"But I'm a mortal."

"Even with the restrictions, I am still capable of protecting you. Just accompany me."

"Do you think your body will be in that sealed zone?"

"That is a wonderful question! We'll check!"

"You're still so hopelessly annoying. Whatever."

Nathan grinned so widely, amused that she had agreed ever so grudgingly.

{The Sealed Zone will be opening in 5...4...3...2...1...GO!}

Right in front of everyone, the sky split. The participants chosen were sucked into the sealed zone independently, with the exception of Nathan and Winifred, who were sucked in holding on to each other. Inside the Sealed Zone, where everyone appeared in different parts separated from their companions, Nathan and Winifred arrived together.

"Musty."

They appeared in a dark room that closely resembled a prison cell. There were the iron bars that obstructed their passage and the suffocating walls that closed them in. Two people could barely fit into such a small room. On of that, it smelt like mold and rotten cheese. The walls were darkened with a sort of soot that made it hard to breathe normally.

"My, my, if you wanted to touch my chest, Winifred, you should've just asked. I'll never say no to you, my lady."

"I do want to touch your chest now...with a knife."

"How cruel. Even my love is not enough to touch your heart..."

"I cannot tolerate your silly jokes for any longer. Get us out of here, now."

"...yes, my lady."

Nathan put one hand on the bars...and pushed. They gave way immediately, dropping to the ground. The aura around them immediately dispersed and the two walked out of the bar. The scenery immediately changed to that of a snowy peak.

"As expected, this is it."

"What nonsense are you saying this time?"

"Don't be so mean. This sealed zone is quite familiar. This is Mount Dayon, the home of the lost tribe."

"Of what use is this place to us?"

Nathan smiled but this time, it was void of his usual mischief.

"This place...used to be my home."

In the arena, Succubus knelt before Oriel. The Supreme Goddess kept her gaze on the Sealed Zone, her jaws clenched so tight that she drew blood. Succubus kept her head low, lest she become the object of her lady's frustrations.

"How could he still be alive?! Do you not listen to instructions?!"

"Forgive me, my lady. He is..."

"If he's alive, his cowardly god is still alive! FIND HIM!"

"Yes, my lady."

Succubus arose and walked away from the massive throne. She rain into Nkoya as she departed and the moment she saw the goddess, she embraced her.

"I'm tired, Nkoya."

"You decided to do this. You cannot falter now. Speaking of which, he should already be there, right?"

"It's too harsh a punishment, Nkoya. Having him destroy his home again with his own hands, it's way too cruel."

"If he cannot overcome this, he cannot overcome the next challenge. I believe in Nathan and...I believe in the woman he's traveling with."

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