The Game of Shadows

Divine beings, often revered and feared, occupy a realm beyond the comprehension of mortals. These entities, whether gods, goddesses, devils, or celestial spirits, possess immense power that can shape the fabric of reality itself. 

They exist in a dimension where time and space bend to their will, and their very presence exudes an aura of awe and reverence. Each divine being is unique, embodying specific aspects of the cosmos—wisdom, chaos, love, war, or natural forces like the sea and sky. 

Their forms are as varied as their domains: some appear as resplendent figures of light, radiating serenity and grace, while others manifest as dark, fearsome entities, cloaked in shadows and mystery. 

Those who manifest as dark and fearsome entities are those belonging to the opposing nature. These beings seek delight upon tormenting human beings and are the exact embodiment of sins.

Their motivations and personalities are diverse; some are benevolent protectors of humanity, offering guidance and blessings, while others delight in sowing discord and giving them the most sadistic tortures.

Despite their differences, all divine beings share a common trait: they are bound by ancient laws and cosmic balances that govern their actions and interactions with the mortal world, ensuring that their immense power is wielded within certain bounds.

Speaking about diving beings, there are two divine beings currently speaking in front of both Tanya and Felix. 

Idun, with her benevolent personality, and Belial, with his sinister nature.

"Fufufu, come on now, don't be like that,... Belial. Fufufu"

Being-X…, no… Belial stared seriously at Idun. 

He just stood and stared at Idun for at least 2 minutes, before sighing. 

"Alright. I'll concede. But tell me one thing… How did you manage to break into my world? How did you insert this rat into my kingdom?"

"A woman never tells her secrets Belial, fufufu."

Belial was irritated. He remembered how annoying it was to talk to this woman even back then. Her 'Fufufu's' are so annoying that if you hear another 'fufufu' from her, you might want to tear off your ears. 

On the other hand, since Idun does not seem to tell her own secrets, maybe Belial would just send her avatar back towards the Heavenly Realm and nothing will stop him from killing the rat in front of him.

So, Belial gathered a lump of dark energy in his hand, that he hid behind his back, and started to approach the avatar of Idun, however….

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

For every 'tsk' that Idun said, she wags her finger and shakes her head towards Belial.

"You do not want to do that, my dear Belial, fufufu. You see, I am not alone here. There are numerous gods and goddesses who are watching us right now. You do not want to see your 'hidden' world be destroyed ehh? Or better yet, we would camp outside your world. Fufufu."

"Plus, they are rather annoyed right now, fufufu. Seeing you impersonate Zeus's face is irritating him right now, fufufu. Oh I would love to see the old man's annoyed face you know? Fufufu. Loki also says 'fuck you Belial' fufufu."

Belial knew that Idun was correct. If he wants to still live in this world he is in right now, then he needs to be alive in order to do so. 

He also knew that destroying a world can't be done willy-nilly. There must be a sort of condition or a bet since all worlds are protected by the Will of the Universe.Hell, even devils such as Belial need to adhere to such will.

Speaking of bets, this is the only option that Belial can think of in order to let his world that he cultivated for at least a hundred thousand years be left scot free.

Though he needed to wait for his reinforcements first in order to level the playing field… He needs to buy more time.

"So… how are you Idun? I haven't seen you since I kidnapped you to the Realm of Giants."

"Fufufu, what's this Belial? Are you really curious about me? I know that you want to buy time fufufu, :Loki told me."

"Buy time? Nah, truth be told, I am really just curious about how your life was."

"'Truth be told'? Coming from the Devil of lies himself? Isn't that bullshit? Fufufu. Come on now, I know you want to make a bet, Loki told me so, fufufu."

That fucking annoying god of Trickery!!!!

"Come on now, I just wanted to talk with you for old times sake, yet you accuse me of lying to you? How could you?! I trusted you!!"

Idun, in return, just smiled towards Belial.

"Alright, with Loki hovering around, I can't even deceive you…. Yes… I want a bet."

"Bet? Why should I accept your bet?"

"I know for a fact that those two kids are important for you. Well, let me tell you, their lives are now in danger. With just a snap of my fingers, their lowly existence will cease to exist."

"Hmmm… alright. Tell me the rules of our bet."

"First, both of our sides are only composed of 2 players. I guess, your players would be those two over there."

Belial pointed towards Felix and Tanya who were watching the two diving beings.

"Yeah, let me put forth the second condition. There will be no interference from both of us or any other divine beings, may it be gods, goddesses, devils, demons and the like. The interference includes any acts, revelations, blessings, curses, and the like."

"Fair. Third rule. In connection with your previous rule, the interference includes harming the other party and/or helping your own party. Let the players play for themselves."

"Good fufufu. For the fourth rule, you would remove every speck of your curses/blessings on Tanya, in replacement, I would bless her with my own.."

Belial squinted his eyes towards Idun. His blessing on Tanya is one of his plans to which after the setting of the rules of the bet, he ought to control Tanya, making Felix the only player against him… 

"Hmm… Accepted. Fifth rule. The terms of winning is when the players from the other side die. May it be due to the players themselves or other people not related to the bets."

"Sixth rule fufufu. A fair observer from each side would be selected in each divine camp, making sure that the rules are enforced."

"Agreed. Seventh rule. If either side is found to have broken any rule, the bet is immediately forfeit, and the violator's side loses."

"Accepted. Eight rule…"

While the two divine beings are enforcing rules one after another, of course, with fairness, the two able humans in the time-stopped world are currently sipping on their own cups. One cup has coffee in it, while the other has tea in it.

*Sip*

"Sigh… are you sure you are fine now, Tanya?"

"I am now fine, well… except for the two holes in my abdomen… I would need to buy another set of clothes again…"

"That's fine, you would need new ones I reckon."

Tanya raised her eyebrows towards Felix.

"New ones? 

"Well… since Being-X… no Belial's curse on you had been already dispelled, I reckon you will start growing more now."

"Dispelled? How?"

"Due to you eating the golden apple…"

"Ohh! Wait! So… I would grow taller more you say? YES!!!! You don't have any idea how awkward it was to stand on every platform just to have a higher view on my wing! YES YES YES!!!!"

Suddenly, Tanya went into her thinking position…

"But… If I grow taller… then… will my boobs grow too?"

"Umm…"

"Will I have those uselessly large meat bags? Damn, it would be such a bother to have those cumbersome, floppy sacks of flesh hanging off my chest! They'd just get in the way, bouncing around and making everything uncomfortable."

"I've seen other women struggle with those ridiculous, heavy blobs, and it seems like such a hassle. Not to mention, they'd probably throw off my balance and make it harder to move efficiently in combat."

Felix tried to suppress a laugh but couldn't help it. 

"Well, I suppose there are trade-offs with everything, Tanya."

Tanya rolled her eyes, 

"Trade-offs? More like nuisances. But… Why are you looking at my chest in the first place? Want a punch?"

Felix immediately looked away.

"Well… Let's hope for your sake they stay manageable. Who knows, maybe it will be medium at best. You've got enough to worry about without adding 'fighting with oversized body parts' to the list."

"Yeah…"

The two suddenly went into an awkward silence… 

"So… Reincarnated huh? When did you arrive in this world, Felix?"

"It was.. June this year."

"Wait. You didn't 'reincarnate' from birth?"

"Yeah, not like you though."

Tanya suddenly squinted her eyes towards Felix.

"What do you mean by that? How do you know about that?!"

Shit. I can't say that her life was being watched by millions of people through an anime.. Or read through manga… Millions simping on her… She will definitely be fucking angry. I will definitely be implicated…

"Umm.. Goddess Idun told me about your life… The goddess also told me about the general direction of this world… Though it was a little bit different in scale…"

Felix can feel that his Goddess, Idun, is looking in his direction. He can't look towards her since there is another goddess in front of him that he needs to address.

Tanya further squinted her eyes towards Felix. She can feel that Felix still has something hidden… 

"Is that the truth?"

"Ye-yeah! Th-that's right!"

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

Tanya can feel that Felix is still not telling her the whole truth.

"Well, tell me later. So… the reason you are building some advanced tech is to let the Empire win the coming war? Cause I can feel that the Empire will surely be defeated if a bunch of countries gang up on it."

"Currently we are fighting a two-front war, however, in the future, it will definitely turn into a four-front war. The Russy Federation will invade us even though there is a non-aggression treaty between the two."

Felix, relieved that Tanya didn't further pursue the topic..

"Yes… it will surely be a WW2 situation… We will be flanked on all sides.. The only difference is, we were not the first provoker of this war… "

"Yeah… This age is surely the age of war… Imagine, 2 successive wars, back in our previous world, in less than 50 years? Damn these other nations who want to get rid of the Empire.."

"Well.. If we can uphold the Empire first and foremost, then we can definitely prevent another great war, because of our superior technology. We would just send some troops in the name of 'peace' if ever there were wars in other lands."

"Other lands? Are you thinking of conducting a proxy war?"

"Yeah, just like the cold war between the two great nations in our previous world."

"Well.. that will surely be a hell of a ride in the future. The only premise is we need to win the coming war."

"Yeah…"

Tanya then asked Felix on the progress of his tech tree.

"So.. how far are you in terms of modern technology?"

"We are currently researching the V2 and some jet engines, such as the turbofan jet engines. We already have a functioning early model of the Me 262 jet engine, however, I would like for it to be perfected before fielding it."

"Turbofan jet engines? Damn, F-15s?"

"Yeah, hehehe"

"Hehehehe"

The two laughed eerily.

Amidst the sinister laughter of the two, the two divine beings finished the discussion of their bets. So, Idun approached the two, while Belial went somewhere. 

"Fufufu, looks like you two get well together."

The two stopped laughing and Tanya turned serious, on the other hand, Felix just smiled.

Tanya had a bad perception about diving beings, given that her life was dictated by a stupid devil back then.

"Don't look at me like that, Tanya, fufufu. I would not torment you like Belial in the past, just ask Felix over here."

Tanya looked at Felix, who just shrugged his shoulders. 

"I would offer you a sponsorship, but you would not likely want that, but let me offer it just in case fufufu. Well..do you like to have my sponsorship?"

"No."

"Wow so fast, fufufu. But in order to have revenge on Belial… you need to have a sponsorship of the opposing camp. I know for a fact that you want to shoot Belial straight into the head, right?"

Tanya looked seriously towards the Goddess. 

She cannot just trust someone, most especially to someone divine. In the eyes of the divine, these mortals are just a speck of dust. We mortals cannot know if these divines would just change their mind at the very last second.

She cannot read the minds of these beings. Tanya's former job is an HR manager, meaning Human Resources. She can know and possibly interpret the thinking of mere mortals, but when it comes to Divine beings… She is at a loss. That's why she is skeptical of everything involving the divine.

Felix knew that Tanya was skeptical of his Goddess, so he proposed a solution.

"What if… Goddess, you can sponsor her indirectly."

"Indirectly? Is it what I think it is, fufufu?"

"Yes, the sponsorship will go through me, your anchor in this world. Not that I am accusing you of, Goddess, but if Tanya wants to cancel your sponsorship, then I would have the possibility to cancel it, of course if I deem the reason cancellable."

"Tanya, on the other hand, would try to see if the sponsorship benefits her and would retain it."

Tanya thought about the suggestion hard. She does not want to be intertwined with another divine bullshit another time, but… if… it would give her the opportunity of having revenge on Belial… then… she's in.

Idun, on the other hand, just smiled at her and Felix. She immediately knew what Felix was thinking of and even though the terms were likely against her, the Goddess wanted to see up to where the relationship of the two would go, so she smiled.

"Fufufu, you two really suit each other."

Felix slightly blushed, while Tanya just tilted her head.

"Me? With this guy? Nah. Also, Goddess, I am a former man. I would not have a liking for this guy. That's gay shit you know?"

"Fufufu."

But, there's a thing that both Tanya and Felix forgot. Since Tanya's curse had already been lifted up, her previous growth will not be impeded. She will grow taller and would gain more feminine features. In addition to that, the hormones that were previously suppressed, will now turn haywire. Meaning… hehehehe.

"Don't you know? Your previous life was that of a woman? In addition to that, your previous previous life was also a woman. In fact, for every 3 woman lives you have, afterwards, you become a man."

"That's bullshit! Reincarnation? I know I reincarnated in this form but the other guy-"

"Fufufu, yes. Belial 'lied' to you. There's a reason why he told you that this is your last life, you know. He told you that just so you don't expect to be reincarnated again. Additionally, he feels delight in seeing you suffer, fufufu. And most likely, your soul would not remember this life again."

"THAT FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!!!!!"

"So yeah… You only remembered your previous life as a man because a divine being intervened. So... you are just an unlucky person…"

But fate seems to tell otherwise. Idun thought to herself.

Felix though of something and then looked towards Tanya.

"Tanya! A depressed person talks about the past. While an anxious person speaks of the future. The person who is at peace with himself talks about the present."

??????

Both Idun and Tanya have question marks marked on their faces.

"If the painter becomes greedy and indiscriminately puts too many colors on the canvas, in the end, the whole canvas will be dyed black."

What the fuck is Felix speaking of?

"Sometimes, you need to let go of the burdens in your heart. If you are confused, accept the present you have!"

"Shut your damn mouth!"

Felix then exaggeratedly swung his arms around.

"Climb up the green mountain and lie down. Hear the sound of water and watch the clouds float around the sky. Just like the mountains, water, and lands surrounding you. In the end, aren't you also a child of the universe? You deserve to be where you are. Even if you don't feel it."

"Don't go Buddha on me!!!!"

Idun just giggled and said.

"Fufufu, that's very Buddha-like. I can see Buddha speaking those words, fufufu."

"Argh damn it!"

Tanya punched Felix's arms which prompted more giggles out of Idun.

Then suddenly, Idun sadly smiled towards the both of them.

"Listen. I'm sorry that both of you are implicated in the fights of the divine.. But this is the only way that the universe's will has dictated in order to let out fights between ourselves without heavily destroying the universe."

"Our powers can destroy numerous worlds if left alone…. That's why the universe gave us a solution, in the form of wagers and bets. Through the mortals, our wagers will be realized…"

"The bet between Belial and I is as such. We would not have the powers to intervene in this world anymore, and numerous Gods and Devils would observe this fight in order to make sure that there will be no intervening…"

"2 players, you and Tanya, and 2 other players that Belial chose. Felix knew one of them, but the other player's name can't be said… We can't just speak of the name of the other players since it is an unfair advantage… and it was on the rules that we spoke of…"

Tanya looked towards Felix. 

"It is most likely Mary Sue… A future member of the USMF or the United States Mage Forces… Currently she is at Legadonia… Her potential is great, so fucking great in fact. but… if Belial has time to tell her things… then.."

"Yes, both of us are also allowed to give our players an equal advantage but… surely, Belial would do that…"

"So her magical potential is much greater than mine or yours?"

"Yeah, she is literally unkillable one-on–one… A fucking walking tank, well flying too."

"Damn."

Idun then told the two another advantage that was discussed earlier.

"Hey, another advantage that I can give to the both of you is another 6 golden apples…"

The Goddess then looked towards Felix.

"Since there will be no intervention from me and Belial, then… the contract that I would give you an apple every year would be nullified… I'm sorry…"

"It's okay Goddess."

"Thank you, Felix. I suggest to the both of you to eat an apple now and keep the other 4 with you in case both of you are heavily injured. This will surely give you more mana and increase its quality, but you will need to process the mana you have received just like what Felix had done previously."

Tanya looked towards Felix.

"Yeah, I exercised both my mana and body in order to get used to the intense mana…"

"Alright, teach me later."

Idun looked towards the two and giggled.

"Fufufu."

"Alright, our 5 minutes of talking with you will soon be finished. One thing I would say is to take care… The other person is as formidable as Mary Sue…" 

"Life from now on would be harsh… You would be forced to fight and will still fight until all of it is over.. So… Good Luck… but before I go… eat the apples first."

The two bit the apple in their hands. A sweet taste and aroma permeated their mouths. Also, Immediately, they felt their current mana increasing, in both quantity and quality. Due to tasting a sweet taste, both of them greedily ate the remaining parts of the apple.

After eating their apples, Felix respectfully saluted towards his Goddess.

Tanya on the other hand, just nodded her head slightly.

Goddess Idun disappeared and after a few seconds, the whole still world regained its function. 

The shoutings of the nurses, the groaning of the patients, the shuffling of numerous feets. All of them returned. The sound of silence has been lifted up. Making the discussion earlier feels like a lie.

Tanya looked towards her shocked Squadron Leaders, who were shocked since their commander suddenly healed, and then towards Felix who was looking towards his Imperial Guards.

"Looks like we will be stuck in another war eyy…"

Felix looked towards Tanya and softly smiled.

"Well.. as opposed to a war… it feels more like a game… A Game of Shadows… Since we are technically fighting in the shadows..."

"A Game of Shadows… if we die, will we be sent to the Shadow Realm?"

"Wait. Have you watched that anime?"

"What? I'm not old, you know? I also watch anime from time to time. Tell me more about yourself later, for now… There's an alliance to split"

"Damn. You know how to spit bars."

Tanya just cheekily smiled towards Felix and walked straight towards his Squadron Leaders…. 

_____________________________

(OTZ) I am kneeling towards you humble people. Please forgive me for the late chapter…. This lowly self was late to show you this chapter of mine.

The Philippines was hit by an awful typhoon and my electricity is shit. I lived in a highly urbanized environment but… damn, our electricity provider here is so fucking shit. Black outs every now and then even though the typhoon was not strong, in my area though… Even if there are no typhoons… damn they are still shit.

So yeah… I am also enrolling in a law school since I was inspired by my mother haha. 

Same as old, 3 chapters per week… Sorry if I can't publish more… But I hope you still enjoy my FF.

Next chapter would include the invasion of Os, a city in the alliance.

Before I forget! Shout out to Y4RN1! Thank you my man for the donation!!!!! I LOVE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah…

Peace out!!!