The trial of ascension begins

Elias woke with a start, disoriented and surrounded by an unfamiliar, shimmering forest.

The air felt electric, humming with a strange energy, and the trees towered overhead, their leaves glowing faintly as though alive with secrets.

It wasn't a place from his world but it was not a dream, but something much more unsettling.

The last thing he could remember was a whisper in the dark. No a voice....or was it voices echoing in the void....oh yeah that man...yes....God.....Gods.

He rubbed his head, attempting to stand,the ground beneath him glowed faintly but before he could make sense of his surroundings , the air shifted.

There was a sudden breeze, the rustle of wings, and a figure appeared before him in a flash of golden light.

"Well, well, look who's finally awake!"

A man, tall and slim, with a wide grin and an air of playful arrogance. His sandals were winged, his cloak billowed impossibly despite the still air, and a staff with intertwined serpents whose eyes gleamed like molten gold rested casually in his hand.

The sight of him made Elias' heart race, though not with fear.....not quite yet.

"Who....who the hell..." Elias began, but the man cut him off with a dramatic bow.

"Hermes, at your service. Messenger of the gods, guide of souls, occasional troublemaker...though I prefer the term opportunist." He straightened, his grin widening. "And today, your very fortunate or unfortunate....tour guide into the divine mess or game you've stumbled into."

"And you, my friend, are the player."

Elias narrowed his eyes, instinctively taking a step back. "Where am I? What is this place?"

Hermes waved a hand, dismissing the questions as if they were trivial. "Oh, this little pocket of existence? Just a temporary pit stop.

Think of it as… neutral ground. A space between the mortal realm and the realm of the gods. Pretty, isn't it? The trees gossip, the air sings, and time doesn't move quite the same way here.

Perfect for a little chat."

A storm of emotions brewed in Elias' chest. Confusion, anger, fear...they all fought for dominance. "I didn't ask to be here," he snapped, his voice cracking. "I didn't ask for any of this!"

Hermes laughed, a sound that was both light and sharp.

"Oh, I know you didn't.

That's the fun part.

The gods don't ask, Elias.

They decide. And you, my dear mortal, have been chosen to play a very special role in their latest… entertainment."

"Entertainment?" Elias' voice rose, his fists clenching. "What are you talking about?"

"What is this game?" Elias demanded, his voice trembling despite his efforts to sound strong.

Hermes stopped twirling his staff , his expression growing uncharacteristically serious "The Game of the Gods is a trial of mortality and divinity.

A test of strength, cunning, and willpower. Those who succeed may ascend and stand among us.

Those who fail..."He shrugged, a little too casually. "Well, let's just say there's no room for losers in this game."

Elias glared at him. "And what happens if I lose?"

Hermes tilted his head, his grin returning but with an edge of danger. "Oh, losing isn't so bad. You just forfeit your life, your soul, and...oh, right...the future of humanity. No big deal."

The weight of those words settled on Elias like a stone, but he forced himself to meet Hermes' gaze. "Why me? Why was I chosen?"

Hermes raised a hand, silencing him. "Mortals often ask why. The answer is always the same: why not?"

Elias's jaw tightened. He was beginning to hate the cryptic nature of these beings. Their careless disregard for life.

"Why not you?" Hermes countered, his tone maddeningly casual. "You caught their attention. Maybe it was your defiance, your cleverness, or the way you stand just on the edge of breaking.

The gods love a good underdog story."

Elias took a shaky breath. "What are the rules?"

Hermes straightened, spinning his staff once more. "Ah, the rules. You mortals do love your rules, don't you? Fine, here's the gist:

A shimmering scroll appeared before Elias, unfurling midair.

Its surface glowed with golden text, written in a language that he somehow understood as if the words bypassed his eyes and spoke directly to his mind.

RULES OF THE GAME

<You will be placed in a world where survival is paramount.< strong>

You're not alone in this game. There are others....mortals, like you, plucked from their lives to play. Some will help you. Most will try to kill you. You may even be dead before you begin.

<You will face challenges, monsters, and trials designed to test your limit.< strong>

The gods will set the trials, but they'll also cheat. Subtle nudges, whispers in the dark. Trust no one, not even me."

He winked.

< Death is not final... the first time. Subsequent failures will result in permanent elimination....in special cases....

< The ultimate goal: claim the Throne of Ascension. Only one may sit upon it.

Elias's chest tightened as he read the final line. Only one.

Elias swallowed hard, his gaze returning to the scroll. His mind raced with questions, doubts, fears.

He had no idea what kind of world they were sending him to or what dangers awaited.

"How am I supposed to fight?" he asked,"I don't have weapons or skills. I don't even know anything about this place.

"You will learn," Hermes replied simply.

Once you're in this game, there's no out. You either win or you perish."

Really,The goal is simple: just survive the trials, win the game, and secure humanity's freedom from divine interference....for a time. Fail, and humanity becomes nothing more than playthings for the gods." other rule's can be added along the way....who knows

Hermes' tone darkened, and Elias felt the weight of his words settle like a stone in his chest. The gravity of the situation began to sink in.

Hermes clapped his hands together, clearly done with the heavy talk. "But hey, don't look so gloomy. There's a silver lining! You'll get a little… help along the way. Maybe. Who knows? The gods like to keep things interesting."

Elias stared at him, confused. "What kind of help?"

Hermes grinned. "Wouldn't be any fun if I told you now, would it? Let's just say some allies will come to you...some of them willingly, others not so much. Some will be gods in disguise, some will be mortals with their own agendas. It's all part of the game." maybe... Who knows

Elias' mind raced, but one question burned brighter than the rest. "And what about you? Why are you helping me?"

Hermes paused, his expression unreadable. "Helping? Oh, no, no, Elias. I'm not here to help. I'm here to inform you.

There's a difference. But…" He reached into his cloak, pulling out a small, silver coin etched with intricate patterns. "Take this.

A little token from me to you. It might come in handy. Or it might be utterly useless or even get you into trouble .That's for you to figure out."

Elias hesitated before taking the coin, its cool surface tingling against his skin. "Why give me this if you're not here to help?"

Hermes grinned again, stepping back as the air around him began to shimmer. "Because I like you, Elias. You've got spirit. And because watching you squirm is going to be so much fun."

Before Elias could respond, Hermes vanished in a burst of light, his laughter echoing and the flutter of his winged sandals.

Elias stood there, the coin in his hand, the weight of his new reality pressing on his mind. The gods had chosen him for their game, and now he had no choice but to play but one thing he was sure of is the fact that he would be playing by his own rules.

Elias stared at the coin, unease prickling at the edges of his thoughts. Something about it felt... alive.

With a deep breath, he started walking, the whispers of the trees growing louder as if mocking his resolve.

The game had begun.