The game

Xaloc opened his eyes to an unfamiliar room. 

It was not the large bedrooms that he was used to. It was about fifteen square meters and had a small bed enough for one to lie on but not roll around but still, Xaloc felt like this was one of the best sleeps he had had in a long time.

He stood up, glancing around the room.

The room also had a small bathroom and a round table which faced the window. It was simple but liveable, one could not complain.

This was a free gift from the Atlantis Control Council. Hina had taken them to this apartment complex yesterday after her lectures.

M

She also stated that meals would also be provided three times a day. They were free to stay here for just one month as they acclimated themselves to the realm.

One month! Was it enough?

He got up, rinsed his mouth and washed his face before heading to the balcony.

They were in Corinth, one of the largest cities in Atlantis. 

It was around seven a.m and the sun had started to ascend in the sky. It made the city seem to be covered with a golden veil. The city was built on a large island surrounded by the sea.

According to Hina, Atlantis was a water-based realm meaning there were lots of oceans, seas and rivers than in the mortal realm.

Corinth for instance had about ten rivers. Xaloc could see one of them as it weaved in and out of the nearby bridge and buildings, disappearing into numerous lakes. Beaches spread abroad for relaxation.

It was beautiful.

He took a deep breath, sensing the power filling his being. 

Hina called it Aer, a weaker counterpart to Aether. It was rubbish for gods and powerful monsters but for the much weaker descendants, it was enough.

The power seemed to bring with it the delicious temptation of sleep.

However, Xaloc had a lot of things to do. When he settled down and found his grandfather; He could sleep however he wanted. 

His hands reached into the air, and he could feel a slight breeze ruffling it.

Freedom was so near. He could feel it.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" A sweet mellow voice interrupted Xaloc.

It was the pretty girl from yesterday with dark hair and blue eyes. Selene Foxx. Her hair was packed in a bun and she wore a set of training suit.

It was fitted showing off her figure yet the innocence in the girl's eyes showed that she had no idea of the charm she possessed. 

'She was interesting ' the thought came unbidden into Xaloc's mind and he frowned.

Interesting or not, he had better things to do. Plus she was a descendant like him, right now she had no benefit to offer him.

"It is beautiful.' Xaloc replied.

The girl smiled and walked right next to him leaning on the railway. "I am Selene, your next-door neighbour."

Xaloc nodded. They had already introduced themselves yesterday.

"You entered your room immediately and you did not open the door when I knocked for dinner. We have not had a chance to talk yet." Selene said. Her eyes were very clean and made one feel like she had no other intention.

The moment Xaloc's brain subconsciously analyzed that. He froze. Was it possible that someone would be this pure? 

He also recalled the girl's interest in him yesterday.

He cross-checked himself. He was the grandson of Nyx but it was not something special, there were many gods that were the same level as Nyx.

Besides, if he understood what his grandmother said and what Hina had mentioned about the Ragnarok, the hierarchy was broken.

The formerly powerful gods were not necessarily stronger. According to her, the latest news from Shangri-La was that Orion, a minor god of hunting, had fought Hermes, one of the twelve Olympian gods and won.

So what did he have? 

The book! Had this girl sensed the book. After the lesson yesterday, he had rushed in to read the book and found out he could understand it perfectly.

The book was titled, 'The Seven Ways to Sleep' by Hypnos. It had been written by the Greek god of sleep and dreams as a gift to his son Morpheus.

Xaloc was not sure how his grandfather got his hand on the book but the book was something else.

It was perfect for him. It contains simple and clear directives for Domain of Sleep usage.

Sleep Inducement, Dream Weaving, Sleep Manipulation and other interesting ways to use the Domain power within him.

He was not sure if he could find something like this to pay his grandfather.

That was the most valuable thing he had. Had this girl sensed it? Surely, in a world of gods and monsters, someone having such powers was normal?

Or was it something else? No matter what it was, Xaloc could feel that she did not hold the best intentions for him.

He looked at her and their eyes locked for a while, neither saying anything.

Selene liked Xaloc's eyes. They were very beautiful. It was a black colour but to Selene, they were as resplendent as the stars. They shine with intelligence, drawing one with one gaze.

She had always liked Xaloc Night. She had always been his fan even when the novel readers condemned him. 

Even though she did not read the novel like most of her friends, she played the game.

Atlantis, the twilight of the gods was a very popular game that applied to almost everybody. While so,e p.aued it for the plot, the joy of putting the puzzle pieces bit by bit. Others played it for the romance aspect.

Those that played it for romance were much greater. Selene was one of them but no matter how many times she finished a route, it was difficult to win the game.

One route would always interfere with another, leading her to fail the game.

So she had changed her tactics, she had played the routes to conquer the targets one by one. Ares was the easiest route, Keanu was the most difficult and Ozias was the route she enjoyed the most.

The first time she played it, Xaloc, Ozias's best friend had caught her eyes. Xaloc was cold, unfeeling in the game showing his softest parts to Ozias which made him a great target for Selene.

She had written to the game company severally to include a route for Xaloc and even that winged principal but her messages were never addressed.

Initially, when she had transmigrated Over to the game she had been excited but when she saw the young Xaloc, she had been ecstatic. She could feel the eagerness to compete rising in her veins.

This time she was going to finish all the routes and conquer the game.