Checkmate | Striving against Gods

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" A sweet voice echoed through the corridor, disturbing an old man who was enjoying his tea. Hearing the voice, he knitted his brows before putting down his tea and walked over to the next room.

"Grandpa! I can't sleep… The nightmares… they're here again." A young boy with a disfigured face whined to the old man.

"Hmm… again? It's fine, little one. I'll tell you another tale but you need to promise to sleep afterwards." The old man murmured softly. He gave a warm smile and walked towards the bedside where the child was anticipating tonight's story.

After the old man sat beside the child, he cleared his throat before narrating with his raspy voice.

"Once upon a time, there was another world.There were people who create fire with a mere thought, people that can create weapons out of thin air. There are those that have bodies stronger than diamond, Those who disregard the possibility of death. In that world, power is—"

"Grandpaa~ You already told me about this! Tell me a new one!" The boy crossed his arms, his cheeks puffed up with indignation. If it weren't for his deformed features, he would have been an adorable young child. The old man shifted his gaze on seeing that pout.

" Haha! Indeed child. I've told you so many stories already.. This old man can be forgetful sometimes." He let out a small chuckle.

"Grandpa! Tell me about the strongest god! The super strong one that overpowers everyone else! You rarely mention him." Out of all the tales, the small boy had a deep impression on the god his grandfather had only mentioned once before; a god that struck fear across all other gods. It left a deep impression on the small boy as he imagined himself with that strength. Sadly, his grandfather seldomly talked about that god.

"Ah! Yes. There's this super cool and powerful god who could blow away vast mountains with a sneeze! He was loved by all men and women! Handsome, kind, strong, and fearless, he had the traits of a perfect deity." The old man held his head up high, the corners of his mouth slightly curved.

The boy's face broke out in a grin upon hearing the words. "Yes! He's the best!"

The old man patted the child's head to calm his burning excitement.

"The strongest god went around the world, helping those in need. He would slay huge three-headed dragons. With one move, he would get rid of those terrifying cyclops in the villages. Healed the wounds of brave soldiers! He was a hero to everyone! But those other smelly gods became jealous of him. Together, they planned to overthrow him!" The old man mimed stomping and slicing movements at the part where he described the strongest god's doings.

"Those gods are so dumb! They will obviously lose!" The young boy punched the air, earning a chuckle from the old man.

"Calm down, child. Let me finish the story."

The child shut his mouth, afraid that his grandfather would refuse to continue.

"The strongest god fought with the smelly gods, beating up all that came against him! However those smelly gods were more in number and cornered the strongest god."

"NOOOO!!" The small child yelled in sadness. He was clearly worried for the strongest god.

"Hahaha, of course the strongest god will triumph! He wouldn't let such smelly people kill him! He brought out a golden hourglass with clear glass and glittering sands. There was a symbol of a snake biting his tail at the top. With all his might, he activated its power and turned the glass creating a bright golden light which allowed him to escape!"

"Wow! That is so cool! What was that hourglass, grandpa?!" The little boy's eyes shined with curiosity and excitement.

"The hourglass is a special item that can only be used by the greatest god! It's so amazing that it can stop all smelly gods in their tracks. The strongest god used it to safely escape and head to a peaceful world to recover his might! He will not allow such horrid gods abuse their powers anymore. So, he decided to find individuals to help him deliver justice!"

"Grandpa! I want to help that god! Like how he was a hero to everyone, I want to be his hero!"

The old man stared at the child with a smile. "Well dear child, you can't help him without a good night's rest!" He chuckled while ruffling the boy's hair.

The boy quickly wished the old man goodnight.The old man wished the same and kissed his forehead. Seeing that the kid had closed his eyes, the old man proceeded to his bedroom.

*Beep*

*Beep*

*Beep*

The old man pressed some keys on a large digital safe.

*Beeeep*

When the safe opened, it revealed a golden hourglass. There were glittering golden sands resting at the bottom of the hourglass with the transparent glass enclosing them. There was a symbol of Ouroboros drawn on the surface of the hourglass.But this one was not biting its own tail like the usual Ouroboros. The old man held the hourglass firmly, staring at it with an intense gaze.

"Soon...They'll soon be ready."