A Challenge of the Gods

For eons Auriel the Golden God of Victory and Diran the Silver God of Domination and Order engaged in battle after battle. Their rivalry causing chaos in the Immortal Realm of Alkebulan. The other immortal gods never intervened to settle this dispute, some because they were entertained by the eventful atmosphere Auriel and Diran brought or they were simply terrified at the thought of being at the receiving end of Diran's wrath. Today, like many other days in Alkebulan, was no different.

Auriel met Diran in the Immortal Courtyard for another challenge. He walked with the grace of a tiger, each step was so quiet that if he had not been so adorned with jingling gold jewelry no one would hear his presence. Diran faced away with folded arms, his silver hair blew gently in the wind as he looked down into the star pond waiting.

Without facing Auriel, Diran spoke, "Auriel, you've come."

"When have I not?" Auriel came to stand beside Diran at the pond and glanced over it with fickle interest.

"True, but you always keep me waiting." Diran finally faced his rival, keeping a look of poise and power. Auriel responded by turning as well. He smiled and propped a hand on his hip, golden bangles making each movement sound like a song.

"So? What do you have for me today hmm?" Auriel teased Diran, knowing that his rival was stirring with a passionate flame underneath all the ice. He loved poking at the prickly silver god, it always made the challenges more exciting. Auriel feigned a sigh, "And please make it interesting this time? The past few challenges were so boring! Diran, have you really lost your touch?"

Diran's mask fell for a moment, his eyes filling with irritation and obsession, but as soon as it came it went. However, Auriel knew the comment had done its job.

Diran huffed haughtily at Auriels childish behavior before summoning a universe he created, "The challenge is simple—."

"Not another war game!" Auriel groaned and turned away. He lifted his hand on the verge of opening up a rift to leave when Diran quickly snatched his arm to spin Auriel around. The sight of Diran's scowling face made Auriel smirk in amusement.

"Listen and behave." Diran spoke impatiently, and Auriel listened, not because he was ordered to but because clearly Diran had concocted something that even he was excited about. Diran was always proud of his schemes… before Auriel inevitably unraveled them, but Auriel could tell he gave extra care to this challenge.

Diran released him as soon as he felt Auriel relax and adjusted himself before he continued, "The challenge I have for you is this. Since before you were born I have carefully nurtured this universe, one planet in particular and I have since let it run a bit rampant." Diran paused to guide the god's vision closer to the planet in question.

Auriels eyes widened in wonder, he had never seen a planet so beautifully crafted by any of the other gods.

"It is quite beautiful, I understand your interest personally." Auriel snapped out of his daze to see Diran staring at him with a knowing smirk.

Auriel pouted at the fact that Diran pulled a fast one on him. He sighed and waved his hand limply for Diran to continue. Diran understanding that he now held the golden gods attention made quick work on his explanation, "Auriel will enter into this very world you see as a mere mortal, all your divinity will be dispersed and scattered across the main continent. If you retrieve all of your fragmented divinity within a year in this world's time, I will reward you with the world you see and will forever regard you as champion."

Auriel was very excited, entering the world of mortals was something he'd never experienced! Diran could almost see an excited tail wagging on Auriel, he couldn't stop the amusement from reaching his face. Auriel suddenly paused and squinted at the oddly quiet god. It was very unusual that Diran wouldn't mention a punishment.

The silver Gods shut his eyes in mock innocence, "Oh yes, the punishment of your failure, how could I forget." Diran then allowed his true feelings out for display, "If you are to fail at retrieving your divinity within one mortal year of time. I will deem you concurred and you will submit yourself as my subordinate to do as I see fit with you eternally." Iridescent eyes that usually shone with godly light seemingly dimmed as the darkness of Diran's obsession made itself apparent. A look that only sought for complete and utter domination.

Auriel stood there unaffected by this even as Diran took a lock of shining golden hair into his hand and brought it up to his nose. Auriel was used to this obscene behavior, it was normal for his rival to act like this towards him and he enjoyed the disappointment that would later fuel Dirans next challenge.

Auriel let Diran do as he pleased so he could think over the challenge, the silver God taking the chance to place a hand on his waist. Clearly Diran believed that this challenge would be difficult enough to declare it their last and he knew that the scheming silver God knew this was an opportunity too enticing for Auriel to give up. This was clearly a trap more than a challenge but Auriel had already made up his mind.

Auriel batted Diran's hands away, the latters irritation at the loss flashing across his face. Diran tucked his hands in his sleeves and regained his composure, "I assume you've come to your decision."

"I accept your challenge."

"Our words now are bound." With that, Diran snapped his fingers and a phantom chain appeared on both of their wrists. Diran smiled, this time genuinely, although maybe it was for the fact that their fate had been sealed. Diran extended his hand, opening a palm to receive, "I now require your divinity."

Auriel summoned a glowing gold orb from his heart and handed it to Diran. The instant he did, It shattered and fell down onto the planet. Diran and Auriel looked at each other one last time, the two rivals burning with equally passionate energies. Then Diran approached Auriel and placed a hand on his head.

"Now fall."