Chapter 2

Chapter Player.1 The Girl Who Was Once a God Gods’ Games We Play 1 Ruin, the Sacrament City: one of the largest of the isle cities that dotted the World Continent. “Verifying resident data… “Resident Number: Cohort 68 Division 80999 Shi-63. Fay Theo Philus. Welcome home.” Thick steel walls surrounded the city. Fay stood in front of a mechanized gate that served as an entrance. “Geez… Six months searching for her. What am I even doing?” Fay, a dark-haired young man, tucked his Resident Card back into his wallet, then looked up at the sky and sighed. “And I never even found her…” No, no. Head in the game. Fay gave a shake of his head and started walking. The city streets were impeccably maintained, the electric cars that ran along them all brand-new. If he’d looked up, he would have seen clusters of skyscrapers glinting gray. All just the same as it had been half a year before. The Sacrament City of Ruin seemed to burst with activity. Fay stopped at the center of it all: a giant screen mounted on the side of a building. The sign displayed the words: GAME IN PROGRESS. Hundreds of people were watching the stream, enraptured. “The gods’ games… Three at once, no less,” Fay remarked. The three massive screens showed three different gods, along with the several dozen apostles pitted against them. These were games, battles of wits, between humans and gods. And hundreds of people were watching them with their hearts in their mouths. And then they were over. By sheer coincidence, within minutes of Fay stopping to watch, all three screens displayed their results almost simultaneously. Vs. The Elemental, Salamander—LOSE Time Elapsed: 82 hours By defeat of all 16 apostles Vs. The Demon, Nacht—LOSE Time Elapsed: 7 hours By defeat of all 40 apostles Vs. The Endless God, Uroboros—LOSE Time Elapsed: 15 seconds By forfeit of all 69 apostles There was a collective “Awww!” from the crestfallen audience big enough to startle the birds in the trees and send them scattering. The crowd also started to disperse, people chatting with one another as they went. “The Salamander match was so close!” “Hell, with another hour, they might even have won the Nacht match!” “The team that drew Uroboros… Bad luck for them…” The gods’ games were humanity’s greatest entertainment, and its greatest struggle. Discussions like this were a common occurrence when a game was afoot. “Guess I’d better get going,” Fay said to himself. “I oughta be out there, too.” He turned to go—but someone said, “Hey, isn’t that Fay?” “The Fay?! You mean he’s finally back? I was just thinking we haven’t seen him at all recently!” What started as a couple of spectators who happened to notice him soon turned into a general rush to get a look at one of the most celebrated rookies of recent years. “Wha? H-Hey, hold on…just a…um? Hello?” Fay said. If this had been one of the games, even the thought of tens of thousands watching wouldn’t have fazed him. But at the moment, he just felt like an average citizen coming home for the first time in a long while. “Aw, c’mon, I swear I’m not that interesting!” Fay set off running, trying to shake the crowd. He headed for the Arcane Court. For the first time in six months, he would be back at ground zero of the challenge against the gods. 2 The world is home to many superior spiritual beings that humans can’t see—so-called “gods.” They’ve gone by many names throughout history: spirits, demons, angels, dragons. But how could humans worship spiritual beings they couldn’t see? The answer is simple: the gods, having way too much free time on their hands, reached out to humanity. There is a phenomenon called Arise, in which the gods grant power to a human. Only they know the criteria by which someone will be gifted an Arise, but the abilities come in two types: Superhuman and Magical. And those powers are a person’s ticket to being part of the gods’ games. Fay arrived at the Ruin branch office of the Arcane Court, a massive building that extended twelve stories into the air and three belowground. Although referred to as a branch office, this was the main base of operations for the global organization that challenged the gods at their games. Waiting right there at the entrance was a woman wearing a business suit and glasses, one hand stuck in her pocket, the other waving cheerfully at him. “’Lo! Welcome back, Fay.” It was the chief secretary, Miranda. The most striking things about her were her almond-shaped eyes, the intelligence in her expression, and her career-woman demeanor. “It’s been six months…and change. You must have had quite a trip. And is it just me, young man, or have you lost a little weight?” “Yeah, well, you know… No! Miss Chief Secretary, what is the story here?!” Fay took a few steps toward the chief secretary. “I was sure I’d find her this time!” “Ha-ha. Ah, yes. This girl you were after—I hear she turned out to be somebody else.” “And who was it who gave me that bogus tip?!” Fay couldn’t believe her. Miranda just grinned at him. The young man sighed for the second time that day. “The girl I’m looking for has bright red hair,” he said. “Uh-huh. I know.” “This person did not have red hair! I went on this whole wild-goose chase because you said they’d found someone fitting her ‘exact description’! Ugh, I searched everywhere. I spent six months looking!” “I only said I’d heard rumors to that effect. That’s all.” Miranda shrugged. “Anyway, welcome home. Oh, don’t bother with your ID. There’s no apostle in this building more famous than you. They’ll let you in on sight even after all this time.” “You run as tight a ship as ever, huh?” “I just know when not to stress. As long as we don’t slip up, it’s all good. That’s the key to effective administration. Anyway, come on in.” They entered the building, the lobby of which didn’t look much different from your average place of business. There was a cute receptionist and office workers silently hauling stuff around. If there was anything remarkable about the place, it was the gaggle of apostles standing around in uniform. They wore the white outfits of the Arcane Court, and all their uniforms were brand-new. “This year’s rookies,” Miranda said when she noticed Fay looking at them. “They got their Arises late last year. Fresh meat. They’re looking for teams at the moment.” “Any good prospects?” “Oh, we’re hoping. But probably no one like you. No one who’s likely to rack up three wins in the gods’ games right out the gate. Arcane Court headquarters is still browbeating us.” She shrugged again. “‘The apostle Fay Theo Philus has been gone for six months! What the hell is he doing?!’” “Look, I thought I would be gone for only a week or so.” He’d gotten a tip that the person he was looking for had been found, but after much searching, he discovered it was a case of mistaken identity. Suffice to say the last six months had sucked. “I’m as eager as anyone to make up for lost time,” Fay said. “Ready to tackle the games already? Well, that’s just like you. The heart that must beat in your chest, not to ever flinch back from matching wits with the gods themselves!” “I just love games.” “Don’t I know it. Although I’m not sure if I’d use the word just. Whatever the case, we’re ecstatic to have you back. Ahem—normally we would be, anyway…” Miranda pointed to the central elevator. “We should talk. Let me show you to the seventeenth floor.” “What about?” “That’s for me to know. You can savor the suspense.” They got in the elevator, and Fay let his gaze wander to the wall before he leaned against it. Etched into the elevator’s side were the Seven Covenants the gods had granted to humanity. The Seven Rules of the Gods’ Games Rule 1: Humans granted an Arise by the gods become apostles. Rule 2: Those with an Arise will receive either a Superhuman or a Magical power. Rule 3: The gods’ games take place within Elements, the superior spiritual realm. Rule 4: Arise powers may be used only within Elements. Rule 5: However, as a reward for obtaining victory in the gods’ games, a partial measure of an Arise power may be manifested within the real world. Further victories will unlock greater expressions of the ability. Rule 6: Apostles who lose three games in total are disqualified from further participation. Rule 7: Ten victories against the gods will be considered a game Clear. Clear: Anyone who achieves ten victories against the gods will be granted a Celebration. The gods’ games. Humanity had been charged with achieving ten victories in these battles of wits, and if they managed to clear ten games, the gods would grant them a reward. Nobody knew exactly what that entailed, but since ancient times, there had been whispers that the gods would grant any wish the winner might have. And humans loved to have their wishes granted. The truth remained murky at the moment because no one had ever achieved a Clear before. “The world is waiting. Anxiously. Desperately. When will we see someone rack up ten victories against the gods? That’s what everyone wants to know,” Miranda said. Suddenly she was smiling. The Arcane Court had two roles. One was to make the gods’ games accessible to humanity as a form of entertainment. But even more importantly, the Court supported the apostles who participated in the games. “The greatest number of wins in humanity’s history is eight. That’s absolute top-tier work. It would be fair to call them a gaming hero. But even a champion like that never got near ten victories. Lost for a third time trying to get number nine and was forced to retire.” “Yeah…” “But Fay, I think a Clear is more than a dream with you. You’re certainly the best rookie we’ve had in many years.” Fay’s record currently stood at 3-0, undefeated in the gods’ games. He was one of the most exceptional rookies to be seen in a long time, and the whole world hoped he might achieve that elusive Clear. At the moment, though, he wasn’t saying anything. “What? Something the matter?” “No, I’m fine. It’s just that I’d like to take care of whatever this business is and get down to challenging the gods.” “Wow, you sure like games. Look, what we’re talking about here is very important. But I guess you never were the type to just listen quietly.” Miranda let out a long breath. It was true. Fay didn’t actually care about the greatest number of wins in human history or how impressive a rookie he was. He just wanted to play those games with the gods. That passion was the sole thing that had brought him back here. “I think the two of you are going to make a fantastic team.” “I’m sorry?” “I told you we should talk. There’s a young woman who’d like to meet you, Fay.” “Young woman?” “She asked for you specifically.” Miranda glanced over her shoulder at him. She looked half teasing, and half full of fervent hope. “‘Bring me this era’s very best player,’ she said. And that couldn’t be anyone but you, could it?” “Wait… She asked for me? Who is she, exactly?” “A god,” Miranda replied. She looked up, watching the numbers wink on as the elevator climbed higher and higher up the building. Second floor, third floor, fourth… “It was a year ago now. They dug a god in a girl’s body out of a wall of permafrost. Don’t tell me you weren’t even watching the news?” “Yeah, I heard about that. It made headlines all over the world.” The gods lived in the superior spiritual realm, a place humans couldn’t go—but a year before, there had been a global uproar when a god had incarnated herself and come down to humanity. If I remember right, they brought her to our Arcane Court because we were closest to the dig site, Fay thought. Huh. Guess we just missed each other. He barely knew the details. He’d just left the city and had been too busy searching single-mindedly for a particular girl. “So what kind of god is she?” “A bit of a strange one,” Miranda said. “She claims she was playing hide-and-seek with some humans long, long ago and decided to conceal herself at the bottom of the sea. She fell asleep, and then the Ice Age hit, and she accidentally ended up frozen in negative-forty-degree ice. Got stuck that way for three thousand years.” “That’s some accident…” “She’s a living witness to the ancient magical civilization. That’s part of why everyone was so excited when they found her. We took her in, but to be honest with you, we’re finding out we’re not quite sure what to do with her. We can only bend over backward so far to accommodate her. But you wouldn’t want to make a wrong move and upset a god, would you?” Gods were gods, after all. They lived in a spiritual realm and had no bodies, which meant they had no lifespans, either. Add that to their virtually unlimited power, and they were beyond anything humans could imagine. “As a point of interest, this god has two avatars—fire and a dragon.” Fourteenth floor, fifteenth, sixteenth… As the elevator continued upward, Miranda continued, “She claims she’s not a god anymore. She calls herself a former god. But she seems plenty powerful.” “When you say power, you mean…” “That you could get in real trouble if you piss her off. This city could be wiped off the map in an hour. Reduced to a black scorch mark on the ground.” “What?!” “That’s not us speculating, either. That’s straight from the deity’s mouth.” “You’re keeping a god that dangerous here? What the heck for?!” Fay exclaimed. “We didn’t think she was so, you know, potentially deadly at first. Research takes time, and we only just reached these conclusions recently. I mean, specifically, the conclusion that she’s much too dangerous for the Arcane Court to have in custody.” Miranda smiled, but she didn’t seem to think this was funny. At almost the same moment, there was a friendly ding! and the elevator came to a halt. The seventeenth floor. This was it. “Which brings us to the heart of the matter. We want you to keep an eye on this ‘god,’ Fay.” “Again: What?” Fay asked, blinking, but Miranda slipped past him and out the door. The seventeenth floor of the Arcane Court was for receiving visitors, so the hallway outside the elevator looked like it belonged in a luxury hotel. As they walked down it, Miranda kept talking. “Your cover story is that you’re serving as a tutor for a god who’s still acclimating to human society. But I want you to monitor her actions and report back to us. That’s why we picked you for this assignment, Fay.” “Whoa! Wait! Hold on a second! I’m supposed to spy on a god?!” “Not so loud. She has good ears, and if she hears you, the jig’ll be up. She might look like a sweet young woman, but she’s an immensely powerful dragon god.” Miranda shrugged as they went. “This is your responsibility. In fact, we couldn’t have asked anyone else. You understand why, don’t you?” After a beat, Fay said, “I have an inkling…” He nodded and sighed. He knew why he was the right person for this job. “It’s because I can’t die, isn’t it?” “You got it. The power of a god is too much. She could smash us like a child knocking over a pile of building blocks—whether she meant to or not. That’s why we needed someone who couldn’t die.” If you were a human who intended to escort a god, that required that the god couldn’t destroy you with their power. And Fay’s Arise just happened to meet that condition. “Well! I’m glad that’s settled.” “Wait, you’re forcing me?! Hold on, Miss Chief Secretary! I didn’t come back here to take on a mission that dangerous! I wanted to play in the gods’ games…” “Sorry. You can’t turn us down on this one.” As Fay watched, the secretary’s eyes squinted into a smile behind her glasses. “I told you. She asked for you personally.” There was a long silence from Fay. “Bring me this era’s very best player. And there you have it.” 3 The seventeenth floor of the elliptically shaped Arcane Court Ruin branch office building was dedicated to receiving visitors. “We’ve got her sleeping in the special advisor’s room. She is a former god, after all.” “Heck, us apostles have to live in dorms. Why does she get it so much nicer?” “Oh, I wouldn’t say it’s that much better than you have it. Okay, so the dorms aren’t exactly luxury hotel suites, but we like to think we give you a decent standard of living. The apostles are the Court’s breadwinners, don’t forget.” Miranda took out a golden master key card and inserted it into the lock barring entrance to the special advisor’s room. The door immediately slid open. “Are you sure we can just invite ourselves in like this? Won’t she get angry?” “She doesn’t get embarrassed, no matter what state you see her in. Hm… Looks like maybe she’s out. Guess we’d better wait for her, then.” They walked into the living room, which doubled as a reception area. Fay couldn’t suppress a small smile when he saw the games and game pieces that littered the floor. “Huh! So this god really does like games.” He saw darts, roulette, and a variety of different cards. There was an assortment of dice ranging from the standard six-sided variety right up to some d20s and even specialized dice with a hundred faces, all spilling off of the desk and onto the floor. “There’s a saying that God doesn’t play dice, but just look at this,” Fay remarked. He picked up a couple of the six-sided dice off the floor and rolled them across the table. “Four and six.” The two dice tumbled across the surface before coming to rest, displaying precisely the faces Fay had predicted. The secretary’s eyes widened. “Tell me that was a coincidence.” “It’s simple. Make sure the face pointing up is the one opposite the number you want to roll. Then roll them gently enough that they only take a single half-spin.” So if you wanted to hit a six, start with one. For four, three should be facing up, and then you just roll the die a half-turn. “Fay, I saw those dice roll more than a half-turn along that table.” “Yeah. Thirty-one-and-a-half times, to be precise. It works out to the same as a half-turn.” “And you can do that with two dice at once?” “Or three or four; it doesn’t matter. It’s the same principle. Although a parlor trick like that probably wouldn’t be much help against a god.” Fay hadn’t perfected this technique for his contests with the gods. Instead, it was something he’d learned and polished for when he played against humans—really, against one human in particular. I remember learning this thing with the dice, and how to manage roulette, too—all because it practically killed me to play against her all day, every day, and lose every single time. Gosh, that takes me back. Fay found himself gazing at the toys and games, almost lost in them, until— “Oh! Miranda!” a cheerful voice called from within. Fay turned, and his eyes met with a shimmering vermilion so intense it looked like fire itself. “Oh, Lady Leoleshea. You were taking a bath?” “Uh-huh. Human bodies get dirty so quickly. And it’s better to keep them clean, right?” A girl with fiery red hair stood there. She wore a light tank top that nicely displayed her slim arms and legs. Her amber eyes shone with curiosity, and the flush in her cheeks was charming. All of a sudden, Fay realized he had been so transfixed by the girl that he’d forgotten to breathe. “Miranda? This human—is he the one?” “Yes, the one you asked for. Fay Theo Philus. He made his rookie debut just last year, and immediately took three wins in the gods’ games. He’s an apostle we have very high hopes for. And starting today, we’re assigning him to be your tutor. Say hello, Fay… Fay?” She clapped him on the shoulder. “Fay? Helloooo?” “………Oh!” Fay snapped back to reality. The girl named Leoleshea peered at him, confused. “Hello? Human? What’s the matter?” she said. “Listen, Fay. A teacher can’t go falling in love with his students at first sight. Even if they are as cute as this one.” “N-No, Chief Secretary Miranda, you’ve got it all wrong!” Fay exclaimed, shaking his head. He realized he was blushing furiously. It was true he’d found himself unable to look away from the girl, Leoleshea. But it isn’t love at first sight! It’s precisely the opposite. I’m so astonished because this isn’t the first time I’ve seen her! She looks way too much like her. Fay was searching for someone—a girl. He didn’t know where she was, and his only clue had been her vermilion hair. How could he not stare at someone who looked exactly like her? “It’s nothing,” he said finally. “I just got lost in thought.” “Hmm. Well, if you say so. Let’s move on,” Miranda said, sliding her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “As you requested, Lady Leoleshea, we’ve brought you this era’s very best player. He’s yours from now on. Grill him, boil him, whatever you like.”