Chapter 128: Welcome to the End Game

Rachel looked up at the throng of pantheons as Izanami set the ground rules for the final showdown. The Japanese goddess of the dead made Rachel’s ears perk up as she once again invited the audience to participate.

Dressed in her extravagant kimono, Yseress appeared out of Hellfire beside her as Izanami made a sweeping gesture to the throng. "Eostre has been kind enough to allow me the pleasure of introducing you to the delightful conclusion to this evening’s groundbreaking events!"

Lifting both hands ever-so-slightly, Rachel’s stomach tightened as the red stone floor lifted into the air for all present to see, Conner remaining at an equal level across from her. Unlike the previous crowd, these powerful pantheons did not jeer or cheer but were no doubt entertained in their own hushed whispers to one another.

"I hope you have all enjoyed the opportunity that Eostre has given you to stir up trouble amongst the lesser gods and those who had thought themselves rid of your rule. I have mingled with each of you and addressed questions and accusations. Now, it is time for this conflict to come to a close."

Hands folded inside her sleeves, the disguised, rotten Hell Lady’s Infernal eyes drifted between Conner and her. Eostre floated beside the fallen goddess. For not being a creature from Hell, Eostre looked far more dignified than Rachel thought she would in the Infernal realm; then again, she did have Izanami’s support.

A devious gleam lit in the corrupted woman’s gaze as she scanned her audience. "Unlike the previous games, I can now modify the rules, and we will dispense with most of what our contenders have become accustomed to in order to have a fulfilling conclusion."

Above them, a screen appeared as she explained, piquing Rachel’s interest. Conner nodded at the fallen goddess’s points.

"Items have already been provided to each contestant.

"Restrictions have been enforced.

"There is no ’monster’ to be selected in this finale.

"Therefore," Izanami said, crossing each word off on the board, "we are left solely with a location, and let’s not be stingy," she chortled. "Instead of one crowd member, I will open this challenge up to six pantheons."

Mumbles came from that declaration, and the Hell Lady waved her hand, dice appearing in front of the dozens of pantheons. "I have provided you each with an equal shot at making it into one of these slots... A twenty-sided die, and the first six to roll three ones and three twenties will enter the selection."

Her devious lips lifted as she looked down on Conner and her. "The competitors will choose first to add to this stage I’ve prepared. After which, the pantheons will offer their own twists to the field. Welcome...to the End Game."

Hands exiting her sleeves, arms spreading out, the world cracked and broke away to reveal a black void in all directions as a large glass cage surrounded Conner and her. The stands broke apart to isolate each individual pantheon or singular isolated deity that represented themselves.

"Now, as Arbiters," Izanami whispered, gesturing to Yseress and Moongmor, who appeared in between Rachel and Conner. "We are to abstain ourselves from interfering with the choices of those chosen to participate. Here are your referees. Let the gamble begin."

Rachel swallowed, feeling the tension rise as she turned in a slow circle with Nia, watching the 7th-dimensional entities talk amongst themselves, deciding who should cast their die. A few gods or goddesses within the pantheons didn’t even hesitate to step forward to represent their group.

"What’s happening?" Nia asked through their private bond as the two referees took control and the Arbiters took their observation seats high above them. "We get our choice of moon?"

Basically, Rachel sighed, giving Conner a smiling, raised hand, which he returned. And then the gods get to mess with the stage...but which gods will it be? Certain ones will have their biases.

"Yikes! Umm... Oh, I know!" Nia was bouncing beside her as if she’d just gotten the greatest idea since sliced bread. "We ask for all the Unique Moons! Hehehe. We’d be invincible!"

A dubious smirk lifted the corner of Rachel’s mouth as Moongmor and Yseress went by rounds, having each pantheon roll in unison until one pantheon had three ones and three twenties. She didn’t want to crush the little bunny girl’s dream of becoming an invincible superhero, but there were concerns.

Sure, that could work...or we could explode.

"Huh?! How? The Blood Moon would just heal us! Ha! I win!"

Unless it is countered by the Sun Moon, Rachel snickered.

"The whaaa? You’re making that up!" she accused with a glare.

I am, but who’s to say it’s not real? We have no idea what multiple Event Moons would do to us or how they’d interact, much less Unique Moons with their powerful affixes. No, I sense an unbelievable amount of misfortune from that idea, Nia.

The girl’s smaller ears tilted to the side with a confused frown. "Isn’t that good?"

Usually...if it wasn’t pointed at us.

"Oh... Blood Moon, then!"

Cheeks bunching to the left, Rachel gave the girl a critical look. You want to use the Blood Moon...which is instant death under the sun... And Conner has what?"

"Oh... Sun gloves. Shoot. Umm. Umm... Hell Moon?" she questioned, now looking unsure. "I know how to use it better now."

Think again, little bun, Rachel whispered, mouth pulling in as the Greeks sent a red-haired, beautiful, blindfolded goddess to cast their die, ethereal wings at her back and a flaming halo over her head. Ribbons trailed behind her, and a scepter was held in her hand.

It didn’t take long for the others to send their own representatives, and Yseress’ lilting voice started the first round. Dice were thrown, distracting Nia as the landed numbers were shown above each pantheon’s section.

Rachel’s fingers closed into a fist, gut-churning with the rapid jerks to misfortune, which rattled into oblivion with every toss; powers far beyond her understanding of fate, destiny, luck, and misfortune carried this next round into total uncertainty. Where this went was anyone’s guess at this point.

Nia whimpered as three pantheons took half the available slots by the sixth round, showing a perfect record of twenties and ones.

"Slot one!" Yseress proclaimed, gesturing at the serene, blindfolded goddess that Rachel singled out as her greatest opposition among these deities. "Tyche, the Greek goddess of the spirit of fortune, chance, providence, and fate, has taken the crown for her pantheon!"

She couldn’t be sure how they’d respond after Dionysus’ death, and Conner was a legend from their mythology, which put him in a more favorable position.

If there was one thing working in her favor, it was a chocolate-haired goddess with a stern face, unsmiling full lips, grey eyes, and a graceful build. Clad in full plate mail and holding a majestic poise, Athena would want to rescue her Personification of Victory. The woman was already whispering to other gods and goddesses near her.