Kiyo had wandered off from the group of comfort that was sort of surrounding Charlotte. He knelt down on the sand, making a tic-tac-toe board in it with the chess piece that was in his hand. He played a few rounds by himself, and somehow lost most of them. He moved on from tic-tac-toe and started playing hangman, but hangman isn't the best game to play by yourself when you can't spell.
Curtis was eyeing the boy almost suspiciously for two reasons. One, he was oddly childish for his looks and two, what he was doing just seemed stupid. He made his way over to behind the boy, kneeling down to really see what he was doing. Almost immediately, he sighed and stood back up, looking around. For one, the walls of the stadium looked fairly new for what he assumed was an ancient build. Sure, there were cracks here and there but nothing too bad.
His eyes then settled back at the crowd, not catching up as to what they were doing. ‘Motivation’ was really the only thing he managed to catch from that conversation as a whole. He got out his book again and started to write something, shaking his head as he did so. Until there was actual content happening, he wasn’t interested in anything so far.
(Jeez Curtis, you didn't have to call me out on that, lol)
All of the sudden, a few bursts of lights formed a sort of lopsided circle around the contestants, staying like that for a moment before people stepped out. Immediately, a man with short but curly hair and multiple eyes of different colors walked briskly over to Crypt, pulling them aside and speaking to them in a hushed tone. "I'm so sorry you had to get pulled into this…" Was all that was really caught. The others stood right where they had arrived, watching the scene of well,,, everything.
(Yo, go ahead and tell me your gods after your response again?)
Avlynn just… couldn't anymore and pulled the girl into a hug, though she was careful to do so without being too sudden. "Shh… everyone deserves kindness, dear. I don't know what's making you think that you don't, but you do," she said, trying to make her voice as soft and assuring as she could. Part of her was furious–who or what had made this poor girl believe that she was undeserving of something like this? But she pushed that emotion away and focused on what was important now, consoling her.
(The Narrator)
Mag, though concerned by Sterling’s lack of response, reasoned that they may have been to caught up in what was happening to do so. She decided not to bug them anymore, instead carefully watching the lights, the man with many eyes, and Crypt before slowly going over to the girl, older woman, and the young man.
Pushing her pink locks out of the way, she put an arm across the girl’s back, touching her shoulder. “Of course you deserve kindness,” she echoed. “Especially now, I think.”
(The Archivist)
Kiyo dusted off the chess piece he was holding, looking around at the new scene before him. He was curious about the people that had stepped out, as well as the sudden lights. He watched the multi-eyed man pull Crypt aside, hearing few words of what he had said. Those words confused him immensely. Did they know each other? That had to be the case. But did it really matter who knew who anymore? Not particularly.
He stood, kicking the sand so that the games of tic-tac-toe and hangman that he played alone were erased. He wanted to ask questions, but he didn't want to be the Snow White that takes a bite of a stranger's apple without knowing if it's poisoned or not. He tied a portion of his hair around the bishop, letting it swing deliberately as he looked around at the others.
(The Deserter)
Juniper had been wandering around the arena, a grin on her face. "Can we start soon? I wanna start!" She bounced on her heels again, clapping her hands together. "I'm so excited!" The woman started drawing in the sand with the toe of her boot, just a simple X. Then more crosses in the sand, until each other participant had their own design. She then drew a simple outline of a person, with a flower above their head.
(The Overseer: God of Life)
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Felix sat up, a little more rigid.
"The hell?" he murmured.
He had a bad feeling things were about to start. Who would have to die? He didn't want that blood on his hands if he didn't have to, but his gears were turning. He was carefully watching the reactions of others, up until he chose to look back to Avlynn and Charlie. After all, he had caught a glimpse of their humanity in particular better than he had in anyone else.
"She's right, you know," Felix said, "Of course you deserve kindness, same as anyone else."
He met Avlynn's eyes, and he felt a lump form in his throat, like he was about to cry too. Yet, he couldn't place his finger on why.
(The Exiled)
Avlynn, someone steps out of the lights and makes their way toward you. It's a short figure in a long, flowy dress who had a mess of light purple hair and milky eyes. "Hello Avlynn, would you mind talking to me for a moment?" They held out a hand, as if to shake hers. "I'm The Narrator, you can call me Penn if you'd like."
~
Mag, someone taps you on the shoulder. When you turn around, you see a tall and elegant woman with long hair tied into a bun at the nape of her neck. "I'd like to have a few words with you, I owe you quite the apology." Was all she said, stepping back a bit,
~
Kiyo, no one touches you, but you hear a voice that startles you from your observation. "Hey kid, you got a moment to spare?" When you look to the voice, you find a man with every inch of skin covered in scars and eyes completely black.
~
Juniper, before you know it, someone joins you in drawing in the sand, creating a figure above each of the contestants design. "You've got quite the creative streak, don't you, Pine Needle?"
~
Felix, you're joined by a short person with black circular burns all over their face and shining gold horns. "S'up little kiln."
(wait can other devotees see others's gods? LIke for example, can Charlie see The Narrator? Or can only Avlynn see the Narrator?)
(Oh yeah, they're like,,, completly visable rn. They teleported to the arena for some good good bonding)
Juniper grinned wider at the new voice, recognizing the name she'd been called. "Is it really you? I've always wanted to meet you!" The woman looked around at all the newcomers, her green eyes widening. "You're here- for real? All of you? This is incredible, I never thought-" She turned around, looking at the Overseer.
(bro "little kiln" made me smile ngl)
You see a man with a very large, gravity defying scarf that held small screaming, yet silent, faces pressed through the fabric. "Yep, that would be us. All of the gods gathered here because one of them decided it would be a good idea to propose a game a hundred years ago to a bunch of drunk gods and then spring it on them years later." His voice was deadpan and slightly annoyed, though he did life a hand to ruffle your hair.
Sterling was deep in thought, not even having realized that Mag had left. They were stressed, this entire thing was stressful and they just wanted to be at home, curled up with a good book, or taking care of their tree. Absentmindedly, as they started to think of ways that this nightmare could end, or ways that this could possibly just be a nightmare, they began to loosen the padding on their crutch. Well, perhaps this is just a dream, one of those that feel so real, that has to be it, this can't be real.
((The Curator))
The sound of wheels rolling over sand grew closer to you, Sterling, as do the muttered sounds of cursing. If you look over your shoulder, you'll see a pale figure with shock white hair in a gold wheelchair. They, of course, have too many eyes. "You not having a good time, I take it?"
"Good gods," Sterling said as they jumped -more of an awkward hobble but still- back from the god. "I uhm, no. Not really. Is this truly necessary?" Never mind, I guess this isn't a dream then. They thought as they glanced around now seeing all of the other gods in the arena, "Must we actually fight for our lives to keep the peace between you and the others? There must be another way, right?" That probably wasn't the way to speak to a god, but they were scared and nervous, "Can I be replaced with another? Someone who would want to do this?"
Magnolia whipped around, almost believing it was Claire who touched her shoulder. But no, she should’ve known. She shivered at the sight of the woman, but stayed silent. She almost didn’t hear the words of the man with the gravity-defying scarf.
She rubbed Charlie’s shoulder in reassurance, then stood and stepped over to the tall woman, heart thumping in her chest.
"Good gods," Sterling said as they jumped -more of an awkward hobble but still- back from the god. "I uhm, no. Not really. Is this truly necessary?" Never mind, I guess this isn't a dream then. They thought as they glanced around now seeing all of the other gods in the arena, "Must we actually fight for our lives to keep the peace between you and the others? There must be another way, right?" That probably wasn't the way to speak to a god, but they were scared and nervous, "Can I be replaced with another? Someone who would want to do this?"
"Yep," The person waved, smilingly grimly. "Good gods." They sighed and waved a hand through the air like they were weaving something, a blanket forming on the ground. "Sit down if you want to, you'd probably want to once you listen to this." Their grim smile turned more into a grimace. "It's not really about keeping the peace, it's about the fact that the Host holds everyone to their words, especially gods."
Magnolia whipped around, almost believing it was Claire who touched her shoulder. But no, she should’ve known. She shivered at the sight of the woman, but stayed silent. She almost didn’t hear the words of the man with the gravity-defying scarf.
She rubbed Charlie’s shoulder in reassurance, then stood and stepped over to the tall woman, heart thumping in her chest.
"Good, now that I have your attention, please follow me. We have a bit to discuss and then I will give you my blessing so that you may possibly survive this." She spoke in plain words, raising an eyebrow before turning on her heel and making her way to the edge of the arena.
Sterling moved to sit down, sliding their 'bad' leg out to then using their crutch to help themself down. "Wait, what do you mean by that? I guess that I'm stuck here, which well is terrifying, but if I'm going to die, I'd sort of like to have a decent idea as to why. I mean, I just don't want to do this…"
The person rubbed their eyes. "We all have an equal amount of power, each in our own fields, but the Host's, they're field is deals and if someone makes a deal with them, they will make sure that deal is fulfilled." They frowned and offered a sympathetic glance to the sky. "They're a dick who remembers everything." They summarized.
"But what does that have to do with us? If I didn't have any hand in this deal or whatever it is that you're referring too, why must I have to suffer the consequences along with these others? Shouldn't it be you and the other gods doing something like this?"
(Gods I did a really bad job of explaining things about this world. All the gods are common knowledge, the Protector, the Host. They all have their own shrines. Just like how magic is common enough.)
((OOOOOOOff, no it's not you, I'm just dumb, and I'll fix that))
Surprising herself, Magnolia was tempted to laugh. ”That you may possibly survive this.” She didn’t doubt the goddess’s power, only her own. The wording she used amused her.
She cast a curious glance at Sterling and the white-haired figure before following the woman to the edge of the arena.
Felix, you're joined by a short person with black circular burns all over their face and shining gold horns. "S'up little kiln."
Felix ran a hand back through his hair as he realized who he was looking at. His mouth went dry as he tried to form words.
"You're- who would've thought…?"
Fumbling for words still, he got to his knees from his sitting position and looked up at the god. A soft smile spread over his face.
"You took me in, and I'm grateful for that, forever."
He took a deep breath.
"But how could something like this happen?"
Charlie's heart stopped beating as soon as the deities began to appear. She knew it was a matter of time before the Overseer of Death would arrive. She hastily wiped at her eyes and cheeks, trying to dry her tears and wipe the wetness away. Her hands shook as she placed the photo of her and James back into her bag. The people formerly reassuring her had now stood or knelt in front of their patron gods. Charlie's heart began to beat again, this time double her normal heart rate. I'm not ready to meet him! She thought, panic surging through her body. I'm not ready nor worthy! Tears threatened to fall again, but she withheld them with all of her strength.
(Overseer of Death)
Curtis had finally looked up from his book, looking at the new figures that had arrived. He sighed, shaking his head and looking back at his book as he continued writing. Dear lord, those people look insane. He wanted to use his magic, really getting tired standing and writing like this. And he finally did use his magic. He tapped his pen once as its naturally black ink turned a golden tone.
He wrote something down on the paper— “table” and “chair”. The text glowed somewhat as a wooden chair and table appeared in front of him. He took a seat and started writing again with the pen’s usual color.
(The Headmaster)
Surprising herself, Magnolia was tempted to laugh. ”That you may possibly survive this.” She didn’t doubt the goddess’s power, only her own. The wording she used amused her.
She cast a curious glance at Sterling and the white-haired figure before following the woman to the edge of the arena.
"Yes, I aware this is quite the… unfavorable situation, so I'll answer some questions before you ask them because we're short on time. One, no we can't pick anyone else. Two, why? Because the Host enjoys our suffering. Three, me giving you my blessing will give you more access to magic, to be warned." The woman spoke as she walked. "Also, you may have guessed this, but I'm the Archavist, you can call me Marin."