"..."
Takumi and Misao froze immediately, greatly shocked by Gaia's suggestion. They stared at the Dieties floating before them, dumbstruck, but their surprise came from completely different sources.
"Tournament!?" Takumi shouted, expressing his surprise to come from a place of fear and dislike for physical combat, "You think this is a game?! Athena! How could you agree to this?!"
Athena bit her lips as her heart ached. She turned away as if trying to avoid his questions.
"What's the big deal?" Misao seemed to have regained a normal state of mind, showing that her initial source of shock was the complete opposite to Takumi's.
Takumi felt enraged at Misao's nonchalant response, Gaia smiled with intrigue as Takumi took Misao's place in terms of facial expressions. This time it was Takumi giving the hateful glares.
Misao wasn't shaken, however, "It's really not that much of a problem. If I can't kick his ass directly, I'd very much rather smash the heads of any fighter he's bringing into this little tournament of his."
Takumi was about to rebutt when Misao continued.
"It's a win-win for all of us. You and I are more than enough to give his fighter a proper beat down, meaning that this tournament is going to be a breeze- win... and I get to fight- another win."
During the entirety of this analysis, Misao had her eyes closed and arms folded, further cementing how calmly she was taking this. Although still not fully persuaded, Takumi saw Misao's wisdom, and as such he accepted, albeit reluctantly.
"That's the spirit!" Gaia said with glee, clapping his hands.
"Now that's settled... Let's get the word out, shall we?"
With a snap of his fingers, Gaia summoned his orb. As it floated towards his mouth, Athena sighed.
***
-All Over Endolis-
Life could be considered peaceful across Endolis. With the exception of the looming threat of demons that previously plagued the north, everything was going smoothly.
From the giants' thundering footsteps in the mountains, to the pixies' shimmering trails of gold in their secluded forest area... Endolis was a picture of peace.
But that peace was threatened when a mischievous voice, seemingly coming from the heavens, invaded their minds.
"CREATURES OF ENDOLIS! THIS IS YOUR CREATOR, GAIA! THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR IMPENDING DOOM! HUHUHU!"
With the horrifying cheer this voice spoke with, all corners of Endolis went silent in fear. Worried mothers held their children to their bosoms, proud fathers knitted their eyebrows to show strength, while the various leaders of all the races sat on their thrones with looks of great concern albeit calmly.
Everyone was on their toes.
"WELL THIS IS INTERESTING!" Gaia continued, "I EXPECTED THE LEVELS OF FEAR TO BE MUCH HIGHER! ANYWAY... I WON'T OUTRIGHT DESTROY THIS WORLD! NO! I'M MUCH KINDER THAN THAT!"
"EXCLUDING THE KOBOLDS AND PIXIES WHO HAVE LITTLE TO NO FIGHTING ABILITY... I WILL CHOOSE THE STRONGEST FROM EACH RACE TO COMPETE IN A GRAND TOURNAMENT!"
That comment sparked an uproar in Endolis. Natural stress responses kicked in and voices surfaced.
"The strongest?" Whispers of uncertainty.
"Please! Spare us!" Cries for help.
And of course....
"This is bullshit!" Screams of disbelief.
Gaia heard every single one of these thoughts, each of them giving him a different sense of amusement. But it was the many members of each race doubting his ability to carry out his threats. A blow to Gaia's enormous ego.
"Well then..." The diety said with a chuckle, lowering his voice, "I see we have some skeptics in the crowd. How shall I prove my omnipotence?"
Endolis went silent once more, as if the land was covered by a veil of darkness.
"Aha! I'll simply prove my power! Right before your very eyes!"
Athena, who was silent in emotional agony all this time, gasped at Gaia's statement. Knowing his impulsive personality, she reached out to stop whatever devious plan he hatched in his mind.
*Clank!~*
With a palm facing Athena, Gaia sighed, "Sit this one out, will you? You are really beginning to irritate me."
Takumi and Misao turned to see Athena, writhing and grunting as she struggled to escape what seemed to be a dark attribute version of her Prison of Light. Athena's mind seemed greatly boggled as her grunting became wailing.
Gaia simply snorted as he changed hand gestures. Bringing his hand slowly upwards, he showed his power as one random person from every race was floated upwards, causing those witnessing to gasp.
Another snort came forth as Gaia slowly clenched his fist, causing those unfortunate enough to be levitating at this moment to scream in agony. As a full fist formed, the screams became more blood curdling.
The screams soon ceased in tandem to Gaia's fist being fully clenched. Endolis watched in fear as a shower of blood, originating from the bodies being crushed, rained down upon them.
"Wonderful! Now that's taken care of!..." Gaia spoke while smiling menacingly, before snapping his fingers, activating his teleportation skill.
"Let the games begin!"