"How nostalgic. Even though I am familiar with the contents of the Second Stage, I am still filled with admiration for its beauty.
The Second Stage unfolds within the confines of a narrow valley with a blazing sun at its zenith. The lush valley was encircled by a scattering of mountains that obscured the cotton clouds. Perched atop a weathered, desolate cliff, I could observe a crystal stream serenely flowing below. The gorge was populated by dense, fruit-bearing trees, and measured about four km in width, making it inconceivable for me to even leap across. For the trip below, it was about 400 feet, give or take. I would have some trouble navigating my way down.
While pondering the situation, the S.O. notification appeared before me.
[Welcome to the Second Stage! You have been brought to Talik Gorge, an area of extraordinary beauty. For this stage's goal, it is your job to bring a conclusion to a stalemate.]
[There are two encampments on either side of Talik Gorge. To the left is where the Liberators are seeking refuge, and to the right are the Marauders. Decide which faction to join and bring an end to the disagreement. There are no restrictions on whatever tactics you employ. Based on the outcome, you will be rewarded for your efforts. The five competitors who complete the Second Stage in the quickest time will receive a reward, and the individual who is the quickest will be given a special prize.]
The objective must be achieved within seven days. If the deadline is reached and the goal has not been completed, then the death of the challenger will be the result. Consult the Missions tab to determine the remaining time. If you need to be reminded of the objective, consult the Missions tab.]
[Oh, and one more thing. Depending on your choice, you will accumulate points according to how many competitors choose the same result. Do what you will with that information. Good luck.]
"Hmph. As stated precisely by Demos. This will be easy."
When I became aware of what the Second Stage requires, I had already made my choice. In fact, I am quite familiar with this skirmish between the Liberators and Marauders.
"Now then… to the left is where the narrow-minded Liberators are hiding. Let's start with them first. Talik Gorge is not too long to travel. With my speed, I should be able to make it in due time. First, let's stretch these fragile limbs."
After a three-minute stretch break, I was raring to go. Without any hesitation, I propelled myself forward and ran swiftly along the terrain. Due to not having styled my hair in a way that was suitable for the battle, pieces of it were irritating my eyes. The wind caught my hair and my boots created a crunching and splashing sound as I raced past the wildlife. The birds gave their loud calls and flew away, while the sheep bleated in alarm. Animals and green shrubs passed by in a blur. I had to be extra careful where I stepped. The terrain was uneven and some parts of it sloped. One misstep, and I would tumble straight down at the cleft.
My journey was drawing to a close when I noticed a mountain with trees towering like skyscrapers. My attention was captivated not by the mountain, but by what was situated at its base. A large camp of white tents lies dormant, its flaps billowing. Surrounding the camps was a spiked barricade, at least six feet tall. A wooden watchtower stood at the front, and in it was an armed guard holding a bow. When I approached, the guard had already wound the bowstring, ready to fire at any moment.
"Halt! Take one more step and I will fire!"
I peered intently at the individual who had the audacity to give orders. "Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?"
The guard raised the bow a little higher. "Reveal your identity and state your business! Are you of the Marauders?!"
I was vexed by the mortal's cheek and advanced a single step. On noticing the movement, the guard quickly unfastened the bowstring. The arrow flew towards me at a remarkable speed, but I was indifferent. In one motion, I grabbed the shaft of the arrow and snapped it in two.
"If it is my identity you want, then so be it. This disguise isn't helping in the slightest."
With a snap of my fingers, my appearance changed immediately. My vanilla hair changed to the color of snow, and my stormy eyes shifted to a darker crimson. Once I locked eyes with the guard, its body went rigid, and the bow fell out of its hands.
"D-D-D-Do my eyes deceive me?! Is that-"
"What authority do you have to speak to me in this manner? Do you believe to be superior? Get down here."
The guard hurriedly climbed down the ladder, its boots thudding against the wooden steps. Like a clumsy oaf, they clumsily ran towards me in a state of disarray. Their metal armor creaked as they prostrated themselves in front of me.
"I apologize for my foolishness, oh god of blood! Please have mercy on this insignificant mortal!"
"…Remove your helmet."
The guard followed my order and hastily removed its helmet. A man with a bed of black hair was revealed. I quietly lowered myself and cradled his chin in my hand, inspecting his features. He was a man in his earlier thirties; skin as red as an apple and eyes as dark as coal stared back. With just a whiff, I could smell fear radiating out of his poor body. He quivered in terror in the presence of a god such as I. He was walking on a tightrope, and his angry words earlier may have been the final nail in his coffin. However, he will not be dying today.
"I will only say this once. Alert the other demons of my presence so that I may enter your little camp. I seek an audience with the leader of the Liberators. Do you understand?"
The demon nodded furiously without answering. Satisfied by his answer, I let go and stood up, motioning for him to leave. He graciously accepted the invitation and bolted toward the front of the barricade, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Xalan, the god of blood has arrived! Inform Warlord Bazark this instant!"
I watched the demon until he was only a speck, and his tantrums a whisper in the wind. Confirming he was gone; I averted my stare elsewhere and sighed.
"Dealing with mortals is tiresome… I could very well have killed the man where he stood and sucked his blood dry, but he is more useful to me alive, for now. My plan has to be done with precision and I won't let anything interfere."
As I waited patiently on the outskirts of the camp, I heard hurried feet pounding the ground. When I turned, I spotted an enormous figure approaching. Clad in heavy armor, they were as dark as a midnight sky. The open-visor helmet in their arms was decorated with a single white horn atop its crown. The bizarre sight of the helmet's horn reminded me of a unicorn for whatever reason. I stared at the style in disgust.
"I greet the esteemed deity, Xalan!" the figure roared. Looking at its face, it was a bald man with an eyepatch on its left eye. On his face was a thick beard that reached for his jugular.
"I assume your Warlord Bazark?"
The man nodded as he kneeled. "Indeed. May this humble servant ask what you are doing at Talik Gorge?"
"When will you strike against the Marauders?" I said bluntly. Warlord Bazark tilted his head in confusion.
"May I ask why? I have no qualms in telling you-"
My nostrils flared at his infuriating questioning. "You dare ask a god for their reasons? Such insolence!"
Warlord Bazark bowed even deeper. "Forgive me! We plan to strike the Marauders on the third night."
In three nights? The S.O. has given us a week to accomplish this. If one were to wait these three nights, then you would have four days left until time was up. Even so, this poses no problems for me. I will get the job done, regardless. If I recall accurately, the Liberators and Marauders concluded their conflict at nightfall. If I speed up the process and push Warlord Bazark to start the invasion ahead of time, then it is likely that some elements from the past will be changed, and I do not wish that to take place due to the plan I have formulated…
I glared at the feeble mortal. "Warlord Bazark, where is the tent where your war council congregates? I would like to speak to you all privately."
The mans body twitched at my words. A flash of uncertainty appeared on his face, and he glanced over his shoulder.
"…Follow me. I will lead you to it."
A smile crept on my lips. "With pleasure."
Warlord Bazark rose from his position and donned the horned helmet. With a curt nod, he trudged over to the front entrance of the barricade, and I followed along. The guard from below was waiting up front, and he bowed deeply once we passed. Once inside, I surveyed the camp. Hundreds of conical tents filled the landscape, stretching in long columns across the grassy plateaus. A lot of their flaps were open, and most of them had a makeshift bed and burlap sack stashed inside. In the corner was a heap of black armor similar to what Warlord Bazark wore, though it was much slimmer. In front of the tents were a variety of demons minding their own business. Some were lollygagging, lying on the hard turf as they stared at the sky in the daze. Others were wrestling amongst themselves with only a pair of trousers on their persons. An enormous crowd circled around the pair as they hollered and jeered at the entertainment. Thousands of demons were abuzz with anticipation, and the air was alive with their vigor for the upcoming battle. I licked my lips in anticipation of the confrontation.
"Is something the matter, oh great deity?" said Warlord Bazark
"It is none of your concern. Where is the tent?"
The demon pointed at the middle of the tents. A rectangular 40x40 red structure with a sloped roof dwarfed the coned tents. As of now, it was open, and I saw some flashes of shadowy movement from within.
"We were in the midst of a council of war, but I was informed of your arrival, so the meeting has been paused."
"Well? What are we waiting for?" I said impatiently.
Warlord Bazark solemnly nodded. "Let us continue, great deity."
As we briskly walked by, we heard the whispers of the ogling demons who had stopped what they were doing. An atmosphere of reverence filled the crowd, and I noticed that some were bowing down in respect. One by one, the demons all hung their bodies and prostrated themselves before me as Warlord Bazark and I passed them. If I am being frank, I longed for the emotion of mortals left petrified in apprehension of my powers and aura. These demons have a great respect for me due to my close association with war. After all, where there's war, bloodshed follows suit. As these conflict-oriented creatures strive to earn the approval of a war deity, it is only logical that they would show respect to me.
Do not worry, little mortals. You have already managed to capture the attention of a deity, and this will not be for nothing, as you had hoped. Feel proud that you can provide remarkable aid to Xalan, the god of blood…