"Alright contestants, we're moving on to the third stage of the Primordial Tournament, which is a battle of wits!" The host gave a smirk and continued, "Instead of fighting, you'll face gods in a strategic game. You can choose any board game like chess or checkers, any card game like poker or rummy, or even create your own game, but it must involve strategy. Get ready, and may the gods help you!" She burst into laughter, realizing her own joke. "Let's start the third stage: the Gods' Games!"
Suddenly, five circles appeared, and the contestants stood still as a ray of light enveloped them, transporting them to the next stage.
They arrived in a room where light and darkness were perfectly balanced. The floor was mysterious and intriguing, and five long poles with monitors stood around. As the contestants approached the monitors, they touched the orbs below and saw a message:
"Welcome to the Gods' Games! To start, state your name, the god you want to challenge (Hermes, Thoth, Macuilxochitl, Nezha, Lakshmi, or Nohoilpi), and the game you'll play. Let's begin!"
Kaito read the descriptions of the gods:
- HERMES: The Greek god of gambling and trickery, known for his speed and cunning. Also known as Mercury in Roman mythology.
- THOTH: The Egyptian god of knowledge, magic, and gambling. He is famous for creating magic and writing, and once earned extra days by gambling with the moon.
- MACUILXOCHITL: The Aztec god of art, games, and gambling, linked to fertility and agriculture.
- NEZHA: The Chinese patron of gamblers, known for his mischievous nature and ability to help people win.
- LAKSHMI: The Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, worshiped for success and fortune.
- NOHOILPI: The Navajo gambling god, known for teaching gambling games and using his winnings to build a city.
The contestants then declared their challenges:
"I am Phantasmal Ember, and I want to play Senet against Thoth!" She was immediately transported in front of Thoth.
Senet is an ancient Egyptian game played on a board of 30 squares. Players move pieces based on four-sided sticks and aim to get all their pieces off the board while avoiding hazards.
"Hello mortal, are you Egyptian? It's nice to see someone from my homeland playing a game from Egypt," said Thoth.
"Half of me is Egyptian, and the other half is Australian," Ember replied.
"Alright, let's skip the small talk and start the game," said Thoth.
**The Game of Senet:**
- **Setup**: Both Phantasmal Ember and Thoth placed their pieces on the board according to the rules.
- **Objective**: Move all pieces off the board before the opponent does.
**Turn 1 - Phantasmal Ember**:
- Ember rolled the sticks and moved a piece cautiously.
**Turn 2 - Thoth**:
- Thoth rolled his sticks and made a strategic move closer to the end.
**Special Squares**:
- They encountered squares with obstacles. Ember struggled but continued, while Thoth used his divine skills to overcome challenges.
**Capturing**:
- Ember's piece landed on the same square as Thoth's, but Thoth used his divine powers to resist capture.
**Turns Progress**:
- The game continued with both players making strategic moves. The 26th square offered a chance for a significant shift in fortune.
**Outcome**:
- Phantasmal Ember won the game through clever strategy and perseverance, defeating a god.
She screamed with joy, "I can't believe I beat a god in strategy!"
But Thoth, not willing to accept defeat, declared, "This was just a warm-up. Let the real battle begin!"
With that, Thoth used his divine power to transport them to a mystical realm where the outcome of Senet would have real consequences.