But Moana could sense the danger lurking behind his words. She knew that Lucifer never played fair and would do whatever it took to win.
As the gods dispersed and left the hall one by one, Freya lingered behind. She approached Lucifer with caution in her steps.
"You always were a master manipulator," she said with a slight smile on her lips. "But be careful not to underestimate our champions. They are stronger than you think."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed at her words, but before he could respond, Shiva joined them.
"We may be divided on this game," Shiva said coolly, "but one thing we can agree on is that you won't win this game."
"Speak for yourself," Lucifer muttered under his breath, but Azazel's booming voice drowned out his voice.
"Tomorrow we will choose our champions. May the best win."
As dawn broke the following day, the gods assembled at the grand coliseum. It was an ethereal sight; its towering pillars made of shimmering stardust, and walls adorned with celestial jewels.
The ground radiated a soft glow, reflecting off the grim black cloak that Lucifer wore, making him appear even more looming and enigmatic.
The gods took their places in the marble seats, their divine radiance echoing off the walls of the hallowed arena.
"May I?" he asked, extending a gloved hand towards Lucifer. The archdemon's grin widened, a feral light in his eyes. "Be my guest, Beelzebub," he responded, passing the last card over with a flourish.
Beelzebub accepted the card, holding it up to his face to examine it closely.
The picture on the card showed Anoris, a lithe figure with an unassuming stature that belied his determination.
His stats were indeed pitiful compared to the monstrous champions picked by others.
"Why though?" Zeus asked, scratching his silvery beard, a bemused expression on his regal face.
Beelzebub chuckled, the sound echoing ominously around the vast coliseum. "Why not?" he shot back, his voice low yet commanding, silencing the gods' murmurs instantly.
Ares, the god of war, snorted audibly. "You're throwing the fight. Choosing a weakling like Anoris is akin to suicide."
Yet Beelzebub's grin remained unchanged, looking almost sinister as he flicked the card in his hand and it spun in the air before finding its place back in his palm.
"It's not the strength that matters," he said, his voice steady and devoid of any doubt.
"But the will to live. That's what creates a true champion."
The gods fell silent, unable to retort. His words had struck a chord; all too often, they'd seen formidable champions fall at the hands of lesser beings who possessed more heart.
a hearty chuckle that echoed around the coliseum. "Well, it seems Beelzebub is quite the philosopher today," he taunted, adjusting his trident with a gleam in his eye. "But we shall see if your wisdom holds up in the game, old friend."
Beelzebub merely smiled in return, his eyes flicking to the still image of Anoris on the card. "I look forward to it," he replied while walking out of the gathering.
Moana, Ares, Freya, and Shiva took their places as well, with an unsettling sense of anticipation coursing through them. Lucifer stood at the center and shouted, "Let's choose our champions right now. The cards are in each one's hands."
The gods, each with a different expression of anticipation, dread, excitement, or confidence, stepped forward. The first to do so was Thor the Thunderer.
He was swiping through the options until he came across one that he admired, and he selected it. "The decision has been made," Lucifer declared with a mischievous smile. "Let's move on from this and each choose a card.
Each god reached out to the deck of cards that Lucifer held, their faces etched with deep concentration.
They picked a card, some were immediately satisfied with their choice, while others contemplated or even exchanged a few. The crescendo of curiosity among the celestial beings was palpable as they waited for the results.
But one card was left in the deck, rejected by both the gods and demons who would not dare take it. Some even found it amusing how pathetic the champion's stats were.
Then Lucifer, with an inscrutable grin, picked up the last card. "Ah," he said, his voice dripping with derision.
"The underdog, I will choose the other one; it seems it's not your day, Anoris."
A murmur passed through the gods, a mix of amusement and apprehension.
Even the grand coliseum seemed to hold its breath as all eyes turned to Beelzebub, who had yet to step forward. The black-winged god stood impassively, his gaze locked on the rejected card in Lucifer's hand. The faintest hint of a grin ghosted his lips.
"May I?" he asked, extending a gloved hand towards Lucifer. The archdemon's grin widened, a feral light in his eyes. "Be my guest, Beelzebub," he responded, passing the last card over with a flourish.
Beelzebub accepted the card, holding it up to his face to examine it closely.
The picture on the card showed Anoris, a lithe figure with an unassuming stature that belied his determination.
His stats were indeed pitiful compared to the monstrous champions picked by others.
"Why though?" Zeus asked, scratching his silvery beard, a bemused expression on his regal face.
Beelzebub chuckled, the sound echoing ominously around the vast coliseum. "Why not?" he shot back, his voice low yet commanding, silencing the gods' murmurs instantly.
Ares, the god of war, snorted audibly. "You're throwing the fight. Choosing a weakling like Anoris is akin to suicide."
Yet Beelzebub's grin remained unchanged, looking almost sinister as he flicked the card in his hand and it spun in the air before finding its place back in his palm.
"It's not the strength that matters," he said, his voice steady and devoid of any doubt.
"But the will to live. That's what creates a true champion."
The gods fell silent, unable to retort. His words had struck a chord; all too often, they'd seen formidable champions fall at the hands of lesser beings who possessed more heart.
a hearty chuckle that echoed around the coliseum. "Well, it seems Beelzebub is quite the philosopher today," he taunted, adjusting his trident with a gleam in his eye. "But we shall see if your wisdom holds up in the game, old friend."
Beelzebub merely smiled in return, his eyes flicking to the still image of Anoris on the card. "I look forward to it," he replied while walking out of the gathering.