I spent the rest of that day and night trapped in my own thoughts, turning over my conversation with Lucifen.
I was still uncertain whether the words he spoke were truthful.
No matter how many times I deliberated on them, I would never be given a concrete answer.
Yet still, I wished to think, about the morality of the games and the unfairness of the situation, especially for the humans who inhabited our worlds without reason.
I swore to myself, as I had done many times already, that I would do my best to look after my people.
If they were brought into this world without a choice, I would make sure that I made their lives as pleasant as possible.
I thought about these things as I sat in the field, and then noticed the young boy, Zavid, who ran through the red grass towards me.
My eyes were closed in meditation, but I knew it was him purely by the way his heart beat, the sound of his footsteps, and his pattern of breathing.
It was a sign of how strong I had become in the sensory department.
The boy stood in front of me as I kept my eyes closed, wondering whether he should interrupt my meditation, but not daring to.
"Good morning, Zavid," I said, and I felt the boy jump, and his heart rate increase.
"I-I'm sorry, Father Vale. Zerlos has sent me to tell you that your longsword has been completed."
Every time I had spoken to the young boy, Zavid, he had always seemed scared of me.
I rose to my feet and placed my hand on the boy's head, a show of respect that I often used.
"Thank you, Zavid, tell him I will be over soon to check it out."
The boy bowed deeply before turning around and running back to the home of Zerlos.
The sword he spoke of was made from something called Arsenic-Copper, which was supposedly more durable than copper, though not quite the strength of bronze yet.
I still doubted that the weapon would be durable enough for me to use with full strength, but if not, I would just gift it to Zerlos.
Or perhaps Dante.
Now that the man had started working with the blade alongside Zerlos, I was able to see how efficient with it he was.
I was uncertain who the greater fighter was.
Would I really give the sword to Zerlos?
My thoughts were cut off by Osidon's voice.
"Hello again, Vale, God of the Broken. I am here to announce that Battle 002 will be taking place tomorrow. I wonder if you feel the same excitement that I do."
So soon?
I felt the same fear that arose in me on the day that the first battle was announced to me.
"Tomorrow morning, I will explain to you the rules of the game. Afterward, you will be given an hour to make a decision before being transported to the location where the battle will take place."
Then the Absolute's voice faded.
Being given no information on the battle, it was hard for me to prepare accordingly.
I made my way over to Zerlos' house and was given the Arsenic-Copper longsword.
The material of the blade did not look much different from any of the other copper blades, but it was designed much larger and longer, giving it an enhanced feeling.
"Are you pleased with the blade, Great Vale?" Zerlos asked as I tested its weight.
"It's made well, Zerlos. I only hope that it will last in battle."
Dante stood with Zerlos, eyeing the blade with harmless desire.
"Is there a battle upcoming, Father?" he asked, but I did not wish to worry them too much.
"There's never any harm in being prepared at all times," I said to them, and they nodded in agreement.
---
I had tried to sleep that night, thinking it necessary that I enter battle with as much
energy as I could muster, and I was awoken by Osidon's voice.
"Good morning, gods, I will now explain the first rules of Battle 002."
I sat up from my bed and made my way down to the crimson fields, as Osidon spoke in my ear.
"The rules of this battle are simple, even simpler than 001, and with less risk."
That sounds good.
"Each god will bring only one unit to this battle with them, a unit that you trust, especially in combat, as the fate of your world may end up relying on them.
The battle will be god against god, and disciple against disciple. I will not elaborate any further until we reach the battlefield, but you will be given an hour to make a decision on who you will choose amongst the settlers of your world to aid you.
Remember, choose wisely, and once you're ready, ensure that they are the only ones within a 5-meter radius from you, and you will be transported together."
The voice faded, and instantly I knew that this would cause some difficulties.
Only earlier, I had contemplated who to choose between Zerlos and Dante regarding whom I would gift the arsenic opper blade to if I did not wish to use it.
It was obvious that I would be bringing one of them to the battle. But who?
---
I made my way over to the grassy space behind Zerlos' house, where the disciples often trained in combat with wooden swords.
Before arriving, I heard the sounds of wood against wood, and grunts of exertion.
After rounding the corner, I saw Dante and Zerlos engaged in a duel.
Zavid, Laomi, and some of the other disciples who I was not as familiar with stood on the outskirts, watching intensely.
The fight was fierce, as though there were some animosity between the two men.
I watched as Dante feinted high, then aimed low, but his strike was blocked by Zerlos, who countered with a kick and then a jab aimed at the sternum.
They went back and forth, trading blow for blow, and it was hard to keep up.
How would these two fight if they were bestowed the power of gods?
After a few more moments, it was obvious who would come out victorious.
Dante, with the advantage of size and youth, was able to push Zerlos back, before ultimately tripping him onto his backside, and holding his blade towards his throat.
"I yield," Zerlos said, with disappointment in his voice.
He was then helped to his feet, and the two men bowed in a sign of respect.
Surely that is a sign from the Absolutes. I might have known Zerlos for longer, but this could be a matter of life or death, and Dante was the better fighter. I must choose him.