Chapter 1: The Spark of Defiance
1. A World of Gods and Mortals
The God School was a place of endless opportunity for those with resources and despair for those without. Every divine being at the school—young gods in training—had a chance to ascend to true godhood. But to rise in rank, one had to dominate in the Pantheon System, which ran the school like an unforgiving overseer.
The Battle Simulations, held every six months, were where divine beings proved their worth. In these simulations, they would enter vast virtual landscapes and compete to tame tribes, build their domains, and assimilate or destroy the followers of their rivals. The rewards were immense: more followers, expanded domains, and divine energy to climb the ranks of power.
But it was a rigged system. Those with wealth and resources could enter every simulation, using rare materials to terraform their lands and equip their followers with the best tools. Those like Riya Singh, the golden girl of the God School.
For others, like Anant Vansh, the simulations were a cruel joke. He had only participated twice in two years, his entries paid for by his father's desperate sacrifices.
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2. Anant's First Battles
Anant's first simulation had ended in disaster. He had found the Rukari, a swift and loyal nomadic tribe, and thought he might finally succeed. But Riya's forces had descended on them like a storm. Her tribes were numerous and well-supported, and her territory was teeming with resources.
She left nothing behind. His tribe was wiped out, their villages burned to the ground.
His second attempt fared no better. He found the Thali, an isolated and peaceful tribe, and began to help them build farms and defenses. But Riya struck again. This time, she slaughtered all but two of his followers: a Drakeling with broken wings and a Carrion Stalker scavenger. Both were weak, barely able to fend for themselves.
When the simulation ended, the Pantheon System assigned Anant a primal jungle, an unforgiving terrain filled with enormous predators. It was the worst match for his frail followers, who now struggled to survive each day.
Riya's tribes, meanwhile, thrived in her well-resourced savanna. Though they were primitive in technology, relying on bronze weapons and simple farms, they flourished under her rule because of the wealth and materials she provided.
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3. Riya's Reign of Cruelty
Riya's power wasn't limited to the simulations. At the God School, she was just as ruthless, tormenting Anant every chance she got.
Her followers mocked him relentlessly, calling him "the jungle cripple" and jeering at his failures. She humiliated him publicly, forcing him to kneel before her, clean her boots, and endure endless insults.
"You should've stayed in the slums, Anant," she sneered one day, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're not even worth the dirt on my shoes."
Anant's nights were plagued by nightmares of her laughter and the screams of his fallen tribes. His single eye burned with the phantom pain of Riya's final act in the second simulation—gouging out his other eye after destroying his forces.
But beneath the shame and despair, a spark of defiance still burned.
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4. The Teacher's Indifference
The God School staff offered no help. Mr. Carlton, the class teacher, dismissed Anant's complaints with a wave of his hand.
"Riya? Bullying you?" Carlton smirked. "She's your friend, Vansh. She's just playing with you."
"But she—"
"Enough!" Carlton snapped. "If you spent as much time studying as you do whining, maybe you wouldn't be so far behind. Now, get out of my sight."
Anant left the office with clenched fists, rage and humiliation burning inside him. He knew Carlton wouldn't help. None of the teachers would. They were all cut from the same cloth—English elites who saw him as nothing more than a nuisance.
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5. The Spark Ignites
Sitting alone in his barren domain, Anant stared at his two frail followers. The Drakeling curled up under a tree, its wings trembling. The Carrion Stalker rummaged through the dirt, searching for scraps.
"I'm sorry," Anant whispered. "I should've been stronger. I should've protected you."
The jungle around them was alive with the sounds of predators. Every day was a battle to survive, and Anant's will had begun to falter.
But as he looked into the eyes of his followers, something inside him shifted. They were weak, just like him. But they had survived.
And so would he.
The Pantheon System chimed softly in his mind:
> Territory Rank: Low-Tier Primal Jungle
Followers: 2
Next Simulation: Six Months
"I'll survive," Anant said, his voice steady. "And I'll rise."
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Chapter 2: Chains of Humiliation
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1. The Daily Torment
The morning bell rang across the campus, and Anant's stomach churned. He knew what awaited him.
As he walked through the crowded halls, he heard the familiar whispers.
"There goes the cripple."
"Still hasn't given up, huh?"
"He'll probably die in the next simulation."
He kept his head down, hoping to avoid attention. But he wasn't so lucky.
"Anant!" Riya's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
She stood in the center of the hallway, her arms crossed, a cruel smile on her face. Her followers surrounded her, laughing and whispering.
"Good morning, Riya," Anant muttered.
"What was that?" she said, stepping closer. "Speak up, jungle rat."
"Good morning, Riya," he said louder, his voice shaking.
She smiled and gestured to her boots. "You know the drill."
Anant's fists clenched, but he forced himself to kneel. He leaned down, his tongue brushing against the dirt-streaked leather of her boots.
"Good boy," she said, kicking him lightly in the chest. "Now, clean this too." She spat on the floor in front of him.
The hallway erupted in laughter as Anant obeyed, his face burning with shame.
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2. The Teacher's Betrayal
After class, Anant approached Mr. Carlton again, desperate for help.
"She's humiliating me every day," he said, his voice cracking. "She forces me to—"
"Stop exaggerating," Carlton interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Riya is a model student. If she's playing a few pranks on you, take it as a lesson in humility."
Anant stared at him, his fists trembling. "You're supposed to protect us."
Carlton smirked. "Protect you? You're lucky we even let you stay here, Vansh. Now, get out of my office."
Anant left, his vision blurred with rage and frustration.
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3. A Flicker of Hope
That night, Anant sat in his jungle domain, his head in his hands. His followers huddled close, their fragile forms a reflection of his own weakness.
But as he looked at them, he felt the faintest flicker of hope. They had survived against impossible odds.
And so would he.
"I'll rise," he whispered, his voice trembling but firm. "No matter what it takes."
The Pantheon System chimed softly, signaling the next simulation was drawing closer.