Prologue: The Fall of Earth
The sky was fractured. Great jagged lines of light tore through the heavens like the shattered remains of a broken mirror, casting distorted reflections of Earth back onto its surface. The air grew heavy with despair as the ground trembled beneath billions of feet.
It began subtly—a few unnatural earthquakes, bursts of inexplicable fire raining from the skies, seas rising like hands reaching for the heavens. But when the voice of the Rulers echoed across every corner of the planet, the truth could no longer be denied.
"You have squandered your existence. The gift of life has been wasted. Now, you will atone."
Their voices were seven-fold, overlapping yet distinct, resonating with primal authority.
The collapse came swiftly after. Skyscrapers groaned as if alive before crumbling into dust. Cities vanished beneath tidal waves that swallowed continents whole. The world burned, froze, and cracked in the span of hours, each catastrophe bearing the mark of one of the seven Rulers.
Families clung to each other, whispering prayers to gods who no longer cared. Some fought for scraps of salvation, while others surrendered to madness. For billions, the end was swift, mercifully so. For others, it was slow—agonizing.
And amidst the chaos, a chosen thousand were plucked from the dying earth.
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First Chapter: The God Games Begin
Rain's Perspective
Rain's red eyes flicked open to an unfamiliar, starless void. The air was cold, sharp like the edge of a blade, and every breath he drew felt heavier than the last. Around him, others began to stir—some weeping, others screaming, a few silently taking in their strange surroundings.
It was a circular arena, vast and featureless, its smooth white floor reflecting nothing but the faint glow of the abyss above.
"Amateurs," Rain muttered under his breath as he stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his tailored black jacket. His blonde hair, freshly cut at the sides, was as precise as the thoughts racing through his head. He ignored the sobs of a woman nearby and the frantic prayers of a man clutching a crucifix.
This isn't hell, he thought. It's something worse.
A voice like silk and thunder interrupted his musings.
"Ah, you've awakened. Good."
Rain's gaze snapped upward. A figure descended from the void, its form radiant yet unsettling. Aether, an Outer God, hovered effortlessly, his white, featureless body gleaming like polished marble. His eyes—two burning orange orbs—radiated an otherworldly intelligence that was equal parts curiosity and malice.
"Greetings, mortals," Aether began, his voice rippling through the arena. "Welcome to the God Games. Your world is no more, as I'm sure you've noticed. But fret not—you've been chosen for something far greater than mere survival. You will entertain us."
Aether extended an arm, and the arena shifted. The smooth white floor transformed into a mosaic of Earth's destruction: burning cities, crumbling mountains, oceans swallowing entire civilizations.
"Seven trials," Aether continued, his tone almost playful. "Seven rounds, each more deliciously impossible than the last. Survive, and one of you shall ascend as a Demigod. Fail…" He snapped his fingers, and the image beneath them shattered like glass. "Well, let's just say oblivion has its charm."
Rain clenched his fists, the weight of Aether's words sinking in. A thousand participants. Seven rounds. Survive. It was a simple equation, and he excelled at solving problems.
"Not interested in playing games, are you, Rain?"
The voice behind him was ice-cold and laced with mockery. Rain turned to see Kaizr, his twin, leaning lazily against a shimmering blade embedded in the ground. His messy black hair framed a face of detached cruelty, and his dark blue eyes glimmered with something unsettling—glee, perhaps.
"Kaizr," Rain said flatly.
"Brother," Kaizr replied, his grin widening. "Looks like the gods decided to let me kill you legally this time."
Rain didn't flinch. "Focus on staying alive. You can barely manage that."
Kaizr pushed off the blade, stalking toward him. "Oh, I'll survive. But not before watching you burn."
Before Rain could retort, Aether clapped his hands, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap.
"Enough sibling drama!" he boomed. "Save it for the trials. Let's make this interesting."
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The Trial of Chaos Begins
The arena shifted violently, the white floor melting away to reveal a sprawling jungle, its trees unnaturally tall and twisted, their branches like skeletal arms reaching for the sky.
"Your first trial," Aether announced, "is simple: Survive for 10 days. The jungle is your battleground. The predators are… enthusiastic. And the only rule? There are no rules."
A deafening roar echoed through the jungle as the ground beneath them trembled.
"Oh, and one last thing," Aether added, his voice dripping with amusement. "Only 700 of you will advance. Do the math."
Rain glanced around, already counting the panicked faces. Three hundred deaths minimum.
Kaizr let out a low chuckle. "This is going to be fun."
Before Rain could respond, the ground beneath them split apart, and they were plunged into the jungle.
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Rain and Kaizr in the Chaos
Rain landed silently, his years of martial training kicking in as he scanned his surroundings. The jungle smelled of blood and decay, the air thick with an unnatural fog. Somewhere in the distance, a scream pierced the silence, quickly silenced by something wet and visceral.
He moved swiftly, calculating his path toward higher ground. Survival requires control. Control the terrain, control the outcome.
Kaizr, meanwhile, had landed amidst a group of three participants—a mistake on their part. He grinned at the trembling man holding a makeshift spear.
"Run," Kaizr said, his voice low and almost kind. "It'll be more fun that way."
The man didn't run fast enough. Kaizr's shadow tendrils lashed out, pulling the man into the air before slamming him into a tree. Blood sprayed, and Kaizr sighed with satisfaction.
"One down," he muttered, turning his gaze toward the distant glow of a fire. "Nine days to go."
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The first chapter ends with Rain and Kaizr carving separate, bloodied paths through the jungle, their hatred for each other burning brighter with every kill.