The battle between Nostradamus and Athena had reached a fever pitch, their clash painting the arena with breathtaking displays of power and ingenuity. Yet amidst the chaos and grandeur, Luxor remained an unseen force, a god-like figure concealed among mortals.
He watched as Nostradamus, his illusions more vivid and lifelike than ever, turned the tide of battle against Athena's calculated strikes. Each move felt as if it were choreographed to perfection, yet Luxor knew better—this battle was no longer solely the will of its combatants.
--
Athena's armor glimmered with divine light as she unleashed a flurry of precise attacks, cutting through Nostradamus' illusions. But for every illusion dispelled, two more appeared in its place, forcing her back with an edge of frustration that cracked her otherwise stoic demeanor.
"Impossible," Athena muttered under her breath, her grip tightening around her spear. "Your power should not be this refined. You are mortal. Limited."
From the stands, Luxor leaned forward slightly, the faintest of smirks gracing his lips. "It's always amusing to watch gods realize their supremacy isn't absolute," he mused.
---
Among the gods, Hades observed the battle with narrowed eyes. He wasn't like the others, who simply dismissed humanity as inferior. No, Hades was analytical, and something about this battle felt... off.
He could sense it now—the subtle distortion in the arena's energy. It wasn't Nostradamus' doing. No, this was something far more profound. He had learned to trust his instincts over millennia, and right now, they were screaming at him that something external, something beyond this world, was at play.
"Zeus," he said, his voice a low rumble, cutting through the excited chatter of the gods around him. "Do you sense it?"
The king of the gods, slouching lazily in his throne, cracked open one eye. "Sense what, Hades? Nostradamus is just full of surprises. That's what makes this fun."
"No," Hades replied. "This isn't him. Something else is influencing this battle. Something... external."
His gaze shifted across the crowd, scanning every mortal and god in sight. His sharp eyes lingered on Luxor, seated in the far corner of the arena, hidden in plain sight among the mortals. Luxor's aura was perfectly concealed—he was not of this world, but his presence was undeniable.
Hades' eyes narrowed as a realization struck him. "He is no mere mortal," Hades murmured.
---
As Athena prepared her ultimate move, calling forth a storm of golden energy that seemed to ripple through the arena, Luxor sighed, his amusement waning. "Predictable," he muttered. "Let's add some spice."
He raised a single hand, his movements imperceptible to those around him, and imagined a subtle shift in the arena's reality. A fraction of Athena's storm dissipated mid-formation, her energy wavering just enough to give Nostradamus an opening.
The crowd gasped as the prophet seized the moment, launching an illusion so intricate that even the gods watching struggled to distinguish it from reality. Athena hesitated, her spear striking nothing but air, and Nostradamus countered with a flourish that sent her sprawling.
Luxor chuckled softly, savoring the chaos. "A small nudge here, a little twist there. Let's see how long it takes for someone to notice."
---
Athena, recovering from her fall, glared at Nostradamus with a mixture of disbelief and fury. "This... this isn't your power!" she spat, her voice echoing across the arena.
Nostradamus smiled faintly but said nothing. In truth, he too was confused, unsure of the sudden surge in his abilities.
From the stands, Luxor's smirk widened. "Even when given strength, mortals hesitate to accept it as their own. But isn't that what makes them so captivating? Their doubt, their hope, their endless struggle?"
Athena, her mind racing, knew there was something more to this battle than mere fate or strategy. She could feel the unnatural twist in the air, the sense of an unseen hand pulling the strings. Her focus sharpened, and she knew this was no longer just about Nostradamus and herself.
---
As the battle reached its climax, Hades could no longer sit idle. Rising from his seat, his presence alone sent a ripple through the crowd. He turned to Zeus, who merely waved him off, uninterested in his concerns.
"Stay here. I'll find the source of this interference," Hades said with an air of finality.
Zeus raised an eyebrow but did not argue. "Do what you will, Hades. Just don't take too long."
Hades descended into the crowd, his steps deliberate, parting the throngs of mortals and lesser gods alike. His senses were keen, his every movement measured, until finally, he stopped before a single figure in the back—the one who had been watching the battle unfold with quiet amusement.
Luxor.
Hades, with the weight of eternity behind him, stood before him, his voice low and commanding. "You," he began, "don't belong here."
Luxor tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes glimmering beneath his hood. "Oh, but I do. More than you know." His voice was calm, almost mocking, as if he were indulging Hades in a game of cat and mouse.
---
Hades' gaze hardened. "Reveal yourself. What are you?" His words were an order, his tone sharp.
Luxor stood to his full height, his concealed aura pressing against Hades' divine presence. Despite the overwhelming strength that emanated from Luxor, the god of the underworld hesitated, sensing the true depth of power hidden beneath the calm demeanor. Luxor was not just a powerful figure—he was something... different.
"You're bold to confront me without knowing who I am," Luxor said, his tone light, yet tinged with authority. "But I'll allow it, for now."
Before Hades could respond, a sudden surge of energy erupted from the arena. Nostradamus and Athena had reached their final clash, their powers colliding in a blinding explosion that shook the coliseum.
Luxor glanced toward the stage, his interest piqued. "Ah, it seems the show isn't over yet. Perhaps you should focus on your precious game, Hades. There's still much to unfold."
With that, Luxor's figure blurred and vanished into the shadows, leaving Hades standing alone amid the swirling chaos of the arena.
---
As the dust settled, Nostradamus stood victorious, his illusions dissipating as Athena's broken spear fell to the ground. The humans erupted into cheers, their hope reignited by another unexpected victory.
Luxor, now observing from a higher vantage point, folded his arms and smiled. "This world has potential. I think I'll stay for a while longer. After all, the gods and mortals haven't even begun to understand what true power looks like."
The games of Ragnarok continued, but with Luxor's subtle hand in play, nothing would proceed as planned. The first chapter of his influence had only just begun.
---
End of Chapter 10