Martis's breath came in jagged gasps, each one harder than the last. His chest tightened as a feeling of dread gripped him, like invisible hands clenching around his heart. His trembling jaw was unable to mold into words—his muffled sounds were all that escaped. Panic had taken root in him, spreading like wildfire. The world felt like it was slipping away, the edges of reality bending as if the earth itself were tilting under his feet.
His body faltered, collapsing onto the cold ground as darkness claimed him.
When Martis opened his eyes again, everything was different. The panic was gone. The world, however, felt even stranger.
He found himself standing in a colossal hall, one unlike anything he'd ever seen. The walls gleamed like the surface of the sea under moonlight, blue and shimmering with something almost… alive. The floor was smooth, a pristine white marble that seemed to stretch infinitely beneath his feet. Golden columns rose to a vaulted ceiling, where soft, glimmering lights danced like fireflies in the night sky. Everything here felt like it didn't belong in the mortal world—like he had stepped into some ancient realm far beyond comprehension.
Before he could collect his thoughts, a voice broke through the stillness, soft and calm.
"Welcome, Martis," it said, like a gentle breeze passing through the trees.
He spun around, eyes wide, to see a boy standing nearby. He looked about Martis's age, dressed in robes as white as the marble beneath his feet. His presence was serene, his face as calm as a placid lake. But there was something about his eyes—an ancient wisdom, a depth that felt older than the stars.
"Where am I?" Martis managed to whisper, his voice still shaky.
"The Nexus of Ascension," the boy replied, his voice laced with an otherworldly echo. "A place where the fates of mortals and gods intertwine. Here, those who have passed are given a chance to rewrite their destiny."
Martis blinked, still trying to process the words. "Wait—rewrite my what?"
The boy smiled, his lips curving into something just shy of pity. "You've been chosen for a competition. A battle where champions, like yourself, fight for control over a world in exchange for reincarnation."
Martis stared at him, dumbfounded. "A competition?" He felt like he was in some kind of crazy dream. "But… why me?"
The boy's expression faltered, and before he could answer, the air around them seemed to shimmer and ripple. Martis's heart skipped a beat. Something was coming, something… powerful.
A voice, sultry and amused, floated through the hall, sending chills down Martis's spine.
"Ah, so this is the one I'm stuck with, huh?"
Martis's head whipped around, his breath catching in his throat.
A figure emerged from a shimmering rift, like a dark star stepping into the light. She was tall, her presence commanding, but there was something about her that was both captivating and terrifying. Her hair, black as the void, cascaded down her back in waves that almost seemed to ripple with life. Her crimson eyes glowed with a fire that hinted at something ancient and dangerous.
She wore robes that clung to her like the night itself, blending red and black in a way that made her look like she was woven from shadow and flame. Two sharp horns curved from her temples, giving her the unmistakable aura of royalty—an otherworldly queen.
Martis couldn't tear his eyes away from her. "Who—who are you?"
The boy beside him tensed but didn't answer. The woman smiled, a dangerous, almost playful expression, revealing gleaming fangs.
"I am Rias," she purred, her voice smooth like honey, but with a bite to it that sent shivers down his spine. "Demon Lord of Lust and Wrath. The one you've been 'blessed' to have as your guide in this little 'competition.'"
Martis blinked, his mind racing. Demon Lord? Lust and Wrath? He was supposed to work with her?
"Don't look so terrified," she continued with a laugh that echoed in the hall. "I'm just here to make sure you survive long enough to be useful. After all, we wouldn't want this 'game' to be boring, would we?"
Martis felt his stomach drop. Survive? Useful? What had he gotten himself into?
Rias's gaze softened, just slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Martis saw something else—something almost human—beneath the mask of power. "Don't worry, kid," she said, her voice light, almost teasing. "I'll take good care of you. As long as you don't mess things up too badly."
The boy beside Martis, Caliel, stepped forward. "Rias, Demon Lord of Lust. She will be your companion in this competition. Whether you like it or not."
Martis swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to say something, anything, but words failed him.
Rias chuckled at his obvious discomfort. "Oh, this will be fun. You and me, kid. Let's see how long you last before you realize what kind of game you're really playing."
Her voice carried the weight of a thousand forgotten promises, and Martis could hear the sarcasm in her words, but also a strange sense of… challenge. The air felt heavier now, thick with unspoken tension. Was she playing him? Or was she testing him?
"You must be wondering why the gods—why us," Rias continued, her tone shifting from playful to serious. "This is not merely a competition of strength, Martis. This is a game of influence, of hearts and minds. The gods choose their champions not for raw power, but for how well they can sway the tide of mortal desires, of kings and peasants alike."
Martis's mind was reeling. A game of influence? He wasn't sure what was worse—being thrown into some kind of cosmic battle or being paired with a demon lord who seemed to have more power than he could even begin to understand.
But before he could formulate a response, Rias stepped forward, her presence commanding the space around them. The ground seemed to hum beneath his feet, an unsettling feeling crawling up his spine.
"Don't worry about your little quest for reincarnation yet," Rias said with a smirk. "First, you'll need to survive the real test—this game of gods. And trust me, kid, you're about to learn just how dangerous that can be."
As she spoke, Martis felt something shifting in the atmosphere—an electric charge running through the air. The golden light above them flickered briefly, and for a moment, he thought he saw shadows move within it.
"You'll find your place in this game," Rias continued. "But not without learning the rules… and perhaps a few tricks along the way." Her voice was laced with dark amusement, yet there was an odd warmth hidden within it. She leaned in closer, her eyes locking with his.
"Let's see how you fare under the weight of a real challenge, Martis."
And with that, she turned on her heel, her long robes swirling around her as she disappeared into the shadows of the grand hall.
Martis stood there for a long moment, his thoughts tangled in confusion and disbelief. He was no longer the scared boy afraid of his heart giving out, but this new world had him trembling in ways he had never felt before.
And as the sound of Rias's footsteps faded into the distance, Martis couldn't help but wonder what the next step in this 'game' would truly entail.