“I see the two of you arrived quite early, eh Mystra? I wonder what you and Regis were doing here.. all alone.” The ravishing Dark elf woman said with a hint of disdain in her voice.

“We only arrived moments before the rest of you, no need to read any more into it.” Replied Regis before Mystra could react.

He was concerned that Mystra would respond in anger only confirming Kalina’s suspicion. It wasn’t a secret that Regis had pursued Mystra since the very beginning, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to any of them if Regis had some words for Mystra.

However, Mystra had never shown Regis favor, even before they became the Divinities. So as long as there were no obvious outward signs, the others wouldn’t know that they had made secret agreements between the two of them.

Of course, this was something that only Regis thought. Mystra felt nothing but contempt for Regis and was only using him for her own ends. She could care less what the others thought and had no intention of replying to Kalina anyway. Her mind was fixated on her own goals, everything else was irrelevant.

Kalina watched the reactions of the two carefully but couldn’t sense anything amiss. She had long been looking for a means to get back at Mystra. For this competition especially, she had prepared excessively in order to take her down a notch. She didn’t even mind losing in the first round and giving up some of her power and territory if it meant victory against her.

Some might even call her actions an obsession, but she didn’t care. She had an infinite amount of time to brood on old rivalries and past offenses. It fit her motif as a Dark elf. The only reason she had chosen the Dark elf race as her own was to spite Mystra.

While Kalina was glaring at Mystra hatefully, three of the Divinities were arguing.

A stout Dwarf was arrogantly stroking a long and magnificently braided beard.

“My Dwarves have both an increase in strength and constitution! Plus, their intelligence is nothing to scoff at either! They are masters of invention and excellent front line warriors. Even the lack of magic power isn’t a huge issue because of our technological advances. Our anti-magic field armor is superior to any other magic defenses! You Orcs are nothing but a bunch of lug heads and primitive sociopaths!”

The Noble Orc who was seated across from him snorted in disdain.

“Hmph! What arrogant words Thorgrath! You Dwarves are only slightly more intelligent but the advantages of my Noble Orcs in strength and constitution is huge. Every single Noble Orc is a moving tank! What can your pathetic tiny Dwarves do? Without your tech, you’re nothing! Our race is powerful, and we could easily squash your pathetic beard obsessed race if it weren’t for those mechanized drones you hide behind! We will overrun you eventually, it is just a matter of time. My Noble Orcs reproductive rates ensure that we will always have superior numbers.”

The Orc Divinity, Gromgar, was large for an Orc as the Noble Orc race was a superior race to that of the normal variety of Orc. The normal variety were mere monsters while the Noble Orcs had more human like forms albeit green in color.

Gromgar was extremely muscular and had various tattoos throughout his body and golden hoops hanging from his nose and ears. Gromgar wasn’t his original name but just a moniker he had taken once he had decided on his race. Most of the Divinities had decided on racial specific aliases when they became Divinities although not all.

“Did you just insult our beards? This means war!” Shouted Thorgrath while slamming his fist down onto the conference table.

“Bah, both your races are nothing compared to my Dragonmen. Not only do neither of your races possess an advantage in strength and constitution compared to my race, even intellectually we are superior! Both the Dwarves and Orcs will soon bow down to the majesty of my Dragonmen!”

On the other hand, Volondrak, was quite majestic looking being of the Dragonmen race. He was far larger than even Gromgar and a certain air of wisdom was exuded from his very being. He had large horns protruding from his head and wings on his back.

Dragonmen were different from Dragonkin as their form was some kind of an amalgamation of Human and Dragon rather than Dragonkin who either took a humanlike form or the form of a Dragon.

“Tch, you Dragonmen will never defeat my Noble Orcs. Your race is pathetically small in number. Even if your abilities are greater it won’t matter in the end!”

“Aye! Just because your superior intelligence allows for stronger magical abilities, so what! Your magic is useless against our dwarven tech. Just because you won a battle or two you act all uppity! Don’t worry, we Dwarves have prepared well for you Dragonmen this time!”

“Will the three of you SHUT UP!? I’m so sick and tired of your bickering!” Shouted Kalina angrily.

“Tch.. Elven hag..”

“Grr.. long eared broodmare..”

“Hmph… lower life form..”

The three finally quieted down but couldn’t help but utter contemptible words beneath their breath. Of course they would never say it to her face as the three were actually quite terrified of her. Even when they were once just normal humans they had a certain fear of her. Well, they had a certain fear to any woman as they had all been asocial towards the opposite sex.

Even though the three had long since mostly gotten past this as in their own fragments they were gods and enjoyed all the debauchery that went with it, they still had a certain fear of the three female divinities. Most likely this was because the three had known them from before they gained godlike powers.

Regis, who sat at the head of the table, stood up and smiled.

“Now that we have concluded all initial pleasantries, let’s get down to business. There is a reason why we have all gathered here today as you all know. It is time for our 500th fragment war! I am sure you are all excited and have been busily preparing for this competition. I know I have been! Applause ladies and gentlemen!”

The three former nerds clapped loudly and shouted excitedly at the announcement while the three female divinities clapped with a bit of lackluster. They weren’t nearly as excited as the four men, but nonetheless they had their own ambitions as well. The one with the least reaction was Valera, but this was to be expected given her personality.

She only cared about her experiments and research. Mostly this meant creating new biological weapons or new species. She hardly ever indulged herself as the others did, instead focusing on her work.

“Excellent, excellent! Now, any proper meeting must have refreshments!”

Regis clapped and doorways in space opened behind each of the seated divinities. Both male and female servants entered through the doorways carrying all manner of refreshments. There were men and women of all the races and each was an exceptional beauty or handsome beyond compare.

“Alcohol and food for the thirsty and hungry! Beautiful women for the men, handsome men for the ladies! Hahahaha”

Regis winked at Mystra and laughed happily. He was always too much of a showman, which made him an excellent assistant supervising scientist of their former research team. It was his job to present the research and other ideas to the investors to gain their money and support. He was very good at what he did and had helped the team immensely in gaining funds in the past.

Of course, his jealousy of the former head scientist had been kept well-hidden deep in his heart. The others had not truly ever seen Regis’ true self, which was extremely selfish and vindictive.

“A toast! In celebration of the 500th competition. Every few years we hold the Fragment Wars as not only a commemoration of our rise to godhood, but also as a means to alleviate the boredom of immortality. We have lived for a long time and in that time, many of us have certainly reflected on our infinite lifespan and our limitless power. I still remember the day it all began… poor Edgar… If only he could be here with us now and see what we have accomplished. I am sure he would be proud.”

Regis gave his speech with enthusiasm and well hidden sincerity which might have fooled most, but not all. Mystra especially winced at the mention of Edgar, but she hid her aversion well.

“Don’t pretend to act like you know what Edgar would think or feel… I’m sure that you’re the happiest one here knowing that Edgar is no longer with us.” Kalina said under her breath.

While she couldn’t prove anything, she certainly felt Regis had something to do with Edgar’s death. Hearing his words now only made her sneer, but the others had always trusted Regis so she said nothing.

“For the first round of the war, Mystra has the option to challenge or pass. If she chooses to pass the round, no one can challenge her until the second round and the second challenge will go to Thorgrath.”

“Har Har! It’s about time! Gromgar, I hope you’re ready to feel the wrath of the Dwarves!”

“Hmph, I will prove that Orcs are mightier than Dwarves!”

“Alright you two, enough. So, who will you be challenging Mystra?” After quieting down the two, Regis turned to Mystra.

The eyes of all the Divinites were on her fully expecting her to challenge Kalina and gain the initiative in their endless rivalry.

“I will pass.” Mystra said surprising all the others.

“What are you plotting Mystra? You never pass... “ Kalina asked fully suspecting Mystra.

“Hmph, what? I can’t pass? It is my right as a challenger.”

“Of course! You have the right to pass the first round.” Regis said quickly before anyone else could say anything.

“We’re just surprised! Oh well, this is perfect then! I won’t have to wait to crush some Orc skulls! Hahahahaha!” Roared Thorgrath while chugging his mug of Dwarven ale down.

“Bring it on stunty!”

“OH! You’re dead now!”

Thorgrath jumped out of his seat and tried to run across the conference table towards Gromgar only to be stopped by Volondrak.

“Save it for the battlefield you two!”

“Fine, this time I am going to take your southern sphere! Just you wait, I’m coming for you!”

Thorgrath jumped off the conference table and opened a portal back to his domain. Gromgar grinned malevolently and did the same.

“Sigh, those two. No one would ever think they are best friends haha. This should be a good show!”

Volondrak shook his head and gave a fanged grin, his large tail slamming against the floor excitedly.

Kalina continued to glance towards Mystra suspiciously and could only shake her head.

I know she is up to something…

Fayde sat on a rock in the middle of a large forest which was more like a jungle than a forest really. He was initially fooled into thinking it was a forest because when he first was sent here, he couldn’t see well due to the huge and strange trees which blocked out the sun.

After traveling with Felicia for some time, they eventually reached a brighter area and he could see more clearly that the forest was in fact a strange jungle like place. Some areas were extremely dense with these strange monstrous trees while other areas were much more sparse.

This place is too strange. These weird giant trees, the strange atmosphere of this place and the fact that my power has been greatly weakened…

Fayde made a fist before opening his hand again and a short burst of fire exploded from his hand only to disappear a moment later. Felicia was busily surveying the area where Fayde sat, her nerves clearly on edge.

What’s worse is that we have yet to find any signs of life but I can’t shake the feeling that I am being watched. It’s like dozens of eyes are watching me all the time. Felicia has been able to pick up the scent of what she says might be animals but she isn’t entirely sure. You would think with her enhanced senses she would have been able to find something by now…

“Fayde..” Felicia said warily, but Fayde was too absorbed in his thoughts and didn’t respond.

I can’t be wasting my time here, we need to find a way back as soon as possible. What godforsaken place did we get sent to? I’m going to go crazy if we can’t find any signs of life soon. It’s already been two days and nothing, plus I’m starving..

“Fayde..” Felicia said more urgently but still Fayde did not respond.

I don’t know what to do and there is still much work to be done. I have to finish conquering the kingdoms, have to prepare for the Empire’s invasion which I know will definitely happen eventually. Then there is that weird Elf, what the hell was he? I can’t believe I saw an elf.. Well I guess it's not so strange given the other things I've seen. Even though I have memories of Peter Wright, I still lack experience of my own.. I don’t know if I can handle all of this…

“FAYDE!” Felicia shouted, finally jolting Fayde out of his thoughts.

“WHAT FELICIA? WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Fayde shouted in frustration.

“I think we are surrounded….”

“Ah, shit! This is just what I need right now..."