"Finally, you're awake. Took you long enough."

Gastor greets Kael, sitting with the local townspeople, drinking alcohol and eating a large quantity of meat like there's no tomorrow.

"Sit, get your fill, we need to leave early, there's something urgent that's happened in the temple."

A girl holding a tray up with one hand comes over, looking rather seductive as she closes in on Gastor, feeling his muscles up for some reason.

"Oh, you have to go?"

With a sly smile, she comes in further, trying to entice him.

"Grow up first, then we'll talk, but for now, drink some milk, and you'll thank me in the future."

He laughs, heartily shouting out his remark.

The townspeople seem to have taken a liking to him, laughing along with him as they burst out in laughter and joy.

"What are you talking about earlier, about the temple?"

"You'll know when we get there, but first, like I said, eat up, you deserve it after last night's victory!"

I do as he says, taking in a lot more than I would've expected.

Must mean that I've worked up quite the appetite from that battle.

"Wait, did I win last night!? How?"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot that you were out cold around the time that it happened. Pathetic, but I can't blame you."

He begins explaining the vague details as to not incite the curiosity of the others around him, making things complicated for them to understand.

"And basically, that's it. I don't know where he is right now, but I know that he'll turn up sometime soon. You knocked rather a far distance away, that in itself was pretty amazing."

He takes another swig at his large mug, draining it in one go.

He then stands, walking to the doorway without me.

"I'll meet you outside the house, you know the place. Don't take too much of your time, and hurry."

He leaves with a loud belch.

Now I am left alone, well, not really, there are still people inside, but.

-What concerns you? Your thoughts are not in order.

"Let me finish this meal, then we can talk. I don't really feel comfortable talking to myself with other people around."

I whisper as slightly as possible, taking small glances on both sides.

-I understand; I shall wait then.

After having finished my meal, I head out, thinking to myself how badly this town was damaged.

There were no debris lying around, the houses seemed stable enough, the people are quite happy with how things are going.

Odd, maybe I'm just overthinking things.

Maybe they really are already used to these kinds of things.

"Hey, Vixalis, you there?"

-Of course, as I was saying. You were having troubles, does something worry you?

"Nothing specifically. Rather, I feel quite disturbed that there's nothing wrong when there should be, if you understand what I mean."

-I understand what you mean, but that is just how things go around here. This is quite a big world, so there might be people who are not pleased with the things going on around them, but here, it's different.

I begin walking toward Svanvhit's house, trying to dismiss the worry filling my head, that needless worry that's clouding my thoughts.

From the horizon, as the sun shines overhead, I see Gastor waiting, leaning by the house.

I wave to him, and I catch his attention quickly.

"Ready to leave?"

"Well, if there's something about the temple, then it might be urgent for everyone to go, right?"

"Yes, clearly."

I look around, inside and outside the house.

"Have you seen where Svanvhit is?"

"Oh, her? She left for some duties a little while ago after I came back here. Best to just leave her be. We have our own matters to attend to."

"Can you carry me on your back again? Of course it's a given that you transform into a bear."

"Your legs are fine, are they not?"

With a slight scowl, we proceed to walk to our destination.

The lush green forest still serves as our gateway towards the temple, where no mortal, except me, has gone into as to see the wonders inside, namely gods.

The landmarks that I've grown to seeing are the destroyed parts of the forest, some of our doings and handiwork.

Upon reaching the clearing of the forest where the great mountain carrying the temple lies, we are again greeted to the awe inspiring sight that never seems to cease in amazing me.

"Come, we've no time to delay."

Gastor hurries, taking the Pegasus instead of the stairs, which was unlikely of him to do.

There must be something truly gave in the making for him to seem serious.

With haste, we make for the entrance, and are greeted by the rowdy sounds of gods.

But, not celebrating, rather, they are at unrest, some speak loudly while the others prattle on.

"Will the feast still be proceeding, or will this go on? The gods are being relentless in their questions"

"What are the high gods doing!? Are they not taking mind of the events that are transpiring?"

Just then, a loud bolt of lightning enters the temple from the open ceiling, silencing them, and there enters Zeus, the god of gods.

"Do not think that we are doing nothing in order to find those who have disappeared. I cannot tolerate those who become agitated, yet cannot do anything themselves except whine and complain!"

His voice shatters their morale, and his words make utter sense, yet I have only gotten here, I have no knowledge of what is happening.

I turn to face Gastor, someone who seems to know something but is only holding back for some reason.

"Two gods have gone missing. Two different races, and no one knows why."

He speaks in his usual grizzly voice, attempting to sound dark, and it works for the most part.

"Two gods? What do you mean? I thought only Poseidon was missing at the time."

"Well, one had disappeared at the same time, Amaterasu, the Japanese god, one of the high gods in the eastern pantheon."

"What's going to happen now? Is the feast going to be canceled?"

"Of course not, this is too sacred of a gathering for the gods to put second to anything. The fate of the heavens, earth, and those below lie in the decision that is made after this. My guess is that the high gods will decide to continue while sending someone to search for the lost party. I suggest looking around for now, and waiting until they declare the next match."

"Then I'll do just that."

I heed Gastor's words, but not really knowing what to do, I wander aimlessly, admiring the design of the temple, or just looking in awe of the gods that are surrounding me.

One god in particular catches my attention.

She seems to not notice me, eating by herself, taking a gulp of something.

I slowly walk up to her as to not give a surprise that she'll find irritating, casually greeting her.

"It's a nice morning, isn't it?"

"Oh, it's you. Yes, I guess it is. What do you need with me?"

She releases a quite harsh remark for the expert introvert, damaging his morale by a significant amount.

But, it's not enough to halt his relentless assault for attention.

"So, how are you? The wounds getting better?"

"Barely, I can still feel a slight pain, but nothing I can't handle. Why are you so concerned anyway? I don't think this has anything to do with you, other than you being a competitor."

"Well, I think it's just natural to care for someone, right?"

"Aren't you charitable. I might even think that you're a rare kind of god that still cares for mortals and those down there, despite being a lower god yourself."

She then faces me, showing a radiating beauty, but with no smile.

I stare unknowingly, and it catches her attention without a second's delay as she looks at me quizzically.

"Hello, are you there? It's either you fell asleep in broad daylight, sitting upright, or your looking at my face for some reason, and I don't like the latter."

I snap to my senses, shaking my head as I try to change the topic as to not make anything awkward than it already is.

"So, what do you think about what's happening here? About the gods disappearing, namely."

"Even I don't know about that. I doubt any mortal down here can capture a god, and if they can, then we're all in danger."

She takes a sip of her beverage, and I run out of things to say at that point, as if all my experience comes to this, a state where I am at a standstill.

"Am I disturbing you?"

"What's with the sudden change of heart? You came in confident, but now you sound like an animal pleading for help, and the answer's no. I don't mind the company, rather this is surprising that I even have someone to talk to."

"Why is that? You seem more friendly than you look."

"I'll ignore that last part, and the reason is that I am a war god, and other gods are terrified of those, especially Aries, the one who started the whole fiasco of war gods being terrifying and deadly. Though, I don't really mind."

"Quite the predicament you here there."

"Like I've said, I don't mind at all, rather, it's pretty uplifting to talk to someone, especially if it's someone as persistent as you."

She flashes me a smile from the side, making my heart race.

Though bandaged, she manages to give off such a warm atmosphere, and being a war god at that is impressive to say.

Just then, the loud thundering voice of the current god of gods shouts out, rallying the gods to his altar.

"Come all, for we shall begin the sacred feast once more. The mother, Gaia, shall now announce the two competitors that will fight for a place in this auspicious ceremony!"

He then sits back on his throne, signaling the stone slab to finally awaken, and that voice of a motherly tone speaks out once more, filling the temple with her resonating voice.

"We are gathered once more to witness the choosing of a candidate, one of the many gods who seek to become the god of gods, one that will be worthy to govern the world, the universe, the heavens, and much more. I call out, Sun Wukong, of the Chinese pantheon!"

A rather largely built god with the form of a monkey, wearing a golden heavy gauntlet on his left, a long spike edged cudgel that rests on his shoulder.

With an imposing aura and a quite intimidating atmosphere around him, he walks forward without so much as a word, staring up at Zeus with malice, but no intentions to do harm, instead he stands upright.

"Man, whoever he'll be up against might have a hard time."

I murmur to myself, looking over this god who seems unmovable and as strong as a mountain.

"Of course he is, haven't you heard of his exploits when it was an earth dwelling monkey, declaring himself as someone that he was not, and becoming one himself after achieving Buddhahood, which is considered impossible in itself."

Bellona says, not paying any mind to her surroundings, continuing with her meal, yet listening.

The voice of Gaia announces the other unlucky competitor that will have the honor of battling Sun Wukong, from those books I've read in the past about his eighty-one trials with the Buddhist monk.

"The duelist that will stand against this god is, Vixalis! An unaffiliated god."

A name so familiar, yet one that I did not want to hear at this time.

It was loud and clear, concise even.

Yet, I sat there, with an empty look, one that said, unlucky.

But what people were more amazed about was the other title that came, that being the unaffiliated title, serving as a curse that reminded other gods that they belonged to no one, and that they are gods of their own, a minor one in my case.

"What are you doing sitting around here for? Get up there, or did you not hear your name being called out loudly?"

Bellona shoves me away, and all eyes are on me now, all suspicious eyes that seem to scorn me for a reason I know of.

Then, I feel a weight on my right shoulder, where I face to see.

"Come, Kael. It has now come to this, and we shall see it through, just as we have promised."

Gastor looks forward with a stern and very reliable aura, giving me the ounce of strength I need to face this.

After all, I've waited for this time, and now, I feel frantic about finally having the stage to myself, as if all that bragging was for nothing.

Yet, Gastor takes the lead, walking ahead of me, facing Zeus's altar.

I steel myself, resolving to go through with everything that I've said before.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, then releasing everything.

I look back to Bellona, who waves me goodbye, giving me a great boost in strength.

Time to go then...

I stand before Zeus, just like everyone before me, but there's this intense amount of pressure being applied, as if I'm being crushed under the weight of responsibility.

Sun looks me down from the side, curious and fascinated, or may just dumbfounded.

"Interesting, two people up against lonely old me. Well, I don't object to the challenge, but I want to see how far I'll have to go."

Zeus intercedes.

"Now, your battle field awaits! Mount your chariots and go forth!"

As his voice passes, two chariots pulled by two Pegasus rides to the temple.

Wukong, without looking back, head to his chariot, whipping the reins as he is spirited away in an instant, proving the speed of the great Pegasus.

"Come now, Kael. There's no more room for hesitating, now is the time to prove all those who think you're wrong otherwise."

I listen to Gastor, following him as he mounts the chariot.

But before we could go, there was a voice that called to a halt.

"Wait! Don't go yet!"

In the room was an animal, not just any animal, but a penguin, in the middle of civilization.

People start glancing at each other, trying to find an answer to this, or just trying to find the owner of this animal.

But, it starts walking towards us quickly, mumbling to itself as if cursing.

"Hey you! I'm coming with you."

He angrily states, pointing at me with his flippers.

"... Do you have an answer for this, Gastor?"

"I think so, but I may be mistaken. Where gods roam, there can be anything that might happen."

Jumping in agitation, the penguin shouts.

"Don't you remember me!? It's me, the deity, the guardian of winter, ring a bell?"

Shocked, I reel back, almost falling off my chariot, but was caught by Gastor.

"Wait, you're him?"

"What's it matter to you? No more chatting, let's go already before you make ol' lightning bolts here angry."

The remark catches the grand God's attention, but chooses to turn a blind eye to it.

"The name's Cuiv, and there's no need for me to keep repeating it, alright? So remember it."

He rides on the chariot, and without any further ado, we went on our ways.

Although, I wonder why they didn't oppose to me bringing two other beings to the battle, or are spirits and deities that are under your control valid.

Well, there's no reason to dwell on it I guess, there's nothing else I can do but look to the future for answers.

As we soar through the sky, the clouds being pierced through, I begin questioning Cuiv.

"So, you're a penguin, huh?"

"What a question to start off with. I thought you were going to ask why I came to you in the first place."

"There's no need to. I won, right? So it's natural that you'd come to me sometime soon, but it was quite sooner than what I expected."

"Hoe cocky, for a mortal."

"Now, now, answer my question first, why a penguin?"

"As if I could choose who to be the moment I was born, or are you stupid that you can't figure that out for yourself."

"You're starting to get no my nerves, alright, so shut it."

"You should be grateful that I came anyway, otherwise, you'd be beaten to a pulp by Sun Wukong."

"The battle hasn't even begun yet, so I can't say if you'll be of any help or not."

"Quiet!"

Gastor silences both of us with his voice that echoes through the skies, catching our attentions and bounding it to his judgement instantly.

"There's no need to quarrel amongst ourselves, there's already so many flaws to begin with, so there's no need to create more."

"Alright, sorry about that, so how are we going to do this?"

I begin planning things out while we have the time.

"Well, the right strategy is to have one merge with this mortal, then the other will help take down the monkey."

Cuiv suggests, looking at me with disgust, crossing himself out from merging with me from the looks of it.

"I can probably take on Wukong by myself, so there might not be any need for you two to waste your time."

He turns his back from us, his black feathers are being caressed by the wind, looking to be refreshing.

I look to Gastor, shaking my head at what he had said, signaling to him to work together.

Gastor speaks, serving as the mediator.

"Well then, I will merge with Kael since I have experience, so we will be heavily depending on you, Cuiv, in keeping Wukong's aggression to a minimum."

"Naturally, that'll be an easy task."

"We'll change our plans if something unpredicted happens, agreed?"

"No objections here."

"With me here, there's nothing to worry about."

We all agree to something, miraculously, but everything will be entirely different, it can't be this easy to agree on something.

In no time at all, we arrive to the site, an empty plot of land near a ruined fortress on a lush field, quite the setting.

And there he stands, waiting on the open field, eyeing us over from below.

The chariot lands, and we dismount, taking a cautious look at the battlefield.

"So, are you ready? I don't want you to hold back, alright?"

He brandishes his cudgel, twirling it with an intense speed, creating a draft of wind in our direction, enough to blow me back a few meters, and Cuiv farther since he's still in his animal form.

"Great, how imposing."

I look to my side, and it seems that Gastor and I are planning the same thing.

"Spring, emerge from the barren wasteland and give life anew!"

Gastor becomes a small green orb the size of a rock, speeding through the air, merging with me.

Enveloped in a bright green light, one that is present despite the even brighter sun.

I am armed with the bracers, the headband, and the energy.

"Ohoho, this is truly amazing, merging with one another to converge a power into one. Just as I thought. I'll be starting now if you have anything else to show, then do it now, otherwise stay silent."

Sun takes the long pause as his cue, rushing in without any other preparation unlike ours.

He raises his cudgel, smashing down with enough force to destroy the ground that we were standing on.

Luckily for us, I was able to see Wukong's movements before he could fully approach us, and I was able to step back, dodging his ferocious assault.

He then sends his cudgel spinning towards me with a powerful throw on his part, in which I jump using Gastor's powerful body constitution, evading it effectively.

After landing, Wukong barrages forward with punches and after images of him, seemingly creating clones that are aiding him in the barrage.

Using the training I've had, I block, using my arms and hands to swerve and deny him any chance of damaging, though the weight on his fists could be felt quite strongly.

Unfortunately, I am unable to counterattack due to the speed and tenacity that Wukong is showing, preventing any type of retreat or other planning.

-Kael, watch out from behind you!

Vixalis's voice alerts me, however, Wukong forces all my attention towards him.

He then backs away in the nick of time, smiling at me as he lands a backflip.

I feel the power drain from me as a large image of Gastor made out of a faint green light emerges from behind me, smacking something down to the ground.

He then returns to my body, giving me the lost strength that I felt.

"What was that?"

I ask the deity inside my head, unknown of the power he had shown just in the nick of time to prevent the previously thrown cudgel from hitting me from behind.

-I'll tell you in length when we finish this, for now focus on your enemy and I will support you however I can.

I shift my sights towards Wukog, who seems to be toying with me.

"You're just full of surprises, I like it! I haven't had this much amusement ever since the last feast."

Wukong moves fluidly, sending a fast stream of punches like the last time, but this time in much more numbers, and in increasing ferocity with each blow.

As I cross my arms in defense of a strike unlike any other, Wukong sends me back with my feet still firmly planted on the ground.

Though my arms feel quite numb from the blow, it doesn't seem to hurt that much.

He then casually walks towards his cudgel, bending over to pick it up.

"Oh no you don't, ape!"

A voice from behind interjects, denying him of his weapon, sending a flurry of icicles his way.

The god moves skillfully, dodging every attack, smashing some with his palm and fist.

Cuiv emerges from my side, flapping his flippers frantically.

"Why don't you transform back to your human form?"

"Don't tell me what to do, alright?"

Yet he does what I had just suggested, transforming into a thick leather wearing kid wielding a spear that's taller than him.

"You better watch your back, monkey, I'll get you!"

"Ha ha, better grow a pair first, kid. Then you can have a say at what others can do."

He laughs at him, igniting Cuiv's burning desire for revenge.

Quite a petty thing to get mad at, being intimidated by your own insults.

"Let's put our differences aside for now, and let's take this uneducated ape down."

He points his spear at me with an angry expression enveloping his face.

"Sure, just what I was thinking about."

I charge in first, winding my fist up to strike the ground, planning on making him retreat for Cuiv's attack.

I succeed, and he backs away, sending rubble flying everywhere, creating a cloud of smoke that obscures my vision and masks the fresh air, making it musky and dirty.

But as expected, Cuiv launches him icicles once more, then rushing in with his spear for a combination of attacks.

I move in to help him, coming around the back, sprinting.

Wukong blocks every attack including Cuiv's spear, but it's enough to have drawn his attention away from me.

I surge forth my energy to my fists, including nature's and Gastor's energy to give it enough power to match a god's

I release my fist, sending it towards Wukong's back, forcing his body to arch over.

"Take this, Mortal Smite!"

I send him flying towards Cuiv, colliding them together by accident.

He lands on the ground multiple times, then flying up again, unable to stop the momentum in which I put in the attack.

He then ascertains his feet, landing perfectly on the ground.

The look on his face changes, turning to that of an angry god's, one that might be ablt to turn this fertile and peaceful land to ruin.

-Get ready, Kael. He's getting serious.

"Just as I thought."

An intense aura vibrates around him, bending the very air to his will, his body becomes even more built, his muscles emerge, giving him the form of a bulky monkey god.

"No more playing around then? I learned the hard way, now it's time to repay the favor."