Voytek and his team breeze through the first stage of the Star Games, cutting through every challenge with near-perfect coordination. Out of over a thousand candidates, they lose only a hundred—an impressive feat that stuns the other Star teams across the universe.
During the first game break, flocks of tiny polar bear guides swarm around Voytek, chattering with curiosity.
"So this is the famous guy you've been talking about?" one asks.
"Yep! This is his seventh time here!" another squeaks. "No mortal's ever done that before!"
Voytek's own bear guide suddenly puffs up its chest and yells, "Back off, guys! Five G-coins per question, please!"
All the bears gasp and scatter in an instant. Voytek laughs, bumping fists with his clever little guide.
"You may have a good chance of winning this year," the bear says proudly. "Most of this year's theme is all about teamwork."
Voytek raises a brow. "There are themes?"
The bear nods sagely. "Of course! You should see the Gamemasters—those guys are wise, but hey, I'm only telling you because you're an regular to me."
Norval watches his father with a quiet smile. Even here, in the heart of the divine kingdom, his father earns respect from god-like beings them self.
As the stages continue, the challenges grow crueler—worlds of molten puzzles, mazes where shadows eat sound, battles that blur the line between life and memory. Yet Voytek's team endures, adapting and surviving through every brutal test.
By the fourth game break leading to the fifth stage, only Voytek, Norval, and twenty of their team mates remain. They come out for fresh air on the side of the golden streets, breathing heavily. Norval wipes sweat from his brow, exhaustion written all over his face.
Seeing this, Voytek finally speaks, voice calm but firm.
"Son, you've done enough. You and the others can leave. That last stage had too many close calls. The Stars this year are far tougher than any I've seen before."
Norval kneels, defiant fire in his eyes.
"I refuse, Father… We will win this together."
Voytek's expression softens, caught between pride and dread. The loyalty in his son's voice pierces him deeply.
"Stop it," Voytek says, shaking his head. "You've reached your limit—all of you have. I'm the best at reading limitation signals, that's how I've always return! Please, leave while you still can. Luckily the games have been about teamwork so far, but who knows when the theme will change. We've already crossed the halfway mark!"
Norval's fists tremble. "I still refuse. Maybe I'm a fool, but I can feel it—this year, we can win! You or I can become God then we'll—"
"Enough!" Voytek interrupts, his voice cracking. "Son, you still have options! I may have buried this tradition too deep in you, but I can't return to your mother and your son without you."
Norval's anger falters for a moment, but he shakes his head. "You might be right, Father… but this gut feeling—it's screaming that we're meant to win!"
Voytek's face tightens as he yells, "Leave!"
Norval stares at him for a long, silent moment before finally turning away. He gathers his team and walks across the golden street, their voices fading as they discuss their next move.
Voytek stands there in silence, the weight of his words pressing on him as he leads against the golden building.
His bear guide floats beside him. "That's the power of youth. They'll believe anything's possible—especially with a legend figure like you."
Voytek gives a small, weary smile. "Yeah… I can see that. I was totally the opposite in my youth. Always doubting, always cautious."
Then out of the corner of his eye he sees magic light flicker. He turns to where Norval and his team stood.
As they're gone. Voytek exhales with relief, lowering his head. "He'll… thank me later."
The Fifth Stage of the Star Games begins inside God's Arena, a colossal ring of celestial stone holding many of the incoming Stars.
Voytek stands alone in his section, staring up at God's Avatar. His heart pounds. The ground beneath his feet trembles slightly as the light intensifies.
Then, with a soft pop, his bear guide materializes beside him, giggling uncontrollably.
"This is going to be very, very interesting to watch!" the bear says, its little paws covering its grin.
Voytek replies a bit nervous. "Yeah… it will be. I've never gotten this far before."
The bear shakes its head. "That's not what I'm talking about."
Before Voytek can ask, from the giant gates, the last Stars walks into the Arena, as the very last one is Norval himself.
His son walks in as the gate closes, head held high.
Voytek's pupils shrink. "No… he…"
The bear floats beside him, still smirking. "Got some intel from his guide," it whispers. "Your boy tricked you. He used his team's departure as a distraction while he hid from you."
Voytek's jaw tightens, fury flashing across his face—but before he can speak, Norval strides toward him across the luminous arena floor. He bows deeply before his father.
"Father," Norval says firmly. "Please, don't be angry. We don't have time for that. Trust me—we will win."
Voytek stares at him, as he then calms down. His voice trembles as he says, "Stick with me. No matter what happens. I can't afford to lose you."
The Fifth Stage begins.
From the sky above, glowing letters forms into a message seen across the arena.
"The surviving one million Stars will be randomly split into two teams.
The game will end when there is only one team left.
You may eliminate opposing members or have ten members agree to recruit one opponent.
Begin."
A surge of energy ripples through God's Arena.
Every single Star—Voytek, Norval, and hundreds of thousands of others—transforms into beams of radiant light, streaking upward like fireworks before descending toward the ground below. The arena shatters apart into three vast biomes:
A land of towering brick pyramids.
A dense ancient forest.
And a modern town filled with tall buildings.
Voytek's light crashes down into the land of pyramids. Dust bursts up around him as he looks at the mark glowing on his hand:
"Team Red."
He looks to the sky. Two massive counters hover above the world:
Team Red: 500,000 — Team Blue: 500,000.
Voytek's face turns pale.
"Where's Norval…?"
The words barely leave his mouth before many roars echo from every direction. As many Stars are fighting all around.
A group of Blue team Stars spot him.
"There's one!"
"Get him!"
Voytek grabs the only weapon near him—a rusty crowbar. He parries a sword slash, knocks one attacker off balance, then sprints away. His breath is heavy, his heart heavier.
"Norval!" he shouts. "Answer me!"
He climbs a pyramid wall, scans the endless chaos below, then runs to the forest land
The war never stops.
Flames and clashing blades rip through the trees.
Voytek hides behind a trunk, trembling.
"Where are you, son…"
He keeps moving. Hours seem to pass.
When he finally reaches the town biome. He looks up to see the counters again:
Team Red: 9,581 — Team Blue: 314.
His eyes widen.
"The game's… almost over," he mutters, panicking. "Where are you!?"
He runs through the shattered streets—past broken glass, dead Stars, and collapsing buildings.
The numbers keep falling.
Blue: 95… 43… 12… 4… 1.
Voytek freezes, his body trembling. "No… no, please…"
But then—something strange. The Red team's number starts to drop.
7,201… 7,199… 7,198… 7,197…
Voytek rushes toward a building with all of the commotions. Inside, hundreds of Stars are backing away from the office work floor, their faces pale.
Voytek pushes through them.
"Move! Let me through!"
And then—he sees it.
Blood.
Bodies.
And at the center—Norval.
He's drenched in blood, eyes blazing, cutting down Red team Star members with his katana in furious, desperate swings.
"Norval!" Voytek screams.
Norval pauses mid-swing, panting, blood dripping down his chin. "Father…"
Voytek's gaze drops to Norval's glowing hand.
Team Blue.
"Oh no…"
He rushes between the lines, waving his arms.
"Stop fighting! This is my son! Let him join our team!"
The Red Stars glare at him, their eyes full of rage.
"I refuse!"
"He killed my brother!"
"Kill him!"
Voytek's pleas are drowned in chaos as the Stars charge again.
Norval spins, slicing through a group, but his movements are slowing—each swing heavier, each breath weaker. Blood pours from his shoulder and leg.
Voytek's face twists in anguish. "Enough!"
He grabs his crowbar and rushes forward, swinging wildly, knocking down anyone who dares approach his son.
Confusing the Red team as they say
"What are you doing?!"
"He's protecting a Blue!"
"Kill them both!"
Voytek's body shakes from exhaustion, but he keeps fighting—for his son, for the only thing that still matters.
Norval collapses to one knee, clutching his bleeding chest. He looks up just as his father smashes a Star's weapon with the crowbar, sparks flying all over, doing whatever he can to protect him.
He then realizes that at this rate, they're both going to die, that this is all his fault. He's the reason why they won't return home or win the games. Guilt fills him as tears fall from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Father…" he says softly.
Voytek turns around to see Norval aiming his katana toward his own stomach.
"Father… the legend must live on… take good care of Hans for me…" as Norval's lips shakes emotionally.
Voytek yells, "No!!"
Norval thrusts his blade into himself as the game stage ends instantly.
Moments later, the surviving Stars walks out of God's arena into God's kingdom. Voytek, however, remains alone in the arena, still on his knees, silent, and motionless as tears fall from his eyes.
Suddenly, his bear guide appears beside him and says, "I'm assuming you're done…"
Voytek doesn't respond. He only nods.
"Disappointing," the bear says coldly before placing a paw on his shoulder. In an instant, Voytek disappears in magic.
He reappears back in his home city, in the middle of the square. The crowd cheers at first, but the celebration quickly fades when they notice Voytek isn't celebrating—he's still on his knees and emotional.
They then realize Norval isn't with him.
Laenu rushes through the crowd with tears streaming down her face, falling to her knees as she hugs him tightly. Rain begins to pour hard, and the sadness spreads through the entire city.
Time passes as Voytek keeps his distance from the Star Academy, spending his days at home, gazing into the distance while thinking about the son he lost. He has already passed on the academy's leadership to Laenu and Fable.
One evening, when Laenu and Hans return home, five-year-old Hans runs toward him and shouts, "Grandpa, I'm home!"
Voytek smiles and chats warmly with him, seeing so much of his son in the boy's face. Hans always talks about the Star Games, every little detail of his training and studies. Proudly declaring, "I'll be a legend too!"
Voytek's smile fades as he quietly asks, "Is that the only thing you want in life?"
Hans smiles and replies, "Yes! Because you're my hero!"
Voytek takes a slow breath, saying nothing more, silently hoping Hans doesn't follow the same path as Norval.
On weekends, they spend their time together enjoying simple pleasures — hanging out, listening to music, watching movies, and dancing. During the week, Hans trains and studies diligently at the Star Academy, though fewer and fewer candidates remain.
When the 108th Star Games finally arrive, the city square stands empty. The Star Gate opens, but no one steps forward.
Hans watches in confusion and asks his grandmother, "Grandma, why isn't anyone going this year?"
Laenu answers softly, "Because of what happened in the last Star Game."
Hans lowers his head and murmurs, "Oh… when Father passed away. That's also why Grandpa isn't here either…"
Laenu then says softly, "Don't worry, son… we will not tarnish our family name anymore. We must work harder than ever so the legend can continue through the ages."
Hans nods with determination, his eyes filled with hope.
As time passes, Laenu and Hans train relentlessly and study at the Star Academy. Each year, fewer candidates appear for the Star Games. Meanwhile, Voytek distances himself from the city, choosing to live quietly in his hometown village. There, he spends his days tending the fields and enjoying the peaceful life of a farmer.
One day, while fishing by the river, he notices a spaceship descending from the sky. It lands gently in the nearby field. Voytek sets down his fishing rod and walks toward it.
The hatch opens, and Waenush steps out, smiling faintly. "It's been a long time, my friend. I see that much has changed."
Voytek nods. "Then you must have heard what happened."
"I did," Waenush replies, his voice heavy. "It broke me when I heard about my grandson… but I didn't expect it to break you this much. You've changed completely."
Voytek sighs. "Yeah… I'm letting time heal the pain."
Waenush steps forward and hugs him tightly. "Come back to your family," he says gently. "It's been long enough."
Voytek stays silent for a while, lost in thought, before finally nodding and stepping onto the spaceship with Waenush.
As the ship rises through the clouds, the hum of its engines fills the quiet between them. Waenush breaks the silence. "I do bear bad news," he says solemnly. "During my travels across the many worlds, I discovered a troubling myth. It's said that if a planet's world level grows too high, God Himself will destroy it with His divine smite."
Voytek frowns. "So I'm assuming you're planning to stop all developments across the world?"
"Indeed," Waenush replies. "We can't afford to be careless with our evolution. But there is one way to advance this world without fearing destruction…" He turns to Voytek. "You must win the Star Games."
Voytek exhales slowly, his expression distant. "I'm not who I used to be. I'm already fifty-four years old."
Waenush gives a small smile. "And yet, you're still in remarkable shape. Voytek, you are the only one capable of doing this. Enough with being a returning legend—it's time for someone like you to become God."
Voytek looks at him, puzzled. "Why are you so desperate to win the Games?"
Waenush steps closer, his tone soft but urgent. "Because of you," he says. "You showed me the beauty of peace, the potential of humanity… and the heights we can reach without cruelty. I want more of that—without the fear of annihilation. Please, Voytek… win the Star Games, and save our world from that kind of destruction. This world of ours has so much more to offer."