Tet and the others entered the dungeon city of Orario, taking in the towering walls and the bustling streets. Apollo stretched his neck with a loud crack and said, "Oh, we came here already, huh?" He stepped forward with a restless grin and added, "Excuse me, there's something I gotta do." Without another word, he walked into the city and disappeared from sight.
Artemis blinked after him, confusion flickering across her calm features. "Huh. I wonder what that was about."
Tet folded his arms, eyes glimmering with knowing amusement. "You'll know by the time the day's over, I'm sure."
Hestia looked around with wide, sparkling eyes. "Oh, it's this place. I wasn't aware it was real." A realization seemed to dawn on her and she asked, "Does this mean every anime, TV show, book, or comic is real?"
Tet gave a casual shrug as if discussing weather. "Highly possible. The Omniverse is infinite, and sometimes worlds are created because a god on the multiversal level saw an anime or read a comic and said, 'That's neat, I think I'll make it real.' Or sometimes they get bored and share knowledge of a specific world with someone on other planets, and then they make a story based on it. It's really a chicken-or-the-egg situation."
Artemis crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Okay, but why are we here specifically?"
Tet raised a finger, his grin sharpening. "You can do what you want as long as you don't cause too much trouble. I'm here to steal possession of the Dungeon. As the god of games, I feel its potential is being wasted heavily."
Ramiris zoomed closer in an excited. "Oh! Oh! Is that why I'm here? Are we gonna remodel it?"
Tet nodded. "Yep. Right now the Dungeon is all doom and gloom. Adventurers risk their lives for fortune and glory, but they mostly get death and disappointment. So we're gonna change things up. Cooler monsters, better traps, treasure, awesome weapons, the works."
Ramiris threw both hands up and shouted, "Yesssss! I can't wait!"
Tet smirked. "But before we do that, I'm gonna take this world first."
Hestia placed a hand on her hip with a playful little smile. "I think I shall stick with you until your business is concluded, and then we will explore together."
Tet nodded approvingly. "Sounds good, dear." His gaze shifted to Artemis. "If you plan to look for your other self, you won't find her in the city at this point in time. From what I remember, she should be hunting a dangerous monster."
Artemis let out a small, understanding "Ah." She gave a graceful nod. "Then I'll take my leave to start tracking her."
"Don't kill her, please," Tet added lightly. "She's one of the good ones."
Artemis raised a hand in an affirmative wave and headed toward the city gate.
Tet turned back to the group. "Alright. Let's head to the Tower of Babel and talk to Ouranos."
Tet teleported them all straight into Ouranos's throne room. The old god looked up from his seat, his expression tightening as he took in Tet's presence. "Well, shit. It's never a good thing when a deity at your level pops in for a visit. What do you want?"
Tet answered without a heartbeat of hesitation, eyes gleaming. "Your world."
Hestia dragged a hand down her face with a weary groan. "You could have been less blunt, dear."
Tet shrugged, playful sparks dancing in his gaze. "Why dance around it? I'm not here to blow the place up. I'm just here to make it mine."
Ouranos leaned back, exhaling heavily. "So you'll just be taking it. Even if I unseal my divinity, I doubt I can do much to stop you."
Tet shook his head, stepping forward with a flourish. "Not my style. I'm the god of games. I'll give you a single opportunity to keep your world. If you beat me in a game, I'll back off. And as a prize for your victory, I'll grant you a powerful warrior that will single-handedly clear the Dungeon."
Ouranos rubbed his beard, deep lines forming on his brow as he mulled it over. "Can I set the terms?"
Tet offered an elegant little bow. "Naturally. As the challenged, I'll let you pick the game."
Ouranos rose from his seat, eyes focused and steady. "Then I choose a tournament. The strongest six adventurers in Orario vs. six fighters of your choosing."
Tet's grin widened. "It's a deal. I'll give you a customary twenty-four hours to get ready."
The two deities shook hands, the air around them humming as the pact sealed itself.
Tet, Hestia, and Ramiris turned and left the throne room, Ramiris buzzing excitedly around Tet's shoulder while Hestia sighed through a small smile.
As they disappeared, Fels stepped out of the shadows like a drifting wraith, cloak billowing. "Are you sure about this?"
Ouranos closed his eyes for a moment, steadying his resolve. "He said it himself. He is the god of games. He was foolish to allow me to choose a contest of strength. Our adventurers will win this."
Fels bowed his head slightly. "I hope you're right."
Outside, Tet stretched his arms lazily and said, "That old man is probably certain of his victory. What a fool. Choosing a contest of strength against me. I can pull out fighters he's never even imagined. Victory is assured. That said, I will at least go easy on him. I don't want to destroy their pride completely."
Hestia looped her arm around his, smiling up at him. "That's nice of you, dear. You've really matured recently. That said, I want to go mess with some people, and if you're not up for it, I'll be very upset."
Tet shot her a flat look, one eyebrow twitching. "Do you want me to mature or not? Make up your mind."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks and declared, "Both. Now come on, let's start with lunch."
Ramiris zipped around them in excited circles. "Yes! Food!" She flitted behind them like an overeager firefly.
They entered the Hostess of Fertility, and immediately a stunned elven waitress with short blonde hair and forest-green eyes froze mid-step, staring at Ramiris.
Ramiris planted her hands on her hips. "What? Never seen a fairy before?"
Ryu blinked hard, her calm composure cracking as she shook her head. "No, no, I have not."
Tet stepped forward smoothly. "Table for three, please."
Ryu straightened at once. "Of course. Right this way." After seating them, she added, "Your server will be here momentarily."
Tet leaned back in his chair, eyes sparkling with playful scheming. "If I'm right, our first victim will be here soon."
Not long after, a beautiful young waitress with grey hair and gentle eyes approached with a warm smile. "Hello, my name is Syr, and I'll be your server today."
Tet returned the smile with a polite nod. "Hello there. Before we tell you our order, I should tell you something."
Syr tilted her head in an adorably curious way. "And what's that, dear customer?"
Tet lifted a finger in warning. "Don't look at our souls, Freya."
At that name, Syr's eyes widened just a fraction before she forced a nervous smile. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, dear customer. I'm certainly not Freya."
Ignoring his advice entirely, she quietly focused on Tet. The instant she looked at his soul, her breath hitched. She gasped and began trembling, clutching her tray. "Oh gods… I'm sorry. I didn't know what you were."
Tet exhaled dramatically. "That's why I said don't look. It's a lot like staring at the sun. Look too long and you'll go blind."
Freya took several seconds to steady herself, hand pressed to her chest. "I've never seen a soul that was all the colors of the rainbow before… um… since you know who I am, I take it you have business with me?"
Tet folded his hands calmly. "Yes, but not until after tomorrow."
Freya swallowed. "Oh? What happens tomorrow?"
Hestia leaned forward cheerfully. "There will be a tournament to decide if we take over your world or not."
Freya's eyes shot wide open. Tet added, "Yep. You'll probably be getting summoned by Ouranos any moment now."
Freya let out a nervous laugh, bowed quickly, and said, "Excuse me." She immediately bolted out of the tavern and sprinted straight toward the Tower of Babel.
Tet watched her go, satisfied. "Well, we successfully scared her. Are we going to mess with your other self next?"
Hestia's bright smile grew mischievous. "As much as I'd love to let's wait until after tomorrow."
______________
Meanwhile, in the home of the Apollo Familia, everyone was staring up at Apollo's throne in shock and fear. Sitting on Apollo's throne was a man with short blonde hair and blue eyes, staring down at all of them with a look of cold anger and open disdain. Hung upside down next to him was their god Apollo, battered, bruised, and bleeding from his head. Moments earlier, the stranger on the throne had barreled past all of them and savagely beaten their god into this miserable state.
The stranger looked to Apollo and said, his voice edged with contempt, "Part of me really wants to kill you… but another part thinks you haven't suffered enough. So I asked my boss for one of these." He then held up a crimson key, letting the eerie glow wash across the room. Without another word, he jabbed Apollo with it, and everyone watched in stunned silence as their god disappeared into it.
The man tucked the key away and straightened his posture before speaking with commanding authority. "Alright, let's get down to business. I am Apollo from another universe. And before all of you start disbelieving me, here you go." Apollo snapped his fingers, and instantly everyone in the room bore witness to the history of the man standing before them. When the vision ended, they had no choice but to believe him.
Hyakinthos, the Apollo Familia lieutenant, stepped forward and said cautiously, "What can we do for you, Lord Apollo?"
Apollo's expression hardened as he answered, "First of all, anyone who's ever used coercion, blackmail, or brutality to recruit members… get your shit and get out."
Seeing no one move, Apollo suddenly shouted with explosive fury, "Now!!!!!!"
The room broke into chaos as several members, including Hyakinthos, scrambled to gather their belongings and fled.
Apollo waited until the dust settled, then continued with a glare sharp enough to cut stone. "Alright. Of the people that remain, if you've ever committed violent or sexual crimes, you have twenty minutes to be out of this city or I use you for target practice."
Several more people bolted out of the building without hesitation.
Apollo scanned the room and saw maybe four people left. He nodded curtly and said, "That's about right." He then pointed to a woman with short red hair and hazel eyes. "You there. Daphne, right? You're my lieutenant now."
He pointed again, this time to a girl with long blue hair and green eyes. "You're her second in command. Understood?"
Daphne straightened her back, confidence rising in her expression. "Yes, sir."
Cassandra shifted nervously but nodded. "I'll do my best…"
Apollo continued, his tone firm but focused. "Daphne, we need to rebuild our Familia's reputation. No more forced recruiting."
Daphne swallowed, then spoke frankly, though respectfully. "Sir, while I find this new direction commendable, I'm afraid right now we lack personnel. And with the way we're currently viewed by the public, we won't have a lot of people lining up to join."
Apollo waved that concern away with a dismissive but determined gesture. "You leave that to me. I'll bring some people in from my world. And as for our public image, I've got a way to restore it. But for now, go make sure none of those people are lagging behind. If they are, kick their asses for me."
Daphne allowed herself a small, eager smile. "Of course, sir." She turned on her heel and took off at a brisk, purposeful pace.