The hall of light shimmered as Samy stood before the table of seven seats. Nymera's radiant form flickered slightly, like sunlight through a prism, her eyes fixed on him with both admiration and gravity.
"Mortals rarely endure what you have," she began, her voice resonating like a melody that reverberated through the infinite plane. "I did not summon you by accident, Samy. Your seal… it is unique among mortals. It is not merely a mark — it is a conduit of potential. One who can bridge the temporal with the eternal, the rational with the divine."
Samy swallowed, trying to process the weight of her words. "A seal… given to me?"
"Yes," Nymera replied. Her wings spread slightly, iridescent light scattering across the hall. "I chose to entrust you with it because the gods themselves have grown rigid. Knowledge stagnates among immortals. Mortals, however, are adaptable, ingenious… dangerous in ways even we cannot predict. I transmitted the seal to see whether your mind, your strategy, your will, could guide this power without succumbing to pride or fear."
From his left, Khaelos shifted in his seat, his aura flickering between shadow and gold. A rare smile touched his features, one that was almost amused. "And she truly did it," he murmured. "She entrusted mortal hands with divine power. Fascinating. The audacity of it… and yet, the elegance. I must admit — I take a certain… pleasure in seeing how far you might go, Samy."
Samy's eyes flicked to Khaelos, understanding the weight of his words. Even the god of judgment found intrigue in a mortal capable of challenging the divine order.
Before he could respond, the hall itself trembled. Light bent unnaturally, forming a spiral of radiant energy at the far end of the table. A voice, neither Nymera's nor Khaelos', boomed across the plane, deep and melodious, layered with power that made reality itself ripple.
"I am Siana."
The air shimmered as the new figure materialized. She descended from the spiral, her form magnificent beyond comprehension — a tapestry of starlight and liquid gold, her hair cascading like cosmic rivers. Her wings spread wide, each feather reflecting constellations that shifted with her movements. Samy felt a warmth and authority emanate from her, one that seemed to command both awe and submission simultaneously.
"I am the architect of your arrival," she continued, her voice echoing through the hall and resonating in Samy's chest. "It was I who summoned you into this world of fantasy, this realm of conflict and potential. The path you walk, the powers you wield… they are not coincidental. You exist here by my design, and for a purpose that will test your limits, your mind, and your soul."
Nymera inclined her head slightly toward Siana, a subtle gesture of acknowledgment. "She is the catalyst. Without her intervention, the mortal realm and this world would never intersect. It was her choice to test the ingenuity of a human strategist."
Khaelos leaned back, swirling shadows and gold around him. "So… a mortal, given a seal by one goddess, observed by another, and summoned by a third. Intriguing. You have orchestrated a convergence few could even imagine. I am… impressed. And delighted."
Samy's mind raced. Three deities — each with authority, purpose, and influence — had converged on him. The stakes were incomprehensibly high, yet clarity struck him: he had a rare opportunity to negotiate, strategize, and influence the divine themselves.
Siana's gaze softened, yet retained its cosmic weight. "Samy, your presence here is not merely for observation. Your mind is a key, your decisions are instruments. The realm you come from, the empire you rebuilt, the gates you constructed — they were preparatory. Here, your actions will resonate across mortal and divine planes alike. Fail, and chaos ensues. Succeed, and you shape reality itself."
Nymera stepped closer, her voice resonating like a harmonious chord with Siana's. "Do not be overwhelmed by the enormity, Samy. Your intellect, your strategies, your ability to adapt — these are your weapons. I gave you the seal because I believed in your mind. Now, you must prove that belief is justified."
Khaelos' tone sharpened slightly, but amusement lingered. "Do you comprehend, mortal? You sit at a table with the architects of reality itself. One misstep could unravel more than you can imagine… or one stroke of insight could redefine the cosmos. And I… I will be watching, with interest."
Samy's hand brushed the sigil on his palm. It pulsed strongly, responding not just to him, but to the converging wills of the three deities. He realized something crucial: the seal was not a passive mark of power, but a resonant key — one that allowed him to engage, manipulate, and perhaps negotiate with forces far beyond mortal comprehension.
He took a deliberate step closer to the table, feeling the energy of the three divine beings intertwine with his own essence. "I understand," he said, voice calm yet determined. "I did not come here seeking to command the gods, nor to fear them. I am here to learn, to strategize, and to act — not recklessly, but with precision. And I will use what you have entrusted to me… to protect, to build, and to balance what must be preserved."
Siana's eyes glimmered like twin suns. "Then your trial begins, Samy. Know this: every choice you make here will ripple through both worlds. The path will test your mind, your morality, and your will. But you are not without guidance. You have been chosen for a reason."
Nymera's wings shimmered. "Remember, mortal — power is meaningless without strategy. And insight is futile without resolve."
Khaelos leaned forward, a glimmer of respect in his golden gaze. "Well then… let the game begin."
Samy looked around the table, the seats waiting, the deities observing, and felt the immense weight of the moment. His hand glowed as the sigil harmonized with the divine energy surrounding him.
The board was set. The stakes were infinite. And the strategist was ready.