GOD GAMES

With the door open, I warily enter the tower. My head swerves with heightened senses as I look for threats. Just because I fought a giant scorpion doesn’t mean that the fighting is over. For all I know, there could be another boss.

Thankfully, no such threat is revealed. Instead, I am met with the same internals of the initial tower- minus the sand. With the entrance having been closed, no sand was able to enter.

Walking in deeper, I’m immediately met with stairs leading downwards. Still wary, I descend down the steps. After a good minute of descent, I see light. Slowing down now, I continue down until I’m met with a lit circular room. In the center of the room is a pedestal. On top of the pedestal is a vibrant glowing crystal ball.

Alright. This is either a trap or the end of the dungeon. Hopefully the latter.

I walk up to the crystal ball and examine it for something. What that something is, I’ve no idea.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I scared? It’s not the first time I’ve almost died…

Then again, death just meant I’d be returned to earth. I don’t exactly have that crutch anymore.

…

…

…

Holy shit I’m afraid of death! How long has it been since I’ve felt this way? Fifteen? Sixteen summons ago?

Shaking my head, I growl at my hesitancy.

It doesn’t matter. Fear is just an emotion- useful one that it is. And emotions are things that I’ve already overcome.

Without hesitation, I place my gauntleted arm on the orb. The orb shatters upon touch to reveal a metallic card. On the card, I see a detailed image of a decorated chariot being pulled by scorpions across a vast desert.

Odd.

I reach down to grab the card. The moment my hand makes contact, the card disintegrates.

Through Perception, you have found this tower.

Through Endurance, you have traversed the sands.

Through Control, you have overcome the heat.

Test of the Chariot completed. Notifying the World System…

Chariot completion identified…

Activating blessing interface…

Restricting Blood Flow to brain…

Goddammit, not again!

A second after my thought, everything goes dark.

_______________________________________________________

When my eyes open, I’m met with the room of endless white. Everything is the same, except for a singular difference. In the sky, the card I’d touched is floating haphazardly next to my ship.

“Well, that’s new.” I say aloud.

“It is indeed.” A voice replies.

I turn around quickly. When I do, I’m met with a being of constantly shifting forms. Horns, tentacles, eyes, tails, skeletons. The more I stare, the more the form is in constant change. Accessing my soul, I attempt to divulge what this being is, but I’m met with absolutely nothing.

“You’re a greater god of Chaos.” I say.

The being claps vines. “A perfect deduction!” The being exclaims happily. “Mind explaining how you figured that out?”

I frown. “Considering you’re asking means you haven’t read my mind. Which I appreciate. As for how I figured it out, well, I’ve learned to sense the souls of the divine. The only exceptions are the souls of greater gods. Greater gods are capable of hiding their souls completely, like you are doing now. As for the chaos part- your form kinda gives it away. Constantly shifting how you are perceived is chaotic.”

The being twists its three necks. “Impressive and new. I am most pleased with such an experience.”

I nod. “I imagine so. You’re old, so novel experiences are pleasant.”

The entity chuckles bubbles. “Oh, how I wish to learn of you, but that would go against my own rules. Better to watch and enjoy.”

“Riiight. So who are you and why are you here?” I point at the Chariot card. “I’m guessing it has something to do with that?”

The entity shimmers crystally. “I am Pandora, the master of this world and proprietor of the god games. As for your deduction, yes. I am here because you have passed the Chariot test. I have taken it upon myself to congratulate every champion that has passed their first tower.”

“Just to congratulate?” I ask.

“Correct.” He giggles out. “Congratulations on being the second person to complete a tower.”

Before I can even reply, Pandora disappears.

“What?” I exclaim, confused.

I look around, searching where he might have gone, only to find nothing.

Just then, a portal opens. An eye floats through. This one looks exactly like green and red, except its eye is blue.

Blue blinks at me. “Entity Quasi Eludo, you have obtained the Chariot card. Please choose one of the following blessings:”

Blessing of the Chariot.

Chariots Perception.+5% Perception[Binocular Vision]Gain the ability to magnify vision up to eight times.Chariots Endurance.+5% Endurance[Minor Stamina Regeneration]Increase stamina regeneration by 100%Chariots Control.+5% Control[Minor Heat Resistance]Reduce effects of heat by 50%

“I get to choose?” I ask

“Correct.”

“Only one?”

“Correct.”

Huh. That's nice. Now then, let's see what I have.

Going through the three options, I can't help but find the choices to be a bit difficult. Chariot's perception would give me built in binoculars. Though, it may not be as useful considering Fenrimorph vision is already good. Also, don’t I have a bird transformation already now?

Chariot's stamina on the other hand is somewhat useful. It would allow me to recover from exhaustion, or at the very least, slow down the speed at which I get exhausted. Then again, it was only when I was starving and fighting a giant scorpion that stamina became a problem. In most instances, I doubt it would be useful.

Chariot control is a bit of a confusing one. What does it mean to reduce the effects of heat? Is it all heat? External? Internal? Am I less prone to getting set on fire?

“Are you able to explain [Minor Heat Resistance]?”

“Negative.” Blue answers.

Figures. Stupid eyes are never helpful.

“Can I choose the blessing later?”

“Negative.”

Damn. Alright. So, three options, and none are that useful as of the moment. Well, maybe [Minor Heat Resistance], but I’ve no idea how that works. Well, that's not true. It most definitely would protect me from the desert. Still, my problem with the desert was food, not actually the heat. Or was it? I don’t remember ever feeling thirsty, which is usually the first problem in a desert. Instead, I had a gnawing hunger.

The only other option is the percentile bonuses. 5% isn’t very much unless we take endurance into account. It’s the only one that would give me significant trait improvements. Perception would give me a single trait improvement, while control would give me nothing.

If traits are the deciding factor, then endurance. If not, then control could be the most beneficial if it provides me protection from heat.

“Blue, these choices are difficult.”

Blue blinks silently.

I sigh.

“If my life actually wasn’t on the line, I’d go for control, but it unfortunately is. So, Blue, I choose the blessing of Chariots Endur-.” I pause at my answer. It’s the smart and logical choice. It will help me not get tired as fast, and it will give me the highest attribute benefit. Control only has the [Minor Heat Resistance]- a skill that I’m not sure how it works. And perception isn’t useful unless I’m fighting from a considerable distance.

“You know what, fuck it. Give me Chariots Control. Logic be damned. I’m listening to my gut.”

“Choice: Chariots Control, accepted.”

Adding Title: Chariots Control…

Title Added successfully.

Title Name

Chariots Control

Title Rank

Tower

Title Effect

+5% Control trait

[Minor Heat Resistance]

“Blessing application completed.” Blue blinks rapidly. “Activating Reset Protocol.”

Reset Protocol Activated…

Teleporting Entity Quasi Eludo to entrance…

Teleport Successful…

Test of Chariot will reset once entity Quasi Eludo leaves the premises.

__________________________________________________

I wake up to the smell of sand, blood, and the sight of a metal ceiling.

Jumping up quickly, I raise my fists defensively. Glancing around, my eyes fall on my first kill. The first scorpion that I killed in the first tower is exactly where I left it. I have been teleported back to the entrance. Which means the exit is just below. Once I leave, it sounds like the test will be completely reset.

I wonder if I can take the test again? Could I get more of the cards and blessings?

I shrug at the thought.

I can test that out later. It’s been three days since I entered. Hopefully Valentine is a man of his word.

I take a step towards the stairs, and then pause as an idea enters my mind.

______________________________________________________

Towers-keeper is a cored ship made to transport large amounts of people over long distances. The ship is modified with expanded living quarters and expanded storage. This allows the vessel to comfortably carry over a hundred pilgrims. And by comforts, that includes dedicated showers, areas of worship, and most importantly: A library. It is in this library where James is leaning over stacks and stacks of books. His eyes dart rapidly from page to page, desperately searching- only to find nothing. He closes the book and then leans back.

“Nothing.” He exclaims. “This is infuriating!”

“[Bishop], maybe a break is in order? You’ve been at this since first light,” Samantha says.

James sighs. “No. There must be something. Valentine said it's all for a game, and that he’s not a player. He chose those words specifically. There must be scripture explaining the meaning of those words.”

The [Paladin] tilts her head to the side. Her gaze passes a large stack of books that James finished reading. “Maybe Valentine's words are his interpretation.”

James quickly shakes his head, eyes still glued to his current reading. “I thought of that possibility, but the crew of the Timbergrove refused to expand on it when I asked. They could have easily said they don’t know, but instead are being secretive.”

“We could pressure the-.”

“No.” James interrupts immediately. “I will not subject myself to such disrespectful actions. They are allies, and I will treat them with the respect they deserve- ahah!” James grins. His hand falls upon a line. “It is believed that in time, before a great peril manifests, a Messiah will arrive and commune with the divine ears so as to guide those most loyal to salvation! This Apostle of the great one, in love and respect for the great divine, will refuse worship for they worship through their actions and not their words. They will instead encourage the worship of the divine.” James reads aloud.

Samantha frowns. “You think Quasi could be this Messiah? Seems unlikely since that Buxon was able to enter the tower too.”

James slowly nods. But a grin is still somewhat plastered on his face. “Maybe. Clearly, the Buxon died in the attempt to commune. If Quasi succeeds and convinces Valentine to leave peacefully, then the possibility is there.”

Before Samantha can comment, the door to the library opens rapidly to reveal a sweating [Priest]. “Apologies [Bishop], but something has changed. The tower is different.”

James immediately stands up. “Show me.”

Running from the ship to the towers entrance takes several minutes, but James eventually arrives. Already, a large swarm of people are huddling near the entrance.

At his arrival, they quickly make a path for him.

He rushes right outside the entrance. Then he notices the difference. Previously, you could see sand on the floor on the tower's entrance. But now, the sand is gone.

“Has anyone exited the tower?” He asks those congregated. All shake their heads.

He grimaces. “Continue the watch. I must check something. Samantha, follow me.”

James rushes away from the tower. His stride leads him to a large tent. Without announcing himself, he rushes inside to find all of Timbergroves crew at the table. His eyes quickly train on Irmgard. Then he relaxes at the sight of her job.

“Is something the matter?” Irmgard asks

He releases a breath he’d not realized he was holding. “Yes, the tower’s entrance no longer has sand. Has your [Captain] returned?”

“No.” Irmgard shakes her head. “But such a change is good if my job has not changed.”

“It has not,” James says.

“Then it seems something important has happened that hasn’t ended with his death.” Irmgard explains.

“I… yes.” James pauses, unsure what else to say.

“Have you seen anyone exit the tower?” Myers asks. “Maybe a cat?”

James frowns. “There are people praying all the time. I’m sure they would have noticed a cat leaving.”

“Comrade fluffy is very sneaky. Maybe he sneak out when you close eyes to pray, yes?”

Cillian snorts. “Sounds like something he would do.”

James shakes his head. “Mass prayer covers the entire entrance. Sneaking past all of us, even as a cat, is impossible.”

“Um,” Clay raises his hand. “What if Fluffy turned into a bird?”

All eyes turn to Clay.

“Why do you think he would turn into a bird?” James asks the child.

Clay points a finger to the top of the tent.

Eyes follow his finger.

Up top, on one of the supporting poles is a small, raven-like bird with a large singular eyeball. The bird stares down at all those present.

Then, immediately, the bird flutters down, landing in the middle of the table.

A puff of smoke later, and the bird turns into a cat. The cat looks at them all.

“I’ve been perched up there for a good half hour, and the only one who noticed me is a child… you all suck.”