I DIED AND WAS REINCARNATED AS ..... A GOD?

"How confident are you about winning, Sary?" Calyps asked as they headed toward the arena stands. The young goddess, with her usual air of calm and reflection, looked at her companion with genuine curiosity. Both were on their way to watch the confrontation between Kaelen, the moon elf, and Lyra, the naiad.

"Winning? Please, Calyps, it’s not a matter of confidence. It’s a matter of who gets who on their knees first," replied Sary with a confident smile, though her eyes gleamed with competitive fire.

"You shouldn’t underestimate him. Everyone here has their talents, even you," Calyps retorted, knowing that despite her friend’s arrogance, Sary always assessed her opponents.

"Maybe," Sary responded dismissively. "But I’d rather focus on winning, not on their ‘talents.’"

The arena stands were packed. The young gods and their mortal followers from Elysium filled the seats, eagerly watching the battle unfold. In the center of the field, Kaelen and Lyra exchanged swift and precise movements.

Kaelen, the moon elf, was surrounded by a silver aura that seemed to reflect the light of an invisible moon. Wielding twin axes radiating silvery energy, he dodged Lyra’s attacks with the grace of a polar bear on skates.

Lyra, on the other hand, stood still with both hands behind her back, letting her water mastery extend outward. She attacked with arms, spears, and whips of water. Her movements were unpredictable and fluid, as though each strike was a wave aiming to overwhelm her enemy. Her water whip seemed alive, exploding into tentacles that sought to ensnare Kaelen.

"Look at that!" exclaimed Calyps, pointing as Kaelen dodged a series of water whips before counterattacking with a torrent of moonlight. "Kaelen’s got his work cut out for him."

"Yes," Sary said, observing closely. "But Lyra is using too much energy. If Kaelen can hold out, he’s got a good chance to win. He just needs to keep dodging."

The fight continued, with neither willing to yield. The spectacle kept everyone on the edge of their seats. However, neither Sary nor Calyps were interested in staying for the entire match; there were other matters to attend to.

After leaving the stands, the two headed to one of the auxiliary arenas for practice.

"Ready to get your butt kicked?" Sary asked as she took her position.

"Get my butt kicked? Sure, sure... when you learn to think before you act," Calyps replied with a mocking smile.

Both prepared themselves. Calyps channeled her energy, letting a golden aura envelop her. She summoned a dome of wind, and spinning spheres of light surrounded her, forming a radiant shield that made her seem untouchable. In contrast, Sary buried her hands in the ground. When she withdrew them, they were clad in clawed gauntlets made of an unknown metal radiating a corrosive, rust-like energy. A faint light enveloped her body, enhancing her speed as she readied for the fight.

The battle began with Sary darting forward like an arrow, but Calyps reacted quickly, reinforcing her defense with a wind wall that slowed her down. Then, with a swift gesture, Calyps unleashed a burst of light that momentarily blinded Sary.

"Good tactic!" Sary shouted as she twisted in the air, lunging at the shield with a metal-reinforced kick that shattered the wind barrier.

"Thanks," Calyps replied calmly, reinforcing her defenses with a golden flash that blocked the direct impact. "But that’s not enough."

Sary didn’t relent. She shifted tactics, using her enhanced speed to strike from multiple angles. Each blow echoed with metallic sounds, but Calyps held firm, countering with a mix of light rays and wind blades.

A crowd began to gather, intrigued by the friendly sparring match between Calyps and Sary, cheering for their favorite.

After several minutes of exchanges, both stopped, breathing heavily but smiling.

"You’re good, Sary. But you still need control," commented Calyps.

"And you need to be more aggressive," Sary shot back.

Both laughed, knowing their opposing skills made them perfect rivals, but also excellent training partners.

On the planet Altreme, as the mortals of Elysium called it, life continued as usual. The marketplace was bustling with activity, merchants hawking their goods, and children running through the streets. However, the peace was shattered by alarmed cries from the city walls.

"Thraag! Thraag invasion!" a sentinel shouted as a swarm of these beasts emerged from the nearby forest, heading straight for the city.

Elysium’s soldiers took their positions, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. Though they were strong, the Thraag posed a serious threat. Savage creatures with razor-sharp claws and near-instant regeneration, they could decimate an army without proper strategy.

Amid the chaos, a group of soldiers led by a high-ranking Elysium warrior charged into the battlefield. Arrows rained down on the Thraag, but the beasts kept advancing. At the heart of the battle, the Elysium fought valiantly, aware that every decision could mean life or death for their families.

The battle dragged on for hours until Andhr, the Treant, happened upon the scene. Eager to train, he used the Thraag as test subjects, granting the embattled Elysium soldiers a much-needed reprieve.

In a secluded part of the battlefield, Baltra watched from a safe distance as Andhr massacred the Thraag. The demonic energy emanating from Andhr was impossible for Baltra to ignore.

"What are you hiding, Treant?" Baltra murmured, adjusting his gauntlets as he took an observatory position.

Andhr’s unusual interest in Calyps wasn’t something Baltra could overlook. Andhr’s manipulative nature and ability to mask his true self made him dangerous, especially if Calyps remained overly trusting and kind to everyone.

Baltra decided to confront him directly once the surviving Thraag fled.

"Andhr," he said firmly, advancing toward the Treant, who slowly turned his head to regard him with indifference.

"Baltra, what a surprise," Andhr said with a mocking smile. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"I never took you for the type to help the weak, Andhr. I expected you’d let this city die."

"Can’t I do a good deed every now and then? Besides, it’s good training for obedience. Now these ants owe me their lives, and a few loyal subjects wouldn’t hurt," Andhr replied nonchalantly.

"I don’t care what you do. Stay away from Calyps. If you involve her in any of your ‘games,’ I won’t stand idly by while you scheme," Baltra warned.

Andhr laughed, a deep sound that echoed ominously. "Schemes? Games? What are you talking about? I’m just a humble Treant seeking to train."

"Enough lies," Baltra said, pointing his halberd at Andhr. "I’ve been curious to see if my weapon can pierce your defenses. Nothing personal... yet."

The fight was brief but intense. Baltra attacked with precision, seeking to expose Andhr’s true nature, while the Treant limited himself to defending with roots and illusory abilities.

"Why isn’t he attacking? What is he planning?" Baltra thought as his attempts to breach Andhr’s defenses failed.

Then the shadow of Kaltor swept across the field. His mere presence was enough to halt the combat. Baltra stepped back, his gaze fixed on Andhr, who smiled with an air of unspoken victory.

"This isn’t over, Treant," Baltra muttered as he sheathed his halberd, the ominous visage of Kaltor watching from the sky.