Scheming

Silence enveloped the table. How could someone even talk after the display of deceit and power at the same time? They were fearful yet also relieved that they were planning to be together for the games.

Era spoke up, “I apologise, Lady Falsity.”

She brushes it off. “You caused more harm to my representatives than anything. I want you to get your last person and apologise to them for what you stirred, then you will be forgiven.”

Isolating that ability for ourselves is the best course of action. There will be watchers, I assume, but I will warn them about that.

“Understood.” She had no choice but to accept, no matter how suspicious it was, disrespecting an alliance.

“Everything is in order then; let's combine our forces. Considering that I wiped out a purity member as well, their forces are reduced to sixteen.”

Silas chimes in, “So a ten versus sixteen basically. We should get the support of the others if we can.”

Koraxa nods before standing to get up and ask around. He seemed eager to prove himself not to be deadweight in this situation.

Can that pile of rocks even manage to get anyone on our team? It's better than having me, so I won't complain about his choice.

Flasity then went silent, looking up at the top of the stairs, her gaze fixated on the person about to approach.

The mechanical grey entity that called out the first event returned, standing on top of the staircase, his formal attire well-suited, while his servants surrounded the overlook. Everyone started to look up, trying to get as much information as possible from the announcement.

His tone robotic, he spoke loudly, “We went from four hundred to fifty-two representatives, the fastest god games ever to be made. Eclipseion seemed to be quite a troublesome event.”

Falsity studied the entities around the speaker; they were motionless. Clearly controlled by something or someone.

The management team has grown in power, it seems, ever since I left. Each of those must be capable of wiping us out – us by the lower-tier gods, of course; I wouldn't lose.

“We will be realigning members differently due to this reason. Studying from above, the management team decided that since you are all allied at this stage, they will immediately put the teams together upon each other.”

saves them the walking at least, but the shock factor will still be rather amusing to watch once it happens. Maybe I won't tell them about the event. No… That's too cruel, and I do need them to steal that weakness by applying power.

She sees Koraxa returning; his rocky face, despite not being able to portray emotions well, was clearly not happy; his socialisation plan seemed to have failed.

He takes a seat back down next to Era, who just lets out a sigh like she expected this.

“Seems we can skip the meeting plan; they aren't even trying to hide anything.”

Silas chuckles, “This season is certainly different. I'm assuming your return has management wanting to get rid of your team eagerly and fast for a reason.”

“They can try; however, they can't intervene with any deity or the actual game itself, other than the events which have to be fair for all,” she let out a smirk towards the speaker, who met her gaze unexpectedly.

So it really is like that, huh? You even dare watch from there?

Anger fills her insides. The idea of them trying to pivot the games against her was an annoyance nonetheless, especially since all the strong members were now banded against her and didn't need to travel thousands of steps to see each other. This day would last a short time.

Short of the battle that will cut it loose, it would be in the best interest of making us closer to engage us more. Time is running out.

Falsity speaks up to her group, “We need to act fast. We're going to be severely overpowered if those purity members get to us first.”

“What do you suggest?” Koraxa spoke.

She then taps the table gently. “Let's change the rules; how about we ourselves get involved? Wouldn't that be interesting?”

They all widen their eyes in shock.

Era spoke up with a tired, “The purity division would instantly wipe us; they would win automatically if you suggest that.”

“Falsity, I know you are strong, but I have doubts about you getting rid of four members,” Silas disagreed.

Falsity sees the two debating; each had their point, but they weren't considering all their options.

“I'm planning to use that to our advantage. Justice wouldn't wipe us out, considering she is the most powerful. It would go against her ideals. The rest of them I would most likely win.”

Her voice caused a silence to emerge before Koraxa spoke up.

“What about the extra group? They must have more deities than us.”

“That's the plan; they will be wiped momentarily anyway. Having their deities as fuel to my blooming fire is the plan.”

Silas sighs, “The blooming fire is that person on your team you didn't close. Are you really planning to make her go against literal deities?”

“That's the difference between our games; I poured everything into this one fire, so I'm expecting it to consume forests.”

Era nods, “If you are that confident, then there must be something of a reason for this. I am fine getting involved with my team member; we built quite a bond with science.”

Koraxa doesn't say anything. His indifference to the situation complements the stone body of his truth.

“Lady Falsity, may we step out for a moment?” Silas stood up, moving towards the round centre tables of the lobby.

He's about to question my loyalty or something; I can’t wait.

Stepping towards the round tables, she looks firmly at him. “What is it?”

“Lady Falsity, are you planning to create a deity?” There was a slight worry in his voice.

She chuckles softly, “A deity? That is one way of putting it. She will be a mortal with powers of a deity if it works out.”

Silence fell upon them; there was nothing Silas could say to counteract this before their glances went onto the overlook.

Robotic entities on the overlook start to disperse; none even dared to look at anything other than the exit. They all moved in a line, perfectly synced on both sides, while the announcer joined soon after.

The third day begins.