Plan

The goddess tapped onto the ground, her heel thudding down onto the dirt, putting a spot down. She put her hands underneath her moderate chest, taking in the conditions of her representatives.

“I made sure to make your time easier by making allies from today onwards.” The small smile which emerged now – she was proud of the fact that their chances of winning were just getting better.

Shina, without uttering a word, got down on her knees in thanks for her blessing. Hiwo, seeing that it was better to do the same, followed her soon after, and then Ayuri. Toki, like usual, didn't budge at all; however, she seemed to respect that she did something.

“Today's event is going to reformat the games; you will be transported to a new location with your new team. That is the only thing occurring.”

Hiwo gave a confused expression; he clearly wasn't buying the simplicity and kindness from the game they're in.

“There has to be something more?” he pleaded.

She let out a sigh before continuing, “That is it; it will put you all within forest distance of groups again; however, they will also be combined with more than one team. We're actually on the lower end when it comes to composition."

A strategic disadvantage,

“What do you suggest we do, goddess?” he asked.

Falsity moved closer towards Shina; her gaze looked down on her kneaded self, still refusing to get up. There was satisfaction with the scenario and towards her.

“There was some trouble on my end. There will be a representative coming to apologise. They can make any weakness come to life, even if it doesn't exist; it just needs a logical reason.”

Flasity lowers her head, and she puts her hand out, grabbing Shina’s chin.

“You devoted will absorb that ability and then go after a team member with the ability of flight. Then you will sprout like the seed you are and consume whatever you can and surpass all the representatives.”

Shina nodded, her eyes zooming in and out at the amount of trust and responsibility her goddess gave her. It was a dream come true.

She then turned to Hiwo, leaving her hand off of Shina's chin. “You will block out any onlookers. I'm expecting them to place some when the time is right. Our relationship isn't deep in any way.

Hiwo nodded before she continued.

“If there is a reason you can't make it, however devoted, you should still take the power; its price is too great.”

Falsity walks around in circles studying everyone's expression. Other than Shina, they seemed conflicted with the idea of already betraying their alliance before it began.

“What's the issue with our allies staying alive? They will use that power to help us,” Toki, with a bit of anger, asked, his fists clenched.

Falsity smirked, “You know the answer to that; you all must win, not them or anyone else.”

He let out a scoff at her words. Toki and Ayuri both knew this would endanger them, especially towards the end, when only they are left. Hiwo also saw that Shina having this power would make them powerless against her.

Falsity took the silence as the conversation being done; she got prepared to wave her hand. “Midday is when it begins.”

Her hand waved, and she vanished into thin air; the aura from her body was dissipated, and the smoke of the campfire stopped.

Hiwo was first to speak: “I don't think we should take their power; it's already a betrayal to even consider it.”

Shina can’t have that power for whatever reason; she would not only become powerful, but with the flight ability, she would rampage herself and us into death.

They all tapped their legs restlessly. Ayuri instantly tries to defuse the thick atmosphere.

“I have a power as well that isn’t a part of our team if we cause two members to disappear. I don't think anyone would even want to be our allies, even if it's forced.”

Toki nodded. “We can deal with them later. Shina having that ability would only benefit her, while we can all make use of it in their hands.”

“The goddess told us to take it, so we take it. Adding to my skills is only beneficial to us.”

Shina was getting displeased with their denial of her orders; her eyes were flaring ever so slightly at their suggestions and dismissals.

This is the best time to put my plan in motion.

Hiwo cleared his throat before speaking in his usual voice, “Let's discuss this later; we're pretty heated with all that news.”

They all looked down before agreeing.

“I think Hiwos is right!” Ayuri said energetically, also wanting to stop the endless back and forth that could ensue.

Shina and Toki took a look at each other, a hint of annoyance at each other, but they still nodded for their sake.

The campsite was silent at their agreement.

Hiwo walks over lazily to his tent before waving a hand towards Toki to come in. He soon follows, and the girls go back to their usual activities. The tent itself was then locked from the inside.

They both sat down looking towards each other; their uniforms were still dirty, but that wasn't a concern yet. Hiwo, calling him towards the tent means that they usually have something to discuss in private.

“Let me begin. I need your spear as protection from Shina. I plan to go out and talk with her,” he quickly gave his list of demands before rubbing the back of his head.

Toki, looking over, could see there was some stress; his forehead was still rather humid and only increased, and his hands rubbed like they were trying to comfort themselves.

His face stayed straight as his hands dropped to his side. “I can do that. Are you planning to take care of the issue we discussed?”

“Her power – it's definitely something we need to discuss. The spear is reassurance, knowing that I could perhaps hit a couple nerves.”

Toki smiled. “That definitely sounds possible, especially with someone like her. Just make sure not to hit too many.”

Hiwo pushed himself up with a chuckle, escaping his lips, “Will do.”

He opens the tent from the inside, the sun coming back towards his face, and he steps out, looking at Ayuri and Shina near their tent, testing out random tricks with Ayuri’s new threads.

They managed to make a thread dance around endlessly; it was an interesting sight if anything. He walked up to them before taking a look at Shina and reaching his hand towards her, offering himself.

“Let's go on a date together, Shina.” There was slight sarcasm in his words as he brought that up.