A game between Gods

“Was it really that obvious?”

(I mean, it is classic Isekai logic that the heavenly voice you hear after dying belongs to a goddess. Dealing with your counterpart, amulets that drive off nightmares, the goddess of dreams Sonala. The people here think and speak very highly of you, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.)

“Yeah yeah, I get it. I wanted to be a little more mysterious and make the great reveal myself.” I can’t see her face but is clear she’s pouting. “But still, I’m pleasantly surprised. You managed to reach the Resting Guild far quicker than I had anticipated. I thought it would take you at least a week when their next potential exam would be happening.”

(Well, I got pretty lucky to be found by guild members right after almost dying to a giant wolf monster.)

“Okay, you sound a little mad. I will admit that was my bad. I didn’t expect to have such a powerful subject of Umbravar in there. I just wanted to give you a human body so you wouldn’t get freaked out!”

The faceless light figure has no eyes, but I can tell she’s looking away as if to avoid our gazes from meeting.

(Alright, is in the past now. I’m not officially in their ranks but I’m here. Can you tell me more about Umbravar now? What’s the next step?)

“It should be fine to tell you more now. The guild Headquarter is one of the places I have more influence. And besides, before I understood what was happening it was too risky, but now? That stupid geezer!! I knew he interfered again!!”

(What do you mean again? I thought he only interfered twice?)

“So did I. But apparently that wasn’t really the case. Oh I’m so mad right now!!!”

Sonala sounds beyond mad. I can see the figure do what looks like a stomping tantrum.

(How are you so sure he interfered?)

“Because of you of course. We gods have vey limited way of knowing what is really happening down there. Just in the capital alone there’s thousands of people, thousands of voices. That’s why I borrowed your eyes and ears to limit how much I can see and hear.”

(That sounds like invasion of privacy.)

“It’s not invasion of privacy. Is just… well. Just think of it like having a guarding goddess on your shoulder!”

I can imagine her looking away again… If I keep this argument going, we’re never going to get anywhere.

(How do you know he did it?)

“At the end of the day, gods are very selfish beings. They only want what aligns with their own ideals and hate when things are not the way they like. So, when a God meddles into the affairs of a world it usually comes at the cost of making another God angry, more often than not, their counterpart.”

The figure seems to be sitting down

“When one of us makes a move, we must wait until the other one goes so we can move again. Classic game rules. There’s a limit to how much we can do each turn, but usually the one that goes after gets more power to do as he pleases. It’s an ever-scaling game where every turn you get more powerful.”

It looks like she’s playing invisible chess. Moving the pieces around but there is nothing there.

“However, if you “cheat” and make two moves in the same turn you get penalized. Going twice in a row gives you less power to do what you want, and you give more power to the other in their next turn. Thankfully that old geezer has a short temper and couldn’t wait his turn. That was the only way I could give them a fighting chance but it really took a lot out of me to give them these new forms.”

Treating an entire world like a board game. I really am talking to a Goddess.

“But when I saw that the people stopped awakening, I suspected he was up to no good. He played his turn but didn’t warn me! Who knows how long he has been playing!”

She gets up from her invisible chair and starts another stomping tantrum.

“So, I figured there’s only one way to be sure and that was to put another piece in the board. I did it as discreetly as possible so I wouldn’t alert him. If I make another big move, it would be like going twice and the power he would receive in his next turn would destroy this world.”

(That would certainly be problematic, but what do I do know?)

“Right now, grow stronger so you can put to rest slumberwalkers by yourself. After that make sure you participate in the prayer to sends their bodies to me.”

(The one where they turn into those balls of light.)

“Exactly. Since I am borrowing your senses, I can analyze them better and understand why the awakenings stopped and the reason their numbers have been growing lately.”

Sonala light figure starts to dissipate. The many light balls going out one by one.

“Looks like our time is up. Focus on the exam and on your training. We will talk again after you complete your first mission.”

When the last light vanishes completely, I wake up.

The rising sun shines down through the window and the sound of the morning birds can be heard.”

I get up and take some time to think about what just happened.

I’m going to have to face those monsters again if I want to complete my end of the deal.

I stare out the window for a little longer while I put my thoughts in order before heading to the cafeteria.

I can see Gora; she’s wearing more casual clothes than before. I join her and we eat together.

“So, care to accompany me to the library today?”

“I would love to go with you to anywhere but the library. But I can’t. I’m going to be away for a while.”

“Oh, you also leaving on a sighting?”

“Yup, Lumi and Ruina are already heading there. I gotta make sure to arrive at least at the same time as them.”

We finish eating and get up to say goodbye properly.

She gives me a firm handshake.

“We’ll make sure to finish fast so we can make it back to your exam, ok?” She looks a little embarrassed and she looks at me.

“Thank you for everything Gora. Say hi to Lumiere and Ruina for me.

“You bet!” She looks at something behind. “Look on the bright side, I may be leaving but at the very least you won’t be alone.”

“What do you mea…”

“Good morning my dear comrades!!”

As I turn around Salazar is already right behind me. I turn back around to ask Gora for help, but she had already left.

“Akihiko! Thank you so much for wishing me a nice bath yesterday! I know for a fact that I was able to relax more efficiently thanks to you! Did you remember to stretch before bed?”

It takes me a good time to finally make him stop talking but eventually I manage to evade him and head to the library.

This early in the morning is pretty empty. Guess they prefer to train outside while is still bright out.

There are so many books here that it is overwhelming. I have no clue where to start.

But I then hear a cart being pushed around and what looks like humming. From one of the bookshelves, I see the same tall lady from yesterday. I can take a better look now.

She’s tall and the white clothes she wears makes a contrast with her brow skin color. She has bovine ears and horns.

“My, I’m so sorry! I thought I was alone. Usually in the morning there’s no one here and I take the time to put the books away”

“No problem at all. Are you also a guild member? I’m Akihiko by the way.”

“I’m Helga, I’m the librarian of the Headquarters.”

“That’s perfect then! I got here a little earlier than the other candidates and was given permission to use the library before the exam. Could you maybe give me some help about where I should start.”

“Ah, so you are the one Mr. Tom told us about! The one with special circumstances. He said to help you. So, what do you need?”

“Everything from the very beginning would be nice. From history to blessing and protections.”

“Of course. Here, I’ll get everything for you. And since is only us two would you care for some tea to complement your reading?”

“I won’t say no to that. Thank you so much.”

Helga helps me out by giving me a series of books about the history of the continent, blessings, protections and even some of her recommendations.

“Here you go. If you need anything else I’m always here.”

And so, the week goes by. I spend the majority of my time reading and drinking tea with Helga.

She helps me understand a lot of what I don’t get at first, especially about history.

Normally I would be bored out of my mind after reading so much but when the subjects I’m trying to learn are almost identical to a fantasy novel I even had to be reminded to take a break to eat or go for a walk.

I also do my best to avoid that Salazar guy.

Eventually the day arrives and as I get up from by bed and look outside my window, I can see multiple carriages arriving.

It is finally here.

The potential exam.