Balance

With the newfound balance within her, Shina has double the magic she used to have; the idea alone made her one of the most powerful within the games. The journey back to the campsite went from a two-hour flight to a mere hour. The sun wasn’t even towards its peak when she got back from her venture.

I need to eliminate anyone who wants to eliminate me, so I will try to explain and then tell them the powers of the other team. Having me go to another team is more useful now.

She lands near the forest entrance before staring out in the distance, her eyes shimmering with awe as she sees Falsity talking with Ayuri and Toki at the camp. However, there were also other deities present. One with a scientist's coat and the other with mechanical gears swirling around him

They must have summoned all the deities at once. I should go quickly.

She floats over to the camp in a couple of settings, gushing a huge gust of wind towards everyone while settling next to the campfire, their eyes widening at a murderer's return.

The man from earlier summons his gun before shooting. Shina, in response, dodges to the side effortlessly, the ease of her dodge sending a warning sign towards him that something has changed.

“I have the power of a deity now; don't try to fight, or I will kill you.” There was a hint of power in her voice; she wasn’t planning to just let anything slide.

Falsity let out a smirk before approaching her. “My devotion seemed to double her power. That's impressive.”

Shina instantly kneels in front of her. “Thank you, Lady Falsity.”

“We joined the games as well; deities and mortals are now dancing at the same point.” She looks down at her, still revelling in the power she got.

Toki and Ayuri approach the pair, talking, their gaze filled with anger towards her.

“We know what happened, all of it,” Toki stated. There was resignation, but also the unbearable fact that he had to agree to conditions before meeting her.

Shina takes a glance towards him before turning to Falsity. She knowingly nods.

She told them about Hiwo. It also seems she made some sort of deal with them to avoid trying to kill me. I can't sense Toki’s thoughts at all; his immunity even prevents a god's power, it seems, and Ayuri seems to be completely neutral. There has to be some sort of contract at play here.

She stood up before looking towards them. “I'm choosing to finish this path. I know Hiwo won’t regret his choice; that much I can promise.”

Toki raises his brows, surprised at her sudden words, his stance loosening just a bit at her promising words. Ayuri also shifts slightly to a regretful expression.

“I also come here to deliver information.”

Silas nods to his group before they approach, and so does Era’s girl. They all gather around before Shina starts explaining what occurred while she was gone, including her massacre, the abilities they possess and the deities that accompany them.

“Silas, explain to me what you know about them.” Falsity ordered

Under no reason to reject, he begins.

“One is a master at protection, while the other is at cunning mind games. The gel, however, is one of the new deities around, so I don't have any information.”

Falsity scoffed, “So much for your help.”

All the mortals below them were in shock at how casually they spoke to one another; it was weirdly uncomfortable that deities were also capable of normal speech.

Toki clears his throat before speaking out, “Let's wipe them out then; we've got a massive advantage, and the fact that Shina can’t do anything is making them lower their guard.”

This time, Dohoqu, the leader of Sila’s group, agrees with him; they have a massive advantage. His squad also seemed to be fired up, especially after the incident of Shina running away.

Dohoqu gave a grim look towards Shina. “Why did you kill Hatake, even if you needed it? Couldn't you just go by yourself without his power?”

Shina shook her head. “I'm going to another campsite. I plan to fly over there and consume them as well.”

“I don't think it's that simple this time.” Falsity intervening in her plan, Dohoqu backs off, seeing they didn’t care about his request. Silas also seemed rather sceptical.

Shina glances towards her before apologetically lowering herself. “Please, goddess, tell me what I have thought wrong.”

“You did nothing wrong. There is only one other group, the purity division camp, where the strongest are combined. Your powers now might rival a group of four, but there isn't a chance that you could take them all out,” she scoffed before looking back at Toki and Ayuri.

Toki nodded, and so did Ayuri.

"We will go with Shina." A fire within him spoke.

Falsity turning tells Silas and Era, giving a soft smile, “You two can handle that lowly bunch without your queen, Falsity, can't you?”

“Queen is a stretch,” Era chimed in, a bit annoyed.

Silas just nods. “We can, once you're done, come back to the campsite, and we will find a way to settle this between us after.”

“Well, you heard them; we're going to chase down Purity then.” Falsity extends her hand out towards Ayuri, clearly wanting her to hold it.

She grabs it firmly while holding her drum major stick in the other hand. “Just don't fly too fast; I need to be ready to fight as well.”

“I also have a new weapon for you, Nonbeliever.” She raises her hand upwards before a void circle appears on the grass, the pure black colour inside letting none of the sunlight in.

Toki frowned towards her. “So this spear doesn't cut through all magic? What sort of trick is this that would benefit us?”

“Do you want it or not?” A slight sigh escaped her mouth; the earlier bombardment of questions that Toki had assaulted her with left her tired.

He nods before reaching over the void; a new pure black spear emerges, its darkness matching that of her own scythe, and its grip seems to wrap around his arm.

“This one can cut through everything, and on top of that has a similar thread system that you used during the eclipsion.” A hint of pride at her own power escaped her.

"At least you seem to be even watching the one person who doesn't care about you. Why did you decide to only give me this weapon now if you could have done better?” There was a disapproving glare towards Falsity that she couldn't have done this from the start.

Falisty laughed. “Hiwo was more deserving of this weapon; didn't he basically use it more than you? This is just because we're under contract.”

Toki glared towards her; the condescending tone towards him wasn’t something he took lightly, but she was right. Toki was passive this entire time and now forced himself to take place after Hiwo, trying to lead a whole group to what avail?

The contract again seemed to deepen their bond while I was away by quite a substantial amount.

Shina decided to ask, “What is this contract you both speak of? If you may enlighten me, goddess.”

She took a glance towards her, a small smile of innocence playing on her face. “It's just a failsafe; it won't affect your journey to ascension.”

“I won't pry further than”

Falsity nodded. “You are going to ascend; the purity divisions' powers won't affect you. Their very existence is to prevent my corruption after all. All this time, they still fall victim to me.”

She quickly turns over towards Era and the girl in the oversized hoodie.

“I want you two to come with us. I doubt Silas will have any trouble, and we definitely need that reality-defying power.”

Era shook her head. “Why would I risk my own representative for your fight?”

Falsity stepped closer to Era, dragging Ayuri with her, invading her personal space before facing her straight on, her black eyes pouring into her monotone face. Era didn’t move, not even a bit; just from a mere case, she could understand where she was heading towards.

“If we don't defeat purity, I doubt Silas could.” She sends a wink towards Silas, who just sighed out in acceptance.

Era nodded reluctantly. “I will put her in the back lines, nothing more or less.”

Falsity smiles before backing away from her. She looks towards Shina as if she knew what was on her mind.

“I can read your general thoughts, so just think, give a cue.” She tried to fake a smile; it was a pretty good attempt. The girl was clearly stressed out about heading to such a battle.

She nods reluctantly before looking towards Era at her side. “I want to help them.”

“Then let's not waste any more time,” Falsity laughed.