Goro had been training for several hours. He locked himself in the training room and did stop exercising even for a moment. For many years his father had been preparing him for this fight - Delaunay, as one of the three ancient families, had knowledge of the divine game, which they hid from the rest of the world. They were also well prepared, thanks to the observation of the situation and the experience of their ancestors.

  He trained with the raccoon, who was now turned into a weapon; it was a silver kusarigama with a chain that could be freely extended, with a large sickle at the beginning of the handle, and a small spiked ball at the end of the chain. Logs were hung from the ceiling and used for training. The black-haired man grabbed the handle, positioned himself properly, then jumped out and started striking and cutting them with a sickle, then with a hook, to lengthen the chain with a spike and hit again.

  He looked at the fruit of his work - pieces of wood were lying on the ground cut or torn apart. He sighed.

  “It could have gone better” he commented and closed his eyes. Prash then turned into his animal form.

  “You did well, master.” “Well?” He smiled. “Well is not acceptable in this game. It must go perfectly.”

  “Goro.” An adult voice called. The black-haired man turned around.

  “Ah, greetings, father” he said, still with a smile

  “Come with me.” Goro, like Prash, followed Walwan to his room. Inside, there was a large number of candles lit, and a few people standing attentively by the wall. Goro looked at them and closed the huge door.

  “Nice-looking guests.” He laughed. Walwan sat down on his chair.

  “Goro, you said that the deity came to you yesterday. I did not think that our desires could be noticed by him. I am very satisfied. Since the search for him is over, it is time for the more important issues.” The man waved his hand, then one of the people by the wall approached Goro, bowed down to him and gave him a scroll. There was a number eight on it. Goro opened it, and the scroll immediately shone with a white light and then disappeared. The black-haired man was confused, but then he saw the number on the inside of his hand, surrounded by various symbols.

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  “A seal?” he asked, obviously irritated. “I could’ve gotten it myself!”

  “Goro!” His father growled. “I understand that you want to fight, which I respect, but don't let yourself be bothered by it. If we want to win, we must prepare ourselves properly, just as Vinte did. I promise you, you will still have a chance to fight.”

  “Well, fine! So what should I do next?”

  “You and the men I assigned to you will go to our military base tomorrow. Spies have started looking for traces of other participants of the game in the cities, and when you make sure it's the right time to attack one of them, you will.”

  “So I have to sit back and wait until someone graciously brings me information?” he asked, again upset.

  “Do you think it's better to go blindly? You are not a magician, so it will be difficult for you to target your opponents properly. As long as you have a seal, you have the right to get into the final fight, don't forget about it. And even if you have to wait until the end to kill any of them, you will do it because you have a duty to do so.”

  “I understand, father” he said with his mean smile. “I will not let you down.”

  “Alright. Now go, continue training. You have to be in the best possible shape!” He ordered harshly. Goro took Prash and left the room.

  “Master...” The raccoon started.

  “What?”

  “Is it fine just making your father’s dreams come true? Don't you have any?”

  “Oh, Prash, Prash...” He smiled darkly and looked at the raccoon. “Of course I do, but I don't need any gods to fulfill them. I'll take care of it after winning.”

  “If you don't mind my asking... What's your dream?” “Revenge. And I think you'll help me with it when the time comes.” He answered with an even more terrifying smile. Prash lowered his head down. “Come on, we still have some work to do before we leave. Unfortunately, you have to wait for the real fight, you heard my father, I hope it doesn't bother you.”

  “O-Of course not, master” he answered.