As soon as the portal opened back up into the real world I felt sick once again. I didn’t have anything in my stomach to toss up so all that came out was a putrid liquid that left a foul taste in my mouth.

“Next time, can we walk!”

“Your weakness to Time-Space element is pathetic. Even going through a simple portal makes you sick.”

“And whose fault is that!?”

“Yours actually. You think crossing a dimension as a soul didn’t have any consequences? There's a reason that it was a prototype spell and not a full version.”

‘Are you kidding!’

After I finished retching all over the ground. I was yanked up by my hair and shoved forward. We were outside now in the city center with a broken cupid fountain in the center. Large shops made of marble and gold, that were probably once beautiful, now stood in ruins with explosion marks, broken weapons, and corpses littered the circle.

“Come come little hero, I reserved a private room. You would not believe how hard the tickets were to get, even with my connections. Your goddess’s execution is the event of the season after all.”

A pair of Clock Face machine guards had appeared at our sides and grabbed me, forcing me forward while Aeonia brought up the rear. If I wanted to escape then I would need a to do it sometime while she was distracted but if I escape to late then Kyanu gets wiped from existence. I still can’t use magic or skills but when I tried breaking down the table back in the throne room, I found I still had my physical prowess. It appears the cuffs only passively suppressed my skills and magic, but not my physique although that didn’t stop them from being really really strong.

The area we were walking through was a garden outside of a massive arena. Luminous trees and wonderful smelling flowers formed a 5 kilometer ring around the massive structure. Pebble gardens and peaceful reflecting pools were located at intervals in the center of the ring. The fighting here was less pronounced but every now and then you could clearly see burn marks were magic struck or traces of golden blood.

“The cleaning crews did a wonderful job. The festivities are a lot more fun when there isn’t blood and corpses littering the streets.”

My eyes land on the blade of a broken sword a little ways away inside a half burned up bush. If I can get that Then my chances of escape increase.

“Whose fault is it that there were corpse to clean up!? I bet you don’t even care if the Heavens burn down!”

I stopped suddenly and shoved up against the guards as hard as I could. In response they shoved me forward and I over exaggerated and landed myself near enough to the bush to grab the blade and hide it under the remaining folds of my dress. The guards yank me up and force me up to face the goddess.

“You must think yourself a hero. Standing up to the big bad warmonger.”

*SLAP*

“I was sent flying back 10 meters by a slap to the face from the goddess. I landed with a crash inside a stone wall and tasted blood. if it wasn’t for my high VIT stat I probably would have died and even then I nearly blacked out. Stars swirled at the edges of my vision and as I rolled over in a daze. My nose was swollen and I suspect it was broken, luckily most of the damage was . The goddess flew over from where she had been standing and grabbed my fox ears, almost ripping them off, and pulled me face to face with her.

“I grow tired of your sass. Then again maybe knowing that your demise is slowly approaching has numbed you to the fear.”

She tilted her head and laughed like it was some hilarious joke told between friends.

‘Cunt.’

“Grab her. We’re already behind schedule. Wouldn’t want to be late for the execution party.”

She threw me towards the guards and they caught me and forced me to my feet. That last blow really took a toll on me. Everything in my left eye was still spinning and my right eye was swollen shut. I practically couldn’t see out right and even if I could, my balance was screwed up and I ended up stumbling over every little piece of rubble in the way.

‘Ow, I guess getting bitch slapped by a goddess hurts more that expected.’

“One day, It will be known that Aeonia, the ancient goddess of time and space, was the one responsible for making the hard decisions. And they will thank me for it. Now come on then. Get moving.”

‘Someday, you're gonna die screaming!’

_______________________

“Welcome to the Grand Arena miss. I take it you are here to watch the execution tonight?”

An winged steward in an ugly striped uniform zipped over to Aeonia’s side and asked. He, or rather they, had a bronze mask over their face concealing their gender and identity. The servant flapped its wings and looked at me being manhandled by the guards.

“Ah and do we have a possible fodder tribute for the Aena?”

“Not this time I’m afraid. And yes I am here to watch the event. Room reservation #100001A.”

“Ah, a premium customer. Well then right this way. Please make sure your guards do not spill any of that mortal’s blood on the carpet. We just had a cleaning done in preparation for today.”

‘When I break out of here! I swear to every horrible deity out there that I’ll do more than just spill blood on your carpet!’

We were guided down a long corridor past registration counters and ticket purchase booths to a speed rail track. Like the difference between a subway and teleportation which could be compared to a private jet.

“Why are we taking this thing?”

The creepy masked winged servant turned to look at me like I said something stupid.

‘What? Stop looking at me creepy bitch!’

“Council mandate #951423DD required all government buildings to replace and upgrade security systems to prevent teleportation in case of an attack. A high class citizen was kind enough to create those countermeasures and security systems for us. That and the Grand Arena is so massive in size it would take an average lesser god more than a week to walk the entire circumference”

‘...let me guess. Who is the most knowledgeable person on time and space that they would have the ability to create a security system to prevent the use of teleportation…’

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aeonia grinned and confirmed my thoughts. No wonder she had such an easy time taking over. She owned the security for all the council buildings from the get go. 25 years of preparation indeed. There likely isn’t a thing she hasn’t thought of. Lets just hope whatever plans she had for the new generation still work.

We got on the next in-bound train. It was a car built for luxury. Red carpet, golden handrails, and a cooler full of fancy drinks and crystal wine glasses. Pearls dotted the seats and an overhead monitor showed a fight currently happening in the arena. The guards were sent to the car next to us and I was plopped down in a blue plush seat next to Aeonia.

Aeonia sat down and poured herself a glass of some kind of fruit spirits. The smell of pomegranate and alcohol wafted into the cabin.

“Ah, where are my manners. You're about to die and yet here I am drinking alone. Please have some. Think of it as a last meal of sorts.”

The bottle floated over and poured some inside a glass on my side of the cabin. My vision was still a little blurry but I was able to grasp the cup, but what concerned me was that the edges of my vision had been progressively been getting darker.

I took a sip and a strong tangy but sweet taste permeates my mouth.

“Good isn’t it. 20k pure souls a glass. That's more than a lesser god earns in a century mind you. But for your last meal I suppose its alright.”

“Stop it with the “My death comments”! I have no intention of dying!”

She looked at me sadly and took another sip of her wine.

“I’m afraid you must though, just like how your goddess must die. The universe must be set back to its original state. I do this not out of spite but out of preservation, and you and your goddess would no doubt do the same in my position.”

“Then change it! You're the goddess of time. Just go back in time and fix things.”

“If I could go back in time and stop the rise of the Hercules program and spare my daughter the pain I would. But there are some things that even I have no control of or cannot see. Things I cannot do or change. But what I do know is that executing that dark goddess and taking that cursed weapon away from you will set things back on their original path.”

“Of course it will…”

I honestly don’t know if it’s just this family of gods messing with my fortune anymore. To have the only option to set the universe right be cut apart my soul and death to my mentor...really feels like some even higher power hates me.

After that revelation the conversation died down after Aeonia offered me another glass to which I refused. My sight was still growing dimmer and I was really getting worried. If I end up blind it's going to make getting out even harder.

The train arrived at our destination a few minutes later and we disembarked. Our stop consisted of a long hallway paved in blue crystal tiles with plain brown wooden doors lining the sides. Emerald and Sapphire chandeliers hung over our head casting an aquamarine glow as we made our way down the hall.

“Let see…#100001A...A...B…Ah, here we go. #100001A”

Aeonia stopped in front of the door and a screen materialized in front of her.

“Welcome, this room is already in use. Please select another or simply place your reservation tickets on the green bar in front of you..”

She waved her hand and a space rift opened up, just like when I use my spatial storage. She withdrew 2 tickets and placed them on the green bar.

“Reservation confirmed. Welcome Ms. Aeonia. Please enjoy your stay at the Grand Arena.”

The door clicked open and we were greeted by another winged servant. Thankfully they were not dressed in ugly stripes and not wearing a mask. She was wearing a black and white butler uniform and bowed upon seeing our arrival.

““““Welcome back Milady!””””

Behind her a row of winged servants dressed as maids lined cream colored and wood paneled walls. The smell of alcohol and food was in the air and laughter could be heard from a nearby open doorway.

“How was your trip Milady?”

“Slow. Make a note. Next time I develop security systems I must make sure to add a function for permissible teleportation.”

“At once mum. Your guests have arrived and are being entertained in viewing room #3 as per your instructions. All conditions have been set to their maximum comfort.”

“Good. Bring more refreshments and make sure they are comfortable. I do not need to stress the importance of today's visitors. How long until the final event?”

‘Sounds like some VIPs are in town. Wonder who she invited?’

“I believe they will be starting after the results of this match mum.”

As we walked through the rows of maids, none of them stopped bowing or even twitched as I was half dragged along. Of course I made sure to spill as much blood on the carpet as possible.

‘Fuckers.’

We entered a room full of people lounging in sun chairs by an indoor pool. One of the walls was entirely made of glass and showed a view of the arena. Reynolds came up to us wearing beach clothes a white fedora with a cheerful grin on his face.

“Ah, katherine. You're just in time for the final fight. Mance has been making wagers with me and the others all day. Of course I’ve won my fair share.”

“Thats wonderful darling. Tell me though, what did you use as a wager? I doubt you have enough capital to go around making “Huge wagers” as you put it.”

Aeonia looked at him suspiciously. His face turned red and then white for a moment and then went back to normal.

“Oh, nothing special my sweet!”

“Oh really? Well in that case you can sleep on the couch tonight.”

“Wait wait. That's not necessary. Look I’ll cancel the bets and make it up to you tonight ok? It really was nothing!”

‘Ew old people sex. Please refrain from announcing to the world that you are banging boots.’

I felt a stab of killing intent from Aeonia as soon as I thought those words.

‘Hey, you used the mind magic not me.’

The guards had left our side at some point so I just wandered around while Aeonia sorted out Reynolds with threats of no love time later. Most of the gods present I didn’t recognize but then again most of the Immortals in the Heavens were not worshipped widely enough to be known by all.

Many gods that are born between two immortals end up as a part of their parents religious system or strike out on their own. Some choose to go into business and become entrepreneurs or marry into the families of other gods. There are thousands of gods in the Heavens, most are lesser ranked trying to make a living while the better known ones, like Aeonia, have the resources to build their own empires and armies.

In in Heaven there are no equals.

“Ah look at that fight. Tell me, how about a wager? That Heaven Devouring bull Serpent looks vicious don’t you think?”

A pudgy, fat man in a three piece suit sat down next to me and commented on the fight. The announcer on the screen was comparing the stats and win/loss ratio of the fighters.

“In one corner we have a vicious rank 45 Heaven Devouring bull Serpent. And in the other we have the reigning champion of the Grand Arena, Surgoss the crimson stained. John what do you think?”

“Well jerry, thanks again for inviting me out tonight. We have two amazing competitors tonight, both of whom have fought and won all their previous fights and remain undefeated. One one corner you have unbeatable speed and in the other you have unrivaled blood lust. One thing in for certain Jerry is that we are in for one heck of a fight.”

“Thank you John and looks like they are waking up the bull now. Now remember for those of you at home tonight and have not seen already, this bull has already maimed 6 of its handlers and kill 2 of them. Right now they are giving it a stimulant to wake it up.”

Inside the arena a team of winged servants could be seen poking a massive cage in the floor that was too dark to see into. They were carrying 20 ft. poles with some kind of a syringe attached to the end. A loud crash sounded and the cage grill bent outwards a tiny bit as the winged servants scrambled out of the way.

“The beast has been awoken Jerry and it looks like it woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“That sheer unbridled savagery could be a double edged sword in this fight John. If it had its intelligence this fight would most likely be a quick one but with the Stimulant working against any reasonable thought in-. Wait a minute.”

“We have received confirmed reports that our fighter has taken the same stimulant and the fight will be fought on even terms.”

“This fight just keeps getting more exciting by the minute john. No doubt fans are clamoring to place their bets right now. As for who will come out the victor we are just about to find out. Looks like both contestants are ready to go.”

I stopped paying attention back when they said rank 45.

‘That thing could grind me to paste before I could even equip an armor. Rank 45...wonder how that compares to other beasts that live in Heaven.’

“We should hurry about that wager! Right, how much for that gladiator there? 200k? Maybe 300k?”

“Sorry I don’t bet.”

“Oh don’t be like that. Maybe you don’t have the finances for something of this size? Tell you what. How about I bankroll you this round and the final event. That way we can still bet with me even if no one else is.”

“If no one else is betting with you, that should mean something right?”

“Ah, touché my friend. But they just don’t understand the thrill of making wagers. The spirit of making a good bet at any sporting event like this. The romance!”

‘OK, I think this guy has had one too many glasses of sunshine juice. Does he even see the shiny bracelets?”

“Eh- by the way. What is the final event. I’ve heard a little about it but nothing concrete.”

“You don’t know? Only the finest match of the century. A peak rank Ruler god vs 3 rank 80 Corrupting void beasts! I already have bets with certain people not present. How long will she last? The beasts have not been revealed yet but I have my suspicions. I estimate a maximum of 3 minutes and 6 seconds before she is destroyed. A minimum of 3 minutes 1 second. How about it! Want to make a wager?”

Damn! Rank 80! What kind of bullshit is this!’

I don’t know how I’m going to do this but I have to get her out before the match starts. Once those beasts get released I won’t stand a chance.

“I won’t make a bet right now Mr?”

“Mance Osgor at your service”

He made a little bow.

“Well Mr. Osgor-”

“Please call me Mance.”

“Well Mr. Mance. I’ll consider it, but right now I think you should make sure your hostess doesn’t cancel your previous wager.” I said pointing to where Reynolds was kneeling in submission.

“Eh! Not my wager buddy!”

He waddled off spouting something about a wager.

‘Time to go to work!’

I silently take out the weapon shard I had hidden in my dress earlier. It was an adamantine weapon, probably from some fallen general or something, with half working runes on the broken blade. I positioned it on the faceplate of the left cuff and start filing away at the handcuffs on my wrists. My vision has progressively been getting worse and now I’ve lost my sense of color and I’m having a hard time focusing on the cuffs.

After a few seconds of sawing I take the blade away and run my finger across the area I tried to cut. I could feel a scratch on the surface and at the rate I’m going it's going to take some time.

‘I have to hurry!’

And so for the remainder of the current match, I did nothing but sit in the corner and saw away at the cuffs.