Elysium

Main Plaza

Elysium was divided into five floating ‘islands’. These islands divided the major deity groups. The islands themselves were located in a subspace that overlooked earth, like a one way window.

These groups are:

The angels who represent Judeo-Christian lore and ideals. They live all throughout Elysium.

The Egyptian and Aztec deities, who dwelled in the top-most island.

The Greek, Norse and Roman deities, who dwelled in the upper left island.

The Japanese, and Hindu deities, who dwelled in the lower left island.

The Chinese and Celtic deities, who dwelled in the lower right island.

Between these four islands, the biggest island floated in between them all. Here the main palace stood as a place for the deities and angels to gather. The hall of heroes, main auditorium, arena and the administration hall are all accessible in the main palace.

Surrounded by ethereal clouds, the locked gate of Eden can be seen from the main palace. The gate was anything but plain, with gold and silver jewels shining all around the gate. It was a constant reminder of God’s judgment… Of the Tryfing.

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It was just an ordinary day in Elysium until a pink cloud explosion, appeared above the main palace. A giant stage had occupied the empty space that once was there. Trumpets started to play, then the percussion section kicked in, a festive tribal-like beat erupted. This music was being telepathically sent to every angel and deity that wasn’t in the main palace.

A smoke explosion took place in the center of the stage, and two shadowy figures appeared. They had their backs against each other, one of the figures moved up holding a microphone.

“My fellow deities! I, Achilles, have come to announce the start of the Third Tryfing!”

The moment the word ‘Try’ came out of Achilles’s mouth, the atmosphere started to change. Many angels and deities started to teleport and fly to the main palace. Achilles started to grin and bowed to the other shadow figure.

“Eight deities will be selected to take part in a battle royale. These eight, deities will go forth and select a human each!” Damaris twirled and posed next to Achilles. “These humans will be the retainers to these deities, representing them in battle!”

Achilles took center stage again. “The winner of this glorious battle will earn the right to return to Eden. I promise to judge these battles fairly…. So the call has been sent, I bet everyone is anxiously awaiting! It's time for the draft phase.”

The draft phase was possibly the most important part of the Tryfing. The retainers that the deities will pick in the selection phase, will use the roles that the deity chooses in the draft phase. The roles each have their own skills, restrictions, objectives and backgrounds the retainer has access to. Not all roles are equal in power and not all positions in the draft phase are either.

In this phase, the first pick is the one who controls the entire flow of the draft. As per one of God’s commandments, eighth placed of the previous Tryfing returns to the next Tryfing and is guaranteed first pick. During the first tryfing, the Celtic heroic deity Cu Chulainn won. Shiva, the Hindu deity, got eighth and used that experience and first pick to win the second Tryfing.

Many of the deities already knew who lost first last Tryfing, and honestly with all the information they had, he was expected to win it all this time.

“Now, first pick goes to the eighth place deity in the last Tryfing. The supreme Egyptian deity of the sun, Ra!”

Achilles moved his arm to where a spotlight was shining on the stage. Suddenly Ra appeared with his arms crossed, his body produced strong flames. He looked displeased hearing the word “eighth placed.” He glared at the Greek deity and young angel.

“He’s so scary!” Damaris muttered

“Just don’t look at him.”

Ra walked up to the two.

“Get on with it and announce the next deity,” Ra spat.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Achilles rolled his eyes, not happy being talked to that way. But he had to suck it up. “Next the young star of Celtic legend, the trickster savior himself… Lugh of the Long Arm!”

Just like with Ra, Achilles pointed where the spotlight was. A young boyish looking deity appeared, he wore a cloak that had a hood on it. The hood was oddly shaped but it matched the child. Under his cloak he held a cute small dog that had his tongue out. Lugh grinned a big smile at Ra who looked at him and turned away.

“Hehehehe, second pick? Not bad.” Lugh petted his cute little friend, the look of trickery was all over his face.

Achilles stepped back and Damaris started to speak. “Vanquisher, destroyer, demon hunter. Warden of hell. This deity is known by many titles and names, He is the Chinese ‘King of Ghosts’… Zhong Kui.”

Zhong Kui was large and wore traditional Chinese garb all in black. He wore an all black hanfu on his head, and had all but his eyes covered by a black cloth. Zhong Kui was said to be disfigured and ugly, which is why he covered his face with the black cloth. He nodded to Ra and Lugh.

“This is only the third tryfing but so far there has always been one Japanese deity in the Tryfing…. And that tradition still stands!” Damaris pointed to the right of the stage and a beautiful woman wearing a fox mask and a kimono…. No wait, it wasn't a fox mask, she had features of a fox… Actually it was both. When you looked at her from the right, it looked like a fox mask and when you saw her from the left, she looked like an actual fox, or at least had features of one.

“The deity of foxes, tea, smithing and prosperity… Inari Okami.”

Inari bowed to the crowd, at the same time a group of foxes brought a chair for her to sit in. Another fox came and started to fan her. Achilles took over again.

“This year there are no Greek deities entering the tryfing, So it's up to our Norse brothers and sisters to represent us! The Norse Deity of Fertility, the Seidr master herself. Lady Freya!”

Another woman appeared next to Inari, who in turn commanded a fox to retrieve a chair for her. Lady Freya smiled at Inari and the two sat together. Of all the relationships between different deity groups, Lady Freya and Inari were the closest of friends. The two started to whisper amongst themselves looking at Ra, they giggled. Ra looked visibly annoyed.

“Seems the Celtic deities are favored this Tryfing, the Celtic King deity himself graces us with his fist in the air! Nuada Airgetlam of the Silver Arm.”

Nuada appeared next to Lugh, He wore the same type of clothing as him, minus the hoodie. Other than his long hair that was tied in a ponytail, a silver gauntlet stood out. This gauntlet, located on his left arm,was not only regal but also emanated energy. Nuada looked to Lugh and begrudgingly waved at him.

“King Nuada, you are going down! Whatever it takes.” Lugh said as he stuck out his tongue towards Nuada. Nuada sighed, it was a chance to return to Eden and of course he had to be stuck facing his nephew Lugh.

“Why does it always have to be you that I deal with, Lugh?”

To Nuada, Lugh was a little brat who always cheated and played tricks on him. A trickster savior? he thought.

“What a load of shit” Nuada sighed again. “I’m not losing this Lugh, so you better be prepared.”

The two stared down at each other, you can see the lighting coming out of their eyes. Lady Freya and Inari just giggled at the two celtic deities. Lugh got closer and was about to start fighting with Nuada. As Lugh was about to hit him, a giant figure stopped Lugh by picking him up.

“HEY! Put me down” he started to struggle in the air. As he looked up he saw Zhong Kui holding him in the air with one arm.

“Calm yourself young one, fighting between deities is against one of the commandants.” Zhong Kui said as he placed Lugh next to him. Lugh pouted as the large deity placed himself between the two Celtics.

“Ahem… let's continue. Just like the Norse deities, the Roman deities also represent us Greeks! And no other Roman deity is as reverend as her! The wisest of all Roman deities, Minerva, the tactical genius.”

Minvera was stoic when she appeared, wearing Roman armor and holding a shield, she was ready for battle. She looked around at her competition and snorted.

“Easy win.” She exclaimed.

Ra looked like he wanted to say something but Zhong Kui appeared in his peripheral vision, and shook his head no. It seemed like Zhong Kui, the King of Ghosts and one of the wardens of hell was trying to keep the peace between all the other six deities. It was an odd sight to say the least.

Damaris giggled and then her face went serious, she focused on something and then shook her head up and down fast. She then walked to Achilles and whispered something in his ear.

“Really?”

“Yep, straight from Papa.”

“That crazy old man.” Achilles grinned.

Damaris stepped up “I have a message from Papa, the final spot will not be given to a deity.” Everyone started to speak up, Achilles fired a wave of energy out that made everyone quiet down. He looked at Damaris to continue.

“The final combatant for the Third Tryfing will be a team of angels! Give it up for Team Arc-Angel!”

Four angels appeared on stage, their wings retracted and grew smaller to accommodate everyone else's space. The blazing angel Michael, his brothers Gabriel and Raphael and their sister Uriel stood together. They were just as confused as everyone else. Well, maybe not Michael.

There was no rule or commandant that forbade angels from participating in the Tryfing, it was just not worth it. One angel was not comparable to a deity. It seems to circumvent this, God has decided for a team of angels to enter. These four were also the strongest of all angels.

“This is absurd, these angels are taking a slot away from another Egyptian deity!” Ra shouted.

“There’s no proof that we would have, deities are chosen randomly. You know that Ra.” Michael stood in front Ra. Of all the angels, Michael was the only one Ra respected. They locked eyes on each for what felt like eons.

“Yeah no proof!” Gabriel repeated cutely behind Michael. Clearly Gabriel was terrified of Ra.

“Maybe we should just decline, we are eighth in the draft. We are going to get stuck with the worst role” Raphael muttered.

“Father picked us for a reason, we can’t give up before we even start, right Michael?” Uriel confidently said.

“Right. Father is the one that made the decision and who are we to refuse?”

Ra gave up and nodded at Michael, he made a point. But why would God want a group of angels to enter the Tryfing? It was just another question Ra had to ask God once he won the competition.

The combatants were finally all together, Achilles summoned two angels to bring in what looked like a globe. There was a crank on it with a handle, Achilles grabbed the handle and started to spin it.

“Role selection will officially start. In this machine are fourteen totems. These totems represent one of fourteen roles that your retainers will use in the Tryfing. Only eight will randomly come out, and once those eight are out,Ra will choose first.”

Achilles cranked it faster and then pressed a button on the handle, opening the flap on the machine. Eight totem pieces fell out. Two of them had a hue of gold, these gold totems shocked everyone. Ra began to laugh, it was like the deity had gone insane with laughter. He starts to walk up to Achilles, and reaches for one of the gold totems. Oozing out confidence, Ra declared.

“Looks like I already won.”

Third Tryfing

Official judge: heroic Greek deity, Achilles.

Support judge: Angel, Damaris.

Chosen deities:

Ra

Lugh

Zhong Kui

Inari

Freya

Nuada

Minerva

Team Arc-Angel

Fantasia world: not yet created.

Starting year: not yet decided.