With a satisfied groan, Nick rose to his feet and approached the display mounted on the wall. He opened the main menu and selected the pending quest prompt, bracing himself for bad news. It was time to read the details of the Mad God’s challenge and face the dangers of the multiverse head on. The instant that he selected the questing menu, Taltos materialized in front of him, shocking Nick to his core.
The elder god met Nick’s gaze and then turned away, sauntering over to the painting in the corner to examine the piece. Today, Taltos wore fine robes of gray silk. His features appeared subtly different from before, as if the deity’s face and form were no more a part of himself than the clothes Nick wore on his back.
It took him long seconds to process that the Mad God wasn’t really in the room this time. That this image was some sort of sophisticated magic, rather than the deity himself. Nick could see the contours of the penthouse peeking through his body, as if the rendition was some manner of high-tech hologram. He let out a deep sigh of relief. Just looking at Taltos’s likeness was enough to set his heart racing and make him break into a cold sweat.
As disconcerting as it was, the detailed illusion was nothing compared to the true presence of the maleficent deity. Although Nick suspected that Taltos was watching from the shadows, laughing it up at his expense. He offered a silent prayer of thanks that he wasn’t forced to interact with Taltos again so soon, then placed all his attention into memorizing the words when the Mad God turned to face him.
“Hello again, brave contestants. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’ve made it this far. The System can provide you with all the dry, boring details, but I wanted to lay out the big picture for everyone myself. But first, a round of applause.” Taltos clapped vigorously, before moving on as if nothing had happened.
“You’ve managed to survive your tutorial. Well, most of you at any rate. That’s nothing to brag about, even with the little tweaks I tossed in to spice things up. But here’s where events get interesting, since it’s time to wade over to the deep side of the pool.
“What was surprising was how many of you volunteered for my bonus round. Even more astonishing, most of you came out the other side in one piece, including the group that vanquished a chosen beast blessed by my dear friend Slaughter. Bit of friendly advice, don’t do anything else to attract her attention, it won’t end well for you. But I digress.
“Overall, the representatives of your planet fared magnificently in my arena. I hope that your future is equally… entertaining. Speaking of your future and the possible lack of it, I believe that what you really want to know is what happens next. Well, wonder no longer. The waiting is over, brave contestants. It’s time to discuss the fate of your little blue planet. Earth, I believe it’s called.
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“Acquiring the Earth was a lucky find. Its rich resources have been rendered even more valuable, now that the System has finished making its alterations. As matters stand, the entire planet, every speck of dust and living creature that calls it home, belongs to me. What’s that you say? That’s not fair? Well, no. It isn’t.” Taltos grinned like a wolf, causing the hairs on Nick’s neck to rise and stand on end, even though he knew that he was watching a recording. Well, he thought he was at any rate. He didn’t even want to consider the alternative.
“As of this moment, the Earth remains untouched by my hand, and let no one say that I’m unsympathetic to your plight. You might be surprised to learn that I’m willing to give it all back. Assign the planet into humanity’s stewardship for perpetuity. I’ll even grant you full citizenship into the labyrinth, along with everything that it entails. In fact, I’ll do you one better and throw in a year’s protection from your new neighbors, giving you time to prepare before they come knocking at your door.
“But alas, nothing in the multiverse is free. If you want me to surrender my prize, you’re going to have to prove that investing in your future is worth the cost of preserving your home world. After all, this trial is just an appetizer before the main course to come. A little taste of what’s in store for you inside the labyrinth. If you can’t rise to the challenge, then you never had a chance anyway. Once you’re inside the endless maze, it’s win or die, unless of course you wish to pledge your allegiance to me.
“In short, if you want to keep your planet off the scrap heap, you must accept and overcome my challenge. Well, the best among you at any rate. No one wants to watch a bunch of weaklings get slaughtered.” A feral gleam of dark mirth flashed in Taltos’s eyes. “Who am I kidding? Of course they do, but we’ll save that exhibition for when you fail the next round.
“Moving on, I invite the strongest among you, Earth’s champions, to climb the Tower of Rizzen. A rite of passage for your little corner of the sector. Make it to the tower, climb to the top, defeat the guardian on the roof of the world, and the Earth is yours. Even if only a single contestant survives, I’ll hand the whole planet back to you package and parcel. You couldn’t ask for a better deal.
“Fail, and let’s just say that our more… enthusiastic patrons will get to watch the carnage they were hoping for after all. Whether you find liberation or annihilation, your efforts will help expand the labyrinth in its full, fell glory. While I suspect that you will enjoy one outcome far more than the other, either way, it should be quite a show. So, give it your best and try to survive. With any luck, I’ll see you again on the other side. Make no mistake, this marks the beginning of your first true test. Struggle and rage, little lights. It’s time to sink or swim. Fall or fly.
“Tremble and despair, all ye who walk the Earth, for the labyrinth calls to you.” With those ominous words still echoing in the air, Taltos winked out of existence, leaving Nick alone once more, ready to consider the Mad God’s offer.