> Differing paths. Similar, yet dissimilar. Intertwined through nature, all else in disregard.
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The gate had opened to accommodate the participants' entries, suddenly flooding the space with light from the other side of their current position. Light strong enough to blind an average individual.
But these people were average in no sense at all. Some covered their eyes with their hands to block the light, some closed their eyes, and others left them open with disregard for its presence.
Nevertheless, they all went through the opened gate towards their area of designation, crossing the threshold for whatever was next.
They entered the arena, but suddenly appeared upon a large platform of rock which floated in the centre of a seemingly endless void.
Impressed they were, but shocked to see that there was no presence of an audience, or place of rest for them.
《The Vast Dome. Empty.》
Then amidst them did the questions begin to arise. "What the hell?" "Where are all my adoring fans!?""Is this a trick? An elaborate ‘joke’ by some higher being?"
Murmurs and tensions would greaten in number within the group of combatants, questioning the space around them. An all but unanimous response, with some having seemingly figured out the state of affairs they were in.
In their midst was Probacon, also confused at the ongoings at that moment, looking around to attempt to understand what was occurring. Weird. I could've sworn the audience would be around…especially considering what that Frrîjä told me…
Suddenly, a great flash of light occurred, catching many participants off-guard.
They however readied themselves, but instead of danger, a familiar figure appeared before all of them.
"Thou art right to procure questions, however, thou art but foolhardy to have not perceived the possibilities." "You're–."
《UEUI. Servant and Grand Messenger of the Grandmaster Deity.》
"Aye, I am UEUI." He said.
Probacon suddenly recalled him as being the one who called him into the tournament. But it now seemed he was responsible for everyone's participation.
"But, for the entirety o' this event, I seek to portray a close relationship withal ye. Therefore…" He said, as the light around him suddenly intensified, and he slowly came down towards the ground.
The light then quickly dissipated to reveal a more humanoid form, of long blonde hair and blue irides, of a masculine jawline and well-built physique, with more “formal clothing”, wearing a suit-like robe with pants and shoes, all with a white and golden theme.
"Thou shalt call me Tōmii." He finished, now with a natural, pure tone.
"Pfft. Tōmii? Pretty basic." An anthropomorphic energy lifeform said snarkily.
Suddenly, his mouth was unexpectedly erased from his face via the divine being's powers, causing him to react with erratic clawing. "I warrant thee. I work thus in ways best to accommodate all ye. Hence the mortal form. However, I shall tolerate not a form o' impudence towards mineself or mine own brass. Understood?"
"Mph-mph, mph-mph!" The person mumbled while nodding frantically.
"Good." UEUI said as he returned his mouth, causing him to gasp for air.
He went on to continue. "The state o' the want of a gathering be o' ease: They take o' nay hand in this side o' the domain."
"What do you mean?" One person from the gathering asked.
"The realm is cut to two: The Limitless Field and the Bounded Coliseum. The Field is the great battleground, as ‘tis capable o' echoing nearly all condition within the all-reality, and addled with material for infinite postulates; all without the upper dominions, and the realm o' The Grandmaster Deity.”
"But withal, the Bounded Coliseum is the where of all other notions. Ingress, living, and, o’ most extant repute…" He said as he waved his hand.
The act created a live projection of what occurred elsewhere, in a place presented of an arena setting, filled with masses performing different chants and actions, of possibly innumerable numeric capacity. "Where the people shall heed."
There was a concurrent realisation amongst the participants, now noticing that that possibility hadn't come to mind for and amongst them.
"But behold, I trow many of thee foreknew this earlier.” UEUI indicated, noting particular individuals who were left unchanged by the unveiled knowledge.
"Now then,” UEUI would say as he transformed a barren space into a proper seating section for the participants, transporting them there which caught some of their lot unawares.
"Hither shalt be where all hundred and sixty of thee shall stay until called upon. All you require shalt be wrought to thee by the Uimis." He then proceeded to summon some humanoid creatures, which while they were small in stature, looked closely similar to his own appearance.
"Wait, one-sixty of us?" Someone would ask in confusion. "I thought we'd be much larger. Like, much fricking larger…"
"Ay, true. However, I trow we all would'st desire such an event not drag so long, nay?" He responded with a hearty chuckle. "Right…"
"Now,” UEUI said.
"I shalt take mine own leave to take seat upon the throne thither, as the representative o’ the Grandmaster Deity. The event shalt commence anon. I hope ye are prest, willing to give thy all. I bid ye luck, and give ye blessings."
He proceeded to disappear from their presence, leaving more questions than answers as people conversed amongst themselves.
Suddenly a huge projection appeared in front of them, showing the Bounded Coliseum's crowds and UEUI, now completely as Tōmii, sitting upon the throne he spoke of. In a bubble beneath his pedestal seemed to lodge divine beings, the ones regarded as and called “gods", “deities”, and "spirits".
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"BEINGS OF THE OMNIVERSE, ARISE!!!" Someone spoke with an exuberant echo from the projection.
It was a cosmic entity from the world of the twentieth spatiality, the Djikk as they were called, this individual speaking as he transmitted himself onto the Field, long-faced and lanky, with droopy eyes a dichrome of grey and yellow, and two strips of bone across either cheek. He wore a strange light orange suit with an extended base at the back, coupled with a top hat of similar colour, and cream footwear. He also had a cane with a golden handle shaped like a disfigured two-headed hawk with the heads and wings all pointed in different directions, and with eyes floating all around him.
《The Djikk, a race of icosadimensional beings, playing a role of omniversal organizers, viewing that below them as great stories.》
"My name is Dgiag, your humble host. And I welcome you…to the Grand Archversal Showdown!!!"
《Dgiag. Chief of the Djikk. Age 200,000,000》
Cheers and shouts of high and wide anticipating spirits arose from the crowds.
And large sparks and lightning clamored across the vast space of the Field.
Must thou be extravagant in all things? UEUI thought to himself, referring to Dgiag's showboating personality.
"This tournament is being held for…a few reasons? Honestly?" Dgiag continued jokingly, amassing laughter from the audience.
"But I digress. First, for the celebration of existence…"
"Second, to give glory to the Grand-Deity, for the grandness and beauty of creation…"
"And third, to grant the winner…this!" Upon speaking this, a ball of light showed up above his head.
The ball quickly dissipated to reveal a glowing and striking crown, which seemed to be composed of flames and of two colors; black and gold. "The Crown of Chaos!"
All who saw it glared with awe and wonder, including a great number of the participants.
"This beautiful thing here, will be gifted to the tournament's victor. It is a powerful relic, created by the Deity himself, said to hold unfathomable power, and give the user a sort of 'direct link' to Him."
Wait! Probacon quickly thought to himself. If I win this thing and get that crown, does that mean…?
Remembering one of his goals, he decided. I've got to win then. I now have even more reason too!
"Now then, time for the setting and rules." Dgiag spoke, interrupting Probacon's thoughts. "I'll try to be as quick and concise so we can get into the main act hastily."
"The selection is simple. We shall use two or more wheels to determine who duels who for every round. Each winner of said round then gets transferred to a new wheel, and such will it go until we reach the final stages. Each battleground will be different depending on the fight, especially considering the mind-boggling might some here have or have attained. Regardless, the Grand-Deity has anticipated for such, setting various criteria for matchups."
"Now, the rules. They're one simple set." Dgiag said, suddenly garnering silence which led to mumbling amongst crowds.
"The Victory Conditions. That is all, you either knock out, incapacitate or disable your opponent one way or another to gain victory. However, killing is very much allowed. Just advised against, and will have consequences…"
A statement that truly kicked off murmuring, as people were left dumbfounded. They didn't think such acts would be allowed in an occurrence like this one. However, opinions amongst the crowd and participants varied regardless of their general shock.
Dgiag and Tōmii took note, having foreseen this occurring, as differing opinions was just natural, for minds are allowed to think freely.
"Well, that's all I say for now. Before we commence, prayer is necessary. Rites to the Maker. For the next brief period, pour out your hearts to him. And wish for this event to be one blessed by him."
Across the board, invocations and rites were performed. As the people took up different positions, they lifted their hearts.
They asked for good, they asked for bad. For of these things, their requests laid out beforehand.
Some didn't, either out of pride. Or disbelief. Or of evil intent. From their fruit their presence was glaring.
Regardless, the silence could be felt across all the realm, and even beyond.
With a bowed head, closed eyes and combined palms, Probacon prayed a simple one. Grandmaster Deity, please, I ask just for victory. So I may understand more…
"Well then, let us commence!" Dgiag declared, ending the silence. "Lord Tōmii, the honors are yours."
Psychokinetically, UEUI caused the two wheels to begin their rotations.
And after a long period of wait, they eventually came to a stop, each landing on two sections with different tags.
Suddenly, two contestants were teleported from their seats into the main arena.
"Good people…we have our first entrants!"
The two suddenly appeared on the Limitless Field, and realizing what that meant, prepared for their battle.
"In the first corner…" Dgiag began to speak. "A young hero of royal heritage, already renowned for many achievements of grandeur and a ‘fate-defying act’. The one called ‘‘The Zartosht-Tem’, Yehuda Mori’, The Almighty's Valiant Knight; the young prince of Primus, and renowned Hero of Neodeo. The Prime David Uno!!"
"First combatant…a surprise, but a welcomed one. Moreover, a good water-testing chance. To the Arch, I give thanks,” said David in a slightly deep and soothing voice, as cheers roared from the Coliseum. A good-looking, tall, athletically lean, light brown-skinned humanoid of the Nafiman race taking a distinguished posture, with eyes almond-shaped and violet-irised, hair medium-sized and of ash black coloration with some light blonde natural highlights, with dozens of backward spikes which pointed in varying directions dependent on position, as well as two crooked fringe locks of the blonde highlights. His apparel was rather simple, a black turtle-neck tank top, with blue trousers and black loafers and a belt, with a blue and white fleece jacket tied around his waist. Covered in golden trinkets as well, the most intriguing being the necklace with a triangular centerpiece with a strange eye carved in its center.
《David Uno. Crown Hero Prince of Primus. Age 17.》
"And in our next corner.” Dgiag continued. "A mutant of the Torrerian dimension, known for his many grandeur exploits, as well as a wild and free-spirited persona. A true master of the art of combat. The one called The Kopier, and The Seaborn; "Wildedge" Drizzled!!"
"So, early work, huh? Good enough for me!,” said Drizzled in an rough but energetic tone and ‘free’ stance, appearing of a bipedal human-sized mutated turtle, green-skinned with a long red bandana mask with tattered ends, with holes where his eyes were and green irides, and well-defined prominent musculature. He wore a jagged cream-colored cropped hoodie with a white vest underneath, red pants and was barefooted, and from his torso to hip was a bulky bulge indicating the presence of a shell. Around his wrists were dirtied white bandages, and each hand of his possessed four phalanges while each foot possessed two.
《Drizzled. The Torrerian Pride. Age 18.》
"Now, both of you. Come forward,” said Dgiag, as the two walked towards each other.
"Show your respects.”
Both individuals proceeded to do greeting gestures, varied and individual to themselves.
"Now, we shall start on my command. Are you both ready?"
"Yes.” David responded with a cool demeanor.
"Whenever you are.” Drizzled said with a confident grin.
The two men took their stances as Dgiag teleported away from the Field, to the Bounded Coliseum, just righg before Tōmii, ready to begin the fight.
He announced with a great echo; “BEGIN!!!”
《The greatness of the Showdown…》
The two began to rush towards each other, kickstarting the tournament, and marking the beginning of unfolding events…
《Starts.》 《Now.》
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