The gold-lined tome flew open, pages flipping wildly.
Every reagent I had gathered levitated, beginning to spin in a large circle. A fossilized dinosaur skull, A preserved knight's sword, an impressive sapphire, a set of bat wings, and finally an iron heart plated in gold. They took off one by one, wobbling and undilating as the tome set them into motion.
Wonder filled my eyes as the objects spun, blending into eachother. My goal of this life was fulfilled to create a better next one, same tide of fulfillment washing over the shores of Me.
The five objects lost detail, releasing puffs of silver and azure. The smoke trails converged upon me, wrapping me up like a christmas present. I could feel my grasp on my body slip. And an upwards pull accompany it, no longer knowing something as silly as weight. The sight of the room sunk and faded, every bit of it un-rendering from the outside inwards. The last thing I precieved was the tome closing, drained of power and colour alike.
At first, I saw nothing. I lacked limbs, but could feel a gentle bobbing, as if floating on an endless, lightless, yet peaceful sea. I lacked eyes, yet could see lights in the distance as my vision adjusted. They swirled around eachother, colours dancing against the stygian canvas. I lacked a brain, But what I did not lack was a mind. A mind was all I was, full of memories, hope, and will.
That same will carried me forward. Brought me more and more speed, only to skid to a stop before the throng of lights.
"Who's this one?" one asked in a hushed tone.
"No idea. I was told there was fifty, not fifty-one" said a second, boredly.
"They're... not human" Yet another whispered, keeping a wide berth from me.
I was about to speak. To introduce myself. To ask what was going on, when a massive golden head breached the surface from below.
"Greetings, contestants!" It asked in a booming, mocking, radiant voice like a desert sun. "I, Mathias the Merciful, have deemed all fifty of you worthy to behold my illustrious creation."
An arm the size of a bus rose into existance, as if clipping through a floor. The car-sized hand opened, seconds later spinning an searing white orb into existance. That white was obscured by blinding red, then glowing red, then bright, dulling- no, cooling to brown before a dotted patchwork of blues and greens making shapes. Oceans and islands, I realized, as mountain detail started to show.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"I have grown bored with my old world, and a seat in the pantheon has opened. Your planet has such interesting specimines. Such tenacity in the face of mana deprival."
The being, clearly identifying himself as a god, emitted a laugh like a collapsing wall. "But I'm rambling again, aren't I. While all fifty of you are special in their own right, only one can fill the prestigious role of my assistant."
A worried murmur spread through the crowd, me included, as Mathias boomed on. "I give you fifty days to entertain me and prove your potential."
"Ah, so weak without your technology!" He condescended with a sigh, other hand seeming to rummage before drawing out a cloud of smaller, detailed orbs. "I'll give you each a little cheat. a special Skill of your own, to at least put you on even ground against my library of creations"
Mathias gave a long, piercing look over the crowd. For the next few minutes, he pointed. A glowing white skill orb shot towards one of the fifty contestants, announced as they flew. Each skill orb swirled into the sentient ones, everu mixture larger. Brighter. Stronger. A cloud of awe descended over the contestants, talking in hushed exictement about their Skills. I strained my ears, blood running colder and colder as I heard snips of conversation.
Super luck. Perfect Memory. Master Blacksmith. Astral Summoner. Infinite Inventory. Darkness Manipulation. Axe hero. Predator. Ultimate Regeneration.
"Look upon my generosity and be thankful!" The god's voice boomed with egomainia, cut off by a voice smaller but just as full of itself.
"Grandmaster Cultivation of the five heavens"
Mathias shot the lucky cultivator a dirty look, clearing his throat. "Without further delay, you all possess your Gifts. Now, on to the show!"
He splayed his fingers, as if holding something large. The invisible floor began to whirl, comparible to a plug pulled on this dark ocean. Fingers moved to flick glowing orbs through, circling the drain one by one-
Until halfway through the back, his gaze settled on me.
"You are not part of this challenge." Mathias observed with surprise and scorn. "But it's not within My jurisdiction to kill you. Instead, I'll give you a special gift. A balancing act. A way to make it fair to your competitors, Dragon." He spat.
An orb of a dull ashy black shot from his finger like a homing missile, striking me dead-center. A wave of weakness swept over me, and I felt myself sink to the looming whirlpool like a sleep I never wanted.