Unexpected Summoning

Uravis' disappearance from the Nexar Gaming Stadium sent shockwaves rippling through the gaming community.

No one could believe what had just happened. One moment, he was on the brink of victory; the next, he was gone—vanished without a trace.

All hope was lost. The tournament, now marred by his sudden absence, ended in a tie. With no clear winner, the rewards would have to be shared. The realization that the competition wouldn't take place again for another decade only deepened the disappointment.

But while the world was still in shock, Uravis found himself in a realm far beyond his wildest, fantasy-filled dreams.

He stood in a grand hall, surrounded by deities whose powers seemed far beyond human comprehension.

The walls shimmered like polished gold despite their pristine white surface. A massive chandelier hung above him, casting brilliant white light across the expansive room.

"Awesome," he mouthed, his voice barely audible as he took in the grandeur. The silver-and-gold furnishings, ornate decorations, statues, towering doors, and flags all led his gaze to the throne at the far end of the hall—a sight befitting only the most regal rulers.

But then realization struck.

"Oh no," he gasped, his eyes darting to his hands and feet. He was still dressed in his gaming uniform: slick black, casually styled pants and a jacket with his team's logo on the back—a sword piercing through two interlocking Ls, with his name signed neatly beneath.

Raising his hands to his face, he felt his skin and sighed in relief. He was alive—not a ghost—but something about this situation was decidedly off.

He closed his eyes, his mind drifting back to those final moments of the tournament. He had been seconds away from victory when his system mysteriously shut down. A blinding flash of light consumed him, and when he opened his eyes, he was here—in a hall that looked like it belonged to kings or presidents.

"No," he whispered, his voice trembling as the weight of his situation sank in. I bailed on my team. What am I going to do? he thought, scratching at his roughly styled mop of black hair. I can't even figure out how to get back to the stadium.

Then, another realization hit him. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened. Where even am I? he screamed internally, panic swelling.

He was standing in the center of a hall, surrounded by strange-looking figures—men and women clad in cloaks, armor, or elegant dresses.

Their gazes were all fixed on him, yet he had been too lost in thought to notice.

Suddenly, a figure stepped forward from the crowd of deities. Her presence demanded attention, silencing the room.

"Greetings, Uravis," she said, her voice as sweet as a song but as commanding as thunder rolling through a valley.

Uravis turned to face her, stunned by her sheer aura.

"I am Arkeia, goddess of wisdom and strategy," she continued, bowing slightly. Her movements seemed almost regal, yet foreign to him.

"Do not dwell on what you have left behind, but focus on the opportunities ahead. You have been summoned to participate in the Ascender Games, a series of trials designed to select divine envoys."

She paused, her sharp gaze softening as she noticed his confused expression. Shaking her head lightly, she resumed.

"Envoys—or Emissaries—are skilled, talented, and powerful individuals chosen to represent us in the battles of the gods."

Uravis' mind raced, trying to process her words. He managed to grasp bits and pieces of what she was saying, but a gnawing thought lingered

'I'm not powerful. I'm just a gamer. How am I supposed to represent gods in battle?'

"You see, I'm just a gamer," Uravis said, his voice steady but edged with frustration. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Arkeia smiled, her expression calm yet unreadable. "Your skills in the gaming world have caught our attention, Uravis. We believe your abilities there may hold a connection to the divine realm. You will participate in the Ascender Games, and if you prove worthy, you shall be granted the honor of representing me in the battle of the gods."

Uravis shook his head, trying to dispel the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind.

"What battle of the gods? I don't understand," he pressed, his tone growing sharper.

"That can be answered later, Uravis," Arkeia replied, her tone firm but patient.

"What about my life back on Earth? My team? I have a family, and I was in the middle of a tournament! You don't seriously expect me to just leave all that behind, right?" His fiery crimson eyes burned with desperation, his emotions raw.

Arkeia's gaze grew colder, almost devoid of emotion.

"Your life on Earth is paused," she stated matter-of-factly. "You will return when the Ascender Games are complete. But for now, your focus must be on the challenges ahead. The fate of the divine realm depends on it."

Uravis narrowed his eyes, suspicion and frustration swirling in his expression. "Is the prize greater than what I could have won in the tournament I just lost?"

"You may wish for anything you desire if you succeed, Uravis," Arkeia answered, her voice unwavering.

Before she could continue, Uravis interrupted, a bitter chuckle escaping him. "I still don't get why you'd choose a gamer with zero real-life combat experience. I've barely even handled a gun," he added, shaking his head at the memory of his first—and only—attempt at firing a weapon, which left his ears ringing for hours.

"We have our reasons," Arkeia replied curtly, her gaze unyielding as she waited for his decision.

Uravis hesitated, weighing his options. It felt like an impossible situation, but the challenge intrigued him. If he had truly lost the tournament, perhaps winning the Ascender Games could serve as redemption—a way to make up for what he'd left behind.

"Fine," he said at last, heaving a sigh of resignation. "I'll participate in your games. But if I win, I get more than just one wish."

"That will not be a problem," Arkeia said with a nod.

However, after a brief pause, her tone shifted, her words carrying a heavier weight. "Before we begin, we must conduct a series of tests."

Uravis frowned, his determined expression slipping into one of unease. He instinctively took a step back, his eyes darting toward the nearest door, already calculating an escape route. "What kind of tests?" he asked warily.

Arkeia turned, her fiery red hair glowing under the veil she wore. "The tests will measure your worth, your skills, and uncover any abilities that may prove essential for the trials ahead."

Her tone left no room for argument, and Uravis stiffened. This was not going to be as simple as it sounded.