Gods and Monsters

I slept for 2 hours before waking up, i went out seeing team 2 made it to the next challange with us and Kaelen speaking of which, he was infront of me now in the Bar.

He was pouring himself a glass of water as he glances over facing my way. He swirled his drink. I observed him for a second, looking really deeply inti him. Kaelen, despite the cold precision in his movements, wasn't just an emotionless killer.

There was something else there, something deeper, something… unshackled. Then out of nowhere he spoke out "You guys did better than i expected." I exhaled sharply as i set my glass down "Didnt realise you were paying attention to our fight." Kaelen chuckled to my words. "Of course i did, i like to know which pieces on the board have value." I crossed my arms as i looked over at him. "You sound pretty sure of yourself, i have to admit."

Kaelen took a slow sip of his drink before setting it down. "I mean i am, but its not arrogance if its a fact." He now fully turnt to me, looking even through thag mask i could feel him staring at me. "See, while others fight for survival, glory or even their houses, i dont, i dont do that." I narrowed my eyes at his words. "What do you fight for then?" I asked curiously.

Kaelen smiled, not cruelly but it was something more, worse even that cruel smile wouldnt be so unsettling. "To end this farce. To show the God's we are not their playthings and some pieces on the board they can use and then throw away when they dont need us anymore." I looked at him as the silence between us stretched. For the first time i understood him. I understood Kaelen, it seemed and sounded crazy but crazy enough it was happening.

I leaned on the counter, i chose my next works wisely. Kaelen wasnt just an anomaly, not just a warrior he was a force of nature that was meant to be locked up because indeed if he masters every house's special ability. No God will stand a chance.

Kaelen smirked as he took another sip. "By proving im superior to all of them, the moment they realise they cant get me under their control, they cant get as a slave and that theg can't tame me, their power will crumbe and empire will fall."

I considered that my whole life, i spemt my whole life looking up at the God's fearing them and their Judgement. But Kaelen? Not him. He was looking down on them from the very beginning. He finished his drink then placed the empty glass on the table.

"I'll be seeing you around Caius, great chat we had." Kaelen said as he turned walking without any other word. I watched him leave as i tried to realise everything. I expected to to meet a Monster, instead i met someone else comletely. Something far more dangerous, a man who had no limits and no fear and then there and then i felt like trying to understand Kaelen and thinking if maybe he was right.

I was left there thinking what if he was right as if we meant nothing to those upper one's and they used us for their benefit, but my thoughts were cut short when Silas approached.

Silas sits down, calm but intense. "Kaelen's not wrong. But he's not right either."

I studied his expression for a second. "And what do you think is right?"

Silas smirks darkly. "The gods are a problem. But overthrowing them? That's a war. A war only monsters can win."

I ask, "And what are we?"

Silas leans in, his voice almost a whisper. "Ask yourself: do you really want to find out?"

I grip my glass tighter. That question digs into me like a hook. Do I?

I've spent my whole life fearing the gods, trying to earn their approval. But if Silas is right… if only monsters can win this war… then what am I becoming?

A part of me wants to dismiss Kaelen's and Silas' words, but something deep inside won't let me.

Silas leans back, watching me carefully. "You're thinking about it. Good." I exhale sharply. "I haven't decided anything."

Silas chuckles. "You don't have to. The gods will decide for you soon enough."

Before I can respond, the arena's alarms blare.

A metallic voice rings out from the speakers above."Attention, participants. The next phase of The Project will now commence. Report to the briefing chamber immediately."

Silas smirks. "Told you." He stands up, stretching lazily. "Come on, leader. Let's see what kind of monster they'll try to make us into next."I sigh and follow, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking straight into the gods' next move.

When we arrive, Kaelen is already there, waiting. He's standing off to the side, arms crossed, unreadable behind his mask.

A hologram flickers to life in the center of the room, showing a battlefield littered with bodies." "Phase Two: Judgement. Survival is not enough. Only one team will move forward. The rest… will be eliminated."

My stomach tightens.

The rules flash on the screen:

5v5 battle format.

The winning team advances.

The losing team is erased.

No second chances. No mercy.

I exhale sharply and glance around. My team is displayed on the hologram:

Me.

Ravien.

Silas.

Kaelen.

Selene

I don't recognize her, but she stands stiffly, eyes locked on the screen. Her expression is unreadable—maybe fear, maybe focus.

A cold chill runs through the room. This isn't just a test. It's a psychological battlefield.

Kaelen exhales, unimpressed. "And here I thought they'd try something creative."

I glance at him. "You don't care?"

Kaelen shrugs. "They've already lost. They just don't know it yet."I clench my fists. Am I really starting to believe him?

Selene comes up to us from that corner, she was walking with confidence like a Leader, she was like she would be there to challange me for my spot. "It seems like we're a team now" she said standing and looking at us, we were all sitting looking at her as Ravien smirked and stood up. "Yes it seems, and who might you be? Im usually good with names." She just glanced at him then looked away. "Im Selena, House of the Ethereal Mind, i can read thoughts, manipulate emotions and create illusions so real they can cause actual pain. In my ultinate form i can control multiple minds at once." She said as she sat down.

"Alright sounds interesting, but can you do that in a real fight under pressure?" Kaelen asked quiet under his mask glancing at me then at Selena. "Im sure im not like you guys and i haven't proved myself in the big stage but im sure ill prove myself here." She said with a confident tone, she spoke like someone who had everything to lose and just wanted to get out alive.

"We'll pass this challange quick." Silas said as he put on his hand sleeve. "Well, get up everyone and come lets get this over with." I said, taking more of this Leader role as i walked towards the Arena gates, and surprisingly enough they followed me when i glanced back. We left the Chamber entering the Arena as our enemies waited on us, they all wore new armours and had new looks. One recruiter was in the middle, he looked like he was Nyxara's soldiers which was the Goddess from my and Raviens house.

We were ready to take them down and we will do it quickly, and merciless. We lined up as the Arena cheered, we were the favourites and we will leave this arena as the winners.