3rd Person POV)
Yesterday's earthquake in Babylon City dominated headlines across the Persian Empire and neighboring nations. The catastrophic event registered an unprecedented magnitude of 9.5—the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in known history.
Fortunately, the seismic activity lasted only one minute before subsiding completely. If it had continued longer, the casualties would have been catastrophic rather than merely severe.
Media outlets competed to capture the story's magnitude:
"Babylon City Struck by Historic Earthquake—Tremors Felt Across Neighboring Cities! Hundreds of Structures Damaged, Repairs Urgently Needed!"
"Most Powerful Quake Ever Recorded: Hundreds Injured, Miraculously Zero Fatalities!"
"Babylon Tower Safety Concerns Mount—Authorities Close Landmark Indefinitely Pending Structural Assessment!"
The earthquake's sudden occurrence baffled experts worldwide. Babylon had never shown seismic activity, making this unprecedented event scientifically inexplicable. Geologists scrambled for explanations while residents demanded answers.
Of course, none of them suspected that the true cause of their nation's disaster was currently celebrating in a downtown bar.
---
The establishment pulsed with music and reeked pleasantly of wine and spirits. Arthur raised his glass among the cast and crew, toasting the successful completion of John Wick's filming.
"I still feel that punch from the beating scene!" Clint playfully jabbed at Keanu, rubbing his jaw theatrically. "I nearly lost consciousness!"
"I actually weakened my punch to that of a small child," Keanu replied, exhaling cigarette smoke casually. He spoke the absolute truth, though his divine restraint had still felt devastating to mortal flesh.
Clint and the others burst into laughter, assuming he was joking. "Sure you did! I could tell you were increasing the force with each hit to really hurt me—"
"Mind if I join you gentlemen?"
A man with striking emerald hair slid into the booth uninvited, carrying an expensive bottle of wine. His eyes matched his hair—unnaturally green and piercing. The scent of premium alcohol clung to him like cologne, though his movements remained perfectly controlled despite his apparent intoxication.
"And you are?" Rocky asked with polite wariness.
The stranger's smirk was knowing as he gestured toward Arthur and Keanu. "I'm certain these two have a much better idea of my identity than I could explain."
The implication hung heavy in the air. Clint's expression darkened as he stood protectively. "Listen here, buddy. If you're looking for trouble—"
"He's our guest, Clint. Show some courtesy," Arthur interjected smoothly, his tone carrying subtle authority.
Clint paused mid-threat, confusion flickering across his face before he reluctantly sat back down with obvious displeasure.
Arthur rose alongside Keanu. "I know you wish to speak privately. Come." He nodded toward a quieter section of the establishment.
The green-haired man chuckled and stood gracefully. "Until later, gentlemen," he said with a mocking salute before following Arthur away from the table.
"I don't like that man," Clint muttered once they were out of earshot. "He radiates entitled rich bastard energy."
"You mean he feels like Iosef?" Shafel giggled at the comparison.
"Exactly!" Clint nodded emphatically before taking a deep swig of wine. "But worse. He looks like someone who could burn through millions without blinking."
"I get that same impression," Rocky agreed with a knowing nod. "There's something dangerous about casual wealth like that."
In the private quarters away from the celebration, Arthur and Keanu faced the mysterious stranger. Both recognized him immediately, though neither had expected this encounter.
The green-haired man made no attempt to conceal his nature. Divine power radiated from him like heat from a forge, carrying the unmistakable essence of Monetary Faith that Arthur had been siphoning for months.
Arthur kept his hands casually in his pockets, studying the deity before him with calculated calm. 'I can sense the Monetary Faith flowing through him like a river. Without question—this is the true God of Wealth of this world.'
"Are we going to have a staring contest all evening?" Kaiser asked with amusement, his emerald eyes shifting between Arthur and Keanu. "Though I must admit, I'm still processing the absurdity of this situation. The legendary God of War, Enyalius, working as an actor under some demon filmmaker. Who could have imagined such a thing?"
Keanu studied the man's features more carefully, recognition dawning in his expression. "I feel like I've seen you before..."
"Your memory serves you well," Kaiser smiled, his tone carrying genuine warmth for the first time. "I am, after all, Aides' most trusted confidant."
"Little Kaiser?" Keanu's eyes widened in shock as memories flooded back. "So you've betrayed your Master and claimed the mantle of God of Wealth for yourself? Is that how it is?"
Kaiser raised a hand diplomatically. "Betrayed him? No, absolutely not."
Fury flashed across Keanu's face as he lunged forward, grabbing Kaiser by the collar and lifting him slightly. "Then why in the seven hells are you serving as Solarus's lapdog now? I can smell their stench all over you—you reek like a trained dog!"
Kaiser remained perfectly calm despite the aggressive grip. "Listen, I never betrayed anyone. What I did was absolutely necessary for—"
"Enough with your lies!" Keanu's divine aura began leaking out, causing the air itself to shimmer with barely contained power.
"Keanu," Arthur stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Let him explain himself."
"You don't understand!" Keanu shoved Arthur's hand away roughly. "Traitors like this deserve nothing but punishment!"
Kaiser's smirk carried no malice, only weary resignation. "Punishment? You know absolutely nothing about the situation." The moment those words left his lips, his entire form dissolved into countless dollar bills that scattered through the air like green snow.
Keanu found himself grasping handfuls of currency as Kaiser vanished completely. Suddenly, both he and Arthur were engulfed by a tornado of swirling bills that rose around them like a cyclone. When the monetary storm finally subsided and the last bills fluttered to the ground, they discovered they stood in an entirely different realm.
"Unless I'm mistaken, we're inside his Divine Realm," Keanu said grimly as he surveyed their new surroundings. The landscape was surreal—mountains of treasure chests stretched to the horizon, rivers of liquid gold flowed between hills of glittering coins, and dollar bills drifted through the air like autumn leaves. The sky itself was the color of aged wine, while clouds of golden dust drifted lazily overhead.
"Welcome to my domain—the «World of Wealth»," Kaiser announced as he materialized before them. He now wore simple, comfortable clothing, but his bearing radiated the absolute confidence of both divinity and immeasurable riches.
"You think dragging us into your realm gives you some advantage?" Keanu's aura crackled with barely restrained violence. "You're a fool if you believe that. I've recovered enough power to crush lapdogs like you."
"Such confidence," Kaiser observed, his emerald gaze shifting to Arthur with obvious disdain. "Is it because you're allied with him? A supposedly ordinary filmmaker who's clearly concealing his true nature?"
The pressure within the realm intensified exponentially. Even Keanu felt his divine power being constrained by the overwhelming force of Kaiser's domain. Here, within the God of Wealth's personal dimension, Kaiser wielded absolute authority. Any mortal would have been crushed to atoms by now.
Arthur met Kaiser's intimidating stare with perfect composure. "I don't believe you brought us here just to pick a fight with us."
The oppressive atmosphere immediately lightened, becoming almost welcoming. Kaiser nodded approvingly. "Precisely. I have no interest in wasting energy on pointless combat."
He moved closer, particularly focusing on Arthur. "I know you deliberately revealed your true nature to me yesterday during my surveillance. Why take such a risk? You're that confident I won't report both Enyalius and your existence to the Three Known Gods?"
Arthur chuckled softly. "I took that gamble because I sensed you were confident enough to confront us directly yourself."
"Is that so?" Kaiser's laughter held genuine amusement.
"And you wanted this meeting because you're curious about something specific," Arthur continued, spreading his arms with a knowing smile. "How does a demon filmmaker suddenly possess the power of gods?"
The moment Arthur opened his arms, the authority of Entertainment erupted behind him in a magnificent display. Vibrant colors swirled like living paint, forming what resembled stained glass windows of a grand cathedral. The divine energy completely overrode Kaiser's realm, transforming the golden landscape into something far more spectacular.
Kaiser's laughter died instantly, his expression shifting to profound astonishment. "So that's your truth. You've claimed dominion over entertainment itself?"
The revelation staggered him completely. He couldn't process what he was witnessing.
'If we were to fight seriously, I genuinely don't know who would emerge victorious. And Arthur is so young!' His thoughts raced with growing alarm. 'I don't sense any foreign divine soul possessing him, so how could he possibly have acquired such immense power independently?'
The implications terrified him more than any direct threat could.