A heavy silence lingered in the chamber after Samuel's declaration. Even the most arrogant gods found themselves lost in thought. This tournament would shake the foundations of every pantheon present.
Michael was the first to speak. "You propose that each pantheon selects a champion, and they will all face each other in battle?" His piercing gaze locked onto Samuel.
"Exactly," Samuel confirmed. "This isn't just about competition. It's about understanding where your pantheons stand in the grand scheme of things."
Orunmila, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "A wise decision, but unnecessary for the Orisha. We have already reached full divinity attainment. Our place in this world's evolution is set."
Samuel nodded. "That's correct. The Yoruba Pantheon won't participate because their power level is already established. This is for the rest of you—the Olympians, the Norse gods, the Hindu gods, Heaven, Hell, and any others that consider themselves powerful."
Zeus scoffed. "You act as though we need to prove ourselves."
Samuel met his gaze without flinching. "You do. The higher worlds won't respect you just because you sit on a throne. Strength speaks, and right now, none of you know where you truly stand."
The gods exchanged glances. Some looked intrigued, others insulted, but none could deny Samuel's words.
Lucifer smirked. "And the rules?"
"Each pantheon will hold its own internal battles to determine a single champion," Samuel explained. "Once you have your representative, they will enter my arena, where the real tournament will begin. The battles will be one-on-one eliminations."
"And what does the winner gain?" Odin asked.
Samuel's golden eyes gleamed. "The right to stand at the forefront of battle when the time comes. If war breaks out, the strongest fighter will prove that this world is not to be underestimated."
Sango chuckled. "You're basically saying this tournament will decide our battlefield general."
"More than that," Samuel said. "It will reveal whether this world stands a chance against the ones that will try to invade it."
The room fell silent again. The gods understood what he meant. If their best warriors lost badly, it would be proof that they were unprepared for the dangers ahead.
Zeus smirked. "Fine. The Olympians will participate."
Odin stroked his beard. "The Aesir will also send a champion."
Shiva nodded. "The Trimurti will compete as well."
Lucifer chuckled darkly. "Hell will enter the tournament. It will be interesting to see gods struggle against demons."
Michael, still looking displeased, eventually gave a nod. "Heaven will also send a warrior."
Samuel observed them all before standing. "Good. You have one month to prepare your champions. Choose wisely."
As he turned to leave, a single thought settled in the minds of the gathered gods.
Just how powerful would the winner of this tournament truly be?
---
A Higher Sector Takes Notice
Far beyond Samuel's world, in the vast expanse of the cosmos, a grand palace floated above a golden sea of energy. The structure was massive, spanning the size of entire continents. Pillars of divine energy held it aloft, while celestial beings floated in reverence around it.
Inside, on a throne of shimmering divinity, sat an ancient god whose mere presence warped reality. Twelve pairs of glowing eyes stared down at the kneeling figures before him.
The god, known as Xerathos, Lord of Dominion, leaned forward. "Something interesting is happening." His voice carried an authority that demanded absolute obedience.
The gods before him remained silent, awaiting his command.
"A world is evolving into a 1st class high sector," Xerathos mused. "And no one has claimed it yet. How fortunate."
One of the kneeling gods, a warlord clad in golden armor, dared to raise his head. "Shall we prepare for war, my lord?"
Xerathos chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers through the entire chamber. "Of course. A new world means untapped resources, divine energy, and more power for us. The moment their evolution is complete, we will strike."
A goddess with flowing silver hair frowned. "What if they resist? If their gods have truly awakened, they might put up a fight."
Xerathos smirked. "Then we crush them. But first, let us observe. Let them play their little tournament. Once they are exhausted and divided, we shall descend upon them like the judgment of the heavens."
He stood, his divine aura sending shockwaves through the realm. "Prepare the Legions of Ascendancy. We march soon."
His golden eyes gleamed with hunger.
A new world was ripening for conquest.
The Gathering Storm
Back in Samuel's world, the supernatural factions wasted no time preparing for the coming tournament. Across the realms, warriors sharpened their blades, tested their divine abilities, and clashed in battles to determine who would represent their pantheon.
In the Olympian realm, Ares and Hercules stood atop Mount Olympus, engaged in a brutal duel. Their fists collided like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the mountain. Zeus watched from his throne, arms crossed. "Only the strongest will represent us," he declared. "If you wish to fight in this war, you must prove yourself now."
Ares wiped the blood from his mouth and grinned. "You should know better than anyone, father—I was born for war."
In Asgard, Thor and Baldur stood in an arena, lightning crackling between them as they tested their might. Odin watched with keen eyes, evaluating who was truly worthy to carry Asgard's honor into battle. "The fate of our realm may depend on this tournament," he said. "Do not hold back."
Meanwhile, in the Hindu pantheon, Kartikeya, the god of war, faced Indra in a battle of divine techniques. The sky split open as their energies clashed, each determined to claim the right to fight in Samuel's arena.
And in the depths of Hell, Lucifer stood before his legions. "Only the most ruthless shall represent us," he declared, his red eyes glowing with malice. Beelzebub, Asmodeus, and several other demon lords grinned, already preparing for the bloodshed to come.
As the days passed, whispers of the tournament spread across the supernatural world. Some saw it as an opportunity to claim prestige. Others feared it was merely the first step toward war.
---
Samuel's Own Preparations
At the heart of everything, Samuel stood in his domain, watching the supernatural world move according to his plan. He exhaled slowly, his divine senses stretching beyond the limits of this reality. He could feel the presence of something watching from afar.
Something ancient.
Something hungry.
He clenched his fists. He knew that with the Yoruba pantheon fully awakened, his world was now on the radar of more powerful forces. The 1st class high sectors would take notice—and soon, they would come.
Reality appeared beside him. "You feel it too?"
Samuel nodded. "A higher sector has noticed us."
Reality's expression darkened. "They'll come for conquest, won't they?"
Samuel's golden eyes flickered with power. "Yes. And they'll learn that this world is not one to be taken so easily."
Samuels gaze was then averted to a small home. An old couple live in this home. They were chatting over dinner, they seemed happy.
Reality knowing what Samuel was looking at says " you should see them."
Samuel knew reality was right he had to see them