The earth groaned as if the world itself was waking from an ancient dream.
High above the mortal realm, Olympus split open, its marble halls twisting and reshaping into a colossal coliseum that pierced the heavens. Pillars of light rose like spears, supporting seats carved from the bones of constellations. The stars themselves seemed to lean closer, burning brighter, as though the universe wished to witness this moment.
In the center of the world, the Arena of Fate was born.
Its floor shimmered with divine energy, glowing faintly like a moonlit ocean. The ground stretched wider than any mortal battlefield, yet every grain of sand was so clear it felt as if it had been crafted by the hands of the gods themselves.
Thunder rolled through the arena as Zeus, the King of Olympus, appeared on his throne of stormclouds. Lightning danced along his arms, illuminating his weathered face. His voice rumbled like the sky itself.
> "Mortals have forgotten us. They have turned away from Olympus. They steal fire, build towers of iron, and raise their own names higher than ours. And now…"
His gaze hardened, sparks snapping from his eyes.
> "…now they dare live as if gods never existed."
The other Olympians appeared one by one, each taking their seat on thrones that formed a circle around the arena.
Hera, tall and regal, sat with her chin raised, a cold smile on her lips.
Poseidon leaned on his trident, ocean waves crashing softly around his feet.
Hades emerged silently, shrouded in a cloak of shadows, the air around him chilling like a tomb.
Athena's gray eyes glimmered as she unfurled a scroll, her calculating gaze measuring every outcome before the war had even begun.
Ares stood instead of sitting, his armor clinking as he tapped the butt of his spear against the floor. A hungry grin split his face.l
> "Let us stop talking and start killing. Humanity has grown soft. I'll end them all in one night."
Hermes chuckled lazily from his seat.
> "So impatient, Ares. Where's the fun if you crush them all at once?"
Dionysus raised his wine cup, yawning.
> "Just let them fight. If they lose, they die. If they win…" —he shrugged— "well, it might be entertaining."
Athena's voice cut through their bickering.
> "The trial must be fair. Twelve duels — god versus mortal. If humanity proves worthy, they live. If they fall, their age ends here."
Zeus nodded once, and lightning split the sky.
> "So be it. Summon the champions of man!"
The arena trembled. From across time and history, light shot upward — pillars of gold, crimson, and silver — pulling warriors from every era and land.
The first to appear was Achilles, his bronze armor gleaming, golden hair glowing under the divine light. He twirled his spear effortlessly, his eyes sharp with pride.
> "So, the gods finally dare face us?" he said with a smirk. "I have been waiting."
Beside him, Leonidas stepped forward, his red Spartan cape snapping in the celestial wind. His shield bore the mark of his people, his spear ready.
> "For Sparta. For mankind," he said simply, his voice steady as stone.
One by one, the champions appeared:
Sun Tzu, folding his fan with a faint smile, already observing every detail of the arena.
Boudica, her hair blazing like fire, her war cry ringing across Olympus.
Miyamoto Musashi, twin swords at his waist, silent and calm as a still lake.
Geronimo, crouched low, his eyes like a wolf ready to pounce.
William Wallace, roaring with defiance, raising his claymore skyward.
They gathered at the center of the arena, their auras flaring as they faced the gods above.
Hermes appeared in midair, standing with one foot balanced on nothing, his voice booming across the arena.
> "Mortals of every age! Hear me! Tonight, you stand before the gods to defend the future of mankind. Twelve duels. Twelve chances to prove that humanity is worth saving."
He gestured toward the gods' thrones.
> "If you lose… humanity's story ends here."
The arena fell silent. Even the stars seemed to hold their breath.
Then Zeus rose, his presence so heavy the air itself bent.
> "Let the first match begin!"
The ground shook violently. The arena floor shifted, transforming into a war-torn battlefield littered with broken weapons and scorched earth.
At one end, Ares appeared, spear in hand, his grin feral.
> "Finally," he said, cracking his neck. "Let's see which of you dies first."
Leonidas stepped forward, planting his shield into the ground with a clang that echoed through the arena.
> "I am Leonidas of Sparta," he said, his voice carrying like a war horn. "And I will show the gods what a mortal can endure."
Ares laughed, a booming sound like clashing steel.
> "Endure? Mortal, you won't even last ten heartbeats."
Achilles rested his spear on his shoulder, smirking at Leonidas.
> "Try not to die too quickly. You'll make the rest of us look bad."
Leonidas didn't look back.
> "Watch closely, Achilles. This is how a king fights."
The divine crowd roared, stamping their feet and screaming for blood. Even heroes of legend, sitting among the spectators, leaned forward in anticipation.
Hermes raised his hand, and the air grew still.
> "First battle: Ares, God of War, versus Leonidas, King of Sparta!"
The silence stretched until it became unbearable.
Then Hermes dropped his hand.
> "Begin!"
Ares lunged like a beast, his spear a streak of red lightning. Leonidas roared back, shield raised, spear thrusting forward.
Steel met steel. The clash rang like a bell across Olympus.
The war between gods and men had begun.