The gods convened in the emptiness, their shapes morphing as living stars, each emanating a strength beyond human understanding. Their cries rang out, resonating through the limitless universe as they debated which planet supported the most powerful life.
"This one!" proclaimed a god with sapphire flames encircling its shape, pointing at a bright blue-and-green globe. "Their soldiers are disciplined, their governors wise. Earth is undoubtedly superior!"
Nonsense," a darkened deity retorted, its form shrouded in dark mist. "They are weak! There are dozens of other worlds with far more powerful bloodlines. This one would fall apart under a genuine test."
Arguments exchanged like comets, with each god adamant their selected planet was the best. Until finally, a rarely heard voice shattered the mayhem.
"Enough," it said, steady and deep, ringing across the gathering. "Let the choice be made not through debate, but by trial."
Eyes focused on the speaker. The other gods whispered among themselves, curious and cautious.
"What trial?" one bellowed, its voice rumbling like thunder.
"Send all one hundred and eight members," the god suggested, "to the demon lord's world. There, they will battle. The world whose member wins shall be declared the strongest."
Murmurs of surprise and disagreement rippled across the council.
"And how shall these representatives be chosen?" another god asked.
"Randomly," the proposing god replied. "Life is unpredictable. Only then will true strength be revealed."
On Earth, seventeen-year-old Lucion had been walking home, earbuds in, lost in thought about his next gaming session, when the air around him shimmered violently. He blinked—and the familiar streets were gone.