It was a beautiful day in Little Garden, as always, the sun shining high in the sky above.
Moving downard, the scene changes to that out of something like a history book. All around are works of stone, that can only be attributed to that of Greek and Roman styles. That is because this place is Outer Gate Area 2014506, located on the seventh layer district of the Little Garden, in the west.
Waiting on the steps to go into the outer word of Little Garden, are three people, all females. One who is not doing so well.
"Mu, I messed up." A girl muttered to herself, rocking back and forth, seated on the steps to enter the main portion of Little Garden.
The girl in question is 18 years old. She has light blonde hair, done in two knotted braids that are resting on her shoulder, and silver colored eyes. Her figure is voluptuous, with nice sized breasts. As for her clothing… one would not be able to describe her clothes as anything else but a mahou shoujo (magical girl) outfit.
The girl was dressed up in a frilly white skirt dressed, with a purple trim, along with a deep purple jacket that went to her ankles. On her feet are deep purple boots, and on her belt buckle is a star emblem.
So no matter how you look at it, no one can deny the girl seems as if she's cosplaying. However, that is not the case at all.
"Amarette, calm down."
"Yeah, everyone makes mistakes."
Two distinctive female voices, attempted to use soothing comments to ease the stress of the girl known as Amarette.
The first voice belongs to a young girl, the age of 18, named Frederica Bruchst. She has light blonde hair, a single high ponytail hanging loosely off the left side of her head, and kind pink eyes. Her attire consists of paige leggings, brown ankle length flat boots, paige shorts, that leave small opening for her thighs to be seen, a paige skirt, a light paige coat with a hood, a pink shirt, under a paige vest, and lastly, a pink bow on her chest, and a pink ribbon to secure her ponytail. She also has a developed body, with tan skin.
The second voice belongs to a female who looks to be in her 20's, her name is Fianna Ordesia. She has long dark hair that flows to her butt, and dark eyes to match. Her skin is a porcelain white, belonging to a well-developed body, with huge breasts. If one were to inspect her breasts, they would be deemed F cup, no doubt. As for her attire, she is dressed in flat black boots, that stop just below her ankles, a black skirt, a dark purple long sleeve shirt, and lastly a hoodless black jacket that stops just below her butt.
"Easy for you two to say." Amarette said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "You guys aren't the ones who performed the summons, and then messed up the ritual."
Seeing Amarette on the verge of tears, Fianna calmly walked to her and promptly flicked her in the forehead.
Pak!
"Ow! Fianna, what was that-"
Pak! Pak!
"Ow! Seriously, stop-"
Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
"Alright enough!" Amarette screamed, grabbing Fianna's fingers before they could deliver another flick to her forehead. Using her free hand, she rubbed the spot Fianna had continouly flicked, while glaring at her with a dirty look. "Stop bullying me!"
"I don't know what you mean," Fianna said, averting her eyes from Amarette's dirty look.
"You definitely do!" Amarette retorted.
Her anger was beginning to reach its peak. However, she suddenly dropped it and looked towards the sky.
"Oh, they've arrived." Fianna said, removing her fingers from Amarette's grip. "Let's go greet them, shall we?"
"Kyah!"
"Agh!"
"Ugh!"
"Hahaha!"
The voices of Anthony, Reina, Natsume, and Ren could discintly be heard, as all four of them hurdled toward the ground, from high in the sky. But before any one of them could go splat, strong gusts of wind appeared, sweeping them all up, into a single tornado. The tornado then gently placed all of them on the ground, inside ancient ruins, all of them landing right on their butts.
"Man, that was horrible." Anthony said, pushing his glasses up.
"What're you talking about man, that was awesome!" Ren bellowed.
"It wasn't!" Reina and Natsume yelled in perfect unison.
Reina because she was still wearing her school uniform which consisted of a skirt, and Nastume because she had never done well with heights in the first place.
By the way, Anthony is wearing black pants, a red t-shirt, and red sneakers, while Ren is also still dressed in his school uniform.
Ren then turned to Natsume and Reina, waving their concerns off.
"Hey, boy with "delinquent" aura, don't patronize me please." Reina said, a fake smile on her face.
"Oh, it seems like oujo-sama here has some backbone. I like it." Ren said, a fierce smile on his face.
The imaginary sparks between Ren and Reina began to fire off.
"Hey," Anthony turned around toward everyone else, "so just to make it clear, everyone who's here got a white envelope with their name on it, right?"
"Yes."
"Yep."
"You know it."
Everyone answered Anthony's question, confirming his suspicions.
"Good, if that's the case, then we can assume these," Anthony looked around, inspecting their surroundings, "Greek ruins, are part of this Little Garden place."
"Hey, how do you know they're greek?" Natsume inquired.
"Oh." Anthony turned to face her. "That's easy. The architecture is similar to that of early Greek cities, not to mention the material used to build is also reminiscent of early Greek temples. Meaning, that this place," Anthony tapped his foot lightly on the ground, "was modeled after the Greek culture. Though from the looks of things, whoever built this place added in their own personal touches."
When Anthony had finished speaking, everyone was staring at him, blank stares on their faces.
"What, something on my face?" Anthony asked.
"No, it's not that." Reina said. "It's just, with only a look you discerned so much. Are you some type of genius or something?"
Upon hearing Reina's question, Anthony released a slight chuckle. "No, I'm not a genius, just an avid fan of history is all. Names Anthony Kusha. Pleased to meet all of you."
"Likewise. Reina Satzuki, a pleasure to meet you all." Reina said, standing up from the ground.
"If we're introducing ourselves, then my name is Natsume Sonobe. Glad to meet you all." Natsume said, standing up from the ground as well.
"Ren Takamura is my name." Ren said, pointing to himself. "And living my life to the fullest is my game."
"Rhyming, how charming." Reina said dryly.
"Oh, it seems like oujo-sama wants to go another round with me." Ren motioned with his hand. "Bring it on then, missy."
"Why you!" Reina clenched her hands in anger over Ren's attitude toward her. As she did, everyone noticed that flames were beginning to appear around her body, only there was no source for it to originate from.
"Oh, interesting." Ren said, cracking his neck from side to side. "Seems you guys are the same as me, right?"
No one said anything considering how tense the situation was, but they could all tell from the beginning. Everyone in their group had a special and strange power that couldn't be explained by modern methods. And now that they were all meeting, they all felt they were not alone anymore.
"Stop!"
A voice resounded through the ruins.
In an instant, Amatette was standing in between Reina and Ren, holding a hand out to block eachs path from the other. "No fighting you two, please."
… No one paid attention to Amarette's words. They were all too busy staring at her clothing.
"She's a mahou shoujo right?"
"Yeah, no doubt about that."
"Maybe it's just elaborate cosplay."
"If it is, then it's wonderfully done."
They all decided to comment on Amarette's clothing.
"It's not cosplay!" Amarette shouted.
No one in the group was buying Amarette's words at all.
Sensing this, Amarette once again pressed her position. "I'm telling you all the truth, my clothes are not cosplay!"
"So you're telling us, those," Reina pointed to Amarette, "are your normal clothes?"
"Right you are, missy oujo-sama."
Everyone turned around to see Fianna walking towards them, a smile on her face.
"Not to be rude, but that's just plain weird." Anthony stated.
Fianna turned to Anthony, flashing him a big smile. "Maybe where you're from, but here in the Little Garden, that's normal compared to most things."
"I see. And what exactly is the Little Garden?" Anthony asked, his curiosity peaking.
"Why, it's the place all of you wished for." Fianna said.
This set off a fire inside the group that had arrived from another world.
Fianna seeing that, went to take a seat on a nearby piece of rubble. "Let's get things started then."
So, after introducing themselves to each other, Fianna and Amarette began to explain everything to the new arrivals. The Little Garden, a place with the surface area equivalent to that of a star that intersects with the past, present, and future of all possible points in human history. Place where fictional characters are real, and places where the human race evolved in an entirely manner all together. The Little Garden itself is divided into seven layers, each more difficult than the previous one. As to the reason, Little Garden exists in the first place, it's so the gods and humans can challenge each other in competitions of various natures, called Gift Games on the Little Garden.
Hearing all this, Anthony and the others couldn't believe it was true. Gods, monsters, challenges that defied imagination. It all sounded too good to be true, and yet, the proof was right in front of their eyes. What was one to do but accept the situation?
"Question." Reina said. "How are we humans supposed to challenge, the gods and other beings that inhabit Little Garden?"
During the explanation of Little Garden, Amarette explained that a multitude of species populate it, from mythical beasts such as the legendary giffrons, to lizard people and werebeasts. Truly, a fantasy world.
"That's thanks to the power of Gifts." Fianna answered. "Gifts, special powers and abilities of differing power. Some are innate to a person, while others are won and inherited, particularly using the Gift Games. That's one of the central reasons they were created in the first place."
"What are some of the other reasons?" Anthony asked.
That question caused both Fianna and Amarette to show the group complicated expressions.
"About that." Fianna mused. "I won't go into too many details right now as not to scare you, but suffice it to say, a few hundred years ago, the human race across all of the space time continuum was in danger of being erased."
The revelation sent chills up the spines of everyone.
"However," Fianna smiled brightly, "thanks to the efforts of people like you all. Humans who were born outside the Little Garden and many others, that did not come to pass."
"And since that day those legendary heroes saved us, we've been calling more and more individuals from outside the Little Garden to share in the fun." Amarette said.
"I see." Anthony said, pushing up his glasses.
"So you see, all we want is for you guys to enjoy Little Garden to its fullest, and make this pace more fun, competing in Gift Games, testing your skills against others." Amarette exclaimed.
"Right." Reina said. "So, what's the second reason you called us all here?" She asked, no hesitation in her words.
Amarette upon hearing Reina's question, began to cold sweat profusely. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. Hehehe."
Amarette's denial wasn't fooling anybody.
"Nice try maou shoujo girlie, but my innate senses hardly ever fail." Ren stated. "Something is telling me, that you called us all here for something more than just fun and games."
"I agree." Anthony said.
"Me as well." Natsume said.
Amarette saw she had been backed into a proverbial corner, the only way out, telling the complete truth.
"Before that," Fiann interrupted, clapping her hands to draw everyone's attention, "how about I explain the rules of Gift Games a bit more. And then let you try one."
"You can do that?" Ren asked.
"But of course." Fianna answered. "To initiate a Gift Game, all one needs is a challenger(s) who is the games participant, a host(s) to watch over the game, and a prize for the end of the game. If one has all three of these things, then a Gift Game can be initiated."
"So someone like me, could be a host?" Natsume asked, pointing to herself.
"Of course, of course." Fianna said, shaking her head. "As long as you have a prize for the Gift Game you want to initiate, then you can be the games host. However, a word of caution, the tougher the game, the higher the reward, or so it usually goes. There are rare cases when that doesn't happen, but enough of that for now. It's time to initiate a Gift Game." Fianna gazed at the entire group. "That is, if you're all willing to play?"
"What do we get if we win?" Anthony asked.
"Well," Fianna placed a finger on her chin, a smirk appearing on her face, "how about this? If you guys win, I'll give each of you a gift from the innate ones you already possess."
"No way." Reina retorted.
"Why so quick to say no?"
"Because that meaning is too vague. Giving us a gift, we have no idea how to measure the value of gifts yet. We have no clue what's good and what's bad, nor much about the various gifts out there. If some have restrictions placed on when they can be used, then us asking you said gift would mean nothing." Reina explained.
"Rich girls right, gotta say no." Ren said.
"I as well." Natsume stated.
"I agree with the others. Unless…"
"Unless…?"
"Unless, you allow us to choose the specific we want to receive from you, barring the ones you already have of course."
"Oh, so cunning." Fianna said.
"No idea what you mean." Anthony said with a shrug of his shoulder.
That's a lie of course. Anthony knew exactly what Fianna was getting at. If Anthony's proposal was accepted by Fianna, and he and the others won her game, then that rule Anthony implemented would mean they had the power to take any future gifts away from Fianna that she earned, no matter when and where, even if it was a gift she loved. And while Fianna could feel Anthony and the others weren't that cruel, just the suggestion of such an idea, showed her that each of them was cunning and hungry for the taste of victory. She enjoyed that feeling immensely.
"I like you all. I'm glad all of you were summoned here." Fianna stated.
This sudden admission surprised Anthony and the others.
However, they did not have time to ponder it, as something interrupted their moment. The sound of footsteps that shook the ground itself, encroaching on their position.
The air around both Fianna and Amarette changed immediately, putting themselves on guard to handle whatever was making its way toward them.
"Well,well, what do we have here?" A gruff male voice spoke.
"Looks like dinner, brother." Another male spoke.
Appearing in front of everyone, was none other than a pair of nine foot fall, thick skinned males in loincloths, metal morningstar slung over their shoulders. Their skin was a dark black, but the most distinctive feature was the single eye each of them possessed. That told everyone present just what legend two monsters originated from.
They are what the Greeks called, cyclops, or one-eyes.
"Real life cyclops, interesting." Anthony said, observing the cyclops moving closer.
"Finally some excitement!" Ren roared, eyeing the cyclops, a feral look in his eyes.
"Please turn your perverted gazes away from me." Reina stated, not liking the look the cyclops were giving her body.
"Hey Fianna, do you perhaps have a change of clothes I could borrow, these sweats really don't fit the atmosphere." Natsume asked, pulling at her hoodie.
"No, not right now, sorry." Fianna answered.
"What is wrong with all of you?!" Amarette shouted at the others. Her knees were shaking badly.
The reason Amarette was so tense, is because the cyclops were a race that lived outside the borders of the Little Garden, like many other species that migrate to the place. And while many of those species had intermixed with others, becoming significantly weaker than their original ancestors, the migratory races were still to be feared. For those races usually boasted powers and abilities those that lived inside the boundaries of Little Garden took years to match, barring a few rare cases.
Yet, Anthony and the others who were human (as far as anyone knew) and had just arrived in the Little Garden, with no understanding of their gifts, were taking the situation in stride. Amarette could not believe what she was seeing. It reminded her of a certain person she knew.
'They're just like leader!' Amarette despairingly thought.
She fell to her hands and knees, a dark cloud appearing over her person.
"Oi, what's with those attitudes?!" The lead cyclops yelled. "Shouldn't you be begging us to spare your lives right now?!"
"Nope. Not really." Anthony said.
"You little shit!" The lead cyclops was enraged, a vein bulging on his head. He was about to attack Anthony, when a hand grabbed firmly onto his shoulder.
"Brother don't, that human isn't worth it."
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Anthony agreed, plastering a huge grin on his face.
"... On second thought, let's end that cheeky little shit."
"Wow now, hold up there." Anthony raised up a hand to the cyclops brothers. "How about we settle this with a Gift Game?"
"Have you no shame, you human with glasses?!" The lead cyclops yelled again.
"Nope, probably none, but that's neither here or there right now. The point is, I've already worked out the conditions of the game in my head, and they are quite in your favor, if you're willing to listen."
"...We're listening." The cyclops in the back spoke, holding back his older brother to at least hear the human out.
"Excellent." Anthony clapped, a smile on his face. "Here it is then. We have a fair and square fighting match game. First ones to die or surrender lose. If we win, you guys give us any Gifts you have on you, and take your leave, never bothering us again. But if you guys win, not only do you get all our gifts, but you also get the women to do with as you please, and you get to beat me and Ren to a bloody pulp, us not doing anything to resist."
"Oi Anthony!" Reina and Amarette shouted at him in unison. They did not like that deal one bit.
But it seems they were the only ones, the others didn't speak up to reject the game terms at all.
"Deal!" The cyclops brothers yelled in unison.
They couldn't help but think Anthony was a foolish human, especially since he had just revealed most of their group had just arrived in Little Garden itself. This was going to be an easy win for them, they would beat Anthony and the others, claim their gifts, kill him and Ren, then have their way with the women. It was so easy, it was laughable.
At least, that's what the cyclops brothers thought.
When the deal was set, a parchment materialized in front of everyone, and unfurled itself.
"What's that?" Natumse asked.
"The Geass Roll." Fianna stated. "Whenever a Gift Game is initiated by anyone, they appear, explaining the rules of the game and so forth. Just think of it as a contract of the games proof."
Everyone nodded, then proceeded to read the content of the Geass Roll.
Gift Game Name: Team Battle
Clearing Condition(s):
Defeat your opponents team in combat.
Clearing Method(s):
You must either kill your opponent in combat, or force all members of their team to forfeit the match.
Defeat Condition(s);
Forfeiting the match or losing your life.
Oath: Respecting the above, under the pride, banner and the Host Master's name, the Gift Game shall commence.
The Geass Roll, then flew over to a ruin wall, pasting itself too it, so all could read it in plain view.
There was no need though, since the rules had been discussed beforehand.
"Brother, let's go!"
"Yeah! I can't wait to taste those lovely ladies!"
The two cyclops brothers moved faster than expected for such large frames, charging forward, their morningstars at the ready.
"Ah!" Amaretted yelled. She then scurred across the ground to Fianna, gripping her skirt tightly, tears waterfalling from her eyes. "Fianna, please get to it and defeat those perverts!" Amarette begged.
"Nope." Fianna answered.
"Why?!"
"Amarette Howl."Fianna said seriously, look around why don't you.
"Wha-" Amarette's word were caught in her throat, for once she began to look around, she saw exactly what Fianna was getting at.
Anthony and the others were not showing fear in the slightest, rather they had smiles on their faces, excluding airs of excitement. Their auras were also saying, "stay out of this, it's our fight that we picked!" loud and clear. Seeing all that, Amarette knew no matter what she said, it wouldn't get through to them. So with reluctance, she kept quiet and decided to watch, hoping her new friends weren't being reckless.
The lead cyclops was the first to reach Anthony, a grin on his face. He swung his morningstar at him, intending to kill Anthony then and there.
So it came as a complete shock, when Anthony dove under the morningstar, placing his palms on the ground in front of the cyclops. When he did, a pale blue light emitted from Anthony's hands into the ground. In the next second, iron pillars erupted from the ground, going straight for the lead cyclops. The force in the pillars was so great, he was blasted backwards a few feet into the air, releasing hold of his weapon in the process.
"Brother!" The other cyclops yelled, using his one eyes to follow his brothers arc through the air, before he crashed into a nearby ruin wall, causing it to form a pile of rubble on top of him.
Anthony on the other hand, quickly pushed himself off the ground, walked over to the cyclopss' morningstar, and placed his palm on the weapons handle.
When he did so, the large weapon began to pulse with blue energy, before changing color to a black substance, that then dissolved into the air.
"A-amazing." Amarette said stunned. She had no clue what Gift she had just seen in action, all she knew was that it was powerful, and that Anthony knew how to use it.
"Rargh!" A roar came. The ruble on top of the downed cyclops exploded outward, revealing his frame, only this time with cuts and bruises, blood leaking out of several small holes, caused by the iron spikes Anthony used to send him flying.
"As I thought." Anthony said, walking back to the others. "It wasn't enough."
Anthony recalling Greek mythology centered in on the legend of the cyclops. Possessing great strength, and tough skin, the cyclopes are known to forge weapons for the gods, including the big three trio of Zeus, hades, and Poseidon. And even if the guys in front of him were only long descendants, Anthony could plainly see from his last attack, that they still possessed their ancestors extremely thick hide. That was good information to have.
"Hey now, save some for us, Anthony." Ren said, stepping forward.
"Time to die, humans!" The lead cyclops yelled. He roared another, this time his black skin undergoing a transformation. Cracks of red began to appear all along the surface, pretty soon, everyone could feel the temperature in the area skyrocket to dangerous levels. The cyclops then began to drool lava of all things.
"What exactly is going on here?" Natsume asked, removing her hoodie, exposing her undershirt.
"I didn't have time to mention that before, but Gifts and innate abilities are not always so straight forward." Fianna said. "Sometimes, they embody multiple aspects of a particular legend, or different interpretations. It all depends on the legend and what you know about it."
"That still doesn't explain this heat." Ren said.
"It does." Anthony stated. "In Greek mythology, the cyclops are said to be the forgers of the weapons of the gods, doing so in high temperature volcanoes. The legend also associates the cyclops legend with Aeolian Islands, a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily, Italy. I assume this lava power is somehow related to those aspects of the cyclops legend."
"Good eye, Anthony." Fianna complimented. "That's exactly right."
"Hot damn, this place just keeps getting more interesting by the second!" Ren yelled in joy. He turned to face the cyclops brothers, punching one fist into the other. He then charged forward with a yell, like a maniac.
"Ren wait, please don't be reckless!" Amarette yelled in worry. Her words fell on deaf ears, as Ren was already within range of the cyclops, who had made it back to their last position from before.
"Insolent humans, know your place!" The cyclops roared, spewing lava right at Ren.
No time to dodge, Ren crossed his arms, and was encased by the flow of lava.
"Ren!" Amarette cried out.
That's when Fianna delivered a head chop to her scalp.
"Ow! Fianna!" Amarette said, rubbing her head again. "Why again?"
"Foolish girl, do you need more training?" Fianna questioned.
"No, absolutely not!" Amarette quickly responded. She had experienced Fianna's training (torture) once before, and she was not keen on doing so again.
"Then be quiet and learn to assess the situation."
Amarette didn't say anything else, she turned her head back toward the battle, only to see another unbelievable thing today.
A crevice was moving in the lava. It was none other than Ren. He charged through the lava, with a vigor, delivering a punch to the gut of the cyclops, which actually cracked it open a small bit, surpsings the cyclops brothers.
"Guh!" The lava cyclop spewed up watery lava, which one could only assume is blood. "Impossible, you're only human!"
Ren smirked. "I'm not one for history, mind you, but isn't it mostly humans who defeat the big shotus in those stories of legend?"
'He's not wrong.' Reina, Natsume, and Anthony simultaneously thought.
Ren keeping up with his moment, went to deliver a kick to the wound he had already made, that's when he pushed himself back, narrowly escaping the morningstar blow that was aimed straight for his head.
"Trying to decapitate me, are ya?" Ren joked, regaining his footing.
"Leave my brother alone!" The other cyclops yelled, charging at Ren, his morningstar raised high.
Ren respected that. While he didn't know which was older or younger, he respected the cyclops brother that defended his nasty sibling. That's why Ren had no trouble going all out with the guy.
"Ok then, you asked for this!" Ren yelled.
"How did Ren survive that?" Amaretted asked.
"This is just a theory, but maybe Ren has some sort of defensive Gift." Anthony said.
"Yeah, that might be so." Reina said. "He may act like an idiot, but I can tell, he's really smart underneath it all." Reina was now starting to admire Ren, as much as she loathed his personality.
"Right on the money, ojou-sama." Natsume said.
"Oh, we're calling me that now, hm?"
"We sure are." Anthony said.
"Maybe, please don't." Reina asked.
"Hey, you pieces of shit, don't forget about me!" The lava cyclops roared, charging forward, his footprints melting into place as he did so.
"Ladies," Anthony presented his hand to the charging cyclops, "I leave this up to you."
"Why thank you." Reina replied.
"Not to worry, this pervert will die." Natsume said.
The girls stepped forward, a coldness in their eyes.
The cyclops could only snort at the sham in front of him. He decided to end things quickly instead of messing around. Sure he would lose two playthings, but he still had two more in reserve, so in his mind, it was fine to kill Reina and Natsume.
The lava cyclops sucked in a big breath of air, ignoring the pain in his chest. He then let loose something that could only be described at a lava breath attack right at Natsume and Reina.
They didn't even flinch.
"Hey, watch where you're spewing that disgusting spit!" Reina yelled.
Summon the flames from earlier, they engulfed her whole body, not burning in the slightest, the same for Natsume who was standing at her side. Reina then held up her hand, sending a plume of flames from her body. They then devoured the lava attack, burning it a sunder, finally delivering an attack to the cyclops's mouth, and the rest of his face.
'Ugh!" The lava cyclops intangibly mumbled. He held his burning face, attempting to put off Reina's flames.
"Natsume, finish him if you would."
"With pleasure." Natsume said, sparks of yellow electricity appearing around her body.
Natsume held up her hand, lightning moving to condense in it, taking the shape of a lance. When the lance of lightning was fully formed, Natsume took hold of it, aiming straight for the cyclops.
Meanwhile having put out, Reina's flames, the cyclops eyed Natsume, his giant body beginning to tremble with fear.
"No, it's not possible… Why does a human possess the power of he who leads Olympus?!"
"Die."
Natsume launched the lighting lance from her hand like a javelin, the bolt releasing sparks everywhere as it raced through the air, breaking a sound barrier or two. Before the lava cyclops even had time to react, Natsume's lighting lance pierced his skull, destroying it and turning it to ash. The rest of the monster's body soon follows suit.
"All done." Natsume said, dusting off her hands in mock cleaning fashion. "Excellent work, Reina."
"You too, Natsume." Reina said, turning to Natsume to flash a smile.
Natsume happily returned it.
While the two girls were becoming best friends. Amarette and Fianna were shivering behind them. This is because of the power they felt just now, from both Reina and Natsume.
"Fianna, not only did we summon one with a close connection to one who holds high divinity, but also one who may possess mock divinity."
"I know."
"Just what monsters have we brought to the Little Garden."
"Again, I don't know."
Fiana and Amarette were pondering multiple questions.
Ren on the other hand was just finishing up his battle with the remaining cyclops. Using his forearm, he blocked a morningstar swing aimed directly at his midsection, the force this time around being so great, a shockwave was emitted, completely destroying the sleeve of Ren's uniform. His body was completely intact however.
"How can this be, a human who can withstand the blows of a cyclops, having no special abilities whatsoever! Young man, are you even human?"
"As far as I know, but that might change considering what I learn in this place." Ren answered.
Raising his fist, he smashed into the morningstar head, shattering it to pieces. He then fan forward and delivered another punch to the stomach of the cyclops, causing shockwaves to emit into the air. Blowing the cyclops back, forcing him to cough up a good amount of blood.
The cyclops crashed into rubble, Ren chasing after him, by jumping along. Landing in front of the cyclops, Ren saw he had given the guy a whole in his stomach, meaning he was pretty much down for the count.
The cyclops coughed up another pound of blood. Turning his eye towards Ren, he smiled a happy smile. "It has been a long time since I've seen such warriors."
"Thanks for the compliment." Ren said.
"Also, since I have some time left, I wish to apologize to you and all your friends. My brother and I had become arrogant in old age, thinking we could best humans so easily. That was our mistake, and for looking down on all of you, I am sincerely sorry."
"Thanks." Ren said.
"Now if you don't mind, I'll be taking a little nap." The cyclops closed his eye, a smile on his face.
That was the end of the game.
Having finished with his honorable opponent in his own humble opinion, Ren made his way back over to the others, spotting Reina and Natsume in quite the heated girl talk moment.
"Nice work ladies." Ren said, not caring if he was interrupting them. "That fire and lightning tag team, marvelous."
"Yes, thank you you brute." Reina said.
"Thanks Ren." Natsume said.
"Good jobs all around." Anthony said, walking up with Fianna and Amarette in tow. "And now since the game is over, it's time to claim the reward."
The Gess Roll that pinned itself to a ruin wall, disappeared into particles of light. Signaling the Gift Game was officially closed.
That's when everyone felt something awakened within them. As quickly as it came, it went.
"That was… strange." Reina said.
"Yeah, really, weird. Almost as if something grew inside me for a moment." Anthony commented. He turned toward Fianna and Amarette. "Is that normal?"
"Depending on what type of Gift it is, yeah." Fianna said.
"That's good to know." Anthony said. He was really glad to know what would happen if he won another Gift that affected his body as it did just now.
Anthony then raised up his palm, and called forth his new Gift. His skin immediately became lava-like. That told not just Anthony, but everyone else that the Gift they had just acquired, was the same one the pervert cyclops had used in their fight.
Flicking his wrist, Anthony shut off his newly acquired gift, returning his hand to normal. He then turned to face Amarette and Fianna. "Now, before we were so rudely interrupted," Anthony pushed up his glasses, "please explain why you called us all here to Little Garden. The whole truth please."
Amarette began her cold sweats again. She was hoping everyone had forgotten about earlier thanks to the cyclops attack, but from the inquisitive and piercing gazes they were throwing her way, it was a big no.
"Fine, fine, you caught us." Fianna said, holding up her hands defensively. "Ok, so here's the truth of the matter. The Little Garden isn't just one big group, but neither is it without rules. People with like minded ideals come together to form what are known as Communities, who work together to participate in a number of events and achieve a number of goals. Me and Amarette are part of a community known as Chimera Kruzen, and we were asked by our leader to summon you all here."
"Why would your leader do that?" Ren inquired.
"To put it simply, that guy is whimsical, and comes up with the most impossible goals one could imagine. When I asked him why he wanted to summon companions from other worlds, he said, and I quote, "Won't it be fun to pal around with those interesting individuals we summon?" Or something along those lines." Fianna explained.
Everyone's opinion of Chimera Kruzen's leader had dropped after hearing those words.
"Hey, hey, what's with those faces?" Fianna asked. She could sense that her leader and close friend was being looked down upon. "Well, never mind." Fianna then changed her tone from light to serious. "Ok, so disregarding that last statement, here's the true reason the leader wanted to summon you all. He has a goal, and that goal is to reach the first floor of Little Garden."
"WHAT!" Amarette shouted at the top of her lungs.
The rest used their hands to cover their ears, to muffle the sound.
"Amarette, lower your-"
"I will not!" Amaretted interrupted. "Really, of all the things," Amarette pinched the bridge of her nose, "does our leader have any idea what he's saying?!"
"He does." Fianna answered calmly.
"Then why?"
"Simple. He wants to see what's out there." Fianna said.
"Am, you know, not to be rude, but can someone please fill us in here." Reina asked.
"Yeah, what's so big about making it to the first floor of Little Garden?" Anthony asked.
Amareette turned a sharp gaze toward the rest of the group. "Right, you all are new here, so I will educate you on things." Amarette then began her explanation.
The communities in Little Garden were ranked by floor numbers. The lower the number, the more powerful the community is. There are many upon many communities that populate the Little Garden, but in all the time since Little Garden had come into being, not one person or community has made it to the first floor. The farthest anyone has made it is two the second floor, and on that floor, only 17 of the gates bare communities, all of them god-class beings or higher.
"The structure of the Little Garden is vast, but there are fundamental facts everyone knows. Humans are usually among the weakest of the species here. Meanwhile the top species are: Divine Spirits, which include all the gods, buddhas, and shuras, the Star Class spirits such as those that belong to constellations like Cygnus, and finally the pure-blooded dragons. Among Little Gardens hierarchy, those are the absolute strongest, controlling powers and gifts that defy all logic, having communities that rule the lower number floors with an iron fist. If a community is to move up a floor, they must have achievements to their name, so if our boss wants to take us all the way to the first floor of the Little Garden…"
"It means he will without a doubt have to fight against the beings that are said to shape and rule the world across all of time and place." Anthony finished.
"Exactly." Amarette nodded. "Now do you see, if you take on a high-class being an fail, you just may forfeit your own life."
…
"This may be harsh of me to say, but please, don't go along with our bosses plan. That old man is a fool who needs to learn his limits."
…
"I know it may be tough to accept, but please, try."
…
"...Am, hello, anyone home?" Amarette asked.
No one had said a word since she started speaking. She was beginning to get worried, thinking her talk may have scared her new companions to death.
It was just the opposite however.
"Hey, Fianna, is it possible for a human to become a god-class being?"
"Certainly." Fianna answered. "Here in the Little Garden, things like the rules of the outside world do not apply. Do you know, I'm actually +300 years old."
Everyone's head shot up at Fianna's statement.
"Stop looking at me like that, it's true. And before you ask me, no I have no supernatural creature bloodline in my family. I'm just a pure human who was born in the Little Garden, but because for "certain" reasons I had to start participating in the Gift Games early, I found out I had a knack for it, and have claimed many Gifts and prizes, in doing so, raising my own spiritual power or divinity. Even so, I still have a long way to go before I can take on those old foogies on the upper levels. I may be over 10,000 years old before I'm even a speck of dust in their vision."
"That's… amazing!" Ren shouted.
"Eh!" Amarette roared.
"I knew it, this place is the challenge I've been looking for!" Ren shouted. "Fianan, count me in."
"No, wait a moment."
"I am in as well." Anthony said, pushing up his glasses. "The chance to talk to actual gods and buddhas, my grandpa may have died from joy if he was here."
"No, seriously wait."
"Before that pervert died, he said something about my lighting thing being related to "The One Who Rules Olympus". My history isn't that great, but that guy is called Zeus, right?"
"Right Natsume." Fianna said. "I don't know how it's possible, but if you want to talk to that old pervert, then going to the upper floors is the only way."
"Alright, I'm in then." Nastume said.
"Are you all just going to keep ignoring me?"
"Well, if everyone else is doing it, I guess I'll tag along for the ride as well." Reina said with a smile. "Besides, you guys aren't boring, so I guess tagging along with you guys for a few centuries wouldn't be so bad."
"I am being completely ignored, huh?"
Amarette had a blank and lifeless look in her eyes. She was without a doubt being completely ignored by the idiots around her.
Thus, the legend of a new gang of problem children finally begins.
A/N
Hope you liked this chapter. I wanted to use it to showcase some quick information, but also to tell you a bit about the gifts of my OCs, and of their plans for the future.
Really hope you're enjoying the story so far.
As always please review and comment.