12:00 IST, First Day, Fifth Month, 3080 PV | Polan System / Trial 3 World-structure / Medical Bay
I open my eyes and see nothing but white, the faint beeping of machines can be heard in the background. I feel strange, like my entire body is several times heavier than normal.
We are no longer in the arena. I must’ve gotten used to all the extra bonuses that the arena provided. Now I feel super weak in my body without the augmentations.
“Kooooooooooooooooooo!” I hear just before a light weight lands on my chest. I stare up at Initae as she smiles widely. “I knew my apprentice could do it! After all, I was the one that trained you.”
“Well, I am alive. Oh, and we kinda won the whole thing.”
“For sev’s sake, you even beat Nero’s challenge! Though it's not like he is the most strategically inclined. Anyways, get your butt up, you’ve got a ceremony in an hour!”
“Wait, we need to talk about the whole Ner-” I am cut off as she places her finger against my mouth.
“That is a conversation for later, in more private spaces and amongst allies.” She says with a sense of urgency that causes me to drop the topic. If the goddess Initae is getting serious, then it must really be serious.
“Argh.. more headrubs.” Ray mumbles and I quickly turn to look at her. As cute as ever, even sitting in a medical bed. She suddenly sits up and looks over at me and then to Initae. “Nuh uh.”
She practically teleports next to my bed and grabs Initae by the scruff, and flings her off to the side. Initae merely giggles as she goes flying away. Ray wastes no time pouncing on me and snuggling up against my side. “Headrubs time!” She says while looking into my eyes.
I run my fingers through her hair, which is nice and soft and warm. “As you wish, milady." Suddenly Initae is nowhere to be found, how convenient.
“Ko, you are so cute.” Ray says as a super duper cute blush creeps onto her face.
“Not nearly as cute as you are, Ray.” I press a kiss to her forehead.
“Ko, I think we might be a bit late to that ceremony…” She whispers.
“Sounds good to me.”
A few headrubs later
I forgot how klacking good Ray looks in her uniform. Something about the way it hugs all the best parts of her just makes me want to give her many more headpats right away.
Alas, we are currently in the antechamber with the other contestants. By some miracle, we were not late. It is always a good time for headpats, but the current glare of death from Luna’s direction makes me hesitate to do it at this moment.
In fact, all of the other contestants are glaring at the two of us. Along with their core members – who were invited along of course. Though I doubt any of them will try any klackery with Rigar standing behind us back in their full combat abilities. Not to mention Emil and Linda, who are no pushovers either.
Rao’s face is as punchable as ever thankfully. Glad to see that some things never change.
“Attention contestants and companions. The ceremony will begin in five minutes, please prepare yourselves.” The station says.
I turn to Ray, “You ready to shine darlin’?”
Her smile nearly knocks me unconscious, I think we need to classify her smile as a lethal weapon of mass destruction. “Of course, that is what we do after all.”
The doors open and Ray and I are directed to walk out first, followed by Luna and then the Quartet. The atmosphere when we step out is practically electric as the crowd in the audience cheers.
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The fresh air of the biodome does bring back some memories, all those good times in the arena. They were fun, but it is nice to be back into the normal world. After all, there was no anime inside the arena. Having no access to anime is one of the greatest punishments that I have ever experienced.
Ray does her thing and the crowd gets even more wild. By the time we reach our pedestal they are practically a raving mob of zombies. I do wonder if we have perhaps a bit too much fame… nah, there is no such thing. So what if our fans are a bit enthusiastic, that is just a good sign really.
Once we all take our places, the floor opens up and none other than The Gamekeeper appears. Feels like it has ages since we last saw the strange Vaux, his tail is as menacing as ever. Something about The Gamekeeper still gives me a few creepy vibes, they did a great job in casting, that's for sure.
“Greetings, ladies, gentlemen and everything in between and without. That trial sure was a doozy, wasn’t it? All the contestants put forth their best effort, but in the end, only one could prevail…
And it was the Moonlight Duo!”
The crowd erupts into applause and cheers. I even hear a few “marry me”, though I have no clue who it's directed at.
“The duo completely dominated the arena. Even after being thoroughly defeated they picked themselves back up and fought on. Truly embodying the essence of a ruler! But not to forget their companion’s efforts, it was only through teamwork and organization amongst their soldiers that they were able to achieve victory!”
He does make a good point. We will have to give Emil, Linda, Rigar and a few others a medal or something. They have definitely earned it.
“So, without further ado, the current rankings!” A screen appears behind the gamekeeper, displaying the current scores. We only have one trial left, and the results from our city development.
‘Rankings as of end of Ruler’s Conquest:
Moonlight Alliance | +5 Points (1st Place) + 2 Points (All Forts Held) | Cumulative Points: 11
Lone Snowflake | +3 Points (2nd Place) | Cumulative Points: 6
Quartet Confederation | + 1 Point (3rd Place) | Cumulative Points: 6’
It is only natural that we would be in first place. After all, it is Ray and I. It is interesting how the other two are tied, Luna was lagging behind a bit, but managed to catch up I suppose. Though as far as I know, second and third place don't matter. After all, there can only be one ruler of humanity.
The Gamekeeper continues, “Would you look at that folks! The Moonlight Duo is firmly in the lead with the other two tied for second place! Remember, anything is possible. After all, we still have two more trials worth of points to award!
With that, I call this ceremony to an end. Do not forget about the gala tonight, I am sure our sparkling duo will give quite a performance.” The Gamekeeper winks directly at Ray and I. I guess we will have to think up a performance, a bit of short notice, eh? We knew it would likely happen… but they could’ve at least given us a day.
We are quickly ushered off the stage and towards a large meeting area. Where Initae and to my expectation, Nero, await us.
“Ray dear! It's been so long!” Initae says before throwing herself into Ray’s arms and hugging her tightly. I feel a pang in my chest and before I know it I am stepping forward.
I grab Initae and pry her away from Ray – much to Initae’s protest. Then I wrap my arm around Ray and pull her in tightly. Ray is mine after all, not even clingy goddesses can have her.
“Ko, you are such a meanie! I wanna hug her too!” Initae complains.
“Well you can’t. She is mine.” I say. Ray makes a weird squeaking sound that I’ve never heard before, it is quite cute. I pull her in closer and she leans her head on my shoulder.
Nero starts chuckling. “Damn, you two really are funny, huh?”
“Yeah, they really are.” Initae walks over and wraps her arm around Nero. Naturally, both Ray and I are completely shocked.
“Wait, Initae, are you two…?” Ray pokes.
Nero guffaws. “Oh, I suppose I did forget to say that part didn’t I?”
“Oh darling, you are so silly.” Initae says, smiling while looking at Ray and I standing utterly dumbfounded.
“Darling, you are even sillier you know. Remember that time when you broke that planet because they called you short?” Nero says teasingly… Though I have no klacking clue why that sentence sounds so romantically charged.
“That’s nothing compared to you accidentally blowing up that star when it gave you a sunburn…” Initae looks up into Nero’s eyes and they seem to get lost within each other for a few seconds.
Ray and I look at each other. I think we have finally found a couple that might just be even more interesting than the two of us. Though the final verdict is still to be seen, Ray and I are a tough act to top after all.
Rigar coughs from behind us. “Anyways, how about some booze?”
All present are indeed very happy at Rigar’s proposition and much drinking ensues. After all, godlike beings and mere mortals alike can all enjoy some good booze. It seems to be a universal constant, I wonder if there is some deeper logic behind it…
I have no klacking clue what is coming next, or even what has happened in our absence. But as long as Ray is by my side, we will overcome it, together. If we somehow cannot, I guess we can just ask the goddess-archdemon couple to blow up a few planets.
So, bring it on.
End of Chapter 146
Next: Chapter 147 | Moonlit Flame
