The time went by slowly.
The public was in a constant state of anxiousness and nervousness. The time till the last stage felt like forever.
TICK-tock, TICK-tock.
However, without much other activity in the Secret Realm, the last day of the second stage soon arrived, and the news stations immediately reported about it.
Five days ago, when the Firestorm appeared, more players died and revealed their experiences. The public felt like gnawing their nails as they heard that something so interesting had happened.
As soon as the last day arrived, the news stations spoke nothing but about the last stage. There were players who tried to enter Moon City. However, all the portals were blocked, making traveling there impossible.
Even with Teleportation Pearls.
The Moon City had entered the final stage of preparations.
The hardworking residents started building the majestic Arena a week ago, and it was almost complete!
It was bigger and taller than Stronglord's Colosseum. At the hands of humans, it would take years, maybe decades, to complete it. But, Inhumans did it in a week, with the help of Goddesses and Gods.
The Arena of Champions was in the middle of Moon City, a walking distance away from the walls that touched the skies. They decorated the streets with flashy lights and decorations.
There was a proper festival feeling, making both Inhumans, Goddesses, and Gods pleasant at what they have accomplished. The roadside stalls sold fancy food and tasty snacks, and there were different marketplaces selling all sorts of exotic food and equipment.
The Arena of Champions was so tall that someone could believe that by standing on the highest point, they could almost touch the sky.
It was truly a marvelous sight.
At the current time, a gathering was happening in the Arena of Champions lounge area, situated near the Players and New-Gen Human Quarters.
Goddess Selene, Artemis, and Khione sat around a round table, and the TV mounted on the wall showed the Second Stage. The pillars of smoke still hadn't disappeared.
Their beautiful faces showed clear interest, but Selene looked doubtful.
''Is hosting this tournament a wise idea?'' She asked her two friends, ''The Demons are already lurking in our backyard. I feel like we should focus on them, and not entertainment.''
''The Gods need to see the current strength of the Humans.'' Artemis said with her melodious voice, like a voice of an angel, ''If they are not happy with their current progress, the Gods might open the Gates of the Spawn Dimension, releasing all sorts of hell beasts.''
''That would be insanity.'' Selene said with a worrying tone, ''Everyone would be in danger.''
''Yes, but making the Players stronger is the main priority,'' Artemis said with a slightly grave tone.
''No, the priority is to keep everyone safe.'' Khione opened her beautiful eyes, ''This was the whole point. Make Players strong so that New-Gen Humans and the Humans from Four Season would be safe from the otherworldly threats.''
''Maybe, the fear has seeped into the hearts of the Gods…'' Artemis muttered silently, ''Their immortal existence is in danger, and some of them don't care whether Humans would live or die.''
''We just have to pray that Players are stronger than expected,'' Selene said.
''Pray to who?'' Khione asked with her usual cold tone.
Selene and Artemis smiled weakly.
…
The last few days in the Secret Realm had been boring. The Third Event never came, and it felt like they were waiting for something.
Everyone had a feeling in their hearts that something was going to happen.
However, the time started reaching the end, making everyone feel surprised. Was this truly it?
The second stage would end like this?
Their answers got answered as the clock hit zero, and the second stage ended.
Ding, ding!
[Congratulations, Players, and New-Gen Humans!]
[Top 50 Duos Passed!]
[Rankings]
[1. King Xerxus & Lady Noelle - 17656 Points]
[2. Lord Kalzer & Tyrion - 15455 Points]
[3. Lord Amour & Colossus - 15242 Points]
[4. Night & Queen Cecilia - 15111 Points]
[5. Queen Eliza & Wonderland - 15000 Points]
[6. King Arawn & PrincessHeart - 14999 Points]
[…]
[11. King Klaus & Nyr - 12340 Points]
[…]
[14. Queen Diana & NorthPole - 11456 Points]
[…]
[19. Darkside & PerZoul - 10984 Points]
[…]
[29. Darth & Temperament - 10310 Points]
[30. Underlord & DEAD - 10305 Points]
[…]
[34. Wraith & Zachary - 10200 Points]
[35. King Michael & King Jonathan - 10195 Points]
[…]
After the revealed rankings, the flashes of light shrouded every cave. All the duos that passed the second stage disappeared and traveled across countless realms until arriving on Moon City.
''?!'' Isaac fell down and landed on top of an immensely soft bed like he was lying on a marshmallow.
The current room looked cozy, with a perfect view of Moon City and enough space to move around. There was a fancy wardrobe carved with exquisite craftsmanship and a bathroom with a bathtub and toilet.
''This is…!'' Isaac saw the beautiful scenery, making him remember Moon City. The buildings looked beautiful but not overly big. However, he knew how big the interiors truly were.
After walking to the window, he saw constructor workers finishing building the Arena of Champions. Their faces were dusty and clothes slightly dirtied, but there were smiles on their faces.
After finishing the front steps, they built one more thing, a statue at the entrance. The statue caused a spine-chilling terror in Isaac's face. The statue looked to be a Giantess with a cold and beautiful face. Her bodily features were jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.
The words engraved on the statue said 'Nyx - The Primordial Goddess of Night'.
Isaac closed the window with the long drapes, and the feeling of terror slowly faded away.
'Night… night…' A frown rose on his forehead, making him remember Zachary and the strange image of the Giantess. He felt like they were somehow connected. Maybe that had something to do with Zachary's secret.
Isaac took another look at the room, and it felt like he had walked into another universe. The difference between a crude cave room and this was worlds apart. After walking past the bed, Isaac tried opening the door, and it opened with ease.
The hallway entered his view, and several familiar voices came from the end of the corridor.
