The so-called "Grace Period" passed faster than expected.
Though thirty minutes might have sounded like enough ti to catch a breath, for Alex and Kaelios, it barely felt like a blink.
Neither of them truly rested during that ti.
Instead, they clashed again and again in the center of their temporary chamber, not to train in the traditional sense, but to focus, to keep their minds sharp, and to push away the lingering pressure gnawing at their thoughts.
They weren't training anymore, they were well beyond that.
Every strike was instinctual, every motion refined through battles far more intense than this spar.
They weren't trying to improve anymore, they were simply keeping their minds busy, forcing themselves to think about anything except the grim knowledge that death could co at any mont in the next round.
"As I said before," Kaelios called out, his breath steady despite the movent, "activating my [Domain] requires two things: 200 Destiny Points, and completing the [Scale of Destiny] ritual."
Alex ducked low beneath a glowing sword of fate, then parried it with a short burst of strength.
"How does that work exactly?" he asked, countering with a precise arc of his blade.
Kaelios took a step back, letting the slash pass just an inch from his arm.
"It's not that simple to explain," he admitted, giving a slightly nervous laugh.
"The challenge I get from the ritual is random."
"What?!" Alex blinked, eyebrows rising in disbelief.
"You're telling that whether or not you can use your domain is up to chance?"
"Sort of," Kaelios replied, shifting his stance as four new [Destiny Swords] appeared around him and launched themselves toward Alex.
"Rember the first ti we t properly? When I summoned the [Wheel of Destiny] and made you spin it to determine if you were worthy to beco my Chosen One?"
Alex blocked the blades, sparks flying with each impact.
Of course he rembered that.
The mont had been burned into his mory, especially the way Kaelios had told him that the task he received, an [Impossible Task], had actually been the best-case outco.
Any other result could've led to his instant death.
"That sa wheel appears again," Kaelios explained, "but this ti, it's not about you."
"When I activate the [Scales of Destiny], the wheel spins, and it gives a randomized task."
"If I complete it, then the domain can be used."
"If I fail, it's a waste."
"Can't you prepare for it?" Alex asked, landing a clean strike against Kaelios' leg, which faded into light as the god reford a few feet back.
"Nope. The wheel changes constantly," Kaelios said, shrugging.
"I've studied it, tried to anticipate patterns, but there's no way to tell."
"Sotis the tasks are simple. Other tis... they're insane. One ti I had to strike soone ten thousand tis in under a minute."
Alex didn't even reply for a few seconds, only giving a sharp exhale as he mulled that over.
"And if you fail, the domain's locked?"
"Exactly. You can't retry it. It's all or nothing."
That ant there was no safety net, no retries, no alternative.
If they wanted to rely on Kaelios' domain, [Garden of Destiny], they'd have to gamble.
And not just gamble, succeed no matter what the odds were.
"Then we better plan everything around the possibility that you might not be able to activate it," Alex said.
"We can't afford to base our entire strategy around a wheel we can't control."
Kaelios nodded, agreeing with that completely.
"Still, if I do manage to complete the challenge, then it's worth it. [Garden of Destiny] would make it far easier to win, especially if we're against enemies with their own domains."
Alex thought for a mont.
He wasn't thrilled about the idea of relying on chance, but he also understood the importance of domains in these fights.
"Fine," he said, "Just tell what you need from if you do manage to activate it mid-fight."
They continued to discuss plans as they sparred, running through dozens of possible battle scenarios.
Kaelios also revealed sothing else that made Alex pause.
"What if we just use [World Cleaver] from the start?" Alex asked.
"Go all-in before they have a chance to react."
Kaelios shook his head.
"If our minds are interrupted while trying to reach for the Destiny Sword, the connection gets severed. That's why it's risky. If they're aggressive and strike first, it can block the activation altogether."
"Even with my Destiny Powers, I didn't know that," Alex muttered.
It made sense, though.
Certain things had to be learned through experience, sothing Kaelios had far more of when it ca to the intricacies of destiny-based abilities.
Outside of the chamber, in the real world, the grace period had also just ended.
Billions of eyes turned back to the screens.
All across the twenty-five worlds, people held their breath as the viewing panels lit up once more.
Even those who didn't want to watch were either forced to, or too curious not to.
The [Chosen Gas] weren't just entertainnt.
They had beco the center of attention, the critical event that would shape the future.
Clips from the previous round played on repeat across social dia platforms and broadcast networks.
Alex's battle was already being hailed as one of the best of the entire round, praised for its dramatic pacing, the unexpected domain clash, and the sheer tension throughout.
Many viewers labeled it the most thrilling fight yet, one that truly felt like a clash between fate itself and overwhelming odds.
But as the thirty-minute grace period hit its final second...
Ding!
[The "Grace Period" is now officially over. It is ti to begin the second round. Just like before, the number of participants will be halved.]
In the chamber, Alex and Kaelios stopped moving.
They exchanged a single nod, their eyes sharp and focused.
Whatever ca next, they were ready.
The [Creators] appeared once again, floating as shadows on their thrones, their eyes glowing with cold, judging light.
There was no emotion in their faces, but there was a distinct sense of anticipation in the air.
[These are called the "Chosen Gas" for a reason,] one Creator said, their voice echoing through the space.
[Each god has chosen a Chosen One. But until now, there's been no true asure of how powerful they truly are.]
[That changes now,] added the erald-eyed female Creator.
Her lips curled into a grin, visible even in her shadowed state.
[If a god chose a mortal to fight in their place, then they must be ready to put everything on that decision.]
Alex already felt it coming.
And so did the others.
[The second round is officially nad: "The Chosen Round."]
A heavy silence followed the announcent.
[It will be another one-on-one battle, but this ti... the Chosen Ones will fight alone.]
[The gods will be unable to interfere. They will simply watch.]
[And should a Chosen One fall... their god will die alongside them.]
Alex's breath caught.
"Wait," he muttered.
"I thought if a Chosen One died, the god would only be weakened for a while?"
[And yes,] the Creators continued, directly addressing that very thought, [Normally, the god would only lose half of their strength for two weeks. But not this ti. In the "Chosen Round," if your Chosen One falls, so do you.]
[True trust will now be tested.]
[True belief will be asured.]
[And true strength... will be revealed.]
The words hit hard. All over the world, viewers were stunned.
Gods weren't just risking a temporary setback anymore.
They were gambling their very lives.
[You will begin in five minutes.]
[Five matches. Five victors. Five pairs will survive.]
[The others will be erased.]
The announcent ended, and the screens dimd, leaving only a quiet ssage floating in the center of the room.
[May the strongest Chosen Ones win.]
"Well then," Kaelios said with a half-smile, turning to Alex, "Looks like my entire existence is in your hands."
Alex exhaled slowly.
He wasn't afraid. He was ready.
"Yeah," he muttered, his eyes sharpening, "I'll try my best."
And deep down, he knew that wouldn't be enough.
He'd have to go beyond that, because this ti, there was no second chance.
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