The girls were both asleep in the back of the car. It’d been a long night, looking at the rearview they were asleep on each other. Thinking as he drove; would he really end up making a move with a god? What would that be like? Once you go God, do you never go back? Hmm… what an exquisite problem to contemplate. He smirked at his messed-up humor as he pulled into the parking spot. This was the place that Tom said to go. If that cat was playing him, he’d sell it to a hungry family of dog judges.

  Stopping the car and turning it off he looked back at the girls. Sitting there, silently looking at them while they slept, they were so peaceful for killer gods. He hoped they were having good dreams. A knock on the window got his attention, it was a cop. Rolling the window down he said, “Yeah?”

  The cop said, “License and registration sir.”

  Confused, Stu asked, “Is there a problem? I’m parked..”

  The cop said, “Sir just comply.” He was nervously watching Stu and looking at the girls. His brow sweated like he was nervous..

  Stu could sense there was something wrong here. The cop was half a second from pulling his gun. He put his hands up and showed they were empty. He asked, “What’s going on?”

  The cop pulled his gun aiming it at him and backing up. He yelled, “Exit the vehicle slowly and get on the ground!” Stu slowly did as he was told.

  The cop put the cuffs on him quickly and placed him in the back of the car. He said, “I know what you did at the bar in the other town, we are taking you in, and those young girls in the back of your car better be okay or you will pay.” He shut the door and made his way back to Stu’s car.

  Stu slammed his head against the seat, he’d fucked up. That goddamn bartender fuck… he should’ve just killed him… He realized now everything had changed, he was talking about injuring and killing others. No time for that, remember rule 3… this is the tournament, sadly.. the door flew open, and the cop yelled “Where are they?”

  Stu looked at him like he was stupid, “Really?”

  The cop fell limp on his seat. Chaos stood over him smiling at Stu. She said, “Let’s go!”

  Prosperity opened his door and unlocked his handcuffs. He asked, “What about this guy?” Prosperity said, “Got it.” She opened a bottle of whiskey and splashed it all over the car. Chaos put the guy in the driver’s seat and Prosperity tossed her the bottle. She poured what was left in his mouth. He literally choked it down. The girls shut the car, pulling the brake, and they all went into the restaurant.

  Stu asked, “How many times have you two done that?” They looked at each other grinning. He said, “That was scarily efficient.”

  Prosperity said, “You know it was my idea. I just figured it might work. We were awake when the cop showed up, so we waited to make our move.”

  Stu said, “Wait, I was sitting there watching you when the cop showed up, and you were awake? Why didn’t you say something?”

  Prosperity smiled saying, “Maybe it was to see what kind of guy you were, or maybe it was to see how hot it would be..”

  Marrow said, “Welcome everyone, how are you?”

  Chaos told him, “We got jumped by the cops, He’s passed out in the parking lot.”

  Marrow nodded and calmy replied, “Chaos, you have changed a lot. Sure, we will take care of the cop. Come lets have some lunch, how does fish sound?”

  They walked into the main dining area and the whole place went silent and everyone stared. Stu froze looking at them and some of them started clapping. He asked, “Why are they doing that?”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Marrow said, “Only tournament personnel come to these places, they have heard of your record. Chaos holds an impressive record of one surrender, one blue blood, and one complete victory. We just started! It’s very impressive. Some may have even heard it is more impressive than that, maybe her worshipper has been doing the dirty work, and maybe he scared Miracle. Quite the impressive streak you have racked up.”

  Stu asked, “What are you trying to say?”

  Marrow said, “You are too good, for your own good.”

  Stu was getting tired of everyone trying to slow them down. He could already tell he was going to explode on this cat as well. “Bullshit.”

  Marrow said, “Yes, Tom said you would resist. Are you in love with the gods in your, as you call it, house?” He looked at Stu intensely.

  Stu froze and the girls stared at him. His face got red, “Fine, I’ll give you a few minutes to explain.” He took a seat quickly.

  Prosperity asked, “Wait, that last question sounded like..”

  Chaos pulled her to her seat hushing her. Then saying, “Be nice Stu. And Prosperity no inappropriate behavior.” She sat down looking proud of herself.

  Marrow said, “I would like you to request a fight.”

  Chaos asked, “With who?”

  The cat said, “Not just with who, but why. I want you to fight Proxy. I want you to not fight chaos.” He stared at her intently.

  Confused, Chaos asked, “I don’t understand, won’t she kill me if I challenge her and don’t fight?”

  Prosperity asked, “Are you saying the rumors we heard walking in, should be displayed? Is this Tom’s doing? It smells like his handiwork!”

  Stu and Chaos stared at her, and she realized what was said. Stu asked, “Why would you say something like that?”

  Marrow said, “I hate to interrupt your petty issues, but this is imperative. What if the rumors were true? But they originated here? It won’t stop the wildfire of rumors you have started, but it will buy you time. Time you desperately need.”

  Stu asked, “Even if we do this, how can I fight a god on my own?”

  Marrow said, “I can’t tell you that, but I can say that if you do it, probability is in your house’s favor. If you don’t then you will lose something valuable, very valuable.” The last part, Marrow stared at Stu.

  Stu said, “If I do this, you promise they will be alright?”

  Marrow said, “I’ve been personally assured of the outcome.”

  Stu looked at the girls and they both wore worried looks. He smiled a fake smile, then to Marrow asked, “When did Chaos schedule my fight?”

  Marrow said “In ten minutes. She’s already waiting there now. Stu, I need you to go all out, give this everything even when you would ask why. I need dark Stu for this to work.. you will know what I mean, don’t worry..”

  Stu got up from the table and pulled the girls aside. Speaking with them he said, “Well, any last-minute tips or advice? Maybe a good luck charm or something?”

  The girls were unusually silent, Chaos said, “My advice is don’t die.”

  Stu nodded like it was new advice, “Got it, don’t die. Seems solid, I’ll consider it.”

  Prosperity said, “Be a bigger asshole to the other god…” She ran off into the bathroom looking like she was going to cry.

  Stu hollered after her, “I didn’t mean it!” He felt bad now. He would probably die and that was their last interaction. He slapped his forehead in frustration. “Damn.. I suck..”

  Chaos said, “I’ll check on her. Be careful and come back alive.” She had to stand on her toes to kiss his cheek. He turned red. She was proud to make him blush.

  Prosperity softly said, “Um, I want to give you a good luck charm.” Stu was relieved to see her again, that sad moment wouldn’t be their last interaction. She held something out, caressed softly between her hands.

  Stu accepted it respectfully and as he asked, “What is…” He stopped cold. He knew what this was…

  Prosperity said, “I want you to have my panties as a good luck charm!”

  Chaos looked over surprised saying, “Wait! If that’s what you’re doing, hold on a minute, I’m not losing this fight…” She stormed off to the bathroom.

  Stu gulped, looking at Marrow he asked, “Can I go die now? Life can’t possibly get any better..” Marrow laughed. Stu thought, the judge laughed.. Weird, why does that seem so human? Why does it seem so off for this situation..? A pair of pink panties dangled right in front of his face, He snatched them out of his face turning cherry red. Glancing over, both girls were smiling at him, he hung his head saying, “Thank you, awesome gifts, if I die please bury me with these, not in them.” He grinned at them; they sadly smiled back.

  He followed Marrow to the Oleman Railyard. This was the arena, he was going to fight a God, again. Not since Prosperity had he done this, and he tricked her. He blew up an entire city block to get Sterling and accidentally killed silence, now this was supposed to be a fair fight. A fair fight between a god and a human, no matter how many times he said that; it didn’t seem fair. He walked out to a girl waiting in the middle of some of the tracks. She had the name Proxy, and she had green hair similar to Chaos, Stu was ready. Rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, he walked out on the tracks to meet her.