In a colosseum-like structure, with multiple viewing chambers dotting its impossibly vast walls, millions of destinies thrived and perished in the blink of an eye. Currencies of souls and divine essence flowed freely as wagers and favors were exchanged with casual indifference. Entire dynasties and planets were born and eradicated in mere moments; their fates decided by the whim of cosmic entities lounging in ornate viewing boxes.

  This was Pandemonium, the gathering place of the Ascended.

  In each chamber, figures of various sizes, shapes, and luminosities watched screens hovering in the void. Some were humanoid, with features reminiscent of the mortals they once were. Others had abandoned such limited forms, existing as living constellations, geometric impossibilities, or masses of sentient energy that pulsed with ancient thought.

  A system message appeared and instantly multiplied across every screen in Pandemonium, drawing the collective attention of beings who had not been surprised in millennia.

  The onlookers turned their unfathomable gazes toward the small, insignificant blue planet in System 1. All the patrons stared in shock, as true surprises rarely manifested without someone’s intention.

  Indescribable existences watched the video Alexander had created. As in earthly culture of the late 21st century…. It had instantly gone viral. No one had seen a being attempt a contract with Pandemonium in the last 5,000 years at least.

  “Did she finally choose a champion after all these years?” asked one of the figures in the largest of the rooms. He wore a flowing robe of what looked like colored liquid as it shifted between outfits as he moved. His face, an ever-changing kaleidoscope of human features, settled momentarily on a bearded visage.

  “Oh my! It seems as if things are getting interesting.” Came from another entity that resembled a woman made of crystalline glass, a galaxy swirling in her core. She leaned forward, glancing across the large ornate table at a figure on the other end.

  In one of the more modest viewing chambers, set slightly below the grand halls of the Higher Constellations, sat Ursus Sapiens. He was a figure of quiet dignity, a bear-headed humanoid with deep russet fur streaked with silver, dressed in simple mountain robes that belied his cosmic status. His amber eyes reflected centuries of patience as he sipped steaming tea from a clay cup, watching the proceedings with measured interest.

  His chamber, unlike the ostentatious displays of the Higher Constellations, was appointed with natural stone and wooden furnishings, reminiscent of a mountain retreat. Worn tapestries depicting the great hunts of his people adorned the walls, and the scent of pine and earth permeated the air.

  A hulking armored figure knelt beside Aeternia, one of the Higher Constellations, and whispered, “My lady, isn’t that the planet where your champion is on the verge of winning?”

  “That bitch!” Aeternia said, crushing the cup of wine in her hands and standing with her arm outstretched. Her white-gold armor caught the light of a thousand dying stars, her perfect features contorted with barely contained rage. “I call upon the System to restrict this vote, on the terms of rule violation!”

  Restriction Denied.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  All rules have been followed according to System 1. Host was not provided any information or aid to query by the Contractor.

  Vote Commencing...

  As the video played before the Great Beings, a sense of exhilaration from the Earthling’s existence set off a spark. After all, when She chose an Archon, the Heavens themselves were due for upheaval. Her champions tended to become the center of chaos in the unchanging stagnancy that was Pandemonium, a rare diversion in their eternal existences.

  Aeternia’s eyes narrowed, scanning the chambers until they settled on Ursus’ quiet form. With purposeful strides, she descended from her elevated position, crossing boundaries that were rarely traversed. Lesser entities scrambled from her path as she approached the bear deity’s chamber.

  “Lord Ursus,” she said, her voice honey-sweet despite the fire in her eyes. She bowed her head slightly, just enough to acknowledge his status without diminishing her own. “May I join you?”

  Ursus gestured to the empty seat across from him with a large, clawed hand. His movements were deliberate and economical, betraying nothing of his thoughts. “Aeternia,” he acknowledged, pouring a second cup of tea with practiced precision. “An unexpected honor.”

  She seated herself, accepting the offered tea with feigned humility. “I find myself in need of wisdom from one who understands the value of strength and honor,” she said, her voice lowered. “That meddling Spider has changed the game again.”

  Ursus sipped his tea thoughtfully, his amber eyes never leaving the screens. “The web weaver has chosen a curious pawn,” he observed, his deep voice barely above a murmur. “Humans are... unpredictable.”

  “They are weak,” Aeternia countered, setting down her untouched tea. “They require a proper test, one that would satisfy the System’s requirements while demonstrating their true inadequacy.” She leaned forward slightly. “Your Golden Claw warriors are spoken of even among the Higher Constellations. Their prowess in battle is... legendary.”

  Pride flickered in Ursus’ eyes, the first real emotion he had displayed. “My children have never known defeat,” he said simply. “Chief Toko carries the honor of ten generations. And Raziel...” he paused, considering, “...Raziel carries enough rage to fuel a thousand battles.”

  “The System would surely acknowledge such worthy challengers for its final tutorial wave,” Aeternia suggested. “It would be a fitting honor for your champions to test this... Spider’s pet.”

  Ursus set down his cup with deliberate care. “You speak sense, Aeternia,” he conceded, inclining his massive head. “The Beastholme deserves representation in this trial. And should your champion fall to mine...” His eyes met hers knowingly. “The System’s balance would be maintained.”

  Vote Completed. 100,000 points donated to Earthling System 1 Alexander Evans.

  Universal Level Mana-Bound Contract has been signed.

  “I won’t forget this,” Aeternia hissed, releasing her power in a wave that caused lesser entities to cower. The white-gold of her armor began to pulse with barely contained fury. “You and your Archon pay for this injustice, Earth was mine!”

  She spat the word “Politics!” like venom and left the Colosseum heading directly for her home dimension, the large man trailing behind her.

  Ursus Sapiens remained seated, finishing his tea with unhurried dignity. He set the empty cup down and closed his eyes briefly, communing silently with the System.

  “Chief Toko,” he whispered, the name carrying across dimensions. “It is time to bring honor to the Golden Claw! Hunt well, my son.”

  As the bear god opened his eyes again, his gaze briefly met Solomon’s across the divide between their chambers. The ancient king nodded once, his ever changing rings glinting as he stroked his beard thoughtfully.

  “A Chaos Thread, huh?” Solomon looked to a large muscular figure nearby. “You know what this means, right.”

  “A time of upheaval is in play, again,” said the muscular entity. “Pandemonium will never be the same.”

  From the shadows of the highest viewing box came a smile. Her obsidian-black skin gleaming in the darkness, the multiple eyes distributed across her form blinked in sequence as she watched the quiet machinations her Archon had unwittingly unleashed.

  “Well played, Alexander,” she whispered, her voice carrying to no one. “I’ll see you soon.”