For seven days and seven nights, the Colosseum burned.
From every pantheon, the bravest and most arrogant answered Tijan Petro's challenge, stepping into the blazing ring to face the 99 warriors of Zantrayel's past. These were not mere echoes or shadows—Petro had called them forth with all their former strength, skill, and fury.
Some came wielding ancient blades of volcanic glass.
Others moved like living storms, with eyes full of fire and sorrow.
They fought not for vengeance, but to test the hearts of the living.
Many fell. Some rose. A few stood undefeated.
And on the dawn of the seventh day, the flames around the colosseum turned blue, and the Stone Tomb cracked open. The sky was silent. The gods held their breath.
The original list of 99 names, once etched in glowing crimson, slowly shifted.
The Right Side of the Stone – The Victors
A new column appeared on the right side of the stone. Names etched in divine gold, glowing with the power of glory and rank. These were the warriors—chosen of gods and mortals—who had fought and defeated one or more of the 99.
Their names shimmered with the titles they earned:
General Mei Ling of the Jade Lotus – Rank: Golden Tiger
Kvasir, Son of Odin – Rank: Raven's Fang
Sekhem-Ra, Blade of Isis – Rank: Burning Sun
Dev Patel of Varanasi – Rank: Shiva's Fire
Nenet of the Adityas – Rank: Eye of the Storm
Among them were mortals of Zantrayel, including:
Captain Arcel the Flamewalker – Rank: Phoenix Light
Kima the Farmer's Son – Rank: Iron Root
They had proven themselves equals. The world had watched. The pantheons had taken notice.
But it was the left side of the stone that caused the crowd to go utterly silent.
The Left Side of the Stone – The Chosen of Bassoon
In silence, one by one, new names burned into being on the left column of the monolith. The list was not of challengers—but of those who would now be challenged.
And at the top of that list:
1. Zion, Son of Ginen – Rank: Living Flame
2. Jalen the Silent Spear – Rank: Thunderheart
3. Ayira of the Night Hunt – Rank: Moonshade
Then came the five priestesses:
4. Ayomi – Voice of Papa Legba
5. Ayola – Hand of Baron Samedi
6. Sael – Blade of Erzulie Freda
7. Thalia – Shield of Ogou Feray
8. Elis – Fire of Maman Brigitte
But it did not stop there.
The list grew until 99 names filled the left column—warriors, sorcerers, healers, smiths, farmers, outcasts, children of the streets and nobility alike.
Zion's eyes widened as he read the final names.
"These are our people…" he whispered.
"People who don't even know they're chosen yet."
The colosseum rumbled. And across its walls, a final message burned, in jagged script—written in the divine fire of Petro's madness:
THE MESSAGE OF PETRO
"You earned your names in peace. Now keep them in war.
Pick a name.
Challenge them.
No excuses.
No delays.
All will fight.
All will be tested.**"
The Aftershock
The pantheon emissaries exchanged glances.
Was this an invitation?
A command?
Or the madness of a god finally boiling over?
Zion stepped forward, hands clenched at his side. He looked at the flames, at the stone, at the crowd of watching gods, mortals, and spirits.
He did not speak right away.
But in his heart, he knew:
Petro had changed the game.
This was no longer about diplomacy, or divine favors, or proving worth to gods.
This was Zion's crucible.
The people of Zantrayel—the people of Bassoon—were now on the stage.
Not just observers.
Participants in the myth of the cosmos.