Damon's Ascension

The plan was so obvious that it was insulting.

Nyros' gave up on the second game involving the entire group in order to play this trick, because with a full roster of abilities and their weaknesses, he would be able to tailor the final game for the group in which he would be able to take advantage of this weaknesses once and for all.

Technically, Damon and co reacting like this was unnecessary. They could have played it off and given a correct answer but tried to make it seem false and hope that Nyros did not see through it.

However, it was pointless because - once again - Nyros had no interest in winning, only in this final question. Even if they tried to trick him, it would all end the same since he would select this answer as the correct one, that way he would be able to verify if what they were saying was true or not.

Henry had made fun of him earlier for letting them go first and falling into their trap, but Nyros trap was even more insidious and worked precisely because he went second. If he had taken first, Damon could have countered it using another trick, but this being the final question - and answer - left the group in a tight spot.

Damon closed his eyes and realized that there was no avoiding this. As such, he nodded to Nicholas, who added Nyros to their mental link as Damon shared the information with him without hesitation.

The rest of the Pre-Chaos beings realized that Damon left them out and felt incredibly annoyed, booing loudly as they caused a scene. Nyros though, raised a hand to clam them, which immediately made them settle down as they would never dare to disobey the house.

At this moment, his expression was clam, but inwardly, Nyros was deeply shaken. Hearing the diverse abilities the Vanguard Team had, he felt a hint of fear at offending them this deeply, for even though he knew what they had, it was still difficult to find something that could trap them all.

Worse off, if this group were greedy and decided to fleece the casino, they entirely could with their set of abilities!

There was no limit forcing a person to leave after their three wins, just like how Felicia and Xela were still here despite qualifying. They could continue to make bets and continue to better their skills and equipment at the expense of the casino, and with these abilities it was unlikely the casino would ever win if Nyros hadn't done this!

Nyros took a moment to process what to do next when Damon, with a cold frown, prompted him. "Hurry up and chose the correct answer of the three. I choose your third answer."

Nyros raised an eyebrow, having expected Damon to choose the second answer since he indicated that it was correct with his third… then he chuckled to himself. He realized that Damon's trickery ran deep because now, it didn't matter whether he chose the second or third, he would still come out on top.

However, choosing the third grants him an extra layer of protection if Nyros was playing any tricks.

"Well done. As for me, I choose your third answer as well." Nyros replied with a smile.

A beam of indigo light swept across both Damon and Nyros, emanating from the floating hourglass. The grains within halted mid-fall as the casino's unseen systems verified the outcome.

Then, a slow ripple of energy pulsed outward from the platform like the heartbeat of judgment.

[Verification in progress…]

[Minimum one true response detected, both parties validated. No winner decided, initiating next round.]

The grain resumed falling as the hourglass flipped, marking the next round. Nyros' eyes narrowed briefly - just for a second - but Damon caught it.

"He was hoping we'd fold after that." Felicia noted privately, her voice subdued.

"And now he's the one backed into a corner because he cannot defeat us in a game like this." Marshal added with narrowed eyes.

"According to the hidden rules, he cannot forfeit a wager either, or the Casino would devour him alive." Damon stated with eerie calmness.

Still, Nyros was far from outmatched. His expression reset to a smooth smile as he casually adjusted his collar, feigning indifference.

"A rare treat, such a true match of wits. Shall we continue?"

Damon nodded stately. "We will. Since neither of us found the truth, the game continues."

This time, Damon's stance shifted subtly and the weight of his gaze changed.

The young man who had toyed with riddles earlier was gone and in his place stood the tactician who had stood before Galactic Senate, Prime Representatives of older races, and greedy companies with only words and schemes as weapons.

"I'll begin again." Damon said calmly.

"My first question… What would happen to this casino if the foundational essence currently keeping it hidden from the Chaos Eye were to be destroyed?" Damon asked slowly.

Nyros flinched ever so slightly, whether at the boldness of the question or the implication behind it, none could say. Still, he composed himself quickly and answered with that same dangerous elegance.

"The casino would collapse inwardly, its planar overlay crumpling and fusing with the surrounding Sector. Survivors would be ejected forcefully."

Kyle blinked. "Wait… is that true?"

"Doesn't matter. It's not about believing, it's about what he chooses to make believable." Felicia said coldly, her eyes never leaving Nyros for one second.

Nyros straightened and posed his own question. "Then tell me, Damon Arnan… who among your team is the most essential for your victory in the Chaos Realm?"

A deliberate jab, designed to provoke disunity but Damon answered it instantly.

"Xela."

A lie, but one that sounded fair, given her support-type ability and her importance in preserving the team's life energy. Nyros would believe it to be true too, because everyone else but Damon did.

Felicia mentally winced. "He's trying to probe for our internal chain of command."

"He won't find it, because even we don't follow one." Damon replied silently.

Nyros nodded, then inquired softly. "Your second question?"

Damon's gaze turned sharp. "What punishment would you suffer if the Chaos Eye caught you deliberately falsifying game outcomes?"

Nyros paused for just a second too long. "I would be imprisoned within a fixed temporal loop for ten thousand subjective years."

The crowd fell into hush and even the spectators were starting to understand just how high the stakes were behind the velvet curtain of this casino.

"Second question then. What is the true origin of your third awakened ability?" Nyros said, recovering.

Damon's answer came like a crack of thunder. "It manifested when I devoured a living concept during an anomaly collapse event in a locked Sector."

The air tensed.

Henry whistled. "See, that could be a lie… but it's so specific it hurts."

"It's also terrifying if it's true." Connor muttered, feeling slightly scared.

Damon's eyes glinted with dry amusement. "Are you ready for my final question?"

He took a breath and with casual finality, asked: "What will you really do if we win three games in a row?"

That, more than any question, pulled a visceral reaction from Nyros as the corner of his lip twitched. For a split-second, the smarmy smile dropped, but he answered nonetheless.

"I would escort you out personally and grant you each a Realm Treasure Key."

Dead silence.

Even the Pre-Chaos audience stirred in open disbelief.

"That's either the most absurd lie… or the most dangerous truth." Bane remarked with seriousness.

Nyros then raised a hand. "And now… my third question. One last time."

His tone was quieter this time. The venom was gone and in its place was a tired curiosity.

"Tell me, what do you really want to find in the Bright Realm?"

This time, Damon was the one who faltered as it was slightly unexpected and not as invasive as before.

And precisely because of that… it was dangerous.

Felicia looked at him sharply. "Don't answer with something real."

"I won't." Damon assured her.

Damon lifted his gaze, voice calm. "I seek… a way to escape the Chaos Realm altogether. To find the place that lies beyond the bounds of both universes. The origin of everything."

The room fell still.

Even Nyros hesitated, eyes narrowing with an expression that was neither amused nor mocking.

"…Then let us guess." He said at last.

Damon gave a small nod. "Very well. I say your second answer was the truth."

Nyros closed his eyes. "Then I shall say… your third."

<Validation complete! Lie detected from Damon Arnan. Truth detected from Nyros. Game Concluded!>

The hourglass finally shattered, consuming itself as the game came to an end.

Nyros leaned back, a small sigh escaping his lips. "You are a most exhausting opponent, Damon Arnan."

"And you are far too curious for someone who wants to keep us here forever like these creatures." Damon said coldly.

Nyros' smile returned, faint and bitter. "Perhaps. But then again… you and your group are far too dangerous to let stay here as well."