The God Contest Regina [Progression Fantasy, LitRPG-lite, Apocalypse]

"Alliance does not mean love, any more than war means hate."

Francis Parker Yockey, American writer (1917 – 1960)

They sat in a circle, Bethany and Becka next to each other with the pile of junk food at the center. Becka's sheathed sword was across her lap, and the tension hung thick in the air.

"These past few weeks have been… difficult, to say the least," Dr. Ami started as Kendell sat down to complete their circle. "When the God Contest started, only the students living in residence and those with early morning classes were on campus. Still, that was thousands of people. Thousands of young lives… and dozens of monsters dropped into their midst. We lost a lot of people in those first hours."

"The Cougars were practicing in the gym when it happened," Sybil jumped in, her aggressive edge replaced with buried grief. "One of those orbs got into the equipment storage room. Our coach distracted it so we could get away. She… didn't make it."

"But the team did," Dr. Ami added. "Rae sacrificed herself for her students. And because of her sacrifice, and the sacrifice of many others, we managed to gather the surviving students into Paskwāw and Wakpá Towers. Three thousand people crammed into small student apartments. And as the days went on, more joined us from the surrounding area – students, families, and the elderly. We became a hub in the south of Regina – which came with its own problems."

"Food and supplies," Bethany said, recalling Delorus' story of what happened at police headquarters. "My friends and I raided a grocery store in the first few days and have managed since then by scavenging homes. But there are only a few of us."

"With every day that passes, it gets harder to find enough to feed everyone," Dr. Ami sighed, nodding at the two captains. "Chad and Sybil lead our two most successful scavenging crews. And we've secured the South Zone Community Garden just across Wascana Parkway, though it will be months before anything grows. We needed another option. And then we came across the riddles… and this Trial."

"You think this Trial will help feed people?" Becka asked skeptically. "How the hell did you draw that conclusion?"

"You solved the riddle, so you know the other four keys – the other four Trials – are hidden in the terrains outside Regina," Dr. Ami explained thoughtfully. "Lush forests, fertile prairie, and bountiful ocean – all of which will have plenty of food to help feed the city. Yet we cannot access it, because the wall around the city keeps us trapped inside."

"And you think completing this Trial will open the gates and allow us to leave Regina?" Bethany surmised.

"It must be the case," Dr. Ami said confidently. "Otherwise, how do we gain access to the other trials? You must have seen the bodies of those who have attempted to scale the wall?"

Becka nodded. "I was going to try myself, until I saw a man impaled half-way up, still screaming. This game isn't afraid to make examples of people doing stupid things."

"It's… unforgiving," Dr. Ami agreed. "Which is why we need to complete this Trial, before we all starve."

"Well, let's hope you are right about those gates," Becka said, opening her backpack. "Because exploring this dungeon isn't going to feed thousands of people. All we've found so far is noodles, beans, and weed."

"You found weed in here?" Kendell exclaimed, looking up from her candy bag.

Becka pulled out the bag of weed, holding it aloft like a trophy. "Fuck ya. Ms. Prissy Bottom over here refuses to partake. You want in?"

Ms. Prissy Bottom? And when did Becka decide to get friendly with the competition?

Kendell glanced over at Dr. Ami, who shrugged. "You're a grown woman, Kendell, and I'm not your mother. But there may be a better time to partake."

She's cautious about Becka and I. She's right to be. But we need to put each other's minds at ease if we're going to get anywhere. Maybe… maybe Becka's idea isn't a terrible one. Not that I'll ever admit that to her.

"We won't harm you," Bethany assured them. "But there are teams in this Trial that will. The police teams – though I don't think most of their members are cops… not anymore. They've got guns, professor, and, as we found out last night, they aren't shy to use them."

The tension in the air grew thicker as the four university players stared at Bethany in stunned silence.

"I… I think I'll take you up on that offer, Becka," Kendell stammered, her face white. "Guns… as if this place wasn't scary enough."

"Yah, I don't blame you," Becka said, tossing her the bag. "Make two. I wouldn't want you to think it was poisoned or anything."

Kendell opened the bag with shaking hands and drew out the rolling papers within. She glanced at Dr. Ami's disapproving glare and refocused on the bag. "It's just… I haven't had any in two weeks," Kendell said guiltily. "And after everything that's happened, I really, really need some."

Chad sighed. "Kendell, make three."

"Chad!" Sybil cried disapprovingly. "You said you stopped."

"Syb, we're about to be in a death race with a couple dozen people with guns," Chad snapped, jumping to his feet and anxiously pacing around the chamber. "Now's not the time to nag me about a little pot."

Kendell finished making the joints and tossed the bag back to Becka. She handed them to Dr. Ami. "Professor… um… there's no lighter in the bag. Would you mind?"

Dr. Ami sighed deeply. She flicked her index finger, and a small, intense flame burst forth. "Just… be careful. And don't smoke those around here. I don't like the smell. Head to the tunnel at the back of the chamber."

Thank you, professor. I don't like the smell either.

"Yes, professor," Kendell said appreciatively as she headed away, Chad following close behind.

Becka rose to join them, but Bethany caught her hand. "Don't do anything stupid," Bethany whispered in warning.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Relax. It's just a joint between soon-to-be-friends," Becka whispered back, trying to pull out of Bethany's grip. "Trust me."

"You know I don't," Bethany said, pulling her close with her higher strength. "I really don't."

Becka grinned, though a touch of rebellion flashed in her eyes. She unhooked her sheath from her waist and placed it across Bethany's lap. "There. Now I'm unarmed. Can't harm a fly, even if I wanted to, right?"

You've harmed more than a fly unarmed, Becka. Your hands worked just fine when you used them against me.

Bethany let her go, and Becka dashed over to the tunnel where Chad and Kendell handed her the third joint.

Bethany felt the weight of the black blade against her legs. It tingled, as if a drop of acid had fallen on her skin where it touched. She lifted it off her lap and traced her finger along the sheath.

Where did she get this? The tingling – it's my Bane of Shadows talent. Is this… enchanted equipment? It must be. But Pane said these items were exceptionally rare and aren't supposed to be available until the first Trial commences. How long has she had it? And, more importantly, who gave it to her?

Bethany glanced towards Becka, who seemed more relaxed away from the blade as she took her first drag.

"She isn't the first person I've seen with a touch of the shadow," Bethany muttered to herself, remembering the Shadowman in Omoikane's maze.

The man from the library.

"I didn't have a choice. I accepted his deal. I would have died in that Arena…"

Bethany set the blade on the ground and shoved it away.

How did you get out of Dolos' Arena, Becka?

"Bethany," Dr. Ami prompted, jarring Bethany back to their conversation. Beside her, Sybil had fearful eyes fixed on the blade, as if it might unsheathe itself and attack at any moment. "Are you okay?"

"It's been a strange few weeks, professor" Bethany said simply, stowing her questions about Becka at the back of her mind.

One problem at a time. First, let's make sure we don't kill each other.

"That may be the understatement of a lifetime," Akira said sympathetically. "And you may call me Akira, if you like."

"Akira the Badass," Sybil added, drawing her gaze away from the blade. "She killed this demonic dog creature singlehandedly when we fought to regain control of the library. She was incredible!"

Ami smiled, waving a dismissive hand. "I'm no stronger than you or Chad, and Kendell isn't that far behind. For all its horrors, this world does have its benefits. Strength, speed, and magics beyond comprehension. But, unfortunately, we have yet to come across a talent that can stop a bullet. Which is a problem for all of us, isn't it?"

"Yah, it is," Bethany agreed. "Chief Benton hasn't surrounded himself with upstanding officers. He's deputized those who will follow his orders without question. I wouldn't be surprised if they start shooting other players the moment this race starts… or earlier, if we encounter them in this dungeon."

Akira nodded. "Very well, I shall lay my cards on the table, Bethany, and trust that you speak true. I believe our teams should form an alliance."

"An alliance?"

"There are currently four teams in the Trial, and two of them are allies. It seems prudent to even the odds by allying in the same way. It may not only be the police teams we need to worry about, either. There are eight other teams still to join, after all."

An alliance would help counter Benton. And their teams seems… normal. As normal as we can get in this Contest anyway.

"Professor, are you certain we can trust them?" Sybil said doubtfully, glancing at the blade. "We just met them."

"I am certain about nothing in this Contest, Sybil," Akira answered, her eyes never leaving Bethany. "Except that waiting for certainty will get us killed."

"I… I'm not the captain of our team, but I think Rocky would agree," Bethany said, trying to sound confident. "We all need friends in this place. What did you have in mind?"

"We share information, as promised, and alternate asking other forbidden questions. This will double the amount of information we obtain from our guides while reducing the associated penalties. And we watch each other's backs during the race, until it becomes clear to both parties that such an arrangement is no longer feasible."

It seems like a good deal, as long as we stay on our guard. I don't want to go through the God Contest assuming everyone is going to stab me in the back.

Her eyes flickered over to Becka, who was now laughing with Chad and Kendell.

Unless I have reason to think they might.

"It's a good deal," Bethany agreed, extending her hand. Akira shook it, and the thick tension that had settled over the two teams seemed to break like a dying storm.

"Very well," Akira said, getting down to business. "Granite – that's our guide – told us the answers to two forbidden questions. The first is the final destination in the race – the Legislative Building. The heart of government for Saskatchewan."

"You asked for the last destination?" Bethany asked curiously. "Why not the first?"

Sybil jumped in. "That was my idea. If there are twelve teams, then the odds of being eliminated in the first leg of the race are only one in twelve. So knowing the first destination only gives a small advantage. Whereas the final leg of the race has a one in two chance of elimination. Knowing the destination of the final leg could be a big advantage in that case."

"After all, in this race, you must assume you will win," Akira added.

That makes sense. Damn, I should have asked a better question.

"I… um… asked about the first leg," Bethany said, feeling embarrassed. "It's at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

"Then, together, we know the beginning and the end," Akira said, pleased. "Your question was not wasted, Bethany. Do not feel bad for asking it. As for our second question, we asked about how we win."

"But… it's a race," Bethany said, confused. "Doesn't that mean the first team to cross the finish line wins?"

"Yes, that was our assumption as well," Akira said. "And for that reason, I decided to check that assumption. It was an important one. The answer is more… complex… than simply crossing the finish line."

"Granite said each leg of the race contains hidden secrets that can improve your time or give bonuses to your team… or impose a penalty upon another team," Sybil revealed.

Hidden benefits and penalties? So it's not just about finishing as fast as possible. We'll have to balance how long we spend searching for the bonuses with how quickly we finish each leg.

"This is another reason why I am willing to chance an alliance with your team," Akira concluded. "If the teams can impose penalties upon one another, it is best to minimize the teams who will be targeting us. Or if we need to impose multiple penalties on another team to catch up."

Such as Benton and Smith's teams.

Bethany nodded. "Thank you for sharing this information. It's very valuable. So… where do we go from here?"

As Becka, Chad, and Kendell finished their joints and wandered back, Akira rose to her feet. "For now, we keep exploring the dungeon. Granite said there are emporium coins on the lower levels, and I intend to get my team as strong as possible before the Trial. I recommend you do the same."

"We'll need to communicate between now and the Trial, so we can share what we know," Bethany said. "What if we agree to enter the dungeon at five in the morning every day. Hopefully, we'll be the only ones here that early. We may not be able to find each other every day, but we should connect enough to share what we know."

"A blunt approach, but effective enough for now. I will ask Granite if there is a more predictable way to contact other teams when we get back to our apartments."

Akira glanced over to Chad and Kendell. "Which may be sooner than anticipated given half my team is now impaired. It's nice to see you three didn't try to kill each other."

"We've… reached an agreement, Dr. Ami," Kendell said, holding up the bag of weed. "And received a peace offering."

"Becka?" Bethany asked.

"I won't kill them," Becka as, as relaxed as Bethany had ever seen her. She picked her blade off the ground and strapped it to her waist. "At least, not yet."

Why do I get the feeling that wasn't a joke?

"Then perhaps we will see you tomorrow, Bethany and Becka," Akira said, as her team headed down an offshoot tunnel. "Stay safe."

"You too," Bethany said, waving as they left.

"An alliance?" Becka asked after they were out of earshot. She was tense again, and her eyes were fixed with a cold stare. "There can be only one winner in this Trial, you know."

"Yah, I know," Bethany said sadly, as they headed a different direction. "But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

It's not Akira's team that I'm worried about, Becka.

Bethany glanced anxiously at the weapon on Becka's hip. Her thoughts went to civil war brewing between The Authority and The New Order, and Oracle's team trying to end it all.

You didn't find your way to me by coincidence, did you, Becka?