Second World



"Uh… Okay," Jack said to Hope. He then felt a hard slap at the back of his head.

"Ouch! Would you stop that already? My head is not your personal punching bag," Jack said to Peniel.

"You are being impolite! How can you respond so casually? Do you know how significant God Hope's offer is?" Peniel scolded back.

"How am I supposed to know? You are my personal guidebook. You are supposed to tell me," Jack talked back.

Realizing that they were making a scene, Peniel hurriedly made a curtsey to Hope and apologized. "I'm truly sorry, my God. We are truly grateful if you are willing to bless us with your sanctification."

"Yes, I'm truly grateful," Jack gave a deep bow. He at first thought Hope was simply giving him a word of blessing by approving his conflict against Master. After seeing Peniel's reaction, he knew then this was a big deal.

Hope nodded. "My sanctification, however, is too powerful for any one mortal. Even for an outworlder. I will have to divide it into at least four others. Since Serenity trusted you, I will put my trust in you as well. Do you have four allies whom you trust with your lives? Outworlders preferably, natives might have trouble receiving my sanctification."

"Trust with my lives? Hm…" He actually had more than four. His grandfather certainly was on the top of the list. However, he figured what Hope was offering was significant. Giving it to one who didn't understand the game concept might be a waste if that person was unable to utilize it.

So, he decided on four others.

"I have them," Jack informed Hope. "I will send them our coordinates so they can come here."

"There is no need. Picture them in your mind," Hope said.

"Oh…? All right," Jack closed his eyes and pictured the four's faces.

A second later, four people materialized with a flash of light.

"Hm?" Greed responded when he saw one of the summoned players.

The four players were John, Jeanny, Grace, and Paytowin.

All of them were surprised because of the abrupt summon. Jack hadn't had the chance to send them a message. Grace's surprise turned soft after seeing Jack there. She also noticed Greed and smiled at him.

John was the only one maintaining a nonchalant expression despite also being startled by the incident.

"Ho… What is this? The old trio and the new trio rarely gather like this." He remarked.

"What old trio and new trio?" Jack couldn't understand what John said.

John pointed at Jack, Jeanny, and himself. "These are the new trio."

He then pointed at Jack, Grace, and Paytowin. "Those are the old, obsolete, and outdated trio." 

"Hey! Whom do you call obsolete?" Paytwowin protested.

"Don't mind him. He is just jealous I have friends aside from him," Jack told Paytwowin.

"On the contrary, it's you who should be glad I bother to be your friend," John quipped back.

"Ehem!" Jeanny coughed. "Do you people realize who is around us?"

Peniel helped by hitting Jack's head another time. Grace giggled on the side.

Peniel forced Jack to apologize to Hope. The four others gave a proper greeting to the Gods and Goddesses.

Hope nodded with approval. "I can see how close the five of you are with a glance. It warms my heart to see such interactions. It also soothes me to know that I leave this world entrusting its protection to ones who understand the value of fellowship."

"Leave…?" Jack and the others asked in unison.

"My time is short. I don't want to waste it on explanations. It is sufficient to say I'm going to trust you all with my sanctifications. I have looked into the five of you and found which one is the most ideal to receive which of my five sanctifications."

"Paytowin!" Hope looked at the one he called. Paytowin straightened up as if a high school student who had just been caught doing something wrong.

"Ye… Yes, My God! Whatever you need!" Paytowin exclaimed.

"Your bravery and determination keep you going even in the most difficult situation. You saw your faction lost under your very eyes. Instead of letting that incident bring you down, it drives you to be better. I will grant you one part of my sanctification. You will have Unyielding Hope!"

A brilliant light fell upon Paytowin who was still unsure of what was happening.

Hope turned to Grace. "Grace! Your kindness and attentiveness give your allies the comfort they need in this turbulent world. You will be the Generosity of Hope!"

Hope went on to John when Grace was still being bathed by the same light as Paytowin.

"John! You are not exactly my ideal choice under normal circumstances, but I do see your care for your comrades. You provide them with the guidance and planning they need to chart their course. For that, you will require adequate knowledge. I appoint you as the Reason for Hope!"

"Jeanny!" Hope went on without stopping. "Your leadership inspires those around you. Your enthusiasm and optimism encouraged them to keep moving forward. Your understanding gives them something they can relate to. You will be the Beacon of Hope!"

"Last but not least," Hope turned to Jack. "Storm Wind! You come to your allies' aid without fear. You protect them and assume responsibility instead of choosing the easy way. For that, you will need the Strength of Hope!"

Similar light that fell on others fell on Jack as well. He heard a system notification then, "Congratulations! You have been chosen by the God of Hope. You receive his Sanctification, receiving an inherent skill, Strength of Hope."

The five rays of light that were enveloping them soon died down. At the same time, Hope's body became semi-transparent. Tiny starlight flooded out of his body which had turned slightly incorporeal. This starlight flew in all directions, but mostly they floated into the sky.

"Everyone… My time is up. I leave everything to you." Hope turned to Serenity and Love, who stared back with gazes filled with sadness. "Do not mourn me, sisters. The world still needs you. For that, I want you to be strong. I might be gone, but hope will always be with you for as long as you are willing to cling to it. Do not lose your hopes…"

With those last words, Hope's body slowly vanished into nothingness, leaving only a trail of starlight that formed a river that went up into the sky. This trail could be seen from miles away. Everyone who saw it felt in their hearts an overwhelming feeling of hope. That even when things were bad now, they would someday become better.