He was up first, of course he was up first. Just his luck.
After conversing with Apollo, the god had teleported them to a nice, yet small room, at least it was nicer than any room Robin had stayed in before. Apollo had said that he can watch the tournament from the room, or join him in his own down the hall, before leaving him by himself.
Robin sat alone for a few minutes, contemplating his decision, he still lamented the idea of this game he was thrust into, but he also couldn't risk the desires of what would happen should someone unfit acquire the wish. He also took the time to question to himself what he wanted. He hadn't really had time to think about it.
As he pondered, the sharp knocking at his door snapped him out of his thoughts. Robin then got out from the incredibly comfortable chair he found himself in to answer. Opening the door he came face to face with a auburn haired woman, who barged in the second the door had come out of contact with the wall, and immediately started examining the prince of thieves.
"Hmmm, I see I see." she muttered to herself.
"Uhm, can I help you?" Robin asked.
"5'10, looks roughly 178 pounds, and a pretty lean build all things considered." the intruder said, before groping the thief to feel his muscles.
That caused Robin to go into action, quickly, yet gently shoving the man off of him, "Well that's enough now, who are you?"
The woman looked almost shocked at Robin's words. "Oh? Apollo didn't tell you." She started.
"Tell me what?"
The woman gave a devilish smirk, "Well then, I'll have to talk to my dear brother, I'm your tailor, Aphrodite."
The gears turning in Robin's head jammed. His, tailor? Aphrodite? Like the god of beauty?
She seemed to read his mind as she answered him, "Well there isn't much to do around here, especially now that us gods are forbidden from toying with you humans, so I decided to try my hand at creating my own beauty, inspired by the works of your fellow man of course." Aphrodite said matter of factly.
"You know, Apollo didn't really go into detail about WHY you can't interfere with us now." Robin Hood said as the goddess went back to feeling his muscles, which Robin assumed was for measurements.
"Well its quite the boring story all things considered," Aphrodite said. "You see it's because daddy and some big shot god from another pantheon got into an argument that god a little, well apocalyptic. It caused a whole thing with the gods, we yelled at each other, signed papers, yada yada I didn't really care."
Robin deadpanned at her, he wanted to reply to her brushing off such a event, alongside the revelation that other gods existed as well. However, he decided that discussing about it to her would lead to few answers and more questions, so he kept himself quiet.
After a few minutes, Aphrodite stopped caressing him and noted some words down in a book she had on her person. "Now then, I was asked to lead you to your waiting room, and then I'll take a few minutes to weave together a stylish outfit for you."
"Waiting room?"
"Oh, you didn't know? Oh Apollo, what to do with you." Aphrodite said, "Anyways, you'll be fighting first in the Requiem."
Thoughts raced through Robin as if he was struck by lightning. He was fighting first? Against what god? What human?
Then, he remembered something Apollo had told him before leaving the room. Robin stared at the crossbow he was given.
"I still wonder how to activate it."
Aphrodite gave him a look, before lightly shoving him with one hand, "c'mon."
"Right, sorry" Robin replied, and followed her out the room.
This was Robins first look at most of the surrounding region, and what he saw shocked him. Tunnels led to short sights of a large arena, with thousands of seats of which Robin couldn't see a single empty one, each one was filled by someone, presumably divine.
Aphrodite led him down, to the ground floor level, at least that's what Robin thought the level was. And eventually into a large, empty room.
"Now then, you stay here and I'll whip something up for you." Aphrodite stated before rushing off. Leaving Robin to his thoughts once again.
What would he wish for? Robin didn't know, he could ask for everyone to live a comfortable life, that would be good. But, that would still leave the rich to be able to profit off them. What about collapsing the totem pole and getting rid of the need for money in the first place? No, for a variety of reasons.
Robin was interrupted yet again by the beauty goddess, who greeted him, handed him a pile of clothes before rushing off, telling him to get dressed quickly.
As Robin was dressing himself, a booming voice came over his ears.
"WELCOME, WELCOME, GODS ONE AND ALL." The voice said.
Outside Robins waiting room, the messenger god Hermes floated above the arena, speaking to the present gods. While many gods were in support of the Requiem idea, he was quite shocked with the turnout of attendees.
'I can't believe I have to host this damn thing, I'd rather watch.' he thought to himself. Alas, he didn't act upon his dismay and played with the hand he was dealt.
"Now then, before we introduce our first hopeful contestants, let me run down the rules just once more." Hermes said.
"Sixteen gods have been chosen to participate in this conflict. Each have chosen a extraordinary human to fight for them as their champion."
"These humans will fight and gradually whittle down until only ONE, remains. They then are selected as our champion, of which they will be resurrected and granted one wish they desire. Their patron god? Granted the ability to make ANY, DECREE, THEY WANT." Hermes cried.
The gods in attendance roared in applause, excited to see the events about to unfold.
"Now then," Hermes began to finish, "Lets meet the gods chosen to participate."
A massive, magical screen unfolded behind Hermes, sixteen lines were seen at the bottom, with a name below each one. At the top? only one line with a question mark.
"Apollo, Kukulkan, Lugh, Odin, Tezcatlipoca, Indra, Susanoo, Mars, Hecate, Osiris, Prometheus, Marduk, Freya, Set, Scathach, and last but certainly not least, Ereshkigal" Hermes finished.
Crowds roared as the names were revealed. Hermes was somewhat shocked by the crowds liveliness.
"Well, I can tell you're excited, so lets not dilly dally anymore."
One of the gates started to fall into the ground.
"From England's gallows to Olympus' arena. the outlaw who robbed the rich, fed the poor, and sniped the sun itself: master of trick bolts and deception. Representing Apollo, the Prince of Thieves, Robin Hood!" Hermes called.
Robin walked out from the gate, clearly uncomfortable, Aphrodite's clothes had been a perfect fit for him, the pants were nothing to write home about, simple black pants that would be easy to move in. A navy blue long sleeved shirt adorned him, with a black cloak draped around. He kept his mask on, but the cloaks hood made it difficult to see his face.
"And now, for his opponent." Hermes called, and the opposing gate started to fall.
"A member of the legendary Argonauts, all of humanities modern medical knowledge stems from his quest. A master of serpents fighting for a serpent god. Representing Kukulkan is the son of Apollo and the founder of medicine, Asclepius!"
From the gate walked a lean man, he was dressed in a white coat and held a staff in his hand. A golden serpent was wrapped around the staff. Hate fueled the man eyes when he looked at Robin, and he immediately got into stance.
'Shit" Robin thought.
"Without further ado, Requiem round one, match one,"
"COMMENCE"