{On the other side, before stepping through the portal, James fiddles with his Sapphire Locket. The gods; Hera, Athena, and Ares communicate from the reaches of Skyworld via telepathy.} Hera: Nervous still? [“… A tad — once I step in, you guys are limited to watching only.”]⬇️

[“I… I know the stakes, and I’ve done everything I could to prepare, even with bagging the Association and saving my home… Reality sets back in, and just now… The pressure’s setting in.”] Athena: And we understand. Ares: We can’t help ya mid-fight, but no one said - +

- anything about the aftermath. Win or lose, we’ll figure somethin’ out for you, kid. Athena: Just remember — you’re doing this for the world. Two, possibly the Multiverse. Think of all the good it will do to everyone. Hera: Your mother would be proud. We’re certain of it. ⬇️

[“… Thank you… I’ll… I’ll do everything I can.”] {He was holding back every urge to doubt himself… Of course, he had to consider — if even Raiden, one of Universe33’s greatest, dubs him one of his “Champions,” then at the very least the rest of #𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐀 must have - +

- faith in him. Lots of it, even.} Ares: No sweat. Now… Athena, Ares, Hera: Go forth. And, good luck! Music - {The gods encourage as James finally steps through the portal, the demigod soon standing with the other Champions. His heart races a tad - +

- as he glances around rather anxiously. One one hand, the sound of a roaring crowd in such an atmosphere is cool… … On the other hand… James has a chance of perishing. Not cool. But, he steadies his breathing, cleaning his glasses whilst awaiting to see who fights first - +