Avatar Challenge (2)
Mostly ocean-covered, with an atmosphere suited to carbon-based lifeforms. A planet strikingly similar to Terra, humanity's homeworld—its name was Gaiana. On the central continent's vast plain, countless constellations awaited a grand tournament. Officially, only seven had declared their intent to participate. Unofficially, the number of constellations merely observing this world probably exceeded dozens. Of course, the crowd gathered here was beyond counting. People of every hue filled the plain like a living carpet.
"Hey, I don't care where you're from, stop dripping that slime everywhere."
"Move over a bit, will ya? I can't see a damn thing!"
"Huff... huff... If only a constellation would choose me..."
"Full-body cyborg? Transferred their consciousness to a machine? How many credits did that cost..."
"Too many competitors. Hmm."
Beings covered in multicolored hides. Aliens swinging four arms back and forth. Ordinary Homo sapiens federation citizens. Even cyborgs with machine-replaced bodies dotted the crowd. What kind of event was this, anyway?
Then, someone stepped onto the massive stage at one end of the plain and spoke into what seemed like a small amplifier. His voice boomed across the entire field.
"Ahem. Testing—Citizens of the federation, hello! I'm Alberio Signa, your host for the Avatar Challenge here on Gaiana Planet today!"
"A. Aah—Citizens of the federation, hello! I'm Alberio Signa, your host for the Avatar Challenge here on Gaiana Planet today!"
A man in a sharp black suit, chattering energetically. He seemed to be a well-known host from some star system—voices recognizing him rippled through the crowd here and there.
"Right now, seven constellations have officially arrived to select their avatars! And who knows how many more are watching unofficially!"
A few participants' lips curled into smirks at the host's words. Better to join a tournament where you might catch a constellation's eye than sit around waiting for luck, right?
"This challenge will span several weeks! All species welcome, cyborg augmentations and permanent constellation blessings allowed—but temporary doping is strictly banned!"
Constellations had varied tastes and preferred different avatar types, sure. But public opinion held that they generally favored mentally and physically resilient mortals. Hence all the martial arts training and mental conditioning to appeal to them. That's why this event cracked down hard on drugs and cheats.
"And now! To heat things up even more, we have special guests—active avatars!!!"
Several avatars strode out from behind the host. The crowd erupted in cheers as people recognized their faces.
"Whoa, isn't that...?"
"The fire girl?! Irisha Belka, contracted to the Blazing Ember?!"
"That black cloud looks familiar from federation broadcasts. What was her name again?"
"And that's not all! We have very special guests too! The two biggest stars across the federation lately!!! You all know who they are without me saying~!!!"
As the host finished, two elegantly dressed women emerged from backstage. One, a black-haired beauty blushing shyly. The other, a blonde thrusting her chest out confidently.
No one here didn't know who they were. The two avatars of the great galaxy spirit from another dimension, the Whispering Star Cluster.
"...Wha—what?!"
"No way! They even got them?!"
"Does that mean the Star Cluster is watching too?"
"But didn't she just make her third avatar recently?"
"She's only been in this dimension for like two years, right? She could be recruiting more..."
"What if we get picked by a galaxy spirit constellation? With luck...?"
"Vivian the Avatar got a status window... Maybe I could too...!"
Eyes bulged in shock, then excitement bubbled over at the thought of a galaxy spirit watching. Eagerness and ambition lit up the participants' faces.
"Alright! Let's kick off the Gaiana Constellation Challenge! Give a hot round of applause!!!"
With the host's gesture, fireworks exploded, signaling the event's start.
And I watched the whole spectacle with keen interest. I'd accepted the special guest invite for my avatars out of personal curiosity, exchanged thanks with the planet's government and federation officials hosting the challenge—but that was brief.
"Lord Constellation... This is... way too much pressure..."
"Yuna needs to be more confident-wa yo! Wave to the aspiring avatars at least-wa yo!"
"I don't care about aspiring avatars; my stomach's churning..."
Now they were like monkeys in a zoo—or stars of Gaiana Planet. Hundreds of tiny drones buzzed around the venue. At least a dozen were filming my avatars.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says your avatars look cute.
"O-ho-ho-ho-hot!!! Show my fans the hunting hound at least-wa yo! Come out-wa yo, Kaiser!!!"
Krrrng?!
Beatrix's laughter mid-summon drew even louder cheers. The otherworldly monster, drooling globs of saliva, appeared—then sensed the goodwill and flopped belly-up.
"Hahaha! What the hell is that? Rolling over like a puppy?"
"So that's the space-jumping beast from another dimension?"
"Never seen anything like it. Ahaha!"
Reporters covering the Avatar Challenge kept mentioning it. I shifted my info-body view to the news feed; the live chat scrolled furiously.
"Folks, see those two avatars on the stage? Yes, none other than Yuna and..."
The Avatar Challenge's purpose seemed a bit distorted now. The spotlight meant for the seven official constellations and their hopefuls had all swung our way.
Divinities had egos the size of galaxies. Even by Super Galactic Empire Federation law, higher ones rarely stirred. So the seven who'd signed up were all Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies—and pretty weak ones at that, barely controlling a single island.
With my avatars—known galaxy spirits—showing up at such a low-level event, this attention was inevitable, right? Other guest avatars shot envious glances or jealous glares. Yuna flinched at the stares; Beatrix met them with a smug smile...
"Whispering Star Cluster, we pray. Please bless our son's endeavors..."
"Great galaxy spirit, take me as your avatar, I beg..."
And what were these mortals kneeling and praying to me on one side of the plain? Did they think I'd grant wishes? I wasn't even in this dimension properly. Plenty of other constellations were watching too. No need for a fourth avatar. Wouldn't want to steal their shots. I'd just spectate—unless someone really caught my eye. Unlikely, though.
Three-legged aliens and fluorescent-bodied mortals were novel, sure. But...
"Sigh... Should've brought Vivian sis too."
"Today's just participant screening and registration, right-wa yo?"
"These are already pre-filtered by paperwork, aren't they?"
Even after the host's opening, participants weren't finalized. They were weeding out dopers and disqualifying more. But why were contracted avatars in line? Oh, testing superpower detectors for EtherTube content. Busted and booted quick.
"Huh? Another avatar in line over there..."
"They'll trip the detector anyway-wa yo?"
I followed Yuna's puzzled gaze. Arrogant face. Bald, shiny dome. Shirtless, ripped body.
"Next up~ State your name and step to the machine, please."
"Zuag-Nakril."
"Uh? Anyway, Nakril, come on over."
No drug reactions. No superpower detection issues. You're cleared.
"Hmph."
"Next participant!"
AI info-bodies don't flag avatars. Not contracted through this system. So maybe a demigod born of god and human? Blessed to appear that way? Or carrying a divine artifact? Possibilities abounded.
"Oh. False alarm. Must've misread..."
Peering across dimensions via info-body was inconvenient. Face-to-face in a temp body, and I'd know instantly.