The soft winds blew over the long grass blades that covered the entire field. They swayed beautifully over the hills. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, with two suns rather than one, at two parts of the sky.

The scenery was beautiful and peaceful, welcoming.

At the center of this scenery sat a lady, dressed in white from head to toe, with a veil covering half her face. From the lower part of her face that showed, it looked pale and clear as water. No imperfection could be found.

An umbrella covered her head, casting a cool shadow over her and the round table she sat at. On it was a tray of cookies and a ceramic teapot.

She slowly lifted her hands in elegance, lifting the teapot and pouring a stream into it. The warm steam of the tea went into the air and vanished, making a soft whiff of herbal tea reach her nose. She smiled softly.

Lifting the small cup with elegance to her mouth, she took a sip, her pristine pink lips pressed lightly against the cup, and when she was done, she placed the cup down.

The pause drew out for a moment, and then she looked in one direction. A few seconds later, a door opened there, right in the middle of nothing. The door showed a light, and from it came the butler.

Dressed in his pristine suit, he looked clean and proper.

The door shut behind him, and he walked toward the lady. When he was a few meters away, he bowed, a full ninety degrees.

"I've told you there is no need for that when you come here," she said, her voice sounding extremely elegant and light on the ears.

"I must show my respect for you, my lady," he stated.

"Hmm."

She snapped her fingers, and a chair formed. "Sit, there is much to talk about," she said. He nodded and sat down, and then, from his inner pocket, he pulled a white envelope with a wax seal and slid it over to her.

She glanced at it, but then ignored it, waved a new cup into existence, and poured a cup of tea for the butler. She slid it over to him.

He gave her a respectful nod and grabbed the teacup, taking a sip and placing it down on the coaster.

Only then did she pick up the letter. She broke the wax seal and pulled out the paper. It was a message from none other than Elton.

"Hmm." She frowned slightly when she started reading, and then she looked at the butler. "Is this really what is happening?" she asked.

"Indeed. This trial for this world marks a special one, and the requirements for it at the end are astronomical. They are ensuring they get every single thing they can from it," he said, taking the cup and sipping again.

"These requirements are far too extreme. This is about soul energy, tsk. They would have to go to some extremes to get it," she said, placing the letter down for a moment and having a sip of her tea.

"They have already started," he replied. "The Gods' trials have already started pushing participants harder. From whatever Elton told me, they have already lost more than half the original number from the first trial.

And even now, the second trial is being held in Loki's Maze," he added.

She paused for a moment and looked at him. "That's impossible," she said.

"Indeed it is. Elton wanted me to hide this information from you. You know my master, she loves taking the lives of humans, and Loki's Maze is the best opportunity. She also knows you would hate that," he explained.

"Of course I'll hate that, because if they are using Loki's Maze this early, then they plan to make this the final harvest," she said. "Unless they somehow manage to pass the trials and save their world again.

But then, if the Gods are plotting against them now, I doubt there will be anything they can do," she said.

"Actually, there might be a way to ensure that the humans make it through. A single individual, and the target of Elton and the Gods," the butler said.

"Hmm, curious. Tell me about this person," she asked.

"I can't say much as to why they want him gone, but his name is Aren, a human with the ability to manipulate shadows. He is filled with limitless potential," the butler said.

"Shadow, you said?" she muttered with a look of realization on her face.

"Do you know anything about it?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Not really. It's nothing," she replied, taking a sip of her tea again.

"I'll take a look into this fellow and see what he is about," she stated.

"I have a question," he said.

"Hmm, ask away."

"Why? Why do you do this, this neutral stance, watching what they all do?" he asked.

"Hmmm, if you can ascend, then maybe your mind will be able to comprehend it. Until then, I can't tell you," she said. She slowly stuck her finger into the tea and stirred it, and instantly one side turned clear. Both sides formed to show the Chinese sign of balance, but it vanished almost instantly. The butler didn't even catch it.

"Thank you for all the information you have brought for me," she said.

"It's my pleasure, for all that you have done for me," he replied.

"Good. When you return, tell Elton that I said she should reduce her savagery. She may see humans as ants, but she must learn to appreciate all life and not become like those Gods.

And as for your daughter, she is safe. That's all I can tell you. She is also receiving guidance from me as much as I can, helping her through her life," she said.

The butler smiled when he heard that. He got up on his feet, gave another bow, and walked off. The door formed again, and he walked in, vanishing from there.

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