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Julia was in the World of Pain -hanging upside down in Loviatar's dungeon.
"Can you name some famous tennis players?" Loviatar asked.
"Sure, there's 'Venus Something,' and her sister 'Something, Something' - I'm not sure."
"Close enough, Julia. Now tell me, can you name any famous badminton players?"
"Uhhh... no."
"You see, there are the male all-star tennis players, like the three Middle Eastern monotheistic- "
"I remember! My First Bound told me. We lesser gods are badminton compared to tennis- "
"Quiet!" Loviatar yelled. "I thought hanging you upside down would stop your talking so much!"
"Sorry," Julia said, not convincingly.
"Besides the badminton-tennis religion analogy, your First Bound likely told you I'm merciless."
"Yeah, he did mention that, Loviatar."
"So, why you'd go ahead and challenge me to combat?"
"It was a longshot, but you were probably the only out of the three on the other team I could beat."
"How's that?"
"My First Bound witnessed your combats throughout the eons, and the same tactics you always used."
"I don't change tactics, since I'm always the strongest on whatever team I've been assigned to."
"The downside was if my gambit didn't work, you'd probably bust me down to being a mortal."
"Correct. I'll make you mortal once more unless you give me a good reason why I shouldn't."
"I heard when Kiputy wins a combat she typically shows mercy, while you never show it."
"Those who challenge me should expect to get hurt, then become an ordinary human again."
"I'd like to propose a deal, Loviatar."
"Let's hear it."
"Every god or goddess gets their opponent's followers if they defeat them in these combats."
"Tell me something I don't know. Your cat-followers will soon turn into my badger-followers."
"Here's the deal: If you let me live, I keep my believers, my First Bound, and Felix, sound good?"
"That's not good. I can't take your believers - the humans - but why should I let you keep them?"
"Let me continue. When we have another "Battle of the Lesser Divinities" in seven years- "
"Assuming I don't make you mortal, Julia."
"Right, seven years from now, I challenge you, throw the match, a guaranteed win for you."
"I could probably defeat you anyway."
"That's true, but here you would be assured of it, and get all my accumulated followers again."
"Julia, these are the options.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeFH2RWub8
One: You become mortal. Felix and First Bound wander the Earth."
"Two: I let you continue to build up your quite innovative, weird, religion you've started."
"Three: The one you have never heard of. I make you a demi-goddess. A demi-goddess creature called a succubus. You, Felix, and your First Bound would wander- "
"Huh?"
"You'd wander the Earth for all eternity. Each of you with some supernatural powers."
"What?!"
"Julia, you know, I've decided to let my badgers vote on your fate. Democracy. It's all the rage."
"That's how my particular story ends?! Hero rises, then fails? For me, that's typical..."
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