Ragnarok.

**17 years later**

Hey, Jason, wake up! It's time for us to go to work," Ragnarok said, trying to shake him awake from his bed.

Just give me another minute," Jason mumbled in response.

"Another minute?" Ragnarok shot back, his tone impatient. "Have you forgotten how angry Mr. Chase was last time we showed up late? He was furious! He even told us we wouldn't get the leftovers anymore if we're late again. Plus, don't you want to enter the rankings this year? How are you going to do that if you don't have enough money?.

You're right," Jason said, straightening up. "Mr chase also said he'd reduce our pay too, and I don't want to wait until next year to join the rankings. What were you doing, Ragnarok? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

Ragnarok shrugged with a grin. "Actually, it's only 5 am, and work doesn't start until 7. I know you, that's why I did it—I wanted to make sure you woke up earlier.

Jason let out a sigh. "Man, don't do that again. You know how much I really want to join the rankings. If we finish this week, we'll have enough money to register both me and you."

Ragnarok waved him off. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Now go take your bath. Let's get going."

____

My name is Ragnarok, and I don't have any grand dreams or ambitions. I live day by day, just drifting through life without any clear direction.

Jason and I grew up together in an orphanage in a small village east of Fernhollow. We were more than just friends—we were brothers in every sense that mattered. From the moment we met, we knew we would never be apart. We've shared everything—our fears, our hopes, and the countless moments of laughter and struggle.

By the time we were ten, we started helping out around the village, doing odd jobs to earn whatever small commissions we could. By sixteen, it was time to leave the orphanage. The sister in charge gave us the small savings we had accumulated over the years and offered a prayer for our future. That was the last time I saw the place that had been our home.

Now, at seventeen, we're in the bustling city of Havenridge. The apartment we managed to rent is cramped, but it's ours. We work as pizza delivery guys, our shifts running from early morning to late evening, sometimes stretching into the night when the shop gets busy —7 am to 8 or 9 pm. I usually work the counter while Jason handles deliveries, though we switch roles whenever needed. The work is tiring, but it gives us enough to get by.

Jason has always dreamed of becoming a God. Since we were kids, he's been vocal about his goal—one that seems impossible, even absurd. His parents left him at the orphanage when they pursued their own quest to climb the rankings and attain divinity. Jason told me all about it, about their ambition to reach the heavens and leave him behind.

Me on the other hand, I can't remember my parents' faces, but I still hear their voices, faint echoes from a time long past. Sometimes, I even recall a lullaby my mom used to sing to me. The only tangible piece I have left of them is the thread bangle they gave me—engraved with my name, Ragnarok.

I don't think about it much. If they left me here, it's probably for the same reason Jason's parents left him—to chase their dreams. If I were to have a goal, it would be simple: to support Jason. And maybe, just maybe, to find my parents and see them, if only for a moment.

It sounds a bit silly, but Jason believes one day we'll both rise to become the Duo Gods of the universe. I know it's a far-fetched dream. Yet, I can't help but support him. He's my best friend, my brother. If anyone can make the impossible happen, it's him. Maybe—just maybe—he's crazy enough to do it.

____

Okay, let's check how much we've saved up so far," I said to Jason.

He replied confidently, "By the end of this week—Saturday, it'll be complete. Then we'll head to the God Ranking Organization. From there, they'll put us on a ship heading to the island where the stone tablet is."

"So, once we touch the tablet, we gain power, right?" I asked.

"Exactly," he said. "Then we'll compete with other rankers. When we reach the top ranking for Earth, we'll challenge the lowest ranker from Hell. If we win, we'll enter Hell and keep going until we reach Heaven."

I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes!"

With that, we slipped on our customized pizza delivery jackets and hats, hopped onto the scooter we'd saved up to buy, and headed to the pizza parlor for another day of work.

As we rode to the pizza parlor, a massive blimp floated across the sky, its screen broadcasting a live battle between rankers. The fight was intense—lightning flashed, and the ground cracked under their power. Watching it left me in awe, but it also reminded me of what I dislike about the God Rankings.

The system is brutal. A ranker can be killed by another ranker at any time. You're never truly safe—whether you're walking down the street or resting at home, someone weaker might challenge you just to climb the ranks. It's a dangerous journey, but I'm not worried. As long as Jason and I stick together, nobody will catch us off guard.

We arrived at the pizza parlor and made our way into the back employee entrance. Mr Chase, a handsome, muscular man with a dark skin tone and a beard, greeted us. "You're here earlier than usual," he said with a grin. "I'm sure it's Ragnarok's doing. I can't picture Jason actually waking up on his own." We both laughed.

Chase then told us to enjoy the pizza he'd prepared for breakfast and get ready to start work. After eating, we noticed the "Open" sign lit up. I already had a list of deliveries to make, so I quickly loaded the pizzas onto the scooter and kicked off, while Jason took over the counter for the day.

On my way back to the parlor after making the last delivery for the morning, I saw a group of rankers fighting on the roadside, causing massive destruction with their powers. I maneuvered the scooter recklessly, dodging flying debris and rocks. Just then, the Ranker Police arrived. The Ranker Police are individuals who gain powerful abilities but choose to remain on Earth, protecting it from rogue rankers. If it weren't for them, I'm sure the earth would've been destroyed a long time ago.