Eric date

(Leo POV)

Leo instantly understood where he was. But it didn't make sense. He couldn't be there. He couldn't be.

"So, Leo, what do you think of my idea? You can at least admit that the view is exceptional." Said Eric.

Exceptional was the right word indeed. Not many people get to look at planet Earth from the lunar surface. It took Leo several minutes to compose himself. He turned his head and looked at his brother.

The first thing he noticed was that his outfit had changed, even though he was still dressed all in white.

"A little too bombastic for my taste. Don't you think?" said Eric.

Leo laughed.

"Indeed, but I think you'll have to get used to it." Leo replied.

"I know. So, what do you think of my idea?" Eric asked.

"I knew I could expect anything from you, but even being prepared for the unexpected, you managed to surprise me. I suppose it's thanks to magic that we can communicate and not be dead already." Said the young engineer.

"Indeed, I thought asking Nola to take care of these details would be a good idea. After that, I don't know if an angel needs to breathe - it would be an interesting experiment to try out." Says Eric

"Be careful, Eric. Don't take any ill-considered risks. You saw what happened with Daphne." Says Leo

"Don't worry too much about me. I'm smarter than that. But let's stop talking about what's hot right now, and I suggest we take advantage of the lunar gravity to go for a nice walk." Eric said.

Leo nodded and they set off. They had fun making leaps that would have been impossible on Earth. Eventually, they stopped on the rim of a crater.

"It's beautiful!" Leo said.

"I'm glad you like it. But I think it's time we had a serious talk." Said Eric.

"Do we really have to?" asked Leo. He really didn't want to have this discussion. He was a coward, he admitted it himself, but after what had happened to Daphne, he didn't dare talk about this absurd show. He tried to look away, evading Eric's gaze. And as he looked away, the magic lamp appeared at his feet. This finally convinced him. He couldn't run away from this discussion.

"What exactly do you want to talk about?" Leo asked.

"Let's start with Daphne's actions and her determination left the show. Do you think it was the right choice?" Eric asked.

"No, of course not. Her plan was full of flaws, and she would have told me about them, and we would have been able to come up with something better." Said Leo.

"So at least you recognize that her actions were stupid. However, you think you could have done better. So, let's go, what's your plan? How would you leave this show?" Eric asked.

Leo didn't know how to answer. He'd thought about it, yes, but he hadn't come up with a real plan.

"You don't know, do you? We can't contact anyone because even if they believe us, there's nothing they can do. Unless you know a magician who can get us out of here? No? that's what I thought. So, we're on our own. We're under constant surveillance. So, for me, there's only one credible solution. Since escape or rescue are impossible. There's nothing left but confrontation." says Eric.

"You can't do that!" Said Leo.

"I never said I would, but it's the only way to put a quick end to the show. The problem with this method is that we're up against a being with powers beyond our comprehension, so this kind of solution is bound to fail. So, there's only one way left." Eric says.

"One way?" Leo asked.

"Yes, once we've eliminated attack and escape, we're left with defence." Says Eric.

"Defence? What do you mean by that?" asked Leo.

"In our case that translates into playing with the rules and speeding up the game. We must reduce the number of shots we take. As she clearly explained, this show is designed to have an end. We just must finish it. You can think of it as a game of Jumanji." Said Eric.

Leo understood what his brother was saying, but he was also beginning to guess where it was leading them. And he didn't like that conclusion.

"We need to limit the number of transformations we undergo, and that's going to be particularly difficult because the audience and Nola seem to love them. I myself think I'm at risk just explaining this to you." Says Eric.

"I won't let them." Said Leo.

"I'm telling you, there's nothing you can do. And what's more, I reassure you, they're bound by the rules. As long as I respect the rules, there's nothing they can do. But that brings me to what you can do." Says Eric.

"You just said I can't do anything and now you're talking about what I can do. It's time to choose." Says Leo sarcastically.

"It's good that you've got your sense of humour back, you're going to need it. We can't prevent transformations, but we can reduce their number. And the easiest way to do that is to speed up the show. Someone must win as quickly as possible. And to win, you're going to have to have sex with the contestants." Says Eric.

"I'm not going to sleep with you Eric, you're my brother and no offense I'm not particularly attracted to men including angels." Said Leo

"I'm not talking about myself even if I imagine I won't necessarily remain a man for very long. I'm talking about the other participants, for example. I'm sure it won't be that difficult." Said Eric.

Leo didn't reply. He knew Eric was right, but admitting it was more difficult.

"I understand, but I don't know if I'll be able to do the right thing." Leo said.

Eric looked at him, thinking of what he could say to convince him.

"Leo. Look up." Eric said.

Leo complied and saw the beautiful blue planet he'd come from.

"You see, Leo. On this pebble of space are around 8 billion human beings and countless other living things. Each of them is born, lives and dies without being able to change anything. They have ****, but to do their best with the cards fate has dealt them. You're going to do exactly the same. You're going to do your best. Think about what you want to preserve at all costs and let go of the rest. You won't be able to control everything. Sacrifices will have to be made and none of us will escape unscathed. But I think there's a good chance we'll keep the essentials. I'll leave you to think about it, but I've got to test my wings on the lunar surface." Eric said, taking off into the distance.

Leo stood there alone, still shocked by what his brother had just told him.