The grand hall of the gods was in turmoil. The defeat of Mars had sent shockwaves through Olympus, shattering the gods' arrogant confidence. What had begun as a mere spectacle, a plaything for their amusement, had turned into a serious threat. Arguments erupted like thunder, filling the hall with discordant voices.

"How could this happen?" Ares bellowed, his fury palpable. "Mars, the god of war, defeated by a human! This is unacceptable!"

Hera, her eyes cold and calculating, added, "We underestimated them. This tournament is more than a game to them. They fight for their very survival."

Odin's solitary eye burned with intensity as he addressed the assembly. "We must choose our next combatant wisely. This loss has given humanity hope, and we cannot allow that to fester."

Zeus raised his hand, demanding silence. His voice, though calm, held an edge of thunder. "Enough. This time, we will extinguish their hope once and for all. We need a combatant who can instill fear and darkness into their hearts."

The gods fell silent, their eyes turning toward a shadowy corner of the hall. From the darkness emerged Nox, the Roman goddess of night. Her presence was an all-encompassing void, her eyes deep pools of blackness that seemed to absorb light.

"Nox," Zeus said, his voice reverberating with authority. "You shall be our next combatant. Show humanity the true power of the gods."

Nox inclined her head, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I will ensure their light is snuffed out, Zeus. They will know the terror of eternal night."

---

At Eirene's secluded sanctuary, the atmosphere was lighter, buoyed by Nobunaga's unexpected victory. Eirene could hardly believe that humans had secured a win so soon. The triumph was a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, a testament to human resilience and determination.

Nobunaga, though injured, stood with a calm pride. "We have proven that we can stand against the gods. But this is only the beginning."

Eirene nodded, her eyes filled with a renewed sense of purpose. "Indeed. We must be prepared for whatever comes next."

For the next match, Eirene had already chosen a combatant: Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned military genius who had once aspired to conquer the world. Napoleon materialized before her, his presence commanding and authoritative.

"Madame Eirene," Napoleon said, a slight bow acknowledging her. "I understand the gravity of the task before me."

Eirene's voice was steady. "Napoleon, you will face Nox, the Roman goddess of night. The gods are determined to crush our hope, but I believe in your strategic brilliance."

Napoleon's eyes gleamed with determination. "I will not fail. They will see that even in the darkest night, human ingenuity can prevail."

As Eirene finished briefing Napoleon, the air around her seemed to chill. She turned to see Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing at the entrance. Athena's gaze was piercing, her presence exuding an aura of authority and knowledge.

"Athena," Eirene greeted cautiously, her voice even.

Athena's expression was unreadable as she stepped forward. "Eirene, I must question your motives. Why do you defend humanity with such fervor? You know the price of opposing the gods."

Eirene met her gaze steadily. "I believe in the potential of humanity. They deserve a chance to prove their worth."

Athena's eyes narrowed slightly. "Be wary, Eirene. The wrath of the gods is not to be taken lightly. Defying us comes with consequences."

Eirene's voice was calm but firm. "I understand the risks. But I also understand the value of giving humanity a chance to fight for their existence."

Athena studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well. But remember, the gods do not take kindly to defiance."

---

In the celestial realm and the human world, preparations for the next match began in earnest. Nox, the embodiment of night and darkness, stood ready to unleash her fearsome power. The gods placed their hopes in her ability to crush the human spirit once and for all.

Napoleon, meanwhile, prepared himself with meticulous precision. His mind raced with strategies and tactics, his determination unyielding. He knew that facing a goddess was no small feat, but his confidence in his abilities remained steadfast.

From the stands, Eirene watched Napoleon with a mix of hope and concern. Nobunaga, recovering from his injuries, stood beside her. "He is a formidable choice," Nobunaga said, his voice strong despite his weariness. "Napoleon's mind is a weapon as sharp as any blade."

Eirene nodded, her gaze never leaving Napoleon. "He has faced insurmountable odds before and emerged victorious. He embodies the spirit of human ingenuity and resilience."

As both combatants prepared for the impending clash, the tension in the air was palpable. The gods, driven by fury and desperation, sought to reclaim their dominance. The humans, emboldened by their first victory, fought to maintain their newfound hope.

The stage was set for an epic confrontation between the light of human ambition and the darkness of divine power. The outcome of the next match would determine the future of the tournament and the fate of humanity itself.