Aquilia, 25,000 light-years from Earth
Quantum appears on the surface, transmuting his body back into flesh and blood; despite what Gaea told him, landing on the forbidden planet feels far less risky than engaging the primordial goddess.
What doesn’t feel good, on the other hand, is that he arrived completely naked.
<Dammit, I thought this only happened to Noriko.> he complains, looking around: he’s near a lake, and fortunately for his modesty there doesn’t seem to be anyone in his vicinity.
<Vesta, can you hear me? This is Max. Please tell me I didn’t get here for nothing.> he thinks, trying to project his thoughts through the Soul Relay installed in his ear canal… but he can feel it’s no longer there.
His next move would be to send a radio message, but he’s distracted by the flock of eagles that just emerged from the forest. They’re much larger than those on Earth, completely white, and the quick bolts of lightning passing from one bird to another create a disturbance that to Quantum’s senses feels like a strident shriek.
<Okay, that’s weird.> he comments, watching one of the eagles fly in his direction and land on a tree branch not too distant from his position. He can still feel the electricity flowing through its feathers.
<Please tell me you’re not gonna try to eat me.>
<Maybe she likes what she sees. Can’t say that I blame her.>
The sound of another person’s voice startles Quantum; as he turns around, he instinctively transforms his body into radio waves.
There’s a man standing in front of him. White hair despite looking in his early twenties, with an athletically sculpted body covered only by a disturbingly low waist skirt; Quantum can see the electricity inside his veins, just like the bird’s. And there’s little doubt he’s staring at him.
<Nice.> the stranger nods approvingly.
<You can still see me!?> Quantum exclaims, just emitting radio signals.
<And hear you. Never thought I’d see sexy radio waves, but I’m not complaining. I would ask if you’re new to Aquilia, but that’s pretty obvious.>
<Yeah, uhm, this is pretty awkward. Hold on a sec.> Quantum replies. He changes into a laser, cutting off a branch from one of the nearby trees; once he transforms back into a human, he has something to covers himself with.
<Oh come on, really? Did you have to ruin my favorite fishing place? I could’ve given you mine!> the strangers complains, threatening to take off his skirt until Quantum stops him.
<Please don’t! Look, I’m not gonna stay long, I just want to ask you some questions.>
<Okay, sure. I’m Terastios, by the way. Full name’s Sextus Aquilia Terastios, but nobody calls me that. What is yours?>
<Call me Quantum. I don’t feel my universal translator, how can you understand me?>
<Oh, it’s probably the bird. Stuff like that happens around them. Don’t know why it doesn’t happen around people too, since everyone’s related to Zeus here, but you know. It’s still nice.>
<That’s probably why I feel so much electricity, from all directions.>
<You’re not a god yourself, are you?> Terastios asks. Quantum is used to hear that question, but usually it’s accompanied by fear. This man seems to be as chill as Null’s father.
<No, I’m just a guy. But I am looking for a goddess… her name is Vesta, but you probably know her as…>
<Hestia, yeah I’ve heard she goes by another name now. She’s probably in the capital.>
<Can you tell me where that is? I should be able to…>
Quantum doesn’t finish his sentence, distracted by the appearance of a pentagram of fire right next to him. Once more Terastios is unfazed by something that would surprise the average citizen of any other planet in the Olympian Galaxy; in fact, he only seems interested in the fact that Torn showed up just as naked as Quantum did.
<Nice.> is his only comment.
<Dude, what the heck!?> Quantum comments, looking away in embarrassment.
<تحلس لس ۇنېخپېثتېد.> Torn says, although nobody else understands him.
<Well that’s a first. I don’t think we ever got a Demon visitor before.> Terastios says.
<وحىت لىنگۇىگې لس حې سپېىكلنگ?>
<English, Torn. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.> Quantum says.
<ۆدد. It seems my translator is missing. I speak good without it, yes? It has timed a long without.>
<I picked up Modern Olympian from a few visitors, if it helps.> Terastios suggests.
<It does, I’m fluent in that. There’s a god nearby, isn’t it? Their translating aura always has trouble with Demonic.>
<Can we hold the discussion until we’re all wearing pants!?> Quantum complains.
<For once I agree. It is rather cold in this place.> Torn replies.
<You don’t look like you have a problem with that.> Terastios jokes; the Demon completely misses the point, and he turns to step into a newly created pentagram portal… which immediately fizzles out, fading out of existence before it can be used.
<That’s inconvenient. This better not have ruined my duster.> Torn says.
<Sorry, you can’t leave Aquilia. Nobody can. If you really need some clothes I can give you some of mine… I hardly ever wear anything anyway!>
<That would be great. I doubt Vesta would appreciate us showing up without pants.>
<I don’t know what “pants” are, but I can offer you sex.>
<That’s, uhm, no thanks. Just some clothes will be enough. Is your house far from here?> Quantum asks, anxious to change the subject.
Null Tower, New York City
Noriko Null slowly wakes up with an unusual feeling: she’s fully rested. She can’t even remember the last time she managed to get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, probably because it’s been years since she’s done so without her silver eyes.
She was initially skeptical about Asclepius’ idea, but completely disconnecting her mind from the Nexus was the best way to allow her to recuperate her mental energies.
She turns in her bed, hoping to get just a few more minutes, when she notices that a light coming from the other side of the bedroom.
Her first instinct is to reach for the Genius Gun hidden beneath her pillow, except it’s not there. She can feel her heart racing as she turns towards the light, her eyes turning silver and shining.
<How did you get inside!?> she exclaims before she can even see who has sneaked inside.
<The door was open.> is the answer coming from the high-pitched voice of a five year old girl.
<Nalani! What the f…> Noriko stops herself before swearing.
She gets off the bed, looking around for some clothes; she’s not really comfortable being around her half-sister in her underwear. Instead she steps on some mechanical parts: they’re scattered everywhere on the floor, and it’s almost as painful as stepping on a nail.
<Ouch! What… wait a minute… did you dismantle my Genius Gun!?>
<I was bored. How does this work?> Nalani asks, holding up one of the components extracted from the weapon. Noriko is quick to navigate the minefield that is the floor to snatch it from her fingers.
<That’s not a toy! You’re lucky the kinetic capacitor is empty, you could’ve blown us to bits!!!>
<It’s not luck, I discharged it before I took it off. I don’t know how it works, but I saw something that looked like a safety switch.> the girl explains.
Despite her anger, Noriko can recognize at a glance that Nalani actually did take all the precautions she would’ve taken to dismantle the gun.
<Well… yeah, but you shouldn’t be touching my stuff to begin with. And I definitely didn’t leave the door open, did you sabotage the locking mechanism?>
<Would you be mad at me if I did?> Nalani asks, doing her very best to look innocent.
Noriko sighs, sitting on the edge of her bed to run her eyes. She definitely wasn’t looking forward to babysit a superhumanly intelligent child.
<Nalani, I own lots of very dangerous stuff. Some of the safety measures I employ could seriously hurt you. Promise me you’re not going to sneak into my room again.>
<But I was bored!>
<Nalani… if you sneak inside again I’m not taking you on a spaceship anymore, understood?>
<We’re going on a spaceship!?> Nalani exclaims excitedly.
<If your mother is okay with it, and if you promise you’re not going to enter my bedroom without knocking first. Scratch that: don’t go into anyone’s bedroom without permission, alright?>
<Even daddy’s?>
<Especially your father’s. Trust me, get in there at wrong moment and you’ll never forgive yourself for it… I found that out the hard way.>
<Were you smart back then?>
<Definitely not. Now go to your room; once I’ve had my shower, you’re going to help me put the Genius Gun back together.>
<Can I have one of my own? I’d only use it on bad guys, I promise!>
<Maybe when you’re old enough to drive. Come on, it’s already late.>
<It’s dawn.>
<Nalani…>
<I’m going, I’m going. See you later sis!> the girl says, practically running out of the room.
Noriko lays back on the bed, looking at the ceiling with an exasperated exhale.
<I freaking hate kids.> she tells herself.
<She’s so sweet. I can’t believe you two are actually related.>
The comment comes from the ghost of the former Nexus host, Roxiana, who only Noriko can see next to her bed; folding her arms and giving her a disapproving look.
<And here I was hoping you disappeared with the hallucinations.>
<You’re not seriously giving Asclepius credit? He’s a hack. You’re not going to fix your brain by taking naps.>
<Excuse me for trusting the god of medicine over someone who wants to take over my body.>
<How many times do I have to tell you that it’s not my intention, Noriko?>
<Until the time I figure out how to stop you from pestering me.>
<For someone who insists having no maternal instincts, the role of “cool older sister” suits you. Consider me your very own cool older sister.>
<Is there a reason for why you’re showing up, or you’re just bored like Nalani?>
<While you were busy sleeping, I went back to the Mindscape to scour No Mind’s Land in search of information about the planet where you sent the Vanguard.>
<Aquilia. Found anything interesting?>
<Quite. It was the first planet ruled by Vesta, after the Great Trojan War; Diomedes actually went there once. And since we know he didn’t die there…>
<…it means the rule prohibiting anyone from leaving is a relatively recent thing. Any news more recent than Vesta’s exile?>
<Nothing, it completely disappeared from the records for over 2,000 years. The Scribe did try to locate it, without success… but the interesting thing is why he was looking for it.>
<Let me guess. Some kind of Drylon device?>
<Not just any device. According to him, there’s some kind of treasure buried there… he considered it more valuable than the Heart Of The Universe; finding it was a higher priority than the Nexus.>
<That sounds a bit much, considering how obsessed he was with both.>
<You try looking for something for a thousand years and coming up short; it’s no wonder than a megalomaniac like the Scribe became convinced that the treasure had been lost forever. But, according to him, and I quote: “If Kronos had it, he would still be ruling the universe today”.>
<Hhmm. I hate to admit it, but you did a good job. I might be able to get more information from the Drylon hosts… but it would probably help to get some more information about this thing.>
<And how do you plan to do that without the Drylon, if nobody has ever seen this treasure?>
<Athena still owes me a favor or two. Let’s sneak a peek at her Grimoire Of Drylon Weapons.>
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