Beyond The Impossible

Bridge of the N01-Ragnarok

Once the battle is over and the leftover energy has been swallowed by the black hole that used to be the Vulcan Forge, the ship is eerily quiet.

<Is it over? Did we win?> Quantum eventually breaks silence.

<Obviously we did. Do you have doubts?> Torn asks.

<Well to be honest, at this point I’m kind of used to have an even worse bad guy show up at the worst possible moment.> Quantum admits.

<If he does he’ll have to wait in line. I’m beat.> Noriko Null admits; she can barely remember the last time she had some meaningful rest, and as always accessing the higher functions of the Nexus significantly depletes her stamina.

<I never imagined I would fight my own mother, let alone win. What shall we do now?> Hebe asks.

<I’m going back home to sleep for like a week straight. As for you, I believe you’ll be busy babysitting.> Noriko says, as the ship’s teleporter is activated.

Vesta and Enyo look badly injured, and are leaning against each other just to stand up. Athena doesn’t look like she just fought a Class-1 goddess for several hours; she carries her spear with one hand, and in the other arm there’s a baby wrapped in a blue royal gown.

<You better have her. I’m not good with infants.> the war goddess admits, handing over the baby Hera to her adult daughter Hebe.

<I thought your powers didn’t work on gods.> Kari admits.

<They don’t. Or at least they didn’t before Lady Null connected our souls. Perhaps now…> Hebe wonders, staring at Vesta and Enyo for a couple of seconds. Nothing happens.

<No. It appears I am unable to affect gods unless we are working in unison.>

<You mean you can do it again?> Athena asks.

<I can’t see why not. I had to connect our earliest memories through the Cosmic Background Network to… it’s complicated, but yes, we can do it again.> Noriko explains.

<Interesting.> Athena comments, stroking her chin pensively.

<That was AWESOME!> Zeus exclaims, appearing out of nowhere to hug Hebe; she almost makes Hera fall, but she’s caught by the quick reflexes of a Kari duplicate.

<I’ve never seen anything like it! I’m so proud of my little girl!>

<She’s not the only one who fought.> Enyo adds bitterly, surprised when she’s pulled closer by her father who enthusiastically embraces both of his daughters.

<You were great too! My baby warrior, already a Class-2 goddess!>

<Never call me that again.> Enyo replies, embarrassed by such a display of emotion.

<And you’re okay with your wife being turned into a baby?> Quantum asks.

<Oh she’ll grow back in a few thousand years. No biggie.> Zeus shrugs.

<I suppose you’ll want grandmother Rhea to take care of her.> Athena suggests.

<You know I hadn’t thought of that, but yeah, that’s a great idea!> Zeus agrees.

<As long as you keep her out of my hair. Well, that takes care of everything, so if you could please leave my ship it’s time we go back home.> Noriko says.

<Well… about that…> Hebe hesitantly says.

<Here we go. Things are never easy around here.> Quantum comments, rolling his eyes.

<We should settle the question on how to divide the Galaxy between vassals; I’d rather have that sorted out before I’m crowned Queen of Olympus. We were having a meeting about that before it was interrupted by the fight with Hera.> Hebe says.

<Fine, we’ll take care of that tomorrow. I seriously need a break, unless you want me fainting from exhaustion in the middle of the negotiations.> Noriko answers.

<Excellent idea. Do you need any help relaxing?> Zeus asks, moving next to her and placing his arm around her shoulders.

<Don’t push it.> she shuts him down.

 

Boreas, 3.000 light-years from Earth

Noriko Null would love nothing more than return to her room in New York. Even Midgard City or Asgard Station would be an improvement over the Winter Palace.

She completely ignores the endless parade of advisors and ministers who try to get any kind of order from her… she doesn’t have the mental energies to deal with them right now.

Instead she retires to her quarters, which couldn’t possibly feel less like home: the alien architecture is just as cold as the freezing temperatures of this planet.

She’s just taken off her boots at the entrance when she spots that she’s not alone. She shouldn’t be surprised that the only other person allowed into her chambers is here, but…

<I wasn’t sure you’d still be here.> she tells her boyfriend.

Kylon is sitting on a nearby chair, holding a book in his hands. It doesn’t take Null’s intelligence to notice that the Lar is holding something of Earth origin.

<I wasn’t sure you’d come back.> Kylon replies.

<I didn’t want our last conversation to be a fight on whether to execute my mother.> she admits.

<So I take it you don’t want to kill her. You’re just going to keep her in prison forever.>

<I dunno. It’s complicated. I guess we’re never going to agree on… wait, is that… “A history of American law”?> she asks, reciting the title of the book he’s reading.

<I wanted to understand why you wouldn’t allow the execution. I figured if you’re going to learn about my culture, I should do the same with yours.>

<How did you get the book to Boreas?>

<You’re not the only smart person in this relationship.> he shrugs.

<Are… are we still in a relationship? I thought…>

<That I would dump you because of Leiko? Noriko, I didn’t fall for you just because I wanted to kill your mother for what she’s done to my people.>

<Oh. Wow. I don’t know what to say.> she admits.

<You didn’t think that I was just using you to get revenge on Leiko, right?>

<Don’t worry, the thought never crossed my mind.> she lies.

She gets closer, kissing him on the forehead. She’d already written off the relationship, so this is one of the very few good news she’s received on this planet.

<So now what? Are you staying long?>

<Just crashing for the night. I have some stupid meeting tomorrow, then I guess I’m long overdue for a vacation… know any nice planets?>

<Well you are the Queen of the entire Winter Kingdom, not just of Boreas. You can choose any planet you like for a vacation, My Queen.>

<Ugh, don’t call me that.>

<You better get used to it.>

<Trust me, Kylon, once I’m done with tomorrow’s meeting my days as Queen will be numbered.>

 

The next day

Argos, 100 light-years from Earth

This planet might only be the capital of the Mortal Republic, but for all intents and purposes the entire Galaxy currently revolves around this place. And it’s likely that most of the citizens of the Republic would not appreciate that their destiny is being decided in an unusual summit where only gods are allowed… although one of them is only a goddess according to her worshippers.

<Alright, let’s make this quick. I’m sure all of us have lots of important things to do. Well, most of us anyway.> Noriko Null comments, glancing at Aphrodite and Zeus.

<Indeed we do. First of all, I believe congratulations to our new Queen are on order.> Athena starts, wasting no time in sucking up to Hebe.

<Please, let’s not make a big deal out of it. I never had any intention to seize the crown and took no pride in transforming my own mother into a baby, so I wish for no celebration.> Hebe replies.

<Then why did you do it?> Helen of Troy asks.

<Divinity obliges.> Hebe answers, looking at Noriko. Both Helen and Athena take notice.

<I thought we all agreed to be Hebe’s vassals, what’s left to discuss?> Aphrodite wonders.

<Plenty. The entire vassal system has collapsed; it would be short-sighted of us to completely rebuild the same. Some adjustments will be required.> Athena points out.

<Easier said than done. I have started to make changes to my realm after the murder of my husband Apollo, but it is a slow process. We also need to take into consideration that both the Ares and Hera sectors are now without leadership.> Helen elaborates.

<No problem, my daughter’s on top of it! Isn’t that right sweetie?> Zeus intervenes.

<Oh absolutely, I love being on top!> Aphrodite jumps to comment.

<I was talking to Hebe. You are going to take over Hera’s sector, isn’t it?> Zeus wonders.

<Well… I’m not sure if I can fix it on my own. Perhaps Null might be a better choice?>

<My name is not on the table when it comes to ruling anything.> Noriko replies.

<Says the Ice Queen.> Athena comments, uncharacteristically catty.

<That doesn’t count, it’s a temporary thing.>

<Of course it is. You are a mortal.> Athena adds.

<I don’t mean it like that. I’ve said it a million times: I don’t want to rule. You guys can count on me when it comes to defending the Galaxy, but…>

<You know, you and Hebe make a cute couple!> Aphrodite interrupts.

<Excuse me?> Noriko asks, raising an eyebrow.

<Surprisingly, Aphrodite has a point. None of you wants to rule, but together you are more powerful than a single god. It would be irresponsible to squander such a tactical advantage.> Athena spells out.

<I think I have a solution.> Helen intervenes.

<Oh I know, they should marry each other!> Aphrodite enthusiastically suggests.

<I’m already married. To Herakles.> Hebe points out.

<So? The more the merrier!>

<First of all, not a chance in Hell. Second, that wouldn’t solve anything: there would still be only one Queen of Olympus.> Noriko replies.

<Not necessarily. Back in Sparta, we had two Kings of equal power. They shared the responsibilities of the crown and none of them was in a superior position.> Helen explains.

<That couldn’t possibly work.> Noriko says.

<Wouldn’t it?> Athena wonders.

<You can’t be serious!> Noriko insists.

<It would solve multiple problems. Helen won’t pledge allegiance to a sovereign that isn’t a monarch. Hebe and I won’t fully delegate power to a mortal.> Athena elaborates.

<I’m down for anything.> Aphrodite shrugs.

<And the other Nine Gods would never accept a fully independent mortal reign unless it pledged allegiance to a god. But they might accept a co-rule by a god and a mortal.> Zeus adds.

<It would also be a chance to quell the anti-god sentiment of much of the Galaxy. Yes, this is definitely the best possible strategy available to us.> Athena nods solemnly.

<Wait a second. You’re saying I should share duties of Queen of Olympus with… what would you call that, a “co-queen”?> Hebe asks.

<You could keep your title of Queen. As would I. But instead of having direct vassals, we could all agree to answer to a higher power.> Helen suggests.

<The Olympus Empire. With power shared equally by a Divine Empress… and a Mortal Empress.>

<You’ve got to be kidding me!> Noriko complains.

<Hmmm. It is often said that those who don’t want to lead are the best leaders.> Zeus contemplates, pensively stroking his white beard.

<What do you mean often, I’ve said it to you once! You’ve never heard that saying before I told you!> Hebe recalls. Noriko is not as calm as the goddess of youth:

<That is some insane troll logic. What’s the sudden rush of giving me so much trust? I had claw my way through all your family drama for years when you wouldn’t listen to me, and now you want me to fix all the bulls##t you’ve spread over millennia!?>

<Noriko.> Athena calms her down, placing her hand over her protégé’s. Her skin is ice cold, but there’s an unusual warmth in her voice.

<I know this is not what you wanted. And it’s going to be hard to adjust. But think for a moment… you completed revolutionized the status quo of the entire Galaxy in less than ten years. Just with your brain, your guts and the meager resources of an underdeveloped planet. Now imagine what you could achieve with the entirety of Olympus backing you. Can you truly, sincerely let such an opportunity go to waste?>

Noriko looks at Athena in the eye: as always, she’s totally unreadable.

<You know what’s funny, Athena? I know you’re playing me… but you’re right. This might be the only chance to fix this Galaxy. To fix everything.>

As the silver eyes of the Slayer of Gods shine, the Goddess of Wisdom wonders for a moment… just for a moment… if she isn’t the one being played.

<So. I guess we need to have a coronation of some kind? We better make this quick… Co-Empress of Olympus or not, this galaxy’s not gonna fix itself.>