Beyond The Impossible

Takama, 45,000 light-years from Earth

Kari Zel hates the aftermath of the battle. When she’s fighting for her life, the adrenaline rush pushes her to survive anything the universe can throw at her; but when the action stops and the dust settles, she often gets lost trying to make sense of what just happened.

Working with Noriko Null only accentuates the problem: she’s usually a dozen steps ahead of everybody else, and she’s annoyingly reluctant to explain even the most basic details.

Now Kari has left a few dozen of her duplicates to take care of the Amaterasu soldiers that have not yet surrendered and has gone back inside the Divine Palace.

She finds Noriko Null working at one of Viper’s computers, while a familiar Lampyrian is trying to suture a wound on the girl’s forehead.

<Will you stay still please? You took quite a beating from Viper, let me help you!> Lily protests.

<I’ve been through worse. How’s the population taking the situation?> Noriko asks.

<They’re confused. They know something happened here, but most don’t even know you showed up: given the electrical storm, some are saying that Zeus himself showed up to fight Amaterasu. You should consider giving a public statement to explain what happened.>

<Yeah, starting with us! I was fighting an entire army, on my own I might add, not that I’m bitter about it or anything, when all of a sudden they surrender!> Kari intervenes.

<I’m sorry, Kari, but given how much Viper was able to exploit our mental link, I couldn’t risk sending any sort of message to the Vanguard.>

<See, that’s what I’m talking about! What mental link? What happened to Viper? Where’s Amaterasu? Where’s Vesta?>

<I suppose I can take a break> Noriko says, getting away from the computer and stretching her limbs. She finally lets Lily take care of her wounds while she explains.

<Viper was able to read my mind, but I used the same connection to hack into her brain and paralyze her. At the same time, I faked an alliance with Eris to trick her into using on herself the same machine that Viper used to create Amaterasu: I knew that Viper wouldn’t keep her around without taking precautions. As soon as she turned the thing on, Eris was disintegrated. Well… technically, the pseudo-body we created for her was disintegrated.>

<The pseudo-what?>

<Eris lost her real body eons ago. Don’t you remember? After she possessed Artemis, we forced her energy into a cloned body; she was blocked into a child’s body and without powers, until Viper freed her and restored her to adulthood.>

<She did? I’m so bad at keeping track of those things! I thought Eris did that by herself. You know, being a goddess and all. Speaking of goddesses…>

<I don’t know where Amaterasu and Vesta are. I only know that Vesta defeated her because Torn told me, but he didn’t tell me how she did it. Because, you know. He’s Torn.>

<I hate it when he does that. So now that Viper and Eris are dead, what do we do?>

<I didn’t say they’re dead> Noriko answers, with a smile that makes Kari really uncomfortable.

 

The palace’s dungeon

Max Black a.k.a. Quantum really, really doesn’t like this place. It’s cold, damp, there is no sunlight to illuminate its stone walls, and the company isn’t really ideal.

Torn is with him, but he’s so silent that he might as well not be there at all. The Demon is leaning on an energy sword, never taking his eyes off the prisoner locked inside the cell: Viper.

The clone is laying on the bed, her arms and legs twisted in an unnatural position; now that she’s completely immobilized, her limbs are stiff. Even if it’s probably unnecessary, her hands and feet are chained to the bed. She looks at Torn with pure hatred in her eyes as she silently drools on the gag placed on her mouth.

<I don’t like this. Isn’t there a more humane way to imprison her?> Quantum asks.

<If you were her prisoner she would treat you worse. Trust me> Torn answers.

<Dude, I know she tortured you and all, but we’re better than this. She’s evil, but she has rights.>

<If this were Hell, it would be within my rights to scatter her entrails across this world.>

<I can’t be the only one who isn’t okay with this> Quantum says to himself, before disappearing in a flash of light and leaving Torn and Viper to their angry exchange of stares.

 

The Ragnarok

The Vanguard’s warship is still laying near the Tiresian Sea, where it crashed after Amaterasu’s attack. It’s surrounded by a dozen Oni robots, now under Null’s control: they’re preventing anyone from accessing the ship, or from leaving it. As soon as Quantum materializes, Alexer Syzar… the current President of the Mortal Senate… is quick to rush towards him.

<Quantum. Is Null ready to update us?>

<I don’t know, she never tells me anything. I came to check on our prisoner> he says, moving towards the ship’s internal bay. It holds a very unique cargo: a transparent cylinder holding a black mass of smoke that sometimes resembles the silhouette of a woman, which is now pounding against the glass in a vain attempt to escape. It’s being guarded by an Oni robot that is currently controlled by L.O.K.I, the ship’s artificial intelligence.

<Greetings, Quantum. How can I assist you?>

<How’s Eris holding up?>

<The containment field is detaining her energy. Without a host body, she remains incorporeal.>

<Cool. Any news about Vesta or Amaterasu?>

<Negative.>

<Quantum, you have to convince Null to let me contact the Mortal Republic or at the very least let me get out of this ship. I can help her secure control over this planet> Syzar pleads.

<Yeah, right. Trust me, Syzar, there is no way you’re getting…>

Both men disappear in a bright flash of light, immediately recognizable by who has ever seen a teleporter in action.

 

The Throne Room

<…out of here!> Quantum finishes his sentence, an instant before realizing he’s been teleported against his will. It doesn’t take long to recognize the place, but seeing Noriko Null sitting on Amaterasu’s throne is more than a little surprising.

<Wait a sec. I haven’t figured out how to teleport multiple targets yet> she says, fidgeting with the jury-rigged remote controller she’s holding in her hands until another person appears in the room: Liosthenes, the officer from the Athenian Federation who joined the Vanguard in their mission.

<So you know how to build teleporters now?> Quantum asks.

<I’ve known how to build one for years, but Earth doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure; taking Viper’s model is more convenient.>

<Speaking of Viper, should I assume that you are now the leader of her sector?> Syzar asks.

<Pretty much.>

<Then I suggest you turn control over to the Mortal Republic as soon as possible.>

<You know, Viper wasn’t exactly wrong about everything> Noriko says, pausing to study the remote control. Quantum and Liosthenes exchange a surprised look before she continues.

<I have been too passive. I liberated Myridia, and once I left the Church of Null happened. I left the Alliance and you happened. Maybe I should be in charge this time.>

<That doesn’t sound like you, Null. If you take over by force, what makes you different from Viper or from the Ice Queen?>

<Never compare me to HER!!!> Noriko snaps, standing up from the throne and walking angrily towards Syzar. He steps back, intimidated by her passion despite her smaller stature.

<The only reason you still have a job, the ONLY reason, is that I still believe you care for mortals ALMOST as much as you care about your personal power!!! I built the Alliance, I defeated the Guild, I let you rise through the ranks, I took out your most dangerous opponents, and YOU keep getting in the way!!! YOU owe ME everything you have, EVERYTHING, is that CLEAR!?>

<Clear. I’m on your side, Null, remember?>

<I have no use for allies who keep conspiring against me. What did you promise Leiko in exchange for the chance to get me involved?>

<I don’t know what you’re…>

<DO YOU THINK I’M STUPID!?> Noriko shouts, drawing the Genius Gun and pointing it at Syzar. Her silver eyes shine and a few drops of sweat appear on the President’s forehead as he reveals:

<Leiko gave me quick access to Earth. In exchange, I gave her an easy way into Tyche’s realm.>

<What kind of quick access?>

<She’s now the queen of the Lar, and they used to have research labs on Earth. There’s a portal that connects the Winter Kingdom to a land called Canada. That’s what I used to reach you.>

<So Leiko has an easy way to invade Earth but Tyche is somehow more important to her. Why?>

<I don’t know, she just wanted to borrow my presidential ship. I couldn’t let Amaterasu conquer the Mortal Republic; you were the only one who could stop her. It was a small price to pay.>

<You’re an idiot. You will return to the Republic and publicly announce that you won’t seek a second term at the next galactic election.>

<What!? Why would I…>

<Because if you don’t, I’ll run against you. Who would you think would get more votes? A politician or the Slayer of Gods?>

<I… I will do as you ask> Syzar reluctantly agrees.

<Great. As a gesture of good faith, I will assign you one of Viper’s ships and release a third of her territory to the Mortal Republic.>

<A third!? But…> Syzar tries to argue, but he’s cut short when he’s teleported away.

<Was that really necessary? I don’t like him either, but that was a little extreme> Quantum says.

<Relax, I wasn’t really going to shoot him. Some people just need a little push.>

<So you were bluffing when you said Viper had some good points?> Liosthenes asks.

<Oh no, that was true. Which brings me to why I’ve summoned you> she answers, walking towards one of the holographic screens: specifically, the one showing a 3D map of the Olympian Galaxy.

<Word of the fall of Amaterasu spread quickly. Apollo is taking over the sectors that used to belong to Ilithyia and Adrestia is conquering the border with the realm of her father Ares. I examined Viper’s forces and ran twenty thousand simulations: we can’t fight both Apollo and Ares at the same time. So to avoid a massacre I’ll retire Viper’s entire fleet and give it to the Mortal Republic.>

<You’re surrendering?> Quantum asks.

<I’m calling a truce. Apollo won’t risk attacking Adrestia: he would have to fight both her and Ares. At the same time, she won’t attack either: Ares would join the fight and she would lose her independence. Her sector will act as a buffer between Ares, Apollo and the Mortal Republic. At least until we’ll be ready to attack them.>

<I suppose this is where I come in?> Liosthenes wonders.

<You disobeyed Athena and helped me because you thought it was the right thing to do. Viper looked into your mind and saw you’re a good person; she shared that knowledge with me. I need someone who can infiltrate the Ares sector and give me military intelligence: can you do that?>

<I would, but Athena won’t let me get away with betraying her.>

<I think she will, once I send her one of Viper’s ships as a gift. Do we have a deal?> she asks, extending her hand. Liosthenes readily shakes it.

<Deal> he says, then disappearing once the teleporter is activated by Null.

<You enjoy doing that a little too much> Quantum tells her.

<Yeah, I probably do. Now, I suppose you want to criticize me for how I’m treating Viper?>

<Among other things. I’m also not confident about this whole “Viper was kinda right” thing.>

<Look what she did all by herself, Max. We can’t keep waiting for stuff to get bad enough to reach us; we need to stop threats before they escalate. The Vanguard isn’t enough anymore.>

<So what do you want? Your own sector?>

<No, that would just make Earth a bigger target than it already is. We need spies. We need someone who can organize a resistance movement across different sectors. We need someone who doesn’t attract as much attention as the Vanguard does.>

<Oh crap. I know what you’re gonna say. You want to send Lily in another mission, right?>

<I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to establish a relationship, but…>

<I get it, I get it. Just promise me you won’t force her into something she doesn’t want, okay?>

<I promise. Can we discuss Viper later? I have a ton of work to do before we can leave the planet. If it makes you feel any better, you can take her chains off.>

<It’s not much, but I’ll take it. I’m just glad to see you’re still a good person> he says, leaving the room in the form of radio waves. Noriko sighs.

<I wish I were, Max, I wish I were> she says, activating the teleporter once more. Lily Elosia appears in a flash of light, more used than Quantum to this technology but still disoriented.

<Null? You need medical attention so soon?>

<Not exactly. Lily, you’re one of the smartest people I know, and you’ve been trained as a spy since the moment you were born. I want to create my own intelligence organization and I want you to organize the recruitment and training.>

<That’s very flattering, but I was looking forward to spending more time with the Vanguard.>

<We will still be in frequent contact; I have access to faster-than-light communications.>

<Well… actually, I was hoping to spend more time with Max. We haven’t been together for months, and for a Lampyrian that’s a very long time. I’m older than both my mothers ever were, so maybe it’s time to settle down.>

<I see> Noriko answers, biting her lower lip.

<Perhaps I could help you find a more suitable candidate?> Lily suggests.

“I’m gonna hate myself for doing this” Noriko thinks, then she answers:

<Lily, this is bigger than both of us. I’ve bought us some time, but the divine kingdoms are still overwhelmingly more powerful than the Mortal Republic. And even I can’t fight an entire pantheon. Unless we build something new, everything we’ve done, everything, will mean nothing.>

<I know, and I’m doing my part here, but…>

<Let me be frank: you’re a Lampyrian. Even now that I’ve expanded your specie’s lifespan, how long do you have to live? Eight years? Nine? Let’s say you and Max hit it off, let’s say you start a family: your children will be Lampyrians. Max will outlive them too. Is that what you want? You know he doesn’t handle personal loss well. He’ll get over a breakup more easily.>

<You really think that? I’ve never been in a relationship with a human before…>

<Absolutely. But don’t tell him anything about this… male ego and all that. It’s better if he thinks you volunteered for this job.>

<I don’t know… I really thought there was something between us. But my entire species has a debt of gratitude towards you, so I guess I don’t have much of a choice. Thank you for clearing things out, you’re a real friend> Lily tells her, hugging her with both arms and wings.

<Don’t mention it> Noriko answers, clenching her teeth.

<I’ll break up with him right away> Lily cheerfully adds, walking away from the throne room.

Noriko catches her breath after the fierce hug, than sits down on the floor in front and sighs.

<God I’m an a##hole.>

 

Fortuna, 8,000 light-years from Earth

The capital world of the Tyche sector is a true paradise, and not just for its ideal weather. It’s also a peaceful planet, a rarity these days in this part of the Galaxy.

This is due in no small part to its ruler: it’s pretty much impossible to take by surprise the Goddess of Destiny and Luck, since her precognition allows her to stop any attempted invasion well in advance. It’s also why she didn’t involve herself in the fight against Amaterasu: she already knew it would pose no danger to her.

She’s now studying the reports about the movement of troops by Apollo and Adrestia, eating a slice of pineapple while her husband Dionysus drains the twelfth wine bottle of the morning.

<You should pay attention. This is a critical moment in the galaxy’s history> she tells him.

<It’s just another stupid war. Happens all the time> he answers before a belch.

<Hardly. This is all part of Null’s prophecy.>

<Prophecy? What prophecy?>

<You don’t remember what Null prophesized when I gave her my halo?> Tyche asks, pointing at halo of fire that is permanently floating above her head. When Dionysus shrugs, she sighs.

<Of course you don’t. “When winter falls, and the third sun calls, all the gods will curse the queen of the universe. The first men shall return, for all mortal things to burn.” Sounds familiar?>

<Ppff. Sounds like the kind of dumb poetry that Apollo would write.>

<“When winter falls” clearly refers to the defeat of the Winter King. “The third sun” must be Amaterasu, the third self-proclaimed sun divinity in this galaxy after Apollo and Helios. “The queen of the universe” was Rhea’s title during the Kronos era. I think the prophecy means that after the fall of the Winter King and the rise of Amaterasu… which is to say now… Rhea will do something that angers the rest of the pantheon. Or perhaps she already did: the Strongest Under The Heavens tournament happened because of her, and that caused the death of Artemis. I wonder…>

<My Queen. The President of the Mortal Senate has arrived> one of her attendants informs her.

<Ah, yes. I had foreseen this> Tyche says, standing up from her throne to adjust her dress.

She doesn’t particularly like Alexer Syzar, but he’s useful. He’s resourceful and cunning, not to mention far easier than Null to manipulate. Still, Tyche is smart enough to avoid underestimating him, and uses her precognition to learn ahead of time what he’s come here to discuss.

She sees the presidential ship orbiting the planet and activating its teleporter. And she sees it leave the system a few hours later. Strangely enough, she doesn’t see her meeting with Syzar.

<That’s odd> she comments, focusing a little more on the vision.

She sees metallic boots walking past the dead bodies of her attendants. She sees cold eyes reflected on the surface of an ice block. She sees a flaming halo being frozen and shattered.

<It’s a trap! Destroy that ship, NOW!!!> Tyche orders, but it’s too late: someone is being teleported directly in her throne room. A woman wearing the Winter Armor: Leiko Tanaka, the Ice Queen.

<Nice kingdom you have here> she says, her voice being distorted by the armor. The attendants draw their weapons, but with a swift motion of her arm the Ice Queen releases a flurry of ice javelins that pierce the humans like a hot knife going through butter.

<Hey! Don’t harm the waiters!> Dionysus protests, moving surprisingly fast for a drunk god and grabbing the Ice Queen’s arm. He immediately lets her go, thanks to an instant freezer burn.

<Ouch! That was my other drinking hand!> Dionysus responds, preparing to punch her in the face.

<Endless winter!!!> the Ice Queen responds, raising her voice as well as her armor’s power: Dionysus is hit with an ice blast that traps him inside a block of ice just barely above absolute zero.

Tyche tries to fly away, but another blast traps her legs inside an ice sheet. She falls to the ground, watching Leiko retract her helmet: her cold eyes are reflected by the ice that surrounds Dionysus.

<For what it’s worth, this is just business> Leiko tells her, her voice no longer distorted.

<I didn’t foresee this. How did you get past my precognition?> Tyche asks, trying her best to break free from the ice. Considering that Vesta couldn’t manage to do this, the vastly weaker Tyche doesn’t stand a chance.

<I have the Vial of Destiny. Makes me immune to all divine powers> Leiko explains, tapping on her breastplate: the Vial is underneath it, worn like a necklace’s pendant.

<Null will stop you. It’s not your destiny to rule.>

<Shows what you know about destiny> Leiko answers, directing the armor’s power against her: very soon, Tyche is frozen solid like Dionysus. Her flaming halo is frozen and falls to the ground, where it shatters on contact. Leiko walks past the dead attendants, and sits on her latest throne. She takes a second to taste the moment, then she activates a transmitter to the ship.

<Signal the fleet to begin the invasion. They will find little to no resistance as this sector is annexed to the Winter Kingdom. Be sure to send a message to the Galaxy> she says, allowing herself the rare luxury of a smile.

<Winter has fallen.>

 

The Divine Palace’s dungeon

The sun has finally set on an extremely busy day, but Noriko Null is still very much awake. And so is Torn, still guarding Viper’s cell.

The clone is still paralyzed, resting and drooling on a very simple bed. It would be easy to mistake her for being harmless, but both members of the Vanguard know better.

<Thanks for the help, Torn. I’ll be taking over now> Noriko tells him.

<I don’t require much sleep. I will remain here.>

<Your talents can be used better. My instruments are still unable to locate Vesta and Amaterasu; maybe your Blood powers can find them?> she asks.

Torn looks away from Viper and directly at her teammate. To someone who doesn’t know her well, she would seem completely normal. A small twitch in her fingers, a couple heartbeats a little faster than usual, her looking anywhere but at his eyes. Small details that the Demon catches.

He stands up, the energy sword he was leaning against disappears, and he stares at her without saying anything. To the point that she feels forced to break the silence.

<So… is that a yes or…>

<Are you sure you’re prepared for it? Just ask and I will do it for you.>

<What are you talking about? Prepared for what?> she asks, uncharacteristically nervous.

<She isn’t like the others. This will be personal. Don’t do it unless you’re prepared.>

<Still no idea what you mean> she says, faking an unconvincing smile.

<I’m sure you know> Torn replies, slowly walking out of the dungeon.

Noriko watches him until he exits the room, leaving her alone with Viper. She gets inside the cell, sitting at the end of the bed. She just stays there for what feels like an eternity.

<I know why you tortured Torn. Demons can access another person’s soul; that’s what you wanted to learn. You were looking for a more reliable way to transfer your consciousness into another clone of yourself> Noriko explains, taking her N-Phone out of her jacket’s pocket.

<It’s also why you kept Eris around. You were planning to transfer your mind into her body. That’s what happened with Amaterasu in the first place, right? You didn’t want a goddess as a daughter. You wanted to be a goddess. When she became sentient, you had to find a backup plan> she continues explaining, placing the N-Phone on the bed. And activating the Sound Nullifier: no sound will now be able to escape this cell.

<Your ability to transfer your mind is your most dangerous weapon. It’s not easy to keep you confined to a single body; even now, you’re slowly building new neural pathways to access the memory transfer device you installed in your brain> she says, taking off her leather jacket.

Still immobilized, Viper breathes a little faster staring at it.

<I’ve taken everything you have, I’ve blocked you from accessing the Nexus, and you’re still the greatest threat to this galaxy. I’m sure you’ve already come up with a thousand ways to escape this prison. I could find a way to permanently imprison you, but you know what? You’re too smart for your own good. Because that little speech you gave me, trying to break my spirit? I decided that you were right> she continues, squeezing the jacket into a tight ball of fabric.

<Some threats needs to be dealt with before they escalate. And some monsters don’t deserve any compassion> she says, placing the leather cushion on Viper’s face and leaning against it.

The clone can’t do much more than twitch, but the ghastly sounds she makes will haunt Noriko’s nightmares for a really long time. And finally, silently, she doesn’t make any sound or movement.

<This is how it ends, Viper. No last words, no clever plays, no doomsday devices. A sad little death for a sad little monster> Noriko tells her clone. She closes her eyelids and caresses her hair.

<Goodbye, sister. If there’s a real Hell somewhere, we’ll meet each other again.>