Beyond The Impossible

Myridia, 50 light-years from Earth

Kari Zel and her husband Kiros don’t get many visitors; she may be a celebrity on her home planet, but it’s relatively unusual for Myridians to want to meet frequently unless they have a specific reason. Adding to the fact that it is a surprise visit, this is the first time Noriko Null set foot on Myridia without it immediately becoming a planetary event.

She can just relax at her friend’s house, sitting next to her on the couch while a Kari duplicate and her husband play with their daughter Ariel.

<I’m glad you finally decided to come. It’ll be a while before Ariel can leave Myridia and I really wanted her to meet you> Kari tells her.

<Why can’t she leave? She already has duplicating powers, right?> Noriko asks.

<Yes, it’s the gestation that must happen on Myridia. But living here longer will help her duplicates become stable much faster; still, her duplicates won’t last more than seconds until she’s in her teens.>

<You look happy. I would never have guessed, but motherhood suits you> Noriko admits.

<Speaking of which, Kiros and I are thinking about having other kids. I’ll inform you in advance this time, to have less impact on my work performance.>

<Considering the last time you were pregnant you survived the Strongest Under The Heavens tournament, you have nothing to worry about. You and Kiros can go for it.>

<Oh, believe me, we’re going at it like you wouldn’t believe. Last night we…>

<Too much information, Kari> she stops her, making the Myridian giggle.

<You’re such a prude, Nori. If you were here it’d be hilarious to set you up with a boy.>

<What do you mean? I’m here right now> Noriko says, with Kari tapping her forehead with her index finger.

<Inside here, maybe. You really thought you could trick a Myridian with a fake duplicate?>

<Alright, alright. This is a remote controlled android, I’m actually somewhere else on the planet.>

<I knew it. Is it too much hoping you’re actually at the Temple of Aphrodite having fun?>

<Kari…> Noriko sighs.

<What? You can’t hold me to my promise to stop talking about your sex life if you don’t have one.>

<Can we talk about literally anything else?>

<Okay. Let’s start about why you’re really on Myridia.>

<Sorry, can’t do that. Can I trust you not to tell anyone that I’m not just here to visit you?>

<On one condition: you’ll go out on a date before the end of the month.>

<The things I do for the Galaxy…> Noriko’s android sighs, rolling her eyes.

 

Cathedral Of The Silver Eye

Myridians are famous in the Galaxy for three things: their infantry, their prostitutes, and their carpenters. With the ability to summon ten thousand workers in the blink of an eye, it’s no wonder that Myridians are able to create buildings with astonishing speed. The Cathedral Of The Silver Eye was built in a couple of months, despite being almost as big as Notre-Dame Cathedral on Earth, and it’s already the most visited holy site of the Church of Null.

Despite having little sympathy for the religion that considers her a goddess, Noriko Null can’t help but be in awe at the workmanship. She walks past the pews and towards the altar, disguising herself wearing a black hoodie instead of her usual green leather jacket: if there’s one place where she doesn’t want to get recognized, it’s where she could find people ready to kiss her boots.

The light coming from the stained glass windows, which are naturally shaped like her symbol Ø, points directly at the altar beneath a statue of Null herself.

“At least they didn’t give me huge boobs this time” she thinks, comparing the statue raising her hand to bless the congregation to the massive statue that oversees Null City, the world’s capital.

There seems to be only one person present: a woman wearing the liturgical leather jacket, kneeling before the statue and with her hands clasped in prayer.

<I figured I could find you here> Noriko says, keeping her hands in her pockets. When the woman turns towards her, Noriko’s silver eyes shine for a few seconds to identify her.

<Lady Null! Have you come to consecrate this church?> Ganos Lal asks her, bowing her head in respect to her goddess.

<Yeah, sure, whatever. Can I talk to you for a minute?> Noriko asks, pointing at one of the pews.

<Of course my lady> the Supreme Pontiff of the Church of Null answers, following her.

They sit next to each other in an awkward silence for a few seconds, before Lal starts talking.

<Forgive me Null, for I have sinned. You told me the Church of Null should not interfere with other planets, but my duplicates have traveled to the Winter Kingdom to spread your word. I will accept any punishment I deserve.>

<So I take it you’re pretty familiar with the Winter Kingdom now, aren’t you?>

<You have no less than five hundred million faithful in their sector. The Ice Queen herself allows your worship, in addition to the Lar’s ancestor worship. She denies it for political reasons, but I believe she is a member of your Church.>

<Somehow I doubt that.>

<She has told me she has a very personal relationship with you, Lady Null. Perhaps she herself is not sure of it, but there is a place for you in her heart.>

<As if Leiko had a heart. You’re not a bad person, Ganos, but you’re a terrible judge of character.>

<All I ask is your guidance, Lady Null.>

<You know, I’ve always hated this church thing. Whatever I do or say, you guys will twist it to somehow prove how awesome I am. But what’s done is done, and I’d be a fool to throw any of this away. Five hundred million, you said?>

<In the Winter Kingdome alone, yes. Sadly Amaterasu and Apollo destroyed several planets of your faithful, so your congregation in the entire galaxy is only three times as large. Not counting Earth, of course, where I imagine billions praise your name.>

<I wish. It would help me avoid paying taxes.>

<Gods pay takes?> Ganos Lal asks, wondering if her goddess is playing a joke on her.

<Nevermind. Listen, if Viper has taught me anything, it’s that I can’t keep playing nice. I need eyes and ears in the rest of the galaxy. I need people out of the spotlight, people who can work to disrupt enemy military operations and plant seeds of rebellion against their gods. I need people who can start a galactic revolution.>

<Lady Null… are you asking me to recruit terrorists?>

<Let’s call it a secret organization. And yes, your goddess is ordering you to do so> Noriko stresses. She almost feels physically ill doing this: she’s exploiting Lal’s genuine if misguided faith.

<I live to serve the will of Null. I will do anything you ask of me.>

<Then welcome to the Covenant, Ganos Lal> Noriko says, extending her hand.

The Supreme Pontiff nervously shakes it, unsure whether to feel relieved or punished.

 

Asphodelus, 50.000 light-years from Earth

The last time Ilithyia set foot in a royal palace, she had thousands of personal servants, entire armies under her command, and hundreds of planets were subject to her will.

Asphodelus is stuck in the stone age, so of course the only palace is made of stone. There are no amenities here and the company is as dull as she feared.

Her grandmother Rhea sits on a modest wooden chair, much like the one where Ilithyia is confined. The former Queen of the Universe is humming a cheerful tune, concentrating on knitting a baby sized glove and occasionally petting one of the two lions that sit next to her.

Ilithyia looks at the yarn on her lap, which she hasn’t even touched yet, then at the only other goddess in the room. Sitting on a golden throne, surrounded by two of her sacred peacocks, Hera seems perfectly content while fixating on the glass tube that is gathering dust in the corner.

<What do you think, dear?> Rhea asks Ilithyia, proudly showing her the glove.

It’s white and pink, the same colors of Ilithyia’s hair and gown, and it has six fingers.

<Do you expect my son to be deformed like my departed brother?> Ilithyia asks with utter disdain.

<Ares has departed? I didn’t even noticed he landed on the planet!> Rhea responds.

<I mean Hephaestus, grandmother. And my son is going the be the son of Helios, the Sun God: he won’t need any blasted glove.>

<But I want to give him a birthday present! I gave something to every one of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren and I hate to repeat myself… Zeus knows how many presents I had to get!>

<What did you get me? I can’t remember> Ilithyia wonders.

<A glove with five fingers, but your mother threw it away. So I thought, hey, maybe it didn’t have enough fingers! Will your son like it? I can get him something else if you want!>

<I wanted my son to inherit my sector, which has now been usurped by Apollo and Adrestia! And I will not get it back by wasting time in this dung heap of a planet!> Ilithyia snaps, standing up and walking towards her mother Hera.

<You are with child and you won’t give birth for another century. You will remain here, on your grandmother’s planet, until my grandson is born> Hera decrees.

<Don’t tell ME how to take care of my child, I’m the GODDESS of childbirth! And I’m FAR better at my job than the goddess of marriage was to keep my husband ali->

Ilithyia stops when Hera’s hand grabs her throat: even her divine senses didn’t see her move. Then Hera stands up, lifting Ilithyia with one hand until her head scratches the stone ceiling.

<You have ONE job, CHILD: to give a legitimate heir to the House of Olympus. That is the SOLE reason for your existence and you will NOT question my judgment on it. CLEAR?>

<Yes… mother…> Ilithyia answers, feeling her mother’s titanic strength overpowering her own.

<Your failure of a husband lost his life against a fake goddess. Adrestia may be an illegitimate child but she is of royal blood and the flesh of my own son. And by expanding her territory she has already served her family better than you ever did.>

<I will give you… a legitimate… grandson> Ilithyia reminds her, struggling to speak when the blue flames that her mother is generating scorch her throat.

<And many more. You will deliver this child and then marry my son. You will have so many children they will outnumber my husband’s bastards, if Ares has learned to contain himself: I don’t want you to be spoiled like your sister Enyo when he raped her> Hera says, dropping Ilithyia.

She then walks towards the glass tube, conjures a golden goblet, and sips calmly from it while her daughter gasps for air. After a few coughs, she responds to her mother:

<Ares will never agree to marry anyone. And you’ll never risk losing your only fertile daughter.>

<It’s true, I can’t replace my firstborn. But I can always have more daughters, can’t I? At least Enyo could fight. Unless you produce grandsons, you’re useless to me. And if you doubt I know how to keep a rebellious daughter in check…> Hera answers, placing her hand on the glass tube.

The shadow of Eris tries to do the same, from inside the glass, but can’t keep a humanoid silhouette for more than a second.

<I raised this bastard child into my household, you know? Long before you were born. Today, Nyx gave me her shadow so I could keep her on a leash. Of course I can’t keep her in my domain, your father is so gullible he would fall once again for one of her schemes and set her free. Instead she will remain here, with you, while I will convince your father to give me more legitimate heirs.>

<If you can find him> Rhea adds. Ilithyia and Hera turn slowly towards her, with the latter asking:

<What did you just say, mother?>

<Oh, I didn’t tell you? Zeus is gone. Nobody knows where he’s been for, like, years or something. Even Nyx couldn’t find him, and you know how nosy these Primordials can be.>

<Father… is gone?> Ilithyia asks in disbelief.

<Don’t worry, dear, I’m sure he’ll come back soon. He always does> Rhea reassures her.

<But until he does, the Throne of Olympus is empty. And there is nobody to defend the Olympian Galaxy… or his illegitimate children> Hera realizes, her mouth forming a smile.

It’s the most terrifying thing Ilithyia has ever seen. And suddenly, disappearing out of the spotlight seems to be a priceless blessing.

<Thank you for bringing this to my attention, mother. I will put this galaxy back into shape before Zeus returns.>