Beyond The Impossible

Myridian Palace, planet Myridia

Doctor Catherine Kalama knew that becoming Noriko Null’s personal physician would be a challenge: it’s hard enough when your patient knows medicine better then you.

But Noriko is also fond of always finding new ways to both improve and damage her own health.

The two women are in Noriko’s room, where the doctor is listening to Noriko’s heartbeat with a stethoscope. There are two small devices on Noriko’s chest, now visible without her shirt.

<Are they working?> she asks.

<Your heart rate is normal now. You should take them off; your heart is already weak, I don’t want it to grow accustomed to an external power supply.>

<Yes, that’s why I haven’t commercialized them yet. And they itch like hell> Noriko explains, grimacing when she disconnects the first device from her skin.

<If you can make the cardiac regulators work long term, this could make pacemakers obsolete.>

<You mean “when”, not “if”.>

<Of course> the doctor smiles.

<So am I good to go now?> Noriko asks impatiently, putting her T-shirt back on.

<If you mean go straight back to Earth to be kept under observation, then yes.>

<Don’t be overly dramatic, doctor. I’m feeling fine.>

<When was the last time you slept for eight hours straight?>

<Last week.>

Doctor Kamala rolls her eyes; sometimes she almost admires her patient’s stubbornness.

<Blackouts don’t count, Noriko.>

<Alright, it’s sixty-one weeks if you have to be technical about it. So what? We’ve already discussed this, my brain requires minimal rest. I understand your concern but…>

<I’m sure you don’t need me to recall this was your third cardiac arrest in less than two years.>

<I know, I know. I’m workin’ on it.>

<What’s that even supposed to mean?>

<You’ll see. Is there anything else?> Noriko asks dismissively.

<Yes. How are you holding up?> the doctor asks back.

Noriko seems to be surprised by the question:

<I don’t understand> she admits.

<Come on. The last few days would’ve been hard for anyone.>

<I am not “anyone”> Noriko replies, stressing every word. To prove her point, her silver eyes shine for a moment. If this has any effect on Doctor Kalama, she sure doesn’t show it.

<I did the eye thing. You’re supposed to be intimidated.>

<Well I’m not. It comes with the territory when you have the worst patient on the planet… even though we’re not on our planet, but you know what I mean. You chose me as your doctor because I can stand up to you, right?>

<That’s something the people on this planet could use.>

<It’s about the priestess, right? Ganos Lal?>

<I’m not comfortable being the basis of her religion.>

Noriko doesn’t add anything, she just finishes dressing by wearing her trademark green leather jacket.

<Do you want to talk about it?> the doctor asks.

<Religion isn’t exactly my favorite subject. Ironic for the Slayer of Gods, I admit.>

<Do you believe in God?>

If Noriko is surprised by the doctor’s question, she doesn’t show it in the slightest.

<You are in a relationship with my father. You should know he’s not religious.>

<I’m not asking your father. I’m asking you.>

<No, I don’t believe in God. I didn’t give it much thought before I became a genius and I haven’t seen anything to make me change my mind. Does it upset you?>

<Why would it? It’s your right to believe or not to believe what you want.>

<It’s easy for you to say. For most of the galaxy it’s not a philosophical question: they know that what they consider gods are real. I can’t tell them not to believe what they are so accustomed to interpret as divine beings. They wouldn’t understand.>

<I’m not saying you should tell them that what they worship aren’t gods. Buy you could tell them that you are not a goddess.>

<I’m afraid that would make the situation worse. The last thing Myridia needs is a religious conflict.>

<Aren’t you jumping to conclusions now? Maybe you’re not giving enough credit to the Myridians; three hundred years of dictatorship didn’t break them, I doubt the truth will. Remember your speech on Earth, after the Abyss and Artemis attacks?>

<“I refuse to believe that humanity is defined by its worst aspects”> Noriko recalls.

<I know you still do. I may not believe you’re a goddess, but I have faith in you and I know you’ll do the right thing. Now, if you excuse me, I have to check Old Man Vor and convince Torn to let me examine his wounds.>

<Good luck with that. And Doctor? Thank you for your time. I appreciate our talks together.>

<Any time, Noriko, any time.>

Catherine Kalama leaves the room, leaving Noriko alone. She didn’t lie: she’s grown to like the doctor. But she wouldn’t appreciate her next thought:

“Sometimes I miss being as naïve as you are, doctor” Noriko thinks, her silver eyes shining.

 

Shortly after, in the Null Chapel

The Myridian Palace is a building of very recent construction, taking most of its design from Myridian architecture much older than Demeter’s rule, but it has one notable thing in common with the Oracle Palace that preceded it: the highly elaborate chapel on one of the main towers.

As Supreme Pontiff of the Church of Null, Ganos Lal has spent much time here. To limit the parallelism to the Oracles the young religion doesn’t rely heavily on clergy, so the Chapel ends up being empty most of the time.

Still, it’s unusual to find it in the dark. Ganos tries to turn the lights on, but a familiar voice orders:

<Don’t do that. Close the door behind you.>

<As you wish, Lady Null> Ganos answers, wasting no time obeying her goddess. This is the moment she’s been waiting for since founding the religion.

<How may I serve you, Lady…>

Noriko’s eyes suddenly shine brightly. It’s not the usual brief flash: her eyes are the only source of light in the room now. And her voice has nothing human.

<You have disappointed me, Ganos Lal.>

The Supreme Pontiff immediately kneels before Null, not daring to look her in the eye.

<Please f-forgive me, L-Lady Null, I… I… > Ganos tries to reply, her voice cracking.

<I came into this world to slay the immortal goddess that ruled upon it for three hundred years. You think I could not ask your people to worship me, if I so desired?>

<Forgive me, Lady Null, I only acted to bring your voice to…>

<DID I ASK YOU TO SPEAK!?> Null reprimands her.

<I… I t-thought y-you did> Ganos answers, in tears. She’s absolutely terrified.

<Oh. Right> Null notes, resisting the urge to clear her voice.

“How does Abyss do this voice!? It’s killing my throat” she thinks, then she continues:

<I did not ask to be considered a goddess and you will no longer ask anyone to do the same. I am displeased with your religion, Ganos Lal, very displeased.>

<I am unworthy of your forgiveness, Lady Null. Punish me as you wish, but I beg of you, spare my congregation, they don’t deserve your wrath.>

Ganos Lal’s words are a punch to the stomach to Noriko. Things would be easier if Pontiff was just crazy, but she genuinely thinks she’s acting for the good of Myridia.

<You intentions were good and you will not be harmed, nor will anyone who believed you. But you will make some changes to the Church of Null.>

<Your piety is infinite, Lady Null. I will do anything you ask me to do.>

<You will not force anyone to believe, or punish in any way those whose beliefs differ from yours, or ask anyone to change their way of life. The Church of Null will relinquish control over the government; it will cause no harm to anyone and will work for the benefit of all living beings. Peace, progress and freedom will be your only goals; serving humanity will be your way to worship me. Did I make myself clear?>

<Yes, Lady Null, your will shall be done.>

<Good. You will not talk to anyone about our meeting. You will change your Church from the inside, slowly and gradually. You will not impose my will as dogma; if the faithful resist the change, you will not take action before consulting me.>

<As you command, Lady Null.>

<Now you may rise and get out of my sight.>

Ganos Lal stands up, her hands still shaking when she wipes her tears. Noriko hates doing this… she’s basically taking advantage of a sick person. She reminds herself that it’s for the good of Myridia and the galaxy: religion can be a force for good, especially if fighting evil gods is involved. And yet, she’s fully aware that she’s rationalizing her actions because of a single thing that’s eating her from the inside: when she sees the holy terror in the eyes of Ganos Lal, it feels good.

<Oh, and another thing.>

<Anything, Lady Null.>

<That giant statue of me? I don’t like it. Try to fix it to have a little more resemblance to me.>

<I shall order the builders to…>

<Ganos?>

<…discuss among themselves if they want to fix the statue. Voluntarily.>

<That’s more like it. Turn the lights back on when you leave.>

The woman takes a bow, then walks away and leaves the Chapel. Noriko is left alone in a room that exists to glorify her as something far more than human.

She examines the altar. A steel Ø symbol towers over the congregation like an all-seeing eye.

And Null smiles.

<This has… potential> she says to herself.

<What has potential?> a voice startles her; she thought she was alone, but Todd Slate has just walked in. She hasn’t seen him since her heart attack.

<Nothing, I was just… how long have you been standing there?>

<I just got here. I saw Ganos Lal storm out of this place, is everything okay?>

<Better than okay> Noriko answers, looking back at the altar <Way better.>

<That sounds like something I should worry about.>

<I can take care of myself> she shrugs him off, walking away without making eye contact. When she reaches the exit, though, she stops.

<I suppose I should thank you. You really went above and beyond your job on this mission.>

<Actually, I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything> Todd replies, utterly confused.

<You helped the doctor save my life. Not everyone would’ve stayed with me doing CPR, not with the entire building about to collapse.>

<Didn’t the doctor say that you didn’t actually need my help?>

<Maybe I did> she answer cryptically, without elaborating on the answer. The two struggle to find something to say, until Noriko decides to break the awkward silence.

<So, ah, do you have, like, any plans for lunch?>

Todd has seen Noriko stare down titans of the industry, state leaders, superheroes and gods. And yet he knows that the nervousness in her voice is real… and quite endearing.

<Not really. Know any good places on the planet?>

<I know this, uhm, this restaurant where they make, like, something that tastes like sushi.>

<Sounds delicious. Hopefully nobody will try to kill you this time.>

<There’s a first time for everything…>