Null Zone, outside the universe
Space is empty, but even in the void between stars there are enough scattered atoms to be noticed by Quantum’s energy senses.
This dimension is different: there is no solid matter here, especially now that he’s transformed his body into pure light.
<Are you sure this is the right spot?> he asks through the Soul Relay, looking around.
All he can see are the occasional discharges of lightning: this dimension is filled with near infinite electrical potential, with the bolts the size of moons being the only physical phenomenon that can be witnessed in a realm where matter does not exist.
<It’s the usual coordinates. You should be right above Asgard Station.> Kari Zel replies from his native dimension.
<Well, it’s gone. There’s literally nothing… wait a sec. I’m sensing some faint gravity waves.> he says, transforming himself into gravitons.
They’re among the particles he avoids, since they make it so hard to avoid messing up with regular matter; this isn’t a problem with the Null Zone.
<Yeah, uhm, we have a problem. There’s a tiny singularity where the station used to be. Can you ask Noriko if she’s missing one of her black hole generators? Because this feels exactly like what those things leave behind.>
<I doubt she just leaves those around. I’m bringing you back.> Kari tells him, as the Portal Generator catches Quantum’s energy.
Null Tower, New York City
Kari is waiting in the Operations Room, where Quantum returns to the flesh and blood body of Max Black.
<So what do you think it is? A stolen black hole generator, Rei showing up again, or some god who works with black holes we haven’t met yet?> he asks.
<I think I’m going to call Noriko about this while you prepare for the wedding.>
<It’s not up for several weeks, Kari. Listen, you go ahead calling Noriko, I’m gonna check on the prisoners she moved out of the station.> he proposes, turning towards the exit only to find his path blocked by one of Kari’s duplicates.
<Since when are you so eager to do the boring sensible stuff?> she asks, crossing her arms.
<I’m just doing my job, Kari. I just thought that since you’re busy talking with Noriko…>
<What, you thought I couldn’t do multiple things at once?> she interrupts him, creating two more duplicates at her side to further prove the point.
<Alright, you got me. Since when are you so good at spotting excuses?> he wonders.
<Since I started raising three daughters. What is it, Max, pre-wedding jitters? It’s normal, I was also on my nerves before my own wedding.> she sympathizes.
<No, you weren’t.> he retorts, remembering her enthusiasm.
<No, I wasn’t. That was just me trying to connect. But we can totally talk about whatever it is.>
<I don’t want to talk about it. Dibs on Hades, you check on the creeps.> he rushes to say, before transforming into light again and disappearing into a ray of light.
<Earth people.> Kari sighs, rolling her eyes.
The Empyrean, where Heaven used to be
The white-hot flames of nearly pure energy illuminate the glass structure that is the last remnant of Heaven. Only one being inhabits this strange monument to power, a celestial being completely invisible in her natural form.
Siduri is currently using a body of clear feminine shape, without a face and entirely made of bronze; two metallic white wings protrude from her back.
The door leading into the Empyrean used to connect to Asgard Station, but a Kari Zel duplicate walks through it even if she accessed it from Earth.
<Null’s messenger. She is ready to come back to the Celestial Galaxy with me, yes?> Siduri asks.
<Not yet. We have a bit of a situation in our hands.>
<She agreed to help me. She does not have much time left; few hundredths of a millennium, yes?>
<Calm down, Siduri, she’s not going to die again too soon. Hey listen, do you know if anything happened to what was on the other side of this door?>
<Someone tried to force it open. It did not work. The device from the Usurpers still works.> Siduri answers, pointing at the object resting on a pedestal: the Tablet Of Destinies.
Kari walks towards it, being careful not to get too close to the other two trophies next to it.
She sees her own reflection in the Twilight Mirror; hopefully it won’t switch her powers if she doesn’t touch it.
Next to it is the lantern keeping the Soul of Kronos. She’s not sure about what it actually contains and she’s definitely not in a rush to find out today.
<Noriko’s wish on the Tablet stated that the door leading here could only be opened by a member of the Vanguard. Is there any other way to reach this place, Siduri?>
<For what kind of being?> Siduri asks back, tilting her head.
<I’m… not sure what you mean.>
<You know that the Empyrean exists within a hyperdimensional manifold outside of space, yes?>
<I know some of these words, but not what they mean together. Could a mortal or a god reach the Empyrean without using a portal like that door?> Kari asks.
<No. We are outside the universe; there is no space for them to cross, yes? Unlike celestial beings, everything else needs space to exist. They would need a portal, yes?>
<What would it take to create a portal like that?>
<Coordinates. And a bit of energy.>
<Define “a bit”.>
<You know how much energy a star emits throughout its life, yes?>
<That’s a lot of energy.>
<Not to open a portal leading here. Multiply it by 147 million 328 thousand and 57 times.>
<Oh. That’s an insane but surprisingly specific amount, Siduri…>
<Three of the vermin that you call gods have made the journey before, yes?>
<I don’t suppose you remember their names.>
<Baal, Ra and Kronos. They used a portal to reach the Celestial Galaxy.>
<That’s interesting… what did they want?>
<Baal wanted to destroy us. Ra wanted a peace treaty. Kronos came to conquer, and he succeeded; the only time since the days of the Usurpers that the Celestial Galaxy was ever defeated.> Siduri explains. It’s hard to be sure where she’s looking, given the lack of a face, but Kari feels like she’s staring at the remains of Kronos.
<I know a little about two of those, but… tell me about this Baal…>
Imperial Palace, Midgard City, Antarctica
Noriko Null is not particularly attached to luxury, but years of being the world’s richest person… and then the Mortal Empress of the Olympian Galaxy… has rubbed off her a little.
She’s indulging a little, taking a long bath in a tub the size of a small swimming pool.
She wasn’t particularly fond of the idea… she had it installed exclusively for her divine guests… but she’s come around appreciating it now that she’s sharing it with Gilgamesh.
The Sumerian demigod has his arm around her shoulders, and if this was a regular tub there’s no way they would fit together. Resting her head against his body, she chuckles.
<Something funny?> he asks.
<Just thinking back at the first time I was in a tub like this. Never thought I’d get one of my own.>
<When was that?>
<After I killed Demeter, there was a dispute about the ownership of Myridia. First and last time I agreed to stay at a god’s place without installing security measure.>
<Someone tried to kill you?>
<Hermes showed up naked.>
<Hmm, kinky. I’m guessing you didn’t appreciate the view?>
<I prefer demigods.> she replies, getting close for a kiss.
Only to disappear with a flash of light.
Olympus, 28.000 light-years from Earth
By now, Noriko has developed an intense distaste for being teleported against her will.
It’s also happened to her so many times that it takes her only a moment to assess her situation without missing a beat.
But since that situation is sitting on a throne in the middle of an empty room while wearing a few soap bubbles and absolutely nothing else, that’s not a great comfort.
<Oh my God!> she exclaims, doing her best to cover herself with her hands.
<Just Zeus, please.> the god replies.
<Will you ever grow up!?> Vesta comments on her brother’s stunt, while averting her eyes.
<Father, please, you embarrass us all.> Athena says, having the decency to conjure up some clothes around Noriko’s body by just waving her hand.
Now clothed again, Noriko stands up from the throne and points her finger at Zeus:
<Give me ONE good reason not to kill you right now!> she yells, her silver eyes shining in anger.
<Baal is going to conquer all the Nine Galaxies if we don’t stop him right now.> he answers.
Noriko looks at him in his blue eyes for a couple of seconds. She senses actual fear.
<Okay, that’s a good reason. But next time ASK before teleporting me! How did you even do it? There’s several layers of teleport inhibitors at the Palace.> Noriko changes the subject.
<I took them out first. It was too important.> Zeus answers.
<Alright, start talking while I find a way to dry off… I’m still soaking wet beneath these.> Noriko complains, trying to shake off the water on her hair.
<Allow me.> Vesta tells her, placing a hand over her shoulder. A wave of soothing warmth spreads through Noriko’s body, drying her almost instantly.
<Baal issued me a challenge. Defeat him in his own domain. If I win, he will leave the Olympian Galaxy at peace. If I lose, it will become his own.> Zeus explains.
<Hold on, I need a little more than that. Tell me about Baal.> Noriko says.
<We have limited intelligence on him.> Athena intervenes, creating a holographic projection of a cloaked figure. Very little details are visible, but there’s clearly a skull beneath the dark hood.
<One of the nine Primordial Gods born at the time of the Drylon, over five billion years ago. Calls himself the God of Domination or the Lord Of The Flies. Absolute ruler of the Dark Galaxy and originator of all Ichor energy.> she explains.
<He’s Sumerian, right?> Vesta recalls.
<Not exactly. He has, on occasion, worked with Tiamat and Ereshkigal. But he eschews alliances and, unlike most of the Primordials, he has not fathered children and is not part of the Primordial Council.> Athena answers.
<That’s my girl! I knew you’d be the best informed one.> Zeus exclaims.
<There are multiple gods called Baal in human mythology, but this guy doesn’t sound like he fits with any of them.> Noriko notes.
<“Baal” means “lord” or “owner” in ancient Earth languages, so the name stuck as an honorific for different gods. Both real and imaginary. But the connection to the real Baal remains in the literal translation of his Lord Of The Flies moniker.>
<The Hebrew called him Ba’al Zabub, or Beelzebub.> Vesta recalls.
<So this guy is basically Satan.> Noriko observes.
<You wish.> Zeus comments.
Both Noriko and Vesta exchange looks signifying “this is serious”.
<Zeus, are you… scared of this god? He can’t be more powerful than you, right?> Vesta asks.
<It’s not a matter of power. It took the combined power of myself, Poseidon, Hades and Gaea just to stall him. We could not kill him.> Zeus explains.
<So you want me to kill him?> Noriko asks.
<I want you to delay him, if it’s even possible. You might be the Slayer of Gods, Noriko, but… even my father Kronos could not end him. Gods are immortal, but Baal… Baal is simply unkillable.>
Discussion ¬