Null Tower, New York City
While Null Technologies employs thousands of people, very few of them work at the Tower itself. One of the upper floors houses all the Tower’s living quarters: Vesta, Kari and Torn live here, as do Noriko and her father Bob. Max Black a.k.a. Quantum is knocking at Bob’s door.
<This is probably a bad idea> Kari whispers to him.
Max doesn’t have the time to answer before Quantum opens the door, greeting them.
<Yes, what can I…oh hi Max. It’s been a while.>
Kari does a double take: she’s used to seeing multiple people with the same face, but she didn’t expect to see Max shaking Quantum’s hand. But despite not knowing they’re the same person, Erika seems to be far more shocked.
<I can’t believe it. You…you are…>
<Quantum, the Man of Energy, at your service> he answers, taking a bow.
<Q, this Erika, my sister’s girlfriend.>
<You know Quantum? HOW!?> Erika asks.
<Yes, how exactly?> Kari repeats, crossing her arms.
<Max and I go way back. In fact, I was the one to suggest Noriko to hire him. Now, I suppose this isn’t exactly a social visit?> Quantum asks.
<I’m afraid not. My sister’s missing and we were hoping to use the Tower’s computer to find her.>
<Sure, why not. You can use the IRIS terminal, two doors to the right. I’m afraid I can’t stay here to help you; you know, places to be, people to save, that kind of stuff.>
<Of course. It was a honor to meet you, sir> Erika manages to say, stuttering.
<We better get started. See ya later, Q, I owe you one> Max adds, taking Erika’s hand to drive her away from Quantum.
Kari watches them leave, then turns towards Quantum. She tries to touch him, but her hand goes right through him
<A hologram. IRIS, is that you?>– she asks. Quantum answers with a metallic female voice:
<Forgive the ruse, Kari Zel, but Mistress Noriko programmed me to save Quantum’s secret identity.>
<Then why do I think that she’s not gonna be very happy when she finds out that we brought a stranger into the Tower?>
<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>
<She does think of everything, doesn’t she?>
<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>
<Just my luck…>
Space station Sword of Justice
The hearing has been going on for hours. Not a long time for gods, but as much as she tries to hide it, Noriko is exhausted. She has fallen asleep, resting her head on Vesta’s shoulder.
The red-haired goddess instinctively warms the air around them a little bit.
<You care about her> Athena says. There’s no emotional attachment to the sentence: the goddess of wisdom is simply stating a fact.
<She’s my friend. I hope you’re not pushing her too much into this.>
<I’m not pushing her to do anything.>
<Athena, please. You can fool Zeus, but I know you. Everything you do is part of a plan.>
<True enough. For what it’s worth, aunt Vesta, I never intended to leave you stranded on Earth for such a long time.>
<You should try it, Athena. Live between mortals, experience time as they do. Take it slow.>
<I’d go crazy within the hour.>
The two goddesses chuckle, taking care not to wake up Noriko. The awkward silence that follows lasts a few seconds, before Vesta takes the courage to ask:
<How’s the family, Athena? I was thinking…>
<You’re still not welcome on Olympus> Athena cuts her short.
<After all this time?>
<Said like a mortal. But don’t worry: sooner or later, they will understand. They have to.>
<Demeter didn’t.>
<And what happened to her?>
<It wasn’t my fault, Athena. I’m not the one who gave Noriko her power.>
<But you did allow her people to grow too fast. No wonder their Nexus killed the first hostile divinity she encountered.>
<I was sentenced to exile. I wasn’t supposed to rule or influence mortals.>
<Since when do you follow your family’s orders, Vesta?>
The family reunion is cut short when someone opens the doors with the force and subtlety of a battering ram. Still frightened by the noise, a dozen of ten year old girls leave rose petals on the floor and chant together:
<All hail Artemis, daughter of Zeus, Ruler of Olympus, and Leto, The Concealed.>
The sound wakes up Noriko, who jumps on her feet to meet the latest would-be ruler of Myridia.
Artemis looks like a fitness model. All of the goddesses Noriko has met have perfect bodies (as well as Hermes, no matter how much she tries to forget him), but Artemis’ clothes seem designed to emphasize her well-defined muscles. Aside from the dark blue low-cut shorts and shirt that leaves her abs exposed, she’s only wearing metal bands on her wrists and ankles.
Her white hair is very short with a boyish cut; there is a deep, nasty scar over and under her right eye, which hasn’t healed completely.
The children step aside to let her pass, bowing respectfully. Artemis ignores Athena and Vesta, going straight to Noriko who does her best not to look intimidated: she’s almost two feet taller and looks like she could break her in half without a sweat. To answer her stare, Noriko’s silver eyes shine menacingly. Artemis doesn’t seem to care.
<Elytra says you’re the mortal girl who killed Demeter and wants to rule her worlds.>
<I am Null. Do you have a problem with>
Noriko doesn’t have the time to finish before Artemis grabs her by the jacket’s collar, lifting her effortlessly with one hand, and kisses her.
Athena sighs, rolling her eyes. Vesta is too embarrassed to do anything for the first five seconds; but then she sees that Noriko is clearly panicking when her efforts to break free are in vain.
<Artemis, stop it! That’s enough!> she shouts, trying to separate her friend and her niece.
She’s not strong enough to move Artemis by more than an inch, but finally she ends the kiss.
<Hm. Still don’t understand what all the fuss is about.>
Noriko coughs heavily as if she almost drowned, which isn’t far from the truth. Vesta immediately tires to help her, noticing that her eyes are now more shining than ever.
Noriko jumps towards Artemis; Vesta has to hold her to stop her. She’s never seen her like this.
<How dare you!? I am Null! Slayer of gods! I will have your head for this!!!>
<I can see why you like this one, Athena. I think I’ll keep an eye on her> Artemis adds, leaving to join the hall of Themis.
Athena doesn’t react. Noriko is still mad with rage; Vesta is still holding her to prevent her from running straight into the hall. She’s acting like a caged animal: it’s only a matter of time before she hurts herself. And her eyes are now painful to look at, even for a goddess.
<Athena, a little help here!?> Vesta asks.
<I warned you about this> Athena explains, touching Noriko’s forehead with a finger.
Noriko calms down immediately. She leans on Vesta, too dizzy to stand on her own. As she catches her breath, with her heart still pounding, she recalls:
<“The darkest part of humanity crawling inside your head”. You said it when you gave me the power. It’s happening, isn’t it?>
<The Nexus gives you access to mankind’s knowledge. Experience and intelligence, yes, but also unbridled ambition and aggression. When you lose control over it, this is what happens.>
<I felt it before…when I killed Demeter, when I faced Leiko…but nothing like this. It’s getting worse. Why didn’t you do anything!?>
<I can’t. Nobody using the Nexus has ever been able to fully control it.>
<No, I’m talking about Artemis. Vesta tried to help me, but you just stood there and watched!!!>
<Artemis is very persistent; taking you away from her would’ve made you even more desirable in her eyes. Her lust is satiated for now. It was a calculated move; there’s no need for emotional outbursts.>
<The hell there isn’t> Noriko says, pushing Vesta aside and walking off, away from the hall.
Vesta crosses her arms, giving her niece a stern look.
<I hope you’re happy. First she learns that her mother is a monster; now you watch her being molested and you don’t even care!?>
<You’re a million years old, aunt Vesta. It’s time you grow up.>
<Yes. Maybe it is> she answers, leaving the goddess of wisdom to follow her friend.
In an empty corridor, Noriko is sitting with her eyes closed and her forehead on her knees.
“I’m not going crazy. I’m not” she thinks.
“Can we go home now? This place is scary” another voice replies from within.
“Let me out again. I want to kill that b##ch”
“Oh great, another one! It’s getting crowded in here!”
“Shut up! Both of you! I’m trying to think!!!”
“Build another God Eraser. We can kill all of them in a single shot and rule the galaxy!”
“Who cares about the galaxy, give them what they want and let’s go home!
-Noriko? Is everything okay?
She looks up: Vesta is offering her a handkerchief. She didn’t even notice she was crying.
“Hug her and cry on her shoulder!”
“Cut out our her heart and weaponize it!”
<I could use your help> Noriko answers, taking the handkerchief. Vesta sits down besides her.
<I’m sorry about what happened. I should’ve warned you about Artemis. And Athena. And…well I’m afraid everyone in my family is nuts. I shouldn’t let you get mixed up with them.>
<I’m just tired to be a pawn is someone else’s game. Leiko wants to use me to rule the world, the Mortal Liberation Front wants the Nexus as a weapon, the gods want to use me to mess with each other…and the worst part is I’ve been helping all of them without even knowing it. I can’t even trust myself because there’s a piece of alien technology in my brain that will eventually turn me insane.>
<I trust you> Vesta says.
<Why? You’re a goddess. You could rule Earth if you wanted. Why are you still following me?>
<Because beneath the rude and bossy exterior you’re a good person. Maybe Leiko and Athena gave you your power for the wrong reason, but so what? It can still be used to do some good.>
<Pretty hard to do when the Nexus keeps pushing the worst part of humanity inside my head.>
<I’m sure you’ll eventually find a way to use it to your advantage. It’s what humans do.>
Noriko’s eyes flash intensely. She stands up, snapping her fingers.
<That’s it! Why didn’t I think of that!?>
<What? What did I say?>
<Come on; I have to talk with Hermes before it’s too late!>
<About what? You’re going to accept his proposal?>
<I need his help to win Earth and Myridia back. But I have to make him think he’s winning.>
<You want to trick Hermes? He’s the GOD of tricksters!!!>
Noriko smiles. It’s the smile of someone who has just figured out how to beat impossible odds.
<Do you have any idea of many millions of lawyers there are on Earth? They are all here> she says, tapping a finger on her head.
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