In the Uruk Galaxy, eighty million light-years away from Earth, there is an arena floating in the middle of space. It’s doing this because the planet where it was standing has been destroyed during the final battle with Enyo, the Goddess of War.
Max Black a.k.a. the superhero Quantum is standing in the middle of the arena, with the eyes of several gods on him: not only he’s just claimed for himself the title of Strongest Under The Heavens, he’s the first mortal to ever win such a prestigious award.
Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of sex and violence, claps enthusiastically as she descends towards the winner. The woman with skin whiter than snow and ash grey hair approaches Quantum and kisses him; a little too aggressively for his taste, but not exactly a bad experience.
<I knew keeping mortals alive would turn up to be useful one day! I have to admit, I had my eyes on Torn and Kari the whole time, but you aren’t half bad either> she congratulates him, slapping his backside for good measure.
<Uhm, thanks, I guess? Now, about that prize…>
<Yeah, yeah. You really want me to kill this Abyss thing? It’s not too late to change your mind, you know; you can wish for the death or the eternal love of anyone, mortal or divine!>
<Thanks. I’m good, really.>
<Uhm. Suit yourself> Inanna shrugs, floating towards the amphitheater housing the mortal audience. Noriko Null is still unconscious and resting in the arms of Vesta, still incredibly weak after killing Artemis and with a fierce battle going on inside her brain.
Most of the people present keep their distance: Inanna is a precarious ally at best, and she’s known to turn from flirtatious to murderous on a whim.
<Can you really help her?> Dmitry Voron asks her, earning a scorning look from the goddess.
<Who is this worm again?>
<Inanna, please. She’s about to die> Quantum reminds her.
<Alright, alright, I’ll do it. I swear on myself, one of these days mortals should really get used to dying> she sighs, gently tapping Noriko’s forehead.
She slowly opens her eyes; they’re initially their natural brown color, but they emit a light that flickers a couple of times turning them silver once again.
<Why is everybody looking at me? I’m not naked again, am I?> she asks.
<How do you feel? Is Abyss still in there?> Kari asks.
<Of course not, I killed her! You wouldn’t be able to re-create her even if you tried, I’ve made sure of that> Inanna boasts.
<This is an OUTRAGE!!!> Hera shouts, landing in the amphitheater with the subtlety of an elephant throwing a tantrum, and she walks towards Inanna pointing at her.
<I request, no, DEMAND a rematch!!! A mortal CANNOT be the Strongest Under The Heavens!>
<The mortal won. Your daughter lost. If you can’t get over it, let’s hold another tournament in a couple of centuries> Inanna dismisses her.
Hera being Hera, she gets in Inanna’s personal space and starts shouting at her face.
<The PERVERSION of your lust for mortals CANNOT STAND!!! If Zeus were here…>
Inanna clenches her fists. She doesn’t do anything else, but it’s enough to make the arena tremble and make even the gods hold their breath. The intensity in her stare is enough to remind everybody that she’s still one of the most powerful beings in existence.
<But Zeus is NOT here. Are you going to fight me, little goddess?>
To her credit, Hera actually considers attacking her. She might be able to land a few hits before Inanna destroys the galaxy.
<That would be beneath me> Hera scoffs at her, turning on her heels and floating away.
<I thought so. Thoth?> Inanna asks.
<Do you still require my services, Lady Inanna? the god with the head of an ibis bird asks.
<You can take the contestants home, then we’re done. Thank you for the help, and please give my regards to Ra and especially to that hunk Horus.>
<So be it. I declare the Strongest Under The Heavens tournament is officially over> Thoth says, lifting his hands. The aura around his body takes the shape of an ankh, and that’s the last thing any of the contestants sees of the Uruk Galaxy.
Null Tower, New York City
Dr. Catherine Kalama checks the medical monitors, then looks at the mechanical arms that are fixing the cast on Noriko’s broken leg.
<I’d say you’re lucky to be alive, but this isn’t even the worse I’ve seen you survive.>
<Artemis is the seventh god I killed, doctor. I know how to take precautions now.>
<I suppose it’s too much to ask you to stop fighting them?>
<It depends on how the others behave> Noriko answers, her silver eyes shining to make the point; however she immediately winces in pain.
<I could do without the hangover, though. It’s like I pulled a muscle in my brain.>
<I’d give you some painkillers, but it’s hard to affect that brain of yours. Please, try to take it easy for a while, okay?>
<With the amount of backlog I have at work? There’s no way I…>
<Noriko!> Dr. Kalama reprimands her, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.
<Alright. I’ll take a couple days off.>
<Weeks> the doctor insists.
<How about a week?>
<Ten days, minimum.>
<You know I’m your boss, right? I could fire you and get another doctor.>
<And I could stop telling your father that you came back with just a few scratches instead of life threatening wounds for the hundredth time.>
<That’s a cheap shot> Noriko pouts.
<Can I come in?> Dmitry Voron interrupts, knocking on the door. Dr. Kalama is about to turn him away, but Noriko asks her:
<Doctor, can you please give us a moment?>
<Five minutes, tops> she answers, looking straight at the Russian scientist. Once she’s left, he sits at the end of Noriko’s bed and tells her:
<You look awful.>
<You should see the other god. Why are you still here? I thought you’d be on the Demosthenes by now, on your way to the Athenian Federation.>
<I wanted to make sure you were okay. Despite our fallout…>
<Falling out> she corrects him.
<I still care about you. There’s nothing left on Earth for me, except maybe you. I could still stay.>
<I also care about you, Dmitry, but I need more than a “maybe”. We’re just not going to work as a couple, we both know that at this point.>
<You’re right. But I was wrong about one thing about you: you don’t deserve to be punished for what you did as Abyss, not anymore. You’ve suffered enough and she’s paid for her crimes.>
<Speaking of which, I’ll find a way to clear your name. The people of Russia deserve to know that you’re not a traitor. And you deserve some happiness out there> she tells him, getting close enough to gently kiss his lips. It’s not a kiss between lovers, but a farewell to someone close.
<Keep being you, Null: the universe deserves more geniuses. Voron to Demosthenes, energize> Dmitry says, vanishing in a flash of light.
Noriko sighs, touching her lips. As frustrating as he was as a boyfriend, she’s going to miss him.
<Well, that should be the end of my other personalities. I think I’m going to enjoy being the only me out there again> she tells herself.
“Hey Nori, are you decent?” she hears through her Neural Transmitter.
<Come in Max, I’m tired of hearing voices in my head> she answers out loud, watching Quantum appear in the room after entering as a radio signal.
<How are you feeling?> he asks.
<I’m alive> she shrugs.
<I know the doctor will yell at me if I don’t let you have some rest, so I’ll just give this back to you and leave> he explains, presenting her the Heaven-Slayer sword.
<You can keep it if you want, Max. You didn’t get a trophy for winning the Strongest Under The Heavens and you used your wish to save my life, so consider the sword your prize.>
<Honestly, I don’t like the idea of owning such a powerful weapon that only I can use.>
<I know how that feels like> she comments wistfully, looking at the palm of her right hand.
<You’re thinking about that thing you did to kill Artemis, aren’t you?>
<I killed a goddess with my mind, Max. Even I’m not sure how I did that. Though if we assume that the gods aren’t actually the physical bodies we see, but some kind of four-dimensional variable quantum wave function… sorry, this must be boring for you.>
<How would I know? I didn’t understand a word> he comments with a smile.
The two teammates share a laugh, something extremely rare for Noriko. It lasts for just a few seconds before she’s back to her serious face.
<I’m scared, Max. The existence of the God Eraser changed the galaxy, but the Final Abyss is even more powerful and far, far harder to control.>
<Then we’re lucky it’s in good hands. I mean… sorry, bad choice of words> he apologizes, looking at her missing left arm.
<Don’t worry, Max. I’m not that sensitive about it.>
<Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing to always be the only one who gets to the end of the fight without injuries.>
<Well, you are the Strongest Under The Heavens> she shrugs.
<It’s not a title I want.>
<Good luck getting rid of it. You think I wanted to be known as the Slayer of Gods?>
<Come on, you love being the center of attention.>
<No I don’t!>
<Nori…>
<Okay, okay, maybe just a little. But you do deserve that title, Max: not just because of your powers, but because you’re the most selfless person I know. I know you never ask for anything, but… thanks for saving my life> she tells him, giving him a hug.
He pats her in the back, enjoying the moment knowing how rarely she shows affection like this.
<But you know I would’ve totally kicked your ass if we played against each other in the final match, right?> she asks.
<Sure, Nori, sure> he answers with a smile.
Thousands of light-years from Earth
You can’t find this planet in any galactic map, no matter how accurate. This isn’t much of a problem for Eris, the Goddess of Discord: she’s more than used to going where nobody dares.
She approaches the throne and kneels. It’s not something that she likes to do, but she’s always been prepared to accept any sacrifice to achieve her goals.
<The Strongest Under The Heavens tournament is over. Null survived> she says.
<I felt it. Tell me about the others> the woman on the throne answers, crossing her legs.
<Now that both Phobos and Deimos are dead, all their territories are under the rule of Ares. He has ordered Adrestia to take control of Enyo’s territory; I expect her to finish her campaign in a couple of months. Also, without Enyo, Ilithyia and Hera won’t be able to contain Apollo’s forces for much longer.>
<Interesting. Good job pushing Enyo to rebel against her mother, Eris.>
<It’s what I do. Also, with Artemis dead, she won’t be able to help Apollo in any way.>
<I always thought Null should’ve dealt with her years ago.>
<Speaking of Artemis and her demise… this Final Abyss that Null used to kill her. I don’t suppose your psychic link can replicate that? If the real Null can do it…>
<Excuse me!?> the woman asks. Her eyes, completely black with a silver iris, shine in anger.
<My apologies. If the inferior Null can do it, certainly you can replicate it, right Viper?>
The woman on the throne, a perfect twin of Noriko except for the color of her eyes and the length of her hair, and she seems quite offended by the comparison.
<Is something wrong, mother?> another woman asks, spooking even Eris: she didn’t sense her arrival. Even though it’s hard to miss the superhumanly beautiful Japanese woman in a kimono made of blinding sunlight.
<Everything is how it should be, Amaterasu. Leiko ruling the Winter Kingdom, the God Eraser no longer a threat, Apollo and Ares in a weakened position… complete chaos, waiting for us to bring peace to a restless universe> Viper pontificates.
<But we haven’t done anything yet. I’ve just made some stars explode> Amaterasu says.
<Soon, my dearest creation, soon. Let Enyo be a lesson for you: never rush your plans.>
<Too bad I haven’t been able to find out where she went> Eris says.
<Nowhere nice, I hope> Viper comments.
<I sincerely doubt that> Eris answers, like someone who knows far more than they’re willing to admit.
Erebus, Stygian Galaxy – 3,070,000 light-years from Earth
It’s dark. So much that opening her eyes doesn’t give the goddess any new information.
She tries to move, finding that her wrists and ankles are chained to a wall; considering that she can’t break them, no matter how hard she tries, means they must be made of Neutral Matter.
The only other clue about her location is the stench, the unmistakable smell of rotting corpses that permeates the air.
She wants to shout, but she can’t. There’s a hole where her throat should be, and she’s lost both her jaw and her tongue. Only a goddess could still be alive in these conditions, if you call it living.
Finally there is some light. It’s the green glow surrounding the scantily woman that walks towards her, followed by a cloaked figure so dark that it stands out even in this environment.
<Well, well, well. Looks like the C##t of War isn’t so tough after all, isn’t it my dear?>
Hearing Persephone’s voice, Enyo tries once again to free herself; in her weakened state, she can’t do much. If she still had a mouth, she would spit on the cloak of Hades as soon as he gets closer.
<Your mother wanted you dead or delivered to your brother. I have arranged otherwise> he says, his voice barely more than a whisper, then he caresses her cheek.
<I am, above all other things, a reasonable god. Unlike my brethren, I believe we should not concern ourselves with petty insubordinations. But in this vast universe, Enyo, there are two and only two things that I will absolutely not tolerate: leaving the Underworld without my permission, and disrespecting my beloved WIFE> Hades says, pushing his bare hand inside Enyo’s chest, reaching for her heart and squeezing it from the inside. She tries to scream, but even in the silence of the lack of her vocal cords her sheer pain is still music to Persephone’s ears.
She embraces her husband from behind; he takes his hand out of Enyo’s body, still drenched in divine blood, and lovingly spreads it on Persephone’s lips.
<That’s enough, dear. You know he fu##ing hates it when you play with his food.>
Enyo is still clinging to life, channeling her rage: it will take time to recover her voice, but she still has hope to break free. Until the sky growls and shows his teeth.
Only then Enyo realizes it’s not the sky, but something big enough to obscure the stars. Two red eyes open above fangs that could tear a planet in half. Then another head moves, and a third one gets close enough to sniff the world; the hurricane coming out of his nostrils hits Enyo, together with the realization that she won’t escape for a very, very long time.
<Good boy. At least try to make this chew toy last a few millennia more than the last one, Cerberus.>
The colossal monster grumbles, before devouring Enyo with a good chunk of the continent.
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