Beyond The Impossible

The Mindscape

Noriko Null is not entirely sure she’s fully conscious. She can’t tell how long she’s been in this simulated reality: her body is the only thing around that feels “real”.

A maelstrom of memories is flashing around her, as her soul is cut to pieces and reassembled with parts extracted from the Monk.

<Stop thinking. It’s distracting.> Torn warns her. He’s removed himself from the simulation, to the point that Noriko only perceives him as a pair of glowing red scissors unraveling the soul of the Monk from a ball of light into a tapestry of fractals.

<I can’t help it. I’m still not sold on the idea of modifying my mind.>

<I don’t need you to sell me anything. And I am operating on your soul, not your mind.>

<Same thing, right?>

<Minds change. Your soul is the part of you that defines your existence; any modification requires extreme concentration and an independent subconscious.> Torn explains.

<Well, I have lots of experience separating my mind from my body, this isn’t all that different. Should I be worried by the fact that you’re physically manipulating “what defines my existence”?>

<Yes. Very worried.>

<Thanks, Torn, you’re the best at keeping me at ease…>

<You shouldn’t be. This is very dangerous.>

<Yeah, I figured.>

<The important thing is…> Torn stops, and the scissors stop cutting to then be replaced by an avatar representing his body. The ball of light in front of him pulsates angrily.

<Are you insane? You should know that interrupting soul surgery in such a critical moment is extremely dangerous!> the Monk protests, in a rare show of emotion.

<Null, we are needed in the real world. We can continue the operation later.> Torn says, completely ignoring the Monk and then disappearing.

<He wouldn’t do this without a good reason. Can I disconnect from the Mindscape?> Noriko asks.

<Are you crazy? Your soul is exposed!>

<What the heck does that even mean?>

<Any attempt to use your Nexus risks breaking your soul.>

<That’s it? We’ll just continue later, then.> Noriko dismisses him, concentrating in order to return to her real body.

 

Asgard Station, Null Zone

When Noriko opens her eyes, the first thing she sees is the god of medicine Asclepius checking her vitals and the various sensors applied to her body.

<Ow. I feel like I overslept. How long was I out?> she asks, deciding to take her time to get off the medical bed: with how much her head is spinning, she’s not sure she could stand.

<Two days. You’re lucky your brain is superhuman, or you might have slipped into a coma.>

<Wouldn’t be the first time. Torn, care to explain what the heck was that!?>

<Null Tower is under attack.> the Demon reveals; he’s already standing and putting on his trademark leather duster.

<When it rains it pours, uh?> she asks rhetorically.

<It never rains on Hell, but I believe that is not true on Earth either.>

 

Null Tower, New York City

Torn kicks down the door to the infirmary, and Noriko draws her Genius Guns: both are ready for anything, save perhaps finding Dr. Kalama trying to do CPR on an unconscious Hermes.

<Oh thank God you’re here! I can’t get his heart to start beating again!>

<Doc, what the f##k are you doing!?> Noriko asks her, approaching cautiously. It’s clear at a glance that Hermes took a very serious beating.

<No arguments, Noriko, I already lost a patient and I’m not going to lose another. Can you do anything to help?> the doctor asks, continuing with the chest compressions on Hermes.

<Of all freaking things… please step aside.> Noriko replies, adjusting the settings of her gun.

<I’m not going to let you shoot my patient, I don’t care who he is.>

<This is a being who could have a mountain fall on him and not feel it, do you really think you can manually restart his heart? He needs a bigger punch.>

<But…>

<Quiet now.> Torn tells her, forcibly removing the doctor from her patient as Noriko puts the Genius Gun against his chest.

<You owe me one, you lucky bastard.> she says, pulling the trigger. With the Genius Gun on its maximum setting, it releases raw kinetic energy directly into Hermes’ heart.

Only the tiniest fraction of the energy escapes his body, but it’s still enough to crush the medical bed and push the god through the floor and right into a lower level.

<I asked you not to kill him!> Doctor Kalama complains.

<Oh please, that was just a little love tap.> Hermes reassures her, appearing right next to her to give her a kiss on the cheek. Instead of touching her skin, though, his lips are blocked by the sudden appearance of a Blood sword.

<What, can’t a guy be grateful?> Hermes asks, finding himself trapped inside a forcefield and facing a rather upset Noriko Null.

<Cut the crap, Hermes, what the hell are you doing in my house?>

<I was in serious need of medical attention.>

<You’ve got to be kidding me.>

<Truth be told, you were not my first choice. But I couldn’t find Asclepius in any of his clinics… and desperate times call for desperate measures.>

<You would not risk coming here if you weren’t up against some heavy hitter. Who beat you up this time? You went up against Athena or something?>

<…> Hermes hesitates.

<Well?>

<Dionysus.> he reluctantly admits.

<Dionysus? You got beat up by Dionysus?> Noriko says, snickering.

<There is nothing funny about the situation.> Hermes replies.

<It is mildly amusing.> Torn nods.

<You might reconsider if you have a look at my assistant.> Hermes says, pointing at one of the other medical beds in the infirmary.

Enyo lays there unconscious, completely covered in bruises and with a puddle of her own blood still fresh on the sheets and the floor. And she’s not breathing.

<She was already dead by the time they got here.> Doctor Kalama explains.

Noriko approaches cautiously, followed by Torn. She stares for several seconds, in silence.

<She’s still alive, isn’t she?> she asks.

<No doubt about it.> Torn confirms.

<She doesn’t have a pulse and shows no brain activity.> the doctor clarifies.

<It takes more than that to kill a god. Trust me, I’m the expert on the subject.> Noriko says.

<You can feel her soul too?> Torn asks.

<I guess the Monk’s mumbo jumbo is rubbing off on me after all. I have no idea how Enyo escaped from her prison in Hades’ galaxy, but I see no need to keep her on life support.>

<If you’re thinking of using your Final Abyss on her…> Doctor Kalama complains.

<You didn’t even know she was still alive until a minute ago. Hermes, you have no idea of just how lucky you are: if I wasn’t in the middle of something about my soul, both of you would already be dead by now.>

<You might reconsider that, sunshine. You are going to need us very soon.>

<And why is that?>

<Because Tyche is after me now. And if I know my own daughter, she’s already rallied Harmonia to her cause… she must know I’m here, and it’s only a matter of time before she strikes.>

<I can take care of Harmonia without you.> Noriko boasts.

<Can you? Word of your failed blitz against her travels fast. Besides, Harmonia controls the military forces of half the Galaxy… if you do somehow manage to take her out, Tyche is sure to seize them. And trust me, she does not share Harmonia’s distaste for bloodshed.>

<And I suppose you have a way to fix the situation, out of the goodness of your heart and without any personal requests.> Noriko replies, crossing her arms.

She fully expects Hermes to find a way to turn his answer into sexual advances, but much to her surprise he pauses to ask a question with a very somber tone.

<There is no way this ends with Tyche still alive, isn’t it?>

<She’s crossed too many lines. She must be taken down.>

<I don’t disagree. But… you might not believe me, I still do love my daughter.>

<I’m not falling for any of your tricks, Hermes. Everything is transactional with you. What do you offer and what do you want in return?>

<I will offer my allegiance to the Mortal Republic, formally renounce any divine right to rule over mortals, and stand by your side as you fight whoever holds the throne of Olympus.>

<Quite an offering. You’re still dancing around the answer, and I’m going to ask you one last time… what do you want from me, Hermes?>

<I accept my daughter must die. Promise me she won’t suffer when you kill her.> the god finally answers, looking at Noriko in the eye as he does so.

Rationally, she knows she can’t trust him. He’s a monster with a history of chronic backstabbing. But she also knows she can’t possibly refuse a request like that.

<I promise. But no more games, Hermes. If you betray me, it’ll be the last thing you ever do.>

<Noriko, you can’t be serious! You’re really going to murder this girl in cold blood?> Doctor Kalama asks.

<It’s what I do. It’s what I am. We are at war with beings with unfathomable power and absolutely no regard for the lives of mortals. It’s not a hard choice.>

<What about Enyo? Any problems if we kill her?> Torn asks.

<Nobody is going to miss her. Plus she is second in line for the Throne of Olympus… if you take out both her and Harmonia, Hebe is guaranteed to succeed Zeus. Just like Hera wanted.> Hermes explains.

<She’s also one of the most powerful gods we have ever faced. Hermes, how long until Harmonia reaches Earth?>

<If Tyche gives her access to my old ship, maybe a couple days. Why, do you have an idea?>

<I might. But first I need you to run a little errand for me.> Noriko answers, stroking her chin.

 

 

Naqada Galaxy, 17 million light-years from Earth

Vesta is still feeling a little dizzy from the travel: she’s not used to such speed. But she’s more uncomfortable at kneeling in front of the throne of Anubis, as the cybernetic god with the head of a jackal stares down at her.

<You want me to give you WHAT?> the death god asks.

<A sample of your Necrobots. Null wants to use them to…> Hermes begins to answer.

<I did not ask YOU, worm. Lady Vesta, I thought I was clear in my desire to never see Olympian gods set foot in my Galaxy again.>

<I understand, Anubis. But we have a plan to use your nanites to stop a rebellion against Olympus.>

<Why would I want that? If Enyo wants to attack my realm, I will deal with her myself. Besides, isn’t Lilith the one in charge of the foreign policy of Olympus?>

<Neither of us is here to represent Olympus, Anubis. This is strictly Null’s initiative. And, if I may be so bold, you still have a debt towards her for defeating the Eden.> Vesta says. It’s a long shot: if this was a Greek god there would be no way to appeal to his honor… but she knows how much the Egyptian are big on protocol and tradition.

<She is not dead. That is already the highest honor I can grant.> Anubis replies, then turns his jackal head; it’s hard to tell due to the anatomy, but he’s clearly thinking things through.

<I cannot interfere with the private affairs of a fellow member of the Nine Gods. If, however, some of the Necrobot samples happened to be stolen… by the god of thieves, for example… I would hardly be considered personally responsible.>

<Yes, that would be a terrible thing to happen. Thank you for granting us this audience, Anubis, we’ll take our leave now.> Hermes is quick to say, ready to steal the sample within the next thirty seconds.

<Please bring my regards to Null. The next time she dies, I would be glad to reap her soul.>