Beyond The Impossible

Imperial Palace

Megalopolis, 52,000 light-years from Earth

The planet has adapted quickly to its new role as de facto capital world of the Olympian Empire.

The technology of the Imperial Palace has been quickly upgraded to be able to communicate with the rest of the Galaxy, and thousands of personnel has been transferred from Argos in order to establish a new base of operations.

At first glance not a lot has changed, but one of the ballrooms has been converted into a meeting room. All the decorations have been removed: if it wasn’t for the round table of solid marble and the chairs of ebony, it could be mistaken for the boardroom of an office building.

But this is no ordinary meeting: there are nine gods sitting at the table, waiting for the arrival of the newly crowned Mortal Co-Empress. Their attitude varies greatly.

Athena is sitting quietly, well accustomed to occasions like this. Her right-hand goddess Nike sits next to her, with her angelic wings awkwardly pressed against the chair.

Helen of Troy insisted sitting on Athena’s left; she knows too well that Athena will inevitably try to exploit her former protégé, and she wants that advantage for herself.

Dionysus is content to sip from his cup of wine; drinks are not allowed in the meeting, but he’s been granted an exception since he’s just too dangerous to be kept sober.

<How long is she going to take? I don’t like being kept waiting.> Hermes complains, tapping nervously on the table.

<Tell me about it. Perhaps we should start finding other ways to have fun.> Aphrodite suggests, adjusting her semi-transparent skirt in order to show she’s not wearing anything underneath.

<I like the sound of that!> Eros exclaims. He’s still in his form as a pink silhouette; sometimes he takes the appearance of Apollo for a second or two before reverting to his native shape, as if there was any need to showcase that Helen is past caring for her deceased husband.

<Please, do not embarrass yourselves. We should conduct ourselves with the dignity dictated by our divine status.> Themis proclaims, trying to position herself as the adult in the room.

The Goddess of Divine Justice is indeed older than any of the gods present, but sitting next to her daughter Dike… Goddess of Mortal Justice… the only way to distinguish them is that Themis doesn’t have any eyes. She wasn’t allowed to keep her gigantic form, appearing instead as a human-sized woman with a white peplos.

<I can’t believe my father Zeus chose to humiliate us by elevating a mortal about our rank. The sooner this blasphemy ends the better.> Dike adds.

<You won’t have to wait for much longer.> Athena comments, seeing how Eros just shapeshifted into a copy of Kylon.

In fact, the door opens to allow Noriko Null to enter the room. Every god stands up, with Dionysus immediately sitting down again and almost falling from his chair. Everyone else simply gives a polite nod, but Themis and Dike approach Noriko and formally bow before her.

<It is an honor to be summoned to this august assembly, Your Majesty. I am fully prepared to serve you to the best of my abilities, as is my daughter Dike.> Themis grovels, moving her hand with the intent to grab Noriko’s and kiss it.

<Back off.> is the brusque reply that Themis receives from Enyo: the Goddess of War pushes her away without much care.

<What is the meaning of this assault!?> Dike protests.

<Nobody touches the Empress without permission.> Enyo stresses.

<Your Majesty, with all due respect…> Themis begins to complain.

<I don’t want to be called that. Just Null will suffice. Now please, sit down, we have important things to discuss.> the Co-Empress answers.

A stern look from Enyo evaporates any thoughts about continuing the argument. Mother and daughter return to their seats; Noriko takes her place at the table, on a chair like all the others that is distinguishable only by her symbol Ø painted in white on the black ebony.

Enyo is the only one who doesn’t sit down: she stands behind Noriko, her arms crossed.

<Let’s get this out of the way: this meeting is out of courtesy. Aphrodite, Athena and Helen are the only officially recognized vassals; everyone else is not part of the government of the Olympian Empire and therefore will have no influence on the decisions of either Co-Empress.>

<Do we still have a place to crash?> Dionysus asks.

<All of you are entitled to a private estate, unless you renounce to it like Enyo did. Hebe is going to be in charge of that kind of stuff, so you’ll have to discuss the details with her, but you’ll all receive your own planet. As long as you obey the laws and don’t try any funny stuff, you’ll be free to continue living a life of luxury… as far as the Galaxy is concerned, it’s a small price to pay.>

<Surely we could be more of use by becoming vassal ourselves.> Themis suggests.

<None of you has ever really tried to launch a campaign of conquest… except Hermes. He can testify how successful antagonizing me has proven; that should keep you from having any ideas.>

<You have a point, Sunshine. Better to join you than to fight you!> Hermes exclaims.

<What did I say about how to address me!?> Noriko asks, raising her voice as her silver eyes shine.

<My apologies, Nori…>

Lightning flashes between her eyes.

<…I mean Null.> Hermes sheepishly corrects himself.

<Excuse me, Lady Null, but if Enyo has renounced her estate, what is her role here?> Themis asks.

<Enyo will serve as the Minister of Defense.>

<You’re putting a goddess of war in charge of preventing war?> Athena asks, raising an eyebrow.

<Why, do you have an objection?>

<And what will be our role, then? Naturally, I should be the Minister of Justice.> Dike adds.

<Actually, no. I haven’t decided who to nominate for the position, but definitely not you.>

<What? But my daughter is the Goddess of Mortal Law!> Themis objects.

<And she clearly sucks at her job, or I wouldn’t be sitting here.> Noriko replies.

<Do we get any say in the matter?> Hermes wonders.

<No, you don’t. It’s how things work now: the Mortal Co-Empress nominates the ministers, that must then be confirmed by the Divine Co-Empress… Hebe… and then by the Galactic Congress.>

<There is no such thing. Olympus has never had a Congress.> Helen points out.

<I know. I’ve started organizing the elections and commissioned the building, we should be ready to go in a few months. And before any of you asks: no, gods will not be eligible for Congress.>

<Then we have just been summoned to be told we are stripped of any power?> Dike asks.

<Kind of. Like I said, you’ll be getting your own planet… but you’ll have to obey the same laws that I am establishing throughout the Olympian Galaxy.>

<I thought you said you don’t have a Galactic Congress yet.> Athena highlights.

<Hebe and I agreed to issue a certain number of executive orders that will establish some ground rules. Once we have Congress and a fully staffed government they’ll be the ones to work out the rest, but some rules are completely non-negotiable. By anyone.>

<And what would these rules be?> Nike asks.

<Where should I start? Let’s see… slavery and rape are now illegal everywhere regardless of the circumstances, no government or god can impose a state religion, force anyone to marry or have sexual relations, and there is no death penalty for insulting a god.>

The gods present stare in astonishment. Even Athena looks surprised by such a bold move.

<Any questions?>

Predictably, the room erupts into a cacophony of complaints, as all the gods present start talking at the same time over each other.

All except Athena, who just sits quietly staring at Noriko with a neutral expression on her face.

<Nothing to say on the matter?> the Co-Empress asks her. The other gods quiet down.

<This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Null.> Athena replies.

<I’m done playing games. You’re the only god in this Galaxy with enough military resources to attempt to disrupt the new system…>

<Hey, I resent that!> Hermes objects.

<The only goddess with a decent fleet, you mean.> Athena corrects her.

<Which could’ve been wiped by Hades in retaliation for your support of the Zenith, if I hadn’t convinced him to give you a chance. We both know you’re capable of overthrowing me… if you’re willing to go up against both Hades and Zeus, since both support me. Like I said, let’s stop playing games: what’s your move, Athena?>

The goddess of wisdom weighs her options. Even Noriko can’t understand what she’s thinking.

<Opposing you would not be wise at the moment. But you should also consider, Null, that you can’t just bark orders to gods and expect them to accept to receive nothing in return.>

<I guess you’re right. Enyo, would you please do the honors?>

<With extreme pleasure.> the war goddess replies, nodding respectfully and moving towards the door leading to the meeting room. Once she opens it, Vesta is now free to enter; she brings with her a seven feet tall container made of metal and forcefields.

<You can’t do this to me! I’m a goddess!!!> Eris shouts, banging her fists against the containment field that prevents her from escaping. Her body is slowly deteriorating, with her dark energy seeping through her skin.

<What is the meaning of this?> Themis asks.

<I think you all know Eris, right? Goddess of discord? Also known as Lilith, Cursed Daughter, Beautiful Cancer and what else? Oh, yes, the one who has betrayed Olympus more times than I’ve killed a god.> Noriko introduces her.

<I was pardoned by Zeus for all of that! I demand that you release me at once, usurper!>

<Show of hands, does anybody here actually think pardoning her was a good idea?> Noriko asks.

All the gods look at each other awkwardly, with only Aphrodite raising her hand.

<Seriously? Even you can’t be dumb enough to think that.> Enyo comments.

<I just wanted to ask what “pardoning” means.> Aphrodite clarifies.

<It means she doesn’t have to pay for any of her crimes.> Vesta explains, being the only one with enough patience to educate Aphrodite.

<Oooh, I get it. Well, I don’t want to say anything mean about daddy, but Eris is kind of not very nice. So I guess she should be punished somehow.>

<You don’t have the guts! Look at me, all of you. We’re talking about a mortal here! She’s only a threat because of a piece of Drylon technology inside her skull and that blasted Vial on her scrawny neck. We are gods!!! Why should we listen to her!?>

<Because…> Noriko replies, slowly removing the chocker that holds the Vial of Destiny. This gets everyone’s attention, as it means that she’s no longer immune to divine powers.

<…I also carry a big stick.> she finishes, extending her arm and activating a teleporter.

A sword appears in her hand, still shielded by its scabbard but immediately recognizable as the StarScourge… the sword she used to kill Ares himself.

<Are you all stupid!? She’s defenseless! Attack her now! We can split the Galaxy among ourselves later! Do it now before she puts the Vial back on!>

<You wanted to know what I can give in return to the gods, Athena? Here’s what you get.> Noriko explains, unsheathing the sword. A gust of wind sweeps the room as the blade begins absorbing the mass of the atmosphere; it would be easy to just kill Eris with a single swing.

Instead she passes the sword to Vesta. The goddess takes great care handling it: she knows Noriko is constantly adjusting its power to avoid the weapon from swallowing the entire planet.

<Thousands years ago, Eris caused Vesta to be exiled from Olympus. She has been nothing but trouble for all of you. Today I give Vesta… and all of you… the means to get rid of your enemies once and for all.>

Vesta turns towards the cage, looking at Eris in the eye. And for the first time in a long time, the goddess of strife is terrified.

<Hestia, please! This is not who you are!>

<After all you’ve put me through, Eris, I still don’t hate you… you’ve helped me realize I can make a difference, that I’m stronger than I realize.>
<You are a gentle goddess that wouldn’t hurt a fly, not a goddess of vengeance!>

<This is not vengeance, this is justice for your crimes.>

<Hestia, please, you can’t go along with this! We’re family!>

<Hestia died thousands of years ago when I grew into a better goddess. I’m sorry you couldn’t grow past your crimes too.>

Vesta swings the StarScourge, which passes through the cage with ease. The singularity embedded in the blade absorbs the entire prison and plunges into Eris’ chest. Her body is rapidly absorbed by the weapon, but not rapidly enough to prevent her from crying a haunting scream.

It’s an excruciatingly painful death, but every single drop of divine energy is absorbed into nothingness. Vesta’s hands shake and tears flow from her eyes, as she slowly gives the sword back to Noriko.

<I never want to do anything like that ever again.> she says with a broken voice.

<You won’t have to. That’s what I was born to do.> Noriko reassures her, sheathing the sword.

When she looks at the assembly of gods before her, they are all horrified… none of them is accustomed to watching a god die. Even Athena seems a little shaken.

<Anyway, that’s what I bring to the table: you can rest assured that if anyone tries to hurt the Olympian Galaxy, they will have to go through me first. Gods don’t have to fear anything from me, provided they follow one single rule…>

She pauses, handing the sheathed StarScorge to Enyo and putting back the Vial of Destiny choker.

<Behave.> she concludes, her silver eyes shining.