Medusa walks past her prison cell, knocking down the door that she has transmuted into stone.

The officers that were keeping guard suffer the same fate just by looking at her.

With every step she takes, more pieces of the ship are turning into stone. The red alarm resonates across all decks; a couple of crew members make an attempt to stop her, but one look is all it takes for them to be petrified.

Very quickly, the entire deck is made of stone with one exception: the elevator. Medusa approaches it carefully, waiting for its door to open; when it does, it suffers the same fate as the cell door… petrified and smashed.

She only has a vague idea of what the elevator is supposed to be: this is her first chance to move freely inside a ship. She tries her luck by pressing a button, but nothing happens.

<Got it out of your system?>

The voice coming out of the elevator is electronically altered, but she recognizes Noriko Null.

<Stop trying to cage me or I will…> Medusa threatens.

<Do what? Turn the whole ship into stone? Good luck leaving the system then. Transmute the elevator, and you’re not going anywhere either.>

<I don’t need the ship! I can… I can…> Medusa continues, just realizing she has no idea of what she can actually do at this point.

<You’re not doing anything. I’ve taken down gods much more dangerous than you, Medusa, consider yourself lucky you’ve gone this far. I admit you took me by surprise, but you have just one trick. The only reason I’m not teleporting you into the Sun is that I need to un-petrify Vesta.>

<You’re still thinking about her, and you still deny she bewitched you?>

<Okay, I see you still need time-out. Just chill up there while I decide what I need to do with you.>

Themyscira

Naqada Galaxy, 17 million light-years from Earth

The glorious Amazon world was once the jewel of the Olympian Galaxy, home to a civilization of proud warrior women that eventually replaced itself with highly advanced female androids.

Most gods considered them the most technologically advanced mortal planet in the known universe; the thought of conquering it or destroying it before it could become a threat was periodically discussed among all pantheons.

If only they could foresee its current state. Its android population reprogrammed by Rei Null, enslaved to her algorithms and their technology thoroughly exploited.

A single god now walks across the ruins of a detonation that obliterated half a hemisphere.

His body is completely covered by white mummy wraps, with a white cape flowing in the wind caused by the destruction of all weather-manipulating equipment.

They call him Khonsu, God of Travelers and of the passage of time, and he has a specific destination in mind: the petrified stone form of Anubis that now stands before him.

<You’re a hard god to find.> Rei Null greets him. The bandages obscuring his face do a perfect job of hiding his uneasiness at being taken by surprise.

<By design. I agreed to serve you, Empress Rei, but I am not a slave like Anubis.>

<And by retaining a modicum of independence you are more useful to me. What is your expert opinion on Anubis?> Rei asks, leaning against the statue. A Survival Field protects her body from the hostile environment.

<He should have recovered his true form by now. Medusa should not have been able to affect him. Did you know this would happen when you resurrected her?>

<I wish I could take credit for that. I knew Athena locked her up for a reason, but I could not imagine that her potential would be so high… so I had to improvise.>

< “Improvise”. Is that what you call damaging your own base to kill a minor goddess?>

<I’ve taken down gods much more dangerous than Medusa: she should consider herself lucky she got this far. I admit she took me by surprise, but she only has one trick. The only reason I did not teleport her into the Sun is that I needed her to trick Noriko.>

<You went back to Earth because you knew that the real… that the other Null would bring Medusa to Earth? Why?>

<I needed to test Medusa’s power. If she gave me trouble, she could deal with the Vanguard.>

<So she did defeat you the first time.>

<Let’s not dwell on that. She served another purpose: allowing Noriko to steal back the eyes of Prometheus. She would suspect a trap of course, but I knew she could not resist such a valuable prize… because I couldn’t either.>

<I’m surprised you didn’t use them yourself.>

<I’ve run enough tests on them to be certain it would not work on a mortal: only a god could use their prophetic powers. And as soon as Medusa proved herself unreliable, I had to turn to my contingency plan.>

<The eyes are poisoned, are they not?>

<Oh, unbelievably so. I devised a way to ensure any god attempting to use them would only receive irreparable mental damage. At worst, that would at least take Prometheus out of the equation.>

<You were remarkably quick to develop such a poison, Rei. And I can’t help noticing that you never even considered giving me the eyes.>

<I respect your intelligence too much, Khonsu. You would have been smart enough to use them against me. I would if I were in your place.>

<Then why did you ask me to return to Themyscira?>

<Well, first of all, what good is coming up with a plan so brilliant that it even blindsides the second smartest woman in the universe, if you can’t brag about it with someone? But more importantly, you can help me capitalize on this happy incident.> Rei explains, activating a holographic projector.

It shows recordings from Earth about Medusa, showing the ruins of Null Tower and the petrified body of Vesta.

<I allowed Noriko to take both Medusa and the eyes back to Earth as completely separate traps. She was smart enough not to use the eyes… but by a stroke of luck, Medusa did something I could not predict. Her ability to die and resurrect herself protected her from the poison, and more importantly now she’s somehow using the eyes of Prometheus to boost her own power to unthinkable levels.>

<Is that why Anubis has not been able to turn back?>

<I’m sure of it. Even if Medusa’s power affected him just thanks to his connection to the necrobots in his system, by now his own power should have overwhelmed the effect. My theory is when Medusa replaced her own eyes with those of a Titan, they somehow removed any limit to her petrification power.>

<An intriguing theory. How unfortunate the eyes can’t be used by a god with a decent power.>

<Medusa nearly killed me when she didn’t have the eyes, and she nearly accomplished the same against Noriko. If given the right push… if put in the right environment and pushed in the right direction… she could do tremendous damage to my enemies.> Rei explains.

<That sounds overly optimistic. I doubt Medusa could kill the other Null.>

<Who said anything about Null? I need you to do a quick errand for me, Khonsu…>

New York City, Max Black’s apartment

Noriko Null is sitting on the couch, talking through her N-Phone which is relaying her words to the Defiance-IX. Sending her consciousness proved too dangerous when Medusa transmuted her projection, but she has easier ways to send her voice to the ship.

<Just chill up there while I decide what I need to do with you. Now let’s just… what the heck?>

The unmistakable sound of a lost connection is coming out of the phone.

<A.I.D.A, reconnect me.> she orders her digital personal assistant.

<Apologies, mistress, but I cannot establish a connection.>

<Why not?>

<The ship is out of range.>

<I’ve linked you to my satellites; you should be able to link to any ship in the system!>

<The Defiance-IX is not currently in Earth’s solar system.>

<What!? Who gave the order to turn on its stellar engine!?>

<No faster-than-light travel has been detected.>

<You mean the ship just… vanished? No signs of teleportation or spatial warping?>

<None detectable from the satellite network, mistress.>

<Which can only mean one thing: some god just let Medusa escape.> Noriko deduces.

Halia, Aegian Galaxy

2.7 million light-years from Earth

At first glance, this planet is not much different from the vast majority of inhabited worlds of this galaxy. Its surface is almost completely covered in water, with its population of mermen and mermaids thriving in an underwater civilization.

Its notability comes from being the capital world of the Rhodos Sector, connected to the rest of the Atlantean Confederacy by a river that spans countless solar systems.

Its ruler Rhodos sits on a throne in a castle at the bottom of the largest ocean. As the eldest of the surviving children of Poseidon, she should have inherited his whole galaxy upon his death.

And even if her sector only covers half of the Aegian Galaxy, she should be among the most powerful and influential of all gods… if only she were more than a figurehead.

In reality, thanks to the humiliating defeat her father suffered at the hands of Null, the real power of lays in the hands of its mortals.

She has little to do these days besides counting down the days Null will finally die of old age and dreaming of rallying the surviving gods into taking back what is rightfully theirs.

Her daydream is interrupted by one of the subjects swimming towards her.

<Your Majesty, we have detected a ship appearing in orbit above the planet.>

<So this is what I have been reduced to? Keeping track of the most worthless minutiae?>

<Your Majesty… you asked to be informed if a ship traveling outside the river approached us.>

<A ship traveling without the river?> Rhodos exclaims, rising from the throne and holding out her hand. A bident rapidly flies into her hand.

<Yes, Your Majesty. As part of the accords, the central government has been notified.>

<Someone disrespects MY sector, and I’m supposed to defer to the spineless mortals who usurped my birthright!? I will see to this personally!!!> Rhodos shouts, flying upwards.

She flies fast enough to vaporize water in her trail, reaching the surface in mere seconds. She proceeds in her rage-fueled travel, surrounding herself in a bubble of water.

Reaching the orbit, she expected to find a hostile god willing to conquer her world: the last thing she expected was a huge chunk of stone in the exact shape of a spaceship.

<Is this some sort of sick joke!?> she exclaims, ready to destroy the object by conjuring a stream of highly pressurized water, when something does leave the ship.

A goddess who just kicked a petrified hatch into space, and who floated out of the ship.

<What is this place? This isn’t Earth anymore.> she says, immediately finding herself face to face with Rhodos ordering:

<You have one chance to bow down to me and apologize for showing up unannounced!>

<Who… who would you be, exactly?> the intruder asks.

<I am Rhodos, eldest daughter of Poseidon and true heir to the Throne of Atlantis! How could you possibly not know who I… wait. I only know of only one loser with snakes for hair…>

<Did you just say POSEIDON?> Medusa asks, her red eyes burning with power.

Rhodos barely has the time to realize what is happening to her before she turns to stone.

<This must be Poseidon’s realm.> Medusa realizes, tapping on the stone form of Rhodos… and giving her just enough of a push to send her in freefall towards the planet.

<Now I know why I was brought back to life. Null may have killed Poseidon… but destiny must want me to finish the job.>

Medusa stares intensely at Halia, to the point that she can feel the pain of her own eyes burning up.

But it’s worth it when that transmutes the entire surface of the whole planet into solid stone.

The destruction of Null Tower, after its transmutation into stone, only took a few minutes.

But something of that magnitude doesn’t need much time to become news.

The images of Medusa jumping off the giant pile of stone rubble, leaving the petrified body of Vesta behind, are on social media within a minute.

Medusa looks around, confused both by the alien environment and by the devices that the locals keep in their hands. At first she thought they were weapons and transformed those into stone as well, but once they proved harmless she left them untouched.

Of course no mortals around her are this lucky. Everyone looking at her is transformed into stone… whether they are doing it on purpose or on their screens, no matter where they are in the world.

Medusa is well accustomed to this, but having nobody to talk to means that she can’t ask for directions to the nearest spaceport. And unlike virtually all gods, she can’t fly.

She doesn’t exactly have a plan in mind, hoping to eventually run into something that could allow her to either leave this unfamiliar planet or learn more about it.

She’s almost granted her wish by a bright light surrounding her…

Copernicus Crater, the Moon, 245,000 miles from Earth

…when the light disappears, leaving her in a world that appears to entirely be made of stone.

She’s not bothered by the extreme heat that would boil a mortal’s blood, but she instinctively holds her breath. A couple of minutes later, she realizes that she doesn’t actually need to breathe.

That’s something she never truly explored. She has spent her whole life hiding from everyone and everything, so there hasn’t been much chance to explore her abilities besides transmutation.

She does notice quickly how much lower gravity is here. She wonders if this could allow her to leave this strange place… and she immediately begins to float.

New York City, Earth

Noriko Null is on top of a nearby skyscraper, unaffected by the destruction of her building thanks to Vesta’s quick thinking.

She stands in an awkward position in front of Torn: with her leather jacket transmuted into stone, it’s impossible to move her arms. Until the Demon easily cuts it in half with a Blood dagger, without even damaging her T-shirt.

She watches the stone jacket fall, and doesn’t miss a beat ordering:

<Don’t lose track of that. I need to examine everything affected by Medusa’s power.>

The Vanguard wasn’t alone in the building before it was destroyed, but Noriko is able to quickly notice that Vesta saved everyone. Including Dr. Kalama, who is now rushing towards her.

<Noriko! Are you alright!?>

<Doctor. Please make sure the other survivors are taken care of, and prepare to console your daughter about losing her home. The first time is the hardest.> Noriko instructs her, kneeling to check the stone jacket.

Doctor Kalama recognizes the seriousness in the tone of her voice. She’s not angry, she’s pissed.

<Dammit, she even petrified the N-Phone. I’m gonna have to do this whole thing analog style.> she complains, then stands up.

She stares into the distance, with her silver eyes shining, and the doctor is startled by the multiple bodies of pure electricity that leave Noriko’s body.

Copernicus Crater, the Moon, 245,000 miles from Earth

Medusa is inching very slowly away from the surface: another couple of hours and she would leave the satellite’s orbit, if the image of Noriko’s electrical body double didn’t suddenly appear in front of her.

<First lesson of the future you woke up to, Medusa: do NOT make me angry.>

<How are you here? And are you not… already stone?> Medusa asks, holding out her hand to touch this strange apparition. Her hand goes through it, and she feels a slight tingle on her hand.

<I can project my mind outside of my body. You’re seeing pure information: it’s not something you can turn into stone.>

<I couldn’t turn gods into stone either, until today.>

<I don’t have patience for games right now. Who are you working for? Did Rei send you to kill me, or to steal the eyes of Prometheus?>

<What? I already told you, I don’t know why Rei revived me or… wait. Are you still under the influence of that goddess? Even if she’s stone!?>

<Vesta has nothing to do with this. So it’s just an accident that you have the eyes of Prometheus on you, uh? I’m not buying it.>

<Is that why my eyes are burning so much?> Medusa asks, rubbing her eyes while the snakes on her head hiss at Noriko.

As absurd as it sounds, her body language… and a healthy dose of Noriko’s intuition… tell her that she’s not lying. At least now knowingly; she might not know if she’s a pawn in Rei’s plan.

<Alright Medusa, listen to me. You say you’re a fan and you want to help me? Fine, just cooperate with me. You will see that nobody is influencing my actions.>

<I will comply. Although you seem very tense.>

<Yeah that tends to happen when somebody wrecks my house right after I’ve moved back in and turns my friends to stone. Am I wrong to assume that you can will anything you transform to return to its previous state?>

<No, you are right.>

<Great. Then turn everyone back into their original form.>

<Alright. Done.>

<What do you mean “done”? Just like that?>

<Of course. Were you expecting something different?>

<I still have no clue what to expect from you. That’s why I’m not taking any risks.> Noriko explains, and Medusa is teleported once again.

Bridge of the SSN0009 Defiance-IX, in orbit around the Moon

A different apparition of Noriko is standing next to the captain’s chair, occupied by a man in military uniform in his early thirties.

<Target apprehended, sir. The prisoner is in Cell Block 1.> one of the crewmates informs him.

<Nobody is allowed to get in there. Avoid all contacts and disconnect all cameras in the cell.> Noriko orders. Although she’s not technically in charge, nobody hesitates to obey.

<I would like to speak to the prisoner.> the captain’s says.

<Not a chance, Major Davis. The second you lay eyes on her, you will be turned into stone.>

<A word before you speak to her? In private?> the man insists.

It’s hard to read Noriko’s expression in this form, but she nods.

<In your office.> she says, before she disappears.

Captain’s office

It’s not a long trip: it’s literally just a separate room connected to the main bridge.

Major James Davis didn’t even have the chance to familiarize himself with it or give it his personal touch, considering he assumed command just three days ago.

<You know I can project my mind in multiple places at once, right? I’m literally speaking to Medusa right now. As well as a dozen different people on Earth.> Noriko informs him.

<I knew you had that ability, but not that it had such a vast range.> Major Davis admits.

<I’m gonna pay for this with the worst headache of my life, but right now I’m angry enough to make it. You studied me?>

<I would not have been assigned command of this ship without being briefed on you, ma’am. Or without your approval.>

<Only indirectly. This is a ship of the Olympian Fleet, and I’m no longer its commander-in-chief. Listen Major, I have an extremely limited supply of patience today, so… why waste my time?>

<Because 90% of this ship’s crew is from other planets. All of my senior officers are from the Olympian Fleet. You insisted on having someone from Earth in command of the ship, so I would appreciate it if you didn’t undermine my authority.>

<Major, the Destiny class ships are the most advanced and powerful in the Galaxy; there are currently twelve Destiny class ships in service, and two are assigned to protecting Earth. I hardly think I need to do more to prove that I value Earth having a bigger role, don’t I?>

<In which case, you should allow me to help you in dealing with the prisoner.>

<Any other day, Major Davis, I would appreciate your boldness. But like I said, today I have no patience left. But that being said… you might have potential. I will keep my eye on you.> the apparition notes, before disappearing.

Cell Block One

While one apparition is talking to Major Davis, another one approaches the cell containing Medusa.

These are not her only two projections of her mind happening simultaneously. She’s also talking with the human authorities to assess the damages of the attack, reassuring the US government that this is not an attack on the planet, and she takes the time to even catch some of the news.

This takes a bit more concentration, especially since projecting her mind this far into space does significantly drain her energies. But after a brief pause, she concentrates more on Medusa.

The monster goddess is pacing back and forth restlessly in a small cell contained by a forcefield.

<I don’t like being caged. When am I going to leave?>

<When you release my friends like I asked.>

<I already did. Everyone should already be back to normal.>

<They should. Quantum and everyone you met on the street are back, as are all the people who were watching you online or on television… but Vesta is still made of stone.>

<That can’t be true. I willed her to return to her natural state.>

<Medusa, don’t mess with me. Vesta is still made of stone.>

<That’s not my fault!>

<I think it’s literally the definition of being your fault. Turn. Her. Back.>

<I told you, she should be back already. I don’t understand why she isn’t; I don’t even understand why I’m suddenly able to transmute gods!>

<It has to be the eyes of Prometheus. I’m going to ask you to give them back.>

<How am I supposed to do that!? They’re on my face!>

<Just take them off. You can heal, right? You regenerated your whole body today. Twice.>

<Doesn’t mean I want to take off my eyes! Why would the eyes even make a difference anyway? Prometheus could see the future with them, but I can’t. Why would this affect my powers!?>

<Good question. I could figure out the answer by examining you closely; I could even find a way to remove your eyes without causing you pain. I’ll have the ship take you to my lab on…>

<No. No more tests.> Medusa says, and the forcefield surrounding the cell turns to stone.

The goddess easily smashes through the stone; more easily than she recalls being able to.

Noriko’s apparition is still in front of her, crossing her arms.

<Don’t make me come after you, Medusa. I don’t think you’re evil or anything, just misguided.>

<And I think I’m seeing clearly for the first time in my life. I see that I don’t need to be afraid of anyone, ever again.> Medusa realizes, staring intensely at the apparition.

And the electrical ghost crumbles into stone dust.

New York City, Max Black’s apartment

Noriko Null regains consciousness, only now realizing that she had lost it in the first place.

She recognizes the room, and quickly realized that Torn must have brought her body here while mind was scattered in multiple places. The other thing that she just realized, in addition to the exhaustion, is why she’s as pale as a ghost as she slowly stands up from the couch.

Jane Blake, her childhood friend and wife of Quantum, rushes towards her.

<What happened? Are you alright?>

<She… she turned it into stone. A mental projection! It didn’t even have any mass whatsoever, and she turned it into stone! And her range is far beyond what it should be: people just watching a video of her were turned to stone on the other side of the planet! By what I’ve been able to figure out about how divine powers work over the years, none of that should be possible. Do you understand what that means!?>

<Nothing good, I assume.>

<I mean that if Medusa learns how to control it, there might be no limit to what she can transmute now. And if she doesn’t control it… she might be even more dangerous.>

Naqada Galaxy, 17 million light-years from Earth

Medusa wanders around the petrified control center, not sure what to do: she’s in an unfamiliar environment, and she’s never been good with technology anyway.

A white triangle of light, pulsating with black energy within it, suddenly illuminates the room.

A woman emerges from it, with her hands raised in the body language that for millions of years has meant “I come in peace”.

<Please don’t be alarmed. I’m a friend.> she says.

<You’re a goddess.> Medusa realizes, stepping back in fear. It wasn’t a difficult deduction, considering the woman wasn’t turned into stone the moment she saw her.

<Yes, I am. My name is Vesta, but you probably know me as Hestia.>

<Poseidon’s sister. Are you here to finish the job!?> Medusa yells, desperately looking around for anything that looks like a weapon.

<I realize my family has hurt you, but trust me, I am not like them. I work for the Noriko Null.>

<The Slayer of Gods!?> Medusa exclaims excitedly.

<She wants to help you. Can you give me your word you won’t hurt her?>

<Why would a goddess trust my word? Gods say I’m a monster.>

<And I say you’re a victim. Will you let us help you?> Vesta insists.

Medusa hesitates. What Rei has told her about Noriko sounded too good to be true, but she quite literally doesn’t have any other option.

<Alright. But tell her to never look at me… I can’t control what happens to mortals when they do.>

<If there’s one thing Noriko doesn’t need to be told, is to be careful. Mostly because she won’t listen to you anyway when you tell her. The coast is clear on this side!> Vesta informs her teammates.

A mortal looking almost exactly like Rei and a male Demon wearing a strange leather garment step out of the Aether portal. Their eyes are covered by perfectly black goggles.

<I don’t hear the sea. This is not a coast.> Torn comments.

<I assume this is the Amazon control center. Where’s Medusa?> Noriko asks, unable to see thanks to the goggles.

<I’m… here. I’ve heard great things about you, Empress Noriko!>

<Just call me Null. Any chance I could take off these goggles and have a look at the place without being turned into stone?>

<Not… not as long as I’m here, I’m afraid. Any mortal who looks upon me is…>

<Yeah yeah, I’ve done my research. Can you turn it off?>

<I cannot. I can control which objects I look at turn to stone, but not mortals who look at me.>

<Is that just through visible light? Would I be petrified if I looked at you through infrared or ultraviolet light?> Noriko wonders.

<I don’t know what those words mean.> Medusa admits.

<I wouldn’t risk it. If getting around her power was so easy, Athena wouldn’t have bothered sending Perseus to kill her.> Vesta communicates through her Soul Relay, to prevent Medusa from overhearing her.

<Okay. Is there an access point to the planet’s informatic systems?> Noriko asks.

<We’re inside some kind of control center. Except Medusa transmuted everything into stone.> Vesta informs her.

<Rei won’t take long to realize I’ve piggybacked the Portal Generator’s signal through her teleportation signature; I need to check a few things before we leave. Medusa, would you be able to turn everything back into the way it was?> Noriko asks.

<Yes, quite easily. Including the automatons?> Medusa asks, referring to the Amazons.

<Better wait with those.>

<Also don’t turn Anubis back either.> Vesta says, looking at the statue of the cybernetic jackal.

<I thought your power didn’t work on gods.> Noriko says, raising an eyebrow.

<It usually doesn’t. But this one has been… perverted by something poisoning his blood. I won’t turn him back, but it’s of my own accord, goddess.> Medusa says to Vesta, pronouncing the last word like it was the worst insult she could come up with.

Instantaneously, all the circuits and computers of the room return to their original state.

<Outstanding. Vesta, would you mind taking her out of the room? I need to use my eyes for this.> Noriko orders, and Medusa is reluctantly escorted out.

<Dangerous power.> Torn comments, taking off his goggles.

<Enough to scare both Athena and Rei. The thought did cross my mind.> Noriko admits, already hard at work on one of the computers.

<We are in enemy territory. We should not linger.> Torn warns her.

<I know that. Rei has set up quite a security system here; I don’t think I can look up critical information without tripping an alarm. Which, for all we know, could blow up the planet.>

<You are typically more confident in your ability to bypass security.> Torn notes.

<Rei is as smart as I am, and remember this is probably the most technologically advanced planet in the known universe at the moment. Lots of things to… ah, found it!>

Noriko is visibly excited as she creates a 3-dimensional hologram of the building, with a particular room highlighted by a blinking light.

<That’s where she keeps the eyes of Prometheus. Get them and get back here in less than a minute!> she orders.

<Why so specific?>

<Because I triggered an alarm. This hemisphere will be reduced to slag in the next fifty minutes!>

<More than enough time.> Torn acknowledges, disappearing into a Blood pentagram.

<Yes. Suspiciously so.> Noriko tells herself, glancing at the petrified Anubis.

New York City, two hours later

Noriko has been analyzing the eyes of Prometheus for so long that her own eyes are tired now.

Quantum materializes next to her, holding a cup of coffee.

<Maybe you should take a pause.> he suggests, handing her the cup.

<A triple shot espresso? Really? This is basically water to me.> she complains, raising an eyebrow but still drinking it.

<It’s not as strong as the stuff you usually drink, I know, but Dr. Kalama says you should cut back the caffeine. Speaking of which, she wants to talk to you about Medusa’s physical.>

<Couldn’t she just call?>

<You shut down all non-Vanguard communications. Something wrong with the eyes?> Quantum asks, trying to peek into the microscope examining the organs.

<No, I can’t find anything wrong with them. No clue why exactly they should give anyone prophetic powers, either.>

<But you’re not buying it. I recognize that face… something’s bothering you.> he says.

<It was too easy, Max. Finding Rei’s base and recovering the eyes, with no resistance? Medusa defeating Rei so easily? And Rei showing up at my door like that? I wonder if Rei wanted me to get the eyes.>

<After the trouble of stealing them from Athena?>

<This smells like a trap. What if, say, Prometheus just explodes once he gets his eyes back?>

<Have you tried asking Prometheus?> Quantum asks.

<Not yet. If there is nothing wrong with the eyes, he might be working with Rei after all.>

<I thought you trusted Prometheus.>

<I did. But I haven’t ruled out that it was a mistake trusting him.>

<Like it was a mistake trusting Athena?>

Noriko turns towards him, her silver eyes shining.

<Low blow.> she complains.

<Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you need to be super paranoid from now on, Noriko. It also means that maybe Rei also just did a mistake.> Quantum suggests.

<You’re suggesting she underestimated Medusa like I underestimated Athena?>

<Rei is, like, you if you were raised by your mother, right? So she must have twice your ego.>

<Hmm. You might have a point.> Noriko concedes.

<Also, why would she booby trap the eyes? Shouldn’t she want to use them?>

<She might have had little chance. You can’t just transplant the eyes of a god in a human; no mortal brain could handle dealing with that much information. And if she tried to take the eyes herself, the Nexus would not be able to interface with the eyes, killing the host.>

<And you figured out all of this without running any experiments… how, exactly?>

<I am Null. Also, unlike Rei, I have talked directly with Prometheus about how his eyes work. I am certain that only a god can use them.>

<Rei has Anubis under her control. Maybe she planned to give them to him?>

<Too risky. They could have helped him escape her control. All the evidence points to Rei wanting to give the eyes to Medusa. I just have to figure out why she didn’t. Maybe I will give a second opinion to Dr. Kalama after all…>

The infirmary

Noriko is holding up an X-ray of Medusa’s head. It’s unlike anything she’s ever seen: the skeletons of the snakes can clearly be seen, attached to her skull.

But the scans of her brainwaves are even weirder: it’s a completely jumbled mess of signals.

<I can see why you wanted my opinion.> Noriko says.

<This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The only gods I’ve ever been able to examine properly are Vesta and Amaterasu, and they just look human. X-rays can’t penetrate their bodies, and their brainwaves are very distinctly not human. Medusa, on the other hand… underneath all that, I could see undeniably human waves. The rest of those? It looks like each snake has its own brain. And that’s not even the weirdest part.> Dr. Kalama explains, showing Noriko a box of bulletproof glass contained within a forcefield. It’s holding a couple dozen tiny snakes, the size of worms.

<I took a blood sample. Not only was the needle able to pierce the skin, but as soon as I tried to put the blood into a vial… it turned into those things.>

<There are legends of Medusa’s spilled blood creating monsters.> Noriko recalls.

<A few blood cells didn’t transform, so I was able to run some tests. The cells have no DNA, or a DNA equivalent, just like Vesta’s blood: she’s most definitely still a goddess. But they do imitate human blood cells to an extent I’ve never seen. I imagine that’s why Medusa stayed “dead” after decapitation: her cells were imitating death, even if she can’t truly die.>

<Excellent work as always, doctor. How is she feeling?>

<Uncomfortable at being tested so much and afraid we’re trying to imprison her. It took several confirmations that you asked for those tests to calm her down… she sounds like huge fan of yours.>

<Then I guess it’s time I just talk to her.> Noriko says.

Medusa’s room

The blinds have been closed, preventing anyone from looking inside. Probably an unnecessary precaution on the 70th floor, but Medusa doesn’t mind… she’s used to living in damp caverns, so this is a step up for her.

<Feel well enough for a chat?> Noriko asks, entering the room wearing goggles that make her completely blind.

Despite that, Medusa takes great care in adjusting her hospital gown and straightening her snakes.

<Yes, absolutely! It is a great honor to finally meet you, Emp… Null.>

<Sorry about all those exams. I had to check if Rei did anything to you and, well, to make sure you’re not unwillingly dangerous.>

<I understand. I am used to scaring people. You must have a similar effect, giving what you accomplished!>

<Yes, well, I’ve been told I can be intimidating sometimes.> Noriko admits, very carefully sitting next to Medusa on her bed.

<Before you say anything else, Null, I must thank you for what you have done. Not just rescuing me from Rei, but for Athena and Poseidon.>

<They had it coming. Do you know specifically why Athena cut off your head and kept it?>

<When Poseidon… violated me, I fled to one of her planets and hid in her temple. I knew they were enemies, so I hoped she would protect me. I should have known better than expecting decency from a goddess. As for the rest… the gods have long tried to take control of my power. None succeeded.>

<Why is that? Lots of gods can transmute matter.>

<But their powers can’t affect Drylon technology. Mine can.> Medusa reveals.

<Interesting. I can see why Athena would want something like that.> Noriko understands, stroking her chin pensively.

<What do you know about Prometheus?> she then asks Medusa.

<The god of prophecy? Not much. Zeus imprisoned him in Tartarus for helping mortals; I would guess he’s still there. Why do you ask?>

<Athena stole his eyes. They were stored with your severed head, before Rei stole it… and before I took them from her. Are you positive nobody ever mentioned them to you?>

<I would recall something like that. Can I ask you something as well, Null? Why did you do it? Take over Olympus, I mean.>

<I didn’t want to rule, but divine rule had to stop. I’ve seen how much pain it caused.>

<I couldn’t agree more. Nothing good ever came from gods.> Medusa says, and the hatred she puts into that last word is almost tangible.

<Aren’t you a goddess?>

<I am a monster, not a goddess. And I will gladly support your mission.>

<My… mission?>

<To kill all the gods. That is why they call you the Slayer of Gods, is it not?>

<Not exactly. I’ve killed several gods, yes, but I’m not out to kill all of them.>

<Why not?> Medusa asks. The snakes on her head become agitated.

<I know it must be hard for you to accept, Medusa, but not all gods are homicidal maniacs. A lot of them are, for sure, but not all. Vesta saved you, remember?>

<Some sort of scheme. You can’t trust any god.> Medusa insists, standing up.

<I trust her completely. Let me explain…>

<Is she controlling you in some way!? I must talk to her!> Medusa insists, rushing towards the door and finding it locked.

<Medusa, calm down, there’s no need to…> Noriko tries to talk to her, but she’s distracted when her goggles suddenly become uncomfortably heavy once transmuted into stone.

She takes them off, taking care to keep her eyes closed, but when she tries to reach Medusa, she’s held back. Now her leather jacket is made of stone, pinning her down and making it hard to move.

<I will free you from her influence, Null.> Medusa swears; the door, once transmuted into stone, becomes too heavy for its hinges and falls.

Two Nullbots await, but they also turn to stone before they can even attempt to slow her down.

She expected to find some sort of resistance, but she’s surprised by Quantum appearing in front of her holding a mirror up to her face.

This transforms her body into stone, and Quantum breathes a sigh of relief.

<I don’t see what’s so special about this one. We’ve beaten worse…> he says to himself, shocked when Medusa suddenly returns to her usual self and smacks the mirror out of his hands.

He does have the good sense to immediately transform himself into X-rays… but even if he’s not looking at her through visible light, he’s still turned to stone.

Medusa walks past him, and she’s able to reach the end of the corridor before she finds a fire pentagram on the door.

The portal doesn’t form when the pentagram turns into stone. Medusa looks around frantically, and one after the other an additional three other pentagrams become stone.

Until Torn crashes through the door now behind her, wielding two Blood swords. They turn to stone before they reach their target, but one still pierces her heart and one her stomach.

Medusa screams in pain as a large amount of green blood is spilled on the floor… which coalesces into a large snake that throws itself at Torn.

Medusa holds her hands tight over her wounds, feeling them closing themselves. She watches Torn tear the snake into shreds, struggling to use his Blood weapons because they all become stone as soon as they are conjured. That’s enough for the mass of smaller snakes to wrap themselves around him, keeping him occupied while Medusa leaves.

<Hold it. That’s as far as you go.> Vesta warns her, positioning herself in front of Medusa.

<What sort of spell did you use on Null? She should have slayed you!>

<I would never harm Noriko. Now stand down, or I will harm you.> Vesta threatens her.

<I have been awakened to a strange and unfamiliar future, goddess, but I still remember never to trust your kind. And I will help Null rid the cosmos of your blight.>

<You’re scared and confused, Medusa. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if it means helping my friends. And your powers don’t work on me… you have nothing to threaten me with.>

<Confused, yes. Scared? I am Medusa. I am terror.> she boasts, and the building trembles.

Vesta looks around: the floor has been turned into stone. The ceiling has been turned into stone. And it’s beginning to crack… because every floor above it is not made of stone. As are those below.

There’s a reason why skyscrapers are never built in stone: the building rapidly starts collapsing under its own weight, and Vesta forfeits dealing with Medusa.

Her first priority is saving the mortals. She thanks her entire Pantheon that the building is almost completely empty. After Athena’s takeover, only the Null family has returned to using it as their living quarters. Thankfully both Bob and Nalani Null are still on vacation, and Gilgamesh is still with them.

Vesta first rescues Torn, carrying him over without slowing down much: she knows his Demon body can withstand a couple dozen Gs of acceleration. She also grabs the statue that used to be Quantum, and deposits them on the rooftop of the nearest skyscraper.

The top floors have already collapsed by the time she grabs both Dr. Kalama and Noriko; she was forced to slow down considerably, otherwise she would have ripped their arms out of their sockets just by grabbing them.

A final sweep of the bottom floors allows her to rescue the seven unfortunate technicians that had the misfortune of working within Null Tower today. By the time she had unceremoniously dropped them on the street, several seconds from the transmutation have already passed: the skyscraper is now fully collapsing, with several tons of stone about to fall into the street.

She takes a full breath. This will require using her powers to the fullest, something she couldn’t have dreamt before her time with the Vanguard.

First, she surrounds the building with a ring of incandescent plasma. Any stone falling within it is vaporized; the hardest part is controlling the heat with enough precision to avoid boiling the entire city alive. This still leaves an enormous cloud of stone dust ready to flood the streets.

There’s a loud boom as Vesta vastly exceeds the speed of sound: she flies around the collapsing building at incredible speeds, generating a tornado of fire that annihilates any debris before it spreads any further.

By the time Vesta lands and catches her breath, Null Tower has been reduced to several stories of stone debris covered by a small dust cloud… but the fact that there isn’t a single casualty is nothing short of miraculous.

Vesta didn’t bother attempting to rescue Medusa: not just because there wasn’t enough time, but because she’s reasonably sure she can’t stay dead.

A suspicion confirmed when several snakes wiggle out of the ruins, slithering onto each other until they take a vaguely humanoid form… which is then reconstructed into Medusa’s body, kneeling under the stress of the entire process.

With the city understandably going into panic and hearing approaching sirens, Vesta floats towards the monster goddess and puts a hand on her shoulder.

<That was reckless. You could have killed a lot of people.>

<It was worth it. My blood found them, across the rubble.> Medusa replies, turning towards Vesta and opening her eyes.

They are bright red, filled with fire, and the last thing Vesta sees before her body turns into stone.

Medusa stands, blinking several times. The eyes of Prometheus burn, but she’s accustomed to pain.

Jumping out of the pile of petrified ruins, she feels stronger than she’s ever been.

<Now that you can’t bewitch Null anymore… together, we will get rid of all gods.> Medusa swears.

Naqada Galaxy, 17 million light-years from Earth

A beautiful woman is looking at her reflection in a holographic mirror. Her green skin would signal that this is not a human, even if it wasn’t for the living snakes attached to her skull where the hair should logically be.

She’s wearing the armor of an Amazon, taken off an android that now lies frozen in place after her body has been transmuted into stone.

One of the snakes rises from the woman’s head, hissing to the person approaching her.

<You seem to like what you see.> Rei Null notes.

<I’m not used to my own reflection. Why isn’t the mirror turning me into stone?> Medusa asks.

<It’s a hologram, not a real mirror.> Rei explains.

<The other gods said I was ugly.> Medusa remembers, touching her own face, still in disbelief at its beauty. She turns towards Rei; slowly, since she’s also not used to being able to look at people without transmuting them.

<I’d prefer regular clothes, but these will do. Assuming you’re done poking at me with your medical instruments?>

<It could not be helped. Please, follow me, we have much to discuss.> Rei invites her.

Medusa looks at her own reflection for a few more seconds before taking the offer and following the mortal. Leaving the room, she pays no attention to the fact that the holographic mirror is now made of stone.

The two women walk through the halls of the Amazon planet, passing several androids stuck in the stone form they assumed when they saw Medusa the first time.

<Have you been to Themyscira before, Medusa?> Rei asks her.

<No, this is my first time. I don’t… get out much. Where are you taking me?>

<Out of the many questions you undoubtedly have for me, Medusa, that can hardly be the main one. I will answer all others as we talk to our destination.>

<You said I… died. How did that happen?>

<Decapitation. By the hands of Perseus, a mortal demigod working for Athena.>

<Then how can I still be alive? Unlike my sisters, I am mortal.> Medusa wonders.

<You are the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, respectively son and daughter of Gaea through her self-generated son Pontus. You descend directly from a Primordial Goddess with no mortal blood within you, or even that of a minor god… I don’t believe you are actually mortal, Medusa.>

<You just said I died!>

<And yet, with a little assistance from my necrobots, your severed head completely regenerated your whole body. I believe your family mistook your ability to die with that of staying dead.>

<What about my sisters, Stheno and Euryale?>

<They disappeared from the record after your death. That was approximately 3,500 years ago.>

<And you resurrected me after all this time. Why? Who are you exactly, Rei Null?>

<I am your only friend in the strange universe you awakened to. Like you, I have also been feared for my gifts. Like you, I am scorned and feared by the gods.>

<So you are mortal? Then how can you work such miracles as my resurrection? Are you some sort of mage?>

<You could say that. Come, we have arrived.> Rei says with a creepy smile, leading Medusa in one of the planet’s control centers.

The highly advanced Amazon technology transfers here all information gathered by both the android race and the planet’s sensors, but there is nobody else here.

<You’ll have to excuse the lack of audience. I have yet to discover a way to block your transmutation power affecting sentient beings, and I can only afford to lose so many servants.>

<I still don’t fully grasp how you can look at me without being turned into stone, Rei.>

<I already explained. I was created in an artificial pocket reality and given substance; a wish made on the Tablet Of Destinies locks my quantum state, preventing any alteration.>

<I have no clue about what any of that means.> Medusa admits.

<That is a topic for another time. This is the state of the Galaxy you returned to, Medusa.> Rei says, activating the projection of several holograms.

The main one is an image of Noriko Null, surrounded by faces of many gods and goddesses.

<Is that you?> Medusa asks. The woman’s face looks exactly like Rei’s; the only differences are the hair length and Rei wearing a militaristic black uniform instead of a green leather jacket.

<That is NOT me. She’s a pale reflection, at best.> Rei clarifies, her silver eyes suddenly shining in anger. It lasts only a moment, before she recomposes herself.

<She is the Empress of Olympus. They call her the Slayer of Gods.>

<A mortal sits on the throne of Zeus!?> Medusa exclaims, finding the concept absurd.

<Zeus has abdicated. Noriko rules the Olympian Galaxy after directly killing 19 gods: Demeter, Hephaestus, Selene, Tiamat, Phobos, Deimos, Artemis, Serket, Sobek, Nephthys, Apollo, Ares, Harmonia, Tyche, Eris, Proteus, Triton, Poseidon and Baal. She might also have killed Athena: I have not been able to verify whether she’s still alive, but Noriko did trap her in a pocket universe with Typhon.>

<I… I can’t believe this. You’re saying a mortal did all this!?> Medusa asks, extending her arm to touch Noriko’s hologram.

<Yes. She destroyed the legacy of Olympus and deprived you of any chance of vengeance by disposing of Athena. I believe that, with my help, you could…>

<I must thank her!> Medusa interrupts Rei.

Rei Null is currently one of the two smartest beings in the universe. Potentially the smartest.

She elaborated thousands of ways this conversation could go and prepared multiple arguments to convince Medusa to follow her. None of that included this reaction from Medusa.

<You must what?>

<You couldn’t have freed me if she hadn’t exiled Athena, right?>

<That is a gross mischaracterization of…>

<And you said she killed Poseidon! The same god who raped me!>

<You’re not listening to me, Medusa. She is the Slayer of Gods: she’s bound to kill all gods.>

<Good! What have gods ever done for me!?>

<You’re confused. You are a goddess yourself.> Rei reiterates, taking a step back.

<What’s so great about that if you look like this!?> Medusa answers, raising her voice and pointing at her face while the snakes on her head become agitated.

<Gods have always mocked and humiliated me! Why do you think Athena sent one of her pets to kill me!? She feared me!> Medusa yells, getting uncomfortably close.

<With good reasons, it seems. A pity: you would have been useful.> Rei says, reaching for button on the nearest control panel that will teleport Medusa into her cage.

Except she can’t press it: the panel just turned to stone. As has every single piece of technology in the whole room.

<No. You’re not going to use me. Nobody is going to use me ever again.> Medusa vows, and now her snakes are hissing menacingly at Rei.

<Don’t come any closer. Your power cannot…> Rei warns, prepared to draw her gun to shoot Medusa. But she can’t move an inch now that her clothes have been turned into stone.

<What exactly are you, Rei Null? Why did you resurrect me?>

<I will tell you why. FINAL…> Rei’s eyes turn black and fill with electricity as she prepares to summon a Final Abyss to kill Medusa. Unfortunately for her, Medusa is strong enough to lift her with one hand despite the stone clothes, and she tosses her towards the control panel.

Her nose breaks when it hits the stone. If her brain were human she would have a concussion; she retains consciousness, but she’s in no condition to use her powers.

<You just signed your own death sentence. Anubis, to me!!!> Rei calls out.

A six feet tall cybernetic jackal burst through the wall, crashing through the stone circuitry and growling menacingly at Medusa.

<I’ve done my research. Your power doesn’t work on gods.> Rei reminds her.

<Is this what you call a god?> Medusa asks, her green eyes shining with arcane energies.

Anubis is indeed immune from her power, but the circuitry in his body isn’t. Rei watches her enslaved god turn into stone.

<Good boy.> Medusa tells the stone jackal, patting its head before turning towards Rei.

<Now. Where were we?> she asks, walking towards her adversary and lifting her off the ground.

Rei can’t really move a muscle, but she does have cybernetic implants hidden inside her body that should retaliate against Medusa… except she can feel them changing into stone.

<How do I find this “Noriko”?> the goddess asks.

<You don’t. She will find you.> Rei replies; her body emits a blinding light, and Medusa uses her snakes to cover her own eyes.

When she reopens them, there is nothing inside the stone clothes.

Null Island, Pacific Ocean

With the Galaxy still recovering from the war unleashed by Athena, and Earth dealing with the consequences of losing its status as the de facto capital of the Empire, the last place many would expect to find Empress Noriko Null is her private island.

The war has deprived her of the chance to spend any time with her family, and while she’s not overly fond of the beach it’s a small price to pay to make her half-sister Nalani happy.

Noriko is reclined on a beach lounger, wearing a modest green bikini; her sunglasses are projecting over her field of vision the blueprints of the new version of the Genesis Armor she’s working on.

Her father Bob and his companion, Dr. Catherine Kalama, are enjoying a quite swim while Gilgamesh watches over Nalani Null.

The nine-year-old half-white half-native Hawaiian girl is putting on sunscreen, still annoyed that her mother insisted she wore a one-piece instead of a more grown-up swimsuit.

<Want some, mister Gilgamesh?> she offers the sunscreen to the demigod.

The Sumerian hero is wearing trunks; his metallic bronze skin glistens under the Sun.

<Just Gilgamesh, young lady, and no thanks. My people, the Ur, are not harmed by sunlight.>

<That is fascinating! Does your biology use something other than melanin then? Maybe guanine crystals? They have a high index of refraction that…>

<You’ll have to, uhm, you’ll have to ask your sister.> Gilgamesh shrugs.

<Nalani. Stop bothering Gil.> Noriko intervenes, barely paying attention to the conversation.

<She’s not bothering me at all. She is a very sweet and very smart child.>

<Then will you convince your girlfriend to let me go on adventures with her?> Nalani pleads.

<We’ve been over this. You are way too young.> Noriko repeats for the sixth time today.

<Aw come on, you were young when you formed your own superhero team!> Nalani pouts.

<I was literally twice your age.>

<But I’m like, really really smart! I’m ready for more grown-up stuff!>

Just then, a bright explosion of light appears before them. Gilgamesh moves quickly to protect Nalani, and Noriko takes off her sunglasses.

<Hm. Now this is unexpected.> is the understated reaction from the stark-naked woman standing between them, physically identical to Noriko except for the length of her hair.

<Code red! Island lockdown!> Noriko shouts, almost as rapidly as Gilgamesh rushes to immobilize Rei Null. Who might be disarmed and naked, but is far from defenseless.

<Soul Crusher!!!> she yells. Gilgamesh and Nalani are not prepared to have their souls attacked directly, losing consciousness. Noriko has enough experience dealing with Demons to protect her own soul, and within seconds she has pinned down her doppelganger on the sand.

The sky above has turned red, with an impenetrable forcefield shielding the whole island and multiple dampening fields blocking the use of all forms of technology.

Rei attempts to fight back, but she wasn’t prepared for the ferocity of her opponent. Noriko first punches her throat to stop her breathing, then a second fist breaks her nose, and she continues to repeatedly punch harder and harder.

Her silver eyes fill up with electricity and her heart starts pumping faster and faster.

<Noriko?> Nalani calls for her, audibly scared by what she is seeing.

Once Noriko realizes she was perhaps a couple of blows away from murdering someone in front of her sister, she’s even more scared.

Minutes later

Null Tower, New York City

Ever since Noriko stopped using the Tower as her main base, the infirmary hasn’t been used much.

Now Rei is strapped to a medical bed, restrained by leather straps and Blood chains. She’s being analyzed by Dr. Kalama and Noriko, both still wearing only their bikinis beneath a white coat and a green leather jacket.

Gilgamesh, Torn and Vesta stand guard a couple of steps back, with Nullbots blocking every exit.

<How did she get there? I thought you had anti-teleportation technology on the island.> Vesta says.

<I do. Even I haven’t come up with a way to bypass it.> Noriko admits.

<Was it her own doing? She was obviously in a rush.> Gilgamesh notes.

<Why do you think so?> Torn wonders.

<She didn’t even take time to shave. If she wanted to pose at Noriko, the difference was…>

<GIL!!! What did I tell you about oversharing!?> Noriko protests.

<Perhaps her nudity was part of the strategy. She came without weapons.> Torn notes.

<Something is definitely off with her. She is biologically and genetically identical to Noriko, but there are many pieces of stone scattered within her body. Inside her bones, inside her organs…> Doctor Kalama observes, interrupted by Rei herself.

<My implants. She can’t affect Drylon technology, so my Nexus is fine, but everything else was transmuted into stone.> she calmly explains, pausing to look around.

<Of course you do realize none of this is going to hold me.> she tells Noriko.

<Then why did you attack me?>

<I didn’t. Themyscira activated my last resort: a transdimensional wave shifter. It’s entangled with your genetic code, allowing me to instantly reach you from any part of the universe.>

<That shouldn’t be able to get past an anti-teleportation field.> Noriko objects.

<Right. Sometimes I forget how much dumber than me you are.>

<You didn’t come all the way here from your galaxy to insult and embarrass me, Rei…>

<No, it was entirely involuntary. I designed that system to bring me to the only person who would be stupid enough to actually trying to defend me from a threat that overwhelmed all of my defenses… but it doesn’t seem she followed me. So congratulations, you are going to live for a little longer than I would have preferred.> Rei explains.

<Gloat all you like. You’re not going anywhere until I learn who defeated you this quickly.>

<Oh, please. Stop pretending to be able to keep up with me, it’s embarrassing to us both. Almost as embarrassing by how that top makes you look even flatter than we already are.> Rei snarks.

And with a flash of light, she has vanished once again.

<Where did she go!? I thought she didn’t have any technology on her!> Dr. Kalama says.

<As did I. How she escaped is currently beyond me.> Noriko admits, zipping up the leather jacket as she thinks over what little she actually learned.

<Did you say stone, doctor?>

A Nullbot is walking towards the former throne room, carrying a cup of coffee.

The room has been converted into a relatively unassuming office, made notable just from the holographic frames adorning its walls.

Most of them only show nebulas and opulent palaces, with just one truly selling the majesty of this place. It’s a picture of the coronation of Noriko Null as the first Mortal Empress, surrounded by most of the gods of the Greek pantheon kneeling before her.

Noriko Null is now sitting at the desk in front of that picture, although she has ditched the crown and the fancy clothes for her regular green leather jacket.

Once the Nullbot hands over the cup of coffee, she takes the time to study her guests while she drinks it.

Aphrodite is the only goddess present this time. Sitting next to her are two demigods, Helen of Troy and Herakles, as well as two mortals: the Lar Kylon and the human Liosthenes.

Despite the limited crowd and everyone being in ordinary clothes… even though defining “clothes” the satin pink sheets that barely cover Aphrodite’s privates would be a stretch… this is a momentous occasion on par with the coronation.

<Are we doing this or what?> Kylon asks impatiently.

<Oh, I’m also down to do it!> Aphrodite exclaims.

<He speaketh of the vow, my fair sister.> Herakles clarifies.

<Yes, I am ready. I was just thinking about how historic this is. But yes, we can proceed.> Noriko replies, adjusting the paper document on her desk so that it can properly be signed.

Of course that’s not just regular paper; the pen she provides for the signatures will actually record the quantum state of the people signing and mark it on the sheet, making it an official document.

Helen takes the pen first, but instead of proceeding with her signature she starts talking:

<This is effectively the end of hundreds of millennia of monarchical rule. It requires at least a modicum of the appropriate grandeur.> she protests.

<C’mon, after all the time it took to write the damn thing, don’t make me read it out loud…> Noriko pleads, but Helen ignores her and reads out loud:

<First Amendment. Point A, the office of Mortal Sovereign and Prime Minister are hereby abolished. Point B, the office of Divine Sovereign is hereby replaced by the office of Empress of Olympus. Point C, Noriko Null of Earth is the Empress of Olympus and all other claims to the throne are void for eternity”… are you really okay with this, Herakles?>

<If thou believe this dishonors the memory of my beloved wife…>

<This dishonors the very concept of monarchy! “First Amendment, Point E, the Empress shall be removed from office provided that the Senate unanimously concurs. Seventh Amendment, Point E: each Vassal State shall decide its leader, but the Empress can veto the leader of a Vassal State and choose a new leader. If the Empress is deceased, the Senate inherits this power by a three-fourths majority vote”. Mortals get to decide who rules Olympus now!?>

<About time.> Kylon comments.

<I knew someone was bound to make a fuss about the Seventh Amendment. Anyone else have a problem with the other ones?> Noriko asks.

Helen looks around, looking for an ally. But Aphrodite is lost in her fantasies, Herakles is unreadable, and Kylon is just here as a representative of the Winter King… not worth her time.

<Okay, I won’t read the whole thing, but let me summarize the main points to make sure you all understand what you’re about to sign. The First Amendment makes me the only Empress, and the Second makes the position vacant after my death, after which the Senate will become the supreme authority of the Empire. The Third Amendment establishes the position of President of Olympus, replacing the Prime Minister. As per Point A.1, I get to appoint the first President… congratulations are in order, Liosthenes.> she tells the former Athenian officer.

<It is an honor. I wish it didn’t require the devastation caused by Athena’s war.> he comments.

<No consent from the Senate on this? Or the citizens?> Kylon asks.

<Just for one year. As per the rest of the Third Amendment, future Presidents will require a simple majority from the citizens and will serve for four years, with a maximum of 2 consecutive or 4 total terms. And the President must be a mortal, as per the Fourth Amendment.> Noriko reminds them.

<So in essence, after your death the Empire will be an empire in name only.> Liosthenes notes.

<It kind of already is… the Fifth Amendment gives me the power to remove the President at any time, but it can be repealed by the Senate. Even treaties must be ratified by the Senate now.>

<This Senate of yours is quite powerful.> Helen notes.

<By design, although you will notice that most of the powers that are currently under my direct authority will require either a two-third majority or unanimous vote. Including the First Amendment that I know you’ll have something to say about… the Sixth.> Noriko replies.

<“No god can serve in the government of the Empire unless given express consent by three-fourths of the Senate”. I have no qualms against it, if it means avoiding another mess like Athena.> Helen surprisingly agrees.

<Great. The Seventh Amendment defines the Vassal States as being the Aphrodite Queendom, the Helen Kingdom, the Winter Kingdom and the Athenian Federation. You all get to keep your own laws, provided they’re not against the human rights detailed in Article Three, but you cannot secede and…>

<You’re keeping the name?> Aphrodite asks Herakles, showing interest for the first time.

<I shall assume the role of Protector until the citizens of the Federation decide what they wish to become in this new era.> Herakles answers.

<To be honest, I wasn’t so sure you’d go along with this.> Noriko admits.

<My beloved Hebe believed in you. If thou besmirch her memory, the God of Strength shall take his vengeance upon thee.> the demigod vows.

<Good enough for me. Now, as per the Seventh Amendment… I know none of you is probably happy that I get veto powers about who rules each Vassal State, but it’s for your own good in case of a rebellion. And as per Point F any leader chosen by me, or by the Senate upon my death, can only serve for a maximum of 10 years without possibility of a second term. And finally, the Eight Amendment clarifies the rules for how to add new Amendments… but clarifies how nearly all the provisions of the first seven Amendments cannot be changed in any way.>

<Well, you seem to have thought of everything. If I refuse to sign, you can simply choose my replacement.> Helen notes, scoffing at the idea.

<Yes, I can. Any objections?> Noriko asks, her silver eyes shining for several seconds.

Nobody objects, but Aphrodite is very quick to snatch the pen from Helen’s hand.

<Are we done talking? I have people I need to have sex with!> she protests, being the first to sign.

One after the other they proceed, leading to the page to finally show:

The undersigned pledge their eternal loyalty as Vassals of the Olympian Empire and agree to follow the Olympian Constitution including all of its Amendments.

Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, Queen of the Aphrodite Queendom

Helen of Troy, daughter of Zeus, Queen of the Helen Kingdom

Herakles, son of Zeus, Protector of the Athenian Federation

Winter King MMMMCXXXVIII of the Winter Kingdom, represented by Kylon of Megacles

Ratified in the year 30 AN under the reign of Noriko Null, Empress of Olympus

Some time later, gardens of the Imperial Palace

The first meeting with Liosthenes in his new position of President took longer than expected: there is still the matter of repairing the damages to the Empire, plus decisions to be made about which gods and demigods should remain in the government… provided that the Senate agrees, given that after Athena most gods are not exactly held in high regard at the moment.

Perhaps that’s the reason why Noriko didn’t ask to give a formal position to Prometheus, who is currently happy to just relax in the garden.

<I assume the meeting went well.> the blind god tells Noriko even before she can sit on the bench right next to him.

<As well as I could expect. You know, Prometheus, I probably just set some kind of record of how much power can be relinquished by a signature. Well, the Amendments still need to be ratified by the Senate, but I highly doubt they will object to just how much power I’m handing over to them. They won’t even complain that I unilaterally decided to do the Amendments just because, with Hebe dead and Athena de-throned, the Empire was basically leaderless. And yet…>

<And yet you wish you renounced all of your powers.> Prometheus realizes.

<I was tempted. I’ve always hated politics and I hate being royalty. But I also know the Universal Council wouldn’t trust anyone else but me in any kind of negotiation. It had to be me, you know? Someone else might’ve gotten it wrong.>

<Are you asking for my approval?> the god asks.

<Not about that: I think I fixed most of weak points of the previous Empire… now we finally have rules for succession, minimizing the risk of another tyrant taking over. But the war of Athena had more costs than just a political realignment. I had to cash in a lot of favors to win.>

<And you want my opinion on how to navigate divine favor.>

<Right. Prosecuting Nike is a no-brainer: with Athena locked away with Typhon, she’s the highest-ranking enemy. I have no chance but execute her.>

<I agree. But to facilitate healing the Athenians, they should hold the trial.>

<Hmm, not a bad idea. Enyo should also be prosecuted: she sided with Athena, plus I really should have prosecuted her for her previous crimes… I shouldn’t have recruited her in the government.>

<You do seem to have the tendency to employ gods who have done great harm to mortals. Just because Hermes keeps helping you, under no circumstances you should ever trust him.>

<You don’t have to tell me twice, Prometheus. I did promise I wouldn’t kill him… but I will keep a very close eye on him. I mean… sorry about the poor choice of words.> Noriko excuses herself, remembering she’s talking to a god without eyes.

<No offense. I understand you did not recover my eyes from Mundus?>

<I didn’t. I have a hunch that Rei stole those… adding that to the ever-growing pile of problems that are definitely coming back to bite me. You wouldn’t happen to have some kind of premonition about that, wouldn’t you?>

<I’m sorry, but without my eyes my precognitive abilities are next to nothing.>

<Figures. I have one last person who asked for something in return for their help… Roxiana. I hate to admit it, but I couldn’t have built the Genesis Armor without her. And in return, she wants the knowledge about the Drylon that I recovered.>

<That mortal is dangerous, almost as much as you. If her obsession about discovering the past is as deep as I sense, perhaps I could be of assistance.>

<How so?>

<I may not have access to the Nexus or have read into the mind of a Primordial, but I do know things that most gods have forgotten. I could entice her by providing her information that she would find fascinating but that she could hardly use to do harm.>

<Don’t underestimate her ability to manipulate people, but yes, that could buy me some time until I’ve put some plans into motion.> Noriko admits.

<Plans? You are now the undisputed ruler of Olympus and beaten Athena at her own game. What else is there to achieve?> Prometheus wonders.

<This was a milestone, yes, but being at the top only means I have a bigger target on my back. I will make sure that nobody ever backstabs me like Athena did… ever again.>

The Empyrean, outside the universe

The last remnant of Heaven is a wall of white-hot pure energy surrounding a glass structure.

There is only one inhabitant of this dimension: a female humanoid with bronze skin and no face. Or at least that’s the shape that this Celestial Being decided to take.

<Null; you have completed your quest of vengeance, yes?> Siduri asks.

<You can say that.> Noriko replies, placing an object on a pedestal.

At first glance it’s just a stone cylinder, but Siduri can sense it is much more.

<Another Usurper weapon, yes? Why do you keep bringing them here?>

<With the Null Zone no longer secure, this is the best place where I can keep the most dangerous weapons that I absolutely must make sure nobody ever finds.>

The Infinity Abyss now sits right next to the only other object Noriko keeps here… a lantern where a single flame is constantly agitated.

<The Soul of Kronos seems agitated, yes?> Siduri says.

<I wonder if he senses that both Typhon and Athena are trapped in there.> Noriko wonders, looking straight at the lantern.

She can sense the Soul inside trying to contact her. Her hand moves slowly towards it, until she catches herself and quickly retracts.

<There will be no more intrusions, yes?> Siduri asks.

<Baal was able to get here and steal both the Twilight Mirror and the Tablet Of Destinies through a unique loophole; I don’t think other gods, or even Rei, can duplicate it anytime soon.>

<That is good, yes? Now you are free to help us. The Celestial Galaxy has grown impatient.>

<Yes, I still have a lot on my plate, but… recent events made me realize that I need more powerful allies. And if I’m right, the Celestial Galaxy could be my best shot at protecting my empire from any future war. In other words, Siduri… let me talk to your boss. I have a proposition.>

The Celestial Being leads Noriko towards the wall of energy, ready to initiate communication with something far beyond anyone else’s reach.

Concentrating on the task, Noriko can’t sense the Soul of Kronos calming down.

“Enjoy your triumph, Null. You just signed your doom.” the soul inside rejoices.

The Nullbots have been quite busy today, moving out several boxes of Noriko’s personal belongings. Now that she’s no longer the Mortal Co-Empress of Olympus, this is no longer one of her residencies.

She hasn’t spent a lot of time overseeing the move. It’s only been a week since Athena’s defeat, but it might as well have been months considering the amount of work done… and it’s far from over.

There are repairs to be completed, alliances to be mended, fleets to be rebuilt, and that’s not even taking into account the legal nightmare of prosecuting thousands if not millions of enemy soldiers who were simply obeying their goddess, or the new system of government to be established.

It can be overwhelming even for a mortal in possession of the Nexus, so Noriko is quite glad to see Gilgamesh come into her bedroom just as two Nullbots are leaving carrying the bed.

<I always thought this room was too small for a goddess.> he admits.

<Well, I’m finally not one anymore.> she shrugs, leaning against him.

<You could’ve teleported the whole room. Why come here in person?> he wonders.

<I wanted to take one last look at the place. It was home for a while.>

<I will also miss this frozen land. It was here that I met your world when you took me out of Heaven. And we both have good memories of this room in particular.>

<Stop it.> she giggles, jokingly hitting his abdomen with her elbow. If she tried this with real strength, she would break a bone against his bronze skin.

<We’re moving to your native city again? You have been… vague about your intentions for the future.> Gilgamesh points out.

<I’m moving back to New York, yes, for the time being. Probably won’t get a warm welcome… I’m not super popular on Earth, lately.>

<After saving it from Athena?>

<People blame me for her takeover, and they are absolutely right: I should have seen her betrayal coming. But remember that Athena also revealed to the public all my dirty secrets… that I was Abyss, that I killed Aura when she was President of the Mortal Republic… I can’t blame them for not trusting me. The fact that the nanotechnology I’ve brought to Earth only works under my personal control isn’t helping things.>

<That is… interesting, Noriko, but not what I was referring to when I was asking about your intentions.> Gilgamesh stresses.

<I… don’t know what you mean.> Noriko lies, moving away from him, nervously touching her hair and looking for something else to focus on. Not an easy task in a completely empty room.

<Noriko, you know how I feel about you. You asked Eros to transform into you because you knew that I love you. But… back on Boreas, he also transformed into Enkidu. It reminded me that, even though he’s been dead for a million years, I do still love him.>

<Oh. If you mean to tell me that you need time to figure things through, I totally…>

<Noriko, we both know you have feelings for me. You are literally the smartest being in the universe, it shouldn’t be that hard to figure out whether you love me or not. The fact that you just won’t say it, even in the presence of the god of love himself, worries me.> he admits.

<I’m not good with relationship stuff, Gil, you know that. The last person I thought I loved was murdered in front of me. And the kind of beings that are after me, if they thought…>

<Don’t try telling me it’s to protect me, Noriko. I’m Gilgamesh.>

<You’re right. It’s about time we had a serious conversation about this. Good thing I didn’t order the robots to take out the couch. C’mon.> she encourages him, leading Gilgamesh into the living room where a couch is indeed waiting for them.

Only Gilgamesh doesn’t truly get to sit on it: as soon as he steps into the room, he transforms into a bird and flies towards the couch.

<What the…> Noriko wonders, almost tripping: the entire living room is now covered in a thick layer of sand.

It doesn’t take being Null to realize the reason for it: the beautiful Egyptian goddess laying on the couch, spreading her arms to show off the golden wings attached to them.

<Null. We have to talk.>

<Isis. What’s with the freaking sand?> Noriko asks, awkwardly doing her best to navigate towards her uninvited guest.

<The décor of your palace is ill-fitting for a goddess.> Isis shrugs, with the bird that used to be Gilgamesh now resting right next to her head.

Noriko recognizes the form as the yellow-billed kite, her sacred bird.

<Did you also have to turn my boyfriend into a bird?>

<Our discussion is not worthy of a mere demigod. I have other sacred animals; would you rather have me turn him into a cow?> Isis asks. Noriko has no doubt she could do it.

<It’s fine, as long as you turn him back before you leave. What’s the occasion for the visit?>

<You killed my sister Nephthys, birthed the monstrosity that enslaved my nephew Anubis, and your championship of mortal rule goes against everything I hold dear. I despise what you represent.>

<And yet, you didn’t turn me into a cow.>

<And yet, I am currently your only ally in the Universal Council.> Isis reminds her.

<The organization that replaced the Nine Gods, yeah, I’ve heard of that.> Noriko nods.

<Athena was allowed to join, but you certainly won’t. Not with Ereshkigal and Marduk scheming to kill or overthrow you. Inanna is only interested in creating chaos, Ra won’t take sides, and then there is Rei. Your doppelganger.>

<Not my biggest fan club, yeah. Why would you even let someone like Rei join!?>

<I was outvoted. She promised to destroy Baal and the Celestial Galaxy, and in a way, she achieved one of those two goals by helping Athena unleash you against Baal.>

<So what, you’re worried that I’m going to do the same with the Celestial Galaxy? I assure you that I have other priorities, Isis.>

<I know. That is what concerns me greatly.> Isis admits. Like the other Egyptian gods she has met, she’s not as expressive as Greek gods… but Noriko detects a hint of fear.

<With Athena gone, you no longer have an opposing force in Olympus. You conquered Hades and Poseidon, and Atlantis is under mortal rule… the only reason it’s not one of your vassals is that you don’t wish to call it that. I assumed Zeus would return to his throne, but if he’s not willing to do it even after Athena murdered his other favorite daughter Hebe… there is no doubt in my mind, Null, you are currently the head of the entire Greek pantheon.>

<I know plenty of gods and a lot more mortals that would object. Why do you care?>

<You defeated the Eden, who once bested Anubis. You defeated Tiamat and Baal, two Primordial Gods. You even defeated Typhon… a monster so powerful that even Ra would not overwhelm through sheer force alone. You are powerful too, Null. There are some in the Universal Council who would say… too powerful, even.>

<Is this a threat, Isis?>

<I have no desire to fight you, Null. It is painfully clear to me that you only gain power through adversity. Given time, your dream of mortal rule will crumble over the weight of history and even your galaxy will return to its natural state, under the rule of a god. But there is another mortal with far more imperialistic goals.>

<You’re still talking about Rei.>

<The Slayer of Gods mastered the Greek pantheon. If she is not stopped, I could be next after Anubis. But since the Universal Council foolishly voted her as one of our members, I am honor-bound to restrain myself from attacking her.>

<So you want me to kill Rei.> Noriko realizes.

<Asking you to do it, or providing direct support, would be against the rules. But should you come across information that could be useful to take her down… the Council would not punish me for, say, look the other way while you take advantage of it.>

<Got it. I’ll keep an eye open.> Noriko nods.

Isis pets the bird next to her, then she stands up from the couch to state:

<Straighten your new kingdom and celebrate your victory, Null, but don’t take too long. If… when a new war breaks out, it will make Athena’s skirmish look tame.>

After issuing her warning, Isis simply disappears. Along with all the sand in the living room, replaced by a very confused Gilgamesh back in his original body.

<What just happened?> he asks, making sure he really does have his entire body back.

<I just got an uninvited guest. You know how gods are: no sense of personal space.> Noriko replies, pressing a button of the N-Watch on her wrist. It projects a holographic screen that shows raw data that would only make sense to her.

<For the record, I’m not trying to get out of our conversation. I just want to double check something.>

<What is it?> Gilgamesh asks, not even trying to recognize the data.

<The sensor logs of the Destiny-One that I recovered before Typhon destroyed it. I already checked them once to make sure Rei didn’t steal any Drylon device from Mundus. If Athena was storing any of those in her secret vault, they didn’t survive Typhon.>

<I thought Drylon devices were indestructible.>

<Just almost indestructible. The sensors picked up a teleportation field before Mundus was destroyed, but I wasn’t able to figure out what Rei took… the data was too corrupted. I need to come up with algorithm that could unscramble to signal from what little info I was able to salvage.>

<How long is that going to take?>

<I just did. Here’s what Rei stole.> Noriko reveals, increasing the size of the screen. The words “organic material” are placed right above three objects: two small spherical ones, and one that seems too abstract to be recognized.

<I’ll bet you anything that the smaller ones are the eyes of Prometheus… Hermes told me they’d be there. I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed that Hermes didn’t steal those.>

<You don’t sound particularly worried, Noriko. Won’t those eyes give Rei precognitive powers?>

<If Athena had them for thousands of years and didn’t use her herself, I’m betting it’s not that easy to use the eyes. I’ll have to do some research on that.>

<What about the other specimen?>

<The data is inconclusive. I have no clue about what that is. But it’s the only thing besides the eyes that Rei took… I can’t put my finger on why, but I get the feeling that getting her hands on this thing was Rei’s goal for allying herself with Athena.> Noriko suggests.

Themyscira

Naqada Galaxy, 17 million light-years from Earth

Rei Null walks at a brisk pace in one of the endless corridors of the Hall of Science, the research center of the Amazon planet. She seriously considered leveling the place… now that she has absorbed all the knowledge from the Amazon servers and that the entire android population is under her control, it’s absolute. But even if Rei can call upon ten thousand of her own duplicates, after replicating Myridian powers for herself… a slave population of superhuman androids can always come handy.

<Research on the eyes of Prometheus is unsuccessful, Empress Rei. Removing the eyes of your duplicates causes them to disappear, and removing your eyes would mean you could not use both the Nexus and the gift of prophecy.> the Amazon informs her.

<Disappointing, but not unexpected. Enslaving your people and Anubis was easier… I prefer to deal with technology than with biology. Such chores are what beings like you are for.> Rei insults the Amazon servant, arriving at the laboratory she was looking for.

Another Amazon, identical to the one she just dismissed, approaches her and kneels.

<Empress Rei. We are ready to begin the reanimation process.>

<Good. It’s about time Anubis’s expertise on dead bodies turned out to be useful.> Rei says, approaching the centerpiece of the laboratory.

It’s a cylinder full of water and necrobots, microscopic nanites that swarm about the prize she smuggled out of Mundus. A severed head.

<Not completely dead. There is still enough divine spark in her to…> the Amazon begins to explain, but Rei stops her just by raising a finger.

<I don’t care. Bring her back to life.>

<At once, Your Majesty. Full power to the necrobots; resurrection protocols engaged.> the Amazon declares, sending a signal to her sisters.

A shot of electricity flows through the water inside the cylinder, and the necrobots go into a frenzy.

DNA is scanned, or at least something that closely resembles DNA. The severed head rapidly changes color, from a cadaveric grey to a healthy green, and the eyes open.

The head tries to scream even before the lungs are reformed. Pain receptors are rebuilt at the same time as the skeleton grows beneath the head.

Organs start to reform in less than a minute, and the body itself overtakes the necrobots in rebuilding itself. The scream is so loud that it’s clearly audible through the water and the glass.

The pain is incomprehensible; it would drive any immortal utterly insane.

Ten minutes after the ordeal began, there is a full body attached to the once severed head… a body utterly exhausted by this living nightmare.

<Resurrection protocol completed. The subject is…> the Amazon says.

The room falls silent. The glass cylinder just turned into stone, as did the floor beneath it.

And the equipment surrounding it. And all the Amazons inside the laboratory… or nearby.

Every single object or being within a ten-mile radius just turned into stone, with the sole exception of Rei Null. She shakes off the discomfort of her atoms resisting the transmutation: the wish she made on the Tablet of Destinies prevents her atomic structure from being altered.

<Outstanding. I can see why Athena considered you a threat.> she acknowledges, drawing her Terror Gun and firing it at half power at the stone cylinder.

It’s enough to break it, releasing the water inside along with the body of a naked, green-skinned woman, who coughs after finally breathing air after so much time.

She raises her head to look at her benefactor. And the snakes that cover her skull do the same, hissing menacingly.

<Welcome back to the land of the living… Medusa.>

Athena has planned countless strategies over the centuries, and she has witnessed so many battles that even she can’t remember them all.

But she can’t remember many battles that started with such a disadvantage.

The crew of her own ship is deserting her, with only Nike deciding to fight by her side.

Although considering they are facing the entire Vanguard and Zeus himself, and that the ship is completely surrounded by a fleet of enemy ships, even the Goddess of Victory has doubts about their chances of success.

<Get her.> Noriko orders, her voice altered by the Genesis Armor. Her anger still comes through.

Quantum and Torn are the first to rush into action, respectively turning into a laser and summoning swords made of Aether. Kari powers up, with an aura surrounding her body signaling that she’s amping her own strength to divine levels.

Vesta also prepares to take flight, only to be stopped by Zeus grabbing her arm.

<Don’t worry about her. We have more important things to take care of.> he tells her.

<What could possibly be more important than this!?> Vesta protests, pointing at her teammates attempting to break through Athena’s defensive forcefield.

The answer comes from a roar generated from outside, where the raging screams of a monster are so loud that even outer space has no choice but to carry its message.

<I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE, ZEUS, YOU COWARD!!! I WILL BREAK THIS GALAXY IN HALF IF THAT’S WHAT I NEED TO KILL YOU!!!> Typhon shouts, with the energy emanating from his body being so strong that it’s actively damaging the ship’s shields.

<I can’t fight that thing! I’m not as strong as you!> Vesta protests to her brother.

<You still have no idea what you’re capable of?> Zeus wonders, teleporting the siblings away.

The last thing Vesta notices before vanishing is that, despite wearing a fully powered Genesis Armor, Noriko has not joined the fight yet.

<You just lost the only god who could’ve defeated us.> Nike mocks Kari, using her wings to strike at the Myridian. Kari dodges the attack, creating a duplicate right behind her and sharing the power of her Shadow Breaker technique between the two bodies.

<We don’t need help kicking down gods. We’re the Vanguard.> she reminds her, using her position to immobilize Nike in a chokehold while the other Kari punches her in the stomach with the strength of several billion mortals.

<Care to join us? Hello?> she tells Noriko, who is still just spectating.

<You don’t need to worry about me. I remember the plan.> Noriko answers.

Outside the ship

When Typhon attacked Olympus hundreds of thousands of years ago, Vesta had little interest in fighting. However, being the greatest threat to Olympus since Zeus took power (and by a considerable margin), Vesta did see what he was capable of when she witnessed the atrocities and carnages and devastation he left behind.

She still had nightmares about it as recently as the first Trojan War.

And that now she’s watching this planet-sized mockery of the idea of a god stand in all his glory, summoning a blast that she can taste has enough force behind it to vaporize a thousand solar systems… she freezes.

Zeus has to move in front of her, gather so much of his own power that the struggle is visible on his face, and counteract by throwing an impossibly high-energy thunderbolt at Typhon.

If the difference between the two opposing energy blasts were off even by a tiny percentage, the resulting fallout would obliterate everything in this sector.

But while his intellect has been put into question by whole galaxies for a million years, Zeus is nothing if not the greatest authority in the universe when it comes to raw energy.

The two blasts are balanced perfectly, annihilating each other and releasing only a relatively minor amount of radiation. Still enough to instantly kill anything organic within a light-year without the protection of a warship’s forcefields, but given the alternative, it’s acceptable.

<What am I even doing here!? You could barely hold him off with Hades and Poseidon, and I’m not anywhere near as powerful as them!> Vesta complains.

<They might have been stronger, yes, but you can do something nobody else in our family can: you’re the only one who…> Zeus explains, caught off-guard by the mass of twisted tentacles that is Typhon’s hand: he just caught the god, squeezing it with enough pressure to crush a black hole.

<YOU NEVER LEARN!!! YOU CAN’T BEAT ME THE SAME WAY TWICE!!!>

Something stirs within Vesta when she hears Zeus screaming in pain. Something that she has worked very hard to keep away from her life.

Rage.

<Leave my little brother alone!!! HELLFIRE INFERNO!!!> she screams, releasing the power of a supernova focused on a single attack.

On the Praetor Warship

Both Quantum and Torn share the same thought: Athena is one of the most frustrating opponents they have ever faced. Her master over energy allows her to either deviate any attack from Quantum or transmute him herself into different particles, no matter what shape he takes.

And while she’s only had one brief encounter with Aether before this, Torn is surprised to see that she has already developed a way to defend herself from it: every time his blade attempts to cut through her body, Aether itself weakens and melts before it can even touch her.

<A little help here!?> Quantum calls for Noriko, still spectating.

Athena grabs one of Torn’s Aether blades, managing to wrestle control over it; it slips from the control of the Demon’s soul for a moment, but it’s enough to stab him with it.

Quantum’s energy is then trapped in a sphere of divine power. Kari attempts to intervene, but Athena throws the sphere into the wall behind her, creating a hole in the ship’s hull.

The decompression sucks Kari into space before the emergency forcefields repair the hole.

<You are a disappointment, Noriko. You should have known better than challenging me in a battle of wisdom and wits.> Athena boasts.

<You’re the one who decided to go a second round against someone who already beat you into a pulp once. God mode activated.> Noriko replies, and the Genesis Armor hums.

Athena smiles.

The armor immediately powers down, with its energy levels dropping at zero.

<You know, a part of me was hoping that you’d notice the design flaw of your power supply… that the enriched divine blood you carry around could be destabilized by a focused virtual particle beam. It took me a couple of hours to figure out that weakness, but you couldn’t come up with a patch?> Athena mocks her, then she moves towards Noriko faster than the human eye can track.

She rips off the armor’s chest plate, then removes the helmet and crushes it in her hands.

<I guess you are not as smart as your followers believe.> Athena shrugs.

Outside the ship

Typhon is more of a sentient weapon than a true god. He was created with a single purpose: to destroy Olympus. He takes immense pleasure at the sound of Zeus being in pain, and he barely notices the supernova-level attacks bouncing off his monstrous face.

<Leave Zeus alone! He’s not the one you want!!!> Vesta insists.

<I WAS BORN TO KILL HIM.>

<No, you were born to destroy the reign of Olympus. Zeus no longer sits on the throne.>

<HE DOES NOT?> Typhon replies, letting Zeus go and paying attention only to his sister.

Only now does Vesta realize what Zeus was telling her. Nobody else in her family could do this… talking sense into another god.

<Listen, we have a plan that I think you’re going to really like…>

On the Praetor Warship

The Genesis Armor breaks like tissue paper against Athena’s strength; the goddess holds her former protégé by the throat, and only the urge to have the last word prevents her from crushing her.

<You may not believe me, Noriko, but for a while I considered you the closest thing to a daughter I could ever conceive of having. Had you accepted my guidance, you would have been the greatest mortal who ever lived, and I would have inherited your empire upon your death. But you couldn’t live with that, couldn’t you Noriko? No… the delusion of being smarter than me was something you loved too much.> Athena tells her, now putting real strength into her grip.

But Noriko’s throat survives. She even replies:

<No, that’s not what she loves most.>

<“She”?>

Noriko breaks free from the hold when her body transforms, from a flesh and blood woman to an androgynous pink silhouette with wings.

<Eros!? But you… fled when Typhon…> Athena says, struggling to understand.

At least until Hermes suddenly appears, patting Eros in the back.

<Yeah, your first mistake was thinking I also left… I’m way more complex than you give me credit for! Second mistake was not expecting Sunshine to rally her allies.> Hermes says, and in the blink of an eye someone else appears in front of Athena.

An extremely angry and fully healed Enyo, who unleashes the full power of her war cry right into Athena’s face. It’s far more than even a Praetor Warship can withstand: like a house of card caught in a tornado, it’s completely destroyed from the inside out.

Without time to prepare herself, Athena has to withstand the rage of a furious war goddess… one that she had previously and repeatedly humiliated.

Athena could potentially figure out a way to defend herself, if this wasn’t also a rallying cry from the Vanguard: Quantum’s energy, Torn’s swords, Vesta’s fire and even the plasma blasts coming from the resistance fleet hit Athena.

Even she can’t find a way to defend herself from this onslaught coming from multiple directions… at least not in the short term. She has already come up with a couple of potential strategies when the barrage suddenly stops.

She finds herself stranded on a piece of the ship’s hull, her armor and her bones cracked in several places, and her beautiful skin charred with second degree burns.

<Also, third mistake? It’s not a delusion. I am smarter than you.> Noriko points out.

The mortal is standing in front of Athena, protected from the dangers of space by her personal Survival Field, but otherwise unprotected.

<I heard your… subjects… call for your help.> Athena comments, confused by the events.

<It’s called acting. I was hoping you wouldn’t think I’d sacrifice the Genesis Armor… I can always build another one… but I was certain you wouldn’t spot Eros. Because you never loved anyone.>

<Well… played. As impressive as that was, it won’t help you… you know I have ways to shield my mind. You won’t kill me like a normal goddess.>

<No, I won’t. Someone like you requires something special.> Noriko concedes, taking something from the inside pocket of her green leather jacket.

Athena’s scarred face pales when she sees the metallic cylinder she’s holding.

<The Infinite Abyss? But Rei stole it from me! You could never strike a deal with your doppelganger, and you didn’t have the time to do it!> Athena protests.

<No, but I did have the time to set up an entanglement scattering field that would prevent the teleportation of any Drylon technology: it never left your ship. And Hermes was too fast for you to notice he just brought it to me.>

<But… there is no technology capable of this! And you didn’t have the time to coordinate a strategy of this magnitude with…>

<There is if you can think quick enough. All I ever needed to defeat you were my allies and friends… and this, of course.> Noriko mocks her, tapping a finger on temple.

<I can lose a battle, but the war is far from over. The Infinite Abyss can only be used to lock me out of this universe, not to kill me. Even if it takes me an eternity, I will find a way to break free.> Athena swears.

<I thought so too, so I made some… adjustments to my plan. Thanks for activating this thing for me, by the way.> Noriko replies, and the Infinite Abyss begins to shine.

<You gave me the Nexus, Athena. Stood by my side in many battles. You could say that I owe you a kinder fate than what I reserved for other gods… but you also threatened and murdered my friends and allies. You don’t deserve my gratitude, my pity, or my mercy.>

<Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Noriko. Some day I will rise from the bones of your empire to finish what I started.>

<No, you won’t. Enjoy the company.>

The Infinite Abyss activates, creating a rectangular cage around Athena which rapidly disappears from the universe.

Inside the Abyss

Athena has had a long time to study the Infinite Abyss. She knows it creates a pocket universe that is completely inaccessible unless the device itself creates an opening.

But she is not worried. It’s just technology: it can be studied and ultimately mastered, like everything she puts her mind into.

If the Drylon were able to create it, she will control it. Even if it takes her a thousand, a million or a billion years. As an immortal goddess, time is on her side.

And time is all she truly needs: time to rest, time to scheme, time to think.

<I wonder what she meant by company?> Athena wonders, creating a light in her hands to illuminate the infinite darkness of a universe without stars.

But there is another source of light. The flames of two giant eyes, the size of continents, which are burning with the passion of a creature that exists to hate.

<THE ONCE FAVORED DAUGHTER OF ZEUS.> a monster in the darkness growls.

<Typhon!? How did she trap you here!?>

<I VOLUNTEERED. HESTIA OFFERED ME WHAT I DESIRE MOST.>

<You were created to destroy Zeus!!! If you’re trapped here, you can’t touch him! But if we work together, you and I could escape and…>

<I WAS CREATED TO DESTROY OLYMPUS. ZEUS DOES NOT SIT ON THE THRONE ANYMORE, DOESN HE?>

Athena has known defeat. She has known fear. But she just discovered pure terror.

<TELL ME, ATHENA. WHO SITS ON THE THRONE OF OLYMPUS NOW?>

The scourge of the cosmos, the so-called Father of All Monsters, opens its mouth to finally complete his task and devour the sole remaining Empress of Olympus.

Athena, born from the head of Zeus after he devoured her mother, appreciates the irony of her final moment as she admits:

<I am finally proud of you, Noriko. You were the one true Goddess of Wisdom after all.>

The monstrous form of Typhon rises from the shattered remains of the planetoid, looming large in front of the Destiny-One.

The shields are barely able to withstand the sheer radiation emitted by this creature made of snakes and tentacles that only vaguely resemble a winged humanoid.

<We have to go. NOW.> Vesta pleads; Noriko hasn’t heard so much fear in her voice since they faced Tiamat and Baal

<I’ve never backed down from fighting a god.> Noriko replies, her silver eyes shining.

<You should. His soul is overwhelming, crushing your own even if you don’t realize it.> Torn echoes Vesta’s sentiment.

<We don’t have much time to decide! He’s coming for us!> Kari yells, as five tentacles approximating the shape of a hand reach for the ship.

<If he can catch us. Activating dimensional phase shift.> Noriko announces, and at the press of a button the ship becomes completely intangible.

For anything in the universe except Typhon, who still manages to physically grab the ship.

<That… shouldn’t be possible.> Noriko admits.

<Turn on the Negative Drive!!!> her sister Nalani urges her.

<I’d have to make us tangible again first, and jumping to full speed too fast could easily break the ship in half.> Noriko points out.

The hull begins cracking, sending loud noises that reverberate on the bridge.

<How’s that different from now!?> Quantum comments.

<Alright, everyone hold tight… engaging the Negative Drive, full power.> Noriko announces.

The ship’s main engine almost roars from the effort of a cold start: it’s the most powerful engine in the known universe, capable of warping space around it so thoroughly that it can propel the ship at four hundred million times the speed of light.

In Typhon’s hand, it stands completely still.

<Dammit, the ship can’t take this for long, we have to…> Noriko announces, interrupted by the sound of the ship crumbling under the pressure.

For a moment that seems to last ages, thousands of possible scenarios play in her head, all of which end with her death. When a blinding light encompasses the bridge, she closes her eyes by reflex.

To her surprise, she’s able to open them again.

<This is quite a mess.>

The comments come from a shirtless white-haired god wearing only a piece of fabric wrapped around his waist. His unnaturally bright blue eyes shine so much they are noticeable even against the walls of pure lightning that are surrounding what is left of the bridge.

<Took you long enough to show up, Zeus.> Noriko chastises him.

<Yeah, well, I had decided to let you and Athena figure things out among yourselves. I didn’t expect Typhon’s multiple ugly heads to show up again!>

 <Can you beat Typhon?> Vesta asks her brother.

Zeus takes a worryingly long time to respond, pondering on the situation while staring past the lightning shield keeping his hands over his hips.

<It’s tough. He’s not as strong as the last time we fought. But I had Hades, Poseidon and Demeter at my side back then.>

<How long can you keep this barrier up?> Kari asks, more worried about the imminent danger to her family than the course of the war.

<A few years if Typhon stays at this level. I don’t think he has recognized my energy yet, so he’s not really trying. But once he does? Perhaps a couple of minutes.>

<Wait wait wait. He managed to hold the ship and break it even with the Negative Drive on full blast, and he’s not even trying!?> Quantum points out.

<You fail to understand that Typhon is not just a god. He’s a living weapon. Gaea gave birth to him as retaliation for Zeus killing her offspring, the Giants.> Vesta explains.

<They were throwing planets at Olympus! What was I supposed to do, talk to them!?> Zeus complains, and he visibly twitches in pain.

<What’s wrong?> his sister asks.

<His frustration is making him angry. Which is bad for everyone, because the angrier Typhon gets, the stronger he becomes.> Zeus explains.

<Just like…> Quantum starts to comment, his face lightning up.

<Not. Now.> Noriko chastises him.

<If he’s so tough, how did you defeat this thing the first time?> Nalani wonders.

<I ganged up on him with my brothers, while Demeter sprung the trap.>

<What trap? Demeter never told me she was involved in the fight!> Vesta says.

<She wasn’t, our sister was too weak. But she had access to a Drylon device, the Infinite Abyss, which could create a dimensional pocket from which not even Typhon could break free. That’s where we imprisoned him.> Zeus reveals.

<That’s it. That’s why Athena brought me here! We have to leave Zeus, FAST.> Noriko orders.

<Why such a rush?> the god wonders.

<If Athena still has that device, she could trap us into that dimension at any moment. I’m assuming the only reason she didn’t is that this Infinite Abyss requires some time to recharge itself, but there’s no telling how long that could take!>

<Fine then. I will take you home and give a stern talk to Athena!>

<Wait! Take me and the rest of the Vanguard with you; send everyone else home.>

<But I wanna help!> Nalani complains.

<This is very noble of you, Noriko, but I don’t need protection.> Gilgamesh protests.

<Yeah, I’m fine with it. You guys can fight the super-god of death and destruction on your own.> Kayla Black is quick to jump in.

<C’mon sis, don’t embarrass me in front of the others.> Quantum whispers to his sister.

<Done.> Zeus follows Noriko’s instructions, completely ignoring everyone else, and with a snap of his fingers everyone except the Vanguard vanishes.

<Great. Just lemme recover the Genesis Armor and the ship’s logs; won’t take a second.> Noriko adds, retrieving a small cartridge from a hidden access port on the captain’s chair.

<Shouldn’t we do something about Athena’s army too?> Kari asks.

<Already took care of that before we even left.> Noriko answers with a smile.

Boreas, 30,000 light-years from Earth

A duplicate of Rei Null is observing the planet from her personal ship, a heavily modified Amazon shuttle. Boreas is no longer semi-transparent: the dimensional shift has failed, and the planet is solid again. Which means vulnerable.

<This is going to be good.> Rei tells herself, watching the Athenian fleet approaching.

It would be an overwhelming force even if the planet had enough ships to defend itself; by her calculations, Boreas will no longer be able to sustain life within the next minute.

A dozen ships open fire, releasing superheated charges of plasma traveling at nearly the speed of light… right into a hexagram of darkness.

Once the plasma disappears into the portal, a blast of radiant green energy emerges from it.

The first ship to be hit explodes immediately; a second one maneuvers in time to avoid it, but this sends the fleet into disarray, breaking formation.

A goddess surrounded by the same green energy flies out of the portal, followed by hundreds of warriors protected from the rigors of space by an aura of black Ichor.

<That’s right, b##ches! The Queen of the Motherf##king Dark Galaxy is back!!!>

Rei watches the former Queen of the Underworld lead her army of Ekronites, tearing up ship after ship in an impressive display of both power and ferocity, before setting a course to leave the system.

Myridia, 50 light-years from Earth

Ganos Lal looks at the sky. The shield phasing the planet out of reality is no longer working, and the orbital bombardment has just begun. It won’t take long before the surface of the whole world is melted into glass.

<Lady Null, hallowed be your name, protect us all.> Ganos prays, clasping her hand as tightly as she can. She kneels and closes her eyes, finding solace in the idea that she will spend her afterlife in the company of her goddess.

But instead of death, she finds a pleasant smell of roses and a gentle hand on her shoulder.

<I’m sorry, your goddess is a little busy. But you have an upgrade.> Aphrodite tells her.

Ganos Lal looks up: instead of a fiery inferno, the sky is raining rose petals. And the bodies of the crewmen warships that have been transmuted into perfume.

Washington D.C., Earth

Todd Slate has been on the phone non-stop for the past six hours, and that’s just because he managed to squeeze some sleep into his schedule.

He’s only the Vice President, but he’s been coordinating a global effort to assemble Earth’s first spaceship fleet, fast-tracked by Noriko’s nanotechnology revolution.

<What do you mean it’s gone!? We’re vulnerable without the shield!> he shouts into the phone… only to realize he’s suddenly holding a glass of wine.

<You know what’s the problem with mortals?> is the question coming from a man wearing an extremely disheveled toga, right before he burps loudly.

<Who are you? How did you get here?> Todd asks him, approaching Dionysus.

<Always asking questions. You need to learn how to relax.> the god tells Todd, conjuring up a whole glass pitcher of wine and guzzling it down continuously.

<You’re… Bacchus, right? Did you take away our shield? We need to…>

<Drink. I promised the girl with silver eyes I’d give everyone a good time, and I am good with promises of stuff I already wanted to do.> Dionysus exclaims, looking at the pitcher that is magically replenishing itself.

Reflected inside the wine, Todd can see images of what is happening in orbit: the Athenian ships are crashing onto each other, now that every single crew member is stone drunk.

<Yes, I think I’ll drink to that.> Todd shrugs.

Argos, 100 light-years from Earth

Not every world is protected by Noriko’s phasing technology; those might have been the primary targets, but Athena ordered the destruction of all rebel worlds… including the former capital of the defunct Mortal Republic.

But despite the hundred ships approaching the planet, an overwhelming force compared to the defensive capabilities of Argos, nobody is firing a single shot.

The reason lies in the demigoddess sitting on what used to be the chair of her ambassador to the Republic. She has taken off her marble mask, and she’s conversing with a minotaur-looking alien in military uniform.

<I am proud to report that the ships still answering to Athena have decided to join our rebellion, Your Majesty.> General Kamos kneels.

In front of him, the most beautiful woman in the universe smiles; that’s enough to make the heart of this beast melt, just as it was enough to convince countless officers.

<You served me well, Kamos. I’m a long way from home, but it’s not every day that I get to stop a thousand ships from waging war.> Helen of Troy says, noting the irony given her history.

Praetor Warship One, 99,000 light-years from Earth

Still unaware of how many of her followers are betraying her, Athena is watching Typhon use all of his might to crush a sphere of pure lightning.

<Lady Athena, the Infinite Abyss is fully charged.> Nike informs her.

<Activate it. Enjoy spending the rest of your pathetically short life fighting a monster that not even my father could defeat alone, Noriko.> the Goddess of Wisdom says, visualizing a galaxy finally under her complete control.

<It’s not working!> Nike breaks her fantasy.

<What!? Impossible! I tested the device thoroughly!> Athena exclaims.

<You mean this device?> Rei Null asks: she’s holding in her hand a cylinder made of grey stone with a single hole running through it. Unlike the decoy that Nike is holding, it’s the real deal.

Athena immediately thrusts her lance to murder Rei, and four separate crew members open fire on the mortal. Her personal forcefield deflects all attacks, as she amusedly juggles the device between her hands.

<I think I’m through with this. I already stole everything I came to take from your precious vault on Mundus, and I have this as a bonus.>

<I will have your head for this betrayal, doppelganger.> Athena swears.

<No, you won’t. You have bigger problems than me.> Rei warns her, activating her personal teleporter and vanishing in a flash of light.

<I want. Her signal. Tracked. NOW!!!> Athena shouts. It’s the first time any mortal member of the crew has ever seen her lose her cool.

Nike has seen her angry before, and the memory is making her sweat.

<We… can’t. There is too much interference from the ships slowing below lightspeed.>

<What ships? I didn’t call for any reinforcements!>

<They’re not ours. We are being surrounded.> Nike informs her, switching the visual on the main viewscreen. Which is showing dozens and dozens of ships positioning themselves in a sphere around the Praetor warship, leaving no clear path of escape.

Their design doesn’t match any fleet Athena is aware of, but she does recognize the inspiration. The ships clearly integrate Lar, Olympian and even Amazon technology… surrounding the same framework as the Ragnarok series.

<Earth.> Athena mutters with hatred, when an announcement comes through:

<This is Kylon of Megacles, captain of the Destiny-II, capital ship of the Defiance Fleet. You are completely surrounded: attempt to escape and we will open fire.>

<A hastily built fleet will be no match for my monster.> Athena boasts, soon before Typhon’s booming voice echoes through the air:

<I KNOW YOU ARE HERE, ZEUS!!! STOP HIDING BEHIND MORTALS AND SHOW YOUR FACE SO THAT I MAY TEAR IT APART!!!>

<That’s neat. But we have a Null.> Kylon announces.

With a thunderous bolt of light, the Vanguard materializes on the bridge… and Noriko Null is wearing the Genesis Armor again, with her helmet open to show her face.

<It’s over, Athena. Your invasion has failed, my allies are dismantling your fleet, and you are out of trump cards. This is your final chance to get out of this with dignity if you surrender.> she warns.

The helmet drops. The armor begins to hum as it powers up.

<Please say no.> Noriko tells the goddess.

Bridge of the Destiny-One, a million miles above the surface

Noriko Null nervously taps her finger on the captain’s chair, keeping an eye on the reports from the sensors. Aside from the new warships orbiting the planet, they’re not showing anything.

<Something’s gone wrong. Eros should’ve reported back already.>

<Should I go have a look?> Quantum proposes.

<No, you’ll be spotted immediately. At this distance the cloaking systems barely cover us, any closer and they’ll launch an attack.>

<Let them. This vessel is mightier than anything Athena has.> Gilgamesh counteracts.

<I haven’t seen their specs, but the Praetor Warships should at the very least be comparable to the old Ragnarok. I’m not so sure we can take on fifteen of those, especially since they will probably have some sort of support.> Noriko explains.

<Why are we even here? You have the Genesis Armor. Just go down there and kick some ass!> Kari objects.

<I’m trying to win a war while minimizing collateral damage. I can’t think like a goddess!>

Just as the argument is heating up, Hermes materializes on the bridge. He’s holding a very distressed Doctor Catherine Kalama in his arms.

<Time to come up with a new plan, Sunshine: your old one just picked up and left.> he says.

<Take me back! I can’t leave her alone!> the doctor objects.

<What the hell happened down there? Why isn’t Eros reporting?> Noriko asks.

<That limp-wristed poor excuse for a god was spooked by whatever Athena keeps locked beneath Mundus and left. Everyone else is exploring the base.>

<Hermes, you idiot! You were supposed to take every mortal out of there!!!> Noriko yells.

<You wanted someone on the inside, you have them. I couldn’t look at what scared Eros, but I sensed one thing: it cannot be allowed to leave Mundus. If Athena wants you there, it would be suicide to fall into her trap.>

<Now listen to me, Hermes. Either you bring Eros back to me in the next five minutes or our agreement is off.> Noriko tells him to his face, her silver eyes shining.

<You mean…> Hermes’s voice trembles.

<Eros. Five minutes. Or I. Will. Kill. You.>

Hermes doesn’t even bother with a response: he’s gone faster than the blink of an eye.

<Noriko, we have to…> Doctor Kalama tells her, but Noriko raises a hand and interrupts her.

<Safety belts, everyone. I’m going to ram the ship into the fortress.> she announces, warming up the engines.

<What about the plan?> Torn asks.

<My sister is down there. F##k collateral damage.>

Beneath the surface, sub-level 120

With the sound of the alarm reverberating through the fortress, more and more guards are charging into the level. The good news is that the elevator is the only way to access this floor, as teleporters are strictly prohibited: this creates an easily exploitable chokehold point.

The bad news is that they are all equipped with personal shields: Kayla Black’s energy powers and Kiros Zel’s duplicates have been able to keep the first waves away, as well as destroying all the knockout gas emitters and sound blasters that were supposed to incapacitate them… but they won’t last forever.

<Are you sure it’s a good idea to open that door?> Kayla asks, briefly turning towards the children accompanying them.

There used to be four of them, but Kari’s three daughters have fused into a single grown-up woman using her increased strength to very slowly open a huge security door.

<If Athena’s keeping some kind of weapon in here, it could be useful!> Nalani Null replies, as the nine-year-old child prodigy is trying to use the opening to squeeze to the other side.

<What if it’s some big scary monster?> the merged Zel kids asks.

<Then we could convince it to help us! Unless you have a 3-digit IQ, I don’t want to hear any suggestions.> Nalani insists.

<What about us?> the merged being asks.

<You mean adding the IQs of all three of you? Can you even reach 2 digits? C’mon, leave the thinking to me and use that overgrown body of yours to give me an opening!>

<You’re… very… mean…> the Myridian fusion replies while using all her strength for a final push.

That’s barely enough space to allow the child to squeeze through, and Nalani finds herself admiring what’s on the other side of the door.

It’s definitely bigger than she imagined: it’s a huge structure, a squared pit larger than Central Park and deep enough to reach the center of the planetoid. Possibly even bigger than that.

<This doesn’t look like Olympian technology.> she reasons out loud, touching one of the walls.

It’s cold to the touch, with a metallic texture despite looking like solid rock; a dull grey material with irregular veins that faintly glow blue.

<Drylon. Guys, I think this is Drylon technology!> she shouts.

<Cool! What’s a Drylon?> is the response from the other side.

<Bad news. It’s always bad news.> Nalani says, getting closer and closer to the edge of the chasm in front of her until she bumps into an invisible force.

<What’s the point of this? Why would Athena want to lead my sister to…>

<MEAT.>

Nalani’s heart accelerates as she screams at the sight of a scaly tentacle emerging from the bottomless pit, attempting to grab her but failing to get past the invisible barrier.

<There’s something alive in here!!!> she shouts.

<SHE PROMISED MEAT. I AM WAITING.> the pit protests.

<Who is “she”? Athena?> Nalani tentatively asks.

<BRING ME A GOD. OR A UNIVERSE. I HUNGER.>

<Did Athena imprison you? She’s our enemy! We can work together!>

<I AM HIGHEST ABOVE ALL, THE GREATEST TERROR IN THE UNIVERSE, SCOURGE OF OLYMPUS, BANE OF ALL GODS. I NEED NO ALLIES.>

<And yet you’re in a cage.> Nalani mocks the voice.

That turns out to be a bad idea: something in the pit stirs, causing an earthquake.

<ZEUS WAS NOT GOD ENOUGH TO DEFEAT ME, TRICKING ME INTO THIS FORSAKEN DRYLON CAGE. RELEASE ME SO THAT I CAN FULFILL MY DESTINY: DESTROY EVERYTHING.>

<Why would I do that? Or better yet, why would Athena be insane enough to do it?> Nalani wonders, hurrying to squeeze back outside of the large door.

<Big scary monster?> the merged Myridian asks.

<Big scary monster, yes. I don’t think Athena really wants to release that thing… I’ll bet that she wants to trap Noriko inside its cage. We have to keep her away from here!>

Kayla and Kiros aren’t paying much attention to Nalani, being too busy dealing with the guards. Until they are defeated with brutal efficiency by a combination of a laser bouncing around as if it has a mind of its own and glowing red energy weapons.

<Everything okay down here? The sensors picked up an earthquake.> Noriko asks.

<Nori? You can’t be here!> Nalani protests.

<Sure can. I used the Destiny-One’s phasing technology to get through the upper levels, materializing it inside… I had calculated that the structure would survive the damage.>

<No, you don’t understand, this is a trap! Athena wanted you here!>

<There’s a big scary monster that wants to kill everything.> the Myridian fusion informs her.

<You don’t say.> Noriko raises an eyebrow, making Nalani realize just how well Athena understands her sister.

Praetor Warship One, above the planet

Nike expected Athena to be mad at the sight: the viewscreen is showing the fortress collapse on itself, now that the uppermost subterranean levels have been demolished.

Instead, her goddess stands emotionless, arms behind her back, side by side her secret ally.

<See, what did I tell you? She could not resist rescuing her family and she won’t resist proving her worth against an impossible challenge. Every flame has its moth.> Rei Null smugly points out.

<I concede you are right. Proceed to your part of the plan.> Athena orders.

<I’m already on it. The advantages of having copied Myridian powers: I can be in more place than one. And this duplicate would rather stay close to you to make sure I will receive my payment.>

<As agreed, Rei. You will get the full schematics of the Genesis Armor after Noriko is dead.>

<Hmm. You sure were quick to hack into her systems to gain this knowledge…>

<You doubt my skills, Rei? Every cell of my body is part of my divine power. When Noriko absorbed my blood to power up the Genesis Armor, she gave me full knowledge of its functionality.>

<And yet you’re going along with my plan, and agreed to give me the armor, instead of building one for yourself. Which means two things: one, you couldn’t figure out a way to use the armor for yourself. Two, you devised a way to stop me if I ever try to attack you with it.>

<Your point being?>

<Just making sure you don’t try to double cross me. I am not Noriko, Athena.>

<I’m under no impression that you are. Nike, what is the status of our invading forces?> she asks.

<In position, Your Majesty. A massive, simultaneous attack on Earth, Myridia and Boreas can be launched as soon as the intangibility shields protecting them fail.>

<Excellent. Upon my command…>

<Is that wise, though?> Nike asks.

Athena and Rei slowly turn towards her. The goddess in anger, the mortal visibly amused.

<We have enough ships to launch a debilitating strike against thousands of other worlds. Even if those three worlds survive, the resistance will still be crippled.> Nike objects.

<Destroying Myridia and Boreas will crush the will of the rebellion, and destroying Earth will rid Noriko of any fallback plans. Leave strategy to ME, Nike, since you are no longer capable of achieving victory on your own.>

<Yes, Your Majesty.> Nike dejectedly agrees, no longer looking at her goddess.

<Don’t be too sad. This will be over quickly.> Rei reassures her, looking at her watch: she just received a message from one of her duplicate bodies.

<It shall. Nike, raise shields to maximum and bring us out of this system: I’m releasing the beast.>

Boreas, 30,000 light-years from Earth

A different Rei Null is looking at the planet from orbit. There are hundreds of spaceships orbiting it, like vultures waiting to descend on a prey.

The only reason they don’t is that the planet is currently completely intangible, with its image fluctuating like a ghostly reflection.

Until she flips a switch.

Hundreds of phase modulators, modified by her necrobots working on Amazon technology, begin twisting the planet back into its original state.

It will only take a few minutes for Boreas to become tangible again, and a few more to reduce its surface to a molten mass of flaming rocks.

Mundus, 99,000 light-years from Earth

The planetoid shakes much worse than before. In fact, it’s only thanks to Vesta rushing to hold the roof that it doesn’t collapse on top of everyone else.

<Okay none of you can sense energy, but I’m not the only one who just felt the mother of all power surges right?> Quantum asks.

The massive door is torn from its hinges. Tentacles break through everything: creeping from floor to ceiling, as something far too big for this celestial body shifts its weight underground.

<This is bad. Everybody out, NOW!!!> Noriko orders.

And not a moment too soon: a combination of the ship’s teleporter and Torn’s portals bring everyone back on the Destiny-One.

Just in time for everything around it to be pulverized. Not just the fortress: the planetoid itself is being devoured from the inside out, as everyone looks in awe and terror at what is reforming outside of the ship. Only one person has something to say.

<Holy f##king s##t.> Vesta exclaims, becoming pale with fear.

Nobody around her remembers her ever swearing. But considering what they are witnessing, they can’t exactly blame her.

A colossal contradiction of nature, a living catastrophe whose body seems assembled from every terror the universe can imagine.

Only humanoid in the broadest sense: every limb is made of a plethora of monstrous shapes. Muscles made of intertwined serpents, vast leathery wings that can eclipse any star, and innumerable heads twisted together to form a horrible cranium crowned by a writhing assembly of dark tentacles.

<That’s Typhon!!! Athena has gone mad!!!> Vesta shouts.

The monster god stares at the ship with its seven burning eyes, distributed unevenly across its mockery of a face, and it opens a gigantic mouth filled with multiple rows of fangs to declare:

<THE AGE OF GODS AND MORTALS IS OVER! I WILL EAT THE FLESH OFF THE BONES OF THIS UNIVERSE AND RULE OVER ITS ASHES!!!>

Surrounded by a dust cloud that absorbs all light attempting to leave this system, there is a planetoid not found on any stellar map.

It’s located on the frontier between the Athenian Federation and intergalactic space, but the planetoid hasn’t always been here: fifty thousand years ago, it was firmly in Demeter’s sector and within a few dozen light years from Earth.

Even if someone were to put it on a map, it would be hard to find something notable beyond the dust nebula. The planetoid is half the size of Earth’s moon; it orbits a dim red dwarf star, and its surface is completely barren.

There is only one structure on the planetoid, a fortress that doesn’t look particularly impressive from the outside. Both because the dim light of the small star doesn’t illuminate it very well, but also because almost the entire fortress is integrated into the mantle of the planetoid.

Its outer defenses are extremely limited for a reason: this is not an installation meant to prevent people from accessing it. It’s meant to keep something from ever escaping.

That is why there are now fifteen Praetor Warships orbiting the planetoid.

It’s very much an overkill: they are the top of the line of the Athenian Fleet, weapons of last resort meant to protect the Athenian Federation by annihilating the enemy.

A single Praetor Warship has enough firepower to blow multiple planets to smithereens; fifteen just reeks of desperation.

A concept that Nike is very much aware of.

The Goddess of Victory sits on the captain’s chair of one of the warships, staring into the viewscreen showing the fortress from orbit.

As Athena’s right-hand goddess, she was one of the extremely few beings aware of the existence of this place before it was even revealed to the rest of the Federation.

And even she doesn’t know what Athena holds in this cursed place, or why she has placed here all of her hopes of winning the war.

All she knows is that this is far too late to change course: she can just pray that her goddess’s wisdom exceeds even her myth.

Access bay

The personnel working at Mundus is carefully selected. The officers must have demonstrated the utmost loyalty to Athena, they must have at least ten years of exemplary service in the Athenian Fleet, and can only serve a maximum of twenty years: after resigning, their memories are carefully edited to remove the knowledge of what they have seen and done.

Because of this, the officer registering the arrival of new prisoners suddenly realizes that this is the first time in fifteen years that she has seen someone not wearing a uniform.

Four adults and four children are being escorted by a soldier wearing a helmet; they have been handcuffed and blindfolded.

<New delivery. Lock and lose the key, standard procedure.> the soldier delivering the prisoners says, handing over a holographic sheet listing their names.

<Three Class 4 prisoners: Robert Null, Katerine Kalama and Kiros Zel. Four Class 3 prisoners: Kayla Black, Nalani Null, Ariel Zel, Azure Zel and Imani Zel. There must be a mistake, those last four are children!>

<There are two mistakes, actually: I’m nine years old, not a child, and I should be way higher than Class 2 if you ask me.> Nalani comments.

<Not now, honey.> Doctor Kalama tells her daughter, placing a hand over her shoulder; she’s immediately pulled back by the soldier.

<No contact between prisoners! Stay still for the scanner!> he yells.

<No need to get upset. This will only take a moment.> the officer in charge of security calms him down, staring at the screen of the scanner analyzing the newest arrivals.

<Four Myridians, duplication powers accounted for and neutralized. Two regular humans, one…> she stops when the screen starts flickering, and the data turns into nonsense.

<One powered human. The Nubian-skinned one, according to the file… interfering with the scanner?> she wonders, looking at Kayla.

<Powers are accounted for. Is there a problem?> the soldier with the helmet asks.

<Nothing can enter Mundus without proper authorization. If the prisoners are not identifiable with perfect accuracy, I cannot allow them to pass. I will have to escalate this.> the officer notes, holding out her hand to reach for the communicator… but the soldier puts his hand over hers.

<We’re in the middle of a war. You really want to bother a superior over some triviality?>

<It’s standard procedure.>

<There’s nothing standard about those prisoners. Do you know they were arrested on direct order of Lady Athena herself?>

<Yes, it was in the file, but…>

<And that the transfer was authorized by her? Personally?>

<I need to verify that the prisoners she released are the same ones entering Mundus.>

<You want to ask Athena if she made a mistake?>

<Of course not! But the procedures are very clear: nothing and nobody enters or leaves without proper authorization.>

<Fine, go ahead now. Ask Athena if she made a mistake in allowing someone dumb enough to enter Mundus on their own free will. She is not known for her sense of humor, but perhaps she will find it funny.>

The officer thinks it over for a few seconds, then reluctantly unlocks the door that leads to the nearest elevator.

<Just take them to sub-level 5 and hurry back. I heard we’re sealing off all access today.>

<Don’t worry, hurrying is my specialty.>

The soldier escorts the prisoners to the elevator, without looking back. Once the doors close, the officer asks herself:

<I wonder what he meant by that?>

In the elevator

That was an unusual interaction: Mundus doesn’t get prisoners often. In fact, the prohibition on using teleporters and the need to transport large equipment is the reason why this elevator is large enough to comfortably hold nine people.

Eight of which find themselves free from the handcuffs and blindfold in the blink of an eye, allowing them to see the soldier take off his helmet, adjusting his already perfectly sculpted hair.

<I’ve missed the simple pleasure of a well-executed misdirection.> Hermes congratulates himself, unbuttoning his uniform to show off his godly pecs.

<What are you doing? Put that back on, there could be cameras around!> Kayla protests.

<The personnel are not so lucky. See, Mundus is so obsessed with keeping knowledge of what they hold here, that there are no cameras anywhere. Besides, after being jailed for so long, surely you appreciate the sight of the peak of human form?>

<You’re barking up the wrong tree, horndog. So, what’s the plan here?> she asks.

<I could explain, but I bet she already figured it out.> Hermes answers, pointing at Nalani.

The kid genius is a bit embarrassed by the attention, but she does take the bait.

<Well I don’t have all the variables, but you said this place is designed to keep things locked rather than stopping people from getting in. So, if I were my sister… I would’ve figured out that Athena taking us here is a trap, and engineered a trap of my own. We’re here to take Athena by surprise and free whatever she wants to keep locked here, right?>

<I don’t want to be too skeptical, but… how are we supposed to sabotage a place like this? None of us is a soldier!> Doctor Kalama protests.

<I am.> both Kayla Black and Kiros Zel reply in unison.

<Sorry, I know you both have powers, but even you can’t take on Athena alone!>

<They won’t have to. Isn’t that right, “dad”?> Nalani asks, turning towards Bob Null.

<How did you figure it out?> he asks.

<You think I don’t know my own father enough to notice the difference?>

<My bad. I thought it was a good imitation.> he replies, turning into the closest thing that Eros has to a true physical body… a pink silhouette of a man with wings.

<What the hell!?> Doctor Kalama exclaims, pulling her daughter towards her; she had not noticed that her companion had been substituted by an impostor.

<Don’t judge yourself too harshly, love. I’m way better at understanding romantic love than the love for one’s father… understandable, given my family.>

<This is… interesting. I take it you two switched places when we were transferred to the ship that took us to Mundus.> Nalani deduces.

<That is correct. Noriko’s instructions were to take the place of her father, sneak into Mundus, and destroy it from within. I don’t have specific instructions on how, but I assume Hermes will help.>

<Actually, not quite. I’m supposed to take you, Kiros and Kayla inside… and sneak the others back to safety before Mundus goes into full lockdown.> Hermes reveals.

<No. That is a terrible idea.> Nalani objects.

<We’ll be fine, kid. Kayla has her energy powers, and I’m an experienced Myridian soldier.> Kiros reminds her.

<We also have powers! Don’t you remember?> Ariel adds, holding hands with both her sisters.

Instead of using their Myridian heritage to create duplicates, the three merge into a single adult woman surrounded by the blue aura of the supercharged virtual particles she generates.

<We’re Trinity. Although we’re thinking of changing our name.>

<Yes, I do remember, and I’m fine with you three joining the mission if your father agrees… but I also have to stay.> Nalani insists.

<Absolutely out of the question!!! This is too dangerous!> her father objects.

<Mother, I am the second smartest mortal in the Galaxy…>

<And nine years old.>

<…and the only person in this room capable of even understanding whatever countermeasure Athena might have in place, let alone being able to come up on the fly with a way to get around them. I must be part of this mission, without question.>

<Little Sunshine, do you have any idea of what your sister will do to me if I abandon you here?>

<And do you have any idea of what I will do to you if you don’t?> Nalani responds to Hermes, looking at the god straight in the eye.

<Eh. You’re going to be such a little troublemaker when you grow up… if you survive.> Hermes chuckles, holding up Doctor Kalama and carrying her over his shoulder.

<What are you doing!? Let me down!> she protests.

<Be careful out there, kids.> Hermes tells them, disappearing in an instant right as the elevator reaches its destination and its doors open.

<He didn’t even wait for my consent. What a son of a…> Kiros protests.

<Dad? Didn’t the lady at the front desk say we were going to sub-level 5?> Trinity asks, pointing at the display indicating the floor. It’s showing “120”.

<It did feel like a long ride. Let’s have a look.> Nalani says, taking the lead to leave the elevator.

Once everyone is outside, Kayla places her hands over the door: a surge of electricity flows into her body, and the elevator lights are shut down. In fact, the whole floor is suddenly without power: Kayla has to surround her hand with the energy she just absorbed to provide some illumination.

<This will slow down anyone from following us. If this is where Hermes wanted us to go, we could start doing some damage.> Kayla proposes.

Kiros creates six duplicates of himself to provide more coverage from the rear, while Nalani is more interested in the door in front of them.

In fact even at a first glance, it’s clear that this “floor” is little more than the access point for this huge security door, easily thirty feet tall.

<Hold on. I think I can hack the lock.> Nalani proposes.

<We can hack it too!> Trinity volunteers, grabbing the oversized handle and using all of her strength trying to open it.

Nalani knows from experience that in this fused form, the three girls are as strong as Kari in her 10K Rise state… and yet the door is not budging in the slightest.

<Allow me, love.> Eros tells them, doing the same… and yet even his divine strength is just barely enough to just barely move it an inch.

And then scream in utter terror, fluttering his wings to fly back several feet and shiver in place.

<Close that door!!! Close it!!!>

<What the… why!? What’s inside?> Nalani asks, but it’s clear Eros is no longer listening to her… or to reason.

<No love! Just hatred! Loves nothing… hates everything… everything will burn! My soul is burning! I have to get out of here!!!> the god rambles incoherently, flying upwards at maximum speed. Crashing through the ceiling, and one level above it after another.

And a voice is transmitted through a speaker throughout Mundus:

<Intruder alert. Hostile activity at sub-level 120. Doomsday protocols are in effect, I repeat, Doomsday protocols are in effect. This is not a drill. May Athena have mercy of our souls.>

<We don’t think we were supposed to open that door.> Trinity notes.

<And I thought I was the genius. C’mon, we’re supposed to cause trouble right? Might as well get a peek at what spooked Eros so much!> Nalani says, with Trinity gleefully returning to the door.

<Tell me again why we agreed to follow a nine year old?> Kayla asks Kiros.

<I have not agreed to a single thing since I got here.> he reminds her.