Chapter 138

Arc 14 - Absolute Wish - Part 19

Beijing China:

It was evening in China when Zhi Yan - a new superhuman made by Nazar - sat on a comfortable sofa in her large apartment in the middle of the city.

Turning her head to the right, she could see the city from here. Below the orange sky of evening, she saw something which was flying. However, she did not pay much attention to it. She thought it was a flock of birds.

Ignoring that, she turned on the television and started watching it.

“- The Arabian-- -”

She groaned and shouted, “Nobody cares,” as she changed the channel.

“- Two super terrorists who attacked the Bradley Isle yesterday has been apprehended by the US Government. The US claims they were working for the terrorist organisation known as the No Names. The mercenary known as Alek, who was also hired by the No Names has been killed by the infamous Nazar. -”

“Wait,” Zhi realised something. “Terrorists? Who? Those guys were not part of the-- Don’t tell me, he made more of us...”

For some unknown reasons, she did not like that in the slightest. She hated it.

“- The students and teachers, along with others have safely escaped from the island, but it seems the psychological and mental damage-- -”

“Ugh, no one cares. Just get back to what happened with those two. Nobody cares about these silly rich kids.”

She groaned.

“- But we ask, why did Nazar let them live? But an even bigger question is, what did the No Names want with this international terrorist? Did they want him to join hands with them? If that were the case, then the world is truly lost. -”

Zhi rolled her eyes.

Like he would need help to destroy the world, she thought.

Although she cannot get a gauge on his power levels like others, she can sense that great and destructive power within him.

When she is in his presence, she feels like fainting due to the pressure.

“- In other news, Russia has found its very own superhuman. American intelligence has revealed that it is only a teenager, whom they have kidnapped from Ukraine. However, Kremlin has denied the allegations. -”

Zhi widened her eyes.

“Wait...”

Although there was no name or picture of the said superhuman, she was sure who it was.

Illya Kolisnyk. The superhuman from Ukraine who got the ability to fly.

“- This breach of human rights has angered the United Nations and-- -”

Suddenly, the window to her apartment broke.

“!!”

This wouldn’t have been very surprising if Zhi wasn’t living on the 50th floor.

She threw the remote onto her sofa and abruptly stood up.

With her ability to teleport, whoever it was, should prove useless against her.

She looked at the people in the room. There were five of them, but they were wearing a tight leather suit with two mechanical falcon wings coming out of their backs. They were wearing dark helmets which covered their faces.

They were China’s 「Jet-Men」. Soldiers wearing jetpack powered armours with wings that allow them to fly.

On her guard, she tried to attack, but, once she noticed the emblem, she groaned.

“That emblem… The military?”

“Yes,” spoke a middle-aged man as he removed the helmet. “I am general Xiu Wei of the People’s Liberation Army. And you, young lady, are to come with us.”

“???”

She tilted her head in a confused manner.

Norse God… That Eddie guy said in theory, I should be able to teleport other people remotely… I think this is the best time to try it out.

She clenched her fist as she readied to fight back.

“First soldiers battled. Then economies. Then technology. Now… The world is entering a new stage of war; Superhuman War. And you, you will be honoured to join us.”

Wait, this could be a good opportunity...

A thin smile spread across her face.

“What is in it for me?”

“Your old history will be wiped out. After all, you do not want the world to know of your crimes of theft and espionage, no?”

Her smile turned bitter.

I thought I was discrete--!!

“Lin!”

Her childhood friend, her partner in crime and her boyfriend.

“Why yes, he was very cooperative.”

Grinding her teeth, she cursed him in her heart.

“But if that’s not attractive enough, how about...”

The general’s thin smile sent a shiver down her spine.

“International immunity?”

International immunity? I could commit crimes and it will all be ignored… Just perfect!

However, she did not show her excitement on her face.

“Hmmm...” she pouted her lips in a disappointed gesture. “Yeah… How much do I get paid?”

“That is negotiable, young lady.”

Just beautiful!

She stood straight and raised one hand to salute.

“Sir, yes sir! I agree with your conditions!” she was brimming with conviction and eagerness.

“Good girl,” the general muttered.

“For my first mission, what do you want me to do?”

Maybe that eagerness is a little too much, the general thought.

“Destroy the Uighurs? Attack the US base just off the coast?”

The general smiled stiffly.

“The Uighurs are no concern of yours, young lady. We have taken care of that. But the US base… That does sound very attractive. However, the time for that will come later.”

He extended his hand towards her.

“Join us, for your country.”

“Sir, yes sir, I will!” she shouted out enthusiastically.

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Tokyo, Japan:

Late in the evening, Haru Watanabe was walking home from work, tired - although not as tired as she usually used to be.

With her usual annoyed look on her face, she walked into a convenience store and bought some ready-made food. As usual, she avoided making eye contact with the employees in the store.

But of course, she could not avoid their thoughts.

Ugh, the same usual shit about how terrible their life is...

She heaved a long sigh.

Haru walked towards her home in the dimly lit up street.

And as usual, there were no incidents.

It was not too long ago where a monster dropped before her and tried to kill her. Since then, she is always wary of her way home.

She could fly from her work to her house, but she did not hate the everyday normal journey of hers. Even though she complains about it a lot in her heart when on the train.

Why do I have this bad feeling swelling up within me?

Haru shook her head and leisurely walked towards her home.

She reached her place without any problem.

But something felt off to her, for some odd reasons. She could not get rid of the bad feeling withing her.

Haru opened the door to her small apartment and entered it tiredly.

“Haaaaa,” she let out a long breath, almost relieved.

She walked into the kitchen and placed her meal on the table.

“Should I take a bath first or…”

She glanced at the food then looked forward out of the window, where she couldn’t see anything but her reflection.

“I guess I will take a bath.”

She left her food on the kitchen table and went to the bathroom. After a while, she came out wearing clean clothes and wiping her hair with a towel.

While she was trying to enter the kitchen, she heard a thud in the small living room.

Maybe a book fell, but...

Curious, she checked it.

However, the lights were off, so she could not see anything.

“!!”

She heard something which resembled footsteps.

“Who's there?!”

Angrily, she turned on the light.

“??”

A man in a dark ninja outfit was standing. She could see the black pommel of the ninja’s sword. Two of them, in fact.

More than being angry and worried, she was confused.

What the…? Is he mentally well?

“Watanabe Haru, on behalf of 「Amaterasu Clan」, I am Ren Ito, have come to deliver this--”

Wait, that's real? Wasn't it said in history books that it was a legend during the Edo? Sho-- Whatever period? Why is he… Alright, I will ask him.

“What the hell is the Amaterasu Clan?!”

You are more worried about that? the ninja questioned in his heart.

“We are a ninja clan, created during the Edo Period. Originally to battle a demon. Right now, we are keeping Japan safe from threats, internal and external.”

“Okay, and?”

Her annoyed tone caused the ninja to change the topic.

“Please,” he handed her a scroll, “read this.”

“What is it about?”

“We want you to join the Amaterasu Clan. We need your power.”

“Uh.”

She took the scroll with her right hand.

“For the glory of...”

Closing her left fist, a yellow bubble appeared around the ninja.

“Japaaaaaaaaaaaaa……….”

Before the ninja could finish speaking, Haru threw the bubble to the other side of the city.

“What the hell is going on in this world…?”

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New York:

It was morning in New York city when Eddie opened his eyes in his apartment in New York.

He glanced to his right and saw his girlfriend, a red-haired girl with smooth white skin, who was sound asleep.

He put on a shirt and went to the bathroom.

He could not sleep all night for a few reasons. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the images of the Queen blowing up in his head. Then his thought would drift off to imaginary times where he became a killer. That was his worst fear.

However, that was not all.

He was feeling intense pain which made this sleepless night even longer.

Damn this…

Once he was alone in the bathroom, he raised his shirt and removed an illusion he had placed around himself.

His abdomen was not there.

There was nothing but blue energy in that area.

Shit, it’s worse than I thought.

While touching his abdomen, he groaned in pain.

He pulled down his pants a little and noticed it was even worse than he thought.

Half of his thigh was also turned into energy.

Shit…

Yesterday, he fought against Ebo Kojo and the Godslayer armours, so he used up a lot of magic. When Nazar threw her out of the planet, he expended even more energy to heal her.

And to top it off, he enhanced his speed greatly to get a hit on the Queen.

He had used up more power than he should have and was losing his physical form slowly.

“Will you finally listen to me, Edward?”

Someone inside his mind spoke.

“If you use any more of this magic incorrectly, you will lose yourself.”

The voice was very concerned about him.

“Shut up,” but Eddie brushed him off.

“From what I know, your friend, Nazar, he is a powerful God himself. He will heal--”

“I don’t want to,” he spoke in a gloomy tone. “I am not some child who needs to rely on someone else for the rest of my life. This is my problem, something I must solve myself.”

The mirror changed in front of him.

It was showing an old wise man rather than Eddie.

“Who are you?”

“I was a God once, a God of Earth.”

“God of Earth…?” Eddie muttered. "What fuck is going on?"

“Gods lived in a world, we got along but one day… Ragnarok came. Many Gods died, but we averted the final cataclysm.”

Eddie thought he was hallucinating, he could not believe his ears.

“But then… a new Ragnarok began. A new cataclysm. And I, along with many Gods, fell. This Ragnarok could not be averted. So!”

His voice full of worry shouted through the mirror.

“So, I advise you not to fall into the same fate as us. Fight against your personal Ragnarok. I could not save myself, but you can. You Have time. And… I cannot help you, young God. I am dead, after all. Residing in the 「Graveyard of Gods」.”

Eddie clicked his tongue.

He could predict this old man’s next sentence.

“Ask your friend for help, it is not too late. He can save you.”

“I just told you, I cannot rel--”

“Pride is a great thing, but it has been the fall of many, Edward.”

“This isn’t pride,” he shouted angrily. “I don’t have an ego. I just don’t want to be--”

Slamming his fists into the sink, he trailed off.

"I... I don't need his help. I have always relied on him. He was always there. But the other day... I know that woman was too powerful, she even gave Nazar trouble, but this is not the first time. For far too long I have sought out his help, even if the enemy was weak. Yet it was never the other way around. So, I need to do this by myself."

The man in the mirror scoffed and then sighed.

“Then how about I tell you about a place who can help you. No, not save you. But merely show you the way. Help you control your power better.”

Eddie thought to Nazar, the man who could solve all his problems with ease.

But he does not want that.

So, he narrowed his eyes.

“...Go on.”

“「The Realm of the Gods」.”

“Huh…?”

“I can--”

“Wait!”

Just now, Eddie realised something.

First, who really is this man?

Second, how is he communicating with him?

Third, is that a telepathic construct?

Fourth, was this the voice he heard all this time?

Before he could utter those words, the old man shook his head.

“Answer my questions first.”

Sensing hostility in his voice, the old man spoke calmly, “Calm down, Edward. It is I, the All-Father of the Gods. But that is not important. You must find answers to your questions by yourself.”

“Uhh...”

“Worry not, an old friend, the Emperor of the Gods can help you when you visit the Realm of the Gods.”

He was still unsure about this and it sounded very sketchy to him.

“You must visit the 「Arabian Nights」.”

"What the hell is the Arabian Nights?!? Wait! Isn't that folklore?"

“Oh my sweet human child, too much you do not know. Nay, I don't blame you. Nobody knows about it. It is also known as the 「Hidden Universe」.”

Wait, what the… This feels… It’s too much for my pay grade.

"Uhhh" scratches his head. "Whatever. I will tal--"

He wanted to leave Nazar out of it, but this sounded very sketchy, so he wanted his help after all.

“I would advise against that. The Gods don't have a good history with the Creator.”

“But you just said…!!”

Eddie noticed a title that is not known to many.

On top of that, not many know about Nazar’s true stature.

"...Who are you?"

“Look deep within yourself, my mortal courier. You shall find the answer you are searching for.”

“!!”

He felt like his mind blew up, but at the same time, he thought he was reading a children's book.

This sounds no different from when he was watching videos about mythologies online.

"No... It can't be."

“Have you heard of the legend of Surtur?”

"Yes?"

“In the first Ragnarok, I faced the demon Surtur - or as you know him as Bur-Goth. To stop the first Ragnarok, I gave him part of our power. The power which resides in you.”

Another fuse blew up in his head.

"!!"

Just what the hell is going on? I don’t understand this anymore...

“... Forget this fairy tale, I am out.”

The image in the mirror vanished.

"I must be hallucinating because of the pain."

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Unknown world:

In an empty transparent world with visible rainbow coloured winds, three people stood in front of a glass cave.

“So, Supremer, what’s next?”

“Did you understand him?”

Aiht, the Negative God, nodded.

“I did… But I don’t understand you.”

He glanced back and saw a thin slender man, with an average height and built, stood. He had long blue hair and crystal cyan coloured eyes. He was wearing a skintight blue suit, with golden slanted lines on his arms and his legs.

The man had a long dark purple face, always with a depressed look on his face.

“What are you going to do now? And what role does he play in this?”

“You will know soon, but before that...”

The Supreme One floated.

“I need to meet him - God.”

“Tch,” Aiht clicked his tongue unpleasantly. “I really hate him.”

The Supreme One noticed the terrible look on his face, but he ignored it.

“Aizen, the Omniscient Reader, please stay here. I do not want him to kill you.”

The man gulped.

“He is a complicated being, so, I am afraid he might assume the worst about you and kill you. It is for the better if you were to stay in this barren empty world.”

“Um… Yes,” the man tried his best to keep his scared voice down. He did not want to make a move that will anger the Supreme Being who created this Ultraverse.

“Do you want me to warp the world for you?”

The man shook his head stiffly.

“I… Thanks.”

The Supreme One then looked at Aiht.

“Please return to Asteria. From today onwards, you will be the sole Supreme Being.”

“!!”

It did not make sense.

Why, him?

Even if Aiht was to be left behind, it is useless.

He is not a Creator or Destroyer, so if the Supreme One leaves, the Ultraverse will collapse on itself.

“Wait, are--”

Aiht trailed off.

He realised something.

“Ah...”

“Indeed, Lucifer has taken a greater place in the Celestial Hierarchy, throwing me down the ladder. Furthermore, my other child, Michael, replaced me. As long as they live and you, who is a half Creator - the reasoning of which still is unknown to me - everything shall move on the same as usual.”

The old Creator and Destroyer had been replaced a long time ago and they both knew it.

Their time had come to an end and realised they fell short before their creation, so they decided to slowly back away.

“Emily, who has replaced the Nameless One is also in this universe.”

“And him?”

Aiht did not say his name, but both of them knew who they were talking about.

“Yeah, him too. As long as any of them lives, the universe will move on without a problem.”

If the Ultraverse did not have the Supreme Beings, it would crumble almost instantly. Their mere presence is important for the survival of this Ultraverse.

“It is time for us to leave the stage with a bow to the audience. A grand departure.”

The Supreme One had no face, but if he had one, Aiht thought he would be smiling now. An accomplished, nostalgic yet sad smile.

The Supreme One flew away, leaving them behind.

Aiht glanced at the other man left on this planet.

Dozens of images of the man being killed flashed through his mind. For some reasons, he wanted to murder this innocent man.

“Oh?”

He cupped his chin with his right hand as he grinned thinly.

“Should I...”

Should he steal his energies? And his power?

Certainly, Aiht will prove more useful to the Supreme One than this man.

But, then he clicked his tongue.

Useful to the Supreme One? Bah!

He hated that idea.

“Oh well,” he waved his hand as he floated, “you will die soon anyway.”

The man stared at him in a confused manner.

“This is a suicide mission anyway.”

Aiht laughed as he let the man alone.

Left alone, Aizen sat on the glass ground and heaved a heavy sigh.

“What a weird man...”

The transparent glass world changed.

As blue energy left the man’s body, it covered the whole planet, changing it on a molecular level.

Beneath him, a ground appeared. Around him, buildings, happy people - of many different species, round cute alien spaceships appeared.

From the distance, a beautiful golden sun rose, shining this world into a golden day.

However...

It was a world of drawings. Drawing with bright flat colours.

It looked as if it came straight out of a golden age comic.

And in the middle of this fantasy world, he stood like a child looking at this wonderful happy place.

“Hi, Aizen.”

“Good morning.”

“Ah, there are aliens above, are they good?”

People spoke to him, greeted him, and looked up to him.

A red cape appeared behind him, it flourished grandly with the wind which could be seen clearly with the naked eye.

“No alien is good. But fear not,” Aizen spoke majestically, doing his best to keep his excited squeaky voice inside deep his heart hidden, “for I am here now.”

He slowly started to float as he disobeyed gravity.

“This is my last mission, my people, I will not let you down.”

Ignoring the gasping noises, with an accomplished and sad smile, he flew towards the cute round alien spaceships.

“No, don’t go.”

“We will miss you, Aizen.”

“You are the greatest.”

He ignored the sounds from the world below and narrowed his eyes.

He flew closer to the spaceship and picked it up.

Flying far away from the world, he threw the spaceship into the sun.

When the spaceship blew up, he too flew right through the sun. And the sun, too, blew up.

As the last spark of the sun vanished in the dark sky, the world of glass shattered into nothingness.

And in the midst of darkness, Aizen lay coldly, as if staring at the heavens itself.

No.

He was staring at a place even higher than the heavens.

“...Why…?” he spoke in a broken and defeated voice, full of regret and pain. “Why make me like this? WHY?!"

He was shouting a world, a world far from his reach.

A world far from the reaches of anyone.

A world far from the reaches of anyone's dream.

"WHY?"

He shouted at it.

But nobody heard him.

His face twisted in sadness.

His heart swelled up in anger and pain. So much, so much so he thought it would explode, explode like an atom bomb.

"Why must you be so cruel?" He whispered. Whispered in a voice so low and painful, as if he was welcoming death. "Why must you be so cruel, Creator?"