Beyond the Gods

Yeling's Resolve

One year ago

My younger sister threw her arms around me. Almost an eternity had passed since I felt this level of affection before.

We had been separated for so long, from such horrific circumstances, but despite it all, Hakah had overcome her trauma and was healed. And she was now by my side.

"Thank you so much, Outer Shadow Onyx, for bringing my brother back to me. I am grateful." Hakah said.

Vicki and Carlton bowed.

The threat was over. Even if I had lost my friends...

None of it mattered anymore.

As long as my sister was by my side.

I was worried sick about what had happened to her. I didn't know who this Aaron Hope was, but if it wasn't for him, my sister wouldn't be by my side like this.

The only thing left...

Was to make sure no one else could harm her.

Thank you Vicki. Thank you Carlton.

But you guys were still Black Legion.

And I had no mercy toward people who harmed my family.

"As a celebration, let's have Canaan-styled hot po-"

I drew Tatsu, lunging toward Vicki with animalistic rage.

Aspect of the Rain God - SURFACE SLASH

I swung the blade as hard as I could at her neck, but Vicki quickly deflected my blade with her own sword, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yeling!" Vicki gasped.

"Goh goh! What are you doing?!" Hakah asked, bewildered.

I pushed my younger sister back behind me as I transformed into Stage Four.

Grand Ultimate Ascendent ITR

A blast of red and blue flame projected outwards, swamping Vicki and Carlton.

"Quick! Hakah! Create a portal and banish them! We need to get out of here!" I shouted at my sister.

"Yeling! Why are you doing this?!" Carlton shouted from the flames. A white orb had manifested from the destruction, and I gritted my teeth in frustration.

Dammit! After all the strength I had amassed...

Vicki emerged from the flames, trying to grab Tatsu, but I shot forward.

Level 2 Intangibility - DEVIL'S COMET

I threw a punch at Vicki's face, but Vicki deflected it with her forearm, swinging her sword, the blade inches from decapitating me, but her eyes suddenly filled with indecision.

GRAND ULTIMATE DEVIL'S TYPHOON ASCENDENT

I unleashed a gargantuan inferno of flames outwards, forcing the two back.

I had to get Hakah out of here.

I've pretended for long enough. I pretended to be Vicki's ally for long enough.

I will never.

EVER.

Let these people put the only family... the last person in the world who cared about me, in harm's way EVER AGAIN.

"SHADOWS! BANISH THOSE TWO AWAY FROM THIS REALM." I roared.

Last Son... we cannot. Outer Shadow Onyx and Auxiliary Shadow Twilight are members of the Black-

"And I am the descendent of The Great Akuma and the relative of Hakah! You WILL LISTEN TO ME."

I rushed forward, clashing with Vicki, my eyes full of hatred.

"Why... Yeling... how could you do this...!" Vicki muttered.

"You act so surprised... who was the bitch who attacked me and my friends in the first place? Or have you forgotten?!" I snarled, rage filling my body.

Blessing of the Last Son - ANARCHY FORM

A massive flaming skeletal avatar manifested outwards, a copy of Tatsu slamming the ground and forcing Vicki back.

I stood before the two Shadows, my Stage Four Hinokami in its Anarchy Form burning bright.

"I watched my friends leave me. One by one. To live a new life. Because of what you did alongside Fenrir. My little sister turned into this monster because of your organization. And now, using her Susanoo is threatening her body and her life. It's because of you people that she's in danger. Did you really think I would be on your side?! Your god... damn... SIDE?!"

I roared to the sky, the Anarchy Form and Hinokami flames lifting me off the ground.

"Thanks to your training... I've reached S Rank. I'm now on your level, Vicki. And now I have what it takes to get revenge on you and free my sister by killing both of you."

Carlton aimed his arrow at me, but hesitated, as I glared at him, turning Intangible and mixing my flames with Shenlong's green electricity.

I appeared before Twilight Bolt, reeling my fist back and slamming it into his chest, sending him backward.

I chased after him, ignoring Hakah's pleas, but was intercepted by swords and spears and arrows everywhere.

Celestial Scabbard - Heaven's Armory

I skidded to a stop, creating another Devil's Typhoon to knock the weapons away, but they stubbornly chased after me.

And from the chaos, parted Vicki Harriet's athletic figure, chasing me down with a knife in each hand.

Celestial Scabbard - Herculean Boost, Speed of Hermes, Blade of Glepnir

Vicki began pressuring me as I began losing ground.

"It's true. We took them away from you, Yeling. But that was our order. There was a reason why we did these things. There is always a reason. But what isn't true, is that I never once saw you as a comrade. You are still my Auxiliary! I brought you here to Hakah for a reason!"

I clenched my teeth angrily.

"Do not. Pretend. To understand me, bitch!" I growled.

Aspect of the Rain God - Rain God's Arsenal

I spread my hands, summoning Rainwater Constructs which countered Vicki's Celestial Constructs.

Vicki disarmed me, as she reached in, but I turned Intangible, slashing at her blind spot with a Rainwater Butterfly Knife.

"I can boost myself too!" I yelled, as I channeled Shenlong's Rainstorm power into my body, sparking green electricity alongside my flaming aura, which started to transition into pure blue flames.

The two of us clashed violently, shaking the entire realm.

Vicki gritted her teeth.

"You are even more stubborn than Vistara."

"Because unlike him, I've already achieved what I wanted. To surpass you and kill you. So you won't interfere with my loved ones ever again!"

I closed in with a front kick, but Vicki deflected my foot off with her shoulder guard, leaning in and summoning a bow.

Obsidian Ordnance - Death Blossom

Orbs of dark energy surrounded her, as blasts of black power slammed into me and forced me back.

"Goh goh! That's enough!" Hakah materialized in front of me and grabbed my shoulders, but recoiled at the heat.

"Hakah! Summon your shadows now! Now is our chance! We can escape. Your realm is restricted to you, right? We can live there. Forever and ever. Just us. You don't have to hurt anymore!" I pleaded, but Hakah shook her head.

"No! You don't get it. I'm fine because of the Black Legion!"

"LIES!" I roared, and more and more power began overloading me, my Anarchy Form causing me to think irrationally.

"They... they're tricking you... they've tricked you."

I pushed Hakah to the side, staggering forward.

Vicki's Obsidian Ordnance snaked around the right side of her body, while her Celestial Scabbard illuminated her left side.

I will kill Vicki.

This will be my last hurdle.

I won't need to worry about Loyce or the others, as long as Hakah can bring us back to her realm, no one can harm either of us ever again. We can live happily ever after.

Just us.

As a family again.

(Present Day)

"I have a bad feeling about this," Carlton said, as he placed a cup of instant ramen on the table.

"Vicki told us not a single drop of beer will enter her mouth. It's fine." I reassured him.

"But... that's the problem."

Carlton leaned towards me.

"Not a single drop of beer."

I paused.

No way.

FLOOM.

"I'm home... HIC! MORTALS!" Vicki stumbled around with a giant bottle of Hennessy in her hand.

"Ah... welcome home, Miss Harriet!" Carlton said nervously, before Vicki smashed his head into the side of the wall, creating the fifth hole this week.

"Don't you... hic! Speak to me... in that manner. Auxiliary!"

Vicki Harriet was flat-out drunk again.

I went to the fridge and prepared a glass of mineral water with a slice of ginger and honey, watching Vicki stumble to the counter.

"Auxiliary... Shadow Tidalflame! Hic! Prepare me a-"

I placed the glass in front of her.

"Oh. Thank you. Hic!"

Vicki took the glass and began downing it. For someone so composed and professional, it was difficult to imagine this woman to be a party animal. Thankfully, I spent several years living with a party animal back when I was in Squad Four.

"Did you have fun?" I asked.

Vicki put the glass down.

"Fun... I never have... fun. Hic! Ironclad... still sees me as a traditional... stereotypical hic! a woman... how hic! How demeaning! Our wrestling bout... was hic! Ruined! Ruined I say!"

"Women are strong too, Vicki."

"I... know. Hic! But... I am... Vicki Harriet. The... hic! The Millennium Medusa! How dare he... take it easy on me! When I am a warrior too!"

What a handful.

And she was supposed to be my superior as well.

At times like this, the fact that this woman was Squad Leader Matt's teacher always seemed unbelievable.

Vicki's head slammed onto the surface of the desk.

"I'm... strong too... because... hic! Loyce... needs... a strong woman... hic! And... Yeling... too..."

I sighed, draped a blanket over her shoulders, then placed a note before her.

Drink plenty of water. And take a shower once you read this. You reek of sweat and alcohol.

- Yeling

I approached Carlton and yanked him out of the drywall.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Let's get patrol done in Vicki's place."

"Okay. Just give me a sec... I gotta clean the plaster out of my ears."

A minute later, Carlton and I headed to the door, when suddenly, a throwing knife appeared out of nowhere, impaling itself against the doorknob with frightening accuracy.

"YAAAH! Oh my god!" Carlton yelped frantically.

I pulled the knife out of the doorknob.

"What is it, Outer Shadow Onyx?" I asked.

Vicki rolled over, falling to the ground. Her black leggings were stained with the Hennessy which stained the fabric.

"Keep me company. One of you. This is... an order..." She muttered.

Ah.

Oh no.

"You heard her, Carlton. I will handle patro-"

SLAM.

I stared at the door, which had been closed in my face. Twilight Bolt ran for it, using his Olympic Level athleticism to sprint to the elevator doors.

I grumbled, yanking Vicki off the floor and seating her up against the sofa. Pulling out a paper towel and wetting it, I began cleaning the stains off her legs.

"You're... so responsible. You know that, Yeling?"

"It wouldn't be the first time I had to take care of a drunk," I muttered, recalling all the times Maika Nagumo returned from her parties.

Vicki gave me a grateful look.

"Auxiliary Shadow Ultear..."

"What about her?"

"She wants to bear a child. With Outer Shadow Dainsleif. It makes me wonder... if a relationship between Outer and Auxiliary Shadow is possible..."

I realized Vicki had her legs propped against my lap, openly letting me wipe them with the cloth.

All of a sudden, things didn't feel as routine as before.

I quickly dropped her legs and stood up.

"I am sure you will find a good man. You are attractive, with a well-built body and a pretty face. You're strong-willed and reliable. Well, minus the ungodly amount of smoking and alcohol consumption." I said, before turning around and throwing the cloth away.

"You are the first man to say this scarred face is pretty," Vicki smirked.

"Would you rather I said it looked like it took a trip through the Atomic Wasteland?"

Vicki crossed her legs.

"Very funny. Do you find me attractive, Yeling?"

"I don't find you... unbearable." I muttered, my face feeling hot.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I asked to bear you a child?"

I choked.

"Wha- What the fu-"

Vicki chuckled.

"You are such a tease. I am glad you are my Auxiliary."

I sat back down.

"This isn't funny. I'd rather you not joke about stuff like that. My life... it's been..."

"Very well. I'm sorry for speaking on a sensitive topic. But this conversation has allowed me to sober up a little bit. Thank you."

I glanced at the Hennessy, pouring myself a glass.

"Sarah and Aaron... choosing now of all times to have kids. How foolish." I grumbled.

"You cannot hinder feelings of love, Yeling."

I made a fist.

"How can one choose to fight someone who embodies hope if they bask in the very thing? Their reasoning is paradoxical. In the end, I have a feeling the only one who can take on Vala is me. It's the only way."

"I can't force you to live a certain life or walk a certain path. But I can tell you that your way is certainly going to be arduous."

"My happiness doesn't matter. It never has."

"Perhaps now you think that. After all, this mindset... was exactly the same mindset Vistara adopted."

I bit my lip, as Vicki slowly got up, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

Vicki put the cigarette in her mouth, smoking it as she looked at me.

"Your sister would disapprove. You know that."

"Funny, coming from someone who is literally rotting her own lungs before me."

Vicki blew out a line of smoke.

"I am superhuman. This doesn't affect me."

"Sure."

Vicki walked to the window, taking off her shoulder pads and removing her chest wrap, revealing a black sports bra.

"This world is dying. In the end, none of this matters. Aran has already destroyed too much of it. Even if your Hinokami stopped the decay, the damage has already been done. Soon Constantine will have to return to Rya's side."

The doorbell rang.

"Carlton is done his shift already? That was fast." I said, approaching the door and opening it, but the person on the other side was not Twilight Bolt.

My hand instantly shifted towards Tatsu, but the woman held up her hand.

"Yeling? Who's at the door?" Vicki asked.

"Salesperson," I replied.

"Okay."

I closed the door behind me until I stood face to face with Demon Queen Freya Althuum.

"Why are you here." I snarled.

Frey regarded me.

"I am not here to fight."

"Wise decision. As I am now, I can kill you in the blink of an eye."

"I know."

If I still had Floki, I could assess my surroundings to see where the rest of Demon Lord Frey's Generals were. There was no chance she came here without backup.

"Rest assured, Auxiliary Shadow Tidalflame, I have come alone," Freya reassured me.

I glared at her.

"Then you have made a poor choice, considering what you did to my Outer Shadow back at Andropol. Give me one good reason why I should not just behead you right now."

"Did you think I had no remorse when I struck my best friend? Vicki Harriet was the only Outer Shadow who I could talk and confide with. We had both been through so much and fought side by side like sisters. Raising my blade against her was the most painful thing I could ever do."

Hinokami flames began to swirl around my tattoos.

"Make no mistake, Althuum. I am not Aaron. Sympathy does not work on me. Get to the point, before I lose my patience and send your ashes back to Isphixis as a warning to the others."

Freya sighed.

"Can I at least speak to you outside?"

I watched as Demon Queen Frey hovered in the air. Thankfully, in Millennium City, she didn't look out of the ordinary. There were plenty of people in this city who had unusual appearances. And as a Supreme Fury, Freya's demon wings didn't stand out that much.

"This world has become so barren..." Freya muttered.

"So you see it too. The effects of Aran Sol?"

"My informants told me the anti-narrative's influence had ceased since you unleashed your Hinokami in this realm... but the damage has already been dealt to the fabric of this reality's existence. Similar to a decaying building structure - even if the decay stops, the foundation has already crumbled. It will be only a matter of time before this reality collapses in on itself and the Champions Universe ceases to exist."

Venom laced my eyes, and Frey noticed.

"Yeling... I know convincing you is not easy. But you must understand. The magnitude and scale of Master Loyce's following. We so adamantly believe in him and love him. It isn't just a Master Subordinate relationship. Loyce has done something special for each and every one of us. It is that bond that makes us hesitate so much to go against his wishes."

"If you really loved him that much, then you would know why Vicki did what she did. What Loyce's plan entails."

"I know. I know..."

Freya gazed at the sunset.

"I know Master Loyce intends to kill himself."

I hesitated, staring at the Demon Queen.

"What-? You knew this entire time?!"

Freya nodded.

"I knew... every time I came to his throneroom in Isphixis and delivered my report. Even his specter... seemed longing. Longing for an end that will never come. That is Master Loyce's curse for being so powerful. He wishes a death that he can never... ever... have."

Freya ran her hand through her hair, as the strands rippled like a wave.

"But even if I don't want to see the man who had given me my strength and pride back as a Demon Queen die... many more of us so blindly follow him that we don't even question why he does the things he does. Perhaps this is the way of The Black Legion. When Vicki came to me that day and explained to me, requesting that I cooperate with her by betraying Master Loyce... I was so so angry."

Sadness washed over Freya's face. Vicki had tried to teach me how to read people, it was a skill that was incredibly difficult at the advanced stages, but reading the body language of Freya seemed clear as day.

Freya was hurting significantly for her Master.

"And so... we decided to use the same reality anchors that Master Loyce gifted us against him. To speak and collaborate in secret, but to the others, it would appear that Vicki and I are enemies. When Riordan and Demon Lord Erafil ordered our assault on Andropol that day, I had to bare my wings at Vicki Harriet. And Dainsleif fought both Erafil and me to keep her safe. A part of me wished Aaron would defeat me... as much as I despise him. But if I intentionally lowered my strength, it would be too obvious."

I looked away.

"Then we cannot weaponize your Furies in battle, I'm guessing. At least, not until the final war."

"No. I'm sorry, Tidalflame. But... surely you must understand. The importance of family. You would go to extents to try and kill your Outer Shadow and fellow Auxiliary to live a life with Lady Hakah. Surely you know how hesitant we were to betray the man who took us in, who provided us warmth. And nurtured us."

Freya flew to the sky, perching on the top of a statue in Renaissance Centre.

"A great ruler... is one who doesn't just rule. A great ruler is someone who inspires the nation to work hard for the ruler's sake. No matter how terrible my Master's reputation has become. No matter how much they label him a traitor, I will follow him to the end. And even if it means saving my Master from a path that he believes so stubbornly to follow... then so be it. But we must tread carefully. There are some Outer Shadows and Demon Lords who do not listen to reason as easily. As you know... an example is Tourmentus."

Tourmentus... Andrew Tengen. The Hero of the Dual Cleavers. Andrew was the Hero of Isphixis and was the direct foil of Freya. I heard that after Andrew had defeated Freya, he lacked a sense of purpose. While Freya lost all confidence in herself as a ruler. But Loyce had given them both a second chance. A second life.

Freya placed something in my hand.

"What is this?" I asked.

"It is a trinket. An adventurer trinket."

"Why are you giving it to me?"

Freya gently pressed the trinket to my chest.

"Vicki and I have already formulated a plan. If we must defeat Loyce, we must weaponize the Church of Babel."

Church...?

My mind flashed back to when Loyce teleported me to that run-down church.

"The Church of Babel... Loyce is a volunteer there, isn't he?"

"Not just a volunteer. Master Loyce is like family to the people there. And as much as I hate that we must use this bond to our advantage... it is a weakness nonetheless. A weakness of Master Loyce is extremely rare as it is. If we can find a way why Master Loyce wishes to die... we may be able to stop him from fully aligning himself with Vala. And defeat him by saving him."

"And this trinket..."

"It will be proof for you to work as an adventurer there. The Church of Babel is located in a city known as Orlais."

Familial Bonds

Several Furies appeared next to Freya, bowing before their Queen.

"Lady Frey. Our troops are on standby."

"Very good. Prepare to launch the operation. Prioritize safety and intel. Obey all of Outer Shadow Onyx's commands. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Lady Frey!"

The Furies dissipated into black mist, as Frey turned to me.

"Vicki wanted to investigate the Kings of Edom, right? Don't worry about that. I can mobilize my inner circle for this task. You will focus on intel acquisition in Orlais."

"Very well. And..." I raised my hand but hesitated.

Freya...

"I promise you. I will save Loyce. I'm starting to understand how much he means to you. It isn't easy to betray someone you love so much, right?"

A smile crept on Freya's face.

"Perhaps you are... not as cold-hearted as you claim yourself out to be."

Suddenly, a mobile device rang in my pocket.

?

I pulled it out, and an expression of annoyance washed over my face.

"Geh."

I pressed the button and held the phone to my ear.

"Yo! Yeling? Is that you? Listen! Is Freya with you right now? Put me on speaker." Aaron said.

I reluctantly pressed the speaker button, as Aaron began making obnoxious sounds, imitating static.

"Alpha one. Alpha one. Big sigma schlong pinging Demon Queen Plushies!"

Freya lost her composure, her mouth hung open wide.

"Wha-?! DAINSLEIF! Why are you calling us? How dare you speak ill of my name! Are you not at all aware of my status as a Demon Lord?!"