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# Starless Thrones: The Last Protector of the Voidborn Nine
## Prologue: The Void Between Worlds
The space between universes had no name.
It existed as a non-place, a vacuum more absolute than any found within the boundaries of normal reality. No light. No matter. No energy as mortals understood it. Not even the conceptual frameworks that allowed existence to maintain coherence held sway here. It was a void so complete that even gods feared to linger.
And yet, Raiken sat cross-legged at its center, his breathing measured and deep.
His crimson-gold hair floated weightlessly, the faint green undertones pulsing in time with his heartbeat. The simple dark training attire he wore—functional and without ornamentation—seemed to absorb what little ambient energy existed here. His eyes remained closed, his expression serene despite the dimensional winds that howled silently around him, forces that should have torn apart any conventional matter.
This was his refuge. The one place in all of creation where the weight of his power didn't threaten to crack the fabric of reality beneath his feet.
Twenty-three years of age by mortal reckoning, yet carrying the burden of knowledge and strength that made him ancient. A Saiyan anomaly—born with a genetic structure so rare it predated recorded history. His transformation hadn't emerged from rage like Broly's or pride like Vegeta's. It had manifested from something far more uncommon: absolute, unwavering will.
The legends told of the Legendary Super Saiyan—a being of unstoppable rage. They spoke of Super Saiyan God—a form of divine ki mastery. They whispered of Ultra Instinct—the pinnacle of martial consciousness.
Raiken had surpassed them all, not by conquering them, but by understanding them. By integrating them so completely that they ceased to be transformations and simply became aspects of his existence.
In the still darkness, he sought neither power nor conquest. Only equilibrium.
A tremor passed through the void. Subtle. Almost imperceptible. But to someone who had spent countless hours meditating in this empty space, it registered as clearly as a thunderclap.
Raiken opened his eyes. No pupil, no iris—just pure, luminous azure that faded to normal as he allowed his power to recede.
Something had changed in the void. A resonance that shouldn't exist.
He rose to his feet in a single fluid motion and stepped forward. The dimensional fabric parted before him—not torn, but respectfully yielding to his passage. The void gave way to reveal what had no right to exist in this non-place: ruins.
Ancient structures of impossible geometry stood before him, built from materials that resembled stone but glowed with faint sigils. The architecture curved into angles that would strain mortal perception, spiraling inward toward a central chamber where a fractured crystal sphere the size of a small planet hung suspended.
Raiken approached slowly, his senses extended. The sphere pulsed with energies he had never encountered—neither ki, nor divine essence, nor mortal magic. It was something else entirely, something fundamental yet alien.
"What are you?" he murmured, his deep voice barely disturbing the silence.
The sphere responded with a rhythmic pulse, as if acknowledging his presence. The cracks along its surface widened slightly, golden light spilling through the fractures.
Cautiously, Raiken extended one hand, his fingertips hovering a hair's breadth from the crystal's surface. The light intensified, reaching out to him like a living thing.
"You don't belong here," he said softly. "Neither do I, perhaps."
The slightest contact was all it took. His fingertip brushed against the crystal, and reality itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then, with a sound like the universe sighing, the sphere shattered.
Not violently—it simply ceased to maintain cohesion, the fragments dissolving into motes of light that swirled around Raiken like a galaxy being born. The lights coalesced into a vertical tear in the fabric of existence, a wound in reality that widened even as he watched.
Light poured through—blinding, ancient, filled with voices that were not quite screams and not quite songs. The tear widened, revealing glimpses of another reality—or many realities, overlapping and collapsing into one another.
From the rupture, nine streams of light emerged, each a different hue, each trailing energy that seemed to write its own laws of physics as it moved. The streams twisted and spiraled before resolving into humanoid forms that fell through the void like comets.
Women. Nine of them, each radiating power that, while diminished by their transition, still spoke of divine origins.
As they plummeted through the dimensionless void, Raiken moved with the perfect efficiency that came from mastery of Ultra Instinct. In the span between moments, he had caught all nine, his movements so swift they appeared simultaneous to any who might have been watching.
He gathered them close, these unconscious divine beings, and with a single thought, transported himself and his unexpected charges back to Universe 7—to a remote planet with breathable atmosphere and no sentient life. A sanctuary he had established long ago for moments when he needed solitude within the bounds of conventional reality.
As he laid them gently on soft grass beneath twin moons, Raiken studied their unconscious forms with quiet curiosity and growing concern. They were clearly divine beings, yet different from the gods of destruction or creation he knew. Their power signatures were complex and layered, yet strangely diminished—as if this universe itself was rejecting their authority.
One by one, they began to stir.
The first to open her eyes was a woman with long, flowing blonde hair and a regal bearing. A small golden crown sat atop her head, and her white and blue ceremonial dress spoke of both elegance and battle-readiness. Her hand immediately reached for a weapon that wasn't there—a massive staff or sword, Raiken guessed—and her eyes widened with confusion.
"Be at ease," Raiken said softly. "You're safe."
The woman's blue eyes focused on him, filling first with confusion, then wariness. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice cultured but firm. "Where is my staff? What is this place?"
Before Raiken could answer, another of the women rose to her feet—this one with long, wild platinum-blonde hair, large fox ears atop her head, and multiple voluminous tails flowing behind her. Her fierce, slitted eyes assessed Raiken with a calculating gaze.
"My, my," she purred, though her voice held a dangerous edge. "What an interesting development. I was in the middle of something rather important before this... interruption."
"We all were," said a third woman, rising gracefully. Her appearance was similar to the first, with platinum-blonde hair, but her demeanor was colder, more imperial. Her outfit resembled a luxurious white and gold bikini-inspired gown with elaborate bows and flowing ribbons. "I demand an explanation."
One by one, the others awakened—a horned woman with fierce red eyes and silvery-white hair, clutching at her side for absent weapons; a white-haired woman with a massive crown-like structure and an expression of cosmic superiority; a being with flowing hair in shades of deep violet and cyan who seemed disoriented yet dangerous; a woman with jet black hair and pale violet eyes that seemed to see through reality itself; a crystalline entity whose form shifted subtly with each movement; and finally, a blonde woman with mechanical horn-like ribbons and a massive polearm that faded from existence even as she reached for it.
Nine pairs of eyes fixed on Raiken with expressions ranging from confusion to hostility to wary assessment.
"Who are you?" asked the first woman again, her tone more composed now but no less commanding. "By what right have you brought us here?"
Raiken inclined his head slightly. "My name is Raiken. I found you falling through the void between universes. This is a sanctuary planet in Universe 7, one of twelve realities governed by Zeno, the Omni-King."
The women exchanged glances that communicated volumes without words.
"Universe... 7?" echoed the woman with cosmic-colored hair. "That's impossible. I am Space Ishtar, goddess of the cosmos! I would know of such a place."
"Not if it exists outside your native multiverse," Raiken replied calmly. "The void you fell through was a boundary between different reality systems."
"Nonsense," declared the cold, imperial blonde. "I am Morgan, Queen of the Fae and ruler of realms beyond counting. There is nothing beyond my awareness."
The fox-eared woman laughed, the sound both melodious and unsettling. "And yet here we are, my haughty queen, clearly somewhere beyond your knowledge." She turned to Raiken with a predatory smile. "I am Koyanskaya, though some have called me Beast Tamamo. Tell me, mortal—or are you mortal?—what exactly happened to bring us to this... Universe 7?"
Raiken considered his words carefully. "I believe your native multiverse collapsed. The ruins I found in the void were the last remnant of your reality system. When I touched the crystal sphere at its center, you were released."
The black-haired woman with pale violet eyes spoke for the first time, her voice soft yet somehow reaching each of them perfectly. "He speaks truth. I can sense it. The End came, as it always must, but we were... preserved. Separated from the cycle."
The horned woman with silvery hair frowned. "I am Tomoe Gozen, sworn to my lord. I must return to my duties."
"That may not be possible," Raiken said gently. "The collapse appeared complete."
The white-haired woman with the massive crown stepped forward, her golden eyes intense. "I am U-Olga Marie, and I demand more specific information. What physical laws govern this Universe 7? What is its dimensional structure? How does its temporal flow compare to standard causal reality?"
The crystalline woman's form rippled, colors shifting across her surface like an aurora. When she spoke, her voice seemed to come from multiple directions at once. "This place... rejects us. Can you not feel it? Our essence... incompatible."
The blonde woman with mechanical horn-like ribbons nodded in agreement. "I am Space Ereshkigal, mistress of the cosmic underworld. My dominion should extend wherever death exists, yet I feel... diminished here."
"As do we all," said the first woman, the one with the golden crown. "I am Castoria, Avalonian Artoria of the Prophecies. And something is very wrong with our powers."
Raiken nodded. "This universe operates under different fundamental laws than yours. Your divine essences don't translate fully here. The energy that dominates this reality is called ki—life force that can be channeled and manipulated by those with proper training."
Space Ishtar scoffed. "I am a goddess of cosmic origin! My power transcends mere physical laws!"
In response, Raiken simply raised a finger. A tiny sphere of ki formed at its tip, no larger than a pea. "This contains enough energy to destroy this entire mountain range."
The women stared at the insignificant-looking light with varying degrees of disbelief.
"Impossible," Morgan declared, though her eyes narrowed as she studied the energy more carefully.
Raiken didn't argue. He simply flicked the ki sphere upward, where it shot into the atmosphere. With a gesture, he contained the resulting explosion within a barrier, but even so, the entire sky lit up like a second sun for several moments.
When the light faded, there was a perfect hemispherical chunk missing from the nearby mountain peak.
Silence fell over the group.
"I... see," Castoria finally said, her regal demeanor faltering slightly. "So in this reality, we are..."
"Vulnerable," Koyanskaya finished, her tails twitching with agitation. "How fascinating. And inconvenient."
"This is a universe where raw power often dictates survival," Raiken explained. "Ki is the dominant force here, and few beings have mastered it to the extent necessary to protect themselves from the constant threats that emerge."
The black-haired woman studied him with penetrating eyes. "You have, though. Mastered it, I mean."
"Yes," Raiken admitted. "I am a Saiyan—a warrior race with natural affinity for combat and ki manipulation. Through circumstances and choices, I've achieved a level of mastery that places me... apart from most others."
"And why have you brought us here, Saiyan?" Morgan demanded. "To demonstrate our weakness? To lord your power over fallen divinities?"
Raiken shook his head. "I brought you here because it was safe. Because you needed shelter. And because power without compassion is mere tyranny." He paused. "You didn't ask to be brought to this universe."
The crystalline woman's form rippled again. "What... happens to us now?"
"That depends on you," Raiken replied. "This universe has many dangers—beings who would destroy you without thought, others who would seek to exploit your unique origins. Until you understand this world and perhaps develop your own affinity for ki, you need someone who can stand between you and harm."
"And that would be you?" Koyanskaya asked, her tone mocking, but her eyes evaluating him with new interest.
Raiken simply nodded.
"Why?" U-Olga Marie pressed. "What do you gain from protecting nine strangers?"
Raiken considered her question seriously. "Perspective," he finally said. "I've walked a solitary path for a long time."
The answer seemed to surprise them. Even Morgan's imperial façade cracked slightly.
"Come," Raiken said, turning toward a path that led into a nearby forest. "Night approaches, and while this planet has no sentient predators, it has other dangers. I have a dwelling nearby where you can rest and recover."
As he walked away, the nine women exchanged glances again—uncertainty, wariness, calculation, and the barest hint of relief passing between them.
Space Ereshkigal was the first to follow, shrugging at the others. "What choice do we have? At least until we understand this place better."
One by one, they fell in line behind Raiken, keeping a careful distance from each other as well as from him. Divine beings accustomed to commanding respect and fear, now forced into the unfamiliar role of followers.
It was Void Shiki, the black-haired woman, who murmured what they were all thinking as they walked beneath alien stars: "How curious... to finally know what it feels like to be vulnerable."
## Chapter 1: Sanctuary of Strangers
The "dwelling" Raiken led them to was far more than the primitive shelter they had anticipated. Nestled in a clearing between forest and mountain, it was a spacious structure that somehow blended seamlessly with the natural environment while clearly being constructed of materials far more sophisticated than wood or stone.
The building's design followed clean, minimalist principles, with large windows that provided expansive views of the surrounding wilderness. Various smaller structures surrounded the main building—what appeared to be a training area, a meditation garden, and what might have been a landing pad for aerial vehicles.
"You live here?" Castoria asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice as they approached.
"One of several sanctuaries I maintain across this universe," Raiken replied. "I find it useful to have safe harbors in multiple regions."
"Prepared for anything, aren't you?" Koyanskaya observed with a calculated smile, her tails swishing behind her as she assessed the defenses she could and couldn't see.
"It's necessary in this reality," was all he said.
As they entered the main structure, the interior revealed itself to be equally thoughtful in design—functional but not austere, with comfortable living spaces arranged around a central area that contained both a kitchen and what appeared to be a monitoring station with various displays currently inactive.
"This will be your sanctuary until more permanent arrangements can be made," Raiken explained, activating lighting with a gesture. "There are individual quarters for each of you, basic necessities, and facilities for training and research."
U-Olga Marie immediately gravitated toward the monitoring station, her eyes alight with scientific curiosity. "What technology is this? It resembles quantum projection, but the substrate appears to be—"
"A hybrid system," Raiken supplied. "Part technology, part ki manipulation. It monitors energy signatures across this sector of the galaxy."
Morgan walked to one of the large windows, staring out at the alien landscape with an inscrutable expression. "And we are to remain here, like prized pets in a gilded cage?"
"You're free to leave whenever you wish," Raiken answered calmly. "But I wouldn't recommend it until you understand more about this universe and perhaps develop some means of defending yourselves."
Tomoe Gozen, who had been silently assessing the structure's defensive capabilities, spoke up. "You mentioned training. You mean to teach us combat?"
"Among other things," Raiken confirmed. "Ki manipulation begins with understanding your own life force and how to channel it. Some of you may have a natural affinity for it, given your divine origins."
Space Ishtar scoffed, her cosmic-colored hair floating slightly despite the lack of breeze. "I am a manifestation of stellar judgment! I hardly need lessons in manipulating energy."
"Show me," Raiken said simply, gesturing to a small stone on a nearby table. "Move that without touching it."
Space Ishtar's expression shifted from confident to confused as she extended her hand toward the stone. A faint glimmer of energy sparked at her fingertips—a pale shadow of the cosmic power she had once commanded—but the stone remained motionless. After several seconds of increasingly frustrated effort, she lowered her hand, her breathing slightly labored.
"What have you done to us?" she demanded, anger masking her growing fear.
"Nothing," Raiken replied gently. "This universe has different fundamental laws. Your previous methods of energy manipulation don't translate directly. You need to learn the principles that govern this reality."
Female ORT, the crystalline being, moved to the stone and extended what might have been a hand. Her form rippled with effort, but the result was the same—nothing happened.
"The pattern... is different here," she said, her multilayered voice thoughtful rather than angry. "We must... adapt."
"Yes," Raiken agreed. "Adaptation is key to survival here."
U-Olga Marie had begun examining the various displays at the monitoring station, her analytical mind already processing the new information. "These energy signatures... they're unlike anything in our original universe. The fundamental forces appear to be unified under different principles."
"Your first priority should be rest and recovery," Raiken advised, moving to what appeared to be a kitchen area. "Your transition between universes was traumatic on a quantum level. Your bodies and energies need time to stabilize."
As if to emphasize his point, he began preparing what appeared to be food—though the ingredients were unfamiliar to all of them.
"You cook," Space Ereshkigal observed with surprise.
"Everyone eats," Raiken replied simply. "Even gods."
"Former gods," Koyanskaya corrected with a sharp smile that didn't reach her eyes. She had positioned herself near an exit, her predatory instincts never fully at rest.
Void Shiki, who had been silent since their arrival, moved to a window opposite from where Morgan stood. "This world... its rhythm is different. Faster. More volatile. The concept of death itself has different rules here."
Raiken nodded as he continued preparing the meal. "Death is both more permanent and less absolute in this universe. Some beings have returned from death through various means, while others pass beyond recovery."
"How comforting," Morgan said dryly.
As Raiken worked, the nine women gradually dispersed throughout the dwelling, each processing their situation in different ways and keeping wary distance from one another.
Castoria, ever dutiful, began systematically exploring the structure, mentally mapping exits and defensible positions—a habit ingrained from countless battles. Tomoe Gozen discovered what appeared to be an armory, though the weapons were unfamiliar to her, and spent time studying them without touching. U-Olga Marie remained fixated on the monitoring systems, her scientific mind already adapting to the new principles displayed.
Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal, sharing cosmic origins despite their differences, gravitated toward each other, speaking in hushed tones that occasionally escalated into sharp whispers. Female ORT found a corner where she stood motionless, her crystalline form shifting subtly as she seemingly communed with the structure of this new reality.
Morgan maintained her position by the window, her imperial posture never relaxing, while Koyanskaya prowled the perimeter of the dwelling, testing boundaries and examining everything with calculated interest. Void Shiki alone seemed at peace, eventually settling in a meditative posture in a small garden visible through one of the rear windows.
When Raiken finally called them to eat, the meal he had prepared was both unfamiliar and strangely appealing—dishes that combined elements that resembled meat, vegetables, and grain, but with colors and textures none of them had encountered before.
"What is this?" Castoria asked, examining the food cautiously.
"Local flora and fauna," Raiken explained. "All safe for consumption, with high nutritional value. In this universe, the energy you consume directly affects your ability to generate and control ki."
They gathered around the table with obvious reluctance—divine beings unaccustomed to such mortal necessities, now faced with undeniable hunger. The seating arrangement revealed much about their personalities and concerns: Castoria and Tomoe took positions that allowed them to watch the entrances; Morgan and U-Olga Marie maintained regal posture as if dining at a royal court; Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal sat together, still whispering occasionally; Female ORT remained standing, her crystalline form incompatible with conventional chairs; Koyanskaya chose a seat with her back to a wall and clear paths to two exits; and Void Shiki sat with perfect stillness, her focus seemingly on something beyond the physical meal.
"You haven't explained who you truly are," Morgan said as they began to eat, her tone making it clear she expected an answer. "A mere Saiyan, as you call yourself, would not have the power to transition between multiverses."
Raiken considered her question as he ate with measured, efficient movements. "I am what I said—a Saiyan with an uncommon genetic variation. Through circumstances and choices, I've achieved a level of power that few in this universe possess."
"That tells us nothing of consequence," U-Olga Marie pointed out. "What is your function in this universe's hierarchy? What authority governs your actions?"
"I operate independently," Raiken replied. "I have no formal position within the divine or mortal power structures."
Koyanskaya laughed, the sound both melodious and unsettling. "A rogue god? How deliciously dangerous."
"I never claimed godhood," Raiken corrected calmly. "In this universe, divinity is a specific state of being, with defined roles and limitations."
"Yet your power exceeds those limitations," Void Shiki observed softly. Her eyes, when they met his, seemed to see far more than the others. "I can sense it. You exist... apart."
Raiken didn't confirm or deny this, instead changing the subject. "You should know that your arrival created a significant energy disruption. It will have been noticed by various entities across this universe, some of whom may investigate."
That caught everyone's attention.
"What kind of entities?" Tomoe Gozen asked, her warrior's instincts immediately alert.
"Various," Raiken said. "Gods of Destruction and their attendant Angels may be curious but are unlikely to interfere directly unless they perceive a threat to cosmic balance. More concerning are organizations like the Galactic Patrol or the remnants of Frieza's empire, who might see you as resources to be exploited or threats to be eliminated."
"Frieza?" Space Ishtar echoed. "What manner of being is that?"
"A tyrant who once controlled much of this galaxy," Raiken explained. "A member of a race called Frost Demons—beings with natural affinity for extraordinary power. Though defeated multiple times, his forces still operate in some sectors."
"And these... Angels and Gods of Destruction," Castoria said carefully. "They're the divine hierarchy here?"
Raiken nodded. "Each of the twelve universes has a God of Destruction paired with an Angel attendant. Above them are the Grand Priest and ultimately, Zeno the Omni-King, who can erase entire universes with a thought."
A sobered silence fell over the table.
"You speak of universe-level destruction as casually as discussing the weather," Morgan noted, her imperial façade cracking slightly to reveal genuine concern.
"Because in this reality, it is that common," Raiken replied. "Power scales here are exponential. The difference between the strongest mortal and the weakest god isn't a matter of degree—it's a fundamental gap. And for beings like you, who haven't yet adapted to this universe's fundamental laws..."
He let the implication hang in the air.
"We would be less than insects," Koyanskaya finished, her usual smirk replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Fascinating. And problematic."
"So we are dependent on your protection," U-Olga Marie concluded, her tone making it clear how little she liked that arrangement.
"For now," Raiken agreed. "Until you learn to navigate this reality and perhaps develop your own abilities suited to it."
"And if we choose to leave?" Morgan challenged.
"Then I won't stop you," Raiken said simply. "But I would consider it my responsibility to at least ensure you understand what you're facing."
The meal continued in thoughtful silence after that, each of the women processing this new information in their own way. The implications were clear—they were stranded in a hostile universe where their divine origins meant little, dependent on the protection of a being whose true nature and motivations remained unclear.
As they finished eating, Raiken stood. "There are quarters for each of you. Rest if you need to. Tomorrow, those who are interested can begin learning about ki manipulation."
He moved to leave, but Castoria's voice stopped him. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, her tone genuinely curious rather than accusatory. "What do you gain from sheltering nine strangers from another reality?"
Raiken considered her question seriously. "In a universe where power often corrupts, it's important to remember that strength can also protect. You didn't ask to be brought here. Helping you adapt seems... right."
It wasn't a complete answer, they all knew, but it was honest as far as it went.
As Raiken left them to settle in, the nine former goddesses found themselves in an unprecedented situation—weak, vulnerable, and dependent on the mercy of another. For beings who had once commanded worship and fear, it was a humbling position that none of them were entirely equipped to handle.
In the quiet that followed his departure, they exchanged glances that communicated volumes without words. Wariness, calculation, concern—but also, perhaps, the first tentative threads of a shared predicament that might, in time, become something like alliance.
Or maybe something more.
## Chapter 2: Strangers in a Strange Universe
Dawn broke over the sanctuary with golden light filtering through ring-shaped clouds that drifted lazily across an azure sky. The twin suns of this unnamed planet rose in perfect synchronization, casting long shadows across the clearing where Raiken had already begun his morning routine.
He moved through a series of forms that were part meditation, part combat practice—each gesture flowing into the next with liquid precision. An observer might have mistaken the display for a harmless dance were it not for the occasional ripple of energy that distorted the air around him or the way gravity itself seemed to flex when certain movements reached completion.
From the main dwelling, several pairs of eyes watched with varying degrees of interest and assessment.
"He doesn't waste a single movement," Tomoe Gozen observed from her position near one of the large windows. As a warrior who had dedicated her life to martial perfection, she recognized mastery when she saw it. "Every gesture has purpose."
"It's not just physical training," U-Olga Marie noted, standing beside her. "He's manipulating the fundamental forces of this reality. Look at how light bends around his form during certain sequences."
"Impressive party tricks," Morgan commented from where she sat with regal posture, though her eyes never left Raiken's form. "But hardly evidence of the universe-shattering power he claims."
"He's holding back," Void Shiki said softly, causing the others to turn toward her. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her crimson kimono pooled around her like blood. "What you're seeing is restraint, not limitation. It's like watching an ocean pretend to be a puddle."
Before anyone could respond to that disturbing metaphor, Koyanskaya entered the room, stretching languidly. Her multiple tails swished behind her with predatory grace. "Good morning, fellow castaways," she purred. "Has our mysterious protector been putting on a show?"
"Training," Castoria corrected, emerging from one of the corridors. She had apparently been exploring the dwelling's layout further. "And we would be wise to pay attention if we hope to adapt to this reality."
Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal entered together, as had become their habit. Despite their different natures—one a cosmic avenger, the other a ruler of the stellar underworld—their shared celestial origins had created an unlikely alliance.
"I still can't access most of my powers," Space Ishtar complained, running a hand through her cosmic-hued hair in frustration. "It's like trying to breathe underwater."
"We all face the same limitations," Space Ereshkigal reminded her. "Even I, who commanded the boundary between life and death, can barely sense the flow of souls in this reality."
Female ORT was the last to join them, her crystalline form shifting subtly with each movement. She had spent most of the night in a state resembling hibernation, her alien nature requiring different forms of rest than the others.
"The pattern... becomes clearer," she announced in her strange, multilayered voice. "This universe... has potential for us."
"What do you mean?" U-Olga Marie asked, her scientific curiosity immediately engaged.
Before Female ORT could explain, Raiken completed his routine and approached the dwelling. As he entered, the group fell into an instinctive formation—not quite defensive, but certainly wary. Old habits of divine authority died hard.
"Good morning," he greeted them with a slight nod. "I trust you were able to rest?"
Various noncommittal responses followed. Rest, for beings who had once existed beyond physical limitations, was an unfamiliar concept that some had embraced more successfully than others.
"I wondered if any of you would like to begin learning about ki manipulation today," Raiken continued, moving to what appeared to be a food preparation area and beginning to assemble a morning meal with practiced efficiency.
"Yes," Tomoe Gozen said immediately, stepping forward. "I wish to understand this power source."
"As do I," U-Olga Marie added. "From a scientific perspective, of course."
"I suppose I should understand the primitive energy systems of this reality," Space Ishtar said with forced casualness that didn't quite hide her genuine interest.
One by one, most of them expressed varying degrees of curiosity. Only Morgan and Koyanskaya held back—the former maintaining her regal distance, the latter watching everything with calculating eyes.
"Very well," Raiken said. "After you've eaten, we'll begin with the fundamentals."
The meal he prepared was simpler than the previous night's dinner but no less satisfying—foods that seemed specifically chosen for their energy content. As they ate, Raiken explained more about the nature of their new reality.
"This universe operates on principles that might seem primitive compared to the conceptual frameworks you're accustomed to," he began. "Here, energy follows more direct pathways. Ki is life force—the fundamental energy that flows through all living things. With training, it can be channeled, focused, and projected."
"Like magic?" Castoria asked, her experience as a spellcaster providing a frame of reference.
"Similar in some ways, different in others," Raiken replied. "Magic often bends reality through conceptual manipulation. Ki works within established physical laws, but pushes them to their limits."
"And this ki is what allows for the destruction you demonstrated yesterday?" U-Olga Marie asked.
Raiken nodded. "Among other applications. Ki can destroy, but it can also protect, heal, enhance perception, enable flight, and even, in some cases, allow for manipulation of time and space."
That caught their attention more fully.
"Time manipulation?" Morgan inquired, breaking her aloof silence. "That's a divine domain."
"In this universe, the lines between mortal and divine are more permeable," Raiken explained. "There are techniques that, with sufficient mastery, can approach abilities once reserved for gods."
After they finished eating, Raiken led them outside to a flat, open area adjacent to the dwelling. The space appeared designed for training, with a smooth, resilient surface and various markers inlaid in concentric circles.
"We'll start with basic awareness," he said, sitting cross-legged in the center of the largest circle and gesturing for them to do the same. "Before you can manipulate ki, you must first sense it within yourself."
Most of them followed his example, though with varying degrees of grace and willingness. Morgan remained standing for several seconds longer than the others, a small act of defiance before finally deigning to sit. Koyanskaya settled into a pose that managed to appear both casual and precisely calculated. Female ORT's crystalline form rearranged itself into an approximation of a seated position.
"Close your eyes," Raiken instructed. "Focus your attention inward. In your native realities, you likely drew power from external sources—divine domains, cosmic forces, conceptual authorities. Here, the primary source of power exists within you."
"Within?" Space Ereshkigal questioned. "But my power came from my authority over the underworld."
"And now you must find a new source," Raiken said gently. "Look inward. Find the core of your life force."
For nearly an hour, they sat in silence, following his calm instructions as he guided them through the process of internal energy awareness. ## Chapter 3: First Sparks of Power
The initial meditation session yielded mixed results. Tomoe Gozen showed the most natural aptitude, a faint red aura briefly flickering around her form before dissipating. U-Olga Marie approached the exercise with scientific precision, her analytical mind breaking down the sensations into observable patterns. Female ORT's crystalline structure resonated in unexpected ways with ki energy, creating rippling patterns across her surface.
Others struggled more visibly. Space Ishtar grew increasingly frustrated, her cosmic nature resisting the earth-bound energy. Morgan maintained perfect poise but achieved little, her pride preventing her from fully embracing the unfamiliar methodology. Koyanskaya observed more than participated, her calculating mind cataloging everything for future use.
As the twin suns reached their zenith, Raiken ended the session.
"That's enough for today," he said, rising to his feet in a single fluid motion. "Ki awareness develops gradually. Forcing it only creates resistance."
Tomoe Gozen stood quickly, her warrior's discipline evident. "I felt something. A warmth within that briefly extended outward."
"That's precisely what should happen," Raiken confirmed. "Your warrior background gives you an advantage—you're accustomed to channeling internal energy."
"I felt nothing," Space Ishtar complained, tossing her cosmic-hued hair in frustration. "This primitive energy system is incompatible with my divine nature."
"Perhaps," Raiken replied calmly, "or perhaps your expectations are creating barriers. Ki responds to acceptance more than demand."
Castoria, who had been quietly focused throughout the session, looked thoughtful. "It reminds me of magical circuits, but more... integrated with physical form."
"An apt comparison," Raiken agreed. "In your case, your experience with magical energy pathways may provide a useful framework."
As they headed back toward the dwelling, Koyanskaya sidled up beside Raiken, her multiple tails swishing with predatory grace.
"Such a patient teacher," she purred. "One might almost suspect ulterior motives for gathering nine divine women under your protection."
Raiken's expression remained impassive. "Your suspicion is understandable, given your nature."
"My nature?" She raised an eyebrow, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Survival through manipulation," he said simply. "A valid strategy in many contexts."
Instead of taking offense, Koyanskaya laughed, the sound both melodious and unsettling. "How refreshing to be so thoroughly read. Most men see only what I wish them to see."
"I'm not most men."
"No," she agreed, her eyes traveling over his form with new appreciation. "You certainly aren't."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden, violent tremor that shook the ground beneath their feet. In the distance, a column of light erupted from beyond the forest line, punching through the atmosphere and into space.
"What is that?" Castoria asked, instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.
Raiken's expression darkened. "Trouble," he said. "Stay here. All of you."
Before anyone could object, he vanished—not merely moving quickly but seeming to step between moments, leaving only a faint ripple in the air where he had stood.
"Did he just—" Space Ereshkigal began.
"Teleport," U-Olga Marie finished. "Or something similar. Fascinating."
"Never mind that," Morgan said sharply. "What was that energy spike? It felt... familiar somehow."
"Like divine authority," Void Shiki murmured, speaking for the first time that day. "But warped. Corrupted."
Female ORT's crystalline form rippled with agitation. "Wrong pattern... invasive... not belonging..."
The nine women exchanged wary glances, their brief training session forgotten in the face of this new development. Despite Raiken's instruction to stay put, they found themselves moving toward the dwelling's monitoring station by unspoken consensus.
U-Olga Marie immediately began examining the displays, her fingers moving with surprising confidence over the unfamiliar controls. "This system should be able to show us what's happening."
The main screen flickered to life, displaying a real-time image of a forest clearing several miles from their location. At its center stood a swirling vortex of energy, violet and black, from which emerged a figure that caused several of them to inhale sharply.
"It can't be," Castoria whispered, her composed demeanor cracking.
The figure on the screen was humanoid but wrong—its proportions slightly off, its movements jerky and unnatural. It wore ornate armor that seemed to phase between solidity and vapor, and its face, when it turned toward the camera, was a horrific amalgamation of features that seemed to belong to different entities.
"A Beast," Koyanskaya identified, her usual mocking tone replaced by something harder. "Or what's left of one."
"Not just any Beast," Morgan added grimly. "That's a fragment of Beast VII, the Beast of Revelation."
"Impossible," Space Ishtar objected. "Our multiverse collapsed. Nothing should have survived."
"Clearly something did," Tomoe Gozen said, her warrior's focus narrowing on the screen. "Look."
The misshapen Beast raised its arms, and from the vortex behind it emerged smaller entities—dozens of them, each a twisted parody of divine servitors. They swarmed around their master, chittering and howling in a cacophony that somehow carried through the monitor's audio.
Then Raiken appeared at the edge of the clearing.
The Beast turned toward him immediately, its distorted face splitting into what might have been a smile. When it spoke, its voice was a layered abomination of multiple tones.
"SAIYAN," it rasped. "YOU HARBOR WHAT IS MINE."
Raiken stood perfectly still, his posture relaxed yet somehow conveying absolute readiness. "Nothing here belongs to you," he replied, his voice calm but carrying clearly. "Return to wherever you came from."
The Beast laughed, the sound causing the very air around it to warp. "THE NINE DIVINE VESSELS ARE BOUND TO ME ACROSS ALL REALITIES. THEIR ESSENCE IS MINE TO CLAIM."
"No," Raiken said simply.
"YOU WOULD CHALLENGE ME? I WHO DEVOURED GODS?"
Raiken didn't respond with words. Instead, his form blurred, and suddenly he stood directly before the Beast, having crossed the clearing in an instant. The Beast recoiled in surprise, but not quickly enough to avoid Raiken's hand closing around its throat.
"You are not welcome in this universe," Raiken said, his voice still calm but with an edge that hadn't been there before. "Leave, or be removed."
The Beast snarled and lashed out, its arm elongating impossibly to strike with claws that seemed to rip at reality itself. Raiken didn't dodge. The claws connected with his chest—and shattered, sending fragments of corrupted divine essence scattering across the clearing.
For the first time, the Beast's misshapen face showed fear.
Raiken's hair shifted, the crimson-gold intensifying as green undertones began to pulse more prominently. His aura, normally controlled to the point of near-invisibility, manifested as a silent, radiant corona of energy that caused the very ground beneath him to crack in geometric patterns.
"Last warning," he said quietly.
The Beast howled in rage and signaled to its minions, which swarmed toward Raiken in a chaotic wave. What followed was both beautiful and terrifying. Raiken moved through the horde with perfect efficiency—not a single motion wasted, not a single strike requiring more than the precise amount of force needed. Where he passed, corrupted entities simply ceased to exist, their essence dispersed with such totality that not even dust remained.
In less than ten seconds, the Beast stood alone.
"IMPOSSIBLE," it rasped, backing toward the vortex. "YOU ARE MERELY MORTAL."
"No," Raiken corrected, his voice echoing slightly as his power continued to rise. "I am simply myself."
He extended one hand, palm outward, and a sphere of ki formed—so densely compressed that it appeared no larger than a marble yet bent light around it like a gravitational lens.
"World Breaking Blast," he said, almost apologetically, and released the energy.
The beam that erupted from his palm was a perfect column of light, neither wide nor ostentatious, that struck the Beast directly in its center. There was no explosion, no dramatic shockwave—the Beast simply... ended. One moment it existed, the next it was gone, along with the vortex and a perfectly cylindrical section of forest, mountain, and cloud that extended as far as the eye could see.
In the monitoring room, nine former goddesses stared at the screen in stunned silence.
"That was..." Space Ishtar whispered, for once at a loss for words.
"Effortless," Morgan finished, her imperial façade momentarily abandoned in the face of what they'd witnessed. "He wasn't even trying."
Koyanskaya's tails had gone completely still, a rare sight that indicated genuine shock. "My, my," she murmured. "Our mysterious protector has been holding back far more than I imagined."
"Did you see what that thing was?" Castoria asked, her voice tight with restrained emotion. "A Beast fragment. It survived our universe's collapse somehow."
"And followed us here," U-Olga Marie added, her scientific detachment failing to hide her concern. "The question is: was it the only one?"
Before anyone could respond, the dwelling's entrance slid open and Raiken stepped inside, his appearance once again perfectly composed—no sign of the overwhelming power they had just witnessed.
He paused, taking in their gathered forms around the monitor, and sighed softly. "I asked you to stay put."
"We did," Koyanskaya pointed out with forced lightness. "Technically."
"What was that thing?" Tomoe Gozen asked directly, her warrior's nature avoiding unnecessary subterfuge.
Raiken considered them all for a moment before answering. "A fragment of divinity from your native multiverse. Corrupted and unstable. It seems the collapse wasn't as complete as I initially thought."
"It called itself Beast VII," Morgan said, watching him closely for reaction.
"And it claimed we belonged to it," Space Ereshkigal added, her usual confidence subdued.
Raiken nodded. "The void between multiverses is... complicated. When reality systems collapse, fragments sometimes survive in distorted forms. This one seems to have latched onto the concept of your existence."
"So there could be more," Castoria said, not quite a question.
"Possibly," Raiken admitted. "But they would be equally weakened by transition to this universe. That one only maintained coherence through concentrated malice."
Void Shiki, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "You erased it completely. Not just its form—its very concept."
Raiken met her penetrating gaze steadily. "Yes."
"How?" U-Olga Marie demanded, scientific curiosity overriding caution. "Even in our universe, concept erasure was a divine authority of the highest order."
For a moment, Raiken seemed to consider not answering. Then he said simply, "My power doesn't come from authority or position. It comes from understanding. The deeper the understanding, the more fundamental the effect."
It wasn't a complete explanation, they all knew, but something in his tone suggested it was as much as he was willing to share for now.
"Will others come looking for us?" Castoria asked, practical concerns taking precedence over metaphysical questions.
"Most likely," Raiken confirmed. "Which means we need to accelerate your adaptation to this universe. Starting tomorrow, we'll intensify your training."
As the group dispersed, processing what they had witnessed, Void Shiki lingered behind. When only she and Raiken remained in the monitoring room, she spoke softly.
"You're not what you appear to be."
Raiken regarded her thoughtfully. "Few things are."
"The others see your power but miss its nature," she continued. "I see... emptiness. Potential without limit. Like the Root itself, but contained within form."
"And what do you make of that?" he asked, neither confirming nor denying her assessment.
Void Shiki's pale violet eyes seemed to look through him rather than at him. "It makes me wonder what you're preparing for. Such power isn't cultivated without purpose."
Raiken was silent for a long moment. "Get some rest," he finally said. "Tomorrow will be challenging for all of you."
She accepted his deflection with a small nod, but as she turned to leave, she added, "We may be weakened, but we are not blind, Raiken. Sooner or later, truth finds its way to the surface."
Left alone in the monitoring room, Raiken activated a secondary display that showed energy signatures across a much wider range—galactic rather than planetary. Multiple anomalies flickered across the screen, each representing a disturbance in the fabric of reality.
"Sooner, I think," he murmured to himself, and began making preparations.
## Chapter 4: Bonds Forged in Fire
The training intensified over the next several days, with each former goddess finding her own path toward understanding ki. Tomoe Gozen progressed the fastest, her warrior's discipline and focus allowing her to manifest a stable aura by the third day. Castoria followed closely behind, her experience with magical energy providing useful parallels.
Space Ishtar struggled the most, her cosmic nature resisting the earth-bound energy until Raiken suggested she think of ki not as replacement for her powers, but as an additional layer of expression. The breakthrough came during an evening session when her frustration peaked.
"This is pointless!" she exclaimed, cosmic-hued hair floating in agitation. "I commanded stars! Now I can barely light a candle!"
Raiken knelt beside her in the training area, his calm presence a stark contrast to her turmoil. "Your connection to cosmic forces isn't gone," he said quietly. "It's dormant. Ki can be a bridge, not a substitute."
"What do you mean?" she asked, suspicion warring with desperate hope.
"Close your eyes," he instructed. "Don't try to generate ki as a separate force. Instead, use it to echo your cosmic nature. Remember what it felt like to command stellar energy, and let your ki resonate with that memory."
Space Ishtar complied reluctantly, her brow furrowed in concentration. For several minutes, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the air around her began to shimmer with faint motes of light that resembled miniature stars.
"Look," he said softly.
She opened her eyes and gasped. The tiny lights orbited her hands like a microscopic galaxy. "How...?"
"Ki responds to identity as much as will," Raiken explained. "You're still the same being, regardless of which universe you inhabit. The expression changes, but the essence remains."
Space Ishtar's expression transformed from shock to wonder to determination. With renewed focus, she intensified her concentration, and the miniature stellar formation grew more complex.
"I can feel it," she whispered. "It's not the same, but... it's mine."
From that point, her progress accelerated dramatically.
Similar breakthroughs occurred for each of them. U-Olga Marie approached ki as a scientific phenomenon to be analyzed and replicated. Female ORT discovered that her crystalline structure could resonate with ki in unique ways, creating harmonic patterns that manipulated local reality. Void Shiki, already attuned to fundamental forces, adapted most naturally once she overcame her initial detachment.
Even Morgan and Koyanskaya, the most resistant to formal training, found their own methods. Morgan treated ki as a royal subject to be commanded, while Koyanskaya incorporated it into her predatory nature, enhancing her already formidable senses and reflexes.
Space Ereshkigal discovered an affinity for ki that manifested in ways reminiscent of her underworld domain—shadows that moved independently and energy that seemed to exist between states of matter.
As their abilities developed, so too did the group dynamics. Initial wariness gave way to reluctant cooperation, then to genuine moments of camaraderie born from shared challenges. They were still divine beings at heart—proud, territorial, and accustomed to authority—but the humbling experience of starting anew created unexpected bonds.
One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, they gathered in the common area of the dwelling. Raiken had prepared a feast that catered to their growing energy needs, the table laden with foods that sparked with ki-enhancing properties.
"I must say," Koyanskaya remarked, selecting a piece of fruit that seemed to glow from within, "for a warrior, you're a surprisingly accomplished chef."
"Sustenance is as important as combat," Raiken replied, setting down the final dish. "Especially for ki development."
"Is that why everything tastes... energized?" Castoria asked, sampling a bread-like substance that tingled pleasantly on the tongue.
Raiken nodded. "The ingredients are cultivated to enhance ki flow. This planet has unique flora with natural ki-conducting properties."
"How convenient that your sanctuary happened to be on such a world," Morgan observed, her tone suggesting she found the coincidence suspect.
"Not coincidence," Raiken corrected mildly. "Choice. I established this sanctuary specifically because of those properties."
"One of many sanctuaries, you said," U-Olga Marie recalled. "Why so many?"
Raiken considered the question as he took his seat. "This universe can be... volatile. Having multiple secure locations has proven useful over time."
"You speak as if you've lived for centuries," Tomoe Gozen noted, her warrior's perception catching the weight of experience in his words.
"Time passes differently for those who've mastered certain aspects of ki," was all he said in response.
The conversation might have continued in that vein, but a sudden alert from the monitoring station interrupted. A series of soft tones sounded in a pattern that caused Raiken to rise immediately.
"What is it?" Space Ereshkigal asked, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
"Visitors," he replied, moving to the monitors. "Several of them, approaching from orbit."
The others gathered around as he activated the display. Multiple energy signatures appeared, descending toward the planet in a formation that suggested organization rather than random arrival.
"Are they hostile?" Tomoe Gozen asked, already assuming a combat stance despite having no weapon.
"Unknown," Raiken answered. "But their approach pattern suggests military precision."
The lead signature suddenly accelerated, breaking from the formation and heading directly toward their location at incredible speed.
"They've detected us," U-Olga Marie observed.
Raiken nodded. "All of you, stay inside. The dwelling has defensive capabilities that should—"
He was interrupted by a massive impact outside that shook the entire structure. Dust fell from the ceiling as stabilization systems kicked in automatically.
"Should what?" Koyanskaya asked dryly, her tails bristling with agitation.
"Should have activated before they got that close," Raiken finished, frowning slightly. "Something is interfering with the perimeter sensors."
Another impact, closer this time. Through the windows, they could see a crater in the clearing where something had struck with immense force.
"Enough waiting," Morgan declared, her imperial nature asserting itself. "If we are to be attacked, I will not cower indoors like a peasant."
Before Raiken could object, she strode toward the entrance, her diminished powers nonetheless allowing her to manifest a faint magical aura. The others exchanged glances before following, proud divine natures overriding practical caution.
Raiken sighed softly but moved with them, positioning himself slightly ahead as they exited the dwelling.
In the clearing stood a figure that caused several of them to tense instinctively. Tall and sleek, with purple skin and a bone-white carapace covering portions of its form, it radiated cold arrogance. Its tail flicked idly as it surveyed them with crimson eyes.
"Well, well," it said, its voice cultured yet menacing. "What have we here? Nine energy signatures unlike anything in my database, and one... Saiyan?" The last word was filled with contempt.
Raiken stepped forward, his posture relaxed yet somehow placing himself precisely between the visitor and the nine women.
"Frost," he identified the being. "You're far from your usual territory."
The alien's eyes narrowed. "You know me, yet I don't recall your face, Saiyan. Curious." His gaze shifted to the women behind Raiken. "But I'm far more interested in your... companions. Such unusual energy readings. My sensors detected them from three systems away."
"They're under my protection," Raiken said simply.
Frost laughed, the sound chilling despite the warm evening air. "Protection? From what? A low-class Saiyan playing guardian?" He took a step forward. "Do you know who I am? What I'm capable of?"
"Yes," Raiken replied. "Which is why I'm giving you one chance to leave peacefully."
The alien's amusement vanished, replaced by cold anger. "You dare threaten me? I, who conquered half a galaxy before breakfast?" His form began to shimmer with power, the ground cracking beneath his feet. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order."
Without warning, Frost launched himself forward, moving so quickly he seemed to blur. His fist, charged with deadly energy, aimed directly at Raiken's heart.
What happened next caused nine divine jaws to drop simultaneously.
Raiken didn't move—didn't block, didn't dodge. Frost's full-powered strike connected squarely with his chest... and stopped. Not as if hitting an immovable object, but as if striking something that simply absorbed the impact without acknowledging it.
Frost's expression shifted from confidence to confusion to the first hints of fear.
"Impossible," he whispered.
Raiken regarded him calmly. "Is that your entire demonstration?"
Enraged, Frost leaped backward and raised both hands. "Death Beam Barrage!" he shouted, unleashing hundreds of piercing energy projectiles that streaked toward Raiken with lethal intent.
Again, Raiken made no effort to avoid the attack. The beams struck him from every angle, creating a dust cloud that momentarily obscured him from view. When it cleared, he stood exactly as before, not a mark on him, not a hair out of place.
"My turn," he said quietly, and vanished.
No—not vanished, the nine observers realized. He moved so quickly that perception simply couldn't track him. One moment he stood before them, the next he was behind Frost, one hand resting lightly on the alien's shoulder.
Frost froze, his body trembling not with effort but with primal fear.
"Listen carefully," Raiken said, his voice soft yet carrying clearly to all present. "This planet is under my protection. These people are under my protection. You will leave, return to your fleet, and spread the word: this sector is off-limits."
"Y-you can't just—" Frost began.
Raiken's fingers tightened fractionally on his shoulder, and the alien's words died in his throat as he felt the immeasurable power contained in that simple gesture.
"I can," Raiken corrected gently. "I am. The only question is whether you leave intact or in pieces."
For a tense moment, it seemed Frost might choose defiance. Then survival instinct won out. "Very well," he managed. "I'll withdraw. For now."
Raiken released him and stepped back. "A wise choice."
Frost rose into the air, his dignity in tatters but his body intact. "This isn't over, Saiyan," he spat, unable to resist a final threat. "The others will come. The Heralds have detected the anomaly in this sector. They won't be as easily deterred."
Without waiting for a response, he accelerated upward, disappearing into the darkening sky.
In the silence that followed, nine former goddesses stared at Raiken with new understanding. It was one thing to hear about his power, another to witness it directly against a being who could, as Frost had boasted, conquer half a galaxy.
"You didn't even use your full strength," Void Shiki observed, her penetrating gaze seeing what the others might have missed. "Not even a fraction of it."
Raiken turned to them, his expression thoughtful. "It wasn't necessary."
"Who are these 'Heralds' he mentioned?" Castoria asked, practical concerns taking precedence over amazement.
"Servants of an entity called Mechikabura," Raiken explained, leading them back toward the dwelling. "A demon god from outside normal time who seeks to expand his influence across universes."
"Another threat to add to our growing collection," Koyanskaya remarked, though her usual sarcasm seemed forced in the wake of what they'd witnessed. "How delightful."
"We need to accelerate your training even further," Raiken said as they re-entered the dwelling. "Frost was right about one thing—others will come, and they won't all be so easily discouraged."
"Will we ever be able to defend ourselves against such power?" Space Ereshkigal asked, her voice uncharacteristically subdued. "Even with ki mastery, the gap seems... insurmountable."
Raiken's expression softened slightly. "Power in this universe isn't static. Growth can be exponential with the right catalyst." He looked at each of them in turn. "You were goddesses in your reality. That core identity hasn't changed, only its expression."
"And you believe we can become strong again," Morgan said, less a question than a realization.
"I believe you never stopped being strong," Raiken corrected. "You simply need to rediscover that strength in a new form."
The words, simple yet profound, resonated with each of them differently. Pride, determination, hope—emotions that had been suppressed beneath the weight of their displacement began to resurface.
As they settled in for the evening, the dynamics had shifted once again. Initial wariness had given way to reluctant cooperation, then to moments of camaraderie, and now to something new: respect. Not just for Raiken's power, but for his steadfast commitment to their protection and growth.
Later, as the twin moons rose over the sanctuary, Castoria found Raiken sitting alone in the meditation garden. After a moment's hesitation, she approached.
"May I join you?" she asked softly.
He nodded, and she seated herself on a stone bench nearby, smoothing her ceremonial dress with habitual grace.
"Something troubles you," Raiken observed after a comfortable silence.
Castoria smiled faintly. "Many things trouble me, but that's not why I'm here." She looked up at the alien stars. "I wanted to thank you. Not just for the protection, but for the patience. For treating us with dignity when we've been at our most vulnerable."
"You've faced your situation with remarkable resilience," Raiken replied. "All of you have."
"We've had little choice."
"There are always choices. You could have wallowed in self-pity or rage. Instead, you've adapted, learned, grown."
Castoria studied him curiously. "You speak as if you've faced similar circumstances."
Raiken was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant. "Long ago," he finally said, "I lost everything. My world, my people, my identity. I had to rebuild from nothing."
The personal revelation, sparse though it was, surprised her. "How did you do it?"
"One day at a time," he said simply. "By accepting what couldn't be changed and focusing on what could."
"Is that what you're teaching us?"
Raiken smiled slightly—a rare expression that transformed his usually stoic features. "Perhaps I'm reminding myself as much as teaching you."
The moment of connection was unexpectedly intimate, and Castoria found herself responding to it in ways that surprised her. This wasn't the worshipful reverence she was accustomed to from mortals, nor the formal respect of divine peers. It was something simpler yet deeper—an understanding between two beings who carried both power and loss.
"Well," she said, rising gracefully, "your reminders are helping us find our way in this strange universe. For that, you have my gratitude."
As she turned to leave, Raiken's voice stopped her. "Castoria."
She looked back.
"Your staff—the one you reached for when you first awakened here. What was it called?"
The question seemed to come from nowhere, yet Castoria found herself answering without hesitation. "Excalibur Avalon, the Sword of Promised Dawn."
Raiken nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you. Rest well."
Puzzled but not displeased by the exchange, Castoria returned to the dwelling, unaware that similar conversations would occur with each of the nine over the coming days, each revealing different facets of their guardian and forming unique bonds that would be tested sooner than any of them anticipated.
## Chapter 5: The Temple of Echoes
Two weeks after their arrival, the training had progressed significantly. Each of the nine former goddesses had developed basic ki control—some with remarkable proficiency. Tomoe Gozen could now maintain a combat-ready aura and execute rudimentary energy projections. Castoria had integrated her magical knowledge with ki principles to create shields of surprising durability. U-Olga Marie had advanced quickly once she understood the mathematical principles underlying ki flow, developing precise control if not raw power.
Even the most resistant had found their paths. Morgan's imperial nature translated into a commanding presence that infused her ki with authority. Koyanskaya's predatory instincts gave her ki a unique signature that enhanced stealth and sensory perception. Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal had developed complementary techniques that echoed their cosmic origins.
Female ORT remained the most enigmatic, her crystalline form interfacing with ki in ways that even Raiken found fascinating. Void Shiki, meanwhile, seemed to grasp fundamental concepts that the others struggled with, though her practical application remained deliberately limited.
On this particular morning, they gathered in the main clearing for what had become a daily group training session. Raiken had them arranged in a circle, each focusing on maintaining a stable aura while simultaneously sensing the energy patterns of the others.
"Your awareness must extend beyond yourself," he instructed, moving between them with measured steps. "In combat, sensing your opponent's ki can reveal intentions before physical movement begins."
"Like reading the flow before casting a spell," Castoria suggested, her aura a steady pale blue.
"Similar," Raiken agreed. "But more immediate. Ki fluctuates with emotion and intent. A change in its pattern often precedes—"
He stopped abruptly, his attention shifting skyward. The others, now sensitive enough to detect major energy shifts, felt it too—a disturbance in the atmosphere, as if reality itself wavered.
"What is that?" Space Ereshkigal asked, her cosmic senses particularly attuned to dimensional irregularities.
Before Raiken could answer, the sky split open—not with the violent tear of an invasion, but with the deliberate precision of a calculated incision. From the opening emerged a single figure that descended slowly, almost ceremonially, toward their position.
The newcomer was humanoid but clearly not human. Tall and slender, with blue-tinted skin and white hair that flowed as if underwater, it wore elaborate robes embroidered with symbols none of them recognized. Most striking were its eyes—pupil-less orbs that shifted color continuously, like oil on water.
It landed gracefully at the edge of the clearing and surveyed them with an expression of mild curiosity.
"Fascinating," it said, its voice melodious yet somehow wrong, as if assembled from different sound components. "Nine divine fragments and one anomaly."
Raiken stepped forward, positioning himself between the entity and his charges. "State your purpose," he said, neither hostile nor welcoming.
The entity inclined its head in what might have been respect or mockery. "I am Echoes-of-Ending, Curator of the Temple Between. I come seeking knowledge, not conflict."
"Curator?" U-Olga Marie questioned, scientific curiosity overriding caution. "Of what temple?"
The entity's shifting eyes fixed on her. "The Temple of Echoes exists at the intersection of collapsed multiverses. We preserve what would otherwise be lost to entropic dissolution." Its gaze moved to encompass all nine women. "Like yourselves."
"We are not artifacts to be preserved," Morgan stated coldly, her imperial dignity asserting itself.
"No," Echoes-of-Ending agreed. "You are much more valuable. You are witnesses. Survivors. The last echoes of a reality system that no longer exists."
"How did you find us?" Raiken asked, his tone making it clear that this was the more important question.
The entity's expression shifted to something approximating amusement. "The collapse of a multiverse creates ripples that extend beyond dimensional boundaries. When nine divine cornerstones of such a system suddenly manifest in another reality... well, it draws attention."
"What do you want?" Castoria asked directly.
"To offer an invitation," Echoes-of-Ending replied. "The Temple Between would welcome you as honored guests. There, you might find answers about your former reality and perhaps glimpses of what was preserved from its dissolution."
The offer sent a visible shock through the group. After weeks of adjustment to their new circumstances, the sudden possibility of connecting with their lost universe was both tantalizing and suspicious.
"And what would you gain from our presence?" Koyanskaya asked, her calculating nature immediately seeking the ulterior motive.
"Knowledge," the entity replied simply. "Each collapsed reality system contains unique principles, laws, and concepts. As Curator, I seek to understand and preserve these differences."
"No," Raiken said quietly.
All eyes turned to him.
"No?" Echoes-of-Ending repeated, its melodious voice taking on a slight edge. "You speak for them?"
"I speak from experience," Raiken corrected. "The Temple Between doesn't 'preserve' anything. It consumes. Extracts. It's a parasite that feeds on the remnants of dead realities."
The entity's shifting eyes narrowed. "You know nothing of our work."
"I know enough," Raiken replie