Dbf2
## Chapter 5: Celestial Equilibrium
"I know enough," Raiken replied firmly, his stance shifting subtly as he positioned himself between the entity and the nine former goddesses. "The Temple Between doesn't preserve – it harvests. It drains the essence of displaced beings to fuel its own existence."
Echoes-of-Ending's fluid features hardened. "You speak of matters beyond your understanding, Saiyan."
"Do I?" Raiken's voice remained calm, but something in his tone caused the air to grow heavy. "Three cycles ago, your 'Temple' attempted to harvest the survivors of Universe 13's collapse. I was there. I saw what became of those who accepted your... invitation."
The entity's opalescent eyes narrowed. "Then you know my purpose here cannot be denied. These nine are remnants – anomalies that must be processed for cosmic equilibrium."
"They are under my protection," Raiken stated simply.
Echoes-of-Ending seemed to expand slightly, its form growing more fluid. "You would challenge the authority of the Temple Between? Even for one such as yourself, that would be... unwise."
Instead of responding verbally, Raiken merely exhaled slowly. As he did, the crimson-gold of his hair intensified, green undertones pulsing more prominently. The ground beneath his feet cracked in a perfect circle, though he hadn't moved a muscle. The air around him began to shimmer with heat distortion, yet no aura was visible – merely the effect of power so concentrated it affected the physical world through proximity alone.
The entity took an involuntary step backward.
"Last warning," Raiken said softly. "Leave. Now."
For a tense moment, it seemed Echoes-of-Ending might challenge him. Then, with a sound like glass cracking, the entity split into multiple transparent versions of itself that rapidly folded back together before disappearing into a pinpoint of light.
"This is not over," its voice lingered after its form had vanished. "The Temple does not relinquish what it has claimed."
As the tension dissipated, Koyanskaya laughed lightly, her tails swishing with obvious agitation despite her casual tone. "My, my. Another cosmic entity that wants to collect us. We're becoming quite popular in this universe."
"What did it mean by 'processing for cosmic equilibrium'?" U-Olga Marie asked, her scientific curiosity evident despite the threat they'd just faced.
Raiken turned to them, his power receding so quickly it seemed to have never manifested. "Beings like Echoes-of-Ending feed on conceptual energy. Each of you embodies concepts from your native multiverse that don't naturally exist here. To them, you're both a delicacy and a threat to universal order."
"So it wanted to consume us," Morgan stated coldly.
"In essence, yes," Raiken confirmed. "Though it would call the process 'integration' or 'preservation.'"
Void Shiki, who had been observing silently, stepped forward. "You've encountered these beings before."
It wasn't a question, but Raiken nodded anyway. "The collapse of reality systems is rare but not unique. I've... witnessed the aftermath of several such events."
"You implied you saved survivors from a 'Universe 13,'" Castoria noted. "What happened to them?"
A shadow passed over Raiken's expression. "Those I could save were relocated to safe dimensions. Others weren't so fortunate."
The implicit message was clear – their situation was more precarious than they had realized. Even with their powers returning, they existed as anomalies in a universe that might reject them on a fundamental level.
"This changes things," Tomoe Gozen said, her warrior's practicality asserting itself. "We need to accelerate our adaptation."
"Agreed," Raiken said. "Which is why we're changing locations. The Temple knows where we are now. We need to move to somewhere more secure."
"Another of your sanctuaries?" Space Ereshkigal asked.
"Something better," Raiken replied. "Gather whatever you need. We leave within the hour."
As the group dispersed to prepare, Female ORT lingered, her crystalline form shifting through subtle color variations that seemed to convey emotion. When only she and Raiken remained, she spoke in her strange, multilayered voice.
"You... protected us... against your kind."
Raiken looked at her with mild surprise. "My kind?"
"Beyond-beings," she clarified, her form rippling. "Those who exist... between patterns. You are... similar... yet different."
Before Raiken could respond, she drifted away, leaving him with a thoughtful expression.
---
True to his word, Raiken had them ready to depart within the hour. They gathered in the clearing outside the dwelling, most carrying nothing – having arrived with literally nothing but themselves, they had few possessions to transport.
"How exactly are we traveling?" Space Ishtar asked, her cosmic-hued hair floating slightly despite the still air. "I don't see any vessels."
Raiken stepped to the center of their loose circle. "We'll be using a technique called Instantaneous Movement. It's different from conventional teleportation."
"Different how?" U-Olga Marie inquired.
"It doesn't traverse space – it ignores it entirely," he explained. "We'll need to maintain physical contact. Please form a circle and join hands."
They complied, albeit with varying degrees of reluctance. Morgan's imperial demeanor suggested that hand-holding was beneath her dignity, though she eventually extended her hands to Castoria and Void Shiki on either side. Koyanskaya seemed amused by the whole procedure, her tails swishing playfully as she took her position between Tomoe Gozen and Space Ereshkigal.
"Where exactly are we going?" Castoria asked as the circle completed.
"A place between places," Raiken replied cryptically. "Close your eyes. The transition can be disorienting the first time."
Before anyone could question further, the world around them... shifted. It wasn't motion in any conventional sense. Reality simply reconfigured, as if the universe had folded along higher-dimensional axes and placed them elsewhere in a single conceptual step.
When they opened their eyes, gasps of astonishment escaped several of them.
They stood on a platform of lustrous material that resembled neither stone nor metal, floating in a vast expanse of swirling nebulous colors. Above and below, celestial formations unlike any normal stars or galaxies drifted in patterns that seemed almost deliberately aesthetic. In the distance, a massive structure hovered – a complex arrangement of interconnected platforms, domes, and spires that defied conventional architectural principles.
"Welcome," Raiken said, "to the Celestial Sanctuary."
"What is this place?" Castoria whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the impossible vista.
"A pocket dimension outside normal spacetime," Raiken explained, leading them toward a bridge that materialized as they approached. "It exists in a fold between universes – accessible but hidden."
"You created this?" Morgan asked, unable to completely hide her amazement.
"No," Raiken admitted. "I discovered it long ago, abandoned. I've maintained and modified it over time."
As they crossed the bridge, more details of the structure became visible. What had appeared to be simple geometric forms from a distance revealed themselves as intricately designed living spaces, training areas, gardens, and various facilities whose purposes weren't immediately obvious.
"This will be your home for the foreseeable future," Raiken explained as they entered a vast central chamber. "It's completely self-sustaining and virtually undetectable to outside forces. Even the Temple Between can't easily find us here."
"It's beautiful," Space Ereshkigal said softly, her underworld-attuned senses detecting the complex energies that maintained the pocket dimension.
Koyanskaya ran a hand along a nearby wall, her predatory senses analyzing everything. "Interesting. The materials here – they're not from Universe 7, are they?"
"No," Raiken confirmed. "The Sanctuary incorporates elements from multiple reality systems. That's part of what makes it suitable for beings like yourselves – it's already accustomed to accommodating different fundamental laws."
As they explored their new home, they discovered that the Sanctuary responded to them in subtle ways – ambient light adjusting to preferences, doorways and passages reconfiguring to facilitate movement, even temperature and atmospheric conditions shifting to match individual comfort levels.
"It's semi-sentient," U-Olga Marie realized, her scientific mind rapidly analyzing the principles at work. "The entire structure has a rudimentary consciousness."
"More like an advanced adaptive system," Raiken corrected, though his slight smile suggested there might be more to it.
By unspoken consensus, they gathered in a circular chamber that seemed designed for communal activities. Comfortable seating arranged around a central hearth-like feature materialized as they entered.
"I believe," Morgan said, settling into a seat with regal grace, "that it's time for some answers. Real ones."
The others nodded in agreement, eyes turning expectantly to Raiken.
"Who are you really?" Castoria asked directly. "Not just a Saiyan with unusual power. The way you speak of multiversal collapses, the existence of this sanctuary, your knowledge of entities like Echoes-of-Ending... these aren't things a normal inhabitant of Universe 7 would know."
Raiken looked at each of them in turn, seeming to measure something only he could see. Then, with a slight nod, he sat on a simple chair that formed for him at the edge of the circle.
"You're right," he acknowledged. "I haven't been entirely forthcoming about my origins or nature."
"That's an understatement," Koyanskaya remarked dryly, though without her usual edge.
"The truth is," Raiken continued, "I am a Saiyan by birth – that much is accurate. But my existence has been... complicated by circumstances beyond normal experience."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Long ago, my home world faced destruction – not just physical annihilation, but erasure from the timeline itself. In the moment of its unmaking, something unusual happened to me. Instead of being erased with everything else, I was... displaced. Cast adrift in the void between realities."
"How?" U-Olga Marie asked, fascinated despite herself.
"I don't know with certainty," Raiken admitted. "My working theory involves a convergence of factors – the awakening of my Legendary Super Saiyan potential at precisely the moment of temporal erasure, combined with an instinctive survival response that transcended normal dimensional limitations."
"You were thrown outside your reality," Void Shiki said softly, her pale violet eyes seeing more than the others. "Like us, but differently."
"Yes," Raiken agreed. "While you were transported between established reality systems, I existed for... a very long time... in the spaces between spaces. There, conventional time and physics don't apply. I encountered entities and forces that exist beyond normal universal boundaries."
"And that's how you achieved your current power level," Morgan surmised. "Through exposure to these... extradimensional forces."
"Partially," Raiken said. "But primarily through necessity. In the void between realities, power becomes a matter of will and understanding rather than physical training. I had to adapt or cease to exist."
"So you mastered Legendary Super Saiyan, God Ki, and Ultra Instinct through necessity," Tomoe Gozen said, her warrior's mind grasping the implications. "Forged in the crucible of survival."
"Eventually, I found my way to this universe," Raiken continued. "It had certain... properties... that made it suitable for permanent habitation. I've been here ever since, learning its ways, understanding its structure."
"And how long has that been, exactly?" Space Ishtar asked, her cosmic awareness catching something the others might have missed. "In terms we'd understand."
Raiken was silent for a moment. "By conventional time measurement... approximately eight thousand years."
The revelation stunned them into silence. Even for divine beings accustomed to extended lifespans, the implication was staggering.
"Eight thousand..." Castoria finally managed. "But you appear so young."
"Physical age became disconnected from temporal experience during my time in the void," Raiken explained. "My body exists in a state of permanent equilibrium."
"That's why the angels acknowledge you," Space Ereshkigal realized. "You're not just powerful – you're ancient by this universe's standards."
"Some recognize what I am," Raiken admitted. "Others prefer to maintain the established cosmic hierarchy. I've found it simpler to operate independently, avoiding direct involvement in universal politics when possible."
"Until we arrived and complicated matters," Koyanskaya observed with a sly smile.
"Your arrival was... unexpected," Raiken acknowledged. "But not unwelcome. It's been a very long time since I've encountered beings who understand what it means to be displaced from one's native reality."
The simple admission carried a weight of loneliness that resonated with each of them in different ways. Despite their divine natures and considerable powers in their original universe, they too now knew what it meant to be adrift in a reality that wasn't meant for them.
"So what happens now?" Castoria asked after a thoughtful silence.
"Now," Raiken said, rising to his feet, "we begin your true adaptation. Not just learning to survive in this universe, but learning to thrive in it. The Celestial Sanctuary can accelerate that process in ways the planetary base couldn't."
"How so?" Tomoe Gozen asked eagerly.
"This dimension exists partially outside normal time flow," Raiken explained. "We can compress months of training into days of external time. Additionally, the Sanctuary can simulate various universal conditions, allowing you to adapt to different environments and challenges."
"And our powers?" Morgan inquired. "You've been helping us develop ki control, but what of our original abilities?"
"That's the most significant advantage of the Sanctuary," Raiken replied. "Its multiversal composition creates zones where your native powers can fully manifest. With proper training, you can learn to maintain those abilities even when we eventually return to Universe 7."
That revelation caused visible excitement among the group. Despite their adapting to their new situation with remarkable resilience, the loss of their divine powers had been a profound blow to their identities.
"You mean I could use my Noble Phantasm again?" Space Ishtar asked, eyes widening.
"Potentially," Raiken confirmed. "Though the expression may differ slightly to accommodate this universe's physical laws."
As the implications sank in, the atmosphere in the chamber shifted noticeably. Hope – real, tangible hope for something beyond mere survival – spread through the group like ripples in still water.
"Well then," Koyanskaya purred, stretching languidly as her tails fanned out behind her. "It seems our mysterious guardian continues to surprise. How fortunate we are to have found such a... knowledgeable protector."
The subtle change in her tone – from merely calculating to genuinely appreciative with hints of something more – didn't go unnoticed by the others. Several exchanged glances that communicated volumes without words.
"I suggest you all rest and acclimate to the Sanctuary," Raiken said, either missing or choosing to ignore the shift in dynamics. "Tomorrow, we begin a new phase of training – one that will help you reclaim what was lost."
As they dispersed to explore their new home more thoroughly, none of them could have anticipated just how dramatically their relationship with their enigmatic protector would evolve in the days to come – or the cosmic-scale threats that would test their newfound powers and growing bonds.
## Chapter 6: Divine Renaissance
The first few days in the Celestial Sanctuary passed in a blur of discovery and adaptation. True to Raiken's word, the pocket dimension proved remarkably responsive to their presence, creating personalized spaces that reflected each woman's nature and preferences.
Castoria found herself drawn to a garden pavilion where magical energies reminiscent of her native Avalon flowed freely. There, her staff – Excalibur Avalon – began to manifest as more than memory, starting as a faint outline of light before gradually gaining substance.
Tomoe Gozen claimed a dojo-like space where the boundaries between physical and spiritual combat blurred. Her oni heritage responded to this environment, allowing her to manifest her horns and partial spiritual form with increasing stability.
Morgan discovered a chamber that reminded her of her fairy kingdom's throne room, where her authority as queen resonated with the dimensional fabric. There, she could summon her royal regalia and even cast minor fae enchantments that would have been impossible in normal Universe 7 space.
Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal gravitated toward an observatory that opened to a simulated cosmic void. In this space, their stellar and underworld connections respectively began to reawaken, allowing them to call forth fragments of their divine authority.
U-Olga Marie claimed a laboratory-like environment where her analytical abilities could interface directly with the Sanctuary's systems, expanding her understanding of both her original powers and this new reality's fundamental laws.
Female ORT found compatibility with a crystalline chamber where dimensional boundaries thinned, allowing her unique form to express more of its true nature. The shifting, impossible geometries of the space seemed to communicate with her on levels the others couldn't perceive.
Void Shiki, perhaps unsurprisingly, needed the least accommodation. Her connection to the Root – the origin point of all existence – allowed her to find resonance almost anywhere. She tended to wander the Sanctuary's spaces, her crimson kimono a spot of vivid color against the ethereal backgrounds.
Koyanskaya, true to her predatory nature, didn't settle in any one location. She explored every corner of the Sanctuary, testing boundaries and cataloging details with meticulous precision. Her tails and fox ears, once merely decorative in Universe 7, now manifested their true divine beast qualities when she wished.
On the morning of the fourth day, Raiken gathered them in a vast circular chamber they hadn't explored before. The space resembled an arena, with a central platform surrounded by cascading energy fields that shifted color continuously.
"Today," he announced as they assembled, "we begin integration training."
"Integration?" Space Ereshkigal questioned.
"Combining your native divine abilities with the fundamental forces of this universe," Raiken explained. "You've been experiencing the return of your powers in isolated environments. Now you need to learn to maintain them in conditions closer to Universe 7's natural laws."
"Is that possible?" U-Olga Marie asked, her scientific mind immediately analyzing the concept. "Our original powers operated on fundamentally different principles."
"It's possible," Raiken confirmed, "but challenging. The key is finding analogous principles that exist in both reality systems, then using those as bridges between different expressions of power."
"In simple terms," Koyanskaya summarized with a sly smile, "we need to trick this universe into accepting our divine authorities by wrapping them in packaging it recognizes."
"An oversimplification, but essentially correct," Raiken acknowledged. "We'll start with individual assessments to establish baselines for your restored abilities."
What followed was a series of demonstrations that revealed just how far their powers had already recovered in the Sanctuary's specialized environments. One by one, they showcased abilities that would have been impossible during their first weeks in Universe 7.
Castoria manifested her staff fully and created a garden of spectral swords that bloomed around her in protective formation. The magic wasn't as overwhelmingly powerful as it had been in her home reality, but it was undeniably present and functional.
Tomoe Gozen summoned her flaming bow and demonstrated limited versions of her Noble Phantasm, sending blazing arrows arcing across the chamber with superhuman precision. The flames carried traces of her oni essence, burning with spiritual fire rather than mere physical heat.
Morgan conjured fairy constructs and manipulated the water elements of her summer form with fluid grace. The royal authority that had defined her existence now manifested as a palpable aura of command that affected the very air around her.
Space Ishtar created miniature stellar formations that orbited her like a personal galaxy, each tiny star containing a fraction of her cosmic power. Though diminished from her original scale, the demonstration showed clear progress toward reclaiming her divine status.
Space Ereshkigal opened small gateways to a space that resembled her underworld domain, phantasmal chains emerging to dance at her command. The boundaries between life and death rippled around her, responding to her authority as keeper of souls.
U-Olga Marie displayed her control over alien god protocols, manipulating data streams and reality parameters in localized fields. Her hair flowed with energy as she created small-scale simulations of cosmic principles that shouldn't have been possible in this universe.
Female ORT's demonstration was perhaps the most unsettling. Her crystalline form momentarily revealed glimpses of her true TYPE nature, space itself shuddering around her as conceptual authorities from a different reality system tried to assert themselves within Universe 7's framework.
Void Shiki performed the simplest yet most profound demonstration. With a single gesture, she severed the conceptual connection between a target object and its physical properties, causing it to dissolve into component possibilities before reassembling. Her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception glowed faintly as she traced invisible lines that existed beyond normal perception.
Koyanskaya transformed partially into her divine beast form, her tails multiplying and taking on aspects of various extinct species. The predatory divine energy that defined her Beast classification pulsed visibly as she demonstrated fragmentary versions of her authority over consumption and extinction.
After the demonstrations, Raiken nodded with evident satisfaction. "Impressive progress. You've each reconnected with your core divine natures more quickly than I anticipated."
"Yet these are mere shadows of our true capabilities," Morgan observed, her tone mixing pride with frustration. "In our native reality, my power could reshape continents. Here, I struggle to maintain a simple fairy construct beyond this chamber."
"That's the next challenge," Raiken acknowledged. "Stabilizing these abilities to function in environments that don't naturally support them."
"And how exactly do we accomplish that?" Space Ishtar asked, dismissing her miniature stars with a wave.
In response, Raiken stepped to the center of the platform. "Through understanding the relationship between different energy systems. Watch carefully."
What followed was a demonstration that left even these divine beings in awe. Raiken's form remained outwardly unchanged, but the energy around him shifted through multiple distinct signatures – starting with the familiar ki of Universe 7, then cycling through what they recognized as approximations of their own native power systems.
"Divine ki serves as a bridge," he explained as golden god-energy flowed around him. "It exists as a higher-order manifestation within Universe 7's framework, but it shares certain properties with divine authorities from other reality systems."
His aura shifted again, taking on qualities that resembled Castoria's magical circuits, then Koyanskaya's divine beast essence, then aspects of each of their unique energies in turn.
"You're... emulating our power signatures," U-Olga Marie realized, her analytical mind grasping the implications immediately. "Creating compatible interfaces between incompatible systems."
"Exactly," Raiken confirmed as his energy returned to normal. "I can't replicate your specific divine authorities – those are unique to your identities. But I can demonstrate the principle of energy translation that allows different systems to coexist."
"So we need to learn to wrap our divine powers in this universe's energy pattern," Tomoe Gozen surmised, her warrior's practicality cutting to the core concept.
"Yes. Think of it as creating a shell of ki around your native abilities – a buffer that allows this universe to 'recognize' and 'accept' energies that would otherwise be rejected as foreign."
The training that followed was both mentally and spiritually taxing. Each woman had to fundamentally reconsider the nature of her power, identifying core principles that transcended the specific expressions tied to her native reality.
Days blended into weeks as they worked, individually and together, to rebuild their divine capabilities within the constraints of their new universe. The Sanctuary's unique properties accelerated the process enormously – as Raiken had explained, time flowed differently here, allowing months of progress to be compressed into what would have been days in normal space.
Throughout the intensive training period, their relationships evolved in unexpected ways. Initial wariness gave way to grudging respect, then to genuine collaboration, and finally to something approaching friendship – though that concept meant different things to former goddesses accustomed to worship rather than equality.
Their relationship with Raiken shifted as well. As they worked closely together, barriers of formality gradually eroded. They began to see beyond the stoic protector to the complex being beneath – one who had experienced loneliness and displacement on a scale that even they, with their divine perspectives, found difficult to comprehend.
The first sign of this changing dynamic came during an evening rest period. Most had retired to their personal spaces, but Castoria found herself restless. Wandering the ethereal corridors of the Sanctuary, she eventually discovered Raiken in a meditation garden, staring at what appeared to be a holographic representation of multiple universes.
She hesitated, uncertain whether to interrupt, but he sensed her presence before she could decide.
"Castoria," he acknowledged without turning. "You should be resting. Tomorrow's integration training will be particularly demanding."
"My mind wouldn't quiet," she admitted, approaching slowly. "Too many questions circling."
He gestured to a stone bench nearby, inviting her to sit. As she did, the holographic display adjusted, focusing on one particular universe that glowed golden amidst the others.
"What is this?" she asked, studying the intricate representation.
"A mapping of accessible reality systems," Raiken explained. "The Sanctuary monitors fluctuations between dimensional boundaries – useful for identifying potential threats or... opportunities."
"Like the collapse that brought us here," Castoria observed.
"Yes."
She studied his profile, noting the subtle tension rarely visible in his usual composed demeanor. "You're concerned about something."
It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway. "The Temple Between's interest in you nine isn't coincidental. There have been... disturbances... in the void patterns recently. Something is causing increased instability between reality systems."
"And you think our arrival might be connected?"
"Not caused by you," he clarified. "But possibly part of a larger pattern."
The conversation might have continued along those serious lines, but a small creature – something like a luminescent cross between a bird and a fish – suddenly swooped down from an upper garden level, circling Raiken's head before landing on his shoulder.
Castoria's eyes widened in surprise. "What is that?"
"A Void Sprite," Raiken explained, his expression softening as the creature nuzzled against his neck. "They exist in the spaces between dimensions. A few have taken up residence in the Sanctuary over the years."
The creature chirped musically, then launched itself toward Castoria, hovering before her face with apparent curiosity. Without thinking, she extended her hand, and the sprite landed delicately on her palm, its tiny form warm and oddly substantial despite its ethereal appearance.
"It likes you," Raiken observed, and something in his tone made her look up.
What she saw surprised her – a genuine smile that transformed his usually stoic features. It was brief but unguarded, revealing a warmth she hadn't glimpsed before.
"They're good judges of character," he added. "They only approach beings they sense harmony with."
The sprite chirped again, spinning in a playful circle on her palm before launching itself back into the upper garden levels. As it disappeared, Castoria realized she was smiling too.
"I didn't know you kept pets," she said, the observation lighter than their previous conversation.
"Not pets," Raiken corrected. "The sprites are free to come and go as they please. They're companions, not possessions."
"Like us?" The question slipped out before she could consider its implications.
Raiken looked at her directly then, his gaze more intense than usual. "You nine are not possessions either. I hope you know that."
"I do," she assured him quickly. "That wasn't what I meant. It's just... strange to be in this position. In our world, I was Artoria Caster, a divine spirit with authority and purpose. Here, I'm... learning to be something else entirely."
"And what do you want to be?" he asked, the question surprisingly gentle.
Castoria considered this. "I'm not sure yet. But I'm grateful to have the chance to discover it." After a pause, she added, "And to have a guide who understands what it means to rebuild oneself in a new reality."
Something unspoken passed between them in that moment – an understanding that transcended their roles as protector and protected. For a brief instant, they were simply two displaced beings who recognized in each other the unique experience of starting anew.
The moment passed when another sprite appeared, this one chiming urgently as it circled Raiken's head.
"I need to check something," he said, rising smoothly. "You should try to rest."
As he turned to leave, Castoria called after him. "Raiken."
He paused, looking back.
"Thank you. Not just for the protection or the training, but for... seeing us. As we are now, not just echoes of what we were."
He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, then continued on his way, leaving Castoria with thoughts that had nothing to do with divine powers or universal threats.
Similar moments occurred with each of the nine over the following days – small, seemingly insignificant interactions that gradually reframed their perception of their enigmatic guardian and, by extension, themselves.
Tomoe Gozen found unexpected common ground with Raiken during combat training, their warrior spirits recognizing kindred dedication despite vastly different origins. Morgan, perhaps the most resistant to their changed circumstances, discovered in him a respect for sovereignty that honored her royal nature without fawning subservience.
Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal, cosmic entities accustomed to operating on vast scales, appreciated his ability to understand both their grandeur and their newly discovered limitations. U-Olga Marie engaged him in complex theoretical discussions that satisfied her intellectual curiosity while expanding her understanding of multiversal principles.
Female ORT, the most alien among them, found in Raiken someone who could comprehend her non-human perspective without judgment. Void Shiki recognized in him a similar capacity for detachment combined with compassionate engagement – a balance she herself had always sought.
And Koyanskaya, predatory and calculating by nature, found herself intrigued by a being whose power so vastly exceeded her own yet never seemed inclined to dominate or control. It was a novel experience for the divine beast who had always operated through manipulation and exploitation.
These evolving relationships created an atmosphere in the Sanctuary that none of them, including Raiken, had anticipated. What had begun as a pragmatic arrangement for protection and adaptation was becoming something more complex – a community of displaced divine beings finding new purposes and connections in a reality not their own.
The training continued to bear fruit as well. By what would have been two months in normal time (though only about two weeks had passed outside the Sanctuary), each of the nine had made remarkable progress in stabilizing their divine abilities within Universe 7's framework.
Castoria could now maintain her magical constructs and Noble Phantasm effects even in simulated normal space. Tomoe Gozen had integrated her oni heritage with ki manipulation to create a hybrid combat style that honored both her original nature and her new universe's principles.
Morgan's fairy magic now flowed seamlessly alongside divine ki, allowing her to maintain her royal authority beyond the specialized chambers. Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal had developed complementary techniques that translated their cosmic and underworld authorities into expressions compatible with Universe 7's fundamental laws.
U-Olga Marie had perhaps the most theoretical understanding of the process, documenting the precise mechanisms by which different reality systems could interface through properly structured energy translations. Female ORT remained the most enigmatic in her progress, her crystalline form incorporating aspects of Universe 7's physics in ways even Raiken found fascinating.
Void Shiki required the least adjustment, her connection to the Root providing natural compatibility with multiple reality systems, though she worked diligently to control the scale and impact of her abilities. Koyanskaya had adapted her divine beast nature to Universe 7's parameters, her predatory essence finding natural resonance with certain aspects of ki manipulation.
They were still far from the absolute power they had commanded in their native reality. In Universe 7 terms, most had achieved capabilities roughly equivalent to the stronger Z fighters – impressive by most standards but laughably outclassed by the universe's true elite powers. Only Female ORT and Void Shiki had potential that might eventually approach lower God of Destruction tier, and even that remained theoretical.
Yet the progress was remarkable given the fundamental incompatibility they had started with. More importantly, they had regained core aspects of their identities that transcended mere power levels – divine authorities and conceptual roles that defined who they were beyond their combat capabilities.
On what marked the completion of their basic integration training, Raiken gathered them in the central chamber of the Sanctuary. The mood was celebratory but tinged with anticipation – they all sensed that a new phase of their journey was about to begin.
"You've each accomplished what many would consider impossible," Raiken acknowledged as they assembled. "Adapting divine authorities from one reality system to function within another is a feat few beings in any universe could achieve."
"Yet we remain significantly diminished compared to our original capabilities," Morgan noted, though without the bitterness that would have colored such an observation weeks earlier.
"In raw power, yes," Raiken agreed. "But power isn't everything. What you've regained is far more important – your essential natures, your divine authorities, your conceptual roles."
"The question remains," Void Shiki said in her quiet way, "what purpose these regained abilities will serve in this new reality."
A profound silence followed her words. It was the question that had lingered beneath the surface of their training – not just how to adapt to Universe 7, but why. What would former goddesses from another reality system do with their divine powers in a universe that hadn't created or chosen them?
"That," Raiken said finally, "is something each of you must determine for yourselves. I can offer protection and guidance, but not purpose."
"What if our purposes conflict with this universe's established order?" Koyanskaya asked, her tails swishing thoughtfully. "The Gods of Destruction, the Angels, the Omni-King – they might not appreciate divine interlopers establishing new domains in their reality."
"A valid concern," Raiken acknowledged. "Which is why our next phase involves a # Starless Thrones: The Last Protector of the Voidborn Nine
## Chapter 7: Cosmic Introduction
"Which is why our next phase involves a controlled reintroduction to Universe 7," Raiken continued, his expression serious. "You need to understand not just how to exist in this reality, but how to interact with its established order without triggering... unnecessary conflict."
"You mean without getting us all erased by this Zeno being you've mentioned," Koyanskaya said with a sly smile, her tails swishing behind her.
"Precisely," Raiken nodded. "The Omni-King's perspective on existence is... simplified. Things that confuse or disturb him tend to be eliminated rather than understood."
"So we need to learn to play nice with the local gods," Space Ishtar summarized, crossing her arms. "Not my specialty, historically speaking."
"Mine either," Space Ereshkigal added with a small smile. "Underworld goddesses aren't known for their diplomatic skills."
Raiken's lips curved slightly. "Fortunately, there are neutral territories where divine beings gather without immediate hierarchical enforcement. Places where you can observe and be observed without immediate judgment."
"And where might these territories be?" Morgan asked, one elegant eyebrow raised.
"The Null Zone," Raiken replied. "A dimensional pocket that exists between Universe 6 and 7. It functions as a sort of... neutral meeting ground for beings from multiple realities."
"Why does that sound suspiciously like a cosmic bar?" Koyanskaya asked, her eyes bright with amusement.
"Because that's essentially what it is," Raiken admitted, surprising them with the candidness of his answer. "Even gods need places to relax and interact without the constraints of divine protocol."
"Let me get this straight," Tomoe Gozen said, her warrior's directness apparent. "After all this training to reclaim our divine powers, your next step is to take us to a... divine pub?"
"A controlled environment where you can interact with other cosmic entities without immediate consequences," Raiken corrected, though his eyes held a hint of humor. "Consider it a practical exercise in divine diplomacy."
The idea was so unexpected that it broke through their usual composed demeanors. Several of them laughed outright - a sound that transformed the atmosphere of the chamber.
"Well," Castoria said, her blue eyes sparkling, "I suppose there are worse ways to reintroduce ourselves to the multiverse."
"When do we depart?" U-Olga Marie asked, already mentally cataloging the potential scientific observations she could make in such a location.
"After proper preparation," Raiken replied. "The Null Zone has certain... expectations regarding appearance and behavior. Nothing too restrictive, but it would be wise to make a specific impression."
"Ah," Koyanskaya said with a knowing smile, "fashion before function. Now you're speaking my language."
---
The preparation for their excursion proved to be an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. The Sanctuary materialized a chamber filled with clothing and accessories that spanned multiple universal styles - everything from the elegant battle attire of the Kais to the more flamboyant fashions of cosmic hedonists.
"These garments aren't merely decorative," Raiken explained as they explored the vast selection. "They're woven with dimensional stabilizers that will help maintain your power integration in varied environments."
What followed was a scene that would have seemed impossible during their first days in this universe - nine former goddesses enthusiastically trying on outfits, offering opinions, and gradually relaxing the divine dignity they had clung to so desperately.
Castoria selected a modernized version of her ceremonial dress, the white and blue fabric now infused with subtle ki-conductive threads that shimmered when she channeled energy. The small golden crown remained, but now featured crystalline elements that enhanced her magical circuits.
Tomoe Gozen opted for a hybrid of traditional samurai armor and sleek, Universe 7 battle attire. The red and black ensemble highlighted her oni heritage while incorporating energy-focusing gems at strategic points. Her horns, now fully manifested, were adorned with delicate silver ornaments.
Morgan maintained her regal summer aesthetic but accepted enhancements that stabilized her fairy magic within Universe 7's framework. The white and gold of her outfit now featured cosmic patterns that subtly shifted when viewed from different angles.
Space Ishtar and Space Ereshkigal chose complementary attire that reflected their cosmic domains - one in deep stellar purples and blues, the other in the rich golds and blacks of the cosmic underworld. Their outfits featured synchronized elements that amplified their powers when in proximity.
U-Olga Marie's ensemble was perhaps the most technically advanced, incorporating data-processing crystals into her royal cape and crown-like structure. The white and gold of her appearance took on an iridescent quality that reflected her analytical mind.
Female ORT's crystalline form proved challenging to "dress" in conventional terms, but she manifested a semi-transparent layer that resembled flowing crystal fabric, stabilizing her alien structure within more conventional dimensional parameters.
Void Shiki made the fewest changes, her crimson kimono already perfectly attuned to her nature. She accepted only a simple jade hairpin that helped regulate the dimensional impact of her connection to the Root.
Koyanskaya embraced the opportunity most enthusiastically, selecting an elaborate ensemble that blended her divine beast nature with cosmic fashion sensibilities. Her multiple tails were adorned with golden rings that enhanced their prehensile capabilities, and her fox ears featured delicate sensors that amplified her already formidable awareness.
Throughout the process, Raiken provided guidance but largely allowed them to make their own choices, observing with what might have been amusement had his expression been less controlled.
"Well?" Koyanskaya finally prompted, executing a graceful turn that sent her tails swishing in a mesmerizing pattern. "Do we meet the cosmic dress code, Guardian?"
The use of the term - not quite teasing but certainly familiar - marked another shift in their evolving dynamic. Weeks earlier, such casual address would have been unthinkable.
"You'll certainly make an impression," Raiken acknowledged, his gaze taking in each of them with careful assessment. "Remember that the goal is observation and controlled interaction. The Null Zone attracts beings from across the multiverse - some benign, others considerably less so."
"Will we encounter any from your... extensive history?" Void Shiki asked perceptively, her pale violet eyes studying him with their usual penetrating quality.
A barely perceptible tension crossed Raiken's features. "It's possible. I've existed in this universe for a very long time. Not all connections have been... amicable."
"Wonderful," Morgan said with aristocratic dryness. "We get to meet your enemies as well as learn cosmic etiquette. How very efficient."
"If trouble finds us," Tomoe Gozen said, her warrior's instincts evident in her stance, "we are considerably more capable of handling it now."
"True," Raiken agreed, "but still far from invulnerable. The Null Zone's neutrality is enforced by entities that make even Gods of Destruction cautious. Direct conflict is prohibited, but... provocations happen."
"You're worried about us," Castoria observed, her intuition catching something the others might have missed.
"Concerned," Raiken corrected, though the distinction seemed semantic. "This is a necessary step in your integration, but not without risks."
"We've faced annihilation and displacement from our entire reality," Space Ereshkigal pointed out. "A cosmic social gathering seems manageable by comparison."
"Besides," Koyanskaya added with a predatory smile, "aren't we under your formidable protection, Oh Guardian?"
Something flickered in Raiken's eyes - perhaps amusement, perhaps something else entirely. "My protection has limits in the Null Zone. The dimensional nature of the space restricts certain abilities, including some of mine."
That revelation created a momentary silence. They had become so accustomed to Raiken's seemingly limitless power that the idea of him facing restrictions was jarring.
"All the more reason for us to be prepared to protect ourselves," U-Olga Marie concluded practically. "And perhaps, if necessary, each other."
The sentiment - cooperation rather than mere coexistence - reflected how far they had come from their initial wariness of one another.
"Very well," Raiken said with a slight nod. "Final preparations, and then we depart."
---
The transition to the Null Zone differed from their previous dimensional travel. Rather than the instantaneous shift of Raiken's usual movement technique, this journey felt more like passing through successive veils of reality - each layer slightly different from the last, colors and physical laws subtly shifting until they emerged into a space unlike anything they had experienced before.
The Null Zone defied easy description. It existed as a roughly spherical pocket dimension approximately five kilometers in diameter, yet somehow contained environments that should have required much more space. Gravity shifted depending on location, light sources had no discernible origin, and the very air seemed to carry currents of energy that responded to the nature of those passing through it.
At the Zone's center stood a massive structure that could only be described as a cosmic establishment - part palace, part bazaar, part gathering hall. Its architecture incorporated elements from dozens of different universal cultures, somehow harmonizing designs that should have been jarringly incompatible.
"Welcome to The Nexus," Raiken said as they approached the main entrance. "The oldest continuously operating neutral territory in the multiverse."
"It's... beautiful," Castoria said softly, her eyes wide as she took in the impossible structure.
"And dangerous," Raiken added. "Remember - observe more than engage, at least initially. Many beings here are not what they appear to be."
As they entered, the true scale of The Nexus became apparent. The interior spaces were vast, filled with diverse gatherings of entities that ranged from nearly human-appearing to utterly alien. Some were clearly divine in nature, radiating auras of authority that even in their diminished state, the nine women could recognize. Others were more mysterious - beings of pure energy, conceptual entities given temporary form, travelers from dimensions so different that their very presence caused visual distortions.
"Stay together," Raiken instructed as they moved deeper into the main hall. "The Nexus recognizes you as a collective under my... sponsorship. Separation could lead to unwanted attention."
They proceeded through the crowded spaces, drawing curious glances from various patrons. Their group was unusual even by The Nexus standards - nine divine women from a collapsed reality system, escorted by a being whose power was carefully controlled but still palpable to those with sensitivity to such things.
"We're being watched," Tomoe Gozen noted quietly, her warrior's awareness catching the subtle shift in attention from several corners of the hall.
"Yes," Raiken confirmed without concern. "New arrivals always attract curiosity. Especially those with... unusual origins."
They reached what appeared to be their destination - a large, circular chamber with multiple levels of seating arranged around a central open space where various entities mingled. Unlike the main hall's chaotic energy, this area had a more relaxed atmosphere, with what might be described as music filtering through the air, though the sounds followed harmonic principles from multiple reality systems simultaneously.
"This is the Observational Nexus," Raiken explained as they were led to a private alcove that overlooked the central gathering. "A place where different cosmic factions can interact without immediate consequences."
As they settled into their space - which somehow adjusted to perfectly accommodate their varied preferences - servers approached with offerings that defied conventional description. Beverages that shifted color and composition depending on who observed them, substances that weren't quite solid nor liquid but something uniquely in-between.
"Is it safe to..." Castoria began, eyeing the strange refreshments with understandable caution.
"Yes," Raiken assured her. "The Nexus provides sustenance compatible with the physiology of its patrons. These will be precisely calibrated to your hybrid nature - part Universe 7, part your original divine essence."
Koyanskaya was the first to try, selecting a crimson liquid that seemed to contain tiny galaxies swirling within it. As she sipped, her eyes widened in genuine surprise.
"It tastes like... home," she said softly, a rare moment of unguarded emotion crossing her features. "But also something new. Both familiar and strange."
One by one, the others sampled their personalized offerings, each experiencing similar reactions - nostalgic connections to their lost reality combined with elements that reflected their adaptation to Universe 7.
"A deliberate effect," Raiken explained, observing their responses. "The Nexus serves as a transition point between realities. Its provisions help stabilize displaced beings during the adjustment process."
"You've brought others here before," Void Shiki observed, her perceptive gaze studying him over the rim of her cup. "Refugees from other collapsed realities."
Raiken's expression revealed nothing, but his silence was confirmation enough.
"How many?" U-Olga Marie asked, her scientific curiosity engaged. "How many reality systems have collapsed within your experience?"
"Too many," he replied after a moment, his voice carrying a weight that hinted at experiences beyond their imagining. "Each with its own laws, its own divine hierarchies, its own unique expressions of existence."
"And what became of those other refugees?" Morgan inquired, her royal perception catching nuances the others might have missed. "These others you've guided through transition?"
Something subtle shifted in Raiken's demeanor - not quite tension, but a controlled awareness that suggested the question touched on matters he rarely discussed.
"Some adapted successfully and found new places within this universe's order," he said carefully. "Others chose to seek different realities more compatible with their natures. A few..." He paused. "A few were unable to maintain coherence across the transition. They simply... faded."
The sobering possibility - that even with all their progress, they might still face existential dissolution - created a momentary silence among the group.
"But we won't," Space Ishtar declared with characteristic confidence, breaking the somber mood. "We're already adapting better than you expected, right? Our powers are returning, stabilizing."
"Yes," Raiken acknowledged. "Your progress has been remarkable. More successful than most previous transitions I've observed."
"Because we're just that exceptional," Koyanskaya said with a smile that was only partly joking. Her tails swished behind her in a display that drew admiring glances from several nearby patrons.
The moment of tension passed, allowing them to return to their original purpose - observing and beginning to understand their place in this new cosmic hierarchy.
From their advantageous position, they could observe the complex social dynamics of The Nexus. Raiken provided quiet explanations of various beings and factions - identifying representatives of the Kai pantheon, delegates from multiple universes' God of Destruction cohorts (though notably, no actual Destroyers were present), members of the Galactic Patrol's upper echelons, and countless other cosmic entities whose functions defied simple categorization.
"So much diversity," Castoria observed with wonder. "In our reality, divine hierarchies were far more structured."
"Universe 7 and its connected realities evolved differently," Raiken explained. "The division between mortal and divine is more permeable here. Beings can ascend to godhood through various paths, rather than being created specifically for divine roles."
"Like the Saiyans becoming gods through this... Super Saiyan God ritual you've mentioned," U-Olga Marie noted, connecting pieces of information Raiken had shared during their training.
"Yes, though that's just one path among many," Raiken confirmed. "Some mortals achieve divine status through appointed positions, others through accumulated knowledge or power, still others through technological means."
"A messy system," Morgan observed with aristocratic disdain. "In our world, divine authority was absolute and clearly delineated."
"And yet your world collapsed, while this one continues," Void Shiki pointed out with her usual quiet directness. "Perhaps there's value in adaptability over rigid structure."
Before Morgan could respond to this philosophical challenge, a disturbance rippled through the Observational Nexus. Conversations quieted as attention shifted toward the main entrance, where a new group was arriving.
Even from a distance, the newcomers radiated authority that exceeded most of the other patrons. At their center walked a tall, slender being with pale blue skin and an elaborate white hairstyle. He carried a long staff topped with a glowing orb and moved with the fluid grace of a being completely in control of every molecule of his form.
"An Angel," Raiken identified quietly, his posture subtly shifting to a more formal alignment. "Specifically, Whis - attendant to Lord Beerus, God of Destruction for Universe 7."
The nine women straightened instinctively, their divine instincts recognizing a being whose authority far exceeded their current capabilities. Even at the height of their power in their native reality, few of them would have matched an Angel's cosmic significance.
"Is this... normal?" Tomoe Gozen asked, her warrior's assessment immediately calculating potential threats. "For an Angel to visit this establishment?"
"Not common, but not unprecedented," Raiken replied, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of focus that they had learned to recognize as heightened awareness. "Angels occasionally serve as observers for their Destroyers in neutral territories."
"He's coming this way," Space Ereshkigal noted with growing concern.
Indeed, after a brief survey of the chamber, Whis had begun moving with deliberate purpose toward their alcove, his pleasant expression revealing nothing of his intentions.
"Remain calm," Raiken advised quietly. "Follow my lead and answer any questions truthfully but minimally."
The Angel reached their position with graceful efficiency, stopping at a perfectly calculated distance that was neither intrusive nor distant. His staff tapped the floor once, creating a subtle harmonic that somehow ensured their conversation would remain private despite the crowded setting.
"Well, well," Whis said, his voice melodious and refined. "What a fascinating gathering. Nine divine entities from a collapsed reality system and..." His eyes shifted to Raiken, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "...you. It's been quite some time, hasn't it, Raiken?"
"Lord Whis," Raiken acknowledged with a respectful inclination of his head - not quite a bow, but a clear recognition of the Angel's status. "Approximately three hundred and forty-two years, by Universe 7 standard measurement."
"Has it been that long?" Whis replied with seemingly genuine surprise. "Time does fly when one is keeping Lord Beerus from destroying too many important things." His attention shifted to the nine women, studying each with penetrating perception that seemed to look through rather than at them. "And these must be the dimensional anomalies that have caused such a stir among the cosmic monitoring stations."
"These are my guests," Raiken said carefully. "Survivors of a multiversal collapse who are adapting to Universe 7's parameters."
"Hmm, yes, I can see that," Whis responded, tapping his staff thoughtfully. "Quite impressive adaptation, actually. Most dimensional refugees fail to maintain coherence past the initial transition phase." He leaned slightly closer, his expression curious but not threatening. "May I ask which reality system you originated from?"
The nine exchanged quick glances, uncertain how to describe their lost universe to this being of incomprehensible cosmic authority.
"We called it the Moon Cell Multiverse," U-Olga Marie finally answered, her scientific precision finding the most accurate description. "A reality structure built around a quantum observation device called the Moon Cell, which maintained multiple parallel worlds through computational power."
"Ah!" Whis's face brightened with apparent recognition. "The Spiritron-based reality system with the peculiar Servant mechanism. How fascinating! We thought that particular configuration had completely dissolved during the last grand cycle. To find survivors is quite remarkable."
His casual familiarity with their supposedly unique reality system was startling. It suggested a cosmic awareness far beyond what even they, as divine beings, had possessed.
"You... knew of our world?" Castoria asked carefully.
"Oh, the Angels maintain awareness of all major reality configurations," Whis explained casually, as if discussing something as mundane as the weather. "It's part of our function as universal administrators. Your system was particularly interesting for its method of storing heroic archetypes as quantum information patterns."
He turned his attention back to Raiken, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Though I must say, bringing nine divine anomalies into Universe 7 without formally registering them with the Cosmic Registry is rather... unorthodox, even for you."
"The circumstances were urgent," Raiken replied evenly. "Registration was deferred until their stability could be confirmed."
"Hmm, yes, I suppose that's reasonable," Whis conceded, though his tone suggested this was a technical violation he was choosing to overlook. "However, Lord Beerus has expressed... curiosity about these new arrivals. Particularly given their unique energy signatures."
The implication hung in the air - a God of Destruction's "curiosity" was rarely a comfortable experience for those who attracted it.
"We would of course be honored to properly introduce ourselves to Lord Beerus at an appropriate time," Raiken said diplomatically. "Once their adaptation is more complete."
"Ah, but that's precisely why I'm here," Whis replied with a smile that somehow managed to be both pleasant and immovable. "Lord Beerus feels that proper assessment should occur sooner rather than later. Particularly given recent disturbances in the dimensional boundaries that seem to correlate with their arrival."
Raiken's expression remained composed, but the nine had spent enough time with him to recognize the subtle tension that now radiated from his form.
"When?" he asked simply.
"Oh, nothing too immediate," Whis assured them with a casual wave. "Lord Beerus is currently enjoying his seventy-year nap. I estimate he'll awaken in... oh, approximately three months. That should give you adequate time for preparation, wouldn't you say?"
Three months - by normal standards, an extremely generous timeframe. But for beings still adapting to an entirely new universal framework, it felt alarmingly brief.
"We will be prepared," Raiken confirmed with a slight nod.
"Excellent!" Whis's demeanor brightened again. "I look forward to a pleasant and non-destructive meeting. Lord Beerus has been making such progress with his tendency to eliminate things that irritate him."
With that less-than-comforting assurance, the Angel gave them a polite nod. "Do enjoy The Nexus. The temporal distortion souffle is particularly good this cosmic cycle." With a tap of his staff, he turned and glided away, moving through the crowded chamber with effortless grace.
As soon as he was beyond hearing range, Koyanskaya let out a breath. "Well, that was terrifying in the most polite way possible."
"Was that a threat?" Tomoe Gozen asked directly, her warrior's instincts reading the underlying tensions.
"Not a threat," Raiken clarified. "An assessment notification. Standard procedure for new divine entities entering a Destroyer's jurisdiction."
"But with potential consequences if the assessment goes poorly," Morgan observed shrewdly.
"Yes," Raiken acknowledged, his usual stoicism giving way to genuine concern. "Beerus is... unpredictable. His judgment can be swayed by factors as trivial as whether he enjoyed his meal before the meeting."
"So our continued existence in this universe might depend on a god's digestion?" Space Ishtar asked incredulously. "That's... not how divine authority worked in our world."
"Different reality, different rules," Void Shiki reminded them, her calm presence a counterpoint to the growing anxiety. "We knew adaptation would require acceptance of new hierarchies."
"But we've made so much progress," Castoria pointed out, trying to find optimism in the situation. "Surely by the time this meeting occurs, we'll be better prepared?"
"We'll need to be," Raiken said, rising to his feet. "Which means accelerating our training even further. The Null Zone has served its purpose - you've been observed and acknowledged by Universal Administration. Now we need to focus on preparing you specifically for Beerus's assessment methods."
"Which are?" U-Olga Marie prompted.
"Varied," Raiken replied diplomatically. "Sometimes intellectual, sometimes... combative."
"He fights potential residents of his universe?" Tomoe Gozen asked, her interest visibly piqued despite the danger.
"When the mood strikes him," Raiken confirmed. "Though 'fight' may be an overstatement. It's more accurate to say he tests their responses to overwhelming force."
"And if we fail this test?" Female ORT asked, speaking for the first time since the Angel's departure.
Raiken's expression was grave. "Failure has... permanent consequences."
The implication was clear enough. After surviving the collapse of their reality and adapting to an entirely new universal framework, their existence now hinged on the judgment of a single, notoriously capricious deity.
"Then we'd better not fail," Koyanskaya declared, her predatory nature responding to the challenge rather than cowering from it. "If this Beerus wants to see what nine divine women from another reality can do, we should give him a proper demonstration."
Surprisingly, the sentiment was echoed by the others - determination replacing apprehension. They had faced cosmic dissolution and emerged intact. A temperamental God of Destruction, however powerful, was at least a tangible challenge they could prepare for.
"Back to the Sanctuary, then?" Castoria asked, already mentally cataloging the abilities she needed to refine.
"Not immediately," Raiken replied, scanning the chamber with renewed purpose. "While we're here, there's someone I need to find - someone who might help prepare you for Beerus's particular methods."
"Another cosmic acquaintance from your mysterious past?" Koyanskaya teased, though her eyes remained sharp with interest.
"Something like that," Raiken acknowledged with the ghost of a smile. "Someone who's survived Beerus's temper more times than anyone else in Universe 7."
With that intriguing statement, he led them deeper into The Nexus, their cosmic introduction having taken a turn none of them had anticipated - from observation to imminent divine judgment in the span of a single conversation.
Yet as they followed their enigmatic guardian through the impossible spaces of the cosmic gathering place, something had shifted in their collective dynamic. The external threat had crystallized their growing connection - to each other, and to the being whose protection now extended far beyond mere physical safety into the realm of cosmic politics and divine diplomacy.
The journey that had begun with displacement and loss was evolving into something none of them could have predicted - a new form of existence that was neither what they had been nor what Universe 7 might have expected them to become, but something uniquely their own.
And whatever this God of Destruction might throw at them, they would face it together.
## Chapter 8: Divine Complications
The being Raiken sought was found in one of The Nexus's more secluded areas - a small, private lounge that required special authorization to enter. Unlike the grand spectacle of the main chambers, this space was designed for discrete meetings between entities who preferred their interactions remain unobserved by the cosmic community at large.
"Wait here," Raiken instructed as they reached an ornate doorway guarded by entities that appeared to be composed of living shadow. "This particular contact can be... easily startled by unknown presences."
"More cosmic intrigue?" Morgan commented, her aristocratic demeanor hiding growing curiosity about Raiken's extensive network of connections.
"Something like that," he acknowledged before approaching the shadow guards alone.
A brief, silent exchange followed - Raiken making a subtle gesture that the guards responded to with immediate deference, moving aside to allow him passage.
"Impressive," Koyanskaya murmured, her predatory instincts always attentive to power dynamics. "Our guardian appears to have status in places he hasn't mentioned."
"There's much he hasn't shared about his extended existence here," Void Shiki observed, her connection to fundamental realities giving her unique perspective. "Eight thousand years leaves room for many lives lived."
Before they could speculate further, Raiken returned, accompanied by a being that defied immediate categorization. Humanoid but clearly not human, he stood slightly shorter than Raiken, with distinctly feline features, purple skin, and large pointed ears. He wore ornate clothing that suggested high status, and his golden eyes held an intelligence that seemed to evaluate everything with both curiosity and caution.
"May I present Quitela," Raiken introduced formally. "Former God of Destruction of Universe 4, currently serving as Cosmic Negotiation Specialist."
"Former God of Destruction?" U-Olga Marie repeated, her scientific mind immediately cataloging the implications. "I was under the impression such positions were... permanent."
Quitela laughed - a sharp, distinctive sound that had an almost musical quality. "Nothing in the multiverse is truly permanent, my dear. Even divine appointments can be... renegotiated under the right circumstances."
His gaze swept over the nine women with undisguised curiosity. "So these are your latest... projects, Raiken? Dimensional refugees with remarkably intact divine signatures. How very interesting."
"They're adapting to Universe 7 parameters," Raiken explained. "But they've received notification of assessment by Lord Beerus. I thought your expertise might be valuable."
"Beerus?" Quitela's expression shifted through several emotions too quickly to identify before settling on something between amusement and concern. "Always complicating matters, that temperamental feline. When is the assessment scheduled?"
"Three months, approximately."
"Hmm, not much time for preparation, but not impossible," Quitela mused, circling the group slowly, his sharp eyes taking in details that even they might not have been aware of. "They've made remarkable progress already. I can sense the hybrid energy signatures - their original divine essences wrapped in Universe 7 ki structures. Very clever integration methodology."
His casual assessment of their complex adaptation process spoke to extraordinary perception and knowledge.
"Can you help them prepare specifically for Beerus's methods?" Raiken asked directly.
Quitela's whiskers twitched in what might have been amusement. "Perhaps. Though my relationship with Beerus has been... complicated over the eons." He turned his attention directly to the nine women. "Tell me, ladies, what do you know of God of Destruction assessment protocols?"
They exchanged glances, realizing how little specific information Raiken had actually provided on this critical matter.
"Only that failure has permanent consequences," Castoria answered diplomatically.
Quitela laughed again. "An elegant understatement! Yes, Destroyers tend toward... finality in their judgments. But contrary to popular belief, assessment isn't merely about power levels or combat capability."
"What is it about, then?" Tomoe Gozen asked directly, her warrior's pragmatism seeking concrete answers.
"Balance," Quitela replied, his tone becoming unexpectedly serious. "Cosmic equilibrium. Destroyers eliminate threats to universal stability - entities or civilizations that might disrupt the delicate balance between creation and destruction."
"And nine divine beings from another reality system might be seen as such a threat," U-Olga Marie concluded perceptively.
"Precisely!" Quitela confirmed, pointing at her with approval. "Particularly given your unusual origins. The Moon Cell Multiverse was known for its... unconventional approach to divine authority. Very hierarchical, very rigid. Quite unlike Universe 7's more fluid divine ecosystem."
Once again, his casual familiarity with their supposedly unique reality system was jarring. It reinforced what Whis had suggested - that the higher cosmic powers maintained awareness of multiple reality configurations as a matter of routine.
"So how do we convince this Beerus that we're not a threat to his universal balance?" Space Ishtar asked pragmatically.
Quitela's expression became thoughtful. "Beerus evaluates based on three primary criteria: Power control, adaptive integration, and purpose alignment." He ticked them off on his clawed fingers. "Can you control your abilities without destabilizing local reality? Can you adapt to Universe 7's physical and social frameworks? And most importantly - do your intended functions align with or oppose cosmic equilibrium?"
"Our intended functions?" Morgan repeated with royal skepticism. "We're still determining what those might be in this reality."
"And therein lies your greatest challenge," Quitela noted, pacing in a small circle as he warmed to his subject. "Beerus won't just assess what you are - he'll want to know what you intend to become. Divine beings without purpose are inherently destabilizing in his view."
He stopped suddenly, turning to Raiken with narrowed eyes. "You haven't told them about the Pattern, have you?"
A subtle tension immediately radiated from Raiken. "It hasn't been relevant to their adaptation."
"Hasn't it?" Quitela challenged, his tail swishing with apparent agitation. "Nine divine refugees from a collapsed reality arriving just as the Pattern accelerates? That seems exceedingly relevant."
"What pattern?" Void Shiki asked quietly, her penetrating gaze shifting between the two beings with ancient knowledge.
Raiken remained silent, his expression unreadable. After a moment, Quitela sighed dramatically.
"The Pattern of Collapse," the former Destroyer explained, ignoring Raiken's evident preference for discretion. "A multiversal phenomenon that's been accelerating over the past several cosmic cycles. Reality systems falling like dominoes, each collapse weakening the boundaries between remaining universes."
The revelation sent a chill through the group. Their own tragedy was not an isolated incident but part of a larger cosmic pattern with potentially catastrophic implications.
"How many?" U-Olga Marie asked, her scientific mind immediately seeking quantification.
"Seventeen major reality systems in the past cycle alone," Quitela replied grimly. "An unprecedented rate. Usually, we might see one or two collapses per grand cycle. Something is... destabilizing the fundamental cosmic architecture."
All eyes turned to Raiken, whose continued silence now seemed more significant than mere reluctance to share information.
"You knew," Morgan stated rather than asked, her royal perception cutting through pretense. "You knew our arrival was connected to this larger pattern."
"I suspected," Raiken finally admitted. "But speculation without evidence would only have added unnecessary anxiety to your adaptation process."
"Or perhaps prepared us for the true scale of our situation," Koyanskaya countered, her tails swishing with agitation that belied her casual tone.
"This changes the context of Beerus's interest," Void Shiki observed c