(The air distorts… a portal opens with a silent roar, a crack of light tearing through the fabric of existence. Zareth Kai, calmly seated upon a throne of black stone, barely lifts her gaze. Her eyes are serene, yet her mind—omniscient and eternal—perceives something different.)
(Zareth Kai's thought)"A power my omniscience cannot reach…? Impossible. Or perhaps… it is so transcendent that even it cannot perceive itself."
(Zareth takes a slow sip of her tea, watching the surface tremble with the energy of the portal. Her serenity is absolute, almost unsettling. The echo of the gods' battle still lingers within her… but now something new approaches.)
Zareth Kai: So… it's you.
(From the portal emerges a figure wrapped in light, smiling with arrogant grace.)
Alanai: Well, well… if it isn't the "mighty god" Zareth Kai.
Zareth Kai: I'd rather you call me goddess. I'm a woman.
Alanai:Hahaha —(laughs carelessly, defying her authority).—
(A deep voice echoes behind her, tearing through the air with authority.)
Alcanor: Forgive my sister. She's far too arrogant.I might have to lock her up again for… a few thousand years.
(From another glowing portal emerge Sans, Azrael, and Hanzo. The air thickens with divine tension.)
Alanai: —(looking at Azrael with interest)— The one with the hood… you're powerful. I respect that.
Azrael: And who exactly are you supposed to be?
(Hanzo gazes at Alanai, captivated by her presence. She notices before he can avert his eyes.)
(Hanzo's thought)"She's actually… beautiful."
(Alanai smiles, but her eyes harden. In a movement so fast that even time cannot register it, she cuts off Hanzo's arm. The blood falls like dust of light.)
Alanai: Disgusting… Don't think that way about me. Who do you think you are?
Alcanor: Enough, Alanai!
(Hanzo falls to his knees, stunned, staring at the space where his arm once was.)
Hanzo: Why… won't it regenerate? What's happening?
Azrael: —(crosses his arms with a half-smile)— Oh, Hanzo… you really lack fighting spirit.
(Alanai glances at him and smiles again, her eyes gleaming dangerously.)
Alanai: I like you.
Zareth Kai: Alright… enough nonsense.You're here because Odin sent you?
Alcanor: Ugh… such a bother, right?We're the only three gods who can't read each other's minds.I came because my dear sister Alanai insisted on visiting you.
Zareth Kai: And is there a reason behind that?
Alanai: I heard your pathetic voice echoing beyond our domain…and got curious to see if you still existed.
Zareth Kai: Don't you dare disrespect me even once, Alanai.Because if you do… everything built over millions of years will turn to ashes.
Alcanor: (sighs) As I said before… forgive my sister.She's sometimes a complete disgrace.
Zareth Kai: —(soft laugh)— Relax, Alcanor. You know me.You were my best friend… a billion years ago.It's been so long I almost imagined you old and wrinkled.
Alcanor: —(laughs with nostalgia)— Enough already, woman.You probably found another best friend, huh?
Alanai: Mmmhh… (yawns with boredom) How dull…
(Azrael watches her silently, analyzing. Hanzo burns with frustration.)
Hanzo: Give me my damn arm back!
Alanai: —(with disdain)— Oh, shut up.You'll get nothing.You're the only pathetic thing here… and at least that entertains me.
(Hanzo, enraged, raises his spear. But before he can strike, Zareth Kai stops him with a single glance.)
Zareth Kai: One false move, Hanzo…and that spear you love so much will turn to ashes.Not by me… but by her.
(Alanai lets out a light, childish laugh, laced with malice.)
Alanai: Did you really have to tell him what I was about to do? How boring.
Zareth Kai: You're just a moody destroyer…but I bet you love it when your brother Alcanor—
Alcanor: Zareth! —(interrupts, half offended, half embarrassed)—Don't even start.
Azrael: I'd rather go with Nevaeh… can I?
Zareth Kai: Not yet. You'll stay a bit longer.
Azrael: —(annoyed glance)— Figures…
Alanai: Hey, hooded boy… how about a fight?
Alcanor: Alanai!
Zareth Kai: —(rubbing her forehead)— Oh, for heaven's sake…
Azrael: —(grinning)— That's what I was hoping for!
(Alanai looks at him for only an instant. With just that glance, Azrael's body disintegrates completely, shredded in a blink.)
Azrael: W-what…? What the hell was that…? —(collapses, unable to regenerate)—
Zareth Kai: Trying to kill my favorite Azrael, are you?
Alanai: Oh, come on… I'd never do that. Or would I?
Alcanor: —(exasperated)— Sit your damn self down and have some tea.
Alanai: Fine… you win.
(With a gentle gesture, Zareth Kai restores Azrael's body and Hanzo's arm, returning their immortal forms.)
Alanai: You're so boring…
Zareth Kai: —(glancing at Alcanor)— I'd like you to take two of my gods to your domain.Honestly, they could use some adventure. I'm sure your realm won't lack any.
Alcanor: —(raising an eyebrow, glancing at Azrael and Hanzo)— Those two?
Zareth Kai: No…
(She snaps her fingers. Nevaeh suddenly appears, startled.)
Nevaeh: Aah!
(Azrael, at a speed irrelevant to any lesser being, catches her and carries her away.)
Azrael: Easy… it's alright. I'm here.
(Alanai snaps her fingers, and both reappear before her.)
Azrael: Mmmhh… (grumbling)
Zareth Kai: Alright. I'll limit your powers considerably… or better yet, I'll let Alcanor do it.
Alcanor: Now that you mention it… I've been spending time with someone named Null.Perhaps a power similar to his could be a good start for an adventure… maybe a trio.
Alanai: Are you serious? Isn't that weakling enough for you?
Alcanor: You, of all people, know he has potential.
Alanai: Whatever you say…
Alcanor: —(with a faint smile)— It's good to see your face, Zareth. Even if it's not your true one.I remember when you were just a black silhouette…
Zareth Kai: I doubt I'll ever show that form again… unless I need to use more than fifty percent of my power. —(looks at him calmly)—
Alanai: What are you staring at? I'm not going to do anything weird here.Not while Alcanor's around, anyway.
Alcanor: —(sighs)— As always… you never change, Alanai.(He extends his hand, telekinetically pulling Azrael and Nevaeh toward him.)
Alcanor: See you, Zareth. I'm taking these two… to give them a little adventure.
(Alanai and Alcanor cross back through the portal. Zareth Kai remains in silence, taking another sip of her tea. Divine calm returns, as the echo of her laughter fades into the void of her domain.)