"And that's all I can remember," Ace murmured, his voice subdued as he sat on Klaus' bed in the Walker residence.
He had only regained consciousness a few minutes prior, and after finally managing to steady himself, he took the time to recount his entire experience to the other demigods present; Klaus, Shade, and Riley. The weight of everything still clung to him, the events feeling surreal as he struggled to fully grasp what had happened.
"It still feels like the same day of the meeting with the gods to me," Ace admitted, his expression distant. "But you said it's been..."
"Two months," Riley confirmed after a brief hesitation. "Yeah."
Ace’s face tensed slightly, his mind racing to process everything. Two months. The realization unsettled him further. Meanwhile, the other demigods absorbed his words, each of them grappling with their own growing concerns. Ace’s account had raised more questions than answers, but one thought in particular stood out to Klaus; likely the same one lingering in the others' minds.
"How the hell did this happen?" Klaus muttered, his disbelief apparent.
"I'm not sure either," Ace admitted, his voice steady but laced with unease. "But I am almost certain that what I saw was the future. And there was nothing but destruction everywhere."
Shade turned toward Klaus, his expression reflecting the same concern that weighed on them all. "That would mean… that the future is in jeopardy," he said, his voice grave as he acknowledged the severity of the situation.
Klaus took a deep breath, attempting to remain composed despite the implications. "This is all happening too fast," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
The thought of Ace witnessing the future was already unsettling, but what disturbed Klaus more was the sheer devastation Ace had described. What could have possibly caused such a catastrophe? And more importantly, who was the mysterious girl Ace had saved?
"We need to tell the gods about this revelation," Riley suddenly suggested, her concern mirroring the others'.
"We can't," Klaus responded immediately, his tone urgent as he turned to face her. "Based on Ace's explanation, I highly doubt that such a future could be determined by any mortal being or even a demigod. That would mean the only way such a fate could occur..."
"Is if a god was the one who caused it," Shade finished, his eyes widening as the realization dawned on him. "Are you saying..."
"That there is a possibility that one or more of the gods were responsible for this future," Klaus clarified, his voice heavy with certainty. "And if we choose to reveal this information to the gods, we risk exposing it to the very one who may have caused it, potentially accelerating whatever events lead to that destruction."
Even though it was merely a possibility, Klaus' words sent a chill through the room.
"I can't believe it," Riley muttered, shaking her head.
"Think about it," Klaus pressed on. "From Ace’s account, it’s clear that the gods were somehow completely absent from the entire situation. And it would be impossible for a demigod to cause such devastation because Dominion-over-Creation from any of the gods would immediately put a stop to it."
"So that only leaves the possibility that a god, or more than one, was behind it," Riley reasoned.
"Exactly," Klaus confirmed.
"But that would mean there's, at the very least, a treacherous god among the pantheon," Shade pointed out, his voice tinged with both disbelief and unease.
A heavy silence fell over the group as the weight of that conclusion settled in. Klaus let the thought linger for a moment before finally speaking.
"There's a possibility," he admitted. "But there’s also a chance that this future never comes to pass."
"But how is that possible if Ace just saw it?" Shade questioned.
"Because, according to what Sol once told me," Klaus explained, "foresight only allows you to perceive one of an infinite number of possible futures. And even though it wasn’t exactly foresight that Ace used, there’s still a chance that the same principle applies."
"Regardless," Riley interjected, her tone firm, "even if there’s only a fraction of a chance that this will happen, the idea of a god betraying the realm, especially one powerful enough to cause such destruction, is not something we can afford to dismiss as just a 'slight possibility.'"
"You're right," Klaus agreed.
The mere implication of a treacherous god was beyond comprehension, sending a wave of unease through the demigods. The weight of such a thought was suffocating, leaving them momentarily speechless as they struggled to process it.
"Regardless of what we come up with," Shade finally broke the silence, his voice steady but firm, "the only person who can give us a real explanation of what happened and how to handle it... is her."
His gaze fell upon the unconscious girl in white, his finger pointing directly at her. The others followed suit, understanding the gravity of her presence.
Klaus silently agreed. Ace had somehow managed to pull this girl back with him, anchoring her to their timeline. That alone raised a flood of questions for him. It was a reckless, unprecedented act, and yet, so far, there had been no signs of dire consequences. Even so, Klaus could only hope that they hadn’t just invited something far worse into their world.
Still, the girl’s very existence presented a mystery. Klaus wondered how she was the only one left alive in such a future. And after hearing Ace’s description, he found himself even more unsettled, wondering how she had managed to remain so composed in the face of the mentioned overwhelming force when Ace had nearly lost his mind to it.
Another concern gnawed at him: how far into the future had Ace truly ventured? It could have been decades ahead, or merely a week. But considering that Ace had experienced two months passing in what felt like a moment, Klaus suspected this future was much farther away than they would have assumed.
With these uncertainties looming over them, Klaus, Shade, Riley, and Ace deliberated, attempting to form a strategy. They discussed possibilities, analyzed scenarios, and weighed their options. But just as they began to piece together a plan, an unexpected voice echoed in Klaus’ mind; one he hadn’t anticipated.
"Klaus Walker."
The voice resonated telepathically through his consciousness. Klaus stiffened, realizing that this wasn’t Quinn. It was XVII. Shock rippled through him as he processed the situation, a cold weight settling in his gut.
"Your presence is required in Higher World," XVII continued. "Sol has summoned you. Please make your way to the Arena of Valor as soon as possible."
Klaus remained motionless, his eyes wide with disbelief, and his reaction did not go unnoticed. Shade and Riley turned to him, concern flickering in their expressions.
"Klaus?" Shade asked cautiously. "What’s wrong?"
"I've..." Klaus hesitated, still trying to grasp the weight of the message. "I've been summoned by Sol."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"No way," Shade breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It's... too late," Riley murmured under her breath, her hands balling into fists. "They already know."
Panic threatened to set in. The realization that the gods may have already discovered what had happened sent a wave of dread through the group. But Klaus wasn’t entirely convinced.
"I'm not so sure," he muttered, his mind racing.
The others turned to him, waiting for the explanation he seemed to have.
"When I last met with Sol," Klaus began, his voice measured, "he told me that the gods had stopped watching over us and surveying our lives. If that’s true, then they wouldn’t be aware of what’s been happening around us, including this situation."
Riley frowned, slightly unsure of Klaus' words. "Tearing through time is a massive disruption to reality," she argued. "Are you really certain that something this significant wouldn’t catch their attention?"
"If that were the case," Klaus countered, "then they would have already known about it two months ago when Ace first crossed into the future."
Riley faltered, her lips pressing into a thin line as she absorbed his words. "Fair point," she conceded.
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Shade, however, was still wary. "Then why are you being summoned?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Klaus admitted, his brows furrowing in deep thought. "But I have to go. If I refuse or delay, that alone could make things look suspicious."
A tense silence filled the room shortly after Klaus's words.
The gods were not just their creators; they were also their fathers and their family. And yet, now, the possibility that one of them, perhaps even their own parent, was the cause of the devastation Ace had witnessed cast a long, dark shadow over everything they thought they knew.
Being a demigod had always felt surreal to Klaus ever since he first awakened his powers. At first, the weight of his new existence had been overwhelming, but over time, he had learned to accept it. The feeling had become familiar, no longer something that left him in constant awe or uncertainty. But this feeling; this was something he never wanted to feel.
The thought of looking upon one of his creators and seeing an enemy was unbearable. And if that enemy was Sol, his own father, Klaus wasn’t sure how he would even begin to face such a reality.
Before departing, he turned back to the others, his expression resolute. "Make sure that at least one of you stays near the girl at all times," he instructed. "She could be the key to everything. If the gods don’t know about her yet, it’s likely because of our proximity to her. So we can’t take any chances... someone has to be with her at all times."
Shade, Riley, and Ace exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. They understood the significance of Klaus’ warning.
"I’ll be back as soon as I can," Klaus assured them.
"Please... be careful," Shade said quietly, his concern evident.
Klaus offered a nod in return before making his way to his transportation point. Placing his palm over the poster, he activated the sigil, and soon enough, he was transported straight to Higher World.
Upon arrival, Klaus wasted no time heading toward the Arena of Valor, where he expected to find XVII. Based on the message he had received, he assumed that XVII would be the one to escort him to the domain of the gods. However, as he stepped into the arena, scanning for the instructor, his footsteps faltered.
Klaus' breath caught in his throat. Standing at the center of the arena was not XVII, but Sol.
The god of Light stood in waiting, his beautiful, white wings unfurled at his sides, his presence as radiant as ever. He had only just arrived, but from Klaus’ perspective, the stance he held, the strict glare in his eyes, felt unnervingly prepared.
Klaus’ heart slammed against his ribs. To him, Sol wasn’t merely standing, he was poised. Battle-ready. The thoughts that had plagued him earlier returned with brutal intensity. If Sol truly was the god responsible for the future Ace had witnessed, then what was this meeting for? Had he summoned Klaus because he already knew what had happened? Had Sol brought him here to eliminate him first? Or... did he just want Klaus to join him in his sinister plans?
The possibilities spiraled in Klaus' mind, but before his panic could take root, Sol’s piercing gaze lifted after meeting Klaus’ own. His father's hardened stare softened, and his wings folded back as he raised a hand in greeting.
"Hello, Klaus," Sol said, his voice calm.
Klaus remained tense, his body unwilling to relax just yet. Noticing this, his father’s expression shifted, concern flickering behind his eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Sol asked, his voice genuine.
Realizing that making his caution too obvious wasn’t wise, Klaus decided to ease his tension, especially since Sol didn’t seem aware of anything. He knew he couldn’t let his guard down completely, given that Sol was a god, but for now, he chose to appear more relaxed.
"Yeah," Klaus finally said. "Everything's fine."
After a brief pause, he asked, "You called for me?"
"That is correct," Sol replied, his expression shifting. "I summoned you on short notice to inform you of some good news."
Klaus' expression shifted slightly. "Good news?" he asked in confusion.
"Precisely," Sol confirmed before explaining. "I spoke with Nekro regarding the demon girl and her actions, and I requested that you be involved in the matter."
Klaus' eyes widened as Sol continued. "Since you were a major target and key factor in the crisis, I argued that you deserved to have a say in the verdict. And I was able to convince Nekro."
Klaus could hardly believe it. Sol had secured him a real opportunity; a chance to finally take part in deciding the fate of the one who had destroyed his life.
"I don't believe it," Klaus muttered. "Thank you."
"I gave you my word," Sol replied with a smile. "So I made sure to keep it."
Klaus felt conflicted. He had approached this meeting with extreme caution because of the situation with Ace, but now, hearing Sol's genuine words, his emotions were entirely different. He couldn't put into words how grateful he was.
"So when can I go?" Klaus asked.
"You can leave any time today," Sol confirmed. "Her trial concluded yesterday, and the final decisions will be made by tomorrow. There are also a few proceedings happening later today that you can attend."
"That's fine," Klaus said, his expression softening. "I'll head there immediately."
"I’ will inform Nekro of your arrival in Under World," Sol affirmed.
Klaus was relieved to have this chance and wanted to be as involved as possible. Going immediately made sense to him since he didn't want to miss anything. However, as he prepared to leave, the thought of Ace’s warning and the possible threat to the future resurfaced in his mind.
Despite his gratitude toward Sol, Klaus knew he couldn't reveal what he had learned. The risks were too great. But if the gods were truly unaware, the least he could do was ask questions and gather any information that might be useful now or later.
"One more thing," Klaus said after a brief silence.
Sol turned his attention back to Klaus as he hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've had a question on my mind for a while," he began. "It’s a bit off-topic, but I couldn't help but wonder."
"Go ahead," Sol said. "What is it?"
Klaus took a deep breath. "The gods are considered infinite beings, or rather, beings with infinite capabilities, correct?" he asked.
"That is correct," Sol affirmed.
"Well, I was wondering," Klaus continued, "if that’s the case, how does such a situation work when faced with another similar power? If a god has infinite capabilities and abilities, then their powers are expected to be absolute. But what happens when two absolute abilities clash? Like if one god wants to split an object while another wants to keep it whole. Wouldn't that be an unstoppable force meeting another unstoppable force?"
Sol took a moment to consider Klaus’ words, allowing them to settle. Klaus remained silent as well, his concerns growing with each passing second. He hoped the question hadn’t inadvertently revealed anything about what he was trying to keep hidden.
"That is a good observation," Sol finally said. "You are correct that two infinite beings clashing could contradict the expectations of absolute power. But that exact situation is why the Ouroboros exists."
"The Ouroboros?" Klaus asked, unfamiliar with the term.
"That is correct," Sol confirmed before explaining. "When two beings of infinite power clash, either one can invoke a divine rule known as the Ouroboros. When this happens, all absolute abilities are nullified for both parties, causing their unstoppable forces to cancel each other out. At that point, they are left only with their personal capabilities, giving the stronger individual the advantage."
Klaus was stunned. It wasn’t just the existence of such a rule that shocked him, but something else about Sol’s explanation struck him as strange.
"So does that mean all gods aren’t on the same level of power?" he asked, surprised by the implication.
"That is correct," Sol confirmed once again. "A god can always refine and further master their own skills and abilities. Just as our power is infinite, so is our potential for growth."
"But that doesn’t make sense," Klaus argued. "If gods have infinite power, why can’t they just reach the strongest possible level instantly?"
"That... is not how infinite power works," Sol replied.
"Why not?" Klaus pressed, genuinely intrigued by Sol’s explanation.
Sol was surprised by Klaus’ enthusiasm on the topic, but he chose to elaborate. "The term 'infinite power' is not the same as 'maximum power,'" he stated. "Instead, it describes an unexplainable, incomprehensible level of power."
Seeing that Klaus was still trying to fully grasp the concept, Sol decided to clarify further. "Imagine the numbers 1 and 3," he began. "What would you say if I asked how many numbers exist between them?"
Klaus paused, slightly confused, before answering. "I’d say there’s only one; the number 2."
"While your response isn’t wrong," Sol acknowledged, "that would only be true if I had asked about whole numbers. If we include fractions, numbers like 1.5 also exist between them."
"I think I see what you mean," Klaus said, his mind working through the idea. "So similarly, there would also be numbers with two or more decimal places. That means you could keep adding numbers behind the decimal point infinitely, and they would still count as numbers between 1 and 3."
"Exactly," Sol said. "However, even though you can add an infinite amount of numbers within that range, there are still numbers outside of it, like the number 4. No matter how many numbers you insert between 1 and 3, the number 4 will never be included. This is because, despite the infinite range between 1 and 3, there is still a defined boundary, making it a finite set in representation."
Sol’s explanation was clear to Klaus. It was complex, but the analogy made perfect sense.
"Nothing is TRULY infinite," Sol finally concluded. "It may seem paradoxical, but even 'infinite' is finite."
Klaus was blown away by the complexity of absolute power among the gods. He had understood their vast potential at face value, but Sol’s words gave him a deeper understanding of how divine power truly functioned.
"I get it now," Klaus finally said, prompting a satisfied smile from Sol.
"I'm glad I could educate you a bit," Sol remarked.
After some time, it was finally time for Klaus to head to Under World. "I better get going," he said to Sol, not wanting to waste any more time absent from the situation concerning Xhin.
After receiving the necessary coordinates to his destination, Klaus gave Sol a brief wave before turning away, preparing to head toward the transportation podium.
"I can sense your bloodlust, Klaus," Sol suddenly said, his soft words causing Klaus to freeze in place. "Relax."
Silence settled between them. Klaus remained still, his back facing Sol. Though Sol couldn't see his face, he could feel the sheer rage radiating from him at the mere thought of Xhin.
"I understand that there are things in this existence that cannot be pardoned," Sol continued, "and certain acts of evil that can never be forgiven. But I must give you this one piece of advice... do not let your emotions drive you to do something you will regret for the rest of your life."
Another moment of silence passed. Klaus' rage was overwhelming as he recalled everything that had happened during the Human Extinction crisis that Xhin had caused. The fact that she had attempted to take his mother’s life, and had succeeded in taking Avalon’s, was something he would never forgive. He wanted to make her suffer. He wanted to kill her.
But he also knew that his father was right.
"I understand," Klaus finally said, his voice even. He didn’t turn back as he resumed his steps, leaving the arena.
Klaus walked for a while, his mind clouded with countless thoughts. Eventually, he pulled out his phone and called Shade. He relayed the information he had received from Sol regarding the gods, as well as the opportunity he had been given to partake in Xhin’s trial. However, he carefully avoided mentioning anything about their situation with Ace over the phone, a precaution they had agreed upon to keep their plans as secretive as possible.
"I'm going to Under World for a bit," Klaus said. "So I’ll be absent for a while."
Shade understood. He knew that while their situation with Ace was pressing, Klaus’ urgency to go to Under World had to take priority.
It was only natural for Klaus to go. If he had refused, it would raise questions from Sol and the other gods, giving them a potential reason to survey his actions, something they wanted to avoid. And beyond that, Shade knew that, regardless of the larger implications, Klaus likely just wanted to put this chapter of his life to rest.
"Be safe," Shade finally said after a pause.
"I will," Klaus replied before ending the call.
After a brief walk, he arrived at the transportation podium. Memorizing the coordinates Sol had provided, he activated the podium and was finally transported to Under World.