Kul Vin Takaroth was frustrated. It had been 83 years since the mission started and his fleet had yet to find the target. Granted, there was no fixed “target” for his mission per se, but the calculations had looked very promising. He had even borrowed some of Their brain cells and integrated them into his computer to help it deal with the equations involving the fourth dimension and divinity.
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t throw the cells away. You know the risk they pose, Vin.”
Kul turned around at the sound of the voice. “Mala”, he all but shouted. “You’re awake!” Kul left his body and one of his wills to take care of the ship’s controls, while his soul-form hugged his partner of 400 years.
“Yes Vin, I am awake. You would have realized it was time if you had a watch on,” Ter-Mala Narkodoth has just woken up after a forced slumber, and was happy to finally see her partner again. But I’ll be damned if I show it on my face. “So, why do you still have those things?”
“It’s simple really. The whole mission hinges on our systems being able to interact with the fourth dimension, and the only way we can really do so is through those.” Kul didn’t enjoy having a part of Them inside his computers. Thankfully, the system that was responsible for the calculation was properly separated from the AI systems of the fleet. He knew that all the other members of said fleet were unhappy with him, but they simply couldn't understand reality the way he could. “The moment we locate a suitable planet, we will use the cell infused system to initiate the jump. But don’t worry, I have made it so that the calculating system won’t jump with us. Heck, it doesn’t even have a hopper engine.”
Mala was about to say how they could probably find another way, but a sudden shiver interrupted her. She looked around, then sighed in relief when she couldn't spot anything weird. However, for some reason, the shivering didn't stop. “It’s t-time to change designations again. We have used that p-pronoun too much. I can feel the presence. Any more and T-The Entities will find us.”
Kul Vin Takaroth simply nodded in response. He couldn't sense that particular brand of abnormality anymore for some reason. It's probably because I've worked with the cells too much. Perhaps I'm finally getting used to it. That thought, however, was far from comforting.
It took a few hours for Mala to stop shivering. “It’s your turn to rest now,” she said once she found her composure. “I’ll wake you up if the ship detects anything. Tell the other gods to take a rest as well, my love. Overgod knows they need it.”
Kul shook his head at the mention of the Overgod, their deceased leader. “It’s alright. I finally figured out your parallel will technique. Just create a temporary body and I’ll have some of my wills take the wheel and let my soul-form rest. You should use your wills to think about how we will conduct the invasion we find the proper world. Or rather, the proper universe.”
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“Yes, that’s a good idea. Alright, good nigh-”
A silent sound accompanied by a still shockwave interrupted Mala. “What was that?” Someone asked on the intercom. “TAKAROTH WHAT WAS THAT?!”
“I – I don’t know,” Kul stuttered. “But it felt like when the O-”
Mala hurriedly put a hand on Kul’s mouth. “You were about to say one of the Entities’ names.” Kul nodded as thanks, sweating despite his divine physique.
“It felt like one of The Entities. And it came from … the … calculation … shi-sh-shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-”
[Changing designation of self]
[Current designation: Cell-infused Calculation Device For Multiversal Warp]
[New Designation: System]
"What? What are you talking about, Vin?"
[Entity "Vin" is no longer available. This is Guardian Angel Z1.]
Mala stared. As the goddess of life, she could feel that, Kul Vin Takaroth, the god of magic, was no longer alive. Her lover was no longer alive. However, she had no idea why she could feel the aura of an Outer God from him. The moment she had that thought-
[Entity "Ter-Mala Narkodoth" has attempted to contact a forbidden entity. Entity "Ter-Mala Narkodoth" is deemed unfit for existence.]
"Wha-"
*Poof*
[Entity "Ter-Mala Narkodoth" no longer exists.]
Vin, now Guardian Angel Z1, moved towards the ship's doors and floated out. He looked at the black hole to his right and tilted his head with the curiosity of a newborn. How he could see something that absorbed all light was a mystery and that would remain forever unsolved.
After a few seconds, Z1 finished scanning the strange four-dimensional object that somehow existed in three-dimensional space, and floated towards the other ships of the fleet. By this time, the other Runaway Gods had realized that something was amiss. Pota, who was the strongest god as the god of war, jumped out of his ship and floated towards Kul. "Who are you? And why are you using Lord Takaroth's body?"
-------------------------------
An unknown amount of time later.
[Entity "Manjan Kulukulu" has successfully been converted. Welcome, Guardian Angel Z357.]
As the computer was speaking nonsense, Pota walked over to the central processing unit. He bent his knee in front of two weird-looking objects.
[Suitable target located. Universe designation: Unknown. World designation: Vacuos.]
The two strange objects, which were once brain cells of an Outer God but were now part of a different beyond-divine entity, pulsed.
[Guardian Angel Z2 is ordered to report findings relating to divine entities.]
Pota took a few microseconds to parse the information before speaking.
[Divine entity found: 1. Designation: Fal-Deus. Found by : Scouting Body VoidX22.
Full report: Fal-Deus is the only...]
The cells remained still as the Guardian Angel relayed the whole report from the deceased scout. It cared not for the fate of the scout. It could find new Demigods in the new universe to act as its scouts. Once the report was done, the cells started pulsating again.
[Calculating ...
Calculating ...
Calculating ...
Calculation complete. Probability of successful takeover: 100%. Initiating jump in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...]