CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 50

Odin, now incredibly thin and exhausted, stood on the balcony of Valaskjálf, the golden winds of Asgard brushing through his white hair as he gazed upon the shining city below.

The halls of the gods stood tall and proud once more, and the scars of the invasion of the fragment had finally healed at the expense of consuming his life force, giving them to Yggdrasil so it can help in rebuilding the realms.

Below, he could see the Bifrost gleaming again, stretching across the sky like a radiant bridge between worlds.

Warriors trained in the courtyards.

Valkyries flew overhead, their wings trailing light.

The golden towers of Asgard hummed faintly with restored divine energy.

He closed his single eye, letting out a slow breath. It had taken a massive amount of his life force and countless sacrifices, along with the cooperation of every god still loyal to their cause, but the Nine Realms were whole again.

Frigg’s gentle voice broke the silence. "The Realms are ready, my love. The roots of Yggdrasil have stabilized, now we can begin the fusion with the Greek Universe at your command."

Odin turned, his expression softening at her presence.

"So it is time," he said quietly. "At last, the Hyperverse can be born."

Frigg approached, her robes flowing like calm rivers of silk. "The Greeks have already begun preparations. Nyx and Hades are ready. Once the merge begins, there will be no turning back."

Odin nodded, gripping the railing. "Then send word to Hel and Freya. Tell them to go to the Greeks and aid in the process."

Frigg tilted her head. "Hel and Freya?"

"Hel understands death and rebirth better than any being alive," Odin replied. "Her dominion over the Underworld mirrors Hades’ own. She will know how to stabilize the spiritual transition once the roots of Yggdrasil reach their realm."

He paused, then added, "Freya, on the other hand, is the finest mage we have. Her magic is flexible and adaptive. The Greeks will need someone who can manipulate divine energies as fluidly as Nyx or Hecate. The fusion of two universes is not just a matter of strength, but balance and harmony."

Frigg nodded slowly. "And you?"

"I will stay here," Odin said. "The roots must be guided carefully. They will seek the Greek Heart like veins searching for blood. One wrong pulse, and both universes could collapse."

He turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the faint, spectral glow of Yggdrasil’s branches pierced the skies.

"The Heart of the Norse Universe is Yggdrasil itself. It binds all nine realms, all fates, all cycles of life and death. If Hades is to become the Heart of the Hyperverse, he must first merge with Yggdrasil’s essence."

Frigg frowned slightly. "Will the tree accept him?"

Odin smiled faintly, though it did not reach his eye. "He has already merged with one heart, merging with another shouldn’t be troublesome for him."

He turned to her fully now, his expression weary but resolute. "Go, my queen. Tell Hel and Freya what must be done. Time is short, and the void grows hungrier by the day."

Frigg hesitated for a moment, her hand brushing against his arm. "Please... Take care of yourself, you have already sacrificed too much."

Odin chuckled softly. "I am old, Frigg, but I am not weak. Do not worry about me."

With a final nod, she turned and left the balcony, her steps echoed faintly against the marble floors until silence reclaimed the hall.

Odin remained, staring into the distance where the faint shimmer of other worlds could be seen through the cosmic veil.

He could sense the pull of the outer voids, the faint screams of dying universes as the Outer Ones devoured everything they touched.

The Nine Realms might be whole again, but they were no longer safe. Not even Asgard could withstand what was coming.

He rested both hands on the railing, his knuckles white.

"Hades," he murmured under his breath. "Do not fail us. If you falter, all of existence will disappear."

The wind howled across Asgard, carrying with it the whispers of the dead and the faint hum of Yggdrasil’s pulse.

Odin closed his eye, feeling the vibration of the World Tree deep within his soul.

"Show us..." he whispered, his voice low and tired. "Show us that the gods are not foods for the outer ones to devour."

And as he stood there, the roots of Yggdrasil began to move.

*

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*

Outside the boundaries of the Greek Universe, where the cosmic fabric shimmered like ripples in an endless sea of light, a lone figure floated in silence.

His golden armor shone faintly, reflecting the radiance of countless distant stars.

A pair of immaculate white wings stretched behind him, pulsing with divine brilliance that could blind lesser gods.

His face was serene, almost ethereal, his golden hair flowing freely in the void.

He was Michael, the Archangel, the Right Hand of the Almighty, Commander of Heaven’s legions, and The Defender of the Faith.

Though not the most powerful among the Lord’s servants, he was the one most trusted by Yahweh Himself.

His loyalty was absolute, and his purpose was pure.

At this moment, Michael’s sharp eyes were fixed upon the boundary of the Greek Universe.

It was massive, pulsing with divine energy, its edges glowing with threads of Nyx’s starlight.

Beyond that shimmering veil lay the realm of Hades, newly fused with the Heart.

Michael had come to observe, but also to deliver a message, an offer of alliance from the Christian Pantheon.

Yahweh had already made His decision. He wished to join the Hyperverse project, to strengthen their position before the Outer Ones devoured more universes.

But it was Michael’s duty to test the resolve of Hades first.

The Archangel floated closer, divine power radiating softly, his expression calm and dignified.

He extended his senses, feeling the Greek Universe’s pulse, a steady rhythm of life, fate, and death woven together into a single eternal heartbeat.

"Impressive," Michael murmured. "A god who actually fused with the heart of the universe. Hades, you certainly deserve to be someone recognised by Father."

Before he could continue, the void rippled behind him, space itself quivered, and a figure stepped through a veil of golden hieroglyphs.

Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom, appeared, his eyes sharp and intelligent, his ibis-shaped mask crowned with a faint halo of celestial markings.

He carried a golden tablet, glowing with inscriptions that shifted like living language.

When his gaze fell upon Michael, his lips twisted into a smirk.

"So," Thoth said, his tone mocking, "Heaven’s obedient dog comes sniffing around the Greeks now? How strange. I would’ve thought a feathered monkey like you would’ve remained like a dog in your little heaven."

Michael turned his head slowly, his eyes calm and his expression remained impassive and unreadable.

"Thoth," he greeted evenly. "Still as arrogant as when your temples fell, I see."

Thoth’s smirk faltered for only a moment before returning, sharper this time. "Careful with your words, winged monkey. I recall you leading that ’holy crusade’ which burned Egypt’s sacred lands and shattered our pantheon’s strength. I should take offense that you even exist."

Michael regarded him quietly, wings folding slightly behind him, his voice remained soft. "Then perhaps you should have defended your people better. Your priests cried to you, and you were silent. We only answered their prayers."

Thoth stiffened, eyes narrowing. "You dare—"

"I do not dare," Michael interrupted, his tone steady, almost too calm. "But I do remember. It was your arrogance that blinded you. Your Pharaohs thought themselves gods, and my Father reminded them that even pagan gods will have to kneel before Him."

Thoth’s aura flared, ancient hieroglyphs igniting in gold flame around him.

"You miserable construct," he hissed. "You were made to serve. You have no will, no purpose beyond His command. You are a winged monkey who kneeled before a hairless monkey! You should be ashamed!"

Michael remained still, with not a flicker of anger crossed his face. Instead, his gaze remained sharpened, calm and peaceful. "If obedience to the Creator is shameful, then I will carry that shame proudly. And I kneel not to men because I am weak or inferior, but because men are made from the God’s image."

Thoth scoffed, stepping closer. "I have never seen someone act so proud of being a slave. Hmph, tell me, slave, if your master grew bored of you, would you fade away?"

Michael smiled faintly. "Perhaps. But at least I will fade in His light. Not rot in the shadow of defeat."

That line hit like a silent spear. Thoth froze, eyes flaring with divine fury. ""You insufferable little...how dare you!"

Michael tilted his head slightly, his expression still serene, as if he doesn’t know why Thoth looked so offended.

"I will make you suffer..." Thoth’s tablet glowed golden, "I shall execute you for daring to trample over a god’s pride!"

Michael faced him, still as calm as ever, "If you wish to see Egypt burn again, Thoth, I could grant you that wish. I had led Heaven’s armies to burn your pantheon once before. I can do so again."

The threat was delivered so quietly, so politely, that it did not even sound like one.

But the weight of it hung heavy in the void, even Thoth, proud as he was, felt a shiver run down his spine.

For a moment, the two divine beings stared at each other—Heaven’s might against Egypt’s intellect.

The silence between them was sharper than any blade.

Finally, Michael broke it. "Enough of this. We have the same enemy. The Outer Ones are devouring creation itself. If you continue your pride, your wisdom will vanish with your universe."

Thoth inhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm.

"You speak truth, Archangel," he admitted reluctantly. "But don’t think your words absolve you. Egypt does not forget humiliation easily."

Michael gave a faint smile. "Then remember it well. It keeps you cautious."

Thoth’s eyes narrowed again, but this time he said nothing.

"So," he said at last, "you are here for the Hyperverse."

"Yes," Michael answered. "The Lord has decided. The time for isolation is over."

Thoth hummed, crossing his arms. "Perhaps, then, Heaven and Egypt shall see if cooperation can be forged from old blood."

Michael turned his gaze toward the Greek Universe again, the faint glow of Hades’ new dominion shimmering in the distance.

"That will have to wait until they succeed."

Thoth floated beside him silently, both gods now watching as the Greek Universe pulsed with divine power.

For the first time in eons, Heaven and Egypt stood side by side, not as enemies, but as wary observers of a god who might reshape everything they knew.

In the infinite quiet of the void, Michael’s golden eyes glowed brighter.

"May He watch over you, Hades," he whispered. "I pray that you succeed."