Chapter 23 - Dawn of the League - Part 8

Diana stood there, feeling a sudden rush of emotions. The sudden confession from Orach had stunned her. She had been aware of their mutual feelings, but it had all started so abruptly that she hadn't had the time to properly process it all. Above everything else, the display of raw power that Orach had shown when he transformed had made her question her worthiness. Could she really stand by his side as his equal?

Seeing the inner struggle reflected in Diana's eyes, Orach continued his heartfelt confession. "When I thought I was about to lose you on the battlefield, it hurt...it really did. I didn't know what to name that emotion. I had never been in love before, and trust me, I've been surrounded by beauties," he said, ending his confession with a light-hearted joke, trying to ease the intensity of the moment. "I know our attraction began from the interaction between our Ki, so I initially thought perhaps it was due to that I couldn't bear to lose you. However, I now know I was drawn to your eyes even before our handshake. Also, when you wore the scouter, I was aroused by you. I, not my Ki, imagined you in Saiyan armor like that of my Vice-captain cum big sister's or my mother's. I now know in my heart that despite our abrupt start, I love you!"

Before Diana could respond, Orach continued, "I still want to spend time learning about you, getting to know you. That part hasn't changed. Also, I plan to give you space so that you can settle your thoughts. The only thing that has changed, is that I am clear that my affection for you is my true desire. So, Diana, princess of Themyscira, take your time to settle your thoughts but, let me make it clear, now that I have you in my heart, I will chase after you your entire life, till I make you mine."

Overwhelmed, Diana finally found her voice, "Orach, am I even worthy? The difference between our power levels, it's... am I not a mere ant in your eyes?" she asked, her eyes misty with unshed tears.

Orach looked at her with disbelief, "Seriously? Was that the thing that made you sad?" he asked, sounding incredulous.

She locked gazes with him, her eyes demanding an answer.

With a sigh, he responded, "Listen, and listen well. When I arrived on this world and saw you, do you know what was the power level noted from you? 17000 and if you removed those bracelets, roughly 22000. But then we met and created a bond. At first, I wasn't sure what had happened but after I learnt from you that you're part divine, I now have an inkling as to what happened with your Ki. You call it divinity but we call it God Ki. Long story short, purity in Ki matters. The purer the Ki, the stronger the practitioner. In short, what happened with you is that my higher level pure Ki refined your lower level Ki and made it purer and therefore stronger. Later the mixing of my energy on top of that, basically was like a massive boost. Just that you need training to harness your new strength. Your power level has been constantly rising. Your current power level has already seeped into 18550. Imagine what you can achieve with training. You'll continue to grow stronger. With me by your side, do you think I won't guide you? Seriously? That's why, I want to say to you is that so what, if you are now an ant now? Will you be in the future with me by your side? Hell No! I told you, I love you. I will make you mine, meaning I intend to marry you. So, please for love all that is holy, never think for a second you are not worthy to be by my side. I chose you to be mine and swear to be yours. Power levels can be attained through sheer training throughout our lives."

Hearing all this eased Diana's heart. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, simply listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. She felt peaceful, she felt at home. She knew at this point she was ready to be with him but, to make sure she never asks herself the question "What if?" she still decided to go home for a while. But today, after hearing Orach's heartfelt words, she had already made up her mind to come back to him after her trip home.

As Orach began his transformation, a ripple of power surged across Earth, reaching out to several powerful entities who had been mingling with mortals. These powerful beings, who had been leisurely enjoying their time, suddenly found themselves looking up, their attention drawn by a new type of energy that was unlike anything they had ever felt before.

This energy was not just powerful; it was colossal, overwhelming in its intensity. It rose and rose, like a tidal wave building up on the horizon, signaling the advent of something unprecedented. The energy was fascinating and terrifying at the same time, a paradox that managed to shake even these entities who were Gods in their own right.

The air around them seemed to tremble, echoing the energy's raw power. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the birth of this colossal force. Even the Earth seemed to tremble beneath their feet, resonating with the energy's rhythm.

This unexpected phenomenon made them wonder: could this be a signal of the arrival of a new God? Or perhaps it was a harbinger of a catastrophe that could threaten their existence? Regardless of what it was, one thing was certain: a force this enormous could potentially challenge even them, shaking the very foundation of their godly status.

Inside the luxurious penthouse of a bustling bar named LUX, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles

A man emerged from his bedroom, donned only in a red satin robe that hung loosely on his muscular frame. The remnants of the previous night's activities clung to his skin, a sheen of sweat that glimmered in the soft morning light filtering through the windows. His bedroom, a scene of indulgence and pleasure, was occupied by three remarkably beautiful women, all of whom were named "Britney".

The three women, all named Britney, lay scattered across the vast expanse of the luxurious bed. Their bodies were intertwined in a display of unabashed intimacy, a testament to the fervor and passion of the previous night's activities. Two of them were entangled in each other's arms, their bare skin touching in a suggestive dance of closeness. Their limbs were wrapped around each other, creating a tableau of shared warmth and satisfaction.

The third "Britney" was sprawled out on the other side, her voluptuous form partially exposed. The sheet that was supposed to provide modesty had slipped, revealing more than it covered. Her chest rose and fell gently in the rhythm of deep sleep, the soft morning light highlighting the curves of her body.

Despite their different positions and scenarios, they all shared two things in common. They were soundly asleep, their bodies recovering from the night's activities, and their faces wore expressions of absolute contentment. The white liquid that marked their lower halves spoke volumes of the satisfaction they had derived from the night's escapades.

The room was filled with a peaceful silence, interrupted only by the occasional soft sighs escaping from the sleeping women. The scent of the previous night's passion still hung heavy in the air, a lingering reminder of their shared moments. As the morning light continued to fill the room, it cast a soft glow on the sleeping forms, painting a picture of serene contentment and satisfaction.

Exiting his bedroom, the man made his way to the balcony, seeking to bask in the warm embrace of the morning sun and to admire the captivating skyline of LA. The view was breathtaking, a sight to behold, and he decided to complement it with a cigarette. As he was about to light up his cigarette, he felt a sudden pressure emanating from the direction of the East Coast.

"Hmmm…Bloody Hell. What kind of power is that? Could it be one of my brothers? No, this power... it has a primal nature. A god perhaps? Hmmm… Earth has really evolved since my last visit, hasn't it, Maze?" the man mused aloud without turning around. From the depths of the shadows stepped a woman, her attire as striking as her presence. She wore T-strap high heels, tightly fitted leather pants and a leather jacket adorned with spiked tips.

"Lucifer… That power is no joke. It shouldn't exist in the mortal realm. Could it be one of those demon lords? Maybe even Trigon?" Maze asked, her voice echoing with concern.

Lucifer, unfazed, took a deep puff of his cigarette, savoring the taste of the smoke as it filled his lungs. His eyes were closed, lost in thought.

"It's not a demon. It has a primal nature. Isn't it intriguing, Maze, how much the mortals have evolved in just a millennium?" Lucifer sighed, a hint of admiration seeping into his words.

"Lucifer, shouldn't we at least investigate?" Maze asked, her tone filled with worry.

"Maze… my dear. We came here to enjoy ourselves! It's a vacation. So, let's just revel in what LA has to offer and partake in our desires... all... night... LONG! Besides, the source of this power is on the other side of the country and doesn't seem to carry any malevolence," Lucifer responded, stretching lazily as he made his way towards his collection of refined spirits to pour himself a glass of his favorite whiskey.

The sight of her lord lost in enjoyment brought a small, content smile to Maze's face. She decided to let go of her worries and joined Lucifer for a drink, raising a toast to their next night of debauchery.

Mount Olympus

The grandeur of Mount Olympus was overshadowed by the palpable tension that permeated its throne room. Assembled were the Gods of Olympus, their faces etched with a mixture of concern and trepidation. In the midst of this turmoil, the Queen of Olympus sat stoically on her throne, her regal poise a stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted within the sacred hall. An emergency meeting had been called, a rare occurrence that added to the already heightened anxiety.

A few days prior, during a night of joyous festivities and merry-making, a horrifying incident had unfolded. Zeus, the King of the Gods, had suddenly clutched his chest in excruciating pain, his face contorted in torment. His knees had buckled beneath him, forcing the mighty god to kneel. The once lively atmosphere was instantly replaced by a deafening silence, punctuated only by Zeus' chilling screams. The sight of the powerful god brought to his knees sent shockwaves through the gathered gods. His screams of agony gradually faded as he spat out golden ichor, the divine blood of the gods, before collapsing entirely. The very sight of the mighty Zeus, defenseless and unconscious, was a chilling spectacle that had deeply shaken the gods.

"Apollo, have we discovered what befell Zeus? What caused this calamity?" Athena's voice, usually calm and collected, was tinged with unease.

"No, it's unlike anything I've ever witnessed. I'm unable to diagnose his condition. He's in a coma now. All we can do is hope," Apollo replied. His usual vibrant demeanor was replaced by an air of fatigue, making the gravity of the situation even more palpable.

"This... This must be a declaration of war! An unexpected attack from another Pantheon. Zeus couldn't have been injured otherwise!" Ares' voice boomed across the hall, his eyes ablaze with a mixture of rage and fear. His statement sparked a flurry of heated discussions among the gods, their voices echoing off the marble walls of the throne room.

The queen, all the while, remained silent on her throne, her features unreadable as she listened to the cacophony of arguments. Suddenly, she rose from her throne, her gaze fixed on the mortal realm below. Her abrupt action drew the attention of everyone present. The chatter ceased, replaced by a tense silence. Ares, Artemis, and Athena quickly stood up, their expressions mirroring the shock and alarm that filled the room.

"How... How is this possible? How can a power of such magnitude exist within the mortal realm?" Ares exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper, disbelief evident in his tone.

Athena, her eyes reflecting her worry, moved closer to Hera. "What do you make of this, Hera?"

"Pass down my orders. Mount Olympus is to be closed off, effective immediately. Only Hermes will descend to the mortal realm. His task is to gather samples of all types of panacea or herbs he can find for Apollo to experiment with. Apollo, our priority is to awaken Zeus. Proceed immediately," Hera commanded, her voice echoing with authority throughout the hall.

Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, finally broke her silence. "Hera, allow me to descend as well. I can identify to whom this power belongs. If he is a man, I can present him with an offer he cannot refuse. I am confident in my ability to persuade him to join our side against other pantheons, if necessary."

Hera's response was swift and decisive. "No! You will not undertake such a mission, Aphrodite. If my intuition is correct, your charm will not sway him. It could backfire spectacularly, and we would find ourselves facing an enemy we cannot afford to have, especially with Zeus in his current state."

Aphrodite, taken aback by Hera's stern refusal, stood her ground. "What? I refuse to believe there is a man who can resist my charms!" she declared, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and indignation.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable. The gods were still grappling with the magnitude of the power they had sensed when it surged exponentially, its intensity far surpassing that of Zeus. The revelation sent a wave of shock through the room. Hera, realizing the severity of the situation, reinforced her order to close Mount Olympus, her voice ringing with an urgency that underscored the gravity of the situation.

"Indeed, something extraordinary is happening on Earth. This power, it's beyond anything we've ever encountered," Hera said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty. "But we must proceed with caution. We cannot risk exposing ourselves or provoking this entity, whoever or whatever it may be."

"As of now, our focus should be on Zeus," Hera continued, her gaze falling on the unconscious king. "Apollo, do what you can to bring him back. The rest of you, remain vigilant. We do not know what lies ahead. We must prepare ourselves for all possibilities."

With that, the Queen of Olympus dismissed the assembly. The gods dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts about the extraordinary power they had sensed and the uncertain future that lay before them.