Chapter 59 - Reckoning

---Kronika Time Chamber---

Leading us to her mother, she was already waiting for us as we entered her chamber. Unlike the Elder Gods she understood I was a Higher Being, and didn't attempt to resist me. Even though she wasn't immediately trying to fight...I didn't trust her because she was still a very real threat to the inhabitants of this universe.

"Mother, I am sorry...", Cetrion apologized to her as she walked in front of us.

"It is no matter, you weren't going to subdue him.", Kronika said effectively telling her she wasted her time resisting, "You have come here for information on the Wizard Shang Tsung, correct? Unfortunately, I have nothing to share with you. This universe is the only one I govern, I have no knowledge of any universes he has visited or what he has done."

"Sounds like you have been rehearsing that line for a while.", I chuckled, "You know I don't buy that for one moment, I think you hoped he'd do your dirty work and off the Elder Gods out of revenge. I beat him to it, but then again now that doesn't matter does it."

"Mother, why don't you do something!?", Cetrion shouted.

"He sealed my powers...I am no better than a mortal human, I am not the only one. You are the same now too.", Kronika sighed.

"You are the Titan of Time!! How can you lose your power!?", Cetrion pleaded.

Shaking her head at her daughter, she said she should have opened her eyes after I wiped out the Elder Gods. Telling her that I was the end all be all for Divine and Demonic Energies in their universe now, Kronika told her she should just accept it.

"If he so desired, we would be sent back to the Reincarnation Cycle...and we would have many things to answer for.", Kronika said hanging her head.

She appeared to have accepted that her games were over now that she had no power. Asking me what punishment I would give them, I said they would be working for the next several thousand years guiding souls in another world that I governed.

"Let me be clear, step out of line and I will hand you over to the people of Outworld. I am sure they would love to ask you why the Elder Gods abandoned them to rot in their realm.", I told them, "Of course, I will make sure your bodies constantly regenerate over and over while they are tearing you apart."

Knowing how ravenous Tarkata were, Cetrion's face paled as she shivered in fear. As for Kronika, she didn't react as she likely knew that I could toss her to her kin who would mutilate her repeatedly for the rest of time. They would demand to know why she didn't free them or bother to even try.

"Raiden and Fujin, effective immediately Raiden will be the Elder God of Earth Realm and Fujin will be the Protector of Earthrealm. Both of you will work in unison to ensure the safety of Earthrealm and prevent anyone like Shao Kahn from rising among it's people.", I told them, "I will hold you personally responsible if you fail to do that."

"Of course!", the two men bowed.

"Jade, you will be the Protector of Edenia. I believe you are the best person for this as the people trust you with their lives.", I told her.

"Thank you!", she said bowing her head.

"The position of Elder God for Edenia will be discussed at a later date. For now, I think it is best you return to Edenia. The natives of Outworld will likely know what is coming, and want to ransack as much as possible before the separation occurs.", I stated.

Opening a portal for them, they thanked me and immediately headed out. Raiden and Fujin immediately headed out as well to let Earthrealm's protectors know of what had occurred. They also said they would begin looking for Shang Tsung's whereabouts as well.

"Alright then, the rest of you are with me.", I ordered opening a Gate to the Danmachi World.

---Freya's Room---

"So these two are Goddesses from another world?", Ishtar questioned, "Aren't they a bit flashy?"

"Agreed...", Loki said glaring at their breasts.

Having told them what I had in mind for the two of them, my lovers were more than happy to dump them up there. The Gods left in Heaven had been complaining to those that were down here so any help they could get would keep them quiet...for a day or so. Knowing full well how bitter they were, I was certain they would make sure Kronika and Cetrion both didn't screw up as it would only add to their work.

"I will see that they are escorted personally.", Freya assured me with a soft smile.

Thanking them for helping me, I promised to come back after getting the survivors settled for tea. Saying they would be here, they gave me a hug before I left them with the two former Goddesses. Heading to Stardust Garden immediately, I wanted to ask Astraea to take the women in as it was the safest place for them to stay. Knocking on the door when we arrived, Ryuu was the one who answered.

"Good Morning Mael.", she said, "Bella and Lily are out on patrol, they should be back in-"

"You are an Elf like me!", Shera giggled as she got in her face, "Elves from other worlds look a lot different than I would have thought."

Looking at her, Ryuu immediately noticed Shera's bouncing assets that threatened to free themselves from their restraints. I could see the frustration appearing on Ryuu's face as she was upset she didn't even have a fraction of what she had. Realizing that she might get into a fight with Shera, I asked if Astraea was available. Saying she would go get her, and for us to take a seat, she promptly went to get her.

"Why was she staring at me so weird?", Shera asked me with confusion, "Are Elves rare in this world?"

"Haha...", Sirzechs laughed enjoying her ignorance on the subject, "I don't think that is why."

Coming out of her room a few minutes later, Astraea greeted me with a warm smile. Asking her to please take the women in, I explained that they had been forcibly removed from their homeworlds by a 3rd party and needed a place to stay. Since they knew nothing of this world, I felt Stardust Garden was the safest option for them.

"Of course, we have more than enough beds to let them use. I am sorry that all of you were taken from your homes, we will do our best to make our home as cozy as possible for you.", she promised them, "Mael, can I ask something of you in return?"

"In return?", I questioned, "I think this is the first time you have ever requested something of me."

"Bella and Lily, please take them into the Dungeon sometime soon. Both of them miss you terribly, and want to make more memories with you. Since it came out that you are a Divine Being, they have felt that you are that much more out of reach for them.", Astraea said with a serious expression.

Admittedly I hadn't really spent any real time with them recently. I needed to make time for them, and give them some attention because I was sure there was a lot they wanted to tell me.

"Of course, I understand what you mean.", I admitted, "I will come by this evening to set something up with them. I can take them to the Hostess of Fertility for dinner today as well."

Thanking me, she said she would let them know so they could be ready. Nodding my head I was about to take Sirzechs and leave, but Shera spoke up first. Apparently the mention of a meal made her remember that she was starving.

"Can we go get something to eat now?", Shera asked me.

"I don't think you need to eat...", Ryuu muttered under her breath.

"But why!? I am going to starve to death!", Shera pouted.

Rolling her eyes, Ryuu didn't appear to believe that statement. Giving the women money to get clothing and food, I said not to skimp on clothing. They only had what was on their person, and for some of them it wasn't a lot. Thanking me, Shion asked Ryuu to show them around so they could get what they needed. Receiving a pleading gaze from Astraea, she ended up accepting the task and took them away to do shopping.

Hearing Shera chant about eating meat, and wanting to eat lots of it I could only chuckle. I remembered in the anime when she chose food over helping Rem which made me wonder what became of her. Without Shera there to interfere with the summoning spell, I wondered if Rem would still be able to summon Diablo. If she didn't, the Fallen would end up wiping out the city.

'Probably a good idea to look into that to make sure that still happens.', I thought motioning for Sirzechs to follow me, 'For now though, lets hope Sirzechs can get along with Hermes.'

Taking Sirzechs over to the Traveler's Inn, I introduced him to Hermes. Shaking each other's hand, I explained the situation to him and what I was requesting. Glancing over at his child, they all were onboard with letting him stay there for awhile.

"We have plenty of rooms so that shouldn't be an issue.", Hermes said, "Welcome to the Traveler's Inn friend."

"Thank you.", Sirzechs replied as a mug of ale was slid over to him.

"Drink up, and wipe that sad expression off your face. What's done is done, you can't change that now. All you can do is look towards the future!", Elilly the Dwarf laughed loudly.

Looking at the mug, he took a swig and let out a sigh. It was probably the first time he had been genuinely able to relax since his parents were killed. I am sure the idea that his kin were going to die while he was away bothered him so I would see if Clark could help me locate his world. Since it had been weeks since his capture, there would probably be millions of worlds out there now where he ended up going missing. Finding the specific one would be tough, but I would help him out the best I could.

---Unknown World, 3rd Person POV---

Glaring at his creation, Shang Tsung was furious that it disobeyed his order to kill Mael. Instead of attacking, it decided to flee like a coward which was a source of major frustration. Shang Tsung was certain that he had eliminated all emotions from the creature, it shouldn't have been able to feel fear or terror but it fled in front of the enemy without a second thought.

"Damn it, I suppose it's possible it has evolved beyond the limitations I placed on it.", Shang Tsung said.

He hadn't fully explored the evolution system that monsters from that world had so he theorized the creature had evolved without him knowing. Putting that thought to the side for now, he wanted to research the sword's properties further. His hope was to replicate it's ability to steal Divinity so he could make himself a God. As he buried himself in his books, the slime sat on his shoulder and watched.