164 The Invasion Has Begun! (1/2)

Zeus accepts and gives me the basic rundown of the enchanted cross in his hand.

It is actually a magical artefact called the Gate of Fiction, capable of forming a bridge from this reality into a fictional reality, allowing one and only one person to crossover without needing the creation of a rift or a portal or anything similar.

Sounds impressive even if there is a lot of disadvantages associated with the artefact.

There is also a catch, however.

And it is this catch that bothers me greatly, at least at first, but I suppose it didn't really matter in the end as that catch coincides with one of my goals anyway.

I suppose it is because of the catch that Zeus is offering the artefact to me in the first place.

He is such a shifty bastard.

Now I just need to know what Zeus wants in exchange for it.

There will always be a price as per our agreement, and if the price is not right, I suppose I could always steal it from the past as he has just shown it to me.

I am unsure whether Zeus knows that I can do that or not, but if he didn't already, he will figure it out very soon. His existence is an evidence of that.

”You can have it for free, Max. I am sure it is more useful to you than to me if it works. It should work from the magical energy radiating from it. But do remember that it is one-time use, so unless you have ways to duplicate it yourself, you have to think carefully which fictional realities you want to visit.”

Zeus passes me the artefact, allowing me to have a close look.

From his casual words, I am more than certain that Zeus knows I can duplicate things with my power, including magical artefacts.

He also knows that I am unable to duplicate spiritual or soul weapons. I actually can create an imitation of them with my power, however. Even so, those imitations are still pretty powerful, especially in the hands of those who know how to use them.

”Thanks for the gift.”

I response and put it into my spatial dimensions for Legion to analyze.

And since the artefact is magical in nature, the super virtual intelligence will have something for me in half an hour or so, likely less.

”I don't have anything for you, Zeus. Well, aside from that place I am talking about, but it doesn't really count. I guess I will owe you one.”

I add.

Zeus chuckles.

”Alright, I can accept an IOU from you Max. If you find something interesting in those fictional realities, please do keep me in the loop. I've never truly explored them aside from using them to train my mind, body and spirit.”

I take in the information.

”Can I have another IOU?”

I question.

”If it is about separation of your body, mind and spirit, you don't need to ask. I will make sure that you will be able to as soon as possible. I can't depend on you if others can mindfuck you and suppress your spirit.”

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”I will try not to let that happen, Zeus.”

I assure, pondering who is the team leader here.

Obviously, it is me if this is a real team.

But still, Zeus acts like the leader, even telling me to get stronger so I will not be a burden to him.

The hell!?

Honestly, it is pretty hard to mindfuck me, but suppressing my spirit is another matter. Spiritual attacks are very effective against my soul, even if my soul is much more resilient than normal.

In any case, I will play along for now, as long as it benefits me.

There is no shame accepting my weaknesses and working towards fixing those weaknesses. And living in denial out of some stupid pride is beyond idiotic.

With Zephyr snoring away in the backseat, Zeus and I chat about more interesting things before I think I have enough of a leisure drive.

And with a thought, I teleport the car and everyone within the car directly into the garage of the estate that I had brought just yesterday.

Is it really just yesterday? Apparently, it is.

It really feels a lot longer, but this is due to me having spent like several months in an alternate reality.

Those times are well spent though, personally and privately and leisurely.

As soon as the surrounding changes, Zeus looks about immediately, feeling the spiritual pressure that permeates the air and surrounds everyone. It seems a lot more denser than yesterday.

His silvery eyes then narrow, turning towards me.

”Unfortunately, Max, this is not a Spiritual Nexus.”

Zeus points out.

”I never said it is, Zeus, but it is the only place that I know of that has ambient spiritual energy. Unless it is too dangerous, I am sure that you can make use of it better than I ever could. It also stops a lot of innocent people dying pointlessly in this place.”

I response, recalling how many families have died here under the most unusual circumstances.

”And we are not innocent people? Thank you for that.”

Zeus questions, making me blink.

I wonder if he is joking or not. He is by no mean innocent. His hands are as bloodied as mine without even needing to ask.

”It is that dangerous?”

I answer his question with a question of my own.

I didn't think something like this would consider as dangerous to Zeus or Zephyr.

”Not exactly, Max. But please tell me how many people have died here already. It is important to have an exact number.”

Zeus requests as he cocks around the seat to check on Zephyr, who is still sleeping rather peacefully.

The spiritual pressure lingering in the air didn't seem to bother her one bit, but from the look of things, Zeus is worried about her.

He seems to forget that she is just a temporal clone in this moment.

That is good since I didn't consider Zeus or Zephyr as just phantom of their original selves.

Or maybe Zeus is worrying about something else.

”The exact number is 23. All the information that you needed are within the Hydra ring. Just press the ring to your forehead and you will learn everything you need to know.”

I point out and wonder if I should just integrate the ring and all of its features into their bio-mechanical avatar as well. It shouldn't take more than a minute, but the reason I didn't in the first place is because of the same reason why I didn't let them access to everything in Hydra.

”There is no need. I just need to know how many souls are being twisted by spending too much time in the nether.”

Zeus replies as he exits the car to have a look around.

I join him and left Zephyr sleeping in the car. I will have to wake her up soon since I need the car to go and pick up Allison before taking her to the hospital.

Actually, I don't need to since I could have the micromachines morph into another replica.

”You are curious, Max. I am too because this is something new to me as well. However, it feels similar to a lot of things I have dealt before, in another realities.”

Zeus speaks up after he enters the living room. He then sighs after looking at the ceiling and the ground for a long while.