Chapter #2 — City of Omnipotence, Capitalism. It's Over.

“What’s Omnipotent City?”

As ludicrous as it sounded, I couldn’t deny establishing their own City was an incredibly smart decision on the Creator Gods’ part, given the incessant birthing of the Voidspawns every few minutes, attracted by the Creation Seed inside each of us.

We were confronted with hundreds of their ilk on the way there, each more savage than the last and considerably more powerful than the Newborn I had previously encountered.

If there was one thing that made the Voidspawns inferior to us Creators, it was their lack of intelligence.

They’re instinctive Entities.

While Odin’s every stroke was laced with a complicated Law that made my head spin just attempting to grasp it, the Voidspawns battled like dumb beasts.

They did not try to utilize their tremendously powerful bodies, nor did they know to control the Antimatter they were born with. They just located their targets and flung themselves at them. Calling the Voidspawns animals was an insult to the carnivorous creatures I had come to admire as a boy.

“Are they all this… Unintelligent?” Gungnïr pierced another Voidspawn as the All-Father effortlessly threw it to the side, causing the foul Entity to dissolve, fading back in Nothingness, its Antimatter absorbed by the Void. Ridding his Divine Spear of the dissipating blood, the Ruler of the Æsïr shook, “Most— the Newborns—”

He elaborates, "Are. But there are the Ancients— the ones that have survived… Countless conflicts. Those are rare. Even after so long, I have yet to meet one who can withstand Gungnïr, save for It.” It may have been my imagination, but I swear I felt a shiver pass down the All-Father’s aging body. “But that’s too far for the likes of you. Omnipotent City hasn’t faced a large scale attack in ages–”

“All-Father…” I nearly smacked my head in frustration, “Have you ever heard of Murphy’s Law?”

“Hm?” The God’s beard shifted as he asked, “Murphy? Who is that? That doesn’t sound like any God I know.”

“It’s an idiom about–”

“Tempting Fates, I’m aware.” He interjected, smoothing down his ruffled beard, “I’m old, not daft, New God.”

“Then why ask?”

I tilt my head, coming across far more aggressive than I intended. Fortunately, the All-Father, in his Infinite Wisdom, did not take offense. “I was curious.”

“Hm… Fair. I feel like we’re going kind of slow… You want me to jump off?” It seemed like hours had gone by since our first meeting. I even had a short nap earlier. “Not necessary. It’s only been five hours! This old man’s been in worse situation.”

“Yeah… But I mean, I’m embarrassed.” Scratching the back of my head, I coughed. I wasn’t sure whether the form I had taken could blush, but I would be if I could. “I was taught to care for the elderly.”

“What do you mean ‘elderly’?” The All-Father bristled, clearly insulted. “I’m at the ripe age of 80 billions!”

That’s… “Ancient.” I accidentally blurted.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but people celebrate their 100 years, All-Father.” Living to the age of 70 is almost an accomplishment in today’s economy.

Maybe I was silly for being astonished, but… 80 billions? It was a figure I couldn’t wrap my brain around, and Odin thought it was ‘young’?

“You’re thinking in mortal mindset, New God. You’re already a million years old.”

He added, winking mischievously.

I’m not sure how I knew he was, considering the eyepatch he was wearing, but I just knew.

“What exactly do you mean? I’ve been a God for less than a day!” And thus, Odin nodded. “Yes, you are according to the Divine Calendar, but in Yggdrasil System, you’ll be a bit over a million.”

“I– I don’t…” I stutter, “I don’t get it.”

“Hmmm… You didn’t ascend on your own merits, did you?” Embarrassment erupted in my chest, and my words and voice failed me completely as I scratched my head. “I… Yeah. I lucked out and was plucked from Earth by two Gods.”

“What did they want?”

I didn’t dare claim to be the best people reader, but I recognized tension when I saw it, and the All-Father exuded the sensation.

“They requested ‘entertainment’… I questioned it, but I believe they just wanted to know what an idiot who has given up on life would do with Godhood.”

“Given up on life?” Odin whirled to face me, “Why?”

“I… I don’t know. I just couldn’t stand it.”

“It?”

He inquired, and against my better judgment, I opted to elaborate. “Life’s struggles… The absence of meaning. I mean, some people told me that getting laid and money would fix me. I failed at the latter, succeeded in the first, but it didn’t fix me…”

From a logical sense, I understood why people would believe that.

Sex was a pleasant confidence boost, but as with all other boosts, it simply did not last. “For a while, it felt like nothing would.” A blanket of silence fell over us— a suffocating silence that threatened to drown me. “You’re a God, right?”

“So are you, New God.”

I was, yes, but– “It doesn’t feel like that…”

My mind was racing at a pace I couldn’t keep up with, and things that were once beyond my grasp suddenly appeared as simple as 1+1=2, yet the question remained: “Why do we exist?” Even with Godhood at hands, I could not figure out the age-old equation… “Why do Universes exist? Or why do we Creators?”

I took a few pause to process his words before responding honestly.

“Both… I want to know the answers to both.”

Odin grins, “I don’t know.”

As much as I appreciated his honesty, I was also upset. “The fuck do you mean: ‘You don’t know’?! You are the God of Wisdom— the All-Father! You’re supposed to!”

The God shrugged and dropped me into the Void.

I whirled instinctively, only to recall that there was no ground to fall on; no gravity dragging me down.

“I was at this phase once… Way back when Ymir ruled Yggdrasil.”

“Ymir?”

I was hardly a Mythology expert, but I knew enough.

Ymir was the Giant created when Fire and Ice—Light and Dark—Yin and Yang clashed. If anything, he should be the creator of Yggdrasil, not Odin. Maybe the Giant knew…? “Don’t get your hopes up. He’s murdered over fifty billions years ago— slain by the Spear resting on my shoulder now.”

Silently, I looked at him, thoughts filling my mind.

“Like you, I am an Ascended. Unlike you, I fought and clawed my way to where I am now.”

The All-Father held Gungnïr in his hands, his eyes fixed on the Spear.

However, I doubted it was the Spear he saw, but something else… Something distant.

“Why did you do it?”

“Ymir was a despot… He was a Deviant, one of the vilest and most heinous of them.” Deviant. “That term, again. I understand what Voidspawns are, but what is a Deviant?”

“They are Creators who have lost their minds. Their Creations are designed with the explicit purpose to be consumed, and their Universes are frequently… Chaotic wretches that all Gods look down on.”

Odin sheathed his Divine Spear in a smooth motion.

“My siblings and I… We were designed to further his Experiences. I’m unsure how many earlier incarnations of Yggdrasil have been consumed by him, but I believe the number exceeds billions, yet the weaker the Universe, the fewer strong creatures there are, the lower its rating, and the less Experiences may be achieved. In his folly, Ymir made us far too powerful for his own good, and when we discovered his plans, we murdered him.”

With a gesture, the All-Father demonstrated how the Yggdrasil System was created:

“His spine was transformed into the World Tree; his flesh became the soils upon which all species now walk; and his viscous blood into the turbulent Seas.

We spared no portion of his body, rebuilding the Yggdrasil System so that even lifeforms inferior to ourselves may survive.”

Dwarves— the smart, if grumpy Forgers; the Elves, who’re born from the original Light and Dark… And Men.

“What of the Jötnar? What of Nidhogg?”

What about Ragnarok? I considered asking, but ultimately decided against it.

“All that which exists must come to an end, eventually. You’ll understand when you create your own Universe… One day.”

I did not get it.

It seemed like the more answers I got, the more questions appeared, and the more complicated they were. “Why the Mortals?” Couldn’t the Æsïr and Vanir forge as well as the Dwarves? The Elves appeared to exist solely for aesthetic purposes, whereas Men… Their only goal was to worship. “You’re looking at things from the Creations’ perspective. Look at it from ours: Why do Creators exist?”

To further their Experiences?

To grow stronger, infinitely, without goals?

Or was it to… “Create…”

Something pleasantly whispered in my ears, and as I imitated its voice, a warm sensation crept across my chest.

“Mortals eat because their bellies hunger.

They drink because their throats are parched.

They breed so that their genes may propagate.

Then they develop and consider the meaning of their existence.”

It’s an endless cycle— Nothingness to Somethingness; and Somethingness back to Nothing again.

I looked up and saw Odin crossing his legs in front of me.

Around us, corpses of Voidspawns laid still—piled up to form a tiny mountain that slowly dissipated into the Void. “Have you found what you search, New God?”

My mouth opened to voice my Experiences, but no word came, none except my desire.

“I want to CREATE.”

The Infinity in me thumped;

I looked within, and the three Seeds pulsed in accordance to my ravenous desires.

“To what end?” Odin queried, and I responded with yet another question: “Does it matter?”

Finally, he grins. “Now you’re getting it, New God.”

“But I can’t,” While it should be easy for me to construct my own Universe today, I wanted to examine how others did it so I could at least avoid some of the pitfalls, such as the one Ymir committed. “Not yet.”

Although I was grateful that the Primordial Giant created Odin, which brought us to where we were, I was not going to be the next him. “Where is Omnipotent City…?”

The All-Father pointed behind me, where a Sphere— much like the one I came from— floated silently. It’s no bigger than my cupped palms, “Right behind you, New God.”

“It’s…”

“An Universe, yes. It’s made by the Fell God, and we just… Converged, I suppose? There’s safety in number, after all.”

Boisterously, the All-Father slapped my shoulder. “Come. There’s this pub I frequent, you can ask one of the fellas there to watch their Creation.”

Owlishly, I blinked, staring at the grinning Creator. “There’s a fucking pub in there?!”

“Of course, there is.” He chuckled. “The Hel do you think we do in our free time?”

“We are Gods… Creators! We literally have all the time in the world!”

Honestly, how bored must you be to operate a freaking pub as the Omnipotent God?

“Can’t we just snap our fingers and make alcohols? What do we even pay with?”

“It’s not normal beverages.”

The All-Father winked. “As for payment? Mortals pay in wealth, worldly possessions, or whatever it is valued in their Universe; we pay with Experiences, for Experiences…”

In one step, the God vanished into the Universal Boundary, leaving me to ponder on whether I should follow him or not. “The Hells with it.”

If he’d intended to murder me, he could have done it long ago.

It’s difficult to wrap one’s head around, but Infinity’s not nearly as clear-cut as an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. In simple terms, it was a matter of: Infinity ×1, Infinity ×2, and each of the Creation Seed—the Singularity was an Infinity. Even still, there’s definitely a grading system in place, which was why Experiences were so crucial to us creators.

I doubted he’d put in all this effort just to murder me elsewhere. “Nothing ventured…” Jumping into the Boundary, I was stretched out like spaghetti, as though I were in one of those theoretical Black Hole videos, and then, with a pop, I materialized in a bright, dazzling square,

But it was not with the glorious lights of the Divines, it’s the flickering Ads. “Holy fucking–”

“Well, what do you think?”

The All-Father gave me this expectant look, clearly waiting for me to fall over in worship. The only issue? This felt like a typical day in New York City, with gold-paved streets instead of asphalt and steel cubes for bricks.

“It’s over… It’s so over.”

Capitalism had taken root even in the dwelling of the ‘Almighties’. I’d say ‘God help us all’, but we were at the top of the food chain— Creators in the flesh.

“Are inflation and deflation things here?”

Surely they were not?

Those existed because money were worthless pieces of paper that the government was continually printing to support their numerous projects, the majority of which were carried out as inefficiently as possible in order to generate more jobs.

Experiences, on the other hand, were valuable; but, since the Void is infinite and Creators are formed every second, “How does this economy even work?” I couldn’t even begin to fathom it.

“It doesn’t.”

Odin responded, gently moving forward with a skip in his stride. As a King, he must be quite knowledgeable about the economics, correct? “There’s no economy, not the version you are expecting at least. We’re Creators, we lack for nothing…”

“Then what’s the point of Experiences?”

“It is not buying and selling, New God; it is a commerce. Prices may vary depending on how popular you are.”

The All-Father shrugged.

“What about rent?”

If the Omnipotent City were a universe in and of itself, it would have to have been created by someone. According to this reasoning, all other Creators must pay him or her, correct?

“There is no rent.”

The All-Father waved at a random God, a smile gracing his face.

“Just pick a location and settle down. The Flying Spaghetti Monster doesn’t collect anything, unless you’ve joined the Coliseum, in which case a part of your earnings will be redistributed to.”

The Coliseum? The Flying Spaghetti Monster? A fucking meme turned out to be the real deal?

‘So this is what they meant by: The Truth is stranger than fiction?’

“Are we Gods or gladiators?”

“Why can’t we be both?”

Odin inquired, smiling, eyebrows raised. “Of course, if that’s not your up your alley, you can place bets on the combatant… There are two sections: The Heroes Hall and the Omnipotent Ladder. The Halls are where our Champions fight for our prominence and honor, the Ladder is where the more warmongering of us get their kicks, but I’m guessing you’re not interested?” Slowly, I shook my head.

“C’mon, I know a place.” On our walk, I saw several Entities— Godly Creators whose appearances and forms would have sent the old me scampering in the opposite direction. “Is that a fucking cat?”

“Who’re you calling a cat, Nyan~?!” The Creator yowled and growled, its fur bristling. “Um, sorry? You resembled a species from my Home Universe.”

The feline thrust out its big chest, “Apologize, Nyan!”

“I did…”

I spoke with pursed lips… I might be the New God, but I was not going to be a pushover anymore. It’s time I stood up for myself. “Well, do it a second time, Nyan!”

Staring at the feline, taken aback by its unreasonableness, I suggested humorously. “How about a scratch under the chin?”

“Accepted, Nyan~!”

The Entity leaped into my arms and stretched like a cat, mewing in relaxation.

Wordlessly, enticed by the silky hair, I rubbed under its chin. The feline yawned, pushing farther into my gasp. “Look at that, you made a friend already!” The All-Father chuckled and dragged me into an alley. For a brief period, my thoughts returned to that dark alley where I lost my life being a nosey moron, but then a purr snapped me out of my worries.

“Rougher, Nyan~!”

I looked at where my hand had gone— right above the feline’s spine— and sighed, increasing the frequency of my hand. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The Entity within was bipedal, most definitely humanoid, yet it lacked distinct characteristics, only a mass of energy—a walking Universe with Stars flashing in its torso.

It reminded me of the ultimate form of a certain Hero Hunter, but less muscular and less… Edgy. Alien X might be a better description, if slightly smaller. “Is that me?” I knew I wasn’t a human anymore, but seeing my new form stare me in the face was both terrifying and equal part liberating. “Never seen a mirror before, Nyan~?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Never seen myself like this…”

The feline yawned sleepily,

“It’s not surprising. Almost all Fledglings resembled you right now. It happens when a Creator’s identity has yet been established. You will most likely develop a more corporeal look shortly, probably after constructing your first Universe. Nothing to be worried about, Nyan~”

That– “Makes more sense.”

“You coming, New God?” I turned and rushed after the All-Father.

There was a door next to Odin—a basic door with little adornment, twisted into the maws of an invisible, monstrous beast. When I asked, a shudder rushed down my spine. “Are- Are you sure this is the right place?”

“Fret not!” The All-Father practically had to drag me inside, “She might look scary, but Ïgal is a nice person.”

If this were an anime, I was quite sure a drop of sweat would bead on my forehead right now.

Entering the door, everything seemed… Unexpectedly nice. It’s almost like an artwork from one of those Lo-fi soundtracks on YouTube, with a nice glow and a pleasant, constantly cackling fireplace, as well as a running rhythm in the background. “Did I not tell you, New God? It’s nice, isn’t it?”

“I… Yeah.” It really was, the place felt tailored to my taste, in fact. “This establishment shifts according to one’s desires. Everything you see here? It’s all based on your preferences. I’d not suggest squinting, though.”

“Odin!” A lovely monster girl dashed towards us, slimy tentacles dancing above her head. She seemed skinned, much like the Female Titan, with irises that seeped into her sclera, yet despite her inhuman appearance, she was rather adorable. “You brought me a new guest!” She beamed at me.

“Aye, lass! Get us the usual!”

“Coming right up!”

We quickly got settled in our seats, “Have you decided on what you’re going to make, New God?”

“I…” Biting my lips, I silently pondered. My Universe— Prime Verse was a shit-show where only the only constant was sufferings; Earth’s the playground for Evil, and Goodness was frowned upon. I wanted something more… Something better… An Universe where every waking minute didn’t feel like agony. “I want to create a Paradise that will last forever.”

Surprisingly, both the All-Father and the feline gave me odd looks. “What? Is it not possible?” As a human, I knew such a thing could never be achieved, but I was a God now— a Creator, surely it’s doable? “Nothing lasts forever, New God.”

The feline Creator arose, scratching my thighs as if they were pillows.

“Theoretically, if your Universe has grown powerful enough to block out the Voidspawns, and defend against all the warmongering Deviants, it could last indefinitely, until you decide otherwise, but Paradises do not exist, Nyan~”

“But it can be done?” I asked.

“It’ll end in a disaster, New God.” Ïgal— the Lovecraftian monster girl— skipped to our table, carrying a tray on her hand. “Here you go, guys!”

“Thank you.”

I told her, followed by the All-Father’s loud slurps. “You’re a Godsend, lass.”

“Aren’t we all?”

The monster girl winked, before skipping away.

I took one glance in my cup and saw a mess of wiggling tentacles and what I assumed was blood. My human sensibility nearly made me vomit at the sight, “I told you, don’t squint.” Yet the All-Father continued to sip on the beverage as if nothing was wrong. I shrugged, and the wiggling mess was quickly replaced by a nice, hot cup of tea. “What the actual fuck?” Looking left and right out of fear, I leaned over, “Is this really drinkable?”

“It is.” The All-Father rested on his wrist, “I’m drinking it fine, aren’t I? Sure, it was strange the first time, but it’s not bad. Not bad at all… Aren’t you the youngster who jammed his arm in a Voidspawn’s mouth and tore its tongue out? Where has that valiant God gone?”

I swallowed once, then opted for an excuse. “Sorry, but as you can see, I don’t have a mouth at the moment.”

The fact Is that my new look was simply a Universe forces into a somewhat humanoid shape. How could I drink to begin with? “Just pour it over your face.”

I blinked, swallowed my dread, and followed per his instructions.

The liquid quickly soaked into my skin, and I made a clicking sound with my tongue while tasting the beverage.

“It’s not—”

Before I could finish, I found myself in a Universe where everything was formed of pulsing flesh, hovering above a world of biomass that is continually expanding, and flying about to absorb other planets like it. A flood of knowledge struck me all at once—millions of years of evolution and mutations, which would have surely swamped even the most sophisticated quantum computer on Earth—but I digested it all with ease.

Then, I was back in the pub again, palming my chest as the Creation Seeds in my Core pulsed strangely, now engraved with words that should have made no sense for me, yet— by some miracles—I understood them better than I did English. “That was…” I heaved. “Intense. Was that—”

“There are many names to it.”

The All-Father interjected. “Some call it the Great Dao; some the Truth. Personally, I prefer Experiences.”

Still feeling overwhelmed, I squeezed the bridge of my nose and took another sip, but the explosion of sensations; of Experiences did not occur; instead, the engravings on my Creation Seeds appeared to deepen. “Pretty cool, aye?”

“Yeah…”

“How do I create a Universe?” I asked the two, perplexed.

Was it only a matter of waving my hands and the Big Bang?

The All-Father crossed his arms and declared, “I will not assist you build anything as absurd as a Paradise. It will end in nothing but tragedy, New God.”

“I’ll show you, Nyan~” The feline on my lap stretched lazily. “You seem like a cool guy, and I hadn’t made anything in quadrillions of years. ‘Bout time I get to creating.”

I smiled, “Thank you–”

Only then, did I remember I hadn’t asked its name. “Hm… I think I forgot to ask your name.” Odin was quite recognizable for me, but there were quite a few Cat Deities in Earth’s Myths. “You may call me Lysara, Nyan~.”

“It’ll end in tragedies, Lady Lysara.”

The All-Father’s brows pinched, “Unless he decides to create only non-sentient Creations, which would be a waste of his Creation Seed.”

“Maybe, Nyan~”

Lysara—the feline Creator—jumped from my lap.

“But you are the God of Wisdom, aren’t you? Wisdom must be acquired, Nyan~”

Neither seemed to believe I could accomplish it. I didn’t get it. Was wishing for a serene Paradise where no one would ever yearn for anything truly that bad? My chest felt stuffy, but I did not voice my complaints. “Wait… You’re a female cat?”

Lysara hissed, “Stop calling me the C-word, Nyan~!!!”