They walked together to the lower prison. Calamity's cell.
"He's off the grid, a world ending threat that only Ultimateman beat." Variable's metallic voice echoed.
"And killing this one is part of your plan, to bring the balance you wanted?"
"Yes, this one I calculated can not be locked up forever… we're here."
(There he is, the strongest villain, that only Ultimateman can stop, but not kill. Corvessa… I only need you for his execution, I'll kill you after.)
"Look at him." Variable said with a mocking tone. "Large red skinned giant. Spikes from every angle. A monster. A pest. An idiot who fell from the sky."
"Variable before we release him, let me know what we're getting into. I'm saving worlds, remember?"
"…Fine."
"Ah Variable! Traitor! I can recognize that smug voice anywhere." Calamity was awake.
"Yes… you see you were a bit on the world destroying side so… I just cannot let you just kill everyone, can I?"
(You may be strong you fool, even invincible. But now I have a way of killing you.)
"Variable…" Aucteros shifted his gaze him from his book. "I just read… he is a Worldeater, with awakened Worldheart powers."
(Aucteros looks scared. Or was it a slight against whatever religious crusade he was on? No matter.)
"Calamity! I am going to release you, and I only ask one thing." Variable called out.
"You hide behind Ultimateman, you're a snake, a rat, what could you offer me?" Calamity growled.
"Someone stronger than Ultimateman, two actually. From other worlds!"
"Worldeaters?"
He looked at Aucteros.
"Uh…" Aucteros hesitated.
(Did he not say Rhenvar ate worlds? Why is he hesitating?)
"Aucteros?" Variable's metallic voice sharpened.
"Corvessa, the witch is not, but Rhenvar…" his fingers shaked as he flipped through his book. "Has three Worldhearts. One from the world he was forced into and two he stole from another Worldeater. All unawakened."
A growl rumbled from Calamity. "Oh? You hand me power yet Ultimateman lives, I can sense your traps before you lay them, Variable."
"I assure you this is no trap, Ultimateman is dead."
Silence. Then a sound of thunder.
Calamity broke from his cage.
(Impossible…)
The red giant charged. Aucteros' hands glowed. Calamity's fists stopped before it reached Variable.
Aucteros quickly read his book.
Calamity pressed against the glowing shield. It shattered.
Aucteros grabbed Variable and they hurled into a portal.
Reappearing in the western district.
"Variable… what did you do!" Aucteros was panting.
"…"
(I got what I wanted.)
(Calamity was released.)
(It's happening. My dream.)
(A shame I'm still confined to this metal body. I suppose I could use the DNA in storage to grow a new one, another clone. I should start soon. That process takes time.)
(Still, that's not my current priority.)
(This alliance with Aucteros and his… "companions" it's the greatest opportunity I've ever encountered. I am, in some abstract way, grateful.)
(Soon, the strongest heroes and villains will destroy each other, Rhenvar and Corvessa will see to that. The weak will filter out and survive. They are not the issue. They never were.)
(And when it's done? The balance of power will finally settle.)
(No more world-ending threats.)
(No more overpowered saviors.)
(No more chaos.)
(Just a unified, manageable world.)
(A shame that death became the only path to peace.)
(But peace built without sacrifice was never peace at all. Utopians are logically impossible.)
Aucteros sat down , flipping through his divine book.
(A strange object. My scanners still can't read it. Whatever language dances across those pages, it resists even quantum decryption.)
He finally spoke. "So this was your plan? Order through chaos?"
(Ah. He's catching up.)
"Yes," he said. "With most supers eliminated, the remaining world can stabilize. The surviving heroes or villains will maintain low-grade conflict. Enough to preserve natural order without risking extinction."
Aucteros' eyes narrowed. "I still don't believe you know what you've done. Calamity is a Worldeater…"
"Who will be killed by Corvessa, like she killed Ultimateman."
Silence.
"So, you're doing this for the greater good. Your technology… it's unrivaled. That would make you the new Ultimateman once Calamity is dead."
(Interesting comparison. He's smarter than he appears or perhaps it's the book whispering in his ear.)
"I suppose that's one way to put it," Variable replied. "Though as you have seen, I am more than mortal now. Thanks to your teammate. Still-"
He raised his metallic hand, flexing the fingers- "metal corrodes. Computers glitch. I'm not invincible and my tech can and will be reverse-engineered."
He studied Variable in silence, then said, "So your power isn't absolute. Others could eventually use your tech and create their own."
"Precisely. And I welcome it. Power is not meant to be hoarded, not anymore. When the dust settles, humanity will share the burden. Decisions made collectively, not by a single table of heroes."
Aucteros's voice dropped lower. "And once your world becomes our base… will you honor our agreement?"
"Yes," He answered without hesitation. "Seeing Rhenvar and Corvessa in action confirmed it, I won't pass up the chance to travel new dimensions. I want intelligence. Data. And if any world threatens mine, I'll be ready."
(That part was true. This opportunity stretches beyond my planet. Beyond even me. It would be foolish to let it slip through my fingers.)
Aucteros gave a faint smile. "Then since our goals align… I'll refrain from plans that involve killing the girl. And from saving your world."
(What a curious way to phrase salvation, not devouring something.)
(But who am I to judge his mission, when mine is built on just as much blood?)
(And if I don't like where his mission leads… well, I can always override the systems in his new arm and snap his neck like a brittle twig.)
Variable leaned forward. "You said there were others. Threats that haunt your mind."
He nodded. "Yes. And some grow more dangerous as they 'save' worlds."
"Tell me."
Aucteros obliged, eyes gleaming. "Willow the fire mage. A close friend of Rhenvar… very close. He could reduce half of Super City to cinders in a fit of rage."
(…Fire. I'll need to start building a backup body with built-in flame resistance again. If he's anything like Arsonist it could be trouble.)
"And Sinephilim," he continued, pulling out a crystal. "This holds her demonic energy, I stole it once. She's resilient, strategic, and now bonded to a spirit beast. Divine powers. Purification. Leadership."
(So… the party's heart. Strong, but not the one that caused him to seek me out.)
"The last is Veronica. She's the reason I sought you out." He tapped the crystal. "Politically ruthless. Cunning. Elixir-based abilities that heal, poison, and self-enhancement. She outwits me at every turn."
(Ah.)
(So that's the truth.)
(For all his pride, Aucteros lacks complete control. His enemies grow faster than his schemes can predict. And now, he seeks counters.)
(Corvessa, for instance, isn't kept out of loyalty, she's a weapon. A necessary insanity, muscle of his group.)
(Smart. Predictable. Arrogant.)
Aucteros turned to him again. "What's our next move?"
(If I could laugh, I would.)
"We sit," He said. "And watch. Information is the true battlefield. Every data point matters."
Aucteros shifted. "And if Calamity doesn't die?"
(That's what his companions are for. Ultimateman wasn't supposed to die yet. I understand how he can miscalculate these other worldly beings.)
"If he isn't dealt with, that would be a problem." Variable raised his metal hand to his chin. "Every problem can be solved."
"What is your solution?"
"Your book, is it the source of your power that allows you to cross between worlds?"
"It is."
"Then our plan will be to fight Calamity ourselves and throw him into another world."
"That… would work."
(Strange.)
(I'm starting to like this man.)
(As much as my systems allow for 'liking.')
Then Aucteros whispered, "I have a bad feeling…"
"Oh?"
"Things are going too smoothly. Now's about the time they show up."
(Does he truly fear them? Or is he annoyed?)
(Doesn't matter, emotions keep the data flowing.)
"Then we wait," Variable said. "And observe. Their movements will teach us everything."
They started walking.
"Emotions are a trap Aucteros, sometimes calculations work, sometimes they don't. However, anger and fear will cause your downfall if you let it. The crusade you are on might seem righteous, but you are a villain."
Aucteros didn't reply.
(That's fine. He doesn't need to.)
(I've been fighting heroes and villains far longer than him. I know them better than anyone. I didn't survive by letting emotions affect me.)
(I survived by learning what they loved and feared, turning it into leverage.)
Variable's optics flashed.
(Oh? My scans just picked up something…)
(A new arrival.)