chapter 9: it’s for you

a car, two gods, and an almost normal world

Morning in Dana's Dimension

In the red dimension, where Universe 6 vibrates, the sky is like a sea of suspended light. There is no visible sun, no defined source, just a soft, diffuse, infinite clarity. The air is warm, but never heavy; clocks here don't tick, they breathe.

Dana Noctielle, still in her white coat, ties her hair into a ponytail in front of the mirror. Her gaze is sharp, her posture straight. She is about to leave for her shift when a shiver passes through the air. It's not a sound, it's not a tremor. It's a divine signature. A vibration in the very fabric of her reality. She stops, closes her eyes. And murmurs, with a subtle smile, "They're here…"

Zeus & Odin: Preparations

On Olympus, Zeus prepares. No toga, no armor, but a perfectly tailored midnight blue three-piece suit. A golden tie, light, almost alive, glows softly under the ambrosial light. He adjusts his astral watch with a slow gesture. "We're going to please her… and look a bit classy at the same time."

In Asgard, Odin emerges from a dense, crackling arcane mist. He dons a long black coat bordered with shifting runes; his ravens perch on his shoulder, silent. No speeches today, just… presence. A wave of his hand. Two dimensional keys activate. A red door, bright as a bolt of blood, opens at their feet. Destination: Universe 17, the world of heroes… and normal cars. They disappear together.

The Park of Elidora Awakens Gently.

Leaves rustle under a light breeze, children run between benches, a robot gardener slowly waters the flowerbeds, joggers greet telekinetic retirees. Dana walks down a central path, a thermos of coffee in her hand. This world is peaceful, technological yet human. 60% of the population here has no powers; superheroes cross paths with bakers, demigods share benches with tired professors. She inhales deeply. "Here, I can breathe; no need to be divine, just to be myself."

And suddenly, the sky splits. Silently, but with an authority that asks no permission. A pure red line cuts through the air. A portal opens without a sound. Zeus steps out first. Sunglasses on, collar up, the impeccable posture of a man who could, by himself, redraw gravity. "I told you she'd like this place." Odin follows him, hands in his pockets. His step is fluid, his gaze calm. "Yeah, calm, dignified, ready for a surprise." They approach her. She doesn't flinch; she felt them coming.

Zeus pulls a small object from his pocket. A stylized key, black and red, shaped like a lightning bolt. "It's for you." Dana frowns. "What have you two done now?" They invite her to follow them. A few steps further, in a discreet corner of the park… A car awaits her. A compact sedan, elegant, matte black, with sleek lines. Fine, subtle red pinstripes skim the contours. At the back, an engraved symbol: a stylized lightning bolt within a rose. She freezes.

Zeus, placing a hand on the roof: "It drives like a dream." Odin, with his usual calm: "It withstands minor magical attacks, detects inter-dimensional collisions, and… it makes coffee." Dana sighs. "You're crazy." "No," Zeus says gently, "we're proud." "And we love you," Odin completes. She looks away slightly, her eyes shining, but she doesn't cry. "I don't need a magic car…" "It's not magic," Zeus replies softly, "it's just… a car made with love."

She gets in, opens the door, sits down. The seats instantly adapt to her body, the steering wheel recognizes her, the dashboard screen lights up, soft, silent. "Can I drive it here?" "You can drive it anywhere; it recognizes your aura." "What if I crash into a lamppost?" "The lamppost will apologize." They laugh.

She starts the car, gently, without rushing. She glides, calmly, through the streets of Elidora. Buildings scroll by, people live, and she drives. No lightning. No superpowers. Just a girl, behind the wheel. With two uncles watching her leave… proudly. She has saved lives, she has crossed worlds, but nothing beats the simple thrill… … of a first drive, in silence, in her own car.

End of Chapter 9 — It's for you.