Chapter 18: A Servant's Respite

Divine Flash sighs. They have been scouting the entire area around the strange tower for several hours now. Earlier in the day, they had gone separate ways with the Builder. Diana had managed to obtain a small civilian cruiser, a Tecspeeder, a car shaped vehicle that hovers off the ground, using its built in gravity repulsing engine. The three had cruised through the land and traveled about five kilometers, near the strange tower they have been investigating the last week or so. To no avail. It seemed like no one could enter the tower. Or more accurately, the Tower itself did not allow random people to enter.

This crystal tower was bizarre. Not only was it made out of various large unidentifiable crystals, the surrounding ground around it seems to distort space. It was almost as if the tower existed in an alternate dimension and was merely temporarily forcing itself onto this one. As well as the fact the structure had a life of its own. People who approached it could hear a warning signal in their ears yet there was no microphone or people that spoke. It was as if it was speaking directly into their minds.

Others tried foolishly to pry open the large jet navy doors at the front entrance.

The tower merely blew them away with some unknown wind, some people had said. Others had the doors tear off, grab their limbs and the sentient object threw them several dozen meters away. Some other unfortunate souls were literally teleported back to town without warning, by unknown magic. Among other things, the tower was not malicious in nature but seemed more so to be waiting.

Waiting for particular people to approach it.

Unbeknownst to the Divine Hammer, Divine Flash, Diana and Nam.

Naturally, Star Breaker already knew. That poor woman was burdened with more knowledge than she would like to know but it could not be helped. The silver hair android needed to know more than others. To fulfill her role in the scheme, the great plan of the Magician and the Demon Lord.

The beautiful eighteen-year-old is not too far from the tower. All the wildlife around the structure have been killed, rather intentionally. Someone was leaving a trail for them to follow. She and the others weren't sure what or who caused this turn of events. But after gathering information from the info dealer and doing their own search, they came to a similar conclusion.

This tower was no ordinary object. It has perhaps existed since the last war, the war with the demon lord, or before. Diana is using a small drone to record the outside structure on video, humming along as she is controlling it with her fingers.

“Ladala oh boy! Oh my! Did you find anything from these dead birdos, Little Flash?” Diana once again gave strange nicknames to people. This makes Divine Flash chuckle but not in a bad way. More in an endearing way. This old servant wearing a maid dress was quite kind to them. Quickly leaving a strong impression on them. Honestly, the two young girls could understand why Diana had this sort of natural charisma similar to her lord. The twenty thousand year or so old android just naturally gets along with folk.

“Callin me that strange ol name again? Fair enough, Lady Diana. Or Ms. Diana? You seem to not mind either. I think both suit you, you are quite through while on duty.”

“Calll me whatever ya want! Doesn't matter, what matters is the way you act and treat other people! Ha! Titles are fine but don’t get too worried about em. I’m just gonna call u Flash and your little sis, Nam Nam. And my creator Lord! Names and positions can get all funny at times, hmm?” The blue-haired teenager smiles, nodding heartily in agreement.

Even though Diana did not speak very eloquently, the android had this way with words. She just understands people. In a way, the Divine Hammer does not. Where the Creation Lord always seems to be lowering herself to be among her subjects, Diana never seemed to be too high or low. Not that the goddess who wore that old Mark II armor is wrong for wanting to live, to experience life similarly to the ones she provides for but. The more Divine Flash observes her, the more that it becomes obvious. Obvious that the Builder is neglecting her own self, neglecting her own desires. The woman desperately wants to build a great prosperous universe for all the beings in every realm.

But can it be prosperous if one’s own self is not prospering? Growing? Improving their own self, passionately indulging in their own desires? To give and give but to never take something for yourself, living like that is nothing more than a limitation. It is good to give but better to give and receive.

Diana does not show this on their beautiful face but the pain has worn on her, the pain of watching that beloved lord reject those true, deep desires. The sheer agony of watching the beautiful, intelligent woman underestimate her own potential. Refusing to become the true leader that the Builder could be. Denying their own nature and busying that brilliant mind with idle tasks rather than refinement of that powerful, able body.

Diana refuses to show it. But Divine flash and Nameless can see it, no they can feel it.

The pain in that steel heart, the pain that the gorgeous lady bears. The pain that remains deep, locked inside that beautiful, genuine smile.

The pain of existing. These two know it well. The memory of that day of slaughter has just barely begun to fade. It has made them more observant and wise to the pain of others. Much of life was dealing and processing with pain and the two young girls had to start earlier in the healing process, it seemed.

“Diana. I.” The servant with hazel-green eyes turns towards her, almost finished done recording the video, smiles kindly.

“What is wrong, young lady? Your mood has gone so sour.”

“I. I don't know how you deal with it. Well it's hard to say but I will say. I don’t understand how you can deal with the Builders' quirks.” Diana turns slightly more towards the blue-haired youth, her smile slightly fading but her expression still jubilant.

“As we all do. When you get older, you just have to endure it. Endure the pain. Even if the pain isn't physical, you have to. Not let every little thing get to you!” She hums and hymns, moving her fingers with a little effort but not much. Does not seem like the question bothered her at all. Though perhaps, that was merely the mask the older android wanted to show.

“I know but. You can't just endure everything. Sometimes, you have to speak your mind. Sometimes, you just have to get it out! I know and respect the woman but god damn.”

“I am aware. But will she even listen? Or reflect? You have seen how my lord is. Quite the brilliant mind, but just as much, a little stuck in the mud. Stuck in her ways!” Diana continues, finally finished recording the outside of the Crystal Tower, makes the small butterfly drone return towards the servant. The drone lands and perches on the right shoulder, quickly disappearing into the voluptuous body of this immortal machine.

Seems this drone was a bit more advanced than the ones she normally sees around planets or the global network. Makes sense, the Divine Hammer would save the best technology for herself and her immediate colleagues or servants. Diana, happy with the work, walks over towards the Divine Flash, grabbing those petite dainty hands gently.

“One day, I hope she will learn. How to be more true to herself. But I think I will need you and your sister’s help. Some fresh voices are just what she needs, just as you two need her wisdom. You have gone through so much in such a short period of time, yet you are so worried about my lord? How inspiring. How noble.”

“I don’t feel noble. But if you say it, it must be so. You cannot deny your true nature forever, I think. So, something we will have to work together on. Together, all of us can grow. It just takes time and. Effort!” Nam walks over, agreeing readily.

“You took the words out of my mouth. You are so observant, my sister.”

“Dont underestimate yourself, Nam. You have been improving as well. Now you actually help me cook food and more readily listen to others. Oh my!” The older sister motions the younger one over, grabbing her right hand. The three hold hands together, embracing the tender moment.

“Pff! Hardly. I just know, I cannot be like how I used to in the past. Now, we are heading towards new places. We are gonna enter that tower soon, right?” Diana nods, smirking.

“If it lets us in! Though I suspect it will.

“Any evidence for that claim?” The two of them narrow their eyes at her. None of the information they gathered gave that impression. Diana's grin widens.

“Have some faith! Was it by accident we all arrived here, met together on this distant planet? Or was it some grave master plan pulling us along at the strings, hmm?”

“You believe in destiny, hmm? Well if you want, I do not care much for ‘fate’. For now, I just want to figure more out about myself and this damn Tower, Ms. Diana.” Nam spits out. She moves away from them a little, staring deeply into the sky.

Almost like she was searching for something she could not see. What was Nam looking for, Divine Flash wondered. Before the girl blessed with otherworldly insight could ask, all three of them were interrupted. Two familiar faces have arrived from the sky.

The Divine Hammer, looking mildly annoyed.

And surprisingly, Star Breaker with a blank expression on her face. What was wrong with her, Nam wondered.

“Look who I finally found, Diana. My sister! Prowling about in town. You should count your blessings, Star Breaker, or I would of-”

“Save it, you still can’t beat me. I was merely going along with your nonsense. Stupid Builder.” The two seem to start arguing immediately, unsurprisingly. Knowledge of their sibling dislike has been known for millennia. Divine Flash interrupts the two unbecoming goddesses with a distasteful look.

“Ms Builder, calm down. You are better than this. Don't bring yourself down to her level. You know how Ms. Breaker is, she is quite the loose cannon. And as for you, well. Ms. Breaker. There is no need to treat your sister like this. The woman works so hard for the people and the gods, but you? Never, ever! Show her any appreciation! For god’s sake, the Builder is taking care of the realm you are supposed to rule over.”

The roles have flipped, it seems.

The adults have become children and the child has become an adult, at least, at this moment.

Star Breaker mildly glares at her but says nothing. There is nothing to say back, what she said was the truth. The absolute damning truth.

And the purple-eyed android knew it. But there was nothing that could be done. The governance of the highest star realm was not her true role. No, the star warrior had far more important jobs that had to be done. Work that no else could know about.

Star Breaker remains silent but the rather annoyed youth continues speaking harshly once more.

“No words to defend yerself? Nothing? At least pretend that you care.” Sighing heavily after hearing these lacking words. Diana shrugs, while Nam sort of has a similar expression on her face as the older sister. One of rather high disappointment.

“I have nothing to say nor would I say anything. I have things I just can't say. Sorry. You all will just have to manage, besides, we are here, together. That is more important. And the Crystal Tower we need to go into. Soon.” Naturally, the sisters aren't happy with this answer but are also curious why or how she knows they need to go into the tower. Something is amiss. What does Star Breaker really know?
Is she really just this loose, chaotic goddess that does not want to work with the other five god machines?

Or is Star Breaker hiding something? They cannot tell but these simple words put the seeds of doubt into their young, intelligent minds. They had caught on quickly, the Divine Hammer noticed by their expressions.

“Oh yes, my sister has been hiding this for centuries, millennia even. Can’t ever get anything out of her but today. Now I definitely know something is up. What is in that Tower, Star breaker!?”

“Only our path forward. Nothing else can be said.” Diana watches the other three gasp in sheer desperation. The Builder sighs, the creation goddess isn't even angry anymore. Just speechless. No other words can describe her mood at the moment. Nam shrugs heavily, raising her shoulders high, while Divine Flash raises her left hand into a fist and slightly bonks the unruly silver haired god, causing stinging pain on the top of her temple.

“Ouch! What was that for?! You little-”

“That was for acting like a child. You, one of the great gods of the realms, can barely even eke out a couple words, vague words at that. Don’t insult our intelligence! We were already going to explore the tower even if we didn't meet you, don't tell us shit we already know. Something is drawing us towards that place. And we are going to go inside it, soon.” Divi agrees and walks over to her, handing her something from her side. Another TecCommunicator, it seemed.

“Oh? This is your special device! But why?”

“Just in case we somehow get lost or split up. I don't know what we will deal with when we walk in there. So, me, Star Breaker and Diana will head in first. Once the way is clear, I will message you.” Obviously this makes sense. But why split the party into two groups?

Divine Flash sighs. She understood why Diana was a bit tired of her lord; this wasn't exactly the wisest decision. But before she opens her mouth, the Architect gives her a stern expression.

“I know. You want to all come along. But is that what the Tower wants? Think about it, young lady. The Tower has been intentionally pushing away people. What if it doesn't let us all in at once? That possibility also exists.”

“I think we should try anyway but. You are going to just split us up as you want, right? Do as you like.” The cold response worries the older woman but it cannot be helped.

“Sorry, I.”

“I understand, just be careful. Let us know what happens, I am still worried about you and Diana; you two aren't invincible, right? Based on the battle between you and sis, too.”

“Yeah. I will. We will let you know. For now, let us return to town. Tomorrow, we can finally dive deep into that mysterious place.“ Nam, as well as her sister, grab her left hand and squeeze it.

They don't want their new friend to leave without them tagging along. Surely, she will find danger in this place. Or whatever it leads them to. But they cannot stop her explorative and inquisitive nature. They know her nature will naturally lead her towards danger, the way she was going. So, all they could do was place their faith in her.

Faith that the Builder will be okay, return to them. Faith is not a bad thing in moderation, after all.

“Be careful. We hope you two will return to us safely, later. And manage that unruly sister of yours when you go, okay?”

“Jeez, it is not even tomorrow yet! But thank you, I appreciate your feelings. And the same for you two, I want to see your pretty little faces soon, too.” A smile finally grows on her face, a small bit of her true self emerging, at last. This little motion makes Nam and the older sister feel some hope. Hopefully, one day that the Divine hammer will mature. Hope that they will see her again. And more importantly, hope that everything in the realms will continue moving forward. It was clear to them, as well as Diana, that this creation genius was very important. It was not something they could describe with their words but it was merely a strong feeling they shared together. This, they did not realize. For now, at least.

The party mingles and chatters. After scolding Star breaker today, who is somehow still docile. To the disbelief of her sister, they all gather their faint belongings and hop back on the Tecspeeder, quickly zooming back towards the city they were staying at. This was going to be the last night here. Oh, Diana and the two little teenagers would greatly miss Ms. Anne.

“That woman was such a delight, wasn’t she?”

“And a pretty sight too! Her makeup was so good, the pretty lady taught me and Flasie some tips, hehehe.” Nam giggles, fondly thinking of the many conversations they had with her. The voluptuous fox woman reminded the younger sister of her late foster mother, so naturally, she bonded very quickly with her. Ms. Anne already gave the company her local holo number and the local extension, so they could call her later.

Or more like she heavily insisted. Oh, the beautiful fox lady wanted to go with them but running her inn, the Fox Spot, was more important.

Ms. Anne did have bills to pay.

Like everyone else in the city. However, for sure, one day, the middle-aged lady will gladly join the Divine hammer. It was almost as if something was calling to her to do so. The universe was willing, no, leading the curvy orange fox, guiding her forward. Nam ponders this thought for a moment, then the girl's attention returns to reality. Diana is humming cheerfully, driving their speeder back towards the city. They will arrive in another twenty or twenty-five minutes. Star breaker continues looking towards the floor, her eyes downcast. Perhaps the sharp words from the cool headed Flasie struck deep into her mind, since the absent goddess almost seemed to be in a state of reflection, thinking about the weight of her actions.

Good, Nam thinks. It was about time that this unruly star goddess took some time to think about her lack of responsibility. Think about how the absent ruler has not been taking care of her lieges, as well offloading that responsibility onto the other five stars of the heavens. Even if Star Breaker was doing something beneficial behind their backs, the least she could do is ease some of the burden that was being forced onto the Builder, the earth goddess, the death goddess, and that underrealm lady. Nameless sighs and shrugs. No pity for this one.

“It is about time you ponder instead of leaping forward or running off. I can see why my sister has scolded me for doing something similar. You aren’t that reliable, are you? And you have been derelict of your duties for how long?”

“Hmm at least thirty thousand years.” Nam is surprised, not expecting a response.

“Wow. I don’t even have words to describe my reaction. No wonder Ms. Builder treats you like the irresponsible sister that takes no accountability for her actions. Is this truly the first time you have thought about this, Ms. Breaker? Or perhaps you knew all along and have been putting up a facade, hoping no one else would notice.” Nam stares more intently at the android goddess, their eyes finally meeting.

Star Breaker now has a slightly worried expression, worried that the insightful golden-eyed teenager was seeing through her mask, the one this woman has been putting up for millennia.

And to be frank, Nam was.

Truly astounding. This was merely part of Nameless’ inherent potential, being the daughter of a mighty goddess. The mysterious, sealed lip god wasn't going to speak a word about her origins. That must be kept a secret, for a while. It was too soon, way too soon to tell these two sisters. About their mother and definitely not about their other mom! A large amount of sweat gathers on that worried face, showing the absolute dilemma unfolding in her mind. Nam chuckled, smacking Star Breaker on the left shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I am not gonna pry. Whatever ya know about me, or sis, or those two in front, save it. Even if you tell us nothing, we will figure it out sooner or later. I think all of us here are quite intelligent, even you. Heck, I’d call the Divine Hammer brilliant, so maybe you got something brilliant going in your brain too, eh?”

“Nah. Nothing of the sort. I am merely a pawn in a greater, galactic game. And so are the rest of you. We exist to fulfill the purpose given to us.” Nam raises an eyebrow, intrigued at the interesting response.

“Given by who? God? The Stars?”

“Purpose is always something we find within ourselves. You will find yours in time, oh nameless warrior. I have already found my purpose, even if I cannot tell you. Together, the five of the stars will band together and overcome the darkness that is encroaching upon the universe.” Star breaker stares deep into the heavens, words filling her mind. Words that cannot be spoken but words that will follow this goddess until her time of true departure.

“Even if I must die, I will die. My death can forge a path forward for the others to follow.” The solemn words reach the ears of not only Nam, but Diana and the Divine Hammer. Ms. Builder was driving the speeder, only slightly smiling. Happy to see some honesty, for once.

“So quick to speak about death, my sister! Do you think you will die soon! Nah, you are too rambunctious to die easily. You might be disagreeable and ill tempered but I still have hope in you, yet. As I have hope in all of you. Do not speak of dying so easily, aren't you a goddess? A goddess of unknown origin, perhaps.” The Builder looks around for a moment, at her sister, who is pensive, then turns back around.

The City is closing into distance. They will be there in another fifteen minutes or so.

“But still a goddess. Truly, the only true way for us to die is to give up our will to live. Don’t you have something to fight for? Based on what you just said, hmm? A purpose always gives one meaning.”

Star breaker nods her head, agreeing. On hand, it was astonishing that these two agreed on anything.

But perhaps it was not as surprising after some thought.

These two were sisters for over forty thousand years.

The two have lived, laughed, fought, and argued for an incomprehensible amount of time. Even if they had disagreements with each other, they were still sisters.

Also proven by a DNA check, the Builder once did. Even though they are machines, android gods, their internal biology is surprisingly similar to humans and other humanoid species that inhabit the starverse. Their hearts are some kind of crystal like machine, their veins full of golden blood, but serving a similar purpose in delivering energy throughout the body. Star Breaker and the Divine hammer are biological sisters, with Star Breaker being slightly older by about ten years.

Whoever designed these two androids gods created them with purpose.

Purpose the Magician would not unveil easily.

Unbeknownst to all of them in this little speeder save for the silver-haired goddess.

The builder continues, the city is finally within sight. They will arrive in less than six or seven minutes, this conversation has gone on for some time.

“No matter what happens, I will always do my best for the people that live in these realms. I suggest you do the same, Star Breaker. Or maybe in some weird way, you were going to do that from the shadows? Yeah, okay, I don’t believe that bit for a second. But anyway, thanks for speaking, properly, for once. I appreciate hearing a little more honesty from you, I really do.” The builder laughs, slowing down the Tecspeeder as they have arrived at the outskirts of the city. They park it near the other space vehicles located on the edges of the vehicle. The ship of the creation goddess has remained in orbit; it is far too big to easily land on the edge of this small city.

It was not even remotely close to the size of the capital in Stella, Aegis. Best to err on the side of caution here.

The entire party quickly leaps out of the vehicle. Diana tries to grab the Builder from behind with a bear hug though the blond woman was ready for this. She easily jumps out of the way, letting Diana slam into the ground face first, skidding a meter away.

“Awwww! I wanted to give you love love hug hugs!”

“God damnit, why are you like this! We are trying to go back to the inn, no time for you to be playing around! Keep it up, I’ll make you mop the entire ship when we get back later, from top to bottom! And I will pick the crappiest broom, too!” The two carry on as Diana picks herself up, quickly walking behind the woman. Nameless and Divine flash just chuckle, eyeing the rather dense creator. The two hold hands as they follow behind, merrily skipping in beat, humming and hymning to the “couple” in front of them. And behind, Star Breaker follows.

Merely being in her rightful place.

“Alright, let's get some rest! Tomorrow we will explore!” Ms. Builder was excited, despite the danger, Nam thinks. That was just her, after all. Couldn’t blame her.