"No way out anymore?"
As Alex's words fell, a heavy silence settled over the world outside the cathedral.
Miss Minutes stared blankly at him, her expression conflicted. With all her computational power, she still couldn't decipher the deeper meaning behind Alex's words. But based on what he said, it was clear: things had spiraled far beyond their control.
After what felt like an eternity, Miss Minutes finally broke the silence.
[My lord… there's something I've never been able to understand.]
Alex shifted his gaze toward her. "What is it?"
[If the corruption originates from you, then why are those Dark Watchers trying to eliminate you? And why haven't you infected others—like me, or Kara and Pietro? You even oversee an entire universe.]
She couldn't wrap her head around the true nature of this corruption. From her perspective, corruption was still a form of power—and if it was power, then surely it could be learned, controlled, harnessed.
If those Watchers had fallen due to Alex's corruption, then logically, it meant Alex had unintentionally used his power to infect them. And if that were the case, shouldn't they be allied with him? Why, then, had they broken away from the Anchor Point and turned against him?
Alex understood what she was really asking. He fell silent for a moment, then answered in a grave tone.
"Miss… corruption is a force that defies understanding and definition. Its very existence is a top-down consequence from a higher-dimensional plane. Because of that, it's virtually uncontrollable. Honestly, I didn't even realize I was one of the sources until recently."
"As for why I haven't corrupted those around me… have you never wondered why Pietro, Kara, and the people of the Wasteland were so easily able to break free of their prewritten destinies?"
[My lord, are you saying… you have corrupted them—just subtly? Their reactions were just less dramatic?]
"That's my theory. There are two types of corruption at play. One originates from the worms—chaotic, apocalyptic forces meant to derail every multiverse, twisting heroes from their destined paths into tragedies and despair. The other is… well, me. A speaking, walking corruption vector from a high-order reality—accidentally thrown into this world. These two are fundamentally different."
Miss Minutes looked calmly at Alex and asked:
[Then, my lord… couldn't you seek help? There are powerful beings across the multiverse—countless cosmic entities and gods. If we had their support, perhaps we could safely resolve this.]
Alex gave a faint, ironic smile and shook his head.
"Seek help from cosmic gods? Do you really think that's realistic?"
Miss Minutes blinked, unsure how to answer. After a pause, Alex continued.
"This corruption… it's strange in ways that go beyond logic. Every named, cosmic-level entity avoids it like the plague. If any of them truly wanted to resolve it, they would've shown themselves back when I finished cleaning up the The Boys' universe. But in truth? Other than the Watchers, not one of them has appeared."
"In fact, think about it. Ever since I arrived here, it's like all the cosmic gods have gone blind and deaf. You really think they don't know what's going on? The Watchers have tracked us down—so of course the others are aware. But not one stepped forward. Do you know what that means?"
Alex looked directly into Miss Minutes's eyes. She quickly understood what he was implying.
[Maybe… they simply don't want to acknowledge any of this. In the vast multiverse, they already sit atop the highest thrones. If this corruption suggests their reality is false or flawed… no one in that position would want to admit it, would they?]
"False?" Alex shook his head. "I don't think so. Every universe is real—just existing on different layers of dimensional reality. But I can understand why those on the highest planes refuse to act. Their thrones are far too lofty—any rash move could destabilize everything."
"But—"
"Because the highest gods chose silence, the rest followed suit. They all avoid corruption because, to them, its spread is slower than the birth of new universes. As long as the multiverse continues expanding, they see no reason to get involved."
Miss Minutes's eyes widened in disbelief.
[How… how could they think that way? Don't they care about the lives being consumed by the corruption?]
Do they care?
Alex chuckled, the sound bitter, scornful, and filled with sadness.
"In my world, even beings who've slaughtered the innocent are given redemption arcs. Even the unforgivable find people willing to forgive them. You really think anyone cares?"
"Even Loki—now the Keeper of Yggdrasil—avoids direct contact with me. That says a lot, doesn't it? In the end, we're left hoping for help from beings like Mephisto or Shuma-Gorath… demons. How ironic."
Miss Minutes didn't fully understand the first part, but the latter struck home. She fell silent, then whispered softly:[Then… my lord… what do we do now?]
Upon hearing this, Alex responded calmly.
[It's simple. We do nothing.]
[Do nothing?]
Miss Minutes echoed the words, her tone uncertain.
[I'm a little worried. Since the Dark Watchers lured us into this universe, that means their first objective is already achieved. If we don't prepare in advance, then I'm afraid—]
[Then do you know what they plan to do next?] Alex interrupted.
Miss Minutes gently shook her head. Seeing that, Alex continued.
[Exactly. Whatever their next move is, they'll need me to make it happen. I can't control their actions, but I can control mine. As long as I don't lift a finger, it doesn't matter what their goal is—they won't be able to reach it.]
Miss Minutes looked at Alex, eyes filled with worry. With her current abilities, she couldn't comprehend his reasoning. All she could do was trust him—trust this being, this Master of Time, who had somehow formed a bond with her.
Just then, the large wooden doors of the cathedral creaked open.
Hearing the sound, Alex turned his head slightly. Miss Minutes had already vanished without a trace.
[What are you doing out here?]
Petra stepped out of the cathedral, spotting Alex standing quietly on the steps outside.
[Just getting some air.]
Alex answered casually, shifting his gaze back to the distant sky where dark clouds were beginning to gather.
[It's going to rain.]
Petra hesitated, watching him. Then, after a short silence, she finally spoke.
[The kids inside… they're scared out of their minds.]
[Of course they are.]
Alex sighed, his voice low and somber.
[They just got pulled into a strange, unfamiliar universe—only to be told their own homeworlds are probably doomed. That's not something any child is equipped to handle.]
[Yeah… I feel the same. Mystik and Wolfsbane are holding it together, they're veterans. I've always had faith in my fellow mutants. But Cloak and Dagger? They're still kids.]
Petra frowned, her tension visible.
[You're worried they won't be able to cope—and might act out?]
Alex turned to look directly at her.
[To be honest?]
Petra shook her head slowly.
[I don't know. I really don't. Everything that's happened… it's gone way beyond anything I understand. And it's the same for the kids in there. They may not be showing it, but I can tell—they're holding on by a thread.]
Alex listened silently, eyes fixed on her face. He didn't respond immediately.
He stared until Petra started to feel uneasy under his gaze. Then, finally, Alex spoke—his voice steady and measured.
[Everyone gathered here—each of you is the last surviving spark from your own parallel world. You're not just living for yourselves anymore. You're carrying the legacy of your entire universe.]
[All I can say is this: Something big is coming. This universe is about to experience a major shift. And staying here will put all of you in danger.]
[I'm not afraid!]
Petra answered without hesitation.
"I know," Alex said, raising a hand to cut Petra off. He pointed toward the cathedral doors and continued calmly:
"But you need to think of them. I'm not going to lie to you—this entire situation began because of me. There's a group of entities out there, beings that exist beyond the bounds of the multiverse. They're scheming something, though I don't know what. I don't know why they brought these kids here either. The only thing I do know is that I am their target."
"You mean..." Petra stared at him, stunned. "These four… they didn't just end up here by accident? Are you saying they might be connected to those entities somehow? That they might be hiding something?"
"No," Alex shook his head slightly. "The first time I met them, I read through their minds and souls. I can guarantee they haven't been touched by those beings. But—"
He paused for a beat, then went on.
"Whatever those entities are planning, they wouldn't send these people here without a reason. Keeping them in this universe won't end well for anyone."
"Then what should we do?" Petra blinked, waiting.
"Just tell me what you need. I'll follow your orders."
"I need you to take them to another universe."
Alex slowly reached out and rested his hand on Petra's shoulder.
"To my world."
.....
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