After the Scream - 1 Billion Universes remaining

Jason and Orion followed them inside the ship, whose engines roared with a muffled sound. They were now approaching their objective.

There was so little inside the ship that it gave the impression it had been built solely for patrolling the area around the planet. They were led into the only room in the ship that could accommodate all of them. Their captors didn't find it necessary to handcuff them, having the advantage of two Eternals on their side against two mere mortals. While Jason and Orion could move in the void, which ordinary mortals couldn't do, this was a common trait among soldiers who reinforced their bodies to survive the freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen. Jason and Orion seemed to possess no weapons or special objects that could help them escape, reinforcing their harmless appearance.

The second Eternal on the ship then approached them to ask questions. Jason and Orion had to gradually lift their eyes as he got closer. The man had to be at least three meters tall. His entire physique reflected the rigorous training of a warrior who had survived many battles. He had a square face, piercing eyes, and bulging muscles whose contours could be seen even under his imposing armor.

Like a general to his troops, he questioned them in an implacable tone:

"Who are you?"

"I am Jason and this is my companion Orion," he replied, nodding towards his companion.

"What is your purpose on Dementia?" he continued.

Jason raised an eyebrow at the mention of the planet's name. The monarch whose aura they felt had to be the Monarch of Dementia. Naming a planet after one's own monarchical title might be a sign of advanced narcissism.

"To meet the Monarch of Dementia," Jason announced.

A silence settled in the ship. The warriors now looked at them with a touch of pity, like condemned men approaching their end.

The Eternal burst into laughter, breaking the silence. It took him nearly a minute to regain his composure. He finally announced in a dull, emotionless tone:

"So you wish to die."

He spoke these words as if imparting a fundamental truth to a child.

"You have two options," he continued, leaning towards Jason and Orion to have his eyes at their level. "Either you follow us without causing trouble and you'll be judged for disrespecting an Eternal. At worst, you should face a few hundred years in prison," he said, then continued in a darker tone, "or you can request an audience with His Majesty Zoltar, the Monarch of Dementia, knowing that if you are not worthy of his time, you will meet a fate worse than death. Even Eternals have died for wasting his time. You have been warned," he declared before standing up.

"You will give us your answer upon our arrival," he finished, leaving the room.

In a corner of the room stood the Eternal. She had her arms crossed and was looking out one of the ship's windows at the void extending as far as the eye could see. Her anger had already subsided. Without turning her gaze from the window, she announced:

"I will show leniency during the trial regarding your sentence if you renounce meeting His Highness Zoltar."

She then left the room without giving them time to respond.

The ship continued its approach to the surface of Dementia, slowing down at various security checks. Jason consulted Orion before their arrival about their choice. To which he replied without even taking a moment to think:

"Might as well meet Zoltar, right? How do they say... the more, the merrier! And if he knows the location of a nearby gate, we'll save a lot of time."

Jason agreed that Zoltar might help shorten their journey. They had made their decision. He turned to the Eternal, who had returned to the room for landing.

"We choose the audience with the Monarch of Dementia," Jason announced before adding, "and sorry for the inconvenience and my companion's words, he's not in his right mind at the moment."

She remained silent. The silence lasted only a few seconds because they had arrived on the planet, and the rest of the patrol was now leading them to the ship's exit.

The surface of Dementia was made of a dark red material that dangerously approached the color of blood. It only took Jason one look to understand its origin: the aura of the monarch.

'Especially when you let it spread without even trying to contain it,' he murmured, observing the buildings around them. Everything around them seemed infected by this color.

Jason had the feeling that all the inhabitants of this planet were doomed to madness. All of this was only due to the corruption that the aura of a Monarch could bring to mortals and Eternals who came into contact with it.

Jason and Orion were now being led along numerous corridors before boarding a military vehicle floating a few centimeters above the ground. After several minutes of travel, they seemed to have arrived at their destination. They were now standing in front of an immense building that appeared to be the residence of the dear Monarch Zoltar. They finally entered the building after being searched one more time by soldiers, even though most weapons had no effect on Monarchs. Their control of laws made them invincible among mortals and Eternals.

After the opening of a heavy wooden door, Jason and Orion had finally arrived. They had entered an office and could now see the man who was supposed to be their source of information sitting in a chair.

The man was dressed in a perfectly tailored red and black suit, matching his eyes and hair, which oscillated between black and red. His round face and gentle look reflected a kind and harmless character. One could believe it if it weren't for the immense predatory smile that didn't seem to want to leave his lips.

"Good evening, dear guests! I am His Majesty the Monarch Zoltar, but you can call me Zoltar! What can I do for you?" he asked, his smile now reaching his ears and revealing all his immaculate white teeth.