Like fate, in the heart of the multiverse, where countless worlds intersect, rivers of boundless energy flow, these rivers are the lifeblood of existence, their currents weaving through the very fabric of reality. Rivers are to an ocean, what universes are to the multiverse, like fate and the ocean's multiple rivers, with every small or large deviation, be it the smallest pebble or the mightiest wave, at the convergence of worlds, the rivers merge with the ocean of possibilities. And with these changes, all things are connected through similarities by the flow of the cosmic rivers we call universes, these similarities that grasp the infinite beauty and complexity of the multiverse…, are known as…, The Multiversal Constant…
Fade in…
Far away in a place called Void, a realm of eternal darkness and silence, where time stands still and existence fades into obscurity. It's a place of eerie beauty, drawing in those who seek answers to cosmic mysteries, but few return unchanged, for Void holds secrets that can shatter minds and reshape reality itself. The very air—if it can be called that—vibrates with a frequency that hums of the beginning and the end of all things. Here, mysterious entities drift through the emptiness like ghosts of forgotten timelines, and madness lurks in the shadows, waiting for a stray thought to latch onto.
Such as…
ANRI {Astral Nexus Research Institute}, founded by Dr Christa Evernight…
How did this facility come about…? Well…
In a world where scientific discovery often walks hand in hand with scepticism, Dr. Christa Evernight dared to tread where others feared to venture. Her journey began with a revelation—a glimpse into the depths of Void, where she beheld a truth that defied conventional understanding. She saw the threads of the Multiversal Constant not as abstract math, but as living, breathing tethers.
Years of tireless research led Dr. Evernight to the discovery of Void—but her findings were met with scepticism and ridicule by the scientific community, who dismissed her claims as nothing more than flights of fancy or the delusions of an overworked mind. Undeterred by the doubters and the academic blacklisting that followed, Dr. Evernight resolved to delve deeper into the mysteries of Void. Armed with little more than her unyielding determination and unwavering belief in her discoveries, she set out to build a facility unlike any the world had ever seen—a place where the boundaries of reality could be explored and the secrets of the cosmos laid bare.
With a small group of elite scientists who shared her vision, Dr. Evernight founded the Astral Nexus Research Institute (ANRI) deep within Void. It was a bold endeavour, fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but the team pressed on undaunted, fuelled by their collective passion for discovery. The station itself was a marvel of engineering, held together by anchors that tethered it to stable pockets of reality amidst the shifting chaos.
Despite facing opposition from the scientific establishments and being refused funding for her unconventional research, Dr. Evernight and her team persevered, using their own resources and "unconventional" acquisitions to construct ANRI from the ground up. Their facility became a beacon of knowledge and innovation, drawing in the brightest minds from across the multiverse—those who were too brilliant for their own worlds—to unravel the mysteries of Void and explore the phenomenon known as the Multiversal Constant…
…At ANRI…
Dr. Christa Evernight and her team are seen gathered in the main laboratory, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the monitors displaying complex equations, oscillating wave patterns, and scrolling data streams that tracked the health of the surrounding dimensions.
"Something's not right…" Dr. Evernight muttered, her eyes narrowing as she adjusted her glasses. The data wasn't just fluctuating; it was screaming.
Dr. Akira then said, his voice tight with concern, "It appears that the energy fluctuations within Void have intensified. The background radiation is spiking beyond our shielding's capacity."
Dr. Evernight continued, "If these trends continue, it could have catastrophic consequences for the multiverse."
With time running out, the team worked tirelessly to recalibrate their instruments and refine their calculations. The hum of the facility grew louder, a mechanical groan against the pressure of the Void. But despite their best efforts, they could not shake the feeling that something was amiss—something intentional.
As the final calculations were inputted, Dr. Evernight's hand hovered over the enter key, hesitating for a moment, sensing a shift in the room's temperature, before pressing down. The monitors flickered to life, displaying the results of their analysis in jagged, crimson lines.
Dr. Kai, another in her team, spoke with a trembling voice, "Dr. Evernight, it appears we've made a miscalculation… according to these calculations, the Multiversal Constant could destabilize the very fabric of reality. The anchors aren't holding because the reality they're attached to is dissolving."
Her team exchanged worried glances, their expressions mirroring her own. The silence in the lab was deafening, broken only by the frantic beeping of failing sensors.
Dr. Lina chimed in, "Is there anything we can do to prevent it? Can we inject stabilized Energy into the breach?"
Dr. Evernight then responded, "I'm not sure…but we must act quickly if we are to avert disaster! We need physical intervention at the source points."
They scrambled to devise a plan, little did they know, that their miscalculation was not due to any fault of their own, but rather the result of the mysterious anomaly that had emerged from their sensors.
Unbeknownst to them, the Multiversal Constant remained unchanged in its essence, its true nature obscured by the manufactured chaos that surrounded it.
Dr. Evernight set out to look for a group of strong individuals to protect Void while preparations were made to solve this issue. She knew scientists couldn't hold back the tide of darkness; she needed warriors.
With a stroke of luck, or a miracle from the God, which she does not believe in due to her atheism, Dr. Evernight was approached by, ironically, a group of strong individuals, 'supposedly', hailing from Void who seek shelter. They appeared at the airlock, unphased by the crushing pressure of the realm. Quickly, she hired them for the expedition, desperate for the muscle they provided.
After a few weeks of testing their strength against the lesser entities of the Void, Dr. Evernight approved of their skill and let them stay within the inner sanctum…but…as time went on, something grave happened…
A figure, strikingly similar to Hakuna, is seen sitting on a chair in the center of the lab. He is surrounded by the corpses of Dr. Evernight and her team of scientists. The glowing monitors now reflect off pools of dark blood. A gruesome scene has evidently taken place, the transition from discovery to slaughter having been instantaneous.
He spoke, his voice a chilling mirror of the Prince's, "Hmm… Killing geniuses can be... quite therapeutic."
Another figure then appeared behind him, hidden by the dim shadows of the building due to the damaged lights—the aftermath of the massacre. The air around this second figure seemed to swallow light itself.
He then said, addressing the hidden figure without turning around, "I have a mission for you. Find the threads. Kill the other variants."
The figure then disappears into a swirl of dark mist as the one similar to Hakuna wipes away the blood splattered on his face. His eyes begin to glow in a menacing, cold blue as he makes the slightest of grins—a predatory expression potent enough to bring fear to those who meet his gaze across any timeline.
…At Milner…
Hakuna is seen with Super and the rest of the BBC on the scorched earth of the training field. The sun is high, but the air still feels heavy with the memory of the past month. They are seemingly about to enter a sparring match that has the whole group watching with bated breath.
Super vs Hakuna
Okay, we're going off with a bang I see…
It has been a month after the 40 Days of Corruption, and with the events of that gut-wrenching day still fresh on their minds—the betrayal, the demons, and the near-loss of their home—the BBC have decided to have weekly sparring matches, joint individual training sessions, and even teaching each other certain techniques. No more secrets, no more fighting alone. All in the name of preparing for the worst, because they all knew: Steven was only the beginning.
Both Super and Hakuna enter their new refined fighting stances respectively. Hakuna's stance is lower, more explosive, while Super stands with a deceptive relaxation, his weight shifted perfectly to react to any vector of attack.
Both slowly lower themselves as the atmosphere around them becomes silent. The wind stops. The birds in the nearby trees go quiet. Even the other members of the BBC—Enzo, Freddie, Bodega, Rems and MXO—stop their whispering.
They look at one another with intense gazes, none opting to avert. There is a mutual respect there now, forged in the fires of the school's destruction.
Before anyone would think that a large amount of time has elapsed, Hakuna slowly flares his energy. The light brown Nzilo begins to ripple around his skin like a heat haze.
And Super does the same, his energy a sharp, brilliant contrast that feels like the edge of a blade against the skin.
And then…
The match begins…
Both run towards one another as they leap and clash in the center of the field with a loud bang, sending shockwaves that ripple the grass for fifty yards in every direction.
Hakuna sends a feint and an attack, a quick jab followed by a sweeping kick, but Super dodges and blocks with surgical precision.
Super sends a feint and an attack, a palm strike that transitions into a shoulder throw, but Hakuna dodges and blocks, his reflexes sharpened by his recent battles.
They both pull their fists back, the air between them ionizing from the friction of their spiritual pressure.
Without saying a word, Hakuna activates Fist of Inferno. Both fists are instantly engulfed in brilliant, roaring flames that lick at the air. He begins his assault, a blur of orange and brown energy.
Super bobs and weaves, his movements so fluid they seem like water. He is not just avoiding the punches; he is deflecting the heat itself, letting Hakuna's punches slip past his ears and shoulders by mere millimeters.
Super then sees a slight opening—a momentary over-extension in Hakuna's reach. He punches Hakuna squarely on the chest, a concentrated burst of kinetic force sending the Prince flying back across the field.
Hakuna, seeming as if he's about to plummet into the dirt, regains his footing quickly in mid-air, spinning and landing on his feet, his school shoes carving deep furrows into the earth before he stops.
Super appears in front of Hakuna instantly, having moved faster than the eye could follow, sending a powerful punch aimed directly at Hakuna's guard.
Hakuna dodges quickly, tilting his torso back, and retaliates by sending an uppercut boosted by Fist of Inferno towards Super's jaw.
It lands…
The impact sends a pillar of flame upward, sending Super spiraling midair.
Super then uses this momentum to his advantage, flipping in the air to face downward. Aiming his palm at Hakuna, he says with a calm, commanding tone, "Forced Palm Technique: Gravity."
An invisible, crushing force smacks Hakuna back. It feels as if the very atmosphere has turned into lead. Hakuna falls backwards, the weight causing him to tumble back before he manages to stabilize and land on one knee, the ground cracking beneath his weight.
Super then uses his flight to land smoothly, his feet barely disturbing the dust.
Hakuna then questions sarcastically, wiping a bit of soot from his lip, "Flashy moves, huh? Since when did you become a gravity bender?"
Super responds instinctively, a small smirk playing on his lips, "If you can't handle the pressure, you gotta get better."
Hakuna, now annoyed by the arrogance, then said, "Okay, that's it. No more playing around."
He stands and begins walking towards Super. With every step, his eyes begin to glow brighter, then his energy flares violently, the flames on his fists turning a deeper, more intense shade of crimson.
Super smirks as he merely increases his energy's density, his aura becoming so compact it looks like a shimmering suit of armor.
They both launch themselves at one another again. Their fists clash, causing the ground to shake and windows in the distant hostel to rattle. They both send a barrage of punches—hundreds of strikes per second—each strike connecting with the other's forearms or fists.
Their blows are perfectly aligned with one another, a masterpiece of martial prowess, but wait…
This time their attacks are not connecting. Why is that…? To the onlookers, it looks like a strobe light is going off between them.
The naked eye can tell that all attacks are landing, but for some reason, there is no aftershock, no sound of meat hitting meat.
For a mere moment, time slows down, just enough for us to see what's going on at the microscopic level of the clash.
As both Hakuna's and Super's fists converge towards each other, they both stop, equidistantly at exactly 4mm. Then, suddenly, each fist accelerates back to its individual origin, moving only slightly faster than it did before 'colliding'… how is that…?
Energy Density…
Both the density of Super's energy and the density of Hakuna's energy are now perfectly equal. This causes a physical reaction upon attempted contact akin to magnetic repulsion. Neither can penetrate the other's field because the spiritual "thickness" of their auras acts as an unbreakable barrier.
This is a technique one obtains when they master Advanced Energy Manipulation—well, a variant of it.
The ability to manipulate one's energy to the extent of influencing its density is the peak of control. The simplest version of this is Hakuna's Atmospheric Burst, but this is different. Manipulating the density of one's energy can allow an individual the ability to be a source of outward pulling force or a source of inward pulling force. It can also allow one to shift their centre of gravity at any time during a fight, giving them more fluidity in their movements, or in the case of a low centre of gravity, an immovable, balanced fighting stance.
Today's sparring sessions are for observation and application, finding and pushing past the limits of this technique, Energy Density. It is a game of spiritual chess played at supersonic speeds.
The match continues…
Hakuna sends his right fist towards Super's face…
Super sends his left fist towards Hakuna's chest…
But something happens. As their fists are about to meet the 4mm threshold, Hakuna quickly increases his energy density even further, bending his elbow slightly inward to create a vacuum-like pocket.
This suddenly makes Super turn to his left unwillingly, his own momentum being sucked into Hakuna's altered density field.
"Huh?!" Super thought to himself frantically, his balance momentarily shattered.
As he then turns his head back towards Hakuna, trying to regain his footing…
Hakuna appears above him, eyes glowing with incandescent power, his silhouette blotting out the sun, ready to land his devastating— "Fist of Inferno!"
It lands…?
The explosion is massive, a dome of fire and kinetic energy that kicks up a mountain of dust, causing the duo to disappear entirely from view.
"Did he win?" Freddie asks, shielding his eyes from the glare.
Enzo responds, his voice barely a whisper, "I—I don't know. That hit looked like it could level the pavilion."
The dust settles slowly, revealed by the midday heat.
Super is seen standing in a crater, his energy flared to its absolute limit. He is holding Hakuna's blazing fist in his bare hand, the ground around his feet turned to glass from the heat. His clothes are singed, but he is upright.
"Well, that was close." he says, breathing heavily.
Both of them disperse their energy as the sparring match has concluded, the tension in the air evaporating instantly.
Hakuna, almost as if he was oblivious to Super's remark, pulls his hand back and looks at his palm. He then says, "Well, yeah, that's what I was able to figure out while I was training back home during the break, but that's only the beginning."
Super then speaks, shaking out his hand to cool it down, "…certainly had me fooled. I thought I had your timing down."
Hakuna, narrowing his eyes at his rival, mutters, "I really can't tell whether that's sarcasm or not. You always have that look on your face."
Super retorts, leaning back casually, "Relax, numnut, that trick worked. Almost. If I hadn't shifted my weight at the last second, I'd be at the clinic right now."
Hakuna retorts back, "Don't think I didn't see the shock on your face when you started spinning. You looked like a ballerina."
Super then voices, his tone sharpening, "That trick won't work on me twice, so how about I wipe that smug off your face in the next round?"
"Wow, what a sore loser you are, Super. Can't handle a little gravity shift?" Hakuna taunts the boy.
Super, already taking the bait and flaring a spark of energy, "You little—!"
Enzo suddenly yells out, stepping between them and waving his arms, "Okay, we get it, you both have big dicks!"
"Ehh?!" both Super and Hakuna exclaim in unison, their competitive fire replaced by pure confusion at Enzo's bluntness.
Enzo, his objective reached, then says, "Good, I have your attention. Now, did everyone capture that data?"
They all nod in agreement, Freddie holding up a recording device and Bodega pointing to the notes he'd been scribbling.
Enzo continues, "Right, let's all meet here next week with all of our findings. We need to figure out how to bypass that repulsion if an enemy uses it against us."
Hakuna is seen grabbing his backpack from the sidelines, the leather worn and dusty.
Super then says, looking at his calendar on his phone, "Set the date, No Way Home is coming out in December. We are not missing the premiere."
Hakuna replies, his mood lightening instantly, "I already set the outfit for that day! I'm going full Peter Parker, lab coat and all."
Freddie then says, looking a bit down, "Sorry guys, by December I'll be going to Cape Town to get my tertiary arrangements in order. I'll miss the premiere with you guys."
Hakuna responds, "Understandable, it is literally on the other side of the country."
Bodega chimes in, "Obviously I'm going. I've been waiting for the multiverse stuff since the first trailer."
Enzo mutters, looking at his phone with a bittersweet smile, "I…can't make the midnight showing."
Super, already aware of the situation, queries, "Girlfriend?"
Enzo replies, "Girlfriend."
Hakuna then comments, "You really are serious with this girl since you met her at the Matric Camps, huh? I've never seen you skip a Marvel movie."
Freddie chimes in, "Finding love in the midst of chaos, hmph, crazy. I didn't think the 'Enzo the Playboy' era would end so abruptly."
Enzo, with a hint of pride and a slight blush, voices, "Ey man, I just saw her and thought, 'I should speak with her…' and now look, your boy is cuffed. It happens to the best of us."
Super then asks, "So I'm guessing we'll be seeing her at the Farewell?"
Bodega interjects, "Actually, it turns out the Farewell won't be allowing people from other schools this year. The Department is still being strict due to Covid and stuff like that. Health protocols and all."
Enzo, who was unaware of the new memo, exclaimed, "Ahh, come on! I already bought a matching tie!"
Super then says, walking toward the gate, "Meh, makes no difference for me. I was probably going to go alone anyway."
Hakuna mutters, "Same. After everything that happened with Nolitha… I'm not really in the dating mood."
"Not going," Freddie mutters flatly.
Bodega questions, "You really hate fun, don't you, Freddie? It's our last big event!"
Super then says, a mischievous glint in his eye, "Plus, your girlfriend is going, Freddie. You can't let her go alone."
Hakuna jolts, dropping his water bottle, "Excuse me?! Freddie has a girlfriend? Since when?!"
Freddie screams, his face turning bright red, "Nothing! He's lying! I'm leaving!"
Hakuna then says, moving to intercept him, "No, no… Freddie, come back here. Tell me everything. Who is she?"
Freddie vanishes using a burst of speed, leaving only a trail of dust.
"Eh—" the prince mutters, looking at the empty space.
Super then sighs, shaking his head at the drama, "His girlfriend's one of the EXCOs. They've been talking since the demon attack. I think the trauma bonded them or something."
Hakuna comments, his jaw dropping, "Woah, that's uhh…that's an unlikely pairing. EXCOs are so... well, EXCOs, and Freddie is… well, Freddie."
Super responds, "Tell me about it. But hey, in this world, take what you can get."
The bell rings, echoing across the campus, signaling the end of the break.
Hakuna panics, looking at his crumpled timetable, "Shit, where am I going?! I lost track of time!"
Super replies flatly, already heading toward the main building, "Physics."
"Huh?" Hakuna voiced, wondering how Super knew his schedule better than he did.
Super, already knowing what he is thinking without looking back, then says, "Let's go, we share the same physics class this year, remember? Try to keep up, Prince."
"Oh, right, hehe. My brain is still in 'sparring mode'," Hakuna says, catching up.
Hakuna and Super are seen walking to class through the corridors of Milner, which are finally starting to look like a school again rather than a battlefield.
Super then mentions, "For someone who wouldn't stop talking about their girlfriend every five minutes last term, you're awfully quiet about Nolitha these days."
Hakuna replies, looking out the window at the rebuilt pavilion, "I guess you could say that I'm more at peace with her death now. I realized that holding onto the grief was just another way of letting Sparta win. I have to live for the both of us."
"Hmm, eh… is that—?" Super mutters, stopping in his tracks.
Steven is seen walking to his next class as well, a stack of books in his arms, looking like the model student he once pretended to be.
"Hmm? Yeah, that's him. The 'Philosopher' himself," Hakuna responds, his voice devoid of the rage it once held, replaced by a cold, watchful neutrality.
Super then speaks, his hand twitching toward his pocket, "Huh… I would've thought they'd expel him or something. He literally tried to merge the world with a demon realm."
Hakuna then explains, "The school board and the DDF concluded the whole incident as a mass demonic possession after gathering everyone's statements. Since no one could prove he was the 'architect' and not just another victim, I'm guessing it was a 2-week suspension and mandatory counseling."
"Must be nice. To almost destroy the world and just get a slap on the wrist," Super says flatly.
"Oh, the sarcasm!" Hakuna voices dramatically, trying to lighten the mood.
Super then retorts, "Shut up before we get late and Mrs. Matthews gives us detention."
The boys then go about their day normally, blending in with the hundreds of other students who have no idea how close they came to non-existence.
Meanwhile…
…In another Universe…
A man seeming to be an older version of Freddie—scarred, wearing a tattered tactical vest, and carrying a weapon that hums with unstable Nzilo—is seen appearing in a flash of blue light. He stands in front of a slightly varied Letebele Palace. This one is made of obsidian and gold, floating above a sea of clouds.
"Brbrbrbr… he lived in a place like this…?! Damn!" He says, checking a device on his wrist.
An aged version of Hakuna, with a beard streaked with grey and eyes that have seen the death of galaxies, appears behind him silently. He holds a cane that pulses with a dark, ancient light.
He then says, his voice like grinding stone, "And who might you be?"
The one similar to Freddie, hoping to have been undetected, freezes. He slowly looks over his shoulder and mutters, "Ahh shit."
Fade out…
End of Episode 64…