Between two planets suspended in the void, golden bolts of divine lightning suddenly streaked through space, illuminating the dark expanse. A massive figure, radiating with an aura of opulent gold, emerged from the rift in reality.
He was the Living Tribunal, summoned by the command of TOAA. Despite all the time he had spent in service to the One Above All, he still could not fathom the intentions of this supreme cosmic entity. To him, TOAA often resembled a machine—an omnipotent being who followed its own commands with robotic precision. Surely, with TOAA's power, eradicating the Beyonders—those who defied and surpassed even the Elder Gods—would be trivial.
Yet, TOAA rarely acted directly, and even when he did, it was only under very particular circumstances. The only recent exception was his unusual behavior regarding a human from Earth—Garus.
Among all the gods across the multiverse, only the Living Tribunal truly understood that TOAA existed as more than just a vague universal will. To others, TOAA was unknowable—a divine concept rather than a being.
But dwelling on TOAA's nature was fruitless. The Tribunal turned his focus to the present crisis. If TOAA's words were to be believed, someone would come to aid in this calamity. And he knew who was behind it: the Beyonders, the same race that had annihilated the previous Living Tribunal.
Snapping back to reality, the Tribunal faced the two Earths drifting closer and closer to collision. Channeling his might, he conjured a barrier of golden energy, stretching out before him, halting the planetary convergence.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Is this all TOAA, the so-called Supreme Being of the Omniverse, can do? Sending you to die in his stead? I wouldn't mind killing his proxy again."
Rifts began tearing open in the space surrounding him, each crack birthing another godlike entity. Dozens emerged—Beyonders—encircling the Tribunal like a closing net.
"I didn't come here to die," he replied coolly.
With a wave of his hand, the Tribunal summoned reinforcements. Death, Infinity, Galactus, and Oblivion appeared beside him, surrounding the invaders in turn.
"Is that all?" sneered the leader of the Beyonders, glancing around, unimpressed. "No Molecule Man? You know we aren't from this universe. Your laws hold no power over us."
"Don't be so sure. I don't waste effort on hopeless battles."
The Tribunal spoke cryptically. Under his guidance, the powers of the assembled cosmic entities fused into a unified force. Together, they temporarily froze a portion of space, attempting to mend the multiversal wounds inflicted by the Beyonders—and to obstruct whatever plan they had set in motion.
"Garus, are you alright?"
Inside the floating base high above the Earth, Dr. Wim watched with concern as Garus leaned against the wall, clutching his head. This was unlike him—the Garus he knew was indomitable.
Despite Wim's soft calls, Garus didn't respond.
His consciousness had been pulled into an unfamiliar realm, surrounded by a sea of mist. Within the fog, a hazy figure emerged.
"You're here, kid."
The voice felt oddly familiar, as if the speaker had known him for years. Could this be the one who brought him here? But who was he? Even with his current level of spiritual power—on par with the Old Gods of Azeroth—he had failed to sense or resist the transition.
"Who are you? Where is this? Why did you bring me here?"
"So many questions," the figure chuckled. "But I'll start with this—I was the one who pulled you from Azeroth into this world…"
Before he could finish, Garus interrupted.
"You're the system! It's been ages since I heard your voice."
He remembered the mysterious "system" that had once guided him with missions—something that had been silent for so long, he'd nearly forgotten it existed.
"System? What are you talking about?"
But the man looked genuinely puzzled.
So… it wasn't him?
"My name is TOAA—The One Above All. I am the supreme being of this Multiversal Omniverse. I brought you here from another reality because I need your help. This universe is on the brink of destruction. The Beyonders seeks to reset everything. And in this world… you have friends worth fighting for, don't you?"
Garus frowned. It felt like a trap—but TOAA wasn't lying. He couldn't abandon his friends to perish in a collapsing universe.
"There are others more powerful than me—stronger than I could ever be. You, the Tribunal… why not them?"
"You're wrong," TOAA replied. "You're not part of this universe. That makes you the perfect countermeasure. Much of their power doesn't affect you. Why else do you think I went to such lengths to bring you here?"
He waved his hand. A massive display appeared before Garus, filled with countless orbs—universes—each surrounded by drifting microcosmic bubbles.
"This is the Omniverse."
The vision zoomed in. Within one sphere were layers upon layers of stars and worlds, nesting endlessly like cosmic matryoshka dolls.
"I oversee every world in this Omniverse. But the Beyonders are from outside it. By the laws that govern me, I cannot act against them directly, even as they unravel reality. That's why I use the Living Tribunal as my proxy—but even with the Heart of the Universe, he can't stop them."
Though TOAA's tone remained calm, Garus could feel the weight of frustration behind the words—like a god trapped by his own design.
"When you crossed dimensions, I saw you. I pulled you here. And as a reward for your help…"
A glowing object flew into Garus' hand—gleaming like a gem, pulsating with limitless potential.
"…I grant you the Heart of the Universe. It will give you partial access to this world's underlying authority."
He stared at it, stunned. The Heart of the Universe—the supreme artifact. In his grasp.
"But it won't activate until you've dealt with the Beyonders."
"Wait—what? Why can't I use it now? Hey! Don't just disappear—!"
"Mr. Garus? Who are you yelling at?"
Dr. Wim had backed off nervously, watching Garus with a mix of concern and confusion.
"You… might need some rest," Wim added tentatively.
Garus blinked and found himself back in the command center of the floating base. The strange dimension was gone. He looked down and realized he was still holding something—a glowing object, crystalline in form.
This was the Heart of the Universe.
Moments ago, he hadn't been able to perceive its form. But now, perhaps because it had accepted him, it was tangible.
Still, he couldn't use it yet.
That system... what was it really? Why had it disappeared all those years ago?
And why had it been watching him to begin with?
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON