God Of The Omniverse

"Argh, my head… Where am I? The hospital?"

Dmitri's eyes slowly started to open, but he kept them squinted when a brilliant light suddenly shone upon him, making him wonder where he was. As he thought back on his final moments, he reasoned that the hospital was the only logical location. He remained confused until something very significant during this recollection widened his eyes.

"Arias!!"

He suddenly sat up, eyes wide, scanning the area feverishly as though all his tiredness had left him. He discovered that he was actually in an enclosed apartment and not a hospital. He questioned his whereabouts and the whereabouts of his friend because the apartment wasn't overly luxurious nor too low class.

"You're finally awake. Good. We couldn't afford to linger around much longer."

Dmitri was searching the area for answers when Arias emerged from the bathroom door, wrapped in a towel, his exposed upper body still covered in water droplets, indicating that he had just taken a shower.

"Arias… you're okay. But how? That fall—we should be dead or in critical condition, at the very least. What happened?"

Dmitri, whose mind was always working, wanted to know everything that had transpired before this point. He was still perplexed by numerous issues. One moment they were being chased down by the mafia and police alike, about to meet their fates, and the next he wakes up in a modest apartment with his friend casually walking out of the shower as if everything was nice and peachy.

"Wait… why am I on the floor, and what happened to the bed?" Dmitri was even more perplexed when he saw what appeared to be a bed-like structure that was partially charred and melted.

Arias didn't respond right away; instead, he started to clean himself up while he spoke.

"We're in my apartment. The bed would be your handiwork, Dmitri. It seems you and I had powers awaken during our accident. Whether this happened before or after, I'm unsure, but it's the only possible explanation for why we aren't completely dead."

Arias fabricated the lie clearly and freely, and because of the way he spoke and behaved, it was challenging to discern the truth from the lies. Dmitri was an ally, but there was no guarantee that he would always remain one. After almost dying due to betrayal, Arias considered it unwise to place blind faith in anyone. He wasn't about to reveal the details of his encounter with the so-called infinity to anyone.

"[What you said should sound believable to this life form. Having been caught up in the space during our merging, he also experienced a reconstruction. Although inferior to you, his physiology is definitely superior to others of the same race. His ability merely stemmed from the 'gene,' as you call it, that your entire race possesses. A reconstruction of the body must activate it from its dormant nature, making your lie even more plausible.]"

While Arias wiped his hair, a soft voice in his head made a remark.

'You need not break down my thought process; I thought you said you'd only observe?' Arias wondered in his head. Although he felt relieved to have a new life, he found it extremely difficult to adjust to the voice that constantly appeared in his thoughts at odd times.

His interactions with the infinity had so far revealed that it was intrigued by the physical world and was picking things up at a startling rate, understanding concepts almost instantly. It was undoubtedly his greatest asset, but it was also his greatest weakness, as he believed he had nothing to hide.

"[If it makes our coexistence more favorable, then I will isolate my thoughts to myself and keep away from yours. I'll only inquire should it be truly necessary. You may ask me for something at any time, Arias—simply call our true name.]"

When Arias discovered that it had responded in a saddened tone rather than the monotone one it had been utilizing up to that point, he furrowed his brows.

'It's developing emotions? Well, at least my mind suddenly feels like my own again. What does it mean by 'our name'? Abyss?'

"[Yes, Arias? Is there something wrong?]"

'No, just... never mind. Feel free to call me as well if anything comes up.'

"[I will do so... thank you.]"

In its feminine voice, the infinity reacted with relief and joy. Arias needed it to be content with him as a vessel, despite how unnerving he found it to be. For all he knew, he could be replaced. Being accommodating was required until he had more information about his present self.

Within a little period of time, Arias finished talking and returned to the inquiring Dmitri.

"So, what are our abilities?" Dmitri asked while inspecting his own body in confusion.

"Well, as far as I can tell, we both have superhuman bodies. Greater fortitude, improved senses, accelerated healing, and so on. As for unique abilities, you melted this bed simply by coming into contact with it. The strange thing is that your clothes didn't melt as well, so I'm not sure… a form of pyrokinesis, I think."

Arias gazed at the bed with a doubtful expression; he wasn't lying when he said that he didn't truly know what Dmitri's awakened abilities were.

When Dmitri stared at his own hand and extended it, a fist-sized flame appeared in his palm.

"So warm. How about you? What's your unique power?" Dmitri excitedly inquired, but Arias simply shrugged.

"Either it has yet to manifest, or I don't have one. Also, could you not experiment in here before you burn anything else?" Arias sighed as Dmitri got to his feet and started getting dressed.

"This is great! We not only survived, but we have superpowers! Do you know what this means, Arias?" Arias responded to Dmitri's fervent question with a raised eyebrow that seemed to ask, "What, Dmitri?"

"It means you and I can survive on our own. We don't have to run away from my father, the Valentines, or the police. We can't be pushed around anymore. Just like we wished when we were kids, we could be free to do whatever we like!" Dmitri exclaimed, intoxicated by the meager exhibition of strength he witnessed.

However, Arias quickly shook his head, puncturing Dmitri's delusion.

"Don't be stupid. If it were that easy to become successful with superpowers, then Gotham would be an even bigger hellhole than it already is. If you act carelessly now, then you're just going to end up in Arkham."

Dmitri bowed his head, realizing that superheroes existed and that many villains with abilities similar to his had not been able to live as freely as he had claimed.

"There's no shortcut to freedom, Dmitri. Just to get where we are, how much have you and I lost? How much have we suffered? I'm not sure what freedom you seek, but personally, I'm tired of being at the bottom. I'm aiming for the very top."

Arias finished dressing and remarked gravely, tossing his towel aside. At Arias's remarks, Dmitri's glum expression changed into a smile.

"And you call me unrealistic… But what the hell, if today has taught me anything, it's that anything is possible. I don't know how you plan on reaching the top, and I don't really care, but as your best friend, it's my job to help you do it. So count me in."

Arias returned Dmitri's smile with a nod of approval.

"Your ability to dive headfirst into preposterous ideas never ceases to amaze me. I look forward to what you and I will accomplish."