Chapter 62 - "Then I'm a fake," ~ Samael Fisk
The crimson atmosphere of the Null Void stretched endlessly around us, floating islands and debris scattered across the dimensional expanse.
My Ultimate Human form's enhanced senses detected subtle shifts in the environment - currents in the void's energy and distant movements that might be creatures or the dimension itself.
Vilgax moved with surprising efficiency for someone missing an arm. His cybernetic systems had already sealed the wound, though occasional drops of green blood still marked our path.
"The dimensional disturbances altered this region," he stated, his voice carrying that familiar blend of arrogance and tactical precision.
"What was once a stable sector is now unpredictable."
My evolved mind cataloged every detail of our surroundings, threat assessment protocols running constantly.
"Unpredictable how?" I asked, my deepened voice carrying across the void.
Vilgax paused at the edge of a floating platform, his cybernetic eye scanning the distance. "The energy that nearly destroyed my universe - your energy - it affected the Null Void differently. Here, reality was already flexible."
"And now?"
"Now certain areas have become living nightmares," he replied, gesturing toward a distant section where the crimson atmosphere swirled darker.
"Spaces where the laws of physics change without warning, where time itself fractures. Even the Null Void's native predators avoid those zones."
I studied the darkened region, my vision detecting subtle energy patterns that pulsed like diseased veins. "And your technology cache? Let me guess - it's right on the edge of one of these zones."
Vilgax's expression shifted slightly - surprise, perhaps, at my quick assessment. "Indeed. The dimensional shifts have created barriers.
The most direct path would take us through a changed sector."
"Which is why you needed me," I concluded. "Not just for the Ultimatrix, but because you've been unable to reach your own technology."
He didn't confirm this verbally, but his slight posture change told me everything.
My evolved mind read his micro-expressions like an open book - frustration, calculation, and something else... concern? From Vilgax?
"The changed sectors don't respond to conventional navigation," he finally admitted. "My previous attempts resulted in complications."
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for elaboration.
"Time dilation," he explained reluctantly. "What felt like minutes inside became weeks outside.
Spatial loops that returned me to my starting point despite traveling in a straight line. And entities..." he paused, his cybernetic eye darkening slightly, "entities that shouldn't exist even in the Null Void."
As we continued our journey across floating platforms, Vilgax observed me with calculated interest.
"Tell me, Sam," he began, using the name he'd heard Emma call out as we were pulled into the void. "Your Ultimatrix - you use it for heroics, like Tennyson?"
The question caught me slightly off guard. "Yes. To protect people, to help where I can."
Vilgax made a sound that might have been a scoff. "Another wielder of cosmic power, squandering it on trivial acts of so-called heroism."
"There's nothing trivial about saving lives," I countered, easily leaping across a gap between platforms.
"Lives that will end regardless, merely delayed by your intervention," Vilgax replied.
"Meanwhile, the systems that create suffering remain untouched. Inefficient. Wasteful."
I glanced at him, noting the calculation behind his words. "And your alternative would be?"
"Meaningful change," he stated flatly. "Order imposed where chaos reigns. Protection on a scale your current efforts cannot achieve."
"Through conquest," I added for him.
"Through necessary restructuring," he corrected. "Every planet I've conquered now exists without the internal conflicts that once tore them apart.
Resources distributed efficiently, populations protected from external threats."
"Protected?" I challenged. "Or subjugated?"
"Is there a meaningful difference when the outcome is survival?" he countered. "Your universe most likely as well faces threats beyond your imagination.
I've seen civilizations far more advanced than Earth's fall to cosmic predators. Without unified leadership, your world will eventually meet the same fate."
We reached another platform, this one larger than the others. Vilgax paused, seemingly considering his next words carefully.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.
"The Ultimatrix grants you power that rivals cosmic entities," he continued. "Yet you use it merely to protect a single planet, fighting symptoms rather than causes."
"And you believe conquest is the answer?" I asked, skepticism clear in my voice.
"I believe in transformation guided by vision," he replied.
"With your abilities and my strategic experience, entire galaxies could be reshaped. Order imposed where chaos reigns."
I laughed, the sound echoing strangely in the Null Void's atmosphere. "Are you actually offering me a partnership? 'Join me and we can rule the universe together'?
That's a bit cliché, even for you."
Vilgax's expression hardened. "Mock if you wish, but what exactly is your objection to conquest?
What moral principle does Tennyson invoke that justifies allowing suffering to continue when it could be ended through decisive action?"
The question struck me as genuine, despite coming from a being known across multiple worlds as a tyrant.
It was as if he truly couldn't comprehend the ethical objection to his methods.
"Freedom," I stated simply. "Self-determination. The right of people to choose their own path, even if that path includes mistakes."
"Freedom to starve? To die in pointless conflicts? To suffer under corrupt leadership?" Vilgax challenged. "These are the 'rights' you and Tennyson protect so zealously?"
We continued moving, the conversation pausing as we navigated a particularly unstable section of the void.
When we resumed our path, I decided to probe his reasoning further.
"Systems should be changed by those who live within them," I replied. "Not imposed from above by those who think they know better."
"A convenient philosophy that absolves you of greater responsibility," Vilgax observed.
"Tell me, if you could end all suffering on your Earth with a single transformation, would you refuse on principle?
Would your moral stance comfort the millions who continue to suffer while you respect their 'system'?"
"Greater responsibility?" I questioned, genuine curiosity in my voice. "Why is it my greater responsibility to be some universal savior?
Yes, I want to help people - that's not in question.
But the moment I impose my vision, no matter how intelligent, no matter how perfect the society I create might seem, people would still find faults in it."
I paused, gathering my thoughts. "Be it envy, hatred, their own evil tendencies, or simple rebellion - they would eventually rise against it, causing another wave of violence.
Why should I place such a burden on myself? Why should I have to deal with the evil of the universe in a way so direct that I sacrifice my own peace of mind?"
Vilgax's eyes narrowed. "Because you have the power to do so. Because you could end suffering on a scale no individual effort ever could."
"I may wish to help," I continued, "but I am not a martyr. I won't sacrifice my existence for a universe that would ultimately reject the very salvation I offered."
"Then you are not a hero," Vilgax stated coldly.
"Merely a selfish pretender who wishes to bask in adoration rather than make the true sacrifice leadership requires.
You wear the mantle of heroism without accepting its ultimate cost."
I considered his words for a moment before responding. "Then I'm a fake," I admitted with a shrug.
"I'll clean up my own messes. I'll save people when I can.
But I won't sacrifice my own happiness for others when they themselves would not appreciate it - when they would eventually come to resent the very changes made for their benefit."
Vilgax studied me with what might have been newfound interest. "An unexpected admission. Most who style themselves heroes would deny such accusations vehemently."
"I'm not interested in labels," I replied. "Hero, villain, savior, conqueror - they're just words. What matters are actions and their consequences."
We were approaching the boundary of the changed sector now, the air shimmering like heat waves, but cold - so cold it burned.
My Ultimate Human form adapted instantly, skin thickening, metabolism adjusting to maintain core temperature.
"We should proceed with caution," Vilgax stated, his cybernetic eye scanning the boundary. "The changed sectors have been known to react to intruders."
------------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the Chapter!
Do tell me how you found the discussion. I found it high time to explain why Samael isn't just using Brainstorm or Graymatter to take over the earth -
cause believe me, with those aliens, and his own already immense intelligence as peak human, he will be able to convince the Ultimates to rule.
Tony already was on the path - kinda, with Ultron after all.
Do tell me how you found his reasoning.
If - if Samael was real, would you have wished for him to rule the world and create an Utopia with no disease, hunger, crime, evil, etc.
The price being you follow his laws - that he with his aliens intelligence knows are the perfect ones for such an Utopia?
I'm interested to read your answers.
So yeah, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)