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Rayden, Lord of Thunder and Protector of Earth Realm lazed amongst the tall, sweet-smelling grass of his refuge, sighing contentedly. His wife Hiko, Goddess of Fire, was taking care of their daughter Hichan, Goddess of Lightning.
Thinking of Hichan brought his mind back to the deceased Goddess of Stars, Nova, who was also his daughter. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat as tears welled up in his eyes. Brushing them away, Rayden turned his mind to other things.
He thought of anything--of the Omniversal Hall with its many rooms, then about Jikan Tai's statement that there were other Omniverses. Most of the other immortals did not believe in them, but Rayden did. Jikan Tai had shown, no, pushed him into one.
He was puzzled as to why it was so hard to enter them without help from the Guardian of Time, and was even more puzzled as to why the Creator did not tell them about it.
I'm free anyway, Rayden thought, so why not give Jikan a surprise? With a simple mental command, he created a portal--sizzling blue-white with energy--and stepped into it.
* * *
The Guardian of Time was in the Woods Between Worlds--as he had named
it--training in unarmed combat. He had long ago realized the importance of perfecting
the only defense one had without powers or weapons.
A slight rip in space-time behind him alerted him to an immortal arriving. He could recognize by the blue-white crackle around the portal that it was Lord Rayden. Even if he didn't, only Rayden had been granted the right to enter his place by him.
The white-haired god stepped out, and grinned at his friend. "Jikan! I have a few questions!"
The Guardian gave a small frown at 'Jikan,' then smiled in amusement. "I would have thought you came to see me."
Rayden chuckled. "That too." He settled himself against a tree, then started. "You know this thing about other Omniverses?" Jikan Tai nodded. "I was thinking: why can't we immortals enter other worlds by our own? I mean, it's easy here, and through you, but why not by ourselves?"
Jikan Tai laughed. "Trying to be scientist, Rayden?"
The God of Thunder laughed as well. He had insisted Jikan not call him 'Lord.' "Just wondering. Go on."
"Imagine this Earth--not Earth Realm--as a huge house, divided into many rooms. But each room contains no doors, no windows. Nothing. Each is cut off from the other by four walls.
That, is what the Earth is--filled with an infinite number of Omniverses, which in turn are filled with realms. The different realms are easy to travel to, considering we have powers and are able to break through the barriers separating them, because they are simple. The different Omniverses exists on a higher level, and that's why it takes a higher power to travel."
"What about here?" Rayden inquired, intrigued. "What's the difference?"
"Now imagine that the house has no roof, but a ledge is fixed above it. From that position, one can see all the rooms in the house. If you want to enter a room and return, you climb down with a ladder and climb back up. It's the same with the Woods, just that we use powers."
"What about the mortals?"
Jikan Tai gave a snort of laughter. "You sure are curious today." Then seeing Rayden's enthusiasm, he continued. "I once heard a talk on this. Mortals are lesser beings, and thus have no powers to take them even into another realm.
They have some speculation on how to tear the fabric of space-time apart, but the energy needed for them to o it is still beyond their capacity. Some others have entered realms even we don't know, like when they dream."
Jikan Tai turned a little serious. "Speaking of mortals, I sure hope that you immortals are going to treat them with more respect. I've been observing them for a long time. Although the abilities of their bodies are limited, their minds are powerful. A lot more powerful than they can imagine, than even we can imagine."
"Yes," Rayden concurred. "I know that." His brow wrinkled in thought. "But why does Shao Kahn only attacks my realm?"
"It may be that other realms are not in contact with Outworld or are further away. Earth Realm and Outworld lays side by side, so that it is easy for Shao Kahn to gain access to your realm."
Rayden stood up and brushed the leaves off his robe. "Thanks Jikan. I've gained new insight on this. And I better get back before Hichan wakes up and makes a fuss."
"See you, Rayden." The Guardian returned to his training.
* * *
"Rayden!" Hiko called out. "Where in the Creator's name are you?"
"I'm here, Hiko." Rayden stepped out of the portal to see his beautiful wife.
"Hichan woke up and asked for you to tell her a story." She placed her hands on her shapely hips. "Where were you?"
Rayden grinned and walked off to his daughter. "Learning the worlds."
End