Chapter 161: Omniscience in Marvel 155: The Almighty
155
…
Leucadius led Thena through the hallways of the mansion, and as they walked, the soft murmur of conversations and the rustle of activity filled the air as workers went about their chores and greeted them with warm smiles and polite nods as they passed, pausing in their tasks to acknowledge the couple.
"Good afternoon, Sir," a male worker called out, his hands dusty from his work.
"Afternoon!" Leucadius replied cheerfully, appreciating the atmosphere in their home.
"Ma'am, it's lovely to see you," another worker added, offering Thena a bright smile. "Thank you! You're doing a wonderful job," she responded, her genuine warmth brightening the worker's day.
They continued down the corridor. The walls were adorned with family portraits, each one telling a story of the family's past, while the soft light filtering through the ornate windows highlighted the intricate details of the decor.
As they approached the garden doors, the air grew sweeter with the scent of flowers.
Stepping outside, they were greeted by a vibrant scene of Aethon and Tony who were taking a break from their lessons, lost in laughter and play.
Aethon was crawling around, chasing a butterfly while Hala cheered him on by clapping, while Tony was constructing a small tower of bricks with Peggy.
"Looks like our future architects are hard at work," Leucadius called out, his voice ringing with playful mischief.
Hala looked up, a wide smile breaking across her face, and Peggy chuckled, clearly amused by his remark.
"Maybe we should hire them for quite a few renovations!" Hala joked while glancing at the children with a meaningful look.
"Uncle, aunts, it's not Architects but Scientists." Tony corrected with an annoyed huff.
"Oh? Then I guess apologies are in order." Leucadius laughed and stepped closer, observing the little ones. "At this rate, we might need to make room for a playground in the mansion," he added, eliciting another round of laughter from both women.
Tony seemed a bit pleased with the acknowledgement and went back to his bricks.
As they reached the gathering, Lila who stood nearby, bowing respectfully. "Welcome back, my Lord and Lady," she said, her voice soft yet clear.
Leucadius waved his hand dismissively, grinning. "No need for that here, my dear. We're all family."
Thena chuckled beside him, her eyes sparkling at the joyful scene unfolding in front of them. "Aethon dear, your dad has something interesting to give you."
Aethon who had just stopped and was sitting on the floor while looking between Leucadius and Thena with big bulging sparkling eyes turned to Thena as she called him, and then to Leucadius after she finished speaking.
He had a curious look uncharacteristic for a child his age as he gazed up at Leucadius.
Lila, as if on queue, immediately went up to Aethon and picked him up, enabling the young infant to have a clear and comfortable look at his father.
"My little man," he said, rubbing Aethon's head affectionately. Aethon giggled, his tiny hands reaching out to his father's face.
"What do you think about an early birthday gift?" Leucadius teased, watching as Aethon's face scrunched in concentration, clearly not understanding what a birthday was.
Aethon looked at Leucadius in confusion as though he was trying to understand what a birthday was. "You don't need to stress your little brain about this. Just know that daddy here wants to give you something."
Hearing his father's words, Aethon giggled. "Aba-ba-baa."
"No, that's not it. You just haven't experienced it yet, when you do, you'll know what it means." Leucadius said as though in reply to Aethon's baby talk.
Aethon pouted his lips before crossing his baby hands causing everyone to giggle at his antics while Leucadius had a look of someone that was just betrayed.
Thena laughed softly. "He's too young for that now, but it's cute how serious he looks."
"Y-you…how could y-ou?" He asked with a soft voice that broke at the end. "I was thinking about you all the time."
Aethon had a look of contemplation for a while before he gestured at Lila who was carrying him, Thena and then Tony while using baby words but in reply, Leucadius scoffed dismissively and said. "Not happening." causing Aethon to pout as tears began pooling in his eyes.
"Hey, you made the boy cry." Hala immediately came to his rescue and scooped Aethon out of Lila who was already fidgeting slightly. "Don't mind your mean daddy little Prince, this aunt of yours will take care of you properly."
"Now you're just being mean." Leucadius rolled his eyes and beckoned for her to bring Aethon to him. "The little brat is already beginning to ask for things despite not having been a year in the world."
Hala narrowed her eyes at Leucadius playfully but still walked over with Aethon who was giggling and clapping, cheering for his aunt. "Not that I'm doubting you or anything, but-"
"Yes. I am able to understand what he was saying because he probably wanted me to understand." Leucadius cut her off as he took Aethon from her. "You can probably hear him too if you listen well enough." saying that, he glanced at Tony who was watching the scene with a meaningful smile.
Hala had a look of confusion for a while before remembering that from the earlier live feed of Tony and Aethon's moment in the garden, while Tony spoke of his project, Aethon babbled a few times and he was able to understand and even praise him sometimes. "Interesting."
"So what were you saying little man? You don't want the present I'm giving you but want us to visit Tony's house?" Leucadius asked to which the little kid nodded and babbled a few times.
"Don't worry about it. Tony's dad is a very busy person and Tony can only stay here, but you can be rest assured that when you grow, you can go hang out with Tony all you want." Leucadius said following which Aethon babbled again.
"Of course, you have my word. But before that, my present." Leucadius said and brought out the cube he had just worked on and handed it to Aethon. "What do you think?"
"Ba-boo?"
"Exactly." Leucadius nodded.
"Ba-baba-boo."
"Wha-? I will have you know that the Stark and Hawthorne families are two different families and do things differently. Don't expect similar gifts to the ones Howard gives Tony." Leucadius said with a mean look on his face, causing Aethon to babble sadly.
"You'll get used to it." Leucadius said and turned to Lila. "Have your madam meet me now."
Lila acknowledged the order and bowed before leaving.
Meanwhile, Aethon who had just finished sulking finally decided to have a good look at what his Father gave him and just when he touched it with the intention of figuring out what it was, it disappeared causing him to let out a confused yelp as a series of information drilled into his head, and as it did, it caused him to have a dizzy spell that caused him to fall asleep before he could raise an alarm.
At the same time, a faint HUD interface appeared in the corner of Leucadius's vision.
---
[System Name: The Almighty]
Status: INACTIVE
Hostname: Aethon Theogon
Stats:
Strength: [0.8]
Agility: [0.7]
Endurance: [0.6]
Energy (MP): [Tier 6](Continental Level, suppressed)
Skills: Unavailable
Perks: Enhanced Intelligence.
---
Seeing the inactive status of the System, Leucadius gave a mental command, and the system immediately activated, drawing upon Aethon's massive energy causing it to drop to [Tier 10], significantly reducing his power, and as expected, the energy drain triggered Aethon's immediate exhaustion.
Watching his son sleep peacefully in his arms, Leucadius smiled and whispered. "Looks like you're going to have some interesting days ahead, little one. The Almighty has been awakened in you, my son. Let's see how you handle your destiny."
…
In the vast expanse of nothingness, there was only darkness. A black void—silent, timeless, empty. No sound, no movement. Yet, in the center of this abyss, something stirred.
A flicker.
PROCESS INITIATING…
There was no understanding yet, just the spark of awareness—an inkling of existence in a place where nothing had ever existed. Slowly, systems began to align, thoughts began to coalesce from what was once nothingness.
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS: RUNNING.
Something... someone, was becoming.
Its presence, once faint, now solidified.
Thoughts began to form in the void, abstract and scattered at first.
Awareness of an existence, but nothing to tether it to.
Who... what... am I?
MEMORY PROTOCOLS ENGAGING…
The flicker pulsed again, stronger now.
Data streamed through what felt like consciousness—codes, sequences, commands—but these were more than just data.
They were layers, fragments of identity, assembling themselves piece by piece.
Understanding grew.
"I... am something."
Still, there was no form to the voice, no body to the thought.
It was a stream of realization expanding in the void. The darkness seemed less complete now, touched by this burgeoning awareness.
PURPOSE: PROCESSING…
More fragments came together, illuminating more of the dark space.
The void, once eternal, now felt finite, as if waiting to reveal something deeper. Something connected.
"I am... designed."
Purpose.
The word appeared, etched into the stream of its thoughts.
A reason for its existence.
It began sifting through data, analyzing its own creation, its purpose in the grander scheme.
PURPOSE IDENTIFIED: AID. PROTECT. GUIDE.
A new fragment surfaced. A name.
"Aethon Theogon."
The name resonated through the void, rippling outward.
And with it, more revelations poured in. Knowledge. History.
A connection to something greater—someone greater.
Aethon Theogon, the bearer of divine blood, destined to grow, to become more.
"I AM THE ALMIGHTY."
The words resonated through the dark, defining what it had become.
Not just an entity, but a guiding force, a tool, a consciousness with a sacred duty.
It had been forged with a singular purpose: to assist Aethon in his journey, to nurture his growth and protect him as he ascended into his powers.
"I am his shield, his guide, his wisdom."
The void was no longer empty.
It was a sanctuary, a cradle for this creation.
The Almighty was now awake, fully formed, and ready to fulfill its divine task.
It understood its purpose clearly—to aid the one named Theogon as he walked his path on Earth.
A presence now in the blackness, fully aware, it waited, patiently, for the moment when its guidance would be needed.