Campione World
Somewhere among the ruins of old Europe…
A girl with snow-white hair and pale, almost glowing skin sat on top of a stone coffin. Her face showed a mix of confusion and curiosity. On her head, she wore a knitted cap with two pairs of shapes that looked like cat ears.
When she first heard the strange voice asking her to join a "chat group," she froze in surprise. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she eventually accepted the invitation.
Suddenly, a glowing screen appeared right in front of her, shocking her so badly that she summoned her scythe right away, thinking it was an enemy ambush. But nothing attacked her. The screen only showed a bunch of messages scrolling by. Slowly, she relaxed and took a closer look.
As she studied the screen, she began to understand more about the "chat group" and the people inside it.
After some time, she decided to say something and test the waters.
Heretic Goddess: "Greetings. So, everyone here is from different worlds across the multiverse?"
Raiden: "Oh! The newbie speaks! Yep, that's right—different worlds, different universes. Crazy, huh?"
Heretic Goddess: "I see. But wouldn't that make this some sort of parallel worlds situation?"
Huaizhu: "Parallel worlds? What do you mean?"
Seitenshi: "I think it counts?"
Artemis: "I don't think it's the same as parallel worlds."
Athena: "Goddess of the Moon? Could you be… Artemis?"
Artemis: "Huh? I didn't even say my name yet! You already know me? I must be really popular in other worlds!"
Heretic Goddess: "Well… of course! You're Artemis—the Goddess of the Hunt, Nature, Healing, and the Moon. One of the Three Virgin Goddesses, just like me and Hestia. How could I not recognize you?"
Seitenshi: "Wait—Three Virgin Goddesses?! So that means… you're Athena?!"
Athena: "Indeed. Whether I'm called Athena, Medusa, or Metis… they're all parts of me."
Seitenshi: "Whaaat?! That doesn't make sense! Athena and Medusa being the same person? That's not how the myths go!"
Seitenshi was visibly shaken. In the myths she knew, Athena and Medusa were bitter enemies. How could they be one and the same?
Artemis: "Athena? Never heard of her!"
Athena: "...What?"
Athena, still seated on the coffin, blinked in confusion. The group chat suddenly became very awkward.
Raiden: "Okaaay, this is getting messy! Maybe Rin Yuki should explain it. @Nearly Omnipotent"
Huaizhu: "Yeah, yeah! Our walking encyclopedia, come help us out! @Nearly Omnipotent"
Seitenshi: "@Nearly Omnipotent"
Artemis: "@Nearly Omnipotent"
Athena watched all the messages tagging someone called "Nearly Omnipotent." Her curiosity grew.
Who is this guy? Why are they all looking to him like he has the answers to everything?
She stayed quiet and kept reading.
Rin Yuki: "Here, here! Alright, listen up—'parallel worlds' and the 'multiverse' are not the same!"
Rin Yuki: "Parallel worlds are like different branches of the same tree. They're part of the same system, just split paths. But the multiverse? That's way bigger. Each world is its own tree—its own rules, stories, gods, and realities. Like Artemis' world, or yours, or Seitenshi's."
After reading Yuki's explanation, Athena finally understood.
Athena: "Ah… so the Artemis in this chat and the Artemis I know from my world aren't the same person."
Rin Yuki: "Exactly. Same names, but completely different beings. Just like you—you might be a goddess in one world, but something else entirely in another."
Athena: "Yes, I see that now."
Athena took a moment to skim through the Greek mythology files Seitenshi had sent earlier. She noticed how different the stories were from the ones in her own world.
Athena: "It's strange… In Artemis' world, even the Greek gods are mechanical machines."
Artemis: "Mhm! But we won't stay that way forever. We're working on getting real bodies soon!"
Raiden Ei: "Now that everything's cleared up, let's do some proper introductions! I'm Baal—or Raiden Ei."
Huaizhu: "I'm Dongfang Huaizhu. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Athena."
Seitenshi: "I'm Seitenshi. Meeting a real goddess is… kinda amazing."
Artemis: "No need to reintroduce myself, right~?"
Athena chuckled quietly at Artemis' playful tone, then turned back to the chat. There was still one member she hadn't figured out yet. The one with the name "Nearly Omnipotent."
But now, she understood—his real name was Rin Yuki.
Rin Yuki: "Just call me Rin Yuki. Or Yuki, if you prefer."
Athena: "Understood. I'll remember it."
She repeated the name softly to herself. "Rin… Yuki. I won't forget."
Artemis: "Hehe~ Yuki's the only guy here, by the way!"
Athena: "Only one male? That's… unusual."
Seitenshi: "Right?! Sometimes it feels like this whole group is just Yuki's personal harem!"
Raiden: "Seitenshi…"
Huaizhu: "(blushing)"
Artemis: "Well I like Yuki~ So if the rest of you don't, don't get in my way!"
Raiden: "Ahem. Artemis, don't try to keep him all to yourself."
Huaizhu: "I agree."
Seitenshi: "Same here!"
Athena: "..."
Athena quietly watched this exchange. She was starting to think she'd just walked into a den of man-hungry wolves.
This group might be… dangerous.
Rin Yuki: "Okay, okay! Don't scare off the new member, please! Also, we have one more newcomer who hasn't said a word yet."
He quickly changed the topic, pulling things back on track.
Seitenshi: "Oh yeah! Newbie, you there? Come say hi! @Eternal Queen"
Raiden: "@Eternal Queen"
Huaizhu: "@Eternal Queen"
Athena: "I shall try as well. @Eternal Queen"
But no matter how many times they tagged her, this "Eternal Queen" didn't respond. It was like she hadn't even noticed the messages.
Elsewhere, Rin Yuki sat atop a stone lion statue, deep in thought.
Who is this Eternal Queen?
The name was too vague. There were so many characters across different universes who went by that title.
For example, Alarielle from Warhammer was called the Everqueen. And Marika from Elden Ring had the title "The Eternal."
Without more information, even someone like Yuki couldn't guess who she really was.