We are Family

Times have changed. The three gods stood silently in the void. Lore contemplated their life and how their decisions had led them to being offered a place at a table of gods. The other two stared at them, wondering who would be so bold as to deny that invitation.
It was Lore who broke the silence. “I only did this to make sure our universe was safe. I saw your… everything in the darkness and all I felt was fear. I did all this,” They gestured to themselves and the L-Verse. “To make sure we were safe. Not to become a god.”
Du’Walles thought on that for a moment. It levelled its closest tendril to Lore’s temple. After what felt like a slimy eternity, it pulled away, drawing with it every version of Reality that The Infinite Lore still held. “It is done.”
“What’s done?” Lore scrambled to check themselves. “What have you done?” The fifty one Reality’s around them saluted then faded away. “What have you done?” Lore was shouting now.
“You wanted to protect this universe. So now do so. Reality is gone. I know you will all do a better job than they ever did.” Du’Walles turned to leave. “Welcome, Lore. May your megaverse be ever prosperous and if you ever wish to join the wider arena, you’d be welcome.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Lore closed the gap between themselves and Du’Walles in an instant.
“It’s about that time when we have a reshuffle. You’re a more than adequate replacement.” Reality came back together.
“Reality! We’re leaving if you still want to come!” Reality shouted out into the void. The elder version who had drawn Lore into this mess appeared from the darkness and began his flight toward them.
“Reshuffle?” Lore stood more confused than ever.
“Being a god isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You saw it with my children and then with me.” Reality joined with the others before continuing. “We have to source our own replacements, you know make sure they’re worthy of the power and responsible enough to manage a megaverse. Sorry about that one but you seem to have gotten yourself sorted early. Infinite Lores means infinite god candidates.” Reality nodded to themselves. “Quite smart really.”
“Everything that has happened, it’s all been a test of our ‘worthiness’?” Reality’s cheeks reddened. “What happened to the ‘curse’?”
“There never was one.” Reality bowed their head. “Silver lining though, now that you’re in charge, no more of that…”
But how does it all work?” Lore looked between Reality and Du’Walles waiting for one of them to reveal the arena they would be fighting in or the true meaning to their visit.
“You. Lore, can now access all of the powers of Reality. Granted you’re still limited to only Time’s gifts while not a Reaper or like this… but you are a god. Do whatever you want. Your life is finally your own. Do with it as you please.” Reality tapped their shoulder. They twitched. Reality passed through the hole first.
“Good luck.” Du’Walles began sliding through the hole itself. “By the way, if things were to have come to blows, you would have tried but I’d have won.” And with that, it was gone too. “Most of the time.” Its words echoed from nothing.
There they stood, in the void; alone yet simultaneously not. They felt a tearing feeling, as if their insides were trying to remove themselves. Blinding flashes of light faded to reveal Char stood beside them, glowing just as brightly as they were.
“It’s over.” She placed her arm gently over Lore’s shoulder. They leant into the hug. “It’s finally over.”
“Not yet.” Lore sighed.
It had been three weeks since their ascent to godhood and they hadn’t wasted a second of it. Literally. Lore had made excellent use of their ability to properly control time and had been forcing Char to sleep in the past with them so they could accomplish more. Three weeks of twenty four hour days and seven day weeks. Three weeks of reinforcing and building and mourning. But three weeks and they had gotten to a place where they were content to sleep in the present. They awoke at their usual time and began their normal routine: Quick bit of exercise before getting dressed and starting their day. They passed the newly minted memorial wall dedicated to the clones who died when they used the Heimdall Station’s spires to accelerate and then decelerate time in rapid succession. It served to remind them of their only lingering doubt, the only challenge to their worthiness. This had led to another problem, changing the station’s power source. Heimdall station and by extension, the central universe had become a hub of interdimensional travel with council members moving between there and their respective universes so was reserved only for members of ‘The Council of L’ and had to remain ready at all times. This issue was quickly resolved by a discovery made by one of the council members as they began their slow expansion into the other multiverses of their reality. Fully prepared, Heimdall Station now served as the council’s eyes across their megaverse but also as a welcome centre for the new additions from the L-Verse.
“Three weeks. That’s all it took to bring this planet sized station back to life. Three solid weeks of blood, sweat and tears.” There wasn’t a fresh eye in the house. Lore’s bags ran deep and black. “We aren’t expecting any new additions from the L-Verse for a month so, I propose we take a week, maybe three, maybe four to recuperate before the real work begins.” They were met with a resounding cheer from their partly in person and partly monitor based audience. “You’re all probably wondering how to actually get back to your own universes. Well, that’s the easy bit.” Lore pulled up a hologram image of the L-Verse. “Simply form a Reaper with your partner and fly into the band. It’ll be a little rocky at first but after that you can program your Breachers to take you between here and there in an instant. You will also find that your time zone changes. Those of you from the earlier universes will find, relatively speaking, you will have more time at home than at work. Sorry, I can’t change that.” They chuckled. “Enjoy your time off and I’ll see you in a month.” Lore turned and pecked Char on the cheek. Out of the corner of their eye, they could see Piper asleep on the sofa. “Let’s go home.” Lore whispered. They quietly made their way over to Piper and gently scooped him into their hands. Char tapped at her wrist and the three of them were back, roughly, where they had started. In their house, the night after Piper’s birthday. Lore lowered him slowly into his bed and together, they and Char tucked him in. For once, they were all feeling the same thing, peace, unfamiliar as it was. Lore.