Third Incarnation - (5)
Flash!!! A change ripples through the body of the divine being I named Shub-Niggurath. The connection between us grows a touch more solid. Divine authority surges forth, adorning the cosmic void. It was a force that could overwhelm and burst even a typical planet god—but Shub, no mere familiar but practically my own daughter, endured the transformation.
To manage a super-massive galaxy. A goddess forged from Cosmic Power. That is Shub-Niggurath.
Thank you. Father. I. Shub.
Emotions flow in from Shub as she reveals her completed form. My entire created galaxy is her body. With the shift in emotion, clusters of beautifully twinkling lights shimmer.
Happy. Shub. Creations. Manage. Will try hard.
[You should learn how to send your will properly from Naiserria here.]
Shub's gaze seems to meet Naiserria's. A flicker of puzzlement comes through. Then fear flows from Naiserria.
Hee. Heeek...! Great One. How dare I...
Reject. Insignificant. Insolent. Shub. Greatness. Father. Withdraw. Please.
This won't do. I told her to learn how to send her will properly, but both sides are refusing. Thinking about it... to Shub, Naiserria really is that insignificant. It's like an ant evolving into a soldier ant—still no match for a hamster.
I'd done something rude.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says: Fine. If that's more comfortable, stay as you are.
Thank you. Father.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says: Still, since you're my familiar, don't call her an insignificant creature.
A petulant emotion flows in, like she's pouting with pursed lips and turning her back. I smile at the cuteness, but then Naiserria sends trembling will.
N-No! Call me whatever you like—I'm fine with it!
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says: ...Fine.
Father. Pet creature?
Good thing she likes the name Shub-Niggurath. Does this world even have Cthulhu Mythos? Black goats or thousand young... Anyway, with Shub born, managing that thumbnail-sized world is no issue. The problem is creating lifeforms to inhabit it—maybe check ideas gathered from that dimension.
The comment count on Beatrix's GalaxyTube channel was enormous. She already enjoyed steady popularity as the planet's princess, but it spiked because I—the constellation contracted to her—was revealed as a Galaxy Spirit.
"The number of subscribers has increased a lot-wa yo. But the weirdos are piling up too-wa yo..."
"Can't be helped. Ugh... they're even sticking to my SNS."
"Things should quiet down once the third incarnation's announced... For now, let's check the incarnation contest entries."
"What's this about an incarnation contest-wa yo?"
"Someone who catches the constellation's eye becomes the incarnation. Isn't that a contest?"
Plenty of intriguing ideas poured in from mortals across the Super Galactic Empire Federation. Metal plasma exoskeletons, organs converting radiation to energy. Electricity-eaters. Even reports on black cloud species.
But none were usable as direct references. Many half-guessed my intentions as a Galaxy Spirit, but no one brought sparkling inspiration. With info flowing federation-wide, a bit more time should yield results.
Of course... it's a time attack for some.
"Hello. Yuna-incarnation. Beatrix-incarnation. I've returned."
"Vivian? You're here?"
"Yes. As I mentioned before, I've brought the answer to the test from the Whispering Star Cluster."
Vivian arrived at Yuna's house, face etched with exhaustion. Senior researcher John-Jerard trailed her.
He's already contracted as an incarnation, right? Probably dragged into Vivian's research. The plight of the working man?
"Is the constellation watching this place now?"
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster affirms.
"Yes. Just said yes."
"Then, assuming the constellation is listening, I'll explain."
She opens her black briefcase. A translucent blue hologram rises: a human figure beside explanatory text.
Impressive tech, every time. Yuna and Beatrix sit before Vivian, curiosity piqued. Let's hear what she has to say.
"First, before my conclusion... The constellation is a Galaxy Spirit. By federation standards, you influence beyond multiple star systems— the entire galaxy."
Her eyes shine with conviction. Wonder what conclusion she reached.
"From another dimension, no less. And per the incarnations, it's about creating life. Artificially creating life is taboo in the federation—but we can't apply mortal standards to a constellation."
Plenty had guessed this far. I'd been outed as a Galaxy Spirit seeking lifeform info.
"So I dug through archives: from old Terra Empire days to recent outer-space monsters."
"Whoa... must've been brutal."
"Ahem. John-Jerard here helped a ton."
Dark circles under John-Jerard's eyes as he grins awkwardly.
"But I sensed that's not what the constellation truly wants. You're a 'Galaxy Spirit.' An absolute from another dimension wouldn't need mere mortal data. Testing us like this, perhaps?"
Nope, not a test.
What test? Just hoping for decent inspiration or ideas. Results matter most anyway...
Vivian gestures in the air. More holograms appear—federation common tongue text. Superpower and incarnation analysis?
"I collected fragments of the constellation's power from traces of Yuna-incarnation's cosmic insect battle. Cosmic Power lingered in the corpses, so I shelled out big to acquire them."
"From there?!"
"Yes. Even just fragments—the Cosmic Power resembled the universe's origin. Like handling all dark matter in existence..."
If that dimension's Outer Gods shattered and remade worlds, it's credible. Like how I made a super-massive galaxy.
"Perhaps the harshest environment in the universe is one made of Cosmic Power."
"No way! Me, Beatrix here—we use the constellation's power freely and we're fine."
"Did you know? You're mutating at the DNA level."
"Oh. From when the constellation descended at the research institute?"
"Yes. And I reviewed other checkup records."
Regular incarnation exams. Central institute data. All incarnation results stored in federation databases.
"Eek?! But we're not turning into monsters or anything!"
"Don't know the endgame, but you're in the very early stages."
She's sharp, alright. Enough talent to fend off other constellations' advances.
"Mortals killing cosmic insects with raw power. Summoning interdimensional beasts past dimensional walls. Inducing natural mutations via superpowers."
Vivian nods at John-Jerard. He pulls a pulsing flesh lump from the bag. Ignoring the incarnations' stares, she presses on.
"Thus, Cosmic Power is the universe's most dangerous—and powerful—force. The harshest environment is one forged from the constellation's power."
Thud.
"...Heek!"
"That's pretty gross-looking-wa yo."
The black flesh on the table writhes like a beating heart. Black Heart fits.
"I created this tissue adapted to Cosmic Power."
Bioengineers and experts helped, no doubt. Exposed monster tissue to my Cosmic Power repeatedly, managed to prevent death. High-resistance monster...
"Wait, but the constellation asked for lifeform info, right?!"
Vivian smiles at Yuna's outburst.
"So... is the constellation unsatisfied?"
Far from it. More than satisfied—this alone sparked tons of inspiration.
Expose lifeforms to Cosmic Power from birth. Artificially induce absorption organs. Design small creatures for adaptation and evolution from the start...!
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster is extremely satisfied.
"...The constellation likes it."
"Mm. With sufficient time—and make me an incarnation to study your power—I guarantee even better results."
Fun. Researching Cosmic Power, adapting lifeforms. Intriguing. Like humans purifying seawater to drink.
Personally hooked on this mortal Vivian too. Ample talent for incarnation status, so I tweak the constellation message.
The other-dimensional Constellation Whispering Star Cluster proposes an incarnation contract to you.
"...Thank you!"
Contract between Constellation Whispering Star Cluster and Incarnation Vivian completed.
I smile, deciding Vivian's power. Unlike Yuna's raw infusion, I can control my power better now—refine Cosmic Power itself.
Cosmic Power seeps into Incarnation Vivian!
Flash!
"...Status window?!"