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FWOOSH
"Okay!" Nifty exclaimed with a proud grin as she entered the lobby. "I've properly soaked and treated the stain on Gabriel's clothes. They're in the dryer now and shouldn't take-"
...
...
"...Hello?" Nifty called. The lobby was vacant. Where did everyone go?
"...Ugh..."
That groan caught Nifty's attention. Rushing to its location, she found Blitzo lying on the floor. Alongside the Imp were two mugs of coffee that had been spilled.
"...Ah. Right." Nifty recalled what happened before her departure. "Whelp. Better clean this up so it doesn't ruin the carpet or floor."She decided before zooming off to get the needed supplies.
As for the lanky Imp, he'd remain unconscious with a growing lump on his noggin. Both he and Nifty were unaware of what had happened to the others.
Meanwhile, In Urdak...
"Thank you all for coming. What we have to present to you is truly miraculous. For those who are absent, we can inform them later. For now, let us focus on the matter that has summoned you.
Vega and I had a simple yet pleasant exchange a short time ago. As it progressed, I revealed a detail about himself that he and the rest of you were unaware of. Vega has a soul. But before we go further, I must explain how this is possible. The best way to do so would be to describe how a soul can be born.
Firstly, an empty soul can be produced from one with sentience. For mortals, this almost exclusively happens through natural reproduction. However, if I wanted to create an empty soul right now, I could. All it takes to make one is an individual channeling their soul's energy into a concentrated point. It doesn't need a specific shape, size, height, or width. Even a tiny empty soul can develop sentience. Neither its capacity nor its quantity of energy impact the birth of the consciousness.
Secondly, an empty soul can be created by accident, which is quite rare. This can only occur if a sentient soul spreads its energy and becomes entangled with others. The best way to visualize this is as a pale of water. The water is the soul and its energy. If you are to spill the pale, the energy spreads. In doing so, it comes into contact with whatever it reaches. However, entwining with new energies does not instantaneously create an empty soul. This process results in a well of powers and energies that, as it grows, becomes more volatile. When it detonates, an empty soul COULD form in that moment of spontaneity. It could also just be a sizable explosion. Or, it could be an infinite amount of other outcomes. It's truly unpredictable.
Lastly, we have the method that was only JUST now discovered. Samuel unknowingly reversed the process of the first one I described. I know how confusing that must sound, but it's surprisingly simple. As I've hopefully established, there are two types of souls. Empty souls and those with sentience. The former could be viewed as the infancy stage of the latter. It's a blank slate. What defines it as a true existence is its development. The personality. The emotions. The mind. All of the pieces that make us who we are and give us our identities. By creating an artificial intelligence, Samuel did this WITHOUT a soul. A conscious entity that possessed no spirit. Of course, that leads us to a new question. When did Vega obtain his soul?
By his own account, Vega states that he wasn't a true consciousness until his personality formed. He could speak, yes. But he didn't think unless given instruction, nor did he dream. Only when Samuel further developed his sentience did these things begin to occur. Yet, some of you might be quick to mention that Vega, even now, hasn't finished forming emotions. However, after discussing it with Samuel, we believe that the cause was the limitations of Vega's original body on Mars. A perfect comparison would be mortals. Specifically, the former humans in our midst. None of you could cast magic or transform while alive on Earth. But when you arrived in Hell and were given Demonic vessels, you had immediate access to such aspects. These are things that ALL souls can do. You were only limited by the confines of your flesh. You could use more of yourselves when given more liberating bodies, like any other entity in Creation. This also applies to Vega, who, as all of you know, was put into the Ivory Tower. I don't believe I need to give you any reasons or explanations for how it is better than his previous accommodations.
By now, most of you might be thinking this: While interesting, what good does any of this do us? From how it sounds, all we've gained is the awareness that there are still many ways to create empty souls we've not discovered. Is this somehow relevant to Doom? Can this be advantageous to us? Yes, it can. Funnily enough, Doom has been doing it this entire time.
As you all know, the Demons of Doom are extensions of Doom itself. Puppets on strings, to be blunt. They come in various shapes and sizes with plentiful differences, but NONE of them will act in any way the hands controlling them don't want. Sure, a few, like the Cyberdemon, have a slightly higher level of sentience. But Doom, unlike Samuel with Vega, does not allow the development of individuality. It only provides enough so that its minions can better serve itself. Admittedly, we should be thankful. Not only did Doom give us the Wretch, but it shows Vega's new potential. As of recently, he's begun spreading himself across multiple realities and devices to assist us. However, his consciousness can only exist in one location. He's moved it around whenever he speaks to us. Vega, Samuel, my children, and myself are confident this can be improved. We believe that Vega can extend his consciousness. The advantages this would grant us are innumerable. Imagine it: rather than an army of programmed drones and machines fighting against Doom's legions, it's all Vega. One sentient being that can control countless bodies simultaneously without issue. If we succeed in this endeavor, we won't need to recruit innocent lives to fight alongside Doomguy, the Marine, and the Wretch. When the day comes that we confront Doom and its Demons, there won't be the worry of countless casualties or needless suffering.
And with that, we've reached the end. Before I address any questions, please spend the next ten minutes carefully considering the information. Be sure what you want to ask and how you will word it."
The speaker was Khan. She was in a fine enough state to be upright as she did. Most of their group was gathered once more in her chamber. Samuel, the Marine, and her children, including Samur, stood at her sides. Regarding Samur, he was the furthest from his Mother. Their earlier discourse was still fresh in both minds.
As Khan requested, everyone stayed silent for ten minutes. Doing so prevented a bunch of inquiries that would've been mostly pointless. Having this brief pause helped the others to process this amazing revelation. When the ten minutes were through, the conversation resumed.
"Who shall go first?" Khan asked, ready for their questions.
"If I may," Gabriel answered while raising his hand. Honestly, everyone assumed he'd be the one to get things going. There was even a fair chance that what he had to say would be what most of them did. As for his appearance, the Archangel reverted to his "normal" self before he passed through Doomguy's portal. "One thing I believe needs clarity is Vega's soul. Did his growth as a consciousness form it? Or was it another element at play?" He inquired.
"At this time, we cannot definitively say for certain. The most plausible theory is what you've just proposed. However, it is possible that Samuel's soul helped create Vega's through proximity as he evolved. Another explanation could be Argent, as Vega was only realized from a concept with its aid. We might be unable to find the answer by studying Vega and his memories. If that is the case, we must replicate Vega's birth. However, I cannot stress enough that we will NOT do that until Doom is defeated. No one, not even I, has the right to create a life purely for experimentation and satiating curiosity. That is an abhorrent use of power." Khan stated. "Next?" She beckoned.
"Yeah. Over here." Of ALL people, Cherri was the next one to speak with a wave of her hand. "So, I know how stupid this will sound, but just hear me out. I've seen a LOT of sci-fi horror flicks where the premise is what you're proposing with Vega. Because, at least to me, it comes across like a hive mind. Granted, if I'm not too stupid, that IS what Doom is. I know that, unlike Doom, each of the things Vega would be in control of would just be him and not extensions, copies, Etc. But it still makes me a little nervous. Are we sure nothing bad will happen?" She asked.
"Might I answer this, Khan?" Vega requested.
"Of course." Khan permitted.
"Thank you," Vega said before answering. "The point you present is valid, Cherri. Although I would never want to enforce my will on anyone, there's no telling what psychological effects splitting my consciousness like this will have. That is why we will be taking our time and not rush ourselves. As Khan said, this idea presents endless possibilities. However, we must always air on the side of caution. There is also the potential for no issues to arise when circumstances are pleasant, yet they do when things become the opposite. This is why one of many safeguards for this venture will be a type of kill switch. If I should begin to lose myself or experience radical changes in my personality, Khan and Doctor Hayden will pull my consciousness back to its source, which would be my soul." He explained. "I hope this has brought you some peace of mind." He added.
"It has. Thanks." Cherri replied, now looking at the ceiling. "Also, sorry if that came across as me saying you'd become like Doom. If I insulted ya, I didn't mean to." She apologized.
"Not at all. Your concern was logical and understandable. Additionally, you weren't accusatory or rude. There are no hurt feelings." Vega assured, making her smile.
"Anyone else?" Khan called once they were through speaking.
Amazingly, Doomguy raised his hand. Afterward, he lifted his notepad and slowly turned it so everyone could see.
"Assuming Vega had his soul during the Mars invasion, how was it not claimed by Doom? Context: We needed to detonate his original body to create a portal to send me back to Hell. Shouldn't doing that have allowed his soul to be taken?" Doomguy wrote.
"Earlier, I posed the same question." Samuel began, responding for Khan. "When Vega showed her the memory of that moment, she pointed out that you had made a copy of his sentience before the detonation. You created a new vessel for his soul to inhabit when the original was destroyed by doing this. Furthermore, because you immediately went through the portal that his death created, you were as close to his soul as possible should it have lingered. Unknowingly, you preserved him far better than we could have hoped." He explained. "Even so, you still shouldn't have kept it a secret from me." He added. Understandably, Samuel hadn't gotten over that yet.
"Ahem." Khan cleared her throat, simultaneously keeping order and rejoining the conversation. "I would like to mention something regarding this subject. Even if you hadn't created a backup of Vega, thus providing a suitable new vessel for his soul to go to, it is highly unlikely Doom would have seized it. I'm not saying there WASN'T a chance, but I doubt Doom, much like us, knew that Vega had a soul. As such, his spirit would linger in your reality." She stated.
"Regardless, I'm still grateful for your compassion. We barely knew each other, and yet, you saved me. I hope I can do something for you to repay such a debt." Vega told him.
In reply, Doomguy dismissively waved his hand. Vega owed him nothing. AI or not, he was an innocent person caught up in that mess who willingly sacrificed himself to stop Doom. Doomguy would've tried to save him no matter what.
"Is there anything else?" Khan called afterward. "Don't be shy. No question or comment is unwelcome." She promised.
For a few seconds, it seemed as if this meeting was at its end. However, a hand was raised. Who it belonged to was more surprising than Cherri from before.
"Khan?" Beelzebub began once she had her attention. "I'm sorry, my question isn't about Vega. Still, I have to ask it. I hope that's okay." She said.
"By all means, dear. I did not lie when I said all inquiries were welcome." Khan assured with a comforting smile.
"Okay. Thank you." Beelzebub responded before continuing. "I couldn't help but notice that the Wretch isn't here. I don't know what he looks like, but I'm pretty sure he'd stand out from how he's been described. Is he busy with something else?" She asked.
"Er, no..." Khan started with a nervous expression. "Doomguy and the Wretch came here before you were summoned. We already shared much of this information with them and conveyed that we wanted to share it with you as soon as possible. It was then that we were informed about your interaction with Doomguy. The Wretch did not want to inflict a greater toll on you, so he returned to his work in Hell." She explained.
Following that, all eyes were on the Queen of Gluttony. What would she say? What would she do? Sadly, it met the expectations of those who knew her.
"Khan, please, send me to him." Beelzebub requested. The gaze in her eyes was unwavering resolve. Unfortunately, such a thing would do no good when thrown into barbed wire, which is EXACTLY what this would be like for her.
"Hold up!" Asmodeus exclaimed, not letting this go any further. "Bee, are you suicidal or something?! We talked about this before coming here! Getting used to the Wretch is one thing, but you're asking to go from zero to a hundred instantly! This is crazy!" He told her.
"If even being on the same landmass in Urdak is too concerning, how the fuck are we supposed to take things slow?" Beelzebub questioned. "The way I see it, this is the ONLY way. We need to get it done and over with, so it's not a problem anymore!" She argued.
"But not if you're going to hurt yourself! We said we'd figure out how to create a safe environment!" Fizzarolli reminded her.
"Excuse me," Vega interjected, causing them to look at the ceiling. "I believe there is an immediate solution to the problem presented." He said.
"...There is?" The trio questioned in unison.
"Theoretically, yes. However, the possibility of my hypothesis will need to be verified by Khan." Vega began. "Everyone, direct your attention to the repurposed Divinity. It was designed for Khan's soul to connect to Urdak itself. By extension, it was made to preserve her body and protect the soul simultaneously. Could we produce a similar device where the purpose is for multiples souls to connect to each other while their bodies are safely monitored and can be treated should anything go wrong?" He asked.
"...Yes. We easily could." Khan answered with widened eyes. "However, we'd need materials. I'm hesitant to use any more of ours while our means of production are still offline." She said.
"Khan," Samuel spoke, getting her attention. "Could this apparatus be built with my technology? If so, then resources are of no issue." He inquired.
"I...think that would be possible..." Khan considered before looking at the ceiling. "Vega?" She called, wanting his input.
"Yes, it is. The machine's construction will be slightly more complicated but entirely doable." Vega confirmed. "Additionally, I can redirect all drones under my control to Urdak. This will allow me to build it in less than an hour, maybe even faster." He added.
"Alright, then. Let's get to it." Khan said as she looked at the others. "Assuming there are no objections to this plan?" She asked.
In response, everyone shook their heads. Apart from having no commentary, this would allow them to return to the hotel and bring those left behind. They'd get them up to speed during the machine's construction. Olivia would be the sole exception as she was passed the fuck out in her room within the Mars complex. They'd fill her in later.