"I heard your work is under "new" management."
The man with the beard said with a grin. The man that's been sitting opposite of him snorted and gulped down the beer.
"The only new management the work had when me wages were cut down."
The man said with a sour face. The Bearded man nodded solemnly and said,
"Same story here. The pay is so low can't even afford a good meal these days."
From the corner of his eyes, the bearded man saw the waiter heading toward them. His face instantly lit up as he said to the man,
"Lucky for us Boss Roz hasn't stopped so low to rob folks like us."
The man sat up straight as he looked at the food coming. The waiter came to their table with their dishes. He laid them down in front of them. Just as he was about to leave the man grabbed him and said,
"Wait up mate, what's this? Where's me pork?"
"Also what's up with the vegetables, they look like they were chewed by rodents."
The Bearded man added. The waiter looked at them and said timidly,
"Sir, I'm new here."
The man released the boy and watched him hurriedly walk away. The bearded man scooped up the vegetables before letting them drop on the plate. Both of them went silent as they stared at their food. At that moment someone entered the restaurant and the entire room suddenly became silent. Both men looked up and saw the newcomer.
It was a man with black messy hair entered. His entire posture was of that a rushed man. His clothes were ragged as several scorched marks were visible on them. His shoe was half torn. His face was burned and was hard to discern his true age. He silently made his way around and sat at the farthest table from anyone.
The visitor saw everyone look away as he sat down. His tension disappeared a bit. He sat there with his head down as a waiter made his way to him.
He looked at the visitor timidly and said,
"Sir...may I take your order?"
The visitor raised his head slightly and said,
"Whatever everyone else is having."
His voice was hoarse and deep. It sounded like it was mixed with the sound of sandpaper rubbing on a wooden surface.
The waiter thought for a second before writing something and going off. The visitor slouched on the chair, he felt his eyelids becoming heavier and heavier before he was suddenly jolted awake.
His entire body had goosebumps as his mind became restless. An intense feeling rose in him. Before he knew it he was running through the streets. People were shouting at him some were even cursing at him. But he didn't care. The only thing he knew was that he must reach somewhere. If not he'll regret it forever.
He didn't know how long he ran. When he came to a stop his feet were bleeding and his breathing was hard and rapid. His headache was getting more intense. He looked around where he was before looking at the building in front of him. It was a very high building with a large neon sign on it. It was called the 'Utopia Resort'. With shaky feet, he walked into it.
...
From the shadows of an alleyway, something was looking at the Visitor. When he went inside the creature ripped out its own heart and broke down in a pool of black liquid and disappeared.
...
"Let me get this right. He can't sense us on Primordial Universes?"
Death asked with squinted eyes. Madness was uninterested in the whole ordeal. Impiety was eating food without care. Only Vanity and Death were talking.
Vanity replied with a smile,
"Yes, Lord Death. These places are a mystery even to us. He resides in the Place Beyond Reality detached from primordial universes."
Death thought for a second before saying,
"Just like us, he can travel between all universes without restrictions. What makes the Primordial Universe so unique?"
Vanity shrugged his shoulders and said,
"No idea. It was said to me by the Lord of Darkness, he refused to elaborate any further."
"Heyy!"
Suddenly Impiety shouted both Vanity and Death looked over to see, that Impiety and Madness were playing a tug of war with a bowl of ice cream.
"I am an Elder, so I can take whatever I want brat."
Madness said as she pulled the bowl towards her. Impiety gritted her teeth and pulled harder.
"Aren't you being too greedy Elder?"
Death pinched his nose in embarrassment while Vanity tried hard to suppress his laughter. Until
"Enough both of you. No one's eating that. End of discussion."
Death said rather loudly. Madness opened her mouth to say something before receiving a glare from Death.
Impiety pouted and looked sad but left it nonetheless. She glared at Madness who smirked a little before looking away.
"Then what do we do now that he is stuck?"
Death asked.
"I have sent some information to the saints. Renegades would find out from them and Celestials are following us even here."
Death smiled and said,
"Are we really gonna join hands with them?"
"I know it is unpleasant but this is better. The Great Lords are still recovering. We undoubtedly lost too much power from his assault."
"No, that's not what I meant." Death said with a mocking smile.
As Vanity was about to ask what he meant, someone came outside the door and opened it wide.
Vanity recognised him as the man Impiety used Abyssal Language on.
The visitor looked at the four of them with a blank stare. His heart was beating faster and faster.
As the unseen strings were about to tangle with each other the ripple would inevitably alert the predators.
...
In a castle in the sky,
"Are sure you want to send Hermes?"
"Why not? He can escape if things went south. He is also the most diplomatic among us. Why? Are suggesting that someone else?"
"Athena. She is much more suited to tackle Lord of the Abyss."
"I won't deny that Hades. But she is too logical and strategic. Unlike Hermes, she will not compromise with him."
"Fine by me then. What do you think, Poseidon?"
"We should have sent Ares. Those Jade Celestials are sending Erlang Shen. I have also heard Kartikeya would be sent from Deva Celestials."
"They want to start another war with him?"
"Zeus, you should talk with Indra."
"I refuse to talk with that egocentric nuance."
The chatter became louder as the Olympian Celestials failed to conclude.
A similar conversation took place in all the factions across the universe.