Caelix floated above the Human Solar System, his gaze sweeping across the vibrant planets spinning in harmony. His attention was drawn to Earth, a world teeming with primordial energy and untouched potential. Clouds swirled over vast oceans, and the lands below were dominated by towering dinosaurs, early flora, and budding ecosystems.
"This place," Caelix mused, "has immense potential. It just needs a little nudge."
Elyssia floated beside him, her radiant form glowing softly. "Shall we begin, then?" she asked, her tone both curious and eager.
Caelix nodded, diving into Earth's atmosphere, his presence causing dinosaurs to pause in confusion and awe. He selected a large beast resembling a mix between a T-Rex and a dragon, wrestling it to the ground with ease. After binding its limbs, he carried it toward a freshwater lake, placing it gently on the bank.
"This will do," he muttered. "Humans will need a proper source of food to grow and thrive."
Elyssia joined in, weaving delicate barriers around key areas to ensure balance in the ecosystem. She redirected rivers, planted seeds for vital crops, and used her angelic powers to enhance the natural evolution of early humans.
"This should ensure their advancement without interference," Elyssia remarked, satisfied.
Caelix nodded, brushing dirt from his hands. "Good. Let's see what they make of it in another million years."
In a vast crystalline hall, Caelix greeted his former students—now fully-fledged Destroyer Gods—with a wide grin. Iwan, Heles, Mosco, Quitela, and the rest of the Destroyers stood together, their divine auras filling the space.
"Sensei!" Heles exclaimed, a warm smile on her face. "You've aged like fine wine. Still as radiant and commanding as ever."
"Not sure I age at all," Caelix replied, chuckling. "But thank you."
Quitela smirked, crossing his arms. "Tch. Don't let it go to your head, old man. We're gods now. We might just surpass you."
"Sure, Quitela. The day you stop scheming and start training, maybe."
The group erupted into laughter, the banter and camaraderie a testament to the bond they shared. Even Mosco, the robotic Destroyer, emitted a cheerful series of mechanical chirps.
Elyssia joined them, her presence serene yet commanding. "It's good to see you all again. I trust you've been keeping your Universes in order?"
Iwan nodded solemnly. "With the guidance you gave us, Sensei, we've made great progress. But there's still much to learn."
The Grand Priest appeared in a radiant column of light, his expression serene yet purposeful. "My Lords and Ladies, it is time. Lord Zeno requests your presence."
The Destroyers and their Angels bowed, following the Grand Priest to the central chamber where Zeno awaited. The Omni-King had changed since their last meeting. He stood taller now, his childlike appearance replaced by one of refined maturity. His presence radiated unmatched power, filling the room with awe.
After a round of reports and praise for the progress of the Universes, Zeno turned his attention to Universe 0. His expression darkened, and his voice, though still soft, carried an unshakable gravity.
"Universe 0 has remained quiet," Zeno began. "But that does not mean it is dormant. The beings there… they are preparing. My training during this time has been solely to prepare for the possibility that they will strike again."
Caelix stepped forward, his curiosity evident. "Your Majesty, may I request something bold?"
Zeno tilted his head, intrigued. "What is it, Caelix?"
"A spar," Caelix said, his tone firm. "I wish to test my progress against you."
The room fell silent, the Destroyers exchanging nervous glances. Zeno considered the request before nodding. "Very well."
The training grounds, fortified by the combined power of all Angels and the Grand Priest, became the arena for a battle that would shake the multiverse. The Destroyers and their Angels stood on the sidelines, their faces etched with both anticipation and fear.
Caelix transformed, his body enveloped in the ominous glow of his Legendary Super Saiyan Blue Evolution, fused with Super Saiyan Rosé and his Frost Demon Black form. His purple hair gleamed as Destroyer Ki crackled around him like dark lightning.
Zeno matched his energy, his body shimmering with an ethereal light that made the very air vibrate. He now stood eye-to-eye with Caelix, his mature form radiating unmatched authority.
The two charged simultaneously, their first clash sending shockwaves that rattled the barrier holding the Universes together. Each punch and kick was a symphony of destruction and precision, their energies tearing through space and time.
Caelix pressed the attack, his movements a blur as he unleashed devastating combinations. Zeno countered effortlessly, his strikes simple but impossibly powerful.
"You've grown strong, Caelix," Zeno said, his voice calm amidst the chaos. "But strength alone will not defeat me."
Caelix grinned. "Good thing I've got more than strength."
He unleashed a concentrated blast of Hakai energy, forcing Zeno to deflect it with a wave of his hand. The clash lit up the arena like a supernova, and the watching gods could only marvel at the scale of the battle.
When the fight finally concluded, both combatants stood, their auras fading. Caelix knelt briefly, catching his breath. Zeno, unfazed, extended a hand to help him up.
"You've done well," Zeno said, a rare smile gracing his face. "The Universes are stronger because of you."
Caelix grinned, taking the offered hand. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But there's still much to do."
As the Destroyers and Angels looked on, inspired and humbled, the multiverse felt a renewed sense of hope. Even against the looming threat of Universe 0, they knew they had a chance—so long as they stood united.
Caelix stood alone in the vast void of his personal training ground, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his mind. His battle with Zeno had been exhilarating yet humbling. For all his power, for all his transformations and mastery, he knew one undeniable truth now:
There would always be someone stronger.
It wasn't a bitter realization. It wasn't even disheartening. If anything, it was liberating. For the first time in his immortal life, Caelix truly understood what it meant to be a god—not a being of absolute perfection, but one with the potential to pursue it.
His clenched fists trembled with renewed determination. "Perfection isn't inherent. It's earned," he murmured. "Even gods must strive for it."
Later, Caelix gathered the other Destroyers on a barren world, its crimson skies reflecting the intensity of the moment. Iwan, Heles, Quitela, and the others stood in a circle, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"I called you all here for one reason," Caelix began, his voice resolute. "What we've faced so far—the threats, the battles—they're nothing compared to what lies ahead. Universe 0 has shown us that we are far from invincible. If we wish to protect the multiverse, we cannot become complacent."
Champa crossed his arms, his smirk fading. "So, what's the plan, Sensei?"
"We train," Caelix declared. "Harder than ever before. We don't stop until we surpass every limit, break through every barrier, and become something more than we ever thought possible."
Heles stepped forward, her eyes blazing with conviction. "You've always been the example, Caelix-sama. If you believe we can achieve this, then I'll follow your lead."
One by one, the other Destroyers voiced their agreement. It wasn't just a promise to themselves—it was a pact. A vow to never stop striving, to never stop improving, not for their egos but for the sake of the countless lives under their care.
Returning to Universe 7, Caelix stood atop a mountain on his homeworld, the wind whipping through his hair. Elyssia and Vados watched him from a distance, sensing the immense energy radiating from his form.
"Something's changed," Elyssia whispered, her gaze fixed on him.
Vados nodded, her eyes narrowing. "He's discovered something. Something profound."
Caelix turned to them, his expression calm but his eyes burning with determination. "Do you know what I've realized?" he asked, his voice carrying the weight of his revelation.
The two women approached, their curiosity evident. "What is it, Caelix?" Elyssia asked.
"Gods," Caelix began, "are not perfect. We were never meant to be. We're flawed, just like mortals. But what sets us apart is our potential. Perfection isn't something we're born with—it's something we work for."
The words hit them like a thunderbolt. Elyssia's eyes widened in shock, while Vados's serene composure cracked ever so slightly.
"That's why we can transform," Caelix continued. "Why we can evolve, grow stronger. If we were perfect, there'd be no need for any of it. We are not divine because we are flawless. We are divine because we have the capacity to strive for the unattainable."
The realization clicked for Elyssia and Vados simultaneously.
Elyssia placed a hand over her heart. "If gods were truly perfect, why would we need to train? Why would we need to adapt? It all makes sense now."
Vados looked down at her hands, a rare look of self-reflection crossing her face. "I've always thought of myself as a guide, a being meant to aid others in their growth. But… if I truly believed I was perfect, why would I ever strive for more? You're right, Caelix. Perfection isn't granted. It's earned."
Caelix smiled softly, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "Then let's earn it. Together. No limits, no excuses. If we're to stand against Universe 0, we must become something greater than gods. We must become perfection itself."
From that moment, Caelix's training intensified beyond anything he'd ever undertaken. He pushed his body, mind, and spirit to the brink, exploring new depths of power and understanding. Every day, he sought to refine not only his techniques but his very essence.
Elyssia joined him, her mystic and divine powers blending in new, unprecedented ways. Vados, too, shed her composed demeanor and embraced the grueling challenge of surpassing her own limits, inspired by Caelix's unwavering determination.
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Caelix's power grew to unimaginable heights. But more than that, his philosophy spread like wildfire. Across the multiverse, the Destroyers, Angels, and even Supreme Kais embraced the idea that gods were not infallible but endlessly capable of growth.
And so, the multiverse found its hope—not in unyielding perfection but in the tireless pursuit of it. As long as beings like Caelix existed, there would always be a chance, no matter the threat.
For now, the shadow of Universe 0 loomed over them all. But as Caelix trained, his gaze focused on the horizon, he whispered to himself:
"We're not perfect. But we will be."