Danmachi: the Great Devourer

C182: Suffering from Success

Alt Title Teaser: Repercussions

Date published: 1/31/2025.

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(Unknown POV)

In an unknown land surrounded by forests, a gathering of tents is spread out and amongst them, one man wearing a blue shirt and pants with a green vest over it and wearing a headband with a symbol on the middle of it can be seen running through the campground. His footwear consists of a open toe type of shoe that is a mix of a regular boot and sandals.

He passed by others with similar outfits as his own. Many amongst them have a variety of injuries or scars, they appear recent as they are in the middle of a war. Though strangely, for style, some have white wrappings around one of their thighs or arms. Others have their pants wrapped up a bit higher, exposing their ankles which are also wrapped up in bandages or the same wrapping. 

He soon arrives at one of the two biggest tents. There is a pair of guards at the entrance as they remain alert for any news. After greeting the guards and being allowed in, he walks in on a group of 4 individuals gathered around a table with a map. 

At one end of the table with a seat behind them is an aged man in dense battle gear. A metallic plate vest around his chest, bracers from his wrists to his elbows, similar plates on his legs and a samurai styled helmet on his head. A similar head protector styled onto the helmet.

The man who just entered kneels down before this individual with his hands cupped together, "I greet the Sandaime (Third Hokage)"

"Mmm, what has the Yamanaka's found out about that red glow and the new moon?" The old man, Hiruzen Sarutobi questions the reporting Jonin.

"Yes sir, thus far all communications attempts to reach this new moon have failed but there was the same returning message given, 'this world is not ready for visitors yet'. Further attempts have seemed to only drain the energy out of the scouts and they mentioned it's a type of backlash. No further attempts have been thus made."

"Hmmm" the old man rubs his beard as he turns his attention to another member of the group of 4, a much younger man in the prime of his life with bright yellow hair and alluring blue eyes. "Minato, what do you make of this?"

"Ah, ah haha, I'm afraid I'm drawing a blank. When I pushed Iwa back the moon and red light appeared but it didn't change the tide of battle at all. I was originally under the impression that it was some sort of genjutsu yet it still remains even a day later." The man can only give his basic answer while referencing his own experiences of when it appeared above him during what would later be referred to as a legendary moment in the grand reveal of the new and improved Flying Thunder God.

The old man can only sigh as he looks at another member of this table, his hair tied up into a spikey bundle with the standard gear as the rest of them. He has two scars on the right side of his face as well as a perpetual frown as he seems to be completely focused on the map on the table that accounts for the whole known war situation.

"Shikaku, what are your thoughts on the moon? Should we be preparing any defenses?"

The man gets up from leaning against the table as he rubs the back of his head whilst saying, "What a drag"

"If this new moon is an enemy then until we get more information there is little we can prepare for. But even as we talk about this, the other nations might be clueless to them as well. Let us reserve some Yamanaka members to complete hourly scouting with their clan skills. "

He continues speaking, "Since the reports show no fatalities, we can determine that whatever this is, is peaceful for the time being. They should only lose access to their chakra for a bit and then rest up while the next one would scan in the next hour. Unless something changes we can't make any preparations." 

"We can't simply stay on the backfoot while some unknown threat looms over us." The fourth member is the Veteran Jonin in charge of this battlefront against Iwa. Originally it was one Minato himself who was the commander but when he chose someone to temporarily replace him while he himself took the stage, the Veteran Jonin remained to at the very least help out in case another situation like this occurred or they got repositioned to their original team.

Minato puts his hand on the jonins shoulder to calm him down as his own words are getting him riled up.

"I would suggest getting in contact with the other nations to see if they have learned anything" 

"We cant, if anyone is behind this, they won't reveal it and those who don't know won't say they don't know to avoid looking dumb and weak. Especially after what you did to them, Minato." Shikaku declines Minatos suggestion as the very same logic he gave for the other nations would also apply to them if they started sending messengers everywhere."

Yet nobody here knew that even many years later nothing would come of the moon and all people simply grew used to it, coming up with theories such as it being a giant constant genjutsu or a mirage image of what the Pure Lands (afterlife) looks like. 

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(Another POV)

A sleek pure black jet soon breaks out of Earth's orbit as it continues on its way towards the new moon just above the jet's homeworld. 

Within the jet is a single figure dressed in completely black armor, very customized gear though its design seems to be bat themed. To each their own, yet as the 'Batwing' makes its way to the new world to get any sort of information, its owner finds that they have stopped in place. 

The owner is constantly pressing buttons to try boosting forward past whatever barrier is blocking him yet his efforts are all for naught. Instead they receive a communication notice.

"Alfred, what is the source of this signal"

"It seems to be originating from this new world sir, would you like me to decline it?" An aged voice calls through the mans headset ears.

"No, we'll need this, connect it. "

"Very well sir. Ill record the message and then send it to you later" 

"Mmm" Is the only response

In the next moment, within the yet, a figure of a slightly distorted Axel in a formal suit. "I greet whoever gets this message, My name is Axel Gram and I am the owner of this new world that you see before you. If your version of Earth is advanced enough then you will see me before you. I mean no harm to your world as it was my home as well. I am simply seeking inspiration as I update my own world and then ill take my leave. Thank you and goodbye"

The hologram snaps it's fingers and then before the pilots eyes, 2 giant cities begin forming before they shrink down out of view. The next thing that happens is that the batwing is knocked upside down, sending it flying out, the pilot has to fix the ship so it's upright again. He calculates his next move as he presses another button.

"All members, meeting at the WatchTower in 5 minutes"

With no response back, he himself makes his way to the infamous space station managed by him and used by the Justice League. It's founding members numerous and they had extended that to their protege but for now, only the founders need to meet as it calls for it.

The minutes pass by and with the black armored man taking a seat at the helm of the long table, Working on organizing all the information he had and all his possible theories. His fellow founders make their way into the room and take their seats. Nobody talks until the last two members Shazam and The Flash arrive. 

"Sorry for the wait guys, Central City bad guys have seem to be on a high ever since this new small moon showed up. They think it's some sort of age of chaos. Let's make this quick" The flash gives his explanation for the delayed arrival.

"First off, It's not some moon but a whole smaller planet. It's around the same size as our moon but it's better to simply show you what I discovered." Batman begins his speech and then replays the message he heard for everyone. There is a difference of opinions regarding the message, some like Diana advise caution as it could be a ruse. Others like Shazam and Superman suggest trying to head over by themselves to get the lay of the land and maybe meet with its owner. 

Batman shakes his head as he goes over more data he has gotten his hands onto. "From his appearance I was able to narrow his ethnicity down to the Mediterranean area, he could be either Greek or Italian yet his manner of speech hints at a more American format. Yet Facial matching and the name don't match any known citizen. Even the closest things show no similarity to this person. 

"So we are against someone off the grid?" Martian Manhunter questions.

"That or the entire persona is fake to throw us off."

"Yea, who has blue hair that color" Flash gives his input as very few metas have that color hair.

"Hey thats means " A new voice pitches in as the WatchTower alarms ring out. "Warning, Unknown presence detected in Watchtower, contacting all members of intruder"

Once the realization is made, all members quickly turn around to see Axel leaning into his old wooden chair that he brought with him. The sight of the unknown person seems to annoy the members. Diana takes up her sword and shield in a defensive position so she can analyze Axel. Martian Manhunter and Arrow as well as Superman and the rest observe the situation. Only Flash being the most reckless of them rushes forward to try getting a pre-emptive strike since Axel is afterall, an intruder. 

A flurry of supersonic punches is unleashed upon Axel from all directions, or rather it looks like all directions.Yet the flash is simply rushing around Axel, sending out 2 or 3 punches and then changing directions for another set. This gives the imagery that there are hundreds of fists coming towards Axel via afterimages. 

Yet Axel initially did nothing until he extended his left hand and then from there, multiple smaller hands sprout from that same hand as it unnaturally twists around Axel in a circle as it blocks all the strikes before returning to normal and grasping the Flashes extended fist.

The founders are naturally shocked by this scene as few can contend against Flash in pure speed but they could see that he had in fact moved faster since they had the time to process that flash unleashed all those attacks and then returned to where he originally was. It was only when Axel defended himself perfectly that the flash charge once again, sending out a lightning punch and his fist was grabbed, that the scene ended. 

"How" The Flash, Wally West can't help but ask in shock.

"I'll answer you if you stop attacking, I'm simply here to convey another message to you all since you are the strongest of Earth, it's protectors."

"What is your message?" Superman asks with a strict expression on his face.

"By the rules I have set with my recent meeting with the Beyonder, My new world will officially open in 5 years, during that time I will likely be in another alternate version of earth so you won't see me much. I'll have one of my wives spend some time in this version of my home, here is her number from the phone I bought just 5 minutes ago."

"We are the Justice League, we rarely deal with weak threats, are you certain house wife could handle our level?" Wonder Woman can't help but question Axel about his supposed help he is offering them.

"My wife is more than capable of handling any threats you throw at her or against her. She has been properly trained by her own people before setting out to make a name for herself fighting monsters that seek to devour all humans. She made her name, but when events brought us together, she chose to settle down peacefully, do not mistake that for a warrior's death of some sort. Or your own title of Amazoness will be uprooted from you" Axel details a bit about Aisha who asked him herself about learning more by her own efforts and the path she took.

Diana smirks as her own warrior pride is being challenged. She will anticipate the league's newest member with curiosity and interest. The others remain suspicious but none more than Batman who will try to investigate all he can about what he has just been told. 

And while it pains him to admit it, he will likely require the help of someone who traverses into the magical mystical routes of power to see if they can help him analyze the situation. He has a few candidates in mind but there is one who he would hope he doesnt need to actually meet due to their eccentric nature and propensity to cause trouble, John Constantine. 

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(Back to Axel and Cyberpunk)

Axel crashes onto his bed with a groan, While he knew that he would get busy if he released his world, he didn't think it would be to this effect. Meeting the Beyonder and the Concept of Death itself. Setting up the rules for his world to act as a proper multiversal hub for when he opens it up. Setting up the necessary cities of various styles from hundreds if not thousands of different world styles.

He's exhausted. Yet he cant help but think of his lovers who are also 'stuck' in other lands, far away from him, so alone. Serenity, Kaoruko (Murasaki Shikibu) and now Aisha. These three who have been by his side have taken their leave. 

He is happy he was able to help Kaoruko recover from her trauma but he recognizes his help was not complete. She has never regained the urge to create poems or other pieces of art. Though that original passion was transformed into her love of nature as she never wants to fight again and only seeks to help life grow. A form of repentance for her mind controlled actions. 

Aisha has taken 'C' to the DC universe as part of his agreement to help defend their world. He has not had the time to explore which exact timeline this follows but from the few bits he got, it likely involves the justice league and Young Justice that follows parallel to it. 

As for Serenity, she has taken up the poison girl title to a further extreme but also relinquished it via her new divine title of Goddess of Poison. She no longer fears her own body and happily interacts with others. He chose to send her out to prepare for his own arrival in another world. He explained his purpose to her and the rewards she would get from going. She was hesitant at first but her being away allowed her to study her new divinity in peace and silence. 

Axel taps the side of his head and he connects to one of his local friends, "Hey Maine, hows Dorio" 

"Axel!!! Uh, we uh, we're fine. Dorio doesnt even look hurt but I'm keeping a watch on her. She is drinking her sorrows away but….Axel"

"Save it Maine, I do apologize for my lies and infiltrating your group like that. If you'd like, I could welcome you and Dorio to be part of the first group of residents of my world. The others could come along but they would need to work. Dorio got hurt because of me and my actions so i'm willing to own up to that and compensate you" 

Axel states with a somber tone as he truly does feel guilty for not taking further actions to analyze Biotechnica after his first meeting with them. It would have prevented this whole situation though he still would have eventually released his world to get into the flow of things. If not then, then now.

"I see, I'll bring it up to her and we'll take things one step at a time. We need it" Maine says, a hidden sadness made evident in the situation.

"I see, I'll give you that. But I will need to stop by for a moment to collect my things from my station. You just let me know whenever you're ready to talk." He says and Maine responds with thanks as the call is disconnected. 

Axel gets up from his bed and he begins writing down what else there is to explore in this world. He has no interest in the sights as the very earth is completely desolate in most states and countries. People even less so as there is only a small handful he has an eye on. David is most assuredly down for the count due to his subtle donation to the Martinez family funds. 

Axel thinks only for a bit more before deciding, "I guess it's time to show Night City what makes a real Legend"

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Alt Title: Ninja Way, The League, Decisions Decisions. 

Word count: 2986

Drop a comment if you wanna judge my writing or the story. I'll try to respond, especially if you're confused or anything.