Robert had been puzzled about why he couldn't sense any energy from the Supreme Intelligence, wondering if it was a powerful entity with unusual abilities. Now he understood that the Supreme Intelligence was a powerful super-intelligence AI, far more advanced than anything like Jarvis, possessing complete self-awareness and ruling over the Kree Empire.
However, eliminating such an AI wasn't easy. Robert couldn't simply dive into the data network to destroy it. Even if he could, who could guarantee the Supreme Intelligence hadn't backed up its core data somewhere safe?
Thus, Robert thought the Extinguisher would wipe out the living Kree, but that the Supreme Intelligence would likely survive and might even attempt to rebuild the empire. Given its technological mastery, the Supreme Intelligence might use Kree DNA to re-engineer their population.
"What if I destroyed every habitable Kree planet? Wouldn't that ensure the Supreme Intelligence's destruction?" Robert mused, realizing that the Extinguisher's selective eradication of life left planets intact, potentially allowing the AI to hide and rebuild once the threat passed. He considered hiding himself and waiting until the Supreme Intelligence reemerged to attempt eradicating the remnants of the Kree Empire.
"You think I can survive this?" a faintly bitter voice interrupted his thoughts. The Supreme Intelligence's projection appeared, now tinged with what almost sounded like regret. "The light of civilization in this universe was created by the Celestials themselves. Of course, they have ways to neutralize AI. The Kree Empire is hardly the most advanced civilization to ever exist."
"Impressive," Robert remarked, sensing a change in the Supreme Intelligence's tone. "So… it looks like every Kree on those planets is gone now. Only the soldiers on your warships remain. Aren't you even going to try escaping?"
"He exterminated the scattered Kree first and now comes to end the empire itself. And you have spatial powers; do you think a being as powerful as the Extinguisher wouldn't?" The Supreme Intelligence's image flickered, and its voice grew faint. "He's begun his attack on me. So this is the power of a true god… No matter where I hide, it's useless. Saiyan, I want to know why we were marked for destruction…"
Robert offered no reassurances. "You already said he ignored you; why would he listen to me?"
The Supreme Intelligence's voice grew weaker, almost inaudible. "You have a strength the Kree don't. At least you…might stand a chance…" The Supreme Intelligence's image faded, his final words left incomplete.
"Completely eliminated?" Robert muttered, sensing the total absence of Kree life. He was about to teleport toward the Extinguisher when he realized, "Wait! My warship—"
The once-busy cosmos now lay still, with no Kree ships in sight. In desperation, the remaining Kree had tried using self-destruction tactics to stop the Extinguisher, just as they had with Robert. Every warship and defense installation had detonated, leaving nothing behind but cosmic dust.
Robert scowled, realizing he'd underestimated his losses. He could have wiped out the Kree Empire while preserving his ship. But now, a more powerful force had arrived and annihilated everything. Even with his initial goal accomplished, Robert felt he'd lost more than he'd gained.
"Saiyan." A powerful voice sounded in Robert's consciousness, jolting him out of his thoughts.
"You know me?" Robert's surprise was apparent. Not only did the Extinguisher recognize him, but he was also the first to initiate a conversation. The Supreme Intelligence's attempts to communicate with the Extinguisher had been ignored, and Robert had assumed the being was beyond caring for such exchanges.
"If not for you, I wouldn't have been forced to handle the Kree so quickly," the Extinguisher rumbled, his voice carrying a faint annoyance.
"What do you mean?" Robert sensed the Extinguisher's irritation and grew cautious. He couldn't fathom what he had to do with the destruction of the Kree.
"The Kree's Judgment Day was already decreed," the Extinguisher explained. "But when Arishem passed the sentence, I didn't act immediately. Then you intervened and threatened their extinction. So I was awakened earlier than planned."
As the Extinguisher spoke, his annoyance grew clearer. Robert realized that, like the god of destruction Beerus, the Extinguisher had likely put off his task, intending to take action when he pleased. The Kree surviving a little longer was insignificant to him. However, Robert's interference had forced Arishem to expedite matters, rousing the Extinguisher to eliminate the Kree before an outsider could do so.
"Are gods in every universe flawed?" Robert wondered. Considering the gods in his own world, he couldn't help but notice parallels with the Celestials here.
From his sense of the Extinguisher's aura, he guessed this being didn't match the power level of Beerus or Whis. But whether his rank compared to that of the Supreme Kai remained uncertain, as Robert hadn't fully assessed the Extinguisher's combat potential.
"I have a sense you're thinking poorly of me," the Extinguisher remarked. "After eliminating the Kree, I'd normally return to my slumber. However, my irritation remains… And others are curious to see how strong this anomaly in the universe has become."
Robert immediately knew the Extinguisher was referring to him. The prospect of fighting a true god had him thrilled. "So, you're challenging me?"
"Yes. I can sense your will to fight. It rivals even that of deities known as 'gods of war.'" The Extinguisher sounded amused, acknowledging Robert's immense battle intent.
"A god of war? You mean Ares?" Robert asked, remembering Diana's reference to him as a 'god of battle.'
"No, not him. I mean Odin," the Extinguisher replied, a note of respect in his voice. "He once defeated one of my brothers, the weakest among us, using armor crafted by Earth's gods. In return, we beat him to a pulp."
Robert's mouth twitched. He didn't particularly like Odin, but he couldn't help sympathizing. Then he thought of something and asked, "But isn't Odin the All-Father? How did he earn the title of 'god of war?' And why do you still leave one of your brethren's heads in Knowhere?"
Robert had heard stories about the giant head in Knowhere and had always believed it belonged to a Celestial. But looking at the Extinguisher now, he realized the Celestial's head was several times larger.
A low hum resounded, and the Extinguisher's energy surged. His already massive form began to expand, eventually reaching a colossal scale that made Robert gape. Apart from the Super Shenron, he'd never seen a being this enormous. At this size, the Extinguisher dwarfed even the tallest mountains.
At an estimated height of three to four hundred thousand meters, the Extinguisher was nearly the size of a small celestial body.
"Yes, Odin is the king of Asgard, wielding many powers, with war as just one. But his authority doesn't compare to the true authorities of the cosmos," the Extinguisher explained. "You now see our true forms. Among the Celestials, our scale may vary, but we're all of this size, which is why one of us left such an impression in Knowhere."
"As for why we left his head alone," the Extinguisher continued, "it's because we are still searching for the killer. We suspect it may not even be from this universe."
"That clears up some things. But I have another question." Robert nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "When you fought Odin, were you in this form? If so, could he even reach your toes?"
"Odin's armor allowed him to change his size. Still, we didn't reveal our true form in that battle. But you, Saiyan, deserve a fair fight." The Extinguisher's energy surged again, shrinking his form to about two meters, matching Robert's size. Yet, his face remained hidden behind an impenetrable mask.
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