"Your Highness, the Zodiac warriors have returned," Saga reported after three days. Della, pausing the development of his small universe, exited the stargazing chamber.
"They're finally back. It's been over fifty years," Della sighed. The Zodiac is a force he created, inspired by an animation from his past life. In this life, with the power to control the stars, he bestowed similar powers upon others.
Numerous warriors under Della wield the power of the stars, but those with exceptional combat prowess, namely the Zodiac and the Demon Stars among the 108 Magic Stars, have reached the limit of the five senses. As Asgardian warriors, their physical prowess is among the best in the universe.
Upon reaching the five-sense limit, their combat strength rivals even Thor's in later generations. The only disparity is in divine power, but should they break through to the sixth sense, their innate super abilities would emerge, making them formidable.
The sound of armor echoed as the Zodiac warriors, except Saga, entered Della's Star Hall. Seeing Della, they knelt in unison. "Your Highness, we have returned."
"Rise. Have you found anything during these years?" Della inquired, observing the eleven warriors before him. He had dispatched them long ago with a singular mission: to discover an unoccupied dimension and establish a sanctuary.
"Your Highness, unoccupied dimensions are elusive. We've scoured the universe for decades without success. However, there are many rumors about the Mephista dimension, though those realms are beyond our reach. We returned upon hearing Saga's recall order," Scorpio, known for his eccentricity, was the first to respond.
"It's alright. It was worth a try. Finding such a dimension is indeed challenging. Regarding the conflict with the Celestials, none of you are fit to intervene. Only Odin and I have the strength to face them. After the war, I hope you will assist the goddess Frigga in reinforcing Asgard's barrier," Della explained, unconcerned by their failure to locate an unoccupied dimension.
He knew that while Marvel's Mephista dimensions were many, they remained inaccessible to ordinary beings, and unoccupied ones were even rarer. He sought these dimensions as a contingency for Asgard's Ragnarök, providing a fallback. Yet, with several millennia before Ragnarök, Della remained unperturbed. Moreover, he believed Ragnarök could be prevented. Discovering an unoccupied dimension was also a means to enhance his power.
The legendary eighth sense involves spatial mastery. Becoming a dimensional Mephista could grant blessings from the eighth sense's cultivation.
Hearing Della's words, the Zodiac warriors grew serious. Few in the universe were privy to Odin's conflict with the Celestials. Perhaps only cosmic leaders above the God Father level had any inkling. Odin had concealed this matter well, even from Hela, his constant companion. Lower beings remained oblivious, and possibly even the Celestials themselves were unaware.
"Focus on your training. I don't wish to handle everything alone in the future," Della's tone grew uncharacteristically stern.
Despite their strength, these warriors were far from reaching the God Father level, akin to Thor's later years. They couldn't participate in high-stakes battles.
"Yes, we understand," the Zodiac warriors replied, feeling a twinge of shame. Each had made a name for themselves in the cosmos, fostering pride. Yet Della's words swiftly dissolved their hubris.
Della dismissed them with a wave, signaling their departure.
The Zodiac warriors, witnessing Della in contemplation, refrained from disturbing him further. Bowing, they exited the Hall of Stars.
"It's a tumultuous time. The Celestial beings will be arriving soon," Della mused, sensing an immense force approaching Asgard.
"Will His Highness and the God King defeat the Celestials?" Aries Mu voiced his concern. Years spent in the universe had acquainted them with tales of the Celestials, a formidable group.
"The Celestials are strong, but so are His Highness and the God King!" Scorpio Milo retorted, her voice tinged with defiance. The only woman in the Zodiac, she was displeased with Mu's doubt.
During her cosmic travels, she encountered a God Father level powerhouse, a member of the Universe's Council of Elders, who too feared mentioning Odin. Milo refused to believe the Celestials could topple someone at the universe's pinnacle.
"Enough! Rest up, everyone. The battle looms near, and we must be in peak condition," Saga intervened, halting further debate. He knew these discussions were futile. Regardless of the Celestials' might, they had to be bested.
The Zodiac warriors weren't confronting the Celestials directly. Their role was to aid Frigga in maintaining Asgard's barrier, minimizing battle damage to Asgard.
With Saga's words, silence fell, and the warriors retreated to their quarters.
"I'm overthinking," Della reflected, overhearing the outside discussions. He was unbothered, confident in the outcome. At his peak, Odin was a force even the Celestials feared. Such was the power of the God King!