The Consortium was one of the three major Ethereal factions.
The conflict between the Consortium and the Ethereum had continued to spread ever since the destruction of the Ethereals' homeworld. That had been a very distant age, but such was hatred. Perhaps it could still be restrained at first, but as time passed, it would only grow more frenzied.
In fact, after the Ethereals' homeworld of K'aresh was first destroyed, the survivors had formed the Ethereum to take revenge on the Ethereal lord who had destroyed their world. There had been no Consortium then. The Ethereum had spent thousands of years crossing countless worlds in search of their enemy. Driven by anger and hatred, they had considered nothing beyond revenge.
But that hard-line attitude had soon brought them trouble. Revenge meant destruction, and after the first few centuries, the Ethereals discovered that, besides Dimensius the Devourer of All Worlds, many other races had become their enemies. So the wisest Ethereals began to reflect on the Ethereum's actions.
Then came the Consortium. They still sought revenge, but their attitude toward other beings was much gentler. Gradually, the Consortium had also emerged as neutral Ethereals who, beyond revenge, intended to start a new life.
After all, not every being was willing to live on hatred.
But the Ethereum regarded the Consortium as traitors, and that had given rise to the disputes between them.
Of course, the three factions could unite. When facing Dimensius, they were a band of frenzied avengers.
"Oh, honored guest, my apologies. Fleshies rarely visit my humble establishment, so I haven't prepared the drinks you enjoy... This Void essence beverage is quite delicious as well. You could give it a try."
Nexus-Prince Haramad's voice sounded within Dick's mind, but he himself was not there.
Sitting in a chair made