Emperor Building, 390th Floor. Bardi's Office.
The three Amazons had already departed. Hera, still cold and elegant, accompanied them back to Paradise Island to conduct population assessments, evaluate the nuclear radiation environment, and plan for the island's future.
Having surrendered, Antiope, Artemis, and Phillipus were now responsible for persuading the rest of the Amazons—whether through guidance or manipulation.
They had no concerns about Queen Hippolyta resisting their decision. On the contrary, she would likely support it. Such was the understanding of leadership.
To ensure the Amazons' survival, they needed to lead the remaining warriors to submit at Bardi's feet.
But it was foreseeable that many Amazons, known for their pride and courage, would resist surrender. Internal division and conflict were inevitable.
When the time came, those who rebelled would be purged by Bardi. Only those warriors who truly submitted and fought for him would remain.
The darkness within the composite glass walls slowly receded to either side like water.
Sunlight pierced through the center of the floor-to-ceiling window, filling the room. Dust particles floated in the beam of light as the last of the darkness shrank and vanished.
The entire wall of glass was now transparent. The darkness was gone.
Bright, scorching sunlight flooded in, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
Bardi stood in front of the massive window, gazing up at the sun, lost in thought.
All the joy Jenny had brought him had been washed away by the kneeling of the three Amazons. The sunlight illuminated his face, pale and flawless like jade. The scar on his cheek sculpted his features into a hardened, statuesque visage.
His eyes held a trace of coldness, sorrow, and a lingering loneliness.
He despised seeing people groveling, pleading before him, kneeling in agony and humiliation.
Even if he was the one who caused it.
But the world did not revolve around one person's will.
And he, even if it meant destroying everything, would force the world to move according to his will.
Only then could he create the perfect world in his mind.
Bardi stood at the glass, sunlight spilling over his skin. A faint fluorescent glow shimmered across his body, making him appear divine.
In truth—
His actions were demonic.
Even bathed in sunlight, his figure held a trace of sorrow, a solitary presence.
The sunlight stretched his shadow across the floor. Behind him, the particle magnet activated, like a black sandstorm. Swirling particles swept through the mist, sweeping and repairing the fractured office floor and restoring order to the chaotic space.
...
Far Side of the Moon.
Brainiac's space base sat like a model within a small crater.
The entire rear half of the moon was trembling, enveloped by a mysterious, miniaturized region.
Upon approach, it became clear that the base was massive. However, anyone entering its vicinity was instantly shrunk down, appearing as small as ants within the vast structure.
At this moment—
The model-like base erupted in star-bright explosions. Countless metallic drones swarmed through the air, flying and firing laser blasts, plunging the miniature base into a full-scale war.
A sleek black spaceship, no larger than a fingernail, streaked away like a flare. It burst out of the base with fiery propulsion.
Behind it, more than a dozen silver-white ships of similar size gave chase. Among them was a green humanoid figure, its body covered with jack ports and wired nodes. It seemed to be transmitting signals to the silver ships, coordinating their pursuit of the black craft fleeing toward Earth.
As the black ship distanced itself from the base, it gradually exited the moon's zone of influence, growing from ant-size to normal scale.
The silver-white ships followed suit, expanding back to full size. The green silhouettes around them also enlarged, becoming the size of ordinary humans. They piloted the silver ships, relentlessly pursuing the black vessel.
Bright laser fire blazed across the void. Energy blasts crisscrossed the darkness. Dozens of lethal beams surged toward the black ship.
The black vessel flew with exceptional agility. It twisted, rolled, and dodged, with lasers barely grazing its wingtips. The hits caused severe imbalance, nearly dooming it. But the pilot's skill prevailed, navigating through the net of fire and breaking free from their predictive lock.
Still, with its wings damaged, the next attack would likely be its last.
"Captain! Let me ram them! You go! Get back to Earth and warn His Majesty!!"
Jamie's legs were soaked in blood. One arm was gone, his exposed bone shattered. A gaping wound had pierced his waist, spilling intestines. As he watched the captain maneuver desperately, blood splattered across Jamie's face. Rage surged within him. Despite his injuries, he was ready to take out the enemy by force.
"Shut up. I've already sent a message to Earth!"
Captain Larkin, a grizzled veteran, gripped the controls manually. Sweat streamed from his brow. Just moments ago, he'd narrowly escaped being blown out of the cockpit.
Even if he wanted to flee now, it was impossible. His flight speed couldn't outpace theirs. He'd be caught and killed in the void.
"Damn it! Captain, you shouldn't have saved me!"
Jamie's remaining hand pounded the hull in frustration. Blood frothed from his lips as he coughed, still burning with fury.
If Larkin hadn't turned back, he could've escaped. Now, both of them were doomed.
"It's my fault!"
"Shut up! His Majesty once said, 'When the road ahead leads to death, turn, and you'll find a place named Hope!'"
Captain Larkin's bloodshot eyes glinted. His calloused hands clutched the stick. Sweat poured as he stared down the enemy ships.
Jamie's eyes lit up, even as he coughed blood.
Those words… His Majesty's words… The will to live.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ship tilted violently. One of the remaining wings exploded. The engine erupted in smoke. The vessel rocked and lost balance.
Captain Larkin's heart dropped. It was over. The ship was crippled. Propulsion down. They were sitting ducks.
As expected.
The muzzles of a dozen silver ships glowed. Energy gathered.
Larkin stared in dread. The light was blinding. Death loomed.
Then—
A blinding white streak burst through Earth's atmosphere. Flames trailing behind, a figure appeared like a meteor, intercepting every beam.
The symbol Ω shimmered behind the figure, rippling with power.
"I told you, you won't die."
(To be continued.)
***
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