DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Temple of Barmulodi.

The grand and vast hall, like the universe above the heavens, was eternal and boundless.

Bardi sat upon the throne of God, surrounded by stars like marbles. His majestic form stood within the cosmos, eyes gently closed.

Suddenly.

He opened his eyes, and within them, chaotic black holes seemed to swirl open.

At this point, there was no universe capable of containing him. The ever-growing power of the One God made the multiverse tremble in fear. In one multiverse, even the Golden Superman had begun to absorb and merge with all the Supermen across the universes to create the strongest version of himself in a bid to resist Bardi.

But it was all in vain.

The corner of Bardi's mouth curled into a sneer. Though he hadn't witnessed the Golden Superman's actions directly, by calculating his own strength, wisdom, and the various damages inflicted upon the multiverse, he had already deduced the final resistance the multiverse could muster.

Whether it was the Golden Superman creating the ultimate Superman or the Phantom Stranger swallowing the Anti-Life Equation, it was clear the multiverse's will—driven by its subconscious—was seducing their inner sense of justice for one last desperate stand.

Any madness they displayed was to be expected.

With a sweep of his hand, the sharp fingertips of Bardi's dark golden armor sliced through the universe like tearing cloth across the Milky Way.

Boom—

A figure dropped from the rift Bardi had torn and landed heavily against the pristine white floor.

The Phantom Stranger looked like a withered, decrepit gentleman. His body was decaying like a dead tree, his face wrinkled beyond recognition, and his eyes gleamed with a crazed, blood-red light. The once elegant gentleman's attire now hung loosely over his ruined frame.

He had been transformed by the Anti-Life Equation. His will and body had been twisted into that of an Anti-Monitor by its power.

"It's you! Barmulodi!"

The Phantom Stranger rasped hoarsely. His blood-red eyes glinted with madness and terror as he realized he had been pulled here by Bardi in an instant—and in that brief moment, everything became clear to him.

"You tampered with the Anti-Life Equation!"

The Phantom Stranger roared in fury, red light erupting from his eyes. He attempted to charge forward, intent on tearing Bardi apart then and there.

However.

Bardi only cast a cold glance at his decaying figure. Under that gaze, the Phantom Stranger froze like a tree, unable to move, roaring in grief and rage like a mindless zombie.

Bardi had already infused his own divine blood into the Anti-Life Equation. As the blood of the One God, it had fundamentally altered the equation, making it wholly his. How could a being like the Phantom Stranger possibly withstand it?

Now, he was nothing but meat on the chopping block.

Originally, the Anti-Life Equation was intended to be used against Mandrakk. But unexpectedly, Mandrakk had cast it aside and given it directly to the Phantom Stranger.

To Bardi, the Phantom Stranger was far less useful than Mandrakk. After carefully examining the Phantom Stranger's memories, Bardi frowned—only then did he discover that his wife, Raven, had fallen into Mandrakk's hands.

"Useless trash."

Bardi's voice was icy as he waved his hand, erasing the Phantom Stranger's consciousness and turning him into a puppet of the Anti-Monitor.

Golden Superman, Phantom Stranger, Spectre—these three had been so easily manipulated by Mandrakk. Even Spectre, the embodiment of divine judgment across the multiverse, had been imprisoned by Mandrakk.

It was unthinkable. In the multiverse, Golden Superman, Phantom Stranger, and Spectre represented the pinnacle of power, yet Mandrakk had ensnared them all. Spectre's imprisonment, in particular, sent a chill through Bardi, filling him with both anger and dread.

Raven, now in Mandrakk's hands, posed a greater threat than even Spectre. However, ironically, she would also be safer for it.

At the very least, Mandrakk wouldn't harm her easily.

There was no doubt—Mandrakk was planning to make a deal with him.

Bardi's expression darkened slightly, though he was certain Raven's life was not in danger.

"Hera, use him as a power source for the antimatter cannon."

"Recall all legions."

"Fire the antimatter cannon. Destroy the multiverse."

At Bardi's command, the Phantom Stranger—his soul annihilated and body devoid of will—was reduced to mere fuel for the antimatter cannon to destroy the multiverse.

The Phantom Stranger, once a savior of the multiverse, could never have imagined that he would become its executioner—the core power source of the antimatter cannon.

Hera moved gracefully, her white satin dress draping over her delicate figure. She bowed respectfully and replied.

"Yes, Master."

"Master, the Phantom Stranger's contact group—the multiverse contact group—reports that Quantum Batman and some others have surrendered. They're willing to let their universes merge into the Barmulodi Universe and serve under us."

Hera's voice was crisp and sweet, her tone concise.

"Oh?"

Bardi raised an eyebrow.

Quantum Batman was a being devoid of emotion, concerned only with the survival of his universe. To him, surrender was not betrayal—it was logic. To save countless lives, surrendering to Bardi was the best possible choice.

The moment the Phantom Stranger became an Anti-Monitor and disappeared, Quantum Batman had known what to do.

"Not interested. Destroy him."

Bardi's tone was frigid.

Once the antimatter cannon was activated, it would sweep through the multiverse like a storm. Within an hour, the multiverse would cease to exist. Bardi had no interest in merging Quantum Batman's universe into his own. It was convenient, yes—but meaningless.

And saving their universe?

Also convenient.

But if Bardi refused?

Then they could only die.

"Master, I'm afraid they'll muster one last resistance to stop the antimatter cannon."

When the antimatter cannon was activated last time, many multiversal heroes interfered. It had almost caused her to make a mistake. A single misstep—like someone reversing the cannon's energy, such as the Flash—could bring serious consequences.

"I'm here."

Bardi's expression was calm as he rose from the throne, towering as if he were stepping on the stars themselves.

Hera gave a graceful smile. After saluting Bardi, she turned and left with the Phantom Stranger.

"Yes, Master."

(To be continued.)