DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

The Barmulodi Universe, located 720,000 light-years from the Temple of Barmulodi—the center of the universe—was anchored by the Orion Arm, which hung in space like a colossal hook.

Many dazzling starlights surrounded an enormous turbine starter, over ten light-years in size. Based on a planetary structure, it had formed an unimaginably massive cantilever.

Antimatter Cannon.

When the Phantom Stranger, now reduced to an energy source, was placed within the steel field of the vast gear mechanism, his figure appeared small, desolate, and empty amid the lonely, boundless metal.

His eyes showed no sign of life. Bardi had already obliterated his consciousness.

In the next moment, the planetary gears began to turn slowly, burying him in the deepest core of the star-sized starter. That lonely figure sank into silence, into death.

The Phantom Stranger, who had always upheld justice across the multiverse, ultimately perished at Bardi's hands, reduced to mere fuel.

Pong—

A massive, terrifying force shook the universe as it erupted.

The Orion Galaxy trembled. Every planet within it seemed to transform into a gear, rotating with the antimatter cannon's central ignition. The stellar mechanism came to life.

Thousands of starlights and billions of stars spun in unison across the cold, dark universe.

A radiant vortex formed, descending into a funnel composed of brilliant starlight. The scene was indescribably majestic. Even from millions of light-years away, Barmulodi's legions and citizens, including historical archivists, recorded and watched in awe.

A collective sense of fear surged within them, panic stemming from the chaotic essence of life itself. The aura of annihilation swept through the cosmos.

Countless beings began to tremble. From the depths of their souls came a wave of inexplicable dread, sorrow, and terror.

"What's happening to me?"

"Such a magnificent sight… why does my heart feel such fear?"

"It's terrifying... that funnel of billions of stars... it's terrifying..."

Every living being felt the looming presence of extinction.

Then, suddenly—

A massive figure stood beside the Orion Galaxy. A towering giant loomed over the cosmos, so immense that every corner of the Barmulodi Universe seemed to fall beneath his gaze.

It was God King Bardi. His form blocked out the heavens. With his head held high and feet planted in space, his divine body towered in the cosmos, terrifying and vast.

Yet—

Despite Bardi's presence, the people of the universe felt no comfort. Fear and panic only deepened. Some couldn't bear the pressure, unable to look up at Bardi's form. Their bodies trembled, their minds overwhelmed by terror and awe.

This was the first time Bardi appeared before the universe as a god. But instead of awe-inspiring reverence, he incited horror across civilizations.

His divine form stood in the Orion Galaxy, and as he reached into the void, he tore the fabric of the universe apart. Behind the tear, the blood domain flowed like twisted, living water.

The sheer dread radiated outward, spreading across the stars.

"Your Majesty the terrifying God King..."

"He tore the universe apart!"

"Who dared to anger His Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, what are you planning?!"

Panic overtook the universe. Countless beings stared in speechless terror, clutching their heads or freezing as they watched.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the blood domain.

Quantum Batman crossed the veil, his blue quantum form materializing amid the red flow. Behind him, a dense formation of countless Justice League members emerged.

More than any other group from any other universe.

Batman. Aquaman. Cyborg. Wonder Woman. Martian Manhunter. Shazam. Doctor Fate. Green Lantern. Firestorm. Constantine. Zatanna. Blue Beetle. Spark. Blue Devil. Robin. Shining Knight. Hawkman. Hawkgirl. The Atom. Atomica. Supergirl. Wonder Girl. Zoom. Beast Boy. Doctor Manhattan.

All of DC's superheroes. All superhero teams. Even a vast majority of supervillains and villain teams had gathered—arrayed behind Quantum Batman, prepared to resist Bardi.

They had come with the will of their respective universes.

Each was strong enough to destroy a galactic system.

But to Bardi, such beings were mere insects, easily swept away.

"Everyone... we are going to die."

Quantum Batman spoke without emotion. His blue form raised its head and gazed into the distance, his eyes locked onto Bardi's divine face, the chill in his gaze piercing straight into the heart.

Bardi's divine body loomed, each eyelash larger than any one of them. The heroes were countless, their presence filling the blood domain like an endless wave.

"That's still better than watching my wife die before my eyes!"

The Flash—Barry Allen—flashed golden lightning. The fastest Flash in history. Even teleportation by gods had been left in the dust by his speed. He had long surpassed teleportation.

He had merged with the Speed Force and become its avatar. Some say he was the Speed Force.

Around him, lightning of every color surged. Flashes from different universes converged, forming a thunderous ocean.

"Maybe this is our fate. Big enough for me."

Green Lantern whistled softly. The green light of willpower burst from his body, glowing brilliantly in the blood domain.

Nearly all the Green Lanterns across the multiverse had unified their wills, creating the strongest Green Lantern—a representative of universal will, fighting for survival.

"I heard my counterpart in this universe was subdued by his vile power."

"She needs liberation!"

Wonder Woman spoke coldly, wearing the Helmet of War and holding her sword and shield.

She had once captured the God of War and taken his mantle. Now, wearing the God of War's helmet, she would grow infinitely stronger in battle.

Because this was war.

Bardi's immense divine body stood above the stars. His eyes were icy, and the corner of his mouth curled in a mocking smirk. His large hand, lined with bone spurs, reached forward. He clenched it into a fist, and the simple act sent shockwaves through the blood domain, shaking and crushing countless superheroes across billions of universes.

With a single strike, only a few escaped the grasp of Bardi's divine hand.

Even if hundreds of millions of superheroes perished, their numbers seemed inexhaustible. The final army of heroes surged like droplets into an endless sea.

"Just you?"

Bardi sneered. His cold eyes and towering form radiated tyranny and dominion. He looked down on all heroes from above, a demon-god in form and presence.

In that instant, with Bardi's motion, the funnel-like stellar mechanism of the antimatter cannon began to spin.

Across all multiverses, everything began to tremble.

Destruction, initiated.

War, commenced.

(To be continued.)