DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Origin.

He can be all things.

The source of everything.

All that exists and all that will exist.

All things are born from Origin.

Space, time, the universe, energy, quarks, quantum states, thought, biology—everything is encompassed.

He is the source of it all.

In the eyes of Bardi and Yuga Khan, He is the ultimate repository of information, the limit, the pinnacle of data comprehensible by consciousness.

He is the end and the beginning.

Now, Origin floated in this bright red corridor, rising and falling.

"Hm?"

Bardi frowned, his heart sinking.

A vast force, as though solidifying every layer of space, gripped him. Bardi suddenly realized he had been fixed in place, as though bound by glue, frozen here completely.

In an instant, within the dimensional universe, Yuga Khan's figure disappeared and reappeared outside.

Bardi was left alone in this dark dimensional realm—lonely, cold, empty—staring distantly at Yuga Khan's back.

This dimensional universe was extraordinary, continuing to drain Bardi's divine power, using it to freeze him in place.

In other words, the Monitor's technology was truly remarkable, it used a god's own power to imprison them. Not only was Bardi bound by oath, but now even his own power was being turned against him.

"So, Zonos... you're not planning to uphold your oath?"

Bardi opened his mouth. His words rumbled through the solidified dimensional space, sounding as if spoken by thousands of voices at once, echoing endlessly. Yet it had no effect on the stability of the dimensional realm.

The oath chain on Yuga Khan remained faintly visible. He grinned, his white teeth gleaming, and the fire in his eyes burned bright enough to scorch the stars.

"Barmulodi, of course I'll uphold my oath."

"Once I absorb half of Origin, you'll have half as well."

Of course, Bardi understood exactly what that meant.

When Yuga Khan absorbed "half" of Origin, he would take from it, then split the remainder in half, then again, and again—so by the time Bardi received his "half," it would be one five-thousandth of the original.

He would still fulfill the oath technically, but the actual amount Bardi would receive would be meaningless.

This was the classic trick of a devil with a pen, fulfilling the oath in form but not in substance.

"You're right, I can't be trusted. But in the end, you'll still get half of Origin, won't you?"

Yuga Khan burst into laughter, his eyes blazing, locked firmly on Origin.

But at this moment, he wasn't moving to devour it. Because he couldn't.

Only Bardi's divine power, which had been imbued by the whisper of the Great Beast, could cut into Origin.

The dimensional universe could only absorb Bardi's power and use it to breach Origin.

"You can bind me like this, Zonos?"

Bardi's expression was strangely calm, his eyes serene.

Had he not been without options, Bardi would never have allied with Yuga Khan in the first place. From the start, Yuga Khan had radiated untrustworthiness.

And now, he had proven it.

But Bardi wasn't without his countermeasures. In fact, it could be said that he remained the one in control.

Yuga Khan was nothing more than a tragic pawn. The Origin would never belong to him.

Yuga Khan tilted his head, his burning eyes full of ambition: "The dimensional universe created by the Monitor—once it drains enough divine power from you, it'll be enough to split Origin."

"Maybe now you'll understand why I've pursued this supreme power for so long."

He shook his head with an unrepentant sigh: "You don't understand this technology, this kind of power. You don't understand how impossible it is to escape the dimensional universe once inside."

"Everything you are will become a stepping stone for me to ascend."

"You still want to struggle?"

"Go ahead."

"You never asked why I would willingly enter a dimensional universe that could imprison even myself," Bardi said, his face expressionless.

"There are four reasons—four aspects that ensure you'll never obtain Origin."

"Let me out and share the power. That might be your best chance."

Yuga Khan flinched. A moment of hesitation flashed across his face. His eyes blazed with rage. His voice turned cold and harsh from deep within his throat. "Really? Then tell me what you have. Otherwise, you'll rot here forever."

Despite being bound, Bardi remained in control.

"First: the dimensional universe and Monitor tech you used to trap me—did you really think it was freely given?"

Bardi sneered. "Do you really believe the Monitor is that generous? Just handing you the technology to trap Origin and eat it?"

"You think the Watchers are watching you feast on Origin from the sidelines with smiles on their faces?"

"Don't kid yourself. You're not that important."

"Hmph. The Monitor was sealed outside the Divine Realm by Origin. He's just using me to destroy the Wall of Origin and gain entry," Yuga Khan scoffed.

"Talk is cheap. Your actions haven't proved a thing."

"Second: Origin is still conscious. He won't let you devour him. I believe that."

"And I believe I can do it. I don't need all of him—just half. And that's enough for me."

"Third: have you ever asked yourself why I, and not you, was given the power to bite into the Wall of Origin?"

Bardi's voice was heavy with meaning.

Why had the Great Beast given him this power? Even Bardi didn't fully understand—but he knew it was no accident. He had a role to play.

That role likely involved devouring Origin.

Hearing this, Yuga Khan's expression changed. His breath grew ragged. His heart grew chaotic. His eyes flashed with fury and uncertainty. His entire being trembled with frustration, as if he wanted to tear the entire world apart.

The Great Beast.

An existence no god could ignore.

A being no god dared to fully comprehend.

"You think I'll back down now? No!!! I'm not reconciled! I'm not reconciled!!!!"

"You're just a pawn!"

"I, Zonos, will never yield!"

Yuga Khan roared, his fury erupting like a tidal wave. His voice cracked with rage and thundered through the dimensional space, echoing into Origin itself.

"You let me out now, and maybe you'll still get half of Origin."

"Otherwise, you have no future."

Bardi's voice took on a strange, persuasive rhythm, flowing from the dimensional universe into Yuga Khan's soul, shaking him with sorrow and unwillingness.

If this really was the Great Beast's arrangement… then what could he do?

Defy the Beast?

"No!!!"

"I'm not reconciled!!!"

"I don't believe it!!!"

"Power—true power—will always be in my hands! That's the only truth!"

"You think words can manipulate me? That you can tempt my heart? It won't work!"

"Origin is mine! Even if it's... even if it's... even if it's..."

As he neared the end of his rant, Yuga Khan's voice faltered. His pupils burned, but he couldn't shatter the shackles in his heart. The temptation was too great. He refused to let go.

Origin was right in front of him. He would not give up.

"Yes."

"I am Barmulodi. And I, too, have the resolve to burn it all down."

Bardi's expression was ice-cold. Divine light surged from his body, illuminating the dark, hollow dimensional universe like a sun.

You say I'm a pawn?

How could I, Barmulodi, ever be a pawn?

I just want to protect what's mine.

You want to manipulate me?

Then I'll burn the whole game board!

Beast. Origin. Monitor!!

Suddenly, Bardi's eyes burst with rainbow-colored radiance, and his voice shattered the void as it roared through the dimensional universe like the call of a god.

(To be continued.)