DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Heaven was high and noble. It had always been exalted, peaceful, and blissful. It was the final destination for all Unique Gods, the ultimate place one could yearn for but never enter. Within the realm of gods, it stood supreme.

But now, ever since the gate of Hell appeared and Lucifer emerged, restlessness swept through Heaven. That restlessness turned to fury.

To be betrayed and abandoned by one of their own—especially in such a hallowed, auspicious, joyful, and sacred place—was a profound disgrace. Particularly when it was Lucifer, the "son" created by the Supreme, once deeply cherished.

The angels, having lived through the betrayal, recalled the early days of the Third Era. They remembered blocking Lucifer's path as he tried to flee, only to be mercilessly struck down, cast from the Seventh Heaven to the First. Their chests trampled upon as Lucifer walked the road to damnation, never looking back. He descended into Hell and claimed dominion over it, becoming its Lord and eternal enemy of Heaven.

That scene remained an indelible memory among those angels. Their hearts still carried the pain.

Now, upon seeing Lucifer once again, the old wounds reopened. Their rage surged beyond the sanctity of Heaven.

"How dare you show yourself in the realm of the gods!"

"The only shame of Heaven!"

"Ungrateful traitor! Have you forgotten who once raised you?"

"If you don't return to Hell, today will be the day of your eternal damnation!"

"Arrogant madman! You will pay for everything you've done!"

"We've allowed Hell to exist for too long. Today, it ends!"

"Lucifer the betrayer, how dare you shelter the blasphemer!"

A host of One Gods appeared, radiant with holiness and righteousness, casting furious condemnations.

The Angelic Legion assembled in the Seventh Heaven, forming a war formation. Divine light enveloped the realm of gods. The aura of war pierced the sky.

Lucifer, the one who once disgraced Heaven, remained loathed by gods and ghosts alike. He had long been cast out and scorned.

Heaven's power was staggering. Bardi looked up and narrowed his eyes. The sheer number of first-stage Unique Gods manifesting was overwhelming. Their might rippled across the divine realm.

When Heaven stirred, the realm of gods fell silent.

No One God dared to interfere. They feared being dragged into the conflict, or worse, betrayed and crushed by Heaven's wrath. It was a time of absolute suppression.

So, for now, the realm of gods held only the overwhelming presence of Heaven. No one dared speak.

"No response?"

Bardi sighed slightly. So many One Gods in Heaven. Such an immense breadth of power. It truly was the supreme palace of the divine realm.

Perhaps only the gods embedded in the Wall of Origin could rival their number.

"A swarm of insects clinging to life. Not worth a thought."

Lucifer didn't seem to regard the gods of Heaven with any importance. He kept his back turned to them, indifferent to their anger, to their show of power, to their dominion over the divine realm. He remained calm.

His target was clear—Bardi.

"What a pity."

Bardi pitied the moment.

If Lucifer and Heaven fought, it would be a spectacular clash—one that might create the opportunity to save the Star of Barmulodi amid the chaos.

Their hatred seemed genuine.

Just seeing Lucifer had stirred the angelic army into a frenzy, prompting a full military deployment and enraging numerous Unique Gods. Bardi could only wonder what exactly Lucifer had done to earn such lasting hatred.

"If that's the case, step aside. I'm going to Heaven."

Bardi spoke calmly.

The Architect still held the Star of Barmulodi. Though Lucifer's wings might have been protecting it, Bardi did not trust him. Nor did he trust Heaven.

Someone who arrived in the divine realm, conspired to hide his wings within Trigon, claimed to protect the Star of Barmulodi, and now professed to act in Bardi's interest—how could he be trusted?

The fact that Bardi hadn't struck him down upon learning the truth already showed considerable restraint.

But with the Star of Barmulodi in the hands of the Architect, Bardi could not ignore it.

No matter what, Bardi had to ascend to Heaven, confirm the fate of the Star, uncover the Grand Architect's intentions, and witness it himself.

So, there was no need to enter Hell or provoke Heaven—for now.

"Oh?"

Lucifer was surprised. Even with the safety of the Star of Barmulodi assured, Bardi still insisted on going to Heaven.

That didn't match his nature. Bardi wasn't one to accept being used.

It only proved how important the Star of Barmulodi was to him. His very being was tied to it.

"What a pity. In that case, I'm sorry. Please, go to Hell."

Lucifer spoke calmly.

The formation created by the Endless began to activate. It radiated power capable of slicing through space, cutting away a portion of the divine realm.

He intended to force Bardi into Hell.

Bardi's expression remained unchanged. Did they really think he was so easily moved?

Perhaps they all underestimated his power.

Bardi almost laughed. It seemed everyone thought he had merely inherited the power of Origin.

Naïve.

Just as he prepared to unleash his power to suppress the Endless, Heaven noticed their movement. Seeing the Endless try to carve space and shift Bardi, they erupted again.

"Lucifer! Are you fleeing again?"

"Betrayer, surrender! You won't escape!"

"Hell will be your grave! That day is near!"

"Coward! You only run. Dare to face me in battle!"

The angel legions braced for war. Unique Gods manifested in fury. Seeing Lucifer try to flee once more enraged them beyond reason.

At that moment, a vast, majestic, boundless blue energy rose from the Seventh Heaven.

It was a towering form, blue and radiant, imbued with the power of creation itself. His face bore no emotion—neither joy nor sorrow. He manifested above Heaven.

He was the one gifted with divine authority by God. Heaven's Chief Architect. The one who created the multiverse in God's name. The one who shaped all things.

If Bardi was the Origin—the beginning, the source of all existence—then the Grand Architect was the God of Creation who refined that origin and brought it into form.

The Grand Architect.

Heaven fell silent at his appearance.

He hovered above the Seventh Heaven, expressionless. His massive blue divine body loomed high. In his left hand, he held the Star of Barmulodi, gently suspended in space and time, distant and unreachable.

He looked down on Bardi with cold detachment.

Bardi's eyes locked onto the Star of Barmulodi. His emotions surged. His face tensed. He was ready to erupt with power, break through the Endless' formation, and charge into Heaven.

However—

None of the gods could have predicted what happened next.

The Grand Architect's actions were horrifying.

His face remained cold, neither happy nor sad.

With his left hand, he lightly squeezed the Star of Barmulodi. At once, a pair of black wings enveloped the star, wrapping tightly around it.

Lucifer's expression changed drastically.

Bardi's face went pale, his gaze fixed on the Architect.

No one had time to react.

In an instant, the Architect crushed the Star of Barmulodi within his grasp. The black wings, meant to shield it, shattered instantly. They were no match for divine creative power.

The Star of Barmulodi vanished in an instant.

Everything Hera, Raven, Pamela, Faora, Diana, and Bardi had strived to protect and build within it, was obliterated in a single breath.

(To be continued.)