Chapter 273: The Plan

In the Solar System, on the far side of the Moon, sat the Zero mothership.

In the deep space command room, surrounded by a backdrop of glittering stars, H'el lounged casually on a steel chair. Next to him was Athena, explaining her plan to use small universes to attract and imprison divine avatars to boost New Krypton's power.

Several days had passed since his battle with Darkseid. Their fight was a mere physical power struggle, despite both having their bodies shattered and bones crushed. These injuries were superficial for beings of their stature.

Instinctively, neither had used powers beyond their physical strength. Darkseid had refrained from using the Omega Effect.

The Omega Effect is a unique form of entropy, a destructive counterpart to the creative force of the Source. It can vaporize, erase, act as energy explosions/beams, or transform any form of matter, whether living or non-living. From Darkseid's eyes, it can track enemies across different locations, times, dimensions, and even universes. Darkseid could also use it to open portals for travel or to trap victims in endless, miserable universes.

H'el was uncertain of the full potency of this universe's Darkseid's Omega Effect, but judging by his obsession with the Anti-Life Equation and being constrained by Oa, it was likely incomplete or rare.

Even an avatar of Darkseid, split from his true form across the near-infinite multiverse, wouldn't hold all his power—each avatar would only have a fraction of it, just enough to develop independently.

A Darkseid constrained by the Guardians of the Universe and needing to collaborate with others indicated he wasn't omnipotent. Still, the Omega Effect presented a significant threat to H'el.

In a full-scale battle, if Darkseid used the Omega Effect, H'el sensed it would be a tough challenge.

Their fight didn't last long. After fracturing the neutron star, they ceased hostilities. Any stronger confrontation risked generating energy reactions detectable by the Green Lantern Corps, potentially jeopardizing their cooperation.

Ultimately, Darkseid, seething with anger, returned to Apokolips.

The pure physical confrontation had given H'el a better understanding of Darkseid's strength and an urgent desire to develop a countermeasure against the Omega Effect. He needed a solution to avoid being banished to an alternate universe with no way back.

Defeating Darkseid was no easy task. Likewise, Darkseid would find it equally challenging to defeat him. H'el believed that upon returning, Darkseid would certainly seek a way to eliminate him.

And he would do the same.

Collaboration was one thing, but killing each other was equally acceptable.

As H'el sat in the steel chair, contemplating the potential power of Darkseid's Omega Effect, he listened to the solemn, yet radiantly beautiful Athena. Her bright eyes gleamed as she explained:

"To make the divine entities aware and to entice their avatars into the small universes we've set up to imprison them, causing their true selves to be deceived, we must connect the small universes to the 'The Bleed"

Athena, clad in a moon-white gown, the silky fabric clinging to her body, accentuating her curves and smooth midriff, the slit revealing her long, white thighs, appeared regal yet alluring. Though usually too intimate for her taste, it seemed perfect for H'el.

"The Bleed?" H'el's attention shifted from his speculations about the Omega Effect, his brow furrowing slightly.

The Bleed is the nutrient supply of the cosmos. All universes vibrate at different frequencies within the same space, and the space enveloping all these universes is known as the The Bleed. Within this , outside each universe, flows its energy, nourishing the cosmos.

To put it simply, consider the Monitor. The universes are like cells within the Monitor's body, and The Bleed is the nutrient supply to those cells. However, this Bleed isn't something that can be easily harnessed.

"Can you use the Bleed?" H'el questioned.

Strictly speaking, his universe is three-dimensional, with time as the fourth dimension. Despite H'el using the Speed Force of the Flash to create parallel universes, establishing himself as their origin point and securing his place in this universe, he still hadn't awakened the ability to manipulate time. He remained incapable of controlling time, let alone touching or using the Bleed, which existed in the fifth dimension.

If judged by DC Comics standards, beings like the Golden Superman or Mr. Mxyzptlk, who were fifth-dimensional entities, could traverse and navigate the The Bleed across various universes.

Athena stood with her back straight, her demeanor elegant, her radiant face serious and pure as she replied, "No, I can't."

She herself was an avatar of a god, subject to certain limitations.

Beyond being restricted to act and think like her true self, Athena, she also lacked much knowledge beyond this universe. Knowing that outside the universe lies The Bleed was already a significant piece of information.

However, knowing something doesn't mean you can't contemplate, research, or utilize it.

"But there are two methods, H'el, that only you can use to harness the Bleed."

Athena extended a delicate finger, her demeanor serious and poised as she explained:

"First, place the travel vortex of the Trisolaran Universe at the edge of our universe, piercing through the protective membrane of the universe's boundary. This would allow The Bleed to flow into the vortex and enter the Trisolaran Universe, making it a part of The Bleed nutrient supply network. The denizens of the Sphere of the Gods will detect this and mistakenly perceive the Trisolaran Universe as a newly formed, highly valuable universe, prompting them to send their avatars to exploit its resources.

Once the avatars have entered in sufficient numbers, we can close the vortex, severing the connection between the avatars and their true forms. This would allow us to study all the divine avatars within the Trisolaran Universe, absorbing their knowledge and various types of power. Even Darkseid's Omega Effect would be available for you to research at your leisure."

Athena's intelligent eyes sparkled with wisdom as she elaborated on her straightforward and effective plan, which aimed to capture all divine avatars in one fell swoop:

"We only need to figure out how to break the protective membrane of the universe's boundary, and once all the gods have entered the Trisolaran Universe, close the vortex to prevent The Bleed from causing lasting damage to our universe."

H'el's eyebrows furrowed as he pondered her words.

Frankly, they had no way to handle the aftermath of The Bleed flowing into their universe. Additionally, H'el didn't fully control the Trisolaran Universe yet. Thus, while the plan was feasible, the numerous uncontrollable factors made the risk of failure too high. They couldn't proceed with it as it was.

After a moment of contemplation, H'el decided to hear Athena's second suggestion.

"Let's hear the second method."

°°°

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