Chapter 268: Meeting Darkseid

The surface of this neutron star was smooth and incredibly dense, with a gravity 180,000 times that of Earth. Ordinary beings could not walk or survive on such a star.

Even Athena had to use her divine power and the magical array inscribed on her platinum robe to counteract the immense gravity, enabling her to accompany H'el on what would outwardly seem like an unromantic stroll across the neutron star.

In one area of the neutron star, a black round table rose up. Hades, wearing a grim reaper cloak with a scythe floating behind him, stood quietly in the middle, waiting.

On the other side was Steppenwolf, carrying his axe on his shoulder. He stood arrogantly, his expression haughty, standing guard.

Beside him was an obsidian throne with its back turned to Hades.

Steppenwolf glared malevolently at Hades.

This cooperation meeting was initiated by Hades. Steppenwolf hadn't expected Hades to persuade the New Krypton Emperor to cooperate with Apokolips in attacking Oa.

Even he and Darkseid didn't know that Doomsday's flesh was sealed on Oa, used by Hades as a lure.

In the distant sky, H'el and Athena gradually walked across the surface of the neutron star.

Seeing the black round table and Hades and Steppenwolf coming into view, Athena slightly lagged behind H'el, following his lead.

"Athena!"

Hades was surprised to see H'el bringing Athena along.

In the grand hall of New Krypton, Athena had her senses sealed and was unaware of his and H'el's plans.

Once she knew, Athena would undoubtedly notify the Olympian gods to aid Oa.

Now, seeing Athena by H'el's side, Hades couldn't help but wonder what price H'el had paid to make Athena abandon the Olympian gods and stand by his side.

The sole desire of a divine avatar was to master its own free will.

Had Athena found a way to break free from her main body?

Did this method require H'el's help?

Hades guessed the truth the moment he saw H'el and Athena appear.

But these truths were merely guesses. Beyond that, it was none of his business unless it conflicted with his desire for the death authority on Oa or Athena's interests. Otherwise, they were potential allies.

One more strength, Hades thought, made achieving his goal easier.

Steppenwolf raised an eyebrow upon seeing H'el, the one who had once chased him away like a rabid dog. The arrogance in his expression faded slightly.

A strong individual who could rival Darkseid was worthy of his respect.

H'el approached the round table and looked at the back of the obsidian throne beside Steppenwolf.

H'el sat back directly, with black nanoparticles surging to form a steel seat, supporting him as he floated slightly above the ground.

Athena stood beside him, standing guard.

"No one has ever made me, Darkseid, wait this long."

The obsidian throne slowly rotated to face forward, revealing Darkseid's true form.

His body was massive and muscular, sitting boldly on the obsidian throne, clad in black armor with the Omega symbol engraved on the chest. His exposed skin was like cracked gray stone, and his face exuded undisguised dominance and brutality, with eyes perpetually glowing with a cruel, downward gaze.

A brutal, bloody, and violent aura emanated from him like a dark red storm, fiercely rushing towards H'el.

"Is that so? You should feel honored; now someone has."

H'el leaned back against the cold steel seat, his hands resting on the sharply angled armrests, his eyes indifferent as he spoke calmly.

A domineering aura, as if ruling the stars and looking down upon the universe, surged forward like a black storm, crashing towards Darkseid.

The two auras clashed visibly, like two worlds colliding. The black and dark red forces covered half of the neutron star each, continuously colliding and holding each other in a violent standoff. The intense confrontation painted the entire neutron star in opposing black and dark red hues.

As the black and dark red forces clashed and stalemated, the surrounding waves and particles began to swirl chaotically.

'Crack...'

The black round table below them split in two, the neutron star's gravity became erratic, and it started to tremble uneasily.

"Gentlemen, we are here to cooperate for our respective purposes. Consider what you want."

Hades was not having an easy time. Positioned between the two, he bore the brunt of the immense, tangible auras emanating from both sides.

Although neither force directly targeted him, being at the epicenter of their power struggle subjected him to significant pressure, causing him to furrow his brow.

Despite this, the two maintained their powerful, magnetic, and gravitational auras in a state of equilibrium. Gradually, though, their mutual understanding led them to lower the intensity until the black and dark red energies dissipated above the neutron star.

"I have slaughtered countless Kryptonians. Do you think a defeated foe deserves to cooperate with me?"

Darkseid's eyes glowed red, the Omega Beams flickering with a violent, savage aura.

During the ancient cosmic war, Darkseid had been the primary force responsible for the mass killing of Kryptonians, making him a true enemy of their race.

"You should be grateful you never encountered me."

H'el's eyes glowed a burning red, a cold smirk of domineering battle intent curling on his lips as he stared directly at Darkseid.

The infamous dark tyrant of the universe was not merely a brutal force but also an exceptionally intelligent and far-sighted strategist, capable of great patience and cunning.

"Gentlemen, let me remind you again, consider your respective goals. We are here to cooperate," Hades reiterated solemnly, urging them not to let personal grudges interfere with their objectives.

The two held each other's fierce gazes for a moment longer before, at Hades' urging, they reluctantly withdrew their burning stares, casting a simultaneous glance at Hades that made his skin tingle.

Under Hades' mediation, the tension between the two gradually eased.

Hades then formally introduced the discussion about the deployment of forces against Oa.

"Since the end of the ancient cosmic war, the Green Lantern Corps, established by the Guardians of the Universe, has stood strong. Though each of the 3,000 sectors may seem to have only one or two Lanterns, the power behind the Guardians has only grown stronger over time.

Even if we combine the forces of Apokolips, New Krypton, and my army, we are far from matching the strength of the Guardians.

Darkseid, you were the one who proposed this alliance and the assault on Oa. Present your plan."

°°°

A/N The big guy finally showed himself

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