The War Starts

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As the Gaia fleet held steady near Saturn, a quiet intensity settled in the control room. Merlin stood by Raiden, his voice steady but tinged with sadness as he delivered somber news.

"I've received word about the Blue Lantern Corps, my King," Merlin said, his gaze fixed on the reports. "They were ambushed on their way by one of Darkseid's elites. They've lost a member."

Raiden's face softened, and a sorrowful look passed over his eyes. "The Blue Lanterns aren't like the other Corps," he said slowly. "They're a family, and each loss strikes them deeply. May his soul rest in peace." He looked out toward the void of space for a moment, then turned to Merlin. "Send a portion of our drones to assist them. They shouldn't face this alone."

Before Merlin could reply, Scáthach entered, her demeanor as sharp and no-nonsense as ever. "We have visuals on the Apokolips fleet," she announced. "It seems they've doubled their numbers."

Raiden's expression darkened, his mind already calculating. "Didn't they clash with the Green Lantern Corps?"

Merlin nodded. "They did, but the Green Lanterns are en route to rotate in support of our side. They've been stretched thin by the sheer size of the Apokolips force."

"Do we have contact with them?" Raiden asked, his voice resolute.

"Yes," Merlin replied. "They should be arriving any second."

A slight, fierce smile played on Raiden's lips. "Good. Proceed as planned, Merlin. Just pinpoint the Apokolips mothership for me. I'll handle that personally. The rest is in your capable hands."

Merlin bowed slightly. "As you wish, my King."

.....

The fleets stood silently in the vastness of space, a tension mounting between them as Darkseid's flagship loomed at the center of the Apokolips fleet. The colossal ship dwarfed everything around it, an immense shadow that rivaled Warworld itself. Its size alone was enough to chill most hearts, but Raiden's eyes narrowed with defiance as he watched it approach. 

Beside him, Carry shifted nervously, watching her brother with worry etched across her face. "Brother... are you sure you'll be fine?" she asked, her voice softened by concern. 

Raiden turned to her with a reassuring smile, his confidence unshaken. "I'll be more than fine. Don't worry about me, Carry. The energy you're channeling into me right now? That'll be my life saver out there." 

Carry managed a small smile in return, her blue ring still aglow as she fed him energy, her voice tinged with regret. "I see... I hope that's true. I just wish I could do more. I want to stand by your side."

Raiden gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "No, little sister. I can't have you fighting here on the front lines. What kind of King would I be if I let my sister go into battle? Go with Bart; he'll get you safely back to Earth. If you want to fight, fight to protect the people there—not here."

Her blue ring's glow softened as she nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Then I'll fight with all I have, Raiden, but only if you promise me you'll be safe."

Raiden patted her head softly, a warm gesture before he nodded toward Bart. "Impulse, you know your mission," he said, voice firm.

Bart gave a quick salute, taking hold of Carry as he prepared to speed off to the awaiting ship. "Got it, King. Let's go, Carry," he said, disappearing in a flash of movement toward the Earth-bound fleet.

Raiden watched them go, a renewed fire in his gaze. "Now… I'm ready."

Just then, Merlin approached, his gaze unreadable as he announced, "We're receiving a comm request... from Darkseid."

Raiden raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? Didn't expect him to talk, let alone call. Guess he wants his 'grand entrance'—let's see what this god has to say."

Merlin nodded, launching the comms. The view-screen shifted to reveal a looming figure, draped in darkness, his intense gaze like a chasm of rage and disdain.

Raiden crossed his arms, unfazed. "So, the 'Great Darkseid' himself. A god of darkness who wages wars without declarations, huh? I didn't think you'd actually call to talk—unless, of course, this is you surrendering?"

Darkseid's deep, rumbling voice resonated through the ship. "Surrender? Hmph. Your trembling words betray you, yet you feign jest in the face of your doom. You speak of surrender as if it were a concept my mind could entertain, as if I—a god—would kneel to the likes of you or any creature spawned from this trifling universe."

Raiden chuckled, his laughter cutting through the tense silence. "Oh, terrifying! Really, Darkseid, that's the best you've got? Just some ominous, shadowy speech? Look at you, all talk and bluster." He leaned forward, his tone hardening. "You may call yourself a god, but I'm the King of Gaia, honored by the past kings and heroes of my realm. Darkness won't save you from me, mongrel."

Darkseid's eyes flared, his voice a low growl. "Mongrel, you say? You dare call me—Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips, lord of the Anti-Life—a mere mongrel? Your defiance is as hollow as your boasts, King of Gaia. A realm of such limited power could never comprehend, much less oppose, a true god. Your titles, your lineage, your petty honors bestowed by the weak—they hold no meaning here. But if you are so eager for an 'honored death,' I will grant it. Stand before me, cling to your pitiful courage if you must. It will make your annihilation... poetic."

The screen went dark as the connection cut off. Raiden exhaled a sharp breath, a smirk forming as he shook his head. "Looks like he's properly ticked off now. Guess we know what's next."

He looked to Merlin, fire in his eyes. "Let's begin. All forces—prepare for war."

.....

The Gaia motherships opened, unleashing thousands of war drones into the void of space. Lasers, rockets, and fiery explosions filled the cosmos, lighting up the dark as the battle raged. But at the heart of the largest Gaia ship, Raiden had already taken his place in the open battlefield of the stars. His armor shone a brilliant gold, radiating a fierce, almost divine presence; he now embodied the might of Gilgamesh, the Great King of Heroes. His hand gripped his trusted sword, Ea, its otherworldly energy thrumming through the blade. 

Raiden raised Ea high, the blade casting a crimson aura against the endless night. He began his chant, his voice carrying an ancient, primal power:

"**Ea! Sing praise as you like! I will tell you of the beginning. Heaven and Earth split. Nothingness congratulated Creation... and my sword cleaved the world. Mortar of the stars... heaven's hell is the eve of creation's celebration!** **Enuma Elish!!**"

The space around Ea twisted violently, dark and red energy swirling in tandem as the Noble Phantasm unleashed its destructive fury. A colossal beam of energy surged forward, cleaving through the void and targeting Darkseid's massive warship. The power of Ea tore through layers of space itself, bending reality and tearing apart anything within its reach.

But instead of total annihilation, Darkseid's ship remained intact, encased within an impenetrable sphere of dark energy. The barrier held strong against Enuma Elish's assault, its swirling darkness absorbing the force.

Gilgamesh's voice echoed in Raiden's mind. (Hah! A mere vessel that dares to endure the might of Ea, my Sword of Rupture? Insolent! To think anything forged by mortal hands could withstand my strength... Preposterous!)

Raiden's eyes narrowed. "It's not the ship. It's Darkseid himself," he muttered.

Gilgamesh's voice resonated with disdain. (Very well, then. If this insolent vessel insists on defying me, I shall oblige with utter annihilation! I demand nothing less than utter devastation if my noble weapon is to be wielded in this farce of a war. Let all who witness tremble, for I shall leave nothing but ruin in my wake!)

Raiden increased the ferocity of Ea's assault, channeling every ounce of power into the attack. The dark sphere trembled, shuddering under the relentless pressure until, at last, a section buckled. A massive hole formed, and the blazing energy pierced through, obliterating the left side of Darkseid's ship. That portion was erased from existence, vaporized entirely.

As the remnants of his ship burned, Darkseid rose from his throne, his form a dark, imposing silhouette against the fire. He drifted forward through space, the sphere of darkness surrounding him, more concentrated and potent than before.

"Is that all you amount to?" he sneered, his voice cold and unimpressed. His dark aura seemed even denser, a manifestation of pure malevolence, and Raiden could sense the resemblance to a familiar energy.

*(This energy… it's like the power of Empty Hand,)* he thought.

Raiden's smirk grew. "So, you've aligned yourself with Darkness, then? Using the power of that force?"

Darkseid's grin was menacing. "You mean my other self? I am Darkness, and Darkness is me. I am merely reclaiming what has always been mine."

"Is that so?" Raiden said, confidence brimming in his voice. With a subtle movement, a massive golden gate opened behind him, a gleaming ship of light emerging from within. Raiden leaped atop it, and with a commanding *zwiiit*, the ship of light barreled forward, ramming Darkseid's sphere of darkness.

The sphere didn't yield, and Darkseid's smirk widened, savoring the perceived futility of Raiden's attack. But just then, Raiden held up a small device, a teleporter he had designed specifically for this battle. With a single press of the button, the space around them shimmered, a brilliant light engulfing both men.

When the light faded, they stood in an entirely different realm—a barren, haunting landscape devoid of life and light.

Darkseid scanned his surroundings, quickly recognizing the desolation. "The Phantom Zone… You think bringing me here will change your people's fate?" He sneered, his eyes blazing with contempt. "This won't change the outcome. I will kill you, and everyone you hold dear."

Raiden's golden armor shimmered as he shifted back into his usual form, his expression filled with unshakable resolve. He took a step forward, a smirk tugging at his lips. 

"No, Darkseid. You misunderstand." His voice echoed through the empty space of the Phantom Zone. "I didn't bring you here to save them. I brought you here to save them from what I'm about to do to you."

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If you Like this story! Check out my other story! One Piece: Elden Lord!

and

If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at

"https://www.patréon.com/Riadooo"

Don't forget to change "é" to "e"