Wound of the Heart

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"

//********************************************************\\

In the shadowed throne room of Apokolips, a somber, chilling silence hung thick in the air as Dassad, Darkseid's loyal advisor, knelt before his lord. His gaze was lowered, his voice reverent as he began to recount the clash between the Citadel and Gaia.

"Lord Darkseid," Dassad intoned, his voice laced with both awe and disdain, "the boy, Raiden of Gaia, has revealed his power. The Citadel fleet, in its entirety, was decimated… their leader obliterated as if he were mere dust."

Darkseid's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile. "I see," he mused, his eyes gleaming with a dark satisfaction. "So, the little boy finally decides to show his hand. Impressive, but ultimately meaningless." His voice deepened, resonant with unshakable confidence. "There was a time, long ago, when such power might have given me pause. But now? Now that I have reconnected with my former self, I have become more than I was." His gaze seemed to pierce through the walls of his stronghold, as if already casting judgment upon Gaia. "I will destroy him, his planet, and any hope they may cling to. The Anti-Life Equation will rest in my hands, Dassad, regardless of his defiance."

Dassad looked up with a sly nod, his eyes gleaming as he continued, "It also appears that Gaia has made contact with New Genesis, but… without the Highfather's guidance, they are scattered, fragmented. The pressure of their former glory hangs heavy upon them, but they are far from the force they once were."

Darkseid's expression twisted into one of contemptuous satisfaction. "Yes. It was worth the time and blood spent in my war against New Genesis. Two years was a small price to pay to weaken them, to cull their strongest warriors from the cosmos. The invasion may have halted, but without Highfather and his champions, New Genesis is no longer a threat. This leaves us free to focus on Gaia."

Darkseid's gaze settled upon Dassad with a razor-sharp focus. "Make this known to the generals. Gaia may not be underestimated. I do not wish to lose valuable assets to this newfound resistance. They may be little more than an upstart world, but they are a persistent one."

Dassad bowed low, his head nearly touching the cold, dark stone of the floor. "As you command, my lord. I will spread your word across Apokolips, and the Dark Army shall prepare for war against Gaia."

Darkseid leaned back, his voice thick with sinister finality. "Then prepare. Let the soldiers of Apokolips know that we march upon Gaia. It is time to start… the invasion."

.....

With the obliteration of the Citadel forces, a profound shift began to ripple across the Vega System. Planets that had been under the iron grip of Citadel rule slowly started to regain their independence, each one tentatively adjusting to the unfamiliar taste of freedom. Though the road to recovery would be long—years of rebuilding and stabilization awaited—hope sparked anew in each world of the Vega System.

With Gaia emerging as the new overseer of the Vega System, a new era of cooperation was born. The Green Lantern Corps, once banned from the Vega System under Citadel control, was now welcomed to enforce order and assist in reestablishing peace. Although Gaia had no desire to govern each individual planet, its influence was undeniable. Raiden, crowned as the ruler of Gaia and by extension the Vega System, was whispered about far and wide. Stories spread across the galaxy of a single man who had single-handedly destroyed War world, and the cautionary message he had broadcast to the cosmos: Gaia and its allies were off-limits.

For some tyrannical rulers, Raiden's warning seemed boastful, and they dismissed it as the typical bravado of a new power. But as news of what happened to the Citadel spread, their skepticism transformed into fear. Not only had Raiden destroyed the Citadel's massive fleet, but he had erased the world itself in a single, god-like strike—an entire planet reduced to its primordial state, its inhabitants eradicated. Even the Citadel's Progenitor, a being believed to be beyond death, was ultimately severed from existence. Raiden's power was now solidified in galactic consciousness as more than myth; he was a true force to be reckoned with.

Rumors of an impending war between Gaia and Apokolips—the galaxy's two most formidable forces—spread like wildfire. As whispers of this potential clash grew, other galactic powers began re-evaluating their own stances, watching for any indication of a victor or the weakening of either side. If Gaia and Apokolips were to clash, the galaxy held its breath, knowing the outcome could alter the balance of power. Would the victor ascend as the supreme ruler, bringing the entire galaxy under a single banner? Or would the two powers weaken each other enough to create a power vacuum for others to exploit

.....

Gaia was a hive of preparation. The people were briefed, evacuation plans laid out, and bunkers erected near every populated area. Gaia drones ensured the pathways were safe and accessible, while Earth's heroes, now at full readiness, stood on high alert. Even Superman, now fully recovered from his battle with Raiden, was prepared to protect Gaia once more as a defender.

In the heart of Gaia's command center, Raiden was organizing final strategies with Merlin, Da Vinci, and other allies. The Green Lantern Corps had arrived to bolster Gaia's defenses, alongside remnants from New Genesis, hoping Raiden's support could restore their own world one day. The forces of Tamaran were present too, honoring a debt to their new King after he had secured their freedom.

As the meeting came to a close, Raiden dismissed everyone except his closest allies. "I have something to show you all," he said, his voice grave, carrying a tone of pain and resolve. Merlin, Da Vinci, Kori, and Raven exchanged uneasy looks as Raiden's expression hinted at something more profound than strategy.

Raiden removed his jacket and then his shirt, revealing a wound that none of them expected. Once, his scar had been a jagged line across his torso, a mark of an old battle. But now it had changed—a massive, open wound, the scar now widened to resemble the shape of an eye. And within that eye, instead of flesh, there was an eerie sight: an endless galaxy, a dark void speckled with glimmers of distant stars. A cosmic depth lay within him, silent and unsettling, yet oddly devoid of pain.

Merlin and Da Vinci drew close, scrutinizing the wound, their faces full of concern. The implications of this transformation were incomprehensible. Raven stared in shock, a hand flying to her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "Oh no… Raiden, what does this mean… are you…?"

Kori fell to her knees, tears streaming as guilt washed over her. She believed that asking for Raiden's help with Tamaran had burdened him with this terrible consequence. But Raiden gently moved away from Merlin and Da Vinci, wrapping Kori and Raven in a strong embrace.

"Please, I never want to see you two cry," he said softly. He looked at Raven, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Raven, I love you. You have been by my side through everything. We have a son together, and I need you to be strong, never to show this kind of fear in my presence. You are my strength; you make me stand tall."

Turning to Kori, he continued, "Kori, you've opened my eyes to love and joy, showed me how to be better. My life was saved because of you. Please, never blame yourself for what I am going through. These choices were mine, all born out of my love for you. I will always love you both."

He pulled them closer, his expression softening. "I won't lie. I don't know what this scar means. I don't know what the future holds. But if the worst comes, I need you to stay strong. Promise me that if I fall, you'll live on. You'll stand together, and you'll raise Zephyr to carry on in my stead, to make this world a better place, just as I always dreamed. I've lived a life of happiness—because I had you both. So, for my sake, promise me that you'll go on."

Moved by his words, Raven and Kori wiped their tears, pulling him into an even tighter embrace. They held him as though they feared he would vanish at any moment, each silently vowing to honor his wishes, to be the strength he needed them to be. In that moment, their fears and grief melted away, replaced by a fierce resolve—to be by his side, no matter what the future might bring.

//********************************************************\\

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"