Chapter 5

The leaders of the factions were The Amazons led by Hippolyta, The Humans led by Ghengis Khan and The Atlanteans led by Orin II. The gaze upon the plains or what used to be great plains was now replaced by magma, obsidian, trees, and other structures made of strange metals. Pits of fire littered the area for a few square miles. The source of this horrid change was pillars about two hundred feet tall. It had symbols and circuits littering the surface. There were three of them and each had veins of energy running through the ground connecting them as they changed the landscape around them. 

"Ever since the scouts reported them landing an hour ago they have progressed in transforming too fast to do nothing. Within a day the continent or or more could be transformed," said Hippolyta

"But what if attacking these structures triggers some kind of response that speeds up the process or worse? At this moment the transformation is fast yes, but controlled," said Ghengis causing the other two leaders to ponder as his statement had merit. "If we want to stop this the structure must be analyzed or destroyed in one decisive blow"

Orin II nodded agreeing with Ghengis's words. Hippolyta pondered for a bit longer but also agreed. The leaders were discussing the next move while overlooking the plains below from a hill. Suddenly the day became the night as the sky darkened and a full moon emerged. A silver arrow descended from the heavens like a falling star and was about to strike one of the pillars when suddenly it paused. The air at the tip of the arrow rippled as if the space itself would not allow it to proceed. Out of the rippling space emerged a hand and grabbed the arrow easily and snapped it like a twig. 

From the ripples in space emerged Mastema. Donned in his armor and helmet. He looked at the two halves of the arrow in his hand then gazed up at the sky before turning his gaze towards the leaders. The space around him warped and he was gone, only to reappear floating right in front of the leaders. Hippolyta drew her blade and Orin II tightened his grip on his trident. Ghengis however made no move to defend himself and just observed the stranger. 

Ghengis stepped forward after neither party made a move after a few seconds."Greeting outsider, My name is Ghengis Khan what is yours? " 

"Mastema" he replied as his helmet retracted allowing them to see his face. Hippolyta was a bit taken aback. This being was as handsome if not more so than some of the gods."Your planet is beautiful, it's a shame it will burn"

Orin II bellowed in outrage and trusted his spear forward at Mastema. Like the arrow before it paused a few inches from his outstretched hand. Mastema flick his finger and a red orb slammed into Orin II and repelled him backwards into the ground forming a small trench. 

Hippolyta slashed horizontally aiming to cut his midsection, but like before the blade paused, it momentum halted. Mastema grabbed the blade and it phased through Hippolyta's hand. She jumped back to create some distance but a sudden pressure descended upon her and she was forced to her knees with such force the ground cracked, as she struggled to breathe. 

See she was subdued Mastema focused his attention on Ghengis who made no attempt to attack him. He raised his brow" Are you not gonna try your luck immortal" he said shocking Ghengis so much so that his amused expression fell. 

"How did"

"Please I observed and directed so many species. I let with a glance that your cells don't age and haven't for more than a millennium. Although based on my scans of your genetic makeup your body holds or shall we say your bloodline is quite intriguing." Mastema pauses and his smirk falls. He sighs before continuing." It is truly a shame this world must burn. I would have loved to see what your descendants are capable of. I mean the Atlanteans are intriguing but that's not all the genes are capable"

Again Ghengis was shocked this man...no this being had been her but a few minutes and knew so much already. And his power with mere moments his fellow leaders when taken out and rendered useless. He had to find some way to avert the destruction of his world but from the way, the one called Mastema was talking, it would seem he was not in charge. He seemed to want to observe this world he was more of a scientist but his decisiveness in takedown the other two showed he didn't lack as a warrior. 

He needs to find a way to convince this being to help in his plans. A mutually beneficial way to gain his help or better yet the help of who he serves. Ghengis stepper forward getting a raised brow from Mastema."Yet again you come closer. Do you think yourself invincible" he said and his eyes glowed a frosty otherworldly blue Ghengis could no longer breathe and his feet began to falter, he then felt a crushing grip on his heart. He clawed at his chest but no oxygen came and his heart was squeezed with even more ferocity. Ghengis fell to one knee, with one hand on the ground keeping him from collapsing and another gripping his chest.

"To a thing like me, a thing like you, well...Think how you'd feel if a bacterium sat at your table and started to get snarky. This is one little planet in one tiny solar system in a galaxy that's barely out of its diapers. I've seen worlds far older and faced being far stronger...but I must admit I'm intrigued" After he was finished Ghengis could breathe again. It has been so long since he's felt that helpless not since Klarion. 

"Someone with your strength serves another? I find that most unlikely.

"Hmph nice attempt immortal." Said Mastema with a chuckle."I'm a prince"

"Ah you serve your father"

"Everyone on Apokolips serves my father"

"Apokolips?"

"My home. And my father it's lord and master"

"Could I..." Ghengis paused and locked at Hippolyta who was still struggling to keep herself from crumbling" Mastema saw his gaze and his eyes glowed once again.

"She can no longer hear you. Speak"

Ghengis was surprised but decided at that moment that he could not yet fathom this being and he should stop trying to at least for now. " Would it be possible to broker a deal with your father?"

Mastema raised a brow then chuckled."A deal with my father...perhaps...but you must impress him. You will not best our forces however if you impress him and offer him something worth temporarily removing his sight from your world. He will accept"

"Temporirly?"

"Yes eventually we will be back, but by then perhaps you will have a chance" Mastema had a playful look on his face.

Ghengis contemplated before sighing"Very well. I shall see you again on the battlefield then" Ghengis looked at Hippolyta. Mastema released the pressure and he helped her up. He then headed towards Orinn II and took them both back to the camp.

Mastema watches this all unfold with intrigue. Space warped around him and he was back on the ship beside his brother who was used to him doing this.

"Well?" asked Kalibak

"You will have fun brother"

Kalibak licked his lips with a bloodthirsty grin."Good"

Back at the base camp Hippolyta and Orin have both recovered already. Their physiques show their strengths. 

"Why didn't you attack him, Khan" questioned Hippolyta

"Because it would have been foolish. You both made a mistake no seasoned leader should. Attacking an enemy you know nothing about." he said calmly as his daughter gave him a mug of wine that he chugged in one go and handed back to her.

"Orin you let mere world rile you up," he said while glancing at the king of the sea who gritted his teeth but accepted the criticism as it was true. He then looked at Hippolyta.

"You say he dispatched Orin by raising a finger and instead of analyzing that he only attacked when he was attacked you followed in Orin's footsteps. Hippolyta sighed and nodded. 

"Fair enough. What did you learn from your conversation with him? I saw your lips moving but could not hear as my ears were ringing from the pressure."

Ghengis's daughter brought him another mug. This time he swirled it in the mug."His name is Mastema. He's from a world called Apokolips."

Hippoluya and Orin listened carefully.

"He is a price of this nation and mostly likely not the only one or the first. His father is the ruler of his home world and the reason our planet is being invaded is because it is his will"

"A prince not coddled or spoiled by his upbringing and decisive and precise with his actions as you both noticed earlier."

Orin tightened his grip on his spear. Still perturbed about the earlier confrontation with Mastema. The ease with which he was defeated damaged his pride. The same could be said for Hippolyta but she kept her emotions in check better. 

"I think it's clear that the gods will be the ones to battle him and his family members. Our jobs would be to keep the army and commanders of said army at bay and eliminate as many as possible to allow the gods to focus on their battles." chimes in Hippolyta

Ghengis nodded. Orin did as well even though it hurt to admit he had no chance against Mastema. And if his family members were just as strong...well.

~MOUNT OLYMPUS - Hall of the Gods~

"My arrow was dispatched with ease. Even though I didn't use my full strength to test the device. It was still strong enough to fell a small mountain." said Artemis from her throne as she reported to her father.

Artemis emerges with an air of ethereal beauty, her slender figure adorned in a calf-length dark grey dress that cascades gracefully around her lithe form. Her long, flowing locks of white hair cascade down her back like a shimmering waterfall, framing her bronzed, tanned skin and accentuating the captivating allure of her piercing silver-blue eyes. Towering above the average human, she exudes a regal presence, a testament to her divine lineage.

Atop her head rests a delicate silver-blue crown, its intricate design reminiscent of three crescent moons intertwined, symbolizing her sacred role as the Goddess of the Moon. With each step, she exudes an aura of otherworldly grace and power, embodying the timeless beauty and majesty befitting of a deity.

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"Hmmm, the new gods have never come this far before. There must be a reason Darkseid is here," said Athena.

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war strategy, embodies both beauty and power in equal measure. Draped in an elegant white dress that flows like the gentle currents of a pristine river, she exudes an air of divine grace and sophistication. Yet, beneath the serene exterior lies a formidable warrior, adorned in Imperial Gold armor that gleams with the radiance of a thousand stars.

Her majestic form is adorned with overflowing white robes, symbolizing purity and virtue, while her Imperial Gold armor glistens with otherworldly brilliance. In one hand, she wields a spear, a symbol of her martial prowess and strategic acumen, while in the other, she bears a bronze Aegis shield, emblazoned with symbols of protection and divine authority.

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Ares grunted. He sat on his throne sharpening his axe. Ares, the god of war and conflict, cuts a formidable figure clad in attire befitting his martial prowess and commanding presence. Adorned in a sleek, all-black chest plate that glistens with a menacing sheen, he exudes an aura of dark authority and raw power. Below the waist, he wears black pteruges, the traditional skirts worn by Greek and Roman soldiers.

His imposing stature is further accentuated by spiked shoulder pads that protrude like the horns of a battle-ready titan, holding his flowing cape in place with an air of martial grandeur. Forearm cuffs adorned with spikes encircle his powerful arms, a testament to his readiness for combat and his mastery of the art of war.

Ares's visage exudes a sense of controlled intensity, with a faded buzzcut framing his commanding features and a neatly trimmed beard that lends an air of rugged masculinity to his countenance. His piercing gaze, tinged with the flicker of ancient battles and conquests, speaks volumes of his unwavering resolve and unyielding determination. On his armrest sat a helmet with a bloody red mae and two black tusks at the side. 

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"Something to add bother"

"The longer we wait the more prepared they shall be"

"Oh I thought you love a challenge brother" 

Ares eyes glowed red."Giving them time to change the battlefield to their preference allows for their armies to fight easier and adapt quickly"

Athena rolled her eyes."I agree with you brother"

Zeus finally spoke."We shall decent after Hermes and Apollo report back. Hephestus IS working overtime in his force with the Elder Cyclops to make the best for the armies of Olympus to triumph. Demeter is making food to get them into top shape."

"Lord Poseidon is in Atlantis to support it in case the enemy divides their forces. Lord Hades...said he'll intervene if necessary. All preparations will be ready by first light" Athena added.

Zeus nodded with a slight frown. Zeus, the king of the gods, commands attention with his towering stature, exuding strength, and majesty. His muscular frame is a testament to his power, while his handsome features and commanding presence leave no doubt of his divine lineage. With shoulder-length black hair cascading in waves around his chiseled face, and a neatly trimmed black-and-gray beard framing his strong jawline, Zeus possesses an aura of regal elegance.

His piercing electric-blue eyes, radiant with wisdom and authority, seem to hold the very essence of the heavens themselves. Adorned in robes of rich blue and white, woven with threads of shimmering gold, he wears his royal attire with effortless grace. Golden accessories embellish his regal ensemble, gleaming in the divine light that surrounds him, a reflection of his status as the ruler of Mount Olympus and the master of thunder and lightning.

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"Meeting adjourned. Tomorrow we face the new gods" he said as his eyes flashed with electricity. The three gods bowed and exited the hall. Soon the battle for the Earth would commence.