Chapter 260: Forbidden Chapter

"What did you say!" Hades' indifferent eyes sitting on the throne made of corpse sharpened into focus, staring at Steppenwolf sitting proudly.

Becoming an independent individual with freedom, not becoming food for the True Body, is the ultimate desire of every divine avatar in every universe.

Including Steppenwolf, Highfather, and even Darkseid, who is desperate to find the Anti-Life Equation.

They all long to become free and independent individuals, even after the end of the universe, to still dominate their own will and freedom, and survive.

But what each divine avatar needs to break free from the main body, energy, and rules is different.

For example, Darkseid eternally pursues the Anti-Life Equation, as it gives him a chance to break free from the main body. Therefore, Darkseid in every universe will spare no effort to pursue the Anti-Life Equation.

This is not only about power but also about becoming oneself eternally free, even in death, to die according to one's own will.

But many divine avatars actually don't know what they need to break free from the true body and avoid becoming food for it.

Athena is an example. From the moment she was thrown into this universe, she has been searching in confusion, yearning, and hoping for a hope whose direction she doesn't even know.

She doesn't know what she needs to become independent from the main body, to become herself, to possess the will to control her own survival.

It's a pursuit without hope.

Even now, although she has placed her hope in H'el, she hasn't felt a glimmer of hope.

Although the pursuit of having independent control over one's survival is the ultimate desire of every divine avatar, there are also those who have long recognized the facts, don't resist at all, and live happily as their lives pass by.

The chaos and indulgence of the Olympus god system are the best examples. They truly enjoy their lives in this universe and dare to play all sorts of tricks.

Steppenwolf is also like this, but he places everything on Darkseid.

"You heard me right, do you crave freedom, Hades?"

Steppenwolf voice was deep, like the low roar of a lion, rare with a mixture of envy, anger, and sadness in his heart.

He envied Hades for clearly understanding what he needs to pursue to gain freedom.

And Steppenwolf himself is not clear about what he needs to chase to gain freedom; he can only rely on Darkseid.

Hades stood up abruptly from the corpse throne, his face filled with anger as he roared, "None of us can exist without longing!

Tell me what you know, Steppenwolf, or else I will bury you in this realm even if Darkseid comes!"

In an instant, the dark sky of the underworld churned with rolling dark clouds, as if the entire sky of the underworld was about to collapse, overwhelming every ghost and creature of the underworld.

This was his domain, Hades' underworld.

The entire underworld sky changed color, surging with Hades' anger.

Steppenwolf had completely enraged Hades. If Steppenwolf didn't say what Hades wanted to hear, he would bring about the burial of the entire underworld.

"Death comes in many forms, as release, as mercy, as pity.

Inevitable death.

There is a side of death that has always existed in this universe, across all universes." Steppenwolf's face remained expressionless as he continued in his imposing posture, seated on his throne.

"The last page of the Book of Oa, created by the Guardians of the Universe, there's a forbidden chapter that's called 'The Blackest Night,' which records a death force. It is a death power that's the opposite of life itself."

Hades' angry expression subsided, his black eyes turning as he said, "I know that a death force is recorded by the Guardians of the Universe, never explored by the gods who possess the authority of death.

After the end of the ancient cosmic war, I proposed to see this death force, but was rejected. The Guardians of the Universe left no room for negotiation."

"That's because this death force will destroy all life in the entire universe, returning everything to darkness. If you obtain it, it means the end of all life in this universe. The Guardians of the Universe will not let you have it," Steppenwolf said.

"Is that so? Then what does Darkseid want to do? I've heard that your Apokolips wants to attack Oa, destroy the center of the universe, and bring an end to this universe," Hades sat back on the corpse throne, sneering, his black eyes mocking Steppenwolf.

As a member of the Olympus Gods system, Hades, the ruler of the underworld, had always known that Earth was the center of the universe.

Darkseid's targeting of Oa was just a ploy by the Guardians of the Universe to divert attention and protect Earth.

This secret must never be revealed.

"Darkseid will definitely destroy this universe," Steppenwolf asserted firmly.

This was non-negotiable; Darkseid would undoubtedly destroy this universe. He would seek the Anti-Life Equation, the only hope for Darkseid in this universe. He would not give up.

"Hahaha... then why have you come to me again? Do you want me, Hades, to end my life in this universe prematurely to help Darkseid destroy it?" Hades laughed with a hint of sorrow.

This sorrow was something all divine incarnations couldn't escape.

"I'm just here on behalf of Darkseid to tell you one thing," Steppenwolf glanced at Hades and said lightly:

"Before the destruction of Oa, this death force will emerge before the universe is destroyed, harvesting all life in the universe."

Hades' sad smile faded, his black eyes constantly turning, his thoughts swirling.

What does this mean?

Both Steppenwolf and Hades understood.

It meant Hades had a chance to capture this death force, to obtain it, to become it.

It might be possible to achieve what all divine incarnations desperately desired—to become a being with true freedom and independent will.

"Join forces with Darkseid to attack Oa!" Steppenwolf said with determination. "You will get the death force you desire, and Darkseid will get the chance to enter the antimatter universe."

Hades fell into deep thought.

To be honest, as long as he didn't do anything stupid or cause any major changes, the universe's structure would remain the same; it was already fixed and unlikely to change significantly. Darkseid wouldn't easily conquer Oa either.

Maintaining the status quo until the end of the universe wouldn't be difficult.

But eventually, he would still die.

Now, Darkseid's side had presented him with a choice.

Should he wait until the end of the universe and die as food for the True Form, or should he join Darkseid in attacking Oa, seizing that mysterious and unpredictable force that is death force?

"I'll consider it," Hades said expressionlessly.

Steppenwolf chuckled.

°°°

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