Chapter 168 : Anti-Life Formula?

In the depths of the Batcave, Bruce Wayne fixates his gaze on the Steppenwolf displayed on the screen.

Even through the monitor, he senses the ominous aura exuding from the formidable adversary.

It's an unnerving presence, one that instills fear.

Deep down, he has a premonition that this adversary will inevitably descend upon Earth in the future.

His duty intensifies - Superman must be safeguarded to prevent a recurrence of tragedy.

Meanwhile, amidst the celestial expanse, Steppenwolf glares at the screen in the shadows.

He has finally pinpointed the location of the Mother Box.

However, there is no joy in his heart.

Despite not encountering the Green Lantern Corps, the Chloroplanes persist, ensuring the Mother Box doesn't summon him.

Steppenwolf's fervent hope now rests on Superman meeting an untimely demise in the future.

Otherwise, he stands no chance at all.

Within the confines of a cage, the sudden shift and the dread-inducing presence of Steppenwolf startle numerous Amazonian female warriors.

In the next moment, Queen Hippolyta raises her elongated sword and bellows with excitement:

"Warriors, exterminate the invaders! For the glory of the Amazon!"

Hundreds of female warriors respond simultaneously with resounding roars:

"For the glory of Amazon!"

With battle cries echoing, they charge fearlessly towards Steppenwolf.

The scene resembles ants climbing a colossal insect, determined to inflict a bite, even at the cost of their lives.

Regrettably, Steppenwolf is no mere insect; he is a behemoth clad in formidable armor.

He dismissively flings the female warriors aside, wielding a colossal battle axe enveloped in golden lightning, cleaving through all before him.

In this brief interval, Queen Hippolyta seizes the Mother Box with a noose and makes a hasty escape.

The ancient cage has already anticipated the dire circumstances.

"Warhammers ready!"

"Seal up!"

Following the Queen's command, six female warriors brandishing massive hammers disrupt the pillars supporting the sealing stone from the inside out.

As tons of boulders descend, everyone, except Hippolyta, the Steppenwolf, and the demons, find themselves entirely ensnared within the confines of the cage.

Off the screen, countless people stood in awe!

Although they were all women, not a single one harbored a fear of death, and they stood unfazed in the face of a colossal and terrifying enemy!

These were true warriors!

[And this isn't the end; another force is about to be unleashed!

[The earth quaked violently, and the massive cage descended, accompanied by countless boulders from the cliff, burying itself beneath the sea!]

[Observing this, Queen Hippolyta sighed deeply. The mechanism devised long ago still proved useful, but the cost was the sacrifice of many soldiers!]

"How naive!"

Steppenwolf sneered, a corner of his mouth mocking, his eyes filled with disdain!

He couldn't fathom what illusion led these foolish women to believe that such primitive traps would work!

[The next moment, a roar echoed!]

[A dark shadow leaped from the cliff's base, landing on the ground with a resounding thud!"]

[Without even sparing a glance at Hippolyta, Steppenwolf leaped again, covering several kilometers in the blink of an eye, landing right in front of the team with the galloping mother box!]

[In the human world, the Amazon female warriors, capable of effortlessly defeating ten, were like mere insects before Steppenwolf!)

[In just a few minutes, Steppenwolf seized the mother box that had been guarded for thousands of years!]

[A sonic boom resonated, and Steppenwolf coldly observed the belated Amazon army's retreat!]

[He had the power to triumph, but it wasn't worth the effort!]

(In the future, these female warriors would become a high-quality, demon-like army. I believe Lord Darksied will be very pleased!)

(…)

[Night]

["Torch of the sky, beacon of heroes!]

["Banish the darkness as in days of yore, let it burn brightly, let her witness the darkness preceding the day of history!]

[After expressing her desire, Hippolyta shot a divine arrow unused for thousands of years!]

[Guided by the divine power lingering in the arrow, it flew thousands of kilometers, landing in the Amazon temple in Greece, igniting a fierce fire!]

Offscreen, Diana muttered to herself:

"The Arrow of Artemis, also known as the Arrow Book of Appeal!"

"What does Mother want me to discover?"

Really...

[Diana, drawn by the beacon, discovered the divine arrow!]

[Guided by it, Diana uncovered the history sealed beneath the temple!]

[The murals depicted a brutal and dark past!! 

[next moment]

[The screen begins to flicker, and the timeline transports us back to ancient times, thousands of years ago!]

Off-screen, Bruce wore a stern expression, activating a camera to record the unfolding events, realizing the gravity of the impending revelation.

He understands that what follows is undeniably a crucial secret!

[As the scene returns to normal, Diana's voice calmly resonates in the frame:]

[Ancient Earth!]

[A colossal fleet materializes in the sky!]

[Those who dared to resist met destruction, and the invader's leader was named "Darkseid!"]

[Every universe curses and fears this name!]

[Next, Darkseid and the defenders of the Earth engaged in a fierce battle!

[In the voices of Zeus, Ares, and other Greek gods, alongside humans, the Atlanteans who had not yet submerged, the Amazons who remained loyal and unimprisoned, and the cosmic guardians, the Green Lantern Corps, all make their appearance!]

"On the opposing side stands Darkseid, hairless with gray-brown skin, proudly wielding a weapon crowned with four sharp blades!"

DC Main World!

Lucifer wears a perplexed expression: "Why is Darkseid so feeble!?"

In his memory, Darkseid is a terrifying entity that menaces countless realities!

God responds nonchalantly this time:

"If it's merely a clone, and the age is no more than 8 years for a human, it's still a child!"

"As for where the real Darkseid is, forget it; this is not something you should know!"

Lucifer is left somewhat tongue-tied; if the old man says so, then perhaps the Darkseid he saw was certainly not the real body!

This is genuinely eerie!

[Diana's voice continues within the scene:]

["When Darkseid went to war, he discovered a secret, a force concealed in the boundless expanse of Earth!]

[As the words fell, Darkseid raised his weapon and slammed it into the ground!]

[In an instant, the entire Earth's surface quaked!]

[With Darkseid at the epicenter, countless streams of magma erupted to form intricate patterns, finally coalescing into a peculiar design!]

On Apocalypse, Darkseid, usually calm, abruptly rises from his throne upon witnessing this pattern, immediately rushing out with a menacing aura!

Below, the demonic army wails, kneeling on the ground in tremor!

Even the dark elites are profoundly stunned, feeling the weight of a mountain on their shoulders!

Darkseid's heart races!

Today is unlike any other; he recognizes at once what that hidden power was from back then!

A sinister smile curls on Darkseid's lips:

"Anti-Life Formula!"

"I've finally found you!"

In the distant universe!

The solidified metal beside Steppenwolf suddenly turns crimson, melting, then shaping into a humanoid form in armor!

Steppenwolf, surprised, kneels on the ground, lowering his head and saying with excitement:

"My lord, your faithful servant has finally awaited your arrival!"

Every time it conquers a planet, Steppenwolf establishes a hub connecting with Apocalypse, a metallic monument!

The chief scientist of Apocalypse, Dessard, had communicated with him before, but this is the first time Darkseid has arrived!

Darkseid gazes down at him and speaks slowly:

"Go to the ninth sector of darkness, where Magic Grace and Apocalypse await you!"

Upon hearing this long-anticipated command, Steppenwolf immediately bows his head, clenching his fist over his chest:

"Yes, my master!"

In an instant, the molten metal reshaped, and Steppenwolf rose to his feet!

With a surge of excitement, he hoisted his battle axe, gazing fervently at the demonic army before him and bellowed:

"For Darkseid!!!"

****

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