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As the War World loomed closer to Rangol, its sheer size became impossible to ignore. The War World itself was as vast as Earth's moon, a floating engine of annihilation. Yet Rangol dwarfed it completely, nearly ten times larger than Earth.
It did not matter.
Rangol was a dead planet. No atmosphere capable of sustaining life, no ecosystems, no cities. Nothing but silence and ruin. All life on its surface was impossible, save for a single section where Despero operated, where the Manhunters were being worked on, assembled, and prepared. That lone scar on the planet's surface was already locked in the War World's targeting systems.
Jason had no intention of wasting time.
Before the War World could fire, the planet itself seemed to awaken.
Thousands of Manhunters rose from Rangol's surface, pouring into space like a metallic tide. They moved with perfect coordination, forming a massive wall around the planet, layer upon layer of identical figures. Their eyes ignited in unison as their voices echoed through space, synchronized and absolute.
"No Man Escapes The Manhunters."
Jason watched them without flinching.
"Okay," he said calmly. "Looks like we found our targets. Now then…"
He was about to order a full assault when his communications console chimed.
"Oh?" Jason raised an eyebrow. "It seems we have a communication request from Rangol. Sure. Let's see what they want."
The screen shifted.
Despero's face filled the display, his massive features twisted into a grin that radiated confidence and contempt.
"Jason Anderson," Despero said. "This is the first time you and I speak, isn't it? Lovely. Truly lovely. Now… I must admit, I didn't expect you to come here yourself. A surprise attack, hm? I suppose I would have done the same."
His grin widened.
"But it matters little to me. Whether your grave is here or on Earth… the end result is the same."
Jason rolled his eyes.
"Is that what you called for?" he asked flatly. "A weak-ass villain monologue?"
Despero laughed. "Oh no, no. I merely wanted to get to know you. We'll be fighting to the death soon, after all. I thought it only polite to learn about my victim beforehand."
Jason nodded once. "Unlike you, I don't bother learning the history of people who'll be dead in a few minutes. Goodbye."
He reached to cut the transmission.
"Don't you want to know?" Despero suddenly said.
Jason paused. "Know what?"
"How I revived the Manhunters?" Despero asked. "You already know they were destroyed by a virus long ago, yes? And yet… I managed something special. I brought them back."
Jason scoffed. "Spare me your bullshit. What does that have to do with anything? I'm going to destroy them all regardless."
Despero's smile sharpened.
"Would you?" he asked softly. "Would you still destroy them if I told you that inside each Manhunter… there is a human consciousness? You see, I collected the minds of many people and installed them within their cores. Their thoughts. Their fears. Their memories. Would you really kill your own—"
He never finished the sentence.
Explosions lit up space as the War World opened fire.
Hundreds of missiles screamed forward, detonating among the Manhunters in rapid succession. Metal bodies were torn apart, limbs and torsos scattering into the void. Some Manhunters dodged, weaving through the fire, but many were obliterated instantly.
Despero roared through the communicator.
"ARE YOU MAD? THOSE ARE HUMAN MINDS IN THERE. YOUR OWN PEOPLE!"
"And may they rest in peace," Jason replied coldly.
"You monster!" Despero shouted. "Have you no care for your people?"
Jason's gaze never left the battlefield as the bombardment continued.
"I do care about my people," he said calmly. "That's exactly why I'm doing this. I care about the majority back home… more than these ones."
...
"Damn it, he's a fucking maniac!" Despero roared, slamming his fist into the command table hard enough to crack it. "I'm going to murder him, that's for sure. I'll make him kill all his friends before I make him kill himself!"
His third eye burned with fury as he straightened.
"All Manhunters," Despero barked. "Fall back. Retreat immediately."
Vandal Savage turned toward him, one eyebrow lifting. "You are retreating?"
Despero snarled. "The section we're operating from is protected by a defensive shield. Not even the War World can break it. The Guardians built it to repel foreign planetary assaults. He might cut his way inside like I did, but destroying it completely is impossible."
Savage's lips curled slightly. "I see. You're inviting him in."
"Yes," Despero said, eyes blazing. "If he's smart, he retreats. If he's reckless, he forces his way inside. And once he does… this place becomes his grave. Hundreds of dormant Manhunters, me, you, and the witch boy. He won't walk out."
He turned toward Savage.
That was when Klarion struck.
A spell detonated point blank, hurling Despero across the chamber and smashing him into the far wall. He crashed to the floor in a snarl, armor screeching against stone. As he forced himself upright, he saw Vandal Savage calmly gathering the scattered notes and data slates from the table.
Despero's voice thundered. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, SAVAGE?"
Savage didn't look at him. "Don't take it personally, my friend. I truly wish you success against Jason Anderson. However… Klarion and I will not be involved in this battle."
Klarion giggled, floating upside down nearby. "Shi shi shi… it's fine, Despero. You'll survive if you try hard enough. All we really need are these little files."
Despero's rage exploded. "YOU DARE BETRAY ME?!"
His psychic force lashed out, invisible pressure crushing toward them. Klarion's magic flared instantly, a barrier snapping into place and dispersing the attack like smoke.
"Nice try," Klarion said cheerfully.
Savage activated the Father Box in his hand "So long, friend. And Good luck."
A pulse of alien light engulfed him and Klarion, and they vanished just as Despero lunged forward, smashing into empty space and collapsing to one knee.
"HOW DARE HE!" Despero screamed, slamming his fists into the walls again and again. "SAVAGE! SAVAGE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The chamber trembled under his fury.
…
Inside the War World, Jason rose from his seat and stretched as if preparing for a casual workout.
"Harley," he said calmly. "You may take over the ship, love. If anyone tries to escape the sector, burn them. And if our 'friends' show up… ignore them, okay?"
Harley practically bounced into the command chair. "Yes, honey! I'll incinerate anyone who looks funny!"
Zatanna winced. "Are we really sure giving Harley control of the War World is a good idea?"
Jason nodded without hesitation. "Don't worry. She's got it."
He turned toward the launch bay. "Now let's start stage two of the plan."
Moments later, Jason, Diana, Kara, Livewire, Zatanna, and Raven dropped from the War World in a blazing descent, tearing through space toward Rangol.
Straight toward Despero.
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If you Like this story! Check out my other story ! Shadow Monarch in Danmachi!
AND
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/Riadooo"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want !