HISD Chapter 107 The King of Destruction Returns to the Surface
In the Hollow Sea at Earth's core, the sunlight was eternal.
Atlanna led nearly five-year-old Clark into an alien warship docked on the peak of a floating mountain.
The Kryptonian craft's hatch was already open, its interior dim until the lights flickered on, revealing a long straight corridor leading deeper into the control hall.
Knowing this place was the domain of that being, Atlanna's heart quivered with instinctive fear. No matter how many times she came here, she could not suppress the dread etched in her very genes—like a fish trying to swim into molten lava.
If she could avoid it, she would never choose to speak with him.
But Clark was nearly five. It was time to fight for the boy's chance to return to the light of the surface world.
Even if it cost her life.
Her emotions swung wildly between fear and resolve.
Beside her, young Clark seemed delighted, his innocent face glowing as though he were coming home, utterly unaware of the existence that awaited him.
Atlanna sighed softly at the sight, her resolve hardening.
She had to fight for this chance.
…
They passed through the corridor and stepped into the control hall.
The moment they entered, a crushing pressure filled the air, hot and suffocating, forcing submission. Even the chilled cabin grew warm.
Once the proud queen-to-be of Atlantis, Atlanna lowered her head at once, unable to look directly toward the throne at the hall's end. She could only raise her eyes with trembling caution.
There, in the brightly lit hall of steel, stood two figures on either side of the raised throne.
On one side was a hulking alien beast with a wolf's head and bull's body, horns crowning its skull. Its silver-scaled armor was shattered, its neck bound by a massive chain. Even bowed in humble submission, its sheer presence inspired fear.
On the other side was a small alien girl, scarcely one meter tall. Her skin was a dreamlike pale pink, clad only in a breast wrap and short shorts. Her brilliant eyes shimmered with starlight, mismatched in color, while a cascade of rainbow hair flowed down her back.
They were Steppenwolf, a fallen New God of Apokolips, and Flower, a mutant Martian who had grown up here with Clark.
Atlanna knew well that either of these beings alone could overturn the oceans or devastate the continents.
Yet here they stood—one bowed in obedience, the other gazing up in innocent adoration—both at the sides of the throne.
And on the throne itself sat the King of Destruction, over two meters tall, clad in black armor, bone spurs crowning his form, eyes burning with an eternal crimson fire.
"King of Destruction," Atlanna whispered, bowing deeply with reverence.
He said nothing. His burning gaze fell instead on the boy at her side.
"King!" Clark stepped forward eagerly, reverent and unafraid. Under Atlanna's alarmed gaze, he walked up to the throne itself.
The King of Destruction raised one massive hand. A bone-spurred finger reached toward Clark's forehead.
No! Atlanna's heart screamed with indescribable terror, but she dared not speak.
Here, the King's will was law. No one could resist it.
And yet, just as his finger brushed Clark's smooth brow, the King withdrew.
Clark did not flinch. He touched his forehead, then grinned brightly before stepping back.
At his side, Flower glared at Clark, annoyed by his closeness to the King. Her rainbow eyes flicked toward Atlanna with even deeper displeasure. With her innate psychic senses, she could feel Atlanna's hidden schemes—especially those directed against the supreme King. Were it not for the King's indifference, and the fact that Atlanna had once raised her, Flower would have struck her down already.
Atlanna steadied herself and spoke quickly. "Four years ago, I agreed to remain here to raise Clark. Now, as his guardian, I believe it is time for him to receive proper education. He should attend school on the surface, so he can better integrate with the world of men."
This was her purpose in coming.
Though she had worked tirelessly to guide the boy, Clark still saw the King of Destruction as his closest kin.
That could not continue.
Atlanna dreamed of Clark one day becoming ruler of the surface—and perhaps even rising to challenge and destroy the cosmic calamity that sat upon this throne.
Sending him to the surface was the first step. A way to distance him, even a little, from the King's eternal shadow.
"Sea Aunt…" Clark began, only to fall silent under Atlanna's warning gaze, though reluctance still lingered on his young face.
Flower's eyes lit up. If Atlanna and Clark left, wouldn't she have the King all to herself?
Steppenwolf, by contrast, lowered his gaze even further, terrified of provoking the King's wrath.
The hall fell silent, all awaiting the King's word.
Finally, the King of Destruction spoke. "You may."
Atlanna gasped, her body trembling with relief. But before she could give thanks, his voice rumbled again.
"We will all go to the surface."
"What?" Atlanna froze, her body stiff with shock.
Clark's face shone with excitement.
Flower's heart leapt in joy.
Steppenwolf's massive eyes flickered, trying to fathom the King's intent.
In truth, Yi Meng—the incarnation of the ancient Doomsday—had already planned to leave the Hollow Sea. At first, he chose this place for its eternal sunlight and isolation. But now, after four years, his control had grown. He could maintain reason not just for a month, but three. He no longer needed the sun. His own body radiated light like a miniature star.
It was time to reconnect with the surface. Time to prepare for the next stage: aiding his Marvel self by harvesting DC's technologies and secrets.
Thus, Yi Meng, the ancient Doomsday, declared his decision.
"Together, we return to the surface world!"
[Powerstones plz...
patreon.com/GuessMyName33 for up to 50 chapters ahead
If you like this novel, check out my other novels in my profile!]