The planet Apokolips had a very harsh climate. It was primarily a hellish environment, exclusively characterised by intense heat, toxic fumes, and constant smoke from massive industrial furnaces and fire pits. While in the future timeline, most of the planet's surface would be what was essentially a planet-wide industrial complex, a necessity to fuel endless war that the original Darkseid would wage throughout the universe, the present Apokolips was different. It was yet to become one hellish machine of production and industrial development; the nature on the planet was still present, even if in a dying state.
Currently, Apokolips was a largely arid planet, full of deserts, plains and mountain ranges. Plant life at this point was already destroyed; one couldn't have found a single tree or a bush around without entering a house of some elite collector of plant life or visiting the Oracle of Apokolips. The wind here was strong; it was brutal enough to tear down buildings and structures built without taking the power of the wind into account. The massive difference between the lows of plains and deserts and the impossibly high mountains that were scattered all around the planet created the difference in atmospheric pressure, which in turn created the strong wind.
Most of the mountain ranges were also home to natural volcanoes that would spew molten lava, fire and smoke into the surrounding areas. The resulting extreme heat and fire pits were fueling most industrial operations as the main source of energy. New Gods were smart enough to use the advantages of geothermal energy.
The resulting toxic fumes and smoke from the volcanoes and the industrial processes saturated the air, creating a suffocating, polluted atmosphere that reflected the oppressive nature of Apokolips' society.
So the calm and warm summer evening was a miracle, a rarity that was seldom witnessed by the inhabitants of the planet. Uxas found it to be rather poetic that such a calm and cozy evening was accompanied by such violence that he will carry out today.
He was heading into the Royal Palace, a beautiful structure created from various dark stone materials, such as marble and granite. The palace had a singular point of interest - the throne room and its addendum chambers were located in the singular tower that was piercing the sky above.
Some of the addendum chambers included trophy rooms, offices for administrative work, soldier barracks, meeting halls, rooms that were housing various machinery, from intel-receivers, intel-gatherers, to supercomputers tasked with sometimes impossibly complex work, to simple light generators and robot chargers. The palace was, for the most part, a very functionally effective place and not built to be an eye-candy like most such places. The royal family was very pragmatic in its approach.
Uxas was on his way to meet Drax, his elder brother and the direct rival on the road to the reigns of the Apokoliptian Empire. The two brothers looked similar, but at the same time, nothing alike.
Uxas was a hardened warrior; his scar-covered skin was grey from exposure to the ash and heat that permeated the atmosphere of the planet. He had spent most of his youth fighting in the training yard, battling soldiers, warriors, and martial instructors. From dawn to deep in the night, he would be under the intense heat of the white sun at the center of the Apokoliptian star system.
Despite the noble roots of their lineage, most of the individuals that came from their family, Uxas, his father Yuga Khan, and his mother Heggra, were a bit… ugly, for the lack of a better word. Not even Darkseid's sons from the original timeline would escape the same destiny, all bar his biological son Orion, who was raised in the mellow climate and luxury of the New Genesis, the rival planet of hostile New Gods. Even his daughter, Grail, while pleasant to the eye, would not be considered conventionally attractive by most societies of the cosmos.
But here was Drax. A beautiful prince. Charming and popular. He was a kind soul in the harsh world. Peaceful and laid back, he lacked talent for combat and battle; he was simply not interested in it. Quite contrary to their father, they despised war and bloodshed. It was safe to say that he hated their whole family. Yuga Khan was a warmonger who personally slayed citizens of numerous planets during his conquests of the free world. Heggra was a political shark who was not afraid of killing, harming, tormenting, and kidnapping her political opponents. She was ruthless and unkind, something that extended to her children. For her two sons, the pressure from Yuga Khan was only an obstacle on the way to getting true power. After all, they were the ones who would inherit the throne. And now that Yuga Khan was gone… Yes, the two of them were in danger.
Uxas never had a good relationship with his brother. He considered him to be weak, to be unfit to rise to the throne. Apokolips needed a strong-willed ruler, someone who would kick this dying planet from the trajectory that it was on. Someone who would raise it from the lowest hellish pit and make it into the capital of the universe.
In the original timeline, Uxas would try to kill Drax, usurping his powers and the throne from the cold hands of his brother. Drax would survive the attempt on his life and later would become one of the greatest enemies of Darkseid's rule, becoming an Infinity-Man and aiding the Forever People, the best warriors of the New Genesis.
Of course, Uxas wanted to change that. And preferably without killing his brother. If Drax had such potential to become an Infinity-Man… Yes, Darkseid would make that power work for him. He would make his brother take the knee and serve him.
And for that, he needed to access the Omega Realm first before his brother would even learn about the existence of that plane of power. That would essentially strip his brother of the only presumed way to get an upper hand on their struggle for power, which would kill all hope that the eldest son had before it was even born.
***
"So you've come," Drax said to the Uxas that was entering his private chambers. Drax was previously enjoying a cup of tea from a planet somewhere in the Empire and reading a book on the modern theory of economic development. He wanted to bring Apokolips's economy to new heights, a monumental task that would demand a high level knowledge and expertise from him. To achieve that goal, he was studying economics, finance, industry and similar topics.
"I've heard that you've killed Granny Goodness today. Is it finally my turn, brother?" Drax asked with unusual calmness in his voice. Somehow, he wasn't perturbed by his perceived imminent death.
"Brother", Uxas replied, pointedly ignoring the accusation that was thrown his way. "It feels like I haven't seen you for an eternity. You've become even more dashing in the meantime".
Drax was a 2,3 meters (7,5 ft.) high blond young male with a face that most would call one worthy of a supermodel. His long hair was silky smooth, and his blue eyes were bright with the confidence and charm of a young prince. His skin was light as he hardly ever went outside, so he was never subjected to the harsh weather of the planet. Most of the people who did would gain ashen grey skin tone; such a change was a natural phenomenon on Apokolips. He was quite a sight to behold; some would call him the perfect prince of an Empire.
That wouldn't be Uxas. Uxas knew his brother's shortcomings. The unwillingness to fight was the biggest one, and coupled with the lack of decisiveness and bravery, it was a deadly combination.
"Yes, Uxas. Now that I think about it, we haven't talked to each other since we were little kids." A sad smile appeared on Drax's face. "Seems like we are talking for the last time, too. I'm glad that we are talking again at the very least."
The second prince of Apokolips walked across the room with confidence, as if it were his private chambers, not his brother's. He pulled a chair from a small coffee table that nested right between numerous cabinets with books in them; the well-lit room hugged his slumped shoulders with its warmth.
"I came to make a deal, brother. One that I hope you won't refuse." He looked straight in the eyes of Drax, gauging his reaction.
Silently, Drax walked to the table that now had one very dangerous warrior seated. This warrior was the source of Drax's dread for a while now. Ever since the rumours of his brother's capabilities on the battlefield had entered his ears, he knew that his days were numbered. But even then, Drax refused to engage in the pointless bloodshed; he would rather die at the hands of his brother rather than betray the ideals his grandfather instilled in him. Peace was the key to Apokolips' future, and he would see eternal peace or die trying.
"I…" Drax felt his mouth drying instantly. He pulled a chair across from his little brother. Well, little only in name. Uxas was not only bigger physically, but he also held an immense martial prowess and the political support from most of the Elite. After all, their society was heavily combative; no one was willing to support a pacifist.
"I'm ready to hear you, Uxas".
The two exchanged long and weighted glances. Both of them were appraising each other, engaged in a slow battle of will and patience. Eventually, Uxas started the conversation. One that would change the future of Apokolips forever.