[Sephie Michaela Deviluke POV]
The next time we saw Zastin was, to say the least, an unexpected and rather dramatic surprise. His sudden appearance on screen caught us off guard—and not just because of the timing. He was in a sorry state, to put it mildly. His armor was battered and scorched, his face covered in bruises and bloodied cuts, and burn marks laced across his shoulders and chest. He looked as though he had walked straight out of a war zone.
He was seated in the cockpit of his ship, shoulders slouched in visible defeat, but despite his condition, he still mustered the strength and discipline to sit up straight and salute us the moment the feed went live. His voice was gravelly and low as he bowed his head in shame and said solemnly, "Forgive me, my lord. I have failed you."
Rather than showing anger or disappointment, Gid merely threw his head back and let out a loud, almost manic laugh. No—he didn't laugh. He cackled with delight.
"Kahahaha!! So you got your butt handed to you, huh?" he teased, his sharp teeth flashing with amusement. "You really let him clobber you like that, Zastin? You look like roadkill!"
"I am… ashamed," Zastin admitted with a pained grimace, his voice heavy with guilt. "I will hand over my letter of resignation immediately and accept any punishment deemed appropriate."
I sighed, pressing two fingers to my temple as I offered him a strained smile. One of the most frustrating aspects of having such fiercely loyal subordinates is that they often treat even the smallest setback as though they had committed high treason.
"There's no need for that, Zastin," I told him gently, trying to soothe his self-condemnation. "Just tell us how the battle with The Superman went. That's what we're more interested in right now."
"I anticipated that," Zastin said with a slight nod. "I had my men record our entire encounter. I will transmit the file to you now."
A few seconds later, a notification popped up on our screen, and Gid eagerly swiped the holographic data from the air. He grinned and tossed it towards an empty space near Zastin's feed. The footage began to play immediately, filling the room with sound and light as the hologram came to life.
Together, we watched the battle unfold. I must admit, it was nothing short of exhilarating. Zastin fought valiantly and gave it everything he had, but even his best efforts weren't enough. Superman was simply too strong. His power, speed, and combat instincts were astonishing.
What truly caught my attention, however, was the conclusion of their battle—the moment when Superman stood before a wounded Zastin and spoke not with arrogance, but with conviction and honor. He took responsibility for our daughter, Lala, and treated her name with the kind of reverence that many suitors lack. It was… unexpected, even touching. And more than anything, it left a strong impression on Zastin himself. That alone made it worth watching.
As the feed ended, Gid leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued. "Tell me, Zastin," he said, resting his chin on his knuckles. "What's your opinion of him? I want to hear your honest assessment."
Zastin paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. His eyes narrowed with focus. "I believe he is someone with unfathomable potential," he stated seriously.
That caught Gid's attention. His brow raised ever so slightly in curiosity. "Oh? Go on. Elaborate."
"For starters," Zastin began, his tone measured, "he is still very young. I estimate he is just a few years older than the princess, yet despite his age, he was able to best me in battle in my base state. That alone is no small feat. His physical strength and raw speed are extraordinary, surpassing the limits of most warriors I've encountered. But what stands out even more is that he's still growing. His body, his mind, his abilities—they're not fully developed yet. Which means that his current level of power is only the beginning. He will continue to evolve and grow stronger over time."
I couldn't help but nod in agreement. If this is what he's capable of now, then what kind of godlike force will he become when he reaches the peak of his maturity?
Zastin wasn't done, however. He continued with a thoughtful frown. "That being said, my lord, what he lacks above all is genuine, hard-earned battle experience. While it's clear he's received training—likely rigorous and extensive—there's a noticeable difference between sparring and surviving true combat. He hasn't fought in enough life-or-death scenarios yet to fully realize the extent of his abilities. He's learning, yes, but he's still raw. He needs to be tempered in the fires of real war."
Gid nodded thoughtfully, seeming to acknowledge the wisdom in Zastin's words.
"Experience can be earned," he said. "As you mentioned, he's still young. He will undoubtedly face trials of his own that will sharpen his instincts and teach him the true essence of battle."
A mischievous grin curled across Gid's face as he leaned in closer. "Now tell me, Zastin," he said with a sly glint in his eye. "Based on everything you witnessed… do you believe that boy has the potential to become my equal—or perhaps even surpass me in the future?"
Zastin's eyes widened slightly, and he stiffened, clearly unsure whether to answer truthfully or diplomatically. He hesitated, visibly uncomfortable, and I let out a soft sigh. My husband did enjoy toying with his soldiers, especially the loyal ones. At this point, it was practically psychological warfare.
Poor Zastin.
Gid let out a low, amused chuckle as he caught sight of Zastin's conflicted expression. There was something almost childlike in the way he leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, eyes alight with curiosity.
"Come now, Zastin," he said, his voice smooth and coaxing, "answer honestly. I'm genuinely curious to hear what you think. You don't need to worry about offending me. I won't bite... much."
Zastin hesitated, eyes lowering as he mulled over his thoughts with deliberate care. The weight of Gid's question was not something he took lightly. Finally, he spoke, his tone reserved but sincere.
"I… truly cannot say with certainty, my lord," he admitted. "I do not possess enough information, nor have I seen the full extent of this Kryptonian's abilities. At present, I cannot even begin to determine his upper limits. He may very well surpass all expectations, or perhaps plateau—there's simply too little data. But I believe the possibility exists."
Gid's grin widened at that, his eyes gleaming with unrestrained enthusiasm. He let out another gleeful cackle, this one full of energy and almost boyish glee.
"Kahahaha! Somehow, that makes it all the more exhilarating!" he exclaimed. "A being whose potential is unknown, whose true power remains a mystery… appearing here, in our small universe, of all places. How thrilling!"
He leaned back in his throne-like chair, his tail flicking lazily in the air behind him,
For Lala to run away and stumble into his path of all people—it really does make you wonder just how small our universe truly is, doesn't it? Fate works in strange ways.
Then his expression shifted slightly, the playful glint in his eye sharpening into something more focused. He sat up straighter, folding his fingers beneath his chin as he looked back toward the screen.
"Zastin, I have new orders for you," he said with sudden clarity. "I want you to establish contact with this Superman. I intend to speak with him directly. I want to know more about the boy who's managed to capture my daughter's attention so thoroughly."
"But not just yet," I cut in before Zastin could respond, my tone gentle but firm as I stepped closer to the screen. "You're still injured, Zastin. Although your Devilukian physiology will certainly accelerate your healing, that does not mean you're invincible. Rest. Recuperate. You've more than earned it."
Gid nodded his agreement, giving Zastin a rare look of genuine appreciation. "She's right. There's no point charging off half-healed," he said. "Take the time you need to recover fully. Then, and only then, begin your mission."
Zastin lowered his head respectfully, placing a fist against his chest. "As you wish, my lord. I am honored by your trust."
With a final nod, Gid swiped his fingers across the air, closing the communication tabs in a smooth series of gestures. But before the screen vanished completely, he added, "I wish you a speedy recovery, Zastin. Get some well-earned rest—you deserve it."
As the hologram dimmed and the connection was severed, Gid stretched lazily in his chair, his arms rising above his head as he let out a long, satisfied sigh. "I haven't been this excited to meet someone in a long, long time," he admitted, the corners of his mouth still curled into a grin.
A soft chuckle escaped me, low and amused, as I leaned against the arm of his chair.
"Yes… I must confess, I'm also quite intrigued. I wonder just what kind of man this Superman truly is—and how he'll fare under your scrutiny."
Something told me that the conversation to come would be anything but ordinary.
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