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Chapter 234: Steppenwolf's Threat
Dehryan, a fictional nation in the DC Universe.
The kingdom's capital, Saint Demire.
"Thank you for your generosity, King Malof."
The man sat with his legs crossed on a luxurious chair, his bearing imposing and proud. He wore a black suit, perfectly tailored, which impeccably outlined his burly figure. His pure white shirt was slightly open at the collar, and his silk tie, printed with subtle dark stripes, bore a conspicuous mark right in the center.
A blood-red Omega.
"You're most welcome, my friend." The young king stood by his side, a smile on his refined face. "My nation is yours, for as long as you have need of it.
This is the tradition of Dehryan; we have always been hospitable, a trait passed down from our ancestors. And now..."
King Malof took a tall glass filled with golden liquid from a silver platter held by a servant and offered it to the man.
"Let us toast to this pleasant Sunday. Tell me, do you like champagne?"
The man glanced at him. The face he revealed as he turned was resolute and chiseled. His eyebrows were like two fiery blades above his piercing, black amber eyes.
"No," he said flatly. "To be honest, I've never had it. However..."
He reached out with a rough hand and took the glass.
"Hah, don't let it be said that Steppenwolf is afraid of trying new things... or a new world."
Yes, his name was Steppenwolf. A general from Apokolips, the vanguard of Darkseid's wars of conquest, a Legendary Figure who had conquered countless worlds for his great monarch.
And now, he was disguised as a human, an honored guest in Dehryan.
Behind a huge jade screen was a spacious hall. A massive long table, covered with a pristine white tablecloth, was set in the center of the palace. A variety of delicacies prepared by the finest chefs already filled it.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony, guest from beyond the stars." King Malof pulled out a chair and said with a smile, "It's getting late, and I'm hungry. I'm sure you are too. We'd best eat up, if only for the efforts to come... Tell me, what kind of place do you come from?
You don't have things like this there, do you?"
Steppenwolf sat down at the dining table with a deadpan expression and said flatly, "I don't particularly want to talk about Apokolips, and you should ask less, mortal. The less you know about That Lord, the better. One day, you'll be grateful for it."
"Alright, alright, I'll remember that. Let's get back to reality then, to our business," King Malof said. "Let me confirm this again... You said the time is ripe, that you're ready to make a move on this planet."
"You said you need... a very, very large gate to bring your army over?"
"It's called a 'Boom Tube,' yes. That's the key. And thanks to the help of your technical staff, that part of the work is almost complete.
The main problem now is the guardians of this world."
"Superman, Ultraman, those strange characters?" King Malof asked.
"More or less. Of course, that's not the primary issue. Once That Lord arrives, they will be nothing more than minor characters. That's not something you need to worry about, King. You have your own part to be concerned with."
Malof smiled. "Of course, I know what you're capable of; I've seen it for myself. All I care about is Dehryan, and nothing more."
"This is our family's nation, and it has been for generations. We were once prosperous and powerful, but now, there is almost no place for us in the current global order."
"So it seems our best option now is to shatter this order. Apokolips is our opportunity. Your technology, your power, everything you provide will allow our technological and military strength to advance by leaps and bounds, making us the strongest nation on this planet with ease. Dehryan will be great again in my hands..."
Steppenwolf slowly took a sip of champagne. "In fact, after we succeed, yours will be the only place in this world to retain its right to self-governance, provided you pledge loyalty to the great Darkseid."
"Naturally. That is precisely our agreement."
Malof smiled and raised his wine glass.
"To Darkseid."
But Steppenwolf just watched him, his eyes narrowed in a cold sneer.
"What's wrong?" Malof vaguely sensed that the atmosphere was off. He put down his wine glass and looked at him.
"You probably think I'm easy to fool," Steppenwolf said icily. "Unfortunately for you, I've conquered countless worlds and seen more than you could ever imagine."
"Did you really think you could deceive me with those petty schemes?"
King Malof's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Your commando team is finished, Malof," Steppenwolf said expressionlessly. "That elite squad you trust so much, every last one of them."
"My... What are you talking about, Steppenwolf?" Malof secretly clenched his fist.
"Don't insult my intelligence with your denials. You should understand that at this point, there's nothing left to hide," Steppenwolf said flatly. "Part of what you said was true. You want my technology, the power I can provide. Because you want your nation to be strong again, to put you ahead of all other nations in this world."
"But you never intended to cooperate obediently. Your men were just waiting for your order, ready to take me down at any moment. So, I had my people make the first move.
Unfortunately, your commando team no longer exists."
Malof's face turned cold.
The pretense was over. It seemed this meal was at an end.
"I regret that it has to end this way, Steppenwolf, truly."
He wiped his mouth and stood up.
"I really thought we could have cooperated for longer... although the outcome probably wouldn't have been good either."
BOOM!
The chair beneath Steppenwolf suddenly exploded. A hole was blasted into the opulent floor tiles, and fire and smoke engulfed him.
And as Steppenwolf walked out of the smoke, countless armor parts had already burst through the hall's main doors and flown inside. Piece by piece, they attached themselves to King Malof, assembling into a red exoskeleton that completely enveloped him.
"Using technology from Apokolips to defeat a man from Apokolips..."
Malof's mechanically altered voice came coldly from beneath his helmet.
"I will enjoy the poetry of it, Steppenwolf."
The outer walls were also blasted open by explosions, and more flying soldiers in exoskeletons had already taken to the air, their long guns and cannons all aimed at Steppenwolf.
All of them were flight-capable battlesuits built using technology from Apokolips.
"It's a pity, but our treaty is terminated ahead of schedule, Steppenwolf," Malof said icily. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, but it was merely a means for me to acquire advanced equipment."
"As you said, this world is becoming more and more complex, and the enemies we face are growing stronger. I need power to protect my nation's borders, so this was necessary.
And you? I'm afraid your greatest value to me now is your head, which I can present to the world as a reward."
"You want my head?"
Steppenwolf threw his head back and laughed heartily, as if he had just heard some interstellar joke.
"Interesting. You think you've learned everything I have to teach, that you've grown so capable, Malof. Very good."
Steppenwolf waved his right hand. A flash of blood-red light passed, and a battle axe appeared in his hand.
"Then come and try to take it yourself!"
(end of chapter)
Dehryan, a fictional nation in the DC Universe.
The kingdom's capital, Saint Demire.
"Thank you for your generosity, King Malof."
The man sat with his legs crossed on a luxurious chair, his bearing imposing and proud. He wore a black suit, perfectly tailored, which impeccably outlined his burly figure. His pure white shirt was slightly open at the collar, and his silk tie, printed with subtle dark stripes, bore a conspicuous mark right in the center.
A blood-red Omega.
"You're most welcome, my friend." The young king stood by his side, a smile on his refined face. "My nation is yours, for as long as you have need of it.
This is the tradition of Dehryan; we have always been hospitable, a trait passed down from our ancestors. And now..."
King Malof took a tall glass filled with golden liquid from a silver platter held by a servant and offered it to the man.
"Let us toast to this pleasant Sunday. Tell me, do you like champagne?"
The man glanced at him. The face he revealed as he turned was resolute and chiseled. His eyebrows were like two fiery blades above his piercing, black amber eyes.
"No," he said flatly. "To be honest, I've never had it. However..."
He reached out with a rough hand and took the glass.
"Hah, don't let it be said that Steppenwolf is afraid of trying new things... or a new world."
Yes, his name was Steppenwolf. A general from Apokolips, the vanguard of Darkseid's wars of conquest, a Legendary Figure who had conquered countless worlds for his great monarch.
And now, he was disguised as a human, an honored guest in Dehryan.
Behind a huge jade screen was a spacious hall. A massive long table, covered with a pristine white tablecloth, was set in the center of the palace. A variety of delicacies prepared by the finest chefs already filled it.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony, guest from beyond the stars." King Malof pulled out a chair and said with a smile, "It's getting late, and I'm hungry. I'm sure you are too. We'd best eat up, if only for the efforts to come... Tell me, what kind of place do you come from?
You don't have things like this there, do you?"
Steppenwolf sat down at the dining table with a deadpan expression and said flatly, "I don't particularly want to talk about Apokolips, and you should ask less, mortal. The less you know about That Lord, the better. One day, you'll be grateful for it."
"Alright, alright, I'll remember that. Let's get back to reality then, to our business," King Malof said. "Let me confirm this again... You said the time is ripe, that you're ready to make a move on this planet."
"You said you need... a very, very large gate to bring your army over?"
"It's called a 'Boom Tube,' yes. That's the key. And thanks to the help of your technical staff, that part of the work is almost complete.
The main problem now is the guardians of this world."
"Superman, Ultraman, those strange characters?" King Malof asked.
"More or less. Of course, that's not the primary issue. Once That Lord arrives, they will be nothing more than minor characters. That's not something you need to worry about, King. You have your own part to be concerned with."
Malof smiled. "Of course, I know what you're capable of; I've seen it for myself. All I care about is Dehryan, and nothing more."
"This is our family's nation, and it has been for generations. We were once prosperous and powerful, but now, there is almost no place for us in the current global order."
"So it seems our best option now is to shatter this order. Apokolips is our opportunity. Your technology, your power, everything you provide will allow our technological and military strength to advance by leaps and bounds, making us the strongest nation on this planet with ease. Dehryan will be great again in my hands..."
Steppenwolf slowly took a sip of champagne. "In fact, after we succeed, yours will be the only place in this world to retain its right to self-governance, provided you pledge loyalty to the great Darkseid."
"Naturally. That is precisely our agreement."
Malof smiled and raised his wine glass.
"To Darkseid."
But Steppenwolf just watched him, his eyes narrowed in a cold sneer.
"What's wrong?" Malof vaguely sensed that the atmosphere was off. He put down his wine glass and looked at him.
"You probably think I'm easy to fool," Steppenwolf said icily. "Unfortunately for you, I've conquered countless worlds and seen more than you could ever imagine."
"Did you really think you could deceive me with those petty schemes?"
King Malof's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Your commando team is finished, Malof," Steppenwolf said expressionlessly. "That elite squad you trust so much, every last one of them."
"My... What are you talking about, Steppenwolf?" Malof secretly clenched his fist.
"Don't insult my intelligence with your denials. You should understand that at this point, there's nothing left to hide," Steppenwolf said flatly. "Part of what you said was true. You want my technology, the power I can provide. Because you want your nation to be strong again, to put you ahead of all other nations in this world."
"But you never intended to cooperate obediently. Your men were just waiting for your order, ready to take me down at any moment. So, I had my people make the first move.
Unfortunately, your commando team no longer exists."
Malof's face turned cold.
The pretense was over. It seemed this meal was at an end.
"I regret that it has to end this way, Steppenwolf, truly."
He wiped his mouth and stood up.
"I really thought we could have cooperated for longer... although the outcome probably wouldn't have been good either."
BOOM!
The chair beneath Steppenwolf suddenly exploded. A hole was blasted into the opulent floor tiles, and fire and smoke engulfed him.
And as Steppenwolf walked out of the smoke, countless armor parts had already burst through the hall's main doors and flown inside. Piece by piece, they attached themselves to King Malof, assembling into a red exoskeleton that completely enveloped him.
"Using technology from Apokolips to defeat a man from Apokolips..."
Malof's mechanically altered voice came coldly from beneath his helmet.
"I will enjoy the poetry of it, Steppenwolf."
The outer walls were also blasted open by explosions, and more flying soldiers in exoskeletons had already taken to the air, their long guns and cannons all aimed at Steppenwolf.
All of them were flight-capable battlesuits built using technology from Apokolips.
"It's a pity, but our treaty is terminated ahead of schedule, Steppenwolf," Malof said icily. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, but it was merely a means for me to acquire advanced equipment."
"As you said, this world is becoming more and more complex, and the enemies we face are growing stronger. I need power to protect my nation's borders, so this was necessary.
And you? I'm afraid your greatest value to me now is your head, which I can present to the world as a reward."
"You want my head?"
Steppenwolf threw his head back and laughed heartily, as if he had just heard some interstellar joke.
"Interesting. You think you've learned everything I have to teach, that you've grown so capable, Malof. Very good."
Steppenwolf waved his right hand. A flash of blood-red light passed, and a battle axe appeared in his hand.
"Then come and try to take it yourself!"
(end of chapter)
