578. The Trade-Off – Stealing Home.

The black, oil-like substance stretched out thin, thread-like tendrils, continuously wrapping around the Kryptonian's body, dragging it deeper into the pool.

The soft, viscous mass layered over it, forming a hardened, rock-like exoskeleton. From the outside, through the semi-transparent casing, one could faintly see a shadow stirring within, slowly coming back to life under the bio-incubation chamber's nurturing process.

Seeing this, Steppenwolf's face twisted into a grin.

He knew—his plan had succeeded.

It wouldn't be long now before this monstrosity, a fusion of Kryptonian physiology and New God combat prowess, was born.

When that time came, not even the emissaries of the Old Gods would be able to stop it. And if the Old Gods themselves dared to appear… they wouldn't fare much better.

"Tell me, how much longer until the process is complete?" Steppenwolf turned his head toward the Kryptonian AI.

[Estimated time… Earth solar calendar… One hour, thirty-seven minutes, fifty-four seconds… Margin of error… Zzt… Within ten minutes.]

"Less than two hours? Excellent." Steppenwolf bared his teeth in a wide grin. "Once the time is up, Earth will cower under The Great Darkness ."

But before he could fully revel in his satisfaction, the AI's next words froze his grin in place.

[Zzt… Based on latest transmissions… The Justice Society is discussing the destruction of the Mother Box.]

"What?!"

Steppenwolf whirled around, his massive form storming toward the Kryptonian squid-like AI module, his hand gripping its metallic shell tightly.

"What did you just say? Destroy the Mother Box?!"

[Zzt… Zzt…]

The AI module crackled with electromagnetic interference as Steppenwolf's powerful grip nearly crushed it.

Realizing this, he exhaled sharply and released his hold.

The mechanical intelligence trembled, regaining stability. A gigantic handprint was now visibly imprinted on its surface.

[Zzt… Just received a transmission from human society…]

Steppenwolf's brows furrowed deeply.

"Patch it through."

Despite his confidence that no primitive human technology could possibly destroy a Mother Box, he couldn't deny the unease creeping into his chest.

As a member of Apokolips' ruling class, no one understood the Mother Box's importance better than Steppenwolf.

These three devices, the pinnacle of Apokoliptian technology, were the foundation of Darkseid's dominion.

The Three Mother Boxes were indispensable.

If those vermin truly managed to destroy one, then Steppenwolf could forget about ever returning home.

Worse still—his very life might be at risk.

As soon as Steppenwolf gave the command, the corrupted Kryptonian AI immediately projected a broadcast signal.

A flash of blue light—

A holographic screen appeared before Steppenwolf.

On it stood Hourman, the leader of the Justice Society.

By his side were Doctor Mid-Nite and Wildcat, two of Earth's most renowned heroes.

The three of them stood at a press conference podium, addressing reporters and world leaders.

["The organization responsible for the catastrophic destruction of S.T.A.R. Labs is not of Earthly origin. According to our intelligence, they are a faction of extraterrestrial colonialist invaders."]

["They call themselves the 'New Gods' and have come to Earth with the intent of annihilating it. This is a crisis of global proportions—we must unite to resist this invasion."]

Steppenwolf straightened his imposing frame, his expression dark as he stared at the screen.

["Through our investigation, we've discovered that these invaders intend to destroy Earth using a power source called the 'Unity.'"]

["While our current level of technology cannot fully analyze its properties, we have confirmed that the key component of this 'Unity' is an artifact known as the Mother Box."]

["There are three Mother Boxes in total. One is currently in the custody of the Justice Society."]

["To prevent the invaders from succeeding in their plan—]

["And to protect Earth—]

["The Justice Society has reached a unanimous decision…]

["We will destroy the Mother Box."]

"Impossible!"

Steppenwolf swung his massive arm in fury, his sheer strength slamming into the nearby metal wall with an earth-shaking impact.

His gaze remained locked on the screen, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he breathed.

"You? You insignificant insects?" His voice was filled with disbelief. "What makes you think you have the power to destroy a Mother Box?!"

Almost as if responding to his rage-filled challenge, Hourman on the screen suddenly shifted his gaze toward the camera.

For a brief moment, it felt as if he was staring directly at Steppenwolf.

Then, in a slow and deliberate tone, he spoke:

["We are prepared to cast the Mother Box into a time rift, using the Speed Force as the core energy source—ensuring that it is forever lost in the vast currents of time. That is how we will destroy the Mother Box."]

Speed Force?

For a split second, Steppenwolf's eyes flickered with confusion.

"Impossible... Impossible! Humans... How could they...?"

He staggered back two steps, his towering form suddenly looking less invincible.

Steppenwolf did not fully understand what the Speed Force was, but he understood the plan.

These humans had clearly discovered a way to access the timestream—and, more terrifyingly, they were confident they could hurl the Mother Box into it.

If that happened, Apokolips would lose control over the Mother Box forever.

Even if Darkseid himself came searching for it, it could take millions of years before the Mother Box was ever found again within the vast, endless rivers of time.

Even DeSaad wouldn't be able to accept such an outcome.

And if the plan succeeded, then this mission would be a complete and utter failure.

Steppenwolf was already fighting for redemption—a single misstep could cost him everything.

Losing Apokolips' greatest treasure on top of that?

Steppenwolf couldn't even begin to imagine what punishment awaited him.

At the mere thought of Darkseid's wrath, a cold sweat trickled down his face.

For a moment, his rational mind whispered that this had to be a trick.

The idea of humans mastering time itself was absurd—nothing but a fabricated illusion meant to lure him out. But another, more insidious thought crept into his mind.

What if?

What if the humans truly possessed the means to destroy the Mother Box?

What if their plan actually worked?

Could he afford to take that risk?

"No… No, that's impossible."

Steppenwolf's massive hands clenched into fists, his eyes darting around the room, betraying his internal panic.

As his thoughts spiraled into chaos, a low, mechanical voice suddenly echoed from the Kryptonian AI beside him.

[Analysis complete. The Speed Force is a theoretical fundamental force. Origin: unknown. Those who attain Speed Force abilities can surpass the speed of light… and become masters of time.]

The chaotic noise suddenly transformed into a bullet, striking Steppenwolf directly in the forehead. The impact sent him stumbling backward several steps until he slammed into the wall, finally coming to a stop.

"This is… real? Those humans weren't lying to me?"

Steppenwolf's gaze darkened as he looked toward the Kryptonian AI. If the machine could provide information about the Speed Force, then it meant such a thing truly existed in this world.

And if that was the case—if a primitive civilization like Earth could accurately name the Speed Force—it could only mean one thing:

They had encountered it before.

Speed Force. Speedsters. The power to surpass the speed of light.

Steppenwolf's pupils contracted as the image of a red figure flashed through his mind.

"It's him!"

He still remembered—back at S.T.A.R. Labs, when he took the Mother Box, there had been a red-clad man who appeared out of nowhere. His speed was so terrifyingly fast that even Steppenwolf couldn't see him clearly.

If anyone on Earth had even come close to touching the power of the Speed Force, it could only be that man.

For a full minute, Steppenwolf remained motionless, his mind racing.

Then, suddenly, he shot to his feet.

He couldn't risk it.

He wouldn't risk it.

With giant strides, he stormed out of the bio-breeding chamber, his roar shaking the walls as he rallied every Parademon nearby.

Rage clouded his mind—blinding, absolute rage.

Right now, he had only one priority—confirming the Mother Box's safety.

The Parademons, highly sensitive to the energy signature of the Mother Box, had already located it. But at the same time, they had also detected the presence of multiple incredibly powerful energy sources gathered nearby.

If Steppenwolf had to guess, those energies likely belonged to the Old Gods' emissaries… and the Green Lantern Corps.

Hearing this only reinforced Steppenwolf's suspicions.

If the humans were truly planning to destroy the Mother Box, then it made perfect sense for all their strongest warriors to stand guard around it.

Steppenwolf's eyes narrowed.

He suddenly grabbed a nearby Parademon by the throat, his teeth grinding in frustration.

"Are you certain they're all in the same place?" he growled.

The Parademon writhed in his grip, its jagged mandibles clicking as it screeched out a response.

No other species could understand this sound, but as one of the creators of the Parademons, Steppenwolf understood their language perfectly.

And when he heard that nearly every powerful individual on Earth was gathered around the Mother Box, the murderous intent in his heart erupted.

Real or fake… trap or deception… it no longer mattered.

"I had hoped to resolve this with minimal effort…"

Steppenwolf slowly reached for his helmet, its hammerhead-like design gleaming under the dim light.

"…but if it's war you want, then war it shall be."

Behind him, countless Parademons armed themselves, their weapons gleaming, their eyes burning with bloodlust.

-----------------------------

Meanwhile, high above the North Atlantic, a sleek, black aircraft tore through the sky.

Inside, Bruce Wayne—clad in his Iron Bat Suit—stared grimly ahead.

Beside him, the co-pilot seat was piled high with various weapons and gadgets.

One weapon, however, stood out the most—a whip as black as the void itself.

For a moment, Bruce's gaze lingered on the ocean horizon.

Then—

An alarm blared in his earpiece.

Bruce tilted his head slightly, his expression darkening as he reached for the control panel.

With a single tap, he activated the Batcave's external surveillance feed.

Within moments, a blurry image flickered onto his screen.

Beyond the dense forest surrounding Wayne Manor, a massive Boom Tube had suddenly ripped open the sky.

Then—

Thousands upon thousands of Parademons burst forth, their wings beating furiously as they swarmed outward like a plague of locusts.

.....

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