CHAPTER 132

Pierced by Kaius's divine thunder, the chest of the Data Demon was seared through, as if steel had been melted by a laser. Streams of glowing data spilled from the gaping wound like blood, coursing chaotically around the damage.

"What's happening? Why... why can't I recover?"

Clutching the gaping wound in his chest, the Data Demon's voice was tinged with panic. He frantically attempted to reconstruct his corrupted data, but the torrent of leaking information was uncontrollable, a dam broken beyond repair.

Kaius stood resolutely before him, her expression calm but unyielding. "My divine power disrupts the core structure of your being. Your data can no longer stabilize. In simple terms... you're going to die."

The Data Demon recoiled, his digital form flickering as his data flow spiraled further out of control. His voice, now heavy with anger and disbelief, rang out. "Impossible... impossible! I studied your combat footage. You don't have this power!"

His rage was fueled by his reliance on military footage from Metropolis, captured before Kaius ascended to godhood. But his protests meant nothing. The flow of his corrupted data intensified, and his form began to collapse. Finally, the once-mighty digital entity disintegrated into shimmering particles, dissipating into nothingness.

In the aftermath, General Swanwick and his team cautiously approached the area where the Data Demon had vanished. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Avenger," Swanwick asked, his voice steady but curious, "is he... dead?"

Kaius's brows furrowed. Despite his victory, something felt amiss. According to his divine judgment, the defeat of the Data Demon should have strengthened his divine power, yet he sensed no increase.

"General," he said firmly, "deploy a team to guard all nuclear missile silos immediately. The enemy may have survived in some form. He's an alien computer—vulnerable to electromagnetic attacks but still dangerously resourceful." Without waiting for a response, she launched into the sky, heading toward the nearest silo.

A massive, gyro-like spacecraft rotated silently in the void. Any Kryptonian, particularly Kara Zor-El, would instantly recognize it—this was Rhodesburg, the prison ship housing interstellar fugitives.

In the ship's core control room, the Data Demon violently ripped a data cable from his metallic skull. A thick spray of crimson, oil-like liquid burst from his mechanical mouth, staining the console.

"Kaius... Avenger... I'll kill you!!!" His voice reverberated with rage and humiliation, the hatred in his words palpable.

The Data Demon's invasion of Earth had been a near-total success. His digital infiltration had brought him to the brink of launching every nuclear weapon in the United States. But at the moment of triumph, Kaius had appeared, wielding divine power, and ruined everything.

Worse, the divine thunder Kaius unleashed had damaged his core. While mechanical bodies were replaceable, a corrupted core risked permanent erasure—a fate even memory backups couldn't undo. For the Data Demon, death was a terrifyingly real possibility.

Struggling to his feet, he felt the lingering effects of Kaius's power—a metaphysical shackle clinging to his being. It was a faint restraint but one that served as a constant reminder of his defeat. He snarled and turned his attention to Rozburg's central console.

Extending his mechanical appendages like tentacles, he stabbed them into the console, merging with its systems. "Activate Prisoner One," he commanded, his tone a mix of desperation and malevolence.

The console's screen flickered to display the vast expanse of a containment cell—nearly the size of ten football fields. At its center was a colossal creature restrained by an intricate network of machines. Thick black fluid flowed through the tubes embedded in its monstrous body.

The Data Demon's command triggered a surge of energy. Electrical currents coursed through the containment systems, and the sleeping prisoner began to stir. The entire ship trembled violently, the tremors even reaching the core control room.

Rising above the chaos, the Data Demon smirked coldly. "Let the ancient star monster awaken. It's time to show Earth the terror of its sun."

With a deep rumble, the cell doors shifted. Slowly, the massive structure moved toward an aperture, revealing the star prisoner to the blinding light of the sun. Thirty seconds later, the creature's terrifying form was fully illuminated—its awakening heralding destruction unlike any the Earth had ever faced.

The yellow sun streamed into the reinforced cell, bathing its occupant in energizing light. The prisoner, a Kryptonian creature, stirred like a child awakening from slumber, though its roar carried a rage forged in captivity.

"ROAR! ROAR!!!"

Each roar reverberated through the prison, shaking its very foundations. The intricate machinery designed to restrain the beast groaned and snapped as though made of paper. The bindings shattered, one after another, under the creature's overwhelming strength.

In a control room, the Data Demon observed Prisoner No. 1 with maniacal glee. "Rhodesburg's power engine is at maximum. Earth will be mine!" He sneered, accelerating the engine's output. "Even if this beast destroys the Starkiller, the master only requires the child of the Starkiller. There's no need for him to survive. Today marks your annihilation, Kryptonian!"

Meanwhile, in the Batcave, Kaius returned to find a bustling scene. With the Data Demon defeated and Earth's communication systems restored, the team had regrouped. Mechanical zombies littering the streets had been swiftly dispatched by Superman, Wonder Woman, and Flash.

"Alfred mentioned the Data Demon planned to use nuclear weapons against humanity?" Batman asked sharply as Kaius entered.

Kaius nodded gravely. "Yes, though I let the Data Demon escape. I have a feeling this isn't over yet..." He paused, noticing someone unexpected. "Wait a minute—why is Kara here?"

In front of him stood Kara Zor-El, wearing a fitted Kryptonian battle suit. Though she was only a teenager, her confident posture radiated pride. She beamed at Kaius, clearly expecting praise.

"Reporting, General Kaius," Fiora Ul declared formally. "Kara insisted on joining the fight. I couldn't restrain her, so I brought her along."

Kara pumped her fist triumphantly. "General Kaius, I'm strong now! I smashed mechanical zombies with a single punch! Back on Krypton, I could only run from these things, but not anymore!"

Kaius chuckled. "It's Brother Kaius, not General," he corrected her. "And where did you get that armor?"

He gestured at her outfit. The battle suit, made from kryptonite alloy, fit Kara perfectly. Its gleaming metallic finish was accented with Kryptonian red, complete with a skirt that fluttered slightly as she moved.

Before Kara could answer, Batman cleared his throat. "I… repurposed some surplus alloy. I figured she could use it."

Kaius narrowed his eyes, cradling Kara protectively. "Bruce, you better not be using her as a test subject for your experiments!"

Batman smirked. "She's a Kryptonian, Kaius. She can handle it."

Kaius muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "She's still just a kid! Watch yourself, Bruce."