DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Office.

The vast space was silent, filled with sorrow. A wordless grief spread slowly.

Anger was useless.

Anger could not save the Amazons.

Anger could only keep the blood in one's chest boiling, but it could not change reality.

Artemis stood silently, hands clenched, her anger laced with sorrow. She stood behind Antiope and Phillipus, staring at Antiope's kneeling back. The grief and fury in her heart could not be suppressed.

The Amazons had become a piece of meat on someone else's table, ready to be slaughtered, utterly powerless to resist.

Silence.

Silence and sorrow weighed heavily on the space.

Bardi's body sank into the sofa. Hera, leaning gently against him, released a subtle fragrance that lingered at the tip of his nose. His fingertips continued to tap out a soft "Croatian Rhapsody" on the waist of Hera's white shirt.

This rhapsody, set against the backdrop of war-torn Croatia, its ruins and ashes, the sunset reflected in tears and blood—depicted a tragic image through a bright rhythm.

In the scene soon to descend upon Paradise Island, this "Croatian Rhapsody" was fitting. Ruins. Amazon warriors wounded and dying. Sorrow spreading across the land. Despair cloaking the island.

A heart-wrenching picture.

Even imagining it was enough to conjure the severe aftermath of the nuclear explosion. It was agonizing.

"Your Majesty, please stop the nuclear strike. I surrender on behalf of Paradise Island."

Antiope's heart trembled with panic. With each passing second, the nuclear bomb soared farther across the Atlantic, trailing red and white flames, leaving a pale wake. Every moment it advanced, her fear grew deeper.

She could not bear to witness the destruction of the Amazons.

Bardi's expression remained cold. He hated the destruction of life and beauty. Who didn't prefer joy, beauty, and peace?

But, as he once said:

Those who have never known fear will never understand surrender.

Now, the Amazons finally knew fear. Wasn't it a little too late?

Indeed, he had been too kind. His deterrent was still not enough to make others tremble and kneel. Just like The Flash, who gambled with the lives of millions in New Guinea and still refused to kneel.

The Justice League had challenged him again and again.

And now the Amazons believed they could resist him.

"After this nuclear bomb, the Amazons will be qualified to become soldiers under my command."

Bardi's tone was cold and ruthless.

His fingers still moved lightly over Hera's waist. Her smooth skin faintly showed beneath the white shirt.

"No, Your Majesty, we acknowledge you as our sovereign. Please forgive our disobedience. The Amazons will become a sharp sword in your hands!"

Phillipus stepped forward, flustered. She knelt beside Antiope and hurriedly spoke.

"I am a general of Paradise Island. Your Majesty Barmulodi, I offer you my loyalty."

Phillipus clutched her pounding heart. Her body trembled.

She could no longer imagine the destruction of the Amazons, of Paradise Island.

Such an outcome was unbearable.

If, in this moment, she allowed pride to stop her from kneeling before this man, and that led to the Amazons being wiped from the world, if she became the last Amazon left—then the pain of that future was unimaginable.

Bardi's face remained cold and unfeeling. By now, his good mood had vanished completely.

The pleading of others did not bring him satisfaction. On the contrary, it saddened him.

Truly... no coffin, no tears.

Never felt fear. Never knew surrender.

Bardi's fingers stopped on Hera's waist. The "Croatian Rhapsody" ceased. His eyes were indifferent, and his seated figure resembled a giant atop a mountain, gazing down at the two kneeling women.

Artemis stood frozen.

How strong was the will of an Amazon warrior? How impossible it was to make them submit.

They would rather die in battle than kneel before another.

Her mind collapsed.

In their eyes, there was no shame in kneeling before Bardi.

On the contrary.

They were so noble—so noble that the entire Paradise Island and all the Amazons would never understand them.

The people would only scorn them, call them Barmulodi's lackeys, pelt them with rotten eggs and tomatoes, spit on them. They were destined to be a stain in Amazon history.

They were... Amazons.

Yet they were the ones who could save the Amazons. Who could prevent Paradise Island from becoming a forgotten ruin.

Artemis suddenly came back to her senses.

Boom…

She took one step forward. Her knees slammed to the ground, cracks spreading all the way to Bardi's feet.

Artemis's eyes were resolute. Her face was unwavering as she spoke firmly.

"I, Artemis, am willing to submit to you. I beg you to spare the Amazons."

"From this moment on, I forsake the gods."

"From this moment on, your will is my path."

"From this moment on, your eyes are where my blade points."

"From this moment on, your soul is my unwavering faith for the rest of my life."

"I am willing to be your sword, your sharpest blade, your vanguard, to forge your empire."

Artemis knelt, her forehead pressed to the ground, the cold touch of the floor against her skin.

A silent, tragic resolve spread through the space.

It was more powerful and heart-wrenching than any battle or fight.

This was a brutal war of submission.

So tragic, yet without smoke, fire, or blood.

In this space, the hearts of the Amazons were torn apart.

Bardi looked like a god enthroned in the clouds, peering down with an aloof gaze. His expression was stone-like, unyielding and merciless.

At that moment—

On the screen, a blinding light burst forth. The dazzling white flash lit up the faces of the three kneeling Amazon warriors.

The nuclear bomb exploded high in the sky over the Amazons. A fierce wind swept through the forests of Paradise Island. Animals and birds scattered in terror. The grand buildings below wavered under the impact.

The Amazons shielded their eyes from the searing light, then erupted into proud and confident cheers. No one could harm the Amazons so easily.

The bomb had not struck Paradise Island directly. It exploded in the sky, releasing a wave of flames.

Phillipus and Antiope exhaled in relief. Looking at the confident Amazons on the screen, proudly staring at the sky, their hearts filled with bittersweet emotion.

Artemis remained firm and silent.

(To be continued.)