The cloud of dust settles and Arkin stepped out of the hole with both chains in his arm glowing red. The chains in his grasp shone brightly with a red hue, slowly dyeing his exposed hands in a similar color.
"Yesss..." Arkin let out a low exclamation as his grip on his weapons tightened. Underneath the battle suit, which no one could see, his skin began to change color, from its original ragged stone texture to a darker touch of red.
Cracking and popping sounds echoed from his being as a feeling of exaggerated strength flooded his nervous system. His three-meter tall body began to shrink at a noticeable speed.
Mericrozz watched all this happen indifferently. She turned her attention back to the Kryptonian who was gritting his teeth in pain.
"Strong, but reckless". This was her evaluation of Superman, the Last Son Of Krypton. The records of Krypton's dark days were known to many races in the vast universe.
A race blessed by the cosmos with tremendous power, following a strict social order that had abandoned the natural way of reproduction.
With their knowledge and technology, the artificial creation of kryptonian life was successful, allowing each living being on the planet to know their specific role and purpose on their planet.
Genetic offspring of Warriors would become Warriors, scientists offspring would also follow in a similar pattern.
The same applied to every single one of them. The moment they were brought into existence, their lives had basically been decided on for them.
The combat prowess of all Kryptonians differed due to their genetic code, but regardless of which role they played in their society.
No matter what social hierarchy they belonged to, all Kryptonians would transform into weapons of destruction when exposed to a yellow sun.
Each one capable of destroying interstellar fleets with nothing but their bare hands. A race capable of standing side by side with the new protoss.
The universe was just that unfair.
Unfortunately, their home planet was in a galaxy with a red sun. Krypton in its heyday was glorious. But now, Superman was its last survivor.
And while his power was astounding as it should be, his experience was clearly lacking. She attributed this to living in such an underdeveloped sector.
Among these humans, he was a God. With all his power, he had probably never met an opponent capable of even breaking his defense, and his knowledge of the wonders of the universe was severely lacking.
And now, he was about to meet his match.
"Get over here". Arkin pulled backward with boundless strength. Clark, who was still reeling in from the pain, felt a massive force pull him forward.
His body was dragged towards his adversary, who threw a punch straight at him.
Squelch!
Superman was thrown away as the heavy blow landed on his face. The chains still wrapped around him were pulled out with force due to inertia. Bits and pieces of his flesh were ripped off along with it as he crashed into a building.
"Ahhhh!
"Oh my God!"
"Damn! It's happening".
"Who is that?"
"What the....." Clark heard several voices and felt an agonizing pain on the side of his face.
He let out a pained groan and opened his eyes to see numerous people hiding behind their desks and work stations, looking at his direction.
"Is that..... Superman?" Someone asked in disbelief as he looked at the gruesome lacerations around Superman's body.
"It is Superman. He's hurt".
Wasn't Superman known to be invulnerable? What the hell happened?
Clark had a similar question as well. Looking at the injuries on his arm, his eyes widened in slight disbelief.
He wasn't surprised at being injured. After all, Clark knew he could be injured in many ways. With Kryptonite and Magic.
Lobo had used Kryptonite to badly injure him. And in the Battle of Atlantis, he was injured by Orms Magic Trident.
And now.....
A stinging pain from the side of his face caused him to flinch slightly. He touched the corner of his head only to find that he was bleeding.
This one wasn't caused by the chain, but due to the attack, he received head on.
But, how was that possible? And that strength, it was definitely stronger than when they initially clashed.
Looking at the trembling figures of the panicking civilians, Superman gritted his teeth and flew forward.
Flying out of the debris, the first thing that caught his eyes was a chain with multiple spikes, rapidly enlarging in his vision. With extreme speed, his figure swayed in the air, narrowly dodging the attack that would have certainly disfigured his face if it had landed.
Clark didn't attack immediately but opened the distance. His look was grave as he eyed Arkin and the chains in his hands.
"Are you scared, Kryptonian?" The hoarse words sounded from the alien's mouth. Clark paid no need to his mocking words, his attention on Arkin's transforming body shape.
The three-meter plus giant had shrunk down to a height of two meter plus, and the most eye-catching change was the extra spike that had grown extending from his back.
The Battle Armor on his body also shrunk accordingly to perfectly adapt to his current form.
Arkin watched the flying kryptonian with a sinister glint. His eyes began to glow a bright red color.
"You should be".
Clark's eyes widened as two rays of heat vision blasted towards him from his opponent. His figure in the air turned into a blur as the attack was dodged.
Arkin swung his chains at his target. The bladed edges gave off a sinister aura, like a fallen evil soul aiming for Clark's throat.
Clark flew upward, dodging the strike and rammed into Arkin with his two fists landing on the latter's abdomen.
The ground continuously cracked as Arkin slid back several meters. His legs seemed attached to the earth, as the attack stronger than the previous blow that sent him flying was unable to lift him off the ground.
Seeing this, Clark didn't relent. He had no scruples as he unleashed his strength, throwing many fast punches. He didn't understand, nor did he have time to figure out why this alien could suddenly withstand his strength.
Now all that was in his mind was to solve this obstacle.
Clark's first three punches landed smoothly, causing Arkin to retreat several steps. Whenever Clark's fist landed, a certain amount of force would be absorbed, greatly reducing the power of his attack.
He skillfully dodged the next one with lightning steps and his fist connected with Superman's abdomen
Superman staggered backwards a bit, unable to dodge the next attack that connected with his face.
His figure flew backwards, landing on a car and effectively demolishing it. The familiar sound of something moving through the air with amazing velocity caused his ears to tingle.
Clark rolled out of the car wreckage in time to avoid a bladed chain piercing through his chest. With Super speed, he appeared at a car ten feet away in a second a threw it straight at his opponent.
Arkin reflexively used his weapon to split the car in half, as his chain curved like a whip. However, a blast of heat vision unexpectedly followed behind the car, blasting into him.
Arkin was pushed back a long distance with a trail of laser beams.
He smashed through three establishments, causing the buildings to collapse into ruins.
Trapped under the demolished buildings, he punched upward, clearing a large number of debris away from him. However, he had barely regained his footing when the Superman appeared once again and punched him straight on the mask.
This time, his body flew upwards like a rocket. Clark had adapted to Arkin's fighting style. He followed up with a blast of heat vision propelling the latter upward and followed up again with a heavy punch.
Arkin took blow after blow as his figure continued to ascend towards the spaceship.
Superman let out a battle roar as he flew in from the side to land another one. However.....
The Battle Armor on Arkin's body lit up in blood-red light. His destabilized figure suddenly gained balance and a pair of thrusters appeared under his feet, propelling him out of the way.
Clark's fist missed its target, yet before he could turn around, he felt something wrap around his left leg, bringing about a burst of pain.
The bladed chain sunk into his flesh while pulling him back.
"You're going to regret that". Arkin's furious roar sounded in his ears, and Clark felt his vision blur as the former spun him around in the air.
Superman was spun round and round in circles before he was thrown away, plummeting downwards at rapid speed.
BANG!
The crash was so powerful that the sound resounded thought-out the whole city. The cars in the surrounding areas were blown away, alongside a lot of gravel.
Superman's body laid deep in a humongous crater.
"Ugh!" He let out a pained groan from his lips as the thick dust caused from his fall obstructed his vision slightly.
But not enough not to see the figure plummeting towards him like a meteor. Clark's brain reacted, urging his body to speed out of the way. Unfortunately...
BOOM! The landing was a
So powerful that another sound comparable to a sonic boom spread through the full city. The buildings in the area suffered severe damage, and the closest ones even began to collapse.
Clark spat out a mouthful of blood as the large-sized feet impacted his chest area. The severe pain assaulted his body everywhere, almost overwhelming him.
Clark gnashed his teeth and bore the pain. His mind was strong enough and clear enough to fire a blast of lasers straight at Arkin.
The alien was blasted a few feet away from the point of impact
Rolling around the floor before eventually coming to a halt.
Clark raised his battered body from the crater and stared at his opponent, who was still clothed in that battle armor that had a lot of visible deforms.
But compared to his own super suit that was ripped in different places, those deforms weren't even worth mentioning.
"Hah! Hah!" Superman let out heavy pants. This was much more difficult than he imagined. He hadn't fought this hard ever since his battle with Lobo.
And that wasn't even a month ago.
"I acknowledge you, Kryptonian". At that moment, the alien suddenly spoke. His hoarse voice carried along with it a hint of acknowledgement.
"Though that won't change the result of your fate, you have proven to be a worthy adversary. Worthy enough to know who is about to defeat you".
Arkin said solemnly. And with a clicking sound, the gladiator mask on his face suddenly split in two and fell off.
Clark saw the face of what looked to be a middle-aged man with brownish skin. His eyes resembled that of a blind person and his face was decorated with strange markings on one side and a deep scar on the other, extending from the left side of his neck to his cheeks.
His features weren't any interesting, and the big nose on his face made him almost borderline unattractive according to human aesthetics.
Unlike Superman who looked as if he had fought a tough battle, his breathing was only slightly heavy, showing little fatigue. This was not only due to the armor he was wearing, but the race he belonged to.
His face was completely expressionless, looking like he bore no emotions except for a boiling battle intent.
"I Am Sevimark Arkin, The Blood Warlock. Eight leader of The Black Chamber, Hybrid and rebel of the planet Alca. Many have fallen under my chains…." His grip tightened on the double chains.
The items seemed as if they were alive as they squirmed while laying on the asphalt.
"And you will be no different". His cold words sounded like a decree.
"Sorry, I don't think so!' Clark's eyes narrowed and the burning bright laser shot forward. Arkin attacked in the same way.
Two blasts of heat vision collided against each other, and were brought to a stalemate. Each struggled to obtain the upper hand as the releasers continued to input more power, until eventually…
BOOM! The built-up energy exploded in all directions.
The buildings that were already on the verge of collapsing toppled over like a house of blocks.
Clark stood motionless in the midst of the explosion, as the fiery aftermath had little effect on him.
The sound of the by-now-familiar whistle of something moving through the air at rapid speed caught his ears. Clark raised his arm to shield himself, and the bladed chain once again sunk itself into his flesh.
"Ugh!" Clark groaned painfully. Like before, he felt the tugging pull on the other end of the weapon dragging him forwards.
Clark, however, wasn't drawn like last time. His feet slid against the floor, causing deep trenches to appear as he resisted the strong force.
"Your resistance is futile". Arkin said hoarsely.
At that moment, Clark's eyes caught the chain glowing red the same way it did before. Only this time, he felt something leaving his body, causing him to grow weaker and weaker.
He instantly realized why the alien called himself Blood Warlock. These chains were literally draining him of his blood.
That's why he still looked as strong after all those beatings. This guy was siphoning strength out of him.
"Not this time". As he finished his words, he opened his mouth and blew on the chain, causing an Arctic chill to appear in the air. Solid ice grew on the chain at a speed visible to the eye and spread all the way from one end to the other.
Arkin who was pulling the other end, had his eyes narrowed as the ice spread towards his palm in an attempt to encase him. Clark suddenly have up resistance and allowed his figure to be pulled forward while adding additional momentum to go as fast as possible.
His move successfully caught the other off guard as his fist slammed into the latter's face. It certainly hurt a lot more now that the mask was gone.
Clark ignored the pain in his arm and forcibly ripped off the bladed chain. Blood spilled on the floor like a fountain, but Superman didn't mind.
His gaze shifted back to the alien who had gone through several buildings and chased after his advantage.
However, a tanker truck smashed into him out of nowhere as soon as he took to the air.
The truck exploded, causing debris to fly everywhere.
"That will be enough". A figure floated in the air with a tank flying behind her. Who else would it be other than Mericrozz?
"I believe it's time we end this farce". Her voice was indifferent as she looked in the direction of Arkin's crash.
At that moment, a piece of the tanker was thrown towards the Martian. Futile though as it stopped three meters before her and was thrown aside.
Superman walked out of the flames. Blood was all over his suit, alongside various deep injuries. His momentum was noticeably weaker, but his firm, spirited gaze and determination made him stand upright.
"Where are the Lanterns?" Clark interrogated with sharp eyes.
"You mean them?" Two bodies fell from the air and landed heavily on the ground. Hal and Stewart lay unmoving, their eyes closed, but from the slight movement on their chests, it was clear that they were unconscious.
"Mericrozz!" A loud roar sounded as Arkin leaped from the distance and landed.
The landing is so powerful it visibly drives the seven-foot-tall male straight through the asphalt, his feet sinking straight down into the material even as the sheer impact causes it to warp, splinter, and explode all around him.
"You shouldn't have interfered". His voice carried clear anger. The Martian was unmoved.
"Time is up for playing. We have the Czarnian. Either you take down the kryptonian or I will". Her flat tone sounded as if she was talking about something trivial.
Clark on the side was noticeably gloomy. No matter who it was, no one liked being underestimated.
However, his teammates were at her feet. Clark didn't dare to act rashly.
Now he just wished the rest of the league were here.
BOOM
Speak of the devil and he will appear.
A boom tube portal suddenly opened in the distance. Cyborg stepped out, his arm in the form of a laser cannon and the rest of his body armed and loaded, firing several consecutive shots.
Mericrozz activated density shifting, while Arkin took on the brunt of the attacks head on and was pushed back a distance.
A red blur of lightning flashed by at hat moment. What followed next was the disappearing bodies of both Lanterns.
"Looks like you could use some assistance". The voice of Martian Manhunter sounded as he slowly descended from the air alongside Wonder Woman, dressed in a sexy golden armor.
Clark smiled brightly.
"The others?"
"Worry not Kal-el, the others should be here any second. Plus, the numbers are at our advantage....."
However.....
"Drop The Shield". Arkin said hoarsely. The spaceship that was idly floating above suddenly seemed to come alive.
The bottom of the circular spaceship opened up and released.
From the point under the ship, a red energy dome appeared before rapidly expanding.
"That's not good". Barry said with wide eyes as he looked at the expanding dome. In a matter of seconds, the whole city was covered within its range.
"What have you done?" Superman looked away from the dome and yelled at the two opposite.
"It's an isolation barrier, Superman. The space around Central City is sealed. We've been cut off". Cyborgs complexion was grim.
"He's right. I can't reach the rest of the League either". Flash said solemnly. All gazes locked onto the two figures who stood there seemingly without worry.
"Lift this barrier immediately". Diana said as she drew her sword. Her tone was one that seemingly left no room for refusal.
"Guys... I don't..... feel so...." Everyone heard Clark's weak voice at hat moment. They turned heir gazes only to be alarmed to see Superman falling backwards.
Flash quickly moved behind him to stop him from hitting the floor.
"Guys, what's happening to him?" Barry asked worriedly. Everyone's expressions turned ugly as Superman started bleeding from multiple places all around.
"His wounds aren't healing". Martian Manhunter said with a grave expression.
"That's because this isn't an ordinary dome". Cyborg said, causing everyone to stare at him.
"My readings tell me this dome simulates the conditions of Superman's home world. In other words....."
"A Red Sun".