"Cough, cough, cough!"
Kalibak crashed into the ground, sending dust billowing into the air. The sheer force of the impact carved a massive crater into the battlefield.
He lay at the bottom of the pit, struggling to breathe. Adrian's relentless assault had drained nearly all his strength. Though his injuries were not fatal, the continuous barrage had left him unable to stand, with no chance of recovering anytime soon.
With a thunderous boom, Adrian descended from the sky and landed inside the crater.
Across the battlefield, Wonder Woman and the others paused mid-fight against the Parademons, their attention drawn to him. Even Clark, who had just safely set a falling plane down in the distance, flew over to watch.
The echoes of frightened passengers still carried through the air behind him.
Courtney and her teammates watched nervously.
They did not know who Kalibak was, but it was obvious he led the invading forces. His size, his presence, and the way the Parademons moved around him made that clear.
"Looks like this is almost over," Hourman muttered, setting down the fire hydrant he had been using as a weapon.
"Yeah… that guy doesn't stand a chance against Homelander," Beth said, adjusting her goggles as she tried to analyze Kalibak. "Let me check…"
A brief pause.
"…Nothing. I can't get any data on him. It's all blank."
"Guess your goggles aren't perfect after all," Hourman said with a shrug.
"They're not meant to answer everything," Beth replied, slightly annoyed but composed. "But one thing is clear… Adrian is stronger than before. Much stronger."
Courtney shook her head and glanced toward Clark.
"I still think stopping a falling plane is more impressive."
"They're both freaks," Hourman said bluntly.
Inside the crater, Adrian walked toward Kalibak with steady, deliberate steps.
"You…"
Kalibak forced himself upright, fear creeping into his expression.
Gone was his earlier arrogance. Gone was the confidence of a conqueror. In its place was something unfamiliar to him.
Fear.
"You're that Kryptonian…" Kalibak said, his voice unsteady.
Adrian let out a cold scoff.
"At least you're not completely stupid."
He grabbed Kalibak by the collar of his shattered armor and lifted him effortlessly into the air.
"You come to my world, cause destruction, and expect no consequences?"
Kalibak's breathing grew uneven, his earlier composure completely shattered.
"I… I didn't expect you to be this strong…"
"Look at me when I'm talking to you."
Adrian's voice dropped, cold and sharp.
The intensity in his eyes froze the air around them. His killing intent was unmistakable, pressing down like a physical weight.
Under the watchful gaze of the heroes above, Kalibak spoke words no one expected.
"You win. I surrender."
A stunned silence followed.
A New God of Apokolips, one of Darkseid's elite warriors, had chosen to surrender.
Kalibak was no coward, but he understood survival. This was a tactical retreat. As long as he lived, he could return with greater force.
And surely, once they understood Apokolips, they would not dare kill him.
Adrian stared at him.
"Oh? You want to surrender?"
A brief pause.
"No."
"I don't accept it."
Before Kalibak could react, Adrian's fist slammed into his face.
The impact sent him flying across the crater like a projectile, crashing hard into the rock wall.
Blood spilled from his mouth as his vision blurred. His consciousness flickered, barely holding together under the overwhelming pain.
Adrian closed the distance instantly, appearing in front of him again.
"Do you think surrender erases what you've done?"
His voice was low, edged with contempt.
"Do you think you can come into my world, do whatever you want, and walk away without paying for it?"
Kalibak, barely conscious, tried to speak.
"The Dark… Lord will…"
"He won't come here," Adrian cut him off coldly. "And he won't hide behind you."
Another punch.
The air exploded outward as Adrian's fist connected again, slamming Kalibak back into the ground.
In the distance, Rachel stood beside Mera, watching in shock.
"Is… is my brother angry?" she asked quietly.
Mera's eyes stayed fixed on Adrian.
"Your brother was never gentle," she said.
There was something complicated in her gaze. She did not fully approve of Adrian's methods, yet she could not deny the pull he had.
It was frustrating.
She did not feel this way about Arthur. With him, everything was simpler. Clear.
But Adrian…
He was different.
Back in the crater, something in Kalibak snapped.
With a roar, he forced himself to his feet and threw everything he had into a final punch.
It was fast. Desperate. Fueled by rage.
Adrian caught it effortlessly.
He tilted his head slightly, a faint hint of surprise crossing his face.
"You can still stand?"
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