Act 2:
Masayoshi's Apartment
[Hi, I'm the writer of this story and wanted to let you know that in this chapter we'll have more conversations explaining this universe. I'll make it clear who is speaking at which point: the one in bold and italics is Darkseid speaking, while the one speaking without any formatting is Masayoshi. That said, enjoy this story that will explain a lot about this human-dominated universe. I hope you like it.]
Something fundamental had changed overnight. His stature was now more imposing, his limbs defined by a latent strength he had never possessed. He sat in the chair, and the world around him seemed… different… less solid, almost illusory.
And then, the Presence made itself known again. Darkseid was no longer confined to the shadows of his mind; he materialized at the table in his small kitchen, a figure of granite and darkness that distorted reality around him. His voice echoed, not as a sound, but as a direct pressure on Masayoshi's consciousness.
"Please… tell me now what happened in this universe… Why is it like this?"
The question hung in the air, laden with a perverse curiosity. Masayoshi swallowed hard, feeling the crushing weight of that attention.
"Huh? Like… like… this?", he stammered, his own voice sounding strange and small.
"Where I come from, humanity was centuries behind in technology. And suddenly, in this world, humans dominate the far reaches of the cosmos. Explain… how?"
"Well… I'll tell you how I learned it in school, okay?", Masayoshi began, trying to organize his thoughts under the god's unwavering gaze. "Almost 3000 years ago, humans were… strange. As poor and weak as defenseless animals. Their physical build was fantastic, but their minds were like glass, a simple touch and they could shatter. They lived in villages, kingdoms, settlements; civilizations were very territorial. Until one day, in a location on the continent now known as Africa, a huge metal structure fell from the sky."
He paused, seeing the interest in Darkseid's flaming eyes.
"It wasn't a common metal; it was something no living being had ever witnessed before, extremely resistant. The impact of the collision created a flash of light so bright it attracted the curious people who lived there. The structure resembled a ship. From inside it came four beings… larger than humans, with an abnormal, skeletal build, hungry and wounded. The fear of the unknown was evident on everyone's faces…"
"Hmm… I've seen all this before. Didn't want to interrupt, my boy, but where I come from, this story has been told by dozens of authors; it's a common fable on your planet, the story of the Hedgehog and the Lion. I even know that, in the end, you helped the beings and were rewarded with technological mater…"
"We killed them."
The silence that followed was heavier than any word. Darkseid's aura seemed to vibrate with dark pleasure.
"…This just became significantly more interesting… It seems… your planet's media isn't afraid to hide the cruel truth of humanity."
"Well… that is… continuing, those beings, weak and hungry, begged for help. They were the last of their race, they wanted to live to repopulate their world… But… suddenly, a spear pierced the leader's chest. By the way… that spear is in a museum to this day, haha…" His laugh was a dry, humorless sound.
"So, in the end, you killed all those beings and took the ship for yourselves?"
"Exactly. From that point on, the people who dominated the ship studied it, dismantled it, and thus were able to dominate not only the surrounding peoples with ease, but the entire world. Unfortunately, human greed didn't stop there. The planet had been dominated, and they realized this all happened in an absurdly short period of time. Those who possessed the most powerful weapon in the world saw that fighting amongst themselves was useless in the face of the vast cosmos… They set their differences aside and set out in search of more power and dominance."
"Resources, power, dominion. A familiar cycle. And Krypton? What do you know about Krypton?"
"Look… I think I know what you're talking about… would that be a planet that orbited a red sun?"
"Well, well… So Krypton here also didn't escape an imminent planetary explosion…"
"Actually, there was an explosion, but… it wasn't the planet's."
"What does that mean?"Darkseid's voice was now a sharp blade.
"Almost 1500 years ago, we discovered this planet. Quite friendly beings, with technology similar to ours… and best of all: we had the same physiognomy, we could communicate. They had a dialect that was easy to learn. Finally, we took a young prince from that place for a visit to our planet. He requested no bodyguards, as he believed in us and wanted to feel free… Unfortunately, when we landed, that prince started floating and seemed to have superhuman strength… Big mistake. Our generals felt threatened and soon put an end to that poor boy, and to ensure there was no more danger… we… blew up that planet with an experimental bomb. So powerful it seemed to tear the fabric of space. The extinction of a species began out of fear…"
"The universal expansion of humanity is… admirable in its brutality. But there's something I can't get out of my head… How did you kill gods?"
"Gods? I… I.. don't know of any gods… There were great battles against powerful beings, and some still happen… but a god? In the history books, I don't think they mentioned…"
"…It is inconceivable that there are no gods in a universe… But to claim you were able to execute them… is an even worse idea…"Darkseid mused, his voice thoughtful.
"This family that dominated the machine… does their legacy endure?"
"To this day they command the largest patent of the human expansion army. Two brothers… seen by all as a kind of god, those who will bring human dominance throughout the rest of the cosmic expanse."
"Right now, human expansion is occurring; the greatest war generals are battling the resistance. The last meta-humans in existence are there, in an almost… futile… fight…"
Darkseid observes his words with curiosity and questions.
"So you killed everyone who didn't resemble a human? Meta-humans were probably a threat to you."
"Yeah… basically that. The human race deleted countless worlds, often not even wanting to acquire their resources because they didn't think they were a big deal."
"The human ego grew so much that our planetary system was modified to make all the planets orbit Earth… Making it the center of everything and no longer the sun.."
The tyrant then gives a brief smile and is pleased with the knowledge acquired.
"I thank you for introducing me to this world…"
Suddenly, the entire room began to dissolve. The walls dissolved into smoke, the furniture evaporated. Everything was just an illusion projected in Masayoshi's mind; he was trapped in his own consciousness. The gray colossus disappeared, and in front of him, floating gently, was an orb of pure light. Instinctively, Masayoshi reached out. His fingers touched the luminous surface; it was warm, pulsating. That was the key, the core of his own consciousness, the control over his body.
Darkseid reappeared as a furious specter, his form flickering at the edge of the light.
"This world will be mine by right! It is unlikely that weak humanity will prevail against the powers of Darkseid! A god would never lose to this filthy race! You even impressed me; you did something I didn't even know was possible with my powers… and I've had them for millennia!"
Suddenly, Darkseid's specter charged. His hand, a claw of darkness, shot towards the orb of light, trying to grab it, corrupt it, possess it. But, as if a law were being violated, an invisible and insurmountable barrier rose between the darkness and the light. Darkseid's hand was violently repelled, a shock that echoed throughout the mental space.
The god roared in fury, pounding against the barrier with all his titanic strength… It was useless. His brute force, capable of cracking planets, was nothing here.
The powers were of a divine magnitude, but the mind, the will, the control… belonged to Masayoshi…. For how long? That was the question hanging in the air.
Darkseid retreated, his fury giving way to an expression of bewilderment.
"This is… different. You are full of surprises. Haha… I am immortal; I will be in your mind forever. One day, this barrier will give way, and your body and soul will be taken by the entire cosmic consciousness that I am. I don't know how this shield rose here… Anyway… For now, the powers are yours. I'm curious to see more surprises you have to show me. But know one thing, young Masayoshi: the more of this power you use… the stronger I become within you. I am absolutely certain that on the day you channel 100% of this power… I will dominate this vastness and make everyone bow before me. Starting with everyone you know."
The threat echoed in Masayoshi's mind like a funeral bell. Frightened but incredibly lucid, he focused all his will on the orb of light. He wanted to wake up, he wanted to return.
And he returned.
His eyes opened; he was in his bed, in his ordinary apartment. The morning light came through the window, the same as every day.
But nothing was the same. It was the first day of his new life, the day the seed of justice, or of tyranny, began to grow within him, in this world that so desperately needed a hero, but which might have forged, in its place, its most glorious and terrible villain.