Reincarnating As A Prince in the DC Universe

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In the heart of a grand, domed auditorium, hushed conversations lingered over the gathering.

Massive columns lined the walls, soaring toward the high, intricately carved ceiling that glittered like the night sky, illuminated by floating orbs of light.

Hundreds of seats filled the hall, and yet only a fraction of them were occupied.

The space seemed almost too large for even the groups of people gathered testament to the importance of the event.

At the very center of the hall stood an old man. His robes that seemed to be, at one point in time, regal were now worn and frayed at the edges, and despite his frail appearance, there was a commanding presence about him—an aura of authority that made it clear why he had called this meeting.

His silver hair was long, falling over his shoulders, and his deep-set eyes, though tired, sparkled with unquestionable Wisdom and Knowledge.

Around him, the gathered groups within the tower whispered among themselves, their distinct appearances and bearings revealing their differences.

To the far left of the room sat a group of men who towered over everyone else, giants in comparison to the average Human with the shortest amongst them being 6'2 in height.

They wore armor forged from a metal that could only be called otherworldly, their broad shoulders and bulging muscles strained against the metal, as if even their armor was barely enough to contain their strength.

Their eyes glowed faintly at intervals, giving off an unsettling light and their leader, who stood a full head taller than the rest.

They were the physical manifestations of Gods, beings whose mere presence radiated power and raw strength.

No one dared speak loudly near them.

'So…they're the Gods…I wonder how powerful they are in comparison to the Grand Magus.' Aiden thought and shot a glance at the old man standing at the center.

Despite his efforts in gauging the old man's power, all he got was Void. In comparison, the Gods were massive, walking pools of energy.

Next to them, a stark contrast, was a group of men clad in richly embroidered robes and armours, adorned with the sigils of various kingdoms Aiden found familiar.

Their attires were a mixture of brilliant colors and intricate designs, each flag draped over their armor as a representation of their respective kingdoms.

Gold, crimson, emerald…each hue signified their royal bloodlines, but it was clear that despite their different flags, they were united in purpose.

At their respective helm was a king, wearing a crown of gold or silver.

This was the Council of Kings, each ruler here held the fate of their lands and bound by an uneasy alliance.

A single glance was all it took for Aiden to spot his family; his father and two Elder brothers.

He could do this due to his super human senses, something they couldn't do. 'I will meet up with them after this…whatever it is.' Aiden thought to himself as he turned his gaze to the other group.

Sitting across from them, a group of beings that made many avert their gaze in disgust if they weren't mentally resilient. Their forms were unnatural—some too long, others too narrow, their bodies contorted in ways that made one's skin crawl.

They wore tight-fitting green attires that clung to their grotesque shapes, emphasizing their sinewy, twisted forms.

Their skins, where it could be seen, were pale and slick, with a faint greenish hue that matched their clothing.

'The Lantern Corps.' Aiden thought silently to himself as his gaze swept through them.

He could feel a certain level of threat from them, and they weren't even doing anything. 'Perhaps a study into the Emotional Spectrum would prove valuable…'

He observed that their eyes were large, bulbous, and reflective, like those of a deep-sea creature.

Aiden knew that they were a group of various alien species bound together in service by the Corps, so their unique physiological trait didn't bother him much.

Just as Aiden was about to turn to the next most eye-catching group gathered in the grand hall, a soft cough broke through the noise in the hall, drawing his, and everyone's attention.

At the heart of the room, the old man's cough broke the murmur of conversation, his voice strong despite his years, and only as he spoke did his presence become perceivable.

His presence, unlike the rest, was one of neutrality–neither good nor evil, neither weak nor powerful.

And yet it commanded respect.

It was the weight of power, the force of a being who had lived through and established himself in the World's hierarchy.

"You all know why we are here," he began, his eyes sweeping over the room. "Darkseid is no longer a distant threat. His arrival is imminent; less than a month from now, his forces will descend upon this world."

A collective tension settled over the gathering as these words fell.

Though many in attendance had already sensed the shift in the universe, knowing the exact timeline made the situation even more dire.

Every leader, every Power here, was already prepared for the worst. Now, the call to arms had been sounded.

"We no longer have the luxury of time." The Old man continued. "Our individual defenses will not hold. If we are to survive the coming storm, we must unite, our strengths combined, our forces aligned. The fate of not only this world, but the universe, rests on our shoulders."

To his left, the towering group of Gods exchanged pensive glances. They understood the terror of Darkseid more than the vast majority gathered.

Darkseid wasn't just a physical being; he is the living embodiment of Tyranny, Domination and Evil, a concept which transcends the powers of the Old Gods, who are limited to their mythological roles.

Unlike the Old Gods, who are often tied to specific planetary myths, Darkseid operates on a universal and multiversal level.

In the Sphere of the Gods is a metaphysical dimension containing various realms (like New Genesis, Apokolips, Heaven, Hell, and more) where divine and conceptual entities exist, the Old Gods, such as those from mythologies draw much of their strength from this sphere.

Their power is vast within their domains, and they can manifest incredible abilities tied to their spheres of influence. An example would be Zeus wielding thunder, Hades governing the dead, Poseidon commanding the Ocean.

These beings, each one a living embodiment of raw power, were formidable, yet even they knew that Darkseid's forces were a threat unlike anything they had faced before.

Darkseid and the New Gods operate on a different scale.

The New Gods, including Darkseid, transcend the limitations of cultural or mythological dependency.

Darkseid's true essence exists outside the Sphere of the Gods, in the Fourth World, which makes him less reliant on belief and less susceptible to destruction.

The God at their head—taller and broader than any present—spoke, his deep voice rumbling like a distant raging thunder.

"Darkseid will bring destruction unlike any before," he stated in a matter of fact tone. "His legions are vast, his power immense. We, the Gods, will not shy from this battle, but even our strength may not be enough to face him alone."

The admission sent waves through the room. The Gods, proud and mighty, rarely acknowledged any challenge beyond their capabilities.

Aiden observed them closely, sensing the undercurrent of unease in their otherwise stoic expressions.

To anyone who had bothered to observe, they would notice that the Gods hadn't looked at anyone in the room other than the man speaking and a few Archmages…but those were merely glances.

Yet, these beings, who radiated a terrifying, untamed energy, knew they were up against a force that they could not win against.

On the other side, the Council of Kings shifted in their seats, each man represented a sovereign nation and though they appeared regal, there was a tension beneath their calm expressions.

These rulers, who commanded armies and ruled kingdoms, now faced a war that would demand more than just soldiers and wealth. Afterall, in the face of death, those held no meaning.

One of the kings stood, his voice was steady despite himself, but there was an edge to it, fear masked by leadership. "Our armies are prepared, as they have been for months if not years," he said. "We are not blind to the coming of Darkseid. However, no mortal army, no matter how great, can hope to stand against his forces for long. We will fight alongside you, but we need strategy. We need coordination if we are to hold the line."

Aiden caught sight of his father, sitting among the other kings, his face as cold as stone. His brothers, too, remained unreadable, though Aiden could sense the bubbling tension beneath their composed expressions.

Their pride as rulers clashed with the helplessness that Darkseid's approach instilled in them. A briefing on Darkseid and his forces has been made to them so they all knew what they were up against.

Across from them, the alien figures of the Lantern Corps stood out, "We the Lantern Corps have prepared as well," the alien leader began, his bulbous eyes scanning the room. "But make no mistake, Darkseid is not merely a conqueror—he will crush everything in his path, break all will. His Parademons, bred for war, will sweep across this planet like a plague. If we are to stop him, we must be ready to sacrifice everything."

A wave of unease swept over the assembly at the mention of the Parademons.

These creatures, bred for war, were the vanguard of Darkseid's forces, and their relentless brutality was well known throughout the cosmos.

Unfeeling Insectoids with only one thought. "To carry out the Will of Darkseid."

Even Aiden, seating quietly near the back, felt a chill run down his spine at the thought.

He'd learned about them both from his past life and in the Tower. He had read the stories; stories of worlds torn apart by Darkseid's legions, of entire civilizations wiped out in a matter of days.

It was one thing hearing or reading about it and then, it was another thing living in one such World.

The old man, standing at the center, nodded grimly. "Sacrifice will indeed be necessary. Darkseid's goal is to subjugate all life, to remake the universe in his image. But we still have a chance. If we can hold him at bay long enough, we may weaken his forces. We can disrupt his plans, but only if we fight together."

"And if we fail?" The woman who spoke was seated at the head of the Amazon women. Her regal presence immediately commanded attention from the occupants of the hall.

Her question carried the unspoken truth of the stakes at hand—if they failed, everything would be lost, and Darkseid's darkness would consume them all.

Yet in her gaze, there was no doubt, only the iron resolve of a queen who would lead her people to fight to the very end.

The old man's gaze hardened. "Then all will fall. But we are not without hope. Our combined strength is formidable. The forces gathered in this room represent some of the greatest powers in the universe. We have one month to prepare, and we must make every second count."

Silence settled over the room as the weight of his words sunk in.

Each group; the Gods, the Kings, the Amazons, the Lantern Corps, each contemplated the enormity of the task before them.

Aiden also felt the gravity of the moment pressing on his mind.

He could sense the fear and uncertainty swirling around the room, and yet, there was something else; a spark of resolve. These beings, for all their differences, had one thing in common: they would not let Darkseid's invasion go unchecked.

Aiden's gaze turned to his family once again. His father and brothers were whispering amongst themselves, likely discussing strategies and contingencies.

They were pragmatic, always thinking several steps ahead.

Aiden had inherited that mindset, though now, his thoughts were focused on more than just defending their Planet.

He wanted to understand, to delve deeper into the forces at play; especially the strange energies he sensed from the Lantern Corps.

Perhaps there was something he could learn, something that could tilt the coming war in their favor.

The old man, sensing the resolve settling over the assembly, gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Then it is settled. We will fight. Together. I will coordinate with each of your factions over the next few days. For now, prepare your armies, ready your champions. When Darkseid arrives, we will meet him head-on. We will not go quietly into the dark."