Hael's expression was solemn.
He understood clearly that Zod was a relentless and unparalleled general—Krypton's most brilliant strategist, unmatched in military tactics and insight.
It was evident that Zod had accepted his fate. No matter the outcome, he was prepared to sacrifice himself if it meant restoring Krypton's former glory.
And the one best suited to carry on that mission was Hael. There was no one else.
"General, I've studied the genetic map. From the evolutionary path of Doomsday, I've developed another type of complex supernatural gene structure. It might be able to..."
Hael had always seen himself as a researcher, driven by scientific inquiry. He had never imagined that one day, he would shoulder the burden of restoring Krypton's glory.
The responsibility was enormous. For a moment, Hael was stunned, subconsciously wanting to find a way to save Zod.
He had never thought of himself as a leader, capable of guiding the exiled criminals of the Phantom Zone to revive Krypton.
He lacked the iron-blooded tyranny of General Zod and the domineering decisiveness of Bardi, though he shared their deep love for Krypton.
But it was that same devotion to Krypton that made Zod entrust everything to him.
"It's no use, Hael. Bardi has bathed in sunlight for over ten years, obtained the Codex of Life, and strengthened himself. Only by gaining this power could I compete with him."
Zod's presence in the space was overwhelming. His thick exoskeleton and bony protrusions distorted the surrounding magnetic field and air with every subtle movement.
He grew more ferocious by the second, like a caged beast barely holding back, exuding an unbearable scorching heat.
"Hael, do whatever you think is right. Whether you choose to oppose Bardi or cooperate with him to restore Krypton, it's your call."
"Barmulodi is my enemy, not yours."
Zod's voice was deep and controlled, but still laced with suppressed violence. Seeing Hael hesitate with self-doubt, he spoke again with a commanding, resolute tone.
"Lieutenant Hael. I, Dru-Zod, military commander of Krypton, order you to accept this mission!"
"No failure is allowed!"
Suddenly, Zod's thick armored body quivered, surging with violent energy. Red-hot waves of power burst through the cracks in his frame. The monstrous force radiating from him filled the command room with suffocating pressure.
Hael's skin stung under the scorching breath.
His pupils shrank. In that instant, he understood how deeply General Zod loved Krypton, their mother world, and how much he had sacrificed for it.
From the raging beast before him, Hael sensed Krypton's death scream, its painful demise, and the despair carved from the core of Zod's being. It shook Hael to the core.
He too loved Krypton. But what had he done for it?
"General… yes!"
Hael's face grew firm. He slammed his right hand against his chest. His blood surged, heat flooding his veins and igniting his heart.
He gave a Kryptonian military salute and accepted the mission.
In that moment, Hael felt something awaken in him. A responsibility he had once avoided now became something he embraced.
When everything had collapsed—Krypton's destruction, Jor-El's betrayal, Bardi's failed revolution, and Zod's failure to preserve Krypton's glory—Hael realized it was his turn to stand up and continue their legacy.
Zod's disfigured face twisted into a painful smile. With a calm voice, he handed over the central control key for the spaceship, access to the Brain Core, control over all Phantom Zone prisoners, and the nano-data and instruments Jor-El had left behind—everything, entrusted to Hael.
Zod's massive body, constantly surging with violent energy, mutated. His muscles swelled like tumors, bone spurs emerging and forming a monstrous shape as if crafted by some evil god.
He left the Kryptonian ship alone. In space, he launched himself toward the moon like a massive meteor, igniting red-hot friction as he sped toward the lunar surface.
Hael stood in silence. Through the glass shield of the command room, he watched General Zod's enormous figure shrink into a distant dot.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then, he turned away. On his face was the resolve to carry Krypton's legacy. In those brief seconds, he had undergone a transformation.
In truth, he had always possessed the potential to save Krypton.
To undo everything. To make things right.
Hael walked with firm steps through the ship's control center, down the metal corridors, past the life origin chamber, the gene vault, and the detention cells.
Finally, deep within, he stopped in front of a cell where a girl was imprisoned behind a curtain of energy.
Kara was curled up, holding her knees, quietly wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Her expression was sorrowful, haunted by memories of a better time.
After the chaos on Krypton, the teacher she respected had failed in his revolution and been exiled.
Her mother, defiant, was executed by the Kryptonian Council.
Her father, in haste, launched her in an escape pod.
But she never made it. The pod was struck by meteor debris and drifted near the Phantom Zone prison, where Zod's ship found her and, treating her as a criminal, imprisoned her.
The Kara family had secretly supported Bardi's revolution. As part of the El family, Kara's uncle Zo-El opposed Jor-El. While Jor-El believed Krypton's leadership could still be reformed, Zo-El sided with Bardi, working to overthrow the broken system.
The Kara family provided Bardi with advanced weapons and served as his internal allies. But after his failure, the backlash wiped them out.
Hearing footsteps, Kara lifted her head. The blue energy curtain reflected off her tear-streaked face.
"Hael, what are you doing here?"
Kara glared at him, her small fists clenched tightly, trembling with rage and hatred.
To her, Bardi's failure, her mother's death, and her father's disappearance were all tied to Hael's betrayal—Bardi's most trusted friend.
They were on opposite sides now. Naturally, Kara hated Hael, no matter how harmless he looked.
"You'll thank me, Kara."
Hael looked at her youthful face, his eyes growing more resolute.
"Thank you? You killed my whole family, you bastard!"
Kara's anger exploded. Her red eyes overflowed with hatred as she slammed her fist against the energy curtain. The rebound impact felt like punching steel, making her hand bounce back, red and stinging.
Hael stood in silence. He gazed at Kara's eyes, filled with loathing.
As if trying to reflect on his own heart through her gaze, he imprinted her pain deep within him.
It only strengthened his resolve.
A mechanical click echoed.
The energy curtain in the prison cell suddenly deactivated.
"What are you doing, Hael?!"
Kara's eyes widened. She dropped into a combat stance, ready to strike, her fists tight with suspicion.
In her mind, Hael was the villain responsible for her family's death and Bardi's downfall. She immediately assumed some sinister motive.
Alone in the cell with a man, she ran through dozens of worst-case scenarios and hostage plots.
She activated the combat techniques Bardi had taught her. If Hael so much as moved, she would clamp his neck with a leg scissor hold, use her rotational force, and snap it clean.
Kara held her stance, calculating every option.
"You can leave now. I'll give you a ship to get to Bardi."
"Tell Bardi..."
"As long as he can kill Zod, I'm willing to submit. The Kryptonian spacecraft, everything on it, the prisoners—it'll all be his."
"But... he must agree to one condition!"
(To be continued.)
***
This book is completed on P/treon. Support me on P/treon to read ALL advanced chapters:
https://p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)