Finally.
On the 15th standard day after Vitrum Prime's destruction, Mark Grayson slowly opened his eyes.
His molten-gold eyes were clear and calm, like a tranquil sea after a storm.
He felt an unprecedentedly powerful and stable energy flowing within him, and a clear, umbilical-cord-like energy link to Earth's yellow sun.
The illusions of Krypton, the path of Superman, and the true meaning of the Sun's Power were deeply etched into his soul.
He sat up, his gaze sweeping over Eve, Rudy, and Allen, who had gathered around, finally resting on Trigg, who entered the medical bay, silent as a mountain.
"How long have I been asleep?" Mark's voice was steady and strong, carrying the composure of someone who had truly faced death.
"Long enough for us to fly around Earth dozens of times."
Rudy tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but his voice was a bit dry.
Trigg looked directly into Mark's calm yet powerful golden eyes and said in a deep voice.
"How do you feel, kid? We need to talk about Nolan and the Titans, and..."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of command.
"...that power of yours that can purify the Great Old Ones."
Mark looked at the other's burly body. He remembered him; he was a Viltrumite named Trigg who had fought his father, Nolan, on Vitrum Prime.
Looking at the surrounding medical bay, which clearly didn't use Earth technology, and the coming and going Viltrumite researchers, Mark realized he was in Trigg's territory.
But clearly, seeing Eve's fearful expression beside Trigg, and Allen constantly winking at him, made him realize that this place was probably not safe for long.
"Of course, we can have a good talk, but after we talk, we need to leave."
Mark was silent for a moment, then spoke the words everyone had been wanting to say.
Trigg didn't answer, instead poking his thumb towards the passage behind him, signaling to talk somewhere else.
Trigg led him to the base's armory, where countless warships and small spacecraft were quietly docked at the planetary station entrance. This was clearly a show of force.
Then he took Mark to visit the Viltrumite Historical and Cultural Museum within the base, further expanding Mark's understanding of the Viltrumite.
The two also went to the newborn baby cultivation chambers and the research team...
During this time, Trigg could be said to have gone to great lengths for Mark.
These were all the things he was most proud of from his many years of conquest, but they didn't seem to resonate with Mark, a hybrid raised on Earth, or instill in him the pride of being a Viltrumite.
This caused Trigg's patience to plummet.
Fortunately, the two had similar ideas about the power of the Great Old Ones and the Titan Clan, which led them to consider cooperation.
On the last day before leaving the base, Trigg unexpectedly said he would come to see them off.
Allen stood beside Mark, still a bit weak, but his brawny body was once again straight, his eyes burning with urgency to return home.
Eve and Rudy watched warily from the other end of the bridge, where Trigg stood, silent as a mountain.
His massive body leaned against the control panel, his silver-grey heavy armor gleaming with a cold, hard metallic luster in the bridge's dim light, his violent gaze like a searchlight, openly scrutinizing Mark.
Mark turned, his molten-gold eyes calmly meeting Trigg's gaze. He asked directly.
"Have all the data about the Titans and the Great Old Ones in your base been copied?"
Trigg's lips curved into a cold arc.
"Of course, the Viltrumite Empire has footholds on multiple planets, and thousands of years of accumulated knowledge, especially about those gods and the Great Old Ones, are all here."
He pointed to a small database on his side.
"What? Want to use it?"
"Information sharing is the foundation of cooperation."
Mark's voice was steady, with an undeniable firmness.
"We have overlapping goals: to find Nolan, to uncover the truth about the Titans and the Great Old Ones, but remember."
He took a step forward, his golden eyes sharp as blades.
"Our paths are different."
"Heh..."
Trigg let out an ambiguous low laugh, his massive body slowly straightened, his heavy armor producing a teeth-grinding metallic screech.
"Different paths? Power is the path! Kid, you don't even understand what's hidden inside you! That power that can purify the Great Old Ones' corruption..."
"Honestly, Mark, stay with me, and I can give you the best resources to help you control it! To unearth it! Not like your foolish father, enslaved by power!"
His words were full of temptation and dominance, openly displaying his intention to win him over.
"My power is controlled by me."
Mark's voice was not loud, but it carried a rock-solid will.
"Its purpose is decided by me..."
"Not conquest, but protection."
Trigg looked as if he had heard the biggest joke, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"Look at the results of your protection! Viltrum is gone, your old man was taken away, and you yourself almost became space junk!"
"Without absolute power, protection is nothing!"
He suddenly took a step forward, a powerful oppressive force sweeping across the entire bridge like a tangible entity. Eve and Rudy instantly found it hard to breathe, and Allen tensed his muscles.
"Want to try?"
Mark's eyes instantly became incredibly sharp. He didn't flinch; instead, he met Trigg's pressure, taking a step forward himself, clenching his fists, his knuckles cracking like popping beans.
Without extra words, the two figures instantly vanished from their spots!
"Bang!!!"
A dull, heart-stopping thud exploded in the center of the bridge, a visible shockwave spreading in a ring, instantly sweeping away debris from the control panel!
The sturdy alloy floor instantly buckled and twisted at their standing points!
Trigg's heavy punch, imbued with the terrifying power of the Viltrumite Power Armor, tore through the air, carrying destructive force straight towards Mark's face!
This punch was enough to easily penetrate the armor of a small starship!
Mark didn't meet it head-on; his newly regenerated arms burst with astonishing speed. A blur, and his hands precisely crossed in front of him, like two indestructible shields!
"Boom—!!!"
Fists and arms clashed, the sound of metal on metal resounding through the bridge!
A violent energy shock exploded again!
Mark grunted, his feet plowing two deep furrows in the alloy floor, sliding back nearly ten meters before he could barely steady himself.
A tearing pain shot through his crossed arms; his newly formed bones and muscle fibers screamed.
Trigg's strength was terrifying!
Even with his awakened Kryptonian physique, in a pure strength confrontation, he was still at an absolute disadvantage!
A hint of surprise flashed in Trigg's eyes.
Although he hadn't used his full strength in that punch, it was enough to severely injure the previous Mark.
But this kid not only caught it, but his newly regenerated arms didn't instantly shatter. This kid's resilience was far beyond his estimation!
"Interesting!"
Trigg sneered, his massive body displaying a ghostly speed completely unsuited to his size, instantly closing the distance again.
No longer a straight punch, but a transformation from a fist to a claw, with a space-tearing shriek, grabbing straight for the joint of Mark's newly regenerated right arm!
The angle was tricky and vicious, clearly both a test and a deterrent, attempting to seize Mark's weakness!
Mark's pupils constricted. The numbing ache from taking the previous punch had not yet subsided, and Trigg's speed and change of moves were astonishingly fast.
He almost instinctively bent his body backward at an incredibly flexible angle, narrowly avoiding the claw that could crush alloy!
At the same time, his left leg, like a battle-axe, swept fiercely towards the inside of Trigg's supporting leg's knee, carrying a scorching heatwave!
"Hmph!"
Trigg snorted, not dodging, his heavy armor at the knee instantly meeting the attack.
"Clang—!!!"
Another deafening bang!
Mark felt his leg bone had struck a planetary core; the recoil made his blood churn!
But Trigg only trembled violently for a moment, not moving an inch!
However, Trigg's movement also showed an extremely slight delay due to this momentary block!
Now!
Mark's eyes burst with red light. He abandoned the futile head-on clash, using the force to backflip, creating distance. In that instant, two red heat visions, condensed to the extreme and hot enough to distort space, shot out from his eyes like spears of divine punishment, without warning!
Directly aimed at the indentation left by the Titan on Trigg's chest plate!
Mark keenly caught what might be a weak point in Trigg's defense!
Trigg's pupils constricted!
He hadn't expected Mark's attack to be so tricky and sudden. The speed and temperature of the heat vision were far greater than before. His massive body spun sharply, his heavy armor emitting a grating screech, trying to avoid the vital spot.
"Screech—!"
A scorching beam grazed Trigg's shoulder plate!
The thick Viltrumite alloy was instantly melted and vaporized like butter, leaving a terrifying hole with glowing red edges!
The intense heat even caused Trigg to feel a stinging pain in his shoulder!
Trigg's movements instantly stopped. He looked at the melted hole in his shoulder plate, then at Mark, who had landed steadily in the distance, his molten-gold eyes calm and unruffled.
Deep within his violent gaze, surprise, solemnity, and a hint of... indescribable admiration churned.
This kid, not only had his strength transformed, but his combat intuition and ruthlessness were also vastly different from before. That heat vision just now, its timing, angle, and power, were all perfect!
If he hadn't reacted quickly, and it had directly hit the indentation on his chest plate, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
Trigg slowly straightened his body, the melted hole in his shoulder plate glowing with cooling red light.
He didn't attack again, merely let out a low laugh, a trace of complexity in his voice.
"Good! Very good! Kid! I admit, I underestimated you!"
"This growth rate... this control of power... and this combat ferocity... you are qualified to negotiate with me!"
The brief, explosive confrontation ended.
The bridge was a mess, the air filled with the smell of metal scorched by high temperatures and lingering energy fluctuations.
"The terms of cooperation are simple."
Mark calmed his churning blood, his voice returning to peace, but carrying an undeniable power.
"You provide the clues and analysis you have about the Titans, the Great Old Ones, and Nolan's abduction."
"We share Earth GDA's intelligence on Great Old Ones nodes, especially the latest developments regarding C'Thun's remains."
"On the common goal of finding Nolan, the Titans, and eliminating the Great Old Ones threat, we will exchange information, and, when necessary, engage in limited coordinated actions."
He looked directly into Trigg's eyes.
"But only to that extent. We will not participate in your conquests, nor will we become your subordinates or tools."
"Earth's affairs are for Earthlings to resolve themselves. You shall not interfere in Earth's internal affairs in any form, nor shall you harm any Earthling."
Trigg's massive fingers tapped his heavy armor, producing a dull thudding sound.
He stared at Mark, a calculating glint in his eyes.
Mark's conditions were undoubtedly harsh, almost excluding him from core interests.
But he had to admit, Mark's growth and that purifying power were of immense value.
Moreover, the Titan threat was mutual, and finding Nolan might unravel all these mysteries, or even provide clues to counter the Titans.
Temporary cooperation was the choice that maximized his interests.
"Deal."
Trigg finally uttered two words, his voice deep.
"But kid, remember, alliances are built on strength. If your strength can't keep up with mine, or if your protection once again becomes a joke..."
He sneered, the threat in his words unspoken.
"Don't trouble yourself."
The journey continued in silence.
Trigg had secluded himself in the cabin temporarily assigned to him on the Ark, clearly analyzing the archived data.
Eve, Rudy, and Allen gathered around Mark, quietly discussing Earth's current situation and their worries about the future.
Finally, the Ark arrived at the Solar System's Kuiper Belt.
That familiar azure planet slowly grew larger in the viewport.
"Preparing to enter Earth orbit, establishing communication with the GDA..."
The Robot's cold electronic voice sounded.
"Wait."
Trigg's voice came from behind.
His tall figure appeared at the bridge entrance, his eyes sweeping over the beautiful planet, finally settling on Mark.
"Kid, this is as far as I go."
Trigg's voice carried a rare depth.
"My shuttle will take me away."
Everyone was stunned.
They had expected him to follow them to Earth.
Trigg scoffed.
"I'm not interested in your cradle-bound ant fights, and besides..."
His eyes sharpened.
"...and you're right here. I have a premonition that the Titans' gaze will eventually turn here again."
"I need power, true power! Viltrum is gone, but the journey isn't over! I'm going to seek... power that can fight gods!"
His words were filled with resentment and ambition, but also revealed a clear understanding of the potential storm brewing for Earth.
He didn't want to be exposed to the Titans' gaze too early.
He looked deeply at Mark, his gaze containing so much.
It was a coveting of power, a sense of importance, an evaluation of this brief cooperation, and even a hint of complex, incomprehensible emotion towards Mark.
"Remember our agreement, kid."
Trigg said finally, his voice deep as thunder.
"Find Nolan, or when the Titans descend again... you know how to contact me."
He said no more, his massive body turned, and he walked towards the hangar without hesitation.
The Ark's side hatch opened, and a sleek, sharp-lined, pitch-black shuttle, unmistakably Viltrumite in style, shot out like an arrow from a bow, instantly disappearing into the deep cosmic background.
The bridge was silent.
Trigg had left, taking with him a heavy oppressive presence, but also leaving behind an unpredictable ally.
Mark gazed in the direction Trigg had vanished, his molten-gold eyes deep as an abyss.
He clenched his powerful fists, feeling the surging Sun's Power within him, and the incredibly clear link to Earth's yellow sun.
"Robot."
Mark's voice was calm and firm, breaking the silence.
"Contact the GDA, we're going home."
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