- Doomsday - Volume One: Gods and Monsters

Chapter 80: Into the Storm

(AN: Question. The last few chapters have changed perspectives and scenes pretty heavily, and this is for two reasons; first the battle had a lot of moving parts, so it wouldn't translate well to just feature it from one perspective, plus, [Y/N] isn't the only character in the story, I want to show other characters doing their thing. Secondly, I'm not sure if anyone has picked up on this yet, but this story is very similar to a battle manga, or something similar to that format, and so the way I write is heavily reflected upon comic panels, switching places quite often, and not following an entirely linear narrative. I've enjoyed showing the different angles more, but was curious if anyone had any thoughts, and whether they liked the more 'straightforward' approach, for lack of a better word, more.)

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[The Top Half]

"My Lord, they attacked without warning, before we even knew what had happened the fortress had been decimated, there is no excuse for our failures..." Mongul overlooked the smouldering pile of torched buildings and ruined walls, what was once the beginning of his mighty empire was little more than a pile of dying embers. It was incredibly difficult for the Warzoon to keep his composure, his lips curling, showing his sharp, jagged teeth, while his eyes were wide and enraged. "My Lord..." the same soldier continued, "What are we to do now?" The warlord didn't hesitate, grabbing the soldier's entire head within his hand, crushing his skull with little resistance, red pulp oozing out between his fingers, dripping onto the sand below. He wasn't even given time to scream or plead, dead on the spot, his whole torso tumbling soon after, the remaining army watching on in shock and horror.

Mongul turned away from the ashen pile, the Warzoons around him taking a step back apprehensively, "The reports are accurate, this was Thanagar?" No one wished to step forward, or give a response, or fall to the same fate as their comrade. "ANSWER ME!" he bellowed out, some in the front nervously nodded frantically, attempting to avoid his wrath, "I should have anticipated this..." Mongul said to himself. Those who he had once worked alongside now saw him as a threat, seizing the opportunity to take him out once and for all, while he was distracted. He knew all along that they couldn't be trusted, their words all long strands of deception carefully woven to conceal their conspiracy. Their true plans had finally been revealed, they wished for him dead, no longer seeing any use in his abilities, better to bury him in the past, out of fear for what he could interfere with in the future.

The Mongul wouldn't stand it. He was the pinnacle of strength, superior in every way, and had the drive to succeed. Yet, now that they knew his true potential they understood the threat he and his Warzoons possessed, yes! That had to be the reason, there could be no other, it was almost farcical in theory, attempting to match up with a monstrous opponent, such as himself. If they wanted to kill him, then they would bleed for every second they tried, he would ensure it. However, with all of their resources destroyed, now little more than an oversized bonfire, they were essentially out in the open, with nothing to defend them. A flash of genius struck the warlord, it was so simply yet also brilliant. There was still one place on this entire continent that hadn't been touched by anyone since the fall, hidden within the barren wasteland...

"S-sir..." one of the Warzoons whimpered out, getting the warlord's attention, "W-what are our orders?" his army watched the giant warlord standing upon the ridge. "Collect anything we can salvage, this place is no longer of any use to us..." shoving past his soldiers, "We make for the Omnium." Everyone looked between themselves concerned, did they really have the motivation to keep going, after such drastic defeats in the span of a few hours? Mongul stopped, halted in his tracks, noticing the insubordination in his ranks, "I have no need for the weak and traitorous. Only the strongest will survive when the Great Darkness awakens, and when nothing is left, under my leadership, the Warzoons shall inherit the Earth." He didn't look back, some seeing it as their best opportunity to leave while they still could, some dropping their weapons, fleeing away.