NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: CH 8
Zod's Newfound Power: Illusions of the Mind
Dru-Zod's uncontrollable laughter echoed through the stone walls of his room in Kamar-Taj. Fortunately, it wasn't time for rest; otherwise, he might have received some "friendly" knocks from his neighbors.
But Zod's excitement was understandable. The system's reward this time was beyond generous, and it perfectly suited his cunning nature.
[Skill: Psionic Illusions – Phantom Art]
[Proficiency: 0%]
[Skill Description: Adapted from the mythical "Psionic Archives," this ability grants the user access to 10 advanced illusion techniques capable of manipulating the thoughts and senses of others. By consuming stored solar energy (magic equivalent), Zod can interfere directly with the minds of his enemies.]
Though these illusions might pale compared to the Martian Manhunter's telepathic prowess, Zod couldn't care less. With his resourcefulness and intellect—traits befitting a conqueror—he could turn even the simplest illusions into devastating tools of manipulation.
If his existing Kryptonian magic relied on deceiving the enemy's senses, these new techniques worked in reverse, directly targeting the mind to distort reality itself.
With these illusions added to his arsenal, along with his cryogenic abilities and Kryptonian strength, Zod's tactical options expanded dramatically.
For example:
• Blind Abyss: Cloak an opponent's vision in pure darkness, leaving them unable to see. Even if their other senses remained sharp, the sudden loss of sight would give Zod the critical moment needed to land a decisive strike.
• Serenity's Trap: Envelop multiple opponents in a hypnotic calm, causing them to fall asleep.
• Lost Path: Manipulate spatial awareness, creating an endless maze or sense of being hopelessly lost.
• Phantom Mirage: Project false images of himself or others, confusing enemies into attacking illusions.
• Nightmare Projection: This was Zod's favorite. By tapping into an enemy's fears, Zod could manifest their deepest terrors, forcing them to confront their worst nightmares as if they were real. The greater the opponent's fear, the more devastating the effect.
The possibilities were endless. Why defeat an enemy quickly when you could break their mind first?
However, for Zod to fully utilize these illusions in combat, he needed time. His immediate focus had to remain on mastering the mystical arts of Kamar-Taj.
Learning at Kamar-Taj
Unlike John Constantine or Doctor Fate, Zod's training didn't start from the basics. Thanks to his prior mastery of Kryptonian techniques, his lessons were far more advanced.
Nabu, the Supreme Sorcerer, had tailored Zod's curriculum specifically for him. In the mornings, Zod joined Nabu in the Sanctum to study the origins of mystical energy and the unique properties of white magic.
The rest of his time was spent in Kamar-Taj's expansive library, poring over ancient tomes filled with arcane knowledge.
Through Nabu's guidance and the wisdom of Kamar-Taj's texts, Zod began to understand the fundamental differences between Kryptonian and Kamar-Taj magic.
The Sources of Power
Zod learned that all forms of mystical power—regardless of their origin—shared a common source: The Primordial Energies of the Multiverse. These energies were wielded by The Great Beings, entities born from the chaos of creation, each representing a fundamental force of existence.
Over time, mortals divided these beings into two categories based on their moral perspectives:
• The Holy Patrons: Benevolent entities like the Spectre, who lent their power to mortals through faith, enabling the use of white magic.
• The Dark Lords: Malevolent forces such as Trigon or Nekron, who shared their power in exchange for servitude, enabling black magic.
But not all power came from faith. For beings like the Kryptonians, their abilities stemmed from their ancient connection to the gods, passed down through bloodlines.
While Kryptonians weren't gods themselves, their advanced biology and inheritance of cosmic energies allowed them to rival divine beings. Unlike sorcerers who relied on faith, Kryptonians drew their power directly from their lineage, free from the constraints of outside deities.
However, this advantage came with a price.
While a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj could rise to godlike power within years by channeling a patron's energy, Kryptonians required centuries of self-discovery and growth to reach their peak potential.
For example, Kal-El, the future Superman, would only fully unlock his strength after decades under the yellow sun. Similarly, Zod, despite his advantages as a time traveler and system-assisted cheat, found himself hitting a plateau.
The Bottleneck
Zod's current frustration stemmed from his inability to progress further. With the system temporarily offline and his Kryptonian bloodline fully awakened, there was little room for immediate growth.
To overcome this, Zod saw two potential paths forward:
1. Bridge the Divide: By discovering the underlying principles of magic, Zod hoped to integrate Kryptonian techniques with Kamar-Taj's sorcery. He knew this path had been successfully pursued by others in the DC Universe, including Doctor Fate and the rogue sorcerer Felix Faust.
2. Harness New Power Sources: The texts in Kamar-Taj spoke of countless mystical artifacts scattered across the multiverse. Zod was particularly interested in relics like the Helm of Nabu, which amplified magical abilities to near-omnipotent levels.
The Journey Ahead
For now, Zod chose to focus on studying the principles of Kamar-Taj's magic. As a Kryptonian, he couldn't directly wield white magic or black magic without sacrificing his bloodline's connection to cosmic energy.
But with his intellect, persistence, and newfound illusionary powers, Zod believed he could forge his own path—one that transcended the limitations of Kryptonian biology and mystic tradition alike.
Still, he couldn't ignore the whispers of ambition in his heart. With the knowledge he gained here, would he one day surpass Nabu? Would he claim Warworld as his own?
Only time would tell.
For now, Zod let out another laugh, reveling in the endless possibilities that lay before him.