The Golden Tyrant: Superman’s Omniversal Conquest

Chapter 19: Threads of Bond and Destiny



Arin adjusted his posture on the stone bench within the village council chamber, feeling a faint chill from the polished surface beneath him.

The air was thick with incense, the scent earthy and heady.

The walls told their own stories, etched with depictions of warriors standing shoulder to shoulder, hands clasped, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly luminescence.

Karo sat beside him, his powerful presence both a comfort and a source of unease.

The village chief's gaze was steady, as though he could see through Arin's uncertainty and fear.

His calm demeanor did little to quiet the storm brewing in Arin's chest.

The semicircle of councilmen, their ages ranging from venerable to middle-aged, radiated an intensity that made it hard to hold their gaze for long.

Each man's bearing spoke of years of wisdom, battle, and something else—an unshakable unity.

...

The eldest among them, a man with a silver beard that cascaded to his chest, leaned forward.

His eyes, sharp and piercing, met Arin's.

"Arin of another world," he began, his voice resonating deeply.

"Do you understand why you are here?"

Arin hesitated, glancing briefly at Karo before turning back to the council.

"I… I'm not sure. I mean, I have guesses, but nothing solid."

The elder nodded, his expression unreadable.

"Your arrival was foretold in our oldest scrolls.

Every ten thousand years, an otherworlder comes to our world—a being unlike any we have known, imbued with potential that can shape the future of our people."

Another councilman, younger and with an aura of quiet authority, spoke next.

"In our world, strength does not come from the individual alone. It is forged through bonds—connections of trust, spirit, and essence. These bonds are the foundation of our power system."

Arin's curiosity sparked despite himself. "What do you mean by bonds?"

The elder's face softened slightly. "To truly grow, to become powerful, we must share our essence with another. The deeper the connection, the greater the power. At its peak, this connection transcends the physical and becomes a merging of souls. It is through these bonds that we ascend from Novices to Starbound Elites, capable of feats that defy comprehension."

Karo leaned forward slightly, his voice breaking into the explanation.

"Tomorrow, Arin, you will undergo a bond trial. It will test your capacity to connect and trust. Without it, you will remain unprotected in a world where isolation is a slow death."

Arin's mind reeled. He clenched his fists, the System's smug voice echoing in his head.

[See, Host? Bond or bust. You're in quite the pickle.]

"And if I fail or don't want this?" Arin's voice was steadier than he felt.

The elder's expression turned grave. "Failure is rare and not wanting is impossible to choose, but those who cannot bond often succumb to despair. Their potential fades, and they live as shadows of what they could have been."

Karo placed a hand on Arin's shoulder, his touch warm. "You won't fail. I'll be there to guide you."

Arin tried to focus on the conversation, but his thoughts were scattered.

The council's words painted a vivid picture of their world's structure, but what unsettled him most was the way Karo's and other's gaze lingered on him.

It was as if there was something unspoken, something simmering just beneath the surface.

Karo's thoughts, meanwhile, were far from innocent.

The prospect of bonding with Arin was exhilarating—a chance to strengthen himself and protect the newcomer.

Yet there was more to it. Arin's otherworldly nature made him a treasure, a beacon of energy that could elevate not just Karo, but the entire village.

Still, the idea of anyone else sharing that bond with Arin stirred a possessive edge in Karo's chest.

....

...

Golden God's home place ...

Liora's steps faltered as she wandered through the city that defied her every expectation.

The golden spires that reached into the heavens seemed to radiate a warmth that seeped into her skin.

The streets were paved with a material that glowed faintly, not harshly like electric lights but gently, as if the ground itself was alive with energy.

Every structure shimmered, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors whenever the light struck them, and the air carried a faint, melodious hum. It wasn't just a city—it felt like a living entity, humming with power and purpose.

She stopped at a fountain in the city's center.

It was unlike anything she had ever seen. The crystalline structure appeared to flow and shift as though it were carved by the wind itself.

The water danced in patterns too precise to be natural yet too fluid to be artificial. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing the cool mist that formed as the water fell.

It left her skin tingling, as if the fountain carried some kind of latent energy.

Lost in the wonder of the moment, she didn't immediately notice the three figures approaching.

Hera, Hestia, and Demeter walked with a purpose that was impossible to ignore.

Their every movement seemed to command the attention of the world around them, their presence filling the space with an aura both comforting and awe-inspiring.

Hera led the trio, her emerald-green gown billowing slightly with each step, as though the air itself parted to accommodate her. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto Liora with an intensity that made her stop breathing for a moment.

Beside her, Hestia was a counterbalance of serenity. Her robes were simple compared to Hera's grandeur, but they radiated a warmth that was impossible to miss.

Her auburn hair was loosely braided, and her soft smile carried a sense of reassurance, like a hearth fire on a stormy night.

Demeter brought an earthiness to the trio. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face that was both nurturing and unyielding.

She moved with the kind of confidence that came from knowing she could bring life—or destroy it—at will. Her gaze was appraising as though she were sizing Liora up and seeing far beyond what was visible on the surface.

"You must be new here," Hera said, her voice rich and commanding, yet not unkind.

Liora turned sharply, startled.

The words took a moment to register, but when they did, she straightened her posture, trying to mask her unease.

"Yes… I was brought here recently."

Hestia stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Kal has a way of finding those he deems… important." Her tone was soft, but there was a weight behind the words that made Liora frown.

"Kal?" she echoed, the name unfamiliar yet strangely resonant.

Demeter's lips quirked upward as she tilted her head, golden locks shifting slightly. "You truly don't know, do you?"

Liora's brows furrowed, a flicker of irritation breaking through her confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about. My son and I were separated… I were taken from our world, and I don't know If I can go back."

Her blunt honesty hung in the air for a moment, and the three women exchanged a glance.

Hera's lips curved into a faint smile, one that seemed equal parts amused and sympathetic.

"You can't go back," Hera said, her tone measured but firm. "Kal-El doesn't bring people here without reason. This world is yours now. You belong here."

Liora took a step back, her hands instinctively clenching. "Belong? I don't understand. Why would he do this? What does he want from me?"

Hera's expression softened slightly, but it was Demeter who answered. She stepped closer, her presence almost overwhelming. "Kal has a way of uncovering what lies hidden. What you truly desire. What you need."

The words sent a chill down Liora's spine. "Are you saying I'll… what? Fall in love with him?"

The trio exchanged another glance, this one tinged with a knowing amusement.

Hestia's smile widened slightly as she spoke, her voice low and reassuring. "Not just love. Kal-El doesn't take. He gives. You'll find fulfillment here—a purpose that you didn't even know you were missing."

Liora's lips parted, but no words came.

She wanted to protest, to refute their words, but something about their conviction made her pause. She looked between them, searching for answers in their faces.

"I don't understand," she finally said, her voice trembling slightly.

Hera stepped forward now, her hands clasped elegantly in front of her. "You will, in time. Kal-El is not just a man. He is a force. A guiding light. And for all of us here, he is… everything."

The sincerity in her voice was almost disarming. Liora wanted to push back, to reject the idea entirely, but the weight of the moment—and the three goddesses' undeniable presence—left her feeling small and uncertain.

"Why me?" she whispered. "What's so special about me? I am also not the most beautiful women out there so why"

Demeter placed a hand on her shoulder, the touch both grounding and heavy with meaning. "That is for you to discover. But know this—Kal-El does nothing without reason. If you are here, it is because you are meant to be."

The three women lingered a moment longer before Hera inclined her head slightly, signaling their departure. "Take your time, Liora. The answers will come."

As they walked away, their movements synchronized like a single entity, Liora remained rooted to the spot, her mind racing.

She looked back at the fountain, its shimmering waters now feeling less like a marvel and more like a reflection of her own chaotic thoughts.

Somewhere in the distance, a bell chimed, its deep resonance echoing through the city. Liora wrapped her arms around herself, feeling both exposed and oddly tethered to this strange, radiant place.


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