Emperor Building.
Basement.
The room was spacious, with metal walls cast in white light. A sharp metallic scent hung in the air, accompanied by the sound of heavy machinery, as if massive metal components were grinding against one another.
Bardi slowly raised his large hand. It was covered in black armor, with joints that flexed smoothly and comfortably. His entire body had been enhanced by Hera and Raven to absorb and stabilize the magnetic field, isolating his physical magnetic influence. This armor allowed Bardi's previously unstable magnetic field to remain contained within, preventing it from radiating outward and triggering a singularity collapse or black hole vortex.
The armor was dark steel in color, with cold metal plates fitted across his torso, forming a majestic and striking design. Each joint was trimmed with dark gold textures and borders. Beneath the cold steel, the aura of imperial authority emanated unmistakably. It was a suit of armor that radiated grandeur, majesty, and overwhelming dominance, perfectly embodying the presence of an emperor.
Bardi's lips curled into a smile. His armored fingers rubbed together, sharp edges scraping with a metallic screech.
His entire body was encased in this armor, named the Emperor's Armor by Raven, with only his head exposed. The dark golden tones harmonized perfectly with Bardi's appearance. Just at a glance, one could feel the immense, terrifying pressure that radiated from him.
Of course, that was only psychological and visual pressure, not a direct psychic or magnetic attack.
"Very good. I like it."
Bardi moved his limbs slightly. The dark golden lines on the armor pulsed subtly, as though an ancient god-king was awakening within the universe, exerting a force that oppressed the stars.
"There's more."
Raven raised a cloak in both hands. It shimmered like dark-gold feathers, glinting like a sea of starlight under the waves. The back was inscribed with the Ω crest of the Barmulodi Empire.
Wearing rings on both hands, Raven fastened the cloak to the shoulders of the Emperor's Armor.
"The Emperor's Armor limits the leakage of your magnetic field, which means you can't rely on the field for engine-powered flight. But at the same time, the magnetic field inside your body will enhance the armor's structural integrity at a molecular level. This allows the embedded Hera systems to activate multiple ability modes. You'll be able to make full use of your excess magnetic energy. Hera and I also designed this cloak to assist with flight, energy balance, and output regulation."
Raven draped the cloak over Bardi's shoulders. With it, the armor took on an even more dignified and untouchable presence.
She stepped back, adjusted the fit, then nodded in satisfaction.
"There should be a weapon to accompany the armor, something that symbolizes the power and authority of the Barmulodi Empire."
"Sorry. The mace was destroyed."
Bardi apologized sincerely. He hadn't even used the mace once before it was lost inside the Speed Force. When he merged with countless versions of himself and became the One, all space-based items within him, including the proton communication cells and the tyrannical mace—were obliterated. At that frequency of the Speed Force, none of those things could survive.
"It's fine. I've already started planning to use a neutron star core and your flesh and blood to forge a new superweapon. You'll need something that reflects your identity and authority."
Raven shook her head gently. Bardi was safe and well. That was more important than any weapon. Besides, the idea of a mace symbolizing the Barmulodi Empire's authority seemed odd to her.
It reminded her of mythology. Like Asgard's Odin with the Spear of Eternity, or Olympus's Zeus with his Lightning Bolt. Those iconic weapons defined their god-king status.
If a mace became Bardi's symbol of rule, people would associate phrases like "Barmulodi's Mace," "His Majesty Barmulodi's Tyrant Mace," or "The God-King's Artifact: the Tyrant Mace." The adjectives made Raven uncomfortable.
Now that she had finished the armor, inspiration struck her again. On their next trip, she planned to use a neutron star core and Bardi's own flesh to create a magical, evolving weapon—possibly planetary in size—that would grow in strength alongside him.
Bardi would surely like it. It would become a symbol of his supreme authority.
Raven quietly committed the idea to memory.
As the two continued to discuss weapons…
Soon after, Little Hera arrived. When she saw Bardi clad in the Emperor's Armor and dark golden cloak—so different from his usual godlike form and white trench coat—her eyes lit up in admiration and she praised his striking appearance.
After a few compliments, Little Hera gave her report on the battlefield.
"Kanna took care of Parallax and enslaved it. She used your flesh and blood to transform it."
At this point, Little Hera gave Bardi a strange look and continued, "They're playing like crazy now. Do you want me to recall them to prepare for the assault on Oa?"
She projected a video feed onto the white metal wall, showing the current situation with Kanna and Jenny.
Immediately.
Kanna's chubby-cheeked expression appeared on screen. Her little white horns and disheveled white hair framed her face. She was hugging a girl with blonde hair in twin tails. The girl had a cute face, but a chest more developed than an adult's, with a full and curvy outline. She struggled angrily, her expression cold and domineering.
"Let me go! I won't call you mom!"
Though the blonde girl was slightly taller than Kanna, she couldn't break free from Kanna's arms. Kanna held her tightly, beaming sweetly and refusing to let go.
This haughty blonde girl was created by Kanna, formed by extracting the Parallax Entity from Hal's body and combining it with Bardi's flesh and blood.
Once the video connected, Kanna gleefully hugged the girl by the waist and rocked her from side to side, nearly making the girl's eyes roll back.
"Bardi, I made a child for you. Come pick a name."
Kanna grinned while hugging the blonde girl like an excited child with a new toy, refusing to let her go.
This girl, born from fear and Bardi's flesh, was no match for Kanna. Humiliated and furious, she flushed bright red.
Bardi watched the screen in thought, then said.
"Just name her Tohru."
(To be continued.)
***
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