After such an intense battle, Trigon could already foresee the outcome. His projection would not meet a favorable end.
If not for Bardi's exceptionally strong soul and its unique properties, there would have been no way to drag him into this spiritual world and defeat him.
Even though this was merely a projection, formed from a drop of his original body's blood and a fragment of his soul's information, it was still untouchable by any being native to the multiverse.
This incarnation had roamed the cosmos for an untold period of time. Aside from encountering other avatars of "the only existence" which required self-imposed restraint, nothing in this universe was capable of destroying it.
At best, it could be sealed away and rendered inactive.
But Bardi, by pulling him into the spiritual world, could annihilate him at the most fundamental level his soul's core will.
Because Bardi's soul was simply too unique.
This uniqueness was the one thing Trigon's projection did not possess, because his original body had not imbued this fragment with a true soul. This projection was merely a byproduct of his own fragmented will.
No being from this universe should have been able to destroy his soul and will.
Because he was the only existence.
Even though this projection was just a fraction of his soul, it still should have been impossible for a mere native to erase him through spiritual means.
Only another "only existence," strange artifacts, or Bardi's special soul could do it.
Because Bardi's soul possessed the only potential, a potential that transcended the multiverse, untethered by time, space, or laws.
Even Trigon's clone found it impossible to resist.
This was precisely why Trigon had tried to consume Bardi's soul before his own projection perished.
By devouring him, he could turn illusion into reality, his strength would multiply beyond imagination.
But the moment he got close to Bardi's soul, he was instantly pulled into this spiritual world rendered completely powerless.
He could already see it.
Every single incarnation of "the only existence" in this universe…
Would eventually be destroyed the moment they encountered Bardi and were dragged into his spiritual world.
However, even now, as Bardi's soul was on the verge of collapse due to this battle…
Trigon found himself filled with bitter rage.
He had become the first sacrifice.
A pawn for the other "only existences" eliminating a threat on their behalf.
It was infuriating.
Bardi glanced at him coldly.
A dark brown wooden spoon appeared in his hand.
He casually stirred the cauldron, sending the rich aroma of simmering broth wafting into the air.
The scent was mouthwatering—thick, savory, irresistible.
Bardi swallowed involuntarily.
Trigon's snarling, ferocious expression twitched.
The water had started scalding his skin.
He was beginning to cook.
"You have no idea what my existence represents."
Trigon's dog-like face spasmed as he spoke.
Then, with a twisted sneer, he said:
"The multiverse is nothing but a crop, waiting for us to harvest."
"Crop?"
Bardi paused, adjusting the temperature of the water, letting Trigon soak comfortably.
He asked, "What do you mean?"
Trigon's dog-like face softened slightly, though his eyes remained cold and mocking.
To him, everything in this universe—except Bardi—was beneath him.
"The multiverse is an infinite collection of universes. As its name suggests, multiple universes."
"Within the multiverse, there exists something that strengthens the only existence."
"The Source."
As Trigon spoke the word Source, his gaze flickered toward Bardi.
It was clear.
Bardi drove the "only existence" even madder than the Source itself.
"So, that's why your projection, your clone appeared here."
Bardi nodded.
He understood now.
The comics had already stated—the Source was something that could directly create gods.
"Then why doesn't your real body come directly?" Bardi asked.
"Is it because you can't enter the multiverse? Or are there too many of you? Has your real body gone to other universes?"
"Beyond the multiverse lies a peculiar space… the end of matter, the barrier of time, the realm between realities."
"A being called the Flash gave it an appropriate name—the Speed Force Wall."
"The Speed Force Wall protects the multiverse, enveloping it like an impenetrable shell."
"Even for an only existence, entering it means becoming trapped by time itself."
"Time cannot harm us but it can make us wander endlessly searching for a way forward, forever without reaching an end."
"That is a pointless existence."
"No 'only existence' wants to run endlessly without ever reaching their destination. That would only breed irritation."
"More importantly, no universe in the multiverse can withstand the arrival of an only existence's true body."
"If even one were to descend, its mere presence would distort reality—unraveling all existence—collapsing the entire universe upon its arrival."
"And so, one of our kind established the rules, we can only send clones into the multiverse to collect the Source."
"My current form… is nothing more than a single drop of blood from my true body."
Trigon curled his dog-like snout into a sneer, baring his fangs.
He looked at Bardi with mockery and arrogance.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you feel insignificant?"
Bardi said nothing.
This world…
Was far more complex than what the comics had portrayed.
Simply hearing Trigon's description of universal structure made him realize…
DC's cosmology wasn't as simple as the comics suggested.
He had truly stepped into this reality, felt its weight experienced its people, emotions, and conflicts firsthand.
The battle with Trigon, the truths he had just learned…
They proved how vast this world truly was.
It couldn't be contained in mere comics.
On Earth, humanity thought of itself as important.
But Earth was just a speck—a single planet within a single universe…
And there were countless universes beyond it.
This world was too vast to ever fully comprehend.
Seeing it through the lens of comics was far too simplistic.
"What's beyond the Speed Force Wall?"
Bardi's expression remained indifferent, but deep within his eyes, there was a faint loneliness.
As a traveler from another time, he had landed in this immense world…
Yet all he could do was fight to stop a war here.
What a failure.
This was the harsh reality.
Facing an enemy as overwhelming as Trigon, he hadn't even had time to grow.
Here, reality was unforgiving.
It could obliterate planets without reason.
It was frustrating.
Bardi sighed.
"The God Realm—the only place where true existences may dwell."
"If your soul doesn't collapse, perhaps one day, you could leave the multiverse… pass through the Speed Force Wall… reach the God Realm… and become an only existence."
"You have the potential."
Trigon narrowed his eyes, grinning slyly despite his dog-like form.
His tone was tempting, seductive—devilish.
"Isn't it tempting?"
"Wouldn't you like to see the real world before you die?"
Bardi cast him a cold, indifferent glance.
Of course, he wanted to.
But he would never trust Trigon.
A demon was still a demon.
If he couldn't use force, he would resort to temptation.
"I can let you live."
Trigon grinned.
(To be continued.)
***
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