The First Kryptonian in Marvel

Kara (POV)

When it came to facing Hades in battle, I couldn't help but feel a headache brewing. Hades was no ordinary god—he was the ruler of the underworld. Every piece of ground he stood on seemed to lose its vitality. Here in the Land of Shadows, where life was scarce to begin with, Hades' power grew even more potent in the darkness and gloom. If not for my Soul Synchronization with Scáthach, I'd have no chance in a direct confrontation with him.

The impact of our clash—the spear against his sword—sent the ground sinking by dozens of meters. The earth ruptured like a deflated balloon under the pressure, a furious hurricane blasting outward, scattering the undead army and tearing them apart. Even Hades' elite guards, powerful as they were, struggled against the force of the gale, slowly forced back by the storm.

Such an unexpected turn in the battle quickly drew the attention of everyone nearby. Battles among gods were a rare sight, and with a handful of deities now choosing to intervene in the world, encounters between mortals and gods had become nearly unheard of. Little did they realize that I, with Scáthach's soul synchronized with my own, was now a godslayer—a mortal capable of treading in the realm of the divine.

Yet even with the advantage of Scáthach's resonance, I knew that killing Hades would be no simple feat. He hadn't even called upon the full extent of his divine powers yet, relying instead on his formidable physical and combat prowess to match me blow for blow. If I wanted any chance of winning, I needed to find a way to land a decisive strike.

The earth collapsed yet again, the already massive pit splitting wider with a violent crack. Noticing a subtle shift in Hades' expression, I seized the chance, hurling my spear down with enough force to send chunks of earth and debris scattering in all directions, creating a sudden boundary around us that seemed to cut us off from the rest of the battlefield.

As the dust settled, we each took a step back, momentarily ceasing the assault.

"I acknowledge you as my enemy, Slayer of Gods!" His dark armor, now scored with scratches from the clash of our powers, bore testimony to the intensity of the fight. My strikes may not have been the most elegant, but they had forced even Hades to take me seriously. His eyes were alight with a seriousness I suspected hadn't been seen in centuries; he now regarded me as his equal.

I could feel it—he sensed something different about my soul, something other gods likely recognized as well: an aura associated with godslayers. Normally calm and composed, Hades was wary, perhaps even disturbed by my power. After all, the gods weren't invincible, and if I pressed my advantage, he might find himself as helpless as a ship going down in a storm.

"You seem a bit too self-confident, Lord of the Underworld!" I said, feeling the wounds from the last exchange, yet already witnessing them heal rapidly. Scáthach's resilience flowed through me, her legendary constitution working its magic. If I could push harder, maybe I truly had a shot at bringing him down.

"I have every reason to be confident," Hades replied, taking another step forward, his aura steeped in superiority. "Yet, to earn my acknowledgment as you have is indeed no small feat. Though your technique is straightforward, your courage is uncommon. Your martial skill bears the true mark of Scáthach's teaching. I, Hades, commend your bravery."

He moved forward, the tension palpable. "However, if your strength is limited to this, I would advise you to withdraw. There are two types of self-confidence: one born from ignorance, and the other from great ambition. The former is folly, the latter precious. For one to confront a god—to slay a god—is an undertaking worthy of renown. But remember the myths of Icarus and the Tower of Babel—those who grasp for heights beyond their reach often find only ruin."

"I have always believed in pursuing my desires! That's who I am!"

"Then, as Hades, King of the Underworld, I acknowledge you. Challenge me and reveal the depth of your resolve!"

And in that moment, I realized that my boldness in facing him head-on had been the very thing that won his admiration. Ironically, I was unaware that any hesitation at that moment would have prompted him to unleash his full divine might, potentially ending the fight before it even truly began. Had I wavered, it would have shattered the impression I'd created, an error Hades could not afford in dealing with matters of such consequence.

"Stab and penetrate."

With a smug smile, I gradually lowered my right hand, gripping my magic spear. I inhaled deeply, feeling the energy surge through my magic circuits, almost as if they were on the edge of bursting into flames. The warmth spread within me as my killing intent intensified, corroding the surroundings like an unrelenting rainstorm.

"…Huh?"

A faint hint of unease flickered across Hades' expression. He braced himself, his feet digging into the ground as he prepared to lunge, then charged toward me.

"Imagination Extraction, Conceptual Fixation—Continuous Projection Rewrite!"

"Thrust and drill!"

"Soaring Spear of Piercing Death!"

Yet I was quicker. I launched myself into the air, projecting a multitude of magical spears around me through tangible projection magic. Using spatial jumping, I commanded each lance with precision. As my fingers touched them, the spears rained down like crimson comets, surrounding Hades entirely.

"Broken Phantasm!"

I unleashed a relentless bombardment, detonating each spear whenever I sensed it might break through Hades' defenses. Though I hadn't fully mastered the Third Magic to generate infinite Magical Energy, my connection to Scáthach's soul resonated within me, almost granting me boundless Magical Energy. Combined with her skill as a creator of magic spears, these projections were barely distinguishable from the real thing. How long could Hades withstand this onslaught?

An area nearly a kilometer wide succumbed to the storm of magic, igniting with divine power so intense it sliced through the air like a blade. Watching it, exhilaration coursed through me, though I couldn't shake the image of Hades standing firm, his presence steadily growing at the core of the attack.

"Hey, hey! Is Hades—"

I stopped mid-sentence as the blazing magical flames were swallowed by a pitch-black aura, an aura of pure death energy that only someone commanding the underworld could release. His chilling, divine voice followed: "The paths I have tread shall turn into the underworld. Those I slay shall return to the netherworld, accepting the blessing of the gods and returning to the underworld with a pure soul!"

I immediately felt a shift in the space between us. In an instant, a numbing chill engulfed me, burrowing into my bones like maggots gnawing at flesh. An overwhelming dread of death washed over me, seizing my consciousness. Desperately, I prepared to escape through spatial jumping, but before I could react, Hades appeared right before me, moving with unimaginable speed. I had one option left: to try that technique.

His longsword, brimming with death energy, cleaved through the sky like a comet, effortlessly tearing through my defenses.

White smoke filled my vision as the hum of his blade pierced the air, striking and shattering my heart in a single blow. Cold death energy flooded my body, gnawing at me, consuming me from within.

Though momentarily confused by the white smoke, Hades shook it off and continued his monologue. "Truly, you should have displayed your courage to me. Your attacks lacked finesse, which is rather disappointing. However, I must still commend you for your inventiveness. Be aware that not even your mentor has inflicted such harm upon me."

Despite his battered appearance, Hades' pitch-black armor had withstood Kara's nearly indistinguishable magical spears—though it hadn't come through unscathed. What remained of his armor were fragments, torn and almost defenseless. The blast had taken its toll, stripping significant flesh from his chest and abdomen and exposing stark white bone in his right leg.

"However, it all concludes here!"

Now blood-smeared, Hades' face showed no trace of calmness, nor did it display rage. Instead, an aura of indifference hung over him, as if Kara's efforts had fallen far short of the challenge he had anticipated.

I glanced down at the sword impaling my chest, piercing my heart, with death energy spilling into me like poison. I muttered softly, "Ugh, my heart?"

"Fuck, Kara, you're an asshole!" My irritation surged—couldn't you have given me a heads-up?

"Fuck off!"

Ignoring the shattered remains of my heart, or however much longer I might last with it broken, I tightened my left fist and, before he could step back, drove a punch into Hades' face.

The impact sent him flying, crashing into the ground. Even so, his blade had come dangerously close to my waist, nearly cleaving me in two. Though he missed that mark, he still managed to slash open my abdomen. Crimson blood gushed forth in a torrent as I tumbled to the ground, quickly rolling and regaining my footing.

"I…"

Before I could finish, his pitch-black longsword flashed and sliced off my left hand.

"You've lost!"

Hades, though visibly battered, stood resolute. His eyes bore into mine with unyielding resolve as he spoke, "Since you are a warrior, hold your head high and accept your defeat. That is the measure of a true warrior, the essence of a warrior's honor."

"You would think so, wouldn't you," I muttered.

Then I noticed Hades' gaze shift—he'd caught the faint glow in my eyes. A blue ring sharpened around my pupils, with a crimson halo brightening along the outer edge.

A premonition of lethal danger.

"What is this?" he murmured.

An intense wave of danger flooded the air, and I saw Hades' expression twist as he backed away without hesitation. Although he couldn't quite grasp the feeling, putting distance between us seemed his instinctive choice. The moment he stepped back, I sensed the premonition's grip loosening. The dense, danger-laden air seemed to relax, and the atmosphere softened, resuming its original state.

It appeared he'd moved beyond the range of my ability's effects.

"Warrior of the Land of Shadows, is this your trump card?"

He exhaled, looking both relieved and intrigued. Though his sword had shattered my heart, he seemed to realize that while a heart might be crucial for humans, it doesn't hold the same weight for those who surpass human limitations. After all, if someone were to shatter his heart, I doubted it would be his end either.

I watched him, almost feeling the wheels turning in his mind. As the ruler of the underworld, he likely sensed something in my nature—an energy construct. He'd recognized it when he pierced my heart, noting peculiarities in my existence. And he was right: I was just a clone, switched out with the real thing.

"So what if it is? What if it isn't?"

My eyes, glowing in vibrant green surrounded by a crimson halo, reflected in his gaze. I saw how my eye unsettled him; it held a presence all its own, instilling an instinctual sense of foreboding. In response to his question, I glanced at my severed left arm, tilting my head as a twisted, cunning smile spread across my face.

"Perhaps it's just an intimidation tactic," I replied, "or maybe it's a god-slaying technique I've honed over half of my life. It might even be a divine skill capable of ending you instantly. But if you're that curious to find out, O King of the Underworld, why not experience it firsthand?" I finished with a grin, just as two Karas flanked me, emerging from the shadows.

A slight, uncharacteristic smile broke across Hades' otherwise stoic face. "Cunning little brat!"

"Well, I'm rather furious right now, you see. So—"

I let my magic spear fall from my hand, summoning a katana in its place. With my remaining right hand, I raised the blade, readying myself as the synchronization with Scáthach's soul held strong. While Scáthach was known best for her runes and spearwork, she was a warrior who excelled across many disciplines. Though I knew that Okita's techniques required a particular resonance with her soul, I hadn't been idle over the past two years. Each time I entered this state of Soul Synchronization, tapping into Okita's swordsmanship, I drew closer to truly mastering it.

I knew I had a knack for picking things up fast, but even I couldn't instantly mirror someone's swordsmanship after only a few glances. But what if I relied on swordsmanship here? Experience in battle was unmatched as a teacher, and every time I engaged in Soul Synchronization, my understanding deepened. Techniques like the Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust finally clicked after enough practice in these synchronized states.

I stepped forward with my left foot, slow and deliberate, while my right foot slid back. Kara and the other clone stood with me in a fan-like shape; we held the katana horizontally by our eyes, the tip of its icy blade aimed squarely at Hades. The aura radiating from our katana felt wild and vicious. Beneath that was a murderous chill, an intent as cold as the abyss. We'd stepped into the elusive realm all martial artists pursue, where we saw nothing but Hades facing us, his sword poised.

We could see he was picking up on it—the wild surge of our aura. If he had a spider-sense, it would be tingling like crazy right now. Maybe a rational mind would back down here, but Hades… whether it was his godly pride or his certainty that I couldn't kill him, retreat was the last thing on his mind. If anything, he looked at us with a strange respect, as though he was honoring the battle by intending to kill us outright.

"You shall return to the underworld!" he declared.

As he spoke, dark flames erupted along the jet-black blade in his hand—not true flames, but divine power blazing fiercely. The very air howled. With a grim look, he aimed the sword directly at us, his eyes nearly blinding with divine light. This was it—a strike meant for death.

But we were faster. The space around us constricted suddenly, locking him in place. His movements slowed as he struggled to swing his sword. Even so, it didn't last; he shattered the restraint with pure strength, crushing it in an instant.

"You'll soon return to death's embrace!" he roared.

We watched his expression shift as he prepared to strike, and without hesitation, he swung his sword in a move he clearly took pride in. Dark flames trailed from the blade, creating ghostly afterimages. It was slower than his previous strikes but sharper, carrying a destructive force that tore through the air with mournful cries.

But the three of us were already in motion, with no intention of backing down.

"Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust!"

"Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust!"

"Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust!"

Our attacks intersected, colliding with a force that shattered the earth and air around us. His sword connected, obliterating most of my waist; I felt my body's remnants tearing through the air, flesh, and bone scattering before pulverizing on impact. A dazzling light blazed behind me, gouging out kilometers of land and obliterating everything in its path. Shadows, undead legions, warriors—all vanished as if the very world was crumbling under a doomsday strike.

From my vantage, the area around Hades stood perfectly untouched, the ground behind him as well—because we'd struck with precision, piercing his heart directly. No grand spectacle, no explosions, just a silent strike honed to end it all. The Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust held a hidden devastation, a flawless kill that defied defense. That's why we'd chosen it to close our battle.

I looked at the outcome with a smirk of contentment. I knew it was my last action; my energy was spent. The last thing I heard was, "I love it when a plan comes together." If I'd had more time, I would have burst into laughter, I thought, before I disintegrated into light particles.

...

General (POV)

But would a god-like Hades really die just because one struck his heart?

For him, it might be a mere inconvenience. But then, something shifted in his expression.

"How… how is this possible?" His voice shook. His eyes, once dismissive, now betrayed disbelief. 

A sensation he didn't understand had gripped him. He felt death itself.

Kara grinned. "Hades, you just don't get it, do you? I told you—even gods aren't safe from me. I'll show you death!"

As for the second clone, she too was running out of time, so Kara gave her a smilling nod as the clone disintegrated into light particles. Kara's hand clung to her weapon as the blade disintegrated into magic particles. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the ground, her laughter a maniacal one, filled with something dark and fierce. The red circle in her eyes pulsed, the eerie light drawing Hades' gaze.

And then, Kara saw him realize it. Just as she'd warned him, this wasn't some cheap trick. This was death incarnate, perfected—an ability honed to annihilate even a god who wielded dominion over death itself.

Hades' face paled as he pieced it together, his consciousness slipping, thoughts whirling, scrambling to name what had struck him down. "The Mystic Eye that slays gods... Balor? No, Balor's Demonic Eye is fatal to any mortal or god in its gaze, but yours..."

Kara smirked, relishing the irony as she muttered, "Didn't see it coming, did you? It's the upgraded version. It takes more work and is a lot trickier, but it gets the job done."