His hologram stood hunched over, his face indistinct beneath his hood.
But his cold, venomous presence permeated the entire hall as though he were truly there.
"Earthling..."
DeSaad's voice was shrill and hoarse.
"...No, I should call you a thief who stole the power of the gods."
He raised his head to scrutinize the being on the throne.
Yet the throne was empty.
Chu Men stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, seemingly oblivious to the "guest" who had appeared behind him.
DeSaad's image trembled.
In all his long life, no one had ever dared to ignore an emissary of Apokolips like this.
"I'm speaking to you! You lowly worm!"
DeSaad's voice abruptly rose, filled with offended rage.
Chu Men extended his little finger and leisurely picked his ear.
Then he flicked it toward the spotless floor.
DeSaad's hologram flickered violently with rage, almost collapsing on the spot.
"You..."
"Spit it out."
Chu Men spoke with a hint of impatience.
"I'll count to three. If you still haven't said anything interesting, I'll have my toy give you a proper punishment."
"How dare you..."
"Three..."
DeSaad's voice cut off.
A murderous intent that made even his soul tremble had passed through the hologram and locked onto his physical body several light-years away.
He had no doubt that, if the other man wished, he could reach through that signal channel and crush his head.
"...His Majesty, the great Darkseid, has issued an ultimatum."
DeSaad forced down his fear and humiliation, speaking as steadily as he could.
"Hand over the three Mother Boxes you stole, along with that Kryptonian."
"Then bind your own hands and kneel at the entrance to the Divine Temple to await His Majesty's arrival. Become the lowliest slave of Apokolips."
"This is the only chance for you... and your planet to