Homelander knew full well that if he really let these special forces storm the White House and open fire, Soldier Boy's rebellion would become an established fact.
On a deeper level, this was no longer simply a conflict between Soldier Boy and the White House, but a sharp collision between the Supe system and human rules.
Father, go ahead and throw your weight around. I'm here... Homelander thought, letting go of some of his burdens.
That morning, when he thought Soldier Boy had fallen to his death, the despair of seemingly plunging into an endless black abyss had made him realize that family was what mattered most to him.
From that moment on, Soldier Boy's position was his position, and Soldier Boy's choices were his choices.
At that moment, the heart beating in Homelander's chest was that of a son who revered his father.
Finally, the federal lieutenant colonel glared furiously and brought her arm down hard.
The crisp sounds of weapons being cocked rang out alongside the hissing of grenade launchers ready to fire.
Homelander closed his eyes, pushing his super hearing and super vision to almost full power as he readied himself for battle.
When the first footstep sounded and all the special forces soldiers had no choice but to advance on the White House in formation, Homelander opened his eyes.
Their gemlike blue had been replaced by a savage scarlet.
"Stay back!"
Homelander shouted and abruptly soared higher.
Immediately afterward, two beams capable of melting everything poured down with unstoppable force, slicing freely through the ground.
Temperatures of over 3,000 degrees instantly consumed everything in their path, melting the granite paving and penetrating the concrete, gravel, and soil beneath.
A terrifying, searing-hot fissure spanning nearly a hundred meters took shape.
The sand and stone inside the fissure