Openly cursing Darkseid would be beneath her dignity, and she didn't dare. Thea could only express her determination to stand against evil in roundabout ways.
Highfather was very satisfied with this statement. "Your joining is a clear signal. The final battle will come soon. This time there will be only one victor."
From the plot, Thea judged this middle-aged uncle would likely lose to Darkseid. Without Earth's various overpowered beings, he was doomed.
Highfather then led her in flight around the entire floating island, the area they named New Genesis.
Millions of troops proved his final battle wasn't empty talk. However, Thea wasn't optimistic about these warriors of merely elite caliber. Their formation drills were indeed impressive, individual strength decent, but to rely on these to face Darkseid was far from sufficient.
Highfather passed by the training grounds, his magnetic baritone delivering a few remarks that left the soldiers boiling with passion, eager to take the fight to Darkseid immediately.
"Let's go meet several deities. They're my most trusted assistants and will be comrades you can trust your back to in the future." After firing up the rank and file, apparently receiving some signal, Highfather called Thea to return.
They flew back to the tower. This was Thea's first time entering—the chamber that decided New Genesis's highest authority. Besides Metron and Orion on his electric motorcycle whom she'd met, several other people—or rather, gods—stood in small groups.
"Our new companion, Goddess of Trade and Wealth, Thea Queen. A peace-loving New God who cherishes justice." Highfather introduced her to his subordinates.
Hearing him call her justice-loving, Thea blushed slightly. To avoid slapping the new boss's face on the spot, she could only pretend to be "peaceful" and smile at everyone.
"You've met Metron, the God of Knowledge."
"That one on the flying device is my adopted son Orion..." Highfather hesitated briefly but continued, "He's Darkseid's second son. Years ago we exchanged children to maintain peace. Orion is like my own son. He's a god of war."
One could see Highfather spoke truly—he really did raise his enemy's son as his own. Orion, who should be the embodiment of war holding a war god's domain, now had almost no violent shadow in his heart. The name Orion (Orion from Greek mythology) came from Darkseid, suggesting Darkseid initially had future plans for his second son.
However, his child-rearing plan aborted before starting due to the child exchange. Highfather treated his enemy's son as his own, using his benevolence to reform Orion, while Darkseid thoroughly mistreated his son—who later became Mister Miracle.
Analyzing from conspiracy theory, Highfather believed his son wouldn't fall while successfully reforming his enemy's son. One out, one in—with New Gods as rare as pandas now, he'd definitely won a move.
Highfather didn't know his benevolence was being interpreted as cunning, continuing introductions. "The young man beside Orion is Lightray, Orion's close friend. His speed crowns the multiverse—he's the God of Light Energy."
A youth in white robes and red pants waved warmly at Thea. She nodded back. This guy would briefly join the Justice League in the future, one of the few New Gods who could talk to ordinary people as equals.
"On Lightray's left is Paradis, a valiant warrior. She's the God of Assassination."
Thea glanced at the two short swords at her waist, thoughtful.
Highfather pointed to a square figure more machine than human. "Hyalt, New Genesis's smith. If you need any weapons later, you can ask him to craft them."
"The tallest is Shadowfall, an archer-general. The archer legion she leads is one of our three main combat forces." Wearing full armor with a skull painted on her face—without Highfather's mention, Thea couldn't tell this was a woman. Standing over three meters tall with arms thicker than Thea's thighs, the longbow on her back made Thea look twice. This one seemed to be an incredibly skilled archer.
"Malhedron, originally a great general of Apokolips whom I rescued after he angered Darkseid. He commands the close combat legion—an unstoppable chariot on the battlefield." Mentioning his proud achievement, Highfather's voice rose slightly. This defected general stood alone to one side—possibly someone with very little presence? Thea tagged him as such.
"Finally, this one." One could hear Highfather's pride. He pointed at a two-meter-tall figure in full heavy armor, green beard reaching his chest but braided tastefully, wielding a massive hammer. "This is my brave general, God of Courage, Uggha. He leads the cavalry legion among our three great forces."
"These are the warriors resisting Apokolips, New Genesis's council of generals. As the newest member, you must respect your seniors." Highfather declared solemnly.
Thea naturally nodded agreement. Though after today, the council would have one more member.
Just as she thought the onboarding ceremony was complete and benefits should be distributed, Highfather spoke again. "Apokolips worships martial might. They fight day and night for vainglory. As their opposite, we cannot disregard individual will like Apokolips, but defending our homeland equally requires force."
"Goddess of Trade and Wealth, demonstrate your combat power." Highfather spoke solemnly.
Well, Thea's teeth ached slightly. This guy was truly forthright in speech. Completely different from Earth politicians' evasiveness. Still, she didn't resist demonstrating her might.
From their divine positions alone—aside from Metron the God of Knowledge, the rest basically related to combat—one could see how desperately they craved martial power. Compared to Darkseid's jungle law, though casualties were extreme, those who emerged were all formidable.
New Genesis's side was somewhat weak, even with Highfather recruiting one of the enemy's sons and turning one of their generals.
Just seeing the council show no questions about demonstrating power proved this was inevitable procedure.
Also among the council, like the archer Shadowfall, the defector Malhedron, and Highfather's beloved Uggha commanded legions.
While the speedy Lightray, the blacksmith Hyalt, the assassin Paradis, the chair-sitting Metron, and the ill-tempered Orion could only serve as special talents. The biggest difference, in Thea's view, was personal combat strength.