Bardi pondered for a moment.
Trigon's offer was tempting—briefly—but he quickly regained his composure.
He understood his current predicament clearly.
In the spiritual world, time was practically nonexistent. Even if years passed within this realm, only fractions of a second would elapse in the outside world.
He could feel his body deteriorating.
His cells were separating.
His cytoplasm was drying up.
The subatomic particles within his body moved sluggishly, nearly stagnant.
His Kryptonian genetic structure was unraveling, its double-helix chains disintegrating. His remaining mental strength, thin as a thread, struggled to maintain cohesion, like a single silk strand trying to pull a truck, only to be torn apart by the collapsing genetic particles.
Furthermore, his Kryptonian genes had completely bound his soul to his physical body.
Once the genes collapsed… so would his soul.
There was no way to save him.
Unless the Codex of Life appeared before him at this very moment, repaired his genetic flaws, and stabilized his genome… his collapse was inevitable.
"Kryptonian genes are an overbearing material construct," Trigon mused.
"The genetic system he designed for Kryptonians binds even the soul to the body, making them one, completely inseparable."
"What you need now is a method to strongly reinforce your primary genetic chains, to prevent their collapse."
Trigon narrowed his six eyes, his dog-like mouth curving into an arc. His expression was conspiratorial—almost comical.
Even he didn't realize how absurd he looked.
"So, you're saying… the only solution is to use a drop of your blood?"
Bardi's voice was indifferent.
"A sufficiently complex demonic genetic sequence—one that acts as superglue—to prevent my genetic structure from collapsing? One that could slowly consume my soul in the process?"
Trigon did not deny it.
Instead, his eyes gleamed with a sinister glint.
"That's better than dying here and now, isn't it?"
"It buys you time. My blood would act as a structural framework, and your mental power could use it as a stabilizing agent. It would strongly bind to your Kryptonian genes, preventing immediate collapse."
"But because your demonic blood contains your will… it would gradually invade my body."
"My soul would be eroded. My will would fade. Eventually, I'd become a demon myself, nothing more than food for you."
Bardi's voice was cold.
Even a single drop of Trigon's blood was far beyond his ability to assimilate.
If he truly believed Trigon's words and merged with his blood.
He would become a puppet.
He would be devoured.
There would be no escape.
Bardi was certain of that.
At the very least, Trigon's soul and will could not be allowed to remain.
"You have no other choice," Trigon said.
"Let me go. I'll use my blood to stabilize your genetic structure."
Trigon's voice was calm—persuasive.
"You should know I won't hurt you. I want you to survive."
"I wouldn't waste this opportunity by devouring you with a single drop of blood. You deserve to be eaten by my true body."
"There's still time. Whether you control your fate and escape your demise is up to you."
"Bardi, you're a smart man. You know what the right choice is."
Trigon's tone was calculated.
He was willing to grant Bardi a sliver of hope, because as long as hope existed, survival instincts would take over.
He laid out all the risks, all the advantages, and left the choice in Bardi's hands.
He even pointed out that if Bardi remained alive, there was a chance.
A chance to escape the true Trigon.
To avoid becoming his food.
His soul would collapse.
All hope would be gone.
Every intelligent being clings to life, no matter how painful or humiliating.
Survival is the foundation of all existence.
Trigon understood this perfectly.
Reality or illusion, genuine hope or false promises.
Either way, Bardi had a path forward.
But if he chose to live…
He would one day face the real Trigon.
And there would be no escape.
Perhaps, in the distant future, he would grow strong enough to reverse their roles, turning Trigon into a dog and boiling him alive.
This silence between them was a test.
A trap hidden in plain sight.
A plan to deal with the present, leaving the future to uncertainty.
"Not only are demons powerful," Bardi sighed, "but their words are also woven with temptation."
Then, he smirked coldly.
He plunged his spoon back into the pot.
The temperature spiked.
Trigon howled in agony, leaping up and down in the scalding broth.
But Bardi had placed an invisible restriction over the pot.
Trigon could not escape.
His red eyes bulged in pain as his skin boiled.
The aroma of his cooked flesh filled the air, rich, fragrant, intoxicating.
The broth bubbled, steam rising—thick with meaty essence.
The scent tormented Trigon.
It smelled… delicious.
Pain and hunger twisted together, overwhelming his senses.
Demons are manipulative.
Demons have no bottom line.
But demons… are also creatures of pure rage.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Trigon's dog-like face contorted in fury.
The pain was unbearable.
He could feel his very bones seeping into the broth.
It smelled so good, he wanted to take a bite of himself.
Bardi had recreated his entire physical form within the spiritual world.
And he had made it insanely delicious.
Trigon rolled in the boiling water, his agonized roars echoing across the void.
Bardi's expression was eerily calm.
"I never do what anyone wants—including demons."
"Your blood? I know I can't handle it."
"But your daughter—Raven—"
"She is half-human, half-demon. Her genetics are compatible with mine."
"She and I have already merged before, our minds have touched."
Bardi's grin widened, grotesquely.
The corners of his mouth stretched to his earlobes, revealing rows of unnaturally perfect teeth.
His eyes gleamed coldly.
That one day, he would cook and eat the legendary Trigon.
It was… exhilarating.
The boiling soup thickened, its scent growing stronger.
Bardi's eyes narrowed in pleasure.
Trigon, still submerged, stared at him—his dog-like expression twisted in horror.
Trigon's clones had roamed the multiverse.
Been turned into food.
This was the most humiliating, inhumane, tragic, and utterly degrading death a Trigon clone had ever suffered.
Trigon's fury exploded.
He saw Bardi's mouth stretch infinitely wide, devouring all light.
And in his final moment.
He was swallowed whole.
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