Under Kara's terrifying power, Parallax, the supposed embodiment of fear, had no choice but to yield.
In fact, if the Guardians of Oa had been able to resist fear long ago, the Parallax entity would never have possessed them in the first place. That fear had allowed Parallax to take root and grow into what it was now—a being that thrived on terror.
But faced with Kara's overwhelming strength and her relentless assault, Parallax's confidence shattered. The entity's massive form was repeatedly torn apart into countless segments, each cleaved cleanly by Kara's blows. It experienced a sensation it hadn't known in eons: fear.
Fear was a concept Parallax understood intimately, the essence of its being. Yet now, it found itself consumed by it, as Kara dragged its dismembered body closer to the blazing edge of the sun. Metal rods—tools of cruel utility—secured what remained of Parallax to the infernal star's proximity.
The horrifying realization dawned on Parallax: Was Kara actually planning to roast and consume it?
The monstrous yellow entity quivered under her gaze, its voice trembling as it pleaded, "Stop! You'll doom the universe if you destroy me like this!"
In truth, the sun alone couldn't completely annihilate Parallax. As a manifestation of fear, it was an energy being, incorporeal and indestructible by conventional means. However, Parallax wasn't being entirely truthful—its core consciousness could perish under these conditions, leaving behind raw fear energy for Kara to claim.
Kara remained unmoved by Parallax's warnings. She was entirely focused on her task, studying its grotesque visage with the clinical curiosity of a scientist inspecting a rare specimen. Her eyes gleamed with a glint of unrestrained malice, a hint of a predator savoring its prey.
Parallax recognized that look. It had seen it in others before, right before their descent into chaos.
With a mocking smile, Kara patted Parallax's colossal head, her voice saccharine as she teased, "I hope you're ready for this."
In her current form—a titan over 300 meters tall—Kara's strength far surpassed that of Parallax's dismembered remains. Her radiant figure basked in the sun's blazing light, absorbing its energy greedily.
Kara felt every cell in her body resonating with the sun's power. Her strength grew exponentially with each passing second, her physical form solidifying into an even greater vessel of cosmic might. She glanced down at the orange light ring on her finger, which glimmered brighter than ever, embodying greed itself.
The insidious voice of the ring whispered in her mind, Mine, mine, mine! The sun is mine, the stars are mine, the entire universe belongs to me!
Kara laughed softly. "You'll get your turn eventually, but for now, stay quiet."
The orange voice instantly went silent, cowed by her authority.
Turning her attention back to Parallax, Kara observed its grotesque form beginning to collapse, dissipating into streams of yellow energy.
"Damn," Kara muttered, frowning. "Did I burn it too much?"
But no—this wasn't destruction. Parallax's energy-based body was unraveling into its raw essence, yellow light representing fear. Billions of years of accumulated terror poured out like a tidal wave, an overwhelming force that radiated pure emotional power.
The surrounding void crackled with energy as the freed essence of fear surged toward Kara, embracing her as though she were its rightful master. The yellow light rejoiced, its chaotic nature subdued in her presence, as though recognizing a higher authority.
However, the celebration was short-lived.
"Return to me!" a thunderous voice boomed, and from Parallax's disintegrating remains emerged its true form.
This was the real Parallax—its insect-like body horrifyingly grotesque, with a massive maw lined with rows of jagged fangs. The golden creature lunged at Kara with scythe-like limbs, exuding a primal rage.
Kara didn't flinch. She watched the creature's approach with mild amusement before manifesting a massive fly swatter with her green light ring.
SLAP!
The blow sent Parallax hurtling backward like a mere insect, its monstrous frame spinning wildly in the void.
Before it could recover, Kara reached out and gripped its head effortlessly. The parallax monster thrashed wildly, its sharp claws slashing at the air, but Kara was unyielding.
With her free hand, she conjured black scissors from the power of the Death Ring, their edges gleaming with destructive potential. Without hesitation, she began methodically cutting off Parallax's limbs, one by one.
The air was filled with sharp metallic clicks as Kara's scissors worked relentlessly, severing golden limbs with surgical precision. Each cut released bursts of yellow light, accompanied by Parallax's agonized screams.
Even as an energy being, Parallax wasn't immune to the destructive force of Kara's attacks. Its cries echoed through the void, a symphony of torment that only fueled Kara's resolve.
The yellow energy, once subdued, roared back to life, celebrating Kara's dominance with unrestrained joy. It surged toward her once more, flooding her body with unimaginable power.
Kara felt her strength grow to new heights. Her mind expanded, her consciousness touching realms beyond mortal comprehension. A distant cluster of meteorites disintegrated in an instant, reduced to dust by the sheer intensity of her will.
This newfound mental power was intoxicating, a perfect complement to her already formidable physical might.
Kara looked down at the trembling Parallax, now reduced to a pitiful shadow of its former self. "You're not so scary anymore, are you?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Parallax could only stare in horror, its once-mighty form utterly defeated.