WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the first nine episodes of Young Justice: Phantoms, streaming now on HBO Max.
In Young Justice, we've often seen Vandal Savage as the main villain of the series. Not only did he set up the Injustice League as a distraction, but he also used the Light to wreak havoc across the galaxy in previous seasons. It led to the Reach invading Earth and a partnership with Darkseid that almost broke the planet -- which to this day is still poisoning the cosmos. However, in the latest episode of Young Justice: Phantoms, we learn Vandal isn't the show's most sadistic tyrant in a move that also redefines the purpose of the Light.
In the flashbacks in "Odnu!," we discover how creation sparked the Lords of Chaos and Order into existence. One particular evil being from the former has fallen to Earth, and as we discover Klarion the Witch Boy is the scariest villain out, he may be the target as a fellow Lord of Chaos.
His despicable past is detailed even more in the blasts from the past as we learn of Vandal Savage in his first form, that of the intelligent prehistoric warrior, Vandar Adg. The immortal caveman sired a village filled with metahumans eons ago, but while he was a good father, protecting them and whatnot, he was still a conqueror at heart. However, after he came back from one particular mission, he found Klarion basking in the glow of genocide.
Klarion, impressed by the kids' powers and thinking it was all a hunt, murdered the clan and loved every second of the challenge. It infuriated Vandal but as he charged in, Klarion used his mystical powers to impale the warrior, condescendingly mocking Vandal for being beneath him. He did grow fascinated by how Vandal kept regenerating, though, so he proceeded to torture and kill Vandal for 300 days and nights in many different days.
Luckily, Vandal would broker a deal to save himself and the last of the kin, promising if Klarion returned in a thousand years to this site, he'd have the secret to breaking the world. It's hinted this is the true origin of the Light and the reason it's been formed is to help Klarion ascend. Thus, while we thought all along Vandal was the real ruler, while he is the brains of the operation, it looks like Klarion's the true boss. Klarion may not be the intellectual master running the show, but clearly, Vandal's wary and scared of him.
It's a massive bombshell as Klarion was beaten up many times before by the heroes, especially Zatanna and Doctor Fate, and honestly came off like comedic relief. But it's now confirmed he's the real monster to fear, leaving us wondering what else the diligent Vandal's hiding and if he does plan to double-cross his magical friend someday. It even suggests everything's been a game to Klarion and that he may cut loose like never before quite soon if he doesn't get what was promised.
What's also intriguing is in this series, Vandal fathered Nabu, who died and became Doctor Fate, so that may end up playing a key role moving forward as we learn more about Vandal secretly being part of this eternal dance between Chaos and Order.
See how Klarion and Vandal Savage make their pact as new episodes of Young Justice: Phantoms air Thursdays on HBO Max.