Chapter 27: Ring of Fire
New York, T-minus 58 seconds.
Kal-el was now barely conscious, the last fights had brought him down to his knees both physically and mentally, the question he feared for so long has been finally answered…he'll be forever feared and would never be accepted…his presence will not unite people for peace, but through their fears and need of control they will devise ways to destroy the last son of Krypton…they come a long way but sadly towards the brink of our mutual extinction.
He opens his eyes trying to understand what is going on…John and Q are helpless, Batman is barely moving and Wonder Woman is trying to pull him away from the fight…the monster distracted by the attack of the Huntress is now grasping the seriousness of the situation, while the man of steel is quietly assessing the risk involved to the civilians…this proves that the fearsome creature was once a man….what kind of man was he?...some questions are better left unanswered.
He walks towards the ledge…now more confident than before….he looks straight at the monster and screams out of the top of his lungs: !Monster, here I am…come and get me!
The creature infuriated by that act of defiance runs towards the Superman just a like train going through a dead end…. It Jumps toward him…a jump so powerful that shakes the very foundation of the street which gives him impulse and superman runs toward him at the speed of a killing bullet….he's going to strike him down and center, he moves and with a hammer like movement strikes the man of steel in the back…the blow send ripples of shock that destroyed the remaining glass in the area. It seems that the "one above all" had met his match.
Washington D.C. T-Minus 30 seconds.
The president was walking around the oval room with a tired face…also his biggest fears had come true, in less than a commercial spot on cable TV he's going to attack US soil… the president being a former history teacher ask himself: What would have Lincoln done? Or what were the ideas going through Truman's head that day? Then…clear as day another name came to mind…he remembered Robert Oppenheimer when he told himself he was the destroyer of worlds….his eyes flicker and looks around at his staff quietly saying:
"now…we're all son of bitches"
There is a private place in hell for what you're about to do.
New York, T-Minus 15 seconds.
Superman is getting pummeled by the monster, his attempts at defending himself are petty and lame...is like he is not trying anymore…blow by blow…inch by inch the monster is finishing him off….he lost the will, the drive, the desire….
Batman turns around to get some cover….his eyes bloodshot and his body is on constant pain make him shiver at the idea of going toe to toe against anyone….he is now a conflicted soul between his despair and his passion, and just as he though he controlled himself he shouted: Diana! Diana! I can't see you!
-Here I am! - She replied back while holding him, caressing his lovers lip while trying to control the tears…such a feeble emotion, so fragile and so human.
-There is no time- Batman responded on the verge of losing consciousness due to the extensive trauma.
-There's never any time- She replied while giving him a powerful kiss.
Huntress tries to push Q away from the mayhem…. He is barely breathing and his movements were once graceful and stylish are now sloppy and heavy…. He crawls to the sidewalk ready to give up, ready to die…he's accepted that faith…there are worst thing than dying…. You can become a Mormon and die peacefully in Utah.
-Don't you die on me- Huntress screamed at the masked vigilante.
-It's not a matter of choice- responded with dry wit.
-Look (trying to hold back the anger and desperation) I always felt different and alone…but not with you- Huntress.
-Those are the more beautiful I have heard, especially words coming from a deranged vigilante like you- Q's voice was now more raspy and low…he was fading away.
-I love you too- Huntress responded to a now unconscious Q and held him close in her bosom while closing her eyes and muttering a prayer.
The monster was looking for a killer blow, but the superman remained strong even after the beating….he punches once in the face, now a second time…and now with more confidence a third time….blood coming out of his face.
-This is a wonderful way to end the myth of the invulnerable man of steel- The monster shouted and threw a killer blow to the superman's face.
-Yes it is- Superman quickly grabbed the punch with his bear hand…. He opened his blue eyes and grabbed the monster by the waist…. He took the hits, he suffered through the punches and the massive beating…because he needed time, not a lot…just enough for the rain of fire.
-Bleed with me brother- Superman's last words before the attack.
The attack of the thousands bombs descend upon him.
T-Minus 0 seconds.