Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 16: Front Lines
New Mexico – Helion Solar Test Range
It wouldn't be much longer now. The first shots of Ares' war had been fired on Olympus. The second shots were fired by Apollo when he met up with Persephone. Now with the rest of the gods locked in the Oblivion Prison and their efforts here in the mortal world reaching a vital threshold, they were just about ready for the final shot. For Apollo, it couldn't come soon enough.
"We're almost at full capacity," he said, still in the guise of Alfanso Disole. "Can you feel the chaos radiating from Olympus, Persephone?"
"I've been feeling it since before this even began. Is it supposed to make me feel so…anxious?" she said, hugging her shoulders under her veil.
"I'd attribute that to going from the Underworld to this barren patch of desert. I consider this New Mexico to be only a slight upgrade to my uncle's palace. I promise that feeling will fade soon," said Apollo.
"Forgive me if I'm unable to ease myself. Your history with respect to keeping promises is nothing to brag about," she pointed out.
"If you think you'd be more comfortable back in the Underworld, then by all means. I'd be happy to take you back. But then you'd miss the fruits of our labor."
The God of Light was tactful in reminding Persephone that she had little choice in this matter. Even after escaping the Underworld and the grasp of her husband, her destiny was still at the mercy of others. It didn't feel like much of an improvement, but it was too late now. She chose to aid Apollo and Ares. Now she had to see the results of those choices.
Apollo didn't let Persephone's mood discourage him. Everything was unfolding smoother than he had hoped. He avoided scrutiny in setting up this glorious feat of godly engineering. Neither the gods nor the mortals had any idea of what had been unfolding right under their noses. That power put him in a position to accomplish something no god had ever dared before. It promised to forever change the balance between Olympus, the gods, and the mortals that once worshipped them.
He and Persephone had a perfect view of the test range from the observation deck in the central hanger. As he had instructed as Alfanso Disole, this area had been set up as a central hub to control every system within this facility. It included large TV monitors and holographic projectors that formed a detailed image of the various machines he had been working on since he arrived in the mortal realm months ago. Most of these machines were concealed in hangers or buried underground in what used to be storage areas for nuclear warheads. Many of them were fairly small, standing no larger than a couple of houses. To the ignorant mortals, they looked like electrical generators. To cunning gods, like himself, they were fueling the overthrow of his father's order.
He called them Cerberus Generators after the beasts that guarded the gates of Hades. Utilizing a mixture of mortal technology and Olympian engineering, they generated a unique kind of energy that flowed freely between the realm of mortals and gods. This energy allowed Ares to open unguarded gates around the Olympus' defenses and trap the gods in the Oblivion Prison. It also generated the energy Ares needed to control his army of chaos. So far, they had generated enough power for him to outwit the gods, but he had every intention of generating much more.
"It won't be much longer now. Once we're at full capacity, we can begin the final phase," he said as he monitored the status of the generators.
"Just how confident are you that this phase won't tear both our realms asunder?" asked Persephone. "I don't claim to know much about the forces connecting the realms, but I'd like to know there's something on Olympus to go back to when the time comes."
"You've too little faith and too poor an understanding of the intricacies of our realms," scoffed Apollo. "The Cerberus Generators have been operating for months now. Zeus himself even utilized this energy when he thought I was developing these systems for him. Sure, he didn't know about the tweaks I made with Ares, but they did the job and we're still standing."
"I'd feel a lot better about that if you weren't so vague on the extent of these tweaks."
"You don't need to know that and neither anyone else, mortal or immortal. I'll only say that our only remaining obstacle involves scale. It's one thing to open small gateways between the realms. But doing so on a larger scale is quite challenging, given the pathetic limits of mortal technology. And despite some recent unpleasantness, this new system I've developed will give us full control over our fate."
Apollo didn't expect Persephone to understand or appreciate what he was about to do. Then again, she couldn't possibly know the extent of his plans. That was a fate known only to him and he stood ready to seize it.
He let the former Queen of the Underworld continue to doubt him as he reviewed the status of every generator on the test range. From this hub, he could direct and control the flow of energy going into the realm of the gods and adjust everything accordingly. It reminded him of Olympus in a sense. It was like the summit from which he could observe and control everything within his dominion. He tried not to enjoy it too much because the domain he sought promised to be much bigger.
"As far as the mortals outside are concerned, they're just taking part in an ambitious experiment from an eccentric businessman. They don't see any danger. They just see an opportunity for more overtime," he said as he continued to enjoy the control.
"Should we pity them?" said Persephone, completely indifferent at this point.
"That would be too generous. When they see what I have in store for this barren patch of desert, they might just start worshipping us again."
Now radiating confidence in the same way he radiated the light of the gods, Apollo finished the status check on the generators. He also shifted his form, no longer looking the part of Alfanso Disole. When this final phase was complete, he didn't want these people to see a mortal. He wanted them to see a true god. Once in this form, he made his way over to a makeshift desk and retrieved a bulky communicator that connected him to the test range's sound system.
"Attention all technical and security personal. The final test protocols have been engaged. You are to complete your respective duties and clear the test area. Seek shelter behind the blast bunkers around the perimeter gates. Please do not emerge until the safety siren has been activated. Thank you."
As his voice blared throughout the test range, he could already see the men and women outside complying. Security personnel ordered people around, telling them to either get moving or hurry up with their tasks. Technicians and engineers worked feverishly on the systems within the hangers and those yet to be deployed. Some moved out of fear. Some moved out of dedication. Whatever their reason, they all moved in accord with his whim. It empowered Apollo in a way he hadn't felt in centuries.
'I almost forgot what it feels like to wield authority over mortals. It's…satisfying. I find that funny and a little sad. They obey me because they think I am their mortal boss. It'll be interesting to see how they obey when they know I'm a god. If fate continues to be so kind and Ares continues to be so brazen, then I hope to find out soon enough.'
Meanwhile
"Whoa. This just got way more dangerous than you said it would," said an anxious Jonathan Carroll.
"I never promised it wouldn't get bad. And if I did, you'd know well enough not to believe me," said Lois.
Moments ago, an announcement rang out throughout the test range from Alfanso Disole. This test that so few seemed to know much about was set to begin sooner than expected. They had just managed to sneak onto the test range and already, everybody around them acted like somebody had just lit a fire under their feet.
Lois and Jonathan treated it no different than being in another war zone. However, their efforts made them feel less like reporters and more like spies. Getting into this facility required more than a press pass and some charm. They had to stake out one of the gates on the north, which most of the security personnel used. It took them a while, but they eventually came across a couple of guards having a smoke break. While they sat out on some rocks, they set their gear aside and left their key cards exposed. With stealth skills that might actually make her father crack a smile, Lois managed to swipe one.
From there, they slipped into one of the guard barracks outside the gates where they helped themselves to a couple uniforms. Once inside, they pretended to be ordinary guards doing routine checks. They listened in for more information about what was going on here. They hadn't been listening for very long before the announcement rang out. It was at this point Lois realized that the easy part of this story was over.
'This is one of those stories where Clark ends up owing more favors than I pay back. He said Helion Solar kept a tight lid on their activities. He never mentioned anything about a big test happening this morning. Guess they were farther along in their work than he thought. The way these people are running, they must be gearing up for something big.'
Lois and Jonathan did their best not to appear lost. They followed other guards and watched other personnel react. Some were getting onto jeeps and riding off. Some were forming lines outside certain hangers and coordinated to move equipment and tools. They were all pretty efficient, but they also kept their heads down. The whole mood throughout the base had a distinct aura of fear, which was rarely a good sign.
"Keep moving. You heard the boss!" said one of the guards driving a jeep.
"We have less than 15 minutes to run diagnostics on the generators, people. So unless you're an Olympic sprinter, you had better finish it in 10," shouted a female official in a suit.
"How much are we getting paid for this again?" asked one of the guards next to Jonathan.
"Careful man. Remember Helion Solar's unofficial policy – no bad questions means no bad answers," replied another.
Lois and Jonathan exchanged glances, having already made a few telling conclusions. They noticed shortly after entering the test range that everybody tried to say as little as possible. It was not unlike the military where people avoided talking to one another because they were afraid they might ask the wrong question and get the wrong answer. It felt way too secretive for a private company that specialized in solar energy.
They continued following a crowd guards away from the hangers. However, this was taking them away from anything or anyone that might give them any answers. They had been in enough hostile areas to understand that nobody ever got a story by following the rules of those attempting to suppress that story. They needed to get more creative and bold with their tactics.
'We're following way too many blissfully ignorant drones here. These people don't know anything. They don't want to know anything. If we're going to get any answers, we need to stay close to the action.'
Without saying a word, Lois looked towards Jonathan and nodded again. She could already tell by the way he was looking around that he was thinking the same thing. They kept walking for a moment until she came up with a plan. She then briefly gestured towards one of the nearby hangers. Having shared more than a few subtleties in hostile environments, he knew what to do.
First, Jonathan pretended to check his communicator, which wasn't even turned on. The two of them then broke off from the rest of the guards and made their way back towards one of the open hangers.
"Hey! Where are you two going?" asked one of the ranking guards trying to hurry everyone along.
"We'll catch up. We need to take care of something," said Jonathan, doing his best impression of an underpaid and overworked guard.
"You heard the boss. We got protocol here. Or did you forget?" he asked threatening.
"I haven't forgotten, but these are special orders. Can't say much else without it getting awkward," replied Jonathan without flinching in the slightest.
They kept on moving and, as expected, the ranking guard didn't say anything else. One of the benefits of dealing with overly secretive people was that they were never inclined to get too curious. They would rather just assume as much as they could get away with and plead ignorance if they got in trouble for it.
As soon as they got clear, she and Jonathan moved faster towards one of the hangers. They passed by only a few more guards and a couple of uniformed base personnel, who kept their heads down and didn't give them a second look. When they finally got clear, they shifted their focus to gathering facts.
"That sounded almost too good," commented Lois.
"That drama minor in college might as well be good for something," said Jonathan with a grin. "Charm can only take you so far in this business."
"Hold that thought because you might be right…in more ways than you think," said Lois. "They keep talking about these generators. Clark mentioned generators in his notes. Said they gave off some strange energy. I'm thinking if we get a closer look, we'll get a better idea of just how strange it is."
"Any chance this is the kind of energy that'll turn our hair gray?" wondered Jonathan.
"I don't see anybody in radiation suits so I think your sperm count is safe. Besides, anything nuclear would attract too much scrutiny. These guys don't want scrutiny. They want to keep their secrets."
"That or they want to make sure what they do catches everybody by surprise," he added.
"Well then I guess it's up to us to change that," said Lois.
Now taking the lead, Lois passed by a couple of parked jeeps and discarded storage crates. This gave her and Jonathan a bit more cover as they neared the hanger. Once they reached the opening, she stopped and waited for a moment. She could still hear people running around inside, but it sounded like they were clearing out. She and Jonathan lingered for a few moments, opting to not risk exposure by taking a peak too soon. It made the next few minutes very tense. Once they heard all the footsteps die down, Lois finally took a look inside the hanger.
"Whoa. I think we just failed to some extent because I'm officially surprised," she said.
"That makes two of us," said Jonathan with equal astonishment.
What they saw was a lot more menacing than anything Clark described in his notes. This generator, as everyone called it, didn't look like much of a generator. It didn't even look like something a solar company would make. It wasn't very big, but it radiated with a kind of power that felt more dangerous than a typical high voltage device.
It stood about as tall as a large tractor trailer and took up about as much space as a typical baseball field. The main structure was composed of two large spheres, each pointed at one another and separated by about six feet of space. In between these spheres was this glowing ball of purplish energy. It pulsed like a miniature star, hovering and flickering as if it were tuned into a certain channel on a radio or television. It didn't appear to be obeying the traditional laws of physics. Its composition and design didn't look traditional either. It didn't have an alien feel, which both Lois and Jonathan were familiar with. It appeared to be something else entirely.
What made the site of this generator even more distressing was that there was more than one. Within the spacious hanger, Lois counted at least half a dozen. In addition, there were at least 15 hangers on this test range. If they all contained a generator like this, then it was safe to conclude that the scale of this story just got a lot bigger.
'I stopped doubting you hours ago, Smallville. Now I can safely say you've been vindicated. There's no way this is about solar energy. I'm not even sure this involves any kind of energy we know of. Whatever story you thought you had barely scratched the surface. It's definitely more than just some secretive company doing something illegal. Question now is what kind of story will this be?'
As Lois took a closer look at one of the generators, Jonathan began following some of the wires that fed into it. He kept scanning for any remaining personnel that might still be walking around. Near as he could tell, everybody had already evacuated this hanger. He was inclined to do the same, not knowing if there was anything else to uncover. Then, upon seeing the control equipment where many of the wires converged, he noticed a familiar logo that warranted a new kind of dread.
"Uh…Lois? I hope your done being surprised because I just found something disturbing," said Jonathan.
"What is it? And how worried should we be?" she asked him.
"Come over and see for yourself."
Lois managed to tear herself away from the strange sight of the generators and caught up with Jonathan. When she saw what he was looking at, her stomach churned in way that ruined her appetite for the rest of the day.
"Lexcorp," she said, frowning at the sight of the logo.
"I don't remember that in Clark's notes either," said Jonathan.
"And I don't think Perry will feel as bad about that retraction once he sees this," said Lois. "If Lex Luthor's fingerprints are on this, then there's no way these people can stay private. Being associated with a fugitive will do that."
"That assumes we can get the word out before they finish this test or whatever the hell they're doing here."
"I'm not even going to entertain that thought, but now we know for a fact this is way worse than Clark suspected," said Lois as she retrieved her cell phone from her pocket. "I'm need to shoot Perry a text and we're going to get as many details as we can before this test begins. If we're lucky in any capacity, we'll be able to slip out before they…"
Before Lois could finish her sentence or even turn on her phone, they felt an ominous tremor in the ground that reverberated throughout the test range. It wasn't too big, but it was strong to make them lose their balance for a brief moment. Shortly after they felt it, they heard a loud alarm blaring across the test range. Staying close, the looked out from the hanger and towards the central area.
"Attention all personnel. Please retreat at least 300 feet from the central platform. The first phase of the testing protocols has been initiated. I repeat. The first phase of the testing protocols has been initiated," said a mechanical voice.
More tremors followed as Lois and Jonathan watched a large concrete slab in the center of the test range, which they initially thought was a landing pad for helicopters, open up. It moved back like the launch bay for a missile silo, revealing some of the structure that lay beneath the base. It might very well have once contained missiles. But as Jonathan and Lois watched intently, they discovered that it now contained something much more exotic.
Once the concrete slab was fully opened, another round of tremors rocked the area. They could hear the loud hissing of gears and hydraulics moving, pushing something up to the surface. As it emerged, it revealed what looked like a large circular doorway that stood big enough for a small building to fit through. At the base of the structure, there was a web of thick cables that connected to each hanger, indicating that it drew upon whatever exotic energy they were generating. And if the deep humming sound coming from it was any indication, it had already been turned on.
"I don't see a Lexcorp logo on that thing, but I'm pretty sure it's just as dangerous," commented Jonathan.
"I'd say that's a pretty safe bet," said Lois.
"I'm also pretty sure it's something we'll have to do more than just report on," he added.
"Now that's just a sucker bet," she replied.
"Then what's our next move? We've got more than just headlines at stake now."
Lois needed a moment to process all these new connections. At this point, just leaving and letting press exposure do the rest was no longer a viable option. This had the look and feel of something that could do a lot of damage if they let it happen. Anything with Lex Luthor's name on made that next to inevitable. She couldn't hope to understand the kinds of forces involved in this test of theirs, but she didn't have to in order to stop it.
"I have a few ideas," Lois said, still fixated on the structure before her. "You're not going to like any of them. But now that Lex Luthor's name is attached this thing, we can assume it's in everyone's interest to shut it down. For all we know, he's already making himself comfortable for the big show."
Tartarus
"YOU ARROGANT, FOOLISH, PETTY EXCUSE FOR A MAN! YOU WILL REGRET SIDING WITH TREACHEROUS GODS!" yelled an enraged and determined Wonder Woman as she attacked Lex Luthor.
"I only regret not having a way to mute that annoying voice of yours," he sneered as he defended against her attacks.
The sound of Wonder Woman's battle cries echoed throughout this desolate patch of Tartarus. She didn't recall how exactly she ended up here. As soon as she attacked Lex Luthor, whose spirit now drove the legendary Annihilator Armor, she willingly followed him into the portal from where he came. She didn't care if it led her to the deepest pits of Hades. She was going to battle this man until he surrendered or led her to Ares, whichever came first.
The powerful Amazon kept Luthor on the defensive the moment she threw the first punch. As soon as they landed in Tartarus, she relentlessly punched and kicked at the imposing armor with all her might. She knew of the Annihilator Armor's strength as any well-educated Amazon. She could not let it strike her again. Even her durability and determination could only protect her so much against such a deadly weapon.
Beyond her strategy and determination, the presence of Lex Luthor made this already dire situation more volatile. Wonder Woman knew this man's treachery as well as anyone who associated with Superman. He was the epitome of a devious, pitiless, self-absorbed man who only sought power over others, including those like Superman. It had been one of Lex Luthor's plots that brought her and Superman together again. He should've been defeated. Now he had made a deal with the gods and this could only make everything worse.
"Why Luthor? Why?!" demanded Wonder Woman as she kept punching at his head. "Why submit yourself to gods like Ares? Are you that desperate to be as powerful as Superman?"
"You think this is about power?" scoffed Luthor, showing little strain under her assault. "I don't need gods to attain power – especially false ones."
"Then tell me!" she commanded, now grabbing the helmet of the armor. "I know you. This is hardly your style, allowing yourself to be a pawn."
"Who says I'm the pawn?"
He grinned ominously and finally countered with an attack of his own. When Wonder Woman attempted to punch him again, he managed to grab her arm by the wrist and pull her off him. He felt a powerful surge within the armor. It filled him with a burst of strength the likes of which would surely make Superman jealous. Lex savored this strength and put it to good use, violently slamming Wonder Woman into the hard ground and pinning her under his hand.
Her durability kept her from being crushed. It also allowed Lex to get a closer look at this woman that had ruined his earlier plan. In seeing her up close, he saw the same pathetic display that he saw in Superman.
"I don't believe we've formally met," said Lex in an almost polite tone. "You clearly know me. I know you too. They call you Wonder Woman. Some call you a warrior, using your powers to supplement your fighting rather than replace it. Some call you a female version of Superman, the main difference being your love of more provocative attire."
"Call me…what you want. I'll still…make you pay…for your crimes," grunted Wonder Woman as she struggled to fight of his grip.
"Ha! Do you have any idea how often I hear that? Men, women, gods, and aliens – they say those exact words as though they have any real meaning. What are my crimes anyways? When did being superior become so egregious?"
"You really think…you're superior?"
"I don't think I am. I know I am," he said.
Exercising that superiority, Lex tightened his grip on her and held her up. He could still feel her struggling, but he didn't let her struggle for too long. With an effortless gesture, he threw her across to the barren wasteland as hard as he could. She ended up tumbling across the ground until she struck a large bolder. Lex then used the power of the Annihilator Armor to run towards her at high speeds so that before she could even slump down, he pinned her against the boulder with his arm in another submissive hold.
"Do you remember that day you came to Superman's aid against Metallo?" he said to her, throwing in an extra shove to jar her memory. "I sure do. It was not a good day for me."
"Ack! You expect…an apology?" choked Wonder Woman as she tried to push back.
"As if I would accept it," Lex scoffed. "That day should've been the end of this. Your sisters never had to get involved. You never had to get involved. I already had everything in place. Superman was going to lose that fight. I was going to show in front of the whole world that a man could defeat a wannabe god."
"You still…would've failed."
"And you still would've been better off. But no! You just had to intervene. I don't know if it's because of some inane warrior code. I don't know if it's because those tabloid rumors are true and you're Superman's woman. I really don't care what your excuse is. It still proves what I suspected."
The mention of Superman and her honor as a warrior filled Wonder Woman with a fresh bit of determination. She fought back harder, pushing the arm of the Annihilator Armor off her neck. Lex had to exert more strength, grasping both of her wrists again and pinning her to the boulder. She refused to stop fighting and every word Luthor said just made her fight harder.
"You're just like all these other so-called superheroes," he continued. "You take it upon yourself do for humanity what you don't think they can do on their own. You prop us up like children while holding us back. You claim to protect us, but you look down on us like disobedient pets."
"You're even more deluded than I thought, Luthor. How Superman has resisted snapping your neck is beyond me," spat Wonder Woman.
"Him snapping my neck would only vindicate me. He knows that and so does everyone else," said Lex with a devious grin. "But you don't seem to grasp that, do you?"
"I only grasp that you're a madman who doesn't mind tainting his soul for selfish reasons."
"Then you're even more misguided than Superman."
The proud Amazon had heard enough of this man's voice. She needed to shut him up. Despite having her arms restrained, her legs were still partially free. While Luthor leered over her, she delivered a few hard knees to the gut of the armor. It caused him to stammer briefly, giving her a little more room to work with. This allowed her to hit with a much harder kick, which loosened his grip on her enough for her to break free.
As soon as he released his grip on her, Wonder Woman unleashed another relentless attack. This time she struck with harder blows, going for his legs to keep him from gaining leverage over her. She struck at the knees, causing the Annihilator Armor to keel over just long enough for her to deliver a punishing uppercut. It helped silence Luthor, albeit briefly. It also emboldened her. Taking this man down would bring her one step closer to stopping Ares and saving her sisters.
"I don't know what madness has clouded your thinking, Luthor. And honestly, I've stopped caring," said Wonder Woman as she cracked her knuckles in anticipation. "I don't want any more of your excuses. I just want to keep punching you until my fists shut you up completely. Then I'm going to use what's left of you to destroy Ares."
"You speak with such confidence…for a woman," said Luthor, despite being disoriented from her attack.
"Shut up!"
Wonder Woman let out another war cry as she unleashed another attack. This time she had no intention of letting up. She flew in at high speeds and struck him across the face with a devastating haymaker. She hit him with such force that she triggered a shockwave that cracked some of the nearby rocks. Once Luthor stumbled back, she didn't give him a chance to recover. She hit him again, this time with a series of body blows. He tried to counter again, but this time she was ready for him. When he tried to grab her arm, Wonder Woman just hit him with another hard blow to the head to drive him back even farther.
As she struck him, the Annihilator Armor started sparking with flashes of purplish energy. It was similar to the energy that created the portals that led her to these bleak surroundings, but she didn't care. These sparks were proof that Wonder Woman was doing some damage. The exotic material of the armor didn't dent, but the energy that drove it was clearly affected by her attacks. She couldn't tell if it put Lex Luthor in any pain, but it did keep him on the defensive.
Once she drove him back far enough, Wonder Woman went in for the finishing blow. She couldn't afford to waste too much time with this man. Her sisters needed her.
"Time to end this," she said sternly.
After hitting him with another hard blow to the head, she retrieved her lasso and used it to restrain the Annihilator Armor before Luthor could regroup. Its power reacted strongly to the energy radiating from the armor. It also triggered a reaction with Luthor.
"Hnn…that power in your lasso," he said in a somewhat dazed tone. "I like it!"
"You shouldn't," said Wonder Woman as she tightened her hold on him. "The magic in my lasso makes it unbreakable, even with your strength. It also compels you to tell the truth."
"Ah the truth…the most overrated of all concepts," laughed Luthor, still not intimidated.
"Call it what you will. You're going to tell me where I can find Ares and where he has taken my sisters!"
"I was going to tell you anyways, but that doesn't mean I have to make it easy for you."
Before she could activate the power that would force him to tell the truth, Luthor grabbed hold of the lasso with the Annihilator Armor and gave it a hard tug. It forced Wonder Woman off balance. She also noticed the purplish energy infecting parts of her lasso. It made it difficult to control her lasso. It was as though the Annihilator Armor radiated chaos and corruption.
It led to a bitter tug-of-war and Wonder Woman soon found herself on the losing end. She could see Lex Luthor's determined expression. The energy radiating from the armor and her lasso created a strange kind of instability. But for some reason, Luthor embraced it.
"You really want the truth?" he taunted as he tugged on the lasso harder. "You really want something so abstract and relative that its meaning is easily lost?"
"Quit…stalling!" said Wonder Woman, wrapping her arm around the lasso and attempting to pull back.
"I'm not stalling. I'm just making good use of something more powerful than truth – something even Ares cannot grasp. I could tell you more, but I'm enjoying this way too much!"
Lex pulled harder on the lasso, causing Wonder Woman to lose her balance. She watched as more of his energy corrupted her lasso. It seemed to corrupt everything around him, causing the rocks to shake and the air to stir. She continued to fight, but the power of the Annihilator Armor was even greater than she expected. She needed a new approach and she needed it before Luthor overpowered her.
Her grip on her lasso was starting to loosen when she felt a familiar gust of wind sweep by her. Moments later, something hit the Annihilator Armor with a force that caused a major tremor to rock the area. It knocked Luthor flat on his back, causing him to lose his grip on the lasso and rendered the armor immobile. Not many forces could accomplish such a feat, but Wonder Woman knew of one in particular that could manage it.
"Bet you didn't enjoy that, Luthor," said the imposing voice of Superman as he hovered over the Annihilator Armor.
"But I sure did," said Wonder Woman with a beaming smile.
Now finally able to catch her breath, Wonder Woman flew up to embrace her lover. Just as she hoped, he found her even in this barren wasteland.
"Sorry I'm a little late. Had a few unexpected obstacles along the way," said Superman.
"Just a few?" teased Wonder Woman.
"Still not enough," he said. "You were in less trouble than I expected."
"I hope you weren't expecting to rescue me. I had this fight under control."
"I know you did. But this pennant you gave me didn't let me slow down. As soon as I heard Lex Luthor's voice, I just knew it had to be way worse than I thought. How is he even involved?"
"I don't know, but this is a good time to ask him," said Wonder Woman in a more serious tone.
They cut their reunion short and turned their attention back to the Annihilator Armor, which was still lying motionless on the ground. Wonder Woman's lasso was still wrapped around it. The armor kept giving off this strange purplish energy that kept reacting with the magic in her lasso. It was just one of the many questions they had and this was their chance to get real answers.
"All right, Luthor. I wasn't expecting to have to deal with you, but I've learned to never be surprised by your antics. I guess it was only a matter of time before you got caught up with actual gods," said Superman as he now hovered right over his chest.
"Gods…you actually call them that?" said Luthor, his voice oddly disheveled within the armor.
"I'm getting less interested in asking nicely and more interested in beating the answers out of him," said Wonder Woman, giving her lasso a hard tug to add to Luthor's discomfort.
"I'd listen to the lady if I were you, Luthor. She can be very persuasive."
"Guess…you would know," he said curtly. "How can you call yourself Superman…when you let a woman lead you to ruin?"
"I'm ready to start persuading, Superman," said Wonder Woman with growing impatience.
"And I'm ready to get this over with. So what do you say we make this easy and you just give us what we want, Luthor?"
The glowing energy around the Annihilator Armor intensified, becoming more unstable. The image of Lex Luthor's face flickered within this energy. It was hard to tell if he was in discomfort or just completely mad. Superman and Wonder Woman stood ready to extract the answers from him in any way they could. Then, to their surprise, Lex's image stabilized and he smiled.
"I couldn't agree more, Superman," he said.
In an unexpected show of power, he grasped the lasso with the hand of the Annihilator Armor and pulled Wonder Woman away from him. Then, with Superman still hovering over him, he channeled the purplish energy radiating from the armor into a concentrated beam and directed it right at the Man of Steel. As soon as it struck him, it had a unique effect that caught him completely off guard.
"Aagh!" gasped Superman. "What did you…do to me?"
"Wait for it," grinned Luthor.
Superman soon found himself completely surrounded by this purplish energy. It rendered him paralyzed, causing every muscle in his body to tense to the point where he could barely move. It also made him feel sick, like the power within his body was being redirected and warped. It was similar to the feeling he got at Helion Solar, but a million times worse.
"Superman!" gasped Wonder Woman. "What the hell did you do to him, Luthor?"
"I just gave him what he wanted – answers," he said curtly. "You, on the other hand – well, you'll have to find out the hard way."
Her first instinct was to assault Luthor until there was nothing left of him or the Annihilator Armor, but her concern for her lover took hold. She tried to get to him, but the energy surrounding him wouldn't allow her. It was like an invisible hand pushing back at her, keeping her from aiding him. As she watched the way it consumed and overwhelmed him, Wonder Woman came to a painful realization. She just played right into Ares' hands yet again.
As the glowing energy grew brighter, Superman felt his body become rigid and stiff. His tried to fight it, but his muscles wouldn't let him. He eventually fell from the air, landing on his knees right next to Luthor. Once he was rendered fully immobile, the purplish energy formed another portal right behind him. And from this portal, Ares emerged.
"Ah…right on cue," said Ares with an approving smile. "I do love it when pawns dutifully play their role."
"ARES!" yelled Wonder Woman. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!"
Upon seeing the God of War, Wonder Woman immediately took to the air and tried to attack. Ares didn't flinch in the slightest. He just casually swatted her away with one hand, striking her with enough force to send her flying back a good hundred feet or so. It was a satisfying feeling for Ares. The former Amazon Princess had officially completed her role.
"I'm disappointed in you, Diana. And to think, I once wanted you to be my champion," said Ares as he leered over Superman.
"Ungh…you think…I'm defeated, Ares?" groaned Wonder Woman as she staggered back to her feet. "I will never…stop fighting you!"
"Then you're a waste of a perfectly good warrior," he retorted. "You might have actually had a place in my war, but you just had to be so weak. You just had to fall in love with this man. All you did was make it harder on yourself because he's about to fire the first shot of my ultimate war."
Ares grabbed Superman by the neck and held him down in a submissive hold. The powerful mortal fought back, causing the energy surrounding him to flicker. But he could not free himself from the power of the gods. He was going to be the soldier he wanted whether he liked it or not.
"Diana…" said Superman weakly under Ares' grip.
"Save your strength. You're going to need it," said Ares. "Say goodbye to your lover while you at it. Don't get too emotional though. Your role in this war is her fault. She led you here for me. Everything that happens to you from here on out…is her doing."
The way he talked about his lover and the way he held him down made Superman struggle more, but it was still no use. He could not break Ares' powerful grip on him. Just as Wonder Woman regained enough strength to fly towards them, the God of War opened another portal and entered it with Superman in hand.
"You know what to do, Luthor. Try not to enjoy yourself too much," said Ares before he disappeared.
"Don't expect me to try very hard," said Luthor in bemusement as he rose up.
Wonder Woman still tried desperately to reach her lover in time, but she didn't even get halfway before they disappeared. The last thing she saw was Superman's desperate gaze. It pained her enough that she couldn't confront Ares for what he did to her sisters, but it pained her even more knowing that she just led the man she loved into his clutches.
"NOOO!" she cried out, falling to her knees right near where they disappeared.
She now had no idea where Ares took him. She couldn't imagine what kind of horrors he would release or what kind of suffering he would inflict on Superman. All those feelings of helplessness and despair from her nightmares became very real.
"Kal…I'm so sorry," she cried. "You…you don't deserve this fate. No man deserves it."
"Oh enough with the self-righteous pity already! You're making me sick," scoffed Luthor, the shadow of the Annihilator Armor now looming over her once more. "What kind of warrior are you? Crying over a man you thought you loved?"
Wonder Woman's despair quickly turned into blind rage at Luthor's harsh words. She could feel his snide grin, taunting her defeated state. Defeat for an Amazon was hard enough, but this man wouldn't let her be content with mere defeat.
"I've always found love to be laughably insipid," Luthor went on. "Two powerful beings falling in love – the concept itself is asinine. It's just power seeking more power. It's not emotion. It's physics."
"Luthor…whatever point you think you're making, I promise I'll make you regret it!" said Wonder Woman in a low tone seething with rage.
"I doubt you two truly loved each other. You only loved being around more power," he continued. "Isn't that all false gods truly care about? Maintaining and propagating their power? In that respect, you're no better than Ares. At least he seeks power through cunning. You seek it through false emotions. That doesn't make you a warrior. That just makes you a whore."
That was the last straw. Lex Luthor crossed one too many lines. Wonder Woman clenched her fists, every bit of pain and soreness fading in face of her hatred for this man. She might not be able to take her frustrations out on Ares, but Lex Luthor was the next best thing.
"ERRRR! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS TO THE FARTHEST ENDS OF TARTARUS, LUTHOR!" she roared.
"That's the spirit. Get angry!" said Luthor as he prepared himself. "It'll take us both exactly where we want to go."
The enraged Amazon unleashed another attack on Luthor and the Annihilator Armor. This time hit him so hard she sent him flying into the darkened skies above. She then took to the air and went after him, striking him again. It caused more energy to erupt from the armor. It was damaging, but it didn't bother Luthor in the slightest.
This was the point where his plan diverged from Ares. The God of War expected him to carry out one role. He intended to play another. Unlike before, he didn't attempt to fight back against Wonder Woman's wrath. He just let her lay into him, striking with all the might of a raging Amazon. As he absorbed her attack, he began leading her in a certain direction. The only obstacle at this point was timing and knowing Superman, Lex Luthor would have plenty to work with.
'Pathetic. These false gods and demigods are even easier to manipulate than ordinary humans. I really need to stop overestimating them. No matter. Soon enough, they'll all be humbled by the genius that is Lex Luthor.'
Tartarus – Tomb of Erebus
Superman didn't remember much about what happened between Lex Luthor hitting him with that strange energy and Ares dragging him through this strange portal. His body and mind were so paralyzed that he lost all sense of perspective. It wasn't until he felt Ares throw his stiff body onto the hard ground that he regained his awareness.
As his vision cleared, he now found himself in another part of Tartarus. It was very different from the vast wasteland before. This place felt even colder and darker, like a cave within a cave. Looking up, he saw a massive pyramid-shaped mound that put any manmade pyramids to shame. It had to be the size of a small mountain, but it was clearly not natural. The rock was dark and had a distinct metallic sheen, as if it had been refined and polished. Surrounding the mountain was a massive gate-like structure that completely encircled the mound. This gate emitted a distinct bluish glow, providing the only source of light within this dark domain. It gave the impression that nobody, mortal or immortal, should dare enter this area.
Already, Superman sensed there were plenty of trespassers besides himself. It wasn't just Ares either. With his telescopic vision, he could see some of Ares' undead forces guarding the gate. He could also see the Amazons standing near the base of the structure. They all wore their battle attire and stood perfectly still side-by-side, their eyes glowing the same purplish color as Ares. The God of War had a lot of forces under his thumb, but he doubted he was satisfied.
As Ares stood next to him and looked up at the massive mound before him, Superman attempted to refocus himself to break this mysterious hold on him. He had never been very good at fighting magic, but that didn't stop him from trying. Ares seemed to sense his discomfort, but his struggles didn't bother him in the slightest.
"The Tomb of Erebus – truly a monument to Olympian engineering, is it not?" he said distantly. "Then again, I doubt someone such as you could appreciate it. How could you when you go to such lengths to temper your power?"
"Release me from this spell of yours. I'll show you how tempered I can be," said Superman in a menacing tone.
"Your shortcomings are not unlike those of the gods or the titans. They sought to temper the primordial forces that bind our respective realms. Some could be managed. Some could be fought. Some could even be channeled. But Erebus was different. Erebus required a special kind of arrogance."
Ares grabbed Superman by the neck again and held him up so that he had a better view of the massive tomb. His mortal mind might appreciate the scale of the structure, but it could never comprehend the context.
"Erebus confounded both the gods and the titans. As one of the primordial forces that forged our realms, he is the conscious manifestation of darkness. His shadows are everywhere, but his power is at its greatest when order breaks down. As the son of chaos, his power is a constant stressor on that fragile balance of forces. Both the gods and the titans understood that. Containing Erebus meant ensuring the stability of their order."
Just talking about order brought back bitter memories of the part Ares played in establishing his father's order. It was so long ago, but its impact felt so recent. When he fought alongside his father, he believed he was creating the right kind of order. He knew now how wrong he was.
"During the war between the titans and the gods, Erebus came very close to overpowering us both," Ares continued. "The chaos we created in that conflict made Erebus so strong that we all would've been consumed. I urged Zeus to escalate our efforts and make one last desperate push for victory. I believed that we could overcome Erebus. He felt otherwise. As much as it pains me to admit this, he was right."
"So what makes you think you're right this time around?" asked Superman, still struggling.
"Because at the time, I was more an immature God of War," Ares admitted. "I could fight, but not strategize. Zeus proved to me the importance of strategy when he outwitted the titans in a way that surprised us all. Rather than let Erebus overwhelm them both, he forged a special conduit that allowed him to channel Erebus' darkness. In doing so, the chaos he fueled became ours to control. It proved vital in eventually defeating the titans. But it was what Zeus did after the war that really upset me."
Ares turned his attention to the Amazons and the army of undead that he now controlled. It was still a remarkable feat, wielding this much power and exerting this much control over these forces that were once so menacing. It proved to him just how wrong his father had been in the end.
"For reasons I still cannot digest, he believed that channeling the power of Erebus was too dangerous. He believed it would destabilize the balance of forces between the realms. So his solution to control it was to create this – the Tomb of Erebus."
"You don't sound too fond of it," said Superman.
"How could I? Father had the power to contain the chaos that plagued the realm of gods and man in his grasp," said Ares bitterly. "Instead, he threw it away. Using the same conduit that helped us win the war against the titans, he lured Erebus into a massive containment field. He then turned the conduit into a seal so strong that even he couldn't break it. Together, with Hades and Poseidon, he built this massive tomb in this remote part of Tartarus to contain Erebus. He even created gates that allowed only a select few to even enter this domain."
"Must not have been high enough," commented Superman. "You still got through."
"And I wish I didn't have to. I spent centuries trying to convince my father that we could better control chaos by tapping Erebus. He stubbornly refused. That didn't stop me from surmising a way to break the seal, which brings me to why you're here."
His grip still on Superman's neck, the God of War made him look up towards the massive seal on the face of the mound. It was relatively small compared to the rest of the structure, not being much larger than a couple of small buildings. But it was crafted of metals and materials that hadn't been utilized since the war with the Titans. It alone restrained the power of Erebus. For Ares, it also restrained the key to winning his war.
"While I cannot break the seal, I know what it will take," he said ominously. "You – the mortal they call Superman – are unique in your ability to turn the light of the sun into raw power. But there are other kinds of light beyond sun that have more exotic properties. Maybe you've felt it. Maybe you haven't. But it's those properties that will allow me to break this seal."
Superman had been trying not to listen to more than he had to from this mad god, but the mention of other kinds of light caught his attention. He immediately recalled the experience he had when he visited Helion Solar. That energy he sensed did not feel like normal light, nor did it feel like Kryptonite or that of a red sun. It was something entirely different. It might have been connected, which would've created a whole new list of concerns for him. But he couldn't deal with any of those concerns if he remained under Ares' control.
"This is where it gets tragic for the both of us," said Ares. "You see, I originally didn't seek to disturb this tomb. I didn't even seek to get you involved like this. I wanted you to become my champion. I wanted you to become a new link between the gods and mortals. You would've been the mortal embodiment of war, bringing destruction to those who defied our order and striking fear into the forces that opposed us."
"By us…you mean you," said Superman.
"Think what you will of me, but I've only ever been concerned with fighting the wars that need to be fought and nothing more. And because of my father's meddling and Diana's interference, a much larger war is needed to achieve the victory I seek. For you, that means channeling the light of darkness through you and breaking the seal on the tomb. By releasing Erebus and channeling his power like my father once did, I will unleash a warpath from the Underworld to Olympus to every corner of the mortal realm!"
His grip on Superman's neck tightened, conveying to him his anticipation and desperation for this war. He could already envision the destruction he would unleash. It would be glorious in a way that no man or god had ever imagined.
This gave Superman even more reason to resist Ares' control. A war this big would endanger countless innocent people. Neither he nor Diana would be powerful enough to protect everybody. He couldn't be part of such a barbaric plot.
"You're…insane!" said Superman, tensing his muscles harder as he fought to regain control.
"Just try to imagine beyond your petty mortal imagination for a moment," said Ares intently. "A war of this scale, encompassing gods and mortals alike – it'll reshape the land, weed out the weak, and forge a new order."
"At…what cost?"
"No cost is too great for such order!" Ares argued. "You of all people should appreciate that. Between my father and the mortals you protect, there are too many petty wars and not enough just wars. You and I are going to change that. And if it costs the lives of a few mortals and gods…so be it."
The extent to which this monster was willing to harm innocent people and his own fellow gods was disgusting. This has escalated much further than simply dealing with the realm of the gods that was such a big part of his lover's life. This was about saving the world he and Wonder Woman fought so hard to protect. To do this, he needed to become stronger than a god.
With a strength he once dared not to tap, Superman flexed his muscles again and summoned more power from within. Under Ares' spell, it felt like the weight of a planet was pressing down on his every muscle. Once he finally had the power, he pushed back as hard as he could.
"No! I won't help you," Superman shouted.
In a flash, the glowing purple energy around him burst and he was freed from Ares' control. This surprised the God of War so much that he didn't get a chance to block Superman from hitting him with a devastating right cross to the face. Any lesser being would've been knocked out. Even a god would've felt the sting. But Superman had no intention of stopping there.
Channeling the determination and resolve that Wonder Woman had been teaching him in their time together, Superman didn't hold back in his assault. As soon as he landed the first punch against Ares, he tried to land another. Moving at speeds that made him appear as just a blur, he struck the God of War with a relentless onslaught of punches. It caused Ares to stammer back, but it hardly subdued him.
"You're making this…harder…on yourself!" said Ares in annoyance as he attempted to block Superman's onslaught.
"I…don't…care!" spat Superman.
His strength actually surprised the God of War. This Superman proved more powerful than he expected. It was annoying, but promising at the same time. He would need that strength soon enough.
He humored Superman's outburst for a while, letting him strike while blinded by emotions as mortals were prone to do. As Superman attacked, Ares prepared a counter of his own. He wouldn't have been the God of War if he didn't prepare for such an inconvenience. Once ready, he skillfully grabbed Superman's arms before he could strike again and held him back in a powerful grapple.
"This is where your greatest weakness reveals itself, Superman. It's a weakness I could've freed you from," said Ares as he dug in his heels and pushed back.
"I…don't…care!" he said again, this time with more force as he relentlessly pushed back.
"You should," said the God of War with a grin.
Ares' eyes flashed again, radiating the same exotic energy that once paralyzed him. But this time it had a different effect. As Superman tried to overpower Ares, he heard an angry chorus of war cries behind him. Before he could even turn around, he was blindsided by a devastating blow.
"For Ares!" exclaimed Aleka, her voice devoid of free will.
The sudden attack knocked Superman away from Ares and sent him tumbling towards the base of the tomb. He quickly picked himself up, only to find himself completely surrounded by the entire Amazon army. Aleka, the one who hit him first, led the charge.
As Superman recovered from the initial attack, he recalled his first encounter with the Amazon army. He remembered how hostile they had been. He tried to reason with them, but they refused to listen then. There was little chance they would listen now. He saw in their eyes the same purplish glow he saw in Ares.
"It doesn't have to be this way," Superman called out to the Amazons. "I broke Ares' hold. You can too!"
"No. They cannot," said Ares confidently. "Like so many mortals, their piety made them vulnerable. Now they are under my control. That means if you want to get to me, you'll have to go through them. And that means hurting them."
The extent of Ares' deviousness knew no pound. As much as these women despised him while in control of their faculties, they were still victims. They were innocent in this ordeal and Superman did not harm innocents. Ares had to know that and wasn't afraid to exploit it.
"You're really going to stoop this low, Ares?" Superman called out as he readied himself.
"I'll do what I must to win my war. That's what makes me stronger than you. That's what makes me stronger than you can ever hope to be," said Ares.
"You call this strength?"
"No. I call it war."
The Amazons closed in on Superman, ensuring he had no room to escape. Ares didn't give the order to attack just yet. He gave Superman a chance to take the first shot. As expected, he refused. His asinine sense of morality wouldn't let him. That made the outcome of this battle all but inevitable.
"Subdue the man. Do not kill him," ordered Ares. "Show no mercy."
"No mercy!" the Amazons repeated in perfect unison.
Superman remained in a defensive stance, refusing to attack these victims of Ares' war. He attempted to take to the air and fly away, but a number of Amazons behind the front lines threw enchanted lassos that wrapped around his feet and kept him from getting more than a few feet off the ground. He tried to pull away, but the collective strength of several Amazons proved too much. With one hard tug, Superman was sent tumbling back to the ground. He could only brace himself as the Amazons converged on him.
Everything that followed became a blur. Some struck with their fists. Others slashed him with their sword. Superman felt his costume and cape tear. He felt cuts and wounds open on his usually invulnerable skin, revealing that Ares had equipped the Amazons with magic weapons. White hot pain soon followed. At one point, all Superman could hear were the angry cries of the Amazon and the sound of them hitting his flesh.
Every one of them wanted a shot. Their hatred of men still fueled their resolve, even under Ares' control. Superman had little to no chance. He tried to defend himself, but he still refused to strike back. He refused to give Ares the satisfaction of being right.
This didn't stop Ares from enjoying the show. He couldn't stop grinning as he watched the Amazons batter the hapless mortal. It didn't matter what Superman did at this point. He was going to play his part in this war. He just had to choose the path that put him in the most discomfort.
"Pathetic," said Ares in bemusement. "I can't believe I once wanted him as my champion."
While the Amazons proceeded to weaken him, Ares made his way to the base of the structure. Near one of the large boulders that lined the base, he came across Hippolyta, who was still in chains. He made sure she had a perfect view of the spectacle. Having nailed her chains to the boulder, she could do nothing but watch as her beloved Amazons carried out his will.
"Please don't do this, sisters. Do not submit yourself to this mad god's will!" Hippolyta cried out.
"Quit demeaning yourself, Hippolyta. You lost your authority as queen before I seized control of their spirits," said Ares. "I doubt they would listen to you, even if you still had your title."
"You're wrong! The Amazons are more honorable than this."
"Are they really?" he questioned. "I actually thought you'd enjoy this after watching your daughter battle the Annihilator Armor. Isn't this exactly the kind of retribution you Amazons seek? To humiliate a man just as you were humiliated?"
To better make his point, he grasped the former Amazon queen by the jaw and forced her to watch. She now had no choice by to see her beloved sisters assault, bludgeon, and humiliate a man who refused to fight back. To Hippolyta, it sickened her in a way that no torment ever could. Seeing the enraged eyes of her sisters and the sheer brutality with which they attacked this man showed no honor or justice. In this act, the Amazons were no longer warriors. They were something far worse.
"At least try to enjoy it," said Ares with a sneer. "It's not like this man is completely innocent. This is the same man that stole your daughter's heart and drove her to exile. If I recall, you wanted to do this to him years ago."
"No! Not like this. Nothing like this," said Hippolyta with growing sorrow.
"What if I told you he's had coitus your daughter on more than one occasion?" he added. "The way she fought so hard to save him, she probably enjoyed it immensely."
"It doesn't matter! I…I never wanted this. I never wanted anything of this!" she cried out.
"Then what recourse would you seek? I've heard your prayers. You and your precious Amazons preach such hatred towards man. I just gave them a chance to practice what you preach. Am I really the one at fault here? Even if this isn't what you wanted, this is what you've wrought."
His words stung almost as much as the terrible sight before her. Hippolyta could not say anything to contest them. Everything Ares said rang true. She and the Amazons built their culture around a rejection and hatred of men. That culture had sustained them for so long that she gave little thought to where it could lead. Now the former Amazon queen had the consequences of these traditions shoved in her face and it disgusted her.
Eventually, Hippolyta's sorrow overwhelmed her anger. She stopped struggling against Ares. She didn't even scold him. Her silence only affirmed what Ares already suspected. He finally let go of her and cast her a look of pity.
"Pathetic," he said, shaking his head. "The gods were wrong to make the Amazons their army. It wouldn't be the first time they misjudged an army either."
"You've made your point, Ares. I'm a fraud…a hypocrite…a failure," said Hippolyta solemnly.
"Then take comfort in the knowledge that your Amazons will be much stronger under my rule than they ever were under yours. They'll be on the front lines of my war. They'll share in the glory as we lay siege to the realm of mortal and god alike."
Ares left Hippolyta to wallow in her despair and prepared to take the final step towards launching his war. He let the Amazons rough Superman up for a bit longer, making sure he was too battered and bruised to resist. He still refused to fight back, only defending himself against the onslaught. This pathetic sense of morality left him so bruised and battered that the entire top part of his uniform had been shredded. His pained grunts along with the angry cries of the Amazons were so satisfying, but they were just a prelude.
When Ares finally approached the battered man, the Amazons obediently stepped aside for him. By the time he reached Superman, Aleka still had him in a choke hold. Her anger was particularly potent compared to the other Amazons. She had her sword to his neck, but she did not use it. She remained bound to Ares' will like the rest of her sisters.
"That's enough. Let him go," ordered Ares.
Aleka released him from her grip, allowing Superman to fall limply to the ground. He was still conscious, but utterly defeated. His entire upper body was littered with scratches, wounds, and bruised. Parts of his face were black and blue. Blood dripped from his nose and mouth. At this point, letting the Amazons finish him off would've been an act of mercy. But the God of War could afford no such mercy.
"All that punishment and you didn't throw one punch," said Ares as he loomed over him. "Tell me Superman, how does such righteousness make you feel?"
Superman didn't respond. He just spat blood out onto Ares' foot. He attempted to get up, but he was too weak. He was in no position to fight the God of War, let alone resist the fate that awaited him.
"Don't worry. Your discomfort won't last much longer. That I promise you."
With victory now tantalizingly close, Ares grabbed Superman by the neck again and retrieved the two magic lassos that had been used to keep him from getting away. He then ascended into the bleak skies and flew towards the tomb.
Within moments, they arrived at the seal. It was shaped like a giant lock, acting as the strongest link in the chain that kept Erebus imprisoned. Since it had no key, the only mechanism holding it together was a large diamond-shaped gem in the center. This gem radiated with a power that made it next to unbreakable by mortal or god. That power was destined to give way on this day. Using the lassos he retrieved earlier, he tied Superman to the center of this gem, binding his feet and wrapping tying each wrist individually so he couldn't struggle. Once secure, he grasped Superman's face one last time.
"I know you think me mad, Superman. But make no mistake – I do regret that it must come to this," he told the Man of Steel. "This war only became necessary when beings like you thought a weak order could bring about strong peace."
Superman didn't respond at first. He just glared at Ares, showing little fear or despair. He finally managed to send one final message to this deranged god.
"You'll…lose."
"And now I regret this just a little bit less," laughed Ares.
The time had finally come. With Superman in place, the Tomb of Erebus could now be open. The God of War got into position, flying back a few hundred feet from the seal. He remained in a steady hovering position. The first shot of his war could finally be fired.
Armed with his godly strength and the exotic power that he had been wielding since his escape from the Oblivion Prison, he channeled the power directly into the seal. He could feel the energy being generated by Apollo and Persephone from the mortal world. It flowed through him like a conduit, connecting the mortal realm and the realm of the gods. It proved strenuous, even for him. But the God of War would not relent, building up the energy until he could unleash it in the form of a concentrated beam. The blast lit up the bleak pits of Tartarus, creating a spark that would surely be felt from Olympus to the Underworld.
"Awaken Erebus!" proclaimed Ares. "Unleash your chaos and destroy this frail order once and for all. Come to me and we should build a new one for mortal and god alike!"
The first thing he heard was Superman letting out a pained cry. The second thing he heard was the gem fracturing under the power. As the cracks formed, the entire mound began to shake. After centuries of being entombed, this agent of pure chaos was ready to fuel his war. There would be no more need for cunning and deceit. From here on out, war in its purest form would reign supreme.
Up next: Allied Hearts