Chapter 10: Too Late

More chapters on my (P)atreon at Saintbarbido.

::-::

(General P.O.V)

Off on the coast of Mexico, 50 miles away from Playa Zipolite, the ocean roared under the massive storm sweeping towards the mainland.

A small sailboat struggled to stay afloat under the large waves and churning seawater. A man dressed in a yellow raincoat cursed as he pulled on the sails.

With expertise born out of years of sailing, he managed to line the sail boat to go up into the waves. He then dropped the anchor from the bow, ensuring that the waves wouldn't swamp him.

Just as he was about to sigh in relief, the turbulence suddenly increased in tempo. The water rose up in massive ripples as something huge broke through the surface. The sailor looked up, then up some more as the 'something' revealed itself to be a huge squid like creature.

It had a dozen huge tentacles, each the size of a red wood, waving around in the air. Spikes adorned the creature's numerous limbs. And a row of sharp teeth as big as the sailor, were arranged inside a jaw that looked strong enough to snap a cruise liner into two.

The man managed to catch a glimpse of something even crazier, which was saying something considering his situation. Inside a red shield, two men, stood on top of the creature, looking for all intents and purposes, comfortable.

Then one of them said something and the creature roared, whether in pain or anger, the sailor had no idea. His answer was answered in the next second. The creature's tentacles whipped through the air, towards the pair on top of its head.

It aggressively rammed the tentacle onto the shield with a crack of sound. The tentacle rebounded of it, and in retaliation, one of the men did something. Arcs of red lightning fell from the dark sky, hitting the creature and causing it to howl in pain.

The tentacles splashed water away as they heavily landed onto the surface of the ocean, birthing waves that pushed back the sail boat. The sailor could only watch in horror as huge waves hit his ship. The sails snapped and the sailboat capsized. The sailor yelled, falling into the deep dark ocean.

A second later, a pale blue man dressed in a red Costume, flew out of the ocean.

"No no! No! Dammit!"

Deadman cried out, horrified as he tried to look for the sailor's body. The body he had taken over to investigate the anomaly here.

But he couldn't see anything. Couldn't do anything. The waves were too strong and while possessing someone he didn't have access to most of his abilities like flight.

The ocean rocked as the Kraken released a loud screeching noise. Deadman turned his attention to the pair on top of it. Vandal Savage and...

"Klarion."

Deadman growled out, flying under the surface of the water while aided by his intangibility, all in order to pull in closer. Not too close however, otherwise a Lord of Chaos like Klarion would immediately sense him.

"...No Teekl the big bad Kraken doesn't want to play with you. We're not here to make friends!"

Deadman heard as he entered the body of the beast but didn't possess it.

"Mmm." Another voice hummed.

"Why is it not working?"

Vandal Savage's.

"I don't know. It's supposed to." Klarion complained just as Deadman arrived near the brain of the creature.

He was again thankful for his abilities. While his soul form was lacking in all biological functions, that didn't mean he couldn't perceive stimuli. In fact, he could selectively enhance his senses by this...field that was at all times around him.

That was what allowed him to hear the conversation through the layers of flesh separating him and the two. Too bad the range wasn't that big.

"Shut up you stupid Cat, of course I didn't mess up the spell!"

Klarion's voice sounded out once more, his tone was irritated.

There was a meow sound and then Klarion begun speaking again.

"You think I don't know what I'm doing?!"

Klarion raged.

"The spell was supposed to take the boy's stored spirit energy and use it on the Kraken's soul to initiate a change."

There was another meow.

"Of course I know what follows after that." He remarked in frustration.

"Once that was successful, we would move on to phase 2. Using the spirit energy on stupid Nabu to bring him to our side."

He begun giggling.

"I can't wait to see Mordred's face when they realize I have done something none of them could ever do. I bridged the gap between chaos and order! It will be priceless and so chaotic!"

There was an unimpressed meow.

"Just you wait Teekl. You'll see. You'll all see."

The Lord of Chaos swore dramatically.

"Has it gotten too quiet?"

Vandal Savage questioned out of the blue. Deadman's widened as he realized...he had possessed the Kraken without even knowing.

Suddenly, the tentacles of the creature whipped out at the red sphere. Deadman then rolled its huge form, to crash into the water, submerging Savage and Klarion.

The creature sank on its back, then a red light bloomed on its belly. With a powerful explosion that sent huge pieces of the Kraken's body flying for hundreds of meters, Klarion and Savage floated out on a flat disc construct.

"We had an eavesdropper."

Savage growled, stern eyes narrowing under the scars on his face.

(Elsewhere)

Miles away, Deadman flew out of the ocean onto the shore, escaping after jumping from one fish to another to hide his soul signature. Klarion was a master of magic and magic was one of Deadman's weaknesses.

He looked out into the turbulent clouds far into the distance.

"I gotta talk to Constantine. He'll know what to do."

The late Jason Brand, now Deadman took off into the early dawn.

(Davian's P.O.V)

The ground rumbled slightly.

Raven rose to the sky.

"You kept this... from us. From me?"

She questioned in an icy tone. Colder than I'd ever heard her.

Batman's jaw clenched. He stood still, staring back into Raven's eyes without fear.

"I had to. I couldn't trust that you wouldn't have tried to see for yourself. I couldn't let you leave. Not after..."

"Grandale."

Raven said in realization.

Batman narrowed his eyes underneath the mask.

"No. Waller. Task Force X. Grandale, Massachusetts would have come up later. A population of over 2000 died, the town was burnt to cinders."

Raven's cape flapped as her aura broke out of her in wide jagged streaks of power, striking the surroundings and tearing up the ground below.

"That was not my fault! I was the victim! They were the bad guys!"

I grabbed her hand. She turned to glare at me.

"You believe me? About Grandale?"

I looked into her completely black eyes and saw the pain there. The desperate plea.

"Yeah. I do. Completely."

I answered without hesitation.

"Batman, maybe we should..."

Robin begun but was interrupted by his mentor.

"Regardless. I couldn't risk it. You are the key to getting Waller."

I tightened my hold on Raven before she could jerk back.

"Stop."

I told her but she didn't hear.

Raven grit her teeth, palms lighting up as she glared at Batman. I reinforced my palm before the skin was burnt away by her aura. She pulled her hand away.

"That's it! I've had enough..."

Everyone started readying themselves. I head whimpering at the back from the kids watching us. The sun was already appearing over the horizon as well. People were waking up and fighting out in the open was not a good idea.

"Everybody stop!"

I came in between them.

"Raven."

She calmed down, breathing heavily. We stared at each other. And with her left side exposed to the light from the sun, she looked vulnerable.

"I know your worst fear."

I told her shaking my head.

"You're not like me. You're afraid of hurting people. So don't give 'him' a chance because he will hurt people. Don't lose control."

Raven looked stunned. Truth be told, she hadn't told me anything about 'him'. I only knew the bare bones. Everything else was from my past life. And now from the way she stared at me, I could tell that we were in for a long discussion after this.

I turned to face Batman and his posse. Knowing him, he'd already decided we weren't leaving. He had probably called in back up which is why he was antagonizing Raven. To stall for time. It was scary how much he had a read on how we would act or react. Pushing Raven, a little because he knew I would try to calm her down.

"You had a chance to apologize but instead, you made things worse."

I said to Batman then looked at Zatara.

"This is who he is. Arrogant and..."

"Shut the fuck up!"

Robin yelled.

"Spare us that bullshit!"

He snarled stalking forward.

"Robin."

Batman called out in a warning tone.

I kept quiet, something didn't add up.

"No! they need to know that it's not your fault."

He looked back.

Batman stepped forward.

"It's not essential. Justice League secrets are there for a reason. You hacked the computer again, didn't you?"

Robin refused to wilt under the glare.

"We'll talk about this later."

Batman promised.

"No. I want to hear what he has to say." I cut in.

Now I was curious.

"I saw a report on brainwashing in the log. It was considering different counters to mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and forced re-education."

Robin explained, turning to stare at me.

"Your blame is misplaced. Whatever happened, Batman was being mind-controlled. So don't act like the victim..."

A palm landed on his shoulder.

"That's enough."

Batman told him sternly.

He was mind controlled? Really? Even if that were true...it didn't lessen the hate, nor did it wipe away the past. It only made me conscious of the fact that even the heroes, no, especially the heroes got dealt the worst hand. It made me question what I wanted to be. What my place was in this crazy Superhero and Supervillain world.

As for being understanding, I snorted.

"Was that supposed to make me forgive him?"

I turned around, leaving a speechless Robin.

"Let's go, Raven. We're done here."

I stopped a little behind her, her feet level with the back of my shoulders. She wasn't saying anything or moving. I frowned.

"Raven?"

I called out, staring over my shoulder. She was hunched, her cloak around her form. Then darkness, deeper and more hollow than anything she had produced fell down to the floor.

"Raven?!"

I jumped away, Chesha Neko held before me. Batman, Zatara and Robin also made distance. I looked at Artemis who was shuffling the kids away through the Cathedral's side entrance. It led to a wide cemetery that arrived at a chain link fence that over looked a skate park. This was all according to the map we'd read before coming here.

"Haha..."

Raven laughed.

"Raven's not...here. Right now..."

Fuck. Dammit. It's too late.

It was like time stopped and the world lost all color.

(Davian's P.O.V)

The rays of the sun disappeared behind ominous clouds.

"Get out of my head!"

Raven's real voice sounded out.

"I sense something. You need to act now."

Chase immediately warned.

"And do what? I can't attack her!"

I shot back.

"Then try talking to her! Maybe she can fight this."

'I wasn't Naruto! Gah! Fine'

I sheathed Chesha Neko, raising my hands and approaching her slowly. The waves of demonic energy rippling out of her was awe-inspiring. Enough to almost overwhelm my knockoff Hiero.

"Raven? You can fight it..."

I yelled.

She let out a scream cradling her head. Her body remained afloat.

"I... I can't! Davian... I'm... I'm sorry."

"No... Raven!"

I grabbed the edge of her cloak.

Red beams of energy exploded out of her eyes, breaking through the clouds in one magnificent ray.

"You're too late."

The same voice from before said to me. My grip on her cloak slackened.

"Noooo!"

Raven screamed. Then the scream suddenly cut off.

Her body floated to the ground, though not all the way down. The tip of her toes was level with my shins, hair floating in waves on the air behind her, head slumped down. I placed my hands under her form, just as she fell to the ground, like a puppet without strings.

"Raven..."

I called out.

Something cut through the air, headed towards her.

I knocked away the Batarrang by throwing up a barrier of strings around Raven and I. My eyes blazed with anger.

"What is wrong with you?!"

I directed at Batman.

The string wall cut them off from us before he could answer.

(General P.O.V)

The magician whirled up ok Batman.

"Why did you attack first? What is going on Batman?!"

Zatara yelled, grabbing the Dark Knight's shoulder. Even Robin was looking at his mentor in concern.

Everything had happened so fast. One minute they were de-escalating the situation, the next, something possesses the girl. Giovanni had felt the demonic energy coming out of her. It had been a malicious and evil thing. He had frozen, just like the others except for the boy.

Then Bruce had attacked and the boy had created a yarn of strings that were around the whole street and entrance to the Cathedral, blocking the road. Thankfully this area was mostly used by joggers and cyclists. Who were scarce due to the season.

"Now is not the time, Giovanni!"

Batman shouted at his face, unstrapping the wrist computer from his broken left hand.

"According to the report, that girl is a gateway to another realm."

He explained.

"Whenever she loses control, something comes out. It briefly came out in Grandale. The whole town died. She's a walking nuclear bomb."

Zatara blinked, understanding the danger the city was in. He looked at his hands and saw what Batman had handed him. The wrist computer.

"Use it to..."

"Already done."

Robin spoke up from the side, using his own wrist computer to analyze the properties of the strings.

"Whoa." The young boy said in awe.

"I can't scan the material but the tensile strength is off the charts. This small thread is stronger than a composite material made out of Tungsten, titanium and steel. Breaking through will not be easy."

"Zatara can handle that. However, we might still need to call in the rest."

Batman informed Zatara.

Then he took a knee, closely watching the yarn of strings holding in Davian and Raven. Batman reached into his utility belt and removed a vial of blue liquid. He used a syringe, sinking in the needle at his left hand bicep with a grunt.

"Allow me."

Zatara told him, bending to his knees and performing a spell. A sling formed out of magic appeared over Batman's hand, holding it close to his chest.

"Maybe you should sit this one out."

Zatara said.

"I don't have a choice. This is my mess. Had I done things differently..." The Batman shook his head with a sigh.

"The minute those strings unravel, we are fighting. I won't let Gotham get burnt to the ground."

He said, determination pouring out of him.

(Davian's P.O.V)

I turned my eyes towards Raven and froze. She was no longer in my arms. My eyes were level with her thighs. Usually I wouldn't mind enjoying such a sight. However, my skin crawled with fear.

This smoke... There was dark smoke on the ground, pouring out of her cloak. Red eyes and whispers sounded out from the darkness. I gulped, getting to my feet. Raven was unnaturally still.

I stood up fully, making eye contact with her eyes.

They were red. And there were four of them. Her face was twisted in an evil grin.

I found myself frozen in place. I couldn't move. My limbs were locked up. My hand shook, my heart sped up and terror gripped me. Within those eyes, I had felt the calls of billions of sinners. The evil of countless worlds. They say the eyes were the windows to the soul.

The only thing I saw in Trigon's eyes was pure unfiltered evil. It was filthy energy.

"Your weak boy. But my daughter chose well for a companion. There is... something in you."

He spoke, walking around me in the little space inside my dome of strings.

"You can't even tell its strings. What is this power?"

He asked, studying the dome.

My jaw was locked up tight. I couldn't even speak.

"I see potential. And so, I give you a choice."

Raven appeared from the corner of my vision, running a finger over the purple shield.

Then she turned to me and I established eye contact with Trigon once more.

"Join me boy. You can rule under me. Become my daughter's servant. After a little reeducation of course. She needs to learn whose purpose she exists for. Mine."

He added.

Despite fighting literal bat monsters, mercenaries and snake men, this was the only time I had stood before something so alien, it defied common sense.

I could die here. I could die and go back to that place. To those gates.

"Snap out of it!"

Chase yelled.

"It's not you, the smoke is producing a fear inducing aura."

But something Trigon had said pissed me off. Re-education. There were no limits this fucker wouldn't go to have Raven do his bidding. Torture, brainwashing. I was suddenly relieved I had grown up without a father.

The anger gave me clarity. The fear wasn't real. I didn't have control of my body but I had control over Chesha Neko.

Sharp strings twined together to end in pointy ends that broke out around the handle of the weapon, in spikes. The spikes dug into my skin painfully. Easily piercing through because I had briefly deactivated reinforcement.

The pain was like an electric shock through my system. My hand rose up, about to release a Hado 4 straight at her chest, then follow it up with a wide Getsuga Tensho. But I stopped. This was Raven's body; I couldn't hurt her.

"Can't do it, can you?"

It seems Trigon knew it too as Raven's body floated there smugly, hands crossed over her chest.

Chesha Neko unraveled around my hand, forming a thick purple glove that I slammed onto Raven's chest.

The strings washed down her body, covering her completely. Her eyes widened but it was too late, the strings forming around her face as well. I clutched my palm into a fist, tightening the fabric around her, only leaving a few holes for her to breathe through.

The shield of yarn around us unraveled and immediately I found myself surrounded by the entire Justice League.

To my right Captain Atom, floated in midair, hands lighting up with energy. Then on the roof of a building overlooking the Cathedral was Green Arrow, crouching. Then Aquaman, wait... who's the old guy in the Flash costume? Black Canary, Green Lantern Hal Jordan I think, Hawkwoman, Hawkman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Zatara and finally Batman.

Wonder Woman hovered to the ground with raised hands.

"We're not here to fight."

The demi-god addressed me in a soft tone, no doubt noticing my tensed muscles.

I was about to answer when I saw the artifact on her hips.

"Your Lasso..." I realized.

"You can help her..."

The Lasso of Hestia compelled any and every one to speak the truth, without fail. If she used it on Raven, then Trigon would lose his hold on her.

"Hurry. Use the Lasso on her. We don't have a lot of time."

I pushed forward the bound Raven. The strings around her made it seem as if she was a mummy.

Wonder Woman looked at Batman and Zatara. The latter nodded.

"We will need you both to come in after this, son."

Blue costume, red cape flapping behind him, black hair and baby blue eyes. Not to mention the impressive physique. 'Comic book pretty' set some unrealistic standards. Superman looked more like a model who had decided to hit the gym 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for a decade without fail.

"Can we talk about this later?"

The minute Raven was back to her normal self, we were fighting our way out of here. There was no way I was going to allow myself to be captured by the League. Not after the Batman fiasco.

Wonder Woman used the Lasso, looping it around Raven before tightening it on her. I undid the strings covering her head. Raven opened her four eyes and laughed.

"I see we have some uninvited guests."

Her lips moved but the voice that came out was Trigon's.

Zatara did the sign of the cross. The rest of the League were also serious as they regarded her.

"Who are you?! The Lasso of Hestia, compels the truth out of you."

Wonder Woman commanded.

The Lasso glowed brighter. Raven's mouth opened.

"I...I...am He who has swallowed the sins of billions of worlds! Gods tremble at my presence! I am Trigon! The conqueror and the earth is mine!"

"Be careful my wielder, something is very wrong."

Chase spoke up in urgency.

"...Speak the truth! Who Are You!?"

Wonder Woman shouted once more, the Lasso's light growing brighter.

Raven's body jerked within my strings.

"It's not working..."

I covered her head with strings once more. Maybe I could suffocate her?

There was a streak of red lightning flashing across the sky.

Something fell on the back of my palm. A burning red clump that fizzled out and broke down into ash above my hardened skin. I looked up.

Snow was falling but it wasn't white. It was red.

"Is it just me, or is it raining burning snow?"

Robin asked from his mentor's side.

The clumps fell to the ground, covering the whole street, melting the snow on the ground and breaking apart the bricks.

"Amah! Ow! Be careful. This snow burns."

Black Canary informed the others.

A green umbrella construct formed above the group to block the falling snow, courtesy of Green Lantern.

"Trigon." Zatara muttered.

"If that's who we are dealing with, then we might need more than the League."

Zatara told the rest in a grim tone.

I stared at the Justice League. The World's premier superpower team.

"This is exactly what I was trying to avoid."

I glared at Batman. If only he hadn't pushed...

"For those who don't understand she's being possessed by an Inter-dimensional demon hell-bent on world domination."

"Oh, that's uh...bad. I'm not feeling too whelmed right now."

Robin muttered from the other side.

"Whelmed?"

Zatara wondered.

"It's a whole thing."

Boy Wonder shrugged.

"We probably don't have time for me to explain."

Meanwhile I was deep in a conversation with Chase. I looked at Raven. Trigon still had a hold on her. She wasn't moving yet...

"The lasso clearly isn't working. Any ideas on how we can break her out of it?"

I asked Chase.

"You don't have a choice...you will have to fight."

What about the Konso? Wait...that could actually work.

Right at that moment...an ominous circle flashed above the sky and the ground under us.

"That's what the snow was for..."

I finally understood. I didn't know much about magic but Raven had showed me a couple of things. The clumps of red snow were used as a medium to cast a spell.

"He was stalling for time! Everybody get back!..."

I grabbed onto my sheath, a green shield appearing around me as the explosion blasted through the air, destroying everything in one massive fiery wave. I was pushed away by the pressure blast. My back slamming through something hard, the sound of breaking glass muted by the roaring fires.

Light bloomed under my eye lids. Luckily my shield managed to hold.

I opened my eyes after what felt like 2 minutes.

I couldn't believe the sight in front of me. The bridge was in shambles, having fallen to the frozen river. The whole city...Gotham was nothing but a dark smog rising above the broken remains of burning skyscrapers and buildings.

I could hear over millions of screaming voices. The death...

Shadowy forms flew above the skyline, tending to the injured...no, not tending, the cloaked forms were waiting for them to die.

They were DC's version of Soul Reapers.

I looked around and saw nothing but destruction.

"Chase...what the fuck just happened?"

(Davian's P.O.V)

The city was burning, the flames casting an eerie orange glow against the dawning morning. Smoke filled the air, making it difficult to breathe, and the sound of sirens and screams echoed in the distance.

I floated down towards the ruins of the bridge. A few Shrouds broke off from the white blobs floating above the water. Those were the souls of the dead. We had caused this. My hand on the handle of Chesha Neko tightened.

I had dropped out of Shikai because the form was energy intensive and also using both the sheath for defense and my Shikai for offense was too much for my body to handle. The sheath was the only reason I escaped that blast.

I thought I'd been teleported but the reality was that my shield had been blown away for tens of miles by the shockwaves. I didn't harbor any hope that the others, barring the durable members of the League, had escaped the blast.

Artemis. And the kids. I closed my eyes, a lump of bitterness appearing in my throat. The explosion...seemed to have come out of Raven as well. Maybe she was ripped apart, maybe she was alive. Right there and then, the weight of failure was almost too much to bear. This was my reality now. I hadn't realized things could get this intense.

Trigon had been too powerful. And the city was destroyed. At least half the population was dead. If not, then they were going to. Fuck! Why did I allow Batman to antagonize her like that?! I should have...

"It wasn't your fault."

Chesha Neko spoke into my mind but I shook my head. It felt like it.

I closed my eyes, even this far I can still hear the echoes of screams and cries from victims.

Maybe I can help save those alive? The water under the bridge was icy cold with sheets of ice floating about on the surface. I wouldn't be enough but...

"Chase, you have an idea how I can locate those still alive and extract them with my strings?"

I asked my Zanpakuto while looking at the dark waters.

"I suppose you can use the spirits of death hovering about. Just follow one. Can you handle it?"

Chase asked at the end.

I grit my teeth looking at my Zanpakuto. I hadn't completed the training to completely master the Shikai. Too long in the form and I would feel a strain.

"I don't have a choice. Let's help who we can. When the authorities get here, we'll leave it to them and make it back to the Cathedral. We're going to crash straight through that thing."

I said out loud, staring at the black dome over the Gotham horizon.

It seemed to suck in the light from the sun. 'I'll save you Raven. And if I can't, I'll make sure to kill him for you.'

I held Chesha Neko before me in one hand. The metal on the longsword reflected my disheveled form. I had dark circles under my eyes. An effect of not getting enough rest due to training so hard. Am not even sure it was worth it, 'that' particular skill was still incomplete.

I shook my head. Can't get lost in thought. Luckily only a few seconds were lost. But those were precious too.

"Shikai!"

There was a flash of purple inside the green sphere.

I ducked under the bridge. A portion of the left side was hanging precariously. I used my strings to reinforce the metal and straighten it up enough that people could get out of their cars and help those injured.

Luckily there wasn't a lot of traffic yet. I could hear people taking pictures while I flew down nearer the water, going anywhere the Shrouds were gathered. I sent strings inside the water, creating a web that crawled through the metal panels and plates of sinking vehicles, grabbing anyone alive and sending them to the people on the intact part of the bridge.

This was the first time I had ever stretched myself out like this. At one time I saw a blur of red cut through the air from the east. A news chopper arrived along with a contingent of emergency services vehicles soon after. This coincided with my strings saving 56 people and recovering the bodies of 23.

By the end, my strings looked like a purple wire mesh built along the length of the bridge. They glowed in the morning rays of the sun. I left immediately.

Then I began sweeping across the city, headed towards the Cathedral. I dove down after any Shroud, checking for any people trapped or hurt. My strings helped me pull away the chunks of debris and if I wove them into fans, I could blow out the fires still burning.

More often than not, I found hurt people on the street, cradling injuries or the bodies of dead relatives. Most would look up and stretch out their hands towards me. I kept my face impassive as I flew deeper in, only helping those who absolutely needed it.

I passed over a residential stretch of buildings. There was a school bus parked on the roadside and people were already setting up an emergency zone to help those injured.

I increased my speed, diving down. I forgot that there were still people here who could help others. I landed on the ground, spooking the crowd. I stalked over at an old man walking towards me.

"Please leave, we do not want any trouble."

He said, holding a shot gun.

Immediately, most of the men manning the perimeter produced guns, pointing them at me.

I raised my hands, noticing the gang colors.

"Sorry. I don't mean any harm to your community. I was just wondering if I could direct those hurt here. The bridge is destroyed so it might take time before help arrives from the outside. The whole city was destroyed."

The worst part was that this was the outskirts of the explosions and there were buildings that were caved in. I had also found more bodies than I did people alive.

The old man looked behind him at the rest. A silent communication seemed to pass between him and an older woman in a wheelchair.

"Aight. Ma says yes."

I saw his eyes flash behind me and a brief surge of irritation coursed through me. He couldn't see it but he could probably feel it. The gloomy aura of death that hang around me.

A literal cloud of Shrouds followed after me from the bridge. They were yet to say anything and it was pissing me off.

I could sense them through my Reikaku. They were like tiny pinpricks of light. He handed over a walkie talkie.

"Just in case you need to coordinate with a few of our guys. The radio can also tap into the GCPD channel. Might help you figure out where you're needed."

"Alright."

I nodded at the man.

"Thanks."

From there, I ascended once more, locked inside my shield bubble.

"Hey Chase, I wonder, can I use the Shikai to stop bleeding or heal injuries?"

It was something I had been curious about.

"You would have better luck simply using the sheath for such a thing."

I stopped in place at his answer.

"Fuck, I feel like slapping myself for not seeing such an obvious thing."

Before I could do anything else, the Shrouds became restless accompanying the sounds of battle.

(General P.O.V) (a few minutes before)

A teleportation circle flashed on a smoldering park. The nearby trees were reduced to burning cinders and the pond to the far right was almost dried up.

"We're too late."

John Constantine said, covering his mouth with a white handkerchief. From within the circle another figure flew out. Deadman's eyes widened upon the destruction.

"Oh my god...it's all destroyed..."

The ghost hero said.

Constantine spat on the ground, staring up at the sky.

"Bloody Shrouds are everywhere."

He commented seeing the grim reapers on the sky.

One dove down towards a retail store and Deadman begun hurrying after it.

"Come on, we might save some before they die."

Constantine didn't move.

"We can't. You know we need to stop 'him'. And the only way we can do that is by calling in the big guns, we can't get through that shield without some help."

Over the burning buildings, news choppers flew above a huge black dome, covering an area of about a few hundred miles out of the 302 square miles that was Gotham City.

Constantine surveyed the park. He'd chosen this as the target of his teleportation because of the size of the land.

"This park will do. We just need to call him. Maybe he can rewind time or kick Trigon's ass or point us in the right direction. I need you to lend..."

Constantine stopped.

Deadman was never this quiet.

"Brand?"

Constantine asked, looking back. He sighed, Deadman was gone.

"That heroic idiot!"

Constantine shook his head.

The exorcist pulled out two white gloves with occult symbols from within his trench coat pockets.

He wore them before clapping his hands together, a magic seal appeared above the symbols on the gloves.

"Ok, here we go. This spell will leave me weakened for a few minutes but as long as I can get him here then..."

A rumble, as something crashed down next to him, disrupted the spell. The ground broke apart and Constantine struggled to keep his balance. The magical energy he was holding on to, went out of control, causing a powerful discharge that pushed Constantine away, sending him straight through the remains of a tree trunk.

Constantine groaned in pain. His palms were covered in burns and his chest was exposed, lacerations and soot from burnt clothes on the skin. The gloves were destroyed.

"Bloody hell. I feel like I just went 20 rounds with Etrigan."

He said, dragged himself up, leaning on the frame of a bench while patting his chest pockets.

"Bullocks...that was my last pack."

He mourned the loss of his cigarettes, sitting on the bench while breathing heavily.

Magic backlash wasn't something you could just shake off. The pain went deep into his soul. He decided to take a breather but something grabbed his attention.

Before him, inside a crater, 2 pairs of red glowing eyes appeared. The dust settled revealing Superman. He had the fingers of his right hand wrapped around Green Arrow's neck.

The Archer was struggling to get away but couldn't budge, sweat matted his forehead and his costume was frayed and burnt.

He grabbed an arrow from his quiver, twirling it in his palm before trying to plunge it through Superman's side.

A streak of red lightning passed through the park and The Flash, Jay Garrick appeared, holding up the arrow. He too had 2 pairs of red glowing eyes. He sneered, looking at the arrow in his hands.

"Kryptonite."

Superman's frown increased as he turned his attention to the Archer.

"Typical, you and Bruce are the same."

His red eyes begun to glow.

"Hey big guy!"

Constantine called out, leaning on the bench.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size? I think you might find Solomon Grundy's lumbering form in the swamps."

Constantine would be the first to tell you he was a reckless individual. There was a reason he didn't have friends. Most of them died along the way. At times like these even he cursed his own reckless. Provoking a possessed Superman was a bad idea.

The two possessed heroes turned to stare at him.

"You..."

The Flash growled out.

"Lovely morning. John Constantine, notorious conman, grifter and exorcist, at your service. But for you, the last part is what you should be worried of."

Superman narrowed his eyes.

"Your reputation precedes you."

The demon inside said.

"We know who you are. Hellblazer, The Laughing Magician. Lord Trigon would be happy to meet and torture the man who outsmarts and rebukes gods."

The Demon inside the Flash said.

Constantine frowned.

"If you really knew me...you would have already killed m..."

Time slowed down as the Flash slipped into his super speed, headed towards Constantine with his vibrating hand pulled back in a Killing blow. Keeping Constantine alive for long was a bad idea.

He got within distance in the space between heartbeats.

Then a blast of light exploded outwards as the Flash slammed into a shield. His body bounced off, the cloak of lightning around him clashing with the spiritual energy along the shield.

Lightning sparked out, washing through the ground and creating another crater at the epicenter.

The dust died out as Superman let go of Green Arrow to face the new threat. Constantine's eyes widened as a crowd of Shrouds floated around a figure.

Purple light glowed and with a sudden flash of light, strings covered Green Arrow and pulled him through the ground, pulling him away from Superman.

"Show yourself coward!"

Superman announced, floating to the sky as his four red eyes glowed with power. The dust settled, revealing a young man, white hair waving around in the air.

He was crouched inside a green shield, a sheath on the chest of Green Arrow, healing him. Davian stood up to his full height, just a little over 6'1.

He twirled the sword in his hands, a blast of Reiryoku rippling out in a pressure wave. The shrouds seemed to hover around the raised sword. Then he brought it down, pointing it at Superman.

"Let them go, Demon. I'll only say it once."

(General P.O.V)

The reporter's voice crackled over the radio in the helicopter as they flew over the devastated city of Gotham.

"Good morning, this is Rebecca from Channel 7 News, reporting live from above Gotham City. As you can see, the city has been completely decimated by an unknown explosion that occurred earlier today. Witnesses on the outskirts of the city, report flashes of purple and black energy in the sky above Gotham just before the explosion. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but the devastation it has left behind is undeniable."

The camera panned out to show the full extent of the damage. The once-bustling city was now a sea of rubble and destruction. Buildings lay in ruins, some still burning. The smog and smoke covered the skyline completely and the streets were filled with debris and dust. The camera then zoomed in on the collapsed bridge that connected Gotham to the mainland.

"As you can see in front of me, the bridge that connects Gotham to the mainland has collapsed. It appears that the explosion was so powerful that it caused the bridge to cave in. Emergency services are working tirelessly to rescue those who are trapped, but it's unclear how many people have been affected."

Rebecca's voice was filled with emotion as she continued to report on the devastation.

"What is that?"

The pilot asked, diving closer to the bridge. There was a man floating inside a green bubble shield, around him was an intricate web of purple strings that were reinforcing the bridge and saving the people stuck inside cars that were submerged in the water.

Rebecca leaned forward.

"Follow him!" She commanded, scooting closer to the edge of her seat. She had on an awed expression. The purple mesh of strings glowed beautifully in the morning sun.

"You're seeing it first here on Channel 7 news folks! The first responders and it's not the government or emergency services. Whoever this metahuman is, villain or hero or vigilante, he's putting himself on the line to save those he can."

The man who had on a red Oni mask and white hair waving behind him, briefly stared up at them before zooming past, leaving them behind.

He was too fast to follow so the pilot banked right again, showing more of the burning city.

"People across the world are saddened and surprised by what has happened here in Gotham today. It's a city that has already suffered so much, and now this. We don't know who or what is responsible for this attack, but we will continue to investigate and bring you the latest updates as we receive them."

The camera continued to capture scenes of the destruction, showing the people of Gotham picking through the rubble of their once-beautiful city. The reporter's voice grew quieter as she struggled to find the right words to describe the scene.

"It's hard to put into words this devastation. The people of Gotham are strong, but I can't imagine how they must be feeling right now. All we can do is hope that those who have been affected can find some comfort and support in each other during this difficult time."

With that, the camera panned out once more, showing the full extent of the damage caused by the explosion, in doing that, the black dome that was over the commercial district appeared on the edge of the camera's line of sight.

Rebecca nudged her news crew mate with her heel, motioning towards the black dome stretching out for over a hundred square miles.

The camera man understood, lining up the camera and zooming in on the dome.

"The only conclusive report we are sure of is that the explosion has something to do with that Black Dome."

Rebecca's voice was ominous.

(Davian's P.O.V)

"And who are you supposed to be?"

Superman asked.

"Does it matter? Another weakling casualty."

The Flash snarled, picking himself off the ground and streaking towards the shield.

He landed over a million punches across the length of the shield in a matter of seconds. The shield rippled and trembled but held.

I placed a palm flat on the interior of the shield.

"Hado 5: Akai Inazuma!"

If Hado no.4 was pale lightning, then I came up with my own variation. I didn't know a lot about Kido. During practice I had decided to pour more energy into the chant than usual.

The result was while Byakurai could be controlled, Akai Inazuma (red lightning) was a wild and uncontrolled blast of lightning.

The lightning covered the shield jumping over to the Flash. The speedster released a loud scream, his body locking up painfully before the Akai Inazuma seemed to be absorbed by him. he opened his four eyes in glee. His mouth opened up in a gasp.

"Such...power..."

"Well, that clearly didn't work. I think you supercharged him instead of dealing damage."

Chase said, the Flash's body begun vibrating and producing dark red lightning. The punches this time were harder and faster.

"I'm going to rip you apart boy!"

He promised.

The shield rippled dangerously, and I could feel the mental strain from using so many abilities at once.

'Fuck. I'm more tired than I thought if I slipped up like that. Stupid! Of course a speedster can absorb lightning in some form.' I thought, pulling in more energy from the core to reinforce the shield.

"Stop panicking."

Came Chase's voice.

"I'm not..."

My words died out as another punch landed in a tenth of a tenth of a second made the shield tremble. My hands were heavy and my knees weak. I realized, yeah I was panicking.

"The Flash and Superman...they scare me more than anyone. One is busted due to possessing so many powers. The other has one ability. Speed taken to the limits. He could kill me before I even knew it. And both of them are possessed by demons."

I told Chase.

Not to mention, my shield, one that had survived a massive explosion just a couple hours before, was now on the verge of breaking under the onslaught of a speedster. Superman was yet to even make a move. He hovered in the sky, looking down with his arms crossed over his chest. His face was set in a mocking expression. As if I was nothing but dirt under his shoe.

"Good. You have assessed your situation." Chase started in a confident tone.

"The only thing left is to defeat them. Right now you're too weak to fight a direct battle. So use your head."

I looked up at the rippling shield.

'Use my head huh?'

My eyes narrowed. How can you beat a speedster? Incapacitate them. Or restrict their power. If that fails...deny them traction. The red streaks continued landing blows on my shield. I reinforced my eyes as much as I could. I still couldn't see his form as he moved. But I didn't have to track him. I only needed to see what he would do once in a while.

"The Archer is stable."

Chase told me and I grabbed the Sheath Off Green Arrow, dismissing the shield at the perfect time.

That instant was just as the Flash's vibrating hand passed over my shoulder. Chesha Neko swung out, there wasn't time to avoid killing blows. The Flash had regeneration so he could handle fatal blows.

The sword passed through him like a hot knife through butter. There was no resistant. His body faded away into an afterimage. Even at such close range he was still fast enough to avoid me. I had accounted for that.

Reikaku didn't work on anyone with low spirit energy. The Flash's ability allowed him to tap into the Dimension of power that governed time. It was entirely different from spirit energy. So it didn't show up in my Reikaku as much as you would expect. The solution to this was a different application of my strings.

A few strands of spirit energy threads, inter spaced above my skin like thin caterpillar hairs, vibrated as they sensed the distortion of air molecules. Something was speeding towards me from the left.

'Now.'

I sent as much power as I could afford to my legs, the pants ripped apart. My Purple Reiryoku briefly flashed blue from the heels. I felt myself briefly connect with something foreign. A power that clashed against my spirit energy. The collision seemed to manifest as purple streaks of lightning.

'Shunpo.'

Time seemed to stop.

My body was vaulted to the side of the Flash as I escaped his bullrush. I reached out with a finger, touching one of my strings hanging in the air, it seemed to undulate with power. A power that was exuded by the speed force aura coursing through The Possessed Flash.

The shrouds above me had increased in number. When before they were over a dozen, now there seemed to be over a hundred. As if I was the eye of a massive typhoon formed by their black robed forms.

I looked around again. Superman was still hovering in place. Like a dictator looking down at those he deemed unworthy to breath the same air as him. On the other side was Constantine. He was still on the bench but this time his face was set in an intense expression. His eyes were sharp and he seemed to be staring at my previous position.

Time had really stopped. My hand seemed to be covered by a boiling energy, sparks of power blazing through the air. My whole body and any strings connected to it seemed to vibrate. No, time hadn't stopped. I was the one who was too fast. Then my body decided to remind me that it was already under too much strain, not including the speed force.

I started to slow down. The Flash's legs begun moving. His unfocused eyes followed me, beginning to widen in surprise. Then the trap was sprung. His feet tripped on a few invisible wires. The thin strands cut through his speed force aura before slicing through skin, flesh and bone.

The Flash tumbled through the ground with a wordless scream. His legs bled profusely. His feet from the ankles to the soles were cleanly detached from his shins.

Time begun moving normally. A dark red shadow escaped from the Flash's mouth with a screech.

Strings covered The Flash from head to toe, creating a cocoon before I pulled him towards me. I placed the sheath above the cocoon and begun the process of healing the speedster.

I sped up the process by using thin wires to attach the feet to his shins. Blood loss was the only thing he had to worry about.

Fortunately for me he seemed to have experienced a shock and passed out. Either because of the demon leaving him or the pain, we were spared the screams of agony one might expect from someone who had just had their feet severed.

"Bullocks mate. That was decidedly cruel."

Constantine commented from the bench, through my Reikaku, he appeared as a large bonfire. I felt him shift in place before standing up and walking towards me.

Even while doing all that, my eyes never left The Man of Steel's own. There was nothing I was warier of than an attack from the Kryptonian. If Constantine was a large bonfire, Superman was like the sun. I felt insignificant before him.

"Don't worry. The sheath will heal him."

I told Constantine who was watching the green glow suffusing the cocoon with the Flash inside.

I felt movement through my Reikaku, that same sun that made me feel insignificant was descending to the ground. Superman's cape flapped behind him as he flew down.

His descent slowed and mere inches from the scorched grass, his soles stopped. Constantine tensed, left hand going inside his trouser pockets.

"I can exorcise it but I'll need you to keep him busy, lad."

Constantine stated.

"How do you take down an unstoppable force like Superman?"

I asked Chase, standing up and preparing myself.

"He already underestimates you. Play off that."

Chase advised.

"I'll have to use 'that' skill."

I told him, stepping around Green Arrow.

Chase was silent for a while before speaking.

"Normally I would call you stupid. However, I don't think you have a choice. However, you know what this means right?"

I nodded.

"I do."

I called every string I had created or branched off. The whole park begun flashing with glowing threads that converged in my position. The Shrouds flew higher to escape the strings. Superman still watched me impassively.

Then I felt the first of the strings pierce through my skin. The network of threads spread out across my body.

I gritted my teeth at the pain. My eyes never left Superman's. Such arrogance. To stand and watch an enemy power up.

My eyes flashed purple. Reiryoku roared around my body as new intricate clothes formed around me. A skin tight costume made up of Chesha Neko's strings, stretching through my body, going deep into my cells. Into my mitochondria.

Power unlike nothing I had ever felt before suffused my entire body.

"Chesha Neko: Life Fibers!"

(General P.O.V)

The ground was hit by tremors along the street, shaking the concrete and the burning rubble above it. Sirens sounded from far away. The sun's rays pierced through the smoke, highlighting the devastation. A huge piece of a skyscraper blocked the street, glass from the windows covering the tarmac.

There was a shift in the debris and a ghostly figure dressed in a pale white tuxedo with coattails, a top hat and a monocle above a non-existent face, phased through the wreckage.

Gentleman Ghost watched the ground as a small vine sprouted through. Then the vine grew, pushing away the debris. Concrete rumbled as the wreckage rolled off the entrance to the Tin Roof Club.

Something covered the doors. The remains of a pod, the outer skin scorched by heat from the explosion. A creation by Poison Ivy to protect the glass doors once they saw the utterly massive fire mushroom blooming from afar. Then the shockwaves had hit and it was all Ivy could do to reinforce the interior with multiple vines.

"That was too close."

Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman said while walking out. Then she jumped, using her whip to grab onto a rebar from a piece of concrete sticking out. Then she pulled herself up onto the roof of the Tin Roof Club. And at such a height, Catwoman had a wide view of the city.

She removed her mask, her face set in an expression of immense shock.

"Oh God."

Selina didn't have a lot of close friends, but those she did, she treasured. With the state the city was in, most of its inhabitants would likely be dead.

For her personally, the news didn't get any better. There was a massive hole at the back of the tin roof building.

"This is bad..."

She brought a palm to her face. After all the effort she had put in to this...

"Wait up!"

A cheerful voice called out from within the club. Catwoman wiped away a lone tear, her face hardening.

Ivy and Harley broke through the entrance riding on top of a massive vine.

"Hold on."

Poison Ivy told Harley.

"Wheee!"

Harley screamed in glee as she held onto a spike.

The vine begun stretching towards the sky, crawling along the length of the collapsed Skyscraper towards Catwoman. An emergency services aircraft whizzed past their heads just as the vine crested over the broken building, depositing them onto the roof.

"Oh..."

Harley blinked. Her grip on the baseball bat she had with her, tightened. Harley was mad. The back portion of Selina's club was missing. Harley knew how much this place meant to Selina.

Her anger only increased as she saw the collapsed sign of her favorite restaurant a street over. Julio didn't care that she used to roll with Mistah J. And he had really good Tamales.

"Someone's gonna pay." She said hoisting her bat.

"I loved Julio's!"

"Who else thinks this destruction has something to do with that Black dome?"

Ivy pointed out.

"Maybe. But the Justice League can handle it."

Catwoman said coldly, scrolling through her phone.

"No cell service."

She told them.

Harley could see the slight working of Selina's neck muscles. Selina was mad as hell. She was just hiding it better. Harley also knew she was sad.

"Pardon the intrusion, but I believe the cell towers must be down."

Gentleman Ghost said, floating towards them.

"Now that I have ensured you ladies are safe; I best be going. I am not particularly useful in these types of situations."

"Thanks Jimmy!"

Harley shouted after him in false cheer. Gentleman Ghost stiffened.

"It's James, miss Harley. You can address me by Gentleman Ghost if you prefer to be more formal."

He replied like he had a few times before. One might think he would give up. She was Harley Quinn, craziest broad in Gotham!

"Ok Jimmy!"

Harley called out as the spirit flew away.

"What are you thinking?"

Ivy crossed her hands, staring at Catwoman, who was sitting on the edge of the roof. The latter sighed, getting up to her feet.

"Obviously this is less than ideal. Business will slow down as the insurance company rebuilds this place. They'll fight me on it. Which means, I might start relying on my...'hobbies' for a short period of time."

She recited but there was no real passion behind it.

"Huh guys?"

Harley called out but the other two ignored her.

"No. Selina. I know you."

Ivy shook her head.

"Don't use that excuse to close shop. I know how hard you have worked for this place. You're not going to give up on it."

Catwoman shrugged.

"Maybe it's a sign. I've only had this place open for a month and we've already had a few incidents. Maybe I'm lying to myself Ives. I'm no good with the quiet life. I haven't earned it."

She said, turning around to walk away.

"We should leave before the rest of the club caves in."

"Huh guys..."

Harley called out again.

Poison Ivy grabbed Catwoman's arm.

"The Selina I know wouldn't give up that easily."

"The Selina you know would tell you we have other things to worry about. The city is in shambles. By the time they organize rescue services it might be too late for some. We need to help. There's no one else Ivy. Batman is one man. He can't save this dump alone. We have to help."

She concluded, wearing her mask.

Ivy knew this was Catwoman's way to change the subject.

Harley tugged on Ivy's sleeve.

"Huh guys? There's something headed..."

Before the statement was over, a heavy impact smashed onto the skyscraper.

The three of them found themselves thrown to the air by the resulting pressure wave. A shower of metal, concrete and glass exploded outwards.

(Davian's P.O.V)

"You can't stay in this form for too long. You have no mastery of it. You risk death."

Chase warned.

I looked down at my hand, everything was tinted purple. That was because I wasn't seeing through my eyes, I was seeing through my strings. Perceiving the fine strands waving in the air, reacting to any movement. Paired up with Reikaku and I acquired a sort of enhanced Proprioception. I knew where everything was.

Enhanced senses, check.

I made a fist with my hand. The skin was clad in a fine layer of strings woven together in a costume that covered me completely. The costume was similar to what a Black Panther would wear. Only mine was purple and lacked any aesthetics. Like I said, it was an incomplete skill. That's not to say it was lacking. The outfit was padded in places where I compressed the strands into tough plates to block attacks.

To complete the look was my red oni mask and my white Soul Reaper Haori which flapped in the air.

I felt Constantine place a card on the ground. Then through Reikaku, magic power was funneled to the soil of the park as he chanted too low for me to hear. He was doing his part. Time for me to do mine.

People were already pouring out of the buildings. I even spotted a man on a kite gliding through the air. The streets over were blocked by collapsed buildings but those who could were headed towards the bridge that would take them out of the city.

I constructed two huge stop signs on either side of the street. I was hoping they would notice it and stay away.

Superman and I were about to break Gotham again.

"You allowed us to take down your companion. Why?"

I enquired.

"Why not?"

He shot back in dismissal.

"He was a weakling. A weakling that turned out to be less than useless for our master's plan. If you hadn't dealt with him yourself, I would have."

To punctuate his statement, his four eyes begun glowing.

"The other one was impulsive. This one is arrogant. You can use that to your advantage."

Chase advised. With the Life Fibers skill, I could probably tank a few blows before Constantine managed to exorcise him. Play off his arrogance huh.

I tilted my head to the side.

"You might have Superman's body, but you're just a poor imitation to what he can actually do."

I shrugged and continued,

"Your friend might have been a weakling but at least he had the speed working for him. What have you done instead of floating in place with a giant stick up your ass?"

I mocked.

"I know I said use his arrogance to your advantage but I didn't mean make him furious."

Chase pointed out.

"Trust me."

I replied. There was no reason to...

Oof! One second I was upright, facing off against the Man of Steel and the next I was breaking through the remains of trees as the mad Kryptonian slammed into me faster than I was expecting.

His eyes lit up as we cleared the length of the park. Then my back was rammed against the wall of a wrecked Target store. Cracks spread out from the impact in a spider web formation.

"You will die for your insolence!"

He roared in my face.

Superman pulled back his fist and brought it hurtling towards my head. I brought my forearms together, thickening the padding and creating a small diamond shaped shield. There was a loud bang as I received the attack easily.

He looked shocked for a second before clenching his jaw.

"Diee! Human!"

His eyes lit up and I immediately extended the shield to cover my whole body. The impact this time, made my ears bleed. The heat from the heat vision scorched my strings and I found myself pushed through the walls and into the store.

I tore off a chunk of the counter, my body shredding a piece of the wallpaper lining the walls before I broke through to another room.

Cries sounded out as I quickly scrambled to my feet.

"There's people here."

I told Chase seeing a few staff hiding behind the couch in the break room.

"You can't afford to have a fight near them."

Chase replied.

He was right. Not to mention, I was steadily growing more confident. I could take his punches. Which means, I could now start retaliating. The instant four glowing red eyes appeared through the dust covering the hole I had created with my body, I made my move.

'Shunpo!'

My body launched forward. This time the Shunpo was clean and more than that I was faster than before. It was almost a double increase in speed.

I slammed onto his chest and pushed the two of us out of the store, controlling my strings to both propel and hold me in the air by way of telekinetic control over them. A streak of blue and purple cut through the morning air, ascending to the sky.

Then he simply decided to stop. It was jarring and almost caught me off guard. His double fist landed on my back and the blow was like nothing I had ever felt before. Breath left my lungs as I crashed onto the street, carving out a wide groove.

"Get up!"

Chase's voice came in not a minute too late as I flipped away, dodging the stomp that made the ground cave in. The whole section fell down into the tunnels under Gotham. I stomped down on my shock. If that had been me... I shook my head, hanging in the air with an arm pointed down at him.

"Hado no 4: Byakurai!"

A jagged piece of lightning streaked out towards him, humming with power. The attack landed, pushing him back slightly. I dove after him, pulling my fist back and landing a punch to his jaw.

His head whipped to the side. I leaned out of the way of a haymaker that was literally world breaking. A pressure wave erupted out of the fist.

"It's like you said, he doesn't know how to use that strength."

Chase told me.

It was true. These devastating attacks were terribly telegraphed. I dodged another punch that easily destroyed a part of a collapsed building. Each miss was making him madder.

"Stop running away!"

He shouted, his chest inflating. Oh shit.

The entire street was awash with freezing breath, causing ice to form along the whole street. It had the consequence of putting out the fires though.

Kido was the only thing that had shown to be effective even just a little. And Superman had a weakness for magic right? Maybe that's why he got hurt. I evaded the attack by taking flight.

"Hado 5: Akai Inazuma."

Predictably, Superman followed after me. His body plowed through the red lightning but he wasn't unhurt. His body smoked, the erratic and wild red electric energy causing him pain to the point he howled. And that gave me a chance to come down on top of him with an axe kick.

He hit the ground face first and formed a crater. I landed on his back with both knees.

"Hado 5: Akai Inazuma!"

Another blast of Kido and his body locked up. Even his suit was lightly scorched.

"Hado 5: Akai Inazuma!"

Another blast and he went limp. I dragged myself away from his body, breathing out a sigh of relief.

Wait, where is the red smoke...

"Got you!"

My leg was pulled out from under me. Then I was slammed face first onto the ground. Then again. And again.

Superman wound up and threw me away. I flipped uncontrollably through the air. My back bloomed with heat, no doubt from his heat vision and I did my best to reinforce the strings, creating more to take the place of the ones destroyed.

"Dammit!"

I could only manage to slow down somewhat before I crashed unto a collapsed Skyscraper, metal and glass giving way until I landed on something hard. I lay inside the wreck of what might have been an office space for a few seconds, stunned.

"You let your guard down. You shouldn't have done that."

Chase tskd.

"He tricked me. Didn't think his arrogance would let him play possum."

I hadn't seen that coming. In retrospect, I should have. He's a demon after all.

The piece of skyscraper started groaning as something pushed through the open window panels.

"Is that a vine?"

Chase asked.

On the other hand, I was internally groaning. My attention was stolen by who was standing on top of the vine. Harley fucking Quinn.

"Oh hiya Cop killer?!"

She waved from a far.