Disclaimer: I own nothing of the DC Universe.
Apokolips
Ten Years Later
Gaius sat alone at one of the long metal tables in the lunchroom, the dim flickering lights casting an eerie glow over the gray industrial surroundings. Like every other part of the orphanage, the lunchroom was a cold, sterile place devoid of warmth or comfort. Children huddled in groups, eating their meals in silence, their eyes darting around warily, always on guard for the next threat or punishment.
In front of Gaius was a bowl of gray, unappetizing soup-like material. It was thick and lumpy, with a texture that was more akin to sludge than food. He spooned it into his mouth mechanically, the taste as awful as always, but it sustained him. Each bite was a reminder of the harsh reality he lived in.
Around him, the overseers prowled, their sharp eyes watching every movement. They were quick to punish any perceived disobedience or weakness. Gaius had learned early on to keep his head down and avoid drawing attention. The constant fear of punishment hung in the air like a thick fog, choking any hope or joy that might have once existed.
As he ate, Gaius's mind drifted to the strange flashes of memory that occasionally invaded his thoughts. They were snippets of a different life, a different world. He saw images of tall buildings, vibrant colors, and people who seemed to be part of a grand story. It was as if his current environment wasn't real but part of a comic book. These flashes confused him, making him question his reality.
But he quickly dismissed them, deciding they were just fabrications of his brain, a defense mechanism to cope with the harshness of his life on Apokolips. He couldn't afford to be distracted by fantasies. Survival demanded his full attention.
More important to him were the faint, fragmented memories of a woman naming him Gaius. He didn't have many details—just the sound of her voice, the name she gave him, and a flash of silver amidst screams. He often wondered if she was his mother, if she was still alive somewhere in the vast universe, waiting for him to return to her.
Gaius was taken from his thoughts by the sound of a tray falling behind him. The clatter echoed through the lunchroom, drawing the attention of everyone present. He turned around to see a little girl with orange skin and a beak-like mouth standing in the center of the room, her eyes wide with fear. She had no feathers or wings, but her avian features carried an innocence that was rare on Apokolips.
Surrounding her were three bigger boys, well-known bullies who ruled over the other children with cruelty. Gaius recognized them immediately. Slobo, with his white skin, red eyes, and long black hair, was the ringleader. Beside him stood a reptilian boy named Limber, his scales glistening under the dim lights. The third was Umbra, a dark, gray-skinned boy with a perpetually sneering expression.
Gaius watched as the bullies taunted the girl, pushing her and knocking her tray out of her hands. She trembled, her large eyes filling with tears as she tried to pick up the scattered pieces of her meal. The overseers did nothing, their indifference a common occurrence if the children stayed within the building. It was a cruel world where the strong preyed on the weak, and cries for help were met with punishment rather than aid.
Gaius had learned to keep his head down, to avoid drawing attention. He had seen and heard the other children cry and beg to be let out, only to be beaten by the overseers for trying to reach the entrance doors. The memory of those beatings was enough to keep him in line, to make him avoid trouble with the other kids.
But something about the little girl's plight tugged at him. Perhaps it was her innocence, so out of place in the harsh environment, or maybe it was the memories of his own fear and helplessness.
Before he could stop himself, he stood up, leaving his bowl of sludge behind. He walked over to the group, his heart pounding in his chest. The bullies looked up, their expressions shifting from amusement to irritation as they saw him approach.
"Leave her alone," Gaius said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his insides.
Slobo sneered, stepping forward. "And who are you to tell us what to do?"
The three boys looked mencually on the shorter Gaius but he stood his ground. "Just leave her alone," he repeated, his fists clenched at his sides.
The reptilian boy hissed, baring his sharp teeth. "Or what? You'll fight us?"
Gaius glanced at the girl, who looked up at him with a mixture of hope and fear. He knew he couldn't back down now. "If I have to."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Slobo laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Fine. We'll leave her alone. For now." He shoved Gaius back, making him stumble. "But this isn't over."
With that, the bullies turned and walked away, leaving Gaius and the girl alone. She sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thank you," she whispered.
Gaius nodded, helping her pick up her tray. "What's your name?" he asked gently.
"Rhea," she replied, her voice trembling. "I'm Rhea."
"Nice to meet you, Rhea," Gaius said, offering her a small, encouraging smile. "Stick close to me, okay? We'll get through this."
As Gaius and Rhea sat back down at the table, the tension in the lunchroom slowly began to dissipate. The other children resumed their meals, though many continued to cast wary glances in Gaius's direction. He knew he had just made a statement, one that would likely have consequences.
"Why did you help me?" Rhea asked softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the lunchroom.
Gaius shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "It was the right thing to do," he said simply. "No one deserves to be treated like that."
Rhea nodded, a small, grateful smile forming on her lips. "Thank you," she repeated, her eyes shining with sincerity.
Before Gaius could respond, the heavy doors of the lunchroom creaked open, and the oppressive presence of Granny Goodness filled the space. The dim lights flickered more erratically, casting eerie shadows across her twisted, mocking smile. The overseers snapped to attention, their eyes wide with fear and respect.
The children's chatter died instantly, replaced by a palpable tension. Every child in the room knew what Granny's arrival meant—pain, trials, and the constant reminder of their grim existence. Gaius felt his heart pound in his chest as he watched Granny stride into the room, her cold eyes surveying them with a mixture of amusement and contempt.
"Attention, children!" one of the overseers barked, though it was hardly necessary. The presence of Granny Goodness had already commanded their full attention. "To the main hall, now!"
The children scrambled to their feet, the sound of clattering trays and hurried footsteps echoing in the silent room. The air was thick with dread, and Gaius felt it pressing down on him like a weight. He glanced at Rhea, who looked back at him with wide, fearful eyes. He put on a brave face, trying to offer her some comfort, though inside he was just as scared.
They walked in a tense, shuffling line towards the main hall, the overseers marching beside them, their expressions stern and unyielding. The children's fear was a living thing, palpable and suffocating. Gaius clenched his fists, determined to stay strong for Rhea, even though he didn't fully understand why he felt such a protective urge towards her.
The main hall was an empty, cavernous space, its cold, metallic walls amplifying the sound of their footsteps. The children huddled together in the center, their eyes darting around in terror. The overseers lined up against the walls, forming a grim perimeter. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and fear of the unknown.
Granny Goodness ascended to a raised platform at the front of the hall, her presence dominating the room. She gazed down at them with a smile that twisted her features into something grotesque and malevolent. The children stood in silent trepidation, their fear reflected in each other's eyes.
"Welcome, my little ones," Granny began, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You have all been brought to Apokolips by the hand of fate, by the will of the universe itself. You are here because you deserve to be here, because you have been chosen to serve the rightful lord of the universe, Darkseid."
Her words, though grand and inspiring in tone, were laced with malice and cruelty. Gaius felt a chill run down his spine as he listened, his heart hammering in his chest.
"But before you can serve Darkseid," Granny continued, her eyes narrowing, "you must prove your worth. You must undergo trials that will test your strength, your will, and your very essence. Only the strong will survive. Only the worthy will serve."
The children's eyes widened in horror, the reality of their situation sinking in. Gaius could see the fear etched on every face, feel it in the oppressive silence that followed Granny's speech.
"One such beginning test will start right away," Granny announced, her smile widening. She reached into her robes and pulled out a small remote. With a press of a button, the floor beneath them rumbled and began to part, revealing a staircase leading down to a well-lit tunnel.
Granny gestured grandly towards the stairs. "This tunnel leads to the testing room," she said. "Prove your worth, my little ones. Show that you deserve to serve Darkseid."
The children stood frozen, their fear paralyzing them. Gaius felt Rhea clutch his hand tightly, and he squeezed back, trying to offer what little comfort he could.
With a deep breath, Gaius stepped forward, taking a hesitant step down the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. Each footfall echoed ominously in the narrow space, amplifying his growing fear of some hidden trap. He descended slowly, his eyes darting around for any sign of danger. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all made of slick, smooth metal, gleaming under the stark lights. It was a tunnel devoid of any warmth or comfort, meticulously built but utterly lifeless. The sheer coldness of the space sent a shiver down his spine.
With each step, the sense of unease grew stronger. The tunnel felt wrong, like a cold, metallic maw ready to swallow them whole. Gaius didn't know why it unsettled him so much, but every instinct screamed at him to turn back. But there was no turning back.
Finally, he reached the ground floor and paused, taking in the unsettling surroundings. The tunnel stretched out before him in a single, unbroken path. There were no doors, no windows, nothing but the endless expanse of cold metal.
As Rhea reached the ground floor, Gaius turned to her, seeing the same fear reflected in her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and steady despite the dread gnawing at him.
Rhea nodded, but her eyes were wide, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. "I'm scared," she whispered.
Gaius squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Me too," he admitted. "But we have to stay strong. We'll get through this together."
Soon, the other children began to gather around them, their faces pale and anxious. They looked around the hallway, the sense of unease and fear palpable. The smooth, featureless walls seemed to close in on them, the cold metal reflecting their own terrified expressions.
Whispers of fear and curiosity spread through the group, their voices hushed and trembling. "What do you think is going to happen?" one child asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"I don't know," another replied, her eyes darting around nervously. "But it can't be good."
Gaius glanced back at the stairs, seeing the overseers standing at the top, watching them with cold, detached eyes. There was no going back. The only way was forward, into whatever horror awaited them in the testing room.
The air was thick with tension, every breath feeling heavy with dread. The children huddled closer together, instinctively seeking comfort in their shared fear. Gaius could feel the rising panic, the mounting sense of impending doom.
"We have to stay calm," he said, trying to steady his own racing heart. "Panicking won't help us."
The children nodded, though their fear was still evident. The smooth metal walls seemed to hum with anticipation, as if the hallway itself was aware of the terror it was about to unleash.
With a final, steadying breath, Gaius took a step forward, leading the way down the path. The children followed, their footsteps echoing in the lifeless corridor. Every step took them closer to the unknown, to whatever twisted trial Granny Goodness had prepared for them. The sense of horror loomed large, a dark shadow over their hearts.
As they moved deeper into the tunnel, the cold metal seemed to close in on them, the silence broken only by their nervous breathing and the soft padding of their feet.
As the children cautiously moved forward, the silence of the hallway was shattered by the sudden, loud clank of the stairs retracting back into the ceiling. The sound echoed ominously, causing the children to jump in fright. Gaius turned back just in time to see the top of the wall beginning to move downward at a steady, relentless pace.
His heart raced as the horrifying realization dawned on him: the walls were going to crush them. Panic surged through him, but he forced it down, knowing that if they didn't act quickly, they would all be doomed.
"Move it! Everyone, run!" Gaius screamed, his voice echoing off the cold metal walls.
The children stared at him for a moment, paralyzed by fear and confusion. The walls continued their slow, inevitable descent, the ceiling inching closer with every second.
"Now!" Gaius bellowed, his fear giving way to sheer urgency. "We have to get to the end of the tunnel before it crushes us!"
His words snapped the children out of their stupor. They began to run, their footsteps pounding against the metal floor. The sense of horror was palpable, the fear of the closing walls driving them forward.
Gaius stayed close to Rhea, pulling her along as they sprinted down the hallway. The smooth, featureless walls offered no handholds, no means of escape. The ceiling continued its relentless descent, the sound of grinding metal filling the air.
The hallway seemed endless, the light at the far end a distant beacon of hope. Gaius's lungs burned with exertion, but he didn't dare slow down. He could hear the panicked breathing and cries of the other children around him, the terror in their voices spurring him on.
The walls were closing in, the ceiling now low enough to force some of the taller children to duck.
"Keep going!" Gaius shouted; his voice hoarse. "We're almost there!"
The children pushed themselves harder, their fear lending them speed. The hallway was a gauntlet of terror, the walls a constant reminder of the impending doom that loomed over them. Gaius could feel the cold sweat on his skin, the taste of fear in his mouth.
They were so close now, the end of the hallway just within reach. But the ceiling was nearly upon them, the air filled with the screech of metal against metal. The children's cries grew more desperate, their movements more frantic.
Gaius could see the final stretch, the light at the end of the tunnel growing brighter. With a final, desperate burst of energy, he surged forward, pulling Rhea with him. They stumbled into the open space beyond the hallway, collapsing onto the ground, gasping for breath.
The remaining children followed, tumbling out of the hallway just as the ceiling came crashing down behind them with a deafening roar. The metal walls slammed shut, sealing off the path they had just traversed.
The silence that followed was overwhelming, broken only by the ragged breathing and soft sobs of the children. Gaius looked around, his heart still pounding, his body trembling with adrenaline and fear.
Granny Goodness hovered above them on her flying podium, her twisted smile wide and triumphant. "Congratulations, my little survivors," she crooned. "You have passed the first test. But remember, this is only the beginning. The trials ahead will be even more challenging."
Gaius looked up at her, his mind reeling from the ordeal they had just endured. The sense of horror was still there, lurking in the back of his mind, but he knew they couldn't afford to dwell on it. They had to stay strong, to keep moving forward.
As the children began to gather themselves, Gaius helped Rhea to her feet. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Rhea nodded, though her eyes were wide with lingering fear. "Thanks to you," she whispered.
Gaius offered her a reassuring smile, though his own fear was far from gone. "We have to stick together," he said, looking around at the other children. "That's the only way we're going to survive this."
With a heavy heart and a steely resolve, Gaius turned his gaze back to Granny Goodness, knowing that their ordeal was far from over. The sense of impending horror hung over them like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the world they were trapped in. But for now, they had survived. And that was something.
Gaius then took in the environment, his eyes widening as he surveyed the large arena they had entered. It was a colossal structure, with high walls that loomed menacingly above them, preventing any hope of escape. Not that they would have gotten the chance to do so, given the ever watchful eye of Granny and the omnipresent dread that filled the air.
In the center of the arena stood a small pyramid, its ominous presence dominating the space. The pyramid was composed of square platforms, each made up of long cylindrical segments arranged in a grid pattern. The segments were large enough for a single person to stand on, providing a stable surface, but the structure itself exuded a sense of precariousness and danger.
Gaius's eyes were drawn to two large metal pipes protruding from the walls, pointing down at the arena floor. They looked like the mouths of some monstrous creature, ready to spew forth whatever horrors Granny Goodness had in store for them. The arena itself resembled a giant bowl, designed to trap and contain them in their moments of terror.
Granny Goodness hovered above them on her flying podium, her malevolent smile wide and gleeful. "Welcome to the Tears of Pain," she announced, her voice echoing through the arena. "These tears are my sadness for your potential wasted in service to anything other than the Great Darkseid."
Her words dripped with false sorrow, the malice beneath them clear. Gaius felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched her, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
Granny's smile widened as she looked down at the children. "Now, my little ones, get on the pyramid," she commanded.
The children hesitated, their fear and confusion holding them back. Gaius could see the uncertainty in their eyes, the reluctance to move towards the ominous structure. But before anyone could muster the courage to step forward, a sudden rush of fluid burst from the pipes, pouring onto the arena floor.
"It's acid," Granny said sweetly, her voice carrying a sickeningly pleasant tone. "You might want to hurry."
Panic erupted among the children as they scrambled towards the pyramid, their previous hesitation forgotten in the face of the rising danger. Gaius grabbed Rhea's hand, pulling her along as they ran. The sound of their frantic footsteps and the gushing acid filled the air, creating a cacophony of fear.
They reached the pyramid, clambering onto the first platform just as the acid began to pool around its base. The children crowded together, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, their eyes wide with terror. Gaius looked around, seeing the relief and fear on their faces as they realized they had narrowly avoided the deadly liquid.
The acid continued to rise, quickly filling the surrounding arena. Gaius watched as it bubbled and hissed, its corrosive nature evident in the way it ate away at the ground. The pyramid provided a temporary refuge, but the sight of the acid inching higher served as a grim reminder of the danger they were still in.
Granny Goodness's voice echoed through the arena; her tone filled with twisted delight. "Congratulations, my little survivors. You've made it to the first step. But remember, this is only the beginning."
Gaius felt a mix of relief and dread as he looked around at the other children. They had avoided the acid, but the sense of impending horror still loomed large.
As they stood on the pyramid, the acid continuing to rise around them as it filled the arena, Gaius knew that they would have to stay strong and united to survive whatever came next. The arena's oppressive atmosphere pressed down on them, but for now they had managed to avoid the immediate threat. The collective sighs of relief from the children did little to alleviate the sense of dread that hung heavy in the air.
The initial relief of escaping the acid was short-lived. To the horror of Gaius and the other children, the acid began to rise onto the platform. The realization of impending doom set in swiftly. Those on the lower platforms scrambled desperately to climb higher, their movements frantic and uncoordinated. Gaius's heart pounded in his chest as he urged Rhea upward, knowing they had to move quickly to avoid the deadly fluid.
The children on the higher platforms, including Gaius and Rhea, were forced to climb even higher, the acid bubbling ominously beneath them. For a brief, fleeting moment, it seemed as though the acid would not rise any further. All of the children managed to escape its touch, clustering together on the remaining platforms. A few seconds of uneasy peace descended upon them.
Gaius used that moment to check on Rhea. She was on a higher platform, her eyes wide with fear, but she was unharmed. He reached out to her, their fingers brushing in a silent gesture of reassurance. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Rhea nodded, though her eyes were still filled with terror. "Yes," she whispered. "But what now?"
Before Gaius could respond, the acid began to rise again. The hissing sound of the corrosive liquid filled the air, and Granny Goodness's laughter echoed through the arena, a chilling contrast to the deadly situation. "This is my love for you," she crooned, her voice dripping with twisted affection.
The sense of horror mounted as the acid continued its relentless ascent. Gaius fought the urge to panic, his mind racing to find a way to keep them safe. The platform beneath their feet grew smaller as more children climbed higher, the acid threatening to engulf them all.
Two boys, one blue-skinned and the other Umbra, began to fight each other in desperation. Their struggle was frantic, driven by the mounting fear of the rising acid. Gaius watched in horror, unable to intervene as the chaos unfolded.
From a higher platform, Slobo's voice rang out, sharp and commanding despite the underlying fear. "Push him into the acid!" he ordered the gray-skinned boy, his voice a mix of authority and desperation. "Do it!"
Umbra hesitated for only a moment before obeying. With a brutal shove, he pushed the blue-skinned boy off the platform and into the acid below. The boy's screams filled the air, a high-pitched wail of agony that sent chills down Gaius's spine.
Gaius could only stare, his eyes wide with horror, as the acid began to dissolve the boy's flesh. The sight was gruesome, the acid eating away at the boy's skin, muscle, and bone. His screams grew more frantic, his body writhing in a desperate attempt to escape the searing pain.
The boy's screams eventually faded; his body reduced to a horrifying bubbling mass within the acid. The other children looked on in stunned silence, the reality of their predicament sinking in deeper with each passing second. The mounting fear was palpable, a dark cloud that hung over them, threatening to consume their sanity.
Granny Goodness continued to laugh; her voice filled with sadistic delight. "This is only the beginning, my little ones," she called out, her words echoing through the arena. "Prove your worth, and perhaps you will survive."
Gaius clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried to suppress the terror threatening to overwhelm him. He knew he had to stay strong, not just for himself, but for Rhea and the others who looked to him for guidance. The sense of horror and dread was overwhelming, but he couldn't afford to give in to panic. They had to survive, no matter what it took.
The remaining children desperately clambered onto the top platform, but there wasn't enough space for everyone. The panic and fear only intensified, and the pushing and shoving resumed with renewed vigor. More children were shoved off the platform, their screams of terror and agony echoing through the arena as they fell into the acid below. The sight of their bodies dissolving was a horrifying spectacle that Gaius couldn't tear his eyes away from.
Gaius stayed close to Rhea, his body a protective shield against the chaos around them. Suddenly, he saw Slobo making his way towards Rhea, his eyes filled with malice. Gaius's anger flared, and he lunged at Slobo just as he tried to shove Rhea into the acid.
"Leave her alone!" Gaius shouted; his voice filled with rage.
Slobo smirked, but before he could retort, Gaius pushed him back roughly. Slobo stumbled and withdrew from Gaius's reach, but his movements inadvertently pushed other children off the crowded platform. Their screams pierced the air as they fell into the acid, their cries of pain echoing in the cavernous space. Gaius was horrified by the sight and sound of their suffering, the reality of the situation sinking in deeper with each moment.
The acid continued to rise, but with the additional space created by the fallen children, there was just enough room for the remaining kids. The acid stopped just before reaching the top platform, the hissing and bubbling filling the air with a menacing reminder of their narrow escape. The children stood crowded together, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion. A heavy silence fell over them, the only sounds of their ragged breathing and the faint hum of the acid below.
Several minutes passed and nothing happened. Granny Goodness remained above them on her hovering platform, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. The children were too terrified to move, their minds racing with the horrors they had just witnessed. Gaius's thoughts were a whirlwind of fear, anger, and despair. He thought of the children who had fallen, their screams haunting his mind.
Finally, the acid began to recede, the level slowly lowering until the arena floor was once again visible. Granny Goodness started to clap slowly, the sound echoing through the arena with a mocking tone.
"Well done, my little survivors," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You have shown your strength and determination. This is just the beginning of your trials, but you have made a promising start. Remember, this is all for the glory of Darkseid."
Her words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the harsh reality they faced. Gaius stood with Rhea, their bodies trembling from the ordeal. The sense of horror and dread still lingered, but for now they had survived.
As the acid receded completely, the children were left to process the trauma they had endured. Gaius's mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions, the images of the dead burned into his memory.
Granny Goodness pressed a button on her belt, and a heavy, metallic door began to creak open on the opposite side of the arena from where the children had entered. The sound reverberated through the cavernous space, making the children's hearts pound with renewed fear and uncertainty.
"Listen closely, my little survivors," Granny's voice boomed, dripping with false benevolence. "You have shown a glimmer of potential, but now the real journey begins. You must make your way to Granny Goodness' Orphanage, where you will be trained to become mighty warriors in the service of Darkseid."
The children exchanged wary glances, unsure of what horrors lay ahead. Gaius felt his pulse quicken as he listened intently to every word.
"To get there," Granny continued, her smile widening maliciously, "you must travel through Armagetto."
A collective gasp escaped the children. Even on Apokolips, the name Armagetto was synonymous with danger and despair. It was a place where only the strongest survived, a labyrinth of streets filled with the most ruthless and desperate inhabitants.
"To motivate you," Granny said, her voice taking on a sickeningly sweet tone, "a Fury will be watching and encouraging you to press forward. Failure, however, has its consequences. If you disappoint me, the best you can hope for is to become hunger dogs, the lowest class of citizen on Apokolips. And if I'm not feeling generous, I might just ship you off to the brothels."
The children's eyes widened in horror as they stood there in silence.
"Now, move!" Granny commanded.
Gaius looked around at the other children, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion. He bent down to Rhea, who was trembling but still holding onto her resolve. "Climb onto my back," he said gently.
Rhea hesitated for a moment, then nodded and climbed onto Gaius's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Gaius could feel her small, trembling body pressed against his, and it gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He had to protect her, no matter what.
The small group of children began to move towards the open door, their steps hesitant but determined. The oppressive atmosphere of the arena was replaced by a different kind of dread as they stepped into the unknown.
The corridor beyond the door was dark and foreboding, lit only by sporadic, flickering lights. The air was thick with the smell of decay and sweat, and the distant sounds of screams and clashing metal could be heard, echoing through the narrow passageways.
Gaius led the way, his senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat, every sound a harbinger of doom. The other children followed closely, their eyes darting around in fear and anticipation.