APOKOLIPS -
Beyond the palace, the planet's surface was a living inferno of industry and agony, massive forges exhaling fire into skies that never knew night, chains stretching between towers, and the distant, constant thunder of labor that never ended. Everything on Apokolips existed to serve Darkseid who sat calmly in his Oga throne.
Desaad stood several steps below the throne, head slightly bowed, hands folded. Even for him, a creature of cruelty, architect of suffering, this place demanded respect.
"I have delivered your ssage," Desaad said carefully. "Steppenwolf has been instructed to pressure the Shadow Monarch indirectly. To test him through his forces across the sectors."
Darkseid's eyes glowed red. "Good."
"Steppenwolf will die to the Shadow Monarch. That outco is… increasingly certain. However, in his failure, we will observe the full extent of the Shadow Monarch's capabilities. His reactions and his limitations, his pattern of response." Desaad explained.
Darkseid remained still and for a long mont, it seed as though he had not heard at all.
Then, quietly, he spoke.
"Desaad... I know Steppenwolf will fail in killing him."
Desaad's eyes narrowed slightly, but he lowered his head. "And yet," Desaad said, "you still permit the attempt."
Darkseid's gaze shifted slightly. "We will not provide him any assistance."
Desaad's lips curved faintly, "I did promise him support, my lord. Though… as always, your will supersedes mine."
Darkseid rose from the throne. "He is a fool, but he can still test him," Darkseid said. "From what I have observed… Earth has beco more… interesting."
Desaad's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The dinsional gateways," he said, understanding imdiately. "Yes, my lord. The disturbances have increased in frequency. We have reports confird multiple anomalies tied to Earth's surface."
Darkseid's expression did not change.
"I have glimpsed sothing within them," Darkseid said quietly. "A conflict, ancient and unresolved, one that mirrors our own war with New Genesis."
Desaad listened carefully now, the ntion of such comparison enough to demand full attention.
"And within it," Darkseid continued, "there is another presence they have not yet understood… but the shadow monarch on earth has already begun to speak of."
Desaad inclined his head.
"The one he has been looking for?"
Darkseid's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Dragon."
A subtle tension passed through Desaad's expression.
"You have been observing through that cyborg.." Desaad said softly. "Through their 'Justice League' network.. Efficient… as always, my lord."
Darkseid did not acknowledge the praise.
"The war between these forces will reveal much to us... Steppenwolf is a tool. Use him as you see fit, waste is irrelevant."
Desaad gave a slow, approving nod.
"As you command."
Darkseid's gaze sharpened.
"We will wait."
The word carried more authority than armies ever could.
"We will observe what erges when Death ets Destruction… and we will asure what becos of their soldiers under the pressure of war."
Desaad's smile returned, thin and knowing.
"I see your intent, my lord. Their strength is not in their current forms… but in what they can evolve into.."
Darkseid's voice followed.. "The beasts that attacked Earth are insufficient, strong… but not enough, what I require for my project… are dragons."
Desaad bowed his head slightly deeper.
"Then we will obtain what is needed. A sample, at minimum. Their biology, their very essence, none of it will remain beyond reach for long."
A brief hesitation passed through him, and when he spoke again, there was a rare edge of caution.
"If I may speak freely, my lord… it has been so ti since we made contact with Grail. Her assignnt remains incomplete. Shall we assu that she..."
Darkseid's gaze shifted slightly.
A small silence followed, then Darkseid spoke.
"I am aware."
Desaad stopped imdiately.
Darkseid's voice remained steady. "She will betray when the opportunity presents itself. That is her nature. And yet… she will still fulfill what I require before she does."
Desaad exhaled slowly, almost impressed despite himself.
"She is predictable in her ambition," he said.
Darkseid turned slightly, looking out into the burning expanse of Apokolips.
"That is why she is useful."
****
JUSTICE LEAGUE WATCHTOWER -
The Watchtower's main conference hall was crowded today. High above Earth, suspended in orbit, the room was lit by clean white lines and sounds of tech devices, the Justice League sat on one side of the circular table, watchful and accustod to impossible conversations.
Batman stood near the center, not seated, he was never seated when it mattered.
Beside him, Martian Manhunter observed in silence, Superman stood with arms folded, steady as always. Wonder Woman's posture was straight, regal, her gaze sharp and The Flash leaned back slightly in his chair, though even he wasn't fidgeting as much as usual. Hal Jordan hovered between irritation and curiosity, arms crossed, ring faintly glowing as if reacting to unfamiliar energies.
Because the guests were not ordinary guests.
They arrived together, though nothing about them suggested unity beyond purpose.
Six figures stood in a loose line before the League.
Martian Manhunter stepped forward slightly, his voice carrying a calm diplomatic tone.
"These are the Hunters, the very strongest out there." he said. "Individuals awakened across multiple nations, each chosen by what we are going to discuss now."
His gaze shifted as he introduced them one by one.
The first was a tall man from Germany, his armor layered in silver-white plates etched with faint golden script. His presence felt almost holy in design alone. He stood rigidly, eyes scanning the room like a soldier in a cathedral.
"Elias Kruger," Martian Manhunter said. "Germany, Guildmaster of Knight's Order Guild."
Next was a woman from Brazil, her hair tied back tightly, wearing lightweight hunter gear reinforced with jungle-worn plating. A long spear rested against her shoulder.
"Mariana lo," he continued. "Brazil, A Hunter from Verdant Fang Guild."
A third figure stepped forward, dressed in traditional samurai combat wear, decorated with magic talismans that pulsed faintly with energy.
"Renshiro," Martian Manhunter said. "Japan. Guildmaster of the Samurai Guild."
At that na, Batman's eyes shifted almost imperceptibly toward him.
Renshiro stood there calmly with a smug look on his face, he looked composed, even relaxed in a way that suggested confidence rather than comfort. The katana at his side wasn't just decoration, it was one of Hephastus finest pieces.
Beside him stood a broad-shouldered hunter from Nigeria, his armor marked with carved and woven with tribal patterns glowing faintly with mana under the Watchtower lights.
"Amari Okoye," Martian Manhunter said. "Nigeria. Guildmaster of the Super Eagles Guild."
A fifth one followed, a quiet man wrapped in heavy reinforced winter-grade combat gear despite the station's controlled climate. Frost-like energy occasionally shimred across his gloves.
"Ivan Petrov," Martian Manhunter said. "Russia. Guildmaster of The Northern Arrow Guild."
The sixth stood slightly apart.
Tall and lean, with dark brown hair streaked slightly with silver despite appearing no older than his mid-thirties, he carried himself with a calm confidence that imdiately separated him from the others.
Unlike Renshiro's overwhelming arrogance or Ivan's intimidating silence, this one projected a disciplined presence.
A dark navy coat rested over his shoulders while a slender rapier remained sheathed at his waist.
The weapon looked decorative at first glance.
Nothing about the man's eyes suggested otherwise.
"Jean pierre Gustave," Martian Manhunter finished. "France. Guildmaster of The Musketeer Guild."
Gustave inclined his head politely.
"A pleasure."
Even Wonder Woman studied him for a mont.
He looked like an experienced warrior and disciplined.
Six vessels.
Six fragnts of sothing none of them fully understood.
And then there was the seventh.
Not standing with them, not standing like them at all.
A teenager from Gotham sat at the edge of the seating area, legs slightly swinging above the floor. He looked uncomfortable in the Watchtower, he kept glancing at the League mbers, then at the others, as if waiting for soone to tell him this was a mistake.
Unlike the others, he looked entirely out of place.
He wore a newly issued Wayne Guild combat suit that still looked too clean, too new. He had no reputation known across continents yet.
Just a teenager from Gotham who kept glancing around the Watchtower like he expected soone to tell him he wasn't supposed to be here.
"Finally," Martian Manhunter said, "Ethan Jones. United States. Hunter of Wayne Guild."
The boy straightened imdiately.
"Uh... hi."
Flash smiled.
Renshiro looked at him once and then away again.
Ethan visibly shrank under the attention.
Martian Manhunter folded his hands behind his back and silence settled for a mont after the introductions.
Then Batman stepped forward.
His voice cut through the room cleanly, without warmth but without waste.
"Welco, Hunters. I believe you still have no idea why you've been called to the Justice League Watchtower."
A few of them exchanged glances. The Brazilian woman frowned slightly. The Russian hunter said nothing.
Elias Kruger The Hunter from Germany answered first.
"No," he said simply. "We do not."
A faint pause followed.
Batman's gaze moved slowly across them, lingering just a fraction longer on Renshiro before continuing.
"I thought one of you would have ntioned it already."
Renshiro t his gaze without flinching.
If anything, he looked mildly amused by the accusation, but he said nothing.
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This is important," Batman said. "So listen carefully."
/-\\
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