57 The Light

Inside an ancient Mesopotamian building whose architectural beauty was preserved from the ravages of time, was a massive marbled table at the center of the construct; one big enough to host over thirty men.

But that ancient feasting table was not surrounded by jolly men drooling over food, instead it was surrounded by only five people –five beings who considered themselves to be masters of their crafts.

Gods of their domain; and superior to the average humans.

"Your disobedience of going after a magician in my father's absence will not be overlooked, Klarion." 

The voice was calm, almost without a shred of emotion.

"You went against the rules that were established even before the era of the son of god."

The woman was of a deep cashmere shade, with eyes that were of a pale brown –a perfect contrast to her dark beauty.

However, she wasn't a woman who was fragile.

"And for that you cannot go unpunished."

She was far from it.

With scars running down her forehead to her left cheek and another but smaller one running through her lips.

She was bold, fearless and of strong beliefs.

"How do you explain yourself?"

She was bold; she didn't care about physical beauty as she shaved her head almost entirely –leaving only enough hair on the back that she tied in a ponytail.

However–

Being bold did not equate to being powerful.

"First off…" The boy in question was not fazed by her words, instead he lazed over the marbled chair –putting his legs over the table. "I do not believe I have anything to explain to anyone."

Klarion was not someone that liked being ordered around. As a lord of chaos, he was naturally prideful and unsympathetic.

"Do not forget that I am one of the leaders of The Light," He reminded, "Possessing just as much authority as your father."

The truth was, Klarion was far superior to the woman's father.

"Do remember, Ishtar," he said as she released a fraction of his true power –causing everyone around to have difficulty breathing. "Your father does not order me, 'I' order him. Do remember that I made your father fall on his knees before me, even before you were born."

As he said that, a massive pressure fell on the people sitting across the table.

"You…"

Ishtar gritted her teeth, unhappy with the Witch Boy's behavior.

Surprisingly, the boy who seemed serious a moment ago –changed into a boy with a mischievous smile.

No.

It was not a mischievous smile, rather a sadistic one.

"Ah, it makes me quite happy when I remember the horrifying cries he made as I burnt him, drowned him, staked him and even made a million insects eat him alive." The Witch Boy's statement made the other three members shudder, "And I can do the same for you all… I don't remember any of you possessing even the slightest of the regenerative ability that Vandal possesses."

Vandal Savage was the founder of The Light.

The same group that started after defeating a Starro, that Klarion summoned to wreak havoc.

The same group that was formed by the sacrifice of Nabu, Vandal Savage's son and Ishtar's brother.

The Nabu who later became a Lord of Order and the soul inside the helmet of Doctor Fate.

And it was Klarion who was responsible for bringing great pain to her and her father. And yet he was now one of the leaders of The Light.

"We 'swore' to follow the rules that were made." Ishtar said, "We are not to stray from them or the Light will crumble down."

"We are supposed to succeed in the goal that we aimed for," Klarion corrected, "And that in my books does not include having to be a stickler for ancient rules."

Klarion was millions of years old as compared to Ishtar who was barely two millennia old.

"And I can achieve that with or without you all."

That was not a simple statement –it was both the truth and a warning.

"Vandal Savage knows that and has never gone against me," The Witch boy said, "He knows his limits and because of that I am helping him. After all, his goal also helps to provide me with excellent entertainment."

"And I can promise that we will achieve that goal." He assured.

Ishtar had no choice but to bite her lips and stay seated. None of the leaders of The Light had as much power and authority as Klarion.

Not even Vandal Savage.

"Our goal of erasing the weak and unfit and to establish the strongest as the apex beings worthy of the ever evolving future."

The great goal of The Light.

"Evolution of the worthy."

…

…

Penguin, Ivy, Zatanna, the assassins and in the future even Carol Ferris.

I needed these people to make the perfect setup and the perfect district.

But there was another who was important for the district that I had built.

"Serenora…" The man in front of me muttered, "Serene and… aura? It suggests an idyllic and peaceful place." He showed an interesting expression, "It might just be perfect for what you are trying to build."

This made me smile.

A district of light inside the cascading darkness of Gotham.

That's exactly what I am building.

"You already have enough investors," The man mused, "You even got Gotham's very own godfather, Penguin, to support you."

He seemed curious as he stared at me.

"So, why exactly do you want me to be a part of this project?"

This made me give the man a calm smile, "Because of the yields."

This made him raise an eyebrow, "Can you elaborate?"

"Gotham is the city of Batman." I said, "Villains can deny it as much as they like, but people know the place not because of them but because of Batman."

"I cannot disagree." He nodded, "And I have an inkling of a feeling that I know what you mean."

He wasn't one of the smartest humans for nothing.

"Intel." I said, "Every person wants intel on Batman and the Justice League. And I can provide you with that intel."

This made his eyes widen, "No one has been able to gather intel on Batman."

Definitely, but I was different.

I knew almost every little detail about him.

"I can only give you an offer," I said, "It is up to you if you want to believe my words or not, Luthor."

No sane man would have accepted the proposal, but this situation was different.

"I…" He was very curious, "What do you want in return? I am not a fool to think this can be free."

I had wrecked Superman and Batman once and most people knew about it. And while Luthor had a distaste for Superman, he didn't like Batman much either.

As Batman was almost always the brains behind Superman's movement.

So, Luthor wanted to see the Bat fall just as much as the villains of Gotham did.

"It is honestly very simple," I said, "Most know  you as the richest man in Metropolis. However, I am aware that you are also the strongest person in Metropolis… politically."

He didn't say anything and simply looked at me.

"And you are someone who can easily give access to anyone to start a business in Metropolis without the interference of the authorities."

He smiled, realizing the situation.

"You truly are shrewd," He said, "I can see how you rose so quickly in the hellhole called Gotham."

"And I am simply trying to do anything to turn my dream into reality." I gave a fake chuckle, "That includes expanding my business to different places."

"Intel on Justice League for uninterrupted access to Metropolis' business market." He smirked, "It is possible. Maybe not even a bad deal, but a single mistake and both of us will come burning down."

That we will if we make mistakes.

But in this case, a mistake was not even an option.

"And are you willing to take this risk?" 

This question made him show a full smile.

"I would be a fool for a minute if I accepted this proposal, but I would be a fool for life if I rejected it." He said, "So, I do accept."

Just as I thought, Luthor was smart and greedy.

He would never leave any chance to become stronger –be it politically, economically or even intellectually.

And with intel on Justice league, it could be considered all of those.

"Besides, I cannot say no to someone who had been able to subdue the man of steel," He said, "Which I hope you can tell me about."

"The story?" I asked with a raised eyebrow at which he nodded.

"Yes," He said, "And I hope that story includes the Red Sun Radiation and kryptonite."

Of course.

It was Alexander 'Lex' Luthor.

I knew exactly what he was doing.

But I still gave him a chuckle, "Of course."

After all, a trade had to be made both ways.

But a story did not always have to be truthful.

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[[A/N: Read 25+ chapters ahead on:

https://www.patreon.com/Greedyfrog

So, Marvel won in the poll which means I will be continuing the marvel: sandman story on Patreon and the moment it hits 25 chapters on Patreon, it will be released in WN.

The twist in that story will be that MC will be a hero, as in fighting from the side of the heroes.

]]