Chapter 166 : Darkness strikes!!!
In the midst of ruins, a cascade of ashes descended, akin to the weighty fall of snow.
In the desolation of the northern wind, the firelight swayed, casting Batman's eyes into deep shadows.
He had wrongly accused a noble soul, thinking he had found a kindred spirit. Yet, the other had sacrificed themselves in the blink of an eye.
With a solemn breath, Batman stooped down, shrouding the fallen with Superman's crimson cape. Gently, he lifted the lifeless form and presented it to Wonder Woman amidst the wreckage.
Diana gently laid Superman on the ground. In that moment, Lois rushed over in a panic, his eyes widening at the sight of Clark lying lifeless.
A serene peace enveloped him—no pain, just a tranquil slumber.
"Because you protected what mattered most, Superman departs without regrets!"
A profound sorrow hung in the air, and Lois, devoid of cries, knelt beside Superman, their faces held in silence, tears streaming down his beloved's face.
In the DCEU world, the lament of grief spread, leaving countless Earthlings covering their mouths, attempting to stifle their tears.
Knowing this was the foretold future did not diminish the reality of Superman's sacrifice for humanity. The media began to question and even disdain their actions, labeling Superman as a monstrous being. Ironically, they themselves were the malevolent force, and Superman the victim.
"Even gods can't match the sacrifice of a superhuman willing to die for humankind!"
In Times Square, a voice erupted from the crowd, resonating with the hearts of many.
In the Metropolitan Museum, a hint of mockery crossed Diana's lips—not directed at Superman but at the gods hiding in the realm of Olympus. When humanity faced adversity, those deities were conspicuously absent.
In the Batcave, Bruce Wayne delved into Clark Kent's information, vowing to prevent a recurrence. His bafflement lingered on why Superman would turn dark. Bruce, acknowledging Superman's unparalleled kindness, intuited that someone else was the instigator, absolving Superman from self-blame.
The scene shifted to the gas star spaceship, revealing Lex Luthor immersed in a muddy yellow liquid. A towering entity with a ferocious visage controlled three ominous black boxes. As soldiers closed in on Luthor, the formidable being dissipated with a roar.
Off-screen, Batman's eyes narrowed; it seemed Lex Luthor communicated with that horrifying entity, leaving an unsettling impression.
On Apocalypse, Darkseid slowly raised his head, prompting demons and dark elites to kneel. The dark lord spoke, addressing Steppenwolf, "How many worlds does he still owe me?"
The elderly woman with white hair lowered her head, responding, "Twenty-three thousand four hundred and fifty-six."
Darkseid nodded without uttering a word, his eyes flickering as if pondering something profound.
(Post-war, Lex Luthor found himself incarcerated!)
(That night, Batman paid Luthor a visit!)
[Luthor smirked fearlessly:]
["Why? Planning to interrogate a lunatic?"]
[Undergoing a procedure, he'd been declared mentally unstable, beyond the court's jurisdiction!"
[In the face of Luthor's smug laughter, Batman forcefully pressed him against the wall, malicious intent evident in his words:)
["Don't assume everything will be fine just because the law can't touch you!")
["There are plenty of facilities for the mentally ill!")
[Luthor sneered, dismissing the weak threat. "
[Yet in the next moment, Batman coldly declared:]
["But you won't be going there!"
["I've arranged for your transfer to Gotham's Arkham Asylum!]
["I've got old friends there, they'll take good care of you for me!")
[Luthor, composed for so long, finally showed a change in expression!]
[He knew that Arkham Asylum housed genuine deranged lunatics!]
[But in the following instant, he looked at Batman mockingly:]
["Do you think it's over?"
["The bells have tolled, and in the darkness, amidst the stars, they've heard my call!]
[As if foreseeing the future, Luthor laughed recklessly:)
[Friendly reminder, God is dead….)
In the dark, amid the stars... Is the enemy beyond Earth?
Batman speculates in his mind!
But this time, he made Superman sacrifice!
And on Mount Olympus, Zeus, the king of the gods, wore a troubled expression!
He had contemplated the shadows!
"Is Darkseid truly staging a comeback!!?"
"Let it not be so,
Zeus prayed inwardly, acknowledging the substantial decline in Olympus' strength over the years!
Many major gods have perished due to diminishing belief, their power now less than half of ancient times!
If Darkseid does invade Earth, it will be a catastrophe, sparing not the hidden realm of Olympus!
And with these thoughts, thunder rumbled in Zeus' eyes, and resentment etched across his face!
"Curse that Green Lantern guardian! One day, I shall lead the gods to OA Star!"
Shortly after the Great War, it was the interference of the Green Lantern Guardian that prevented the Olympian gods from continuing their rule over mankind!
With such a loss of miracles, faith began to wane little by little.
[The screen begins to flicker]
[Soon, news of Superman's demise spread across the globe.]
[Before the U.S. government, which had tried Superman, held him accountable, and ruthlessly attacked him with nuclear bombs, became Superman's most loyal supporter!)
[And shamelessly organized the highest standard military state funeral for Superman!]
[On that day, Metropolis was bustling with people, as everyone gathered along the main road to bid farewell to Superman!)
[However, the coffin that garnered much attention was nothing but an empty one!]
Offscreen, Batman sneered.
"This is the U.S. government, always prioritizing interests and appearances, even exploiting the sacrifices of the deceased."
(And on the Kent Farm, Superman's funeral was as simple as that of an ordinary human being buried, with a small-town priest delivering a eulogy!)
[Except for a select few, no one knew that the great Superman, who gave his life for mankind, was laid to rest in an ordinary cemetery, finding eternal peace.]
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