Chapter 15: The Era of Blood

Bateman's body had become a weapon—an arsenal of unimaginable power, honed and tested through endless bloodshed. But now, as his influence grew, so did the anticipation of his next move. His experimentations had transformed him into something beyond human, something monstrous. He wasn't simply a man with abilities anymore—he was a harbinger of destruction, a force of nature poised to reshape the world in his image.

Preparing for War

Bateman sat in the darkened war room of the Secret Society, surrounded by his most trusted lieutenants. The walls, once adorned with the symbols of villains from all corners of the world, now displayed detailed maps, photos, and intelligence gathered on every major hero faction. This was no longer just a gathering of petty criminals and aspiring conquerors—it was an army, and Bateman was its general.

"What is our next move?" Lady Deathstrike asked, her voice tinged with both reverence and uncertainty. She had witnessed Bateman's transformation, and the respect she had for him was undeniable, but even she wondered just how far his ambitions would stretch.

"We begin with Gotham," Bateman said, his voice cold and calculating. "Wayne Enterprises is a symbol of hope. The city itself is a breeding ground for vigilantes. We strike at its core."

"The Bat?" asked Green Goblin, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "You really think we can take him on?"

Bateman's eyes narrowed as a cruel smile spread across his face. "The Bat is no different than the others. A man with too many secrets, too many weaknesses. It's time for him to face the truth."

Gotham's Dark Knight

Gotham's skyline glittered beneath a brooding sky. The city had always been a breeding ground for corruption, crime, and decay. The Batman had become its symbol of resistance, a man who stood against the darkness that consumed the city. But tonight, the darkness was coming for him.

Bateman stood on the rooftops, overlooking Gotham with a wicked sense of satisfaction. The city was his canvas, and tonight, he would paint it with the blood of the innocent. But it wasn't just about the chaos—it was about sending a message. Batman needed to understand that the world was changing, and he was no longer its protector.

Lady Deathstrike and Green Goblin followed him as they descended into the depths of Gotham's criminal underworld. The first target: a group of drug dealers with ties to organized crime, protected by Batman's network of vigilantes. Bateman's strike was swift and brutal, leaving bodies scattered across the street.

The Clash of Titans

As Bateman's forces surged through Gotham, chaos rippled through the streets. The Bat-Signal illuminated the sky, a desperate call for aid. Batman, fully aware of Bateman's activities, was already in the shadows, watching and waiting.

It was inevitable. The two men would meet.

The streets were silent as Bateman moved through Gotham's alleys, each step taken with calculated precision. He could feel the electric hum in the air—the tingling sensation of power coursing through his veins. He was stronger than ever, faster, more dangerous. Tonight, Batman would learn the true cost of defying him.

Batman emerged from the shadows, his cape billowing in the wind, the glint of his eyes cutting through the darkness. "I know what you're doing, Bateman. You're trying to tear Gotham apart."

Bateman's lips curled into a smirk. "I'm not tearing it apart, Bats. I'm freeing it."

Without warning, Bateman charged. The sheer force of his speed caught Batman off guard, but the Dark Knight quickly recovered, dodging to the side and using his gadgets to try and gain the upper hand. But Bateman was no ordinary foe. His reflexes were quicker, his senses sharper. He didn't just fight—he hunted.

The two clashed, blows landing with bone-crushing intensity. Bateman swung his sword, but Batman deflected the strike with his gauntlets, the metal clashing against metal. Electricity arced from Bateman's body, frying the air between them. Batman retaliated with a flurry of punches, but Bateman's strength had grown beyond what the Dark Knight was prepared for.

Bateman's fist landed squarely in Batman's chest, sending the vigilante crashing through a brick wall. Dust and debris flew through the air, and for a moment, Batman lay motionless. Bateman approached, each step a calculated march toward victory. But something stirred in Batman's chest.

The Blood God's Sacrifice

Though physically battered, Batman wasn't finished yet. As Bateman approached for the final blow, Batman activated his last-ditch effort: a series of explosive devices buried beneath the streets of Gotham. They went off with a deafening roar, sending shockwaves through the city.

Bateman was momentarily stunned, but he quickly regained his footing. The smoke cleared, and he saw Batman standing amidst the wreckage, bloodied but alive.

"You think you can destroy Gotham?" Batman spat, his voice gruff. "This city is more than just bricks and bones. It's the spirit of the people."

Bateman's gaze grew cold. "The spirit of the people?" He chuckled darkly. "It's broken, Batman. And I'm the one who's going to fix it."

With a roar of fury, Bateman unleashed his full power. His body crackled with electricity, surging outward in a violent wave. Batman fought back, throwing everything he had into the battle. But Bateman was too much.

At that moment, Bateman knew that he could do more than just tear down Gotham. He could bring an end to everything—an end to heroes, an end to hope, an end to the very idea of resistance.

But something held him back. The battle had pushed him to the edge, but there was something he needed to do. He needed to make Gotham, and the world, truly his.

The final act began as Bateman opened a hidden chamber in the depths of Gotham. It was there that he would sacrifice his enemies, using their powers to fuse his own. He would make the world his playground—his blood-soaked domain.

As Batman lay defeated, Bateman whispered to the dying man. "I'll be the one to save this world. I'll become more than a god. I'll become a force of nature itself."