CHAPTER 128

Seated in the heart of his opulent office, Roman Sionis, the infamous Black Mask, reveled in an aura of absolute power. The room, a sanctuary of shadows and opulence, exuded an air of both danger and seduction, an embodiment of Black Mask's dual nature. As he reclined upon his throne-like leather chair, his piercing eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and malevolence. The report of the formidable newcomer in the criminal underworld had finally reached his ears—the enigmatic figure known only as Ghost. 

A smirk tugged at the corners of Black Mask's lips as he heard the name. "Ghost, huh? What kind of bizarre name is that?" he mused, his voice dripping with a venomous blend of amusement and disdain. The irony of his own chosen moniker was not lost on him, but Black Mask relished the theatricality of it all.

With a calculated sweep of his hand, Black Mask summoned his loyal subordinates, who materialized like shadows at his command. The room buzzed with an electric intensity as he addressed them, his voice a velvet-coated command that brooked no opposition. "Prepare yourselves, my faithful soldiers. Ghost has dared to steal our partners, claimed a few of our territories, and worm his way into the underground, he is now also a trusted broker. It is time to make him regret his audacity. We shall bring him down and reclaim what is rightfully ours."

The mood in the room shifted, palpable excitement mingling with an undercurrent of tension. Black Mask's unwavering confidence resonated with each member of his devoted entourage. His porcelain mask, a visage etched with a permanent expression of absolute menace, revealed nothing of the storm brewing beneath.

"Though Deathstroke may stand at Ghost's side, I trust in the men and weapons at our disposal," Black Mask continued, his voice now a low growl of determination. "We shall wage war upon his territories, striking fear into the hearts of his underlyings as we draw his ass put in the process. Oh,wait a minute." He said as he immediately stopped pacing around his office. "Before we launch our assault, we shall first tread a treacherous path of deception."

A sinister spark ignited in Black Mask's eyes, illuminating the dimly lit room like twin embers of malevolence. "Find a way to contact Ghost," he commanded, his voice a whisper laced with lethal intent. "Offer him a partnership he won't be able to refuse. We shall infiltrate his inner circle, worm our way into his confidences, and learn his every secret. And when the time is right, we shall sweep the rug from underneath his feet and snatch victory from his very grasp."

The room fell into an expectant silence, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the tense breaths of Black Mask's subordinates. Their faces, hidden behind masks that ranged from devilish grins to cold, unyielding stares, mirrored the anticipation and loyalty that fueled their allegiance to their ruthless leader.

As Black Mask leaned back in his chair, the luxurious leather creaked under his weight, echoing the weight of his ambitions. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the symbols of his power—an array of portraits adorning the walls, each a tribute to influential figures of the criminal underworld. The air itself seemed to reverberate with a heady mixture of the scent of aged books and the lingering aroma of his signature Cuban cigar, a fusion that imbued the room with an intoxicating allure.

Within the depths of Black Mask's mind, a tapestry of intricate schemes and manipulations unfurled, each thread woven with meticulous precision. As he envisaged the impending battle, a predatory smile played upon his lips, revealing the twisted pleasure he derived from orchestrating chaos. Every move, every maneuver, held the promise of dominance and destruction.

In the twisted dance of power and deception, Black Mask saw himself as the conductor, orchestrating a symphony of intrigue. With each passing moment, the suspense built, the tension thickening like a fog of uncertainty. His eyes gleamed with a dark fire as he envisioned the moment when Ghost's facade would crumble beneath the weight of his own machinations.

The stage would soon be set, the actors in position. The hunt for dominance had begun, and Black Mask would stop at nothing to claim victory, even if it meant sacrificing everything—friendships, alliances, and even fragments of his own twisted soul. For within the heart of this battle, amidst the chaos and bloodshed, lay the intoxicating elixir that fueled his very existence—the ultimate pursuit of power.

… 

Nonchalantly seated in the living room, the dimly lit space was illuminated by the flickering TV screen, its light casting dancing shadows on the walls. Jason lounged across from Leo, who seemed more engrossed in the book he was reading than the entertainment the television offered.

"So, Tom... Care to enlighten me on why you kidnapped me only to treat me like an old friend visiting for the weekend?" Jason drawled lazily, remote control in hand. "I figured staying calm and not making any rash moves was a wise choice, given how brutal you could be."

Leo interjected, munching on a bag of chips with a touch of irony. "You made the right call. I have no idea what he's truly capable of."

"I brought you here because I know how devastated you must have felt when you found out Joker was still roaming the streets, and Batman hadn't put him down yet or turned him into manure," I replied, deliberately prodding at his emotions to dissuade any thoughts of going back to Batman. To me, Jason was like a lost puppy, having strayed from his owner and now seeking a new path in life, a place to belong, and a family to trust, free from betrayal and the pressure of living up to expectations he feared he couldn't meet.

Jason's expression changed slightly, curiosity creeping into his widened eyes. "You mentioned that before. Tell me, how did you know I used to be Robin?"

"It's a long story, one I can't fully explain right now. Just know that I possess knowledge about this world that most would kill to have. I'm privy to the identities of most heroes and villains, and Leo here works for a man who knows a bit about everything—he's one of the most influential figures in the underworld," I said, nodding towards Leo, as Jason often called him by his last name.

"I'm sorry, but that sounds like a load of crap. Tell me more about this boss," Jason said, intrigued, muting the TV to give me his full attention.

"This boss is the kingpin of a vast criminal network that extends across the underground. He's considered a grand mob boss, with other notorious crime lords under his command. There's been rumors saying anyone who crosses him or rubs him the wrong way receives an unwanted 'gift' from him—a gift no one would ever want."

"A gift no one would want? But then it won't be a gift anymore, wouldn't it?" Jason mused, visibly intrigued by the idea.

"It's a box containing the bloodied head of their loved ones," I replied solemnly, relaying to him the rumors from the underground.

Leo, halfway through shoving a chip into his mouth, froze and turned to look at me. He then glanced at Jason, who tried to maintain his composure, but his pale face betrayed his concern. "That's not a gift anymore, is it?" Jason murmured. He had no one left but the Bat family, and they were the only ones he held dear to his heart. He had been prowling the streets at night, claiming territories and dismantling gangs, and now he feared he might have crossed paths with this mysterious boss.

*SIGH*

Leo sighed heavily, finally speaking up. "Remember, it's just a rumor. In short, my boss has taken an interest in you and wants you to join his cause."

"Which explains why you didn't kill me. But what the fuck do you mean by 'his cause'?" Jason questioned, his gaze darting between the two of us. "Don't look at me, he's the one who works for him," I quickly retorted, playfully raising my hands in defense.

"I can't fully explain it to you, especially considering your past as a hero. But he created a group known as the Outlaws, consisting of notorious individuals with unique skill sets."

"Care to mention a few?"

*UGHH*

"Patience, kid," Leo chided, smacking his forehead in mock exasperation while I laughed.

"Alright, listen closely, and I'll tell you more about them and why he wants you to be part of the Outlaws. Then, it's up to you to decide whether you want to keep playing vigilante, relying solely on your skills and tech as Batman does, or join a group with the power to clean up the streets and take down whoever stands in your way," I said, presenting Jason with a tempting choice.

"Okay, okay... Just stop beating around the fucking bush and spill the beans already," Jason demanded, now fully invested in the conversation.

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