Interlude: A King is Born!

[Interlude]

[Third Person]

[Gotham City]

Gotham City. A dark, gritty, inhospitable city that was home to some of the world's most vile and dangerous psychopaths. It was also home to the legendary Batman, leader of the Justice League.

Some might call his tactics and methods a little too harsh and brutal for a hero. But in truth, it was the only way to maintain order in a city teetering on the brink of anarchy.

It was a sad and wretched place. A city so crime-ridden that it inspired an entire family of superheroes. It also rained a lot, and the city seemed stuck in a perpetual gray, cloudy twilight.

Then there was the fact that it was New Jersey, a cursed land where an evil sorcerer was buried alive under the central island of what would one day become the most crime-ridden city in the entire world.

And as he lay in a state of torpor, his evil essence seeped into the ground, poisoning the land with his dark and corrupt touch. It was essentially a never-ending battle to protect those who tried to live peacefully in the city...

But unbeknownst to the Justice League and countless other beings who traverse the vastness of the cosmos, a covert plot was quietly taking shape.

This intricate plan, hidden from the prying eyes of even the most vigilant observers, held the promise of a profound revolution - a seismic shift that would penetrate to the very core of existence itself. 

Its effects would be monumental, fundamentally altering the delicate balance between the forces of good and evil. So momentous was its potential that even the Old Gods, ensconced on their celestial thrones, could not remain indifferent.

They would be forced to abandon their passive observation or risk being relegated to the annals of forgotten myth...

"What do you think?" the man asked, his voice charged with experience as he scanned the holographic screen before him, depicting a confrontation that could easily lead to planetary devastation.

Tall and imposing, the man exuded an aura of quiet authority that commanded respect. His frame was lean yet muscular, honed by years of rigorous training and battle-hardened experience. Long strands of pure white hair cascaded down his back, tied neatly in a ponytail that swayed with every calculated movement.

His face, partially obscured by the distinctive mask he wore, bore the marks of a life lived on the edge. Sharp angles and defined lines spoke of determination and resilience, while the single eye exposed by the mask held a piercing intensity, as if peering into the depths of the soul.

The fabric hugged his form, accentuating the contours of his physique, while hints of armor adorned his body, offering both protection and intimidation. Across his back, a collection of sword-shaped weapons gleamed in the dim light, each a testament to his skill as a master martial artist. At his side, a firearm rested snugly in its holster, a silent reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

But it was the belt around his waist that spoke volumes about his lethal skills. Its pouches and compartments held an arsenal of tools and gadgets, each meticulously organized and ready for use at a moment's notice. From lockpicks to throwing knives, each item served a purpose in his deadly repertoire.

[Picture ---> Slade Wilson/Deathstroke]

"And what a truly magnificent spectacle it unfolded to be, surpassing even the grandest of my expectations," Resonated a female voice, its timbre carrying an otherworldly authority that commanded attention, rendering it impossible for ordinary mortals to ignore.

"I sense in him the presence of an infinite source of power, a power so great that it strains the very limits of his being. His strength and aura exude a majesty befitting a future monarch of his stature, yet they remain raw, untamed, untapped - unaware of the boundless potential of the divine gifts that lie dormant within him".

She whispered, her voice filled with a sultry satisfaction that hinted at pleasures yet to be explored. As she spoke, her gaze lingered provocatively on the man of her desire, savoring every contour with unbridled desire. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile, a silent promise of pleasures yet to come, tantalizing and irresistible.

Meanwhile, the man in question maintained a stoic silence, choosing to observe and absorb rather than intrude on the ongoing discourse. She understood the delicate complexities of their collaboration, recognizing the critical point at which their meticulously crafted plans were ready to bear fruit.

"Yet despite his undeniable skill," the woman continued, her voice tinged with regret, "He lacks the discipline befitting a true leader. His approach to combat is instinctive, lacking the strategic acumen and tactical foresight necessary for effective leadership. While this deficiency is not insurmountable, it is a significant vulnerability that cannot be ignored. If he is to ascend to his rightful place as an undefeated ruler, ready to take on any would-be New God who seeks the title of 'God of Evil,' he must address this deficiency with the utmost urgency"

She stood before them, a woman of breathtaking beauty. Long locks of blonde hair framed her face, accentuating her piercing blue eyes. Her slightly sun-kissed complexion added to her allure, accentuating her sculpted figure and toned muscles.

Dressed in contemporary attire, two razor-sharp swords hung from her hips, giving her an exotic Amazonian aura that seemed to mark her as a deity walking among mortals.

[Picture ---> Gilotina/ Female Fury]

"I am pleased to hear your satisfaction," the man remarked, his tone calm and detached, embodying the demeanor of a seasoned professional. "It was no small feat to maneuver them into sending such a formidable team on this mission. It required significant financial investment and some well-placed favors to ensure that the League's higher-ups remained uninvolved."

"For a human, you are remarkably competent," the woman admitted, a hint of admiration coloring her voice. "Enlisting your help in my future endeavors was undoubtedly the right decision on my part."

The man offered a nonchalant shrug in response, as if such feats were second nature to someone of his caliber. "The most challenging aspect was undoubtedly orchestrating the activities of their proteges and sending a clear message to the Justice League mere moments before Rose and Lilith's assault on Cadmus."

He took another look at the unfolding battle, his expression pensive. "It seems that all our efforts were not in vain after all. In fact, it seems to have exceeded our expectations."

The woman's smile widened, her beauty radiant as she shook her head in agreement. "Indeed, flawlessly. My investment in Cadmus has borne the desired fruit, and now the true king stands ready to claim his rightful throne, ready to bend creation to his will."

The man took a sip of his drink, his smile betraying a satisfaction tinged with anticipation. "Then let us hope that our partnership continues into the future..."

The woman's response was solemn yet brimming with joy. "That will depend entirely on the new king's decree. I shall abide by his wishes, as will countless others who follow. With Apokolips and New Genesis united under his rule, we shall witness the birth of an eternal kingdom, destined to reign as the Fifth World's1 paramount center."

"I am sure your new king will be open to a future alliance with us. After all, he has already established ties with Rose and Lilith," the man said confidently. He nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of his position.

A smile spread across the Amazon's face at the suggestion. "Your daughter and protege are lucky that my king is a benevolent ruler. Otherwise, they would find themselves at the gates of the domain controlled by the Old God, who wields power over the hell of this world.

"Indeed," the man admitted with a hint of detachment, his voice as cold and pragmatic as that of a seasoned mercenary. "I was too lenient with them. Their easy victories over the younger members of the Justice League have made them arrogant and complacent."

"This life-and-death situation will serve as a valuable lesson for them. They must understand the gravity of their circumstances if they are to survive in a world that is becoming more dangerous every day."

The Amazon nodded, her expression softening. "They say you're heartless, only focused on the end result and your wealth. But from what I've witnessed, you truly care about those close to you."

The man paused, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes before he chuckled. "What can I say? I have a romantic side... One is my beloved daughter, and the other, her best friend, my protégé, whom I rescued and gave a new purpose."

"Oh, spare me," she replied with a grin, her attention momentarily diverted by the strange box in her hand. It gave off an inexplicable sensation, intriguing yet strange. She toyed with the box, a smile tugging at her lips as she noticed the faint glow at its center, accompanied by soft beeps indicating its potential activation.

"But why use an unknown DNA, one that even this little box could not determine its origin, for your future king? Why not something more familiar?" He asked, his curiosity piqued.

The Amazon fell silent for a moment, her tone serious. "This is something a mere human like you can't understand, but something from beyond the Source Wall is more precious than anything else"

With a keen interest gleaming in his eyes, the man leaned in, his attention fully captured by the unfolding narrative. "Please, indulge me further in the details of this story," he urged, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation, eager to uncover more layers of intrigue and mystery.

The woman hesitated for a moment, her uncertainty palpable. Yet, as the recognition of their alliance settled in, she spoke with a tone rich in sincere emotion. "Allow me to recount an ancient tale, born from the folly of the Ancient Gods, and from it emerged a new radiant light in the cosmos, the Fourth World2..."

With a shared understanding, they delved deeper into conversation, the woman weaving a narrative older than creation itself, ensuring that the future unfolded according to her deepest desires.

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A/N: I hope you enjoy the chapter as usual.

[+2 chapters to be released this week - https://www.patreon.com/Demon King22 ]

I apologize for the delay, but as you can imagine I have been very busy with studies. I wanted to wait before releasing some chapters on Patreon, but I am sorry to see you waiting when the chapter was already ready.

As for this chapter, I rewrote it from the old draft and tried to give as much explanation as possible, up to a point, to give a good context on everything that has happened and is yet to happen in the story.

Unlike last time, where the chapter felt too scattered, this time I found it much more interesting, as it opens up many theories about the future of the story and adds a feeling of mystery, which I found to be a good idea.

I also tried to go deeper and describe the various characters better, as it is obvious that not everyone is familiar with the DC Comics universe, and I thought a more detailed analysis was a good thing.

Those who have read my previous draft of the story can certainly pick up on a very important change, and I'm curious if you can figure it out. This is a very important object in the DC universe, which will be crucial for our protagonist in future battles against the most powerful beings in this universe.

The most interesting parts of the chapter are about the fourth and fifth worlds, very important topics for the New Gods. I conducted several searches on Reddit to better understand this concept, and added some of my own comments to provide a good starting point.

This chapter concludes the introductory arc of the story. I have done my best to make it as complete as possible without neglecting any plot details. From now on, I will try to speed up the pace of the narrative.

However, I want to keep the story developing slowly, as I want to give all the characters their proper space. As you may have noticed through the different narrative points of view, I have tried to show their thoughts, actions and especially what they think of the main character.

On the other hand, if you want to see something specific in the next chapters, or even just have some good advice for the story as a whole, I am always willing to read a comment if it is constructive criticism.

If you see any mistakes, I would be grateful if you would point them out to me, so that I can correct them when I have some spare time, and make the story as complete as possible for myself and especially for you.

To facilitate a clearer understanding, I've retained pictures of the respective characters. Your feedback is always valued, and if you have any suggestions for the upcoming chapter, please feel free to comment—I'll be sure to respond as usual.

Please leave a review if you like the story.

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