Chapter 22: Into the Rift

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The ruins trembled as Alexander stood before the rift, his black armor gleaming under the muted light. The intricate Valorian runes on his gauntlets began to glow, pulsing with an ancient energy as he prepared to open the tear between dimensions. The Justice League, gathered behind him, watched intently. The weight of the mission was clear on every face; they knew the risks, yet none hesitated.

Batman, ever the tactician, stepped forward, his voice low and controlled. "Remember," he said, looking at each member of the team, "this isn't just about rescuing The Flash and his villains. We're dealing with hostile terrain, unknown creatures, and the Inferiors. Follow the plan—get in, get out, and avoid engaging unless absolutely necessary."

Alexander glanced over his shoulder, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "The longer you stay in the rift, the weaker you'll become. The corruption here doesn't just affect the mind—it eats away at your very essence. The Inferiors thrive in this realm. They'll try to break you before they kill you."

The atmosphere grew heavier, the silence palpable as Alexander reached out and activated the rift. The air shimmered before them, crackling with an otherworldly energy. As the portal slowly expanded, it revealed a twisted, barren landscape—a dead valley, where the ground was scorched and jagged black spires jutted from the earth like the bones of a fallen giant. Above them, a sky of red hung ominously, casting everything in an eerie, blood-soaked hue.

"hmm... that's weird" Superman voiced out to the group as he did the others looked at him 

"What is it?" Wonder Woman inquired softly but before Superman could reply the gruff voice of Batman snapped them back "Look up"

"Red sun..." Superman scowled "Not just any red sun... a sickly one" Alexander replied 

"What do you mean, Sickly one?" Aquaman inquired but Cyborg was the one who answered him "The radiation in this place is about a thousand times that in Chernobyl"

"I can't feel anything... no I actually feel weaker" Superman clenched his fist testing his strength

"Same... We're going to their home turf now," Alexander said, his voice grim as his cells... his atoms screamed to him to run away from this place "Remember—anything and everything in there will want to kill you."

Wonder Woman stepped forward, her lasso coiled at her side, her eyes hard with resolve. "We won't leave anyone behind."

With a nod from Batman, the team moved into action. They crossed through the rift, entering the Inferiors' realm, and immediately felt the shift in the air—a heaviness that pressed down on their bodies, making even breathing seem like a chore. The ground beneath their feet crumbled with each step, the air thick with ash and the distant howls of unseen creatures. 

In the distance, a massive metropolis loomed—dark towers rising from the ground, surrounded by dense, labyrinthine streets. Alexander had warned them—this city was filled with monsters, twisted versions of beings from countless worlds. They would have to fight through it to locate the Flash, his villains, and the innocent civilians trapped in this nightmarish realm.

The mission was clear: split into two groups. One would cause a massive distraction, drawing as many of the creatures and Inferiors away as possible, while the other would slip into the city, locate the survivors, and extract them before the corruption set in too deeply.

Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Green Arrow formed the first group, preparing to wreak havoc and pull the Inferiors' forces toward them. Superman, Batman, and Zatanna would lead the second team, using Zatanna's magic to locate the survivors and Superman's strength to clear the way.

Alexander turned to Zatanna as the portal swirled behind them. "Can you track them?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

She nodded, her face tight with concentration. "I can feel The Flash's energy—it's faint, but it's there." She hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning the city's distant horizon. "But it's scattered... fragmented. It's like they're all in different parts of the city."

"We'll have to move fast," Batman said, his voice sharp. "Get in, extract them, and get out. The distraction team will give us time, but not much."

With a final nod, the heroes moved into position. Green Lantern used his power ring to create a massive construct—a glowing green battering ram—that he slammed into the side of the city walls. The impact was deafening, sending shockwaves through the twisted metropolis. As the dust settled, monsters began pouring out of the city streets—orc-like creatures, beasts with multiple heads, and grotesque amalgamations of different species, their roars filling the air.

Wonder Woman and Green Arrow immediately launched into action, cutting down waves of enemies, drawing more and more attention as the chaos of their assault grew. The distraction was working. 

Meanwhile, Superman and the second team rushed into the heart of the city, following Zatanna's magical tracking. They moved with precision, dodging traps and fighting off smaller groups of creatures that had stayed behind. The streets were **dark**, filled with twisted structures that seemed to shift and pulse like living things.

After what felt like an eternity, they located their first group of survivors—The Flash and his villains, all unconscious, bound together in a massive arena-like structure. Around them, the twisted forms of monsters jeered and roared, cheering for blood.

"We've got them!" Zatanna whispered, eyes wide as she motioned toward the unconscious forms. But before they could move in, the ground beneath them shook, and a horrific sound echoed through the city. The heroes turned, and standing in their path were three massive Inferiors, towering figures with glowing eyes and twisted grins.

The Inferiors mocked them, their deep voices cutting through the air like razors. "Ahh, a Valorian among them," one of them hissed, its voice dripping with malice as its eyes locked onto Alexander. "We remember your kind. How you screamed as we tore your worlds apart, as we tortured and killed your people. Do you think you can save them? Do you think you can win?"

The Inferiors laughed, their monstrous forms growing more menacing as they stepped forward. "You are only delaying the inevitable," they sneered, their glowing eyes filled with hunger. "We will consume your world, just as we consumed your people."

Alexander's hands clenched into fists, his rage barely contained. His body tensed as the memories of his people's suffering flashed through his mind. He could feel the weight of their taunts, the fury building within him as he prepared to face the monsters that had destroyed so much.

"Enough," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You will not take this world."

The battle that followed was brutal. Alexander charged forward with the ferocity of a wounded beast, his fists crashing into the Inferiors with the power of a thousand suns. Superman joined him, his heat vision slicing through the ranks of the lesser creatures, while Batman and Zatanna worked to free The Flash and the civilians.

The Inferiors fought back with savage glee, their mocking laughter filling the air as they revelled in the chaos. But slowly, the tide began to turn. The Justice League fought with everything they had, including their teamwork and determination, pushing back the darkness.

As the last of the Inferiors fell, their bodies crumbling into ash, Alexander stood over them, his chest heaving with exertion. He turned to the others, his voice rough but steady.

"Get them out. We don't have much time."

With Zatanna's magic and Superman's speed, the heroes quickly gathered the civilians and survivors, making their way back to the rift. But the battle had left its mark on them all, the weight of the Inferiors' taunts hanging heavy in the air as they crossed back into their world.

The fight was far from over.