Bruce stood beside Arthur atop one of the massive elevated platforms overlooking the city of Nyx while Marshal Zeus and several Shadow Lantern commanders remained respectfully behind them.

Arthur’s expression had not changed since hearing the report.

Six Lanterns died and Steppenwolf was responsible.

The atmosphere around Arthur felt still and dangerous and Bruce knew that silence.

"You’re thinking about going there immediately," Bruce said calmly.

Arthur did not deny it.

"I can sense traces of their energy still lingering through the sector pathways," he replied quietly, violet eyes glowing faintly beneath strands of pale hair moving in the wind. "Steppenwolf is still there. Which means I can kill him now before he retreats deeper into Apokolips territory."

One of the nearby Lanterns visibly straightened at the statement.

Bruce noticed it instantly.

Arthur had already become something more than a commander here. To these beings, he was a living answer to fear itself.

Batman folded his arms beneath the cape.

"I understand wanting revenge," he said. "Especially after losing soldiers."

Arthur finally looked at him.

Bruce continued before the emotion in the air could shift further. "But Darkseid is not stupid.. He knows about you now. About the Shadow Lanterns and possibly about a lot more." Bruce’s voice remained calm. "A direct attack now is exactly what he would want from someone like you."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Bruce stepped closer to the edge of the platform, looking down upon the endless city below.

"You’re powerful," he said bluntly. "Probably powerful enough to become the greatest threat Darkseid has faced in centuries. Which means he’ll prepare accordingly. We don’t know enough about him yet. Not his full strength. Not the scale of Apokolips. Not how many forces he truly commands."

The mention of Apokolips caused several nearby Lanterns to exchange grim looks.

Bruce noticed that too.

"Considering everything already happening on Earth," Batman continued, "I don’t think you should rush into battle with him now. Deal with the Monarchs. Deal with the Rulers. Keep Darkseid distant for as long as possible."

Arthur remained silent for several seconds.

The glow in his eyes dimmed slightly as he stared toward the enormous battery in the distance.

"I can’t let this go unanswered," he finally said.

His voice was quieter now.

"I was the reason those Lanterns were recruited, they died protecting a world that wasn’t even theirs, all for the sake of this universe." Arthur’s jaw tightened slightly. "Steppenwolf slaughtered them because they carried my banner, that was the whole reason."

Bruce studied him carefully.

"I know."

Arthur exhaled slowly before continuing.

"At the very least... I’ll kill Steppenwolf."

The way he said it made even the Lanterns behind them stand straighter.

"He’ll make a useful shadow soldier," Arthur added coldly. "And even if he doesn’t know much about Darkseid’s true plans, I can extract something useful from him."

Bruce nodded once.

"Maybe. But right now, you disappearing into enemy territory after this incident would confirm every expectation they have about you."

Arthur looked at him again.

Batman met his gaze evenly.

"Darkseid probably already understands your temperament," Bruce said. "You retaliate directly. You bring the fight to your enemies before they can rest or prepare. That’s what makes you dangerous."

Arthur gave a faint smirk.

"You make me sound predictable."

"You are predictable," Bruce replied instantly. "You’re just strong enough that most people can’t punish you for it."

A few Lanterns nearby awkwardly avoided eye contact.

Arthur almost laughed at that.

Bruce continued.

"If you stay silent instead, it creates uncertainty and confusion for Apokolips. Let the Shadow Lantern Corps continue operating normally. No need for retaliation or panic and no large-scale mobilization is required."

Arthur’s eyes sharpened thoughtfully.

Bruce could already tell the idea was working.

"Darkseid expects rage," Batman said. "Don’t give him rage. Give him patience, we all need it, he is dangerous and we must prepare."

Arthur stayed quiet for a while after that.

The wind swept through the platform again as distant Lanterns crossed the skies of Nyx like black comets.

Then Arthur turned slightly toward Marshal Zeus.

"We continue operations as normal," he ordered calmly. "Increase observation around Apokolips territory but do not engage under any circumstances."

Marshal Zeus immediately bowed his head.

"As you command, My Monarch."

"We will not attack the planet Steppenwolf invaded. We will not move recklessly." His glowing eyes narrowed faintly. "But we will have our revenge."

Bruce glanced at him.

"Your way, I hope it is not a direct attack.." he said.

Arthur’s faint smile returned.

"Of course my way."

He stepped toward the edge of the platform, staring out across the endless alien city.

"Steppenwolf is ambitious," Arthur continued. "Creatures like him always are. He craves Darkseid’s approval too much to ignore opportunity." His expression darkened slightly. "So I’ll give him one."

Bruce remained silent, listening.

"I’ll feed Apokolips false information," Arthur said. "Something valuable enough to tempt him into moving personally. Once he steps outside Darkseid’s radar... I’ll isolate him."

The air around Arthur distorted faintly with shadows.

"And then," he said quietly, "I’ll tear him apart.."

Even Bruce could feel the killing intent behind those words.

Then Batman nodded once.

"Practical," he admitted. "Dangerous and still reckless, but practical."

Arthur glanced sideways at him.

"That almost sounded like praise."

"It isn’t."

A low chuckle escaped one of the Lanterns nearby before he quickly straightened again when Marshal Zeus looked over.

The tension eased slightly after that.

Bruce finally spoke again.

"Before we head back," he said, "I wanted to ask something."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any human Lanterns here?"

Arthur nodded casually.

"One."

That answer genuinely surprised Bruce.

’Only that one?’

Arthur noticed the look immediately.

"A girl, and she’s a commander here," he explained. "Asked permission to remain on Earth and assist with the Gates. I allowed it."

Bruce thought back briefly,

"The woman that visited your estate that night."

Arthur nodded.

"I assumed there would be more humans," Bruce admitted.

Arthur looked out across the skies of Nyx again.

"The rings choose their bearers," he said calmly. "Not me."

Far in the distance, countless Shadow Lanterns continued flying through the dark heavens beneath the glow of the massive battery.

"Only those truly worthy can wield the power of death."

Bruce stared at the city for a moment longer before giving a small nod.

"Power of Death... No wonder there aren’t that many humans."

.

.

.

.

Charred stone stretched across the alien world that Steppenwolf conquered, its surface still glowing orange where Apokoliptian fire had scorched it clean. Broken Parademon husks lay scattered between shattered spires of what had once been a fortress-city.

Steppenwolf stood there like a judge who had already delivered sentence and moved on, his axe rested against his shoulder and around him, the last remnants of resistance had already been erased. The Shadow Lanterns had fought with discipline, with a strange devotion that had amused him more than it had threatened him.

Now there was nothing left to amuse him.

He turned slightly as the Motherbox embedded in his armor pulsed with a cold hum. The air beside him split open in geometric fractures of light and sound, and from within that fracture came a calm voice of Desaad.

"Steppenwolf," the voice greeted, "Report."

Steppenwolf exhaled through his nose, almost pleased with himself. He turned his gaze toward the horizon, where smoke pillars still rose in the air.

"I have crushed what remained of resistance on this world," he said. His tone carried the satisfaction of completed labor. "The Shadow Lanterns, warriors bound to the so-called Shadow Monarch. They interfered in Apokolips’ designs... and they were broken for it."

Desaad did not respond immediately but when he finally did, his voice had sharpened.

"That is not nearly enough!"

Steppenwolf’s brow tightened slightly.

He had expected approval. Or at least acknowledgment. Instead of this.

Desaad continued, unbothered. "This is not the reaction we anticipated from him. The being you refer to as the Shadow Monarch has already proven himself... disruptive. Our Lord expects results that reflect understanding, not whatever this is."

Steppenwolf slowly lowered his axe from his shoulder, letting it rest against the ground with a heavy thud.

"You sent me to eliminate them and this world," he said. "I have done so. If you wish me to invade Earth directly, speak plainly. I will use the Motherboxes. I will open the gates, I will bring the armies."

There was a faint pause on the other end.

Then Desaad spoke again, quieter now.

"No need for that... yet."

Steppenwolf’s eyes narrowed.

"Then what is it you want?"

The air in the fracture rippled, as if Desaad were leaning closer from somewhere impossibly distant.

"Test him," Desaad said simply.

"Test the Shadow Monarch?" Steppenwolf repeated, as if confirming he had heard correctly. "I have already seen what his servants can do. They are capable but they still die like anything else."

An amused tone slipped into Desaad’s voice.

"His servants are not the point here."

"Hunt his Shadow Lanterns across the sectors," Desaad continued. "Pressure his reach. Cut his influence and force him to move."

Steppenwolf’s grip tightened on his axe.

"And when he does?" he asked.

"He will show up and you will prove yourself worthy to Darkseid once and for all." Desaad said calmly.

Steppenwolf turned slowly, surveying the dead world once more. The bodies of the Shadow Lanterns lay scattered, warriors who had spoken of Nyx.

Yet now, the thought of hunting more of them interested him more than he cared to admit.

"You are using him as bait," Steppenwolf said.

"We are measuring him, and you are being useful to our Lord." Desaad corrected calmly. "I’m not sure it is wise for you to go against Darkseid."

Steppenwolf simply lowered his head. "And if he comes, will I expect some aid from Apokolips."

Desaad answered, almost reverent.

"Of course... And we will know what kind of shadow stands between us and conquest."

The fracture of light began to collapse, folding itself back into geometry as the connection prepared to sever and before it closed entirely, Desaad’s final words slipped through like a whisper.

"Do not fail this, Steppenwolf. Our Lord is watching more closely than you think."

And then he was gone and Steppenwolf stood alone once more amid the ruins, his gaze slowly drifting upward toward the burning sky.

/-\

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