Diana was stripped of her title as Wonder Woman, and all her magical items were confiscated. Tet didn't think she was Crimson Key worthy just yet, so he left her punishment up to the Amazons.
"Diana will be imprisoned until I can decide a fitting punishment. Trying to radicalize her own people, raising her hand against a god, and all for a man that is on the path to becoming a dictator… where did I go wrong?" Hippolyta said with a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as years of disappointment weighed on her.
"Well, if you'd like a fresh start, I can send you and your people to somewhere they'd enjoy themselves. You don't have to decide now, just let me know before I leave. You can reach me with this," Tet said gently, handing Hippolyta a small red button. "That will let me know you wish to speak," Tet added with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, Lord Tet. You have been a kind and gracious god. As a token of my appreciation, and as an apology, please take this," Hippolyta said, holding out the Lasso of Truth with both hands.
"It won't let anyone else hold it, will it?" Tet asked as he accepted the lasso, feeling its warmth coil naturally around his hand.
"No, it won't, actually. And every time it was set down, it started moving toward you. We have no idea why," Hippolyta said, her brow furrowing in lingering confusion.
"Well, I am close to the person who blessed it. Be well, Your Majesty," Tet said respectfully as he turned to leave.
"Are you coming, or staying here?" Tet asked, glancing toward the hearth.
From within the dancing flames stepped a beautiful young woman who greatly resembled both Hestia and Vesta. The difference was. Her hair was a fiery golden color, cascading down to her lower back. A gold headband rested atop her head, and amber eyes glowed warmly, fire dancing within them just as it did in Hestia's and Vesta's. She wore a casual red dress that stopped at her knees, white high heels, and simple gold earrings.
"A day out would be lovely. Thank you for asking. Is this dress too casual? I'm not sure what to wear to punish superheroes. Oh, where are my manners. You can call me Tia. It's wonderful to meet you in person, Tet," Tia said warmly, her smile bright and sincere.
"You already know me?" Tet said, a bit confused, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes. I found the door to your guildhall a few weeks ago and regularly chat with Hestia and Vesta. The two of us have even bumped into each other a few times. You were just too tired to notice, but I'm counting this as our first official meeting," Tia said cheerfully, clasping her hands behind her back.
"Well, alright then," Tet said, a bit off guard as he prepared to teleport them.
"Ahem. Is that how a gentleman escorts a lady?" Tia said, her eyes narrowing just slightly in playful reproach.
Tet blinked, then almost unconsciously raised his arm. Tia immediately wrapped her arm around his, smiling brightly as she leaned in.
And just like that, Tet teleported them out.
------
Tet was walking down the streets of Metropolis arm in arm with Tia. The city was unfortunately in bad shape after the Joker's bomb went off, shattered glass and scorched concrete lining the streets like open wounds. Bruce walked solemnly next to them as they headed toward the memorial site where Superman would be. They planned to confront him after the service, before he could do anything rash.
"I'm curious… why are you helping me? As a god, shouldn't you tell me Superman is right to kill criminals, or that I'm a fool for believing people can change?" Bruce said quietly, his voice low and burdened with doubt.
"Take my hand for a second. See the world as I do," Tet said with a gentle smile as he stretched out his hand toward him.
Curious, Bruce took Tet's hand, and instantly the world around him changed. All the sad, hollow-eyed people were replaced with happy, smiling children. The world became bright and colorful, vibrant and alive instead of its usual gray. Laughter echoed faintly in the air. Bruce locked eyes with his own reflection and shed a single tear as he saw the happy child he once was, unbroken and full of wonder.
"You see, Bruce, as the god of games, it is my privilege to see people as the part of themselves they think they lost. But no matter how hard good people try to grow up and distance themselves from it, the happy child they once were will always wait for them to come back and remember a time when their world wasn't filled with darkness or monotony. That's why games exist. That's why I'm here for you," Tet said warmly.
Bruce smiled faintly at his reflection, emotion tightening his chest. Then he noticed some people who still looked like themselves, unchanged by the illusion. Noticing his line of sight, Tet spoke again.
"Those are the ones who succeeded in drowning out their inner child and became monsters. I wish it wasn't true, but some people actually are evil," Tet said grimly.
"So for those who still have theirs… there's still hope for them," Tet added as they continued walking toward the memorial.
Bruce smiled in relief as he saw Clark Kent as a smiling, mischievous ten-year-old, his hair slightly messy and eyes full of warmth. It was his sign that Superman wasn't beyond saving.
After the memorial, Clark walked over, his expression hard but restrained.
"You won't talk me out of it, Bruce. It has to be done," Clark said seriously.
"Before you two have an argument, let's go somewhere more private and let these people have their moment," Tet said quietly, his tone calm but firm.
Clark nodded slowly. "I know a place… that is, if we're going to have a civil discussion," Clark said.
------
Inside a small diner, Tet sat across from Tia, relaxed despite the tension in the air, while Clark sat across from Bruce, his posture rigid and guarded.
"So… who's the kid?" Clark asked, his tone skeptical but controlled.
"A god," Bruce said frankly, meeting Clark's gaze without hesitation.
Clark almost laughed, a sharp breath escaping him, until he saw that Bruce wasn't kidding. The seriousness in Bruce's eyes wiped the humor away instantly.
"So… I think you said your name was Tet. Why are you here?" Clark asked politely, forcing calm into his voice.
"As a favor to Bruce and myself. I know what will happen if you go down this road. Lots and lots of death, followed by an invasion from Brainiac. So I'll cut to the chase. I want you to play a game, one that I think will convince you to turn back before it's too late," Tet said with a small, confident smile.
"If I play this game, and if I'm not convinced by the time I'm done, will you get out of my way?" Clark asked, turning his head slightly toward Bruce.
"Yes. If this fails to convince you, I'll step aside," Bruce said grimly, the words clearly costing him something.
In response, Tet reached into his coat and handed Clark a glowing gold key. After a deep breath, Clark closed his fingers around it and activated it, vanishing in a flash of light that briefly illuminated the diner.
A moment later, Tet calmly teleported himself, Bruce, and Tia out.
-----
In Bruce's own home theater, Tet set up a massive holographic screen that hummed softly as it powered on. The room dimmed automatically, shadows stretching across the walls as the display flickered to life. They watched as Superman's game began.
The screen showed a dark and stormy night, rain pouring relentlessly from the sky, sheets of water blurring the city below. Thunder rolled in the distance, deep and ominous. Suddenly, the Bat-Signal ignited, its blazing symbol cutting through the clouds and lighting up the skyline.
Bruce's mouth fell open. He slowly turned toward Tet, disbelief written across his face, his eyes narrowing with sharp suspicion.
"What game did you say this was?" Bruce said, his voice tight.
"Batman: The Arkham Trilogy," Tet replied with a knowing smirk.
(Authors Note: Be honest who saw the Arkham games coming)