The moment Superman appeared, everyone's first instinct was to run.
Hearing Batman's calm but urgent command to retreat, Cyborg immediately took the lead. His arm shifted, transforming into a sonic cannon that blasted apart the cave entrance. Without hesitation, he aimed at the ground, unleashing another barrage. Within seconds, he had carved out a deep pit several meters down and leapt into it.
Upon landing, his weapon shifted again, converting into a high-powered laser. He started digging a narrow passage into the earth, the weapon slicing through rock like butter.
Meanwhile, Doctor Fate unfurled a roll of enchanted lead foil from his pack. Though his body was aging, his mastery of magic had only grown sharper with time. With a gesture, the foil spread out, and chunks of earth and stone rose under his control, layering over it. Together, they shaped into a crude stone chamber that sealed the pit above them.
At that moment, Cyborg had already completed the escape tunnel. He cut a square section of the stone floor and lifted it aside. "Quick! This way!" he called out, jumping down into the dim opening.
But no one followed. The team exchanged wary glances, tension weighing the air thicker than the dust surrounding them.
A few silent seconds passed. Then, Cyborg replaced the stone tile, sealing the floor again. He turned, nodding to the others.
In perfect synchronization, all seven moved against one wall of the chamber, pressing their backs tightly against the lead lining. Doctor Fate lifted his hands once more, and the foil responded to his command—earth and stone layered over it, forming a second wall just inches away.
They had built themselves a hiding space no more than thirty centimeters wide.
It was claustrophobic beyond reason. Even Batman—usually stoic under any pressure—had his face squished sideways, his lips pursed tightly against the wall. Directly opposite him, Joker's pale face mirrored his.
The two arch-enemies of Gotham were so close that, for once, they looked like reluctant allies… or worse.
Joker's eyes twinkled with mischief. He exaggerated a kissy face at Batman. Batman's glare could've killed a lesser man.
If Atom—or anyone else—had seen that exchange, they would've joked, "Congratulations, you two."
But now wasn't the time for humor.
Every other member stood frozen, their faces locked in grim focus. The air was thick with fear, the kind that crept beneath armor and seeped into bones.
Ever since Earth fell, Superman's red cape—the very symbol that once brought hope—had become the mark of death.
There was a time when the sight of it meant safety. Salvation. Now, it meant annihilation.
From Gotham to Africa, that crimson flag haunted them like a phantom. Every time the wind howled at night, someone in the Resistance would wake up in a cold sweat, sure they had heard it fluttering nearby.
If it weren't for Doctor Fate's constant illusions concealing their trail, that cape would have found them long ago.
Then—
BOOM!
The mountain above them erupted. The explosion of rock and steel echoed through the ruins.
The entrance Cyborg had carved out was obliterated.
Someone had arrived.
Two sets of footsteps echoed through the tunnel—steady, deliberate, unstoppable.
Superman.
The seven heroes went completely still. They barely breathed.
A heavy thud followed. Then Superman's voice, cold and commanding:
"Take him back. Make him submit to the great Darkseid."
A rush of wings followed. Parademons. They were dragging someone across the floor.
Black Adam.
Even after being freed, he'd fallen. Captured.
The sound of his body being dragged away echoed like a funeral bell. No one dared move.
They could only listen as Superman continued pacing the ruins, searching.
Then came the crunch of breaking stone.
A wall cracked open, and a hand slammed against the barrier with bone-rattling force.
"Lead," Superman muttered. His voice carried pure contempt. "The same old Batman trick."
He was inside the chamber now.
The seven heroes froze, their nerves stretched to breaking. Even Doctor Fate's magic trembled faintly from the weight of Superman's presence.
It was like being trapped inches away from a volcano about to erupt—or standing in the ocean while a leviathan circled just below the surface.
Even Cyborg, whose heart was half-mechanical, could feel his pulse racing. His sensors screamed danger, every instinct yelling run.
Superman walked slowly around the chamber, his boots grinding against the rubble. Then he stopped.
Right above their heads.
He crouched, lifting the very stone Cyborg had once moved. The sound of it scraping echoed through the cramped space.
A pause.
Then—footsteps receding downward. A deep tremor followed.
Superman had gone down the tunnel.
For a moment, no one dared believe it. Then Mera exhaled shakily, her body trembling. "He's gone, we—"
BOOM!
A thunderous impact shook the chamber. The dome of the ruins caved in.
Superman had returned.
He landed in the middle of the chamber like a meteor.
"You're still here," he said flatly. His voice was colder than ice.
With a single punch, he shattered an entire wall. Chunks of rock and molten lead scattered across the floor.
Every nerve in the group's body screamed. Joker snickered under his breath—more out of madness than amusement—as Batman clenched his jaw.
Doctor Fate gripped Atom's leg, forcing him into a crouch. Then Fate lowered himself, bowing his legs and pressing his head down.
He was gambling on his magic—on illusion alone—to save them.
Atom caught on immediately and passed the signal along. One by one, the others crouched low, compressing themselves into the tiny crevice.
A final punch split the wall above their heads.
Through the cracks, Superman's face appeared—calm, ruthless, absolute.
But the illusion held.
In Superman's vision, there was no one there. Just another wall of broken stone and dust.
He frowned, scanning the area with his heat vision. Nothing.
His brow furrowed deeper. "The texture of this wall… it's wrong."
His eyes began to glow red.
And the light fell directly on the illusion concealing them.
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